35 – S1.5. Return of Ilene and Pharo -1
Ilene had already stained her hands with much blood to survive. She didn’t hesitate to break the heads of hostile nobles, spread rumors to undermine someone’s authority, or use cunning tricks.
Recently, she tried to use the purple tower—a sanctuary for the Eirids—in various ways. After all, it was a dimensional shift to obtain that justification in the first place.
So, cutting off a single boy was not a big deal.
What made her hesitate was that she saw the overlapping. The blond boy was sometimes the young Eirid and sometimes the Sledoi. But whenever the suspicion in her mind rose, she could hear the laughter of the first prince in the boy’s shadow.
She knew many old stories. She had sifted through piles of fairy tale books in the library to tell her younger siblings.
There were also stories about emperors with many doubts. A simple story with a lesson that a king who cannot trust others sincerely will eventually self-destruct due to that suspicion.
The fairy tale she reopened after poisoning the first prince again had become a prophecy.
She knew it intellectually. That a price would follow for weak suspicions. But the past of pure laughter, pure trust, felt so distant. It seemed like an extremely difficult path to go back.
So.
“Ilene.”
“…Pharo.”
“I… have something to say.”
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“I do too, Pharo. Let me go first. It seems we’ve reached the end.”
They cleanly parted ways. Traveling with the boy was dangerous. Despite the dim light of the Nordic campfire, his paleness was evident.
“….”
“I heard you’re being chased because of the power of healing. Also, I suspect that Pharo might be infected by the shapeshifters. I don’t want to take the risk.”
“…Sorry. For hiding.”
“No need to apologize. It’s natural for each of us to lie to survive, right? It seems like it’s been a long time. It was enjoyable.”
“⋯⋯Me too! I also enjoyed it.”
The boy’s voice slithered in.
“The bonfire will be the final gift. I hope you reach paradise.”
“You’re leaving already? Now?”
“It can be attacked even at night.”
Elaine stood up. The guilt of having fed the metamorphosis larvae to Phyro still lingered, grabbing her ankle. But soon, she felt she could cut it loose.
Now, just three steps away. Turn away from the boy, take three steps, and it would be farewell.
The crackling sound of the bonfire filled the space between them. It sounded like a fuse burning, and conversely, like the sound of small flames extinguishing.
Crackle. Crackle.
As she was about to cut the final step, Phyro asked.
“The compass?”
“⋯⋯Regarding the story of paradise, I judged that your risk is greater than the return of paradise, Phyro.”
“No⋯⋯ Elaine. It’s your possession. Perhaps, taking the compass would be better.”
“It’s your belongings.”
“In the wasteland⋯⋯? It’s a place where taking things, even from people, should be fine.”
⋯⋯.
“If you’re leaving, taking the compass would be⋯⋯ safer. Maybe you can sell it to someone. Besides that, my bag has many useful items.”
Elaine took a deep breath and let out a thin sigh.
“Are you asking to kill me and take it, Phyro?”
“I hope you’d rather let me live⋯⋯.”
“If that’s the case, why?”
“It’s strange. They say they’re leaving because they don’t want to take the risk, but they don’t seem interested in taking anything to increase their chances of survival.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“I have something to say. I’ll tell you if you’re willing to listen. A compass. And my bag too.”
It was a condition with no downside. No, it was only advantageous. After a brief conversation, it meant being able to gather items that would aid in survival.
The steps that were about to leave for the sake of survival came to a halt for the sake of survival. In the gap between, only Eileen’s heart was heavily swaying.
“I want to express my gratitude first, Eileen. It was truly enjoyable for the past 5 days. Traveling with someone else is something I’ve never experienced before, not even in my dreams. It was more wonderful than vague imagination, wasn’t it? It made me happy, feeling like I gained a sister.”
“It was a contract. You, sharing knowledge with me. And I, complementing your lack of power.”
It feels like I gained more. If it weren’t for Eileen, I probably would have──.
“I would have survived, wouldn’t I? There wouldn’t have been some foolish woman forcing you to eat mucilage.”
“You don’t have to worry about that… It’s not Eileen’s fault. I didn’t know I would end up in the puddle, and also, Eileen has amnesia, remember?”
“Why are you defending me so passionately?”
“Because Eileen is a good person.”
“Don’t you realize that you’re being abandoned right now?”
“A truly bad person would have taken a compass long ago. Much earlier than now. Eileen had many opportunities to abandon me.”
“That’s… “
Eileen was at a loss for words.
Fero heard the voice of the parasite in his head urging him to confess quickly. But he didn’t want to burden Eileen, who was leaving, with the weight of his heart.
“I always thought you were pushing yourself too hard. Sometimes, Eileen’s eyes looked as if they were choked by something. So, I thought that maybe Eileen is… harboring fear like me.”
He decided to tell a story he wanted to tell rather than the story he wanted to hear.
“But I realized that I was a little different from her. I tried to escape from fear, while Elaine seemed to have chosen to wear thick armor. To protect herself.”
“…So?”
“We don’t match, Elaine.”
Fero cautiously continued speaking. To avoid any misunderstandings and clearly convey his own thoughts.
“We continued the journey for five days, hiding our wounds and turning our backs on each other. But you know, Elaine, we can be better… We can be free. It might sound vague, but…”
“……..”
“I hope Elaine can put down the armor and be happy. In a good place where there’s no need to worry about food or mutants, peacefully, without tormenting oneself with survival or suspicion… Without being tied to anything.”
What the boy uttered was nothing more than a list of vague words. But his feelings seemed to be conveyed.
“I don’t know what you’re suffering from, what makes you sad. But.”
In the colorless world, a glimmer appeared, and in the midst of that gap.
“I want to tell you many times, Elaine. Many times, we can move forward. Elaine, so…”
Just before the conclusion.
Thunk──!!
“……..!!”
“What on earth is this…?!”
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the ground. The earth shook, and the wind blew. Elaine lifted her head and looked beyond, towards the origin of the sound.
-Wooooo.
A giant mutant was rising.
Elaine turned her head in the opposite direction of the entrance. There was no longer a bait to lure the mutants. However, there was still some distance, so if she ran with all her might now, she might be able to survive with Pero.
But.
“-Eeoooohhh!”
There, another huge mutant──.
————-
The role-playing game of “Tower of Mar” really appealed to Pero.
Is this really the skill of a newbie⋯⋯!
I watched that figure with warmth, then seized the moment. I had laid down the groundwork thoroughly. It wasn’t intentional, but what’s important is that it can be utilized.
1) The huge mutant chasing the party across the plains abnormally.
2) Pero consuming mucus (adopting the mutant larva setting)
3) The foreshadowing of Pero staring somewhere in the plains absentmindedly
4) The sudden burst of violet light for some reason earlier
5) Pero’s movement as if being possessed by something
All the clues in my head fell into place. And I painted a magnificent picture.
The fact that the mutant larva implanted in Pero’s head was subtly manipulating Pero, calling the huge mutant here.
“-Grrraaahhh!”
“-Grrruuuhhh!”
Judging from Mar’s movements, it seemed she was heading towards a peaceful happy ending, but even in a happy ending, obstacles are necessary for the protagonist. So I created one. A second battle with the huge mutant. Doubled the quantity!
Somewhere, a boy’s voice could be heard.
“You little brat-!!”
Ah, this is the Martopju.
Although Martopju seemed a bit angry… well, whatever. I just wanted to decorate the finale of the two people in a cool way. Elaine seemed a bit lacking.
Elaine’s problem wasn’t a survival instinct or trauma from poison or a lack of trust in humans. All of these issues stem from one characteristic.
In my view, the essence is responsibility.
The nature of trying to do everything by oneself instead of reaching out to someone when faced with a crisis. The thought of “I have to do it myself.” The blindness to achieve goals even if it means breaking oneself.
It is an immense sense of responsibility for an immature eleven-year-old to decide on fratricide for the sake of his siblings and carry it out alone.
No one around Elaine believed the phrase, “The culprit is the First Prince.” It is a hypothesis that the experience and the twisted sense of responsibility he was born with created synergy.
Since the only variable to calculate is oneself, the only option that comes to mind is to abandon something. Because there was always a limit to what an individual could accomplish.
But if you broaden your perspective and don’t see the little boy as a burden or potential threat, but rather as an ally— the moment you perceive him as a comrade, it becomes a battlefield designed for a full survival ending. This place.
In other words, it’s a simple gimmick battle.
The information has been provided. Espero is infected, and the mutants are attracted to the boy. Additionally, it has been described that the boy possesses healing power that anyone would desire. When the mutants and healing are combined, it means a tank.
All you have to do is break the mutants while the boy tanks. Simple.
The Martopju had already completed the pre-delivery on this gimmick. Of course, the pain sensitivity had been lowered to the point of being equivalent to a cat’s punch.
Now, the question is whether Elaine will see the boy as a tank or as bait. That is the point of observation.
Or perhaps she will recall the existence of Leia, which seems to have already been erased from her mind… Leia is designed as a sub-dealer position. Wasn’t she attacked for no reason? It would be good to persuade her with a short phrase like, “Cooperate to survive together.” If I succeed in a simple persuasion, I will provide her with a support role in my own way.
Now, the first attack of the giant mutant was flying.
Will
—
Metamorphosis, it was the process of changing the color of the soul.
Profound experiences, unwavering determination, overflowing emotions like fervent affection, they dyed the soul in hues. By doing so, the magical power obtained by burning the colored soul – it gained a special effect.
The reason Princess Ilane could achieve success on the Eastern Front was because she was at the threshold of metamorphosis. Due to the extremity of that power, she had refrained from using it, but…
She deemed it was the time to use it now.
Ilane extended her arm and recited the incantation.
“『Wind Gauntlet of Gyogok』.”
Wind began coiling around Ilane’s hands, which were covered in wounds.
A universal magic, like a gauntlet wrapping her hands with blades of wind. However, by adding color once again…
The sharp wind gradually increased its speed, making a whistling sound before falling silent at a certain point. Beyond the range audible to humans.
Squelch.
Blood splattered.
The fierce wind was cutting into Ilane’s skin, the caster. Along the wind’s path, wounds formed, blood flowed, becoming part of the wind.
The scars on Ilane’s hands were from this technique. Strengthening specific movements utilizing magic by manifesting a change in the color of the soul.
“Metamorphosis – 『Blood Wind』.”
From a distance, it seemed as though she was enveloped in a crimson storm within her hands.
– aaargh!!
The colossal mutated arm scraped across the ground, raising clouds of dust, rocks scattering in all directions.
Even amidst this scene reminiscent of a flying massive wall, Ilane maintained her stance.
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Then, with determination, she struck the storm.
Kuaaah!!
Kkkeugeugeugeuk!
Following the trajectory of the swirling storm, the arms of the giant mutant were literally sliced off. And with the ensuing aftermath, the mutant’s shoulders were forcefully thrust outward. The wind smelled of blood in the sky.
A destructive power that stood out even compared to other myths.
However, Elaine’s complexion was rapidly turning pale. Just maintaining the technique alone caused massive bleeding, so she had relied on the support of the priesthood while on the eastern front.
Now, without a priest, there would be severe bleeding in about 5 minutes.
She had to make a decision within 5 minutes. Can she slay the two giant mutants within that time? It was difficult. They weren’t that resilient, but they were incredibly huge.
A head, suspected to contain a core, was placed so high it was pitch black. To deliver effective blows by dismembering from the legs and attacking the head, it would take at least four strikes. Considering the mutant’s regeneration ability, five punches were needed. And there were only two mutants.
Dodging or enduring attacks of immense mass, a total of ten times. If there was a little more time, it would be different, but with only 5 minutes, it was tight.
Then. She had to break through and escape.
“We have to escape──!”
Kwaaah!!
Elaine once again took the giant mutant’s attack in place. Why wouldn’t her feet move?
She didn’t realize she was exhausted. All doubts and everything about survival. It was sickening to continue living by resorting to evil.
She couldn’t even accept the kindness of the boy and pushed him away, finding herself pathetic.
Perhaps, the boy’s last words that she hadn’t heard yet were holding her back.
In her mind, the voice still echoed. Run away from here. If you abandon memories, feelings, and everything and escape, just like that day, you can survive.
As she looked at the palm of the mutant’s hand flying through the sky again, preparing for the third counterattack.
“Here──! You wicked mutants, it’s here──!! Your offspring is within me──!!”
“⋯⋯Pharaoh?!”
Fero shouted. Somehow, from his hands, a violet light burst forth.
The colossal mutants turned their heads to gaze at the small boy. In the boy’s mind, something was shouting towards this direction, and he reached out his hand.
A massive hand descended to crush the small boy.
“You, fool!!”
Elaine leaped diagonally, slashing through the air at an angle towards the ground. With a crimson storm, she shot out at an acceleration that seemed uncontrollable.
In an instant, she reached the boy’s side and scooped him up.
Whoosh!
Above the spot where Elaine and Fero embraced and flew past, the mutant’s hand dropped with a hair’s breadth. In that moment, she released the “Bloodwind.”
Elaine gripped Fero’s collar and shouted.
“You idiot, Fero?! If someone is buying time, you should have fled instead of engaging in futile resistance!”
“…Elaine stayed behind!”
Elaine’s expression twisted.
Was this boy willing to sacrifice himself to save her, to take on everything and die for her?
As if Elaine, entangled in the game of the First Prince, had made a decision in the midst of suffering.
Thinking about it that way, when she was about to vent her anger.
“I have healing abilities… Have you heard from Lea? So, as long as I don’t die instantly, I can endure it. Even if it’s just to think of the mutant inside my head, I won’t act violently like that!”
“….”
“At that time, Elaine can finish off the giant mutant! Before I get polished!”
Elaine blinked in confusion. The boy had a plan.
“…Wasn’t it a sacrifice?”
“Um, well, hmm… If we all join forces and live together, wouldn’t that be nice…?”
Elaine’s expression changed drastically.
It was strange, but the boy believed in Elaine. He seemed to think that if they fought together, no one would die and they could overcome this crisis.
Elaine, frozen in a daze as if she had heard someone say that 1 plus 1 equals 3, suddenly burst into laughter.
Perhaps she had been mistaken about something. It felt like scattered puzzle pieces were falling into place.
————-
How long had it been since she had trusted someone?
Since the incident at the Royal Palace, Elaine had never fully trusted anyone. She hadn’t even trusted herself.
If there was even a slight risk, she would avoid it, and when meeting someone, she always guarded against betrayal. Her only concern was whether “she could handle it.” Her heart was a desolate world.
If this was a precaution based on firm beliefs, there would be no need for distress.
Unlike what Pharaoh said, it didn’t seem to fit her nature. With each such choice, she could feel her dry heart crumbling.
Using Pharaoh as bait would definitely allow her to escape.
Using herself as bait would definitely allow her to save Pharaoh.
But if she tried to save both Pharaoh and herself at the same time… If she failed, it would be a complete disaster… But strangely, it felt somewhat relieving.
So.
Elaine decided to believe.
In herself, and in Pharaoh.
The wind that had been cutting through her skin ceased. Although sticky blood continued to flow from the existing wounds, they no longer grew.
And from her fingertips, the wind. Instead of tracing the constrained path of a spiral, it flowed freely, as if refusing to be bound.
Elaine instinctively felt that she could no longer use the “Bloodwind.”
However, the power obtained in exchange, even though its destructive force had diminished, allowed for many possibilities. Elaine watched the rippling wind with fascination and suddenly gave it a name that came to mind.
“…Uwha (羽化) – ‘Expectation.'”
The small realization changed the direction of her heart. Though she hadn’t completely overcome it, it was certainly a step forward, a sublimation.
The wind gently wrapped around Elaine’s body. And as she reached out her hand, a gust of wind began spinning around Pharaoh’s body.
“…U-Uwa?!”
“Please, Pharaoh. I will sever the necks of the two giant mutant creatures at once. Can you draw their attention?”
Nervously shaking, it was the first time she received, but… with unmistakable shining trust, Espero vigorously nodded.
“…Yes!”
It was time for a counterattack.
————-
The remaining distance to ‘Paradise’──
0.