Volume 6
Chapter 28
With a carefree smile, Zonne stood before Nozomu and the others, and an indescribable silence filled the air.
Behind the old man was
Abyss Grief, which had formed a dome-shaped cocoon. However, Zonne didn't seem
to mind it much and approached Nozomu with light steps.
"Hold on a
minute, brat. It's dangerous to rush into that barrier carelessly."
"Wh-Why are you
here, old man...? And what barrier..."
"Well, there are
various reasons. Oh, the young ladies are here too! Hmm! I'm glad to see you're
all unharmed."
As Zonne nodded
happily, Nozomu felt his impatience growing.
He didn't know what
was happening, but he could easily imagine that Lisa was in a dangerous
situation right now.
This was no time for
this. Nozomu glared at the cocoon, which was emitting a strange aura, and tried
to pass by Zonne's side with large strides.
"If you're going
to flirt, old man, do it somewhere else! I'm busy right now!"
"That's why I'm
telling you to calm down. Rushing in recklessly won't solve anything
easily."
But Zonne smoothly cut
into Nozomu's path and stood in front of him. A deep rationality could be seen
in his eyes.
"Rest assured. At
the very least, that red-haired young lady won't be eaten and die right away.
For now, that beast needs her."
The rational words and
gaze of Zonne, which he had never seen before, seeped coldly into Nozomu's
head, which was about to get heated.
With a look of
confusion welling up from the depths of his chest, Nozomu questioned Zonne.
"...What do you
mean?"
Indeed, Nozomu felt
that he was lacking information about the current situation.
What had happened to
Ken? What had happened to Lisa now?
All he knew was that
the black demonic beast was deeply involved in this matter. And that the old
man in front of him held some kind of information and had come to this place
with a firm purpose.
The light of reason
returned to Nozomu's eyes, which had been filled with impatience. As if
satisfied with Nozomu's state, Zonne gave a deep nod once and slowly opened his
mouth.
"The man that
beast parasitized, he was your childhood friend, and he was in love with that
red-haired young lady, wasn't he? So much so that he would betray you, his best
friend..."
Nozomu nodded at
Zonne's question.
He wondered why the
old man knew about his personal relationships, but for now, he continued to
listen to Zonne's story, intending to hear everything he had to say.
"As you know,
brat, that demonic beast is a being with extraordinary potential. So much so that
it can completely rebuild its host's body from the ground up."
Fundamentally
rebuild the host's body.
Those words struck a
chord with Nozomu. It was when Nozomu and the others encountered Abyss Grief in
the forest with Shina.
At that time, Abyss Grief
had the form of a four-legged beast, and its tail was as sharp as the blade of
a guillotine.
And when cornered by
Nozomu and the others' offensive, Abyss Grief had transformed its entire neck
into a single giant mouth and had even managed to grow a second greatsword-like
tail. He had never heard of a demonic beast that could undergo such a rapid
transformation.
Furthermore, Ken's
body from before. The mud-like liquid that came out of his body when it was
bisected by Nozomu's Phantom was clearly not human bodily fluid.
"On the other
hand, it itself is extremely unstable and requires a core organism to
exist."
Ignoring Nozomu's
thoughts, Zonne continued to speak.
"Can that
organism be any living thing? For example, a flea or a mite..."
"No, if the organism
is too small, it will collapse before it can stabilize its body. There are also
various other compatibility issues. If it parasitizes an incompatible body, its
lifespan will be significantly reduced."
As he said that, Zonne
turned his eyes to the crater in the ground created by Jihad. No, the old man
was probably looking at Jibin's corpse, who had died there.
His shattered body was
no longer recognizable, but when he saw the corpse, Zonne narrowed his eyes in
mourning.
"...Furthermore,
that demonic beast ultimately contaminates and controls the host's soul,
manipulating it at will, but in doing so, it cunningly exploits the host's
psychological weaknesses. It dangles the existence that the core host desires
above all else. In order to make the host accept its control, and to make it
stronger and easier to control..."
The existence that the
host desires above all else. The moment he heard those words, a shock like a
lightning bolt ran down Nozomu's spine.
The image of his first
love came to mind.
Ken, who had become
the host of Abyss Grief. He could only think of one person that he would desire
so relentlessly.
"No way..."
"That's right.
The woman desired by the man who became the core. By incorporating her, that
demonic beast is trying to be reborn as a more powerful being. The girl to whom
the host showed a fanatical obsession. It's understandable that the demonic
beast would try to incorporate her first."
Shrugging his
shoulders, Zonne turned back to the dome that was emitting a strange aura.
There was the cocoon
for the hatching of Abyss Grief, which had become a literal chrysalis with Ken
as its core and Lisa incorporated into it.
"That cocoon is a
'predation barrier' for fusing the incorporated existence at the soul level. If
you rush in carelessly, not only your bones but even your soul will be devoured
and become food for that demonic beast."
"Then, if I
destroy the barrier..."
"You might be
able to defeat the demonic beast, certainly. However, that demonic beast should
have already begun to incorporate the red-haired girl's soul. If you destroy it
carelessly, you might shatter the young lady's soul as well, you know?"
"No way..."
If he left this
barrier as it was, Lisa's death was certain. But he couldn't even destroy it
carelessly. Nozomu let out a hoarse voice at the hopeless situation.
Irisdina and the
others were all biting their lips as well.
In the midst of this,
Inda, who had been listening from behind, let out a suspicious voice.
"Old man, who in
the world are you..."
"Me? As you can
see, I'm a wandering hero!"
"I'm curious as
well. Your skill in not even letting us sense your presence until you arrived
here. Who in the world are you? At the very least, there's no way a master of
your caliber among the staff of this academy would not have come to my
attention."
As if taking over from
Inda's words, Jihad took a step forward. A clear look of suspicion could be
seen in his eyes.
"Furthermore,
I've never heard such a story about Abyss Grief. But this situation, at the
very least, does not deny that story."
Due to the scarcity of
sightings, almost no details are known about Abyss Grief. There has been no
progress in retaking the lands invaded by the demonic beasts.
But the old man in
front of them was clearly speaking about Abyss Grief with conviction.
"Information we
could not obtain. Even here, with the most advanced technology on the
continent, there are still too many unknowns about Abyss Grief. Who are you,
who knows this? It's impossible to tell us not to be concerned."
Jihad took a step
towards Zonne.
The others present
watched with bated breath as the two stood there, their gazes locked.
"You seem to
doubt me."
"At the very
least, there are no elements to dispel my suspicions about you. If possible, I
would like you to disclose all information. But you probably know a way to save
Lisa Hounds and Ken Notice, don't you?"
At Jihad's sudden
words, Nozomu's eyes widened, and Zonne let out a small whistle.
"What makes you
think so?"
"You just said,
'Don't enter carelessly.' Then, isn't it possible to enter that barrier by
taking some kind of measure?"
"It's just a
guess, isn't it?"
"But it's not
entirely a lie, is it?"
Jihad's eyes narrowed,
and the intimidating pressure erupting from his entire body enveloped the lone
old man.
On the other hand,
even while being glared at with a force that would make an ordinary person's
knees buckle, Zonne remained nonchalant, as if it were a gentle breeze.
"...If you can't
cooperate, it can't be helped. We will destroy that barrier with all our
might."
"What!?"
The two had been
facing each other in silence, but at Jihad's sudden declaration, Nozomu and the
others let out voices of surprise in unison.
But they also
understood. If Abyss Grief were to be revived without destroying this barrier,
it was easy to imagine that this city would also suffer great damage.
The opponent was a
monster of unknown identity. Its abilities were not to be underestimated, and
its life force and combat power were on a different level.
Even if they could
defeat the demonic beast without any damage, there would undoubtedly be
criticism as to why they didn't act before its revival in this situation.
"That demonic
beast was also sighted 10 years ago and is thought to be related to the great invasion.
It may seem heartless, but we cannot unleash such an extremely dangerous
existence in the middle of a city like this..."
Inda also nodded at
Jihad's words, but both of them were gritting their back teeth as if they had
bitten into a bitter bug. She, too, must have had her own vexations in this
matter.
"We don't want to
let them die like this either. It may only be an excuse, but we teachers also
bear some responsibility for how they ended up like this... That's why I want
you to cooperate."
Jihad requested
Zonne's cooperation in a strong tone. His words were low and had little
inflection, but it might have been close to a plea. In fact, he was prepared to
even get on his knees and beg if necessary.
The head of an
organization bowing his head. The meaning of that was extremely significant.
A world where the
dead, possessed by the forbidden fruit of power, run rampant. To show weakness
there could, in some cases, become a major opening and lead to paying a great
price.
Conversely, it could
also be said that he loved this city and its students that much. Even if he
didn't say it directly and clearly in words.
"Hmm. I'm not
sure if there's a clear way to save the person who's become the core. Since
that young military police officer was also completely controlled, it would
have been impossible to save him..."
Zonne glanced at
Jibin's corpse once more and narrowed his eyes apologetically.
However, he
immediately faced Jihad again, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth.
"But I have my
own reasons, you see. I can't tell you everything."
Zonne made an
apologetic face but refused to disclose all information.
Perhaps Jihad knew
that, as he nodded without any particular surprise. However, a certain
determination could be seen in his eyes.
"So it seems..."
Jihad gripped the hilt
of his greatsword.
In other words, it was
a declaration of his intention to "get the information by any means
necessary."
It was an expression
of his strong determination to not hesitate to use force to protect the city
and students he loved.
As if sensing Jihad's
determination, the military police surrounding them also raised their fighting
spirit in unison.
Watching the reactions
of those around him, Zonne let out a deep sigh as if to say it couldn't be
helped.
"I guess this is
the only way after all..."
Zonne, who had
muttered in a voice so low that no one around him could hear, raised the staff
he held in his right hand high and then lightly tapped the ground with it.
The next moment, an
extremely complex magic circle unfolded over the entire ground in front of the
library.
"What!?"
A mandala-like
formula, with circles as its base, intertwined like a maze.
As the magic circle,
which not only Nozomu but even Jihad and Inda had never seen before, shone
brightly, all the military police present, as well as Ransa who was being
protected by them, collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.
"What was
that..."
Nozomu and the others
were speechless with surprise. For a moment, they thought they were dead, but
upon closer inspection, the chests of the fallen military police were rising
and falling rhythmically. It seemed their breathing was steady.
But at the same time,
they felt a chill run down their spines at Zonne's power, who had incapacitated
the military police in less than a second.
At the very least,
activating magic requires several steps such as constructing a formula,
charging magic power, and activating it.
He considered that it
might have been assisted by an ability like Irisdina's instant deployment, but
even so, the scale was too different. He couldn't even imagine a means to
deploy such a large-scale magic in an instant.
But while Nozomu and
the others were frozen with expressions of surprise, for some reason, Zonne
also had his eyes wide open and his mouth agape.
In front of Zonne were
Jihad and Inda, who he was sure he had just put to sleep, trying to get up
while gritting their teeth.
"K-Kuoooo..."
"Uu, gh..."
Jihad, while biting
his lip, desperately raised his upper body and stood up on his own feet. Inda,
although unable to stand, was stabbing her own claws, through which magic power
was flowing, into the back of her hand, desperately resisting Zonne's spell.
"Hmm. It seems
you two are different from the other military police. I held back to some
extent because I was afraid you might not wake up until you died if I made it
too strong, but to think you would resist on your own..."
"Hah, hah, who in
the world are you..."
"I am not one who
is hostile to you all. Well, it's true that I have business in this
city..."
Or rather,
with that brat...
While muttering in his
mouth so that his voice wouldn't leak out, Zonne glanced at Nozomu. At the
serious gaze, different from the usual cheerful and carefree Zonne, Nozomu felt
as if his chest had been seized.
But that feeling was
fleeting. The next moment, Nozomu was suddenly seized by an impulse that felt
as if his heart was being thrust up.
Y-You, you are...!!
Tiamat's voice echoed
in his mind. It carried a tone of astonishment, as if seeing something
impossible.
The next moment, a
headache more intense than any he had ever felt before assaulted Nozomu.
"Wh-What...
guaaaaah!"
"Nozomu!?"
"Nozomu-san,
w-what's wrong?!"
Irisdina and the
others widened their eyes at the suddenly suffering Nozomu and rushed over in a
panic.
But Nozomu didn't have
the luxury of answering their desperate cries.
A sensation as if his
brain were being churned with a hot poker. The pain was so intense that Nozomu
couldn't help but fall to his knees.
"Guuuuh,
ahhhhhh!"
Gaaaaah!
Youuuuuuuu!!
A headache
incomparable to the one he had when fighting Ken. No, the worst pain he had
ever experienced was churning Nozomu's head into a mess.
"Th-This guy!
Just calm down... guuh!"
Nozomu tried to endure
the pain by closing his eyes tightly, but he could only grit his teeth and
endure the unprecedentedly intense headache.
His vision was turning
white, and a hatred was boiling up like an erupted volcano.
Even though he knew it
was Tiamat's hatred, Nozomu desperately gritted his teeth so that his ego would
not be swallowed.
OUT! LET ME
OUT————!!
The giant dragon
rampaged within Nozomu's soul.
The boiling hatred
ignited the negative heart in the depths of Nozomu's chest, that is, his resentment
towards the injustice he had suffered and towards Ken and the others, and tried
to paint his soul with hatred.
"Shut up...! Be
quiet...!"
As he continued to
suppress the anger that was about to turn his vision crimson, muttering to
himself as if to convince himself, the sound of clear water suddenly echoed in
Nozomu's ears.
It was a sound he had
heard many times in his dreams.
With a sound like a
ringing bell, the boiling hatred subsided like a receding tide.
Guu!
Gaaaaaaaaah...!
Eventually, when Tiamat's
voice could no longer be heard, Nozomu placed his hands on the ground,
breathing heavily.
"Hah, hah,
hah..."
"I'm a little
surprised. To think you would suppress its impulse on your own..."
Zonne's eyes were so
wide he looked as if they would pop out.
But Zonne's words and
actions clearly implied that he knew about Nozomu's secret.
"Hah, hah. Old
man, how much do you..."
How much did this old
man know? Nozomu felt an indescribable sense of astonishment and eeriness
towards the old man in front of him.
It was the same for
Irisdina and the others. Jihad, who did not know Nozomu's secret, had a
suspicious look on his face, but Irisdina and the others were at a loss for
words at the words that clearly alluded to Tiamat.
On the other hand,
Zonne glanced at Nozomu and the others proudly and continued to speak, ignoring
Nozomu and the others who were frozen with expressions of astonishment.
But those words also
left Nozomu and the others speechless.
"Now, let's
continue the story. I don't know about the one who's become the core, but it's
still not too late for the young lady who's been absorbed. The method is quite
simple. Since we can't destroy the barrier, the only way is to jump into that
barrier and rescue her directly."
"What!?"
"Hey, hey, old
man! Didn't you just say that if you jump into the barrier, even your soul will
be eaten?!"
"What kind of
strategy is that~! It's ridiculous~!"
Hearing Zonne's
proposal, Irisdina and the others all raised their voices in unison.
To be frank, it was a
content that seemed to deny the words he himself had just uttered. In the first
place, it was the old man in front of them who said that if you rushed in
carelessly, you would die.
As everyone raised
their voices, Zonne tried to calm them down.
"It's certainly
reckless. To be honest, I can't think of any other way. The inside of the
barrier has become a space completely different from reality, and any soul that
enters will be forcibly connected to Abyss Grief's soul and be bathed in its
resentment and wrath. The most skilled person here is that captain over there,
but it might be difficult even for him."
At the story that it
would be difficult even for Jihad, all those who had been raising their voices
fell silent.
Jihad Raundel was
undoubtedly the strongest being in this academy.
A blessed physique,
and outstanding skill. And a judgment backed by the experience of having
survived numerous life-or-death situations. Above all, his mature and noble
spirit could be said to be one of the pillars of this strange city, let alone
the academy.
Irisdina and the
others felt as if they were gritting their back teeth at the thought of Abyss
Grief's predation barrier, which was said to be extremely dangerous, even for
such a powerful person who could be said to be on a different level.
But at the same time,
why would he propose that Nozomu enter the predation barrier, knowing that it
was dangerous?
Perhaps curious about
the reason, Jihad and Inda narrowed their eyes and waited for Zonne's next
words.
"But, brat, it's
a different story for you. You may have a vague idea of the reason..."
Nozomu wondered why he
was chosen, but he felt as if he understood the true meaning of those words
from the earlier words that alluded to Tiamat.
Certainly, the power
of that giant dragon was on a different level. Furthermore, the essence of that
power was the power of the spirits that supported this world itself. If he
could control it completely, he might be able to save Lisa, who was on the
verge of being absorbed.
However, Nozomu
himself had never been able to control that power properly...
"No, no, that's
not it, brat. It has to be 'you,' not 'it.' In this situation, the only one who
can save her, who has been taken into that predation barrier, is probably you
alone."
But Zonne cut down the
thought that had floated in Nozomu's mind with a single stroke. He had clearly
stated to Nozomu that "it's not Tiamat's power that can save Lisa, but you
alone."
"What do you
mean..."
"It's just a
guess, but you have a hidden power. Not 'its' power, but 'your own power.' I
don't know the details of what kind of power it is. It seems you yourself don't
know either..."
At those words, Nozomu
felt as if his heart had been seized.
"It," and
the "Nozomu's own power" that Zonne mentioned.
Regardless of the true
meaning hidden behind those words, Nozomu himself had an idea of the events
that had been happening in his spiritual world recently.
Tiamat, who had tried
to subdue Nozomu with overwhelming power.
That giant dragon had
always continued to crush the desperately resisting Nozomu as if he were a
bothersome gnat. Normally, the existence known as Nozomu Bountis should have
disappeared from this world the moment he was killed once.
However, Nozomu was
still alive and well here. Wasn't there some reason for that?
"I'll be honest
now because it's the right time, but when you were with that black-haired girl
before, I examined your body under the pretext of fortune-telling."
"What did you
say!?"
Nozomu was dumbfounded
by the sudden declaration.
Come to think of it,
after helping Eldor and the others with Irisdina and Feo and completing the
request, when he was told he would be given advice about his relationship with
Lisa and touched the old man's crystal ball in front of him, a strange numbness
ran through his hand.
If he had activated
some kind of magic at that time...
Nozomu felt dizzy from
the contents that were being revealed one after another from Zonne's mouth.
"But I couldn't
figure out the details of your power. But that power is gradually awakening. Or
maybe it has already awakened, and you're just starting to notice it. Don't you
have an idea of what I'm talking about?"
"..."
Zonne looked straight
at Nozomu as if to probe his heart. Nozomu could only remain silent, but that
silence spoke volumes.
A moment of silence
passed, but it was Inda who broke it and opened her mouth.
"However,
suddenly betting on an uncertain power is too great a risk. We don't even know
the details..."
"That's right.
So, one more thing, I'll establish a path with the brat when he enters the
barrier. By doing so, we can know the situation inside the barrier and the
brat's condition, and we might be able to provide some kind of magical support.
Fortunately, the elf young lady has a path with the brat, so I think we can do
that perfectly, you know?"
"Wha! How did you
know?!"
Shina panicked as the
contract she had secretly made with Nozomu was suddenly revealed.
"Hmm? You have a
path...?"
"Don't mind it!
It's nothing, nothing at all!"
"Eh?"
"..."
As Nozomu tilted his
head and tried to ask Shina about the contract, Shina forcibly cut off the
conversation.
Irisdina, sensing a
somewhat ominous atmosphere, narrowed her eyes in silence.
"Come to think of
it, didn't the black-haired young lady also have a path with the brat? I can
somehow sense a remnant of that..."
"How much do
you... No, you're right, that might be better."
Zonne's words seemed
to see through everything. Perhaps her mind had gone numb from having her
secrets revealed one after another, as Irisdina also gave a somewhat
absentminded reply.
Of course, when she
agreed to establish a path, a sharp gaze like a hawk's was piercing Shina...
"U-Uuh..."
"U-Umm..."
Shina looked down
awkwardly, and Nozomu, not knowing what to say, was flustered.
The simple contract
they made in the forest at that time. She had never erased it.
Why, how come. Come to
think of it, when he was suffering from Tiamat's voice before, he felt like he
had heard her voice...
Events that affirmed
the word "contract" resurfaced in Nozomu's mind. Shina remained
looking down, not trying to look at Nozomu's face.
But he didn't feel any
negative emotions like rejection in her appearance. Rather, it felt more like
shame or embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Zonne and
Irisdina's group had resumed their conversation with Jihad and Inda at some
point.
While feeling that Shina's
cheeks peeking from under her bangs were somehow blushing, Nozomu reluctantly
returned his attention to the discussion.
"So, how about
it? I think it's worth a try."
"Indeed, it's not
without possibility. The merit of being able to provide support using the path
of contract magic instead of rushing in alone is great..."
Jihad's brain was
rapidly deriving and verifying various hypotheses based on Zonne's proposal.
The simplest was to
ignore Zonne's warning and destroy Abyss Grief's cocoon.
This would probably be
the most certain method with the least damage. The safety of the city would be
guaranteed in exchange for the lives of two students.
To be honest, Jihad
initially thought that as the guardian of the city, this was the only choice.
The opponent was an
unknown demonic beast whose ecology was completely unknown. Furthermore, it was
an extremely dangerous existence, and he couldn't even imagine the damage if it
were to reproduce. At worst, it could even destroy a country.
But the existence of
the old man named Zonne in front of him made that impossible. From Jihad's
point of view, this old man was too abnormal.
He could put dozens of
people to sleep in an instant and make even S-rank individuals kneel. And he
did it without any difficulty.
Jihad's rare talent
and experience kept sounding alarms. Not to fight the old man in front of him.
Jihad held his breath at the existence he had never felt before.
Zonne's purpose was
unknown.
However, the old man
in front of him was very concerned about Nozomu Bountis. That was easy to
imagine from Zonne's words and actions, and he himself didn't seem to have any
intention of hiding it.
But he also felt that
a line was clearly drawn from a certain point. While giving information, Zonne
had also clearly stated that there were things he couldn't answer.
Various questions and
unanswerable speculations that crossed his mind. As if to discipline himself
from getting lost in a maze of thoughts, Jihad decided to return to the
fundamental reason for being in this city.
"...My mission is
to protect this city."
To protect this city.
That was Jihad's duty and the mission he had imposed on himself.
"But at the same
time, it is also to nurture the young people who will continue into the future
and to support them until they can leave the nest. If there is a chance to save
even one more young life, it is worth a try."
But that mission was
also to raise the young birds that would connect to the future and protect them
until they were ready to leave the nest.
If he were to abandon
the life of a student who could possibly be saved here, he would become no
different from a merchant of death who sells weapons for his own selfish
desires.
Jihad convinced
himself of this and decided to go along with Zonne's proposal.
"However, when
the contract is made, you will also connect a path to me. That is the
condition."
However, he couldn't
leave everything to the students. Thinking so, Jihad proposed that he himself
also connect a path with contract magic.
If it came to it, he
intended to rush into the predation barrier himself and at least save Nozomu
Bountis.
"...Understood.
While we're at it, let's connect a path with everyone here. The elf young lady
will handle the contract magic, and I'll take care of the rest."
As he said that, Zonne
tapped the ground with the tip of his staff again.
Once again, an
extremely complex magic circle unfolded before Nozomu and the others.
The unfolded magic
circle instantly enveloped the entire plaza in front of the library, forming a
dome of white light.
"With this, the
impact of what happens inside the barrier will not leak outside, and the people
outside will not notice what is happening here. Oh, and while we're at it,
let's put the sleeping military police and the young lady outside."
It was a type of
isolation barrier. Zonne waved his staff a third time.
The military police
and Ransa, enveloped in a white light, floated up like clouds and were carried
out of the shining circle.
After confirming that
the last person, Barozza, had been carried out of the barrier, Zonne opened his
mouth again.
"One more thing,
I want to assume the worst-case scenario. If the damage seems to be spreading
to the city, we will have to destroy the barrier without question. In that
case, not only Lisa-kun and the others, but even Nozomu-kun..."
Jihad clearly stated
that in the worst-case scenario, he might have to abandon all three who went
inside.
Bitterness was clearly
visible on Jihad's stern face.
Originally, Nozomu was
an existence that Jihad had to protect. He must have regretted continuing to
place such a heavy burden on him.
"I don't mind.
Cut them down without hesitation."
But contrary to
Jihad's heavy words, Nozomu gave a nonchalant reply. There was no hesitation or
reluctance to be felt.
"Besides, even if
the barrier is destroyed without me being able to escape, it's not decided that
I'll die. Right? Old man."
"Well... It's
true that it's not decided that you'll die. But honestly, it's unthinkable that
there would be no effect, you know?"
"That's fine too.
It's an extremely crude story of expecting something from an extremely
dangerous and uncertain element, but the possibility is not zero."
Nozomu himself had no
intention of questioning the possibility now. From the beginning, he had
intended to jump into Abyss Grief's predation barrier.
"Besides, I made
a promise..."
The promise he made to
support Lisa. A promise that had dissolved like bubbles, though it was the
fault of all three of them.
But Nozomu did not
choose to abandon Lisa and the others here.
Even if it was
painful, a future where they could laugh together. If there was even a small
possibility of grasping that, Nozomu intended to do his best.
"Even if we walk
separate paths, I want to keep moving forward."
That was the reason
Nozomu was staying at this academy now.
"I'm
sorry..."
Jihad muttered as if
apologizing, but Nozomu silently shook his head.
"...Let's
begin."
"Yes,
then..."
He looked straight at
Zonne and urged him on in a clear voice.
Zonne deployed a
multiple circle on the ground. The circle, which spread out like ripples,
instantly enveloped Nozomu and the others. It was probably a circle used for
contract magic, but its deployment speed and scale were still unbelievable.
Shina closed her eyes and
focused on the path connected to Nozomu.
A blue magic light
enveloped her and then scattered like it was bursting. The scattered magic
light poured down on the people inside the barrier, enveloping them.
A magic light that
felt strangely warm, like moonlight.
Eventually, the
dancing magic light disappeared. But Nozomu could still feel the warmth of the
magic power enveloping his body.
The path must have
been firmly connected. Nozomu could feel a definite connection with the people
present.
Nozomu turned to face
the cocoon, which was still emitting a sludge-like light. He gripped the sword
at his waist and tried to see his childhood friends who were likely in the
depths of that barrier.
"Nozomu, be
careful..."
Nodding silently to
Irisdina, who called out to him from behind, Nozomu ran towards the predation
barrier.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
Geral Aponso
MaxKne
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
1EYED_SLOTH
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Matthew Fraser
Anton Lim
Crushingon
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Joe Smith
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
