—

I’m in a dark, dark space.

I’m swaying. I’m wandering. I’m being toyed with. I’m being trampled.

It feels as though my body has been separated from my torso, with four limbs and my head floating in different places, being carried away, rocked, and played with.

What happened? What transpired? My memories are terribly vague.

Everything is pitch black, and I can’t help but wonder why I’ve been thrown into this empty space.

—

Nothing comes to mind.

There’s no reason to be trapped in such a place, severed from my limbs and head.

Then, shouldn’t there also be no reason for me to be here at all?

‘—I love you’

Every time that thought crosses my mind, a faint voice stops my thoughts.

Is it raspy, or is it just too far away? It’s a voice that’s hard to hear. But instinctively, I want to strain my ears, tilt my head, and try to comprehend that desperate voice.

‘—I love you. I love you. I love you.’

Each time I hear that voice, my previous thoughts reset, returning to zero.

Is it bothersome, or is it just the way it is, whether it’s right or wrong?

As I keep repeating that, the distance of the voice becomes more apparent, bringing forth a new challenge of how to bridge that gap.

‘—I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.’

As if to overshadow even that thought, the number of faint voices increases, pleading.

But that backfires. I want to hear that voice, to reach the source of it, and that’s why this thought has begun, trying to trace the path from zero to one.

So—

“Someone, help me…”

Severed from my torso, I can’t do anything with my limbs and head.

Thus, I want to rely on the strength around me, hoping they might assist me in this situation.

Is there someone out there?

Someone who might lend me a hand in this helpless situation.

Was there someone who treated me well?

If that person came along, surely there would be answers.

—

“—Whoa!”

“Oh? That was quite a powerful strike just now, wasn’t it?”

A particularly loud and strong rumble echoes through the air, and the vibrations reach the two staying at the inn.

Outside the window, a massive black shadow rampages, slowly encroaching upon the magic city from the center, assimilating and devouring everything, transforming it into something that doesn’t exist in this world.

That must be the worst nightmare feared by every being in this realm.

The embodiment of the end that everyone is bound to recall at first glance.

And the one who knows the fear of that end in their skin—no, in their soul—is none other than myself, Al.

The situation is escalating, and Abel, Medium, and the others have started moving.

I can’t even join them; here I am, cowering in a ball, holding my quaking head. How could I say I’m worthy of following them?

“I am… I…”

Have I followed them just to sense my own powerlessness?

If so, then what am I even doing here…

“Seriously, I hurried back, and all that’s here is a young lad trembling in fear. Well, having the lord here would be a problem too.”

“—”

“But if Kafuma is dealing with that, that means the lord must have given orders to do so. Does that mean he has no intention of escaping? Do you know?”

As he speaks, Roswaal approaches, a small elder cracking his neck and leaning down to peek at Al, who is still crouched. His words barely worm their way into Al’s terror-frozen brain.

The false emperor, Vincent, is either in agreement with Abel or—

“T-Tanzer was with that girl, then…”

“That Tanzer is that deer girl, huh? I still can’t figure out what’s going on… The lord can be quite vague, you know. At the very least, I wish he’d leave a note about what he plans to do next.”

“Y-You…”

“Hmm?”

Upon hearing Al’s words, Roswaal frowns and stands up. Determined not to let this distant creepy old man slip through his fingers, Al struggles to form words with a trembling tongue and throat.

Roswaal has returned; what does he plan to do next?

“Are you planning to deal with that thing?”

“Don’t say something dumb.”

“Eh…?”

Al is left speechless by Roswaal’s nonchalant response.

In front Al, Roswaal points outside the window.

“Look, it’s clearly a big deal. If I lose my right hand to that…I don’t want to take that risk.”

“—”

“Being back here was also a careless decision. If the lord is present, I’ll have to drag him out, but if he’s not, I need to find where he is and get him out… Do you know where he went with Tanzer?”

Upon being asked by the nonchalant Roswaal, Al shakes his head.

It’s not a lie; it’s the truth. Since that black shadow engulfed Crimson Lapis Castle, most of what happened between Abel and the others in this inn has faded from memory.

The only things he can recall are Kafuma being ordered to rush outside, Vincent leaving with Tanzer, and Abel leaving behind the useless Al while Medium worried for him until the end.

“Well then, this is quite troublesome. That fox lady’s orders seem to have fired the townsfolk up, and finding the lord alone has become more difficult… I don’t really want to stick around in this hellhole.”

“—What do you mean by that? Are you saying you’re going to run?”

Feeling his train of thought leading to an unbelievable conclusion, Al’s voice wobbles.

Upon hearing Al’s astonished gaze, Roswaal naturally shrugs and replies, “What else can I do?”

“That’s the emperor! The emperor you have to protect…”

“If the lord is planning and acting on his own, that’s the best he can do. If you think I’ll be of any help, you haven’t realized the lord can’t see me. He’d really be crying if I called him the Wise Emperor.”

“Ugh…!”

“I’m telling you, you’d do well to run too. There’s nothing to gain by risking your life here. Living wisely is what wins in the end.”

Roswaal’s philosophy blends the harsh iron laws of Volakia with his life as a Shinobi, forming a bloody, hardline consensus.

It’s something that can never be changed no matter what Al, an outsider, says. —No, probably only Roswaal can have a say about Roswaal’s opinions.

No one should let others bridle their lives and twist them.

It’s exactly why Roswaal Dunkelken stands as the mightiest Shinobi. He’s a Shinobi who has completed himself by not creating anything important or leaning on others.

Not even the title of general, nor the position of shinobi leader, nor the spirit of having to protect the emperor holds any significance.

Not freedom. Anarchy. —The world’s utmost ‘outlaw,’ that’s his essence.

That thought is unshakeable. Irreversible. By anything.

Then, engaging in discussions about his ideology here would yield nothing.

—

Grinding his teeth strongly, Al lowers the arm that had been against his ear.

The roaring sounds and earthy rumbles of people in the magic city confronting the black shadow resound as if staging hell itself, shaking Al’s heart.

His heart feels as though it might crack. His mind might explode. His soul might disperse.

Yet, it’s not broken. Not yet. If it isn’t broken—

“…Old man, can I ask you something?”

“—? What is it?”

“That clump of black shadow is related to my brother, right?”

Clenching his teeth until he tastes blood, Al’s voice quivers as he speaks.

Seeing Al’s desperate demeanor—though hidden beneath a mask and hardly visible—did Roswaal notice in Al’s tone and gaze?

“Yes, that shadow looks to me like it came from that monk.”

“—”

“Upon hearing that, what are you planning to do, now that you know?”

Tightly shutting his eyes, Al chews on Roswaal’s words.

He knew it—Natsuki Subaru is beneath that black shadow. —No, Natsuki Subaru is at the center of it all.

If that’s the case, then Al must steel himself and raise his chin.

If Natsuki Subaru is there, Aldebaran must head there as well.

“You said to live wisely, old man.”

“Yeah, that’s what I think.”

“But I don’t think that way. Old man, your way of living isn’t wise; it’s cunning. —I don’t want to become a cunning adult.”

With a loud bang, a strong sound rings.

It doesn’t come from outside but right next to Al. Al slams his fist into the floor, rising with that pain and force, leaning against the wall as he stands.

His knees tremble, his heart quivers, and despite not having fought, his spirit feels like it’s worn down completely; still—

“It’s not the time to sit around… I can’t face my parents…!”

Pushing his hand against the wall, Al stands up, baring his teeth beneath the mask.

Roswaal raises an eyebrow at Al’s desperate demeanor and blood-curdling shout, staring out the window, squinting one eye at Al’s back.

“Well, your enthusiasm is great, but do you have any chance of defeating that thing?”

“No! There’s no way anyone can win! Even if I tried a thousand times, I couldn’t win! The only one who can defeat that thing… is Natsuki Subaru!”

Swinging his arms widely, Al slams his fist against the window frame and turns back.

Facing the creepy old man directly, Al steps forward with burning eyes.

“Old man!”

“Oh ho, you’re getting fired up. Just so you know, if you’re asking for help, I’m declining…”

“I don’t want it! Just hurry up and send me back, you old man!”

“—”

“I’ll make the time to escape. So, give me back my powers!”

Extending his short right hand, Al shouts at Roswaal.

A voice like the cry of a beast, a wail like a lament, and a burning sense of duty all mix together in Al’s roar, causing Roswaal to hold his breath.

Then, the creepy old man slowly shakes his head.

“Well, if you’re going to willingly throw yourself away, I have no objections. Originally, that fight was a win for that monk, and one must fulfill their promises.”

“A win for my brother?”

“Yep. That monk managed to catch me in our game of tag. I thought that was pretty impressive.”

As he says that, Roswaal waves his left wrist and approaches Al from the front.

Hearing Roswaal’s words, Al feels a hint of relief and admiration, briefly pushing aside his pounding heart.

While Al has been paralyzed with fear of the wind’s sound, Subaru has unwaveringly pushed forward, drawing into a showdown with Roswaal, and ultimately seizing victory.

Surely, after stacking up impossible defeats—

“I just want to ask out of curiosity.”

Suddenly, a hoarse voice interrupts that heartbeat, and Al silently turns to the speaker.

Roswaal, seeing Al’s unwelcome gaze, smiles, showing his teeth, and subtly places his left hand on Al’s chest.

And then—

“Even against an opponent you can’t defeat after a thousand tries, how do you plan to engage that opponent?”

“Shut up, you old man. —Even if I have to die a million times, I’ll challenge it!”

—

“New ‘Star Seer,’ who has inherited the heavenly mandate to prevent the ‘Great Calamity.’”

The moment that was pointed out, Talitta’s world shakes violently.

The thrashing ‘Great Calamity’ is rumbling the magic city, a continual sound like earth trembling. However, the sensation of the ground crumbling beneath her feet is not caused by any of that.

It’s because of the man in front of her, wearing a demon mask—Abel’s declaration has pierced her heart’s core.

“Star… Seer…?”

Medium, standing close to the staggering Talitta, softly supports her as she mutters, confirming the unfamiliar term.

It’s a term indifferent to those who don’t know it, unnecessary to understand.

In truth, if Talitta could have continued living in her hometown forest simply as one of the ‘People of Shudrak,’ she wouldn’t even have to touch upon that term.

But—

“I… h…”

“Abel, I still don’t understand! What are you talking about!”

In place of a trembling Talitta, Medium charged at Abel.

Though shrinking her body, she hasn’t lost her fighting spirit, puffing her thin chest and glaring straight at Abel in a defensive posture for Talitta.

“What is this ‘Star Seer’ thing? Why would Talitta-chan become that?”

“—‘Star Seers’ are those who bear the role of foreseeing the future from the movements and guidance of stars. Or rather, calling it a role is actually an understatement; it’s more accurate to say it’s fate.”

“…Are you purposely saying it in a difficult way?”

“I had no intention.”

Abel exhales softly at Medium’s expression of confusion.

Then, he calls out once more, “Talitta,” through Medium’s figure. Talitta jumps slightly at the sound, and Abel looks directly at her.

“The reason I was exiled from the imperial capital is closely tied to the ‘Star Seer.’ You should know roughly what I’m talking about, Talitta.”

“W-What do you mean by ‘content’…?”

“Of course, it foretold the empire’s demise. You were aware of that. —For that reason, you attempted to take my life in Badheim Forest.”

“—!”

Crossing her arms, Abel speaks with an expressionless tone, which tightens Talitta’s cheeks as she casts her gaze downward.

The shock of being called a ‘Star Seer’ was about to drown out everything else, but the fact Abel had just pointed out wasn’t something she could ignore either.

He did indicate—that she had been a hunter in the forest.

Wishing she had caught him that day.

In other words—

“Someday, I…”

“—”

“Someday, I… did you realize I was hunting you?”

“Talitta-chan!?”

Lowering her eyes, unable to meet Abel’s gaze, Talitta challenges him with that question.

Upon hearing her words, Medium lets out a shocked voice. That’s only natural. Once that question is asked, it’s clear that Abel’s accusations are indisputable.

Talitta’s admission was of the fact that she aimed for Abel’s life with that bow and arrow.

“‘Star Seer’ foresight… the heavenly mandate you speak of must be shared among ‘Star Seers.’ It was predictable for the hunter who knew of that mandate to target me after I fled the imperial capital. Furthermore…”

“Furthermore?”

“If you knew the structure of the throne, you would have guessed my reliance on the ‘People of Shudrak’. There’s a high probability one of those assassins lies within Shudrak.”

“—”

“More so, the confirmation of the assassin’s existence was when you mistook me for that monk and targeted Natsuki Subaru instead.”

Upon hearing the reasoning laid out by Abel, Talitta tightens her grip on the hem of her clothing.

It’s true. She had no way of recognizing what the face of the Volakia emperor was. The only thing she had known was that he had black hair and dark eyes.

She never expected that such a rare feature would appear at the same time in the forest that day.

“Your reaction upon seeing me and that guy trapped in the village’s cage was remarkable. You were too honest to become an agent of the audience….”

“—Aah.”

“After that, during both the conquest of Gwararu and the journey to the magic city, you accompanied us yet showed no inclination to heed the heavenly mandate. Why?”

“—”

“Why did you refuse to follow your heavenly fate? I’ve heard that the fate of a ‘Star Seer’ cannot be resisted even when understood. I don’t think you have the will to resist it.”

If Talitta had such a strong will, she wouldn’t have accompanied them on this journey in the first place.

Abel’s assessment is harsh, but painfully accurate. It’s an undeniable fact.

Talitta doesn’t have the strength to throw away her own fate.

If she could, she would have discarded this burden long ago.

If she hadn’t known that failing to heed it would lead to the ‘Great Calamity’ destroying the empire—

“—I don’t understand it at all!”

As Talitta grapples with her own confusion, Abel continues his unyielding pursuit.

Caught between the two, Medium, who remains on the outside, explodes. She spreads her arms to shield Talitta and looks at Abel with blue eyes.

“I had no idea Abel-chan was in danger, that it was Talitta-chan who was going to target you! First, you should say thank you! Talitta-chan, thank you!”

“E-eh….”

“After that, let’s talk! What do you want Talitta-chan to do to help you, Abel-chan?”

With a brisk turn of her body, Medium thanks Talitta before turning back to Abel.

Her questioning comes a bit late compared to Abel and Talitta’s conversation. Abel is sighing, unable to keep up with her understanding.

“I’ve already conveyed that to Talitta. There’s no need for you to understand it.”

“If I don’t understand, I’ll just interfere until I do! Is that all right!?”

“—The way to quell the ‘Great Calamity’ requires me to lose my life. That is the future foretold by the ‘Star Seer’ and the mandate given to Talitta.”

“—? That doesn’t make any sense. Why would the big black shadow settle if you die? That doesn’t line up!”

As Medium presses on, Talitta bites the inside of her cheeks tightly.

Indeed, she understands that the outcome of fulfilling the mandate would mean saving the empire from ruin. However, how that would come about—she doesn’t understand that at all.

But that kind of reasoning would only serve to inform Medium of Abel’s cruelty more severely—

“—That’s strange, isn’t it?”

But Talitta’s contemplation gets halted by Abel’s words that follow.

Medium, bearing her teeth and exclaiming “It’s strange!” in the forefront, sees Abel place his hand to his mouth while gazing at the enormous shadow rampaging in the center of the magic city.

“—Talitta.”

“Wh-What is it?”

“Your heavenly mandate is to sacrifice my life to prevent the empire’s fall. Isn’t that correct?”

“—!”

Upon Abel’s reiterated question, Talitta hesitates yet nods.

She has heard that. It must be necessary; it’s a heavenly mandate she has hardly dared to implement.

Yet once Abel confirms that, he says, “Then,” and follows up with—

“Your understanding of what disaster means is undoubtedly connected to that shadow, is it not?”

“Eh…?”

“With the ‘Great Calamity’ bringing about the collapse of the empire, you know that it exists. Yet you are certain that shadow is that very thing. Am I wrong?”

Hearing that question, Talitta’s mind races trying to understand its essence.

That massive, creeping black shadow spreading from the center of the magic city, igniting a horrifying sense of dread—isn’t that what one would call the ‘Great Calamity’?

Time and again, she has been shown the nightmarish sight.

Every night, she’s implored not to forget, and the nightmares presented have made her envision the moment of inevitable ruin. That is indeed its manifestation, but—

“That… is whether it is truly the ‘Great Calamity’ or not?”

“You do not know what you can know, correct? Then how about thinking of other ‘Star Seers’?”

“Other…?”

Even when she’s told that, Talitta can only glance around helplessly.

Abel mentioned those ‘Star Seers’ are interconnected, but Talitta is an exception. —No, the word ‘exception’ can’t even describe it. She is fundamentally different.

Thus, Talitta has no leads regarding other ‘Star Seers.’

“Ah…”

If it’s about ‘Star Seers,’ she’d just recently encountered one.

“—”

That carefree man who didn’t falter at all, the one whose name she didn’t catch—he was quite acquainted with the circumstances and called Talitta the ‘Filth of Shudrak.’

He knew of Talitta’s sins, probably through the connection between ‘Star Seers.’

That man, who was also a ‘Star Seer,’ upon seeing the ‘Great Calamity,’ must’ve said something.

Right, he definitely said—

“That’s outside of my realm.”

“—So, the ‘Star Seer’ said that, did they? I see.”

“Abel-chan?”

Hearing the words Talitta uttered in astonishment, Abel nodded and turned his back.

Noting that, Medium quickly advanced in front of Abel to peer into his face. Then, her round eyes widened in shock.

The source of her astonishment became clear from Abel’s subsequent reaction.

Abel placed his palm against his demon-masked face, gazing steadily at the black shadow rampaging in the heart of the magic city—

“—The empire’s end and that ‘Great Calamity’ are, in fact, separate entities.”

As Abel murmured that, he softly swallowed, exhaling a short breath.

To Talitta, whose expression is obscured, it sounds like a chuckle.

“If that’s the case, there’s no reason for us to stumble upon the road ahead. —I’ll have you disappear from this game board, outsider.”