---

“Titanya?”

Anyone would be surprised if they heard their student’s voice coming from a giant monster.

At that moment, I couldn’t hide my fluster, but it seemed that Titanya was even more flustered.

[Huh? Huh? I-Instructor Ion? That definitely sounds like Instructor Ion, but… what is that appearance?]

“…Hmm.”

Now that I think about it, I was in the form of the Faceless Hero. It was the first time I had shown this form to a student since only Elizabeth knew my true identity.

Instead of explaining that I was the Faceless Hero in detail, I chose to change the subject. I didn’t have the luxury to explain such things right now.

I opted to change the topic rather than blabber on about being the Faceless Hero in this situation. I had no time to explain everything in detail.

“What we’ll discuss that later. How did you end up here? What’s with that appearance?”

[Well, it’s a long story… I contracted with the Spirit of Chaos to find you, Instructor. Right now, we’re sharing senses with the spirit? Or rather, it’s more like possession? Anyway, that’s the situation… By the way, Instructor! Where on earth have you been? Everyone has been so worried!]

“Where am I? Don’t tell me you don’t know where this place is?”

[Well, originally I was just trying to explore the outskirts of the city, but suddenly the spirit moved on its own, and before I knew it, I ended up here. But then I felt your presence, Instructor, so I followed it. I was so surprised to meet you in a place like this!]

I didn’t know much about spirits, but the energy from the one Titanya referred to as the ‘Spirit of Chaos’ was definitely unusual. Compared to the spirits wielded by the outstanding spirit masters during the Great War, including humanity and the Demon King’s Army, it seemed to be of an even higher caliber.

The presence was so powerful that just its approach sent the restless souls of the Underworld around fleeing in terror.

I had never heard the name Spirit of Chaos before, but this dimensional gap was a chaotic blend of countless worlds. So it makes sense for it to move freely here as well.

In any case, meeting Titanya in this situation was definitely a stroke of luck.

“This is a completely different dimension, not the world we originally inhabited. If you found me, the reverse should also be possible. Titanya, can you take me back to the original world?”

[A-Another dimension? So everything I saw while flying just now was all a part of this dimension! Oh my, I never thought I’d get to see another dimension in my lifetime…! Was the nature-rich world the Spirit Realm? And the place where the light shines is the Divine Realm? Could I meet angels, whom I’ve only heard about? Perhaps even the Goddess…!]

“Titanya.”

[Ah! I-I’m sorry! I got too excited…!]

Titanya rambled for a moment, then continued with a tone that seemed to carry some hesitation.

[Well, it might be a bit difficult, but I think it’s possible! Could you try to grab hold of my body?]

I lightly grasped Titanya’s body… no, the Spirit of Chaos. The spirit seemed not to appreciate me grabbing it, but still didn’t refuse Titanya’s request.

[Chaos! Send Instructor Ion back to where he originally was!]

The Spirit of Chaos spread its wings wide in response to Titanya’s words and took off into the air in the blink of an eye. It began an exhilarating flight through the dimensional gap, akin to navigating a turbulent storm.

[Instructor, hold on tight!]

Traveling through dimensions came with significant pressure. Just like the pressure differences between high altitudes and flat lands, or the disparity in water pressure between deep and shallow seas, the dimensional pressure experienced upon crossing boundaries varied greatly.

Ordinary folks would likely succumb to that intense pressure and burst apart. However, my physical endurance surpassed that of a normal human, and the energy radiating from the Spirit of Chaos helped minimize the impact of the dimensional pressure, allowing me to hold on while feeling a bit breathless. I adapted to it quickly enough.

As we zipped through various vibrant landscapes, I soon began to spot the desolate city. It was the former capital of the Ionia Kingdom, Karia.

I gazed at the sight and bitterly said, “Thank you.”

[Huh?]

“I’ve been helped once again. I have no face to show as an instructor.”

An instructor should be one who teaches and guides students, but both when I first arrived in the city and now, I often found myself receiving help from my students.

If it weren’t for Titanya’s spirit right now, returning to my original dimension would have involved taking considerable risks. I wouldn’t have been able to ensure my return, either.

After a long silence, Titanya cautiously spoke up.

[N-No, don’t say that.]

“Hmm?”

[I wanted to help you, so I worked hard for it. Oz, the other friends, and I… you’ve helped me so much, Instructor… I didn’t want our sudden separation without being able to repay the kindness.]

“I’ve said it before… it’s not your fault that I’m stepping down from my position as instructor.”

[Even so, we should at least try something. Everyone felt the same way. Parting in this way doesn’t sit right.]

Titanya forced a bright tone, but there was a hint of lingering bitterness underlying it.

[Even if it’s unavoidable, parting must be sad.]

“……”

It had only been a few months since we met. There was no special mission, no strong motivation behind it. Somehow, I became an instructor, and somehow these students came to be under my care.

Thus, I treated it as an inconsequential connection. I tried not to think too deeply about it. The closer we got, the more that parting down the line would feel monumental.

But perhaps the students regarded this relationship a bit more seriously than I did.

For some, the relationship between an instructor and a student may just be trivial, but for Titanya, it seemed to be the first meaningful relationship she formed in her life, and it was only natural for her to want to hold onto it.

Was I taking this parting too lightly? Even if parting were to happen, was it right to impose a meaningless and sudden farewell upon my students?

Despite having already experienced profound pain through Ella and Charlotte.

Before long, a bitter taste filled my mouth. Just then, as I was about to respond to Titanya, the Spirit of Chaos twisted violently as we emerged from the dimensional door.

[Huh? W-Why, Chaos?! What’s going on all of a sudden!?]

Before I could even ask what was happening, the Spirit of Chaos roughly threw me away. I could’ve held on tightly and endured, but fearing it would add pressure on Titanya, I had to let go a little.

I plummeted helplessly towards the city.

[Instructor!!]

Titanya’s cry echoed hollowly, but the Spirit of Chaos had already vanished. Watching the city draw nearer, I couldn’t help but let out an absurd chuckle.

I had asked to be taken back to my original location, and it truly threw me into the capital of Karia. Since it granted the request, it felt it could no longer tolerate me holding on.

If I was going back, it would’ve been nice to be dropped off in Schwarzheim instead.

Crash!!!

Since I was in armor, there was no need for me to brace myself as before. A cloud of thick dust kicked up as I shook off the dirt and debris that clung to my shoulders. But as I climbed out of the crater and glanced around, I suddenly realized something.

The undead I had seen in abundance were nowhere to be found. Even though I had cleaned a significant portion of the city over the past few days, the undead, which had filled the capital, now felt completely absent.

“…Could it be?”

I instinctively felt a presence and scanned my surroundings. Footprints were scattered everywhere, and there were numerous marks dragged across the walls and floors. It looked like countless undead had moved in a single direction, and judging by the lingering scent of decay, it hadn’t been too long since.

The dimensional gaps distort time as well. Though only a few minutes had passed on my end since the Undying Legion Commander crossed through the dimensional door, I couldn’t tell how much time had passed in the real world.

I leaped over the roofs of buildings and climbed up onto the city walls. There, I could see puffy clouds rising over the horizon. It wasn’t a sandstorm. It was the dust being kicked up from the movement of millions of undead.

If something like that attacked, no matter how prepared we were, the city would never hold. Let alone it wasn’t just any undead army—this was an army of the undead led by the Undying Legion Commander…!

“Ugh!”

I jumped over the city wall and landed squarely on the ground. Without delay, I began sprinting toward the border.

With every step I took, the capital of Karia grew increasingly distant.

As I ran without rest, my mind was consumed with concerns. If I arrived like this, a battle with the Undying Legion Commander would be inevitable, and no matter how weakened he was, I couldn’t fight him hand-to-hand.

Eventually, the moment would arise where I would need dark magic and Ezetus.

That meant I would risk exposing my identity to the people, and to my students.

“……”

The life I wished to discard as the Faceless Hero.

The lives of my students and fellow instructors, and the citizens of the city.

The scale tipped toward the latter.

If that happened, it was a matter to think about when the time came.

‘Please, just hold on a little longer.’

Right now, all I fervently wished for was that it wasn’t too late.

 

---