――Rauan Segmunt was a man completely unsuited to being a father.

　Cecilus Segmunt, who considered conventional sensibilities unnecessary for leading actors, knew that Rauan was a father far removed from the normal image of a family.

　An ideal father wouldn’t discard his child simply because he thought they might not grow up as he wished.

　The reason for Rauan killing Cecilus’s brothers as infants was entirely due to his abnormality, completely unrelated to fatherly love.

　For the purpose of reaching the “Heavenly Sword,” this true killer didn’t care what he trampled along the way—Rauan Segmunt was nothing more and nothing less than that.

　Rauan was likely one of the worst fathers recognized worldwide. Born as the son of a father who held no respect or love for family, Cecilus genuinely felt fortunate.

　――Cecilus also shared Rauan’s desire for the “Heavenly Sword.”

　Trying to walk toward that distant, invisible dream above the clouds could not be accomplished through distraction or detours.

　If he had been raised in a reputable family with a splendid history or by a family that would hesitate to rob someone for a meal, there was no assurance that Cecilus’s wish to reach the “Heavenly Sword” would remain uncontaminated.

　Thus, it was Rauan Segmunt.

　Without hesitation, he would cut down even blood relatives that stood as obstacles, removing the hindrances that would block him from mastering the way of the sword, preparing trials that placed his son’s life as a secondary concern.

　It was this pure and untainted madness for the sword that Rauan generously poured into Cecilus.

　Hence, Cecilus thought.

　――As Rauan’s son, he surely possessed this as well.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　The “Dream Sword,” drawn from its sheath of dreams, flashed across the sky of reality――.

　It slashed through the explosive light that threatened to induce the world’s collapse, aiming its tip toward a beautiful girl with one eye aflame in blue and tears of blood flowing.

　However, the slender body of the girl, Arakia, was not cleaved in two by that transcendent strike.

　That was because the magic sword forged beyond the laws of this world does not conform to common sense, even regarding the results of its strikes.

　――”Stone Block” Muspel.

　As one of the four great elemental spirits, it supports the land of the Volakia Empire.

　Though Cecilus instinctively understood that he had commanded something beyond Arakia that was neither entirely her nor not her, he had no way of knowing its true identity.

　Regardless, even if he did know, it would not change Cecilus’s resolve or actions.

　Even if Cecilus understood that annihilating Muspel would cause the land of the Empire to crumble along with the great spirit, it was inevitable that he would wield the “Dream Sword.”

　To prioritize the existence of the heroine over the land of the Empire was the natural judgment of a leading actor.

　To begin with, it was impossible for anything that Cecilus believed in and executed steadfastly to lead to a bad ending.

　Thus――,

「――――」

　As Arakia was filled with power she could no longer contain and was on the verge of bursting, countless bands of light that surrounded her began to transform into dazzling particles of diamond, merging into the red Imperial Capital.

　As the particles of light danced around, Cecilus extended his hand toward the descending Arakia, intertwining his fingers with the “Dream Sword” that had poured forth as if from a dream.

　She was in a pitiful state. Her body bore numerous wounds, her blood-soaked kimono tattered and frayed, making it far too over-designed to qualify as battle attire.

　However, despite her agonizing appearance, Cecilus held no shadow of doubt in his eyes as he embraced Arakia.

「――――」

　Slumped over, she lay unconscious, her eyes closed, presenting a death-like sleeping face.

　Cecilus knew from the feel of it that she was not actually dead, so he remained calm, merely shrugging his shoulders in exasperation.

「You truly are quite the troublemaker, Anya.」

　In the midst of battle, memories resurfaced weakly, most of which were conversations with a friend during sunset before Cecilus’s transformation from Before-Cecil to After-Cecil. However, excluding that, the one who had left the most footprints in his memory was her.

　Cecilus, who had gained a reputation for being unable to take care of anyone but himself, putting such a heavy burden on him, must have been the most troublesome of individuals for him.

　Perhaps it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she was the most troublesome person in the Empire.

「…I can assume the matter is resolved, right?」

　With Arakia in his arms, Cecilus heard a somewhat tense voice from behind.

　Approaching with cautious footsteps was Al, who was also in a tattered state due to the aftermath of the battle, not one bit less than Cecilus.

　Not only did he survive the nuclear-sized clash, but he also showcased his support role by tossing weapons to Cecilus at the last minute, proving he had a good understanding of how to make a scene.

「You really did well out there, Al. The way you picked up on my intention and threw that weapon was quite impressive. I think that deserves major points.」

「What points? Your affection points? If that’s the case, then I really don’t care.」

　With an exasperated shrug, Al glanced over at Arakia.

「How is that Arakia girl…」

「She’s not dead. In fact, I pushed her well beyond her limits so she wouldn’t die as part of the conclusion. Killing her to settle things is out of the question! I, Cecilus Segmunt, always aim to surpass expectations and defy uninteresting predictions!」

「…If she doesn’t have to die, then I won’t complain about the conclusion.」

　Cecilus answered with confidence, and Al sighed while fidgeting with the fasteners of his helmet.

　Al understood the tension in the situation. The risks of keeping Arakia alive must be weighed against the safe feeling of killing her.

　However――,

「If you want to have that complicated and unexciting discourse, kindly do it in my absence with someone smarter who likes to frown. My answer is just as you see it.」

「…I already figured your arguments and logic are nonsense, unreasonable, and reckless. You can’t take responsibility for that girl, can you?」

「It seems she already had that responsibility in mind from the start. She had acted as if she accepted the burden from the first time she was defeated by Anya.」

　Cecilus answered with a vague sensation, feeling like he was speaking about someone else’s affairs, as he noticed Arakia’s sleeping face overlapping with the younger version of herself.

　Since they had likely maintained a long relationship similar to the friend he separated from at sunset, it was a fleeting vision. Perhaps he should put one more effort into refocusing on the important developments.

「However, before delving into that episode, it seems I need to fulfill my other responsibility.」

「Huh?」

　At Cecilus’s sudden remark, Al appeared momentarily flustered. Still, Cecilus did not respond with words and merely averted his gaze to another direction.

　The scene was that of the once-red Imperial Capital, now hellish, with buildings and streets melting away due to the aftermath of their battle――a horrific sight where menacing power stood fittingly.

「――――」

　A blue-haired man, his entire body engulfed in unquenchable flames, approached.

　His burned and charred skin concealed one of his distinguishing features, but the glaring presence of his golden eyes immediately revealed to everyone that he was an undead.

　Moreover, to Cecilus, he was made aware of something far more pressing than any mere mortals could emphasize.

「――Oh my, oh my! I thought someone was rushing in madly, but what a flashy entrance! This is indeed quite the extravagant performance, isn’t it?」

　He hadn’t rushed in blindly; there was a purpose behind his sprint.

　The reason he stopped in front of Cecilus was that his objective lay right here――no, it was precisely Cecilus Segmunt himself.

　――The swordsman Rauan Segmunt, who had disregarded everything in pursuit of the “Heavenly Sword.”

　Finally, had he cast aside even his own life, he arrived in this place, transformed beyond recognition, and Cecilus nodded repeatedly, smiling.

　Rauan, engulfed in flames, laughed as well. Cecilus, blood-soaked, also laughed.

　A father and son, living for and destined to die by the sword, laughed together――.

「Now, I’ve just realized for the first time, Dad.――I don’t dislike you; in fact, I like you.」

　With that, ironically, the After-Cecilus celebrated the chance to fulfill the promise made by Before-Cecilus.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　――Rauan Segmunt yearned for the “Heavenly Sword.”

　Why? How? For what purpose?

　Caring about such trivial questions was tedious. Such nonsensical queries had nothing to do with Rauan whatsoever.

　The triggers were lost in the depths of memory; the origins, forgotten in the watery abyss.

　From the moment he touched the sword-shaped steel, Rauan Segmunt had no path left except to master its wielding.

　Having been bestowed with destiny as a “Star Reader” and siring a son predicted to be a vessel who would reach the “Heavenly Sword,” Rauan continued to hone his skills for the sake of his own journey to the “Heavenly Sword.”

　To live and experience death had become the greatest enemy for him, and thus he trained endlessly, solidifying his foundation upon the fact that he had inadvertently created that very enemy himself――.

「Ah… what a splendid stage this is.」

　Burning soul, a life on the brink of ashes, a destiny teetering on the edge of extinction.

　Filling the flames with all of it, Rauan bled his will into the otherworld, entering a realm that could be deemed neither alive nor undead――a threshold between life and death, or perhaps, a point beyond.

　It was akin to exposing the essence of existence itself, to unveil the true nature of life and soul.

　Just a few more seconds, yet in that reality, the last significance of Rauan Segmunt’s existence surged.

「――――」

　With each destroyed undead body, he brandished the cherished blade he’d continued to revive, facing forward.

　In the flickering flames, he saw a small shadow resembling his own stance――.

「――Let’s have a fair fight!」

「Here we go――!!」

　――The moment Rauan Segmunt challenged the “Heavenly Sword,” a fleeting sparkle illuminated the air.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

「Please take care of Anya.」

　With the remnants of a road that could no longer qualify as a path, responding to his father’s fiery presence, Cecilus forcibly pressed Arakia into Al’s arms.

　Hearing Al’s confused voice as he suddenly reacted, 「Wait, wait!？」, Cecilus pushed aside those words, concentrating all his nerves on a single individual.

　Once again, colors, sounds, and scents from Cecilus’s world vanished, leaving only the heartbeat of steel to dominate.

　『――Let’s have a fair fight!』

　Rauan’s lips moved as he placed his hand upon the sword at his waist.

　Though it didn’t reach Cecilus’s ears as a sound, the flamboyant affection of this father and son resonated within their souls.

　Thus, Cecilus answered with a proud demeanor.

「Here we go――!!」

　In the instant, the distance between them vanished in a blink.

　This was nothing remarkable for Cecilus’s battles as “The Blue Lightning,” but this moment was not created solely by Cecilus; it was evidence that Rauan had crossed the boundary into the realm of men.

「I’m surprised.」

　That was a genuine expression of admiration.

　Hours earlier, when he had parted ways with the living Rauan, in Cecilus’s eyes, his father had not yet reached this realm. However, now encountering him as an undead, Rauan’s swordsmanship had exponentially amplified, and his techniques had bloomed even in death.

　It was neither speed nor the finesse of techniques but a transformation drawn forth by a shift in consciousness.

　While the influence of mental state on performance was not to be underestimated, merely breaking out of psychological bondage wouldn’t instantly enhance physical capabilities. Thus, Rauan’s change was not one of extreme physical alterations.

　――Rauan was now able to take “a step” deeper.

　It was not a physical step but something difficult to explain beyond feeling. Just as there is a significant gap between an amateur and a professional, there remains a gap between second-rate and top-tier professionals.

　And among the top-tier and transcendent experts, there exists yet another disparity.

　That intangible, inexplicable divide had been aptly labeled “a step” here, and Cecilus acknowledged that Rauan had crossed that boundary.

　It was absurdly ironic that he managed to surpass the gap he could not cross in life through the experience of death.

　Many would claim it was foolish, far too ironic. But none but Cecilus――.

「I don’t dislike you; in fact, I like you.」

　As he burned in the eternal flames, while stepping into the domain of death, Rauan unleashed his sword strike, and even in a world where sound and color were obliterated, Cecilus was mesmerized by that flashing blade.

　Steadfast training, uncompromising dedication—Cecilus’s eyes flickered at the culmination of all those efforts in the glow of the sword.

　Rauan, deemed the worst father, would not be denied in that regard, and Cecilus would not dispute that. However, he cherished the spirit that continued to pour his soul into the role he played.

「――――」

　Using the flickering embers close to extinction as fuel, Rauan unleashed the most refined sword attack he had ever wielded in life or death. The sharpened blade that embodied death’s essence birthed a nightmare’s conclusion, yet the “Dream Sword,” Masayume, would not permit it.

　The “Cursed Sword,” Murasame, was a demonic blade that could cut through the essence of all things.

　In contrast, the true value of the “Dream Sword,” Masayume, was――,

「――To devour dreams and fulfill them.」

　In exchange for the motivation to fulfill desires, it housed the sword power to bring those desires to reality.

　Thus the “Dream Sword” was granted the name of “True Dream,” being capable of becoming blunt depending on the wielder or cutting through the very fabric of reality as a demonic sword.

　Having passed through countless owners who had forgotten even the reasons they longed for the wishes that were fulfilled, now, the “Dream Sword” came to rest in Cecilus’s hands.

　This was a miraculous coincidence for both Cecilus and the “Dream Sword.”

　Because――,

「There’s no way I could run out of dreams or motivation!」

　That was the reason Cecilus Segmunt was the master of the “Dream Sword.”

　His extraordinary thirst for the dream he held activated the potential of the “Dream Sword” to its fullest extent.

　――In an instant, the slash released blended not only the boundaries of dreams and reality but also slashed through everything.

　「――――」

　Compared to Cecilus and Arakia’s apex battle just before, this confrontation was remarkably quiet.

　The influence on the Imperial Capital and the Empire, even the world, was minimal; facing off against the undead was nothing significant that would have extinguished itself naturally.

　However, it carried deep meaning for the pair of Cecilus Segmunt and Rauan Segmunt.

　「…Ah, seriously, what a disrespectful son I am.」

　The moment their swords crossed, they passed each other, the father and son turning their backs on one another.

　Not being able to see each other’s faces anymore, the undead father took a long breath as if in disgust and lamented,

「If I had known this would happen, perhaps I should have just sliced you cleanly while bathing you.」

「Hahahahaha! Yes, exactly! That was Dad’s only chance of winning!」

　With a fully unembellished comeback, Cecilus let out a hearty laugh.

　Hearing that candid laugh from Cecilus, Rauan gazed up at the sky. The shape of his blade crumbled into dust, and as his burning fingers released their existence, his golden eyes narrowed.

　And――,

「Next, next.――I refuse to give up simply because I’ve died.」

　Until the very end, Rauan would leave not a single fatherly word behind as his body and soul turned to ash.

　This was the end of Rauan Segmunt, the madness-filled swordsman who continued to pursue the “Heavenly Sword,” even in death, without relinquishing his desires.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　Ah, no, I don’t want to disappear. Rauan thought as he began to fade.

　His life, which had never paused in its continuous march, ultimately failed to reach the “Heavenly Sword.”

　The last brilliance of his burning, ebbing soul would never illuminate the unseen path to the peak of the sword. How frustrating it all was.

　If this continued, would Cecilus be the one to reach the “Heavenly Sword”?

　It was a cruel jest by the sword god that his son rather than himself would claim that accolade. The feelings of regret and disappointment, and the lament for lost hope, would never cease nagging at him.

　Then again――,

「Well, I suppose it’s better than it falling to anyone else.」

　Had Rauan beaten Cecilus in that last clash, would he have reached the “Heavenly Sword”?

　It was useless to dwell on the “what ifs” that never happened since he didn’t. Rauan had no time to waste, especially not as he was on the verge of vanishing.

　He shouldn’t waste time with “what ifs,” he should think about other matters, realizing, unexpectedly.

　Since childhood, he had chased after the “Heavenly Sword,” dreaming of reaching it day and night, and his very existence had been dedicated to that goal until today.

　Upon reaching the conclusion that he could never grasp the “Heavenly Sword,” Rauan was left with nothing to think about.

　「Hmm.」

　For the first time since harboring the desire for the “Heavenly Sword,” he let it go.

　In that feeling, Rauan experienced a sense of loss and discomfort rather than relief. He almost felt his soul tickling with joy.

　――Had the moment he spent his life striving for the fleeting flicker of the soul illuminated his son’s path like a candle?

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　Leaving behind only ash and dust, the figure of Rauan Segmunt disappeared.

　Cecilus Segmunt understood with his soul that this was right, and it truly signified his father’s death.

　Having become an undead, Rauan had pursued the “Heavenly Sword,” and Cecilus had certainly cut the final strands of his life with his own hands.

「I’m sorry for suddenly dumping Anya on you, Al. It’s not easy to carry someone with just one arm, so I’ll take her back once more.」

　Having fulfilled his role, Cecilus re-sheathed Masayume and turned to Al, speaking up.

　However, Al didn’t respond. He knelt there, supporting Arakia with one hand, shaking his head weakly.

「Why… are you so calm?」

「Pardon?」

「I mean, that was your father, you know! He was alive when you last met, but now he’s dead and has been used by the enemy!」

「Wait, wait, stop right there, Al. You’re misunderstanding something, so let me clarify. Yes, my dad did become a dead man, but he wasn’t being utilized. The reason he attacked was not due to having lost his sanity.」

「Huh…?」

「Oh, by the way, when I say he’s in his right mind, I mean it in a typical sense; he might be far from that in his usual state. Don’t take that wrongly.」

　Waving his hand, Cecilus added this clarification regarding Rauan’s mentality.

　In any case, he wanted to clarify any misconceptions that Al had concerning Rauan’s transformation into an undead and having his spirit warped, which led him to attack Cecilus.

「The whole parent killing child theme is a classic plot twist, like in “The Decapitated of Magritza.” Though admittedly, this was a showdown that fate had set in stone for me and my father long ago.」

「Fated, with a reservation…?」

「So, it simply reached that moment.」

　This was a confrontation that both Cecilus and Rauan had been aware would eventually come to pass.

　Therefore, Cecilus was not surprisingly shocked when his father returned as a corpse to confront him. After all, for Rauan, any pursuit other than the “Heavenly Sword” was trivial, and he had fully expected to throw away even his own life if it meant achieving that.

　No one else could understand Rauan.――Except for Cecilus.

　His father, who had served as an unparalleled role model of what not to be, wasn’t an incomprehensible monster. That was enough to demonstrate the generally unhealthy but mutual respect that existed between the Segmunt family.

「Most people will likely deny the relationship between Father and me――」

　Unlike Rauan, Cecilus did not dismiss most aspects of the world as trivial. Once he distinctly identified the signals and noises of joy, the more he looked around, the more the world brimmed with blessings.

　The sun’s rays, the refreshing breeze, the sweet aroma of grass trampled by falling raindrops, and Rauan Segmunt――all of these represented blessings bestowed upon Cecilus.

「My dad called himself a bad father, but I don’t think there’s a more filial son than me. After all, by merely being my father and bringing me into this world, he performed a tremendous achievement.」

　Of course, that would not serve as consolation for Rauan, who pursued a wish that he could never realize in his lifetime.

　In that sense, he had no room for excuses about being a bad father. From the very beginning, he never intended to live an excuse-laden life.

「――――」

　Walking toward Al, who was left speechless, Cecilus crossed his arms and tilted his head.

　What should he do with Arakia? Where could he possibly move her to keep her safe in this devastated Imperial Capital?

　It seemed that nowhere else provided safety apart from Cecilus’s side.

「Still, it’s absurd to run around while carrying Anya like this… If I don’t return soon enough, Guruby, who’s holding back that curse caster, might turn around and give me a grand lecture. Speaking of which, would it be okay if I brought back the “Dream Sword” instead of the “Cursed Sword”? I wonder if that would be fine for Guruby.」

　This chaotic battle had started with their encounter with Arakia.

　Cecilus and Al had come to this place to search for the “Cursed Sword” Murasame that could cut through curses, but unfortunately, that objective had not been achieved. By now, Guruby, left behind to hold back that troublesome curse caster, must be fighting for his life.

「How does this sound, Al? Why don’t we work together, with you carrying Anya while I clear the paths?」

「――No, I can’t agree to that.」

「Al?」

　Al shook his head, rejecting Cecilus’s suggestion. Rising from his kneeling position, he pressed the unconscious Arakia into Cecilus’s arms.

　Instinctively, Cecilus accepted to cradle Arakia, only to hear Al.

「I told you, man! I have things I need to deal with! Arakia is just a detour in this whole plan! I… I feel bad for Guruby, though.」

　Al’s tone dropped as he focused on Cecilus’s “Dream Sword” with his helmeted gaze.

「I know that blade on your waist is a hell of a deal. It might not be the one Guruby wanted, but you just make sure to do your best with it.」

「So you’re going your separate way. But still, I mean it’s inherent wisdom for you to walk off alone with no weapon? Are you hoping for a pointless death?」

「――I’m not going to die pointlessly. That won’t happen.」

「Well, I can sense that. Somehow, I feel that way.」

　Exuding that sort of confidence, Cecilus nodded with a sense of agreement.

　Having cooperated together thus far, Cecilus believed Al possessed a rather exceptional foresight similar to that of Schwarz. With his uncanny ability to foresee the events to come, perhaps Al might survive without dying a pointless death.

「However, I feel you want to distance yourself from me for reasons beyond just that.」

「――――」

「It seems you’re quite displeased with the resolution between my father and me. Is it possible you have some unresolved feelings regarding your own parent-child relationship?」

「…It’s got nothing to do with that.」

　Even if it didn’t relate, Al’s retort signified he wasn’t off the mark, and Cecilus shrugged his shoulders slightly while cradling Arakia.

　As Cecilus, he was disinclined to leave Al alone.

　That was partly due to his awareness that it was unwise to remain burdened with Arakia, but more so because of the debts he owed Al—having depended on him to resolve the crisis without letting Arakia die.

　Simply put, Cecilus had a debt to repay to Al.

　If Al had someone he wanted to save, it would only be reasonable for him to assist in rescuing that person.

　At worst, he could carry Al back to Guruby’s side, clear out all the obstacles with the “Dream Sword,” and then the whole group would make their way to Al’s “princess.”

　It was in that contemplation that…

「――Surprisingly, I didn’t expect you wouldn’t try to take her life. That requires some re-evaluation.」

　Suddenly, a third voice interjected into the conversation between Cecilus and Al.

　Turning in the direction of the voice, Cecilus narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed the speaker floated in the air, not leaping in on them but instead simply hovering in place.

　For a fleeting instant, he recalled the presence of the “Witch” he had killed once, but the one floating before him was not that “Witch”――.

「――No, it’s the same woman. Her appearance has changed, but the essence remains the same…Hm? Maybe is there a slight change in essence? Is that even a thing?」

「When the essence of one’s soul changes, so does the appearance. The reverse holds true as well, but… How can one see through that at a glance? I require clarification.」

「Haha, now that you mention it, I’m puzzled myself.」

　Cecilus chuckled, neither trolling nor teasing but genuinely confused.

　However, he trusted that he could easily conclude from the glimmer he felt upon first seeing the floating white-haired woman that she was indeed the same being as that “Witch.”

「But why are you here? Coming back for revenge, huh? Being a strong-willed opponent like that is quite alluring, but…」

「To put it simply, it is for the purpose of achieving my objective. I have accomplished one of my two major aims. Once I achieve the other, I plan to devote myself to my original purpose of creation.」

「Oh, well that’s pretty unclear!」

「I believed I explained concisely. I require further elaboration.」

「Well, let me succinctly respond in a way that’s unusual for me, and say this!――If you’re here to fulfill your objective, you’ll never succeed!」

　It was simple and entirely evident, crystal clear.

　Upon hearing that response, the white-haired “Witch” narrowed her long-lashed eyes and nodded.

　And――,

「Ah, I see. If that’s the case, the answer is quite easy. You cannot kill me.」

「――――」

「I have identified what can kill me in the Empire. None can come near me. Thus, none can kill me.」

　The “Witch” stated this with a tranquil tone, raising her arms to the sky.

　In that moment, Cecilus could feel a bizarre sensation, as if the very space surrounding her and the sky had warped. Al took a step forward next to him.

　Speaking from a position of silence since the “Witch” entered, Al gazed upwards at her, extending his one good arm with a sudden thrust. The next instant, a clump of melted ground erupted, giving birth to a rugged Stone Blue Dragon Blade, which he caught in hand.

　Brandishing that blade, Al let out a thunderous voice toward the “Witch”――.

「I am the “Witch of Greed”――」

「――Echidnaaaa!!」

　With a voice surging with rage, he charged at her as if he were completely consumed by fury.