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Kugugugu!

When I say my vision turned upside down, it wasn’t an exaggeration.

As the Mined Creature charged in, the surrounding magic concentrated at a single point and flew towards us.

Ophelia deployed a barrier, but the magic spread wide, disorienting our sight. It was meant to blind us.

However, our party consisted of battle-hardened warriors. Azar, wielding a shield, stood at the front to withstand the Mined Creature’s charge, and the subsequent attack was deftly deflected by Albrecht’s Fluid Sword.

Bang!

Yet, the Mined Creature was undeterred and unexpectedly twisted its body 180 degrees to throw a punch.

Even Azar’s shield struggled to withstand this blow.

So, I drew my Holy Sword.

I sliced at the creature’s neck, severed the tendon at its elbow, and twisted its wrist. The Mined Creature’s attack sliced through the air uselessly.

“Awesome! You really are the Slave Knight!”

“Yap yap, so noisy.”

Ignoring Daniel’s words, I summoned a Sword Energy and thrust it into the creature’s chest.

I might not have pierced its black armor, but I seemed to have inflicted a meaningful injury.

The Mined Creature stepped back, gasping for breath.

“Albrecht. Azar and I will buy time, so you blast it with your Sword Power from the back.”

“Got it.”

As we set our plan, Daniel was still wearing a carefree smile.

Despite Emily’s magic striking around us multiple times, he seemed utterly unconcerned.

That unnerved me in a strange way.

“It’s coming.”

“Right.”

No time to spare as the Mined Creature rushed at us.

We executed our plan. Azar blocked with his shield, I twisted the creature’s joints to limit its movement, while Albrecht’s Sword Power and Erwin’s cover fire attacked the Mined Creature.

Simultaneously, Emily’s magic targeted Daniel.

However, the Possessor Daniel was more capable than I expected.

“Hahaha! Keep struggling!”

The magic formed a round sphere, swallowing us along with the barrier Ophelia had deployed.

“What the hell…!”

“Tsk.”

Erwin yelled, and I clicked my tongue.

I had been shortsighted.

In fact, the Mined Creature’s attack was meant to distract our eyes.

“Ophelia, please use Purification Magic.”

“I know! But…”

That statement turned meaningless as the barrier shattered, and black mist settled over us.

*

It seems I lost consciousness for a while.

When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t make out much except for a faint light surrounded by thick fog.

“…Shit.”

This was the workshop and territory of a Dark Mage.

Within the territory, the Dark Mage wielded overwhelming power, but we were an elite squad of six Mark Holders ready to confront him.

I confidently thought we could easily gain the upper hand in a frontal confrontation.

However, Daniel was smarter than I anticipated. I knew he was skilled at manipulating magic, but I never expected him to use the Mined Creature as bait to trap us in magic.

“Where is this…?”

I strained to get up.

The surroundings were shrouded in hazy fog, but I could make out faint silhouettes.

“Ophelia?”

“Did you wake up? Are you okay?”

Ophelia, dressed in pure white Holy Garments, helped me to my feet.

“What in the world is happening?”

“It seems Daniel’s attack scattered us all. It’s just the two of us left.”

“…Is that so.”

I felt a strange discomfort as I looked around.

I sensed no presence from the others.

In this foggy, empty city, only Ophelia and I were standing.

“What should we do? Shall we search for them?”

“I suppose we should.”

“Yeah.”

As Ophelia confidently moved forward, she glanced at a car parked by the roadside and her eyes widened in surprise as she peered through the glass.

With graceful manners and light footsteps.

“And finally… Elliot, is this the world you lived in?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What is this thing?”

“It’s something like a wagon.”

Ophelia began gently caressing the car’s body, nodding her head.

“Beautiful. Amazing. If I had the luxury, I would love to live in a world like this. Of course, the Cathedral of the Saint is also a nice place, but this seems even better. Most importantly, there shouldn’t be a Demon King in this world, right?”

“…”

“Eliah?”

“That’s right. There probably isn’t a Demon King.”

With a soft smile, Ophelia approached me and tugged on my arm.

But my expression gradually hardened.

It was only natural.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

As we moved a few more blocks, something caught Ophelia’s eye.

It was a massive electronic billboard.

Even if electricity didn’t work here, the billboard showcased famous sites from the Earth I lived on.

From Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal, Big Ben, and more.

They were nostalgic sights.

Ophelia stared at the billboard, her mouth agape in awe.

“Wow… what’s that?”

“Those are architectural wonders from the world where I lived. Considered tourist attractions, after all.”

“…I see. They’re incredibly beautiful. Is that a clock tower?”

“Yes.”

“It’s so big and magnificent! It doesn’t even compare to the Empire’s clock tower!”

“…”

Ophelia bounced happily, expressing her admiration.

I watched her with a slightly furrowed brow.

How long had it been?

As she continuously nodded and gazed at the billboard, Ophelia suddenly turned to me with a bright smile.

“Hey, Elliot.”

“Yes?”

“If everything ends, and we defeat the Demon King, you’re going to return to your original world, right?”

“…”

“Then, could you take me with you when you go back?”

“Why?”

As I asked rather bluntly, Ophelia’s cheeks turned a faint shade of red as she continued.

“Well… I feel a bit awkward saying this, but…”

“…”

“I think I might like you.”

Ophelia said, brushing her blushing cheeks.

“So, I’d like to spend my future with you, Elliot…”

“Daniel.”

I called out her, no, his name.

“Are you now pretending to be a woman? That’s quite a distasteful parody.”

At my words, something disguised as Ophelia tilted its head in confusion.

“Elliot, what are you talking about…?”

“You have no talent for acting. Acting starts with observation.”

I let out a deep sigh and said.

“Ophelia wouldn’t speak or act in such a demure manner. And you touched that car a moment ago. Ophelia rarely does what I strictly tell her not to. Besides, she’d shudder at the mention of the Cathedral of the Saint. You misused your word choice.”

“…”

“Moreover, Ophelia is a twisted and mischievous woman who wouldn’t be so easily charmed by something beautiful. She wouldn’t be taken in by a mere tourist spot.”

That is why I can be certain.

I pointed my finger at the Holy Sword at my waist.

The decisive factor lay elsewhere.

“Above all, Ophelia is a klutz. She wouldn’t be capable of confessing so naturally.”

Maybe if you were drunk, it could happen, but confessing to me while sober?

That’s just ridiculous.

“Stop this clumsy act and tell me where the others are.”

With those words, I pulled out my Holy Sword and swung it without hesitation.

Daniel’s head, disguised as Ophelia, shattered, and its split mouth twisted upward.

Sure enough, this entire space was an illusion made of magic.

“Hahahaha! You really can’t catch a break! Even as a substitute, are you a Hero or what!”

Daniel laughed heartily.

Hearing the repulsive words spewing from Ophelia’s voice made me want to slice it again. I swung my Holy Sword horizontally.

The Daniel that had been halved dissolved into black mist and vanished.

At that moment, the world around me began to crumble.

―――.

More accurately, I regained consciousness.

-…Did you wake up?

“…Ugh.”

Suddenly, a shower of golden light.

As I squinted, the golden light intensified again.

“Are you awake now, you idiot?”

“…”

I blinked several times, and the scene around me came into focus.

Before me stood none other than Ophelia.

With no hesitation to throw insults, a coarse voice, and all the absurd antics—she was the real Ophelia.

“…It’s really you, Ophelia.”

“Hmph. Seems like a fake Ophelia popped up in your dream if you’re saying such nonsense.”

“It was indeed so.”

“So how was the fake me?”

“It was disgusting.”

At my words, Ophelia scoffed.

I added a remark.

“Definitely, the real one is much better.”

“…W-What kind of nonsense are you spouting!”

As Ophelia attempted to kick me on the crown of my head, I hurriedly got up.

The surrounding environment was as it was right before I lost consciousness.

The only difference was that Ophelia was using Holy Magic to sweep away the surrounding magic.

“Ophelia, you weren’t knocked out?”

“I was out cold.”

“Did you wake up already?”

I, too, had grown familiar with magic.

Realizing the subtle discomfort I felt in my body and witnessing the fake Ophelia’s atrocious acting, I understood Ophelia had been awake long before me and was blocking the magic.

In other words, had it not been for Ophelia, we might have been swept away by the magic and perished.

“How did you wake up?”

Ophelia hesitated for a moment before answering.

“About that? That Possessor kid, he seems to know nothing about the world.”

“What do you mean?”

“A vision of the Pope appeared as an illusion. He said he felt proud and suggested we stay here.”

“…Huh.”

“Isn’t that hilarious? I kicked him in the nuts right then.”

Ophelia chuckled, and I could only nod in agreement.

Looking around, Erwin, Wuzmund, Azar, Albrecht, and Emily were all unconscious.

“Seems the others are… still out.”

“Yeah. That’s what I’m worried about. I think we have about 10 minutes we can last, but there’s a bigger problem.”

“A problem?”

“That guy.”

Ophelia looked ahead.

The Mined Creature that had collapsed was slowly beginning to rise, as per Daniel’s words, the T-1000 was starting to get back on its feet.

Though the Mined Creature was also swept away by Daniel’s magic, it appeared to be moving again.

“…Well, we can’t do much.”

I sighed and drew my Holy Sword.

“Ophelia, please keep blocking the magic. I’ll buy us some time against that Mined Creature.”

“Got it.”

I slowly prepared my stance and drew out a Sword Energy.

As I readied to swing my blade, Ophelia spoke from behind me.

“Hey.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know this is the first time we’ve joined forces like this?”

“Did you forget when the Shadow of God attacked?”

“That wasn’t really us fighting together. I was just holding you back.”

I glanced at Ophelia, who had a grin that looked like she was up to no good.

“Does that mean I saved your life this time?”

“I suppose it seems that way.”

“By the way, I prefer gifts over thanks.”

“…Yes. I’ll repay you later.”

Indeed, it’s the real Ophelia I prefer.

 

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