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“Well then, I’ll be going… please take care of things while I’m gone.”

I gave a polite nod, and Luke responded stiffly, with a serious expression, “Yes, be careful.”

Hmm, he’s unusually tense, given the situation. It’s not exactly a good sign. A certain amount of tension is necessary for motivation, but too much can lead to tunnel vision or even freezing up. So…

“—Oh, and after I’m gone, just because no one’s watching, don’t go doing anything strange to Eren, okay?”

With a playful, mischievous smile, I decided to throw in a lighthearted joke to ease the tension. Well, I was half-serious about giving him a warning.

“Wha—!?”

Immediately, he turned red, flustered, glancing back and forth between my barely suppressed grin and Eren’s innocent, sleeping face at his feet.

Of course, I trust the gentlemanly Luke not to make a mistake, but Eren is adorable, after all. There’s always a chance, however slim. If I were a boy, I wouldn’t be able to leave her alone… I mean, I sometimes cuddle with Eren or Lana, cheek to cheek, just for fun. But if a guy did that, it would definitely be a crime (I’m genuinely glad I was born a girl in this world; I consider it a fortunate privilege). So I encouraged a little restraint from him, just in case.

“Well, if you must, make sure to get her consent and properly promise a future together.”

It’s a classic plot device from plays, but if any noble tried to take advantage of a maid using their status and position, I would never tolerate such behavior even if pigs start flying—well, I’m riding a flying dog, but my point still stands.

“I’d never do that! Besides, the only one I have feelings for is you, Jill! I’d never even consider anyone else!”

Luke declared firmly. It seemed even he was surprised by his own confession, as he quickly covered his mouth.

“Yes…?”
“Ah—!”

“ “……” ” A heavy silence settled around the bell tower.

Suddenly, BOOM! An ear-splitting crash resounded nearby, and when I looked, I saw that Coppelia’s rocket punch had shattered a nearby wall.

“You’ve got some nerve canoodling in front of me…!!”

Whether it’s some function of hers, or perhaps a creepy phenomenon brought on by her inner grudges, I couldn’t say—but she appeared to be crying tears of blood.

“…we’re not exactly canoodling or anything.”

I had an overwhelming urge to kick Coppelia and her dramatic tantrum away, but I barely managed to restrain myself, and the shock allowed me to regain my usual composure.

Seeing my disgruntled expression, Luke’s face suddenly turned pale, as if he’d misunderstood something. “Uh, Jill… Did I upset you?”

“No.”

I made sure to shake my head and express my true feelings. Luke is usually so competent, almost superhumanly so, but when it comes to matters of romance, he becomes strangely timid. I’m not sure why—it’s almost as if he’s a protagonist worn out from dealing with oblivious and hard-of-hearing heroines. All the more reason for me to put my feelings into words and make myself clear.

“Regardless of our current circumstances… and how impulsively you said it, there’s no way I wouldn’t be happy to receive your affection.”

Luke winced, clutching his head and writhing in embarrassment. It seemed he was aware this was a slip-up.

“I, too, have some feelings for you, Luke. That said, being confessed to in the middle of a battlefield doesn’t give me much time to sort out my feelings. Can we talk about it again once things have settled down?”

To be honest, I wonder if Luke’s feelings right now are just a misunderstanding—like maybe Stockholm syndrome, or that thing about bridges and scary situations. Given the circumstances, it feels a bit hard to trust his words right now.

“Y-, yeah, you’re right. I-, I’m sorry for bringing this up at a time like this.”

Luke’s face flushed slightly again as he bowed his head repeatedly. Hmm… Well, once things settle down, we might gain some clarity on both of our feelings.

Meanwhile, behind us, Copelia was still spewing hatred, shouting, “Damn it!” and “If hatred could kill someone!” while randomly firing her rocket punches, which was incredibly annoying.

Ah, the student council president just got knocked out by her rocket punch right when he poked his head out from the hole.

Goodness, now he’s out cold, but the surrounding students just gave him a fleeting glance and completely ignored him. Am I imagining things, or does it seem like his already nonexistent popularity has hit rock bottom…? I can’t shake the feeling that his very humanity is being denied.

Once we returned, he might face not just a recall but a whole coup d’état from the student body.

In any case, I left the scene and moved forward with Vier toward the chaotic courtyard of the church.

♦♢♦♢

Isn’t something strange about this…? That was my impression as I landed on the scene.

Because I had rushed to heal everyone in my sight where allies and enemies were all mixed together—which is definitely something to reflect on. I judged that healing was needed quickly, or some of them would be far too defenseless. It may not have been the best decision, but it was at least the second-best choice, right?—the surroundings fell into chaos, and no coordination could be achieved between allies and enemies, resulting in each person engaging with the nearest opponent.

Basically, the adventurers and soldiers who had been unconscious suddenly woke up to find themselves face-to-face with the undead. Whilst the undead also found their enemies suddenly sprang up, making them flail their weapons like a child throwing a tantrum.

As a result, the battle became a mudslinging match. Well, since the number of adventurers and soldiers is overwhelmingly large, I believe that once the initial confusion settles down, we should be able to wipe out the undead without any problem…

“Quaw wse drftgy fuji ko lp!!”
“HoWAeawAEeewaAAahhh!!!”
“●※□＃▲〒＊～～～!!”

The confusion seems to be quite intense. Huh.

“「O celestial bell, send these impure souls back to the underworld with thine eternal melody」— 「Purify」”

As soon as Vier landed on the ground, I leaped off and cast purification on the undead I spotted—a pair of former adventurers who were holding weapons and a larger one that was likely the carcass of the meran-aries we saw earlier in the day.

Golden flames engulfed the undead from their feet up, and as they were consumed, a look of peace seemed to settle on the faces of these once-dead figures. As the flames ascended and vanished into the sky, they returned to being mere corpses and crumbled to the ground. Even the meran-aries bore a gentle expression as it departed.

Seeing that, I let out a sigh of relief. I’d learned the technique long ago during my training days with Regina, from an elderly woman known as the “Grand Shrine Maiden” who resides in the distant sacred land of the Beastkin. However, I’d never had the chance to use it until now (zombies aren’t exactly common, and simple ghosts can usually be purified with healing art). So, it was my first real test, and I’m glad it went well.

Well, I’m sure half of the success is due to the power of this Tiara of Starflower.

“Very well. This anti-Igoronak gear I crafted is performing splendidly. Keep clearing out these small fry, Clara!”

Behind me, the instigator of all this, Coppelia, stood with an air of pride, pointing at the wandering undead and giving orders as if she owned the place.

At this point… isn’t it about time I shoot her from behind?

“Please don’t call them small fry. They’re unfortunate victims, after all!” And ultimately, you’re the cause of all this in the first place!

At my somewhat exasperated shout, three adventurers who had just witnessed their undead comrades being purified looked as though they’d been struck to the core. They suddenly knelt down with reverence, bowing their heads.

“…Thank you.”
“How blessed they must be”
“To be purified by your exalted self.”

Author’s Note:

The Beastfolk’s Grand Shrine Maiden and Regina have been friends for a long time.

Incidentally, she is a lion-type beastfolk and also the mother of nine sons and twelve daughters (though a few have already passed away). Her husband held the title of “Beast King,” the highest title among the beastfolk. However, he passed away fairly young, leaving her a widow (the status of a beastfolk priestess is not influenced by marriage).

After his death, the “Beast King” title remained vacant for a while, and disputes arose over who would inherit the Beast King’s Gauntlet—whether it should go to a disciple or a blood relative. In the end, the title is now held by one of her great-grandchildren.

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The Prince in the Tower and the Princess to the Rescue

The grounds of the St Campbell Church were lit by bonfires, lanterns, and magical lights, yet the night was far from fully dispelled, leaving areas shrouded in twilight. This left a risk of an unexpected attack under cover of darkness.

“「Let light illuminate thine hands.」” So, I decided to secure our visibility first. “「Light」”

I created around thirty orbs of light, dispersing them evenly across the church grounds and suspending them five meters in the air. Now, there shouldn’t be any blind spots—at least, that was the idea.

Suddenly, the newly revived adventurers and soldiers—especially those dressed as mages or spellcasters—began murmuring in awe, as if the ground itself was rumbling.

“Incredible… This many Light Magic Arts at once?!”
“They’re all floating independently!”
“I can’t believe it. The sheer magical power and control this requires…”

“…” Wait, is this spell really that impressive? I’d just casually modified a household spell, the kind you’d use for reading at night… “………….”

W-, well, what’s done is done, right? I had no idea it was that great, and it’s just this one time, so it didn’t count. Yup.

After composing myself—some might say I was shelving the issue—I turned my gaze to Luke, who was eagerly waving and jumping, trying to get my attention with an abundance of body language.

For some reason, he’s alone up in the church’s bell tower. Is this some kind of punishment? Or maybe… he is being bullied? Feeling a bit suspicious, I asked Vier to make a quick detour over there. Besides, there was something I wanted to ask from him as well.

As we approached, I could see Luke sparkling with an intense glow—well, he usually has that princely aura, but this time it was as if it had been turned up tenfold. He looked deeply moved, almost as if he were an enchanted princess, locked in a tower by an evil witch for years, now seeing the prince who had come to rescue her.

—Wait, aren’t our roles reversed?

With a slight tilt of my head at the unexpected casting, I had Vier lift me up to his level, so we were eye-to-eye.

“Jill! You’re safe—I was so worried about you!”

He must have been genuinely concerned. His excitement is off the charts; he looks like he might leap onto me any moment, but, seeing as we’re at maximum capacity for the moment, I’d prefer he refrain from doing that.

“I’m sorry to have worried you. I’m safe, somehow. Now then…”
“What’s this, Clara? Who’s the fancy-looking lad? Is he your new boyfriend?”

Just as I was about to bring up the reason for my visit, Coppelia, sitting behind me, eyed Luke with a mischievous look and casually dropped this line.

I nearly stumbled at her bluntness.

“Please don’t say such misleading things! I don’t have any boyfriend, neither ‘new’ or ‘old’!”
“Oh ho! Simon was absolutely head over heels for you, and you just erased it all up, have you? This is why you women can’t be trusted.”
“I keep telling you, that wasn’t me!”
“Oh, that’s right; you even changed your name. I suppose you think that just wipes away the past, huh? The poor guy must feel pretty used. But hey, it’s none of my business if some pretty boy gets toyed with—serves him right, I say.”

Cackling away with a mix of disdain and mockery, she cast a condescending look at Luke, who was standing there frozen like a statue, listening to our conversation.

“…” After what seemed like five deep breaths, Luke slowly turned his neck toward me, his movements almost creaking, and looked at me with a mixture of helplessness and a touch of fear. “Jill…”

“It’s all nonsense! Don’t take any of it seriously!” Not wanting to bother with explanations, I just denied everything outright.

“Oh, right… of course, there’s no way that’s true. I believe in you, Jill.”
“Exactly!”

As Luke’s face visibly relaxed with relief, I couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy.

“Talk about gullible,” Coppelia murmured, nonchalantly voicing exactly what I was thinking.

“You little—” I felt a sudden urge to knock her off from this height.

Just as I was about to act on that impulse, Luke, clearly uncomfortable, glanced at Coppelia with suspicion. “Jill, who might that be?” he asked, keeping his tone gentlemanly despite what must have been going through his mind.

His maturity was a stark contrast to the centuries-old, senile old-timer this maid truly was.

“This strange maid is an automaton I happened to meet by chance. She actually has the personality of the alchemist who created those undead and the lord of the undead copied inside her, so I thought it might be useful to get her input.”

I realized too late that this might have been a mistake. Luke nodded deeply in agreement, his expression shifting to one of complete distrust as he looked at Coppelia.

“Hey, hold on! You make it sound as if I’m the root of all this trouble!”

Pretty close to the truth, I’d say.

“You should take some responsibility and show some remorse. Regardless of what you say, you’ve committed grave sins by tampering with life through illegal research. You’re also accountable for abandoning your creations and allowing this catastrophe to happen—there are such things as product liability and abandonment.”
“Hmph. And what’s so wrong about contributing to scientific progress? How people use what I create is up to them. Is the blacksmith responsible for whether a buyer uses an ax to chop firewood or to harm others? I don’t bear that responsibility!”

Coppelia puffed up her chest without a hint of remorse.

Even so, I’m pretty sure a blacksmith considers whom they’re selling to, and the nature of their work probably keeps some sense of caution and responsibility in the back of their mind. This one, however, doesn’t have a shred of that awareness.

Perhaps it would be wise to arrange a little “accident” to take care of her sooner rather than later.

Luke must have been thinking the same thing. He cast Coppelia a scathing, condemning glance, but her thick-skinned response showed no sign of remorse. With a light click of his tongue, he shifted his gaze to the church courtyard.

“So, about the No-Life King from before. Did that manage to defeat it?”

He looked at the massive black armor like a small mountain, his tone hovering between hope and skepticism.

“Unlikely. At best, it may have just stunned him temporarily,” I replied.

I’d love to believe it’s finished, but that would be far too optimistic. After all, even a cockroach in the kitchen doesn’t die from a single hit, and I’m well aware of the No-Life King’s resilience.

“That said, I’ll be heading down to take care of the remaining small fry. Luke, if you could cover us from here, and also—”

I twisted around, reaching for the bundle tied between Coppelia and me—a figure secured in place with my old black robe to keep her from falling: Eren, still unconscious from the shock. The three of us worked together to lift her and passed her over to Luke.

“Please look after Eren for me. It’s too dangerous for her, so even if she wakes up, could you make sure she stays here instead of coming my way?”

My plea made Luke’s face tighten with worry.

“Are you planning something dangerous? Let me help you.”

His response was just as I expected, leaving me in a bit of a dilemma. While I appreciate his concerns, he’d become powerless again if Igoronak used his Parry (Intimidation) skill once more.

The skill’s effectiveness weakens over distance, so it would be best if Luke could provide support from afar. That way, I could focus without worrying as much…

“Hmph, so you couldn’t care less about anyone’s safety but your own target, huh? I swear, guys with pretty faces are always so irritating!” Coppelia sneered.

At her comment, Luke suddenly seemed to remember Eren lying at his feet, wrapped up like a cocoon, and looked down at her.

“Please,” I said, looking up at him, my eyes pleading. “I’ve got the Robe of Sant’Angelo and the Tiara of Starflower, which gives me some protection against the No-Life King, but others don’t have that advantage. I’d feel more at ease knowing I could count on you to help from here.”

I leaned forward, gently taking both of his hands in mine, squeezing them softly. This technique, the “Damsel’s Plea,” is something Viola once taught me: the trick, she said, is not to grip too hard. Judging by his reaction, it seems to be working perfectly.

“R-Right! Leave it to me! I’ll definitely protect Eren, and I’ll protect you too, Jill!” With his cheeks flushed, Luke squeezed my hands back with twice the strength, promising with all his heart.

“What a cheap—ow!” I cut off Coppelia’s unnecessary comment by hitting her square in the face with a non-elemental spell.

“Well then, I’m off. Take care of the rest.”

With a short farewell, I turned on my heel, spurred on Vier, and moved to join the fray in the church grounds, where the revived adventurers and soldiers were currently battling the undead horde.

As I looked around, I noticed a group of clergy kneeling in front of the church, fervently praying with solemn, almost feverish expressions. I wondered, was some celebrity visiting? That’s the kind of atmosphere it felt like. Personally, I’d prefer if they took action rather than prayed… With that thought, I gave a gentle pat to the base of Vier’s wing.

“Alright, let’s go. For now, let’s scatter the small fry and focus on getting the non-combatants out of harm’s way!”
“WOOF!! (Got it!)”

With a mighty roar, Vier and I charged toward the battlefield with renewed vigor.

Author’s Note:

Currently, Jill is equipped with the anti-Igoronak gear crafted by Coppelia.

The Robe of Sant’Angelo has the effect of nullifying 60% of status ailments and preventing things like draining life energy. The Tiara of Starflower amplifies and converges the effects of purification and healing magic (it simply enhances the effective use of the user’s power, without increasing their own abilities).

Unlike the “parry” in Romancing SaGa, this refers to “parry” in the context of MMORPGs, meaning “to nullify an enemy’s attack.”

Translator’s Note:

Yeah, I don’t understand how 威圧 (intimidation/coercion) becomes Parry, but that’s how it is in the raw.

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As the situation shifted, Lieselotte and Viola heightened their vigilance several notches, but surrounded and immobilized, there was little they could do. They could barely keep their minds focused on the circumstances when a panicked voice broke through—Cestlavie’s, strained and desperate, like a rooster being strangled.

“This isn’t some run-of-the-mill opponent! He’s definitely undead but on a different level from wraiths, specters, or phantoms. He’s at least a Lich!”

Seeing one of the anti-evil talismans he kept on him ignite and burn to ashes in an instant, Cestlavie’s forehead broke out in a cold, heavy sweat.

Everyone else who managed to maintain consciousness had the same reaction, collectively gasping in horror, their faces turning a deadly shade of white. Unlike regular undead, a Lich is a sorcerer or priest who has mastered magic or ancient religious rituals in life and achieved eternal life through their own power. Such beings were classified as SS rank—calamitous threats that could potentially bring entire nations to ruin.

There was no way they could win.

Despair spread in their hearts, but it seemed the dire situation wasn’t as bad as it could be—until the next words from their foe plunged them into true hopelessness.

“Kah-hah-hah-hah! To compare me with such lowly beings—how far the standards of modern sorcerers and priests have fallen! Listen well! I am Igoronak, the Evil God—the No-Life King who has transcended both life and death!!”

That declaration erased any trace of hope, severing the last threads of courage from everyone present, including Luke, who stood atop the bell tower.

No-Life King was the highest rank among Lichs, his power rivaling that of Angels, Devils, Elder Dragons, and even True Vampires. Such a being was practically a myth, a legend. Only multiple SS-rank adventurers or an entire regiment from the Cardinal Rose Superempire could hope to defeat him, and in such an event, the continent’s map would undoubtedly be redrawn.

As the black-cloaked figure—Igoronak the No-Life King—reveled in the waves of negative emotions radiating from those around him, his gaze shifted toward the closed doors of the church’s sanctuary.

“Hmm… it seems some lambs are hiding inside.”

With a casual flick of his left hand—

“ “ “ “ “GYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!” ” ” ” ”

The thick brick wall was blasted apart with a thunderous roar, sending debris flying. The students and clergy who had sought refuge inside huddled together, trying to flee, but a single glare from Igoronak froze them in terror, causing them to collapse in place.

That they had only collapsed was, in a sense, a mercy—not out of kindness, but more like a cat playing with its prey before the kill, indulging in sadistic pleasure.

As Igoronak descended to the ground, he moved slowly and deliberately, taking his time as he walked toward the group. The trembling students, desperate to escape, shoved one another aside, forming a tangled, pitiful mass as they struggled in vain to distance themselves from him.

“Get out of my way!”
“No! No!”
“Let go! Who’s grabbing me?!”
“You’re a guy, aren’t you? Go face it!”
“You’re all in my way!”

In the midst of this chaos—

“You! Stay back and hold him off!” Fueled by panic-induced strength, the Student Council President, Barry Carter, screamed hysterically.

“Huh?” One of the council members, Elias, was kicked by Barry, his face blank with confusion as he tumbled right in front of Igoronak.

“Hmm, not much life force… but it’ll do as an appetizer.”

Without any particular emotion, Igoronak extended his left hand toward the boy, his tone and movements coldly indifferent.

“Huh? Wha…?”

Elias, still unable to grasp the gravity of his situation, stared blankly at the approaching hand, his legs giving out beneath him as he remained frozen in fear.

Igoronak seemed completely unaffected by the boy’s panic—his actions were as routine as picking up a dish from a table. His hand continued to reach out.

“Damn you—!”
“Rapid!”

Luke managed to gather enough wind to form a blade, slashing toward the seemingly defenseless Igoronak, while Cestlavie sent forth a lightning-charged talisman. Both attacks hurtled towards their target…

“Kukuku… How futile, little insects. I’ll devour you after I’ve finished with my appetizer.”

Igoronak shrugged off their attacks without so much as a flinch, his tone condescending, as though scolding a child throwing a tantrum. The immense difference in power was clear, and Luke and Cestlavie, trembling with humiliation and fear, could only glare at Igoronak.

Satisfied that no further interference would come, Igoronak reached for Elias, who was already half-unconscious from terror.

Squish!!

In that instant, an enormous figure —a massive, pitch-black knight, clad in armor so heavy it seemed forged from solid iron plates— descended from above. With his back turned to the spectator, the knight crushed Igoronak beneath its weight, pressing him halfway into the ground.

“ “ “…Huh?” ” ”

Luke, Cestlavie, and Elias could only let out stunned, bewildered voices.

“ “ “ “ “……” ” ” ” ”

A tense silence fell over the scene, broken only by the sound of wings beating as a giant, wolf-like beast descended from the sky. The sudden appearance of this new figure heightened everyone’s alertness, but Luke’s face lit up with joy as he quickly recognized the person riding on the beast’s back.

“…Couldn’t you handle this a bit better? You’ve completely ruined the moment,” the maid with orange hair, seated on the back of the beast, complained with a displeased expression as she glanced down at the armored knight sprawled out in a large X-shape on the ground.

“It couldn’t be helped. It was an accident. The reins snapped under the weight… a most unfortunate incident. Though I will admit there was a little intent behind it,” replied the girl seated in front of the beast. She had long, waist-length hair that was a delicate shade of pink-gold, and her breathtaking beauty gave off an air of fragility and elegance. A simple gold tiara adorned her head, a subtle accessory that only enhanced her striking looks.

She wore a white robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns, and even through the robe, her flawless figure was evident. Combined with her appearance, her presence was nothing short of overwhelming.

“So,” she continued, gazing down from above at the undead wandering aimlessly around the church, her expression somewhat melancholic. “Those undead… they’re failed experiments that escaped, aren’t they? Is there a way to defeat them?”

“Simple purification should do the trick. After all, corpsegrass is just another form of undead,” the maid responded casually.

“Understood. But before that, we need to wake up those who have fallen,” the girl said, nodding. The tip of her magic staff gleamed with a dazzling healing light.

“「The Great Healing Hand shall kindle your flame of life.」” The light expanded to cover the entire church, illuminating everyone who had collapsed. “—Regeneration.”

The bodies of those who had been in a state of unconsciousness began to glow. The pale skin regained its color, and groans of recovery could be heard from all around.

It was an unprecedentedly large-scale and effective healing spell.

“Unbelievable…”

An elderly monk, who had been watching the scene with wide eyes, staggered out of the church with unsteady steps. He seemed to stumble, dropping to his knees on the ground. With an overwhelmed expression, he looked up at the girl and began to cry tears of joy.

“O-o-o-o-oh…! That beautiful visage, that power, never once did I forget, it’s Lady Clara the Shrine Maiden Princess!!”

He trembled with joy and bowed deeply.

Author’s note:

“Either way, why don’t we name it the “Ultimate Attack — Jet-Black Dark Meteorite” for the Bartholomew-Dropping-Technique?”
“All you did was just let him fall, you know?!”

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After the earth-shaking impact finally subsided, Luke suddenly witnessed a massive pillar of light rising from the surface of Quartz Lake into the night sky from the highest bell tower of St. Campbell Church.

The light wasn’t one of the primary colors—red, green, or blue—nor was it a rainbow-like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, or violet. It could only be described as a “black light,” an eerie, sinister glow that made anyone who looked at it feel nauseous.

“What is that!? What’s happening? Could Jill possibly be there…?”

Luke had guessed correctly, driven by his instinct as a boy in love. However, it wasn’t because of any particular intelligence or intuition on his part. Rather, his mind had been so consumed by thoughts of the girl he loved that he followed this overly simplistic logic: strange event = related to Jill’s disappearance = Jill must be there.

In other words, he hadn’t arrived at the correct answer through reasoning; the correct answer had simply come to him by happenstance.

Resisting the urge to rush out immediately, he focused all his energy on maintaining the wind barrier protecting the church—an intense storm-like wind that engulfed the building. This was, of course, not a natural phenomenon, but one born from Luke’s pledge to the wind spirits, who answered his call.

Sweat dripped down his face only to be blown away by the wind, while his golden hair—like a crown that usually drew cheers from female students as he walked through the academy grounds—fluttered wildly. His blue eyes, usually filled with melancholy and kindness, now bore a deep exhaustion and weariness.

Peering through the wind barrier, Luke saw undead creatures emerging one after another from between the trees, marching in a straight line toward the church, surrounding it.

Under the glow of the church’s lights, Luke recognized their faces and equipment. Many of them had once been the adventurers introduced to him as part of a group bearing a crest of swords and wheels, now reduced to these wretched forms.

“—Damn. Were they wiped out?”

For a moment, the worst-case scenario—total annihilation—flashed through Luke’s mind, but fortunately, it seemed that fear was unfounded.

He spotted adventurers holding torches or casting magical light, along with soldiers, though whether they belonged to the national army or were the lord’s private troops was unclear. Their uniformed equipment made it obvious they were professional soldiers, and they were chasing down the undead from behind.

“Surround them!”
“Burn them! Use this wind to our advantage!”
“Don’t let them near the church!”

Hearing their brave shouts even through the wind barrier, Luke sighed in relief.

Though it was too early to fully relax, from his vantage point above, it was clear that the number of undead was steadily decreasing thanks to the overwhelming numbers and superior skill of the adventurers and soldiers. Even the large masked ogre, the most concerning threat, seemed to be slowing down.

It looked like they were finally escaping this nightmarish battle. As soon as things settled, he could go search for Jill… With that thought in mind, he glanced once more toward the lake, only to find that the pillar of light had vanished without him noticing.

—bathump!

Oddly enough, it was now—after the light disappeared—that Luke felt something far more ominous than when it had appeared. His heartbeat surged in alarm, and he prepared to send out a gust of wind to investigate when—

“Nyaa!?”

Sechs, who had been perched on his shoulder, suddenly let out a deathly wail and, nearly falling from the tower, scrambled to hide behind a column, curling up and trembling violently.

What’s wrong!? Luke thought, but before he could even voice his question, the wind barrier he had been maintaining shattered like a soap bubble.

His senses as a wind user picked up the sound of the wind spirits screaming in terror as they fled.

“What… what is this…?”

Despite it not being winter, Luke’s entire body began to shiver uncontrollably, and his teeth chattered.

Without knowing why, he leaned against the nearest column, trying to support his legs, which threatened to give out beneath him.

If he let his guard down for even a second, he felt as though he might fall straight down from the tower.

And then—

“Oh, a spirit user, is it? Interesting. You’re still somewhat inexperienced, but your life force and magic are plentiful. Most importantly, your mind is untainted. A pure and righteous spirit, indeed.”

A gloomy, oppressive voice that seemed to shake not just the ears but the very soul echoed from nowhere in particular.

Luke’s eyes darted around, searching for the source, but before he could find it, that thing appeared in the front yard of St. Campbell Church—suddenly materializing in midair, at the same height as the bell tower. In an instant, the church’s barrier was reduced to ash.

“ “ “ “ “WHA——?!” ” ” ” ”

The barrier, though weakened by the fierce assault of the undead and the large ogre, Gus, was still one of the strongest in existence. After all, it had been reinforced by none other than the shrine maiden Clara herself.

Moreover, the truth was that only the outermost layer of the barrier had been on the verge of breaking. The exorcists of the church and the academy’s instructors had all predicted that the multi-layered protection around the entire church wouldn’t be breached in a single night.

Yet, it had been torn apart in an instant, like a fragile paper balloon!

What is that thing!?

Naturally, every gaze was drawn to the figure—cloaked entirely in black, with a single arm visible beneath the robe—hovering in midair.

“Heh heh heh heh heh…”

In response, the mysterious figure lifted its face from beneath the hood, and its eyes gleamed with a sinister light.

“ “ “ “ “—————” ” ” ” ”

In an instant, before anyone could even resist, their consciousness was snatched away, and they collapsed like a doll with its strings cut.

“Ugh…”
“D-damn you…”
“Ugh…”
“Monster…”
“This…is no joke…”

The only ones who managed to withstand it were Luke, Cestlavie, Lieselotte, and Viola, along with a few adventurers and instructors. Even so, they were barely able to stay on their feet.

When Luke glanced down, he saw countless flies, mosquitoes, and other insects lying dead at his feet. It was clear that they had perished from a mere brush with this unknown power. It wasn’t surprising that humans with weaker wills had fainted.

“…This seems a bit beyond us, does it not?” Lieselotte, who rarely showed weakness, muttered as she surveyed the fallen adventurers and soldiers around them, lying motionless but still alive.

Beyond her, with the barrier gone, the undead were slowly advancing, and Viola forced a bitter smile. “Indeed, we are practically sitting ducks. Honestly, I always thought if I had to go, it’d be surrounded by beautiful ladies, dying in peace.”

Unfortunately, the only people lying around her were rugged men. Viola shrugged once more, muttering, “What a pity.”

Listening to their conversation, it almost seemed as though there was still hope. But in reality, they were far beyond a desperate situation—on the brink of being snuffed out. The undead were so close that their foul, rotting breath—if they had any—could be felt on their cheeks.

Meanwhile, they could barely move. The only reason Viola and Lieselotte could still make snide remarks was their extraordinary courage. As for the leader of the adventurer group—a man named Orland, second-in-command of the Steel Wagon—he was on the verge of panic, letting out a scream like a teenage girl as he frantically tried to crawl backward.

“Wait,” a voice commanded from the figure cloaked in black. “I must replenish the life force and magic I lack. Leave those still breathing alive. They shall serve as my sacrifices.”

In obedience to those words, the undead froze in place, halting like wind-up dolls that had run out of power, crouched in their positions.

Lieselotte and the others swallowed hard at the sight.

This man—likely a man—had complete control over the undead. Even the Great Ogre Gus knelt humbly, bowing his head to the ground like a servant before a king.

“…So this is the mastermind?”
“This aura, this miasma… clearly, we’re dealing with something far beyond a mere necromancer.”

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Suddenly, the water’s surface rippled, and a geometric magic circle—or was it just an array of magical symbols?—appeared, casting an intricate glowing pattern that spread across the bottom of the spring. In the next instant, the entire spring erupted violently towards the ceiling, as if it had exploded. Oh, and Bartholomew got thrown back by the force, slamming into the wall. Following that, a pillar of what could only be described as “black light” surged up from the depths, completely defying the laws of physics.

At first, it was just a sliver of light escaping from a small gap, but, like an egg cracking open from the inside, it rapidly expanded. Soon enough, the entire spring was emitting a thick pillar of light that pierced through the half-collapsed ceiling, rising higher and higher.

“What the hell, Clara! What did you do!?”

Coppelia turned her baseless accusation towards me, still standing there in shock.

“I-I didn’t do anything! You’re mistaken!”
“There is literally nobody else—!”

Before Coppelia could finish her accusation, Eren struck her on the back of the head with the metal shaft of her spear—not sure what it’s called in the Western world, but in Japan, that part would be called the tachiuchi.

“Lady Jill already said it wasn’t her!” Eren yelled at her.

Coppelia crouched down, clutching her head from the merciless blow. Honestly, I’m not sure if even mercenary training would allow for such extreme measures.

“B-but…” Coppelia, with teary eyes, tried to protest. But then, her jaw suddenly dropped open wide, and a silent scream escaped her throat.

“I-I-I-I-I-I-I—”
“ “?” ”
“—Igoronak?!?”

The horror in her voice was unmistakable, her wide-open eyes staring in shock at the center of the black pillar of light. Instinctively, I shifted my stance, gripping my magic staff and facing in the same direction.

As I strained my eyes, I saw it. Floating in mid-air, draped in a tattered black robe, was a shadowy figure—when had it appeared?

“—Guh!”

The overwhelming pressure from merely being looked at was so immense that I felt like half of my vitality had been sucked away. Instinctively, I channeled my mana through my body, focusing on my dantian to resist.

“—Oh?” A faint sense of admiration seemed to emanate from the figure. “You can endure this? Not bad, for a human.”

A wave of mocking amusement followed, as if the creature found my resistance amusing, like a bug struggling in vain.

“Though I am not at full strength, it seems I’ve stumbled upon quite the exceptional prey. Now then, I shall claim all of your life force and magic—”

Just as the No-Life King extended his right hand toward me, his movements suddenly froze as though time itself had stopped. A wave of shock and disbelief crashed down upon me from him.

“Why, you…!”

Though I was paralyzed like a frog before a snake due to the immense power gap, I used that brief moment to leap backward, positioning myself between Eren and the enemy, quickly erecting every barrier I could muster.

Glancing behind me, I saw Eren collapsed in a heap, her eyes rolled back as if her soul had left her body. Meanwhile, Coppelia, though unaffected by the aura or killing intent, had completely lost her composure and was mumbling in a panic, “Calm down, everyone. Keep your cool… what should I do in moments like these… 2…3, 5…7… just stay calm.”

Suddenly, from the body of the No-Life King, an uncontrollable wave of emotion surged forth—was it hatred? No… it was joy?—like a tempest of feelings.

“So there it is…! That’s where it is there all along!? I can sense it, the remnants of that woman’s power inside you!!”

He began to tremble, starting with his shoulders and soon his entire body, unable to contain himself.

“—But what’s with that appearance? So shabby, so pitiful. How disappointing.”

Excuse me!? Why am I suddenly being insulted by a monster that’s been sealed away for a hundred years!? Is it my fault I look this way?! I’ve been told I’m “pretty” or even “beautiful” quite a lot lately, but I guess that was just flattery, and across the ages, I’ve been unattractive. Got it. Fine. Understood!!

Though I was secretly sulking, the No-Life King continued spouting his nonsense.

“Hmm, an illusion spell to mask your appearance? How trivial.”

In an instant, the No-Life King moved right in front of me.

“Now then—”

With a simple motion, his hand tore through my magical barrier as if it were made of paper.

“「O seed of flame, be my projectile and explode swiftly」—「Napalm」”

I didn’t have the luxury of holding back. I unleashed my most powerful spell—magic hot enough to melt stone.

“Too weak.”

With ease, the No-Life King crushed the fireball in his palm.

As I stood there, stunned, his hand reached toward my chest, almost touching my skin—when suddenly, the necklace I had tucked under my clothes, my mother’s keepsake, released Regina’s stored magic. For just a moment, it pushed the No-Life King back.

“—Tch! But such a small burst of magic…”

“GRRRRR!!”

Before the No-Life King could regain his stance, a thunderous roar echoed as Vier lunged at him, sinking her teeth into his right arm, trying to pin him down.

“Gah! How dare a mere lowly familiar—!”

Though he flung Vier off with brute strength, his right arm was severed from the shoulder.

“…I see. As I thought, I lack enough life force and magic, having just been resurrected. No matter. I’ll replenish myself elsewhere. For now, the continuation of this battle will have to wait. Once I regain my strength, I shall spread death and destruction as usual. You’re welcome to pursue me… I’ll be waiting on the surface!”

Gliding through the air, he moved to the edge of the now-darkened spring. With those parting words, he looked up.

I followed his gaze. The “black light” had bored a vertical shaft through everything above us, extending all the way to the surface.

“—Wait!”

Before I could stop him, the undead king flew toward the surface and disappeared. Left behind, I struggled to support my trembling limbs with my wand, barely managing to stand like a newborn fawn, rooted to the spot.

Translator’s Note:

The following is the spoiler for the end of Vampire Princess. Then again, this entire novel is a spoiler of Vampire Princess. This is just a reminder from the author.

Author’s note:

For those unfamiliar, here’s a spoiler:
Saintess Snow = Scarlet Snow

Also known as “The Saint of Roses” and “The Wandering Beauty.” She is a saint who has wandered various countries for over 100 years, healing people and performing miracles.

Her true identity is the God-Emperor of the Cardinal Rose Super-Empire and the ruler of the Crimson Empire. Officially, it’s called the “Crimson Empire,” while “Cardinal Rose Super-Empire” is just a name used on the surface.

The “Crimson Empire” itself is a floating island about the size of a small country, usually hovering above the continent (shielded so that it’s invisible to the naked eye).

She is an eternally youthful and beautiful maiden and was the princess of the monsters who won the Divine-Demonic War (Finis Jihad) over a century ago (her rank is on par with God).

With long black hair, crimson eyes, snow-like skin, and unparalleled beauty (compared to Jill, she’s the ultimate beauty as an artistic figure, while Jill is the pinnacle of human beauty). Despite this, her personality is quite down-to-earth and approachable.

She occasionally descends to the surface but believes that earthly matters are for earthly people to handle, so she refrains from excessive interference.

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Author’s note:

The first half is in a sense an extra chapter, and an unnecessary addition.

If you just want to enjoy Princess Ragweed, I recommend skipping this and starting from Part 2

—I dreamt.
I remember now, the form of that dream I once saw…

—So vivid, so beautiful.
The moment I laid eyes upon it, I was captivated by its beauty.

—Fleeting, like an illusion.
It was as if I were watching a myth, far removed from reality.

—Noble and solitary, like snow from the heavens.
And I understood then that this was an exalted being, forever out of reach.

—The one and only, shining like a star and moon descended to Earth.
Just as man cannot possess the heavens, no matter how much I desired it, it could never be mine.

—A single rose blooming amidst the swirling mire of this world’s lies and filth.
It was a fleeting dream, a being of memories, destined to cross paths only for an instant.

—It was, indeed, a miracle.
But still, I hungered. I wanted to drag that being down to Earth, to make it entirely mine.

—And so I…
Thus, I rebelled against the heavens, mocked destiny, and transcended the laws of the world.

♦♢♦

It was in the month of the Death God (November), as winter approached, that I first laid eyes on the girl. The sun had begun its descent in the west, and a cold wind was blowing on that afternoon.

At the time, the town I lived in was a moderately sized fortress city. Though somewhat insular, it prospered as the commercial and cultural center for the surrounding local population.

My father was the leading physician in the city. Although he couldn’t use Healing Art, he came from a long line well-versed in herbalism and witchcraft. While not a noble, he was respected and revered by those around him, holding a solid position and a considerable amount of wealth as one of the town’s prominent figures.

From a young age, I was trained by my father, and by the time I was aware of myself, I had become his assistant. Aside from my duties in our practice, I also helped my father manage the many responsibilities that came with his prominent status. There were even times when I conducted treatments in his place.

Had my life continued on its ordinary course, I likely would have married the daughter of a wealthy neighbor, inherited or established my own practice, and spent the rest of my days in that countryside.

But such a mundane life came to an abrupt end one day.

All because of a girl and a dragon.

That day, I was returning home after making a house call for the town magistrate’s wife, having sent my servant ahead with my medical bag.

(…Good grief. She’s well past her mid-thirties, yet still insists on contraceptives every two weeks.)

The pretense of needing an examination due to a headache was a familiar one. The magistrate’s wife had a habit of taking on young lovers one after another and indulging in fleeting affairs, so preparing contraceptive potions had become a routine task.

And it was no surprise that it was me, rather than my father, who was sent to attend to her. I had long been aware of her flirtatious advances for over a year or two now, but no matter how much she tried, I was not so desperate as to feel any desire for a woman twice my age and with the physique of a white pig.

Not to boast, but I was quite handsome, came from a good family, and was capable. In fact, without saying a word, young women were already lining up at my door.

At the time, I was in my mid-teens—an age when most are consumed by passion—but due to my circumstances, I never had any trouble with women. Because of my work, I knew the ins and outs of both their public and private sides all too well. For me, women weren’t objects of love or desire; they were simply a means to pass the time, a replaceable accessory.

This attitude didn’t apply solely to women. For someone like me, who could easily accomplish most things without effort, the world was nothing more than a tedious miniature garden. With resignation and despair as my lifelong companions, I figured I’d eventually decay into nothing, just like all the other worthless fools around me. At least, that’s how I felt until that moment…

While wandering the streets without any particular goal, I happened to notice a small figure sitting on a large stone, about the size of a bundle, using it like a chair. For no real reason, I stopped in my tracks.

Had I not acted on a whim that day, my life would have likely continued down the peaceful path I mentioned earlier. But at that moment, fate’s scales tipped, and I encountered her.

The figure wore a white, hooded robe, resembling ceremonial attire, and gripped a long, ornate staff, leaning against it as she crouched.

(A girl… no, perhaps still a child…)

Her face was hidden by the shadow of the hood, but I judged from her physique and the smoothness of the arm holding the staff.

(And what beautiful fingers…)

Laborers typically had thick, rough joints, and even women who did housework often had cracked skin from constant exposure to water. By looking at a person’s hands, I could generally guess their occupation. But this girl’s hands were completely unblemished, like those of a newborn, untouched by the world.

The only women with such hands were either daughters of secluded nobility or high-class courtesans who could command several gold coins in a single night.

She appeared to be dressed as a pilgrim, but oddly, she carried no belongings. While others didn’t seem to pay her much attention, to me, she appeared suspicious—if I were to put it bluntly, she seemed like an unbalanced, shady figure. At the same time, a small flicker of interest ignited within me. Perhaps this would add a little spice to my dull routine.

With that thought, I left my puzzled servant behind and approached her.

“Excuse me. You seem to be a traveler, sitting here on the roadside. Are you unwell? If you’d like, I can offer a medical examination… Ah, I’m a physician from this town, just returning from a house call, which is why I approached you.”
“A physician…?”

Her soft, translucent voice reached my ears as she raised her face.

And there it was—her revealed face.

She appeared to be around the age of adulthood, though perhaps not yet. Her skin was as flawless as pristine marble, her frame delicate, and her beauty seemed almost too perfect for this world as if it encompassed every ideal of beauty and still fell short.

In an instant, an overwhelming shock and impulse erupted from deep within me, leaving me speechless and momentarily lost in a daze.

It was a sensation like my heart was burning, or perhaps being tormented from the inside out, a frustrating feeling I had never experienced before. This unrelenting wave of emotion tossed me about.

Not understanding this emotion, I felt at a loss. The girl, however, smiled at me with a gentle grace. At that moment, the world, which had seemed dull and faded, suddenly appeared to regain its brightness.

“Thank you for your concern. But there’s no need to worry; I’m not injured or suffering from any illness. Despite appearances, I do have some knowledge of healing magic.”
“Is that so? A practitioner of the Healing Art, then. Please pardon my rudeness.”

Somehow, I managed to maintain a calm demeanor on the surface, thanks to my professional habits. But inwardly, a storm raged through my heart, far from calm.

“I’ve come to this town to issue a warning, but no one has taken me seriously, no matter where I go. So, I’ve been left with no choice but to try to alert people on the streets. Unfortunately, no one seems to believe me, and it feels like my efforts will be in vain.”

Her sigh, filled with deep melancholy, caused my chest to ache unbearably.

“A warning? That sounds rather alarming. What is the nature of it? Depending on the situation, I might be able to help.”

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have made such an offer so readily.

At that moment, I understood.

I desired this girl—no, this woman. I wanted her so badly that I was willing to pay any price. This feeling, the willingness to sacrifice everything, was what they call ‘passion,’ ‘longing,’ and… my ‘first love.’

“…Well, I’m not sure if you’ll believe me, but I’ll explain. It’s possible that a dragon will soon attack this town. I came to warn people to prepare for evacuation and defense.”
“A… dragon?!”

The story was so far-fetched that my voice instinctively cracked in disbelief.

A dragon is the pinnacle of magical beasts, and even a lesser wyvern, one of the easier-to-handle kinds with lower intelligence, can completely wipe out a village or two if it descends upon them. That such a threat was approaching this town was, understandably, hard to believe. Whether she had pleaded her case to the guards, the Adventurer’s Guild, or the city council, it made sense that she had been dismissed out of hand. In fact, I was surprised she hadn’t been arrested for spreading such wild rumors.

“It’s natural that you’d doubt me, but this is the truth. A young dragon—not a purebred true dragon, but a sub-dragon, a red dragon—has relocated and now claims the area surrounding this town as its territory. If swift action isn’t taken, many will suffer. While I cannot involve myself directly with the affairs of mankind, I came to issue this warning to minimize casualties.”

Her calm words, backed by an unshakeable conviction, left me unable to argue. Not that I intended to challenge her in the first place.

“I see. You don’t seem to be lying. If that’s the case, we’ll have to make them see the threat with their own eyes. I’ll arrange for adventurers to be hired under my name and send a scouting party to the dragon’s lair. Can you provide more detailed information?”

As I made this suggestion, her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“You actually… believe me?”
“Yes, I believe you.”

In truth, it didn’t matter whether her story was some made-up nonsense. All I wanted was to be near her for as long as possible.

“Thank you. My name is… Snow.”

She stood up, removed her hood, and bowed gracefully.

That was the moment I met my fate.

Afterward, we went around to the Adventurer’s Guild and the town’s influential figures, warning them of the impending danger from the red dragon. But in the end, no one took us seriously. Two weeks later, the dragon attacked, catching the city completely off guard. Unable to mount any defense, the city was ravaged, and many lives, including my father’s, were lost.

Yet, to be honest, I felt no sorrow over it. If anything, I was relieved that the fools who had ignored her warning were gone.

What truly moved me was seeing Snow, her face filled with anguish, tirelessly healing the victims without a moment’s rest.

“Isn’t it enough already? You did everything you could. It’s their own fault for suffering. So please, stop tormenting yourself!”

Despite my silent pleas, she continued healing them. Reluctantly, I helped treat the injured alongside her.

Eventually, the chaos subsided, and after about a month, aid arrived from nearby cities. The kingdom finally took action, and we received word that a dragon-slaying expedition had been assembled to deal with the red dragon.

…And then, without a word, Snow disappeared from my life.

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Victor let out a raw cry from the soul, prompting me to sigh.

“Is being popular with women really that important to you?”
“Yes! I would gladly offer my life if that makes me popular! I would even make a deal with the devil to be popular!”

He declared this without hesitation, though he was already dead, and the devil betrayed him…

“There’s no reason for wanting to be popular! It’s a man’s instinct! Laugh if you want, call it a loser’s grudge! But this passion of mine will never burn out! My research? It started solely because I wanted to attract women! Advancing magic, exploring alchemy’s potential, creating a prosperous future—bah! I don’t care about that anymore. None of it means anything if I’m not popular!”
“Yikes…”

I suddenly understood why this man didn’t have much luck with women. It wasn’t about his appearance—his personality was the real problem.

“But what’s the point of being popular with random people? Don’t you want to be with someone you truly love?”

“Hah!” He laughed through his nose. “That is the kind of nonsense only people born lucky would say! When you cannot even reach the starting line, you must aim for popularity with anyone who will spare you a glance! I do not need to hear that from a born winner like you!”

I wouldn’t say I was born lucky… In fact, my nickname, “the Ragweed Princess,” is still widely known across the continent. Ugh, just thinking about it gives me a headache.

“Anyway, it all started eighty-eight years ago… wait, maybe it was ninety-eight years ago? Whatever. Back then, I was a promising young researcher, hailed as the town’s child prodigy. That is how I ended up attending university in the capital of the Amitia Republic, Alra. I had to say goodbye to my childhood friend, Karina, with whom I shared a mutual, unspoken love. I swore to become a great scholar and bring her to Alra someday. But that wretch! Within six months of me leaving, she gave birth to another man’s child! And that man? None other than Jim, my younger brother-in-arms, who lived next door! They were flattering me to my face, all while laughing at me behind my back in bed!”

This conversation was completely off track.

Victor was lost in his own world, while Eren, seemingly amused by the gossip, nodded along and listened intently.

“………”

I quietly stepped away from the group—Vier, concerned, followed closely by my side. Pressing my aching head, I wandered toward the area where the fountain of the seal had once stood. Gazing into the water’s surface, which still groaned with an ominous rumble, I peered down.

Fortunately—or perhaps that’s not the right word—the bones that had been submerged at the bottom of the pool seemed to have either been swept away by the impact or buried under rubble. At least, they were no longer visible.

Even so, now that I stood close enough to sense the cursed energy and ominous aura of the “No-Life King” sealed below, my skin prickled. Back when this facility was intact, I had only felt a vague discomfort. But in hindsight, even then, the power had been leaking out little by little. Perhaps that’s why Coppelia had acted so erratically, offering sacrifices—it’s possible she’d been driven mad by the accumulated magical waves from this place long before Professor Victor’s personality came to the surface.

As I pondered this, I noticed my hand, which I had just taken away from my head, was smeared with blood. Hidden beneath my hair, I hadn’t realized I had sustained a rather deep wound.

“I am the cure to your ail—Heal.”

I cast “Heal” on myself, closing the wound, and then, almost unconsciously, I washed my bloodied hand in the water at my feet.

At that moment, a crack formed across the cross held in the chest of the crumbling statue of the saint, though I failed to notice it.

♦♢♦

—The seal… broke?

How long had he been screaming in anguish?

The being, once known in his prime as both “Igor the Sorcerer” and “Igoronak the Evil God,” had expended nearly all of his remaining power to send out mana waves from within the seal. Despite all his efforts, the unyielding seal had shown no signs of weakening, leaving him on the verge of giving up. Yet, at that moment, he suddenly sensed a small crack forming in the seal. Instead of joy, he first felt confusion.

Could it be a trap?

The seal’s binding still extended deep into the core of his very existence, so no matter the cause, this was his one and only chance. He couldn’t afford to let it slip away.

—Whoever made this possible, I don’t know who you are, but you’ve fulfilled my long-standing wish. For that, you shall be praised!

For a brief moment, he thought of his servants, his literal puppets—the homunculi—but such trivial matters were unimportant now.

The crack was still small. Most likely, only a few drops of the blood from the saint—the key to this seal—had spilled out.

—But, even the smallest crack will lead to the seal’s complete collapse! That woman, the Saintess, must have trusted in the seal’s power without question. Yet it was her folly to underestimate my strength and persistence. The miasma and cursed energy that filled this sealed space, like a balloon ready to burst, would press against the seal, and the slightest flaw would bring about its destruction!

In an instant, a beam of light from the outside world pierced through the darkness that had enveloped him.

—Oooooooooooohhh!!! I’m reborn! I have returned!!!

His voiceless, maddened thoughts of joy reverberated through the darkness surrounding Lake Quartz.

The spirits and animals, faces twisted in terror, fled in all directions, while the monsters, driven to a frenzy, began to rampage indiscriminately.

“What the hell is this?!”

Luke, Cestlavie, and the other adventurers, along with even the undead who had been fighting at the defense point of St. Campbell Church, stood momentarily paralyzed in shock from the overwhelming impact.