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The corridors of the World of Truth were flat, and the path to its deepest part, though winding, gently sloped downward. However, the substance composing these corridors was troublesome. Despite being made of a crystal-like mineral, it did not feel as if one were walking on solid ground. Merely walking induced a strong sense of anxiety and revulsion, as if traversing the belly of a giant monster. The contradiction between its appearance and the feeling it gave off intensified this instinctive disgust, disrupting one’s sense of balance. This brought on a wave of nausea, and I began to tremble as my body became slick with cold sweat.

“We’re almost there, Master.”
“Indeed…”

To distract myself, I focused on the unique features of the World of Truth. The reddish-purple crystal-like mineral forming the corridor became increasingly red as we moved deeper. These were known as Crystals of Wisdom, essential materials for the creation of a perfect homunculus.

Back when I was Glass, I collected them to forge a “vessel,” but now I can’t touch them. In the first place, I…

“—Visitors are rare… and two, no less.”

My train of thought was interrupted by the voice of the Administrator.

“We’ve arrived, Master.”

Hom set me down just before the altar, her wariness apparent. In the deepest part of the World of Truth—the chamber of the Administrator’s altar—stood a white, hand-shaped altar, upon which the Administrator sat, bound to its fingers.

“Well, well, you’ve been here before, haven’t you?”

The Administrator’s vessel, which was a pure white puppet, had no face, only a moving mouth. That mouth, laughing joyously, revealed a deep darkness within, identical to the exterior of the corridor.

“…Ah, yes. It’s been three hundred years, but I’m relieved I haven’t lost my qualification.”
“Has it really been that long? Glass, you look quite different and much younger.”
“Don’t call me by that name. My current name is Leafa. I’ve been reincarnated into this body.”

The Administrator, who had been speaking familiarly, let out an unpleasant laugh, like metal scraping against metal, upon hearing my response.

“Leafa, Leafa… That name suits those Dragon Tree leaf-colored eyes of yours. I envy you, having a name.”
“As a collective residual consciousness of the long-extinct ancient Alysians, you wouldn’t have a name, would you?”

That was the true identity of the Administrator. Even this puppet before me was merely a temporary vessel.

“However, it’s quite inconvenient not to have a name. Administrator serves as my name.”
“Let’s get to the point. My grimoire is missing.”
“Is this what you’re looking for?”

As the Administrator spoke, the space in front of me silently tore open, and Ars Magna emerged.

“I’ve been reading it to pass the time.”
“I need a recipe contained within. Return it to me.”
“Oh… Well, it is your possession, so I suppose I can return it… but I’d be delighted if you could help me with another experiment.”

The Administrator made that proposition, followed by that grating laugh again.

The Administrator, possessing the alchemical knowledge of the ancient Alysians, grants knowledge to those qualified to visit this place and observes the resulting consequences. The experiment the Administrator mentioned was akin to a game. However, if I refused outright, my request wouldn’t be fulfilled.

“…Can you tell me what kind of experiment?”

I asked cautiously.

The ancient Alysians had advanced alchemy to such an extent that it led to their extinction. The Administrator, a collective consciousness of their thoughts, kept conducting experiments to determine what the goddesses would tolerate. Yet, there was no place or clan left to utilize this knowledge.

“It’s something that will benefit you too. The abnormality in your body is the work of a goddess, isn’t it? You must be troubled by remaining a child forever, having lost the joy of showing your growth to your parents.”

The Administrator seemed to see right through my anxiety, taunting me. I bit my nails in frustration.

“…Don’t talk as if you know everything.”
“It’s out of kindness. I can tell you how to cure that abnormality. Therefore, I want you to create a remedy in the other world.”
“If you truly have kindness, you could make it here, couldn’t you?”

I didn’t want to take the bait, so I had to respond calmly.

“That wouldn’t be interesting. It’s not stimulating if I don’t see what works and what doesn’t. But as you can see, I can’t leave this place.”
“So you want me to do it in your stead?”

I asked challengingly. If the Administrator couldn’t leave, what good would it do to have me take their place?

“It will benefit you.”
“I can’t see any benefit for you. Why are you trying to be kind to me?”
“I just can’t abandon someone in need. Humanity is like a family, and people should help each other, right?”

As I refused to rise to the provocation, a hint of impatience began to creep into the Administrator’s voice. This confirmed that I shouldn’t accept the offer.

“…I see. Then, it seems best to decline.”
“Why is that? This is an offer that only benefits you. When you followed my instructions before, you created an amazing sword. What was it called again? Ah, yes, the Divine Sword: Nehushtan. It could cut through anything, right?”

The Administrator asked proudly. Despite being bound, they were trying to express their point through gestures, which revealed their growing impatience.

“Nehushtan is indeed an incredible sword. It’s my greatest masterpiece. I’ve verified its power with my own body.”
“…Right, that’s how you died.”

The Administrator’s face twitched slightly.

“You must have known that would happen.”
“No way. Thanks to that sword, you could become a hero.”

The Administrator pretended not to know the truth. Their nonchalant attitude was starting to get to me, and my body was reaching its limit. If I didn’t bite my finger, I felt my consciousness would slip away.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know why Nehushtan was used on me.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Glass was executed by a Kamut.”

Breathing heavily, I revealed this truth as slowly and deliberately as I could. Hom, sensing I was about to collapse, supported me at the perfect moment.

“…The complete homunculus transmutation method you taught me… I was executed by the Kamut just as I was nearing its completion. You knew that would happen, didn’t you?”
“No, no, you misunderstand. I truly didn’t anticipate such an outcome. The goddesses are truly troublesome beings, effortlessly disrupting human endeavors.”

The apology that flowed from the Administrator’s mouth was devoid of any real emotion, like a poorly performed play.

“If your execution is what led you to misunderstand, an apology alone won’t suffice. But believe me, I only wanted to help you. Offering you the cure is my way of making amends.”
“…I don’t believe a word you say. Truly kind people don’t push favors on others in such a way.”

I (Glass) hadn’t known before. But now, I (Leafa) understood.

“They all extend a hand without saying anything.”

Humans called that ‘love.’ It was how people were connected. I learned this for the first time after my reincarnation.

“I didn’t miss you calling the cure an ‘experiment.’ I won’t fall for your tricks anymore! …Hom!”

At my shout, Hom leaped high. She snatched Ars Magna which was floating in mid-air, then grabbed me and started to run.