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––Lyris’ Perspective

Luxembourg’s violent attack severed the last holds Lyris had on life.

Ahh, my strength is leaving me. I guess this is the end.

In the decades since her birth, Lyris had gone through day after day of vicious training. She had long stopped commenting on the harshness. After completing that training, which pushed her beyond the limits of a human, she finally obtained a mana beyond ten thousand.

Via the heretical “Fist of Ten Bodies,” Lyris, or more accurately, Aria her original, succeeded in possessing ten clones. However, each one had only a tenth of her original memories and power.

One of the ten, Lyris, had succeeded in surpassing 10,000 mana. She wasn’t sure, but it was likely the other nine had succeeded as well. Once she died here, and returned to Aria, just how powerful would she become? She was sure that even Aria would be pleased.

Lyris certainly had regrets.

She never managed to tell Headquarters about the demonic threat, nor the identity of the Evil God. Nor would she have the chance to train her juniors any longer. She didn’t have the chance to protect the citizens until the end, either.

And the one regret that struck her the hardest, was that she never managed to save Jessica.

Ahh… I want to see her one more time. Even if my soul is already torn to pieces, and I’ve lost most of my memory…

Jessica, the few years I spent with you, and their memories won’t ever fade. Even in this torturous eternity, my memories with you will support my heart.

Aahh, I’m sleepy. I’m so tired. Jessica…

Just as she was about to fall asleep with her life playing before her eyes, the sounds of somebody’s footsteps approached.

“I-It can’t be! Lyris!”

Jessica!? I don’t know why, but you were saved?

Thank goodness.

With her biggest regret cleared, an expression of relief appeared on her face.

“Just wait. I’m going to go get help.”
“It… It’s, fine… Hahh, hahh, it’s, too late…”
“B-But!”
“I-, It’s fine… Jessica, I’m glad… you’re… safe…”
“Why? Why are you so worried about me? You’re always, always saving me. Hic-, I, never even got to do anything for you…”

Jessica began to plead as she sobbed.

You’re wrong. You’re wrong, Jessica.

Ahh, my voice… Please, just once more…

“Hahh, hahh, hahh, t-, thanks, for everything… if you’re… troubled… find… A-, Aria…”
“Lyris, who’s Aria?”
“…”
“I-, It can’t be! Lyris! Don’t diee!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Five, four, three, two, one… zero― beep beep, Lyris is dead.

“So Lyris died.”

In the Decarabia Headquarters sat a single mage, staring at the water screen. Her name was Aria, and although she looked no different from any other girl, her bearing was ancient.

“Lady Aria, it’s terrible! We received a report that the unit in charge of the Arcudas Kingdom, Team Alec, was completely annihilated.”

A man quickly reported to her.

“Umu. First, let us offer a prayer to our fallen comrades.”
“Milady. I shall relay your word to the others.”
“Also, in place of Team Alec, send Team Jasmar.”
“As you wish.”

No sooner had he heard her commands, the man left the room.

So Lyris is dead…

With this, Schuvarne, Krannich, Calvar, and now the fourth clone, Lyris had died. The souls of the deceased all returned to Aria, the original.

“Well done. You did well to gather this much power before you died.”

The offshoot soul had returned after its growth, and now became Aria’s flesh and blood. When that happened, she inherited not only the power, but the memory as well, imperfect though it might have been. The memories she obtained from Lyris went as far as the resurrection of the Demon King, but unfortunately the identity never reached her.

Well, that’s fine. I can narrow the candidates down, at least. I know for certain that the Demon King is hiding in Arcudas. Team Jasmar can act as the vanguard. First, we’ll have them gather more information.

Huhu, so the Demon King has returned. What perfect timing. After all, I finally have the power and foundation to exact my vengeance upon them.

I’ll kill them. I’ll definitely kill them. I’ll erase every last demon from the face of this world!