I had thought there was no need to worry about Myu Elinas quite yet since, in the original story at least, she only made her move after Reed had been deemed an enemy of the world. It seemed, however, that I had to change my plan.
Releasing a drawn out, tired sigh, I watched my frosty breath fog the air as I quietly remarked, "Things are going to get very interesting from now on."
I started moving again, for there was only one gate left now. I felt quite motivated, thinking that I only needed to endure five more days of this pilgrimage. But I was greeted by an unexpected sight.
"What the hell is that?"
The last course towered before me.
"Ha..."
What had for miles been flat ground now rose up into a rocky mountain. I wanted to deny the reality of my situation, but it was pretty evident that this mountain was the final challenge. Worse yet, the peak was so high up I couldn't even see it behind the clouds.
Feeling a bit teary, I murmured, "This is too much, Lord Voice."
â¬The Voice that Shapes the World advises that [The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering] is at fault for recommending a mountain as the final stop.â
â¬The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering clears their throat and pretends they don't know what's going on.â
â¬The Critic for Balance is satisfied with Hell Mode.â
As I had no choice, I moaned and groaned as I made my way up the mountain. I found that there were camps dotting up the face of the mountain as well, so I ate and slept for four days as I continued to climb. When I finally arrived at the peak, I felt nearly drained of life.
"Phew... I-I think I'm going to die..."
The snowstorm was no longer present, for the sky was clear and the ground was covered in lush greenery. I enjoyed the pleasant scent of grass for a while as I laid down flat with all of my limbs spread out. I allowed myself enough time to just barely collect my breath before I turned my head to the side, spotting a colossal gate a short distance away. As well as a gatekeeper.
"Welcome."
It was a familiar voice. The materialized spirit of a woman wearing a holy knight uniform was casually leaning on the gate with her arms crossed, her blond hair in a half ponytail and her eyes the color of violets. I knew her face, but she looked different because she was faint enough for wind to drift through. Regardless, her power was palpable.
I slowly stood up, and the long time I'd spent as a prisoner finally came to an end as the handcuffs and shackles around my wrists and ankles automatically fell away. Now that I was free, I stood straight and faced my opponent, who happened to be my drill instructor, my mentor, and my friend, whom I was finally reunited with after forty long days.
"It's been a while, Agnes."
The gorgeous woman's lips curled up into a refreshing smile, an expression so sincere that, for a moment, she appeared solid and real to my eyes. I was staring at her in awe, when she vanished again.
Huh?!
Agnes' image suddenly blinked out of existence, only to appear again, standing directly in front of me.
I didn't sense her at all! I set my astonishment aside when I felt something warm wrap around my chest and back as a sweet scent engulfed me, followed by a gentle voice in my ear.
"I've always wanted to give you a hug. I'm glad I finally can."
I was so touched that I lost the ability to speak. My body was pretty much pickled in sweat and dirt, so I wasn't sure if it was right for me to hug her back. I was twitching my fingers with hesitation, when she spoke again.
"Well done. I'm proud of you, my Ailette."
My emotions exploded at the sound of her kind words.
"Agnes!" I hugged her back tightly, clinging to her so that I could enjoy this sensation for as long as possible. But the moment didn't last.
"Huh?"
Agnes suddenly grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back, then exclaimed with an energetic tone, "Now! Well done for making it all the way here, so I expect the best from you again, Cadet Ailette!"
Huh?
As soon as she finished speaking, seven aura blades appeared behind Agnes in the shape of a fan. The gentleness in Agnes' face had already melted away, and now I was facing the uncompromising drill instructor who had trained me.
"There's no time, so I'll jump straight into it. Do you understand?"
"Yes?"
Wham!
The moment I replied, an aura blade stabbed into the ground right next to my foot.
"I don't want long answers, just a 'yes!' I will not accept questions as I cannot waste this moment Lord Voice has created for us."
A moment Lord Voice has created for us? That one phrase prompted many thoughts to flood my mind, when I suddenly recalled the original description of this dungeon.
â¬Plausibility and divinity considered and used greatly by [The Voice that Shapes the World] to grant you your long-awaited wish.â
My long-awaited wish granted by Lord Voice. That could only be one thing.
«We shall begin your aura master crash course now.»
Staring into the stern and glistening eyes of the world's number one drill instructor made me remember that this dungeon had been set to Hell Mode from the start.
â
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Demon Realm, the melting crescent moon was glowing sickly, painting the night sky dark and purple like a bruise. The oddly shaped moon, straight out of an abstract painting, gave away whose fief this wasâthis was the Kingdom of Chaosism made to be a reflection of the Holy Kingdom of Elfenheim, the demonic territory ruled by Evixinous, the Apocalypse of Chaos.
A dark temple that looked like it was entirely made out of obsidian loomed against the sky with unnerving energy, the still air around it signaling a warning to take every breath with caution. Inside it, there was a thin layer of water on the floor, which made it impossible to hide the sound of splashing every time one took a step.
A young girl was slowly crossing this temple barefoot, her hair blonde with mint-colored tips. She was wearing a gray ceremonial uniform with a long black stole tossed around her neck and shoulders. The highest-ranking uniform, which only one person was permitted to wear, revealed her identityâshe was Evixinous, the first ranking Demon Lord.
Having reached the center of the building, the girl didn't care whether her uniform would get wet as she kneeled down, then shook the ornamental gavel she used as a cane to create an enchanting sound. Although no one was present to witness this striking ritual, it wasn't a meaningless performance.
Whoosh!
The space was instantly engulfed in a gust of wind before a gate was created, from where the oppressive force of a frighteningly powerful being emerged. Seconds later, a man crossed into the temple with steady and controlled steps. He was handsome, with long black hair and a black uniform. It was Reed.
"Welcome back, Chaos and Evil."
"Mm."
That short reply demonstrated the extent of his interest as he walked past Evixinous as if she were invisible. Nothing excited demons more than casual cruelty, and Evixinous was impressed by the coldheartedness of Chaos and Evil even more fervently, as she was one of his most devout apostles.
Her eyes, a rare blue color for a demon, split vertically, but she didn't react with any outward emotion. Taking a long breath, she composed herself, a skill she had learned after years and years of abstinence and self-control while waiting for the second coming of Chaos and Evil. Standing up again, it only took a few seconds before Evixinous caught up to Reed.
"I shall guide you to your room."
As the entire demonic kingdom was declared a territory that worships Chaos and Evil, Reed often chose to stay at Evixinous' fief because his power was most stable there.
Walking side by side, Evixinous asked Reed, "May I ask where you have been?"
"I visited the Abyssal Dunes and the Last Judgment."
"You met with Karpeios and Inferinos."
"Mm."
A red glow simmered up in Evixinous' left eye upon hearing that this glorious evil visited other demon lords besides herself.
Does he value the other demon lords more? I dearly wish to ask him. I want to find out the truth using this "eye" and... Her disobedient thoughts didn't last, for her excellently trained body and mind took little time to suppress her unnecessary desires.
"I am aware that you're working on a grand plan, Chaos and Evil. How will you use the Lord of the Abyssal Dunes and the Rule Enforcer?"
A short silence persisted before Reed remarked, "I will use one for destruction and the other for salvation."
It was impossible to understand what he meant, for she was but a followerâshe couldn't even begin to guess what the great plan of the Ultimate Evil was. Their walk was coming to an end when a gigantic door to a room appeared at the end of a portico.
Reed halted with his destination but a few steps away and asked, "How is the festival coming along?"
"Oh... Do you mean the Walpurgis Night?"
The way she repeated the obvious wasn't reflective of how the number one demon lord should act. Instantly feeling apologetic at the sight of Reed's narrowed eyes, she quickly added, "There was a bit of a problem, but nothing that should be of concern."
"You wouldn't have said that if it really was of no concern."
That left Evixinous no choice but to confess the truth. "The sponsor of the festival, Marchioness Gibrelte, is about to go bankrupt. A human disguised as a dream demon stole all her savings."