Chapter 2: The Magic Capital Melgalius

“Sensei, Sensei!? Are you okay, Sensei!?”

Suddenly, Sistine’s piercing cry jolted Glenn’s ears.

“—!?”

Glenn’s consciousness, which had been wandering in a daydream, abruptly snapped back to reality.

“Ugh…!?”

“We’ve arrived at our destination! W-what’s wrong? Ever since we passed through the《Corridor of Stars》, it’s like… your mind hasn’t been here, Sensei…”

Sistine peered into Glenn’s face with a worried expression.

“N-no… I’m fine, no problem.”

Shaking his head, Glenn stood before a monolith crafted from mysterious black stone—the return point of the《Corridor of Stars》.

Ignoring it, Glenn groaned as he tried to shake off the lingering traces of a certain magician’s path flickering in his mind.

(The second time was even clearer… What are these daydreams…?)

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Glenn lifted his gaze.

And the sight that unfolded before him—

 

“T-this is…!?”

 

Glenn was utterly entranced by the overwhelming scene spread before him.

They stood on what seemed to be the rooftop terrace of an exceptionally tall structure.

A fierce wind howled, tousling their hair and clothes.

Below them stretched an otherworldly cityscape unlike anything Glenn had ever seen.

The architectural style was completely different from that of his era, dominated by primitive, stone-built structures, mostly trapezoidal in form. The domed spires, bell towers, and columned temples scattered about were unrefined, with rugged, unpolished designs.

Yet, the undulating terrain and the layout of the rivers cutting through the city were unmistakably familiar, confirming that this was indeed Fejite.

What caught the eye most were the countless obelisks, arranged with a discernible pattern throughout the city.

Compared to the surrounding buildings, these obelisks should have towered like giants, yet…

(What’s going on…? Those obelisks… they look oddly small…?)

Glenn felt a strange unease, but he quickly realized why.

(W-what… is that…?)

At the city’s center—where, based on the terrain and river layout, the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy would one day stand—a bizarre structure loomed.

It was a massive, pyramid-shaped stone building, constructed in the same primitive style as the surrounding architecture, with rectangular stone blocks stacked to form a stepped, tiered appearance.

What stood out most—and explained why the obelisks seemed so small—was its sheer size.

(No way… Is that the underground labyrinth of Fejite… the《Tower of Lament》!? That’s buried beneath Fejite!? It’s way too huge, beyond all reason…!)

Indeed, the structure was so colossal, soaring toward the heavens and dominating the earth, that it distorted perspective and sense of scale.

Despite being far away, it felt as if it stood right before them, creating an uncanny illusion.

And then—looking up,

The sky above, where the sun blazed, was stained a vivid red, as if drenched in blood.

A sky so apocalyptic it could convince anyone the world was ending.

And in that doomsday sky, the familiar illusory Sky Castle floated, unchanged through the ages, proudly displaying its majesty from the heavens to the earth below—

“This is… this is…!?”

Glenn was utterly overwhelmed by the otherworldly spectacle before him.

“…Ah… Aah… Incredible…”

Sistine, too, seemed speechless, overcome with awe at standing in the very world she had longed for.

“Indeed, this is… the Magic Capital Melgalius.”

La’tirika spoke calmly, gazing down at the city below.

“The pinnacle of all this world’s glory and prosperity—and the absolute lowest depths of despair and lamentation, the ‘hell’ where all darkness converges.”

Then, La’tirika glanced at Sistine.

“Sistine, we’re about to descend into this city. If you hold any dreams or romantic notions about this era, cast them into the gutter now.”

“…Huh?”

Sistine blinked in surprise.

“I told you, didn’t I? This is ‘hell.’ A world ruled solely by human malice and darkness, where kindness and common sense hold no sway.”

“…!”

Sistine, perhaps sobered from her earlier excitement, steeled herself.

“I… I understand.”

With a resolute nod, her expression hardened.

“So? Nameless, what do we do now?”

“First, we’ll strip some clothes off a nearby corpse. Your outfits stand out far too much.”

“…Huh?”

Glenn and Sistine could only stare, dumbfounded by her casual words.

“What? Worried it won’t go smoothly? Relax. This is the Magic Capital. There’s no shortage of corpses.”

“No, that’s not the issue! Corpses? You’re talking about corpses!?”

“A-and… stealing clothes from the dead!?”

Then,

La’tirika let out a deep, exasperated sigh, as if genuinely disappointed in them.

“…Really? You’re still hung up on such soft sentiments? I’ve said it before—this is ‘hell.’”

“—!”

Her sharp words left Glenn and Sistine speechless, swallowing hard.

“You decided to walk through hell to save Sora, didn’t you? Then become demons yourselves.”

With that, La’tirika turned on her heel and headed from the terrace into the building.

“…”

“…”

Glenn and Sistine exchanged tense glances for a moment before nodding to each other, as if to bolster their resolve, and followed La’tirika—

 

────

 

“This is hell? …Give me a break.”

Glenn muttered under his breath, as if spitting out the words.

“Hell would be better than this.”

Those words perfectly captured the state of this Magic Capital, this world.

First, much of the city lay in ruins.

Buildings were scorched, gouged, and pockmarked with craters.

Entire districts had collapsed into rubble.

It wasn’t hard to imagine these were the scars of the fierce urban battle between Celica and the Demon King’s forces.

But honestly, that wasn’t even the real problem.

True to La’tirika’s words, finding corpses to strip for clothes was all too easy.

A short walk down an alley revealed countless skeletal remains, and garbage heaps were piled high with bodies, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

While Sistine fought back tears and nausea, Glenn encouraged her as they scavenged tattered hooded cloaks, enough for each of them, pulling them on to conceal their faces.

Emerging from the alley onto the main street, they followed La’tirika through the city.

And the sights they encountered—

Looking up, they saw gallows scattered across the streets, from which hung countless mutilated corpses.

Looking down, bodies of those who had collapsed or been arbitrarily slain littered the ground.

And every few steps, they passed another execution ground.

They hadn’t walked for ten minutes, yet this was already the third execution site they’d come across.

The one they passed now seemed to have just carried out a sentence.

A blood-soaked corpse, barely recognizable as human, was strung upside-down on a strange wheel, hoisted high for all to see.

Overhead, countless crows cawed and swooped, greedily pecking at the dead flesh.

Everywhere they went, the stench of blood and death choked the air.

And the people passing by on the streets had eyes even deader than the corpses around them.

Emaciated, heads bowed, backs hunched, their faces bore expressions of utter despair and resignation, wandering like ghosts.

Swallowing their nausea, Glenn and his group passed a crossroad.

There, in a plaza, stood a massive cage mounted on a cart.

Inside, chained boys and girls huddled, clutching their knees.

In front of the cage, a portly man—likely a slave trader—was giving a smug speech, while well-dressed men and women, probably magicians based on their robed attire, crowded noisily around the cage, seemingly engaged in an auction.

“Gyaaah!”

A sudden scream of agony made Glenn turn.

He saw a boy in rags, holding a bloodied blade, snatching something from a man collapsing in a pool of blood before fleeing like a startled rabbit.

A murder in broad daylight—back in Fejite, this would have caused an uproar.

Yet the surrounding crowd was utterly indifferent, as if they’d seen it all before, not sparing a single glance for the newly added corpse.

The murdered man, for his part, wore an expression of relief, as if saying, “Finally, it’s over…”

“…Ugh…”

Sistine, pale as a ghost, pressed a hand to her mouth, struggling to maintain her composure.

The old Sistine would have broken down in hysterics or screamed at such a shocking sight, but she was holding strong.

(…She’s really gotten tougher.)

Glenn wanted to praise her resilience, but he had no such leeway himself.

Faced with this utterly deplorable scene, Glenn felt like he was losing his mind.

“…Shh! You two, don’t do that.”

La’tirika, clad in rags and leading the way, issued a low warning.

“Keep your eyes down. Never look up. Those lively eyes of yours will draw the attention of the Demon King’s soldiers.”

No sooner had she spoken than they passed a group carrying long shields and ceremonial weapons.

These were likely the Demon King’s soldiers. Unlike the lifeless civilians, they exuded vitality, their healthy bodies clad in fine robes for this era, striding through the city with arrogance.

In that fleeting moment of passing, tension crackled between Glenn and Sistine.

But thanks to their filthy, ragged cloaks, the soldiers merely glanced at them with disdain, as if they were garbage, and passed by without incident.

(Those guys just now… judging from their mana, each one’s a highly skilled magician…)

In a straight magical duel, Glenn wasn’t even sure he could take them one-on-one.

As Glenn mulled this over,

“In this world, there are two types of people: ‘Magicians’ and ‘Fool’s Subjects’”

La’tirika suddenly spoke up.

“‘Magicians’ and ‘Fool’s Subjects’…?”

“Yes. Those with the rare gift to wield true magic—the Sword of the King, or in your terms, Ancient Magic via High Runes—are ‘Magicians.’ Those who can only use the imitation magic of Low Runes—the Fang of the Fool—are ‘The Fool’s Subjects.’

In this land, ‘The Fool’s Subjects’ have no rights. If you’re not a Magician, you’re not human.”

“…”

“It’s laughable, isn’t it? The ratio of Magicians to The Fool’s Subjects is about 1 to 999. Yet it’s become common sense not to defy the Magicians.”

“What a thoroughly warped world.”

Glenn could only sigh at the twisted reality of this era.

“…By the way, Nameless, where’s Celica in this city?”

“How should I know?”

La’tirika’s brazen response nearly made Glenn trip.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me—!?”

“Shh! Be quiet! I’ll explain properly!”

La’tirika pressed a hand over Glenn’s mouth as she spoke.

“First… I told you Sora is the strongest Magician I trained to defeat the Demon King, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And Sora faced the Demon King’s forces, fighting countless battles.

She defeated several Demon Generals and conquered the《Tower of Lament》. By slaying the《Silver Dragon General》, she opened the greatest obstacle, the 89th floor’s《Gate of Wisdom》.

Three days ago, Sora challenged the Demon King to a final battle. It was premature, but… she had no choice.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because the Demon King’s terrifying goal became clear.”

La’tirika said matter-of-factly.

“Goal?”

“This Magic Capital Melgalius is, in itself, a giant magical ritual site.”

“…!?”

Glenn scanned their surroundings.

“This city—no, this entire nation—is a sacrificial altar, a vessel to collect blood. The people living in this city, the blood spilled in this nation, are all ‘offerings’ dedicated to that altar. It’s called the [Holy Grail Ritual]. This blood-red sky is a result of that ritual.”

“…!?”

“And the prize of that ritual is the《Akashic Records》—something like the ultimate truth of this world.

The mad Demon King has been sacrificing innocent people like water for that purpose.

Over an unfathomably long time, the Demon King has been steadily preparing—this city, this ritual, this altar of sacrifice…”

“An unfathomably long time, steadily preparing…”

Glenn felt an odd parallel to their own future circumstances.

“S-Sensei… doesn’t this…?”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. The Demon King’s actions are the same, past and future. Preparing over a long time for some purpose. The Grandmaster said it too… it’s all for seizing the《Akashic Records》…”

“Let’s get back on track. When we realized, the Demon King was one step away from completing the ritual.

If the Demon King succeeds… every human in this city will have their life drained and die. And the Demon King will likely gain power beyond imagination.

If that happens, there’s no chance of winning. So Sora launched her attack. She lost that battle and was sent to the future… that’s where we’re at, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Now, Sora has returned from the future and will undoubtedly challenge the Demon King again… but there’s one problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yes.”

La’tirika nodded, pointing to the summit of the《Tower of Lament》, which still seemed deceptively close due to its immense size.

“There. The only entrance to the《Tower of Lament》is at the top. But that area is guarded by the worst of the Demon Generals, one even Sora can’t break through. That’s why the last battle was premature—there was no effective countermeasure against that Demon General.

Of course, Sora has a final trump card… but that must be saved for the Demon King.”

“Hold on… how did she get through last time?”

“By the end of her journey, Sora had a few allies who believed in her. They acted as decoys, allowing her to slip into the tower.”

“…That idiot.”

“The result? Those decoy allies were wiped out, killed helplessly by that Demon General to let Sora advance.”

“…”

“In short… without decoys now, Sora can’t use the same trick. She has to find a way to exploit a gap in that Demon General’s defenses to enter the《Tower of Lament》. Until she finds that gap, she’s likely hiding somewhere in this city, lying low…”

“…So we’re stuck with the tedious plan of searching for her? Seriously?”

“What do we do? This city is huge—searching it thoroughly is impossible. And from what you’re saying, we’re running out of time, right?”

“Yes. At dawn tomorrow, the Demon King’s [Holy Grail Ritual] will be complete. If that happens… it’s all over.”

“Damn it… we’ve gotta find Sora, who’s hiding in this massive place, before then? I’m already losing hope.”

Glenn could only sigh at the seemingly hopeless situation.

“Anyway… it’s dangerous, but don’t we have to head toward the《Tower of Lament》?”

Sistine suggested quietly.

“If Professor Arfonia is aiming to infiltrate that tower… she’s probably hiding nearby.”

“Well, yeah, makes sense.”

Glenn scratched his head.

“Oh well, no guts, no glory, huh? Let’s go.”

“…Right. That was my plan anyway.”

And so,

Guided by La’tirika, Glenn and his group cautiously approached the《Tower of Lament》, swallowing their anxieties about whether this would really lead them to Celica.

 

────

 

Glenn and his group crept through the Magic Capital.

But no matter how far they walked, the scenery remained the same—lifeless people with bowed heads, corpses hanging overhead—sapping their spirits.

And the《Tower of Lament》, towering oppressively, was so massive that even as they walked toward it, Glenn couldn’t tell if they were getting closer or farther away.

(Good grief… this city is just so damn gloomy…)

Glenn sighed.

(Time travel… I’m in the middle of one of the greatest feats in Alzano Imperial Magic history, and yet… it doesn’t feel triumphant at all.)

“Glenn.”

La’tirika, who had quietly sidled up beside him, suddenly whispered.

“…Hm? What’s up, Nameless? Got something to say?”

Glenn lowered his voice in response.

At that, La’tirika narrowed her eyes, clearly displeased.

“Before we get to that… Look, I’ve let it slide because it was too much hassle, but can you please stop it already?”

“Huh?”

“My name. I’m not Nameless. I’m La’tirika, the Angel of Time.”

La’tirika shot him a chilling sidelong glance.

“Ah, sorry… Force of habit.”

“Seriously, why do you keep calling me Nameless every single time?”

“Uh, well… In our era, everyone calls you that… It’s just what I’m used to, I guess.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Who’s the idiot in the future who gave me such a terrible name? Their naming sense is the absolute worst!”

In the future, when we first met at the Taum Celestial Temple, you introduced yourself as Nameless, didn’t you? Glenn, ever perceptive of the mood, kept that thought to himself.

“Hmph… Well, whatever. That’s not what I want to talk about.”

La’tirika let out a huff, finally moving on to the main topic.

“…Do you regret it?”

Her voice softened slightly as she asked.

“Regret? Regret what?”

“Coming to this world… to this era.”

“…”

Glenn fell silent at La’tirika’s words.

“You must’ve felt it by now, haven’t you? Just how utterly deplorable this era is. What you saw on the streets? That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The darkness of this world runs far, far deeper.”

“…Yeah, I figured as much. ‘If thou desirest, cast the desires of others into the furnace’… A world ruled by mages like that? It’s bound to be this kind of mess.”

That was the nature of human greed—the darkness of mages.

In other words, throughout all of human history… there had never been a truly just mage.

“Honestly, I don’t think I can save Sora, let alone send the two of you back to your own time. The odds of that happening are practically zero.”

“…”

“…And it’s all my fault. Everything. This whole mess is because of me.”

La’tirika spoke with a pained expression, her words directed at Glenn, who listened quietly.

“I was a fool. I thought it’d be enough to just live happily with my sister and him… I didn’t see anything. I didn’t think about anything.”

“…”

“I failed to notice his madness or my sister’s distortions. If I’d realized it sooner, I could’ve done something before it came to this. This hell… this world that never should have existed.”

“…”

“And now, things have spiraled into an irreparable disaster… The only move I made to clean up my mess was to set Sora up as a counter to the Demon King.

But looking back, that was a truly selfish and terrible move. My whims… they’ve caused Sora nothing but endless suffering.”

“…”

“And now… because you’re trying to save Sora, more unnecessary sacrifices are piling up. That’s you two.”

Glenn could only listen, like a priest in a confessional, as La’tirika recounted her sins.

“I’m sorry. At this point, even apologizing feels like hypocrisy… but I’m truly sorry…”

Her voice trembled as if she might break into tears at any moment, consumed by despair.

Glenn gave a soft chuckle and ruffled La’tirika’s hair.

“…H-hey, what are you doing? Don’t just casually touch a girl’s head like that!”

La’tirika glared at him, her eyes slightly teary.

“Man, you’ve been this sentimental since way back in the day, huh?”

Glenn grinned, undeterred.

“Wha—!? What’s that supposed to mean!?”

La’tirika started to snap back, but Glenn cut her off.

“I don’t regret a damn thing.”

His voice was resolute, without a trace of hesitation.

“…What?”

“I don’t have the slightest regret about chasing after Celica to this era. If anything, I’d regret it if I hadn’t come.”

“Wha…”

La’tirika was stunned by Glenn’s unexpected words.

“You’re still saying that? Aren’t you being naive? I told you, didn’t I? The darkness in this world is far beyond anything you can imagine—!”

“No matter what I see from here on out, it won’t change a thing. I don’t regret it.”

“…Why…?”

“Because Celica is my family.”

La’tirika was left speechless.

“No matter what kind of hell lies ahead, you won’t regret a thing when it’s for family.”

“…!”

“Take this, for example… If your family gets sick and bedridden, and you have to take care of them… it’s a pain, right? But supporting them is part of the joy of family.

Sometimes you’re the one who gets sick, and they support you in return… That’s how it works. Helping each other, living together—that’s what human happiness is. Don’t you think?”

“That’s…”

“So, I’m grateful to you.”

Glenn shot La’tirika a sidelong glance.

“Thanks, Nameless. Because of you, I got to meet Celica. I got to become her family.”

“Huh? W-Wait… what…?”

“Sure, it sounds like you all went through a lot of struggles and conflicts. But because of that, I got to meet Celica. And back in my time, I went through plenty myself.”

Glenn reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant with a red magic crystal.

He stared at the red magic crystal he’d once given to Celica.

“The days I spent with Celica… they’re undeniably some of the most precious moments of my life. I won’t let them end. I won’t let them be taken away. That’s why I’m here. I don’t have a single second to waste on regrets.”

“…Glenn.”

La’tirika gazed at Glenn’s profile, dumbfounded.

Then, Glenn suddenly spoke in a playful tone.

“Oh, and besides, I got my butt kicked into coming here by everyone else. If I chickened out now, they’d beat me to a pulp later. Man, that’d be terrifying!”

“…Pfft… You’re such a weird guy.”

For the first time since they’d met in this era, La’tirika’s perpetually dark and guarded expression softened… and she gave a faint smile.

“…What? Are all the people in the future as weird as you?”

“Hey, watch it. Not everyone’s like me—a super cool, ultra-refreshing model instructor and the epitome of charm!”

“Idiot.”

La’tirika chuckled softly.

“Until now… I thought I’d gotten everything wrong. I thought I’d ruined everything. And honestly, that’s probably true.”

“Nameless…”

“But… if you, of all people, can say that… if my actions brought even a sliver of happiness to someone… then maybe, just maybe, I can find a little redemption.”

Glenn scratched his cheek awkwardly at her earnest words.

“Sora… she really found herself a good disciple, didn’t she?”

“Good disciple, huh? More like a hopeless, good-for-nothing one.”

He shrugged.

“Ah, crap. Sorry, I went and called you Nameless again…”

“…Nameless is fine.” La’tirika replied with a wry smile.

“Huh? Why the change of heart?”

“Maybe it’s because you keep calling me that, but I’m starting to like it. When you think about it, Nameless suits me a lot better than some grandiose name like La’tirika, the Angel of Time.”

La’tirika brushed her hair back.

“Plus, the whole ‘no name’ pun? It’s kind of mysterious and cool, don’t you think?”

“R-Really…? I thought it was just a lame pun…”

“Shut up.”

With that exchange…

Glenn and La’tirika—no, Nameless—continued down the narrow alleyway.

 

And so, Glenn and his group made their way toward the base of the《Tower of Lament》, carefully navigating the grim city.

They passed by hostile soldiers several times but managed to slip by without incident.

No trouble arose. Everything was going smoothly.

At this rate, they’d reach their destination in no time… or so it seemed.

Rustle…

The air around them began to stir.

“…What’s that? Some kind of commotion…?”

Sensing an unsettling atmosphere, Glenn glanced up slightly.

Ahead, on the other side of the street, a crowd was gathering.

Continuing forward would inevitably mean passing near that crowd.

“Looks like something’s going on. What do we do, Nameless? …Should we take a detour?”

“No way. The soldiers are watching. Changing course now would raise suspicion.”

“…Yeah, you’re right. …Hey, White Cat, you hear me? Stay sharp.”

“…Y-Yes…”

Glenn warned Sistine, who was trailing behind.

Steeling himself, he pressed forward.

The place where the crowd had gathered was a plaza.

As was customary in this magic city, the plaza featured a peculiar wheel-shaped execution platform.

But unlike the ones they’d seen before, this platform wasn’t in use or recently used—it was about to be used.

Murmur, murmur, murmur…

The people gathered in the plaza were buzzing.

It wasn’t a murmur of shock at what was about to happen, but a resigned, “Here we go again” kind of murmur.

A dozen or so soldiers surrounded the execution platform, dragging a young girl with her hands bound behind her back, prodding her onto the platform with the butts of their ceremonial spears.

Judging by her tattered appearance, the girl had clearly endured horrific abuse.

“H-Hey… no way…?”

Glenn, blending in as a citizen, stole a glance at the scene and felt a surge of dread.

And as if to confirm his fears…

“Hear ye!”

One soldier, his robe adorned with more elaborate decorations than the others—likely the captain—proclaimed loudly to the crowd.

“This one! A vile traitor who dared defy our noble and great king, Titus Cruo, and sided with the insolent and foolish rebel, Sora!

Her heinous crimes are unforgivable, and thus, she shall face death here and now!”

At the captain’s declaration…

Murmur, murmur, murmur… The crowd stirred.

“Foolish people of Melgalius! Burn the true justice into your eyes! Reflect upon yourselves once more! Know what is just!

The only one who reigns in the heavens is our king! Let it be etched into your eyes and souls what sins and punishments await those who are swayed by the wicked and despicable Sora!”

Murmur, murmur, murmur… The crowd continued to stir.

Everyone kept their heads down, not a single soul daring to challenge the captain’s absurd proclamation.

“N-No! That’s not true! That girl would never side with Sora!”

A man, likely the girl’s father, cried out through his tears.

“P-Please, have mercy! She’s only just turned ten!”

A woman, likely the girl’s mother, clasped her hands together and pleaded desperately with the captain.

“Unacceptable! Those who side with evil must face justice!”

But the captain dismissed the woman’s plea without hesitation, raising his hand in a signal.

At that, the surrounding soldiers roughly dragged the girl onto the execution platform, securing her to the ghastly wheel…

“D-Daddy! Mommy! I’m scared! I don’t want this!”

“Please, have mercy! Oh, please, have mercy!”

“Why!? Why!? What did she even do!?”

Murmur, murmur, murmur… The crowd buzzed.

Everyone kept their heads down, not a single person stepping forward to protect the pitiful family.

And then—Glenn overheard a conversation among soldiers a short distance away.

“Hey, is that kid really part of Sora’s remnant faction?”

“Pfft, no way. We’ve already strung up every last one of them, haven’t we?”

“Oh, so it’s just a show for the fools, then.”

“Yup. Doesn’t matter who it is. It’s about showing what happens to anyone who dares defy our great king. A show of force. …And kids? They hit the hardest, don’t they?”

“Yeah, you’re right. We need this kind of thing every now and then. Thanks to Sora, some of the fools have started getting defiant toward us mages lately…”

“Gods, these fools are such a pain. They’re just livestock aren’t they? How do they keep forgetting something so obvious…?”

“Because they’re idiots who don’t get the way of things. That’s why they’re fools and livestock.”

Glenn overheard their vile conversation.

As he slowly passed through the plaza, the cries of the girl bound to the execution platform and the wails of her grieving parents tore at his heart…

Grit… Beneath his tattered cloak, Glenn’s hand instinctively tightened around the grip of his pistol.

“…Hold it, Glenn. Don’t act rashly.”

Nameless’s sharp whisper stopped him.

“I get how you feel. But what are you going to do if you act here and now?”

“…”

“Let me make this clear: scenes like this are an everyday occurrence in this city. If you save one kid here just because you happened to stumble across this, what does that accomplish?”

“…I-I know, but…”

“You came here to save Sora, didn’t you? That girl… she has nothing to do with you, no impact on your mission. This isn’t the time to act… You can’t…”

Even as she spoke so coldly, Nameless was trembling, as if suppressing something.

Grit. Glenn clenched his teeth and let out a low groan.

“You’re right… I’m not some perfect, all-saving hero of justice. My hands can only reach so far… I need to know my limits.”

“S-Sensei…”

“Let’s go, White Cat…”

As if convincing himself, Glenn started to move forward.

But—

“Noooo! Somebody, help me! Waaaah! Aaaaaah!”

After a few steps, the girl’s sobbing voice pierced his ears…

And Glenn’s feet came to a complete stop.

“Glenn… What are you doing!? You can’t stop here! They’ll get suspicious!”

Nameless whispered urgently, her voice low but frantic.

But Glenn stood frozen, unmoving…

Until, finally, he muttered:

“…I can’t do it.”

“What!?”

Nameless’s eyes widened in shock.

“I can’t just let this kind of bullshit slide.” Glenn said in a chilling tone.

“I-it’s not about it being unfair! It’s just how things are! This era is—!”

“It pisses me off.”

Glenn lifted his head, scanning his surroundings.

“The mages who think this kind of injustice is normal, the spineless crowd that just accepts it… Everything about this era is pissing me off!”

“…!”

“Sure, saving her here won’t mean a damn thing to me in another time. But does that give me an excuse to look the other way!?

It leaves too bad a taste in my mouth! This isn’t for her—it’s for me! It’s about time I gave this rotten world a piece of my mind…!”

As Glenn’s fierce words left Nameless flustered…

“…I knew it. That’s just like you, Sensei.”

Sistine spoke up, her expression knowing.

Then, lifting the tattered rags slightly, they showed their left hand to Glenn and Nameless.

A small magical circle glimmered there, with mana coursing through it, already activated.

“[Storm Grasper]… politely pre-activated, huh? Nice prep work, ain’t it?”

“Yup, I’m all set. So, let’s go all out! How about we give this infuriating world a big, bold wake-up call together?”

“Heh heh heh, I see. You get it, don’t ya, partner?”

“Well… we’ve been at this for a while, haven’t we?”

“W-Wait, you guys…!?”

Overwhelmed by Glenn and Sistine’s fired-up enthusiasm, Nameless was visibly flustered.

“This goes beyond reckless courage—it’s downright suicidal! Are all the mages from your era this thoughtlessly idiotic!?”

“…Nah. It’s not like we’re completely clueless or anything.”

With a glance, Glenn scanned the crowd.

They all wore the same resigned, defeated expressions, utterly devoid of life.

Indeed, the people had accepted their role as livestock. They harbored no doubts about the mages being their masters.

But was that really the case?

(The fairy tale, ‘The Magician of Melgalius’… according to its final chapter…)

Glenn recalled the contents of the fairy tale he had read so many times he’d practically memorized it.

According to its narrative—

“Either way, we’re out of time. If they complete that ritual, it’s game over for the people of this magic city and for us, right? We’ll all end up as those ‘sacrifices’ or whatever, won’t we?”

“T-that’s true, but… we still have until dawn tomorrow…”

“We’re on borrowed time. We can’t afford to waste even a second. That means no dawdling around looking for Celica. I’ve got a plan… we need to make our move here.”

“Make a move… make a move how!?”

Ignoring Nameless’s words, Glenn turned to Sistine.

“White Cat, you get what I’m thinking, right? The hint is ‘The Magician of Melgalius.’”

“Ah…”

At Glenn’s words, Sistine blinked for a moment.

“Got it! If this is the magic city of Melgalius, the setting for the final battle with the Demon King in that last chapter… then it’s definitely worth a shot!”

“Right? I mean… I don’t wanna sound cocky, but… I think that’s probably how it’s gotta be.”

“If that’s the case… haha, what a historical surprise this is gonna be!”

“???”

As the two carried on their cryptic conversation, Nameless finally snapped in frustration.

“…Ugh, fine! I get it, I get it!”

“Nameless?”

“I’m fed up too—beyond fed up with this situation! If we’ve got no time left anyway, then let’s go out with a bang…!”

“Oh? You’re gettin’ all sentimental on me now, huh?”

“Shut up! Talking to you, Glenn, makes my IQ drop like a rock!”

Their commotion inevitably drew the attention of the soldiers.

“Hey! Keep it down over there!”

“What the hell are you lot doing—!?”

To the soldiers approaching with raised voices—

“《O Blazing Lion・Unleash your fury・Roar with rage》—!”

Glenn spun around, shouting a spell.

“Hah—!”

Sistine unleashed blades of wind with [Storm Grasper].

“《Ars Magna》!”

At the same time, Nameless activated her ability.

In an instant, Glenn and Sistine’s mana was amplified exponentially—

The explosive force of the bursting fireball scattered the soldiers around the execution platform, while the wind blades sliced through those guarding the platform, cutting them down one by one.

 

Boom!

 

The shockwave tore through all directions, shaking the plaza.

“W-What are they—!?”

The soldiers who escaped turned back to see—

“Raaaaah—!”

Glenn, with his physical enhancement spell at full throttle, came charging straight toward the execution platform.

“Hah—!”

Sistine, using《Gale Kick》to leap off the walls of nearby buildings, closing in on the platform.

“What!? Those guys… are they mages!?”

“Wait! We’re mages too! Why would mages attack us—!?”

“No! Look! Their pathetic, low-grade spells are powered by the ‘Fool’s Fang’!”

“The idea of the Fool’s Subjects rebelling against us is unthinkable”—that expression was clear on the soldiers’ faces. Panic rippled through them.

But—

“Foolish. To think the likes of the Fool’s Subjects would dare defy us mages. First Squad! Second Squad!”

The soldier captain raised a hand, calmly taking command.

“—Kill them!”

At that, the soldiers leveled their ceremonial weapons at Glenn and his group, beginning to chant in unison.

Their spells weren’t the low-rune modern magic Glenn and his companions knew well.

They were high-rune ancient magic, imbued with fearsome power.

Glenn and his group’s counter-spells wouldn’t stand a chance. They’d be easily overwhelmed.

And to make matters worse—

“Over here!”

“Sounds like rebels have shown up!?”

Countless soldiers poured into the execution grounds as reinforcements.

“Tch… as expected, there are just too many enemies! Even with my《Ars Magna》, we’re screwed! Glenn! Sistine!”

As the dire situation sank in, Nameless gritted her teeth and let out a cry of despair—

The soldiers’ spells completed in unison—at that very moment.

Something unbelievable happened.

 

“Huh?”

 

The soldiers’ spells—didn’t activate.

“What…!?”

“N-No way… we failed to cast our spells…!?”

“That’s impossible! For all of us to fail at the same time—there’s no way—!”

As the soldiers stared at their hands in shock—

“That’s exactly what can happen!”

Glenn, holding the Fool’s Arcane Tarot between his fingers, charged in and threw a punch.

“Raaaaaaaaaah—!”

Glenn swung his fist with all his might.

Punch, punch, punch, punch, pummeling them down.

He systematically knocked out the rattled soldiers one after another—

“There! Haaaaa—!”

Whoosh! A swirling storm of vacuum.

The wind blades Sistine controlled with [Storm Grasper] danced freely in all directions, cutting down the soldiers surrounding the execution platform like mincemeat.

No matter how powerful the soldiers’ low-rune modern magic was, if they couldn’t cast a single counter-spell, it was a one-sided slaughter.

“Gwah—!?”

“Gyaaaaaa—!?”

“D-Damn it! You bastards, do you even know who we are!? We serve the great king—!”

“Shut up!”

Glenn knocked out a pompous, high-handed soldier with a punch.

The ancient mages, who relied entirely on magic, were utterly helpless against Glenn, who charged in with enhanced physical combat skills.

It was like fighting scarecrows.

“Sensei! As expected, these guys…!”

“Yeah, just as I thought! They’re pathetically weak without their magic!”

Glenn responded to Sistine’s words.

Indeed, no matter how powerful or advanced their magic, if its activation was sealed, it was meaningless.

The privileged mages of this era, relying solely on the overwhelming power of their magic, only knew how to dominate the weak from a distance with no real combat experience.

It was nothing more than one-sided bullying of the powerless.

So—if their magic was sealed, they were nothing.

They were no match for Glenn and Sistine, seasoned mages who had faced countless battles.

Glenn’s Original Magic《Fool’s World》.

Complete suppression of all magic activation within a certain radius around Glenn. Its effectiveness against ancient magic had already been proven in battles against the Demon Generals.

Thus, in this moment, all the so-called sages were reduced to helpless infants.

And infants like them—

“Take this—!”

Were no match for Sistine’s Modified Black Magic [Storm Grasper]—

“Daaaaaa—!”

Nor for Glenn’s combat skills, honed through countless brushes with death as an executioner.

“Impossible…!? Why are we being pushed back!? Why can’t we cast our spells!?”

The lone soldier captain, left standing, screamed in near-hysteria.

“We’re mages, damn it! So why are we losing to mere Fool’s Subjects…!?”

“Because—you’re an idiot!”

Glenn’s full-force right straight smashed into the captain’s face.

“Gyaaaaaaaa—!?”

The captain was sent flying across the street, tumbling away.

Eventually—

“Gwaaah—!?”

“Gyaaah—!?”

“Retreat! Retreaaaat—!”

The surviving soldiers fled the scene in a panic.

“Well, that’s about it.”

“Hmph! Come back the day before yesterday!”

Glenn flipped the bird at the retreating soldiers’ backs.

“Not bad… I might’ve underestimated you two a bit. Honestly, my《Ars Magna》might not have even been necessary…”

Nameless could only mutter in awe at Glenn and Sistine’s performance.

“…Now then.”

Glenn hopped onto the execution platform.

“…Ah…”

There, tied to the wheel of the execution platform, was the girl from earlier.

Glenn smashed the wheel with his fist, freeing her.

“…You were scared, huh? It’s okay now.”

“……”

The freed girl stared up at Glenn.

She was a young girl with fiery red hair and violet-flame eyes, strikingly distinctive.

For a fleeting moment, Glenn felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he’d seen her somewhere before… but given the situation, he brushed it off without dwelling on it.

“…Go home. Back to your family.”

“Um, I…”

But as the girl hesitated, looking like she wanted to say something to Glenn—

Her parents rushed over, embracing her, and the chance to speak was lost.

And then—

“Well, Glenn. Nice work… I’d love to praise you.”

Nameless approached from behind Glenn.

“…So? What’s next?”

There was no accusation in her tone, only a calm intent to assess the situation.

“You caused quite a ruckus. More soldiers will come soon—maybe even that guy.”

“……”

“This magic city’s big, but there’s a limit to how far you can run.”

“……”

“…What’s your plan now? If you’re gonna hide, you’d better do it quick—”

Glenn surveyed his surroundings from the execution platform.

 

“““……”“”

 

The crowd stood frozen, dumbfounded.

Despite all the commotion, they neither fled nor hid, simply gaping in unison.

“Why did they fight?”

“What’s the point of saving that girl?”

The people’s faces bore utterly powerless expressions, as if asking those questions.

(Geez, this is gonna be tough… this is more of that Hermit old man’s specialty… but I’ve got no choice.)

With that thought—

Glenn tapped his throat lightly, chanting a small spell to activate sound amplification magic.

And then—he roared.

 

“Enough already, you lot! Aren’t you ashamed!?”

 

Glenn’s booming voice echoed across the listless crowd.

“What were you doing, just standing there gawking at this mess!? An innocent kid was about to be killed for no reason, and all of you just stayed silent!? Are we human or what!? We’re not livestock!”

A stir…

For just a fleeting moment, a ripple of unrest passed through the lifeless crowd.

“Is this really okay with you!? This time it was that kid, but next time it could be your kid! Your loved ones! Looking down, pretending not to see—it doesn’t matter! That moment will come! Don’t you get it!? This isn’t someone else’s problem!”

Stir, stir…

Everyone stirred, their faces stiffening.

Glenn’s words sharply pierced the truth they’d all resigned themselves to, the reality they’d pretended not to notice.

“Come on! Are we really okay with this!? Staying livestock forever!? Can you look your kids in the eye—kids who’ll be born into this world—and say, ‘We’re just livestock, so it’s fine if the mages treat us however they want’!?”

“Don’t mess with us—!”

Suddenly, a voice rose from the crowd.

“Can’t you see reality!? What are we supposed to do!? They’re mages! The great king who’s mastered magic—Titus-sama himself!”

“Against mages, what can mere humans like us—only armed with the Fool’s Fang—possibly do…!?”

“In front of mages, we… we can only bow down as livestock…! That’s the way of this world…! What are you even saying!?”

“Even that Sora—she lost, didn’t she!?”

At someone’s shout—

The scene was overtaken by a quiet yet strangely fervent murmur.

Like ripples spreading from a single stone, the crowd began to speak out.

“Sora… ah, that foolish mage who defied Titus-sama…”

“She was incredible for a while, wasn’t she? Taking down Titus-sama’s Demon Generals one after another with unstoppable momentum…”

“Yeah. Just three days ago, in the battle here in this city… she crushed Titus-sama’s forces…”

“But even Sora… against Titus-sama… she didn’t stand a chance…”

“Well, not like we expected anything from her… you’ve heard the rumors about Sora, right?”

“Cruel, ruthless, cold-blooded… she probably just wanted to become the next Demon King.”

“Yeah, exactly… that’s gotta be it… whether Sora won or lost doesn’t matter.”

“Even if Sora won, our lives probably wouldn’t change at all…”

“…Yeah… but… even so…”

The murmurs, whispers, and outpouring of emotions from the crowd—

Glenn carefully analyzed them using a discreetly activated sound-collection spell.

He probed the depths of the people’s hearts.

(Indeed… it’s clear Celica was an object of fear… but even so…)

The people had wanted to see. Despite their negative words, they had held expectations.

The Demon King who rules over our vast and lofty skies, trampling upon our heads.

The sight of that Demon King—being struck down by someone’s hand—

“Se-Sensei…”

“…I see.”

While Sistine watches with a tense expression, Glenn nods as if satisfied with something.

And then, Nameless speaks to Glenn in a bored tone.

“…Glenn, I get what you’re aiming for. Frankly, I’m disappointed I even expected anything.”

Her face clearly shows her letdown.

“You’re trying to rile up the people and spark an uprising, aren’t you? To create chaos in the Demon Capital and make an opening? But that’s shallow… the absolute worst move you could make.”

“…”

“Listen, do you really think the people will move just because an outsider like you says a word or two in a place like this? Are you stupid? That’s way too naive! You’ve read too many fairy tales!”

“…”

“I mean, do you think no one else has tried this before? Let me tell you, they all failed miserably! Got it? Words alone won’t move people!”

“…”

“How long do you think they’ve been oppressed? The people of this era have had their spirits completely broken—they’re livestock to the core! There’s not a single person left with the guts to resist or fight for tomorrow! Not one!”

Then, Nameless grabs Glenn by the collar and glares at him.

“Don’t get cocky! Humans… they’re weak! Not everyone is strong like you or Sora, Glenn!”

Glenn grabs Nameless’s hand firmly and speaks with conviction.

“Nameless, don’t underestimate humans.”

“Huh?”

“Sure, humans are weak. Sometimes they get beaten down and fall to the ground. They can rot away for a long time. But… if given a spark… they can always rise again. Every single one of them has that kind of strength.”

In Glenn’s mind as he speaks—

The smiling face of a certain white-haired girl who once told him she loved his dreams flashes by.

“…Glenn…?”

“I’ll create that spark…! This ain’t my style, but for Celica’s sake… I’ve got no choice but to do it…!”

With that—

Standing tall before the murmuring crowd, Glenn declares in a booming voice:

 

“Celica—hasn’t lost yet—!”

 

Those words sweep through the hearts of the crowd.

“Huh…? Sora…?”

“…Hasn’t lost…?”

“…What’s that supposed to mean…?”

“That’s right! Celica may have been defeated by the Demon King once! But she came back! Right now, she’s hiding somewhere in this Demon Capital, biding her time, waiting for the chance to take down the Demon King!

She—Celica—came back to save this world!

And as proof, I’m her disciple! I came here to carve a path for her! To defeat humanity’s enemy—the vile, wicked Demon King!”

Murmur, murmur, murmur…

The crowd now stirs with clear agitation and confusion.

Before anyone noticed, the number of people in the square had grown.

Drawn by the commotion, the people who had been holding their breath now focus on Glenn.

From the square, from the shadows of buildings, from windows…

“Disciple…? To defeat the Demon King…?”

“No way… is that guy for real…?”

At the same time, everyone doubts Glenn’s sanity.

Because—

There’s no advantage whatsoever in Glenn proclaiming himself Sora’s disciple.

In this Demon Capital, claiming such a thing would surely get him killed.

In other words, there’s no benefit to lying.

Could this man, claiming to be Sora’s disciple, be telling the truth?

Or is it just a madman’s ramblings?

Everyone is bewildered, unable to decide.

At that moment, the teachings of Glenn’s other mentor—Bernard《The Hermit》—resurfaced in his mind.

“Humans don’t believe in truth; they believe in what they want to believe.”

If Glenn’s words are true—

It means that Sora, the only one who ever defied the Demon King, is preparing to challenge him again.

To defeat that Demon King.

Sora. The only mage who stood against the Demon King, the one who faced the supposedly invincible Demon Generals head-on and defeated many of them—a miraculous mage.

To the people, her deeds and rumors were indeed objects of fear and revulsion—but at the same time, they were a faint glimmer of hope.

(…Alright, so far, so good!)

Feeling a certain degree of response from his agitation, Glenn clenches his fist.

(But, as Nameless said, this alone won’t move people. They’ll just stay confused and wait it out. Words alone won’t do it!)

However—there’s a high chance of a way to move this crowd.

That is—

(…Come on…!)

Glenn prays. He keeps praying.

Meanwhile, the crowd, though wanting to believe Glenn’s words, gradually grows calm.

Their eyes slowly return to the cold, resigned, livestock-like gaze.

Bit by bit… slowly…

(…Come on… come on…!)

But Glenn continues to pray.

The crowd’s attention drifts further and further from Glenn.

It’s no use. It’s hopeless. Expecting anything is pointless.

That’s the direction they settle into…

However—

Even so—

(It has to happen…! I’ve come this far… it will happen—!)

As Glenn offers a near-certain prayer in his heart—

 

Rumble, rumble, rumble…

 

From somewhere, a tremendous tremor shakes the ground, growing louder.

The sound draws closer and closer to the square—

Hearing it, the crowd immediately exchanges glances, starting to panic.

“Wha…!? It’s… it’s coming…!?”

“Uwaaah…! Run… we’ll get crushed…!”

The people scatter in a frenzy, retreating like a receding tide.

“That sound…!? Damn it, we’re too late…!”

Nameless turns pale, panicking.

Amidst everyone’s agitation—

“…As expected.”

“Yeah. Right on target.”

Only Sistine and Glenn exchange knowing looks as they speak.

“What are you two doing!?”

Nameless shouts at the oddly calm pair.

“We knew it’d come to this! But it’s true—they found us! Even Sora couldn’t fully take that down!”

“…Yeah.”

“We need to hide somewhere fast! That thing is beyond us, Glenn!”

But Glenn doesn’t budge.

He remains rooted in place, as if to meet the approaching tremor head-on.

And then—

A corner of the city facing the execution grounds suddenly explodes into rubble.

Parting the flying debris, a massive object appears before Glenn and the others.

“…It’s here.”

Glenn glares at the enormous object.

It’s—a chariot. A massive chariot pulled by four majestic black horses. It’s Not an ordinary chariot however… It’s clearly brimming with immense magical power—a magical chariot.

Its black frame is adorned with various weapons like blades and spears.

Its wheels burn with ominous blue flames.

And the charioteer—a single demonic figure.

Clad in sturdy black armor, draped in a scarlet robe. The visor peeking from under the hood reveals an abyss-like darkness, its expression unreadable.

Dark magical energy rises from its entire being.

It’s as if darkness itself barely took human form… such a monstrous demon drives this ferocious chariot, appearing before Glenn and the others.

The demon’s name—

“You showed up…!《Iron Cavalry General》—Accelo Iero!”

Glenn roars.

Indeed, one of the fearsome Demon Generals under the Demon King stands before them.

“—So, you’re the fool claiming to be Sora’s disciple.”

Accelo Iero looks down at Glenn and the others from atop the chariot.

“I see… even La’tirika, the traitor who betrayed our great king and sided with Sora, is here. It seems this isn’t entirely empty boasting.”

“What’s that! Getting all high and mighty with the power you got from La’falia…!?”

Nameless glares at Accelo Iero with resentment.

“Say what you will. We are the chosen ones, acknowledged by that great one, granted keys by the《Maiden of the Night Sky》to transcend humanity.”

“Kh…!?”

Ignoring the frustrated Nameless, Accelo Iero raises his right hand.

His hand warps grotesquely, revealing a massive black spear.

He points its tip at Glenn.

“Fools who dares defy the rightful king of the heavens… your arrogance, your insolence, is unforgivable. As the guardian of the king’s justice, I shall personally deliver your judgment. There will be no mercy.”

At that moment—

A tremendous fighting spirit surges from Accelo Iero, swelling as a dark divine aura.

His presence and intensity dominate the entire scene—

The entire city district trembles in fear and despair.

“Glenn, what do we do!?”

Nameless asks, her face pale.

“That’s《Iron Cavalry General》Accelo Iero—the strongest of the Demon King’s subordinates, one of the Demon Generals! His body is impervious to all attacks—”

“They don’t work, right?”

Glenn casually finishes her sentence, causing Nameless to blink in surprise.

“His body is made of invincible Adamantite. No physical or magical damage can touch him. In the fairy tale ‘The Magician of Melgalius’, even the mighty Mage of Justice could only evade him.”

“The first battle on the ‘Ship of Flames’ was brutal for the Mage of Justice… they lost so many comrades in that fight…”

“Huh, ‘The Magician of Melgalius’…? What are you two talking about…?”

“But… there’s a way.”

Glenn steps forward slowly, facing the invincible Accelo Iero that everyone fears.

“Heh, that’s right. Let’s do this again.”

Sistine stands behind Glenn, as if to protect his back.

“Wait a second… what are you two talking about…?”

Nameless, utterly confused, can only flounder.

“Foolish.”

Accelo Iero looks at Glenn with a mix of exasperation and pity.

“Knowing the secret of my body, you still dare to challenge me? The term ‘Fool’s Subjects’ was meant to denote those ranked by their innate magical talent… but it seems it truly applies to genuine foolishness.”

“You talk big for a real fool who got seduced by power and couldn’t stay human, huh?”

To Glenn’s taunt, Accelo Iero continues.

“You mock me? My loyalty to the king and the《Maiden of the Night Sky》—unforgivable!”

Enraged by Glenn’s provocation—

Accelo Iero swings his massive spear with his right hand, gripping the reins with his left—and charges forward.

“—Perish! Let your entrails pave the tracks of my chariot’s wheels!”

Rumble, rumble, rumble—!

The chariot’s wheels spin furiously, tearing up the city’s cobblestones.

With overwhelming mass, crushing and trampling everything in its path, it charges straight at Glenn and the others—

“Uwaaaahhh!?”

“It’s Lord Accelo Iero’s《Black Fire Chariot》!”

“Run, or you’ll be ground to mincemeat!”

The crowd flees in a panic.

Amid the chaos, like a stormy sea, Glenn dashes forward.

“Nameless! I’m counting on your《Ars Magna》!”

“You’re fighting!? You’re seriously fighting a Demon General here!? Are you serious!?”

“Dead serious! We’ve gotta take this guy down to even get a shot at the Demon King! There’s no other choice!”

“Ugh, fine! Don’t blame me if this goes south!”

With a reckless air, Nameless activates《Ars Magna》.

A silver light pours down—massively amplifying Glenn’s power.

“…!”

At that moment, Nameless’s left hand begins to vanish from her fingertips…

“W-we can’t take too long…!”

And so—

“Dieeee—!”

As Accelo Iero charges like a black tempest—

“《O Blazing Lion・In thy wrath・Roar and rage》—!”

Timing it perfectly with the expiration of [Fool’s World], Glenn chants his spell.

“—Hah!”

Sistine unleashes [Storm Grasper], sending countless blades of wind dancing.

They strike the charging Accelo Iero head-on.

In a corner of the Demon Capital, a colossal storm and a pillar of explosive flames erupt—