Interlude: The Magician of Melgalius III

A dream—I see.

It is a tale from a distant past, a story from long, long ago.

The story of a certain mage—

——

A ferocious blizzard rages, its biting chill numbing the skin.

A blinding white noise engulfs the vision.

Is this place the peak of some mountain?

In a frozen hell of extreme cold, where no living thing could hope to survive—

Sora is fighting.

Fighting the Silver Dragon.

Its massive wings, large enough to cover the sky, gleam silver like a towering mountain.

Cleaving the blizzard that dominates this white world in two, with a roar that shakes the soul, the Silver Dragon charges toward Sora, intent on crushing everything.

But—

“Tch… How dare you defy me, you wretched dragon,”

Sora glares at the Silver Dragon with eyes filled with hatred and fury, spitting out her words in the draconic tongue.

“Die already, Silver Dragon. I have to kill that damned Demon King—”

As Sora chants her spell, a spear glowing crimson with overwhelming heat materializes in her hand.

Its mere appearance causes the blizzard to evaporate, and the mountaintop bursts into fierce flames.

Sora hurls the spear at the Silver Dragon charging from above.

The crimson spear streaks through the sky like a red meteor.

And then—

“Hey, Sora… why did you save me back then?” The dragon maiden Le Silva, walking behind Sora, asks solemnly, asks on their journey.

“I was once defeated by the Demon King Titus, pierced through the heart with the ‘White Key’… and transformed into Le Silva, 《Silver Dragon General》, forced to reign over humanity. As a guardian dragon meant to protect people, I committed an unforgivable failure.”

“…”

“Because of that ‘White Key,’ my very existence became the key to the 89th floor of the 《Tower of Lament》, the 《Gate of Wisdom》. The 《Silver Dragon General》 itself is the key to that gate. In other words… by defeating me, the final, tightly sealed door to the Demon King would open. That’s how it works.”

“…”

“So, Sora… it’s only natural that you’d come to slay me. But there was no need for you to go out of your way to save me. Especially if you’re just a vengeful avenger.”

“…”

“Everyone calls you the same thing: the second Demon King, the heir to the Demon King. You don’t deny it, and you slaughter everyone who sides with the Demon King, as if proclaiming yourself the true Demon King.”

“…”

“Your actions are undeniably cruel and ruthless. Yet, they’ve saved many people as well. Sora… I’ve been thinking. You carry out this brutal carnage without saying a word, but…”

“Hmph? What’s with all the whining? Just spit it out already.”

Sora snorts mockingly at the dragon maiden’s words.

“Let me make this clear: I kept you alive because you’re useful. A dragon’s power is a valuable asset. Honestly, it’d be a waste to let those fools in Fohenheim have you.”

“…!”

“Besides… after I kill the Demon King, I’ll need to seal the 《Gate of Wisdom》, right? Did you think I spared you out of pity? You’re just a key for cleaning up afterward.”

Sora rolls the ‘White Key’ in her hand, showing it off.

“If I insert this key into you, the 《Gate of Wisdom》 will be resealed. That’s the deal. And don’t even think about escaping—it’s pointless. I’ve already branded you with the [Mark of Servitude]. So, you’d better serve your master—me—until your life runs out, servant. Hahaha…!”

“Even if you say that… you’ve never once used the [Mark of Servitude] to force me to do anything or give me orders. If anything, that mark protects me from the Demon King’s interference…”

“…”

“Sora… I think, deep down, you’re actually very…”

“Shut up.”

“Whether you win or lose, your long journey is almost over. And it’s a cliché, but revenge truly gives you nothing. I’m not saying you shouldn’t seek it. But if you let it consume you, it’ll ruin you.”

“…Shut up.”

“When it’s all over… you should find happiness. Because… more than anyone in this world, you’re kind. You’ve been fighting all alone, for so, so long—”

“SHUT UP!”

Sora whirls around, grabs the dragon maiden by the collar, and roars.

“I don’t care! All that matters to me is killing that damned Demon King! A pathetic dragon like you has no right to lecture me with your sanctimonious drivel! It’s grating on my nerves!”

“Sora… I just… I care about you…!”

“Tch!”

Sora shoves the dragon maiden away and starts walking again.

“Oh, right, right! Come to think of it, I haven’t even thought about what comes after I kill the Demon King! Hmph, maybe I’ll take the world’s rumors to heart and rule as the second Demon King! That could be fun, huh?! Haha, ahahaha! AHAHAHAHA!”

“…Sora…”

The dragon maiden can only gaze sadly at Sora.

No words can reach her.

I, too, can only watch Sora in silence.

Because…

I don’t have the slightest right to say anything to her…