Rei and his companions were on the verge of departing the research room—a place belonging to a mysterious entity whose power was undeniably and overwhelmingly superior to their own. But in that heartbeat, a voice resonated inside Rei’s mind, and the movements of Elena and the others ground to a sudden halt.
『O traveler with the Gryphon, there is something I wish to ask of thee.』
"...What did you do to them?"
Rei looked at Vel, whose leg was still suspended in mid-air as if he were about to take a step, and realized the paralysis affected everyone except himself and Seto. He directed his question toward the source of the voice.
『Now, now. I was simply being considerate, assuming you would prefer this conversation to remain private. Rest easy; they are not truly paralyzed. I have merely suspended their time for a brief moment.』
"Suspended their time?" Rei asked, unable to hide his shock.
They had already seen Space Magic used to create a pocket dimension behind the dungeon’s walls and Necromancy to command the undead. To hear that this entity also mastered Space-Time Magic left Rei—who was limited solely to Flame Magic—utterly floored.
『It is not so difficult a feat. Now then, what I wish to know concerns that Gryphon of yours.』
"It might be rare for an adventurer to have a Gryphon as a familiar, but..."
The moment Rei began to answer, laughter echoed in his skull.
『Hahaha. There is no need for such deception. That Gryphon is no ordinary monster, is it?』
"...I don't know what you're talking about."
Because the question was so sudden, there was a momentary lapse before Rei could react—and to the owner of the voice, that silence was an admission in itself.
『Hmph. ...Tell me, does the name Zephyle ring a bell?』
"..."
Rei’s thoughts truly froze this time. The voice had spoken Zephyle’s name with a distinct note of reverence.
It wasn't that Rei didn't recognize the name. On the contrary, he knew it far too well. It was the name of the man who had pulled his soul from Japan after he died and granted him his new body as Rei. And if the records in the library were true, it was the name of the world's greatest mage from thousands of years ago.
Why did this voice know that name? Rei finally spoke.
"How do you know that name?"
『Heheh... just as I thought. To think I would behold the Beast Magic again in this era. Truly delightful! First that girl, and now you. Today is a day of one pleasant surprise after another.』
(He knows about Beast Magic?)
Rei glanced toward the wall, where Seto was huddled and trembling. For this entity to be powerful enough to terrify Seto to this degree and still know the name of a lost art like Beast Magic—Rei decided he couldn't stay silent.
"Who... are you?"
『Hmm, let us see. If you tell me of your origin, I see no reason to withhold my own. ...What say you?』
Rei fell into deep thought as the voice echoed in his mind.
(If I reveal my origins to get information on this guy, what's the risk? He has a laboratory hidden in a dungeon, so there's a chance he might try to turn me into an experimental subject... But considering the way he spoke of Zephyle, he seems to hold him in high regard. If that's the case, maybe it's safe? Either way, I need to know who I'm dealing with, if only for my own protection. And honestly, I'm curious.)
He desperately wanted to know about someone who recognized himself, Zephyle, and the art that was supposed to have vanished after a single generation.
"Fine. I'll tell you my story. But you have to keep your end of the bargain."
『Indeed. Very well.』
With the entity's agreement, Rei spoke. For the first time since arriving in this world, he prepared to voice the truth of his existence.
"I wasn't originally born in this world. I was an ordinary person raised in a place far from here—a world where magic, dungeons, and monsters don't exist. I died in a minor accident, and my soul was supposed to vanish. But Zephyle pulled me here."
『...And when did this occur?』
"Not even a few months ago."
『What?! You mean to say that gentleman survived those thousands of years in the flesh?』
Rei shook his head at the stunned voice.
"Not exactly. It seems Zephyle’s physical body rotted away long ago. He had become a sort of spiritual lifeform, searching for a soul that resonated with his own at the boundary between worlds. That's where he found me. And, as you guessed, he didn't want the Beast Magic of the Zephyle Clan to die out, so he gave me a new body and let me be reborn here. Seto, the Gryphon over there, is an artificial lifeform created through that Beast Magic."
Technically, both Seto and the Death Scythe were products of the magic, but Rei decided there was no reason to hand over information his opponent hadn't noticed yet, so he left the scythe out of it.
『I see... how very interesting. So even that great man could not truly overcome the passage of millennia in the flesh.』
As the voice murmured reflectively, Rei asked his next question.
"I've told you my piece. Now, who are you? How do you know about Zephyle? Nowadays, people only know him as a Majin."
Rei had already formed a theory based on their conversation, and the voice soon confirmed it.
『A promise is a promise. As for why I know Lord Zephyle, the answer is simple: I knew him during his lifetime.』
Hearing those words, Rei felt a mix of "I knew it" and "But how?" He had inherited Zephyle’s knowledge, but there was no memory of an entity like this voice within those records.
Sensing his confusion, the voice let out a soft, dry laugh.
『I knew Lord Zephyle, but he almost certainly did not know me. I was merely one of the countless many who admired him from afar. He was, after all, the world's greatest mage.』
(I see. It's like a fan knowing a celebrity.)
Rei nodded, prompting him to continue.
『That era was home to a gathering of geniuses beyond anything modern man can imagine. If a single mage from that time appeared today, they would be hailed as an unparalleled genius. Truly, it was the Golden Age of magic.』
"...And I take it you were one of those geniuses?"
『Indeed. By the standards of this era, I would be considered a prodigy, but in my own time, I was merely upper-mid tier. That is why Lord Zephyle never knew my name. I was certainly not of the caliber required to join the Zephyle Clan, which was comprised of the elite among elites.』
The voice spoke with self-deprecation, yet Rei could hear a deep, wistful nostalgia in the words.
"So, how is it that someone from thousands of years ago is still alive today?"
『Hmph. You have already deduced it, have you not?』
Rei nodded. He had already discussed the possibility of such a creature residing in this labyrinth with Elena and Vel.
"A Lich."
『Correct. Lord Zephyle chose well; you are sharp. Yes, I was a talented enough Necromancer to perform the ritual of reincarnation as a Lich upon myself.』
"...A Lich who has lived for thousands of years. Honestly, 'Lich Lord' seems like a more fitting title than just a regular Lich."
『Hahaha! A Lich Lord? I like the sound of that. Perhaps I shall use that as my name from now on.』
Laughter filled Rei’s mind. Given that the entity had spent millennia honing his magic, he certainly deserved a title of that rank.
(Actually, with that much time, maybe a King or Emperor of the Dead would be more accurate. A Lich King or Lich Emperor.)
While Rei was thinking, a crystal ball about the size of a fist drifted through the air and settled into his hand.
"What's this?"
『A small token for the successor of Lord Zephyle. Those are Magic Items known as Paired Orbs. If you call out to it, it will connect with the orb I possess, allowing us to communicate whenever we wish.』
(Like a cell phone? Well, it can't hurt to have.)
"If you're giving it to me, I'll take it. But why the generosity?"
『As I said, Lord Zephyle was a man whose back I could never hope to reach, no matter how hard I chased him in life. Even after thousands of years of study, I do not believe I have caught up. To meet his successor is a rare stroke of luck, and I wish to cherish the bond.』
"A once-in-a-lifetime encounter, then?"
『What is that?』
"A proverb from my world. It means you should treat every meeting as if it will only happen once in your life, and cherish the connection."
『I see. A very fitting sentiment for us. ...A once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Well then, since we share this bond, it would be rude of me to remain hidden. I shall show myself, but be warned: do not let your guard down.』
Following that warning, it manifested in the air before Rei. The moment his eyes locked onto the figure, cold sweat drenched Rei’s spine.
He knew his own magic power was likely higher, as Zephyle had guaranteed it. But his instincts screamed that if he lost his focus for even a second, he would black out. He finally understood why Seto had been so paralyzed with fear; the Gryphon had sensed exactly what kind of monster was standing before them.
Its appearance was that of a classic Lich: a skeleton draped in robes, holding a magic staff, with a crown resting upon its skull. That was all. And yet, looking at it, Rei felt nothing but the sheer concept of "Death" itself.
『Hm? My apologies. Was the pressure perhaps a bit too intense? ...How is this?』
As the Lich spoke, the suffocating aura slowly receded. After a few seconds, Rei was finally able to move his limbs again.
『Oh? You can already move? Impressive. Truly, you are the successor of Lord Zephyle.』
The voice echoed with praise, but Rei could only respond with a strained, bitter smile.
(Seto is a Rank A Gryphon. ...If I had to rank this Lich, would it be S-Rank? No, that probably doesn't even cover it. I guess this is what you get after thousands of years.)
『Let me introduce myself properly. I am the Lich who has been speaking with you... or as you suggested, the Lich Lord Grimm. It is an honor, successor to Lord Zephyle.』
"I'm Rei. ...I'm still training, but I hope to eventually have the strength to truly carry his legacy."
『Umu. See that you do not neglect your studies.』
Strangely, Rei felt no hostility from the Lich. In fact, there was an almost friendly atmosphere about him—likely a byproduct of the admiration Grimm held for Zephyle.
Suddenly, Grimm turned his gaze toward Seto, who was huddling in the corner while watching Rei with concern. Seeing the Lich look its way, Seto’s body shook with terror, yet the Gryphon still forced itself to take a step forward to protect its master.
『Oho. So young, yet you would stand against me? Truly admirable. Rei, since this beast was born from your own magic power, its potential is staggering. ...But as I said, it is still a Young Beast. It will require much more time to reach its true potential. ...Should it continue to grow, it may one day become like the beasts of old—a creature capable of overwhelming a nation's army single-handedly. The greatest strength of Beast Magic lies in its growth speed and the acquisition of diverse skills. I look forward to seeing what heights it reaches by our next meeting. Now, I shall take my leave. I am a busy man, despite how it may seem.』
With that, Grimm's body began to fade. Within seconds, he had vanished completely.
『Rei, Seto... between that woman and yourselves, today has been a day of fine encounters. Let us meet again when the time is right. ...And do not hesitate to use the Paired Orb if the need arises.』
His final words lingered in the air.
The moment Grimm disappeared, time resumed for Elena and the others.
"Rei? What's wrong? Elena-sama said we're heading to the next floor."
Vel’s voice snapped Rei out of his daze as he stared at the spot where Grimm had been.
Rei quickly pocketed the Paired Orb into his Misty Ring before the others could notice, then hurried Seto toward the stairs.
...Followed closely by Elena, who watched him with a strangely serious, pensive expression.