The woman in the robe watched the man in red, currently encased in ice, with a look of suspicion.
A moment later, several cracks spiderwebbed through the block of ice until it finally crumbled into shards.
“...Hoh. So this is the magic that creates a pseudo-stasis within the ice. That was a truly valuable experience.”
“...As I thought, you already had a countermeasure prepared for my magic.”
“Well, naturally. If I hadn't, I’d be too terrified to even stand before you.”
The man in red sneered as he answered her.
“I see. Then I have no choice.”
The instant the woman in the robe whispered those words, blood sprayed from the man’s entire body.
It was likely the work of [Aero Cutter]. Her activation speed was as impressive as ever, though it hadn’t been quite as instantaneous as the ice spell from before. A combat expert—like a senior explorer—should have been able to react to it.
The fact that this man hadn't reacted at all suggested that combat wasn't his specialty. So why had a man like him shamelessly shown his face here?
“—Eh... Gwaaaaa! It hurts!! It hurts!!”
The man in red’s composed facade vanished in an instant. He collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony. I was certain now that he was an enemy of Amunzaas, but which organization did he belong to? The first candidate for any group hostile to Amunzaas would be the Explorer Guild.
Was he a Guild man? No, the words he’d directed at the Hero earlier didn't sound like anything a Guild employee would say.
While I pondered these fruitless questions without lowering my guard against those present, the man’s lacerations began to seal shut right before my eyes.
It was an unbelievable sight. And yet, it was one I recognized.
This was, without a doubt, Carol’s ability—[Self-Healing].
It wasn't like my [Mana Convergence], which I had initially misidentified due to an expanded interpretation of [Gravity Manipulation]. My intuition screamed that this was, with ninety-nine percent certainty, the same power as Carol’s.
“Whew. That really hurt. My wounds might heal on their own, but I still feel the pain, you know? Could you please stop that?”
Why hadn't I realized this sooner?
There was only one place a man like this could belong. He wore the signature trait of their members: clothes dyed a deep, vivid red.
The organization’s name was the Cyclamen Cult.
“No way... you actually succeeded in establishing that...?”
“Ah, so word of it really did reach your ears. Honestly, it was a massive undertaking. But you see, I need ‘Seirei Eyes’ to take the research any further. I’m at my wit’s end because I just can't seem to find a pair anywhere. You’re the ‘White Demon,’ so you know where they are, don’t you? Won't you be a pal and tell me?”
The woman in the robe spoke in a shaken whisper, but the man in red only replied with growing triumph.
If this man was the one involved, then...
“Who knows? Even if I did, do you really think I’d tell you?”
“Don't be so mean. This research could potentially evolve all of humanity. You understand the significance of that, don’t you?”
“—Enough of this pointless talk.”
I forcibly cut into their conversation.
“Pointless talk? Don’t be ridiculous. To my research, this is—”
“I only want to hear one thing. Answer that, and only that.”
“My, you’re a tyrant, aren’t you? Just like a dictatorial king. Fine, then. What do you want to know? My research results?”
“Do you know Carol—Caroline Inglot?”
The man in red’s eyes widened slightly at my question.
“............Ah. Now that’s a nostalgic name. I knew her for about ten years. But unfortunately, she passed away two years ago. Why would you know about Caroline?”
The man hesitated for a heartbeat, but he readily admitted to the connection.
That confirmed it.
I knew Carol had been subjected to inhumane treatment by the Cyclamen Cult prior to two years ago. Their goal was likely to analyze her [Self-Healing] and eventually find a way to bestow that power onto others. To a greedy soul, her ability was something they would covet with every fiber of their being.
Given that this man was using [Self-Healing] and boasting about his research, it was only natural to assume he was one of the people who had tormented her.
“Hey, woman in the robe.”
Now that I had the confirmation I needed, I addressed Shion.
“...Just to be clear, is ‘woman in the robe’ supposed to be me? I’ll have you know my name is Shion Nasturtium.”
“I’m going to kill him myself. Don't get in my way. If you interfere, I won't show you any mercy either.”
“We aren't even having a real conversation! ...Fine. If Orun says he’s going to kill him, I won’t stand in the way.”
“Now, now, that’s some violent talk. To think you’d raise a hand against a powerless, virtuous commoner.”
“...A virtuous... commoner? After you shattered a young girl’s heart, you have the nerve to spout that kind of nonsense?!”
“Are you referring to Caroline as a ‘girl’? That was a necessary step for the evolution of the human race. It was a required sacrifice.”
Listening to him, I felt a tidal wave of rage surging within me.
Based on his tone, his research was currently stalled because he lacked those ‘Seirei Eyes.’ If he ever got his hands on them, it was highly probable that he would come after Carol once again. Even if I conceded a million times over that it was for the sake of humanity, I would never accept it.
Carol was my precious disciple. If there was even a shadow of a chance that she would be dragged back into this madness, I would nip that threat in the bud right here.
I condensed the mana in my magic sword even further, swung the blade, and unleashed Heavenly Flash.
However, the black slash dissipated with a metallic chime before it could reach him.
“...What?”
“Whoa, you’ve got to be kidding me... To think my prized magic tool would be shattered in a single blow. You’re a terrifying monster, as always.”
While I stared in disbelief at my negated attack, the man in red broke into a cold sweat and muttered to himself. It seemed a magic tool had blocked my Heavenly Flash. But if it was broken, he had no way to stop a second one.
I unleashed Heavenly Flash again.
But this time, it was parried by the Hero, who had finally regained consciousness.
The Hero had been at death’s door moments ago. Though she had used recovery magic to mend her wounds to some extent, her stamina clearly hadn't returned. She was unsteady on her feet.
“Ha... ha... ...Why are you here?”
The Hero didn’t seem to grasp the situation. She questioned the man in red standing behind her.
As I suspected, the two were acquaintances. Did this mean the Empire was in league with the Cyclamen Cult? For the Imperial family to be consorting with a criminal organization... the world was truly going to hell.
“Oh! Your Highness! You saved me. Even if I can’t die, I’d rather avoid the pain. I’m here because His Majesty the Emperor personally requested that I provide backup for you.”
“...From Father? I see. Then your help is unnecessary. I have to fight the man in front of me...!”
The Hero’s fighting spirit hadn't flickered in the slightest. She turned those straightforward, child-like eyes toward me.
Why did she have to wake up now? I don’t have time to play with a battle maniac!
“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. I can’t leave things to Your Highness in your current state. You’ve already done enough by buying me this moment. Leave the rest to me.”
“What did you say—”
Ignoring her protest, the man in red took a fist-sized magic stone and hurled it into the air with all his strength.
As the stone reached its apex and hung suspended in the sky, the space around it began to warp, tearing open a massive hole in the firmament. A roar like a thunderclap erupted from the void. Several projectiles resembling purple spears shot out of the rift.
“No way... how...?”
I managed to dodge the spears easily enough, but my mind was reeling.
These spears made of mana... they’re definitely his magic. But we’re on the surface! How is this even possible?!
I looked back up at the hole in the sky just as a massive ball of fire plummeted toward us. I raised my magic sword to intercept it, but a voice from behind stopped me.
“Leave it to me.”
A silver wind began to swirl around Shion. It enveloped the fireball, causing it to shrink rapidly until it vanished before it could reach us.
At that exact moment, the entity responsible for the spears and the fireball emerged from the rift. Its entire body was encased in obsidian scales that shone with a dark luster, and its form was that of a colossal reptile. Massive wings sprouted from its back, wide enough to shroud its entire frame.
It was the floor boss of the 92nd floor of the Great Labyrinth of the South—the Black Dragon.
“Ahaha! Surprised? I actually happened to stumble upon a Black Dragon’s corpse. This is my recreation of it. Well? I’d love to hear the professional opinion of a ‘Dragon Slayer’!”
The man in red laughed, his voice brimming with excitement.
“What? It’s just a fake.”
I had been startled by its appearance, but a calm observation revealed the truth. Its presence and pressure were nowhere near the level of the real thing. To me, having already conquered the genuine article, this was no obstacle at all.
Still, even with a corpse, could a human truly manufacture a magic beast like this?
“Sadly, the specs of the Great Labyrinth’s beasts are in a league of their own. I plan to keep analyzing it and brushing it up. But... it seems this isn't enough to satisfy the King. Let’s add a little more!”
The man in red snapped his fingers. Dozens of smaller rifts tore open around the central hole. From within them emerged a swarm of various dragon species—Wyverns, Fire Dragons, and Water Dragons.
“I suppose you could call this a Dragon Parade. No matter how inferior they are to the originals, with this many dragons, I can easily wipe this territory off the map.”
The man in red spoke with the absolute confidence of a man who had already won.