◇ ◇ ◇
―Somewhere in Tsutrail: Basement―
After receiving the activation key for the teleportation circle from Christopher, Orun and his companions immediately used the Downing Trading Company’s main branch to warp to Tsutrail.
When the scenery finally shifted, they found themselves in a spacious, windowless room.
"Is this the basement of Grandpa’s general store? Why here? No—I’ll worry about that later. Haruto-san! What’s the situation on the surface?"
"...It’s grim. The city has been torn apart; there’s barely anything left that still looks like Tsutrail. Cult members are rampaging through the streets, and a flood of magic beasts is pouring out of the Second and Fourth Labyrinths. Most of the explorers are fighting outside the walls to hold back the tide, and while the army is scrambling to handle the interior, both sides are losing ground."
As he listened to the report from Haruto, who was using [Bird’s-eye Vision] to scan the perimeter, Orun gritted his teeth, desperately fighting to keep his emotions in check.
"The residents—the non-combatants—they’ve all reached the shelters, right?" Orun asked. His voice was flat and hollow, betraying just how hard he was struggling to remain composed.
"...Yeah. Most of what’s left on the surface are corpses. However, something like a red membrane is covering the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky headquarters. Even with my ability, I can't see through it. What the hell is that thing?"
"Damn it! I’m heading to the Silver Rabbit immediately! I’ll leave the rest of the city to you!"
The moment Haruto mentioned the abnormality at the headquarters, Orun shouted his instructions and sprinted up the stairs toward the surface, vanishing from their sight.
"Wasn't that a bit much? Even Orun-sama usually would have realized how suspicious that was."
Once Orun was gone, Teruche removed her glasses and directed a reproachful look at Haruto.
"Lay off. I only said it because I knew he didn't have the mental capacity to notice. Give me a break; I’m not good at this sort of thing."
Haruto removed his own glasses, grumbling dismissively.
The only reason they had been wearing them was to perceive the Seirei, Titania. In other words, they had known this was coming all along.
"Haruto. Never mind that. Where is the enemy?"
Fuuka ignored their bickering, prompting Haruto to provide the necessary intel.
"As expected, 'The War Ogre' has made his move. He’s near the remains of the Explorer Guild building. ...Fuuka, can I leave him to you?"
Haruto’s face contorted with internal conflict, but he nonetheless entrusted the task of facing the War Ogre to her.
Fuuka gave a small, simple nod. "Understood. I'm going."
"...Fuuka, I know you know this, but the situation is already nearing its end. If you use your Yoryoku, it’ll interfere with the adjustment Titania and the old man are performing. You won't even be able to use [Future Sight]. You’re going to be fighting the War Ogre without any of that. Please, be careful."
"I know. In all likelihood, I am going to die. But I am Orun's sword. I'll see you later, Haruto."
Unlike Haruto, whose expression was twisted with pain, Fuuka spoke with her usual detached calm as she turned and walked up the stairs.
"...Haruto, we can’t waste any more time. We have to move too," Teruche said, her voice nudging him forward.
"Yeah, I know. We’re going to back up the explorers fighting the magic beasts outside the city. I’m worried about Kati and Huey, so I’ll head to the Fourth Labyrinth. Teruche, I want you to handle the Second. Is that okay?"
"That's fine. Out of curiosity, what’s the strength of the explorers at the Second Labyrinth?"
"There are fewer heavy hitters there, but Selma and Rain are on-site. They’re top-tier combatants for Tsutrail, so the total power balance is roughly equal. Personally, though? I think both sides look like amateurs compared to the Amunzaas main force."
"Understood. If that foolish sister of mine is being counted as a main asset, I shouldn't expect much."
"I’ve heard the stories about Rain. I get that you hate her. But I’ve seen how hard she’s worked here in Tsutrail. You could at least give her that much credit, couldn't you?" Haruto suggested with a weary, hollow laugh.
"Impossible. If you trace this catastrophe back to its source, it all leads to her mistakes. Besides, she made Lady Shion cry. I will never forgive her."
"But you went as far as carrying out the purge of the Hagwell House just to smuggle her out of the country and protect her from the Amunzaas extremists, didn't you?"
"That was only because Lady Shion desired it. Despite being hurt herself, she insisted that Rain was just a puppet who didn't know what she was doing."
"Heh. That sounds like her."
"Furthermore, it's a fact that the girl has value as a pawn. If things proceed according to his plan, the next step is the reclamation of Kyokutou. When that time comes, I’ll make her work. No matter what."
"What lies ahead, huh... well, no point dwelling on it now. Alright, let's go. We have to do what we can so that guy doesn't have to shoulder every single burden alone."
Haruto let out a long breath, shifting his mindset, and began to walk toward the exit. Teruche followed behind him with a quiet "Yes, let's."
◇ ◇ ◇
Orun reached the top of the stairs, using magic to blast away the rubble blocking his path.
Normally, this would have been the interior of Cavadele Evans’s general store. But the building had collapsed, leaving only the faintest skeleton of the shop he called "Grandpa's."
The stench of blood and the acrid, sickly sweet smell of burnt flesh hit Orun’s nose the moment he stepped outside. It was a foul scent, but more than that, it was a trigger—it was directly linked to the memories he’d had before they were altered. A massive, crushing headache hammered against his skull.
"Is that the red membrane Haruto-san mentioned...? What the hell is that thing?!"
Ignoring the pain in his head and desperately suppressing the explosive mix of rage and grief welling up inside him, Orun sprinted toward the Silver Rabbit grounds.
He was almost there when a figure flew across his path and slammed violently into a nearby wall.
"—?! Carol!"
"...Ugh... gh... Ma... Master...!"
Orun rushed over and scooped her up. When Caroline weakly opened her eyes and saw him, fat tears began to spill down her cheeks. She didn't seem to have any deep wounds, but her body was caked in dust and her clan uniform was reduced to rags.
"Master... I'm... I'm so sorry... I was supposed... to protect them... but I couldn't... I couldn't save those two...!"
Caroline’s voice was a broken confession. Having reached her limit, she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Hearing her words and seeing the state she was in, Orun felt the world start to go dark. He realized exactly what had happened. His breathing became shallow and ragged.
"―Finally, you arrive. I was beginning to think you’d never show up."
A voice called out from behind him, sounding jarringly cheerful for the scene of the crime.
Orun laid Caroline gently on the ground and slowly stood up.
When he turned, his eyes met Stieg, who was wearing his usual, seemingly innocent smile. Behind him, lying powerlessly in a pool of expanding blood, were Sophia and Logan.
"............"
Orun lowered his head. His hair shadowed his face, hiding his expression from everyone.
"Hm? What's the matter? Ah, as you can see, your two precious disciples are—"
Stieg began to mock him, but before he could finish the sentence, a shadow fell over him.
In a heartbeat, Orun closed the distance. With tears streaming down his face, he swung Schwarzhase with everything he had—the blade wreathed in pitch-black mana so densely concentrated that it warped the very space around it.
A moment later, the entire area was swallowed by a void of absolute darkness.