The blind woman stared intently at me.
Sightless eyes marked by deep scars were fixed on me; the moment she turned my face her way, a chill ran down my spine.
She couldn't see, yet I was being watched.
The sensation was like a nail driving itself deep into my psyche, refusing to let go.
"Please, don't be so frightened. It is quite alright; I won't let you die so easily. I want you to savor the joy of death’s proximity for a long, long time."
Her voice was sweet, almost seductive.
However, madness seeped through every word. She clearly felt a deep, soul-felt pleasure in the suffering of others.
I see; she certainly lived up to Shiunin’s description of her as a "madman." But I hadn't lived such a sheltered life that I'd let a little bit of a creepy atmosphere overwhelm me.
"Now, put your mind at ease—"
Click-clack, click-clack.
With every step the blind woman took toward me, an irregular footfall echoed. One of her legs must have been injured; her body swayed slightly as she walked.
"Hold it. I’ve got no business with you. I’m just here to take her back."
"Oh my, oh my."
The woman’s lips twisted into a look of amusement.
"I didn't ask for your demands. Now—grovel."
"Guh!?"
The moment those power-laden words left her lips, an immense pressure slammed into my body.
If this had been my first time encountering such a thing, I would have been pinned to the floor without a chance to resist. Fortunately, I’d already experienced this brand of harassment from Shiunin.
"Nuoohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
I deployed my magic power, pushing back against her crushing weight.
She must not have expected me to fight back; her brow furrowed in a sharp frown.
"To think you would resist my power."
"Hahaha, I happen to have an acquaintance who does the exact same thing!"
Even as I laughed, it was incredibly painful. I didn't know how much more time I could buy.
Still, I refused to show it! I kept a smile on my face, acting as if I were perfectly fine. If I showed even a flicker of weakness, she would snap me up in an instant.
"An acquaintance—? ...Ah, I can smell the scent of that arrogant, self-important woman. Are you one of her playthings?"
Immediately, the pressure enveloping my body vanished.
The blind woman tilted her head toward me.
"A reward for enduring my power. I shall grant you the right to speak."
"...Much obliged."
I rolled my neck, relieved by the sudden lightness, and spoke.
"Give the girl back. That’s my only business."
"I refuse. In your country, do you see off trespassers with a smile? Is it not customary to slice off their noses and ears before delivering a hundred lashes?"
No, that wasn't the case in either this world or modern Japan...
Judging by her tone, she sounded like she was joking, but given her personality, she might have been dead serious.
"So, you’re saying you’ll kill us here and won’t return her?"
"Yes. You included."
The woman slowly licked her lips.
Good grief, this was exactly like a choice-based novel game. There were different routes, and if I picked the wrong one, I’d hit a Dead End.
The woman in front of me was a being who could crush me like a bug whenever she felt like it. The only reason Luna and I were still breathing was her own whim.
"My name is Albert von Kronstadt. What’s yours?"
"I am called Shizel."
That was a surprise. I didn't think she would actually tell me.
"Shize—"
The moment I tried to say her name, Shizel placed her index finger against her lips while maintaining that pleasant smile.
"I will not permit you to speak my name."
An invisible force clamped my mouth shut.
...Shiunin had mentioned something like that as well.
Well, I had her name. What was the next move?
—Begging for my life with everything I had.
It was a pathetic thought, but I needed to plead with this absolute existence and somehow win a pardon.
How could I do it?
It was embarrassing, like a boomerang of my own words coming back to stab me, but the answer lay in what I’d told Luna not long ago.
—Show them the merit.
I had to provide something that made her find me interesting, something that made her want to see that future.
Now, let the life-or-death novel game begin.
"I'm a favorite of Shiunin’s."
I wasn't, really. But I had to bluff!
"If you kill me, wouldn't things get complicated for you?"
Shizel licked her lips again.
"Ah, that future sounds wonderful. If it means seeing that arrogant woman’s face twist in displeasure, it is certainly worth a try."
She snapped her whip tight with both hands. Crack!
Wait! Stop! Stop! Forget I said that! Let’s go back to the save point!
Crap, I picked the wrong choice right out of the gate...
"...Actually, I’m not really that much of a favorite."
"Is that so? Then I can kill you without hesitation."
You have no hesitation either way!
Enough with the "Pick an option: Annihilation or Obliteration" routine!
...I needed to think seriously. She was about to kill me for real. How could I catch her interest?
"I’ve met with Shiunin as well. I have a fair amount of confidence in my magic. So why was it that Luna, who only looked at the grimoire for a moment, was called before me, even though I studied it thoroughly?"
"An interesting observation. It is likely because her mental wavelength is so close to mine."
"Luna’s... mental wavelength?"
Is she the type of person who thinks in terms of annihilation and obliteration too?
"Yes. The pitch-black madness dwelling within her is so beautiful it makes me tremble... That sensuality is what guided her to my side."
The moment she finished speaking, Shizel’s arm blurred.
Crack! With a sharp sound, her whip struck the stone floor where Luna’s shadow fell.
...What was she doing?
The question was instantly replaced by shock.
In the shadow Luna cast under the flickering candlelight, a mouth tore open.
『I want power, I want power. I can't stand being powerless anymore. I hate being unable to protect anyone. How can I ever vent this rage for my family’s murder? Revenge alone will never be enough.』
The shadow spat out Luna’s own voice.
『A hammer for every beast that harms humanity. That is my only reason for living. Ah, but I lack the strength. With my current power, I cannot eradicate all evil. Power, power, power.』
The shadow’s monologue continued.
『But I saw the ideal power. That dazzling lightning. With that power, my wish could surely be fulfilled. I want power, I want power. Why does Master Albert von Kronstadt possess such strength? I want to know everything about him—』
After vomiting out those words of pure resentment, the shadow’s mouth vanished.
Shizel let out a dark chuckle.
"If I recall, your name is Albert von Kronstadt. Since the one she desires so much has come to save her, she will surely be overjoyed."
I stood there, stunned.
—Talk about heavy!
This was incredibly heavy. Had Luna really been that far gone?
In the original game, Luna specialized in Attack Magic and was always extremely aggressive toward the Demon King's Army. The game mentioned her family had been killed, but since that’s a standard backstory for games and manga, I hadn’t realized just how deep the trauma went.
"This pathological prayer of hers reached me. Tell me, do you possess a madness like hers?"
Madness? I didn't have anything like—
"...I’m disappointed in myself. I honestly thought I had it too."
The desire to master Ancient Magic—I didn't intend to lose to anyone when it came to that passion. That was supposed to be my madness.
And yet, I hadn't even reached the level of Luna’s darkness.
I had to go mad. If I didn't, I would never reach the ultimate power. Did I really think I could obtain it while remaining sane?
Shizel cracked her whip against the floor once more.
"Let’s end the idle chatter. I must hurry and bring her pleasure. Adding despair to her madness will make for a magnificent masterpiece. Having your severed head—the object of her desire—right there would be truly exquisite. Ah, don't worry. I’ll make sure you enjoy yourself thoroughly before I kill you too."
This was my last chance.
If I didn't pick the right choice in the next breath, there was no future for us.
"It’s a deal. I'm going to show you the value of letting us live."
"No, that's quite enough."
The whip whistled as it cut through the air.