The vision projected inside my mind was nothing short of hell.
It was the most wretched sight imaginable. The moment I witnessed it, bile rose in my throat, and I felt as though I might retch.
...Hey.
What the hell is this?
What is the meaning of this...?
『Calm down! I understand how you feel, but you must look closely!』
Zest’s voice cut through the imagery.
Thanks to him, I managed to keep a desperate grip on my sanity.
Calm down... Just as Zest said, I needed to observe.
The location appeared to be the gardens attached to the Royal Castle.
Standing in the center of a raging inferno was a White Aberration. It was a monster with an appearance that was simultaneously divine and malevolent, with countless wings sprouting from its back.
Reiji was currently thrusting the Holy Sword deep into the monster’s chest.
And the monster—it had Irene’s face.
——I’m sorry, Reiji.
The monster whispered with Irene’s voice.
——I’m giving you my life. Every last bit of it.
——So... please, protect everyone...
Light exploded.
The White Aberration crumbled into particles, every single one of them being sucked into Reiji.
Having obtained that immense power, Reiji surged with White Magic Power.
Tears were streaming down his face.
The vision cut off there.
The Future Vision ended, and the colors of the real world flooded back into view.
"Claude...? What’s wrong?"
Irene watched me with concern as I suddenly clutched my head.
But right now... I didn't have the luxury of worrying about her feelings.
——Hey!
Don't screw with me!
What is wrong with this world?!
I hadn't misidentified it after all.
Reiji was the one who killed Irene!
『Judging from the situation, it seems something happened to Irene, and Reiji was forced to stop her. ...As you mentioned before, perhaps her Royal Rank Magic went out of control.』
No, Irene’s Royal Rank Magic doesn't have an effect that alters her physical form.
That was caused by an external factor completely unrelated to Irene’s own magic.
...This is too much. This is just too cruel.
Can the world really not be saved without pushing Reiji to this point...?
『Even I did not think it would be this extreme. ...It is possible this world is far more fragile than I imagined.』
I understood exactly what the Master Eye had just shown me.
To save the world, Irene's death was required.
Even so, my path remained unchanged.
It was the same as it had been with Celestia.
Zest. ...You won't try to stop me this time, right?
『I believe I promised to descend into hell at your side. Wield me to your heart’s content.』
Those were the words I needed to hear.
As planned, I would first ensure Irene’s safety. I was certain this decision wasn't a mistake.
"Hey, are you listening? Claude?"
"It’s nothing. We’re going to my room."
"E-Eh? Right."
I grabbed the hand of a suddenly meek Irene and pulled her into the basement room I was currently using.
I ushered her inside first.
Immediately after, I slammed the door shut.
"Wait, C-Claude?"
"You stay here."
"Huh?"
Alright, Irene was secure.
But——.
『Do not let your guard down.』
I know.
The scene we just saw through the Master Eye... that was the Royal Castle, wasn't it?
Why was the castle turned into a battlefield?
In the wake of the incident with Celestia, security in the city had been heavily reinforced. Strict protocols were in place at the Royal Castle as well, meaning Logen should have found it nearly impossible to smuggle Irene out.
『Should we move Irene elsewhere?』
No... that would be too dangerous now. Since the Master Eye activated, things will start moving immediately. We’ve run out of time.
In that instant——.
"——!?"
『What was that?!』
A violent tremor shook the earth.
It didn't come from here; it was from somewhere much further away.
As I stood there bewildered, I heard the panicked shouts of knights coming from the top of the stairs.
"It’s an attack! The Academy is under attack!"
"The student dorms are on fire!"
The Academy was hit?!
What...
No, wait——!
"Claude!"
I heard Irene’s sharp voice from the other side of the door.
"What’s going on?! An attack on the Academy...? Anyway, let me out this instant!"
"No."
I couldn't let her out.
"Claude! What are you talking about?! Let me out, now!"
"I said no. You’re staying right there."
With Irene’s strength, she could probably smash through a door with ease.
I summoned my Dark Lance and crossed the blades, forming a heavy lattice that barred the doorway. Now, Irene wouldn't be able to leave.
I raced up the stairs and looked out the window.
Plumes of crimson fire were rising from the direction of the Academy.
Their goal was almost certainly——.
『A diversion!』
Yeah...
And a devastatingly effective one at that.
After all, Celestia was at those dorms.
The same Celestia who was the victim of a high-profile kidnapping just days ago...
『...A matter of saving face, then?』
Exactly.
The knights and guards must have been humiliated by that kidnapping incident. Now, they would be desperate to protect Celestia at any cost. Everyone’s focus was primed to shift toward her.
And in the middle of that, the Academy was attacked.
Dammit!
Just as I feared, the knights guarding the castle began rushing out one after another.
A few stayed behind, but their numbers were far from reassuring.
I couldn't blame them, though. I was the only person who knew for a fact that this was a diversion, because I was the only one who possessed the Master Eye.
"Claude! Open this! Hey!"
Irene’s voice drifted up from downstairs.
She had likely already broken the door itself. However, even with her strength, she wouldn't be able to destroy my Dark Lance.
I absolutely could not let her out.
I sensed footsteps heavy with murderous intent approaching from the far end of the hallway.
They were experts. And not just one or two of them.
『Claude, pour your magic power into me.』
I followed Zest’s instruction. As I funneled my mana into him, my entire body was shrouded in a suit of black raiment.
A white mask fastened itself over my face.
『This is armor that functions as a disguise. Since both the mask and the clothes are extensions of my own being, they are indestructible.』
That was a relief... I suppose he gained abilities like this after his awakening.
In that case, I didn't have to worry about anyone recognizing me.
I called Zest into my right hand.
Gripping the hilt of the sword, I stood tall in the center of the dim hallway.
Come and get it...
I will protect Irene!