Even though it was early morning, the area around Roses Kaitas was already swarming with people.
The ancient highway was paved with crumbling stone bricks, and in some places, the ground was overgrown with moss. The surrounding landscape was a beautiful expanse of lush green grass, where numerous merchants had already set up their stalls.
Ren, having just stepped off the magic ship, took in the sights.
...So this is what it’s like.
He had heard that the magic ship landing was a rudimentary structure, and since it had been dark when he looked down from the sky the other day, he hadn't been able to see much. What he saw now were several simple iron towers lining the landing area.
As they descended the mobile stairs, Lithia pointed toward the mountain.
"Ren, look!"
Unlike the other day, the mist—the Cage of Time—was visible with startling clarity. The two of them surveyed the area. As they had been told, the vast majority of the mountain was shrouded by the seal.
A canyon separated the mountain from the plains, and a bridge that was usually closed now allowed passage back and forth. Past the bridge, a set of stone stairs led up the mountain path, disappearing directly into the seal.
"It’s much clearer than before," Ren remarked.
"But there are so many people. I’m surprised; it’s even livelier than I expected."
The area was filled with Elfen followers from across the continent and a sea of tourists. If they weren't careful, they could easily be swept away by the crowd.
"There are so many people. We have to make sure we don't get separated."
"We definitely need to be careful. Also, we should get some breakfast while we still can."
"Agreed! Nemu is absolutely starving~!"
Since they had arrived so early, the three who didn't live in Erendir had skipped breakfast.
"According to Nemu’s research, the stalls here have a great reputation!"
There were apparently famous shops grilling delicious meats, as well as stalls boasting of their sweets and tea.
"Wayne, do you want Nemu to hold your hand? Hehe, it would be a disaster if you got lost."
"I-I’m fine! Really!"
"Geez, you don't have to be so shy... or is Nemu not good enough for you?"
"That’s not it! Re-Ren! Stop laughing and help me!"
"Sorry. I’m busy looking for those famous stalls."
Ren glanced at the stalls, purposely avoiding Sera’s increasingly jealous gaze. Watching Wayne struggle between Nemu’s teasing and Sera’s dissatisfaction out of the corner of his eye, Ren turned back to Lithia.
"I thought I was full, but that smell is making me hungry all over again."
"Me too. Shall we find something small?"
"Yes. Let's look for something we can't find in Erendir or the Imperial Capital."
The group visited several stalls to fill their stomachs. They walked in a tight formation to ensure no one was lost in the growing throng.
It was only after another few dozen minutes that the area reached a fever pitch of excitement.
The members of the Elfen choir appeared, clad in white robes and surrounded by the Knights of the Elfen Religion as they marched down the highway. Many of the surrounding faithful pressed their hands together in prayer at the sight. The choir led the spectators toward the bridge spanning the canyon.
Ren and the others followed the flow of the crowd.
It took about thirty minutes to walk from the landing to the bridge. To keep the crowd at a distance, the knights lined the bridge like a living wall. The choir stopped just before the shimmering surface of the seal.
One member, carrying a staff unlike the others, held it horizontally with both hands and raised it high as if offering it to the heavens. As the giant jewel at the tip of the staff began to glow, the choir began to sing in unison.
Ren listened with a blank mind, his eyes fixed on the choir singing on the distant stone stairs. He didn't know why, but he felt a strange, lightheaded sensation.
(...)
He was captivated by the song that seemed to echo infinitely, reaching every corner of the mountain. Even though he didn't know the language and couldn't understand the lyrics, the melody resonated within him.
"Do you want me to translate?" Lithia whispered, leaning close to his ear. She was careful not to disturb the other listeners.
"You understand it?"
"It’s the language used in Sacred Sigil formulas. I know a little."
"I’d appreciate it, but I don't want to ruin the experience for you, Lithia-sama."
"It’s fine. Besides... I want to enjoy this together with you, Ren."
They were closer than usual. Their cheeks almost touched as Lithia began to translate the lyrics into the Common Language.
"—Great Chief Deity. Child of the Creator God—Come, to His side. To the side of the Lord."
Lithia translated the lyrics in fragments. Eventually, the first song came to an end. Many of the Elfen followers around them were in tears, and even their three companions remained silent, clearly moved.
The choir continued, their voices echoing a second and third time with songs meant to soothe the souls of the departed.
Then, without warning—
"Eh?"
Ren’s vision blurred, and a sharp ringing filled his ears. He instinctively covered his ears, but something even stranger happened. Despite blocking his ears, he heard a distinct sound.
Ring... ring...
The sound of a bell echoed from somewhere, and Ren’s vision wavered like a heat mirage. The phenomenon passed quickly, but he couldn't wrap his head around what had happened. He looked around, but no one else seemed to have noticed anything.
Except for one person.
Only Lithia, standing right next to him, seemed to be immersed in the same sensation.
"Ren... did you...?"
As the music ceased, Sera finally spoke up.
"Lithia? Ren? Why are you two so quiet? Were you that moved by the song?"
"No. I was just surprised because I suddenly heard a large bell ringing."
"A bell? I didn't hear anything like that. How about you, Wayne?"
"No, I don't think I heard anything."
Ren spoke next. "Then, Wayne, did you see that thing like a mirage just now?"
"No, nothing like that. What’s gotten into you two? Are you feeling sick?"
"...No, it’s nothing. Maybe it was just my imagination."
"Right," Lithia added. "Maybe we were just overthinking things."
The two of them glossed it over. The choir began to descend the stone stairs, marching back down the highway under the protection of the knights.
Ren and Lithia exchanged a look. The realization that only the two of them had experienced the phenomenon sent a shiver of tension through them.
"...Let's head back to the magic ship before it gets too crowded," Lithia suggested, hiding her true motives.
"Good idea!" Sera agreed immediately, followed by Nemu and Wayne.
"Right, right! If we wait too long, it’ll be packed and we won't be able to get a seat!"
"That would be bad. The semifinals are this afternoon; we have to hurry!"
The five of them began pushing their way back through the crowd toward the landing.
It was then that the rain began to fall. Weather changes were common near the mountains, so the light rain itself wasn't suspicious. However, once the rain stopped, a light haze began to rise, quickly transforming into a thick, blinding white fog.
That was when the true abnormality began.
When the two of them blinked, the presence of everyone else had vanished. Sera, the others, and the entire crowd—every single presence was gone.
Ren and Lithia stopped, pressing their backs together.
"Stay close to me. Don't leave my side, no matter what."
"I know."
The overpowering aura Ren was emitting was unlike anything Lithia had felt from him before. He had been strong during the fight with Jelkku, but this was the pressure of a man who had reached an entirely different level.
Protecting Lithia, Ren silently summoned the Iron Magic Sword. It had been a long time since he had openly used his power in front of her. Without a word of surprise, Lithia drew "Byakuen" from her waist and took a combat stance.
They sharpened their senses, ready for an attack from any direction.
But nothing happened. Ten seconds passed, then a full minute, and they simply stood there in the silent void. The thick fog didn't even sway; it was as if the wind itself had died.
"...Hey, what should we do?"
"...I’m not sure."
Seeing no immediate threat, they lowered their stances slightly. After several more minutes of silence, Ren made a decision.
"I’m going to try something."
He swung the Iron Magic Sword, invoking Star-Slayer. He felt no resistance, nor did he feel any magic being dispelled. This confirmed that they weren't trapped inside a conventional spell.
Ren thrust the Iron Magic Sword into the ground and summoned the Great Tree Magic Sword. He used Nature Magic to grow a massive, thick-trunked tree right beside them.
"Ren, you did that!? It’s completely different from the one I saw before!"
"Well... you could call it an evolution of sorts."
"Evolution...?"
The word didn't quite cover it, but Ren didn't have time to explain. He stepped onto the trunk of the tall tree. He didn't want to leave Lithia alone on the ground.
"I’m going to climb up and see if I can get a better view."
"Should I wait here?"
"No. I don't want to risk being separated. Come with me."
Lithia assumed they would each climb up on their own, but Ren reached out a hand to her.
"Is it okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"I’m going to carry you up."
"Oh... wait, what?"
Lithia answered half-unconsciously. Before she knew it, Ren had scooped her up in a princess carry. She stared up at his face, her eyes wide. In an emergency like this, she didn't have the luxury of being embarrassed, but her heart gave a small, traitorous thud nonetheless.
"Here we go."
Ren kicked off the ground and leapt, using the tree trunk as a springboard to reach the lower branches. With a few more powerful bounds, he reached the canopy.
"Re-Ren!? Am I not heavy?"
"Not at all. Don't worry about that right now."
"I know, but... don't be so blunt about it!"
Lithia was flustered, but she stayed still so as not to interfere with his balance. Ren stopped on a high branch, the slight recoil making Lithia’s hair sway.
"I can't see a thing."
Even from this height, the dense fog blocked everything.
He hopped back down to the ground and gently set Lithia on her feet. She let out a small, breathless laugh. "We really can't see anything, can we?"
"Should we try walking?"
Usually, staying put is the best choice when lost, but anyone could tell this wasn't a normal situation. People don't just vanish into a void. Ren dismissed the Great Tree and the sword.
Lithia watched him, recalling a question she had held for a long time.
"...Such a mysterious power."
She knew it came from the swords he summoned, but she had never pried out of respect for his privacy. Ren hesitated. Her murmur had reached him, and he wondered if now was the time.
...Maybe I should tell her.
He had planned to wait until after the festival, but given the circumstances, he decided that having her fully informed was more important for their survival.
"Ren!"
Lithia suddenly stopped. The fog had begun to thin, allowing them to see their surroundings.
"What... is this...?"
"How is this possible?"
They were standing beyond the bridge, in front of the stone stairs leading to the mountain path—the very area that should have been sealed. They realized that the shimmering wall of fog, the Cage of Time, was now surrounding them.
They were inside the seal.
Ren stared at the stairs, while Lithia looked at the wall of mist. They tried to touch the fog, but were pushed back by an invisible barrier.
...That dream from before. The bell only we could hear. The mirage.
...Why only Lithia-sama and me?
This wasn't a coincidence. There was a reason they had been brought inside.
"Did God get angry because of what I said?" Ren wondered aloud.
"What did you say?"
"At the meeting on the magic ship. About wondering what it was like inside the seal."
Lithia laughed. "God wouldn't get angry over something like that. If He were, He’d be mad at me too."
Jokes aside, they had to decide on a course of action. They leaned into each other, scanning the area.
"We have to get out somehow," Lithia said.
But how? Could two students possibly break a seal designed to imprison and purify an entire demon army? They both knew it was likely impossible, but Ren thought of one thing.
A power of absolute destruction. If he could use the Flame Sword Asval, maybe he could break through. But he couldn't summon that sword at will yet.
Lithia turned to him. "Did you think of something?"
Ren looked away, unsure how to explain. Lithia circled around and looked up into his eyes.
"Tell me what you're thinking."
"Well..."
"Tell me. Or else..."
"Or else what?"
Lithia couldn't think of a threat. She placed her hands on Ren's cheeks and blinked, her mind racing. It was an awkward, desperate gesture.
"Anyway, tell me."
"You only said that because you couldn't think of a threat, didn't you?"
This time, Lithia looked away. Ren almost reached out to her but stopped himself.
"I was wondering if there was a way to break the seal."
"It’s impossible. This is the power of a Goddess. No matter how strong you are, Ren..."
But Ren wasn't joking. They stared into each other's eyes, reaching a level of silent communication that only comes from deep trust. Lithia eventually lowered her hands from his face.
"What about that power?"
She hadn't seen it clearly, and Ren had only experienced it for a heartbeat before blacking out, but neither would ever forget it. The sword that manifested when Ren touched her chest and drew power from her Magic Stone. The light that had been seen as far away as the Imperial Capital and the Sky Continent.
Maybe that could do it.
"No. I don't want to try that."
"Why!? It was incredible! If we use that, we might be able to get out!"
Ren didn't want to keep secrets anymore, but he hesitated because it involved her Magic Stone. He didn't know what the consequences would be if he did it again. A normal human didn't have a stone, but a powerful Saintess did. Common sense dictated that putting a burden on it was dangerous.
"Tell me," she insisted, more for his sake than her own.
Ren finally looked her in the eyes. "It’s dangerous for you, Lithia-sama."
"How? Do you mean I might get caught in the light and disappear?"
Ren shook his head and placed his hands over hers. He gently lowered her hands until they were over her heart—right where her Magic Stone resided.
"I’ll tell you everything."
He began summoning his swords one after another—the Great Tree, the Iron Sword, the Flame Sword. Lithia watched in silence.
"I can summon swords with special powers," he explained.
Lithia nodded. He told her about the Nature Magic she had seen and the fact that his swords could evolve. It was a simple enough explanation, and Lithia took it in stride.
"So that’s why."
She remembered when they had returned to Clausel after the battle with Jelkku. The reason he had suddenly asked if she had a Magic Stone finally made sense.
"Do you remember asking me that? I was so shocked."
"I’m sorry. I didn't even understand the Magic Sword of Light myself back then."
"It’s fine now. So... do you understand that sword now?"
"No, not at all. I haven't been able to summon it since. It’s a total mystery."
He knew it used her stone’s power. And he knew that pushing it could harm her.
"Do you understand why I said it’s dangerous now?"
"Yes. I understand."
Before she could even process the shock of learning about his secret, she felt a wave of warmth for the fact that he had been trying to protect her. She gave him a gentle smile.
"Is that everything you were hiding?"
"Yes. That’s all of it."
The weight on Ren's heart finally lifted. Chronoa had been right; keeping a secret was an immense burden. Lithia’s smile widened.
"Thanks for telling me."
The bond between them felt stronger than ever.
"Just when I thought you were finally going to tell me, you had such a sad look on your face. You didn't have to look like that."
"On the contrary, I think you're taking the Magic Sword of Light too lightly, Lithia-sama."
"And you're taking it too seriously. You should trust me more. We can figure it out together."
Lithia’s voice was bright and happy. She looked as if she were about to burst into song.
"I’m happy you worry about me... but I want us to be equals."
"Equals?"
"Yes. I don't care about being a viscount's daughter or you being a knight’s son."
Changing that social dynamic was easier said than done, but Lithia’s heart had shifted. The joy of sharing this secret gave her courage. She took a deep breath.
"So, please. Call me Lithia."
Ren tilted his head. "I’ve been calling you Lithia-sama for a long time."
"That’s not what I mean."
"Uh..."
"Li-thi-a. I’m telling you to stop using honorifics already."
He understood, but it was so sudden. Ren gave a wry smile.
"Isn't this a bit abrupt? And what do you mean, 'already'?"
"Think about how long we've been together. And as for why it’s sudden... well, I’m just really happy right now. I thought I was just being rescued back then with Jelkku, but my power actually helped you, didn't it? I’m so happy I can't stand it. I just couldn't wait any longer to say it."
Lithia added, "If you call me by my name, I might forgive you for 'sucking' my Magic Stone. For now, anyway."
"Isn't it unfair to use that as a bargaining chip!?"
She wasn't serious about the deal; she was just teasing him. Ren hesitated, then let out a long breath. Lithia knew that look. He had finished organizing his thoughts and was about to agree.
"Setting aside my hesitation about dropping honorifics for my lord’s daughter... it’s going to be a shock to the system. Can we wait until we get out of the seal for the final transition?"
"Mmph." Lithia puffed out her cheeks. "Fine. I’ll accept that compromise."
She had gotten his word. That was enough for now.
"As promised, using my Magic Stone will be the absolute last resort."
"Wait, I thought you gave up on that!"
"No? I said 'for now'."
"Ugh... I can't believe I missed that. You're too clever, Lithia."
Lithia giggled and started walking. Staying put wouldn't change anything, and they needed to explore.
An hour passed, then two, but the Cage of Time remained unchanged.
"Director Chronoa said there was a magic circle and a ritual tool that maintained the seal, right?"
"You want to go see if something’s wrong with them?"
"If staying here does nothing, we have to try something. We don't have food or water, after all."
She didn't say it out loud, but if rescue didn't come soon, they would die.
"Let's go."
It had been an age since anyone had walked the stone stairs leading to the heart of Roses Kaitas. Under circumstances no one could have predicted, the boy and girl began their ascent. Their destination was the center of the sanctuary, beyond the stairs where the massive divine statues stood.
As they climbed, the fog began to thin even further. The winding path was long, and a person would usually feel lonely walking it, but they had each other.
Near the edge of the stairs, nestled beneath the trees, they found a small shrine. They stopped and knelt before its ruined remains.
"Traces of the old war," Lithia noted.
"Are these relics from that time?"
The stone shrine was mostly collapsed. There were no bloodstains, but Ren found a weathered sword lying beneath the altar. Nearby was a staff that likely belonged to a priest. It was a small gesture, but they clasped their hands and offered a silent prayer before continuing.
"These stairs are in terrible shape, too," Lithia remarked.
The demon army and the heroes who fought them were gone, their bodies purified by time, but the scars of the conflict remained, stirring deep emotions in the two teens.
Eventually, they reached the heart of Roses Kaitas, a plaza gouged into the mountainside. As they stepped onto the final landing, their vision cleared completely.
Massive divine statues lined the mountain face in a fan shape, though they were all half-destroyed or completely shattered. A giant head from one statue lay cracked on the cobblestones. It was likely a depiction of the Chief Deity, Elfen. Around the base of the statues lay rusted weapons, armor, and tattered gray cloth, all buried under centuries of dust.
Lithia fell silent at the grim sight.
Ren stepped forward but stopped when he saw the massive magic circle glowing on the cobblestones. The complex patterns were flickering, with some sections completely dark.
"Ren, did you see that?"
"Yeah. Something’s wrong."
In the center of the magic circle, something was hovering. As they squinted, they realized it was a silver necklace. That had to be the center of the seal, the artifact imbued with the power of the Goddess of Time.
"Is it broken?"
"I’m not sure... but it’s definitely not functioning correctly."
"Shall we go take a closer look?"
They hesitated to step into the circle, but as they approached, a path manifested. The cobblestones beneath the magic circle rose one by one to form a walkway. They shared one more look of hesitation before stepping onto the path.
Ren reached out to steady Lithia. A few dozen seconds later, they stood at the center of the magic circle.
"If we have to, we can just break this... just kidding," Lithia whispered. It was a bold thing for a Saintess to say, but she was desperate.
"We don't even know if we can break it, but it’s an option."
"Hehe. Maybe we can just deactivate the circle without breaking it. This is a Sacred Relic; it feels wrong to destroy it."
"But breaking the seal is essentially the same thing, isn't it?"
"Maybe, but it’s the thought that counts."
Lithia pouted and called him an "idiot" just as the necklace suddenly emitted a blinding flash. Particles of light burst forth, coalescing into a single point. The necklace dropped onto the stones, and the glow of the magic circle began to fade.
"Ren!" Lithia beamed. "Does this mean we can get out—?"
Clatter.
The sound of shifting rubble echoed through the plaza. Ren reacted instantly. Before he could even respond to her smile, he scooped her up and leapt away from the necklace.
In that heartbeat, a massive crimson sword plummeted from the sky. The silver necklace was crushed into powder.
"Seriously, what is going on today!?" Ren yelled as he landed.
Another sword came down, then another. Finally, a fourth giant blade slammed into the earth, nearly skewering them. They scrambled out of the magic circle and turned back.
"A guardian? Or a survivor of the demon army?" Lithia gasped as dust and stone fragments rained down.
Ren narrowed his eyes. Standing in the center of the dust cloud was a titan over five meters tall, clad in jet-black armor engraved with gold. It had four arms and a tattered cloth draped over one shoulder. It pulled the crimson blades from the ground—swords that looked as if they were carved from giant rubies.
It was walking toward them.
"...A General of the Demon King Army."
Ren recognized it from the old books in the committee room. Except for the color of the cloth, it was a perfect match for the illustrations of the demon generals.
"Hey, Ren," Lithia said, her voice strained. "Who are we supposed to be mad at here?"
"Definitely the Elfen Religion. Their seal maintenance is terrible."
"Agreed. But if we want to complain, we have to survive this guy first."
Ren had questions. Why did the necklace fall? Why were they brought here?
(The only way to find out is to get out alive.)
Fortunately, the creature was sluggish. It had been trapped for centuries, after all. It was likely only able to move now because the seal had weakened.
In fact, it looked as if it were on the verge of death.
(How did it even survive?)
No demon general should have lasted hundreds of years in this place. Ren looked at the cloth on its shoulder. The books said it should be blue, but this was gray. That cloth must have provided some form of protection, like a cocoon for hibernation. Now that the seal was failing, the cloth was losing its color and power.
"We have two choices," Ren told Lithia. "We fight and win, or we run and hope the seal breaks on its own."
The Sword Demon took a step, the cobblestones cracking under its weight.
"I’m not sure when the seal will break, but running might be our best bet," Lithia agreed.
But their escape route was cut off. The surrounding cliffs and ground shattered, and chunks of rock floated into the air, forming a ring around them. Purple lightning arced between the stones. It was a high-level magic that even Star-Slayer couldn't touch. The sky turned blood-red, and the edges of the seal began to warp.
Running was no longer an option.
...We have to do this.
This was the "Sword Demon," a legendary commander. He wondered how they would fare against four arms.
"I’ll draw its attention!"
"What?"
The Sword Demon swung its four arms and locked onto them. There was no time to be reactive.
"I’ll buy time! Get as far away as you can!"
Ren charged before the demon could take another step. He swung the Iron Magic Sword at the five-meter titan. The blade moved faster than sound, cloaked in a razor-sharp wind.
Oooooooooooo!
The Sword Demon let out a hollow roar and swung a crimson blade. Ren caught it from below, his bones rattling.
"Guh!"
As he felt the weight of the blow, Holy Magic surged through his body. He glared up at the demon and pushed back with every ounce of his strength.
"Ha-aaah!"
He shoved the massive blade back. But another sword was already coming down from behind—only to be deflected by a flash of white light.
Lithia had parried it with "Byakuen."
"I told you to run!" Ren shouted.
"I didn't agree! I’d rather die than leave you behind!"
Lithia’s voice was unwavering. Taking advantage of the opening, Ren lunged at the demon's legs, but his sword bounced off the armor without leaving a scratch.
His hands were numb. "As expected of a general!"
It was the hardest thing he had ever tried to cut. The only silver lining was that the demon was weakened. But with every exchange, the pressure it emitted seemed to grow.
"Here it comes!"
Ren engaged in close combat, the Iron Magic Sword clashing against the ruby blades. The demon’s power was definitely increasing. Every swing created a vacuum that whipped up dust and debris, stinging their skin.
"Guh...!"
Crimson blades blurred through the air. Ren’s cheek was grazed, blood trickling down. But he didn't flinch.
"This is... nothing!"
He dodged one swing, used the flat of another as a springboard to leap higher, and parried a third with his shield. On the fourth, he swung his own sword with everything he had.
But the sheer difference in mass was too much.
"Guh...!"
"Ren!?"
Like a child being swatted away by an adult, Ren was sent flying. Lithia caught him mid-air, shielding him as they crashed back toward the center of the magic circle.
"It’s getting stronger as the seal fades," Lithia said, her hands glowing as she healed his injuries.
"Was it that bad?"
"Yes. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen."
The giant moved with a speed that defied its size. Lithia created layer after layer of shimmering holy walls. When the ruby sword struck, they shattered like glass.
"We don't have time to worry about the aftermath," Lithia declared.
Despite the walls failing, she didn't waver. Magic circles erupted beneath their feet, overlapping and rising up to their waists and shoulders. It was a level of power that felt as if it belonged to their future selves.
The true essence of Holy Magic. A brilliant flash that outshone even the seal itself. She poured everything she had into it.
The walls collapsed. The demon’s strike gouged the earth, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Ren stood in front of Lithia.
"Hey, Ren," she said softly. "Do you wish we were back at the festival right now? If we were there, we’d only be fighting students our own age. We might even be in the finals together."
"No. I don't regret being here."
"Hehe. I knew you’d say that."
"Though, I’d like to call this the 'Secret Side' of the festival."
They shared a small, grim smile. Who could have imagined that while the capital celebrated, they were fighting for their lives in a forgotten sanctuary?
"This feels like us, doesn't it?" Ren said.
"Yeah. Fighting in the shadows... it really does."
"Lithia... one more time, please evacuate."
"Idiot. It’s too late for that, and you know it."
Lithia tightened her grip on Byakuen. Her hands didn't shake. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Besides, is the partner standing next to you not good enough?"
Ren slashed through the approaching sandstorm with a single stroke. As the wind died down, Lithia stepped in front of him. Waves of light radiated from her, enveloping him.
"Well?" she challenged him with her eyes.
"Even in a mess like this, you're still yourself, Lithia."
"If I have to die, I’m glad it’s with you. It’s just happening a few decades early, that’s all."
"I see."
Ren took her hand. A brilliant flash enveloped them, and power surged through their limbs.
"Don't get mad if you get hurt."
"You're too talkative. You're holding a Saintess’s hand now. Be prepared."
Against the backdrop of ruined statues and ancient war, they stood together. Lithia smiled. She had no doubts. As long as she was with him, they would be fine.
"Watch my Holy Magic. It’s stronger than ever. Maybe your swords will even stay sharp for once."
The final wall of light shattered. The crimson despair approached.
Ren took a deep breath and roared.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
With power he had never felt before, he parried the giant swords. A momentary opening appeared.
"Ren is strong, isn't he?" Lithia whispered. She blurred forward, aiming for the demon’s throat. "But the White Saintess is here, too!"
The demon tried to evade, but Lithia’s holy-infused blade pierced its shoulder. Jet-black smoke leaked from the wound. The giant wavered, retreating half a step.
"Ren! Now!"
"Right!"
But their hope was short-lived. The demon’s four swords began to pulse with a dark, violent mana. It was a wave of pure brutality.
His... Majesty...
The demon spoke for the first time.
To His side—!
Spreading its arms like wings, it charged. It was a terrifying sight. Crimson afterimages trailed behind its blades. The sounds coming from the demon were like the collective screams of a thousand souls.
Ren stood his ground as the demon bore down on them. He knew the swords were magically enhanced.
(I have to strip it away!)
He swung the Iron Magic Sword, invoking Star-Slayer. The impact nearly broke his stance, but the dark waves on one sword flickered and died.
Gu-oooooooo!
But the other three remained. The effect was minimal. The demon’s pressure intensified, and Ren’s sword shattered under the second swing. He gritted his teeth as Lithia dove in to shield him.
The general’s fury was overwhelming. Even with Lithia’s full-power Holy Magic strengthening him, Ren was barely clinging to life.
But he wouldn't give up.
(If only I had that...)
The mark of a Sword Saint. If he could use that, he could actually hurt this thing. But the technique felt leagues away.
Gu-oooooooo!
Another sword shattered. Sweating, bleeding, and facing certain death, Ren refused to yield. He saw Lithia’s worried face and made a choice.
"Burn to ashes!"
The Flame Magic Sword appeared, radiating heat. He slashed upward, unleashing golden flames that rivaled the Dragon King’s in intensity.
—!?
"Lithia!"
"On it!"
The demon flinched from the heat. Seizing the opening, Lithia dove in low, aiming for its waist. A crimson sword tried to block her, but a pillar of golden fire from Ren’s sword intercepted it.
Lithia’s "Byakuen" struck home. The demon let out a guttural groan, smoke rising from its armor. But deep within the helmet, its eyes flared with dark mana. The swords were re-shrouded instantly.
At this rate, they were just being bled dry.
To His Majesty—I will return to His side!
The demon unleashed a barrage of spells. The ground behind them exploded, and boulders cloaked in dark energy swirled into the air. Crimson lightning arced across the mountainside.
"I have a plan!" Ren shouted, stopping Lithia from using her remaining energy on a defensive wall.
"What do I do!?"
"Support me with Holy Magic, just like before!"
"Okay! Then what!?"
"I’m going to tank the next hit and create an opening. No matter what happens to me, you have to land the killing blow!"
"...You're betting everything on one shot!"
They had no other choice.
"I’ll support you. No matter what," she promised.
She felt a surge of pride. Ren was finally relying on her. But she pushed the thought aside. If they failed, they would die. She poured her remaining mana into him.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Ren swung the Flame Magic Sword, his golden fire turning the approaching boulders to ash. Shards of stone grazed his cheek, but he didn't blink. He slashed through a bolt of lightning with Star-Slayer.
Then, the demon swung all four swords at once. The waves coalesced into a massive, spiraling bullet of dark light.
Ren knew Star-Slayer wouldn't stop it. But he felt the warmth of Lithia at his back.
"Ren." She was smiling. She believed in him completely.
"Lithia... wait for me."
"I’m right here. Don't look back."
Ren gripped the Flame Magic Sword and took a deep breath. He visualized the technique Edgar had used—the pinnacle of the Strong Sword. It was an incomplete, untested skill.
But now, he was beyond his limits.
As the dark bullet reached him, Ren swung.
It was the most beautiful fire in the world. Golden sparks, like diamond dust, formed a wall that consumed everything the demon threw at them.
"...You really are amazing," Lithia whispered.
Ren stepped through the golden flames. The demon’s feet were scorched, and its armor began to lose its luster. It pulled its arms close, drawing in more debris and mana. Ren burned everything that approached them, but the demon’s onslaught was relentless.
Don't forget. This is a general. It won't go down easily.
Lithia flinched as a bolt of lightning struck near her, and the demon seized the chance to focus everything on Ren. It was obsessed with crushing him.
Ren’s sword shattered. He was defenseless.
"Guh..."
His head throbbed from mana exhaustion as he re-summoned his weapon. The demon had anticipated his move. It had him pinned down with gravity and lightning.
Don't mess with me.
He wanted to scream at the ruins, at the statues, at the unfairness of it all. But he kept fighting. Even as he was pushed back, he looked for an opening.
...Don't look at me with that face.
He saw Lithia’s expression of pure agony through the demon’s shadow. She wasn't just afraid; she was suffering because he was suffering. Ren felt a cold rage.
He hated this monster for making her look like that.
"I stopped being afraid of death a long time ago!"
He summoned the Shield Magic Sword and thrust it forward, overlapping magic shields in a desperate wall. In his other hand, he gripped the Flame Magic Sword. He was using two at once, damn the consequences.
"Oooooooooooooo!"
"Did you think I’d be easy to kill!?"
The demon hesitated, as if sensing a new threat. But it swung anyway. One, two—the shields shattered. The third swing caught Ren across the chest and stomach.
...I’m still alive.
He didn't know how badly he was hurt, but it didn't matter. He spun like a top, dodging the next blow. On the final swing, he poured every drop of his golden fire into the Flame Magic Sword.
The blades locked. The golden fire began to melt the ruby steel. With a final, desperate heave, Ren slashed through the demon’s shoulder.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
He didn't know if he was screaming or the demon was. But one of the creature’s arms was gone. Black energy sprayed from the stump.
The demon knelt, but it was already raising its remaining swords.
"Please... no more..."
Lithia’s voice was broken. She saw Ren, covered in blood, trying to stand. She tried to move, but her body wouldn't obey. The demon’s pressure was too great.
The crimson blade began to descend toward Ren.
"Stop it...!" Lithia screamed. "Don't you dare... hurt him anymore!"
Light exploded from her. Translucent, crystalline wings erupted from Lithia’s back. Before Ren could even process the sight, a wave of holy energy washed over the plaza.
The wings emitted particles of light that began to dissolve the demon’s armor. Brilliant flashes of energy pierced through the titan.
Ren felt his wounds closing. The lethal gashes on his chest and stomach vanished, and strength returned to his limbs.
The demon roared in agony as the flashes continued to pierce it. Ren, dazed, looked at Lithia.
"Lithia-sama?"
She was curled up, holding herself, her eyes glazed. The wings seemed to be acting of their own accord.
Ren ran to her.
She was in a white void.
Lithia floated, curled like a child. The sound of a bell echoed—the same sound they had heard before being sucked into the seal.
Where was she going? She felt Ren’s presence fading and panic set in. She couldn't move. She couldn't scream.
A female voice was calling to her, trying to lead her away.
"............"
She wanted to say no, but she had no strength. Her senses were fading. She felt as if she were being erased—as if "Lithia" was disappearing.
Then, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. A deep, familiar warmth.
...ia-sama.
The voice anchored her. She shouldn't have been able to hear anything, but she recognized him instantly.
Lithia-sama!
...I want to go back.
That was the only clear thought she had. Something was still pulling at her, trying to force her away.
"Ren..." she whispered. "Ren!"
She forced her eyes open. The white void was blindingly holy, but she resisted it. She wanted him.
"Ren!"
Suddenly, her Magic Stone flared with a white-hot pain. It was as if someone were giving her an order she couldn't refuse.
"Stop... it..."
She didn't want the light. She wanted the boy.
"I’m staying... with Ren!"
Cracks appeared in the void. The pressure on her Magic Stone intensified, but then a different force—one that claimed she was his—shattered the pain.
The white world crumbled.
"...Ren?"
When Lithia opened her eyes, she was in his lap. The wings were gone. Ren looked down at her, his face filled with relief. He stroked her cheek.
"Yes. It’s me... Lithia."
"You... called me Lithia."
"I was going to wait until we got out, but you wouldn't wake up."
Lithia gave a small, weak laugh. "That’s so unfair."
She placed her hand over his. She didn't know his wounds were gone; she just wanted to heal him.
"Hey, Ren. Don't go giving orders to my Magic Stone."
"I didn't order anything! What are you talking about?"
"I don't know, but it felt like you did."
The strange pressure was gone. She didn't know how, but she knew he had saved her. Again. Her Magic Stone felt... resonant with him.
"Where’s the Sword Demon?"
Ren set her down and stood up. "He’s still there. Between your flashes and my fire, he’s in bad shape."
The titan was slumped against a ruined statue, its armor shattered. It was slowly pulling itself back up.
I remember now.
Ren thought back to when they were children, facing the Mana Eater.
At least, Ren, be safe.
He had almost failed her again. He had promised to get stronger, and yet he was still struggling.
"Wait here, Lithia."
"But—"
"I’m not being arrogant. I just want you to rest. Trust me."
He wasn't just saying it. He felt the surge of her Holy Magic. It was as if he were overflowing with power. He summoned the Iron Magic Sword.
"Will you believe in me and wait?"
"I’ve believed in you since the day we met."
The Cage of Time was fading. The fog was thinning. The seal was nearly broken.
Ren thought about his life at the academy, and how it compared to this.
"Maybe this really is just who we are."
His... Majesty...
The demon was missing an arm and half its armor, but it was still a general. It would not surrender. It charged with a roar, its Godspeed cracking the stone.
(If the end of this path is to be a Sword King... then I’ll take it.)
He had discussed this with Lezard and Radius. He had always been passive, thinking he had limits. He had been holding himself back.
"Guh...!"
He parried the ruby blades, the wind from their passage cutting his skin. He tightened his shroud until it was flawless.
Ren began to overwhelm the demon. The Iron Magic Sword began to crackle with purple lightning—a sign of a new level of power.
"I’m going all the way. I’m going to be the strongest."
The demon sensed the change. It felt the aura of a predator. It gathered all its remaining mana for one final, desperate charge.
His Majesty...
It had its pride. It would not fall easily.
To His side—!
Ren held the Iron Magic Sword above his shoulder, pointing the tip at the demon.
They passed each other in a blur. An arm and a ruby sword fell to the ground. Ren’s sword remained whole.
"Not enough!"
Ren visualized the pinnacle of the Strong Sword. The "Proof of a Sword Saint." The absolute destruction envisioned by the Lion King. For a heartbeat, he grasped it.
The Sword Demon was finished.
...I offer... my life...
The demon thrust its remaining swords into the ground. The plaza began to collapse. Ren ran to Lithia and grabbed her hand.
"Lithia!"
The ground gave way, and they plunged into a massive underground cavern. The Sword Demon used its final strength to manipulate the falling boulders, trying to crush them.
"An underground chamber?" Lithia gasped as they landed on a massive chunk of rubble.
"Lithia, stay back!"
"No! I can fight!"
Ren nodded. "Fine. But don't push yourself."
Ash... ton...!
The demon’s voice was a ragged snarl.
"How do you know that name?" Ren demanded. But there was no time for talk.
The demon unleashed its final, desperate magic. Ren and Lithia used the falling debris as platforms to close the distance.
Lithia blocked a giant arm, creating an opening.
"Now! Ren!"
Ren lunged, roaring as he drove the Iron Magic Sword into the demon’s chest.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
The demon’s Magic Stone shattered.
—!
But even as it died, it tried to take them with it, pulling more boulders down.
Mithril Magic Sword (Level 4: 1900 / 6500)
The energy from the demon’s stone surged into Ren’s sword. The iron turned to a brilliant, deep lapis lazuli.
"Let's end this, Ren!"
"It’s over, Sword Demon!"
They struck together—Ren’s new blade and Lithia’s holy sword.
Descendant of the Holy Child...
With those final, cryptic words, the General of the Demon King Army disintegrated into nothingness. The battle was won.