Chapter 76: At the Masterless Manor
 

 
—–I immediately realized this was a dream.
 
The fever eroding my body. The lethargy. The chills. All of these were just illusions of a dream.
 
Why did I know? Because there was someone there who shouldn’t have been.
 
“Have you awakened, Al sama?”
 
The gently smiling face of Makina, looking relieved, was a familiar one.
 
Ah yes…that was after the duel with my brother Leo, when I had apparently overworked amidst the recovery efforts in the capital and other matters, accumulating fatigue until I came down with … Read the rest

Chapter 75: Roles Are Assigned, and the Curtain Rises
 

 
“Humans are such amusing creatures who delude themselves into thinking they’re perfect,”
 
she sang.
 
“The logic that humans aren’t perfect is so often spouted…but how many truly realize it?”
 
she sang.
 
“Humans criticize others’ imperfections, you see. Despite being imperfect themselves, they demand perfection from others. As long as the heart exists, neither they nor others can ever become perfect, yet they continue making mistakes,”
 
she chanted.
 
“How ridiculous. How absurd. How utterly wrong…pretending not to see the heart, mocking and denying others’ imperfections based solely on information. Hah. Laughable, … Read the rest

“…Um, is this…?”

“As you can see, it’s a gambling hall.”

“G-Gam…!”

I almost fainted on the spot. The fact that I was in a gambling hall was almost enough to make me collapse.

“It’s okay. It’s legal.”

“That’s not the issue here! Besides, this isn’t a place where children like us should be…”

“What’s the point of perception interference magic then?”

“That’s not what it’s for…? Besides, perception interference magic is just for slightly altering appearances or adjusting impressions and sense of discomfort, right? Changing eye or hair color is one thing, but making children appear as adults is … Read the rest

Chapter 74 Interlude – The Glass Princess Under a Spell

Marietta-Noll-Ivelpe.

That is my name, given to me as the second princess of the Kingdom of Ivelpe.

I am a member of the modern royal family, carrying on the will of Noll-Ivelpe, the first king and one of the heroes who fought against the “Night Witch.”

The name “Noll” is always engraved upon us, the royal family of Ivelpe Kingdom, as proof of our duty to protect the people from the “Ragment,” a calamity left in this world. It is the shape of our will and responsibility.

Looking at other … Read the rest

Chapter 73: Orchestra

After the miasma left Nenel’s body, the one who appeared before us was… Lucile.

“Even if it was imperfect, to think you’d purify Mother’s blessing. I’m not feeling too pleased about this.”

She narrowed her eyes in displeasure as she glanced at Nenel, who was trying to hide behind me.

“… Really. Not only did you interfere with Prince Noel, whom I had my eye on, but you even weakened Nenel’s desire for revenge. You seem to be quite skilled at getting in my way… Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already collected the feelings of hatred. It’s … Read the rest

Chapter 72: Roaring Thunder

“Loretta!”

I strike with my fist wrapped in purple lightning. But my thunder is blocked by a sword of darkness.

“This lightning… it’s even more powerful than before. Ah, that’s you, Luce. You always forge your own path, climbing to heights no one else can reach. It’s truly delightful.”

“How can you be happy? Fighting like this… killing each other! How could anyone be happy about that?!”

The lightning is deflected by the sword. Loretta and I have clashed many times before.

Even now, as we exchange blows with fist and blade, nostalgia wells up inside … Read the rest

Chapter 71: Nenel’s Choice

—-[Chaos Ring].

A high-level magic ring, likely created independently by Lucil and her group, based on the [Royal Robe Ring] stolen from Leo.

Nenel’s appearance, clad in a black fur-like robe with griffon wings, closely resembles the [Spirit Armor] we wear. If only it were a mere inferior copy… but it seems that’s not the case.

“I’ll warn you one last time.”

From Nenel’s body, miasma is released, giving birth to black wolves similar to those that attacked the village. Though they look alike, the power hidden within them is probably on a different level.

“You’re … Read the rest

Chapter 70: The Ring of Chaos

“Let me introduce you. From today on, this is our cute little sister—Nenel.”

As Lucile brings the girl before us, I hear Charl gasp beside me.

“Oh my. Alfred, you don’t seem surprised.”

“…It’s not that I’m not surprised. I just… prepared myself for this possibility. That’s all.”

“How boring. It would have been more endearing if you were as shocked as Charlotte.”

I want to put a bullet in that smug face of hers right now, but I know all too well that she’s not an easy opponent, even if wounded.

“……………………”

Nenel … Read the rest

Chapter 69: Purification

“Manifest, [Undine]!”

As the spirit danced and donned its [Spirit armors], the two princes dashed forward to carve out their future.

“…………”

The girl in the helmet remained unmoved. Exuding miasma from her entire body, she once again deployed her illusory blades.

“Noel, lend me your magic!”

Sensing Alfred’s intention, Noel imbued his sword with freezing magic and spun on one foot. Rotating alongside Alfred, their blades clashed. Noel then dashed straight towards the helmeted girl. Naturally, the illusory blades, mixed with real ones, rushed towards Noel all at once.

“I’m counting on you!”

“[Phantom Thief Ranma]—-[Flower … Read the rest

Chapter 68: Princes Standing Side by Side

On that day, I swore.

To annihilate the [Ragment] that took my precious one from me, and to defeat that [Helmeted Girl].

I would stop at nothing to achieve this. I wouldn’t shy away from sacrifices. I’d even offer my own life.

“Why… why can’t I reach her…!”

The blade of my oath, mixed with hatred, never reached that helmeted girl. Is this the end result of letting anger and hatred drive me?

“I must kill you… I must avenge Liatris…!”

Unfazed by Noel’s glare—no, devoid of any emotion—the helmeted girl advanced to … Read the rest