Chapter 205
「Earth…is that you?」
Elibel looks at me bewildered.
『Who else would I look like?』
「Because, because… ah, you’re right…」
She reacts as if she has seen a ghost, but nods as if accepting something.
Hey, I’m the one who needs an explanation here!
What is going on in this situation?
「Wha… wha… how is he awake… hoo… hoo…!」
Hm?
Whose voice is that?
And why does my hand feel hot… wait, it’s on fire!?
『My hand is on fire! Ahhhhhhhh!』
Hot, hot!
I wave my hand lightly and the fire goes out.
Phew, that was a surprise.
No burns though, just some scorched scales. That’s good.
Anyway, who is this guy in front of me…
『Who are you?』
I glare at him.
He probably shot the fire at me, right?
So he is an enemy…right?
「―――Gah! Ahh…ahhhhh….oh nooo…」
Huh?
What’s wrong with him all of a sudden?
『H-Hey, what’s wrong?』
I can’t help but be taken aback.
「Gah! Can’t…breathe… No way, that insane amount of magical power… tearing me up inside… Hoo-hoo… kuh…」
When I call out to him, the mummy-like man is in even more distress.
What? What is happening?
「I see, it’s interference from the magical power.」
『Eh?』
Elibel mutters as if a light bulb goes off in her head.
「With Earth’s ridiculously massive magical power, it’s disrupting the magical flow inside him. Considering his already irregular operating state… if we disturb it further then―――」
She mumbles some incomprehensible things.
Then she looks at me.
「Earth! Shout as loud as you can!」
『Uh, what? I don’t think…』
「Just do it, hurry!」
O-okay.
Well, if you say so―
Hrrrngh!
『―――AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!』
I’m careful not to breathe fire.
I’m surprised at how loud my own voice is.
The powerful sound vibrations shake the walls and equipment of the surveillance room.
And then,
「Gaah, can’t… breathe… the magical power… is being disrupted…」
The mummy-like man is in even more pain.
But that’s not all.
Parts of his body crumble away into ash.
「Now’s our chance!」
Elibel sprints forward, approaching the mummy man.
Then she clenches her fist tightly.
「Hoo… No, wait, don’t―――」
「No more waiting, idiot!」
Right after, Elibel’s fist pulverizes the mummy man’s head.
◇◆◇◆◇
The mummy man’s body crumbles into ash as his head is crushed.
「Phew… haa… haa…」
Elibel breathes heavily as she approaches me.
―――Hey, wait! Isn’t she about to collapse!?
Looking closely, Elibel’s right hand has a torn, gruesome wound still dripping blood.
『Whoa, are you okay, Elibel!?』
「This is nothing… Damn, because of him I wasted time… Ugh, too much blood flowing…」
Glaring at the pile of ash that was the mummy man, she spits out her words resentfully.
…Is she really okay?
「More importantly, do you understand your current situation?」
『Huh?』
Elibel gestures with her chin at the dungeon footage on the monitor.
There, a bolt of lightning is striking my body—or rather, the earth dragon golem’s body.
At that moment, a sharp pain races through my head, as if stabbed by needles.
『Wait… wasn’t I in a strategy meeting?』
I suddenly lost consciousness during the meeting about dealing with the Demon King’s army, and then―――
『Elibel… what’s going on with me?』
「….Hang on a second.」
Stumbling on unsteady feet, Elibel reaches for the magic stone placed on the table in the center of the surveillance room.
She crunches and swallows it.
Her complexion improves dramatically.
「Phew…that should sustain me for a while. Sorry for the wait.」
『Ah, no it’s fine…』
I have the irrelevant thought that even though she looks human, she’s still undead after all.
「A lot has happened while you were asleep. To summarize, the Demon King’s forces attacked and we’re now in the final stages.」
『Huhhh!?』
What the hell.
「Also, haven’t you heard anything from your other self? Your soul is split right now.」
『―――!』
Elibel’s gaze is fixed not on me, but on the earth dragon golem shown on the monitor.
「The you here now is the soul as a reincarnated human. And that one is the soul as an earth dragon…Jibru’s true son. That shitty hag said your souls were fused nicely, but seems that wasn’t the case. More precisely, your human soul was covering his soul like a membrane, so it only appeared fused…」
As she speaks, her eyes remain locked on the monitor.
「So here’s the current situation.」
Elibel operates the terminal.
Then, through Gijie, information flows into my mind.
Oh… ugh…
It’s the kind of content that makes me want to clutch my head and look away.
The death match with the Demon King Army commander and his follower, Agil’s awakening, Elja’s injury… and the hero Cadias.
What is this…
Why has it come to this…?
「Do you understand?」
『….I don’t want to understand.』
「I see. Then, next—」
『You’re ignoring me!? Then why’d you even ask!?』
「There’s no time. I can’t entertain your escapism.」
Elibel’s expression is completely serious, as if she truly has no time to spare.
She solemnly operates the terminal again.
A small teleportation magic circle appears in front of her.
As the light fades, a small magical tool of unique shape lies there.
「Here, take this.」
Elibel tosses it to me.
I grab and catch it.
『This is…』
I recognize it.
A golden three-pronged vajra.
It has a handle in the center, with short spear-like blades above and below.
―――The Treasured Vajra.
It was incredibly useful during the battle with the Death Dragon Ouronus back in the imperial capital.
「I’ve imbued a certain technique into it. It took a lot of time but…」
『A certain technique?』
「―――Sanctuary Breach」
『Wha―』
Shocked, I almost drop the Vajra.
「The inherent technique of the Vajra is Usurpation. Utilizing that trait, Gijie and I imbued the Sanctuary Breach technique into it. Since Sanctuary Breach is a technique I devised, modifying the Vajra was easy. Well, the workload itself was massive, though.」
As always, the sage nonchalantly undertakes outrageous feats.
『But why are you giving this to me? What am I supposed to do with it?』
「Isn’t it obvious? To power you up.」
『Huh?』
I tilt my head in puzzlement.
Elibel then said something outrageous.
「Eat it, then use Sanctuary Breach. That will force your body to grow into an adult earth dragon.」
『…………Huhhh!?』
For a moment I don’t understand what she said.
「Why are you so surprised?」
『No, no no no! Because, what the hell!? Can something like that really be done!?』
「It can. Agil and I directed Sanctuary Breach at a target’s past, but its effects encompass the target’s entire timeline – past, present, and future.」
『Oh, is that so?』
「Yes, I explained this before.」
Now that she mentions it, I vaguely recall her saying something like that…
Well, at that time we were in the midst of battle, so I didn’t have the luxury of worrying about it.
『But the future is…』
「Of course, compared to the past, altering the future has a far greater risk of failure. After all, unlike the definite past we can clearly envision, the future remains a possibility. Without the target having that imagined future image themselves, it could end up a dud.」
I see, that makes sense.
「But in your case, there won’t be an issue with that, right?」
『Huh? Why’s that?』
「Because you have a definite future image – your form one hundred years from now as an adult earth dragon.」
『Ah…』
Now that she mentions it, that’s right…
It’s easy to forget since the density is too high, but I’m still only three years old.
If I can become an adult earth dragon, my combat strength would no doubt increase dramatically.
But…
「You understand, don’t you? Hurry up and eat it.」
『…………』
Elibel hurries me along.
Yet I remain frozen, staring at the Vajra.
「What’s wrong? You’re not getting cold feet at this stage, are you?」
『Ah, no, it’s not that…』
「Then what is it? Let me assure you, there’s no risk of failure. Gijie and I ran countless simulations. And with magical power supplied from the dungeon, plus it being an external technique, there’s no danger after dispelling either. So don’t worry and―――」
『No, that’s not it. It’s different.』
My lack of decisiveness greatly irritates Elibel.
「Then what is it? You’re not saying something like you’re too scared to fight, are you?」
I shake my head.
No, that’s not it. I’m not afraid to fight.
Well… I am scared to fight, but that’s not why.
I know how critical the dungeon’s situation is right now.
I understand how much trouble Agil left unchecked would cause for the dungeon and everyone else.
If power comes my way, if I can protect everyone, then of course I want to get stronger too.
I care about this place that much… about all of you.
So that’s not what I’m afraid of.
「…Then what is the issue?」
Seeing my grim expression, Elibel’s face also grows serious.
「…Please tell me, Earth. What’s worrying you so much?」
Faced with Elibel’s earnest look, I answer seriously as well.
『Ah… well… I was just wondering what kind of expression I should have when I meet my other self…』
「…………….Haa?」
All expression drains from Elibel’s face.
『I mean, I understand. I know that he’s still “me”, no doubt about it. But it’s like, all this time I thought “this is me”, but it turns out it was the other me saying and doing things… Feels kinda awkward, like I’m watching myself from the outside or something… Gwahhh!?』
Elibel’s uppercut struck my jaw.
An demon-faced sage has appeared.
「Don’t mess with meeee!! Worrying about stupid crap like that! I was actually concerned for you! What a waste!」
『D-don’t call it stupid! It’s an important issue for me!』
And that hurt my jaw!
「It’s stupid no matter how you look at it! Why are you worrying about something so trivial at a time like this—Hiya!」
『Oof!』
This time it was a spinning kick.
It hurts.
『B-but I thought everything until now was my own will, but it turns out some other guy was doing it! That’s not something you can just accept easily!』
「—Tch!」
Elibel stops her leg as she attempts another kick.
『I know, I understand… That he’s also “me”, essentially the same being. I can comprehend it logically. But you can’t expect me to just accept it and say “Oh, I see”. Because…it’s pretty tough, you know? Feels like everything I thought was me until now has been negated.』
「…………」
『I know it sounds like an excuse… that I’m saying stupid things. But still… it’s a big deal for me…』
「……」
The first time my mental flipped was when I fought the dragon slayer.
Since then, my mental has swapped countless times, overcoming crisis after crisis, to make it here.
You might think relying on white powder was a stupid fighting method, but I was aware I protected everyone, that I grew little by little too.
But I was wrong.
That wasn’t me.
It was the other me inside of me working hard.
While I just turned away, avoiding the fight, leaving everything to him, averting my eyes in the depths of consciousness.
What right do I have to meet him with a straight face?
How can I, like this, go to help him…?
I don’t have that right…
Curling up, looking away, trembling as I wait for the fight to end – that’s all someone like me deserves.
I understand I have to fight.
I understand I have to face him.
But…
『I don’t know… how should I meet him?』
「Earth…」
Elibel holds out her right hand to me and grasps it tightly.
「Grit your teeth!」
『Ow!?』
Another uppercut.
And even more painful than before.
「You’re really an idiot!」
『Elibel…』
「Didn’t you say it yourself! Both you and the other you! Fundamentally the same being!」
『Y-yeah…』
「Then isn’t that enough!?」
『Eh?』
「I said it’s enough! Just that is reason enough, enough for you to help the other you, to meet him!」
Elibel’s gaze pierces straight at me, unmoving.
「I heard everything from the other you. The reason you reincarnated, the reason he reincarnated. How Cadias was treated, and came to reside in your body. All of it.」
『Then―――』
「But so what? Where is the reason that negates you!? There’s no doubt that the one who built this dungeon, met us, and lived until today is you! What meaning is there in denying that!?」
『But, that wasn’t me, it was the other—』
「Even so, that’s no reason to invalidate yourself!」
『Elibel…』
Tears well faintly at the corners of Elibel’s shouting eyes.
That’s when I realized.
「At least, I won’t deny it. The days we’ve spent together until now are neither lies nor fiction. They’re undeniable proof of the life you’ve lived yourself. I absolutely won’t permit denying that!」
That’s right… denying everything until now is denying Elibel, Ann, Pururu, and everyone who lived alongside me.
It’s trampling on their feelings who spent their time with me.
…That’s why Elibel is seriously angry.
『…………』
「That’s why, Earth—」
Elibel steps closer to me.
Then she places her hand on my chest.
Well, more accurately my belly since I’m bigger.
「Save… your other self…」
『Elibel…』
「You need both of you. Neither should be denied. Without both, you’re not whole.」
『…………』
「The silly, carefree you who thoughtlessly lived enjoying our time together, even if not perfect.」
『…………』
「And the you who sacrificed himself for us, standing at the vanguard fighting till beaten down, always helping us…」
A squeezed out voice.
I can’t see Elibel’s downturned expression.
「Both are you… so please…」
Just a single phrase.
In a tiny voice barely audible, Elibel definitely said it.
She plainly “asked” me.
The weight of that one phrase, of her feelings, I understood painfully well.
『Hey Elibel…』
「What is it?」
『Why… are you going so far for me?』
Without writing me off as a lost cause.
Why try so hard to rouse me?
「Isn’t it obvious?」
Smiling wryly, she answered.
「―――Because we’re family.」
Ah, I see.
Well, nothing for it then.
Geez, my spirit sure is weak.
Just a few words and my heart settles like this.
Just a few words rouse my heart this much.
『…I’ve got no choice but to do my best and see what happens.』
I casually toss the Vajra into my mouth.
Crunch crunch crunch… gulp.
Chewing and swallowing it.
Yeah, not very tasty.
Magic stones still taste the best after all.
『Phew…』
Heat builds in my stomach.
It spreads through my whole body via my blood vessels.
―――Thump.
―――The effect of 『Gluttony』 activates.
「You’ll be fine, right?」
『Yeah.』
It’s okay.
I’m absolutely confident this will work.
I channel magical power through my whole body and activate the technique.
―――Sanctuary Breach, activate.
『Gwaaaaaahhhhhhh!?』
Excruciating pain assaulted my body.
I feel my body reforming from the inside out.
My limbs grow larger.
My body continues expanding.
『Gah… Gwaaaa…. Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!』
「It’s bigger than I expected. Earth, I’m transporting you to Ford Desert now! Got it?」
『O-oookay…oooooo!!』
「The effect lasts thirty minutes! Finish everything and get back here by then! Understand!?」
『―――Got it!』
Light of teleportation fills my feet.
I’m transported to the decisive battlefield.
Even mid-teleport, my body keeps transforming.
Magical power surges forth from deep within.
In trying to mimic an adult earth dragon, just how lacking was my imagination? I’m painfully aware of that now.
The body of a real adult earth dragon is—a monster.
In subjective time, barely a second.
Yet to me, it felt like years, decades even.
The transformation ends.
The Ford Desert landscape spreads before my changed body’s eyes.
◇◆◇◆◇
「Phew… that idiot finally went over there…」
Resting her cheek in her hand, Elibel sighs in the now quiet surveillance room.
「He really is a troublesome master… both idiots…」
After pushing him so much, he finally sortied.
He’s unbelievably difficult and high-maintenance.
And also.
「The other idiot makes no sense either. So that’s what he meant by ‘give me the Vajra when I get back’ before deploying…」
That’s right, it wasn’t a coincidence Elibel had the Vajra conveniently prepared.
Because the other Earth told her ahead of time, she was able to pass it to this Earth at the last moment.
At first Elibel thought it was insurance for the battles against Cadias and Agil, but she was mistaken.
From the start, it was prepared to hand to his other self.
「Not enough explanation, stu~pid…」
They really are both idiots through and through.
Well, it can’t be helped when their core is the same.
Elibel vows to scold them properly again when they return.
『Query. Are you angry?』
Gijie’s announcement sounds.
「Obviously.」
『….Reasking question. Then, why do you look happy?』
「I-I don’t look happy! Don’t spout nonsense, Gijie!」
『…I felt your anger just now was somewhat irrational.』
「R-rather than that, hurry and finish the preparations!」
『…Acknowledged.』
◇◆◇◆◇
I touch down in Ford Desert with a heavy thud.
Yeah, my body’s gotten pretty huge.
『Yo, you finally came.』
Looking towards the voice, there I am… or rather, there the other me is.
Our fated meeting.
『Nice to meet you, me.』
Though man, that body is amazing.
Electricity crackling all over.
I kind of don’t want to get close.
『Ah, well I’ve known about you for a while now. I’m sure you have a lot you want to talk about, but…』
『Yeah, let’s chat after the fight’s over.』
『Right.』
Oddly, I didn’t feel any aversion to the conversation.
After a brief exchange, I face forward.
There towers a monster larger than a mountain.
The Emperor Beast, Agil.
Huge. So incredibly huge…
Even after growing considerably myself, it’s many times larger still.
「Oh, Earth, is that you?」
I look towards the voice to find a plain-looking woman carrying a greatsword.
『Léna-Lloyd…?』
「Yup, that’s me. But if you could, please call me Léna. I see, so this is what you meant…」
Nodding, she approaches me.
「Not to overstep, but will you be okay?」
『With what?』
「Fighting, of course.」
『Yeah… It’s scary, but I’ll manage.』
At that, Léna-Lloyd smiles cheerfully.
「I see, I see. Looks like Eli really lit a fire under you.」
Huh? How can she tell that much?
Is it showing on my face?
「One look says it all. Eli really is so kind.」
Léna-Lloyd beams as if truly delighted.
Somehow, this person seems a little off.
「―――Have you gathered then?」
Amidst this, an authoritative voice carrying intense pressure echoes in Ford Desert.
Its owner – the massive monster before us.
Agil.
『Yeah, we’ll stop you right here, Agil.』
The reply comes from the other me.
Such a dignified attitude.
Meanwhile I’m shivering in fear.
But well, no choice but to do this.
Brace yourself, me.
Deep breath in, exhale.
Okay, psyched up.
Preparations, good to go.
The cast has assembled.
The Demon King, and the three reincarnators.
Now, let the curtain rise on the final act.
This is the last battle.
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