"…《Thousand Transformations》, huh. To think you'd exploit an alchemist's nature — what a cowardly thing to do!"
Released from interrogation, I left the detention center alongside Citry, who had come to collect me.
Though I'd only been held and questioned for a matter of days, to Nicola Rulf Smokey it felt like months.
Nicola Rulf was the president of Primus Magical Science Academy and also belonged to the noble class. He wielded considerable authority, and his influence extended even into the Knight Order. But given the sheer scale of this incident, he hadn't escaped unscathed.
It would be a while longer before the other researchers returned to Primus Magical Science Academy. However, if the Strawberry Blaze that Nicola Rulf and the others had been fighting over was the real deal rather than a fake, this outcome would have been far too lenient.
At the very least, his position as academy president would have been stripped, and he would have been expelled from the academy. Of course, since nearly everyone had participated in the scramble, such a purge would have brought the academy to its knees.
Citry spoke to Nicola Rulf, who made no effort to hide his foul mood, with a slightly apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry. I was careless and got deceived too — Klye-san does have a bit of a playful streak…"
"Hmph. To think he'd deceive even his own allies. He's every bit the merciless man the rumors say."
She'd heard that during the audience escort, he had managed to outmaneuver even the Emperor. His sense of danger had probably gone numb from repeated trips into the Treasure Hall. It was rare — though not unheard of — for someone to lose not just their fear for their life but their sense of political peril as well. That founding hero, Solis Rodan, had apparently been one such person.
Nicola Rulf glared at her, and Citry shielded her face with both hands as she said: "He's… absolutely inhuman."
It was an obvious fake cry. Though Citry appeared gentle, there was no way a woman who had risen to prominence among the sea of cunning alchemists would shed tears over something this trivial.
《Finest》was a title that proved one had mastered every ability an alchemist required — including stratagem and political maneuvering — at the highest level. It was no mere ornamental title.
"Enough. We were fools for being deceived. I understand now just how many people are after my life. Citry, nothing happened while I was away, did it?"
"No. After all, most of the affiliated students were captured…"
"This is the biggest debacle since the founding of Primus Magical Science Academy. Damn it!"
Still, it was fortunate for Nicola Rulf that Citry, a former disciple of his, had evaced the Knight Order's grasp. In his current precarious position, very few people were willing to get close to him.
The reason Citry hadn't been arrested was that she hadn't clearly participated in the scramble. And that, of course — was exactly what《Thousand Transformations》had anticipated.
It was obvious that this former disciple harbored feelings for Klye Andrich, and Klye himself seemed to care quite a bit about Citry, whom he'd known since childhood.
Outwitting the man feared for his prophetic schemes and razor-sharp cunning, along with the Finest who had honed her skills as an alchemist, was no ordinary feat. So far, Citry didn't seem particularly interested in political power, but— Citry, despite everything, looked rather pleased.
He picked up on that and pressed her.
"Citry… you, didn't you take the opportunity when no one was around to swipe research materials from other departments?"
"…That's an affront to my honor. Did you really think I'd do something so awful? What evidence do you have?"
Knowledge and talent alone were not enough to become a Finest. Action was essential. The courage to take risks, too.
Citry put on an expression of hurt, but this former disciple was the type who smiled when she was genuinely wounded. A first-rate alchemist didn't let her emotions show so easily.
He fixed her with a steady, intense gaze. Citry furrowed her brow in resistance for a moment, then quickly looked away.
"I didn't swipe anything, but… well, I couldn't just let the Knight Order take everything, could I? There was nobody there — it was really dangerous!"
"You damn looter in a fire!"
He'd been completely had. Even if they recovered the research materials, every last word and character was already stored in her head. There was no erasing memories.
Among them were surely documents each department had been researching in secret — things even Nicola Rulf didn't know about. Knowledge was the very backbone of Primus Magical Science Academy. This was tantamount to having everything stolen.
Of course, it wouldn't be surprising if other things had been snatched up in the chaos as well— After all, the commotion had been enormous. Among the students, there were probably others like Citry who had tried to pilfer other departments' results and experimental materials. Rooting them all out now would be incredibly difficult.
But releasing her in silence would damage his credibility as president.
He was contemplating what to do when Citry, without so much as a flicker of expression on her face, said with perfect naturalness: "Nicola Rulf-san, actually… the Strawberry Blaze is real. Klye-san apparently — poured what was originally in that water flask down a drain."
"…What absurd—"
A legendary-tier Magic Potion — and one so dangerous that mere possession warranted capital punishment — flushed down a drain…?
Even for a far safer Magic Potion, that kind of disposal was unthinkable. Impossible.
"Your thinking is perfectly logical, Nicola Rulf-san. But — isn't pulling off something that unbelievable exactly what《Thousand Transformations》does?"
"Why the leading question…? Then, Citry, you're saying there was a reason behind even that baffling action?"
He couldn't keep the heat from his voice. No matter how diluted it was, the fact that the Dominance Potion was mixed in was a major lead. The sewers were vast, but a thorough investigation would surely turn up something.
It was far preferable to the alternative of having been deceived into believing something that didn't exist.
"The Imperial Capital's sewers spread out in a vast web. Besides, since it's the sewers, at least there's no worry about the Dominance Potion ending up in the mouths of Imperial citizens. No matter how potent the Strawberry Blaze is, once it's diluted in the sewer water, it would quickly fall below effective levels. Of course, I imagine we could still find clues for recreating it, though."
"But if it entered someone's mouth before being diluted… there are creatures dwelling in the underground sewers beneath the Capital…!? Don't tell me — the monster of the underground sewers!?"
The Imperial Capital Zebuldia had developed over hundreds of years into its current sprawling form.
The underground sewer system, built right after the capital relocated to its present site, supported the daily lives of its citizens and had expanded into an increasingly complex labyrinth alongside the capital's growth.
Over time, the underground sewers had become so convoluted that they had half escaped human control, coming to be governed by the rules of the subterranean world.
Beneath the capital, where filth-laden waters flowed, all manner of things lurked. Rats, cockroaches, bats, and other small animals. Humans driven out from the surface world. And — Monsters.
The monsters of the underground sewers were a kind of urban legend in the capital. Hiding within the filthy waters, swimming through the vast labyrinth to seek new prey — the rulers of the underground.
It was theorized that aquatic Monsters had survived underground for long ages, accumulating power, though the truth remained uncertain.
Over the years, numerous knights and Hunters had ventured in to investigate, resulting in casualties. Now, descending into the maintained sections of the underground sewers was done primarily in large groups. The rulers of the deep did not attack those who walked in large numbers.
"I didn't expect《Thousand Transformations》to be interested in urban legends."
"A Hunter without curiosity isn't much of a Hunter. Don't you think that, right now, even a small group could enter the sewers?"
"…An interesting proposal. There are nobles who share your fascination with monsters."
No matter how fearsome the urban legend, the creature was still a biological entity. If it took in the Strawberry Blaze before full dilution, it wouldn't stand a chance.
If they could investigate the traces of the Strawberry Blaze while capturing the monster, it could prove useful for alchemical research. There was even a possibility of analyzing the potion's composition based on the subject's reaction to the Dominance Potion.
Since《Thousand Transformations》was going to dispose of it anyway, taking it for themselves shouldn't be a problem. And with Citry in tow, the one called《Thousand Transformations》wouldn't be able to take any too drastic measures.
"Prepare everything, Citry. We're going underground. And don't forget protective gear — I shouldn't have to spell that out. All of this — for the advancement of Primus Magical Science Academy!"
Nicola Rulf forgot all the frustration he'd been harboring moments ago, turned around, and issued instructions to his former disciple.
§ § § Before the chapel of the Imperial Capital Holy Spirit Church. Gazing upon the crucified Marin's Lament, Edgar Winwood — the priest who offered prayers to the great Holy Spirit rooted in the deepest reaches of this world and who served as the head of the Capital Church — let out a deep sigh.
The Capital Church, already overwhelmed by its efforts to deal with Marin's Lament, was plunged into further chaos by the sudden return of priests who had been missing.
No one understood the situation. Among those who had returned were individuals who had disappeared years — even decades — ago, and their identities had yet to be fully confirmed.
The only thing known was that the one who had released the missing persons was Klye, the young man who had taken the box, and that he had uttered the words "Kamikakushi" — God's abduction.
"To think he'd find the missing within a mere half day… It's unprecedented. The word 'resourceful' hardly does it justice anymore. It seems your friend is… quite beloved by this world."
"…Mm."
In response to Edgar's words, Anthem — childhood friend of《Thousand Transformations》and now something of a symbol of the Capital Church — answered in a low voice.
In this world, there existed beings who occasionally achieved feats beyond the wildest imagination of ordinary people. When Anthem had first introduced him, Edgar had been quite surprised. Even now, the young man still gave an impression of unreliability.
But during the purification operation against Marin's Lament, the likes of Commander Franz, Branch Chief Gaark, and Ark Rodan — famous Hunters all — had fixed their attention on that youth. He must have been born under the star of a hero.
"Kamikakushi, is it. Whatever method he used, wherever he learned of it — he saved our faithful. Combined with the matter of Marin's Lament, we've incurred a debt. Our priests don't much care for him, but… we must express our gratitude."
After all, that young man was the leader of《Mourning Specter》, in which Anthem participated.
News of his fighting style had reached them in bits and pieces, and the story of Lucia Roje having used Anthem as a shield against a high-level attack spell during the battle against Marin's Lament had already spread. No one enjoyed having their beloved holy knight used as a wall.
Becoming a Hunter first or not — human emotions were never that simple.
The highest priority right now was dealing with Marin's Lament. But once the Spiritfolk curse practitioner safely visited the church and the purification was complete — it would be good to formally invite that youth to the church, as a gesture of burying the hatchet.
Those who had been missing had been saved. No one would repay kindness with hostility.
And so, Edgar sighed.
"Still… Kamikakushi, is it. I don't know which god it was, but there are far too many troublesome gods in this world."
"…Mm."
The 'god from another star' that had manifested in the Level 10 Treasure Hall — the[Star Temple]— that once existed where the current imperial capital now stood.
The 'proxy' that had slumbered in the[Holy King's Hall]— the Treasure Hall that had given the current strongest Hunter, Exceed Sequence, the catalyst to raise his Level nearly a decade ago.
The phantom projections of gods beyond mortal understanding, born from Mana Material accumulated to its absolute limit — they were a fearsome threat to humanity.
Among the civilizations that had perished in the past, some research suggested that their downfalls had been caused by these supernatural beings.
Then, recalling something Anthem had told him, he placed a hand on his chin.
"Come to think of it, the 'Celestial Fox' of the[Lodging Lost]that you encountered in the sky was one as well, wasn't it… You're quite beloved by the gods. Let's hope it's not some kind of omen—"
"Mm-hmm…"
Whether Anthem understood or not, he nodded vigorously. His taciturn nature was one of this holy knight's few weaknesses.
With the return of the missing priests, the church's fighting strength would increase. They hadn't completed counseling yet, and it wouldn't do to treat them as combat-ready immediately, but apparently among them were capable practitioners.
By the time Lapis and the others returned with the curse practitioner, they should have recovered.
Steel himself, and Edgar knelt beside Anthem, raising his eyes to heaven to offer a prayer to the great God of Light.
§ § § They hurried preparations to welcome the difficult Spiritfolk curse practitioner that Lapis and the others had spoken of.
The conditions given were to prepare a carriage and keep people away.
Closing off roads in a major metropolis like the Imperial Capital was no simple matter, but the circumstances called for it. They had the Emperor's personal endorsement.
As for the carriage, the materials were exceptional, and a Phantom Beast to pull it would need to be found as well.
They dispatched people to various locations while simultaneously arranging the carriage. Given the urgency, there were quite a few adjustments that Franz himself had to oversee.
The primary duty of the Zeroth Knight Order was to protect the safety of the Emperor, but there was no luxury of dwelling on that.
It was in the midst of this frantic but determined effort to push the plan forward that the Resonance Stone from the Astrology Institute trembled.
At the brief report delivered, Franz furrowed his brow. He'd barely slept in recent days, but his eyes sharpened in an instant.
"…Something's wrong… the prophecy from the Astrology Institute has vanished."
"If our current operation succeeds, it will probably disappear."
His subordinate, who had been working just as hard without sleep, answered with dark circles under his eyes.
Indeed, that was a possibility. Divination was inherently uncertain in the first place. You couldn't choose when to receive a prophecy, and there was always a time lag.
But he felt a stirring of unease. This time, everything was going far too smoothly compared to past precedent.
Under normal circumstances, that would be cause for celebration — but this time,《Thousand Transformations》was involved.
Come to think of it, that man had been remarkably subdued this time around. No — too subdued!
Every other time he'd interacted with that man, he'd been thoroughly provoked. This time, there was none of that.
Franz shook his head and shuddered.
"No… apparently, a new form has been sighted. It takes the shape of a fox."
"A fox…!? Then this time's incident is also—!?"
"Hmph… the possibility of involvement is very real.《Thousand Transformations》was only recently attacked himself, but…"
The Nine-Tailed Shadow Fox did not forgive those who defied it. Given their past enmity, retaliation was entirely plausible.
However, they had already traced the origins of Marin's Lament and the other cursed items to a fair degree. All of them had existed in the capital since long before — there was no room for the fox to have intervened.
The only item whose origin remained unknown was the demon sword that《Thousand Transformations》had first foisted upon the Sword Saint, but— No…
"Hmph… if that were the case, the fox's vision should have appeared from the start. Which means — it's yet to come."
He was certain. The fox's target was the curse practitioner that Lapis and the others were going to meet.
If they failed to obtain the Spiritfolk curse practitioner's aid and the purification of Marin's Lament fell through, that terrible curse would eventually descend upon the capital.
No — there was no need for such long-winded hedging. The moment the Treasure Weapon restraining that Marin's Lament was released, the curse would spread across the entirety of the capital. He couldn't even fathom how devastating the force released from the layered barrier magical array would be.
"Request cooperation from every Knight Order. Prepare all forces to counter the fox's assault!"
"The Knight Orders available are limited. What about the church's defense?"
"We'll use Hunters. Large-scale Knight Order deployment near the church won't work. Contact Branch Chief Gaark! Lapis, you're listening, right?"
"Hmph. Understood. The curse practitioner despises large groups of people — but I'll manage to persuade her."
From the Resonance Stone resting on the table came Lapis's cool voice.
Her tone was decidedly not the one she used with nobles, but the content was surprisingly considerate toward humans — more so than you'd expect from a Spiritfolk.
He wouldn't let his guard down. He'd been burned by that organization time and again recently.
If he let himself fall behind them any further, he'd have no face to show the Emperor or Princess Murina.
This absolutely had to be stopped. This was the moment of truth.
§ § § "What… are you looking for?"
The deepest recesses of the[Lodging Lost]. A treasury where all manner of things seized from humans had been collected.
The sister fox — rustling through the room that almost no intruders or Phantoms ever entered — was a rare sight, and the brother fox watched with wide eyes as he spoke to her.
Growth required stimulation from the outside world. The phantom foxes born within the[Lodging Lost]possessed high intelligence, but because so very few visitors ever came, most individuals stagnated in their unformed, bare state.
This sister fox, however, was different.
She had been deceived by humans and had tasted fried tofu. Having ventured into the outside world and received further stimulation, she had grown considerably even as a Phantom.
For an invincible phantom fox composed of vast amounts of Mana Material, defeat was an exceedingly rare experience. Especially for the brother fox, who had witnessed her during those days when she idled with her great intelligence devoid of any emotion — his sister's growth was deeply moving.
The sister fox, who had been burrowing headfirst into a box with her tail wagging, shifted her position not at all as she answered flatly: "Cursed items."