The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Thinking of this, a warm feeling welled up inside her, and she couldn't help but want to leap up and fly back to the Hyperion to reunite with her crew...

No, the Hyperion shouldn't be here.

Something must be wrong...

Because she didn't have that memory, Kiana quickly realized that something was wrong.

Well, it wasn't actually that fast.

After all, it takes from putting on the mask to regaining consciousness, and finally to realizing that something is wrong.

This period of time was far too long, so long that even the demon who created the illusion was getting impatient.

"Hey buddy, this basic magic has such a big effect on you? Ah~ that's ridiculous. Maybe my skill level is too high, or maybe this illusion extracted from your memories is too impressive to you. Anyway, let's continue the fight."

That familiar voice instantly brought back everything for Kiana.

She slowly closed her eyes, then shook her head as if annoyed.

bark...

That damned demon, how dare it pry into the memories of a young girl in the prime of her life?

court death!

Without much hesitation, Kiana turned around.

The Blazing King Sword then appeared in her hand, and shortly after this greatsword, full of stories, appeared, flames filled with star particle effects ignited as her clothing changed.

Kiana's gaze was firm, and her movements were swift:

"Ready, fire—hey!"

"Hmm? Aren't you going to make a move?"

Barnier stood with his right hand on his hip and his left hand playing with the ends of his red hair. Although he had become the very familiar face to Kiana, he had not replicated that person's voice and memories.

That's why he wouldn't know.

But how much shock must Kiana have felt when she saw her former teacher standing before her, completely unharmed?

"Himeko-a-sister! No, Himeko-sensei!"

Despite sensing something was wrong, she couldn't suppress her emotions and rushed headlong towards the woman from her memories.

He then hugged her tightly around the waist and tackled her to the ground on the beach.

The sudden action left Barney feeling extremely confused.

"Oh? This is your teacher? That's strange."

"what!"

It wasn't until Barney's flamboyant voice rang out that Kiana suddenly realized who was in front of her.

It was actually an illusion...

Sensing something was wrong, Kiana suddenly stood up, then raised her sword and looked at the demon in front of her, disguised as a teacher, with some panic.

"You're Barney!?"

"Exactly, cough cough!"

Barnier got up from the ground and then patted the sand off his buttocks.

"Wow... Ah, this body is amazing! If I use this body to deceive adventurers in the future, and then dump them when they're completely infatuated with me, wouldn't I be able to reap even more despair? Hahaha—!"

It wasn't until Kiana heard Aunt Himeko say those words that she truly realized the person before her was just an illusion...

Once she regained consciousness, Kiana's shock and joy vanished completely.

Instead, it is...

Extreme anger!!!

"Don't do these things like a teacher, you bastard!"

Accompanying the angry rebuke was a dull, heavy punch...

...

On the beach, Barnier, now transformed into Himeko, knelt trembling on the ground, head bowed, too afraid to speak.

Kiana stood with her hands on her hips in front of the demon, coldly questioning him:

Do you know you're wrong?

"Yes."

"What's wrong with it?"

"I shouldn't have fooled you by impersonating your teacher."

"anything else?"

"I shouldn't have tried to deceive adventurers with this appearance."

"very good."

Kiana flicked her ponytail, feeling her anger subside considerably.

Sigh, even though I know she's fake, it's still very regrettable...

Even if it's an illusion, I can't bring myself to hate it.

"In that case, get up."

Kiana slowly reached out her hand towards the demon, a pure and cheerful smile on her face.

Just like that clueless copy from before...

Although the change was subtle, it did not escape Barney's notice. Having a deep understanding of humans and an extraordinary interest in them, he knew very well that this subtle change foreshadowed his own appearance...

Could it have triggered her memories?

Is she an enemy with a story? Hahaha, interesting... She's just like that adventurer who was fooled by himself when he disguised himself as a treasure chest.

He'll definitely be an interesting person...

In Hell, Barnell's true form gradually drifted into memories.

Before long, the powerful Grand Duke of Hell returned to normal.

In the illusion of consciousness, he slowly took Kiana's hand, then shook his head with some regret.

"I thought you would be in immense pain, but I didn't expect this person to mean so much to you? Seeing her doesn't make you feel pain, but rather happy?"

"...Um."

"Oh dear, it failed. What a terrible plan."

Barnier stroked his smooth chin, still not relinquishing his role as a model for Himeko.

He seems to quite like facing Kiana in this manner.

And frankly, that's not so bad.

"If you keep repeating the past over and over again, I might feel bad. But you didn't... so it seems you're not such a bad person after all?"

"Oh? Few people think demons aren't bad. You're an exception, hahahaha—!"

"Don't laugh like that!"

“Uh…” Barnier touched his hair, somewhat helplessly.

After a while, he came to his senses and realized that he seemed to be being led by the nose.

This won't do. I am, after all, the Grand Duke of Hell. How can I be outdone by some random cadre?

"Ha, a traitor to the demonic path! From this moment on, be angry, hate! Hate this demon who impersonates your beloved. Human negativity is the most delicious food to me. Now I—!"

"A person... thank you for still addressing me by that name." Kiana expressed her gratitude solemnly.

Looking at her smiling face, Barney was at a loss for words.

Uh, why do I feel like I'm just chatting with her?

never mind...

Being led by the nose time and again had already bored this duke of hell.

He slowly put his hands behind his back and asked a very pointed question: "I don't believe you're some kind of cadre. Where did you come from? How can you have the ability to distort the truth of the world..."

"Um, can I really tell you?"

"You can also choose to remain silent, and then be angry, hate—!"

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you."

Whenever Kiana sees Aunt Himeko uttering such cheesy lines with exaggerated expressions, she feels genuinely uncomfortable and wants to laugh.

Although she knew it was Barney in disguise, there was no denying it...

This is really funny!

"Roughly speaking..."

After a brief explanation, Barney learned about the system and travel.

Upon learning this information, the wise Grand Duke of Hell very rationally stroked his chin, then spread his hands and asked:

"That's strange of you."

"What?" Kiana looked up, her face full of confusion.

"Don't you have any doubts about your so-called system partner? Or rather, has it been intentionally leading you down a more distant path while preventing you from returning to the past? I say, shouldn't you try to get rid of it?"

It must be said that he truly lives up to his reputation as the wise Grand Duke of Hell; even his casual analyses are all logical and insightful.

They can be considered to be among the most normal people in the world.

"The system... isn't bad; it's helped me before. I think..."

"Huh?" Barnell thought for a moment, then said, "Think about it however you like, but... I recommend you ask it after you get out. Now, could you do me a favor?"

Kiana thought about it and realized that she hadn't had any direct conflict with this great demon so far.

The other party didn't seem to have any intention of going against me.