The beam I shot hit the leader of the spider group, leaving a hole in its body and blood spurting out.
But... that was all. Such injuries weren't life-threatening at all. My entire body collapsed, and when I came to, I was already on the ground. Now, I couldn't even lift the tip of my tail.
An unpleasant roar, like claws scraping against rocks, echoed. The giant spider stared at me with furious eyes. To prevent my companions from escaping, other spiders, roughly my size, surrounded us. The giant spider slowly approached.
I roared at the top of my voice, asserting my anger over it.
As long as my companions are still alive, even if there is no way out, I will fight them to the end. Because I am the future king of this group of dragons!
──I'm surprised... So this is why you fight so hard?
I was startled. I couldn't help but look away from the giant spider and towards the direction of the sound. It was the man from before, and he appeared next to me.
──Knowing that there is no chance of winning, why don’t you run away?
The man looked at me blankly. The giant spider seemed to sense his power, just as I did, and was watching the situation, not wanting to approach. Even so, he was remarkably unsuspecting.
—That's a monster. Even if you're a special individual born with inherent magic, you're still just an ordinary animal. Your basic strength is nothing compared to theirs.
The man reached out and pressed his hand against my forehead. I couldn't move, unable to avoid it. But even if I could, I probably wouldn't. For some reason, I just didn't want to avoid his hand.
The man's magical power flowed into my body, and at the same time, I felt certain scenes in his heart.
——The endless war with the human race.
──The population gap widened, and the power of the demons was gradually declining.
——The man was born into a military family. His parents and brothers all fought on the front lines and died in the line of duty.
——Thus, the young man became an orphan. The general of the motherland adopted him, treated him as his own son, and raised him with great care, becoming his greatest benefactor.
When the man grew up, he joined the army and trained himself diligently every day, so that he could one day repay his adoptive father's kindness and inherit his family's belief - "to protect fellow citizens is the family's mission."
──The general fell ill with a terminal illness, and the man was immersed in sorrow day and night.
The Demon King then told him that according to legend, conquering the seven great labyrinths grants the power to cause miracles. The Ice Cave is one of the seven great labyrinths, and the power gained from conquering it might save the commander-in-chief's life.
——And so, with the determination to die, the man faced countless dangers of death, his own ugly emotions taking over, and he nearly lost his mind several times. Even so, he persevered with his single-minded determination to save the general, and finally passed all the tests...
——However, in the end, all the man got was the truth about God and the magic to subdue monsters.
The man hadn't been able to see the general one last time before his death. He could only hear his final words, relayed by others. Faced with this helpless reality, the man felt deeply frustrated and wanted only to be alone and quiet, which led him to wander in this southern border forest...
The sound of claws scraping against rock resurfaced, bringing me back to my senses.
Could it be that what flashed through my mind just now was this man’s memory?
The big spider seemed to have finally lost its patience and spun out a web that covered the entire sky. It looked like the man and I were about to be trapped. However, the man remained indifferent and didn't even look at us.
He was crying, as if he had finally understood the death of the people who were important to him.
──So... you're the same... but you still don't give up, right?
The man spoke to me. As usual, I couldn't understand his words, but I could understand what he meant. He must have seen my memories, too.
—Because there are still people to protect, you will continue to fight, right? Until you lose your life completely.
I chirped softly to confirm his words.
The spider silk entangled us, leaving me unable to move. The giant spider clenched its fangs, making a squeaking sound as it approached. However, the man and I just stared at each other.
—I've decided. You will become my first Servant... No, my one and only partner!
After saying that, the man's eyes became domineering, and his energy suddenly surged like my "roar".
"No objection?" the man asked with a look. I answered immediately, without hesitation. A defiant smile crossed his face. I thought I must have shared the same look.
The next moment, a radiant light enveloped my entire body, transforming me completely. There's no need to elaborate on the outcome.
—I will become a protector and build a nation where my compatriots can live in peace.
Later, when the man asked my surviving companions to reincarnate as monsters like me, so that they could mourn the remains of their brothers together, he said this.
──It was you who reminded me of the promise I made with my family and benefactor.
My name is Fried. Fried Bagua. And your name... let's call it 'Uranus'. It means 'Guardian of the Sky' in ancient language. From now on, let's protect our compatriots together. I hope you will be kind to me, my partner.
"Uranus. That anomaly and his followers have indeed intruded into the divine realm. The time has finally come for us to avenge our humiliation."
I stopped thinking about memories from long ago and returned to reality.
After returning to the Demon King's Castle, my benefactor gradually fell into madness. By the time I realized something was wrong, it was too late. Now he was completely white, and my thoughts could no longer reach him.
My partner, I'm sorry. I failed to protect your noble aspirations.
But, because of this, even if you forget all the important things, at least I will protect your life.
And, if, if one day in the future, that God is no longer around, and I am still alive—
Or if, as someone once said, reincarnation really does exist—
We will fly together like we did in the past, flying freely in a sky without God.
Wherever you want to go, I'll take you there. My partner.
Volume 12 Bonus: The Rabbit Tells You the Journey's End
“Hey! Stinky Milady! Come out here quick, ahhhhhh!”
Such funny and magnificent shouts echoed in the Leysin Grand Canyon, and at the same time, there was a loud bang.
That was the sound of Xia's right straight punch smashing the revolving door at the entrance of the Lesin Great Labyrinth.
"good!"
"Good for you!"
A passionate protest message appeared on the stone slab of the first room after entering the maze. Shia had once been driven to tears by this revolving door, and now, having achieved a measure of revenge, she was deeply satisfied. Then, she greeted the maze's master.
"It's been a long time, Fidgety Lady Layson!"
"Thank you for your nonchalant greeting! But that's not the point! And who is Furious Reddy?"
"Forget about such trivial matters. I have something urgent to tell you. Let me in to see you."
"What's a small matter?! You were a cute little bunny that was kind of endearing before, weren't you?! Why are you so arrogant now? You're just like him!"
“Eh? You actually said I was tainted by Hajime-san’s color!? Hate it~ Don’t say it so bluntly~ It’ll make me embarrassed~”
"You broke my door and you're showing off to me...? Get out of here! This is too hurtful to me, Meredith! Get out of here right now!"
The veins on Meredith's smiling mask, nestled deep within the labyrinth's chamber, must now be showing the rage. However, Shia's expression quickly turned serious; it seemed the joke was over.
"We're going to kill God! Come help! Please!"
These words instantly made Meredith gasp. Though she had no heart, she felt as if she could hear her own pulse. A flood of emotions, indescribable, welled up from within her.
Meredith semi-consciously manipulated the Great Labyrinth's mechanism, and a door opened next to Shia. Behind the door was a "moving small room" that would randomly rotate during the exploration, returning the occupants to the original room at the entrance.
Seeing no response from Meredith, Shia, though puzzled, entered the room. This time, the small room didn't rotate, but moved smoothly, transporting Shia to the final test room, the battle against the giant golem, and the door opened automatically.
Then, a floating tile moved in front of Shia. Shia jumped onto it, and it began to move through the air. On the way, Shia saw something that surprised her.
"Eh? Could that be... an apostle?"
Several humanoid figures fell at the giant golem's feet. They were fragments of their original form, but judging by their parts, they were undoubtedly "Apostles of God," and not just one. However, neither the giant golem nor the final test chamber itself appeared to have sustained any damage.
Such a scene made Xia swallow her saliva involuntarily.
She understood clearly that the test was just that: a test. If the Liberator, Miredy Lessen, responded with murderous intent, so too would any being who opposed her.
The floating plates continued to advance, and the door at the deepest point of the space opened automatically. Just like last time, a small golem wearing a smiling mask waited inside the door. However, there was one crucial difference.
The miniature golem showed no signs of irritation. The smile beneath its mask remained, but its tiny body exuded an immense sense of dominance and oppression, making it feel as if it were gazing up at an infinite sky.
“…When the apostles attacked to get rid of me, I anticipated that you would come after me again. No, rather than anticipating, I should say ‘expecting’.”
"Miledi..."
"Ah, but... once 'that time' really comes... it still won't work. Even though I've simulated countless times in my mind what I'd say in such a moment, now I can't say it."
Rem stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts etched in his mind. Shia simply watched Rem's figure, silently waiting. She felt a wave of incredulity at the fact that it was she who had told Meredith the "time" she had longed for.
Then, Meredith looked at Shia again. Her aura was so solemn, almost godlike. She asked:
"Tell me. What happened, and what you expected."
Shia was somewhat shocked. However, she still told Meredith the whole story, including how they had acquired all the magic of the Age of Gods, Yue's possession by the gods, the imminent destruction of the world, and the decisive battle in three days.
Miledi just listened quietly to Xia's explanation without asking a single question or even moving.
After Shia explained everything──
“…I see.”
She finally said this.
It was clearly just an ordinary response, but Xia's whole body trembled just because of this single sound.
Xia had never imagined that a human voice could contain such a vast amount of emotion. A feeling akin to awe welled up within her. Words were completely inadequate. If anything, it was simply overwhelming emotion.
"Ms. Meredith, so—"
Please help us, please lend us your strength. To achieve the purpose of this trip, even though she was intimidated by Meredith's aura, Shia still tried her best to persuade her. But—
"I already know everything, no need to explain!"
The timid feeling disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The response she received was a sound of joy from the bottom of her heart.
"You need me, a genius and beautiful magician, right? It really bothers me that you rely on me so much~! However, as long as you say 'I love Miss Meredith the most', I will consider helping you!" The little brother Rem poked Xia's chest with his finger, smiled smugly with a smile mask, and said these annoying words.
It seems that Meredith is still Meredith after all.
So, Shia gave her a heartfelt blow with her heel. "Ugh!?" Meredy let out a strange scream and rolled on the ground in pain.
Later, Meredith gave Sia the artifact. Because her words and actions were so irritating, Sia once again resorted to violence to silence her. Meredith agreed to participate in the final battle. However, her words and actions continued to annoy her, so Sia randomly destroyed the rooms deep within the labyrinth to silence her. Having achieved her goal, Sia said with a look of despair:
"Well then, I should go back now. I'll leave everyone on Earth in your care."
"Yes. Shia, you must be careful. Don't underestimate the insidiousness of God."
"Hmph! No matter what tricks he plays, I'll crush them head-on!"
"You're really strong-limbed but simple-minded... But, well, you're a bunnyman after all. It's okay, right?"
Xia was actually confused by Mireddy's words, which expressed both helplessness and deep understanding.
Because, in the general perception, the Bunnymen were the weakest race. Shia was an exception among exceptions. If she had said, "After all, you're Shia," it would have been understandable. But she said, "After all, you're a Bunnyman," and that statement struck Shia as odd. It was as if, in Meredith's mind, the Bunnymen were incredibly powerful.
Shia's expression seemed to reveal her inner doubts, so Meredith narrowed her eyes in nostalgia. Then she said:
"—The Bunnymen are very powerful."
"what?"
"Long, long ago, in the days when the Sea of Trees was called the Republic, a certain warrior-captain, known as the strongest orc, once said this."
"Could it be that... that person..."
Mi Lei nodded, "Hmm," and continued, his tone very gentle.
"The Bunnymen aren't weak. They're timid because they value loyalty and loyalty more than any other race. They're skilled at running and hiding because they're incredibly kindhearted. But when these Bunnymen get angry, they're terrifying. Their level of awareness is completely different."
This being before her, having lived through what could almost be called an eternity, had such a surprising appreciation for the Bunnymen. Shia's eyes widened in astonishment. Meredith continued to recount her memories as if showing off a treasure.
"That child's personality is nothing like yours. You're more like a friend of hers, a friend she fiercely protected until the very end. It's like you inherited the best qualities of both. Therefore, Meredith, I'm not worried about you at all. You're a powerful rabbit-man, strong enough to protect anyone, and you have a vibrant heart that can make anyone smile. With these two qualities, you're bound to be invincible."
"Perhaps you really are their descendant," Meredith added with a playful wink. For some reason, this made Shia's chest tighten. Perhaps because of this, Shia impulsively spoke the words that had come to her mind.
"Thank you, Miss Meredith."
"Um?"
"Thank you for living until now. Thank you for leaving your power to us. You are right, I am invincible. Because I inherited the power left by you and those who fought alongside you!"
Shia said this, her lips curled up in a smile and a triumphant gesture. Seeing her like this, Meredith's expression was like seeing the soft sunlight filtering through the branches of a forest. Realizing her own expression, Meredith seemed a little embarrassed and turned her back to Shia.
"I...I should thank you. You're the ones who conquered the maze. That's really...great."
Mildly, she expressed her gratitude from the bottom of her heart.
Volume 12 Bonus: Ordinary Magic School ~Myuu's Teaching Visit Day~
On this day, the overall atmosphere in the elementary school of the magic school was a bit impetuous.
Because today is the first teaching visit day since I started school.
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