76 Chapter 76: Realizations

Ever since encountering Gugalanna as a cursed spirit, I had a doubt.

Could it be something caused by me?

Lady Artemis, Hephaestus-sama, and everyone else I asked didn't know the existence of cursed spirits until now. Either they had only encountered it now or they have only appeared now.

The former pertains that cursed spirits are rampant in this world—that Twilight Syndrome is present in this world. It isn't surprising since laws such as Mystical Entrophy existed.

If they had only begun to appear now…

The Twilight Syndrome of this world—Gekai—began to act. That, or it should've been a bit better than our world, but something caused it to worsen.

At this point, I was reminded of something.

I thought of the Holy Magicka inside the dimensional crack.

'Why would Kazamitsu-san use something like that?'

He wouldn't use his magicka without any reason. Holy Magicka… it could be a counter to Twilight Syndrome. It affected both demons and cursed spirits equally.

If things are like that…

The crack could bring over our world's phenomena.

Many things remain unknown due to the lack of study, but all worlds should dread Twilight Syndrome. I recall Suimei mentioning how the other world's Twilight Syndrome remained unaffected by ours.

Now, it made sense. The world transfer spell he used to cross worlds is already stable—complete—and shouldn't cause much trouble. Judas Lapicus, a third of Philosopher's Stone, was found in that world. The sheer amount of miracles it could make reasoned things out.

…

"Fu…"

I realized something out of all these.

'I haven't done my formality yet.'

"I am Akasaka Nobu." I spoke as I did a brief bow. "Indeed, I came from another world. I am a scholar of truth on the Magician's Society."

"A scholar of truth…"

"As for your question, I am aware of it. The being I faced is known as cursed spirits or demons in my world. They are the product of Twilight Syndrome, a definite law which seeks to bring an end to our world."

I gave a general run-down on the terminologies used to explain Twilight Syndrome.

"This Twilight Syndrome…"

The black-robed skeleton beside Ouranos-sama spoke.

"What could it do?"

"Many things. To be precise, it aims to bring forth the end of the world. It could do everything to do so. Empower a hostile entity, cause natural disasters…"

After explaining, Ouranos-sama and the robed skeleton fell into silence.

I briefly looked at the former.

'He shouldn't be hostile…'

Nevertheless, I won't bring my guard down. Three remotely controlled suits and my ammunition could raze several of Orario's districts to the ground. Of course, I don't have plans on doing so.

If their firepower focuses here…

"I see. You may go now."

…

I didn't expect this meeting to end without a hitch.

"...Farewell."

*****

Gekai has been developed over the course of one thousand years. The descent of gods accelerated their progress in select fields.

However, the research of another world—something that occurred within thousands of years—opened many perspectives on Ouranos and Fels.

Who would've expected there could be mortals whose powers rival that of a god?

In hindsight, Nobu's world would seem incredulous to many gods. Despite their short history, they managed to achieve unparalleled heights.

"The dungeon. I finally understand its existence."

Ouranos' voice reverberated over the desolate Room of Prayers.

"Lord Ouranos…"

Fels' surprise couldn't be concealed.

Even gods couldn't understand the nature of the dungeon. It is the biggest mystery in Gekai. No deusdea could claim they fully understand the dungeon. Ouranos himself is included.

However, he managed to realize the reason behind its existence.

Why isn't there any cursed energy converging into curses in Gekai?

There is only one entity who could gather the malintent of the world—the dungeon.

It explains the source behind the monsters' continued creation as well as the reason behind its anger when the One-eyed Black Dragon usurped greater power than its imposed limits.

The emergence of the scorpion received its wrath, too.

If Japan served as the central point of cursed energy, it is the dungeon in Gekai.

"Magicians…" Fels muttered upon recalling the words left by Nobu. "What a mystical organization…"

*****

A heavy burden sank upon my shoulders.

'I've done it now, didn't I?'

I blankly stared to the stars. They shone beautifully regardless of their distance to each other. They might be shining alone, but they would shine together in our sight.

'Right. I have the others to fall back for.'

Everything became better after that.

I was musing things when Hephaestus-sama arrived. The familia home doesn't hvae a balcony, but its courtyard is enough for unwiding things.

"You seem to be in deep thought."

"Yeah."

"What is it?"

"..."

I deliberated whether to reveal it or not.

"Hephaestus-sama… I might have caused something terrible for Gekai. Remember those cursed spirits? I might have brought them over."

I recalled the special-grade cursed spirit—Gugalanna—who used a Domain Expansion inside Knossos. It is unmistakably a cursed spirit in a literal sense.

"...You shouldn't worry much. It is not confirmed yet, isn't it?"

"True…"

I might have been worrying about nothing.

Perhaps the events from a week ago caught up to me. I have been plagued by worries. I noticed my deteriorating mental state now.

For now, I would apply positivism. Unless proven, it is not caused by me.

"Thanks for that one."

"I didn't do anything." I saw her smile from her side profile. "Besides, you uprooted a future threat to Orario. You should be smiling more often than anything else. After all, you…"

Hephaestus-sama wanted to say something before stopping. I wondered what happened, only to see a faint blush on her face. Sometimes, she could be this expressive.

"Hephaestus-sama should also smile more often. You look better when you do."

"..!"

These words smoothly rolled out of my tongue. It had a hint of my teasing. Hephaestus-sama is one of the few people who I can trust. My hidden side couldn't help but expose itself.

A few moments later, I realized it could be interpreted as something else.

"Y-you should be saying that to Artemis instead..!"

"Ah."

Inwardly, I facepalmed. It could be taken as an attempt at flirting. Moreover, I currently have that planned for tomorrow. It does sound scummy to be like this…

"Well… I've said only the truth…"

…

I have to facepalm at this mouth of mine.

The blush on Hephaestus-sama intensified. She left without saying a word. It could be due to panic or anything else.

Really…

Why am I like this today?

*****

It has been two days since the raid of Knossos. The people of Orario continued to their daily lives without knowing the undercurrent that swept through the dungeon city.

Meanwhile, the ones involved got busier. Tracking Evilus' connections, searching for evidences, exploring the Knossos…

There are many things that had to be considered. 

Although, there are still people who does not consider it 'tiring'.

"You're too fast! You're almost catching up to me!"

"It's still unclear in the future."

"No! I know you value safety above anything else. It'd be hard for anything else to happen."

Today, only Tiona was available out of the usual training partners. Finn brought a considerable amount of force to Meren to cleanse the hidden dangers present in that place—namely, the violas.

It has been two days since then.

Tiona and the ones who remained guarded the Loki Familia in Orario.

"To think I could have you by myself. ALONE..!"

"Well… I'll make it up to Aiz-san later."

The two had finished their usual sparring. Tiona noticed something. Swiftly, Nobu's capabilities crawled up. From being able to barely defend himself to matching them head-on, it all occurred under her eyes.

Such a development proved the arduous battle experiences Nobu has. His case is similar to Loki Familia's three captains, except it is much absurd.

Finn, Gareth, and Riveria started off with abundant combat experiences. Leveling up is easier for them due to the fact they could subjugate monsters more easily. That, and their previous 'historic' feats pushing them subtly.

Tiona is the same as them.

Her hands filled with blood aren't for show.

"Seriously… What did you do before coming to Orario?"

"It's not too significant."

"You're fighting those beings outside Orario and it's not important? I have to say, Sirius… You are undervaluing your acts."

Tiona's words inadvertently reminded Nobu of his friend. Suimei acted similarly to the current him. Only, his overt humbleness does not make sense for a twelve-year-old kid being able to cast several grand-scale magicka. He was able to assist in subjugating a Demon in the form of a dragon which would've otherwise caused millions of casualties in Europe.

Still, that guy with all those feats viewed himself inferior to others. Only, the others consist of magisters such as Nettesheim, Nestaheim, and Gluttony…

"I suppose so." Nobu said with a light laugh. "It reminded me of my friend."

"Sirius' friend?"

She listened with bright eyes.

This was the first time she's hearing something from his past!

"That guy is something else. He could be careless at some times, but he manifests his ideals practically. If he believes in something, he'll act without any hesitation."

"Just like you."

"...Perhaps."

A look of doubt appeared in his face.

'Am I… really?'

Nobu wanted to save the world purely because of his acquaintances. There are too many valuable memories he made in it. Even if he found the possibility of other worlds, he could not bring himself to abandon it.

At best, it could serve as a failsafe where everyone could escape into—similar to a buffer line where they could safely retreat.

"You're doubting yourself… again."

"Tiona-san is really perceptive." He replied. "But, I think I have my answer now."

The built-up doubts and his hidden complex toward geniuses such as Suimei and Satoru Gojo collapsed. He is instinctively placing himself lower than them due to his lack of power.

With his gradually increasing strength, an appropriate mind is required.

Once you are stronger, you can be a bit bolder.

Heroic, even.

Nobu previously looked at such ideals childish, but everyone proved it to be otherwise. Interacting with Hephaestus, Artemis, Aiz, Tiona, Tsubaki, and the others who possessed their strong ideals pointed out what he is lacking.

A pure ideal.

Even if it is something unattainable, it is enough to motivate someone. In the first place, it is why ideals are called as such.

No matter how impossible they could be, the thought of it existing somewhere is enough.

"We… could be a bit childish at times, right?"

"Yeah!"

…It didn't help there was one such person beside him.

Nobu lightly smiled at her response. He could feel his shoulders being lighter. Doubts no longer clouded his mind. The emotional baggage of more than two hundred years slowly lost to the boy's blazing ideal.

'Didn't I wish for it..? A better life?'

That was something engrained in his self. He lacked such things from his past life. That empty feeling of regret was enough to mark itself in him.

Suddenly, the face of a man similar to him—yet older—appeared in his mind. He does not have a clue as to who he is but Nobu already has several conjunctures in mind.

'I wonder… Does he also..?'

*****

A better life.

That was something lacked by him.

He, who mindlessly followed orders and the qualities indoctrinated to him, couldn't live even his own life.

He is no different from a mindless robot doing the same actions.

In the midst of the flower field, the knight sat on top of the stone. His golden eyes shone brilliantly yet feels empty at the same time.

"..."

Silently, he saw himself embark on his journey. He got to experience many wonderful things… completely unlike the knight.

If his acquaintances saw him, they would have been shocked. After all, he is none other than the most ideal knight. He is a member of the Round Table of Britain's most dazzling kingdom—Camelot.

The Knight of the Grail, Galahad.

Ever since that realization—how he lived his life pointlessly—he found himself different than before. Doubts appeared in his heart. He wondered whether he did the right thing.

Galahad hadn't expected for this to happen after the events of finding the legendary Holy Grail.

"...I am a fool."

Regrets were often misplaced. He was granted the chance of fulfilling what he seeks the most. Regretting over things he did in the past is pointless.

It does not matter at all.

What he should be looking at is the life granted by that chance.

A smile unknowingly appeared on his face. It is far different from his artificial smiles put up by others' wishes.

He could truly say he is living his own life.

"I understand…"

For the first time, he felt genuine happiness.