It's suffocating.
The pressure inside the grand hall made it difficult to breathe.
Moreover, the oppressive presence of Perugius and his eleven devoted familiars stiffened my body so much that even the slightest movement felt perilous. Worst of all, those sharp gazes were directed at me, as though they could pin me down from across the room.
Am I in danger? Is this how my second life ends?
"Thanks for bringing those two to me, Sylvaril."
Perugius broke the silence at last, his voice calm and collected as he expressed his gratitude to the angel standing beside us.
In response, Sylvaril inclined her head in a respectful bow.
"It's my pleasure to accept your appreciation, My Lord."
After that, she stepped away and returned to her place among the familiars, where she stood in disciplined silence, strengthening the rigid order of the hall.
"Now then..."
Perugius turned his attention to Elinalise and me, his tone growing deeper.
"Are you two ready for the assessment?"
"The what now?"
"Assessment, one that we promised to do once we escaped the labyrinth."
Did we really promise that?
Ah, wait. I remembered now.
He declared something about it after Elinalise and I were freed from our crystal prison on the labyrinth's fifth floor.
"Fine, what exactly are you assessing us for?"
At my question, Perugius let out a quiet sigh.
"To provide you proper context," he began, "I will first reveal the real reason we ventured into the Dragonroad Labyrinth."
"What would that be?"
I steadied myself, bracing for his answer.
Perugius leaned forward and clasped his hands together.
"We were searching for answers regarding Laplace's past."
The mention of the name struck me like a blade.
My eyes widened in shock, confused by the sudden revelation.
"How do you know that name?" I demanded, my voice tightening. "Why are you assessing me about it?"
"...."
Perugius didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he examined my reaction, as if weighing something unseen.
"First of all..."
He finally spoke, his tone turning serious.
"...that name was notorious among the human realm."
But then, a brief pause followed, heavy and deliberate.
"You also mentioned that name during your manic outbreak," he continued, "and a wandering mage named Faust informed me that you hold the answer I was looking for."
After that influx of information, I couldn't help but feel my mind scattering for more answers.
Why was Laplace notorious? Why did I utter his name? And who the heck is Faust?
However, staying confused like this wouldn't help me, so I need to act.
"Tell me," I started, "what do you know about Laplace? Why do you seem interested in him?"
In response to my question, Perugius scowled as though I had somehow mispoken.
"It's not that I'm interested in that monster," he stated bluntly, "but he was someone who had sided with the demon race and was responsible for countless innocent deaths."
What?! Laplace... a monster? But why? This can't be right...
Thud!
The weight of my mind spiraling hit me deeply, causing my knees to give out.
"Alice?!"
Elinalise's voice rang out as she rushed forward, catching me before I collapsed completely.
"Are you alright?"
I turned toward her, forcing a strained smile.
"I'm fine... just a little tired of standing, that's all."
Once I steadied myself, I returned my gaze to Perugius, who looked down at us.
"So, Alice... let me ask you," he muttered deeply, "what's your connection with Laplace?"
-------------------------------------------------
I think this is it... I'm screwed.
The question presented to me was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
I don't know if I should confess to Perugius and risk being executed if I answer wrong.
Or stay silent, waiting for the same bomb to go off anyway, and still face the same fate.
What should I do?
"Alice..."
I think this is it... I'm screwed.
The question presented to me was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
I don't know if I should confess to Perugius and risk being executed if I answer wrong.
Or stay silent, waiting for the same bomb to go off anyway, and still face the same fate.
What should I do?
"Alice..."
Elinalise's voice slipped in softly beside me, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.
I turned to her, seeing the scared yet determined expression on her face.
"...if you can't answer, let me do it for you... even though I don't know anything about it."
My heart dropped when I heard her trying to sacrifice herself in my place. I don't want her to take the blame and watch her being persecuted for something she has no memories of.
I need to refuse her suggestion.
"There's no need, I got this."
For a brief moment, she looked like she wanted to argue, but I shook my head lightly.
"It's my responsibility."
Those words caught Elinalise off guard for a second before nodding.
Taking a deep breath, I turned back toward Perugius. His gaze hadn't wavered, still locked on me like a blade waiting to fall.
Alright... no running now.
"I'll answer your question."
The hall seemed to grow quieter, waiting for my response.
"I..."
Hesitation stopped me for a split second, my throat tightening.
"I do have a connection with someone named Laplace."
The moment those words escaped my mouth, a ripple of dissent spread through the hall.
"What did she just say—?"
"She has a connection with that monster?"
"Unacceptable—"
The familiar stirred, their composure cracking as murmurs of disapproval filled the air.
"Silence."
Perugius's voice cut through the noise like a sword, and instantly, the hall fell still once more.
"Now, explain your answer."
His demand made me swallow deeply as his gaze remained fixed on me.
I suppose I have no choice but to reveal everything.
"When I was unconscious, I had a vision of the past."
I clenched my fists, choosing my words carefully.
"Within that vision, there were two blonde elves by the name of Adalheidis and Rostelina."
Upon mentioning those names, Elinalise gasped softly. It appears something triggered within her, but I don't have the time to think about it.
"I believe... they were us."
A wave of shock rippled again, quieter this time, but heavier.
"They were suffering from some curse," I persisted, my voice steadier now. "Something about their bodies not being able to handle their large mana pool."
"Hold on!"
Sylvaril's voice cut through my response, sharp and disapproving.
"How is this vision correlated to Lord Perugius's question?"
Her harsh tone struck straight through me, but I resisted the urge to falter.
"I know that, but I was getting there."
Fortifying myself, I continued my explanation.
"So, about Laplace..." I exhaled slowly. "He was different from what was described."
Perugius furrowed his brows, looking interested yet suspicious.
"Oh? How so?"
That question drew the tension back into the room.
"From what I have observed in the dream, Laplace was gentle, kind, and someone who cared about the two elves," I described earnestly.
"Gentle? Kind?" Almanfi scoffed, his tone tinged with distrust. "What kind of delusion are you on about?"
"It's true," I insisted desperately. "He genuinely wanted to help them so much that he devised a plan to resolve their condition through some modification."
"...."
Silence followed that explanation, heavy and unmoving.
Meanwhile, Perugius's expression didn't waver.
"Is that all?" he asked indifferently.
I shook my head slowly. "Not yet... he said something important before I woke up."
Perugius raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"And what would that be?"
I reached for the fading words still lingering in my mind, echoing faintly.
"Remember me, you two."
---------------------------------------------
Oh, I have done it now...
I said what I needed to say, but there was no closure... at least, not yet.
Silence filled the hall once again, and the familiars before me had become more restless. The air itself seemed to grow even heavier, pressing against my chest as though the entire space was waiting for something to snap.
No one spoke or moved at this moment. Even the slightest sound of breathing seemed out of place in this suffocating silence.
On the other hand, Perugius remained seated upon his throne, seemingly undaunted by what was unveiled as he tapped his finger lightly against the armrest. Tap... tap... then he stopped.
"I see... so that's how it is..."
His voice broke the silence, reverberating throughout the room.
Every familiar straightened at once, while Sylvaril glanced at him, reacting to his voice.
"My Lord?"
Perugius didn't look at her. His eyes remained fixed on me.
"You claim that the Laplace you know was kind," he continued, his voice calm but carrying an edge beneath it. "That he cared for you and Elinalise, and sought to save you both."
Each word landed with deliberate weight. Then, slowly, he leaned forward.
"And yet, the Laplace I know brought ruin upon this world and killed a lot of people."
The grand hall grew colder as faint murmurs stirred among the familiars, all tinged with silent hostility. Their gazes sharpened, no longer just watching, but judging me intensely.
"That contradiction..." Perugius went on, "...is not something I can simply overlook."
Gulp...
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry, and lowered my head.
Of course, he wouldn't. Why would he believe me?
To him, I probably sound like someone defending a genocidal overlord.
"However..."
Perugius suddenly switched his tone, sounding more lenient.
"I have another question to ask you."
Surprised but hopeful, I looked up at him.
"What is it?"
"If you were given the chance to meet Laplace again," Perugius asked, "would you join him or oppose him?"
The question struck deeper than anything he had said before.
It was so deep I lowered my head again.
For a moment, I couldn't answer. My mind raced, caught between two individuals I refused to align—the gentle figure from my dream, and the monster Perugius described.
Which one is real? Could they both be the same person? I don't know, but I hope they're not.
Clenching my fist tightly, I forced myself to breathe steadily and lifted my head.
"Which one?" I asked quietly.
Perugius raised an eyebrow, confused. "What?"
"Which Laplace are you referring to?" I elaborated. "The kind and gentle person I saw... or the one you call a monster?"
A ripple of resentment passed through the familiars at my response, their patience wearing a bit thin. Some shifted slightly, as if ready to lash out. But Perugius lifted his hand fast enough to silence them before they could say anything. He then returned his attention to me.
"The latter one," he answered without hesitation. "Also known as Demon God Laplace."
Demon God, huh? What an egregious way to label someone who sided with demons.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment and recalled the dream I had.
The forest. The promise. The warmth in his voice.
And then the weight of everything I had ever heard.
Remember me, you two.
When I opened my eyes again, the hesitation vanished.
"Then I'll oppose him."
The response came out steady and better than I expected.
Perugius widened his eyes slightly, looking a bit surprised.
"Oh? Would you?"
I nodded resolutely, ready to deliver the last line.
"Yes," I assured, meeting Perugius' gaze valiantly, "I'll stand against the monster you speak of and bring back the kind savior I once knew."
--------------------------------------
After sharing my honest answer, I expected another silence from the audience. Instead, I was met with collective gasps and murmurs rippling through the familiars.
"She wants to oppose that monster, but also bring him back?"
"That elf treats him like he was two separate individuals."
"What a preposterous response."
Their words struck one after another, dismissing my answer as nothing more than a ludicrous fantasy—an impossible contradiction no one in their right mind would entertain.
"Heh..."
Suddenly, a quiet snicker cut through the noise, subtle but sharp enough to stop the growing chatter. The murmurs faltered as every gaze shifted toward the source.
It was Perugius.
"My lord?" Sylvaril called out, confusion evident in her voice. "Is something amusing?"
"Ah," Perugius replied, exhaling softly as he recovered. "Pay it no mind, I was just reminded of what the wandering mage Faust told me about Alice being tenacious and naive, yet someone I could place my trust in."
His words lingered in the air, stirring a different kind of unease.
Just who is this Faust? And why do they seem to know so much about me?
"Anyway..."
Perugius regained his composure fully, the faint trace of amusement fading as his expression returned to its usual stern serenity.
"I appreciate your resolve to stand against the Demon God Laplace," he acknowledged. "But I don't agree with your belief."
Hearing his response, I furrowed my brows. "Why not?"
"The individual you speak of..." Perugius continued. "The one you wish to bring back... wasn't someone I believe can return."
The weight of his reasoning settled in the hall, pressing against my chest.
"What do you mean he can't return?" I pressed, my voice struggling to calm down. "Does that mean there's no way to purify his evil heart or convince him to be a better person again?"
Perugius closed his eyes, letting out a sigh before shaking his head.
"Those methods are both perilous and unrealistic," he debated. "Laplace had crossed a point that cannot be undone. He was beyond saving and impossible to reason with, no matter how much you try."
At that response, the delicate hope I had been clinging to shattered completely. I lowered my gaze, the weight of realization settling in deeper than I thought.
So, this is it then.
I don't get to know more about who Laplace used to be... or whether that version of him even exists somewhere beneath everything.
"Alice..."
Suddenly, Elinalise's voice called out beside me, and she gently reached for my hand.
I jerked slightly at first, but she didn't pull away. Her grip was soft, hesitant... yet firm enough to keep me grounded.
When I glanced at her, she shook her head faintly.
"It's alright... I'm here for you."
I nodded and looked back at Perugius, who now regarded me with something unexpected—it was pity. Did my reaction spark something in him? What should I say to that?
With a heavy heart, I asked, "What are we supposed to do from now on?"
"It's up to you," Perugius simply answered. "You should move on... and choose your future."
His answer felt distant, almost reclusive, as if he were offering me a path but refusing to walk with me. For a moment, I didn't respond, holding Elinalise's hand tightly.
Move on? Is it okay for me to do that after everything I just learned?
"As for you," Perugius resumed, shifting his attention to Elinalise, "have any memories of your past resurfaced? Did our discussion stir anything within you?"
Glancing to my side, Elinalise shook her head. "No, I haven't recalled anything at all."
Upon hearing that response, a quiet sigh escaped Perugius.
"That is unfortunate," he remarked indifferently. "Simply inform me if something comes up."
Elinalise nodded immediately, heeding his instruction.
"I suppose this is where we conclude the assessment," Perugius declared. "Both of you are free to leave."
Caught me off guard by his decision, I asked, "Leave? Where do we leave from here?"
With that comeback, Perugius squinted in disbelief before getting up from his throne.
-----------------------------------
As Perugius stood there with an authoritative presence, he turned to Sylvaril and whispered something in her ear before approaching the eleven familiars. After a few moments, most of them headed toward an exit on the side, leaving Sylvaril and Almanfi behind.
Subsequently, he strode toward our direction, flanked by the two remaining familiars.
"Follow me, you two," he calmly urged as they walked past us and headed to the main exit.
I exchanged a fleeting glance with Elinalise before we moved, our steps reverberating faintly against the polished floor as we followed them behind. Sylvaril and Almanfi both opened the enormous doors for us as we all exited the grand hall.
Once outside, the oppressive atmosphere slowly loosened its grip. It didn't fade completely, but it felt... thinner, like a storm that had already passed yet left its weight hanging in the air.
For a while, none of us spoke.
Only the sound of our footsteps accompanied us as we advanced through the vast corridors of the fortress.
Tap... tap... tap...
The rhythm almost felt intentional, as if each step was ushering us away from everything that had happened—and closer to something else entirely.
I'm bored... the silence is killing me.... I want to break it.... but how? Hmm...
Thinking of ways to entertain myself, I decided to talk about something that still puzzled me.
"Hey... about that wandering mage named Faust... who are they exactly?"
Sylvaril glanced at me from the corner of her mask but didn't slow her pace.
"They were the ones who ended your madness after you lost control," she explained. "As well as the master of the three summoned beings that aided us in the labyrinth."
Three summoned beings? Is she talking about White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, and Mad Hatter?
"Speaking of those three," I pressed, tilting my head slightly, "where were they now?"
"They returned to the depths of the labyrinth alongside their master," Perugius answered this time, his voice steady. "Though I was able to speak with Faust before they departed."
That comment caught my interest immediately.
"What did you two talk about?" I pressed, curious about their conversation.
For a moment, Perugius didn't respond. His silence isn't empty. It felt measured, as if he were considering whether the answer belonged to me at all.
"It was a private matter," he declared firmly. "Something I decided to keep to myself."
I narrowed my eyes at his back, giving him the sharpest side eye I could muster.
Yeah, right. A private matter, my butt. That only made it sound even more suspicious. There's no way it wasn't something embarrassing for him to admit. Not that I care that much, but still.
"Anyway..." I muttered, brushing it off before I got myself into trouble. "Where are we going?"
"To the teleportation chamber," Sylvaril answered in his stead. "The two of you will be sent to the nearest elven settlement to begin your lives anew."
Begin... our lives anew...
That phrase lingered in my mind longer than expected.
I let my gaze hover along the row of windows as we kept walking. Beyond them, I noticed the high spires, diverse statues, and a huge courtyard—all felt so exquisite, yet strangely distant, like a place for legends rather than people like us. And yet, this is where everything changed.
A new life, huh...
Before I could dwell on it further, the corridor ahead started to widen, expanding into a much vaster passage. As we walked further, we confronted an arched entrance with similar dragon motifs to the previous ones.
Without hesitation, Almanfi stepped forward and pushed the door open.
"After you, My lord," he offered, stepping aside.
Perugius entered first, his presence filling the space before the rest of us followed.
--------------------------------------------------
Beyond the doorway lay a vast domed chamber, its floor etched with varied intricate symbols that pulsed faintly with dormant energy. The atmosphere itself felt different here, enchanting and watchful, like it was waiting to be awakened.
Patterns of light traced along the carvings, creating layered arrays that implied distances far beyond this place.
Just then, I spotted someone standing near the center of the room.
"Welcome, everyone."
It was Karowante, already waiting as if he had anticipated our arrival.
"Have you brought what I've instructed you?" Perugius calmly asked.
The familiar nodded, holding out two simple yet carefully prepared scatchels. "Here, My lord."
"Good," Perugius approved, "now give those to them."
Karowante stepped forward without a word and handed one to me and another to Elinalise.
Once I received mine, curiosity got the better of me, so I opened it and peeked inside, finding neatly packed supplies. This includes fresh fruits, clean attire, and a small knife tucked safely to the side.
Wow, so practical.
As I examined the contents more closely, I frowned.
"Is something the matter?" Karowante asked, noticing my reaction.
"My red-covered book is missing," I boldly declared, lifting my head. "Has anyone seen it?"
"Oh, that?" Perugius answered before anyone else could. "I confiscated it."
I blinked and turned toward him in disbelief. "You what? Why?"
"After witnessing what happened after you lost control, I have no intention of bearing such a risk again," he explained, his voice calm but firm.
Listening to his excuse, a flicker of irritation sparked inside me.
"But I found that book first," I protested, gripping the edge of the satchel. "You can't just take it away from me."
"Yes, I can," he retorted without hesitation. "You currently lack the suitable control needed to wield the power it contains."
His words hit my nerves even harder. I clicked my tongue quietly, trying to subdue my anger.
"Then when do I get it back?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"When you prove that you can adequately control your mana," he responded, "and when you have sufficient understanding about magic."
I hesitated for a moment before asking the obvious.
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"
"By doing what's essential down there," Sylvaril cut in before Perugius could answer, her tone blunt but not mocking, "and learn everything the hard way."
I stared at her for a second, unsure whether to be annoyed or impressed by her honesty.
Though I hate to admit it, she's right. I need to learn on my own.
Letting a defeated sigh, I closed the satchel and slung it over my shoulder.
"Fine," I muttered softly. "I'll manage somehow."
Perugius nodded, then shifted his gaze. "Almanfi, escort these two to the elven settlement in the Great Forest."
Almanfi stepped forward and motioned toward one of the teleportation circles.
"This way," he instructed.
Elinalise and I followed his order, walking into the circle side by side. The symbol beneath our feet glowed faintly.
"Good luck, you two."
Before anything could happen, I heard Perugius speaking, so Elinalise and I looked back.
"May you use this second chance wisely."
I nodded and waved my hand.
"Thanks, we will."
After saying that, a bright flash of light enveloped my vision, blinding me completely.
New life... here I come.