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The day after locking Nagisa in a room at the Shinonome residence, I climbed the Sacred Mountain.
"By the way, Lady Philly. What exactly was that device you used to lock away Lady Nagisa?"
Kiryu, who was following me, voiced his question.
"It's a magic tool that Orun Dura used when he fought the Hero last year. I recovered it after it was left behind."
"The 'Demon King' Orun Dura. It must be quite a powerful magic tool. It's reassuring to know you can mass-produce something like that."
"…Unfortunately, mass production isn't possible."
The magic tool I happened to obtain during last year's incident in the Legreef territory creates a barrier that confines a target space and then engulfs that space in scorching heat.
Despite how far the analysis had progressed, for some reason the spell formula sealed inside that magic tool could not be replicated.
Neither the Doctor nor the magic lifeform known as the Thunder Emperor could fully decipher the spell formula, and both were left speechless at the skill of the magic tool craftsman who had created it.
It couldn't have been made by Orun at that time, so the question of who exactly created such a magic tool remains unanswered even now.
Since he was the one using it, I assume it was someone close to him at the time, but I have no idea who that could be.
"I see. So there is only one of that magic tool…"
"Yes. That's how it is."
While I was having a casual conversation with Kiryu, the destination—the Tenrei Shrine—came into view.
We passed through the torii gate and stepped into the shrine grounds.
Beside the large main hall standing ahead, a raised stage called a yagura had been constructed for the dance offering.
From that yagura, I could feel magical power strong enough to shake the air.
Seeing that fact, a smile unconsciously slipped onto my face.
When I stepped onto the stage, I felt as if the vast amount of magical power gathered there was visible.
Even someone like me, who has poor ability to sense magical power, could feel its enormity. That much magical power was present here.
"Fufu… The conditions are perfect."
I murmured, then produced something that looked like a jet-black egg—the same one that had swallowed Belia near the royal capital of the Nohitant Kingdom several months ago—and placed it in the center of the yagura.
"Lady Philly, what exactly are you trying to do?"
After finishing the installation and stepping down from the yagura, Kiryu asked.
"I'm going to bring down our god."
This world exists inside a massive barrier that blocks the magical power from the outside world, which is deadly poison to humans.
And enormous energy is required to maintain that barrier.
However, in this world cut off from the outside world's magical power, even the Hero of the Fairy Tales could not secure such energy.
What he turned his attention to was the existence they called the evil god.
The evil god Oberon is also a magic lifeform.
Oberon's movements are sealed, and his magical power is used as the energy source to maintain this world.
It is no exaggeration to say that Oberon is responsible for maintaining this world.
And yet, the vast majority of humans live without knowing this fact.
"Don't you think it's laughable?"
I continued speaking quietly.
"This world is only able to exist thanks to the very enemy that drove humanity to the brink of extinction. And yet the humans of today are creatures that would face extinction without Oberon."
That said, the vast amount of magical power contained within the mighty Oberon far exceeds what is needed to maintain the world of laws.
The surplus magical power flows through the ley lines and creates labyrinths all across the world.
The magic beasts born in those labyrinths are, in other words, his vanguard created from Oberon's magical power.
And when those magic beasts die, part of their magical power crystallizes into magic stones left behind at the spot, while the rest becomes "black mist" that drifts through the air.
That black mist is none other than Oberon's magical power in diluted form.
And all that black mist eventually gathers here—at the Sacred Mountain.
"Kiryu, do you know what the ritual of the Spirit Dance Festival, held once a year, really is?"
"I am a member of the Tendou family, so I only know that the Spirit Dance Festival is a traditional ceremony."
"I see. Then let me tell you. The true essence of that ritual is to release Oberon's magical power, which is stored in the Sacred Mountain, into the outside world."
The ritual of the Spirit Dance Festival uses the dance offering to create a path that sends Oberon's magical power to the outside world, and the demonic power dwelling in the cursed blade sends that magical power through the path to the outside.
"However, for the past few years, due to the absence of the Shinonome family, the complete ritual has not been performed."
Even just the dance offering can send some magical power to the outside world, but if even thirty percent of the total amount stored in the Sacred Mountain is sent out, that would be considered fortunate.
"As a result, the Sacred Mountain now holds so much of Oberon's magical power that it is on the verge of bursting. With that much, it should be possible to awaken Oberon's personality."
After finishing my explanation, I picked up a special magic tool I had the Doctor create.
That magic tool manipulates the vast magical power contained within the Sacred Mountain.
The moment I felt the ground tremble, magical power erupted from underground like a volcanic explosion and swallowed the yagura.
The jet-black egg placed in the center of the yagura received that enormous magical power.
However, not all of the magical power was absorbed into the egg; the magical power that leaked from it scattered and gradually began to dye the sky above the capital at the foot of the Sacred Mountain a deep black.
"Fufu… What a magnificent view. It really was the right decision to wait until the sun had fully risen."
I smiled with satisfaction as I watched the blue sky gradually turn black.
Before long, jet-black drops like rain began to fall from the blackened sky.
"Soon. It will be soon. How long I have waited for this moment."
The jet-black rain that poured onto the ground around the Sacred Mountain dyed the earth black, just like the sky.
Eventually, the wet ground began to writhe and swell like waves.
It gradually took shape, forming grotesque figures reminiscent of magic beasts.
And finally, something like will began to dwell within them.
The air grew heavy and stagnant, filled with their presence.
The things that had begun to move started trampling the land all at once.
As if dragging people into a world of endings.
The roars of the "jet-black monsters" were filled with rage and hatred.
It was the very anger released from the depths of Oberon.
".... …This is truly what one would call a scene from hell."
While I was satisfied with the sight of the jet-black monsters rampaging, Kiryu's cold voice came from beside me.
I nodded at his words and turned my gaze toward the peak of the Sacred Mountain.
In the distance, a sound like thunder roared, and in the city, more and more jet-black monsters were being born.
In proportion, the people's confusion and screams grew louder.
Now, it begins.
From the Kyokuto region, the world will be swallowed by death.
Show me even greater chaos—.
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"Fufu… The screams of people always sound so pleasant no matter when I hear them."
The screams of people being attacked by the suddenly appearing jet-black monsters had grown loud enough to reach halfway up the Sacred Mountain.
"Lady Philly seems to have quite the taste."
Kiryu, standing beside me, let out words that could be taken as sarcasm.
When I turned my gaze toward him, his face was shockingly expressionless.
I couldn't read at all what he was thinking from that face.
Feeling suspicious about Kiryu's behavior, he opened his mouth again.
"However, things do not always go according to plan."
"…What do you mean?"
While asking the true meaning behind his words, I raised my wariness toward him.
I had cast Recognition Alteration on Kiryu.
In particular, I had thoroughly forbidden him from turning his blade against me, yet right now he gave off an atmosphere that made me feel like I might be cut down at any moment.
"I have no hidden meaning. It's just that I sensed a somewhat nostalgic presence."
"A presence…?"
I couldn't sense the presence Kiryu spoke of.
Is this something unique to warriors?
"Yes. The presence of my beloved disciple, the only daughter of the Shinonome family. And several other powerful presences have suddenly appeared within the country."
"Fuuka Shinonome!? And several powerful presences…!"
Fuuka should still be acting together with Orun and the others.
That means not only Fuuka but Orun as well has come to the Kyokuto region.
"To think they would come at this exact timing… Completely unexpected."
"What shall we do?"
At Kiryu's question, I lightly bit my lip.
In this situation, there is no doubt that Orun and the others will climb the mountain.
That said, what I need to do does not change. I must complete the descent of the god here.
"Kiryu, descend the mountain and intercept them."
"Understood. Then I shall go."
Following my order, Kiryu began to descend the mountain.
As I watched him leave, I cursed inwardly.
(If it was going to come to this, I should have brought Ruari too. …No, there's no point thinking about that now.)
Deciding it was useless to think about things that couldn't be changed, I shifted my focus to the city where screams had been rising until a moment ago.
The screams could still be heard, but gradually the sounds of battle were coming from various places.
"Well then, I should make some preparations on my end as well."
Kiryu's skill is genuine, but earlier I felt something off about him.
Besides, as he said, things rarely go according to plan.
I should take measures in case they climb the mountain.