…Glitheon's heart was smoldering. He was the head of the family and gave everything he had to the Iliade. He was a torch of ambition, willing to burn himself to fulfill his dreams. In his youth, when he tried to reach the status of archmage by any means, his passion and obsession erupted like a volcano, and he couldn’t control himself. However, he eventually withdrew without being able to grasp his dream.
Glitheon still remembered that day when a child named Sylvia came into this world. The day the last embers germinated in his ripe heart.
Her soft cheeks and pure white skin, brilliant blonde hair, and fidgety hands and feet. Seeing this child who was more clearly connected to the Iliade bloodline than anyone else, Glitheon had a flash of intuition.
This child could achieve the family's dream. That his child could reign like the sun over all wizards.
──No.
She must. Sylvia was Iliade’s descendant because she was Glitheon’s daughter…
* * *
─No!
A loud cry resounded through the gallery full of paintings, and Lia's body collided with Glitheon.
"Ugh!"
Glitheon groaned and rolled over. Syrio quickly drew his sword but hesitated a bit. They were too entangled for him to cut down only one.
"Stop!"
Lia had already grabbed Glitheon tight. However, he wore a deep smile.
"It's already too late."
As he said, Glitheon’s blonde hair was already burning like a flame, and white spots bloomed across his flesh.
"…Hmm."
Syrio nodded, satisfied. Gigantic magic was taking place inside Glitheon's body. A magic spell that would give off the heat of a supernova.
"Yes. You've worked hard, Glitheon. We will make your wishes come true."
Syrio retracted his sword, and he signaled to Jaylon.
"Jaylon. Let's go to the priests."
"Hmm? Why?"
It was disappointing for Jaylon not to fight, but Syrio waved the binding that Glitheon handed over.
"We have to give this over. And we shouldn't get involved in family affairs."
"…Family affairs?"
Jaylon looked at Glitheon with narrowed eyes. His body was already inflated with that wave of mana. He was about to explode, so staying here would mean death.
"…Okay. Let's not get involved."
Agreeing, Jaylon left the gallery with Syrio, leaving Leo, Carlos, Lia, and Glitheon inside.
Bang-!
He locked the door from outside.
"Lia!"
Immediately, Leo and Carlos ran to her as she kept Glitheon down.
"Ugh…."
His skin was searing her, but she neutralized the heat with Elementalization.
Chi-jik- Chi-ji-jik-
Nevertheless, Lia’s skin reddened against the flames. Carlos was startled by the smell of burning flesh, but Leo moved instinctively to cling to Glitheon alongside Lia.
"…Haah. Who are you to be so stupid?"
Glitheon was disconcerted by the two kids hanging off him. However, it didn't matter. He just had to burn them all down.
"You think Sylvia would want this?!"
Lia asked, but Glitheon just snorted her. It was to cliché a line.
"…The problem is that she doesn't want it. My child's ambitions have faded too much by the plague called Deculein."
His magic grew stronger by the second, surging wildly. Glitheon wasn't human but a monster with incandescent lights gushing out of his eyes and mouth. He was becoming magic.
“──!”
The ceiling shook with a thump. His mana was raging.
"Damn…!"
Lia clenched her teeth. She squeezed out all the mana of her power source and manifested Elementalization. Her goal was to decompose all of the mana Glitheon emitted into their base elements.
Chijiik...!
Mana and magic collided with sparks. However, the difference was clear. Glitheon's mana devoured Lia’s and swarmed the room.
"You guys run!"
At that moment, Lia felt a pang of worry about Leo and Carlos. This was giant magic that the wizard named Glitheon sacrificed his lifespan to manifest. If so, she should risk her own life to stop it. Leah poured out all of her mana and talent.
The moment she was about to activate her special move-
…Tssssss!
A strange sound permeated her ears as if fire and water were colliding.
"…?"
Did her Elementalization work? Lia’s eyes went wide.
Tsssss...
Glitheon's mana was being neutralized. His body, which had been burning bright, gradually lost its heat. Glitheon's magic was being put out.
"Wow!"
Leo was amazed. Lia was perplexed, but she quickly pushed on with Elementalization so that not a single drop of her mana would remain.
Whoooosh-
Then, Glitheon's heat vanished. His spell ruined, his body crumbled. Even so, Lia didn't let her guard down. But, Glitheon was strange. Specifically, his eyes. His gaze wasn’t on Lia, Leo, or Carlos but on someone behind them.
"…You."
Stomp-
Someone striding closer.
"You…."
Glitheon's teeth clenched. He stared at them, shaking with the fiercest combination of anger, contempt, and resentment. Lia realized it wasn't her who suppressed Glitheon's magic and stopped his explosion.
"…Until the end."
If so, to whom was Glitheon expressing such resentment? Who was the one who dismantled that magic instantly and stepped forward calmly?
"…"
Lia swallowed the lump in her throat and looked back.
"How dare someone like you——!"
Glitheon reached out to her, waving his already burned arm with a curse. However, she showed no emotion as she regarded the three children.
"…The professor is waiting for you upstairs."
Then she took off her robe. Her long gray hair flowed softly down.
All Lia could manage was a blank smile.
"Go upstairs."
First, she could feel indescribable mana; then, a cozy and gentle feeling washed over her.
"Leave him to me."
Now an adult and ever so trustworthy, she told them to leave it to her. She was the great wizard who finally unleashed her potential.
"Leave it to me."
It was the moon child, Epherene Luna.
* * *
[47:26:38]
47 hours, 26 minutes, 38 seconds. That was the time left for Lia. Two days from now, the comet would crash, and the end would arrive. But this lighthouse was like a maze; it was hard to find the way. There were too many rooms, such as a laboratory, chapel, and recording area.
"Where is Deculein?"
Carlos frowned. They left Glitheon to Epherene, but they didn't know where to find Deculein.
"We just have to look for… shh!"
It was then they felt someone moving. Lia placed her hand over her lips.
"Hide."
They ducked behind the wall. A moment later, several Altar priests ran down the hallway. Looking at their haste, it was clear something was wrong.
-What's the situation there?
The crystal ball suddenly activated, relaying Emperor Sophien’s voice. Lia flinched, then snatched it up.
"We're inside the lighthouse."
The sound of footsteps vibrated again. The three children looked around.
-The situation.
"…The priests are moving."
Urgently. As for why Lia could guess, thanks to Glitheon and Syrio. Glitheon analyzed Deculein's lighthouse, and Syrio delivered it to the Altar's priests. She didn't know the details of that analysis yet, but...
"It seems the Altar is hostile against Deculein again."
At the very least, she could see that Deculein wasn’t only on their side.
Stomp-
The moment she reported that something landed beside them. The trio's halted, feeling a cold sweat drip down their backs.
"…"
They turned their heads without saying a word. Looking back at them…
"Wait. You’re Sylvia-"
"Quiet."
She whispered back. Her golden eyes regarded them coolly. Lia asked.
"H-How did you get out?"
"I didn't yet."
"…?"
"This body is a doll’s, and I control it."
She didn't know what that meant, but anyway, it must mean she succeeded in linking this place with the painting prison.
"Glitheon…."
"I know. We'll talk about that later."
Sylvia interrupted her, looking a bit uncomfortable. Then she reached out her hand against the blank wall.
"Go up."
"…But that's a wall."
Leo tilted his head. However, in the next moment, a staircase was drawn on the wall.
"…Go."
The footsteps rushing past became more intense. Sylvia shook her head as if she knew their concern.
"You're not going to run into them since I drew the stairs. Go and meet Deculein. Go and…"
Sylvia went silent for a moment. Carefully choosing what to say or worrying about too many things, she finally said in a low voice.
"…Tell him I'll arrive soon."
* * *
On the top floor of the lighthouse, I looked up at the sky. The comet was now as clear as the moon, and my spell swirling around the lighthouse was going smoothly. There were no unexpected variables. Everything continued as I understood them.
"Professor. The Altar is coming up."
Julie whispered. I smiled softly and gave her a nod.
"Okay."
And then, I looked at the single blue flower on my desk—this gift from Lia.
"Lia will be up soon too."
"Yes."
Julie answered and armed herself. She wore the Snowflake Obsidian light armor that I had made.
"…Professor."
Julie said. The doll was ready to break at any moment, but there was confidence in her expression.
"I will protect you."
"…"
I nodded. No other words were needed. I didn't need to tell her that I loved her, that I was grateful, or that I was sorry. It would be a luxury now the end was near.
I kissed her forehead, and Julie let out a trembling breath.
"…I will go."
She bowed and stepped back. She turned away from me.
Slam.
The door opened and closed.
"Now…."
Alone, I sat down and pulled a wood board out of a drawer.
"It is time to keep my promise, Your Majesty."
I took a handkerchief out of my suit pocket. With it, I cleaned the surface of the board. Only for Her Majesty the Emperor, with all my heart.
* * *
…The priests climbed the stairs without a word, each readying themselves for the battle to come. Syrio was at the forefront. He informed the priests of Deculein's betrayal, and now they were marching to confirm his claims.
"…Huh?"
But the moment they reached the top floor of the lighthouse, a certain knight stood to block them. She was a beautiful statue-like woman, dressed in light armor made of Snowflake Obsidian.
Syrio smirked.
"…Julie."
Julie opened her eyes, and cold mana wrapped around her body. Staring at Syrio and his group, she raised her sword.
"What are you going to do?"
Syrio asked. Jaylon drew his sword, and the priests prepared their magic. Their number was three hundred, but Julie was resolute against them.
"You cannot pass."
Crack...
The mana Julie spread froze the air. It stagnated even the flow of mana. Julie's class was different now. She wasn't the incomplete knight of the past.
This was the severe cold once felt by the head of Freyden.
"…Oh my."
Jaylon admired the display, and Syrio gave her a soft smile.
"Yeah. This is fun."
Syrio dashed forward, with Jaylon following close behind. There was no need for dialogue between them. However, as former colleagues and knights, he knew the masters they served were different. So, they just had to cross their swords and share their beliefs.
"…"
Julie calmly raised her blade. Quick Sword and Giant Mountain, facing these two knights-
─Claaaank!
She swung.
* * *
In Annihilation, still, far from the lighthouse, Sophien stared up at the top floor. She thought of Deculein waiting for her there.
"Your Majesty. There is no time now."
Lawaine said. The knights and Demon Bloods, alongside Ganesha, were gathered here, each tense as they looked up at the comet.
"Are you ready?"
─We're ready. For a long time now.
That voice belonged to Elesol, who stood beside Sophien.
"…"
However, it was difficult for Sophien to prepare for it. Her mission was to kill Deculein; she had to put her sword through his heart. Even though she'd already made up her mind to do so, Sophien hesitated because of her love.
─Deculein's lighthouse will destroy the continent soon. Your Majesty, please make a decision.
Elesol urged her.
"…If so."
Sophien had already made a promise to him. Therefore, as an emperor, it was her task to achieve peace on the continent. Deculein's death would break the chains of hatred that had always existed on this continent, and his magic would save them from destruction. With only one sacrifice.
What if Deculein’s existence were filled with filth, and he was reviled as the worst villain that ever existed? The continent would be able to become healthy again. Deculein's death would bring at least a hundred years of peace.
"…Everyone."
Sophien looked around at the dozens of carefully selected wizards, knights, and Demon Bloods. Looking at them in turn, Sophien's heart calmed down.
"Advance."
Everyone nodded solemnly, placed their hands over their chests, and paid their respects to the emperor.
"I will go."
And like that, the emperor marched on the lighthouse where Deculein was waiting, despite how heavy her feet felt.
