*Dark Magic (Magical Flag).*

It is the foundation of power for the cult.

Usually, dark magic is refined to generate black magic, which is its common use. However, among the members of *Baob*, there were those who used dark magic in ways that defied conventions.

Individuals who combined their talents with dark magic to bring about disaster.

Music, singing, painting, portrayal, and so forth.

These were rare abilities that only a few manifested.

In the church, they referred to such individuals as *Katasto*.

In ancient language, it meant "disaster."

*‘The Conductor.’*

He was the most notable *Katasto* in the original work.

The term "disaster" was fitting for him.

In reality, he had caused countless casualties.

Once someone succumbed to the melody played by the Conductor, their essence would be corrupted beyond return, turning them into something akin to a chimera.

“Graaaahhh!!”

Corruption was akin to the concept of chimeras.

Once transformed, there was no going back.

A broken vessel could not be restored.

Of course, it wasn’t that there were no methods at all.

I had the power of ‘lies.’

It was possible to reverse the process, as I had done with Anne.

But just because it was possible didn’t mean it was practical in this situation.

In reality, I didn’t have the capacity to save these people.

“All targets, eliminate them.”

Even when I reversed Anne’s corruption, it had required nearly 60% of my power.

Considering an adult as a standard, the power required would be at least 80% for each case.

Save one life,

and that would be the end.

*‘Besides.’*

I needed to conserve my power.

To clear the Conductor’s stage and rescue our missing ally, I couldn’t afford to spend any more energy than necessary.

Unlike the previous encounter with the chimeras trapped in cages, capturing these priests was not an option.

I had made the best choice I could.

I couldn’t save everyone.

It was a lesson I learned during the past three years of intense survival after inhabiting this body.

A single life could not be lighter than a multitude of lies.

“Graaaahhhh!!!”
“!!!Dasinaha kekam wariu sekishima!”
“Ughhhh!!”

Therefore,

we had to press forward.

We had to cut down each priest’s robe that had once been pure white but was now drenched in black.

Taking the last breaths of these forsaken lambs who had turned their backs on their god.

“Move the survivors outside. Use Lena to transport them swiftly to the hospital.”

Death wasn’t the only outcome.

There were still some who hadn’t succumbed, lying scattered across the blood-stained floor.

These were the ones fortunate enough to have been outside the range of the *melody*.

Most were unconscious and severely injured, but the team calmly continued rescue operations.

There were exceptions like this.

“In the case of the young ones, even if they are corrupted, they don’t exhibit violent behavior. There are only about ten of them, so we’ll detain them and bring them to the headquarters. We can proceed with treatment gradually.”

“Understood, Master.”

At the very least, I wanted to save the children.

The world may be cold when adults abandon adults, but when adults abandon children, everything in the world turns to trash.

My world was still more like winter than a landfill.

Leaving behind the crimson landscape, we pressed through the endless corridor.

“I’ve cleared the front.”

Irene was the most active during the skirmishes.

The girl, with her flames swirling, cut down the priests who came rushing from the front one by one.

She faithfully followed my instructions.

Every time she glanced back at me, I made sure to pat her head as encouragement.

A silent sign that she was doing well.

“The front is clear.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“...You really don’t need to pat my head during a mission.”

The fox frowned as if questioning my behavior in the middle of an operation.

But contrary to her grumbling, the tail behind her was wagging lightly.

It seemed even she couldn’t hide it.

Avoiding eye contact, Irene gripped her sword once more.

*Clang! Ka-krrrk...! Boom!*

The battle continued.

Before long, we reached the end of the corridor.

A solitary, unimpressive door stood before us.

“Hah, hah... Is this the end once we go through here?”

The fox panted heavily.

Even as I approached the door, I firmly shook my head at her question.

What was about to happen was the most crucial part.

One mistake here could endanger not just the cathedral but the entire surrounding city.

That’s why I had been conserving my energy.

“We cannot proceed recklessly beyond this point.”

I stopped the members from placing their hands on the door.

Beyond this lay hell.

The Conductor’s performance awaited us.

In the original story, this was a boss stage.

A place where the relentless melody played, making entry difficult without mental fortitude or passive skills for mind protection.

I glanced at the members standing by.

“Hm.”

Neria, Irene, Lena.

All of them were exceptional individuals, but not suited for this stage.

Bringing them along could turn out to be a disadvantage.

There was a chance they could suddenly turn and attack us.

On top of that,

It was impossible for me to shield them from mental attacks.

Using my power of lies would make it possible, but given the dangers waiting beyond the door, it would be unwise to waste power on minor things.

I showed a moment of hesitation, resting my chin on my hand.

It was to attract someone’s attention.

“This is troublesome.”

Many had strong mental fortitude, but few had a mental barrier.

It was an innate skill.

I clicked my tongue lightly and muttered aloud.

“It would be great to have someone accompany me.”

I cast a sidelong glance.

At the edge of my vision stood only a wall, as if nothing was there.

Feigning innocence.

I smiled slightly and spoke.

“We need someone with solid combat skills, unwavering resolve, and a mental barrier...”

There was someone perfect for the role.

“What do you say, Your Highness?”

A statement aimed precisely at one spot.

Soon, realizing she had been discovered, the presence hiding in the corner stepped out.

My gaze was drawn to the dazzling platinum blonde hair.

“...You knew.”

The blue eyes blinked slowly.

Her doll-like expression exuded a unique aura.

The brilliant platinum hair was proof of her status.

*Charlotte Little von Staufen,* the first princess of the empire and one of the main characters in the original work.

Although she was supposed to be at the academy, she had been following us for some reason.

I smiled at Charlotte.

“I didn’t expect to see Your Highness here.”

“Yes. Good to see you.”

She nodded.

Her calm eyes showed no hint of surprise.

It was Charlotte greeting me as casually as she did at the academy.

It caught me off guard.

“You’re quite composed.”

“I’m surprised. Very.”

“Your reaction doesn’t convey that at all.”

“Really...?”

Her face showed genuine confusion.

The girl tilted her head slightly.

Her enigmatic nature always made her behavior unpredictable.

After a brief pause, Charlotte asked:

“When did you know I was here?”

“On the basement stairs.”

“So, you knew from the beginning.”

“I regret to say so. While I was heightening my senses, I also sensed Your Highness nearby.”

“Yes, it seems so. That’s unfortunate.”

After a light exchange of words, I brought up the earlier question.

“So, what do you think? I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Charlotte was a person with a mental barrier.

It was an innate protection granted by the royal blessing from birth.

Combined with her combat prowess, she was the ideal candidate.

*‘Perfect.’*

Initially, I planned to go alone, but having a companion would lessen the burden.

It likely wasn’t a bad proposition for Charlotte either.

After all, she had come here for the same reason as me.

Investigating the incident and pursuing the cultists.

While our reasons for chasing them differed, we were on a similar path.

Especially since this task was too much for her to handle alone.

She would need help.

*‘This is a great opportunity.’*

Charlotte was desperate regarding the issue of the *Rose*.

She was already taking action personally, so this was telling.

I had already been planning to approach her with an offer, and now the perfect opportunity had arisen.

It seemed I could significantly close the distance between us with this chance.

“...Alright. Let’s do this together.”

After a brief hesitation, Charlotte nodded.

We exchanged a quick handshake.

With the decision made, there was no time to waste.

Even now, the countdown was ticking.

After some quick equipment checks, we placed our hands on the ominously marked door.

A chill spread from my fingertips.

“Let’s go.”

We opened the door.

A crimson flash swallowed our vision.

We stepped across the threshold without hesitation.

---

**The Boss Stage.**

What awaited us was a bizarre scene.

“What... is this?”

A space where waves of dark red blood surged.

An endless landscape filled only with blood awaited us like an ocean.

The vast scene stunned the members.

*Beeeeeeep.*

The melody, which had been faint until now, became distinct and deafening.

A dissonant sound pierced our ears.

As we turned toward the source of the noise, a figure stood amidst the dark red mist.

It played a violin while standing in the sea of blood.

“...”

The face was familiar.

As expected, she had fallen to

 the Conductor’s melody, corrupted and stripped of her essence.

I looked at the woman playing furiously and muttered.

“Lady Medro...”

The Vicar of the church, the head of this *Licht* branch, and an ally of *Astro*.

She was the target we needed to save in this mission.

Just as I had feared, she had become the Conductor’s puppet, awaiting an audience in this crimson stage.

Medro’s eyes, which had been wandering aimlessly, found us.

“Graaaahhhh!!!”

The woman let out a shrill scream.

Maintaining my composure, I gathered my power of lies at my fingertips.

Charlotte drew her sword as well.

“Let’s begin.”

“Yes.”

The dreadful concert began.