As we escaped until a certain distance, the sound of destruction by Zaratan couldn’t be heard anymore from behind us.

Turning from the branch point many times, we arrived at a place that was of a considerable distance from the cathedral.

We are totally lost, but in the end there is no problem because we plan to escape with Pass Wall and Levitation.

……There is no problem, right?

“In short, we have to earn more time.”

After a little while of quietness, Klaus broke the ice and immediately got to the point.

“When a big monster is your opponent, in many cases you can’t escape because of its legs’ length and strength. No matter how stupid they seem to be, you cannot underestimate them.”

“He certainly was rushing at an extremely high speed, that’s why we hurriedly created some distance from him…”

“Oh, yeah. It’s dangerous to face that monster in a place where there is no shielding even if we have some distance.”

“That speed was unexpected since he was in a state where he lost one of his legs, Klaus-sama.”

The rush at that time was really scary.

I felt a sudden fear, I know that my body had solidified.

“But, why did you let Ann-sama attack……you told me not to attack him.”

“That couldn’t be helped.”

“Because Erica-sama, concentrated magic is my specialty.”

Ann talked with her hand raised to her chest in a windshield style.

By the way, I heard that personal qualities are heavily involved with the mages of Hafan.

“Ann can release a magic of higher power than ordinary mages with the same amount of magical power used.”

“It takes time to do so, and I’m not good at wide area magic.”

“Because she is also good at precision manipulation, she’s perfect for range attacks.”

“I see……You’re amazing even though you’re still very young, Ann-sama.”

His sister Ann is good at concentrating her magical power instead of using wide area magic.

It is a focused, high-density precision magic, so it could penetrate Zaratan’s body which couldn’t be penetrated by Aurelia’s wands or Klaus’ spellcards.

“That’s why, I usually don’t use large firepower magic like Scorching Ray and instead use beginner offensive magic, Onii-sama.”

“Isn’t it seriously better than shooting low-power magic and failing to penetrate the shell?”

“Huh? Then why didn’t Klaus-sama attack with Scorching Ray?”

Klaus is a man who will become a versatile mage.

Then, shouldn’t he be able to use any type of magic to some extent?

“My hands were full with keeping up the Protective Circle. I couldn’t take on the pressure of that monster’s power unless I expanded the spellcards to the maximum.”

“I see……”

“By the way, Onii-sama. Before long, the Protective Circle would dispel, right? Let’s hurry and use the Pass Wall to escape.”

“That’s right……There are things I’m concerned about. Both of you have seen it too, right? The ability of that monster.”

“Yes, Onii-sama.”

“Eh? What ability, Klaus-sama, Ann-sama?”

I know about the monster’s character, but I don’t know the details of his ability.

What is it?

“You didn’t use the Glam Sight, huh? That said, the effect time of Glam Sight that I used from the wand was short.”

“Yes, during battle I didn’t have the time to redo Glam Sight.”

“Do you know that magic doesn’t work on that monster?”

“Yes, I can deduce that much.”

“When the magic was erased, it seems that his ability to control space slightly came into play. Since then I was suspicious, but when that monster blew fire, that suspicion turned to certainty as I saw that the Fire Bolt’s creator was Eduart Aurelia.”

That flame was a magic made by my older brother?

I thought that it certainly looked like Fire Bolt, but perhaps—

“Is it a monster that absorbs and reflects magic……?”

“Aah. I guess that’s the case.”

What a pesky ability!

It is hard enough that his defense and power are strong, and now in addition to that, magic doesn’t work on him.

No, then, that attack was peculiar after all since it wasn’t absorbed.

“Why was Ann-sama’s Scorching Ray not reflected?”

“Probably because it isn’t an ability that activates automatically. He responds to attacks manually by absorbing and reflecting, so it was probably an effective surprise attack.”

“It’s the same as Aurelia’s alchemists, huh? It certainly seems to be a monster of ancient Aurelia.”

That means, that kind of shooting won’t work for that monster a second time.

Based on the assumption that he would be shot, next time he would absorb the shooting magic itself.

Terrible.

“But Klaus-sama. So why did you postpone in using the Pass Wall?”

“The moment we touch that monster in the Pass Wall state, we may burn up and die.”

“Eh……!?”

“That monster has absorbed one more Fire Bolt. In other words, there is a possibility that flames are burning inside of him.”

I see, the inside was the same as the acid hydrogel golem.

After passing through the object containing the flames inside of him, we would definitely have burned to death.

It was extremely dangerous.

“What should we do, Klaus-sama?”

“I will put up a Protective Circle and prevent contact with the monster. Meanwhile, Ann, you will cast the Pass Wall on everyone.”

Klaus prevented contact with the monster, so that we wouldn’t pass through the monster’s body when we use the Pass Wall even in the unlikely event.

If we get to that point, we might not be able to successfully escape next time.

“……What about me?”

“Only mages can use the Hafan’s scrolls.”

“I’m sorry, Ann-sama, Klaus-sama……”

“N-no! Erica-sama doesn’t need to apologize.”

I am full of guilty feelings since I am not useful.

Is there anything that I can do?

“First, let’s find a small room of reasonable size, or a corridor that leads to a dead end. Because it’s impossible to protect an entire area against that monster.”

“But Onii-sama, if that monster approaches us after turning back into his liquid form, doesn’t that mean he can attack us from anywhere?”

“No, he seems to need a space of a certain size to create the outer shell. If I cast a Protective Circle that specializes in repelling body throughout the room, he wouldn’t be able to enter the room from the cracks between the stones.”

Somehow the visual feels kind of like a Japanese horror movie or a house where an evil spirit might come out.

Speaking of which, this is the ruins where an evil spirit was supposed to come out……

When I was proceeding alone in this ruins, I thought that ghosts were scary, but the fear I feel right now is completely different from that time.

The evil spirit is not the exaggerated type either, since it is a monster.

I seem to be in a panic movie1 right now.

“Anyway, why is everything so detailed, have you grasped the power of Zaratan, Klaus-sama?”

“Huh? Onii-sama, you can’t understand that much from the Glam Sight though?”

“Oh, in fact, I tried to seal a part of that monster.”

Klaus showed a bottle to us.

It is a bottle of magic recovery potion, but inside is a dubious-looking black liquid.

This, is this a part of that monster……?

“Klaus-sama, when did you get such a thing……”

“Onii-sama……”

“It was when Ann blew off that monster’s leg. The content of that monster have a composition similar to a wraith. I thought that the seal magic that works for a wraith would be effective.”

“You have that much free time, huh, Onii-sama……”

You have a considerable nerve to touch that thing, Klaus.

I don’t want to touch it for a while. No, I never want to touch it.

Even the bottle is a bit much.

“It seems the shell of that monster was made by transforming the carcasses of the monsters that fell from the eighth layer. Seal didn’t work on the outer shell.”

“That’s why you could seal him in the bottle only when he was in a liquid state, huh?”

“That’s right. If we plan to seal him again, we need to destroy all of the outer shells once and for all. This information must be conveyed to the people of Aurelia.”

With Zaratan unleashed, not only us but other citizens of Aurelia will be attacked.

Even if we can escape from here safely, the battle will continue.

Especially the Duke of Aurelia, who is the lord, will fight at the front line.

Ann glared at her older brother with sharp eyes.

“Hey, Onii-sama. Why do you think that monster could track us since forever?”

“Ah, that is……”

Did he sense where a part of him was and followed it with purpose?

Or it might be that the part was attracting the main body.

Considering how angry Zaratan was, I thought that it was strange that he could follow us forever even though he couldn’t see us.

“Onii-sama! Please hold on to it firmly! If it cracks it will be a catastrophe!”

“Erica…what should I do?”

“Why are you asking me!? Please don’t pass it to me because it’s impossible!”

I was given the small bottle filled with the monster’s part and I truly regretted ever coming to this Ruins of Visitor.

☆

As I stood at a branch point, I waved the Wand of Mage Finger.

The invisible fingers grasped the bottle containing a sealed part of Zaratan, floated and went to a dark passage smoothly.

Ann’s Alarm was also set on the bottle.

If the monster picks it up, the bell she is holding will emit a sound.

“With this, if we move on to another passage, we will earn more time.”

“As expected your craftiness functions well, Erica. Your mind and your face are an equal.”

This guy……

There are some issues, so do not despair.

“Oh my, I’m sorry that both my mind and face are bad.”

“N-no, it’s different Erica, what I meant was……”

“Onii-sama, Erica-sama, there is no meaning in earning time if we don’t get out of here quickly.”

Ann kicked off Klaus’ back and urged him forward.

I would like for the sister to train her older brother more.

“Even so, Onii-sama, Erica-sama, the sense of direction has become ambiguous.”

“Although there is little to no magical power consumption of the guidepost Cantrip2, there is still the magical power trap in this layer. So yeah, I can’t use it frequently.”

Klaus and Ann’s complexions are dark with fatigue.

As expected, this ruins might be too harsh for mages.

“I am worried that we will go around and return to that monster. What should we do in that case, Klaus-sama?”

“……It’s alright. The passage is narrow. If that monster is approaching, you can tell by the sound of his claws digging the wall.”

“Before the monster comes to us, he is supposed to go after the bottle first. We are safe until the Alarm rings, Erica-sama.”

At that moment, there was a loud sound that seemed to make the ground tremble.

We stood up reflexively.

However, I immediately noticed it. This was not the sound of Zaratan digging.

Squeaking sound of gears, the sound of rubbing stones.

“This is the sound of the mechanical labyrinth, isn’t it? I thought it was that monster.”

“Ah.”

“That said, the mechanical labyrinth has not changed as it usually does, Erica-sama.”

The mechanical labyrinth kept moving even after we threw off Zaratan.

This mechanism is kind of annoying, so it sounds somewhat ominous.

At the end of the passage we saw something.

On the wall on the right side of the end of the passage, there was an entrance to a room closed with an iron door.

“I hope it’s a small room this time.”

“Let’s open it first, Onii-sama.”

Klaus opened the door, which seemed to lead to a large room.

Should we search again?

However, the last branch point was the place where I put the bottle for Zaratan to earn us time.

If we turn back, that strategy will be wasted.

I hope there is another entrance in this room.

Huh?

But as we entered the room, it seemed like another room I had seen today.

“Wait! It’s bad……Erica, Ann, get out of this room quick–”

I finally understood what Klaus said.

Decorative walls and pillars, countless rubbles scattered around, ceiling which has crashed down.

It is the cathedral where Zaratan was sealed – we are on its side entrance.

At the moment we tried to retreat, something fell down before the entrance from where we entered.

Black rigid scales, empty orbs like the abyss, sharp nails that could tear rocks easily like butter.

With his hind leg, which was supposed to have been destroyed, already regenerated, Zaratan in his full condition was there.

Did he climb the wall and ambush us?

Even though he has such a huge body, somehow he is really agile and shrewd.

『I am tired of waiting, humans.』

“What! No way, this must be a coincidence!”

『It is not a coincidence, I am the one who brought you here.

I used the mechanism of the changing labyrinth.

This is the place where my body was. I understand the construction most intimately.』

Looking at the direction pointed by Zaratan, the walls and the others were destroyed and there were places where the gears inside were exposed.

Did he directly interfere with the gears and manipulate our moving directions?

“Onii-sama, what about the scroll of Scorching Ray?”

“I don’t have another one. Rather than that, that monster will reflect whatever other magic we use.”

“Then, what should we do……?”

“I don’t know……we have come this far……”

After running away so far, we are now like cornered rats.

All of our escape paths are blocked for sure.

“Ann, Erica! His assault is dangerous! Disperse and hide in the shadows!”

Klaus scattered all his remaining spellcards and formed the Protective Circle to the maximum.

With little hesitation, he rushed towards the monster.

Ann and I dispersed in two directions and hid in the shadows of thick columns as he told us to.

However, as the huge monster sent Klaus flying with a blow, the air froze.

The monster’s arms have become even thicker, longer and brutally distorted than how they were last time.

『I have also gotten tired of playing with brats like you.

Well, how should I kill you?

Hey, Golden Madness!?

That’s right, daughter of Aurelia.

First of all, let’s kill the people other than you, in front of you, for you.』

Zaratan declared with a voice full of pleasure while looking at me.

“What did you say!?”

『Fu, ha, ha, ha, ha, haaa……wonderful.

Your pain is my bliss!

Now, I will season your soul with deep despair and loneliness!

Your soul and your tempting flesh and blood offering, dedicate them to me!』

While looking happy, as if singing, the monster raised a shriek-like sound.

『First of all, the smallest, most innocent and the strongest among you.

The one who gave me the deepest wound—

Your hope, I will cut it off!』

Zaratan crushed the pillar where Ann was hiding by swinging his two arms.

She was frozen from fear, but she was still trying to fight without giving up by waving her staff towards the monster.

“Come, Monster! The one you’re really scared of is not Ann but me, right? If you want to kill my sister, fight me first!”

Klaus stood up with his body full of wounds.

Along with the provocation, he attacked with spellcards, but Zaratan didn’t pay it any heed.

『Kuhahahahahaha! I can feel it, little girl!

The smell of your noble and strong soul!

Your soul seems to be great next to the daughter of Aurelia’s!』

The space in front of Zaratan became slightly distorted.

It was a magical phenomenon similar to space manipulation.

From there came something like a vast black shadow.

(He’s going to unleash the magic that would take over Ann’s body!)

Rather than that, what Zaratan chose is the magic of Death.

If he strikes the small Ann with this, it will certainly bring death.

“Stop it—–!!”

“Kya!”

Is Ann going to be killed?

I have come so far, but can’t escape from the fate of her death!

In my mind, the memories of Ann will be gone.

I don’t want that.

Does such a thing have to happen?

Will such a small girl, who would die before anyone else, forgive such unreasonableness?

At that moment, I moved.

Without thinking of the consequences, I waved the Wand of Castling3.

---------------------------------------------------------------

1 Panic movie or a disaster film is a genre of movies depicting people who confront sudden abnormal situations such as disasters and catastrophes.

2 Cantrip: is a category of spells that can be cast at will, without using magical power and without having to prepare in advance. The repeated practice has fixed the spells in the caster’s mind and infused the caster with the magic needed to produce the effect over and over.

3 Wand of Castling: If you forget, this wand can trade the user’s place with the target, just like a move in chess where the King was swapped with one of the Rook.