"Everything I have."
Principal Uther declared this without the slightest hesitation.
All of us froze in shock.
"King Uther! What do you mean by that!?" (Claire)
First Knight Claire-san shouted, but there was no reply from Principal Uther.
The black shadow put a finger to its lips, as if thinking.
The gender wasn't clear from the silhouette, but something about the mannerism felt feminine.
—Hmm, even if I took the life of a mere human that hasn't even lived a hundred years, it wouldn't be much. If you had at least a thousand souls, I might consider lending my power.
The Evil God said something terrifying with a troubled tone.
Yet no one dared to point that out.
Every time the black shadow spoke, the childhood friend beside me flinched.
Sara and Sumire also looked pale.
Even Claire-san, Claude, and the Dungeon Master remained silent.
Everyone present felt that angering this black shadow would result in being crushed like an insect.
"Is it not enough? Even this?" (Uther)
Only the Principal continued speaking as if making small talk.
From the black silhouette, a pair of red eyes appeared.
They twisted into a sly grin.
—Oh? I thought you were human… I see. I see. For a mortal, you've gathered quite a bit of knowledge, haven't you? If it's truly everything you have, then it's an acceptable price.
"I'm relieved. Thank you for your generous words. Oh ancient, sealed Goddess of Wisdom, Lo—" (Uther)
—Oops, you mustn't say more than that. I'm just a nameless, forgotten Evil God that's supposed to be sealed in the depths of Tartarus. Understood?
"My apologies. Then I shall offer the price. Please, grant my 'wish.' I want you to return the Red Dragon to inside the Zenith Tower." (Uther)
Principal Uther spread his arms and spoke his wish to the Evil God.
—Very well. The deal is made. I will grant that wish in exchange for everything you are. …Do you have any last words?
The Evil God's gentle voice was simply eerie.
Principal Uther turned to face us.
His expression was as carefree as ever.
"Everyone, I leave the rest to you." (Uther)
—Now then, I'll be savoring all of you.
A massive crescent-shaped mouth spread across the black shadow as the Evil God said this.
And then…the black shadow's mouth widened to all of their whole body and completely swallowed Principal Uther.
(He… He got eaten…?) (Eugene)
"Kyaaah!"
"King Uther!!!!"
Sumire's scream and Claire-san's anguished cry echoed.
…Boom.
At that moment, the Red Dragon —who hadn't moved at all until now— stood up.
Its hostility toward us was clear.
"Airi! Stay back!" (Eugene)
I drew my sword and stepped between the black shadow and the Red Dragon.
(I can't let the Red Dragon attack now!) (Eugene)
Principal Uther gave up his life to accomplish something.
Then I have to protect that.
The Red Dragon's seven snake-like heads rose and looked down at us.
Its overwhelming presence alone made me want to step back.
"Haah… haah… haah…"
Just standing in front of it felt like it was shaving off my lifespan.
I couldn't even tell whether those 14 enormous eyes stared at me for a few seconds or for over ten minutes.
And then…
—Oh? Are you protecting me? Brave child of the angels.
I felt a chill run down my spine like a blade had been pressed against my neck.
It was the same voice as before, yet something about it was different.
It wasn't just its creepiness or power… Something fundamental had changed.
If I had to describe it, the pressure had completely transformed.
It felt like a giant towering up to the heavens was standing behind me.
I tried to keep my eyes on the Red Dragon, not to lose focus, and looked for the speaker.
"…Huh?"
Something felt off.
There was no sound.
The entire world had stopped.
Airi, Sara, Claude, and Claire-san…
They were all frozen in expressions of shock from the moment Uther was eaten.
"…Eugy…kun…"
Sumire called my name.
(Sumire!) (Eugene)
I tried to run to her—
(I… I can't move!?) (Eugene)
My body wouldn't budge, as if fixed in midair.
—Sorry, but I had to freeze time. It'd be a hassle if the Divine Realm noticed I came out of Tartarus. The only ones with awareness right now are you -angel child- the ancient Demigod girl… and maybe the Dungeon Master-chan, hmm?
The voice's owner was behind me, so I couldn't see them.
I couldn't even turn to look.
But maybe that was a good thing.
I don't have the confidence I could stay sane if I saw them directly.
"You're… It can't be…" (Anemoi)
The Dungeon Master's voice was trembling.
It seems she can move.
"Well, we don't have much time, so let's get this over with. All I can do is return the Red Dragon to the tower. The rest is up to you, Dungeon Master."
"Y-Yes…" (Anemoi)
Her reply was weak.
"Now then… I feel bad for Red Dragon-chan who finally made it to the surface, but… Time to go home?"
(Ugh…!)
The Evil God's voice carried miasma and malice.
Just listening to it made my mind start to break.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"
The Red Dragon with seven heads roared.
The ground split, and countless tornadoes erupted around us.
—What I release is the inferno of the apocalypse…
The seven dragon maws opened, unleashing red-and-black flames that burned into our eyes.
The earlier dragon's breath that destroyed the academy can't even compare to this.
This could wipe out the entire Dungeon City…
But…
"Ahaha… No no no. It's too late to resist now. But it'd be troublesome if you rampaged as you pleased… I need something to restrain you. Hmm. Let's see… The sound of a cat's footstep, a woman's beard, the root of a mountain, a bear's tendon, a fish's breath, bird saliva… Mix it all together…and there. Done. Ei☆"
Thin white strings wrapped around the Red Dragon's body after the Evil God's cute voice rang.
"GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"
The Red Dragon struggled and thrashed violently.
The ground cracked and storms raged.
But the white strings —which looked like mere threads— did not break.
"You won't be able to cut those. Now then, back to the Zenith Tower with you☆"
The white threads dragged the Red Dragon toward the tower as if responding to the Evil God's voice.
"GYAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHH......…"
Though the Red Dragon continued to resist, it somehow slid into the tower's entrance, which was clearly too small for its body.
"With that, my job here is done. First time on the surface in 16 million years, but it was pretty fun☆ Even though I wasn't even here for a second. Well then, I'll leave the rest to you☆"
That pressure —the feeling that my heart was in someone's grip— remained to the very end, until the Evil God's voice vanished.
We never saw its form…and I'm glad we didn't.
I now understand why the Demon Lord said one couldn't remain sane in its presence.
"Haah…! Haah…! Haah…!"
Finally, I could move again.
"Sumire!"
I was worried about everyone, but I ran to Sumire —the only other one who must have heard the Evil God's voice.
"Eugy…kun…" (Sumire)
Her complexion was pale.
Her body was cold.
"[Mind Heal]." (Eugene)
I cast a spell to calm people suffering from trauma or unconscious from fear.
Sumire's complexion gradually improved.
"Hey! Eugy! The Red Dragon's gone!?" (Airi)
"The Red Dragon… It disappeared…?" (Claude)
Airi and Claude looked around in confusion.
From their point of view, the dragon had vanished in an instant.
—GROOOOOOOAAARRRRRRR...
A deep growl echoed from the Zenith Tower.
"Why… did it come to this…?" (Claire)
Claire-san, unaware that time had stopped, looked completely lost.
Only three of us heard the Evil God's words back then.
One of them —Sumire— had seen the Evil God directly and was still weak from it.
But with the recovery spell, she should be a bit better now.
"Sara, look after Sumire!" (Eugene)
"O-Okay. But what about you, Eugene?" (Sara)
"I've got something to do!" (Eugene)
Leaving Sumire in Sara's care, I ran over to the dazed Dungeon Master.
"Anemoi Babel. You heard what Principal Uther and the Evil God said. Hurry and seal the Red Dragon by closing the Zenith Tower's gate!" (Eugene)
"I-I know… I know, but!!" (Anemoi)
For some reason, the Dungeon Master was still flustered.
Seeing her like that…I couldn't help but shout.
"Then do it already!! The Principal gave his life to trap the Red Dragon in that tower!" (Eugene)
"T-That's true, but… I-I can't close the 1st Floor's gate by myself…" (Anemoi)
"What did you say…?" (Eugene)
You're the Dungeon Master, aren't you?
"The Dungeon Master can only directly intervene with explorers on Floors above the 500th… The lower the Floor, the harder it becomes to interfere, even if indirectly… Especially below the 99th Floor, I am practically unable to do anything…" (Anemoi)
"That's the Floor range where Resurrection Droplets can still be used…" (Eugene)
It was designated for beginner-level explorers by Principal Uther to help lower the death rate.
So that's because the Dungeon Master couldn't intervene.
Come to think of it, I've hardly heard any rumors about Dungeon Masters appearing on Floors below the 99th.
Still…
"Then that means! Summoning a Divine Beast at the entrance of the Zenith Tower should've been impossible too! This whole mess was started by you, the Dungeon Master!" (Eugene)
"I-I know that! B-But that was something that only happened after building up a lot of time and effort… The current situation is…" (Anemoi)
"…There's no time, huh." (Eugene)
—GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHH…!!
The ferocious roar of the Red Dragon echoed again.
That monster still hasn't given up on escaping to the outside world.
"What should we do!?" (Eugene)
"Huh?"
"If you can't do it alone, then I'll help! Just tell me what needs to be done!" (Eugene)
"I want you to help me close the gate to the Zenith Tower." (Anemoi)
"If that's all—" (Eugene)
"It has to be…closed from the inside." (Anemoi)
That's what she had the nerve to say.
(This woman…) (Eugene)
This dungeon is defective, isn't it?
"The Red Dragon… although it's restrained by that Old —by the Evil God-sama, it's still rampaging. We have to hold the gate's lock in place while calming it down… Until it gives up on escaping to the surface world, who knows how long it'll take… Ten days? A month? Even longer… I don't know. There's no one reckless enough to help with that…" (Anemoi)
Listening to the Dungeon Master's explanation, I felt dizzy.
Then I remembered Principal Uther's words.
—"A harsh road awaits you from here on…but hang in there."
I didn't expect it to come this soon, Principal Uther!!
But…I already made a promise.
The Santafield family motto is "Keep your promises."
No matter what.
Even if it costs you your life.
"Anemoi Babel, I'll help. Let's head to the Zenith Tower together." (Eugene)
"Wha—! But if you do that, you'll d—" (Anemoi)
"It's fine. You know what my 'race' is, right? The Evil God mentioned it too. I can hold the seal as long as it takes for the Red Dragon to give up and leave. So… let's go." (Eugene)
If I transform into my angel form, I can keep going for days on end.
Without food.
Without sleep.
Though I can't grow while I'm in that state.
"A-Alright… Thank you, Eugene Santafield." (Anemoi)
The Dungeon Master nodded, still wearing an expression of disbelief.
"Wait, Eugy!" (Airi)
"Stop, Eugene!" (Sara)
Naturally, my companions tried to stop me.
I wasn't planning to leave without saying anything.
I turned around and spoke.
◇Sumire's POV◇
My head still feels fuzzy.
It's probably from seeing that terrifying "something" earlier.
Just remembering it makes me tremble.
Sara-chan is casting healing magic on me, even though she's not very good at it, asking, "Are you okay, Sumire-chan?"
My mind slowly comes back to clarity.
But then, Eugy-kun's words hit me like a blow to the head.
—"Anemoi Babel, I'll help. Let's head to the Zenith Tower together."
…No way.
What are you saying, Eugy-kun?
You can't do that.
You'll die.
You can't go into the Zenith Tower with that terrifying monster trapped inside.
"Wait, Eugene! What the hell are you saying!?" (Claude)
"Claude. Someone has to do it. We can't let the Principal's sacrifice be in vain." (Eugene)
"…! But still!" (Claude)
Claude-kun tries to convince Eugy-kun, but it's not working.
"Eugene-kun! You don't have to bear all this alone! If I go—" (Claire)
"No, Claire-san. Principal Uther entrusted you with something, right? No one else can take your place. You have to stay." (Eugene)
"Guh…"
Even Claire-san's voice can't shake Eugy-kun's resolve.
"Don't be stupid, Eugy!! You don't have to sacrifice yourself!" (Airi)
"You're wrong, Airi. This isn't a sacrifice." (Eugene)
"There's no way you'll come back alive!! Do you know how many people in the Dungeon City were killed by that Red Dragon…!?" (Airi)
"My barrier magic can hold it back. You know I survived fights against Hydra and Cerberus. The only person better than me at barrier magic in this city was Principal Uther. That's why I'm the best choice for this." (Eugene)
"......"
Airi-chan and Sara-chan glare angrily at Eugy-kun, but in the end, they fall silent at his words.
I stumble closer to Eugy-kun.
"Eugy-kun…" (Sumire)
"Sumire." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun came over to me with a kind expression.
"Don't go…" (Sumire)
Even though I can barely speak, I manage to get the words out.
"I'm sorry, Sumire." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun apologized.
"Why… You said we'd explore together…" (Sumire)
Tears were pouring from my eyes before I realized it.
Wasn't I your partner?
Didn't you make me your girlfriend?
Sure, I wasn't the only one.
But didn't you say you cared about me?
"Sumire." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun pulled me into a hug.
"W-Why…?" (Sumire)
Is this the last time?
Will I never be hugged by Eugy-kun again?
Eugy-kun has a strong sense of duty.
He'd do anything he can to protect the Dungeon City that Principal Uther gave his life for.
That's why…even if I try to stop him, it would be useless.
He's going to leave…
—"I will come back. Will you wait for me?" (Eugene)
Eugy-kun looked me straight in the eyes.
I remembered those eyes.
On the 20th Floor of the Zenith Tower.
The eyes that promised to take me to the 500th Floor as I sobbed.
The eyes of the person I fell in love with.
Eyes I loved.
And when I'm looked at with those eyes… I can't say no.
"…Okay. I'll wait for you, Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
I said it.
"Thank you, Sumire." (Eugene)
Eugy-kun smiled a little sadly. It was so cool, it made me a little mad.
"H-Hey! Sumire! Are you really okay with this!?" (Sara)
"You can't let him go!!! Eugy!!! Don't go!" (Airi)
Sara-chan and Airi-chan shouted in panic.
But deep down, they probably understood too.
—GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHH…!!
The monster's roar echoed again for the third time.
The ground shook violently.
"Sorry, Airi, Sara. Looks like we don't have time to talk anymore. Claude, guess training will have to wait." (Eugene)
"...…"
The three who were called by Eugy-kun fell completely silent.
"Well then, I'm off. Let's go, Anemoi." (Eugene)
"Yes, let's." (Anemoi)
Eugy-kun and the bright red robed Dungeon Master disappeared into the entrance of the Zenith Tower.
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE…
A massive gate rose from the ground at the entrance of the Zenith Tower.
Then, a deafening CLANG!! rang.
Maybe that was the sound of it locking.
Silence fell over the area.
As if the threat of the Red Dragon had all been a lie.
But the Lykeion Magic Academy's school building had been obliterated.
The Dungeon City was half-destroyed.
Principal Uther was gone.
Eugy-kun was gone.
It was all real.
"Eugy-kun…" (Sumire)
I almost started crying again when I murmured his name.
"Sumire-chan…" (Sara)
Sara-chan hugged me.
At first, I thought she was comforting me.
But then I realized Sara-chan was crying too.
Airi-chan was sobbing quietly nearby.
Claude-kun had his back turned so I couldn't see his face.
But his shoulders were trembling.
Claire-san was still in shock.
I…am probably the same.
Right now, there's only one thing I can think of.
(…I'll wait for you, Eugy-kun. Always… Forever.) (Sumire)
And so…
The first person who was kind to me in this isekai…was now gone.