Chapter 58
Bound for the Abyss
In the underground library of the lord’s castle, Maphel’tan raised the corners of his lips in satisfaction.
Persuading Raguel had been easier than expected.
I thought he would resist quite fiercely, but he accepted it surprisingly readily.
He had asked Raguel to abandon his very identity. It was not a proposal anyone could easily accept, yet Raguel had agreed without much resistance.
The reason was simple. To a lonely blind boy, Maphel’tan was probably the light of his life and his sole source of hope. He must have found it impossible to reject a request from someone like that.
When his thoughts reached that point, Maphel’tan felt an unexpected sense of self-loathing.
I’m thoroughly exploiting a child who has no one else to depend on.
After pretending to be a demon for so long, he felt as though he was truly becoming one down to his bones.
Even rationalizing it as preparation for the coming apocalypse could not dispel the unpleasant feeling.
Maphel’tan wiped the smile from his face and clicked his tongue.
Ilea, who had been watching him, spoke.
“Maphel’tan, there’s something I want to ask.”
Her expression was calmer and more subdued than usual.
“Speak.”
“Why are you forcing this plan forward when it clearly makes you so uncomfortable?”
Maphel’tan intended to reincarnate Raguel as one of the forgotten races.
His ostensible reason was clear.
“I must restore Raguel’s sight, as stipulated in our contract.”
The moment Raguel obtained a new body, he would no longer be blind.
Ilea shook her head.
“That sounds like nothing more than a convenient excuse to me.”
Admittedly, there were few methods capable of restoring Raguel’s sight. Even so, the approach Maphel’tan had selected was among the most dangerous and reckless of those limited options.
It could practically be considered a terrible move.
The forgotten ancient races were shadows of history that embodied the world’s darkest aspects.
If even one of those extinct races was restored and revealed to the world, the world would enter another age of darkness.
At the very least, neither Raguel nor House Myatro would survive.
Forces beyond the kingdom—the empire and the Holy Kingdom—would take action.
Naturally, Ilea, a witch, would also find it difficult to escape the repercussions. She, too, belonged to one of those forgotten ancient races.
Considering all those circumstances, the plan to reincarnate Raguel carried far greater risks than benefits.
Maphel’tan calmly admitted,
“…A convenient excuse, you say. Well, you’re not wrong. As you said, I do have another reason.”
He could hardly insist that he had no ulterior motive.
What Maphel’tan intended to do would inevitably affect Ilea, and she had already realized that he had another objective.
For the sake of their future relationship, it would be better to speak honestly.
“Would you tell me your true intentions?”
Ilea’s blue eyes stared at Maphel’tan as though they could pierce straight through him.
Maphel’tan nodded.
“This will probably be a very long story. Give me a moment. I need some time to organize my thoughts.”
A faint smile appeared upon Ilea’s face. She spoke gently.
“Take your time. We still have plenty of time before the full moon.”
Once their conversation ended, Maphel’tan would leave for the Abyss. He needed Ilea’s assistance with what he intended to do there, and she apparently planned to decide whether to cooperate after hearing his explanation.
In other words, she wants me to persuade her.
Where should he begin?
Maphel’tan found the prospect somewhat overwhelming.
He needed to explain the approaching apocalypse, the methods for preparing against it, the plans he had arranged, and countless other things.
The real problem, however, would come after he revealed all of that.
The very structure of his explanation would inevitably leave one fundamental question unanswered.
What evidence do you have that these events will occur in the future?
A question like that was certain to follow.
There was only one answer.
He was a transmigrator from another world, a reader who had learned the entire course of events through a novel.
It was a truth he could hardly bring himself to say aloud.
Yet fabricating a lie did not sit well with him either.
If Ilea was as perceptive as she had been portrayed in the original story, there were almost no people capable of deceiving her.
Her witch-like intuition would eventually detect any falsehood.
In truth, only the truth itself could persuade her.
Maphel’tan suppressed a groan.
How would Ilea react after hearing everything?
Maphel’tan could not even begin to guess. No matter how hard he thought, he could envision only negative outcomes.
He shook off the thoughts that continued to spiral through his mind.
Let’s try thinking about this more positively.
What if Ilea accepted everything Maphel’tan told her?
From that point onward, he would be able to share all his information with her. With the witch’s cunning added to his plans, preparing for the apocalypse might become far easier.
Their chances of survival would rise dramatically.
The potential reward was undeniable.
It might be worth trying.
The moment his thoughts began drifting toward such optimism, Maphel’tan’s expression contorted.
His heart began pounding violently.
Pitch-black demonic energy erupted from his entire body, and his crimson eyes flickered rapidly.
Startled by the sudden phenomenon, Ilea stared at him in bewilderment.
“…Maphel’tan?”
At that moment, black blood burst from Maphel’tan’s mouth. Clutching his chest, he dropped to one knee.
Excruciating agony assaulted his entire body.
It truly felt as though his body were swelling from within and about to explode.
Despite how suddenly it had happened and how chaotic his thoughts had become, Maphel’tan instinctively understood the source of the pain.
“Ghk… Urrgh.”
It was someone’s warning.
He was not even permitted to consider revealing his true identity.
For now, it was merely a warning. But the moment he actually disclosed that he was a transmigrator, Maphel’tan would lose his life.
It was what one might call a restriction.
That damned restriction obstructed him at every turn.
Rage welled up inside Maphel’tan.
“…You damned bastard. What the hell do you want from me?”
A groan like the sound of someone swallowing boiling water escaped his mouth. Black blood continued to pour out in thick gushes.
Ilea immediately supported Maphel’tan. She could not conceal her distress in the slightest. Her blue eyes trembled violently.
“Maphel’tan, are you all right? Please, stay conscious!”
The light gradually faded from Maphel’tan’s crimson eyes.
“Why did you bring me here…?”
He could not finish the sentence.
An overwhelming drowsiness engulfed him.
Maphel’tan completely lost consciousness in Ilea’s arms.
***
His surroundings slowly brightened through a pale haze.
A gentle radiance flowed beyond his blurred vision. Each individual strand of light resembled moonlight.
There was beauty within its restrained colors, along with an intensity that seized his gaze.
He stared blankly at the waves of silver.
“Maphel’tan, are you coming to your senses?”
A familiar, beautiful voice entered his ears.
His mind awakened instantly.
The radiance flowing before his eyes was none other than Ilea’s silver hair.
She stared down at Maphel’tan with her deep blue eyes.
Maphel’tan immediately sat upright.
“…How much time has passed?”
Apparently, he had been unconscious with his head resting upon Ilea’s lap.
“Only about three hours have passed.”
“That’s a relief. We won’t be late.”
The full moon would rise soon. They had to arrive on time to enter the Abyss.
Had he missed the opportunity because of such an absurd complication, the frustration alone might have made him ill.
“You’re planning to descend into the Abyss in that condition? I think it would be better to postpone the visit.”
Concern colored Ilea’s voice.
Maphel’tan firmly shook his head.
“As you know, there won’t be another opportunity like this.”
Because of the Scales of Equivalence, he would remain a demon for the foreseeable future. He would not revert to his human form even during the day.
It was the ideal condition for visiting the Abyss. He no longer needed to bear the risk posed by “the frail Johan.”
It was an opportunity he absolutely had to exploit.
Ilea let out a long sigh.
“You probably wouldn’t listen even if I objected. Even though your life no longer belongs solely to you.”
If Maphel’tan died, Ilea would also die according to their contract.
In other words, Maphel’tan was placing Ilea’s life in danger along with his own.
He suppressed a groan.
“I’m sorry. There’s nothing else I can say except to apologize.”
“It’s fine. It’s hardly the first time. More importantly, take care of yourself.”
Maphel’tan looked at Ilea in confusion.
“…Is that all?”
Their conversation had been cut short by the sudden restriction.
Ilea spoke as though it were no great concern.
“Yes. I’ve already finished the preparations.”
She pointed toward the center of the library.
Raguel and Zalkarin sat at the round table, each carrying a backpack.
The packs probably contained everything they would need in the Abyss.
Maphel’tan opened his mouth.
“I thought you might refuse to help.”
“No. I merely wanted to know why you intended to reincarnate the young master as an ancient race. Although it seems I can no longer hear the answer.”
Maphel’tan had attempted to explain, only to collapse while vomiting blood.
It had happened because of the restriction. Since the subject was bound by that restriction, continuing the conversation would serve no purpose.
Ilea understood that as well, so she did not ask any further questions.
Even so, Maphel’tan felt uneasy.
…It doesn’t feel right to leave things like this.
He wanted Ilea to understand his intentions, even if only slightly. Recently, he had received nothing but unconditional assistance from her, leaving him feeling both guilty and uncomfortable.
I should at least explain it indirectly.
He intended to evade the restriction as much as possible.
Maphel’tan slowly began to speak.
“As I am now, I cannot answer all of your questions. However, I can assure you of one thing. Everything I have done, and everything I will do, is an act of justice that will benefit everyone in this world. This matter is no exception. I intend to restore all of the forgotten, extinct races. In time, the result will align considerably with your own interests.”
Maphel’tan placed a hand upon Ilea’s shoulder.
Then he added,
“That is all I am permitted to tell you.”
Ilea contemplated his words for a brief moment.
Her eyes curved into a gentle smile.
“I’ll let you off with that much for now.”
He could not know her true thoughts, but she appeared willing to overlook the matter for the moment.
Maphel’tan cleared his throat.
“Then I’ll explain your role.”
Ilea would not accompany them into the Abyss. She had a separate task to perform.
She needed to transport the explosion that would erupt in the Abyss directly into the kingdom.
If they succeeded, all the attention currently focused upon the south would be divided.
Through this expedition into the Abyss, Maphel’tan intended to accomplish three objectives at once.
Fulfill his contract with Raguel.
Prepare for the apocalypse in the latter part of the story.
And escape the Church’s scrutiny.
He could achieve all three goals.
Ilea said,
“I already know my role, so you don’t need to explain.”
“Did I tell you?”
“You hinted at it last night. I only need to teleport ‘them’ from the First Region to the royal capital, correct?”
Before leaving to deal with Campbell, Maphel’tan had briefly mentioned the plan.
Using that small hint, Ilea had deduced her role on her own.
She truly is capable.
Maphel’tan nodded.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
“Don’t worry about my part. Just take care of yourself, Maphel’tan. And please don’t forget…”
Ilea placed a hand upon Maphel’tan’s chest.
“…that you are my heart.”
Her voice was soft and gentle.
Maphel’tan unconsciously took a step backward. The words made him feel strangely unsettled.
Zalkarin, who had been watching, shouted loudly,
“O witch! Was that a quotation from The Love of Heroes?”
As Raguel’s reader, Zalkarin had read him a romance novel the previous night.
Apparently, Ilea had listened from nearby.
Raguel spoke cautiously.
“Y-you two are like the protagonists of a novel. You look good together!”
Ilea’s eyes curved into a playful smile.
“That’s what he says, Maphel’tan.”
“…You spout nonsense whenever you find the opportunity.”
Ilea stepped closer to Maphel’tan. A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
“Are you embarrassed?”
Maphel’tan pressed the tip of his index finger against Ilea’s forehead and pushed her away.
“We don’t have time for this. We should get moving.”
Ilea continued smiling brightly.
Ignoring her, Maphel’tan looked toward the round table.
“You two should prepare as well.”
The full moon was drawing near. Anticipation appeared upon Zalkarin’s face, while tension filled Raguel’s.
Maphel’tan approached Raguel.
“Are you afraid?”
“A-a little.”
“Then I’ll take you for a flight.”
Maphel’tan swept Raguel into his arms in an instant.
“W-wait! This is the part that frightens me most!”
“What choice do we have? We can’t walk all the way to the Abyss.”
Maphel’tan’s body slowly rose into the air.
Zalkarin immediately clung to Raguel.
He shouted loudly,
“The Great End enters the Abyss! This shall truly be a historic day!”
Ilea waved from the ground.
“Have a safe journey.”
Maphel’tan nodded before soaring into the sky.
He flew straight out of the lord’s castle and raced through the air.
His destination was the First Region of the Abyss—the Mausoleum of the Moon’s Shadow.
Beneath the full moon, the beings who hated the moon and envied humanity would be writhing in madness.
They would be screaming frantically for someone to open the lids of their coffins.
Maphel’tan intended to dig up their graves.