I was only trying to buy time, but after giving it a proper fight, I ended up winning.
Have I really grown this strong?
Or maybe it was thanks to the Babel Gear and Professor Georg’s cursed sword.
If not that, then…
“Why did you do it?”
Was the opponent simply weaker than expected?
More precisely, it was that he chose to bear the risk himself.
Of course, once he realized how serious the situation was, he charged in as if he intended to leave nothing behind…
But by then, it was already too late.
Even then, he couldn’t quite erase his hesitation.
Even having thrown everything away, he still didn’t try to kill me.
When he powered up his Gear and came charging at that terrifying speed—
If instead of trying to neutralize me by grabbing my wrist and shoulder, he’d simply gone for my throat, it would’ve been over.
“You had a dream worth risking your life for, so why didn’t you try to kill your opponent?”
In the game, he wasn’t the type to hesitate when it came to killing.
He was, after all, positioned as a mid-boss.
When Ex Machina reemerged as the final boss, he stood in the party’s way as a mid-tier obstacle.
“Because I swore I’d never kill the innocent or defenseless.”
“……”
“That’s a face that says you don’t understand.”
“That’s not it.”
I know very well just how heavy and important a conviction can be.
But still, I don’t understand.
I’ve never had anything I could call a conviction, so I can’t understand how someone could be willing to risk their life for one.
I know it in theory, sure. But accepting it… that’s something else entirely.
“There’s no need to overthink it. For me, conviction isn’t some abstract idea. It’s a clear price to be paid.”
I looked at Ryute who was collapsed on the ground. Even with a sword still lodged in his chest, sprawled out like that, he was somehow still alive.
Was it because of his extraordinary vitality?
No. Beneath the thick armor was the frail body of an old man.
No matter how well-trained he was, the signs of aging couldn’t be hidden.
The reason he was still alive…it wasn’t because of strength.
“I made a vow when I became a Holy Knight. If I had broken that vow, I would’ve ended up just like this anyway.”
“…If you break the vow, do you lose your divine power?”
“That’s right. Even if I had killed you and taken the Babel Gear, I would’ve had to stop right then and there.”
A logical reason.
But to me, those words felt like a facade.
Ryute who had been charging at me with all his might didn’t look like someone who had the future in mind. And yet, even in that state, he had chosen to uphold his vow not to kill.
“That’s why, Johan Damus, you should be proud. You didn’t defeat a feeble old man bound by restrictions; you managed to break a man who fought with conviction, head-on.”
“How can I take pride in killing someone?”
“You didn’t kill a man. You took down a wraith wearing the skin of one. You’ve stopped countless future acts of violence with your own hands.”
“……”
“That’s what I would’ve done. I would’ve gone on to commit countless acts of violence. Is killing the only sin? No…hurting others is a sin, too.”
“You’re not seriously saying…”
The terrifying presence he had shown during the battle was completely gone now. Ryute was stringing together flowery words, almost like he didn’t want me to carry guilt. He was justifying my actions as if to protect me from regret.
And in that moment, I realized.
“You planned to die from the start, didn’t you?”
“Of course not. I just knew it would end up this way.”
“What kind of nonsense is that…?!”
– Enough, Johan Damus. You’re getting too worked up. The fight ended a while ago, yet you’re still tense. Like a kitten throwing a tantrum.
“…Scriptwriter.”
– Yes, it’s me.
As usual, the Scriptwriter Deus appeared through a mechanical device.
The moment I saw him, his name resurfaced in my mind.
Is this all part of the script?
“You son of a… kghm.”
I should hold back for now.
Unlike Ryute, Deus is someone I absolutely cannot defeat, no matter how hard I try.
In a way, he’s even harder to deal with than Kult or Tillis. That’s because the Scriptwriter is the type who adjusts his methods based on his opponent’s abilities.
If all my options for creating variables are taken away, I’ll have no choice but to fight purely with physical strength.
Just imagining it was horrifying.
Yeah… better not mess with him.
– Johan Damus, what do you think you’re lacking?
“Relationships.”
Everyone around me was a piece of shit.
– Don’t be ridiculous. What you lack is self-awareness.
“?????”
You’re saying that?
You, of all people? You, who’s so obsessed with yourself that you don’t even pretend to listen to others?
– I gave Ryute all the information I had on you. He did the best he could within his limits and even managed to push you into a corner.
“Go on, I’m listening.”
– But look at the result. In the end, Ryute couldn’t overcome your ruthlessness and ended up in this pitiful state, sprawled out on the floor.
“You sure don’t hold back, even with friends.”
– Hmm? He’s still alive?
Deus kept casually throwing insults at Ryute. And I’m the one being called ruthless? He’s the one tearing down a longtime friend like it’s nothing.
– Johan Damus. You’ve gotten considerably stronger. Maybe you haven’t realized it because you’re always surrounded by monsters, but the means and tools you have at your disposal are just as powerful.
“So you wanted me to feel just how strong I’ve become?”
– More precisely, I wanted to fix your mindset. What were you thinking when you faced Ryute?
“Run away.”
– Exactly. And that mindset didn’t change easily. Even after you shattered Ryute’s weapon.
“……”
– Normally, when you break your opponent’s most powerful weapon, your next thought is to finish them off.
But instead, I was desperately trying to buy time and run.
Because that seemed like the most certain option.
I was absolutely convinced that if someone else stepped in to help, I could make it out of that crisis.
– There isn’t only one path. And there’s never just one solution. You must not forget that. If you do, surviving from here on out will be nearly impossible.
“Excuse me? Are you saying I’m going to die?”
– That’s right.
What kind of bullshit is this, out of nowhere?
– The Great Warrior is a veteran man. He’ll keep his promise to you, but that doesn’t mean he can protect you. He’ll throw you into danger if that’s what it takes to draw out the Archmage, Ariel Ether.
“……”
– The Great Sage is a meticulous monster. He’ll tighten the noose around your neck from the shadows, and no one will even notice. You already know why he’d target you, and you’re steadily becoming exactly that target.
Is this what makes a genius a genius?
He figured out just from fragments—
That the Great Warrior isn’t just some dumb barbarian…
That the Great Sage is after the magic I’ll eventually decipher from Alice.
– And now that you’ve caught the eye of Emperor Antares, living a normal life is practically impossible. Not to mention that monster, Lapis.
“……”
– Look around you, Johan. There are so many forces trying to push you into danger. Whether directly or indirectly, they all have more than enough reason to go after your life.
“You’re one of them too.”
– That’s right. Us Ex Machina are included. Now that Ryute has fallen, the other gears will start turning too. The balance between those gears has collapsed. And it was your hand that broke it.
“No, that’s because you…!”
– Spare me the thank-you.
Ah, right.
I should’ve known it was too good to be true.
Deus hadn’t been having a conversation with me this whole time. He’d just been saying whatever he wanted to say.
My opinion didn’t matter. My thoughts weren’t needed.
He’d already written the script, and I was just a character playing my part.
– Accept Ryute’s Spur Gear. It might slightly improve your chances of survival. And when the day comes that you’ve gathered all the gears… you won’t be a victim of the incident. You’ll be the one who chooses the ending.
***
Deus left after delivering his one-sided lecture and grand speech.
That really was the end of it.
For someone who called him a friend, he just left Ryute’s corpse behind like it was nothing. He truly was a terrifying man.
Right after Deus left, and just after Ryute took his final breath—
I finally retrieved the Spur Gear from Ryute’s body.
No, “retrieved” might not be the right word…
The moment I found it and touched it, the Babel Gear devoured the Spur Gear.
“I’ll assume he went peacefully, so I won’t feel guilty.”
The Spur Gear’s ability is neural control. That means there was probably no pain.
That’s why I stayed by his side and kept him company until the end.
Enemy or not, some lines shouldn’t be crossed.
Though honestly, it wasn’t really about drawing lines.
It was just easier on me this way.
No matter what, killing someone and staying completely cold to the end isn’t easy.
After accepting the Spur Gear and taking care of Ryute’s remains,
I was finally able to face Dietrich, who had come looking for me.
“Uh, um… are you all right?”
“It’s over now. Go get Helena for me. I’m really hurt.”
“Ah! Right away!”
He came later than I expected.
Only after things had calmed down and Deus had already come and gone did he finally come looking for me.
Maybe Deus had sealed off the area himself for the sake of his script.
“Haa…”
In the end, Deus was right.
You can’t always expect someone else to come save you.
Even today, I had to face my opponent completely alone.
It’s not like Yuna can always be there by my side.
“Teacher.”
Before long, Helena arrived.
Using her divine power, she quickly healed my wounds.
The Prophet’s power, capable of melting away even fatigue—
I was able to stand up as if I hadn’t been hurt at all since the beginning.
“I’ll just charge you four gold coins.”
“Since when were we that kind of relationship?”
Just as I was about to leave, feeling light and relieved, Helena hit me with a firm demand for payment.
How did things end up like this?
“There’s nothing more dangerous than people assuming I can heal any injury with ease. So at the very least, I should get paid for it.”
“…You’re sharp.”
She had a solid reason. I couldn’t argue with that.
Now that I think about it, she always stood out when we were studying.
Helena wasn’t lacking in intellect. Just in knowledge.
“Well, I’ll really be on my way now.”
“Ah, senior! Let me escort you to the city.”
“Even better.”
And it’d be even better if you kept doing that from now on.
***
A lot happened.
Seriously, way too much happened.
Thanks to Helena’s divine power, not just my wounds but even the physical fatigue had vanished.
Even so, the mental exhaustion remained.
So the moment I returned to the dormitory, I planned to collapse straight into bed.
But…
“Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“Move.”
Mephistopheles was glaring at me, so I couldn’t just walk away.
To be honest, I had gone too far this time. I lost my temper and threw him without thinking.
Still, it’s not like physical force could really hurt him. He only scattered for a moment before pulling himself back together. Did he really have to make such a big deal out of it?
He hasn’t been helpful this whole time and just freeloaded off me. It’s about time he actually did something!
“At least feed me before you complain.”
“You don’t even eat.”
He’s a demon. He doesn’t eat in the first place.
“Absolutely outrageous!”
“……”
Mephistopheles flailed, his tongue clicking in exaggerated disbelief.
It didn’t seem like he was going to let this one go as easily as usual.
Seriously, who does this guy think he is, expecting to be treated with respect?
I still remember how he used to torment me, constantly dragging up my past. He should be grateful I’m even talking to him right now…
“Apologize!”
“Yeah, sorry.”
“That was completely insincere!”
“……”
I was starting to get tired of dealing with him.
Honestly, if this had come up later instead of now, I might’ve given him a proper apology.
But does he really have to pull this when I’m ready to pass out from exhaustion?
Humans are creatures swayed by emotion.
I’m no exception. Which means my next move is already decided.
Time to put an end to this ridiculous scene.
“Wh-What?!”
I raised my hand.
The moment I looked at the disciplinary stick imbued with divine power from Helena, Mephistopheles who had been barking like a mad dog suddenly fell silent.
“Yeah, that’s more like it. Let’s save this for later. I’m too tired right now. I promise I’ll give you a proper apology then, okay?”
So if you don’t want a beating, let’s just drop it for today, alright?
“You think you can intimidate me with something like that?”
“Your legs are shaking.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Do you really think I wouldn’t be prepared for something like this?! Watch carefully! See for yourself what the power of a Great Demon truly looks like!”
In that instant, a black whirlwind erupted.
What the hell? This guy….this power…?
“You bastard?! You had this kind of power and yet you only managed to stop time for three seconds earlier?!”
“Hah! Go on, keep talking! You’ll be the one regretting it soon enough!”
The voice that rang out from within the storm was no longer the petty one I was used to.
Something was changing.
Soon, the whirlwind died down.
And I saw it. It was the transformed Mephistopheles.
“Behold!”
A confident voice.
“Take a good look!”
Shoulder-length black hair fluttering in the breeze, a round, chubby face, and those devious red eyes.
“I’m cute!”
He was barely up to my waist in height.
Perched atop his head were tiny, puppy-like ears, and small wings fluttered weakly on his back.
That smile of his….if anything, it reminded me more of a mischievous imp than a mighty demon.
“You pathetic fool! Could you really bring yourself to hit someone like m—”
Smack!
The hell is he even going on about?
“Gyaaah?! Why did you hit me?! How could you?!”
All that scheming and clever tricks…. what kind of half-baked nonsense was he even trying to pull?
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