368 365. Hero Promise.txt (1/2)

After that, the sharing of information with 'The One Who Steals the Dark Reason' continued without a break.

Even after hearing the full extent of the plan to recapture it, Master had no hesitation. He decided on the date and time of the decision, not a leisurely one like as soon as he was ready or tomorrow, but ”right now”.

It was simply that the longer the delay, the more powerful the enemy would be and the more disadvantageous it would be, but it was because Master knew the current situation of the 'one who steals the logic of fire' and decided that he could not extend it even for a moment.

There was not a single person who opposed him.

Immediately, his collaborator, the Director, went outdoors and proceeded to set up the plan.

Most of the planning rests on her being on the inside of the enemy's facility.

The three of us who were left behind continue to wait for her return, hoping for success - a few hours of waiting in the basement, and then the time comes.

''--Lands-sama. We're ready to go.

When the Director returned, he reported while entering the basement.

Hearing this, the two people who had been playing with the 'Demon Poison' in the room, 'The one that steals the reason of the dimension' and 'The one that steals the reason of the darkness', dissipate their power.

While waiting for the Director, they were not tired at all, they were not resting, but training their 'spellcasting' skills.

Sweat was dripping on their faces as they interrupted, proving that they had responded well enough. It was a light-hearted exercise to avoid wasting time, but the results seemed to be good.

Tida crushed the thick darkness that had formed in her palms and replied.

'Enough is enough, Kanami. I've gotten a general sense of the 'spellcasting' technique.

I knew that Tida made sense. I can't believe you learned all of this in one night.

Watching it up close, I was almost crying a little.

When I think about how much time I spent learning one 'spellcasting' technique, I can see that 'the one that steals the reason' is really special.

'No, it's more like I subconsciously used some of the 'spellcasting' techniques rather than memorized them. My impression is that those procedures have become more defined and easier to use.

I knew it. Considering how it was made, I guess that's just as well. ...... So, how's that?　I was pretty confident in my 'chanting' and 'spell name'.

'Oh.' The words were all unfamiliar to me, but my image, which had been wavering for a long time, was solidified. 'Dark and Variable, both of which are forces that are unique to me.'

The images in the words are Darkness and Variable. In your application techniques, be aware of the images in the words as well, and transform the 'Demonic Poison'.

The images of words. I'm not used to that feeling, but I'll make sure I get it right.

His master, smiling more than ever before, explained the 'spellcraft' to him.

He seemed to be happy that the name of his sense was accepted more than his power was passed down to him.

Occasionally, mumbling to himself, he would pretend to unleash the 'spellcraft' that he couldn't use on the wall, ”《心 異・Darkness Wash (Variable Curse)》”. He seems to be confirming the feeling of the words he uttered.

Even Tida's mouth was relaxed as she looked at her master.

His deep gratitude and forgiveness to Kanami is evident, even if his face is not human.

Then he put that gratitude into words.

'Kanami, thank you. Finally, lend me that.

Tida pointed to a mask that was randomly placed on the table.

It was bought at a stall while we were on the run.

With it in hand, we will construct a compilation of the 'spellcasting' technique we were taught now.

''-- [Mind, Oddity, No Face (Variable Faceless)]

The 'Demon Poison' in his body mixed with the dark 'Demon Poison' in this basement, causing it to transform into a dark dark power.

That viscous black magic power clung to the mask and gradually became one with it.

Perfect.

Perhaps thanks to the magic of translation, the image riding behind the words was transmitted to me.

''And by the way, here, too.''

Tida then applied the same 'spell' to the cloak worn by her master.

It was dyed black everywhere, making it the best piece of clothing to move through the world without lights.

The power of secrecy that will be needed by the master from now on, Tida strengthened it with the power of darkness.

The workmanship of that 'spellcasting' is confirmed together with her teacher, Master.

''Ha, ha, ha, ha. If you want to hide your identity, this power of mine is perfect. What do you think?

'Great ....... Is this a 'technique' to blend in with the darkness?　And it's a darkness that appeals not only visually, but also spiritually: ......!

I simply thought it was just a substitute for being easily confused by the darkness, but from my expert master's point of view, it's a little different. When it comes to the darkness that deceives the mind as well as the eyes, it's no longer a magical robe from a book.

The master takes the mask in his hand and speaks of its effects.

''Nice. But is it a bit too forceful in some ways?　Ordinary people can be fooled, but if you're sensitive to the 'magic poison', it might be easier to detect the opposite. It should be a more natural and deceptive 'technique' ......

I see. If it's too dense, it doesn't look natural. It's not just a matter of putting some effort into it, is it? There's a lot more to 'witchcraft' than meets the eye.

'Can I play with my dimensional powers for a moment?　First of all, I also want to fix the effects of this 'spellcraft' exactly.

'Yeah, sure. I'm curious to see how that will change. Are you going to write the words 'Jutsu' as an example on the back of your mask?

That's true. Also, since this is the case, I'd like to change the shape as well.

The two of them went on to consider a new 'spellcasting' technique, and the Director, who was supposed to have come to call for more, happily joined in.

''Ah, ah!　It's not fair!　Don't do anything that looks very interesting without me: ......!　Kanami, tell me about it!　The letters of that 'technique', from the very beginning, are slow and easy to understand!　I'm a genius, so I'll definitely make something better than what I was taught!

Yes, of course. I don't mind.

If left unchecked, they might forget their original purpose and continue to talk endlessly about ”witchcraft”.

I had noticed that all three of us had a habit of escaping reality.

I furrowed my brow in disgust, and although I was the youngest, I took the leadership role and raised my voice.

'Dah-ka-ka, that kind of thing later!　Come on, I'm going out!　When the director returns, the plan is non-stop from there, isn't it!

I snatch the mask from the whirlpool and force my mentor to put it on, pushing the three of them back and urging them out of the room.

I don't want to make the foolish mistake of not being able to make it on time because I was wasting my time talking.

That seems to be the case with the masters as well, and after a single word of apology, they hasten to move on. In the middle of it all, the Director was the only one who didn't feel like giving up and was biting back at his mentor.

'Kanami-kun, please go to ...... for more information later. Please, please .......

'Yes, I promise. After we finish everything, we'll both try different things.

...... Yes!

The Director was pleased with a big smile.

Her smile was as cute as a pure child's, but also full of adult female charm, making the cheeks of the master facing her blush.

However, from my perspective, watching from a bit of a distance, it is ruined by the director's blood-red costume down from his face. He looks like a researcher (mad scientist) who has acquired a new torture device.

Thus, we emerge from the basement, through the corridors of The Seventh Magical Research Institute, and disappear into the city enveloped in The Night That Was.

The two of us, Tida and Master, are truly lost in the darkness, assimilated and unable to be seen from sight.

The remaining Director and I will carry out the act as planned.

''Then, from here on out, Tiara-sama: ......

I got it. No one does that better than I do. Here.

I picture in my mind a sentence from the book. ”Tiara Hoozeyers was stricken with the disease of the 'Devil's Poison' and was on the verge of death. Her skin turned pale as if there was not a drop of blood, and she had no strength at all in her extremities. After believing that if that cursed body collapsed, I would never be able to get up again, I tried to fall to the ground in the city.

The director hurriedly supports my body and compliments me on my performance.

'Wow, wow. ...... or it's perfect!　The guinea pigs, and the guinea pigs, look exactly alike: ......!　Even physiological things like body temperature!

I can hear an admiring response from the darkness nearby.

'Heh. You're a great princess.

-Oh!

Only his master was so surprised that he lost his voice. The mask he wore wasn't big enough to cover his entire face, so the gaping mouth was visible.

I just recreated myself from my sickbed days, but I may have gone a little too far.

After we finished our preliminary preparations, we walked forward through the dark city.

The destination is a straight line to the 'First Demonology Research Institute'.

On the way, we passed a few townspeople and soldiers on patrol, but we didn't get too suspicious. As planned, the director of the city's famous 'Seventh Demonology Research Institute' would be thought to be moving along, lending a shoulder to a seriously ill patient.

What was troublesome was the congregation that was praying to the 'Flame God's Stone' that had been extinguished by the fire in the city.

They came rushing up to me in concern and tried to help me carry it. The rector refused all of these offers and continued to walk slowly and carefully. Thanks to the attention we were getting, we didn't find Tida or the Master hiding in the darkness nearby.

We then reach the 'First Magical Research Institute' and come to the back door, which only those familiar with the city would know.

There was one soldier on guard standing there, looking alarmed.

However, the director seems to be a familiar face and calls out to him in a familiar manner.

''Um... I have a regular report. Also, I'll be making adjustments (maintenance) to the facility now.

With his free hand, he takes a document out of his pocket and hands it to a soldier on guard while trying to get through.

'...... sir?　At this late hour of the night?　...... Uh, excuse me, but can we move it to tomorrow?　The hospital is currently searching for spies from other countries.

The soldier, loyal to his duties, frowned and stood his ground.

In contrast, the Director tried to push through forcefully.

''At the 'Seventh Demonic Research Institute', there have been great advances in research. Its transport is the main thing.

My body is lifted up and exposed to the eyes of the soldiers.

Immediately, I maintain a deadly complexion and wear a thick ”demon poison” on my body, which is easily recognizable at first glance. I also add the shallow breathing and twitching of my arms and legs that are characteristic of terminally ill patients. He makes the soldiers in front of him think that they must do something about it as soon as possible.

'Oh, so you want to transfer the results of that research (...) ...... no, you want to move the patient over here? Surely that needs to be done during the night, and that needs to be done as soon as possible.

When the soldier saw me, he uttered a few boisterous words and then softened his attitude.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Director folded up.

''Also, I was also told to move some of the guards, including you, to the 'Seventh Demonic Research Institute'. You can see from those documents, but it seems that they don't have enough manpower over there.

The soldier looks down at the document that was handed to him for confirmation.

It would be hard to read in this dark, and it would be hard to read in this dark, and it would be all he could do to see one line of what seemed important.

There should be a sentence written there urging the soldier to move quickly. Of course, this is a forged document that is only good for one night.

'...... me over there?　Did something happen over there by any chance?

I don't know much about it. I've always been told to keep my nose out of everything but my research.

'Surely you've been told that: ....... I understand. I could tell it was urgent for a lot of reasons. It's possible that those two spies may have shown up there. I'll get a replacement soon.

He decided that it was a waste of time to talk to the Director, who was a researcher. The soldiers move quickly. He enters the building and makes his way to the soldier's quarters just around the corner.

Thanks to that, the doorway is completely free for a few seconds.

''--I'm here, sir.

At a word from the Director, there was a faint noise in the darkness.

Now Tida and the Master have successfully entered.

A few seconds later, the man from earlier appears with a few soldiers in tow.

''Then we'll head to the 'Seventh Magical Research Institute'. Teacher, please come in.

Thanks for your help.

As planned, we see the soldiers off, and after making sure that the 'First Demonic Research Institute' is a bit thinned out, we walk into the building.

As we walked down that long, dark corridor, the Director earnestly checked the surroundings.

He is especially concerned about the 'Flame God's Stone' attached at regular intervals.

''The preceding Lands-sama and Kanami-kun are successfully closing the lights inside the building with darkness, aren't they? Then I will stop the blood wards inside the building.

The Director approached the end of the hallway and put his hand on an area that was obviously made of a different material. It's a long, thin line of black stone between the floor and the wall.

While speaking something more like 'chanting', he takes a dagger from his pocket and makes a cut on his arm.

It bleeds enough to create a puddle of blood, stains the ground, and continues to mutter for a minute or so.

That 'chanting' kind of thing was too long compared to his master.

Whether it was different from 'Chanting' or whether it was too short for us Hoosier's group - I couldn't decide, but I certainly saw the 'Demon Poison' being converted into another power.

And the black lines gradually turn to red.

What I thought was the framework of the building seemed to mean something important.

'Hey. I don't know, but was this really necessary?

'I'm proud to say that I created this: ....... If we don't stop this, our intrusion will surely be exposed and all the 'Fire God's Stones' will be set on fire in an instant.

'A moment, huh ....... That's great.

I don't have time to listen to the details, but I'm sure it's a technique similar to 'witchcraft'. I silently followed behind the Director, swearing to myself that I would definitely have it one day.

Along the way, some of the soldiers on guard had fallen.

Perhaps Tida and Master had neutralized them as a matter of fact. Thanks to this, we, who were following behind, could easily reach the central sanatorium.

Despite being watched over by the giant statue of the ”Heart of the Flame God”, the moans of the seriously ill patients who could not fall asleep could be heard. In the midst of it all, we head to the stairs in the corner of the room and sneak down.

That narrow stone staircase was unusually long.

After several minutes of advancing without stopping once, we finally reach the lowest level of the First Institute of Demonic Affairs.

It was a single-aisle corridor. At both ends of the corridor, a large number of ”Fire God's Tablets” were placed on the walls at both ends of the corridor, but all of them were unnaturally clinging to the thick darkness and could not serve as a light.

It's a dim, damp, airy corridor. As I looked, I saw a stone door with a lock and chain at the end of the path.

Tida and her master, who had preceded her, were waiting there, and several men, who appeared to be guards, had fallen in.

The plan was for this last guard to approach and take us by surprise, with me and the Director acting out, but .......

When we met up with the two men who preceded us, the Master explained to us.

''We had more time, so we neutralized them first. But we can't open the door on our own, so please.

I didn't need to see his expression to know that he was lying.

I suppose my mentor hurried down the road in an attempt to reduce our danger as much as possible. Lately, I feel that he has become more and more overprotective of me.

As I think about the reason for this, the director next to me comes up to the front of the room and puts his hand on the door with a large amount of locks and chains on it.

All of them glow red with the same dripping blood as before. The locks clicked open without a key, and the chains crumbled down as the joints became unnaturally brittle and brittle.

This is the most important room in the city, so I was told it had the most robust door, but thanks to the insider, it was easy.

The thick door, which claimed to let nothing through, was easily opened and invited us intruders in.

I wonder if my mentor felt the same way I did, and I blurted out.

'...... That was easier than I thought it would be.

Yeah. I was fully prepared before. Only the preparation has been a long time coming: ......

To that, Tida agreed and led us into the core of the Fania.

It was an oddly large room.

But it was similar to the central sanatorium above, with no decorations at all. There was just a cobbled ground, the walls were lined with 'The Flame God's Stone' and the object of prayer was seated in the center.

Tida walked to the center, covering all the surrounding lights with darkness as she walked.

The same giant statue of the Fire God that was above her stands tall. A girl with long black hair hanging down there was chained up and face down.

At a glance, she looks about my age, but I can't tell exactly what she is because she doesn't have the tips of her shoulders and thighs that should be there. Its torso is wrapped in bandages with strange writing on it, not clothing.