◆ Satanakia – Former West Terminal ◆
As soon as we entered, the entrance and everything else was sealed off, making it quite a hassle. The walls, which I couldn’t tell if they were metal or earth, twisted and contorted to trap us. A severe headache hit me, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I couldn’t help but admire the method of interference, albeit just a little. According to Kurinka, it seems they were altering the air pressure or something like that, but it didn’t matter much to me.
In the first place, this kind of trap wouldn’t keep us in; we could simply cut our way out. And finally, when we emerged, the landscape was barely recognizable as the former Metallica. Pipes of various sizes crawled over the walls and buildings like veins, giving the whole place a grotesque appearance. If I had to put it into words, it was like a machine suffering from a disease. The Kingdom of Metallica was afflicted by the sickness known as Satanakia.
“I can’t even see the sky. This must be the West Terminal. It’s faintly written on that bulletin board over there.”
“It feels like an entire dungeon. There’s another hollow path right over there. I wonder what the Danger Level is.”
“Rua-chan, you always think about that stuff.”
Contrary to Meria’s words, there was no sign of life. This place, with an atmosphere reminiscent of the underground of the Demon Lord Castle, felt devoid of vitality. If Metallica was sickened by machines, then the cause of that sickness was Branburm.
“To think humans could do this much… It’s almost indistinguishable from monsters now.”
【Cygnus has appeared! HP 2440】
A bulge erupted from the mechanical wall, resembling a pimple. Emerging from it was Cygnus, a liquid-like, soft metal.
“Whoa!”
【Kurinka’s attack! Dealt 2806 damage to Cygnus! Cygnus has been defeated! HP 0/2440】
Kurinka’s staff struck Cygnus in the side, cleaving it in two. With just one blow from the Staff of Scorching Tales, she took down a Heartless. What was this? It felt like the power of a blow I would hold back. The shattered Heartless scattered painfully.
“Hehe, I thought it might be okay for me to attack this time.”
“I never expected Kurinka to take the first strike… You’re fine without me now.”
“W-Why are you sulking?!”
“I’m just joking; I’m really happy.”
Suddenly feeling a rush of affection, I hugged Kurinka. She had once been the girl no party would take in, yet here she was, so strong. I remembered the first dungeon we tackled together, where I had protected her from Cave Rabbits. Back then, I had promised to guard her, and now we fought back to back. Thinking back on it made me feel nostalgic, and I didn’t want to let go.
“Hey, this is great and all, but right now isn’t the time for that.”
“Sorry. We need to find people. Is anyone around…?”
To distract myself, I deliberately looked around. I adjusted my slightly disheveled robe, noticing Kurinka’s cheeks had turned a light shade of pink.
Despite our efforts to move forward, no one was around. Heartless occasionally spawned, but there were no noticeable traps. And here, I felt I could confirm one thing.
“The Heartless outside must be spawning infinitely like this… Just as Terrace said, they’re truly monsters now.”
“I wonder if Branburm wants to defeat Madias this badly. I can’t really grasp the idea of Madias ruling over humans.”
“You shouldn’t speak ill of Lord Madias too much.”
A human voice echoed in this bizarre space. Coming from another passage was a figure wearing a black tank top beneath a jacket, with somewhat tattered jeans. His slicked-back blue hair looked just as it did when we first met.
“So, you guys have intruded too.”
“Rua-san! It’s been a while!”
“Wow! Mi, it’s Rua-san and Kurinka-san!”
I was shocked not only by the sudden appearance of Formas but also by the three others with him. Neither Kurinka nor I could find words to respond.
“F-Formas!”
“Wait. I’m not asking you to forgive the past; I just want to focus on destroying Satanakia right now.”
“What are you saying… Why are Ai and the others with someone like him?”
“Why? We’re just in a party with him. Formas-san, did something happen between you and Rua-san’s group?”
“Ah, just a little.”
From what I could see, it didn’t seem like Formas was forcing them into a party. While there was a possibility he was intimidating them into that attitude, Ai’s casual tone suggested otherwise.
In fact, it had been since the Comet Wolf Brigade’s raid that I last saw Formas in the Avangarde Royal Capital. He wielded a Demon Sword called Doomnate and looked incredibly inhuman. Even Tiferia had said the odds of winning against him were slim, and I remembered that feeling. He should have grown stronger since then, yet I sensed nothing from him now. The Demon Sword must be sheathed on his back, but even though it was a sword of Disballade class, I felt nothing from it. Ai and the others had been there too, witnessing his monstrous transformation, yet here he was, laughing cheerfully.
“Formas, what are you plotting? Weren’t you supposed to take revenge on us?”
“That’s right! You said all sorts of nasty things about that damn Roel!”
“Roel… No, Kurinka. I owe you an apology. Rua, I’m sorry about your father too. I was terrible during the A-Rank Promotion Exam… I let my position as the heir of the Matere Trading Company get to my head, thinking I could have everything my way.”
He stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking down apologetically. What was he saying now? I wouldn’t forget the grotesque form he had taken. I remembered the words he had spoken then. I had thought this day would come, but I never expected it to be now.
“I was spoiled. No, it’s not my father’s fault… In the end, I was the one who was soft. I was riding high on my own abilities, thinking I was something special.”
“Hmm.”
“As I said earlier, I’m not asking for forgiveness. We absolutely must destroy Satanakia. You understand, right? If we leave it be, it will mechanize the entire world.”
“M-Mechanize?”
“Even now, the humans in this continent… those in the former Kingdom of Metallica’s Satanakia are being absorbed. Some humans become nutrients for Satanakia, while others have metal forcibly embedded in their bodies, turning them into machines. And the majority of humans are slaves to the machines.”
Normally, one would be shocked by such claims, but these words came from Formas. I was half in disbelief, thinking he might be trying to deceive us. But if it were true…
“I don’t know what happened between you and Rua-san, but right now… I’m not asking you to make up, but can we cooperate here?”
“Exactly. Plus, we’ve gotten stronger! We won’t hold you back like before! Right, Mi?”
The reason I couldn’t fully trust Formas was standing right there—Mi. She was the only one keeping her distance from him. In fact, she seemed to be distancing herself from the two older girls as well. She looked anxious, as if she didn’t know what to do.
“Formas… I understand. Let’s cooperate.”
“Kurinka?!”
“However… if you pull any funny business, I will oppose you with all my might.”
“I don’t mind. In fact, I appreciate it.”
“Yay! I can fight alongside Rua-san and the others again! Formas-san, Rua-san is super strong!”
“I know that all too well.”
I was surprised by Kurinka’s statement but chose not to comment. Looking at Mai, she seemed to genuinely trust Formas. I exchanged glances with Mi, who pouted her lips in discontent, turning her back on Formas and the others.
“Formas, let me be clear: I don’t trust you at all.”
“I understand. That’s something I’ve built up myself.”
Though he said that, I disliked how he waved his hand dismissively. No matter what he said or did, I could never trust him. What I couldn’t forgive most was how he had bullied Kurinka. He had tormented her when I wasn’t around. I would never forgive that.
Kurinka might be pretending to cooperate on the surface, but I knew she didn’t trust him either. There was no point in fighting here, so for now, we were just cooperating. Ai and Mai were being deceived by someone like him. I would definitely make them see the truth.
◆ Satanakia – Former West District, Underground Level 3 ◆
With Meria-san guiding us using that magic, we aimed for the center where Branburm’s main body resided. Formas and the others were walking behind us, chatting cheerfully, which was quite annoying. We should have been rushing there immediately, but since we had agreed to cooperate, we couldn’t do that. This vast island of Metallica would take forever to traverse on foot.
“Kurinka, do you think what Formas said is true? That humans are being turned into nutrients?”
“Knowing him, he probably thinks we’ll rush to help the people of Metallica after hearing that. Meanwhile, he plans to defeat Branburm and make the Flash Strike Girl look useless!”
“Ugh… So he really is thinking along those lines.”
“I don’t know how you managed to win over Ai and the others, but that person has always been skilled at manipulating people’s hearts. At first, they act all kind and gradually make you dependent on them. By the time you realize it, you’re trapped in a cycle of rewards and punishments, unable to break free. Tatarka was the same way.”
It’s a method I could never conceive of. So, it seems Ai and the others are being deceived after all. Mi understands Formas’s true nature, which is why she keeps her distance. Even now, she’s trailing behind the older girls.
“This is the closest point. Lua and Kurinka, there’s a place nearby where humans are being exploited. Shall we go rescue them first?”
“Here we go.”
We whisper our conversation. Formas is trying to use us to his advantage. If we really go to that place, it will unfold just as Kurinka said. If it doesn’t, then there must be some kind of trap.
“I think he probably scouted the area beforehand. He might know exactly where everything is and is leading us there on purpose. I mean, why did he conveniently appear right in front of us? This island of Metallica is vast, after all.”
“So, what do we do?”
“Let’s go along with it. All we have to do is overturn his expectations.”
Responding to Kurinka’s wink, I agreed to Formas’s suggestion. As always, he wore a cheerful and friendly smile, looking pleased as he skillfully guided us. He really knows his way around.
◆ Satanakia, Western District, Underground Level 3, Human Factory ◆
“Over there.”
From a high vantage point, I could see down into a vast cavity below. Numerous Heartless loomed, and the people of Metallica were forced to work. They were glared at by the Heartless, and if they paused even for a moment, they were struck by what felt like electric shocks. It didn’t seem lethal, though, as they managed to stand back up, albeit unsteadily, after the jolt.
Humans were assembling parts that flowed in, one by one, while the person next to them performed similar tasks. This repetitive process was how a single Heartless was created. In other words, these humans were crafting their own enemies with their own hands. The sight of machines treating humans like machines was even more shocking than what I had seen in the Matere Trading Company’s factory. While they were doing something similar there, here, humans were being enslaved by machines they had created themselves. This meant that, as Terrace had said, humans were ultimately on the verge of being destroyed by their own civilization. Even if Branburm was to blame, he was originally human too. He may act all high and mighty now, but that won’t last forever. No matter how advanced their technology, it will eventually collapse. This scene told that story.
“Th-this is terrible!”
“Wait, don’t rush to rescue them right away. Look at their numbers! We’d just end up getting overwhelmed. First, we need to—”
“Shut up! I’m not listening to your orders!”
I jumped down, kicking off the metallic wall mid-fall, landing right in the center of the chaos. A horde of Heartless began to recognize me as an enemy. If I stayed like this, I’d end up dragging the enslaved people into danger too.
—But it doesn’t matter to me.
【Lua unleashed Sonic Rain!】
I intentionally fell into the workspace to get a closer look at the positions of the humans and Heartless. While falling, I assessed the situation and just before hitting the ground, I released Sonic Rain, letting it rain down like a storm. Each drop struck the Heartless accurately, obliterating them without a trace. The chaos left no time for anyone to react; by the time they realized what had happened, the Heartless that had been exploiting them were gone. It was a simple action, but even a second felt too long. Everything was over before the Heartless could fully recognize me. As I confirmed the actions I had just taken, I realized I had done it all instinctively. I needed to reflect on it sometimes. Now, this level of action was easy for me. No matter how many people there were, it truly didn’t matter.
“What the…?”
“Wait, that girl… isn’t she…?”
They still didn’t understand what had just happened. Some were still continuing their work, seemingly oblivious. A few began to notice me, staring in shock.
“Could it be… the Flash Strike Girl?!”
“No way! The real deal!”
“What happened to the machines?!”
“I took care of them, so you can relax.”
“Huh?! What are you talking about?!”
Finally, the commotion began, but it seemed they still couldn’t believe me. Even though I had done everything right in front of them, it was too fast for them to grasp. But if I had hesitated in front of the Heartless, they would have been wiped out in seconds.
“I… I think I said a lot of bad things… Is this some kind of revenge?! I’m sorry! Please, just spare my life!”
“That doesn’t matter! You were watching my movements on that slow-motion footage that Corin prepared, right? You wouldn’t understand what just happened because it wasn’t in slow motion, but I took care of everything! Look, there are no Heartless left, are there?!”
“Now that you mention it, my memory is a bit hazy… I was just assembling parts here a moment ago… And now, the Flash Strike Girl is here… What’s going on?!”
I wasn’t asking for compliments. I just wanted them to feel reassured. Yet, it had turned into an unnecessary uproar.
From another direction, Formas and the others approached. Kurinka was holding Mi’s hand, keeping her distance, while Ai and Mai continued to walk closely beside Formas.
“Everyone, it’s all right now! I made sure to stop the hologram device!”
Formas declared cheerfully. What is a hologram device? I was the only one who didn’t understand. The moment they heard Formas’s words, everyone’s expressions relaxed. Ai and Mai were smiling as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“It was a hologram…?”
“The electric shocks we received were real, though. Most likely, the machines made it look like they were coming from somewhere over there.”
“But I was definitely grabbed…”
“That too was probably just a malfunction of that arm. Still, to show us that many machines, Satanakia is really something else.”
“I see…”
Before I knew it, everyone’s expressions were gradually softening around Formas. It was as if I had never existed in the first place. The malfunctioning arm was a convenient excuse. I didn’t understand machines well, but it was strange to accept that as an explanation.
More than anything, I couldn’t forgive Formas. I never expected him to retaliate in such a way. Since he couldn’t win through strength, he resorted to this kind of harassment.
“Formas, stop saying whatever you want. There were definitely Heartless here!”
“Heartless? No, everyone and I saw nothing but holograms. It’s hard to explain, but it was an illusion projection device…”
“Illusions can’t hurt anyone! Stop making things up!”
“Calm down. Everyone’s watching.”
He looked at me as if I were a dirty thing, or rather, like a disobedient child. I was completely isolated. Formas had become the savior, while I was the lying child. That was the situation I found myself in.
“Formas…! What are you aiming for?!”
“Please, just calm down. It’s understandable that you mistook the hologram for reality. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Look at this! It’s just a small piece of the Heartless!”
“Enough. We can talk later. Please, just for now…”
“You bastard! If you hate me that much, why not challenge me openly?! You’re resorting to these underhanded tactics because you can’t win!”
“Enough already!”
Mai shouted, on the verge of a breakdown. The sight of her tear-filled eyes and clenched teeth made me feel as if I had fallen into a deep abyss. I could sense her anger and disappointment.
“Formas did indeed destroy the hologram projector! I saw it too! I know Lua is amazing, but this is just childish!”
“Lua, you’re misunderstanding Formas. If we take our time, I’m sure we can understand each other… Please, calm down.”
Ai spoke in a gentle tone, but it was clear she was exasperated. Why? Why had it come to this? I hadn’t done anything wrong. My surroundings felt like they were swaying. I felt like I might collapse at any moment. My legs felt weak. I didn’t know how much longer I could endure this mental pressure.
As I bit my lower lip and remained silent, Kurinka took hold of my wrist.
“Lua-chan did indeed defeat the Heartless. If you don’t want to believe that, fine. But that person didn’t destroy anything but a wall.”
“Even you, Kurinka… I understand wanting to believe, but…”
“If you don’t want to believe, that’s fine. Ai and Mai too. Come on, Lua-chan. Let’s leave these people behind and go.”
Kurinka coldly pulled me away, leading me forward. Then she stopped and turned back to the others.
“Oh, those who want to be saved, please follow me. I’ll make sure to get you back to the surface. But what happens after that is up to each of you.”
“What are you talking about? You think we can get out of here?!”
“If you don’t believe me, feel free to die here on your own. I don’t think Satanakia, in the form of Branburm, will keep you alive for much longer.”
A lightness washed over me. Kurinka’s hand felt like it was warming my heart. Just when I was about to sink into despair, she reached out to me. Thank you, Kurinka. If it weren’t for you, I would have been lost long ago.
“So, there you have it. Now, everyone, let’s follow that girl’s advice.”
Damn Formas began to cheerfully guide everyone. For just a fleeting moment, our eyes met. It was only a brief glance, but I could see a faint smile on his lips.
――――You idiot.
His lips moved to form those words. Did he really want revenge so badly that he would resort to such underhanded tactics? I won’t lose. No matter what schemes you have in mind, I have Kurinka by my side. I’ll expose everything, including the Demon Sword hidden at his back.
“Be careful where you step. If you trip and fall, you might lose everything—your life included.”
It was clearly directed at us. I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about how Ai and the others seemed to idolize him. I needed to calm down for a moment. Defeating him would be easy, but if I did that, those two wouldn’t stay quiet like before. Perhaps I should just eliminate him at lightning speed, like a Heartless. Where did Formas go, anyway? Just a little distraction, that’s all.
◆ Shin Report ◆
It’s been a while since I’ve written an entry.
Currently, I’m observing the Demon Sword Doomenet’s wielder.
That brat seems surprisingly sharp.
I’ve been anticipating Rua’s actions.
By summoning the three sisters, she’s effectively diverting attention from herself and preparing for an attack.
She’s only focused on psychologically cornering Rua.
But surely, it’s not just her power alone.
The Demon Sword of the Disbarred Class.
Hehe, Shin knows.
That sword has a name associated with it.
I thought about telling her, but I’m still feeling a bit nauseous.
Just a little nibble, and I’m already feeling queasy.
S-sick… sick… sick… heh… heh… heh…