Chapter 51: Traces of the Past

"Uhm… I will forget what I've heard from earlier."

Earlier, Loki-sama called Lady Riveria 'Mama'. My instincts blared when I saw her send a threatening look to Loki-sama. But, it's entirely reasonable.

It has been a week since I started exchanging notes with her. For some people, Lady Riveria is as such. I saw her gentleness for Aiz-san and her strict side during our meeting.

"Ahem. Let's start. We stopped at…" I opened my booklet up to the bookmarked page. "...the utilization of [Chant Connection]."

"To think you could also do that…" She muttered.

During one of our exchanges, I freely admitted to being able to shorten or lengthen spells based on my situation. It allows the utilization of magic during specific situations.

Since Lady Riveria knew about me not having the three-magic limit, we became some sort of 'comrades'. She was left to explore her magic alone. Even if Lefiya-san could do the same, there is no doubt that Lady Riveria is a pioneer.

I could tell it is completely unusual for her to have some with the same level of magic knowledge. This is the result of more than two centuries worth of experiences.

"At first glance, the lengths which Lady Riveria chose have an optimal balance. The mana output shouldn't exceed the mental control, or else the possibility of Ignis Faatus increases. I could see years of hard work behind this."

When she gave me detailed notes of her [Wynn Fimbulvetr] and [Rea Laevateinn], I was shocked. I didn't expect her to trust me to this degree. When I asked her why she gave them, she replied 'I trust my judgement.'

I guess what I've heard from Aiz-san and Tiona-san is true. When they said she has a good eye for people, it has something to do with her instincts—her sixth sense, to be exact.

"I will be summing things up. There are some points to be improved in [Wynn Fimbulvetr]. Its cast time could be reduced by adjusting the freezing effectiveness. It wouldn't matter if it gets reduced since the intention for it is to delay time or catch them off guard."

"It would mess up the previous parameters set up." She pointed out.

"Yes. That's why…"

My hand started jotting down more notes. These included the possible sets of perimeters that could be applied for the revised [Wynn Fimbulvetr]. This knowledge came from my experience with one-verse spells.

However, it does not end there.

"Increasing the 'penetrative' ability is also crucial for anti-personnel purposes. By freezing the blood flow and inducing muscle spasms, it would affect them even after breaking free."

In short, a Damage over Time effect.

"..."

For a while, Lady Riveria went silent. I don't know if it is due to shock or something else.

"Are you alright, Lady Riveria?"

*****

'Sirius… What did this kid experience?'

Riviera fell silent because of surprise—but it is due to a different matter altogether.

'Did he experience a war from a young age?'

It was still unclear when they started, but she soon realized Nobu's proficiency with 'anti-personnel' spells. Coupled with his young age, it made her think that he mostly spent his talents with it.

Although, this is simply one of her conjectures. She couldn't just pry about his past.

"It's nothing." She soon gave a reply. "You should be talking about a status effect."

Status effect.

It is the term used for the buff and debuff applied to an adventurer. Things such as curses and hex are under it.

Nobu's words of freezing and hypothermia is similar to it. She had the idea before but turning it to reality required more work.

After that, they moved on to different topics. Nobu gave many useful suggestions such as increasing [Rea Laevateinn]'s scanning ability to work vertically as well. It was one of the problems Riveria sought answers with.

When their exchange ended, the two started organizing things.

"Thank you once again, Lady Riveria."

"You don't have to be formal. Your suggestions helped me greatly. If you have some problem, you can approach me."

"I'll take up that offer."

With that, he left the Twilight Manor.

"Hm..?"

Riviera saw a piece of paper left on the floor. Upon seeing it, she immediately knew it was Nobu's handwriting.

"I shall return it—?"

When she looked further, she saw nothing but indescribable scribbles. No, it is something different.

"Formulae..?"

The front and back of the page were filled with mathematical derivations which encompass a spell model. Riveria felt she could some of understand these, yet she could not. It's as if the purpose of these equations is vague, or rather, incomplete.

When she reached the end of the page, a single sentence was written on it:

'I will kill that dragon.'

For a moment, she froze. She couldn't see the 'intent' from handwriting alone, but she could guess how he must've felt.

"Dragon? Could it be..?"

Nobu was supposed to be outside Orario until a month ago. The 'dragon' couldn't pertain to the dragons in the dungeon, but the one outside it. However, the only known in that place that appeared in public is none other than the 'One-eyed Black Dragon'.

"Twelve years… Is he…"

Riveria came to an absurd possibility. The One-eyed Black Dragon was active until the Zeus and Hera Familia lost. These twelve years were peaceful, but the same couldn't be said back then.

That dragon used to wreck havor across the entire Gekai. Finn's parents being murdered was its doing, and so were the numerous other casualties.

"It's too hasty to come to a conclusion."

Nevertheless, she couldn't forget that thought.

*****

"There are way too many myths for it to be a coincidence…"

I absentmindedly strolled the street.

From Tiona-san's words, there are myths for 'David and Goliath', 'Excalibur', 'Heracles', and so on. They are extremely similar to the myths in my world. However, there are some myths that didn't make it.

To be honest, it is extremely confusing.

"Myths… language barrier… wait a minute."

I froze.

"Suimei mentioned a spell that allowed him to keep his current prowess on our world."

My good friend's words resounded in my mind.

"Nettesheim mentioned a spell that allowed Kudrack to keep his power. I did the same thing and returned with my full strength."

Fuck..!

"Why didn't I think of that?!"

A 'eureka' struck me.

"I could bind myself to this world and integrate it to the return spell!"

Right now, the main problem that hinders my return is Gekai's coordinates. There's not a 'basis' to connect this world and Earth. It is akin to walking blindly. You need to tie the ends of the rope at both sides to arrive at your destination. In this case, the two sides are 'Gekai' and 'Earth'.

"I need to remember it quick..!"

I sought for a nearby cafe and entered. After placing an order for juice and a cake, I started diving in my memories.

Think, think.

What did Suimei say that time?

Summoning… barrier… what was the last one?

Kudrack…

It was his special magic, Cross Dimension!

I didn't notice the passage of time. All I did was to scribble in my notebook in a desperate attempt to grasp the lifeline.

'Cross Dimension is a magic that converts his range to 'everywhere'. His slash could reach ten thousand soldiers in an instant. If it's the other world context we're talking about… it's the same as 'bringing over' the influence of the world to everywhere.'

Ring-!

Ring-!

The sound of the bell ringing several times appeared. It indicated the entry of another person inside the cafe.

"Phew…"

Tap.

After some time had passed, I sighed with relief. Out of nowhere, I managed to grasp a lifeline. I didn't remember it before due to how 'desperate' I was in searching for answers. I paid more attention to my plans against Evilus this time, too. Lastly, that conversation happened a long time ago from my perspective.

I drank the rest of the apple juice in one go. The chill went down my throat, refreshing my tired mind. I also stuffed the rest of the cake in my mouth.

"As long as Miku is able to integrate this…"

I will have a bigger chance of going home.

Just after leaving the cafe, I coincidentally encountered an acquaintance.

"Yo, Welf."

"Sirius!"

I saw Welf, the Crozzo bloodline inheritor out in the streets. He is eating a potato croquette called 'Jagamarukun'. Seeing him eat one made me order from the stall as well.

"How is it going? Your magic swords, I mean."

"It's going well! After following your words, I managed to 'lower' the strength of magic. It took a bit of work, but I finally did it once."

After our meeting, he slowly regained his spirit as a smith. He started making magic swords that aren't one-time use. It began with his 'intent' imbued while making the sword. This lowered the power of magic but increased its durability.

"I still have a long way to go. I could tell it is somewhat lacking compared to your creations."

"You made great progress already. That's after two weeks of dedication. If you continue, you'll definitely reach my level."

"You're too kind, Sirius."

"And you're too humble for your good. Where did you previous 'confidence' go?" I teased. "Tsubaki-nee mentioned your stubbornness before, you know?"

"Well… That's in the past. I realized how I sucked compared to others. That was embarrassing…" Welf said as he scratched the back of his neck.

I admit, I saw him as somewhat 'arrogant' when Tsubaki-nee and Hephaestus-sama talked about him. I know how being 'special' could get to your head. I already experienced it in the early days of my cheat.

I thought I was the 'chosen one' or something until I saw my future. It's not wrong to say that I am simply a side character. There are way too many stronger people than me.

Hence when I received the chance to become as strong as them, I am constantly reminded of complacency—that I should avoid it.

"Don't worry. I have moments like that too."

Crunch.

I bit the freshly cooked croquette. The flavor bomb wrapped by the potato and breading exploded in my mouth. I could see why everyone could get addicted to it.

"You too?"

"Don't take me for a perfect being. I make mistakes. All you can do is to handle the aftermath and remind yourself to not repeat it."

We continued to talk until it headed to something else.

"Sirius… I've heard you mention Hephaestus-sama's name often…"

"Uhm… Yeah? Hephaestus-sama updates my status daily so we talk about many things. She's not that strict that others make her be. Actually, she's the one who asked me to talk to you."

"Really? So that's how it is…"

For some reason, I feel like he's thinking about something else.

"Hephaestus-sama trusts you that much. Then… can I ask you to continue helping her?"

"Even if you didn't ask, I'll do so."

Hephaestus-sama not only gave me falna but also kept my secrets. She taught me how to improve my smithing skills and supported my actions. There's no other god I could wish for except her and Lady Artemis.

"I see. I'll be rooting for you."

Welf left with a cryptic message. His grin had a feeling of resignation and happiness.

"Rooting for me? What could he—?"

Suddenly, I realized the meaning behind his words. He mentioned Hephaestus-sama before it so—

"What in the world…"

Embarrassment crept upon me. When I thought about our moments, I recognized more and more 'signs'. Of course, I might be overthinking. I mean, why would… why would our relationship develop that way?

I-I'm not even sure with Lady Artemis..! Everything's complicated. I am... rather, we are unsure how to proceed. Neither of us broke the balance.

"God… Should I have used a chance for this?"

In all the iterations, I am aware I got into a relationship with two girls. One of them occurred during the first and second iteration while the other occurred in my third and fourth iteration.

I only knew about their names and not how it proceeded. Their names and brief moments flashed while I was fighting someone, hence it counted towards 'combat experience'. That was how I pieced the general flow of the future.

Thus, I never had any experiences towards love.

"What should I do…"

*****

Fourth Iteration.

"Ah."

Words couldn't leave the bloodied man's mouth.

"Ah…"

His mind couldn't process what he saw.

"What…"

After being killed by Kenjaku in the third iteration, the man, Nobu, planned to leave Japan to escape the disaster. He brought along the others in the pretext of a vacation.

However…

"Shi…"

Thud-!

Only her lifeless body remained. Her neck was bitten by a Rank B demon.

What.

What.

No.

No.

This isn't true.

There's no way.

Nobu didn't know when, but chaos broke out in the streets of Britain. After the public exposure of the events in Japan, the world's fear towards curses increased. It gave birth to even more curses in Japan, and consequently, demons around the world. The two are the similar beings, just with different powers and 'nature'.

Demons are purely made of 'dark emotions' while cursed spirits leans more toward their 'source'. The former focuses on one goal while the latter is influenced by their 'nature'.

If a cursed spirit was born from the fear of volcanoes, it would be a hotheaded cursed spirit with volcano-related abilities.

Meanwhile, demons could be born out of the mixture of said fears. They seek to destroy, nothing else.

Of course, there could be some exceptions.

Both of them couldn't make their appearance in the public due to the common populace's not believing in them which makes them weaker. But, it is not the case now.

Nobu froze on his spot. He tried his best to deny everything—that it was nothing but a dream. He no longer heard the panicked screams of the crowd.

"Ah."

Something broke.

He thought he would no longer feel such pain when he saw his brother being killed in Shibuya but he was mistaken.

Growl-!

The demon wolf rushed at him. His mind couldn't react. However, his body did. He used his arm to block its jaws.

Crunch.

His bones broke. Still, he didn't react. Even when the wolf began chewing on his arm, he didn't care. Only when the pain exceeded his tolerance did he awaken.

Grief turns into anger.

Extreme wrath.

"FUUCKKK YOU…!"

He summoned forth his combat suit.

...

When the wolf dissipated into thin air, he stopped firing it. His capacity for mana was low due to the absence of [Mana Furnace]. He would've killed if it didn't died now.

Still, all that mattered is her. He ran to her body with utter disregard for his mangled arm. Bones were sticking outside it.

When he arrived, his knees dropped. She was no longer alive.

"Wait… Yes, I will save you. I will save… definitely..!"

Tears tell from his eyes. In contrast to it, his will hasn't broken down yet. He called his assistant with shaky voice. Even now, Nobu is still capable of making rational decisions.

He knew every solutions in Japan were useless with all the fuss on it. His only hope are the magisters (Great Scholars) Suimei mentioned years back.

"Miku. Connect the radio to this frequency..."

{Connection establishing. Failed. The other side did not answer.}

Just as she said, he carried her body in his arms. He handled her with care. He took out a space blanket from his suit.

"Autopilot. We will be going to Frankfurten. Disable every speed limiters! Help me cast every healing spell in the database!"

…

Bam-!

The metallic operation table shook when nobu slammed his fist down.

"What do you mean?!"

The slightly fat man wearing a lab coat shook his head.

"It's too late. What you carried is nothing but a shell. Only one of the [Sacraments] could revive the dead. You must be aware of its disappearance decades ago."

"What..? Dead? She's still… Yes. She's still…"

In the end, Nobu flew out of the Society's castle with a crazed look. He deluded himself into thinking that there are answers in the midst of his 'irregularity' and the thousands of magic systems.

Professor shook his head. He knew this man as the sole magician who bypassed the law of [Mystical Entrophy] and introduced magic to technology. He made many advancements to the Society with his findings alone. Even if the others couldn't replicate the way he uses magic, the understanding behind certain sciences improved hundreds of magic systems.

"What a pity."

He knew the boy could be headed to downfall.

…

In the end, Nobu lost everything. His family died on the onslaught of the demons. His girlfriend died moments after her neck was torn off.

He is alone.

Since then, he never cared about the situation outside. He shut himself inside his laboratory.

He glanced at the gun in his hand. It was something he managed to hold after overcoming the last bit of his willpower. The gun was swiftly pointed below his jaw. His trembling hands struggled to pull the trigger. He closed his eyes in preparation for what was to come.

{Stop.}

His smartphone lit up the dark room.

{According to the simulations, there is 100% chance goshujin-sama dying a meaningless death.}

{goshujin-sama's contributions to the world greatly outweighs your death.}

"Fu… Fuck… You... don't understand."

Nobu couldn't bring to kill himself.

Was it his fear of death?

Every time he dies, it was always a painful one.

Even so, he should've overcome this hurdle easily. If he sought for peace, he should've pulled the trigger already.

He couldn't.

He knew how his loved ones would react when they saw him like this. They don't want him to die.

Sweat trickled down his forehead. He slammed the back of his head to the wall.

"Why should I live..?"

A lost boy's eyes wandered blankly.

*****

A/N: The final scene is from the fourth iteration. It does not necessarily show what he could remember; it shows the complete events. Thought it would help in understanding the downsides of his cheat. The reason why he wasn't broken fully is due to him not remembering everything (only combat).