52 - The Truth of the Holy Sword
Like the sky of a dark night, Ray's mind was dyed pitch-black. For a time that felt dizzying to Ray, he had continued to resist the consciousness that had intruded, but now only a sliver of his ego remained.
(...A-ah, a-are... y-you there?)
(...G-grrr)
(I-I see. T-that... but)
(S-still... h-here)
Even if it was only a sliver of his ego, Ray certainly remained as Ray. What had helped him were two lights dwelling within Ray's heart, which looked like shining stars floating in a pitch-black night sky. Using those two lights, which would never be dyed by darkness, as support, Ray slowly stood up.
(T-t-t-training... i-is... o-over)
(A-ah)
(T-this... i-is... w-where... i-it... g-gets... s-serious)
(...W-well, s-shall we go?)
(Yeah)
The two lights increased their brilliance even further. Illuminated by that light, some of the darkness was swept away. Noticing Ray's counterattack, the opponent once again showed an intent to attack.
(Here it comes! Shield and armor! Get ready, quick!)
(Listen, you call me out for the first time in ages, and you just treat me like a piece of equipment?)
(Shut up, you flamboyant caricature)
(How cru~el. I'm not a caricature, I'm a woman. Besides, I'm you, you know)
(Enough, just focus on defense! You too!)
(I'm more suited for offense, though?)
(Setting traps and tricking people are cowardly attacks. You can't defeat this opponent with that)
(Oh, is that so. Then I'll do it)
The new personality being called out was a personality that had once protected Ray. Whether they were the same personalities as back then, the main personality Ray did not know. He had simply chosen personalities that were easy to create in order to increase their numbers.
(Ugh! W-what is this thing!)
The personality that had just appeared screamed at the enemy's attack.
(Endure it! When it gets too hard, we'll switch! Anyway, just think about blocking the opponent's attacks!)
(Until when!)
(Until I defeat the opponent!)
(You were here too!)
The main personality Ray focused entirely on defense using the other two. The attacker was the sub-personality Ray who had remained until the end. If they couldn't win with individual power, they would manage somehow with numbers and strategy. He didn't know if they could manage. Still, they had no choice but to try. If they were dominated and vanished, it wouldn't just be himself. Kamiira and Rui, who were inside his heart, would also vanish. That was something the two Rays could not allow. With a will far stronger than before, the Rays challenged the enemy. That didn't mean they could overwhelm the opponent. The original difference in power was too great. Without showing a single opening, they continued to protect themselves. When it became painful, they switched and regained their composure. As long as the main personality Ray's spirit remained intact, this was possible indefinitely. Meanwhile, for the attack, they managed to find openings in the opponent and absorb them into themselves. Because the enemy was too massive, it felt more like surrounding them than absorbing them. Even when they finally managed to expand their range a bit, they were immediately pushed back. Again, they looked for an opening and expanded. They were pushed back. A battle continued where both sides wore down their spirits—their very selves—in both offense and defense. Even watching from the side, this battle would be incomprehensible. Ray simply remained motionless, his hand resting on his sword. Someone might notice it was strange. After all, he had remained motionless for hours, even tens of hours.
――A turning point arrived in a battle that seemed as if it would continue forever. Perhaps irritated by Ray's attempt to surround it, the opponent shifted to offense. It began to move to surround the Ray who was trying to surround it. Noticing this, Ray hesitated slightly but decided to bring the version of himself that had been focused solely on defense to the front. If he lost the means of attack, he wouldn't be able to reclaim himself even if he wasn't completely dominated. That would also be a loss for Ray. Ray had no choice but to win. Against the Ray who pushed forward, the opponent also increased the pressure of its attack. Simultaneous attacks from two directions. The opponent had the power to do that. Then, what saved Ray, who seemed destined to be on the defensive, was a single streak of light. It wasn't the light of Kamiira and Rui, nor was it Ray's; it was a far stronger light. That light erupted from inside the darkness, and because of that, the range of the darkness narrowed. Furthermore, as if to prevent that, the darkness retreated significantly from Ray. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity, Ray abandoned his defense and shifted to a full-scale attack. He enveloped the darkness, strengthening the bond of his envelopment. The opponent's resistance was fierce, and it directed its power toward Ray again in an attempt to break through. He had to block this somehow. But the opponent's power was too intense.
(Cut me off!)
(Hah!? What are you talking about!?)
(I said, cut me off!)
(Can I even do that!? If I try to separate you, you'll just vanish!)
The Ray inside Ray could only exist because he was connected to Ray. Ray knew this not through logic, but through intuition.
(It's okay! I have a plan!)
(What kind of plan!? I don't understand!)
(A seal! There's no time! Trust me!)
(Trust you!?)
(Just do it! Are you okay with letting important people vanish!)
(...Fine! Don't screw this up!)
In reality, the will of the main personality Ray was not necessary. The fact that the other Ray could even think of this proved that he had become an independent existence from the main personality. Even so, the words of consent removed the constraints from the other Ray's feelings and gave him freedom. He concentrated the power he had been expanding to envelop the enemy and focused everything on pushing it back. The main personality, knowing this, also shifted to a pushing form. He must not think about what would change because of this. Believing completely that this would lead to victory was the key. In fact, the opponent was gradually being pushed back. The darkness narrowed its range further and further, and the empty spaces regained their original colors. Ray felt something that wasn't just his own power. From that point on, he stopped thinking about unnecessary things and focused his consciousness solely on sweeping away and pushing back the darkness. For an even longer time, longer than anything before, Ray continued the battle――.
(Uh, am I... me?)
Ray, who had fainted before he knew it, thought this first upon waking. By thinking this, he realized that he was still himself. Suddenly noticing the sensation in his hand, he looked down to see he was still gripping the sword. The sinister aura he had first seen was gone, and it seemed no different from an ordinary sword.
(Ah, I...)
He remembered the other version of himself that he had cut off. Thinking of the self he had sacrificed to save himself, Ray became depressed. However, this depression was completely pointless.
(...Uh, sorry)
(Huh?)
(Sorry, am I still here?)
(...What do you mean?)
The self he thought had vanished responded normally, just as before. While he was happy, he also felt somewhat unconvinced.
(Actually, I thought I'd return to the sword and become the lid)
(So that was the seal, huh)
(Yeah. But I failed)
(...Then, what about that thing?)
(It's sealed inside you)
(...Is there a chance that seal will break?)
(That's possible)
(...How should I comment on that? Should I just shove it back into myself?)
(It's under purification. Once that's finished, it'll be fine)
(Can you do that?)
(Completely is impossible. But I'll weaken it enough to keep it under control)
(Who the hell are you?)
Ray didn't have such power. If he did, he wouldn't have struggled so much in the battle.
(It's not my power. No, is it my power?)
(...I don't know. Explain it so I can understand. Eh, you don't know?)
Naturally, he could understand the thoughts of his other self. Since it was just a reflection of what he himself thought, it was more accurate to say he knew rather than understood. However, Ray was surprised to find that it wasn't like that now.
(You called me "you," right? You too)
(Does that mean we've become different people...?)
(I guess so. But we're not completely different. I can tell what you're thinking)
(...That's unfair)
(From my perspective, you're the original)
(I see...)
(So, I'll explain properly. I need to start with what that thing was, so it'll be long)
(Yeah, no problem. I wanted to know that)
(Then, first, let's start with what the Holy Sword is)
What was it that had tried to dominate Ray? To understand this, it was necessary to know what the Holy Sword was. As for the "what," it was as expected. A sword for sealing and purifying the miasma erupting from this place. Rather than a Holy Sword, a Pure Sword would be more accurate. The mechanism of it made Ray frown. Simply put, it involved sealing a user of purification magic into the sword while they still possessed their will, forcing them to continue purifying indefinitely. It was a quite inhumane method. However, after hearing the details, Ray's perspective shifted slightly. The ones who created the Pure Sword, and the ones who were sealed, were a certain tribe of the demon race. To prevent the world from being consumed by miasma, that tribe had sacrificed themselves and their kin. There wasn't just one Pure Sword. All the swords that had been sunk in the moat were Pure Swords. Miasma that contaminated a forest so vast it took months to cross. Purification was not something that could be done easily. When a Pure Sword lost its power, it was replaced by the next Pure Sword. They had been purifying for hundreds of years. However, the tribe that had continued this for generations was cornered by the human race, and they lost the capacity and will to continue. The Pure Swords that were not replaced lost their power, and instead of purifying, they were eventually corrupted by the miasma. In fact, this was what had worsened the state of the Forest of Bewilderment. Originally, the erupting miasma was largely purified by the Pure Sword, and the miasma that couldn't be fully purified leaked out, flowed into the surrounding moat, and was completely purified there before flowing underground. The replaced Pure Swords were sunk in the moat to purify the leaking miasma with their remaining power. The flow of water connecting the caves was not a clear stream; originally, although it was technically purified, it was a place where contaminated water caused by miasma flowed. However, the Pure Swords corrupted by madness used their power to release miasma into the air, spreading the contamination over a wider area, and occasionally performed purification on a whim. Knowing that without the Pure Swords, only the groundwater would be contaminated and the impact would be limited to the surrounding area left him with an indescribable feeling. This was the truth of the Pure Swords, now called Holy Swords.
(I understand up to here. Including the fact that the thing that attacked me was the will of a Pure Sword driven mad by miasma)
(Now, what happened in the end)
(Right. What's happening inside me?)
(Do you remember the light you saw during the fight?)
(Yeah, that. The light that triggered the counterattack. Was that... that thing?)
(Exactly. The original will of the Pure Sword)
(It remained?)
Ray was surprised that the original ego remained after receiving such an attack.
(Because they're demons. It seems they didn't vanish completely, but were put to sleep, as if absorbed inside)
(And that woke up?)
(Yeah. And that side thought it was a chance, so it started attacking)
(Is that why I won? It's almost too convenient. Am I unlucky or lucky, which is it?)
(Who knows. Since you won in the end, just consider yourself lucky)
(By the way, from here on?)
(It seems it was trapped in madness for a very long time, much longer than a human lifetime)
(Ah, that can't be erased)
Ray, who was in a similar state, understood. Even with a different personality, if you bring that personality out too often and for too long, you can still feel that personality even after returning it to yourself.
(I thought so. Since it can't be completely erased, I'm trying to absorb it, or rather neutralize it, something like that)
(And what about you?)
(Eventually, I'll become a part of you. As it is now, I'm a foreign existence inside you. Apparently, that could lead to strange things. By the way, since it's inside me, even if I fail a little, it won't affect you)
(I appreciate that. But is that okay?)
(It can't be helped, right? There's no other way)
(Not that. If you do that, you've finally become independent, but now you're just absorbing multiple personalities into yourself, aren't you?)
(Gah!? Is that how it works?)
(That's how it works. Moreover, intense miasma and the power of purification that can suppress it. You're way more impressive than me. Why don't you become the Hero?)
(I have no motivation, and I can't. If I become the Hero, it means you, who are inside me, are the Hero)
(I hate that)
(Right?)
(But you're already different from me)
(Don't tell me to get out, okay? Even if you do, there's nothing I can do about it)
(It's too late for that. Now, for now, I understand the situation. I understand the Holy Sword more than enough, so we're done here)
(I guess so)
(Then, shall we go?)
(Are you okay?)
(Honestly, it's tough. But if I'm going to rest, I'd prefer a more calming place. Not near a place where miasma erupts)
(That's true. Then, the last cave we stopped at?)
(Let's do that)
Whether he was lucky or unlucky. Ray found himself asking this again almost immediately. As Ray stood up to leave the area, the presence of magic power suddenly swelled up behind him.
"What!?"
By the time he turned around, it was already too late. A tremendous flow of air was rushing right in front of him. Activating the magic power of his entire body was a good decision for a split-second reaction. The small tornado struck Ray, slashing his body. Even his groans were blown away by the force of the wind. When it finally stopped, Ray stood there covered in blood, with deep gashes all over his body.
"...Are you alive!?"
The one who let out a voice of surprise upon seeing Ray was Akemi. Not just Akemi. Fumiya and Hinata were also visible.
"...Y-you... b-bastards"
Though there were mountains of things he wanted to say, this was all Ray could manage to utter. Ray himself was impressed that he was still alive, given the wounds he had received.
"Hand over that sword!"
Ignoring Ray's state, Fumiya spoke. Ray didn't understand the intent behind those words. When he remained silent, fortunately, Fumiya continued talking.
"Your plot has been exposed. It's useless to try and steal the Holy Sword. We won't allow it"
"...S-st-steal... huh?"
"Don't play dumb! We know you're a demon! You pretended to be human and infiltrated the kingdom just so you wouldn't have to hand the Holy Sword over to me"
With these words from Fumiya, Ray finally understood the meaning. He didn't think they were mistaken. Fumiya and the others believed a lie they had been taught by someone.
"That's not all. You tried to cause conflict within the kingdom to weaken it. We've seen through all your plots, you demons. Give up and hand over that sword"
He had thought it was suspicious, but he never imagined the Heroes themselves would be assassins. Moreover, they were acting on a story without any evidence. Ray could only feel exasperated.
"...W-what... h-happens... if I... r-return... the sword?"
Since it was ridiculous, he decided to throw out such a question.
"I'll use that Holy Sword to slay you"
"...A-as I thought... y-you're... i-idiots"
"What did you say!?"
No idiot would hand over a sword after being told that. With this, the killing intent of the Heroes became clear.
"...O-one... t-thing... I... w-want... to ask"
"What is it?"
"W-who... s-said... I... w-was... a... d-demon?"
"That is..."
Fumiya hesitated to answer Ray's question. Ray considered the meaning of that. A gag order was the most likely possibility, but there was no explanation for why he couldn't say it here, where only Ray and the Heroes were present.
"...T-there... s-should... have... b-been... h-hidden... g-uards"
"They should be fighting magic beasts"
The answer was lacking in confidence. The possibility that he couldn't say it was high. This was a secret operation that they didn't want others to know about—in other words, an assassination. And for Ray, this was among the worst categories within his expectations. He had thought that if there were people from the intelligence department, he could at least avoid a fight here, but it seemed that was impossible. Even if he tried to escape, the Heroes were occupying the only exit. His body was still far from recovery. The reason Ray continued to ask questions was to recover his body even a little.
"I-is... t-there... a-any... e-evidence?"
"Something like that isn't necessary"
Still, he didn't say "Are you a citizen of a law-abiding state?" Ray had no intention of telling Fumiya and the others who he was. He knew it was a petty stubbornness. Still, he didn't want to beg for his life based on connections from a past he had discarded.
"Fumiya, enough talking, let's just take him down!"
Akemi interrupted here. This part of her was truly irritating. Time-stalling was over. Enduring the pain still ravaging his body, Ray accelerated all at once. He attempted to rush past the bewildered Fumiya, who had been caught off guard, but just before that, Ray slammed on the brakes.
"...Since when"
"I've cast a barrier. Sorry, but you're not escaping from here"
A barrier magic had been cast at the exit of the room. It was Hinata's doing.
"Prepare yourself!"
The sound of Fumiya drawing his sword echoed from behind. Without needing to see it, Ray leaped far away from that spot. A blade of light shaped like a boomerang slashed through the space where Ray had been. But the Heroes' attacks didn't end there. Where Ray had leaped, a wind-attribute magic, a blade of wind released by Akemi, slashed Ray's legs. Losing his footing, Ray collapsed on the spot. Then, the sword wielded by Fumiya struck.
Ray didn't have the strength to avoid it. Ray tried to block with his sword, but the reaction of the hand holding the sword was frustratingly slow. That was only natural. It was an arm that had been nearly severed by the first magic attack. Fumiya's sword slashed Ray from the shoulder down. The sword entered deeply, almost a fatal wound. Slowly, Ray fell onto his back.
"...Did we get him?"
"Don't let your guard down, finish him off"
Following Akemi's words, Fumiya pointed the tip of his sword at the chest of the fallen, motionless Ray. Just as Fumiya was about to thrust the sword down as a finishing blow.
"Hero-dono! Look out!"
A warning voice echoed. Reacting instinctively to that voice, Fumiya leaped far back.
"A magic beast!?"
"Get back! Keep your distance!"
The one who leaped in along with the voice was the Chief. Seeing the Chief's body covered in wounds, the vigilance of Fumiya and the others intensified. Hinata and Akemi retreated to keep their distance from the magic beast. Fumiya stood in front, sword ready, as if to protect the two.
"...What is that?"
"It's a magic beast called a Murder Wolf"
"Is it strong?"
"Quite. Although there were other magic beasts, several of my men were killed"
"I see. Then, I'll slay the enemy"
Fumiya didn't think for a second that he couldn't win. He actually had that level of skill, but sometimes that appeared as overconfidence and earned him the resentment of those around him. In this case, there seemed to be no such worry.
"...Eh?"
And he didn't even need to show his skill. Suddenly, the appearing magic beast sank its sharp fangs mercilessly into the neck of Ray, who was lying limp on the ground. Furthermore, it grabbed Ray in its mouth and rushed away in an instant.
"What's going on?"
"...Maybe it's food?"
"Ugh. Don't say weird things"
"But. What else could it be?"
"...Somehow"
"A pitiful end. Not that I feel like sympathizing"
"True"
"Now, we've got the Holy Sword, and all that's left is to purify the miasma hole"
Picking up the sword lying on the ground, Akemi spoke to Hinata. The purification of the miasma was Hinata's role. Hinata moved deeper, searching for the place where the miasma was leaking. Fumiya and Akemi followed. The Chief, who remained alone on the spot, looked at the pool of blood on the ground and shook his head regretfully. Looking at the amount of blood spilled, he was convinced of Ray's death. Personally, it was a regrettable situation, but the Chief felt that the objective of this mission had been achieved. The assassins sent for Ray were the Heroes. There were only a limited number of people who could influence the Heroes. The truth had become clear. The Chief left the area without seeing the result of the miasma's purification. Work to secure supporting evidence awaited him in the royal capital.