Before the Final Trial
*Yawn* At last, I shall be able to sit upon my throne once I return.
For the time being, I suppose I will lounge about my room, eating potato chips...
Ah. I should catch up on all the soap operas I've missed as well...
...Captain.
Is it time?
Yes. Lady Alicia's transfer ritual will begin shortly.
Since this is the last time you'll be talking to her, I strongly recommend you at least say your farewells.
...
Rosaria.
Huh?
Did you enjoy the Journey?
To one who lives an endless life, a single year holds no significance.
Still... I will not deny that the Journey itself was not entirely unpleasant.
If you wish me to cherish your devotion, I shall grant you half a day— No, one hour of remembrance.
One hour... That's...
More than enough time to finish a script.
...Hm?
You did finish the script for the play, but the script of our Journey is still unfinished, wouldn't you say?
I can't end my Journey with a Demon Lord like this.
Captain. You remember what Lady Alicia said, don't you?
She said you don't need to participate in the final trial.
But from this moment on, I'm no longer the Captain...!
I stepped toward Rosaria, lifted her legs onto my shoulders, and braced them with my hands.
I am Master Rosaria's chair!
Bwahahahahaha!!
I like it, acting servant! In recognition of your efforts, I grant you the honor of becoming my chair!
*Sigh...* I knew it would turn out like this.
Here.
It's a... comms device?
Communication is essential if you're going to return safely.
But when you get back, you're treating me, okay?
We only have that one device...
Will Rosaria be alright?
Oh my. Did you truly think I would rely on a device crafted by mere mortals?
Even the things you call unreal are nothing more than trivial amusements before me.
Strictly speaking, the transfer ritual itself is unnecessary for her as well.
Perhaps... No, surely even Lady Alicia anticipated this outcome.
She must have known you'd act like this.
In that case, go on ahead, acting servant.
I never intended to go along with this transfer spell or whatever to begin with.
...Understood. Preparations are complete. I will begin the transfer ritual.
At Lisa's signal, the aperture of the celestial projector opened and illuminated the sky.
A pure white light enveloped me...
And soon, a different landscape spread out before my eyes.
Where am I...?
Through Lady Alicia's transfer ritual, you've been sent inside the [passage].
First, please provide a report on the situation at the site, Captain.
Comms are working both ways. No issues.
Other than a black orb floating here, everything seems fine.
A black orb... That could be the [Corruption Core] sustaining the passage.
Destroy that, the source of the passage will disappear, and the problem should be resolved.
Indeed. I never imagined it would dare show such audacity before myself...
But there is no need to consider the situation of something that refuses to move.
Rosaria? You're already here?
I despise scripts that drag on.
Still, there is no thrill in drawing my blade against something that simply stands still.
Hmm...
Yes. That will do nicely.
I shall lie here. You deal with that yourself.
You want me to fight it alone?
Oh? Do you wish for my authority to twist the causality of your world?
If what you seek is the destruction of the world, I can oblige.
After all...
No matter how the story ends, it hardly matters to me.
That's...
...
All right. I'll do it.
I stepped forward and drew my blade. The force of it swept past my cheek.
Memories came rushing back as my senses snapped into focus.
A wasteland buried in ash. The stench of scorched earth.
And...
The blade is headed to...
My left shoulder!!
What...?!
Our blades collided in a crimson flash. My bones shuddered, and my wrist felt like it had been wrenched.
Even a casual swing carries this much force...?!
...Kgh!!
...Oh ho.
Still alive? You're more stubborn than I expected.
Then again, a fledgling who cannot even manage himself dared to waste a Demon Lord's time...
If you do not intend to die pathetically, struggle properly.
Ms. Rosaria? What on earth are you—
That's not Rosaria!
Could it be a Voidborn that can alter its form?
That can't be! The only energy Lady Alicia detected inside the passage was the Corruption Core...
...Ah! If the Corruption Core absorbed part of the Demon Lord's powers, it might be able to use that power itself!
Even without a sense of self, if it absorbed her authority and gained massive [possibilities]—
That's too complicated to understand!
Is there any way to get Rosaria over here?!
It's just like before, at the magic circle!
If you bring the Star Piercer into a location she can observe...!
Before Lisa could finish, the Corruption Core's blade swung toward me. I rolled aside and barely avoided it.
I hurled the Star Piercer at the Corruption Core. It didn't budge, rushing toward me and stomping on my chest.
Agh...!
Captain...!
Ahaha! Your broken state is inferior even to the [Junk Metal]'s discarded playthings.
But no amount of clowning about will change anything now.
Since I have prepared a stage at such effort, your pitiful death throes should at least serve as the melody.
As the being raised its blade, a sinister chill swept across the barren land.
In that instant, I realized it. This was the very [possibility of catastrophe] I had foreseen.
...
The moment I understood that truth...
I sensed that my role was over, and stopped struggling.
...So that the arc of her blade could safely reach it.
Haha! Seems putting you to work as an acting servant paid off. You have become somewhat useful.
I shall graciously commend your efforts...
Bow, praise me, and engrave my existence upon your mind.
...You're late.
A little later and I would've died.
Whatever theme your story carries, it has nothing to do with me.
Still, if you are to be my actor...
At the very least, such a wretched script will not do.
So the Corruption Core really did absorb your power...
Which means, paradoxically, you were able to observe our world through it.
Indeed. Frail as you are, your think reasonably well.
Then couldn't you have intervened using that without forcing me to go through all this trouble?
Why would I? That would ruin the impact of my reappearance.
Besides... Anyone who cannot overcome a trial like this is unworthy of being the protagonist of my script.
Um... Captain?
To me, they look exactly the same. How could you tell them apart?
Simple.
If it were the real Rosaria...
If the Journey is the theme, then the script will be nothing but a bunch of cliches, will it not?
Ruin caused by family conflict, forbidden temptation, and a miserable love triangle sparked by unwanted infidelity...
That is the kind of script I desire.
I enjoy scandalous melodramas. I am not satisfied with just any script.
W-we can make adaptations!
It's a story anyway. Surely we can let our imaginations run a little wild?
Ahaha! Naturally. That is how it should be.
Since it has been a while, I shall indulge you this once, acting whatever.
But know this. If I involve myself personally, do not expect a half-hearted ending.
...She would never plan to end the script half-heartedly.
Hmph. A mortal has quite the audacity to speak of me like that.
Still, rejoice. I would never commit the vulgar act of spoiling the moment.
If this is meant to be the script's highlight, I shall gladly play along.
...Captain.
Huh...? What is this?
What else would it be? It is your script.
When even a Demon Lord such as myself is playing along, a mere mortal like you wouldn't dare break the mood, right?
Y-you want me to read this?
It even says to alter the projection's appearance...!
Ahaha! Every great protagonist requires a fitting nemesis.
Now then. Hurry and warm up the atmosphere for me.
Ugh... This is a complete mess...
...Are you ready, Captain?!
Go for it!
Yes. The Star Savior Succession Trial, the [Journey].
Its final trial will now begin.
Your opponent will be the... [Evil Monstrosity Hildragon]?
A-anyway! [Dirac's Well] has begun projection!