SWNOVELXO Chapter 102
Episode 3-b: The Black Sorcerer’s Subjugation
Everyone is asleep.
Their appearances are gradually becoming gaunt and drier, all of them dazed and deeply immersed in illusions.
“Why did that guy wake up! Hey, cast the spell again…!”
“Ah, understood!”
An illusion that devours people, such a dark magic has caused everyone who came down to the underground as a subjugation squad to fall asleep.
There aren’t even any other awake souls visible all the way down the distant hallway.
Whoosh—
I did not try to resist the wave crashing down on me once more.
As the illusionary space was being created again, I leisurely removed my necklace, then my bracelet and anklet, and finally my robe, opening my eyes.
The colors around me begin to change.
A dull ash gray.
An ominous ash dust.
Unlike before, even in this illusion trying to consume me, those colors do not disappear.
Rather,
“Footprints.”
“Traces.”
“That is a story created by a single person.”
It merely shows something new swallowed by the illusion I created.
That is, Ain and the elderly dwarf sprinting down the dark corridor, unchanged and bizarre.
– T-These bastards, why is the alarm going off when they only live underground…!
– You moron, you came in, didn’t you…! It would be just right to capture you and offer you as a sacrifice.
With harsh curses spilling from his lips, Ain desperately twists his body, while ominous magic torrents down behind him, breaking the vials they throw.
– Left…!
– Alright, guide!
It is the desperate racing of those without mana.
– …, damn it.
– Isn’t blocking the entrance a foul play?
And the relentless will of those without mana.
– Horn, strike that hammer…!
– Get lost, you bastard!!
Foolishly sacrificing his arm to block the magic, he finds a breakthrough, desperately wanting to save his beloved.
So,
In the swiftly flowing past illusion, my emotions begin to simmer and swell.
With a crackle, the illusion collapses, and my gaze falls upon the horrified black sorcerers beyond it, resembling that of a demon.
“W-Why is the ash gray! Why does it hide among people and reject us!”
It’s alright since everyone is still asleep.
My steps crash heavily against the floor.
My emotions seep out from my toes.
The wriggling, gut-like things are swept away by the ash dust, and the hard floor of the ancient ruins begins to be tread upon.
Of course, the black sorcerers, who were momentarily taken aback by my true identity, quickly scan me with malicious eyes.
“No way… no way. A new research material that hasn’t been obtained for a hundred years has rolled in on its own. This is an opportunity! It’s just ash gray!”
“…”
“Hurry and bring the essence of dreams! Now that this has happened, I’ll capture that ash gray somehow!”
It was somewhat bitter that they looked at me merely as research material, not even treating me as a person because of the ash gray.
Sorcerers are basically like that.
During this time,
Ash dust bursts forth from me, steadily filling the hallway and erasing wall-like intestines.
I do not touch those who are deeply asleep in the illusion.
The weak adventurers and mercenaries behind, along with the knights and sorcerers in front, even the leader who had spoken contemptuously to me,
It sways before them as if to protect and block any unforeseen dark magic.
Because of that, I could hear some of the black sorcerers murmuring.
“What is this ash gray that protects people…?”
“…, why is the ash gray…?”
The expressions of some, who had been grinning sinisterly, gradually turned strange, as if they had seen something bizarre.
The ash gray that protects people.
Indeed, without a doubt, that is a strange sight surpassing the endless desire of the black sorcerers.
In a way, I have always pondered.
To me, only Ain and those who care for me were valuable, so I always wrestled with whether I had to care for and help others.
And that is still the same now.
Is it truly correct to protect those who are defenseless and fallen?
Or should I ignore their deaths and just subjugate the black sorcerers to claim rewards?
If I want to move for Ain without revealing my identity, surely the latter would be the right choice.
Since coming down underground, my struggle has continued.
However,
I must always be a good person. I must somehow become a good person.
I must be someone who won’t disappoint Ain. I must live as someone for whom Ain’s efforts will not be in vain.
A good person.
It has now turned into blind zeal starting from the anxiety that if I do not protect, I will be abandoned once more.
This is a meager belief that I have upheld for nearly twenty years since I was saved by Ain.
I have always thought of myself from the very foundation as dark and sticky, a repulsive ash gray.
“ ash dust.”
Perhaps,
“Spreading colors.”
The mindset that I should be a good person for nearly twenty years could also be the foundation of my existence.
“That leaves no trace.”
No longer merely mimicking a good person, but perhaps I can truly become a good person.
Humorously, I entertained such thoughts.
Even while looking at the ominous display of ash dust, which seemed even more foreboding than the dark mana wave from before, I held onto that hope.
And,
It starts to be erased.
The corridor, everything begins to be wiped away.
The wriggling intestines, the bricks of the once dark corridor of ancient ruins, the black sorcerer fleeing after witnessing my magic, the scattered magic they released, and all the magic circles engraved here and there.
All things except for the members of the subjugation team, whom I wished to protect, are being erased cleanly without a trace upon touching the ash dust.
Then, perhaps this ash dust will even erase the very illusions that devoured the subjugation team.
However, that does not mean I can stop the magic.
“…, tsk.”
From far away, I see a round crystal that ominously glimmers.
What they referred to as the essence of dreams is gradually approaching while blocking the ash dust.
Although it could not completely stop it, it was devouring a few black sorcerers at the edges.
Some black sorcerers who succeeded in fleeing the ash dust, along with those collecting that crystal, also began to chant spells.
“…”
The small groans of knights and sorcerers reach my ears.
In a short time, these people will begin to wake up, and soon many will open their eyes.
Therefore, it would be wise to wear my necklace again, tie my bracelets and anklets, and don my robe to hide my identity.
Even if I retreat with only Eileen in tow, ensuring my identity remains hidden is undoubtedly a rational choice.
I know.
I’m not particularly foolish, so I do understand that much.
Even if I only made acquaintances today, they are people who wouldn’t care if I acted this way.
When I subtly shift my gaze to observe my surroundings, I realized I was only thinking of that.
However,
“Beyond the unconquerable fence.”
“The wall that blocks the wind.”
“The warm warmth.”
I still find myself foolish, not knowing.
What it truly means to care for people. As the selfish one, I cannot understand it.
“Ain.”
So, the fool that I am will just act like Ain.
Like that person who even saved the ash gray, I will choose to save others.
“I always wished for that.”
Even if someone claims it’s a wrong choice, I will make the right decision.
Because Ain would surely praise me for this.
Ain would surely tell me I did well.
And so,
Boom—
A malevolent magic flew into the protective barrier encompassing all of us, including Eileen, creating a massive explosion.
“Ugh…”
Even amidst the shock that twists my insides, the barrier remains steadfast.
Once again, the magic flies towards us.
Boom—
It’s quite powerful magic, and just with two times, blood began to flow from my mouth.
“Cough…”
And so, the third one.
Boom—
With the fourth spell crashing against the barrier,
Boom—
The black sorcerers’ magic continuously strikes and beats against the barrier I erected.
“Ugh…, huff….”
Before long, my hands start to tremble, and blood bursts forth in great amounts from my mouth.
Of course, they too were slowly dying, one by one.
The ash dust that had been swirling since earlier managed to penetrate their defenses and took down a few of them one by one.
So, this is a war of attrition.
It will either end when they are all dead or if I perish, concluding the battle before reaching one of those outcomes.
And,
“Ugh, what is this….”
People begin to awaken.
The leader right behind me and the knights or sorcerers begin to open their eyes.
“What, what is this….”
“A, ash gray…?”
Although I lacked the luxury to turn around and see their expressions, voices filled with a confusion of emotions reached my ears.
Boom— once again, the black magic strikes the barrier, and a considerable amount of blood bursts from my mouth.
“Why…?”
The puddle made from the blood I shed again and again.
Perhaps, the pieces of organs expelled, crushed by the ash dust.
I attempted to focus solely on the magic, ignoring those.
“Why is the ash gray saving people…?”
Before I knew it, the leader approached me, gazing at me with a stunned expression.
“The ash gray… how can it save people?”
That wasn’t an attempt to belittle me. I could see the tremor in his eyes showing disbelief.
So, after spitting blood to clear my mouth, I responded.
“To me….”
“…”
“Cough…, there’s a reason I must be a good person. I don’t want to disappoint the person who saved me…!”
He gathered strength for me, so I will also gather strength for him.
I hope the meaning of what I’ve learned from him since childhood aligns with my actions.
A good person.
Good Ain.
My lovely Ain.
Even if I have to imitate his actions, I will save people.
Even if I’m rotten from the foundation, I will strive to be a good person like this.
Thus,
The unresponsive leader stared blankly at me before finally speaking up.
“…, Sorcerer squad.”
– Yes.
“Help this one. Squad 1 for healing, Squad 2 for barrier support, Squad 3 prepare for attacks.”
At that command, the sorcerers began to chant without further ado.
“And the knights… ensure the subjugation members at the back cannot see the situation here.”
– Understood.
The knights moved in an orderly manner to block the advancing subjugation members.
Before I knew it, my body, which had resembled a rag, began to heal little by little, and the barrier I was carrying alone felt lighter.
“How long can you hold on?”
“I can hold until they all die….”
In truth, that was quite weak help, but the mere fact that they wouldn’t stab a knife in my back because I was ash gray was sufficient assistance.
“If you feel you can’t hold on, let us know. We’ll buy some time even if just for a moment.”
“Y-You wouldn’t be able to hold on for even a moment, cough.”
“…, true. I’ve said something out of line.”
No longer was there sarcasm or contempt as before.
“…”
“I’ll amend that. If you were to collapse, I would indeed burn my body to block at least one spell.”
Their eyes reflected respect and reverence; with that declaration lingering, I nodded and once more focused solely on my magic.
This is a war of attrition.
It must be concluded before more people wake up.
And,
Thud—
With that sound, the crystal known as the essence of dreams falls to the ground, and the long fight ends.
The last black sorcerer disappears without a trace upon touching the ash dust before I collapse, leaving only the essence of dreams that has lost all its casters on the ground.
“Cough…”
I feel dizzy.
I collapse on the floor, staring hazily at the essence of dreams, but in truth, I am now nearly out of mana and in a state of exhaustion.
I bury my face into the puddle of blood I spilled.
“…”
Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity.
The black sorcerers have all perished, and the greatest threat, the ash gray, has spent all its power and collapsed.
Those who have learned my true identity are numerous, so surely someone must harbor the thought of killing the ash gray.
Thus, if there is an opportunity to kill me and claim the remaining rewards, it is now or never.
Humans.
They are always greedy and selfish, practical and superficial.
Even if they saved me, surely someone would be eyeing the chance to kill me.
However,
“Asha, Asha…! Please, wake up…!”
Eileen rushes to me, who has fallen into the red and bloody puddle, and embraces me.
“Hey, you there in the back, put down your sword. If you move now, I’ll strike you down.”
The leader stands in front of me, intimidating those making suspicious movements.
This applies to the sorcerers who helped me all along, as well as the knights, including two who had gotten their hands crushed while trying to paw at me.
“…, ah.”
In truth, my vision is quite blurry, making it hard to see or hear anything.
“A person.”
I know that the sword lifted by the leader glimmers beautifully.
“A person whose life was saved should at least show minimal courtesy.”
That voice was one of the few things I could still hear.
Soon, I completely lose consciousness, unable to know anything at all.
Ain.
I protected the people.
So, please tell me I did well.
My actions are surely not wrong.
Please praise me.
As always.
Pet my head, Ain.