Re: Turning
The Other Side's

Shinnichi examined the wall around the entrance to the 97th floor. Shot him a few times. Trying to find a chest or some kind of gift.

“You won't find anything,” said Schwarz annoyed. “You've been trying to find him for half an hour. You're just wasting your time.”

“The legion bears sweet fruit, Schwarz,” replied Shinnichi, wanting to sound philosophical. “We should use the time as best as possible and should not be lazy.”

“Need mirror? You defeated the Floor Boss by cheating because you were lazy.”

“This and that are different affairs. Do not mix things that are not important.”

“Beating Fire Elemental is not important and this is it?” tanya Schwarz did not understand the thought of this one young man. “You only want equipment or weapons that have a good effect, right?”

“That's right," he replied without hesitation.

“... At least argue a little.” Schwarz sighed.

Humans are strange creatures. No, Shinnichi is a strange creature. Categorizing it with another Human doesn't seem to fit. After all, his race was no longer human either. Whether he accepts it or not, Schwarz doesn't know

Lately, the young man has changed. At the time of meeting, Schwarz thought Shinnichi was a naive passive youth. However, now. A cunning young man who is willing to do anything to survive.

However, one thing that has not changed from Shinnichi is his cowardice. How he ran from an enemy he could not defeat. Using dirty tactics to fight them. As a Dragon who is known to have high self-esteem, he is less fond of Shinnichi's devious ways. According to Schwarz, such thinking is not wrong. After what Shinnichi went through, he felt the thought was normal to have.

Schwarz hopes this one young man can fix his war, at least.

“Tch, no yes.” Shinnichi clicked his tongue, annoyed. “Wasting my time only.”

“....”

Schwarz wants to say “What did I say?” But he knew it would only lead to a fight.

“Quickly, this floor is really uncomfortable.” Schwarz chose not to say it. Although he was in Shinnichi's head, Schwarz felt bad for the young man. If he dies, Schwarz can die too.

Shinnichi stretched his body. He hoped that the next floor would not be this extreme.

“The 97th floor. Five more floors.”

Shinnichi cheered himself. He descended into darkness.

✾✾✾✾

Two months have passed since Shinnichi's death. Killed so sadistically by the Devils. Or so the royal officials say. The truth never comes out.

Within two months, the Heroes had already conquered six Dungeons. Increase their strength and prepare for the coming war. They were more mature after Shinnichi's death. They know that this is the real world. Your guard and your life can drift.

Fyu! Fyu! Fyu! A whistling arrow could be heard. Moving gracefully, Yonaka released his arrows towards the beleaguered monster. Everything's on target, hit the head.

“CRUA!” A Hob Goblin swung its wooden club at Yonaka's feet.

“Hup!” Yonaka jumped up, avoiding him. Rolling over, he turned back to face the Hob Goblin then pulled the strings. He released an arrow to the back of his head.

That Hob Goblin fell dead. However, the danger is not yet over.

“Grua!” A Kobold attacked him from behind using a short sword.

Yonaka raised his bow. Diverting the blade's pace to get away from his neck. Realizing his attack had failed, the Kobold stumbled a little. Chance for Yonaka, he poked the tip of his bow into the monster's eyes.

“Graa!” Receiving an attack right into his eye sockets, Kobold screeched in pain.

Yonaka wastes no time. He pulled out his bow and planted an arrow into the middle of the wolf-headed monster's chest. The Kobold is certain to die.

But he hasn't given up. Gathering his last energy, he lunged forward. “GRUAA!”

‘--!?” Yonaka did not expect that. He hurriedly prepared his bow. But, before he could release the arrows, the Kobold had already swung its sword.

Before the rusty blade reached Yonaka, a large figure stood before him. A red-haired young man, Izumi caught the sword empty-handed. He hit the Kobold.

Brak! The resulting force made the Kobold hit the wall across the room. Fall off. Kobold breathed his last breath. Izumi lowered her fist. In his left hand, the Kobold's short sword was broken in half due to Izumi's grasp.

The young man faced Yonaka. “You all right?” khawator tanyanya.

Yonaka nodded. “I'm fine. Thank you, Izumi-kun.” Yonaka smiled slightly.

A wide smile was painted on Izumi's face. “Good!”

❂❂❂❂❂❂

The sound of wood crackling from the flames gave a sense of tranquility in the blanket of the night. The red flower bloomed beautifully, Licking a pair of fish that were pierced on it. Elicits a sizzling sound that is pleasant to the ears and tempting to the stomach. Izumi and Yonaka sat side by side in front of the bonfire.

They both held an iron cup. It contains the best tea prepared by the kingdom. Hot water spreads to the body, keeping them from the cold of the night.

They're following Victoria's orders. Conquering the Dungeon in the neighboring kingdom, Eltron. A maritime empire in the western part of Panzia. How the king obtained permission to conquer dungeons belonging to other kingdoms would be a mystery to the Heroes.

They are divided into two teams. Izumi and Yonaka are in Eltron, while Samejima and Erina are in Triste, the eastern kingdom of Panzia. It seems like this was done to accelerate the growth rate of the heroes. At their current level, a hero like Izumi and Samejima could even conquer a dungeon by themselves. However, since Yonaka and Erina each had a support class, they ended up being paired up.

No one objected. Sure oes. If they can grow faster, then their chance of coming back is also faster. And for Izumi and Yonaka, a chance to avenge Shinnichi's death.

Yonaka hugged his knee. “Nee, Izumi-kun,” call him. “Do you think we'll be back home?”

Izumi did not answer Yonaka's question directly. Honestly, he has no answer. Nor the belief that they would definitely return after defeating the Demon race.

“.... I don't know,” the answer is honest. “But, I'm sure there's a way home. After all, this is also a world of magic . Everything has a possibility.”

Izumi tried to lighten the mood. Yonaka smiled at izumi's words. “Truely too, it's a world of magic.”

Yonaka's smile turned sad. Remembering the face of his friend who was no longer with them. If they do find their way home, what about Shinnichi? Yonaka doesn't know. He has not thought about that possibility. What to do after returning to Japan.

“Magic...,” murmured Yonaka. He was deep in his mind. Magic can do anything. Creating water, leveling the earth, burning the world.

Is magic possible....

 “... Turning on the dead?”

Yonaka's question made Izumi stunned. He almost dropped his tea. Reviving Shinnichi, that kind of thing. Izumi shook her head.

“No way,” the answer is short. “No magic can restore a dead person.”

The Goddess who brought them from another world, who gave them tremendous power, who had created this world. The goddess has the answer. The goddess has her way.

Before Yonaka said anything, Izumi preceded him. "I've already found out. No magic can bring the dead to life."

Izumi was not a person who liked to read. He hates it even. However, for the sake of Shinnichi, almost every night he went to the library to find out. Although he himself is not very fluent in Panzian. He knew that there was no magic that powerful.

“Yonaka, I know you miss Shinnichi. Me either. But...” The next words felt stuck to Izumi's throat. It feels so bitter to be expelled. “We have to let Shinnichi go..”.

Yonaka felt his heart wound open again. He wants to scream. Wanted to scold Izumi for saying that. But, a single glance at Izumi prevented it.

The usually strapping and sturdy young man looked so sad. Holding back his emotions while squeezing the iron cup in his hand. Trying not to destroy it.

Just like Yonaka, Izumi also mourns the loss of Shinnichi. How not? He had been friends with her even before TK. He has been with Shinnichi for over 15 years. Compared to Yonaka who only knew him since Junior High, the burden Izumi received was much heavier.

Yonaka felt sorry to say such a thing. Even thought of scolding Izumi. He felt ashamed of himself for not thinking about Izumi's feelings.

“Sorry..” Yonaka lowered his shoulders. Looked at the fire. “I don't think clearly.”

Yonaka could hear Izumi rubbing her face. “Tak what. I also apologize for saying so.”

“No, Izumi-kun is right.” Yonaka tried to see the reality. Shinnichi's gone, he can't do anything. “I can't accept this yet.”

“Everyone needs his own time,” says Izumi. “I'm sure that time is not short.”

Yonaka nodded. Thinking of Izumi's words made her remember a certain ice princess. Since Shinnichi's death, he has never seen Fiona again. According to the servants, Fiona shut herself up. He hardly ever came out of his room.

Looks like Fiona really took a hit over Shinnichi's death. Seeing their closeness, it was no wonder that Fiona was still sad.

“I'm worried about princess Fiona.”

Izumi understood what Yonaka was talking about. He also worried about the princess. According to the news he heard, Fiona was there when the Demon race attacked. Shinnichi protects the princess until her hand is cut off. However, there was one thing that was troubling his mind.

Why was Shinnichi attacked by the Devil race? Why was only Shinnichi the victim? Then, Shinnichi's hand. One thing that bothered him the most. His hand was cut clean like the result of a sword cut, yet out of the three demon race messengers, none of them carried a sword.

His mind flew towards Samejima. The legendary sword bearer who was also in that battle. Is possible?

Izumi shook her head. He can't think of anything like that. As bad as Samejima was, he would not kill his fellow race.

Yonaka noticed Izumi's complicated facial features. As if thinking about something out loud. Having no words to calm her down, Yonaka leaned her head against Izumi's shoulder. Surprised the red-haired young man,

“Y-Yonaka?” Izumi could not move. He may be the strongest hero. However, in front of this one girl, he felt helpless.

Yonaka, with a blushed face, refused to look at Izumi. Hardly resisting his embarrassment.

“H-only tonight only...” murmured Yonaka. His voice was almost covered by a gust of wind. “Bi-let me be by your side.”

Izumi could not squint. He just nodded small, whether he was aware of it or not. Illuminated by the light of fire, the two lovebirds passed through the cold night side by side.

✾✾✾✾

Taps. Taps. Taps.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridors of the castle. Silent, with no one to stand guard. It was dark, with no light burning. The moonlight slipped in through the window. It enveloped him in a misitic aura that hid the savagery that filled the kingdom.

A middle-aged man walked over with great dignity. His thin face showed his lack of self-awareness. For more than 50 years he has been managing the country. Prime Minister Estoc walked up the stairs.

Letting his red silk robe be dragged on the ground. A symbol of pride and a proof of nobility. He approached a room at the end of the hall.

Guarded by a pair of knights. The one wrapped up as he approached and immediately opened the door. Not letting the man of interest wait a second outside.

Inside was a girl's room. Comfortable beds, giant mirrors, wardrobes filled with luxurious clothes, tables filled with the most delicious food and drink on the entire continent. All that a royal girl could dream of. However, to the occupants of that room, everything was just useless items. It is only for decoration.

Prison house. That place is just a prison. The prison that tormented his heart. The prison left him helpless. And although she was not chained by any shackles, no matter how much she wanted to escape, no matter how determined she was to resist, Fiona could do nothing.

Estoc turned her gaze to the corner of the room. Sitting on a chair, a figure was a mess. His face was gloomy and lifeless, his hair was tangled and messy, his clothes dirty and torn. Sitting in a chair, Princess Fiona remained motionless.

The estoc walked over to him. Roughly, he raised the face of the azure-haired girl. Looked at her face that was paler than usual.

Her beautiful face, her charming smile, her bright laughter were long gone. Now, Fiona looks like a doll cut off from her thread. As if lifeless and broken. Her blue iris even turned dark grey. If the eye is indeed a window into the soul, then it is already covered by a dusty curtain.

Estoc knew this was the result that would occur after using dark magic to control it. One could lose their soul. Swallowed by the dark forces that gripped their bodies.

“Puteri, two months have passed. Samejima-dono can't wait anymore. He refuses to accept a broken doll like you. I think you understand what I mean, don't you?” The whisper of the Estoc sounded very clear in that quiet room.

Dark magic is an ancient magic capable of controlling a person. Not by putting people's consciousness to sleep, but controlling it through inner torment. Persecute the host's soul and mind until they lose hope in their body. Turn them into pieces that can be told.

The average ordinary person could only last for two hours. Beyond that, they will die. However, somehow, the Princess was still able to last for two months. Withstand torture that even ordinary people cannot imagine for 24 hours every day for more than 60 days. The persistence that the Princess showed was so strong, that the supreme mage of the kingdom was speechless.

The estoc was tired of waiting. Samejima also promised the hand of the princess in the guarantee. He would not accept the princess in such a condition. His passion is not to want a doll as his partner.

The Estoc is still waiting for Fiona's answer.

“Pe.... Pe...”

Fiona moved her lips. Trying to get something out. His gray iris slowly turned back to blue.

“Per...” Fiona finished her words. “Personation... you guys..”.

“Da-Basic girl despicable!”

The curse infuriated Estoc. He slapped the princess in the face, knocking her out of the chair. Blood came out from Fiona's lips, but a glimpse of satisfaction could be seen on the princess's face.

“Still don't understand either? Alrighty! It's up to you!” The estoc spit to the side. Tired of dealing with Fiona.

He immediately came out of his room. While exclaiming, “Call the high magician of the kingdom! Now!”

Fiona is not afraid. Instead, a small smile was painted on his face. A little bit of giving it back to her old self. “Kurobane...same...”.

Before his consciousness was again swallowed by the darkness, he called out the young man's name. The name that kept him going all this time. The name of the young man he loved. The name of the young man he will always love.

Before being swallowed by the darkness, a tear trickled down. Fiona hasn't given up. Fiona's not giving up. For Shinnichi's sake, he'll hold on.

For Shinnichi. For Kurobane.