When Anna trapped Yukito, Yuu, and Hime, she thought that the three of them were delicious prey.
But, when she saw the gaze between Yukito and Yuu, she found something different from most of the humans she had kidnapped. (N)
The next morning, after they had all gathered—
(Continuation of Chapter 14) (N)
I woke up and saw Hime sleeping beside me.
I got up from my sleeping position and looked up at the bed. Yuu-chan was hugging Anna-chan.
Since they were all still asleep, I decided to go outside and practice my magic abilities.
"Lightning spear" (Me)
Once again—
"Failed again.. huh? Is skill creation this bad?" (Me)
"Besides, who did I even get this skill from?" (Me)
"If I keep thinking about it, my head just hurts.... oh well."
Besides, I still don't understand what Yuu-chan said yesterday. Later, I'll ask her what Ulvur is.
When I looked toward the house again, Hime and Yuu-chan had already woken up.
Yuu-chan's long hair looked a little messy... maybe because she just woke up?
Meanwhile, Hime's hair was still straight… shouldn't it be messy too?
"Yukito-sama, go take a bath first... I'll go with Hime later." (Yuu-chan)
"This early??" (Me)
"Here, people usually bathe in the morning." (Hime)
"Me first? Okay, okay." (Me)
I grabbed a bucket and a change of clothes, then went to the river.
Meanwhile, (N)
Yuu invited Hime to go behind the house. Hime followed her because Yuu said there was something she wanted to talk about.
"Hime, do you still remember where we are?" (Yuu)
"We're here, aren't we? In this beautiful world." (Hime)
Yuu's expression became slightly surprised.
"What's your full name, Hime?" (Yuu)
"S-Sephira Hime... N-Necval—" (Hime)
"That's enough, Yuu-chan..... my head hurts when it's like this." (Hime)
Hime walked away, leaving Yuu unable to think.
What should I do? They both really lost their memories.... if they're all trapped here... they'll stop being human. (Yuu)
Who is the real owner of this world? The world is beautiful, comfortable, and even though there are many monsters here, surely there's someone who will defeat them… it feels like a world created for happiness. (N)
———
"Why do I feel so uneasy like this?" (Hime)
——
Yukito came back after bathing, his body looking refreshed. Then, it was Yuu and Hime's turn to bathe (N).
And, Yuu-chan still hadn't given up on making Hime regain her memory (She wanted to wake Hime up first).
While they were bathing in the river,
"Hime, if I said you were a princess of the kingdom, would you believe me?" (Yuu)
Hime was silent for a moment before replying,
"I don't remember much of my past anymore, but if Yuu-chan says that.... I'll believe you." (Hime)
Yuu immediately became excited.
"Then, when was the first time you met Yukito-sama?" (Yuu)
"E-eh..... when was it?" (Hime)
At that moment, the memory of Hime finding Yukito unconscious came back. (Chap 2)
"M-Maybe.... when I was still a child?" (Hime)
"I see....." (Yuu)
What kind of memory was that? I found Yukito-san lying on the ground unconscious? Why does the place feel different from here.... (Hime's thoughts)
———
"Hime, I'll go back first, okay?" (Yuu)
"O-oo....." (Hime)
Yuu returned to the house earlier than Hime. And this time, Yuu managed to restore one of Hime's memories.
Yuu entered the house, and when she looked inside, Anna wasn't there.
She immediately rushed outside and looked around, finally finding Anna sitting on the roof.
Yuu quickly looked for a way Anna could have climbed up, and she found a ladder by the side of the house leading to the roof. She climbed up—
"Anna-chan, that's dangerous!" (Yuu)
"It's fine, Yuu-nee, I've climbed up here many times." (Anna)
Yuu sat down beside Anna.
"Many times?" (Yuu, surprised)
"For the past few days, I've come to like sitting up here." (Anna)
"Here, it feels refreshing... and we can look down. I like watching people live from my own perspective." (Anna)
"My dream is... that one day I'll be in a world where everyone can be happy." (Anna)
Yuu fell silent for a moment.
"Anna-chan, isn't there any way for me to return to my own world?" (Yuu)
"I already told you, didn't I? I'll help you as much as I can." (Anna)
"I once saw a cave that supposedly had a gate to another world." (Anna)
Yuu immediately became excited.
"Anna-chan! Please take the three of us there!" (Yuu)
———
That afternoon, the three of them were guided by Anna to the cave she mentioned.
"Yuu-chan, where are we going? Suddenly, you forced us to come along?" (Yukito)
"Yeah, me too.. what's going on, Yuu-chan?" (Hime)
"Shhh... just follow me." (Yuu)
After quite a long journey, they arrived in front of the cave.
The entrance was enormous, maybe 15 times Yukito's height.
"What kind of cave is this?" (Yukito)
"Let's go in, and don't let anyone get separated." (Anna)
The four of them walked close together. Inside, the cave was a little damp and human sight was limited. (N)
"Anna-chan, are you sure this is the right way?" (Yuu)
"Since earlier, Anna-chan was leading!?" (Yukito, slightly surprised)
"Ehh..." (Yukito)
Maybe Yukito thought Yuu had been leading all along. (N)
Finally, they arrived at a large area inside the cave where there was a black door at the end of the room. (N)
As Anna walked toward the door, Yuu stopped Hime and Yukito.
"Yuu-chan, what's wrong?" (Hime)
After halting Yukito and Hime, Yuu stared at Anna. (N)
"Anna-chan, isn't it time? To show your true form?" (Yuu)
Anna stopped, then turned around.
"What do you mean, Yuu-nee? We're inside a cave, don't say weird things—" (Anna)
Yuu stared at Anna with trembling eyes. That made Anna feel that Yuu was afraid of her.
"Yuu-nee, you really are too sensitive, huh? That's why..... I actually didn't want to take you back to your world." (Anna)
Yuu was still silent.
"Yuu-nee, I just want to ask.... are you happy living in this world?" (Anna)
Yuu was silent again.
"Anna-chan, who are you really?" (Yuu)
Anna's expression suddenly changed.
"Yuu-nee, right now all of you are within my grasp." (Anna)
"This world is mine, no one can leave this world except with my help." (Anna)
"Anna-chan, were our memories together yesterday just your game?" (Yuu)
"Well... more or less." (Anna)
———
"You all will become a threat if you keep living in this world." (Anna)
"That's why—" (Anna)
"Eternal darkness, destruction of all realms, move according to my command and obey, summoning magic, come forth Yornies!!" (Anna)
A huge magic circle appeared in front of Anna, and Yornies emerged. (N)
"This monster!?" (Yuu)
Yuu immediately looked at Yukito and Hime behind her.
"Yukito-sama? Hime?" (Yuu)
She saw both of them already lying unconscious on the ground.
"Relax, I only made them faint... so this will be a battle between you and me, Yuu-nee~" (Anna)
"Attack them, Yornies!!" (Anna)
Yornies obeyed Anna's command.
Yornies quickly charged toward Yuu and fired water at her.
SRASH
"Second-tier magic, Shield!!" (Yuu)
The attack from Yornies was blocked by Yuu.
"Great flames that burn endlessly, third-tier magic, Fire Shield!!" (Yuu)
"Yuu-nee, trying to defend~?" (Anna)
"Slumbering human souls, bonds that unite, gather at my command, dark magic, Netherbind!!" (Anna)
Shadowy hands from Anna's feet moved swiftly into the ground, piercing Yuu's Fire Shield.
And Yuu was captured.
"Ughh.... let me go!!" (Yuu)
"You already know, right? The difference in power between us?" (Anna)
On the other side—
Someone carrying a knife ran toward Anna and stabbed her from behind—
"ANNAAAA!!!" (Yuu)
Anna's Netherbind disappeared instantly, and Yuu rushed toward Anna. (N)
Both of them saw someone with a black cloak covering their head, who had just stabbed Anna's stomach.
"Abbys...." (Anna)
"That's why I hate humans." (The hooded figure)
He removed his hood and looked at Yuu and Anna.
Yuu immediately trembled, as if she couldn't believe what had just happened.
"We meet again, Yuu-chan." (Clever)
"C-Clever-san....?" (Yuu)
"Before anything else, I must thank that little girl. She only wanted to kidnap the three of you but I got dragged along too." (Clever)
"But lucky me, I get to kill her faster." (Clever)
Anna looked at Yuu.
"Yuu-nee, run..... he's a member of Abbys." (Anna)
BRAKK
Clever transformed his body from the old man's form.
His body grew larger, two big horns appeared on his head. His red body looked so muscular and his body emitted dark purple auras. (N)
"How is it, you two? Doesn't my body look great?" (Clever)
"It's been a long time since I used this form, it feels a bit stiff." (Clever)
———
"Clever-san, your story from before—" (Yuu)
"No, that was the real story." (Clever)
"After the girl I loved ended up with another man, I really fell into despair, and when I tried to kill myself, someone offered me a place in Abbys." (Clever)
"And I got what I wanted in Abbys." (Clever)
Anna, who had fallen earlier from being stabbed, stood up again. She pulled the knife out of her stomach and healed her wound. (N)
"Dark magic, second-tier, Eternal Netherbind!" (Anna)
Eternal Netherbind, the advanced form of Netherbind. Netherbind could only bind an opponent tightly, while Eternal Netherbind not only bound the opponent but also slowly drained their life force.
But Anna's legs couldn't support her body—luckily, she was still caught by Yuu. (N)
"Yuu-nee.... why are you still here...?" (Anna)
"You fool...." (Yuu said while hugging her body, shedding a few tears)
——
"Oi, oi, is the drama over yet? Come here, let me have you for breakfast!" (Clever)
Yuu wiped her tears.
"Yuu-nee... will you help me?" (Anna)
Yuu smiled softly.
"Of course, I will." (Yuu)
Yuu and Anna now stood and stared at Clever with sharp, focused gazes.
"You two, don't be so serious~" (Clever)
Yuu turned her attention back to the auras clinging to Clever's body.
"Anna-chan, what is that aura?" (Yuu)
"Overlimit. A special skill that almost every Abbys member has." (Anna)
"If this skill is activated, it gives extra effects and unlocks some hidden skills." (Anna)
Yuu was a little scared—
"Enough already? Here I come!!" (Clever)
Clever rushed toward Anna and Yuu at high speed.
Fortunately, they still managed to dodge the attack.
"Yuu-nee, let's change locations first." (Anna)
Yuu glanced at Yukito and Hime who were still lying unconscious.
"They'll be safe, so let's find another place that's better. If we fight here, we'll be at a disadvantage." (Anna)
"Blooming roses, become a beautiful illusion, Blossom Effect." (Anna)
Around Clever's body, roses fluttered and surrounded him.
"Don't run away!!" (Clever shouted, shaking the cave)
Meanwhile, Anna and Yuu continued running through the cave corridors.
"Anna-chan, why do we have to run?" (Yuu)
"The effects of Overlimit are too dangerous if we force ourselves to attack now." (Anna)
"That dangerous?" (Yuu, still not believing)
Anna just nodded.
Suddenly, Yuu stopped running.
"Yuu-nee! What's wrong?" (Anna, slightly worried)
Yuu bowed her head where she stood, breathing heavily.
"W-wait a second...." (Yuu)
Yuu decided to sit down for a bit. She looked exhausted from running.
From behind, Clever was already chasing them—
"Come on, Yuu-nee!" (Anna)
But Yuu didn't respond, still sitting—
Anna immediately stood in front of Yuu.
"Second-tier magic, Shield!" (Anna)
"Fourth-tier magic, Mega Shield!" (Anna)
"Dark magic, Prison Shield!" (Anna)
Anna had just created layers of shields to block Clever.
"Slumbering spirit of Abbys within me, turn me into fire, Flare!" (Clever)
Clever's entire body turned into blazing flames.
RASHH
Clever's body slammed into Anna's shields.
PRANG (Shield shattered)
PRANG (Shield shattered)
"I can't hold on anymore!!!" (Anna)
PRANG (Third shield shattered)
Anna quickly rushed to protect Yuu's body.
BRAKK
The cave wall split apart and they were thrown near the riverbank with a waterfall below.
Anna managed to save Yuu, but not without injury. Her right arm was severely cut.
And because of the Overlimit effect, the wound was difficult to heal.
"Anna-chan!" (Yuu finally woke up)
"This much... I can still handle it." (Anna)
DUNG
Clever stood in front of them.
This time, Yuu stood in front of Anna.
"Third-tier magic, Earth Prison!" (Yuu)
"Fourth-tier magic, Sea of Flames!!" (Yuu)
After Clever was trapped by rising earth, his body was engulfed by massive flames.
"Anna-chan, doesn't he have a weakness?" (Yuu)
"I have a skill that can defeat him... but I need time to cast it—" (Anna)
"How long?" (Yuu quickly asked)
"Around 5 minutes." (Anna)
"I'll protect you, so do it Anna-chan." (Yuu)
Clever managed to break free from Yuu's trap.
"Hot..... what are you two trying to do, huh!?" (Clever)
"Listen to me, o darkness....." (Anna)
Clever formed a sword from his flames and attacked Yuu!
"I summon you, Sword!!" (Yuu)
One of Yuu's summoning spells. She had just summoned a being clad in armor holding a sword. (N)
"Hold him off, Sword!" (Yuu)
Clever was stopped by Sword, and they clashed blades.
CRING (Sound of swords clashing)
Yuu quickly stood beside Sword.
"Bind him, Bind!" (Yuu)
Bind, a spell that could restrain the opponent. But its strength was too weak.
"Pathetic—" (Clever)
SRASH (Sword managed to stab Clever's body)
"A small wound like this won't affect me!" (Clever)
"You're wide open!" (Yuu)
"This is the last spell I can use...." (Yuu muttered)
She pointed her hand forward.
"Fifth-tier magic.... hah, hah..... Mega Fireball!!....." (Yuu)
Yuu fired a huge fireball directly at Clever's body.
Meanwhile, Yuu fell to the ground. But this time, she was still conscious.
"Anna-chan, finish it!!!" (Yuu)
"....Become mine, ultimate dark magic, Hell Prison!!!!!" (Anna)
The cave's ceiling turned pitch black. A massive cube the size of Clever descended from above, appearing behind Clever's body. (N)
At the top of the structure stood the statue of a woman.
A place filled with sharp thorns, ready to destroy anything inside it. (N)
Clever trembled at the sight, but his body was already paralyzed by Yuu's earlier attack—
"Please save me!! I'm sorry—" (Clever)
"AAAAAAARGGHHHHHH"
KLIING
The structure placed Clever inside, shutting the door as everything turned into thorns.
Clever's black blood spilled into the river, turning its water pitch black.
Anna's body collapsed onto the ground, yet she still tried to cling to her consciousness.
Now, both Anna and Yuu's bodies lay on the ground.
The cavern's sky returned to earth, Clever's body vanished into nowhere... and at last, this battle came to an end.