Vol 2 Chapter 3

Getting closer? Who with whom? Unfortunately, there was no time for rebuttal. Suddenly, a bright light and vibration burst forth from his chest area again. As in Torelit, Kapros had a premonition that a place related to his quest was close at hand.

"That light... It's certain indeed."

Lucrecian also muttered as if confirming. Shortly after, they entered a small cavern. Despite being underground, it was a place with a mysterious atmosphere where light shone softly through a small hole in the ceiling.

"Go ahead."

Kapros looked at him once. Even after coming this far, he was still a guy whose true intentions were hard to read, but there was no sense of malice in his casual hand-waving. Kapros turned his gaze away and approached the illuminated ground.

Just as in the maze of Torelit, the light emanating from the brooch grew stronger as he advanced. The buzzing vibration sound also rang in his ears. Kapros paused for a moment in front of the ground illuminated by the light flowing from the ceiling. The spot was so narrow that it seemed barely enough for one person to stand, but it evoked a strange sense of mystery and beauty. The only light existing in this dark cave. What would he encounter here?

Kapros quietly took a breath, removed the brooch from his chest, and inserted his hand into the light. At that moment, a bright light burst forth, so intense that it felt as if his hand might burn, instantly enveloping his field of vision.

This was the second time. Thinking dazedly, he quietly surrendered himself to the light.

When his vision cleared this time, Kapros found himself standing in the same place and was puzzled.

'...What's this?'

Looking around, Lucrecian, who had clearly been in front of him until just now, was gone. While he was perplexed, not knowing what was happening, suddenly an immense killing intent was felt from behind, and a sharp hidden weapon flew in.

Clang!

And before Kapros could react, it fell with a sound as if hitting something.

"...!"

Turning around, he saw a man standing there, his face almost completely covered except for his eyes, similar to Lucrecian.

"Was it you who attacked?"

Suddenly, a voice that wasn't his own flowed naturally from Kapros's mouth. A pleasant, confident tenor. Kapros had heard this voice before.

'Lord Superior...'

Only then did he start to understand the situation. It seemed that he was now viewing the memory from Lord Superior's first-person perspective. Previously, he had watched the memories of all characters from a distant viewpoint, so this was unexpected.

'Amazing...'

While inwardly marveling at this realistic technology, the man resembling Lucrecian quietly opened his mouth.

"...To dodge my dagger. Not bad. Are you the rumored 'Lord Superior'?"

"Then you must be the person who received the name of Shadow Master, the leader of darkness."

Shadow Master and the name. Kapros seemed to understand the identity of the man before him. The two continued their conversation.

"I told you. I have no intention of participating in such a meaningless war. This is the common judgment of not just me, but all shadow practitioners. So withdraw."

"It's not judgment, but avoidance, isn't it? How long do you think that will work? And honestly, even if I wanted to leave... I lost a friend while coming in here. I can't leave until I find him."

"..."

The Shadow Master frowned at Lord Superior's words, which seemed almost naive in their brazenness. His faintly glowing silver hair was quite noticeable in the darkness.

"By friend... do you mean the famous Dark Knight?"

"Yes. He'll be here soon. I left a mark."

At that moment, Kapros could clearly feel Lord Superior's smile as if it were his own expression. He felt very strange about the bright, confident smile that he himself could never make now. A faint question appeared on the Shadow Master's face as he saw that smile.

"How can you trust others like that?"

Superior opened his mouth as if it were an obvious question.

"Because he's a friend."

"...Are you saying friends are more important than family or lovers?"

Superior was silent for a moment before countering.

"Why do you ask such a thing?"

"There are no eternally unchanging relationships in this world. Are you confident that your trust in those you call friends will never be broken?"

The Shadow Master's silver eyes shone strangely.

"...Yes. I'm certain that my trust will not change and will never be broken, no matter the situation."

As Superior answered with confidence, the Shadow Master tilted his head and asked.

"Then if I join you and become a comrade as you wish, can you trust someone like me in the same way? Even knowing who I am?"

"Ah, that's a bit different. If you're curious about that, join our side and see for yourself."

"..."

The Shadow Master looked at Superior expressionlessly.

"It's complicated."

"What's complicated about this? How can you immediately know such things between strangers? Don't tell me you want to be judged solely based on the name Shadow Master?"

Lord Superior, who had silenced the Shadow Master with a single remark, continued with a smile.

"A name isn't everything about a person. I want to end this war and live as countless other names, not just Lord Superior. I want to experience more with my friends, enjoy things, and study. I want to prove with my own hands that nothing is impossible in this world. ...Well, it's a far-fetched idea for now, but dreaming is free anyway."

The Shadow Master looked at Superior with an unreadable expression as he finished his words hurriedly with an embarrassed look, as if suddenly realizing reality after talking excitedly. At that moment, there was a thud sound of someone landing behind the Shadow Master. Lord Superior, seeing who it was, shouted without hiding his joy.

"You're finally here!"

The Dark Knight, looking more mature than the young boy Kapros had seen before, yet slightly younger than during the war, stood there covered in monster fluids.