The man sitting on the throne radiated an overwhelming presence.
Brilliant silver hair.
Triangular eyes that seemed to loom over you, with golden pupils.
And the aura of a king emanating from his entire body.
He was a king.
The "Tortoise Dragon King" Pergius.
The moment I laid eyes on him, a tremor ran through my legs.
I knew why.
Because Pergius resembled someone.
I'd never forget him.
The silver-haired man who killed me.
His hairstyle, clothing, and features were different.
But he was similar.
To
"Please, step forward."
At Silvaril's prompt,
Ariel followed close behind.
I advanced as well, half-hidden behind her.
The space was vast.
The ceiling was high, supported by pillars like great trees.
Looking up, a massive chandelier blazed with brilliant light.
It was grand and dazzling.
Furthermore, numerous tapestries bearing intricate crests hung on the walls.
From famous ones like the
And standing along both sides of the red velvet carpet we walked upon were eleven men and women.
"……"
They were all dressed in white.
Though each had a different design, the color was the same.
White, through and through.
And they wore masks.
Every single one of them was masked.
No two masks among them were alike.
Animal-shaped masks, Masks that covered only the eye area — like something an optic blast could fire from.
From helmets that exposed the mouth like some robotic officer, to ones that looked nothing more than buckets.
These were likely Pergius's twelve familiars.
Though they were called familiars, they appeared entirely human.
Almanfi had once fought Gilene to a standstill.
Which meant that the twelve, including Silvaril, all possessed sword-king-level strength.
I absolutely did not want to make enemies of them.
I would need to be extremely careful with my words and actions from here on.
"Please, stop there."
At Silvaril's words, Nanahoshi came to a halt.
"……"
About ten paces ahead, on a raised platform a couple of steps higher, sat the throne.
From there, Pergius looked down at us in silence.
Or more precisely, I had the feeling he was looking specifically at me.
Somehow, our eyes were meeting.
This was terrifying.
Silvaril slowly walked over to Pergius and took her place at his right.
Silvaril on the right, Almanfi on the left.
And flanking us on both sides, five masked figures on each.
Pergius slowly opened his mouth.
"I am Pergius Dorah, the Tortoise Dragon King."
The Dorah family!
No wait.
That had nothing to do with a castle in the sky.
"It has been a while, Lord Pergius. As promised, I have returned."
First, Nanahoshi bowed her head.
It was rare to see her bow while using polite speech.
I glanced over and saw that Ariel had immediately performed a standing bow.
Luke and
I wavered on which to do, but out of habit — or perhaps just instinct — I chose a standing bow.
A Japanese-style bow.
"Nanahoshi, then."
Pergius's voice sent a chill down my spine.
It carried both dignity and intimidation.
I felt a terror as though I might be devoured, and a breathlessness as though my heart were being crushed in a fist.
I could feel cold sweat trickling down.
This was… intense.
He truly felt like the real deal — a genuine king.
"So you've returned. That means you've uncovered something about the summoning from another world?"
"Yes. I'm not sure whether the results will be what you were hoping for, Lord Pergius, but—"
"Results, you say… The pursuit of knowledge is the destiny of us Dragon Race."
Dragon Race. So he was a member of the Dragon Race.
I'd never given it much thought before, but of course.
The Dragon God and the Tortoise Dragon King.
They weren't human — they were Dragon Race.
That explained the resemblance. Same race.
Nanahoshi conversed with Pergius without flinching.
Pergius, for his part, showed no signs of treating her rudely.
They were friendly.
Apparently, just because he shut himself away in a castle like this didn't mean he was a recluse.
"As agreed, I would like you to teach me about the summoning magic of this world."
"Hmm, very well."
It seemed she had originally struck a deal with Pergius.
Research interworld summoning and present him with the results.
In exchange, he would teach her the secrets of summoning magic in this world.
Something like that.
"By the way — you've come with quite a large group. Who are they, exactly?"
"Yes. They helped me with my research. As their reward, they requested an audience with you, Lord Pergius."
"Oh?"
Pergius exhaled with a hint of boredom.
The word "reward" felt a little off, but it wasn't exactly wrong.
"It is an honor to meet you."
Ariel stepped forward first.
"I am Ariel Anemoi Asura, Second Princess of the Asura Kingdom. I consider it a great honor to have the chance to meet someone as great as Your Majesty."
"Ariel Anemoi Asura, you say?"
"I hope you will remember me favorably."
Pergius let out a sharp breath.
"Oh, I know of you well. The foolish princess who lost a squalid battle for the throne in the Asura Kingdom, yet is trying to drag everyone around her into a muddy conflict."
Luke's head shot up.
But Ariel didn't waver.
"Those are harsh words."
Though perhaps one should call it admirable.
She smiled softly, never breaking eye contact with Pergius.
"So you came here hoping to borrow my power, if possible?"
"No — I merely wished to meet a hero renowned throughout the world."
"I can see right through your scheming, Ariel Anemoi Asura."
Ariel's voice was charismatic as ever.
But looking closely, her complexion wasn't great. She was also breaking into a cold sweat. Perhaps having seen through her, Pergius wasn't impressed — or maybe she felt she had even less of a chance than she'd thought.
Pergius looked at Ariel and gave a thin grin.
It was the kind of smile one gives to a child being scolded.
"However — you came to this place. That too is fate.
I shall give you a chance.
I will permit your stay in my castle."
"Th-thank you… for your consideration."
Ariel bowed and stepped back.
Relief and a trace of anxiety were visible on her face.
--- "Now then — what about you?"
After Ariel withdrew, Pergius's gaze turned toward me.
It was almost as if I were the second most important person after Ariel.
Thinking that, I stole a glance behind me.
All of them were kneeling.
The only ones still standing were me, Ariel, and Nanahoshi.
Well, no wonder his eyes came to me.
I placed my hand on my chest and bowed once more.
"It is an honor to meet you. I am
"Rudeus Greyrat."
Pergius repeated my name as if savoring it.
"It took some effort to teleport you, you know."
"…?"
"Normally, that teleportation spell cannot be used on someone whose mana exceeds one's own."
Pergius spoke irritably.
"Your mana is reminiscent of Laplace. If you had truly resisted, I would not have been able to teleport you."
"My apologies for the trouble."
Laplace.
The name of the Demon God who had been sealed away by Pergius and the others four hundred years ago.
When people assessed my mana, they all invoked that name.
I must really resemble him.
"Very well. But do not even think about using that enormous, stomach-churning mana within this castle."
"Naturally, I won't."
It really felt like I was being nailed down with a warning.
No — this was an explicit warning not to cause trouble.
But still, it was strange.
Why was I being treated with such caution?
I wasn't the type to go on a rampage without reason, and even with reason, I wouldn't do it.
…Ah. Could it be that he remembered?
Just before the teleportation incident, when Almanfi had suddenly tried to kill me?
Did he think I held a grudge?
Was that why he was implicitly telling me not to hold one?
"Um — regarding the teleportation incident, I've already moved past it. So—"
"The teleportation incident? What are you talking about?"
The instant Pergius tilted his head, Almanfi appeared at his side in the blink of an eye.
And whispered something in his ear.
"Ah, yes — now that you mention it, I recall a story about a boy being protected by a sword king during the teleportation event, who attempted to cast a spell toward the sky. So that was you."
He apparently hadn't remembered.
Had I dug my own grave?
This was practically announcing that I was still bothered by it.
But on their end, there shouldn't be any lingering ill will. I hadn't done anything.
Right?
"And — the one who inflicted a wound on Orsted was also by the name of Rudeus Greyrat."
He knew that too.
Well, calling it a "wound" was generous — it was more like a scratch.
If he knew that, then Pergius and Orsted were acquainted. No — had Nanahoshi told him?
Though, come to think of it, for Nanahoshi to befriend the king of a floating castle, an Orsted connection seemed to be the most likely link.
"When someone of your talent exists, they sometimes come to overestimate their own power. If you truly wounded the Dragon God, I suppose that kind of arrogance is understandable. But if you ever think of fighting me — prepare yourself for death."
The moment he said that, the familiars around us let off a faint killing intent.
Please don't.
Being this confrontational was a real problem.
I had only come here for information about my mother's condition, and if I was lucky, to learn summoning magic.
So why was I being treated with such suspicion?
…Could it be that they thought I had fought Orsted to a draw?
Give me a break.
I'd been utterly destroyed, and the only reason I landed a hit was a surprise attack while he was off-guard.
Here, there were twelve familiars.
I knew their abilities to some extent — what I'd read in books, at least.
But knowing a character's stats in a fighting game was one thing. Actually fighting them was another.
And numbers were a tremendous advantage in a fight.
Even zombies that could be knocked out in one hit became desperate when there were enough of them.
And these twelve were each capable of fighting Gilene to a standstill.
I didn't know Pergius's own strength, but it surely wasn't weak.
Against them, I had no way to survive.
Besides, I had no reason to fight.
"Of course, I would never do anything to oppose you, Lord Pergius."
"A wise attitude. I favor the wise. Fools only cloud those around them, but the wise sharpen each other."
In this context, "the wise" apparently meant "those who don't oppose Pergius."
I didn't think of myself as particularly clever, but I could understand that much.
"Lord Pergius. He — um — contributed enormously to my research with that incredible mana of his. He is not an enemy. So could you perhaps be a little kinder to him?"
Nanahoshi's timely intervention came to my rescue.
That's Nanahoshi for you.
She was right.
He held no hostility toward me, so let's just be kind about this.
"Hmm."
Hearing Nanahoshi's words, Pergius nodded.
"Very well. I shall be kind.
O collaborator of Nanahoshi.
What is it that you desire?
Gold? Or power?"
Pergius asked with a somewhat bored air.
He would at least treat me as a guest, it seemed.
Why did I have to be treated so harshly by someone I'd only just met?
I was being perfectly deferential here…
Oh well.
Let me ask what I'd planned to ask from the start.
"Then, if I may ask one thing."
"What is it?"
"It's about my mother's illness."
I spoke of Zenis.
--- "I see."
After I explained Zenis's condition and symptoms, Pergius nodded deeply.
"I have heard that some ancient labyrinths capture people and make them function as their heart. And those who become the heart are transformed by mana — invariably losing their memories — yet gaining a mysterious power within them."
"A mysterious power?"
"The power possessed by those called Cursed Children, or Holy Children."
A curse.
Was Zenis under a curse?
A curse that stripped away the ability to cry or laugh?
"For what purpose?"
"I do not know. However — there is a theory that labyrinths were created by ancient demon race as a kind of paradise. A core mana crystal distributes mana equally to all within. Those inside are freed from hunger and prosper. So it would not be strange if the ancient labyrinths incorporated humans in order to improve that efficiency."
An ancient demon race paradise… beings freed from hunger.
Come to think of it, the teleportation labyrinth had been swarming with monsters.
The Eat Devils especially had been present in nauseating quantities.
I'd wondered what they ate to survive — so that was why.
Though wait,
"Distributing mana equally to those within" was probably an exaggeration.
Or perhaps monsters possessed some ability to draw mana from nothing?
…Well, the labyrinth didn't matter right now.
This was about Zenis.
"Do you know of a way to cure my mother?"
"I don't know the details myself. But…"
Pergius paused and looked behind me.
"There is a woman who once walked a similar fate, and who yet lives to this day.
If anyone would know more, it would be her."
Pergius's gaze rested on a certain point.
There sat a woman of the long-eared race, with magnificent golden hair.
Elinariise slowly raised her head.
"Elinariise Dragonroad. If I recall correctly, about two hundred years ago, you were rescued from the Labyrinth of Bao through the efforts of my friend."
"That is correct."
"You were a long-eared girl who had lost your memories. I met you once, long ago. You've grown considerably since then — but do you no longer remember me?"
"No, I do remember."
Elinariise looked uncomfortable and averted her gaze from me.
What was this about?
Elinariise had walked a similar fate?
Rescued from a labyrinth two hundred years ago?
Wait — what?
"Why have you not told him? Since you are all here together, you must know each other."
"That is…"
"You are the one directly involved. No one would know your situation better than you."
At Pergius's words, Elinariise faltered.
But she answered with composure.
"I never recovered my memories. I thought that Zenis might be the same — and so I chose to remain silent."
She spoke firmly, but her expression was strained.
Cliff gently put his arm around Elinariise's shoulder.
"……"
I was left in a state of confusion, unable to do anything but stay silent.
I had noticed something was off about Elinariise, true.
But to think she'd had such a past.
"I'm sorry. I always felt I should have said something, but…
Recently, Rudeus seemed so happy, and I couldn't bring myself to say it.
The curse on Zenis didn't seem life-threatening, and perhaps if she became a Holy Child, or perhaps nothing would happen at all…"
"…Tell me the full story later."
That was all I could manage — barely squeezing out those words as Elinariise continued with what sounded like excuses.
"Very well."
I didn't intend to blame Elinariise.
She hadn't revealed her own past, but on the Begaritt Continent, she had offered all manner of opinions about Zenis's condition.
I'd thought she simply knew a great deal from experience — but it turned out she was speaking from firsthand knowledge.
It was like her — she must have been thinking of many things.
That her own memories might return, unlike mine.
That there was no need to burden me with the facts when
She'd been looking out for me — that was why she hadn't said anything.
But still — at the very least, I wished she had told me about the curse that might be afflicting Zenis beforehand.
--- "Is there anything else?"
"No."
At Pergius's flat tone, I shook my head.
Somehow, in just these few minutes, I was utterly exhausted.
It felt as though I'd been talking for hours.
There were more things I wanted to ask.
About summoning magic, the Laplace War, the teleportation incident.
But if I took in any more knowledge, my head would burst.
Let's leave it here.
"Does anyone else wish to ask something? Is there anything you desire of me?"
"Then, if I may ask just one question."
At Pergius's inquiry, a man stood up.
It was Zanoba.
"And you are?"
"Pardon my late introduction. I am Zanoba Shirone, Third Prince of the Kingdom of Shirone."
"A prince. Do you, too, seek backing in your battle for the throne?"
"No — such things are of no importance to me whatsoever."
Zanoba said that bluntly, then produced a small booklet from inside his coat.
On its cover was a certain crest.
One I recognized.
The same crest that had appeared on the blueprint for the automaton found in the basement of my home…
Oh.
"This crest. It bears a strong resemblance to the crests of 'Wrath Dragon King' Maxwell and 'Tortoise Dragon King' Pergius. Furthermore, it is strikingly similar to the one on that tapestry over there. Do you happen to know anything about it?"
I looked at the crests hanging on the wall.
Where Zanoba was looking.
Among the many crests lined up, there were familiar ones.
One was the crest from the Stone Monument of the Great Powers — the Dragon God's crest.
One was the crest on the magical artifact that had hidden the teleportation ruin. Judging from the incantation at the time, it likely belonged to Holy Dragon Emperor Sirad.
And right next to it was one identical to the crest in Zanoba's hand.
"I know it. What you hold belongs to the 'Mad Dragon King' Chaos."
"Ohh!"
Ohh!
So that was the crest he'd found at the gate.
Maxwell's crest, probably.
When he'd seen that gate, he must have spotted the crest and noticed the resemblance.
And he'd concluded there must be a connection.
Impressive, Lord Zanoba!
Oh wait — sorry, I forgot to mention that I'd seen a crest at the teleportation ruin.
"And — where is this 'Mad Dragon King' Chaos now?"
Zanoba stepped forward, unable to contain his excitement.
But Pergius shook his head.
"Dead. Decades ago. I don't know whether he has a successor."
The booklet with the crest dropped from Zanoba's limp hand.
His shoulders slumped.
"I… I see."
His face seemed to age about five years in an instant.
Though Zanoba already looked older than his years.
"Tell me — where did you find that crest?"
Looking at Zanoba's deflated state, Pergius leaned forward slightly and asked.
Zanoba remained hunched over, unable to respond to the question.
"It was drawn on the blueprint for a self-moving automaton, which I found in an abandoned house in the magic city of Sharia — the home of my master."
"Indeed. A self-moving automaton."
Pergius nodded, then continued his inquiry.
"Was this automaton a wonderful creation?"
"Of course it was! The craftsmanship etched into every detail was breathtaking — one could truly feel how deeply that person loved automatons! As a fellow lover of automatons, I feel nothing short of reverence for that person's philosophy!"
Pergius narrowed his eyes and smiled warmly.
"You seem to be someone who understands art.
Very well. There are a few works by Chaos in the treasure hall of this castle.
I'll show them to you later."
His voice was so gentle it was hard to believe it was the same person who had been interrogating me moments ago.
What accounted for the difference?
Well, it wasn't a problem or anything.
"I am truly honored!"
At Pergius's words, Zanoba's face broke into a beaming smile and he prostrated himself.
He looked happy too.
Zanoba had apparently won Pergius's favor.
Nice.
I wished he'd taken a liking to me as well.
--- "Anyone else?"
"Um, I — that is, may I ask something?"
The one who raised a hand at Pergius's words was Sylphie.
With somewhat awkward movements, Sylphie bowed her head to Pergius.
"And who are you?"
"I serve as a guard for Her Highness Ariel Anemoi Asura of the Asura Kingdom, and I am the wife of Rudeus Greyrat. My name is Sylphiette
At that point, Silvaril whispered something to Pergius.
Pergius let out a displeased huff.
"A married couple, both of you…"
A quiet murmur.
A married couple. Had he said something displeased about that?
Sylphie had a fair amount of mana, but it shouldn't be anywhere near Laplace-level…
Ah — could it be that the demon race in her ancestry had rubbed him the wrong way?
"Before I answer your question, answer me one thing first. Do you have a son?"
The sudden question caught Sylphie off guard, but she shook her head.
"Um? No — just a daughter… but why?"
"I see. If a son is ever born to you, bring him to me. I shall give him a name."
"Eh — um — yes…"
Pergius wore a faint smile.
That was seriously creepy.
Was there something about a son between Sylphie and me?
Or was he planning to give him some sparkly, over-the-top name?
After all, this was a guy who lived in a castle called Kaisos Breaker…
"So — what is your question?"
"Um — I was wondering about the teleportation incident. In the end, who was responsible for causing it?"
Sylphie's question was one I'd stopped thinking about recently.
The teleportation incident had been Nanahoshi being teleported from Japan to this world.
When you were summoned from another world, complications were bound to arise.
I myself had come here by chance, so if someone arrived in the flesh, things like that could happen.
But the reverse was also possible.
That someone had done something, resulting in Nanahoshi being summoned. An accident.
"It has not been determined. At first, I suspected Laplace or someone connected to him…"
Pergius glanced at Nanahoshi and continued.
"Summoning this woman is beyond even my ability. If that is the case, then there is not a single person in this world who could do it."
"Meaning?"
"It was not a deliberate act. It happened by chance."
So it was chance after all.
Though there might be someone who surpassed Pergius in summoning magic.
Like Orsted.
But pointing out possibilities to someone who had just said he didn't know felt like it would be rude.
Better to keep quiet.
I didn't want to make him any more displeased.
"I see. Thank you."
While I hesitated, Sylphie lowered her eyes and brought the conversation to a close.
Pergius nodded grandly.
"Is there anyone else?"
No one answered.
Elinariise had her head down, and Cliff was too tense to move.
Ariel held back, and Luke knelt quietly.
"Then enjoy my pride and joy — this floating fortress — at your leisure."
With Pergius's words, the audience came to an end.
--- Silvaril guided us to the guest quarters.
The guest area had nearly twenty rooms, all identical in layout.
Darkly carved wooden furniture, a feather-stuffed bed.
A large mirror of exceptional clarity.
The shelves even held what appeared to be bottles of wine.
The only differences between rooms were the paintings on the walls.
It was like a hotel.
But far more luxurious than any business hotel.
In my past life, it would be like a suite at the Imperial Hotel.
Though I'd never even stayed at the Imperial Hotel, let alone in a suite.
"All of this, managed by only twelve people…" Ariel had remarked, and that stuck with me.
Though the castle was immaculately cleaned from corner to corner, there was no trace of anyone's presence.
It wasn't exactly eerie, but it felt strangely lonely.
Like a two-player controller purchased for games you'd play with a friend — except there was no friend to play with.
According to Pergius's tone, guests did visit from time to time, though.
Everyone sorted out room assignments on their own and was free to do as they pleased.
Zanoba and Ariel apparently wanted to tour the castle and left early.
Naturally, Sylphie and Luke went with them.
I stayed in my room.
"Phew…"
I was tired.
It had only been about an hour, but I felt as though I'd been listening to someone talk all day.
I wanted to explore the castle, but I needed rest.
I flopped onto the bed.
"Whoa — this is plush."
The bed was so soft it felt like I might sink right through to the earth below.
I wonder if I could get one of these beds…
The bed was great, but let me sort through today's events.
First, Elinariise…
She should still be in her room.
Should I go talk to her now?
…No — if she had her reasons for not saying anything, rushing over and interrogating her wouldn't be right.
She needed time to prepare herself mentally too.
But later, I'd make sure to have a proper conversation about the curse. That was the plan.
The crests had been a surprise.
Tortoise Dragon King this, Mad Dragon King that — so many grand titles had come up.
They were the Five Dragon Generals, if I recalled correctly.
In the age of mythology, they'd fought the Dragon God five-on-one to a draw.
These probably weren't the originals from that era.
They'd have some number attached to their titles, no doubt.
Tortoise Dragon King Pergius. Wrath Dragon King Maxwell. Mad Dragon King Chaos.
The teleportation ruin's incantation had mentioned Holy Dragon Emperor Sirad.
That made four.
If there was one Dragon Emperor and four Dragon Kings, then there was one more Dragon King out there.
Come to think of it, that tapestry wall had only shown about four crests resembling the Dragon God's.
Was the last one on bad terms with Pergius?
But what truly surprised me was the automaton.
I'd thought the crest looked familiar — and it turned out to be connected to those bearing the name of Dragon.
The script on it had been unlike anything I'd seen before…
Ah, right — if I asked Pergius to decipher it, I could make real progress.
Should I ask him?
Given that he seemed to regard me with suspicion rather than fondness, I'd tell Zanoba to make the request instead.
Zanoba and Pergius shared an interest in art, after all.
Also — the Mad Dragon King's crest had been found in my basement.
Had the Mad Dragon King once lived in my old house?
Cooped up underground, tinkering with automatons?
A Mad Dragon King, no less.
What exactly was so "mad" about him?
The automaton's movements had certainly been crazy.
But if he was someone on the same wavelength as Zanoba, the word "mad" was understandable.
Did the Mad Dragon King Chaos also like automatons?
Either way, I'd been hoping to learn summoning magic too, but with things as they were, that seemed unlikely.
Pergius had shown what was practically hostility toward me.
If I asked him to teach me, he'd probably shoot back with something like, "Using that mana of yours to summon Laplace, are you?"
…Though, was that actually possible?
Pergius had said he couldn't summon anyone whose mana exceeded his own.
My mana was apparently on par with Laplace's — so could I summon Laplace?
Could I revive a Demon God on some sketchy underground altar?
Well, I wasn't going to do it.
But if it was possible, then his caution toward me was perhaps justified.
"Either way — it wasn't bad."
He may not have liked me, but he hadn't thrown me out, and we hadn't fought.
For now, that was reassuring.
It wasn't perfect, but it had probably been good.
Good communication.
I'd keep going at this pace.
With those thoughts, my first day on the floating fortress came to an end.