“……I’m not sure, but there’s still one method left.”
At the moment when the precious students had their spirits crushed after Sylvia collapsed from managing the witch’s miasma, Eve’s words were met with a sulky voice from someone nearby, as if they had given up entirely.
“……You mean there’s another way? Then why didn’t you use that method before this mess happened?”
The rebellious attitude toward authority was even more taboo during a crisis.
However, Eve simply chuckled at his tone and didn’t hold it against him, knowing he was the man who had just fought to exhaustion.
She replied with a bitter smile, as if understanding everyone’s feelings, but still conveying that it couldn’t be helped.
“I told you, it’s an uncertain method. It’s a method I didn’t want to try unless it was the very last resort, so I didn’t mention it to anyone. I’m sorry.”
“……It’s fine. No need to apologize.”
Feeling guilty for his earlier attitude, the man muttered as his expression twisted.
He must have realized he had acted foolishly.
They were all bound by a fate that was clear: if they didn’t defeat the witch, they would all die.
In a situation like that, there wouldn’t be anyone who wouldn’t give their all.
Yet still, he wore a gloomy expression and asked Eve, unable to think positively.
“……By the way, is there really a way to defeat that thing? Facing it directly, I can’t believe we ever won against that thing before. How in the world did we beat that monster back then?”
His question seemed to represent what everyone was feeling.
After facing the Witch of Gluttony directly, they realized how absurd it was to have won against her.
And to their question, Eve answered.
“Back then, we could use the sacred remnants.”
“……Sacred remnants, you say.”
“It’s something mentioned in the textbook; you’ve probably seen it at least once. The story of how we won the battle against the Witch of Gluttony using the power of sacred remnants.”
Sacred remnants, items possessing special powers, like the World Tree of the elves.
Recalling the past when they had won that battle against the Witch of Gluttony, Eve continued.
“Using the power contained in the sacred remnants amplifies the abilities severalfold. If used as consumables, we could exert greater power for a short time. By amplifying the magic that eliminates the components of the barrier, we were able to completely suppress the witch’s miasma. Even then, we accumulated so much power beforehand that we barely managed to seal her after fighting for six long days and nights.”
At Eve’s words, Sylvia, who was recovering with healing magic nearby, spoke weakly.
“……Then, what if we use the World Tree as a consumable—”
“Unfortunately, that’s impossible.”
Don’t they have sacred remnants too?
Let’s try to use that.
Even if the World Tree, revived after hundreds of years, couldn’t stop the Witch of Gluttony, it would be worth using it as a consumable.
Sylvia, speaking as the representative of the elves, had that meaning in mind, but Eve shook her head and answered outright, then continued.
“Fairy Tribe’s Illusion Mirror.”
Suddenly, the name that came out of her mouth confused Sylvia momentarily.
“Beast King’s fur from the Beast Tribe, Dragon Orb from the Dragon Tribe, Great Soul from the Orc Tribe, Mountain Crushing Club from the Giant Tribe, and the scroll containing the Little World from the Halfling Tribe.”
As a consecutive string of names, likely sacred remnants from various races tumbled out of Eve’s mouth, and Sylvia’s expression hardened gradually.
She finally understood why Eve had said it was impossible.
In a desperate tone, Sylvia asked Eve.
“……You can’t mean that’s all of them.”
“Right. The sacred remnants used to defeat the Witch of Gluttony. The six sacred remnants I just mentioned have all been consumed. Even if we use them as consumables, just one World Tree won’t be enough. Given its current strength, we’d need at least three at a minimum.”
“Is there any remaining sacred remnants…”
Upon asking with hope, Sylvia saw Eve shake her head.
Meaning there was nothing left.
“Remember the zoo in the city? Those were all animals that Aegis and Viola found while searching for sacred remnants back then. They were extremely hard to come by from all over the world, so unfortunately, there are no remaining sacred remnants now.”
At Eve’s words, Sylvia’s expression darkened.
That meant there was no longer any hope or way to defeat the Witch of Gluttony.
But Eve had clearly said it.
There was still one method left.
However, since she couldn’t think of a way to defeat that witch, Sylvia desperately pleaded with Eve to tell her the method.
“……Then what exactly is this remaining method? If we can’t use the method we used before, how can we defeat that witch?”
“It’s not about defeating her. Right now, we don’t have a way to defeat that witch.”
“Then what do you mean…?”
Eve’s response triggered another question, but instead of immediately answering, she closed her eyes and recalled a conversation from long ago.
-……What’s going on, Eve? You’ve been coming to me quite often lately.
-……Not much. By the way, Aegis, do you have something on your mind? It’s written all over your face.
-……Hahaha, it seems like you know me well since we’ve known each other for so long. Well, it’s nothing major, but I’m worried about what will happen if that monster wakes up again at this age. I think I’ve prepared reasonably, but you never know what the future holds.
-……Oh, you too? Viola was worried about that until the end. It seems like growing old just brings more unnecessary worries.
-……Is that so? I didn’t know Viola was concerned about such things. I thought he spent his last days solely focused on magic research, enjoying himself.
-You all avoided sharing unnecessary worries due to rivalry, didn’t you? As a result, I was always the one listening to your troubles. Do you know how surprised I was when Viola asked for dating advice?
-Urgh, I was also surprised when I heard that guy, who seems to know only magic, had a lover. It’s a shame he’s gone. If I teased him about it, he probably would have just sulked and cast a spell.
-Ahahaha, indeed.
-……Hey, Eve.
-What is it, Aegis?
-I may not last much longer like Viola, but you’re going to live a long time after I’m gone, right? After all this time, you still look just the same as when we first met.
-……Yeah, I guess so.
-……Then, could you perhaps ease this old man’s worries before I go?
-……About the Witch of Gluttony? You’re really worried about her?
-……Of course I am. How could I not be worried? If she wakes up again, who knows what will happen to the world?
-So, if that happens, you want me to do something about it? What do you expect me to do?
-Oh no, it’s not asking you to solve everything. It’s just that if such a thing happens, I hope you can help the next generation. If you say you’ll help, I think I can leave with peace of mind.
-……Then, you want to make a pact with that kind of content?
-Pact? What are you talking about… Just consider it a small favor from an old friend.
-……That’s really unfair. If you say it like that, how could I refuse? Well, I understand. I wasn’t going to just sit back and do nothing if she comes back anyway.
-Haha, then I feel relieved.
-I hate seeing an old man like you sulking.
-Oh my, that’s quite a blow.
-Hoho.
-……Hey, Eve.
-……What is it?
-……I’m sorry. Leaving you behind like this.
-……If you’re sorry, then just chat with me until you go. I regretted not doing that with Viola.
-Haha, right. Now that our wives are gone, there’s no need to be jealous of another woman. Shall we talk about those dating tales from Viola’s time?
A moment of reminiscing passed, and Eve opened her eyes, looking around.
Her precious students were staring at her with anxious eyes.
Eve gazed at them and murmured softly.
You see, Aegis. Even without your request, I wouldn’t abandon these kids.
But since you asked, I’ll do my best.
Having whispered that, Eve took a deep breath.
“……Teacher?”
At the same time, Scarlet, who was next to Sylvia, felt it.
The faint energy emanating from Eve was becoming sharper.
And looking at the bewilderment of Scarlet in response to that change, Eve spoke.
“……You asked what I would do if it’s not about defeating her?”
With the strength she had consciously withheld from recovering, she stood renewed.
“I will seal her. Using my abilities.”
Eve had the power to send someone into an illusion she created.
However, to send someone into that illusion,
“However, to use that power, I need to get close to that witch.”
It was necessary to approach the target.
Yes, she had to get close.
To that witch, who was spreading miasma all around, making it dangerous just to draw near.
“S-Sensei. That’s…!”
“Don’t worry. I will. Besides, it’s impossible to seal unless I die anyway.”
The ones who realized the sacrifice that must necessarily accompany that method shouted in panic.
But Eve paid no heed to the sacrifice.
Her sacrifice was something unavoidable.
The illusion she created could be escaped if the person who entered expressed a strong desire to leave.
However, there was only one way to eliminate the exit from that escape.
That was the death of Eve, the one who created the illusion.
The sealing formed from the illusion would be completed with Eve’s death.
And Eve would willingly accept that death.
To fulfill the request of an old friend.
To protect her precious students.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.