“Ah, wha…?”
Drip.
A droplet of water echoed as it fell, waking Snow.
She found herself in a dimly lit great hall, illuminated by blue flames flickering in sconces on the walls.
Clink, clink… Chains were wrapped around her neck, and her wrists and ankles were bound as well.
“Is this… a cross…?”
She realized she was bound in a crucifixion-like position, held in place by a magical force.
“Where… am I?”
“You’re in the special section of the Pandora Maze.”
A voice spoke from the shadows, and Snow gasped upon seeing the figure.
This was the last person she wanted to meet under such circumstances.
“…Your Highness.”
“Just call me Lux, Snow. That’s how things are between us, right?”
Emerging from the darkness was Prince Lux, Snow’s fiancé.
“…Sorry, but I only call certain people by name when I feel like it.”
“Oh? So you prefer calling out to Kasuya Takihito, then?”
Snow froze at Lux’s words.
“Haha, I knew you’d freeze up. You’re easy to read.”
“…Am I here because I ignored you a bit, and you decided to kidnap me into this dungeon?”
“I wish it were that simple. But no, I can’t decide your fate alone.”
“Oh, then why?”
“It’s my own failing. That person deemed it impossible to win you over, so I had to resort to… less gentle methods.”
“Win me over… Was there something you wanted from me?”
“Well, I’d like to see what’s beneath that confident mask of yours—the face of a fragile, vulnerable girl.”
“Ugh…”
“It’s sad to see you react like that.”
“What are you… really?”
“I am the agent of the divine will on earth. This time, I’m acting as a divine envoy, not as a prince.”
“…The Emperor would be devastated to know you’re capable of such behavior.”
“Unfortunately, I’m a divine envoy before I am a prince. When it comes to choosing between humans and the divine, the choice is clear, don’t you think?”
“…So this is your role?”
“I appreciate your quick understanding. Now, we don’t have much time for idle chat. Let’s move on. That person is waiting for your story to unfold.”
“What are you—”
Snap.
Lux’s fingers snapped, cutting off Snow’s words, and a sound echoed through the space.
Rumble… The ground began to tremble, like an earthquake.
Clink, clink, clink.
Chains rattled.
A dark hole opened in the center of the great hall, and from it leaked a magic power like black smoke.
“This is…”
“The Seven Gods foretold seven calamities that will bring the world’s end. This is one of them.”
From the black smoke behind Lux, something began to emerge.
Hollowed eye sockets, a shriveled, massive body, and glowing chains wrapped around its neck and limbs.
It had long, dark, blue hair, and the form of a mummified woman.
“Long ago, there were those who faced the disaster called the Demon King. A hero gathered allies and, after a harsh journey, defeated the Demon King.”
“…The hero with blue hair, from the fairy tale…”
“That’s right. You’ve read a lot of books about this world. At the end of the tale, the hero, having completed their role, falls into an eternal slumber, while their companions live out their lives as the keepers of their grave. The war between humans and demons ends, and peace returns to the world…”
“No way…”
“But there’s more to that tale. The hero did indeed defeat the Demon King, but it didn’t end there. The hero absorbed the curse that overflowed from the vessel of the Demon King, becoming the new Demon King in the process. It’s a tragic fate, isn’t it?”
“…What a distasteful story.”
“That person is fond of such stories. Congratulations, Snow. You’ve been chosen.”
Lux raised his hand.
Chains extended from the mummified Demon King, piercing into Snow’s chest.
“Agh…”
In that instant, memories flooded into Snow.
‘A hero…? I have no interest in that, nor in the Great Human-Demon War.’
‘Hero, your orders. This Blue Milk will follow you to the end.’
‘Hero, don’t give up! I’m with you.’
A white-haired knight, a warrior in black armor, and a witch in a black robe.
Voices of those who once journeyed with the hero.
‘Why… Why do you have to sacrifice yourself!? You called me human, even though I’m nothing but a divine weapon—and yet… I am nothing but a curse…’
A white-haired knight.
A girl who looked like someone Snow knew, crying and collapsing in despair, ending in a vision of her crucifixion.
“Did you see them? The memories of the Hero Core. I want you to help awaken her, using your magic as a spirit mage, just like hers, to trigger the Demon King Core’s revival.”
“Why would you do that…?”
“The divine desires this—a drama woven by the desperate struggles of mortals.”
“…You think I’ll just do as you say?”
“You probably won’t. Your stubbornness is legendary. But I did mention that the plan has changed, didn’t I?”
A large crystal sphere appeared behind Lux, displaying an image.
What Snow saw was—
“Aaaagh! No, stop, please!”
“Pff! That face! If you want this to end, just tell me where Snow is!”
“I don’t know! I haven’t done anything!”
“Next, let’s go for the pinky toe!”
“What a scream! I’m getting into the swing of things!”
“Stop, pleaaaase! Ahhhh—”
“…What?”
A scene of torture.
A boy, stripped and tied to a chair, his face swollen and body covered in raw wounds.
Snow instantly recognized who it was.
“Takihito… Why, you…”
“He’s currently under suspicion as your kidnapper.”
“What?”
“The knights carrying out his interrogation work for me. They’re entirely under the control of the Holy Society. My plan is for him to die under torture.”
“What… are you saying?”
