“Let’s get out of here first.”


    I led Dorosian away from the area. I needed to inform the faculty to seal off the stairs immediately. Just then, I bumped into Professor Gomon, who seemed to be heading to his next ss, judging by the briefcase he was carrying.


    “Hmm? You two have ss soon. Where are you going in such a hurry?”


    “Professor, there’s something strange with the stairs.”


    “What? The stairs?”


    “The number of steps keeps increasing. Could it be some kind of strange phenomenon?”


    In a regr academy, I would have been treated like a lunatic, but this was Frost Heart. Here, even the smallest urrence could trigger an emergency.


    “Oh, uh, okay. I’d better check it out. Which stairs are you talking about?”


    I guided Professor Gomon to the problematic stairs. Upon arrival, he drew his staff with a serious expression.“Hmm, it looks perfectly ordinary at first nce.”


    “You just have to count them again.”


    Dorosian replied, stepping onto the stairs. In my memory, if the step count reached 200, a trap would activate. To me, the stairs looked like a ticking time bomb, so I tried to hold her back.


    “Wait a moment—”


    As my foot crossed the boundary of the hallway, a man’s voice echoed from above.


    “What the hell…?”


    I urgently pulled Dorosian back by the arm. She turned her head sharply, her expression slightly irritated.


    “I don’t like being touched without permission.”


    But that feeling onlysted a moment. Her eyes twitched as if she had seen something unsettling.


    “…Hersel.”


    I turned my head as well, but Professor Gomon, who had been in the hallway, was gone. All that remained, apart from the stairs, was a pitch-ck darkness. ????Ｂ?S


    “What is this ce?” Dorosian asked in a confused voice, and I felt the same way.


    Originally, the prison stairs were supposed to open two yearster. Why had they opened now, and why did the man’s voice echo from above? It was all a mystery. But for now, these questions had to be set aside. Even I, someone familiar with many secrets, had never set foot in this ce before.


    “I’m not sure either.”


    What I did know was that the scenario “Prison Stairs” signified the beginning of the final Felia line, [Wrath of Felia]. A magic book once used by Felia in life was hidden here, and the viin triggered the hidden trap of the prison stairs in an attempt to retrieve it.


    After that event, the yable character’s monologue went like this:


    [An explosion echoed from the stairs. There, among the debris, was a flesh-stained ne. Its owner was a female student from the Buerger Hall.]


    This fact wouldter be revealed through the viin’s dialogue. To escape this ce, one needed to find the magic book. However, the female student who boldly found the book got caught in a trap and died in an explosion. Because of this, the viin had no intention of retrieving the book himself, instead waiting for a sacrificial pawn to do it.


    “Dorosian, did you hear the man’s voice from above too?”


    “Yeah, it said, ‘What the hell,’ right?”


    It didn’t sound like the viin I had in mind. Based on his character, he wouldn’t use suchnguage. Moreover, with a sacrifice already in ce, why would he react with ‘What the hell’?


    The most likely reason was this:


    “Was it because of Professor Gomon…?”


    The female student had wandered the stairs alone, without witnesses, and subsequently disappeared, prompting a wide search by the faculty.


    However, Professor Gomon had witnessed both of us disappear. This was certainly not an ideal situation from the instigator’s point of view, as it was obvious that the faculty would investigate only the stairs.


    “Who could that be?” Dorosian asked, pointing upward. Without hesitation, she climbed up to thending, turned, and looked up. I stared at her and asked, “Is anyone there?”


    “No, no one’s here.”


    “Seems like they managed to escape alone.”


    But who could it have been? I thought it might be the viin responsible for this incident, but he was still in the special ward. In that case… hmm, there is one person thates to mind. I’ll think about thatter. For now, investigating this ce takes priority.


    I climbed up to thending where Dorosian stood and surveyed above. The area was vast, with massive pirs supporting the ceiling, and a faint mist spread throughout, creating an eerie atmosphere.


    “It’s not as dark as below.”


    I drew the staff from my holster and handed it to Dorosian. “Light up the interior with this.”


    “Aren’t you a mage too?”


    At her mocking tone, I proudly conjured a light. The orb of light at the tip of my staff was like a tiny bulb that could have fit inside a science kit. Dorosian let out a faint sigh, then snatched the staff from me.


    “…Fine, I’ll do it.”


    “A wise choice.”


    Truthfully, I could have increased the output, but I did it deliberately—I wanted to conserve mana as much as possible.


    “This is better,” Dorosian remarked.


    “Indeed, it’s brighter than my light orb.”


    With a shrug, Dorosian moved forward, the clinking of chain armor sounding especially loud. The stillness of the misty interior amplified the noise as she examined the surroundings. Soon, she found a pitch-ck entrance.


    “Dorosian, there’s a passage ahead.”


    It was still a bit of a distance away. Perhaps the monotonous sound of footsteps and chains made the silence feel even more oppressive, as Dorosian started to speak.


    “Is this some kind of subspace? Another dimension? I’d actually like that.”


    “Hmm?”


    “I mean, it wouldn’t be so bad if there were such a ce.”


    Dorosian suddenly stopped and spun around. “What if this ce were suitable for living? What would you think?”


    I nced around at the columns, walls, and stone floor. “Doesn’t seem like it.”


    “That’s why I said ‘what if.’ Imagine it properly.”


    “Well, if I don’t want to starve, I’d have to leave.”


    “What if the food problem were solved?”


    “Even then, wouldn’t the outside be better? This cramped space isn’t appealing.”


    It felt like a child’s game—Dorosian kept countering my arguments for the outside world with hypothetical advantages of this ce.


    “What if this ce also had an ‘outside’?”


    “…Familiarity isforting. I’d choose reality.”


    But why is she suddenly acting like this?


    “Really? Hmm.” Dorosian hummed thoughtfully before revealing her true feelings, as if she had been waiting for this moment.


    “Then, what if the reality you mentioned were to disappear?”


    It seemed Dorosian was contemting the possibility that this ce might be a dimension cut off from the outside world. If so, this ce would remain safe, even if the outside world were to copse. It was a question steeped in escapism, predicated entirely on the premise of disaster.


    I looked into Dorosian’s eyes, which seemed to be filled with anticipation for my answer. “If it’s for survival, I’d have to choose this ce.”


    “I thought so.”


    “But that’s only if I tried everything I could and still failed.”


    I took a step closer to Dorosian. “Then, shall I ask you a question this time?”


    Maybe it was because I had lost my smile, but Dorosian stared nkly at my mouth. I half-worriedly asked her, “What if, just what if, the world doesn’t end? What would you do then?”


    Dorosian blinked, staring into the void, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment of contemtion, she resumed walking, saying only, “Well, I don’t know.”


    Before long, we reached the dark passageway. As Dorosian illuminated the interior with her staff, a chilling voice echoed.


    “Someone… someone ising. Who could it be?”


    “If they’re not enemies, then what are they? Prepare for battle immediately!”


    The soldiers wore worn-out armor.


    ***


    “Did you hear? Hersel and Dorosian.”


    “Apparently, Professor Gomon saw them. He said they suddenly disappeared on the stairs.”


    The halls were abuzz with the news of the two’s disappearance.


    “Hey, Ecok. Where are you headed?”


    Ecok stopped and nced at the ssmate who had called out to him. As a student council executive and future president, he shed a smile and responded warmly.


    “It’s time for confession.”


    “Oh, you mean with that person in the special ward?” @@novelbin@@


    “Haha, even if you’re not joining, I hope you can at least see it positively.”


    “Off to do good deeds again, I see. You really are fitting to be the next president.”


    Ecok tried to move past his ssmate, but she seemed unusually curious and kept pestering him.


    “So, how have things beentely?”


    “What do you mean?”


    “You know, that guy—Luon or whatever his name was. Ever since that incident, you’ve shown a lot of interest in the special ward. I figured you’d know what kind of person he is by now, seeing how much time you’ve spent there.”


    “Well… he was just lost for a bit, but he does have a genuine heart. Deep down, he’s a rather profound person.”


    With that, Ecok started moving again.


    <em>‘Damn it. Why the hell won’t she leave me alone? I’m already swamped with work!’ </em>


    Despite his irritation, he couldn’t afford to appear suspicious. He noticed professors asionally heading toward the stairs.


    <em>‘What rotten luck. Of all people, it had to be Hersel and Dorosian…’</em>


    They were already well-known figures, and to make matters worse, even Professor Gomon got involved. The fear of someone finding out he had trapped the two on the stairs was gnawing at him.


    Ecok finally reached the floor used for religious activities. Half of it was for regr students, while the other half was designated for the Order. As he passed the chapel and reached the confessional door, a figure in a ck robe greeted him.


    “You’re here, Ecok. Rimaal is inside.”


    The man was the professor overseeing the special ward students. Ecok responded naturally, as he usually did.


    “Haha, working hard as always, Professor.”


    “Let’s try to wrap things up quickly today. I might be called to investigate the sudden incident.”


    The incident, of course, referred to the disappearance case.


    “I’ll do my best to be quick. Excuse me.”


    Ecok opened the confessional door, facing a nk with needle-thin holes. He spoke in a low voice.


    “You bastard… You’ve made this a mess for me. How are you going to fix this?”


    He gritted his teeth, seething with frustration. A man’s voice responded from the other side.


    “I only helped you, Ecok.”


    “Helped? If I get caught, you’ll be going down with me. I’ll make sure to reveal your involvement. Understand?”


    “Why are you angry at me?”


    Ecok clenched his jaw and red.


    “If you hadn’t told me about the magic book’s location, none of this would’ve happened.”


    “You were the one in trouble over the stolen *Crimson Book*. I merely suggested an alternative. If there’s any me, it’s on you for acting recklessly.”


    Ecok fell silent. Strictly speaking, the man wasn’t at fault. If there was anyone to me, it was the one who had stolen the *Crimson Book* and fled—Luon.


    <em>‘Damn Luon. I was nning to raid the Forbidden Library once I became student council president, but this…’</em>


    Ecok sighed. Anger wouldn’t change anything now. What mattered was acting carefully to avoid detection and stepping away from this mess as soon as possible.


    Perhaps sensing Ecok’s thoughts, the man spoke again, making Ecok’s chest tighten.


    “I can feel your hesitation. Are you nning to give up now? To abandon all that you’ve achieved so far?”


    “……”


    “Think of the scars on your body, Ecok. Torn skin from stray dogs’ bites, burn marks, and the traces of abuse that will never fade. Are you nning to bury all that for the rest of your life?”


    Ecok pulled his cor tighter around himself and spoke, doubt coloring his voice.


    “Hey, Rimaal. I honestly don’t trust you. Will you really make me an emperor? Is that truly possible?”


    “In the past six months, you’ve grown strong enough. You should know that better than anyone.”


    Indeed, he had be stronger. His magic had advanced rapidly, and his academic performance had improved since he spent all his training time on his studies. These were the reasons he was being considered for the student council presidency.


    “Still, being an emperor is on a different level altogether.”


    Rimaal paused for a moment before replying.


    “Believing or not is up to you. If you’re nning to quit, there’s no need for you toe here anymore. But, Ecok…”


    “What?”


    “If you’re afraid of getting caught, you should hurry. With the power of the emperor, no one in the human realm could challenge you.”


    Ecok frowned.


    “Are you threatening me? Don’t even think about revealing everything. If you do, I’ll make sure your name is exposed as well.”


    “Foolish. I’m not afraid of punishment. If you like, we could confess everything right now to the professor beyond this door.”


    Rimaal’s confident tone made Ecok reconsider.


    <em>‘This guy… Now that I think about it, he’s not normal.’ </em>


    He was someone who never wavered, no matter how much the professors tried to impose “The Curse of Control” on him. Scaring him was pointless.


    Reluctantly, Ecok decided to trust him further.


    “Sigh… I’vee this far, so it’s toote to back out now. So, what’s my next move?”


    “The final ingredient, the *Book of ck Blood*. You need to obtain that.”


    “Fine. I’ll continue to believe, just as I’ve been.”


    Ecok stood up. For him, bing the emperor quickly was the only way to survive the professors’ pressure.


    <em>‘I have to get the *Book of ck Blood*, no matter what.’ </em>


    He needed to take bolder action.


    ***


    Dorosian and I were trapped in a bizarre space. It appeared to be the interior of an ancient structure. We stepped into a dark corridor, only to be suddenly surrounded by armored soldiers.


    “Are they ghosts? Their bodies are translucent.”


    There was a hint of surprise in Dorosian’s voice, but no sign of fear. Instead, she observed them with curious interest.


    “That star symbol… It’s the g of the Kingdom of Bm.”


    “So, they were soldiers of the Bm Kingdom.”


    “Why would they be here? Did they die in this ce?”


    I nodded in response to Dorosian’s question.


    Long ago, the Kingdom of Bm invaded Frost Heart. This prison was constructed to hold back enemies advancing to the upper floors, befitting a building designed for war. Moreover, with Felia’s *Book of ck Blood* created here, it’s not surprising that lingering spirits of the deceased would appear.


    “Identify yourself!”


    A ghostly figure, seemingly themander, bellowed. I responded in a nonchnt tone.


    “We’re students of Frost Heart.”


    “What?! So you are indeed enemies! Off with their heads at once!”


    The ghostly soldiers surged forward, thrusting their swords into my body. But I felt nothing. While Felia’s spirits had a special ability to possess hosts, these were merely ordinary soldiers, ignorant of magic. To me, they were no more than holograms.


    “The war is over, so how about stopping this?”


    “What did you say?”


    “It’s over. It’s been thousands of years since your people and ours fought.”


    Although rtions between Bm and the Empire remained tense after the war, they did have some exchanges. Perhaps that news was too shocking, as the ghostly soldiers, starting with theirmander, were left in a daze.


    “The war… ended?”


    “But… reinforcements? Did no one evere to rescue us?”


    “Didn’t that man just say it’s been thousands of years already?”


    “What?! Have we really been here that long?”


    Dorosian narrowed her eyes, annoyed by their chatter.


    “Should I just use purification magic and get rid of them all?”


    Purification magic sounded like a good idea. Dorosian’s staff glowed with a white light. The soldiers’ reactions were mixed at first, but eventually, they seemed to ept their fate.


    “We must be dead, no doubt about it. We couldn’t even cut that man’s body.”


    “No wonder time seemed to drag on endlessly. Are we some kind of ghosts? But if purification is what awaits us, that wouldn’t be so bad.”


    “Hah, every day felt unbearably tedious. This is actually a relief. Hey, girl over there, grant us rest already!”


    They certainly had the manners of an era long past. Instead of calling Dorosian “youngdy,” they brazenly addressed her as “girl.” Dorosian’s difort was clear.


    “Did you just call me a ‘girl’?”


    “Yes, who else would I be talking to? Honestly, I’d ask you to serve me a drink, but in this state, I can’t receive any service.”


    With a sly smile, Dorosian withdrew her staff.


    “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to let you guys rot here forever.”


    “That’s your choice, but why not give them a chance first?”


    “A chance?”


    This was a foreign ce, with scant information. So why not have the locals act as tour guides?


    “You’ve been here a long time, haven’t you? Then you must know the area well. If there’s anything valuable around, guide us there, and this lovelydy here will let you pass on peacefully.”


    The soldiers scowled.


    “You young brat, how dare you be so insolent!”


    “It’s because of that imperial bloodline. We should’ve wiped out their kind long ago!”


    I ignored them and started walking ahead.


    “Dorosian, let’s just ignore them and move on.”


    As expected, the spirits tried to stall us with their words.


    “Ah, the boldness of youth, indeed.”


    “Oh, so she’s a youngdy, is she? I could tell from her noble aura. My apologies for my rudeness.”


    “Treasure, you say? Yes, of course, I’ll guide you. I’ve explored all around here out of sheer boredom. Let me show you the way.”


    I nced at Dorosian, smiling slyly, and saw that she found it amusing too—her lips were curled into a grin. I leaned close to her ear and whispered.


    “You’re not really going to let them pass on, right?”


    “Of course not. I’ll y with them a bit before leaving.”


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