The Land of Death and the Old Mage
"Then, would you like to go to the other world beyond the Gate with me?"
The girl's casual proposal made Merlin realize just how pitifully narrow his own imagination was.
Dungeons. Gates. And the demonic realm beyond them.
Even the wicked demon kings of the Continent shunned that horrific land of beasts. Anyone who possessed mana felt the same. The unpleasant sensation of having the very source of one's willpower drained away was naturally something to be loathed.
And what of the danger?
It was already famous that the Master of the Red Magic Tower had vanished beyond a Gate. Thanks to that, the Red Magic Tower was still embroiled in underhanded succession struggles. Even a woman whose ascension to a constellation was practically guaranteed had failed to return from that hell.
"Ah, was that too sudden?"
Yet this woman spoke of that land of death with utter nonchalance. Sensing Merlin's hesitation, she even offered an explanation.
"I know it has a bad reputation. But once you visit, you'll change your mind. There are actually quite a few wonderful things there. Well, the low mana density is certainly inconvenient, but once you get used to it, it's quite bearable!"
An endorsement that sounded like someone recommending an off-the-beaten-path travel destination.
What shocked Merlin even more was that her words were entirely sincere. If this had been a threat—a roundabout way of saying she didn't like the reward he offered—he could have negotiated a compromise.
...But it's not even that. She really intends to take me across the Gate.
A chill ran down Merlin's spine. It was the kind of goosebumps one got when facing something wearing a human mask. The old man's heart plunged deep into the uncanny valley.
Yet, even in the face of such an absurd proposition, Merlin could not bring himself to refuse.
If I reject this, who knows what she'll demand next...
Having spent a long time in the royal court, Merlin could read her posture perfectly. Her hips shifting slightly. Her feet planted forward, ready to move at any second. Her hands pressing down on the table.
If an ordinary person took such a stance, Merlin would assume they were feeling regret. That they felt embarrassed for speaking too deeply to a stranger and wanted to flee the spot.
But his opponent was a madwoman who sincerely advocated for the world beyond the Gate. A freak who slaughtered living creatures with a weapon he had never seen before. There was no way such a person felt a social emotion like embarrassment.
This was anticipation, or rather, preparation.
Just as a beast stalking its prey lowers its hindquarters to spring forward, she was preparing to unleash a storm depending on his answer.
For a brief second, two images overlapped in Merlin's mind. The faces of the villagers superimposed over the groaning, flesh-pierced green-skinned remnants.
His hesitation was brief. There was only one answer permitted to the old man.
"...If that satisfies you, then very well. Just give me a moment. I must bid farewell to my neighbors before we depart."
"Ah, yes. Of course. Take your time. I'll wait here."
The girl smiled. As if things had gone better than expected. To Merlin, that smile was utterly terrifying.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
When Merlin finished his brief conversation with the girl and stepped out of the hall, the waiting villagers rushed toward him all at once.
"Elder! Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you—"
"Grandfather!"
"Did the talk go well? What did she demand?"
"Merlin. Th-there... the goblins were so brutally... urgh..."
The space instantly became chaotic. Fearing that the commotion might displease the girl, Merlin quickly calmed the villagers.
"Everyone, quiet! I know you have many questions for the Elder, but this is only wasting time. I will ask on your behalf first."
It was the village chief who helped. He quickly quieted the crowd and asked Merlin for an explanation, so the old man summarized the conversation briefly.
Since the exchange had been short to begin with, the explanation ended quickly. Nevertheless, the villagers' reaction was dramatic, as the weight carried by those few words was far from ordinary.
Every villager harbored the same thought. The chief whispered on their behalf:
"Elder, do you truly intend to cross the Gate? You, of all people, know how dangerous that is?!"
His voice was barely a whisper, just loud enough for Merlin to hear. He was clearly terrified that the girl might overhear. The terror of thunder had reached the chief as well.
Yet, the chief's words still held strength. The passion within them was conveyed entirely to Merlin.
"I've suspected it since I saw the corpses, but hearing your story confirms it. Elder. That woman is simply insane. Living beyond the Gate is bearable? How does that make any sense!"
"...My boy."
"We don't even know who she is! She claims to be a priestess, yet she won't even name the constellation she serves! And anyone who wields such a horrific weapon cannot possibly be normal!"
The chief did his best to persuade him. A final magic spell to protect the village—if it were such a noble death, they could accept it, however sorrowful. But to follow an unidentified witch to save the village? And to cross the Gate, of all things? Beastman pride would not allow it.
The chief shouted with the desperate sincerity of someone trying to reason with a senile elder.
"My boy. Do you think I do not know that?"
But the chief's passionate speech was completely shattered by Merlin's next words.
"If there were any other way, I would choose it. But what can I do? There is no other way."
"...Can't we just send her away?"
"Tell her we appreciate the help but to get lost? Ha. One wouldn't even say such a thing to a priest of a Great Constellation, yet you want me to say it to that woman? You must not fear retaliation."
"But Elder, we cannot sacrifice you like this. This village only exists because of you—"
"—Enough. This old life of mine. If I can put it to good use until the very end, I am satisfied."
"Th-then! I will go instead. It would make more sense politically if I, the chief, accompanied her!"
"Hahaha! The young one speaks boldly. Save such reckless bravado until you've lived another thirty years. Consider it then, when you no longer cling to life."
"Elder...!"
"And there is another reason I agreed to go. Perhaps this is the only way to truly protect the village."
"We can protect the village if we all work together from now on—!"
"You don't honestly believe that will be enough, do you? This jungle has always been the domain of monsters. If this place weren't near a dungeon, we would have been overrun long ago."
"...But we have that very dungeon. Even monsters avoid the Gate's forcefield. This raid was an anomaly."
"Yes... it was, until yesterday. But didn't you feel it too? Yesterday evening, that massive ripple of divine power radiating from the dungeon."
The memory of yesterday flashed through the chief's mind. A massive torrent of power. A sudden wave of golden divine energy. Starting from the dungeon, it had swept through the entire jungle in an instant—
"—The power of a constellation must have provoked the demon king's subordinates. This raid was no coincidence."
"..."
"You understand what that means, don't you? If there is another wave of divine power, more raids will follow. And when they do... our village's forces will not be enough to stop them."
"So..."
"Yes. That is why we must forge a connection with that woman. Do you think another powerhouse of her caliber will ever wander into a wasteland like this? If I can somehow persuade her to protect the village even once, it is a bargain compared to this old body of mine."
The chief could not find the words to refute the old man. The young beastman knew the village's reality all too well. A wretched territory where outcasts had no choice but to settle. A wasteland closer to the demon king's domain than human territory. Reinforcements could not be expected.
If they were raided even once more, everyone in the village would become food or slaves.
That grim reality was realized not just by the chief, but by all the watching villagers.
"Heh, and so, this old man shall depart first. I do not know when I will return... but please, keep the village safe."
Merlin smiled as he bid farewell to the villagers. He deliberately turned his back with an air of composure and walked toward where the priestess was waiting.
None of the villagers dared to speak to his retreating figure. They only felt that the old man's hunched back seemed remarkably broad today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After leaving the village with the old man, Seraphina made her way through the jungle.
The old man knew the location of the dungeon. Following him, they headed toward the ancient temple.
Although traversing the jungle was no easy task for a young girl's body, Seraphina's steps were much lighter than before.
It was sudden, but things went incredibly well.
Her plan had been derailed from the start. The presence of a veteran mage was unexpected. Because of that, she had worried inwardly and braced herself to spend a lot of time on this.
Could it be that this mage was also interested in the other world?
The old man had agreed to her proposal with surprising ease. Back in the hall, she had been regretting bringing up the main point too early out of nervousness. Yet, the old man had decided to go to the other world without much hesitation.
Considering the Continent's general perception of the land of beasts, this was practically absurd...
...Well. This, too, must be the Evil God's arrangement.
Seraphina convinced herself with the answer that always worked.
Indeed. Connecting the Gate to this location in the first place was because He anticipated this situation. The Evil God truly wanted followers.
The girl believed in the omnipotence of the Evil God more fiercely than anyone. Therefore, she did not hesitate to attribute all causes to Him.
Compared to touching dead beasts... this might actually be easier.
Delighted by the mission that had resolved itself so easily, the girl spoke. Her slightly excited steps made her tone lighter.
"Ah, come to think of it, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. May I ask your name?"
The old man seemed taken aback by the sudden question, but soon answered.
"...Merlin. Merlin Solbeirn. I rarely use my family name, so just Merlin is fine."
"Mmh... Merlin. Yes, I understand. I look forward to working with you."
The moment she heard the name Merlin, Seraphina recalled a certain noble family. A rare beastman noble family famous for wielding fire magic. There was a constellation from the Solbeirn family, so Seraphina knew the name well.
I knew he was no ordinary figure... but he rarely uses his family name. Is there some kind of story behind it?
Of course, being a polite and sensible person, Seraphina did not ask the rude question of why he didn't use his family name. Instead, she changed the subject.
Once the ice was broken, the conversation flowed continuously. It was mostly Seraphina asking questions and Merlin answering, and Merlin did so without showing any sign of annoyance.
They talked about various things. Living as a beastman. The events in the village. The name of the boy Seraphina had saved was Arthur, and so on.
As the conversation went on, Seraphina began to understand what kind of person the old man was. She realized how kind and gentle he was.
...If Merlin had heard this, he would have vehemently disagreed, but at least that was how the girl felt.
Because of this, a belated hesitation crossed Seraphina's mind.
...Is it really right to hand this peaceful person over to the clutches of the Evil God?
She asked herself. The girl had already declared that she would dedicate her everything to the Evil God. For the sake of revenge, it was only natural. But was it right to drag others into this?
Even if she could abandon everything for her revenge... was it the right choice to drive someone else into an abyss?
The moral education she had received at the convent made her hesitate.
Considering Merlin's decision, he didn't seem to have much aversion to the other world...
But that was only possible because he didn't know of the Evil God's existence. Upon seeing the true face of the God who ruled the land of beasts and had destroyed a transcendent civilization... would Merlin be able to keep his sanity?
Or was even that process of collapse merely a snack to satisfy the Evil God's desires?
Her thoughts deepened.
But before she could reach a conclusion, the village and the dungeon were already too close. Before she knew it, the stone walls of the ancient temple came into view.
Seraphina temporarily buried her rising doubts.
...Let's not have weak thoughts. Righteousness? Ha, I'm in no position to be picky about that. Above all, the Evil God desires followers.
Seraphina took the lead and headed toward the Gate. Utilizing the exact method she used to escape the dungeon, they arrived at its center.
The colors of another dimension welcomed them.
Seraphina guided Merlin toward the Gate, thinking:
So... let's just take him. It has already begun. I can't expect my hands to remain clean when I've sworn revenge.
Vowing to postpone her regrets until everything was over, Seraphina and Merlin stepped through the Gate.
A sensation of floating enveloped their bodies. The world flipped upside down. Random colors rearranged themselves, solidifying into the shape of the other world.
Back in the land of beasts.
What welcomed the two of them was a beast whose face looked as if it had been swallowed by a black mask.
"Wait, what the hell is this?!"
The beast, locking eyes with Seraphina, cried out in a peculiar way.