Descent into the Abyss
Descent into the Abyss
In the underground study of the lord's castle, Mapheltan wore a satisfied smirk.
Convincing Raguel had been easier than expected.
"I thought he’d resist more, but he accepted it so easily."
The demand to abandon his identity wasn’t one anyone could agree to lightly. But Raguel accepted Mapheltan's offer without much resistance.
The reason was simple. To the blind outcast, Mapheltan was the light and only hope in his life. Rejecting him would have been nearly impossible.
Realizing that, Mapheltan was struck with self-loathing.
"I’m just thoroughly exploiting a boy with nowhere else to turn."
Acting like a demon was beginning to make him feel like he was becoming one for real.
Even when justifying it as part of preparing for the apocalypse, the unpleasant feeling wouldn't fade.
Mapheltan wiped the smile from his face and clicked his tongue.
Watching him, Illea finally spoke.
"Mapheltan, I have a question."
Her expression was calmer than usual.
"Ask."
"Why are you pushing this through despite the guilt?"
Mapheltan was about to rebirth Raguel as one of the forgotten races.
The surface reason was clear:
"Because I have to return Raguel's sight, as promised."
Once he gained a new body, Raguel would no longer be blind.
Illea shook her head.
"Sounds like a hollow excuse to me."
There were only a few ways to restore Raguel's vision, and what Mapheltan had chosen was among the most dangerous.
It was, arguably, the worst move possible.
The forgotten ancient races were shadows of history that reflected the darkest side of the world.
If even one of them was revived and exposed to the world, it would herald a new age of darkness.
Neither Raguel nor the Miyatro Family would survive.
Beyond the kingdom, the Empire and Sacred Nation would respond.
Naturally, Illea—a witch and one of those forgotten races—would also be in danger.
Given the situation, reviving Raguel this way was a plan with more risks than rewards.
Mapheltan acknowledged it calmly.
"A hollow excuse, huh. Well, you’re not wrong. There is another reason."
He couldn’t outright deny it. His actions would affect Illea, and she had already sensed he had deeper motives.
For the sake of their future cooperation, it was better to be honest.
"Will you share that true reason with me?"
Her blue eyes pierced him.
Mapheltan nodded.
"It might be a long story. Give me a moment to collect my thoughts."
A soft smile formed on Illea's face.
"Take your time. We have until the full moon."
Once this conversation ended, Mapheltan would head to the Abyss. He needed Illea’s help for what had to be done there. Based on what he said now, she would decide whether or not to assist.
"In other words, I have to convince her."
Where to begin? It was daunting.
He had to explain the coming apocalypse, how to prepare for it, his pre-set plans—but the problem was what came after.
There was a fundamental question that couldn’t be avoided:
How do you know all this will happen?
The only answer:
Because I’m a transmigrator from another world who read the entire novel.
A truth too absurd to utter aloud.
Even lying would be suspicious.
In the original, almost no one could deceive Illea.
A witch’s uncanny intuition would catch any falsehood.
Only truth could persuade her.
Mapheltan swallowed.
How would she react to everything?
He couldn't even begin to guess. No matter how he tried to frame it, only bad outcomes came to mind.
He shook off the endless spiral of thoughts.
"Let’s try to be optimistic."
What if Illea accepted everything he said?
They could share all information going forward. With the witch’s intelligence on his side, preparing for the end would be far easier.
Survival odds would rise significantly.
The return on investment was undeniable.
"It might be worth it."
Just as his mind began to fill with hope, Mapheltan’s face twisted.
His heart pounded violently. Black miasma erupted from his body, and his red eyes flashed.
Illea flinched in surprise.
"...Mapheltan?"
At the same time, black blood gushed from his mouth. Clutching his chest, he dropped to one knee.
Excruciating pain wracked his entire body.
It felt like his whole being would explode.
Even in the chaos, Mapheltan instinctively understood the cause.
"Khh, urgh..."
It was a warning: Do not even think of revealing your true nature.
For now, it was just a warning. But the moment he confessed to being a transmigrator, he would die.
It was what they called a Prohibition.
That damn Prohibition always blocked his path.
Mapheltan was consumed by rage.
"...You bastard, what do you want from me?"
His voice was like swallowing boiling water. More black blood spilled.
Illea quickly supported him, visibly shaken. Her blue eyes trembled.
"Mapheltan, are you okay?! Snap out of it!"
His crimson eyes began to dim.
"Why bring me here if..."
He couldn’t finish.
A wave of sleep crushed him.
Mapheltan lost consciousness in Illea’s arms.
***
Soft light filled the room. A silvery glow, like moonlight, shimmered past blurred vision.
Beauty lay in those muted colors. A mesmerizing stillness.
He stared blankly at the silver waves.
"Mapheltan, are you awake?"
A familiar voice brushed past his ear.
Sanity returned instantly.
The glow he saw was none other than Illea’s silver hair.
Her deep blue eyes gazed at him.
He sat up immediately.
"...How long was I out?"
Apparently, he had collapsed against her lap.
"About three hours."
"Good. We won’t be late."
The full moon would soon rise. He had to reach the Abyss on time.
If he missed it due to that ridiculous interruption, he might have lost his mind.
"You’re really going down into the Abyss like this? Maybe you should delay the trip."
Concern tinged Illea’s voice.
Mapheltan shook his head firmly.
"You know as well as I do—this is our only chance."
Because of the Scales of Equivalence, he would remain in demon form for the time being. He wouldn’t revert to his weak human body. That made this the perfect time for a descent.
He had to take advantage of it.
Illea let out a long sigh.
"You wouldn’t listen even if I objected. But your life isn’t yours alone, you know."
If Mapheltan died, Illea would too, bound by their contract.
In short, he was dragging her life into danger as well.
He swallowed quietly.
"I’m sorry. I really have nothing else to say."
"It’s fine. It’s not the first time. Just be careful."
Mapheltan looked at her in surprise.
"...That’s it?"
Because of the Prohibition, he hadn’t been able to explain everything.
Illea replied casually.
"Yes. I’m already prepared."
She pointed to the center of the study.
Raguel and Zal’karin sat at the round table, each wearing a backpack.
They were likely packed with supplies needed in the Abyss.
Mapheltan spoke.
"I thought you weren’t going to help."
"I just wanted to know why you were turning the young master into a forgotten race. I guess I won’t be getting that answer now."
She didn’t press further.
It felt a bit unresolved.
"...I hate to leave it like this."
He wanted to at least convince her a little. He felt guilty about leaning on her so much lately.
"I’ll try to explain indirectly."
He would dodge the Prohibition as best he could.
He began slowly.
"I can’t answer everything right now. But I can say this for certain: everything I’ve done, and everything I will do, is for the greater good of this world. That includes this plan. I intend to revive all twelve forgotten races. And in time, you’ll understand how closely that aligns with your own values."
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"That’s all I can say."
Illea paused briefly.
Then smiled.
"That’s enough for now."
He couldn’t read her true feelings, but for now, it seemed she accepted it.
Mapheltan cleared his throat.
"Then let me explain your role."
Illea wouldn’t go to the Abyss. She had a separate task: to redirect the explosion in the Abyss into the kingdom.
If successful, attention concentrated in the South would scatter.
With this trip, Mapheltan aimed to achieve three things:
Fulfill his contract with Raguel.
Prepare for the later apocalypse.
Escape the Church’s surveillance.
Three objectives, one trip.
Illea responded.
"I already know my role, so you don’t need to explain."
"Did I tell you?"
"You hinted last night. I just need to transfer 'them' from Sector One to the capital, right?"
Before departing to deal with Campbell, Mapheltan had briefly mentioned his plan.
From that hint, Illea had deduced her part.
"She really is brilliant."
Mapheltan nodded.
"I’ll leave it to you."
"Don’t worry about me. Just be careful. And don’t forget."
"Forget what?"
Illea placed her hand on his chest.
"That you are my heart."
Her voice was soft and low.
Mapheltan instinctively stepped back. It felt oddly unsettling.
Zal’karin, watching, shouted.
"O Witch! Was that a quote from 'The Love of Heroes'?!"
He had read a romance novel to Raguel the night before. Apparently, Illea had overheard it too.
Raguel murmured shyly.
"You two are like the main couple... You look good together."
Illea flashed a teasing smile.
"Hear that, Mapheltan?"
"...Always talking nonsense."
She stepped closer with a mischievous grin.
"Are you blushing?"
Mapheltan pushed her forehead back with a finger.
"We don’t have time for this. We need to move."
Illea continued smiling.
Ignoring her, Mapheltan turned to the round table.
"You two, get ready."
The full moon was nearing. Zal’karin looked excited. Raguel was clearly nervous.
Mapheltan approached Raguel.
"Scared?"
"A-a little."
"Then I’ll give you a lift."
He picked Raguel up in an instant.
"W-wait! This is the scariest part!"
"What can I do? We can’t exactly walk to the Abyss."
Mapheltan's body slowly lifted into the air.
Zal’karin latched onto Raguel and shouted loudly.
"The Great End enters the Abyss! A truly historic moment!"
Illea waved from the ground.
"Safe travels."
Mapheltan nodded and shot into the sky.
He raced through the air, leaving the lord’s castle behind.
His destination was Sector One of the Abyss: The Mausoleum of the Moon’s Shadow.
Beneath the full moon, creatures who hated the moon and envied humans would be in a frenzy.
They would scream to have their coffins opened.
Mapheltan intended to dig up their graves.