AKM Act 11-19

Act 11-19: Rasha’s Eyes

TL: Cnine

ED/PF:

Part 1

　Rasha, the Queen of Myriad Deaths, and her companions made their way deeper into the Forbidden Archive.

「How strange…? The labyrinth has stopped moving.」

　Rasha tilted her head in confusion.

　The labyrinth had been constantly shifting its shape in an attempt to lead Rasha and the others astray.

　However, Rasha’s eyes could track its movements precisely, allowing them to always find the correct path.

　It was only natural to be suspicious now that the interference had suddenly ceased.

「Are we going to give up, Mother?」

　Zarth spoke with a smile on her face.

「Uhm, I’m not too sure. This phenomenon might be caused by the people who entered after us.」

　Rasha replied, raising her face.

　Though not to the same extent as her younger sister, the Goddess of Fate Casa, Rasha’s eyes could still perceive many things.

　She could see the faint silhouette of someone who had entered from the upper floors—appearing only as a shadow.

　Most likely, someone who had noticed the intrusion was now pursuing Rasha and her group.

　Their movements were swifter than she had expected, catching Rasha slightly off guard.

「A new intruder? Could it be the rumoured sage of the hero’s party?」

「Who knows, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Speaking of the hero’s comrades, are they really that strong?」

　Indeed, Rasha had a very bad premonition.

　In terms of combat prowess, she surpassed Casa, but her powers of perception were inferior.

　Because of that, she had experienced failure more than once.

　Her current weakened state was the result of one such mistake—challenging Modes to a fight in the past.

「The black-haired sage, Chiyuki, is it? She doesn’t seem stronger than Mother, but since your premonitions are always right, we’d best not let our guard down.」

「Exactly. Besides, now that we’ve come this far inside, we must be prepared. If we turn back, we’re likely to run into them.」

　They were bound to encounter the other party on the way back anyway.

　There was no guarantee they could slip past her unnoticed and escape.

　Thus, they had no choice but to continue forward.

「Nevertheless, there’s something strange about the people we left behind. They should have met the pursuers, yet there’s been no contact from them afterwa—Eh? This...」

　It happened as Rasha was pondering the situation.

　Suddenly, the labyrinth began to move.

「Hmm, this is different from before. The movement is quite significant!」

　It was no wonder that Zarth was astonished.

　Until now, the labyrinth had shifted subtly—so discreetly that Rasha and the others wouldn’t notice—while trying to lead them astray.

　Never before had it moved so violently.

　Rasha and her companions were taken aback as their surroundings suddenly began to shift with great speed.

「What in the world is happening here?」

「Who knows! But this is a fine opportunity! It’s interfering with the magic!」

　After saying those words, Rasha’s eyes glimmered.

　Each time the labyrinth shifted, she could feel a massive surge of magical power.

　Rasha, who could perceive the flow of magic itself, was capable of interfering with it.

　And by doing so, she could alter the labyrinth’s movements—creating outcomes different from its original intent.

「O master of this labyrinth! Behold my power!」

　Rasha spread the wings on her arms wide and interfered with the labyrinth’s flow of magical energy.

　As a result, the labyrinth’s movements became wildly erratic.

◆

「Uhm... Is this, by chance...」

　Dantalyas’ expression suddenly changed before Kuroki’s eyes.

　She had been in the middle of moving her books to create a battlefield when her body suddenly trembled, and she began to sway her head.

「Are you okay, Dantalyas!?」

　Sensing something was wrong, Kuroki rushed over to her.

「Kuroki-san!?」

「Wh-WAH!?」

　Hearing Kyouka and Chiyuki’s voices, he turned around—only to see the surrounding bookshelves, floor, and ceiling shifting.

　In an instant, a wall formed between Kuroki and Kyouka’s group.

「W-What’s happening now!?」

　The space around Kuroki warped erratically, and the scenery began to change.

　When everything finally settled a moment later, only Kuroki and Dantalyas remained in that place.

　He had been completely separated from Kyouka and the others who had been with him.

「Dantalyas, what’s happening here?」

「I underestimated that goddess’s power. She’s disrupted the flow of magical energy. I won’t be able to control the archive for a while…」

　Dantalyas explained the situation to Kuroki.

　She had been using magical power to alter the archive’s shape, but Rasha had interfered with that flow of power, causing the structure to take on a form entirely different from what Dantalyas had intended.

　Such a feat would normally be impossible.

　But Dantalyas had underestimated the Queen of Myriad Deaths, Rasha.

　Had things gone according to plan, Dantalyas might have been able to subdue Rasha and her followers before they achieved their goal.

　However, that plan had failed, and the situation had clearly worsened.

「So... Where are Kyouka-san and the others right now?」

「It seems they’re quite far from here. My apologies, Kuroki-sama. I seem to be… unable… to move any further...」

　Dantalyas stated coldly.

　Upon a closer look, her form had begun to blur.

　It seemed that her manifested body could no longer be maintained.

「Don’t push yourself. Take a break. I’ll handle that goddess myself.」

　Kuroki stepped forward.

「The defence mechanisms… are malfunctioning. Be careful…」

　Unable to maintain her form, Dantalyas said this and vanished.

「Dammit, I never expected it would get this bad.」

　Kuroki bit his lip and hurried onward.

◆

「So, can someone explain what’s happening here?」

　Katakake spoke as he looked around.

　He couldn’t find Kuroki, Chiyuki, or Sabina anywhere.

　The surroundings had suddenly shifted, separating them all.

「That’s what I want to know. I never imagined it would turn out like this.」

　Mitsuami was visibly anxious.

　It was only natural for her to feel that way.

　Chiyuki, who had seemed the most reliable, was gone, and there was no sign of Dantalyas, the one who managed this archive.

「Yeah, seriously… You never know how things are gonna go.」

　Chijirege muttered as he looked around.

　He seemed oddly relaxed despite the circumstances.

　Katakake was at least relieved to see his friend’s spirits somewhat lifted.

「Hey…! Why am I stuck with you?! Once we get out of here, I’m putting you on trial!」

　Mitsuami shot a sharp glare at Chijirege.

　He was connected to the Cult of Death and had violated the regulations of the Magicians Association.

　Once they got out, exile was all but certain.

「Stop fighting. We’ve been separated from Kuroki-san and the others. If we don’t hurry and catch up…」

　Kyouka heaved a sigh.

「That’s right, just as Kyouka-sama says. We should work together and move on. Heh, the name’s Chijirege. Pleased to meet you, little sister of the hero-sama.」

　Chijirege was blatantly trying to butter up to Kyouka.

　He was clearly scheming to win her over in hopes she might help him out of his predicament.

　His change in attitude was remarkably fast.

「Er… Kyouka-sama, this is a request from me as well. Please be lenient with Chijirege!」

　Katakake bowed his head.

「It’s no use asking me. Well, since Kuroki-san has forgiven him, I’m sure it’ll be fine. More importantly, let’s move on.」

　Kyouka said this as she started walking ahead.

「Hehehehe, right behind you, Milady.」

　Naturally, Chijirege followed after her.

「Honestly, I just want to go home...」

　Mitsuami muttered, her face almost on the verge of tears.

　But perhaps afraid to go alone, she seemed determined to follow along.

「Sorry, Mitsuami-san. If possible, I’d like you to spare Chijirege.」

「I’m not the one who decides whether to forgive or not. Honestly, how did things end up like this?」

　Mitsuami replied, sobbing as she walked with the group.

　And so, Katakake and the others made their way through the archive, which had now turned into a labyrinth.

◆

「What on earth is going on here...?」

「That’s my question though...」

　Chiyuki and Sabina looked at each other.

　Chiyuki stayed close, keeping an eye on Sabina to make sure the latter didn’t try anything suspicious.

　For that reason, they had ended up together.

　Both Kuroki and Kyouka were nowhere to be seen.

　This was clearly an abnormal situation.

「Nevertheless, I never expected to be paired with you...」

「That should be my line though...」

　Chiyuki and Sabina glared at each other.

　After blocking their progress earlier, Sabina made no effort to hide her hostility.

　Chiyuki suspected Sabina had been hostile from the very beginning.

　Who exactly was she?

　Chiyuki could make an educated guess, but she lacked solid proof.

「That matter aside, let’s move on. That’s what you want too, isn’t it?」

　Chiyuki began walking forward.

「Naturally. I have to meet that person, after all.」

　Sabina replied with a seductive smile.

　Chiyuki cast a brief glance at her.

　She was surprisingly straightforward.

　And so, the two of them moved forward, each lost in thought.

◆

「Looks like it worked. I managed to separate them.」

　Rasha looked up with a smile forming on her face.

　By reversing the flow of magical power, the archive had changed into a form different from its manager’s original design.

　This should buy them some time.

「Now then, we’re almost there! Zagart, stay here with your subordinates and hinder them!」

　After Rasha said this, Zagart bowed his head in silence.

「Zarth! Come with me and help me regain my strength!」

「Yes, mother. Feel free to use my knowledge to your heart’s content.」

　Zarth smiled brightly as he spoke.

「Heh heh heh, my revival is near! But why…? Why won’t this dreadful premonition go away? What could it mean? Well, whatever! Let’s move forward.」

　After saying that, Rasha walked ahead.