After being caught in Kyo’s trap, we woke up in a strange prison.
“Where… could this place be?”
“Who knows, I’m just praying that it’s not a prison of an enemy country.”
Upon checking my surroundings, I notice that Glass is the only person around for some reason. She may be reliable, but she cannot be trusted, considering the amount of times we’ve faced each other during the waves.
What’s more, my level has returned to 1, seemingly as a result of travelling into another world.
I could get myself killed if I ever tried resisting in the event things go south.
“Are you keeping your guard up around me? We’ve already agreed to an alliance, so we won’t be fighting each other.”
“I wonder about that.”
Be vigilant. After all, she is a woman, just like Bitch.
Raphtalia is the only one whom I especially trust. Next in line would be Filo and Rishia, but that’s about it.
Glass tilted her head slightly, seemingly having understood my caution.
“Haa… you’re a very cautious person.”
“How many times do you think we fought, damn it!”
“For now, let’s get out of here.”
“Can we even get out?”
“Yes.”
Glass approaches the prison bars and slashes them with her fan. They were unexpectedly cut through with ease.
“Then let’s go.”
“… Fine.”
Raphtalia and the others may also be nearby. While thinking that, I went out of the prison and checked our surroundings.
Something about the neighboring cell strangely smells lived in.
“This is…”
“What’s wrong?”
Glass confirmed what was in the neighboring cell and stood speechless.
“Naofumi, can we wait here?”
“Why?”
“Because I had a hunch on who is the owner of this room.”
“Are you not going to look for the person?”
“It looks like she was here until a while ago. If we wait a little longer, there’s a good chance she’ll come back.”
“…”
Just as I was debating whether to escape or not upon hearing Glass’ words, she stood in my path.
“I won’t do anything to you. I just think it’s safer than moving around blindly.”
“Haa… I can’t refuse, can I?”
Should I say it’s because of the level gap? There’s just no escape from Glass with how I am currently.
As my head was occupied with these thoughts, 30 minutes passed while we waited, and now the footsteps of the room’s owner returning could be heard.
“Kizuna!”
“Oh, you woke up. I was thinking of securing some food and water while you were sleeping.”
The one who arrived was someone who looked pretty much like a little girl at first glance. She seems to be an acquaintance of Glass.
Glass, who’s usually composed, had her stiff expression broken down as she hugged her. She’s even crying. Is she that happy?
As I was thinking that, Glass introduced me to Kizuna… One of the Four Holy Heroes of Glass’ world who was summoned from a different Japan than mine, the Hunting Tool Hero, Kizuna Kazayama. A person who’s been missing for several years, from what I’ve been told.
“It was such a surprise. What happened, for you to end up in a place like this, Glass?”
“That’s my line. Going missing all of a sudden… I searched all over the world for you!”
“Well, a lot of things happened.”
Just like that, the two of them enjoyed their reunion, completely ignoring my existence. At no point could I enter the conversation at all.
So, listening to the conversation between Glass and Kizuna, it was said that this is a space from which it is impossible to escape, and that Kizuna has been stranded here for a long time.
“Okay, okay. You guys, I get what you’re saying, so listen. For now, we have to think of a way to escape, alright?”
“That’s right. As people say, two heads are better than one, the more the merrier. So let’s think about a way out of here. There’s a way—”
Glass tilted her head when Kizuna was about to advance with the conversation.
“Why do we need to get out of here?”
“”Huh?”” Kizuna and I let out unison.
“Kizuna, our world is exposed to the threat of waves, and if all the Holy Heroes die, the world will perish.”
“I-is that so?”
“The way to prolong the life of our world is to cross into the world that it is connected to during a wave, the fusion phenomenon with another world, and kill all the Holy Heroes of that world.”
“You have been doing that!?”
Kizuna grumpily scolds Glass.
Glass did apologize to me, but it seemed like she had something more to say.
“As I have said, there is meaning in you being here for the protection of our world.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just think about it. The waves are not able to summon Holy Heroes from here, and that there’s so few people who know we’re here. Coupled with the fact that this place is an inescapable space that would deter others from bothering to come in the first place, there’s no better place to protect the Holy Heroes than here.”
That Glass, isn’t she getting too deep into this? Is Kizuna that important to her?
“It’s not like I don’t understand your reasoning, but… for the sake of the world, huh…” Kizuna’s slightly convinced.
It’s a very negative idea. Yeah, if we don’t go out into the waves, we won’t die nor will the world get destroyed.
“Therefore, Naofumi. If you were to also stay here permanently, you can protect the world. Please give up on escaping.”
“Don’t screw with me!”
I think it would be utterly stupid to accept the offer of spending my life here for the sake of the world… but there’s only so much I can do.
For now, it looks like we will have to remain stuck in here until Kizuna succeeds in convincing Glass.
Even though I want to meet Raphtalia and the others again as soon as possible… Thinking of that, I’m still trying to survive in the Infinite Labyrinth.
—
Conclusion: Dare to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the world?
