Chapter 100

While resisting the sensation of being sucked into a dark hole, I tried to move my entire body as much as I could. It felt more like I just had the impression that I had moved. My consciousness awoke the moment I felt a part of my body actually move. My eyes snapped open, and the leaves above me came into view. I realized I was in a lush forest surrounded by trees. Ah, that's right. After being put into a magic circle following the feast, I went through the process of expelling all my magic power. In a way, it was a setup by the old men.

My body felt unusually lethargic. I couldn't muster any strength.

Come to think of it, I was quite hungry. So, this lethargy seems to be due to hunger. I want to eat something.

I could hear some rustling nearby. My hearing seemed to have become clearer. It was too difficult to get up, so I just turned my head in that direction.

...Eliza was sitting next to me, holding a sandwich for some reason. She seemed to have noticed that I had woken up and was looking at me with wide eyes. However, she continued to eat the sandwich.

"Eliza... did you stay by my side the whole time?"

"No. After Kururi-sama fell asleep, I was playing board games. Mr. Moran instructed me to bring food because he thought you would wake up soon, so I came here."

Ah... I see. You were playing board games. I can't blame you for that.

I felt like I had been asleep for a very long time. Indeed, to be watched over the entire time would be too much to ask.

"You brought food. I'm grateful. I'm experiencing a level of hunger that I can hardly believe."

"Yes... but I'm sorry. I ate the sandwich."

Why!?

"I waited for quite a long time, and I couldn't help myself... I'm sorry. It was so delicious that I couldn't stop eating..."

She looked down, embarrassed. I felt bad for sounding accusatory, even though I wasn't really angry.

"It's okay, Eliza. Let's go back to Petal's house and get something to eat. I'm sorry, but can you help me? I can't even stand up right now."

"Yes, I understand. I'll help you after I finish this sandwich."

Give me that!!

...But, watching Eliza munch away might have been a good experience. She even had tears streaming down her cheeks...

"Phew"

"What is it!?"

"Because you're so focused. It's kind of funny to watch."

"Oh! Was it that funny? ...But if Kururi-sama found it amusing, that's good."

We laughed together as we made our way through the forest toward Petal's house. Being supported by her wasn't bad. She smelled nice. Even in this seemingly empty place, she always managed to stay clean. It must be in her genes. Her cells are different at a genetic level!

I ended up boasting about it, but she really does smell that good.

"Actually... today's sandwich was a failure. I tasted it and thought, 'What a terrible flavor!' I couldn't let Kururi-sama eat it... So, I ended up doing that."

"Do you know that I have the ability to enjoy anything you make, Eliza?"

"Hehe, I'll remember that."

After arriving at Petal's house, we had a stew that Eliza claimed was her best effort. Indeed, warm food is the best when you wake up. It felt good in my stomach.

While eating, I heard about the results from the old men.

It seems the third stage went well, but they also shared a shocking fact.

"What!? I slept for a whole week!? Really!?"

"Yes, you were out like a light."

No, what a gloomy metaphor! I'm glad I woke up.

"I thought you were really dead at one point!"

Petal, you're saying something really serious.

"Don't worry the old men too much."

That's easy for you to say, but I didn't receive any explanation. I just woke up and was fed, then put back to sleep.

"I was so worried that I even considered getting a kiss from Eliza. But then I realized it wouldn't help."

Stay calm!!

"Well, it's good it went well. In the end, the result is what matters."

Wow. You're summarizing. You're summarizing roughly. You're saying something really serious.

"Maybe. Since it went well, let's push through the fourth stage while we're at it. Mr. Moran, are you ready?"

"Of course. But Kururi-kun needs more time to recover. The final stage will be very tough."

Very tough... It's the absorption of magic power with the property of death, right? Even without knowing the details, I can tell it's dangerous. ...Will I have to drink poison or something? I'm preparing for the fourth stage like a guinea pig waiting for an experiment.

Since then, neither Petal nor Mr. Moran has said anything. Is there a reason they haven't given me more details?

Instead, the old men have been talking to Eliza in private a lot. They might be telling her something important. Maybe about the fourth stage of magic.

This turned out to be true a few days later.

After confirming that I was fully recovered, Eliza informed me that it was her responsibility to cast the magic with the property of death.

"This is a very dangerous task. While you were asleep, I learned about all the risks. There's a possibility that you could die at this stage."

I had a feeling it would be dangerous, but it seems the risks are real. I've already made my decision.

No matter what dangers lie ahead, I won't refuse.

But...

"Putting such a heavy burden on Eliza..."

"No, that's not it. Kururi-sama, you might be affected by death. I don't want anyone else to do such an important task."

Her straightforward gaze was directed at me. It was so beautiful that I felt like I could be drawn in. But right now, her determination was more evident than her beauty. ...I feel like I can trust her. No, I want her to do it. It has to be Eliza.

"If I have to kill, I'll kill Kururi-sama!"

...Yeah, but. When you say it so clearly, it's a bit scary. Maybe you should soften it a bit.

"I won't let anyone else do this. I'll stop your breathing with my own hands!"

You're going in the wrong direction! You're focusing on killing. That's only if it fails!

Should I try to unravel that clenched fist? Otherwise, her determination might solidify in the wrong direction.

"Ah, what a passionate feeling. We used to have such fervent emotions."

You're not wrong! A woman declaring she'll kill you is something you'd never hear from a woman you like!

"Blinding, isn't it? It reminds me of my youth."

Maybe they had such intense relationships when they were young... No, they didn't! Normally!

"Magic with the property of death isn't that difficult. I learned it while you were asleep."

"Is that so? Then, let's rely on Eliza."

"Yes. But there's something you need to do too. Humans naturally have a resistance to magic power. The resistance is especially strong against magic with bad properties, and magic with the property of death usually gets nullified by resistance before it can reach the target."

"So, you want me to eliminate that resistance. Is that it?"

"Yes. Trust me and accept everything."

I retracted the thin layer of magic power that usually covers my body, pushing it deep inside. I gathered all my magic power, even the parts I usually don't notice.

In this state, even a small amount of magic power with the property of death from a hostile source would likely send me to the other side.

But the one doing this is Eliza.

I can trust her.

...Now that I think about it, maybe I can only absorb magic power with the property of death without resistance from Eliza.

Even Mr. Moran, Petal, Iris, or Raser, if they were to release that magic power, I might resist for a moment.

But not with Eliza.

I can entrust everything to her.

Because, even though I haven't clearly told her yet, I like her. I'm in love with her, and I really like her essence.

There's no way I would resist someone I feel this way about. As she said, if I have to be killed, I'd rather it be by her. I feel the same way. If I have to be killed, I'd rather it be by her.

Maybe our meeting here wasn't a coincidence. Maybe we were meant to meet. Everything has been going so smoothly...

"Eliza, whenever you're ready. I'm prepared."

"Yes...!"

Eliza began her incantation. The magic power that emerged wasn't large, but it had a dark nature I had never seen before. This is the magic power with the property of death...

When the magic power was complete, a black sphere formed at the tip of her arm. She would release this at me.

I relaxed my body and waited for the moment.

Following Eliza's instructions, the black sphere shot toward me.

The sphere entered my body through my chest and spread throughout my body in an instant.

I felt a coldness all over. My fingertips had no sensation. But I could still stand.

It wasn't a complete coldness. Deep down, there was a slight warmth.

I could feel the thoughts Eliza had put into it.

As I got used to this state, I had the leisure to look around. Eliza was watching me with concern. Mr. Moran and Petal were sweating profusely. They were reacting with considerable fear.

"El... Eliza. I'm fine. Your magic won't kill me. Absolutely not. ...Besides, I can't die yet. I can't die!"

As I said this, I felt the blood drain from my head, and I lost control of my body. I experienced a moment of dizziness and almost fell backward.

But there was no impact. Eliza caught me just before I hit the ground.

"Sorry, I should be the one to catch you."

"It's fine now."

Thank you...

The ultimate magic is complete.

Now I understand. A massive vortex that had been dormant in my body has awakened. With this, I'm finally ready to fight the curse.