"If you want to get information out of people, why don't you get it out of yourself first, Valerie?

　I looked at the man who had once been my mentor, and who was now my hated enemy.

"My information?
"First things first. How to break the spell Yuling cast on me.
"Yulin ......?　Yeah, the fugitive subject 372, right? As I recall, he was treated with the Scent of Darkness.

　Valerie's gaze turns to Yulin.

What do you care about that little girl?
"Answer me.

　I urge.

The research records for the Dark Scent are all in orb 372, the same number as the girl. You can take it if you need it.

　Valerie pointed to a shelf on the right side of the room.

If I can have your Darkness, I'll spare you the rest of my research.

　Her eyes shone brightly.
　Two years ago, he had been a man eager to explore magic, but his eyes had never been this sharp.

　Could it be that his passion has grown even more in the past two years?
　Or...?

Darkness - it is the ultimate in magic. Something I've been searching for over forty years and still can't get. Something I still can't reach. My greatest goal...

　Valerie says enthusiastically.

"Now, tell me, Chrome. How did you get the Darkness?
"Wait. I have one more question.

　His knowledge is valuable.
　We need to get as much information as we can before he finishes his revenge.

What is the Darkness, anyway?

　I still don't fully understand my powers.

　Just like I didn't know much about [Dependent] until I met Shea.
　There may be other information I don't know yet.

　Normally, [darkness] would be the best source of information, but it has a fickle nature.
　Even if I ask a question, it is not guaranteed that she will answer.
　I think it's best to ask Valerie here.

　My revenge is still coming.
　Among them is Juno, who has the power of the light.

　I need to refine my own power even more...

"...... Hmm.

　Valerie growls quietly.

"I don't have it all figured out. I'm still working on it. That's the assumption I'm making.

　Valerie prefaces and begins.

"There was once a civilization different from the one we know today.



　Lemcelia.

　It was a very ancient prehistoric civilization that flourished millions of years ago.
　It is said to have had far more advanced magic technology than today, and to have prospered far more than today.

　However, it was destroyed overnight by a mysterious disaster called the Great Calamity.

　The magic we use is based on the techniques developed by that prehistoric civilization.

　Most of the magic developed by prehistoric civilizations is too advanced to be used.
　So, they use it in a weakened state, with reduced power and so on, for modern people.

　I knew that Valerie had been studying that civilization for a long time.

　I only know about it through gossip, and there are some persistent theories that prehistoric civilizations themselves are just legends and fairy tales.

　Valerie was enthusiastic about her research.
　Well, at the time, she was engaged in a fierce battle with the Demon King's army, so it was hard for her to concentrate on her research.

"Shortly before I left you... I discovered an ancient ruin. Written on it was a spell called the Dark Chain.
Ancient Ruins: ......
"In other words, it was the ancients who developed the 'Dark Chain' spell. They knew much more about darkness and light than we do.

　According to Valerie's explanation...

　According to Valerie's explanation, the forbidden spell, "Chains of Darkness," first creates "darkness" from the person chosen as the sacrifice.
　In response to that darkness, light appears.
　By granting the target person the [Light] that appears, that person will gain immense power....

　To put it simply, that's it.

　In short, I was chosen as a sacrifice in order to give the power of the【Light】to the target, the hero Yuno, who has the holy attribute.

　The reason why Irina showed the scene of visiting Yuno the day before was because of her calculations.
　It was to incite my anger and grief.

　The more such negative emotions grow, the stronger the darkness the sacrifice will produce.
　The stronger the darkness born, the stronger the light born in response.

The reason why I chose you as my sacrifice is because I thought that your lover and best friend would be easy to use as a trigger to create negative emotions.

　Valerie said.

"Most importantly, your spirit was the purest in the party. That's because I did a spell check on you beforehand. The purer and purer the mind, the more likely it is to create a deep darkness when it is trampled upon.
"Why did I lose my magic and my body deteriorate?
"The magic power of those who are chosen for sacrifice is all sucked up and becomes the source of energy for the Darkness. Your body wasting away is a side effect of losing all your magic power at once.



　Valerie answers my question.

"In the back of this room, there's a device that drains all the magic from the subject. I tried to use it to simply recreate the Chains of Darkness, but it was completely useless. Even then, the subject's physical abilities were severely diminished, just as yours were.

　Valerie.

"Well, I digress. It seems that it is not the size of the magic power that is important, but the size of the sacrifice's 'negative emotion'.

　With a smile, Valerie continued her explanation without hesitation.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

　...... I'm sure you don't.
　I'm sure he doesn't have any feelings for me.

I understand about the "chains of darkness". Then, what are 'darkness' and 'light' anyway?

　My question went to the heart of the matter.

　To be honest, just listening to him makes me feel a boiling anger and hatred in my heart.
　The memory of being used and discarded like a tool two years ago came back vividly.

　Still... the first step is to gather information.