The next day, when the morning sun began to light up the walls of the Demon King's Castle and the garden that stretched across a section of the grounds.
　The inside of the Demon King's Castle was large, and since I had time, I was walking down this large corridor as I strolled around.

　It's a large corridor with different specifications and size than the corridor I used when I headed to Lucius-san's study.
　If it's at least an elephant, it wouldn't be a problem to let him walk, right?　I don't know what will happen to the floor, but I doubt the walls will break.

　After a while, the white wall on the left side of the room breaks off and is replaced by pillars. They are long, thick, white pillars placed at equal intervals one after another. They extend to the high ceiling.
　And those pillars surrounded a spacious hall that looked like it could hold a ball.
　There was nothing else but a large space. It was probably a space used for such events.

　After walking for a while more, we passed the hall, and after walking some more, we next saw the courtyard on the right - a large garden.
　At that time, I could also see Lucius-san in front of me, staring at a mirror large enough to be seen even at a distance.

''You're.......early.''

Good morning.

　It is a large room facing the outdoors.
　Facing the great garden, the open great room was in a position to cross over, the floor was as hard as marble, and a meaningless circle was drawn in the middle.
　Right in the middle of it, Lucius-san and the mirror were in the middle of it.

　It was a simple mirror, oval in shape, though I wouldn't say it was nondescript.
　And it wasn't until I got to just in front of Lucius-san that I noticed that the mirror was floating in the air.
　It wasn't being supported by feet or anything, it was floating without any support.
　Lucius-san didn't even look back, he just stared at the mirror with a serious look on his face.

'What do you think of this mirror?'

What?

　Lucius asks suddenly, without warning.

'A mirror?　Don't you find that strange?

A mirror?　I don't think it's particularly strange, except for the fact that it's floating in the air, but...

Huh, except for the fact that I'm floating... so you're an otherworldly person after all.

It's nothing to hide, so I'll just say it. How did you know?

I didn't know.

What?

That was a bluff. Just because you're the Demon King doesn't mean you know everything. You just got swallowed up in the process. It was worth the effort to set the tone.

　What is it?　So you're saying it was an act?
　But Mr. Lucius's mood was not particularly different from yesterday's.

'But it was a hypothetical thing. First of all, it is difficult for people from the Kingdom of Games to reach this continent in the first place. The waters surrounding Bannome are special, right?　Well, that story is good for now. Anyway, rather than thinking that he's from the playground, it's more probable that he's one of the otherworldly people called up by Greiberg's recent "summoning of the brave", rather than thinking that he's from the playground. That's all there is to it.

''But it's normal for people from the Playground to be on this continent too, right?

'So I bluffed to see what was going on. And I read the emotions. I already knew most of it by then, though, didn't I?　Even though you were working with the Toa, that mind of yours that is not surprised to see the Demon King is strange by any stretch of the imagination. The natural caution against the demon race is too lacking and appears too alien. Nem-san and Sufilia-san were properly vigilant even before you entered the study, right?

　"You were careful" is a funny word.

But you'd rather be...

''Yes, I was thrilled. It was the first time I had ever met the Demon King, and it was a dream of mine...

'A dream....I see. You must be quite a freak to be an otherworlder?　It's getting harder and harder for me to trust you with the Toa.

What?

It was a joke.

　There was a moment of silence as the conversation continued in a different and more casual manner than yesterday.
　Then Mr. Lucius spoke again about the mirror in a tone of voice that seemed to say he was on the subject.

'This mirror, you know?　It's called the World Mirror.

'The World Mirror?　That's an epic name, isn't it?　Is it a grimoire?

Yeah. I named it.

　You put it on me.........

It's true that this might be a magic tool. But maybe it's not.

What do you mean?

As for this mirror, we haven't understood any of it since it showed up.

All of it?　You named it the World Mirror when you didn't know?

　I tsk-tsked, not to be ridiculous, but I didn't think it was a good idea.

'There's a reason I named it that. It's because this mirror reflects somewhere in the world.

　Well I'm starting to understand what it means.
　I mean, the world mirror means exactly what it says.

Would you like to try it?

Can you do it?

Yeah. It is powered by the user's magic. It's a very revolutionary tool.

So I'll take you up on your offer.

　I stepped in front of Lucius-san without any particular caution.
　Then I faced that mirror with half interest.
　And just as I always do when I use magic, I let the magic power flow into the mirror.

What do you think?　What ... do you see now?

　I look into the world mirror, letting more magic flow through it to answer the question.

''..........''

　But I don't see anything in particular. What do you mean?　Do you need more magic?

'I can't see anything. Do you need more magic?

　While asking if I'm doing it wrong, I look back to Lucius-san once.
　Then there was Lucius-san, whose eyes were wide open, as if he was monitoring the mirror, as if the expression "curious" was not enough.

''W-what's going on?''

　When I ask him that, Lucius-san regains his normal expression again, as if he has come to himself.
　What is it?　Scary.........

'Um? .....

It's not working.

What?

I can't use this mirror.

I can't use... but you said you could now, right?　Are you bluffing again?　This is a mirror in which we can see the world, isn't it?

That's just what I called it, that's all. It just shows up one day, right there.

　Saying that, Lucius-san pointed to a short covered staircase supported by pillars that led from the large room to the large garden, and a flat area with gapless pure white tiles located right beside it.
　Just on the border of the garden and the room.

'It was showing up?　Does that mean someone brought it in?

I don't know.

I don't know...

'And from the time I showed up until now, Toa is the only person who has been able to use this mirror properly...'

Only the Toa?

'I still remember it. That was when I was a little girl, when Toa was still only about a knee taller than me. The Toa always stuck to Rosalia and never left her. It was Rosalia who first spotted this mirror as it appeared in the garden. And beside her, as always, was Toa.

　Mr. Lucius spoke with a vaguely melancholy air, as if he were looking back on those days.

'I happened to be strolling through the gardens with Electra at the time, didn't I?　We ... asked Rosalia what was wrong with her ... and I still remember, to this day ...

　What is it? .........After explaining that, Lucius-san suddenly fell silent as he stared somewhere in the distance.

''..........Lucius-san?''

Hmm? ........oh, sorry. Huh ... I was thinking back to the old days, a little bit. It was about the mirror, wasn't it?

'Yes. So you found this mirror, and then what did you do?

I couldn't do anything about it.

'What? .....

'I couldn't help it. As I told you earlier, the only person who can handle this mirror is Toa.

　Now I was remembering for the first time what Toa had said earlier.
　It was my image reflected in the mirror.
　It was my reflection in the mirror, wandering the dungeon.

I'm not sure if it's out of curiosity or just out of curiosity, but Toa reached out to the mirror, and the mirror responded in response to Toa. Then, as if in response to Toa, the mirror emitted a light. It was an instant of light that filled my vision. But it quickly subsided and then something appeared in the mirror.

'What is it? ...What is it?

I don't know.

What?

　I don't know what's going on.

'I couldn't see it. There was probably something in the mirror. That's what I could determine by looking at Toa. 'Because Toa certainly seemed to be looking at something, didn't he?　But no one but Toa could see that something that would have been reflected in the mirror. But.........

　"But"--after saying that, Lucius-san looked into my eyes with a heavy heart.
　I didn't understand why he was being impatient, and I said with my eyes, 'What happened then?' I ask the question.
　If you say you can read emotions, I hope you'll answer quickly.

'Toa said.........'

　Does Mr. Lucius remember those days?
　The words are choppy and somewhat irritating.

'Did Toa say that?'

'Oh. I looked in the mirror and muttered ... as if I were asking a question in the mirror.

What do you mean?

The Toa....

　I approach Lucius to listen to him, as if seeking an answer.

'What about Toa?'

The Toa....

"Masamune?

　Just then, I suddenly heard Toa's voice and I reflexively turned around.
　And there it was again, different from when I was traveling... was this my loungewear?
　It was Toa wearing a beautiful white lace, dress-like outfit.

'Toa ... good morning. You're early, aren't you?

　The sun is already up. Not so early, is it?

You're the one who's early, aren't you, Masamune?　Good morning.....

Yeah well, you know?

　The Toa at home in the Demon King's Castle. It looks somehow fresh and even more beautiful than usual.
　I found myself transfixed and just stared at Toa.

　Then I hear Lucius-san coughing in the background.

'Masamune, we'll talk about the mirror another time,'

'What?　But....

I'm in no hurry. You're going to stay in the country for the time being, aren't you?

Well ... if you're willing to stay, that is.

I won't ask you to leave. You can stay as long as you want. It's good for the Toa.

　He's a father who cares for his daughter.

　After Lucius said that, he lightly exchanged morning greetings with Toa and then walked off somewhere with the mirror.
　After that, the figure of the mirror advancing as if to follow is quite funny.
　It's as if he's dragging the mirror along with him.

'Hey, what were you talking about with Father?'

Hmm? .........Oh, I'm talking about the World Mirror. Come to think of it, I heard that the world mirror can only be used on Toa, right?

What do you mean?

'So, you mean the mirror that went on behind Lucius-san earlier?　That's only good for Toa, right?

I don't know anything about that, okay?　Of course your father can use it, right?

I don't know about you, Lucius, but I couldn't use it, could I?

　Then Toa choked on his words, as if he was confused by my words. What's going on?

But I knew I should've listened...

　Then Toa looked into my eyes, tilting his head, as if he wanted to know what I meant by my words.

'I mean what did Toa mutter?

What are you talking about?

'When Toa found that mirror with Miss Rosalia when she was a little girl, the mirror only reacted to Toa then, didn't it?

I don't know...

'And then I heard Toa muttered something to the mirror?　Don't you remember?

I don't know!

　That's when Toa yelled at me for some reason. It was like he was mad at me.

"Wha-what's the matter with you?

I don't know about that.

You don't know?　You mean you don't remember?　Well, apparently it was when I was a little girl....

I haven't been told anything I don't think I know anything about it.

Didn't they tell you?

'I just learned for the first time that that mirror can only be used on me. Father has never told me that before and...

　So that's what you mean.
　But what do you mean by "never"?　Are you saying you didn't tell Toa about this on purpose?

And I was told to stay away from that mirror, so...

　You think they were hiding it on purpose?　So why didn't he tell me?
　From the circumstances, I should have known that Toa would ask me.

"You ... you let me talk?

"Masamune?

　Why would you have to do that?

'Why didn't Mr. Lucius tell Toa?'

"...I don't know?　It's not something I've been taught anything about. Just don't go near the mirror anymore, that's all...

So when you looked in that mirror, what did you see?

That's.........

You remember?

Was Masamune in the picture?

What?　Me?

　For some reason, right after he spoke that, Toa's cheeks turned red.

''Hm?　What's going on?

　Why are you embarrassed?　More importantly.....

What do you mean I'm on camera?　That was when you were a kid, right?

No?　That was months ago?

　Well, you're the one I'm talking about, not the one I'm listening to.

"I snuck into the treasure room...

　Then, for some reason, Toa starts to cut it off, as if it's hard to say.
　Toa nodded shyly at my question. And her cheeks are still red, and I have no idea why.

"And then?

　I asked as I tried to tune in to the conversation, as Toa was trying to cut me off, though she was having a hard time saying it.

'And then ... I found this mirror.

　So Toa went against the grain.

　The last time I saw Toa, he said, "It was a picture of Masamune." We know what he meant. I know what he meant by the World Mirror. It must have been my reflection.
　The mirror reflecting the world happened to reflect my image in the dungeon.

"So you used the mirror?

'I didn't mean to?　I was just touching it. And then the inside of the mirror moved...

Move?

And then I saw Masamune...

　I heard about it once. But at that time, before the night raid on Grayberg, there was a flurry of things going on.

'What was I doing then?

'Masamune was walking in a dark place the whole time. I didn't watch her all the time either, but at one point she was fighting a big knight.

A giant in armor ... a mimic.

'Then the next day I came back and looked at it again, this time asleep with a wine bottle clutched in my hand.

　I think it was the storage room. It was a disgusting place to be seen.

'Then Toa was in the Tanya village at that time, before I spoke to her...'

　Toa looked into my eyes, embarrassed, and then nodded softly.

"...I knew. Then I knew right away. "It's you..."

　I'm beginning to understand why Toa's cheeks are red.
　I guess she remembered that night as much as I did.
　And I think he was embarrassed to tell this story.

''.........''

　Well that's why the Toa trusted me right away. I could see it in his eyes.

"I mean, why shouldn't I just trust you right off the bat?　I mean, you just looked at it through the mirror.　And speaking of me when I was in the dungeon, I was just walking around by myself, you know?

'Masamune walked alone in the dark the whole time. She fought such a big monster all by herself and didn't give up even when she was hurt. I thought that was... amazing...

Great?

'Yeah...'

　"Greatness is overrated. I was just coasting along, and anyone would have braced themselves if they were attacked.
　And I had the power. That's all.

　But ... well ... yeah.
　What would I think if someone rescued me from being caught by a bandit in the forest, and that was the person I saw in the mirror?　If it were the other way around........
　As Toa once said........fate, I would think so.

　And somewhere in the back of my mind, I believe that too. I believe that this is a meaningful encounter.
　No, you're hoping it is, aren't you?　But that's okay.

I should be grateful then, right?

What?

'You're the mirror that brought me and Toa together, aren't you?　So how can you be grateful?　In that mirror?

Yeah. Right?

　The blush on his cheeks is back to normal as he realizes, and Toa smiles.

　I don't know why that mirror only reacts to Toa, but it looks like Lucius is looking into it too, so, well, it's fine for now.
　For now, I can just be grateful.

　The entrance to the open room. And a large garden.
　We stared at each other for a little while, with only the occasional morning breeze passing through.

　I longed for a rosy student life and attended the school, but that didn't happen. I guess I wasn't suited to the environment of school to begin with.
　But here.........if I'm with Toa, I feel like I can spend a happy time.

　Toa said it was fate. But whether it's fate or not, it's none of my business.
　I'm not going to leave Toa's side any longer.

"Are you hungry?

So, do you want breakfast?　I'm sure they have it ready for you, okay?

　

　Toa takes me by the hand and leaves the room.
　Who has ever pulled my hand away from me before?
　No, no one tried to take my hand.
　--except for Toa.

　A bright color appears in my vision that was only gray, like flowers blooming in a garden.

　From that moment when the wind swept my hood and found Toa, I was able to see the world in extreme colors.
　Even when I was depressed and ashes covered the world again, the mere appearance of the Toa in my field of vision brought me a world of vivid color and peace.

　I took Toa by the hand and smiled as well, staring at Toa's smiling profile.

　Toa.........

''Thank you.........''

　The Toa didn't hear me.
　For now, that's fine.