The Demon King Lucius is a demon who doesn't socialize with people in general. And he's a pain in the ass.
　But there is no doubt that he loves his daughter more than anyone else.

　A few hours after he finished his idle chit-chat with Masamune, he is again facing the World Mirror in the middle of this airy, open large room that overlooks the large garden, just as he was earlier, like this.
　This is all for the sake of my beloved daughter, Toa.

　With his hands lightly folded behind his back, Lucius just stares at the mirror in silence.

''Electra?''

　Then Lucius noticed a sign, and he noticed Elektra appearing in the room.

'You're in this place?'

I've been researching the mirror.

....

　There was no door in this room, it was more like a hall that appeared in the middle of a long grand hallway than a room.
　The signs are usually evident by the sound of footsteps, but in Electra's case, there is no sound of shoes that would normally resonate.

"'Even Carpent couldn't recognize the mirror now'.......etc...."

There's no point, is there?

Don't you remember?

　Electra's expression was confused by the sudden question, unsure of its meaning.

'It's Masamune-kun,'

What's wrong with him?

　Electra apparently had no idea.

'I think I know why Toa is gone.

What do you mean?

I knew from the beginning. The open door of the treasure room, the World Mirror on the floor. I knew that this mirror was involved. But since the mirror didn't show any reaction, I thought there was no clue there, or so I thought. But I knew.

　Then, Lucius slowly turned back to Electra.

'It was him in the mirror.

I mean that.

　Then Electra gave him a delayed but satisfied look.

'So that's why the Toa disappeared?'

'It wasn't about that ... no, did I have to explain that to you?

　This and that. They seem to represent different things, and Elektra doesn't yet understand the difference and the meaning.
　And Electra still doesn't understand the difference and meaning of them.

　Then Lucius coughs to amend it a bit, although he's not bothered by it.

'I don't know for sure. But I heard Toa say that he saw Masamune-kun through this mirror, and that's what I heard him say.

　It's not that I was eavesdropping. It was just that Masamune and Toa were careless.
　Those who were used to living in the castle knew that if they talked in this airy space, the wind would carry all the sounds farther and farther away.
　It doesn't matter who is listening to their conversation.

　Of course, Electra knows that, too.
　So, "Did you overhear my daughter's conversation?" I don't say.

'I mean...'

The Toa used the mirror and met Masamune.

Did the mirror put you two together?

I didn't say that. This is just a grimoire......... Indeed, oddly enough, this one only reacts to the Toa.

　But at the time, Lucius did not examine this mirror that much.
　As long as it was a thing whose identity was unknown, he refrained from disclosing it to the public. Even in the unregulated demon country, there were some regulations.
　That's why when I say that I only react to Toa, I mean 《at least》.

''It didn't react to the abyssal user, Masamune-kun, either.

Wait a minute?　What did you just say?

Hmm?　What, you hadn't heard about it yet?　He's an Abyssal Fool.

　Electra makes an unexpected expression at those words.

''Okay. So?　Did you let him try it?

Yeah. But it didn't respond. I knew this was only for the Toa. But then I remembered something, didn't I?　Elektra. I'm sure you heard it then, too. Don't you remember?

....

　Electra's expression is confused by the question, not understanding the meaning.
　"I was looking for the time that the word 'that time' refers to.

It was right after this mirror appeared in the garden. The Toa were the only ones who were able to use the mirror. The mirror responded to Toa's outstretched hand and lit up.

　Then a faint reaction appears on Electra's face.
　It's a sign that she's about to remember something.

''Yes........''

　Then, noticing Electra's expression, Lucius urges her to say, "It's not wrong, remember.

I remember that Toa said that at the time. I still remember that. I still remember that because I was the one who named this mirror the World Mirror. After listening to Toa's words and thinking it over, I thought that this mirror reflected the world. I still believe that, but the hypothesis is slowly falling apart.

That means...

"'Masamune' ... Toa certainly said that at the time."

..........

And he was talking to the mirror about something.

But that can't be.........

　Electra was at a loss for words. But the young Toa had certainly muttered that.

''I don't know if Toa was conscious or not. Because back then, Toa was just a kid following behind Rosalia, right?''

'....Yes. I remember.

　Electra recalled the memories of those days clearly. But the questions only deepened.
　And while soaking up the memories, she looked to Lucius for the answers.

'It's not normal. After all, Toa was still too young to have ever met him, right?　And he seems to be from another world.

"Otherworldly?

He's a Greberg hero.

　With those words, Electra understood.

'It was only a few months ago that Grayberg performed the heroic summoning. It was also at that time that he was summoned to this world. When Toa was a child, he was not in this world. If he wasn't supposed to be here, he couldn't be reflected in the world mirror.

'How could the Toa of that day, when he was still so young, know him...'

Electra muttered in understanding.

'That's what I mean. It's all wrong. But Toa had definitely muttered his name at that time, "Masamune". No, I honestly don't know if it was him or not. The only person who could confirm what was reflected in the mirror was Toa. And if you go to the country of play, there will be plenty of people with similar names,

　Electra couldn't gulp it down right away, her eyes just fluttered.

'Make no mistake, this mirror has brought us together. I believe it has.

Lucius?

'But it didn't work on Masamune-kun. I thought it was supposed to work on him as well. If he was able to use it, it made sense again. I was more certain of it. But the mirror wasn't interested in him at all. So you're saying ... this has nothing to do with him?

　At Lucius' unreliable muttering, Electra's doubts deepen.
　But I don't understand, and neither does Lucius.
　He answers in a matter-of-fact manner, but above all, he doesn't understand.
　That's why he's always asking himself the question.

'What is this? .....

　That's what Lucius really wanted - what's in this mirror?　How did it end up there?　Who brought it in?　Why does it only respond to the Toa?

　I have no idea.

More importantly, is Toa in town?

What?

I don't sense any magic in the castle.

I'm going into town with Masamune and her friends. I've invited Rithana to join them.

Huh. Cautious?　I don't have to. Don't you trust him?

You told me not to trust you, remember?

Is that right?　But he's a simple man. He's not worth questioning. I'm ... thinking of talking to him.

　Electra was surprised by the reaction of her eyes to those words.
　With those short words alone, she knew what Lucius was talking about.

''What kind of a windbag is that?　Of course, if that's your decision, I won't stop you. But I've only seen him for a day, and besides, he's an abyssal user more than anything else, right?　They're creatures that never learn, you know?

'It's a legacy of the old demon race. Don't take everything for granted.

Old? ...It was left to you by Master Rosef, wasn't it?

　Electra gradually became less and less sure the more Lucius opened his mouth.

'I thought you weren't interested in humans?'

'Of course. But he was the Toa's choice.......and he chose it. It's inseparable. It's the same as my choice of you. Total control is not an easy thing to achieve. The Toa are not like Rosalia. And it's even more necessary for the Toa now, isn't it?

....

Do you disagree?

You are a proactive person, aren't you?

Of course.

Even if they produce nothing but destruction?

One interpretation is that the multitude of consciousnesses that stand on the sidelines create destruction. It is the will and words of those who turn away from the irrelevance of their actions that create the catastrophe. It is the world, or the world that has made them into fools.

'Those fascinated by the Abyss are usually susceptible they have weak minds?　He's going to lose his personality too, you know?

If we're going to lose it, then that would mean the end of us, wouldn't it?

What?

Masamune is much stronger than I am.

No. Why would I?　I can't believe I'm stronger than you...

'I couldn't sense it. But in the first place, when you destroyed Cassandra's demon army by yourself, you're already not someone I can handle. Might Carpent or........say, the Observer, still be able to handle it?

　Lucius chuckles to himself at the words as he says this.

''Are you kidding me?''

　Electra stares at him in dismay.

''Or how about the 《Rickman Clan》?

....

　Electra stared at Lucius, looking dumbfounded and speechless - or so it seemed.
　Lucius was also a hail man.

I'm quite serious. With the blood of Fischanatika and Heilkwaite, he could stand against the Abyss. Worst case scenario, Victoria will make a move.

'That academy doesn't interfere. Hasn't it been that way before?

It's a matter of scale. But with Masamune, you can't afford to say that. But then it will be Toa who will be saddened, won't it?　Protecting him will ultimately lead to protecting Toa. It's all for the Toa. Besides, this should be good for him. No one would want to lose themselves, you know.

　Lucius did not tell Elektra everything.
　Electra can't use her emotion-sensing abilities, but there's something she can't see.

　Lucius called Masamune "stupid". Lucius should have known that this was the most important thing about Elektra and what she couldn't see, but he hid it.
　Lucius hides it because he feels uncomfortable with Masamune.

　But even if Lucius had confided in him at this time, it was hard to believe that he could have influenced the future of Masamune and Toa - the two of them.
　Under the influence of the Abyss, even the existence of the Demon King is hazy.

''Electra. I want you to keep an eye on him too much.

Huh ... what the hell are you talking about?

Until we find out what this discomfort is.

　But the answer to everything lies in the discomfort, Lucius doesn't realize, despite his suspicions.