From Flora Zamel's point of view.



　Flora was in deep darkness.
　She couldn't even see her own hands, she was in an unfathomable darkness.

''....What has become of me.......''

　I remember diving into the fourth level of Elysian with my friends.
　I also remember getting hounded by a bunch of ghosts in the graveyard.
　After that, one of the ghosts attached itself to Flora's "Replica Lord"... and I don't really remember what happened after that.

　The next thing she knew, she was sitting in the dark.
She must still be wearing the "Replica Lord". I don't remember taking it off.

''I hate that one. If I had more power, I wouldn't have had to use that thing.

　My grandfather - old Zamel probably thought of Flora.
　Ever since she was a little girl, she was always like that.
　He took care of her so that she could become a first-rate sorcerer, .......

　He wanted the best for her.
　I want the best possible mentor.
　I have been told to be the best.

　And this is the result.
　Flora is cowering in the darkness of the basement.
She couldn't even use the Replica Lord created by the Zamelites.

"I don't have a talent like my grandfather.

　My grandfather, old Zamel, had earned the rank of 'C-class magician' at the age of twelve after he had single-handedly stepped through the second layer of Elysium at the age of twelve.
　With that blood in his veins, everyone had come to expect Flora.
　Since she was directly taught by old Zamel, an A-class magician, the same thing was natural.
　It was unnatural that she couldn't do it - she must be cutting corners.

　The pressure on Flora became even stronger after the appearance of the one who became a 'C-class magician' in the same age group.
　His name was Yuki-Grossaria. He's the bastard son (shoshi) of a local nobleman.

　When Flora heard about him, she thought it was amazing.
　Even though he doesn't have a sorcerer's bloodline, he's accomplished so much.

　I wonder what kind of person he is.
　I want to meet him. I want to talk to her. I want to be a friend.
　Just purely, that's what I thought──.

　But the "Zamelites" surrounding old Zamel would not allow it.
　They wanted Flora to achieve more than Yuki-Grossaria.

　You can be a great deal more than you think.
　You can be sure that you're going to be able to get a great deal more out of it.
　You're going to be able to find out what's going to be the best way to make sure that you're going to be able to get the most out of your time.
　I'm sure you're not going to be able to find a way to get it.
　It's a shameless person who is in the "Magic Guild" thanks to his grandfather's shining light.

Don't...

　Words I don't want to hear are pouring out of the depths of my mind.
　They swirl around like a muddy stream, trying to crush Flora's consciousness.

How come.........I've never been told that much before.........

　I hear one word after another that has never been said in reality.
　Even if I cover my ears, they don't disappear.
　I don't even know if I'm delusional or if someone is shouting at me.

　I'm not sure if I'm delusional or if it's someone screaming, I don't even know.
　Seduced by Alec Kearse?　That's just an excuse.
　You couldn't forgive yourself for being overtaken by this Yuki-Grossaria, could you?
　That's the grandson of old Zamel, a class-A sorcerer, supposedly. Ah!

Don't... don't... don't... don't...


　Hmm. Weakness is beginning to wear off. It's time to go.
　You are going to use your magic and this armor.
　So this is a replica version of the original? It's not as good as the original, but it should be useful.
　I will be the guardian of the gate of the past. Ravage all areas below the fifth level, lest the modern sorcerers raid it.


Who's there?　Who is the person... who is attached to this plane... that is attached to me?


　I am the Third Priest of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Valuga.


Priest of the Church of the Sanctuary!


　I am very fond of our times.
　It's shameful that we are now infested with such a feeble-minded sorcerer as yourself.
　As I suspected, the Church of the Sanctuary is also infested with sorcerers, but


What?

　Flora-Zamel screams.
　Ghost's laughter and the voice that echoes in her head make her fade in and out of consciousness.

''──No.''

　In the midst of fear, Flora-Zamel murmured.



　Flora-Zamel grits her teeth.
　She struggles to hold on to her fading consciousness.
　Still, she can't see anything in her eyes. She doesn't know what's around her.



　Just like the first priest, who by the power of ancient artifacts and magic transcended mankind, I, too, will... hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!


　There was only the sound of the runaway priest's muffled laughter echoing in the darkness.




　─ Yuki's point of view





　We were heading west to the temple, just as Ghost had taught us to do.
　All around us is a graveyard.
　Overhead, there was a mist.
　Beyond that, we could faintly see the ceiling. It's quite a distance.
　Even my flying skills won't be able to reach it. It's really big, this fourth level.

　Every once in a while, there are harmless ghosts flying around in the air.
They're screaming, "Oooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh.
　They're the ones that have already forgotten the words.

'It looks like those ghosts in the sky are pretty old fashioned ghosts.

　Odette said as she walked behind me.
　Giselle is guarding the tail end of the line.
　She too is looking at the ghosts in the sky as if she were scared.

"It's a horrible thing, even if it doesn't attack us.......my lord.
'That thing up there must have lost its ego already. Maybe it's even older than the ghosts in The Sanctuary Church.
"Are they from the time of the 'Ancient Magical Civilization'?
I'm interested in it though I don't want to get too close to it.

It had been an hour and a half since they had wiped out the ghosts in the "Sanctuary Church".
　Finally, the western temple was beginning to come into view.
　There was nothing else on the fourth level.

I can see why the Sanctuary Church was holed up on the third floor above us.
　The only building on this level is the temple in the distance.
　There is no other place to hide, no other place to hide.

　Moreover, there is only one way to the third level.
　If there was no other way out, it would be the end of the world if we were blocked up.
　We would have to dry out in the sun with no water and join the ghosts.

Then I wonder who's in the temple?
The 'Sanctuary Church' priest, I'm guessing its ghost.
'Is this the same one that Yuki-sama and Odette-sama fought in the 'guard knight selection test'?
I guess. That guy must have been obsessed with Flora-Zamel's 'Replica Lord'.

　I've thought out a plan.
　Flora-Zamel's Replica Lords will be purified by pouring my Myster Blood on them.
　Odette will use Ancient Magic to keep Flora-Zamel in check.
　Giselle is Odette's bodyguard.
　Dick and the rest of the bat army will make sure that other monsters and ghosts don't get close to them.
　That's all.

"You don't mind if I destroy the 'Repli-Lord', do you?

　Odette looked at me and said.

Flora-Zamel's life comes first. That's how I see it. 'And Yuki?'
Of course. The rescue is the priority. I'll even smash up a replica of the ancient artifacts if it gets in the way.
''I understand. If Yuki is still working after saving Flora-Zamel, I'll put the 'Replica Lord' in the 'Ancient Magic'.
I'll be guarding Miss Odette in the meantime.
Nice to meet you, Miss Giselle. Mr. Giselle.

　Odette and Giselle nodded at each other.

'Where's Yuki?　"Do you use the 'Black King (Lord of) Noir'?
I wouldn't want the ghosts of the 'Sanctuary Church' to see that one.
Why is that?
'They might know what that thing is capable of. It's a pain in the ass if they take action against it, and it's a pain in the ass if they get away with it.
Our goal is to rescue Miss Flora-Zamel, isn't it?

　Odette seemed to agree.

''If Flora-san, clad in the 'Replica Lord', goes out of control, the 'Black King's Horseman' might hurt her... or even kill her, is that what you're thinking?
"...don't read people's minds.
Oh, you were right?
It's a secret.
'Oh dear, then, I must brag about it when I see your highness. I've read the mind of your 'knight escort'.
'Don't do this, it's going to make Iris' moods worse.

　It's going to be fun. Oh, Odette. Oh, well.
　Gisele is laughing at you.

"I'm sorry, my dear. My Lord.

　Giselle bit back a laugh.

...I just wondered if this is what the air was like in 'Fira Village' 200 years ago.
That's about it.
It's been a fun village, hasn't it?
That's what makes it so peaceful. If I hadn't lost my temper.

　I stopped what I was about to say.
　I saw a light in the direction of the temple.

'Odette!　Giselle!
Yuki! What the...

　I grabbed Odette and Giselle's arms and jumped right beside them.

　Immediately after that, countless arrows, which were scorching red, landed where we were.
　They gouged the ground of the earth──and melted the tombstones behind them.


''Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!



　The ghosts, who had eaten the arrows, disappeared.

　I looked up.
　It's still a long way to the temple. Even my 'Ancient Magic' is out of range.

Odette.
Yes!
''Is there an 'ancient magic' that can reach this distance and is powerful enough to melt stones?'''
I don't know.

　Odette shook her head.

'None that I know of. At least not to the 'Magic Guild'....
So that's what the Sanctuary Church used to call "Ancient Magic"?
''That's right. The Ghost of the Sanctuary Church must be using Flora-san's magical powers.
If you take that kind of magic on your shield...

　I can also see that Giselle is trembling with a very pale face.
　If you take that one seriously, it will probably go through your shield.

"What's tricky is that the person who shot that was Flora-Zamel's 'Replica Lord'?

　To the west, the temple was visible.
　It was a gray building. The roof had fallen down and only the pillars were left.
　There is a statue of a god in the back, but we can't see it clearly from here.

　In front of the temple, a white armor stands in front of the temple.
　The old Zamel said that the armor is pure white, suitable for a pure granddaughter. That's exactly what it looks like.
　That's the 'Replica Lord'. It's the Yoloi with Flora-Zamel inside.

''Well I'm guessing that's not Flora-Zamel using that one right now.

The "Replica Lord" is looking at me with one arm raised.
　The other arm is behind the body.
　The current "Ancient Magic" is the type to write a coat of arms with both hands. You can't copy it just by looking at it from the front.


An impure thing that entered our Elysian sanctuary.


Someone's voice sounded from inside the 'Replica Lord', someone I didn't know.

''The fool who interferes with the world transformation of the Walera 'Sanctuary Church', Kono's third priest, Valuga........''
"'Boosted' Double.

　I start running before his words are finished.
　You can't chant while he's speaking.
　That's when we'll be in range of our magic.

Odette, take cover. "Gisele, take care of Odette.
I understand!
Yes, sir!

　Immediately after, Odette begins to chant.
　The enemy's ancient magic is slow to activate to the extent that it is efficient. Odette is the first to complete the invocation.

It's time to go!　"The Force of Earth!

　With Odette's voice, a stone spear flies out of the ground.
　But it can't reach the 'Replica Lord'. It's out of the range of effect.
　But──.

"...aaaaaaah!

The one obsessed with the replica lord clicks his tongue.
It's because the spear of the "Earth God's Dance" has hidden me from view.

　The stone spear jumps straight up and falls straight down.
　It pierces the ground and rolls up the dirt. It hides my appearance.

　In front of me are the two staffs I threw in front of me.
　An insurance policy in case of emergency...


"Activate the 'Hades Inferno'...


　Behind the dust cloud, something flashed.
　At the same time, I roll to the ground.

　The "staff" that I threw in the air deploys a magic power barrier (shield).
　There, an orange beam of light crashes into it.

The wand endures for a few seconds.
　Immediately the magical barrier was broken and the light hit the wand itself.
　I'm not going to be able to get it to work.
　The rays of light penetrate the wand and go further. It hits the second "wand" that I had deployed. It vaporizes.

　Then, the ray of light disappears.
There's only one staff left. There's no more light rays to protect against.

Yuki!

　Odette shouted.

'Odette!　Don't get in his line of fire!

　From my position, we're almost to the temple.
　The smokescreen no longer works to blind us.
　But it's still in range of our magic.

Activate.　"Flame God Rangoon (Efreet Blows)!


　Do not do it!


　The fireball I fired is going to land at the feet of the replica lord.


I'm concerned about the girl inside the Yoloi, and I'm going to attack her. Sweetness.

The ghost that haunted the "Replica Lord" laughed.

"The girl inside this Yoloi is still alive and ready to use her body and her magic. You can use your body and your magic power.
This is not a dead man running wild with a live one.
You, kosher. You're trespassing on the fourth level of the Church of the Sanctuary, Wallera.

　Ghost laughs.

..........
I think you're broken.

　That ghost that attacked us was probably the one controlling him.
　But he's on the verge of collapse, as is he.

　It's a dead-end job.
　He's holding on to a 200-year-old achievement, and he's haunted by a child.

"...I'm tired of you guys. The Sanctuary Church.

　I drew my Sacred Sword Lean Kaal.

"The fact that you used to treat me like a demon king doesn't matter now. It's too late to go over it now. But..........to say the least, what you are doing now is annoying.
"Oh!　Oh, wow!　Holy sword!　'Soleha Holy Sword!'
You failed. You tried to rule the world with Ancient Artifacts and Ancient Magic, and you failed completely. Admit it and go somewhere else.
"...and...

　Ghost doesn't answer.
　Instead, he begins to chant.
The replica lord's arm moves. It's a preliminary motion to the 'Ancient Magic' from earlier.


'Give me back Flora-Zamel!　The Dead Spirit of the 'Sanctuary Church'!


　Suddenly, Odette shouted.
　Her voice was distant. Probably out of range of the enemy's 'Ancient Magic'.

''Your time is already over!　Two hundred years ago, the 'Sanctuary Church' obtained 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifacts' and once ruled the world - but that was a long time ago. You guys lost in the end!
"...a...

The head of the "Replica Lord" turned toward Odette.
　Regardless of that, Odette continued.

''You have been defeated by a sorcerer who called himself the Demon King and killed him!　He is still adored and needed by many. But there is no one in need of a 'sanctuary church'!　Go away and give way to the next generation!

"....the...

　He doesn't care about Odette, he completes his chanting and movement.
Behind the replica lord's helmet, the red eyes look at me.

"Horobiyot.........

The replica lord raises his arm. Its fingertips light up.

　But this is much faster.
　My demons have already completed their mission.



　Jeez...



　Betcha!




　A leather bag fell from the ground.

"....?

The replica lord looks up.
　The contents of the leather bag - "Mystel Blood" is splattered on the body of the guy, and it's wetting his body.


It's a good idea. "Yes!　The Five Peoples'


　From overhead, I hear Dick and his bat army.
　At the same time, I declare.


"...Purification.


"Gee yaahhhhhh!


Something like a thick black vapor erupted from the 'Replica Lord'.
　It's the main body of the Ghost Priest.
It seems that because of the purification, Flora-Zamel can no longer possess it.

　The operation was a success.
　Dick and the rest of the bat army dropped the leather bag containing my magic blood on his head.

　I knew there were undead in the temple.
　So I had flown Dick and the others up to the top of the fog beforehand.

　Now all we had to do was drop the leather bags from above when the enemy showed up.
　Me and Odette just had to keep the enemy's attention in the meantime.
　That's why Odette shouted and I held up my holy sword.

'Gee yaah!　Ggaaaaaaaaah!'
I...

　A small voice was heard.
　At the same time as the ghost disappeared into the depths of the temple, the "Replica Lord" fell to the ground.
　The helmet was removed - and from underneath it, Flora-Zamel's face could be seen.

''Odette, Giselle!　Take care of Flora-Zamel. I'm going after the Ghost Priest.

　The Ghost Priest was using 'Ancient Magic' with Flora's magical power.
　Now that they've released her, they shouldn't be able to do the same.

''I understand!''
I'm coming!　'My Lord'!

　I activate 'Physical Strengthening' double.
　I go straight into the temple.

　Flora-Zamel, who is lying at the entrance........is alive.
　Her pale complexion is probably due to the fact that her magic power was sucked out by the ghost priest. The 'Ancient Magic' just now must have been something that consumed quite a bit of magic power.
　Since he endured it, he must have a talent for magic.

　Furthermore, he was possessed by a ghost priest for a long time, yet he's still able to maintain his ego.
　It must take a lot of resistance or a lot of willpower to do that.
　She's just a little girl. That's amazing.... what did you do to her...

I'm ... sorry.

　Suddenly, Flora-Zamel opened her mouth.

''.........I'm sorry for interrupting you.......... I'm sorry for not being able to properly thank you, even though you have been a great help to me...... Yuki-Grossaria-sama........I.......wanted to say that.......to you.
...I didn't know you cared about that.

　I'm sorry. I almost forgot about it on my end.
　I mean, I'm pretty sure that the mastermind of the interference is Alec-Keels, no matter how you look at it.
　It's none of your business but that's not your concern.

.........I really don't know what people are like.

　I'll just get rid of the ghost priest.
　I don't want anyone to get possessed by him again.
　And while we're at it, we should also get the information on the Great First Priest she mentioned.

　It would give us peace of mind and make our search for the Magical Guild a lot easier.

''I'll be right back. Then I will take you back to earth. I'm going to take you back to earth. Flora-Zamel.

　I headed to the back of the temple with my 'physical enhancement' 2x.