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Upon hearing Zorba's words, Louis shrugged "Do whatever you want with them. Don't ask me about every small detail unless it's a major decision, like killing someone who isn't an immediate enemy."
"Understood," Zorba nodded. He opened his mouth and swallowed the souls.
"You swallowed them?" Louis asked.
"You didn't know? We store souls by swallowing them and keeping them in our stomachs," Zorba explained.
"I usually keep them at hand or in my shadows, but that's an interesting method. Wouldn't the screams disturb you?" Louis inquired.
"Oh, that? No, I find them quite delightful," Zorba smiled, letting out a soft laugh.
"Hah…" Louis sighed. "I'm not the type to enjoy voices in my head. I suppose we have our differences, Zorba."
"I suppose so, Master Louis," Zorba agreed.
"What's your Tier?" Louis asked.
"I am Tier 9…" Zorba muttered. "Merely a Death Walker."
"I see. I'm a Graveborn," Louis smiled. "I'm Tier 8."
"T-Tier 8?!" Zorba gasped, amazed. "Incredible…! What sort of Spiral do you wield?"
Louis considered whether to reveal the truth. "As you can see from my Incarnation, it's not one of the common Spirals. As for a name… well, it has to do with Ashes."
"Incredible! You've discovered a new type of Spiral!" Zorba exclaimed.
"That's right," Louis said proudly. "Now, here it is."
Before leaving, Louis located the Resonance Heart—a large crystal rich with Fantasium. This time, he didn't absorb it. He carefully extracted it from the ground and stored it in his shadows.
"You're not absorbing it, Master Louis?" Zorba asked. "I thought you came here for that item."
"I did, but I'll save it for later," Louis replied. "Let's go."
The duo traversed the Hollow Salt Tree Forest. They encountered the same Entity as before, feeding on one of Zorba's abandoned zombie corpses.
For a moment, Louis considered taming it, but it was a weak creature with little value. He decided to ignore it.
"Now lower your voice, Zorba. We're approaching the Dimensional Gate," Louis explained. "This is where we'll return to my world. I'll go first and call you through."
"Understood!" Zorba nodded, eyes wide with fascination.
"And if you try anything else, I will put you down without hesitation. Don't test me, Zorba," Louis warned.
"I would never… You've shown me kindness and promised a new future. Why would I betray that, Master Louis?" Zorba asked earnestly. "I can't prove it now, but I will earn your trust!"
"Hm, I look forward to it," Louis said as he stepped through the Gate.
He emerged in the Teleportation Array and spoke immediately.
"Andromeda, I've secured the Resonance Heart, but don't close the gate yet. I've rescued a prisoner from the Vultarn High Dominion—a Sinner like me who needs help. I want him as my subordinate. Is that acceptable?"
"What? Prince, I'm glad you're back, but… Did I hear that right? You brought a prisoner, a Sinner, and want him as your subordinate? …Very well. Let me ask your father first. I can't authorize entry to the VPI for a stranger without his approval."
"…"
Louis waited a few minutes until his father's voice echoed from above.
"Louis, is that true? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Father. I've also awakened my Spiral of Incarnation."
"What?!"
"I'm sane, as you can hear. I'll take my pills later, so you won't doubt me. Now please… let him in. I promise he's someone you can trust—or at least someone I can handle."
"What's his name?"
"Cardoon Zorba."
"…"
Gustaf seemed to search his database but found nothing.
"…Fine. But if this is an ambush, I'll handle him personally."
"That's acceptable."
"Okay, Andromeda. Allow him entry."
"Are you sure, Gustaf? What if…"
"Just let him in. Louis… for the first time, said 'please.' And he's aware of his pills. He's definitely sane right now."
"…Understood."
Louis returned through the gate and emerged with the purple-haired man bearing a third eye and a black horn on the left side of his head.
The gate closed behind them. Metallic doors ahead slid open, revealing agents in mechanical armor rushing in to restrain Zorba.
Gustaf stood among them.
"I apologize for this, Louis, but Zorba is a prisoner of war. I can't let him roam freely."
"That's fine. I anticipated this and warned him. He seemed agreeable to waiting."
"You must be Prince Louis's father. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Gustaf, King of Frostbane."
"King? I detest that title. I'm a Scientist and an Esper—that's all," Gustaf replied curtly.
"…?"
"But thank you for the polite greeting. It's something I wish my son did more often. Now, we'll interrogate you first. After a week, we'll decide whether to assign you to Louis or keep you in containment. It depends on your cooperation."
"I will cooperate fully—for His Majesty."
"Good. I don't know what you did to him, Louis, but he seems willing."
"I told you."
Louis smiled as Zorba was led away. Zorba nodded confidently, remarkably calm despite the unfamiliar surroundings.
"So you obtained a Resonance Heart and awakened as a Spiralwalker?" his father asked, concern etched on his face.
"That's right…" Louis sighed, meeting his father's gaze.
Memories from his previous regression surfaced—the Fake Paradise where his father had been brainwashed into believing that thing was his mother. It was the first time Louis had seen his father vulnerable, glimpsing his deep sorrow and anguish.
Louis wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come. He wasn't happy to see his father, nor entirely sad, but something stirred in his heart regarding the man.
"How's your adoptive daughter doing?"
"What?"
"Mirai."
"…?! How did you know about her?"
"I found out by accessing restricted files."
"What…! Louis…"
Gustaf's face filled with shock and worry upon hearing his son mention Mirai—someone he had hoped Louis wouldn't encounter yet, given his mental condition and other complications.
"Yes… she's fine… Louis, I…"
Gustaf looked at his son. Like Louis, he was a man of few words and struggled to express himself.
No, he had so much to say but no way to say it.
"It's okay. I hate to admit it, but I might need her help."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain later."
"Why are you being so mysterious? Don't hide things from your father, Louis."
"That's rich coming from you, Father. Be patient. I'll tell you once you release Zorba."
Louis wanted to warn his father about Soma and the Cult of the Abyssal Mother immediately—perhaps about Selene and Melisa too—but he held back. He feared premature action or sending agents could worsen things.
His goal was to devise a plan: capture or convince Selene to stay with him, preventing Soma from using her as a catalyst for the Dimensional Rift, then ambush and eliminate Soma before he could summon his goddess's power.
"Back then, we lacked strong allies. Aunt Helena was our strongest, but even she couldn't stop the Abyssal Mother from emerging. With Mirai and Zorba on my side, their strength could change everything… and if I convince Father to come personally… but as King, he probably can't leave."
Louis mulled over strategies to avert the catastrophe threatening the Frostbane Kingdom. On his way to the surface, he sensed something.
"Hm?"
A gray thread connected to a red one, followed by a brief shockwave of light piercing space and time—almost undetectable.
"What was that?"
His eyes widened as someone appeared before him: a girl with red eyes, long black hair, and a slightly surprised expression.
"Mirai?"
"Louis! It's you… I've been waiting months for you to return. Where have you been? Your coffee got cold, and there were such tasty donuts— Ah, huh? Why am I… talking about other things? Hm, was that a dream?"
"…"
Louis's eyes widened further. Mirai was rambling incoherently—waiting months? Coffee? Those events were from his previous regression. Nothing like that happened here. Yet with that realization came another. In his Status, his Bond with Mirai remained at Level 2 despite the regression. Combined with the sudden thread connection and that fleeting burst of light…
"This is impossible!"
Louis shook his head, refusing to believe something so absurd. How could Mirai remember events from a previous timeline? That power belonged solely to him. Yet the moment they met, she spoke as if she were the same Mirai from that timeline.
"You… remember that?" Louis asked cautiously.
"Eh? Ah… Prince Louis, this must be the first time we've met. I'm sorry. I was talking nonsense. I think I remembered a dream," Mirai said quickly. "But obviously, that wasn't real…"
"…Ah, yeah, I suppose it wasn't… hah," Louis forced a smile, deciding to play along. "You must be Mirai, right? The girl my father has been raising in secret—an extremely powerful and incredibly dangerous Sinner."
"Yes… I've been training diligently so my powers never run rampant again," Mirai said, showing him her hand. "I wear several rings to restrain my power… Your father said I can now roam freely around the VPI, though I'm not allowed to leave yet."
"Hm…" Louis nodded. "Pity."
"Ah… um…" Mirai fidgeted with her hair. "I had a dream… where we became friends… I've heard so much about you from your father, Prince Louis. It's like that dream finally came true. So I was wondering… could we become friends?"
"Friendship isn't forged by simply asking someone to be your friend, Mirai. It happens naturally—two people sharing experiences, joys, laughter, tears, and sorrow," Louis explained. "The friendship you seek would be fabricated, forced—not real."
"…Eh?" Mirai looked surprised by his thoughtful response, as if he had anticipated her words.
"But perhaps… such friendships can begin by pretending at first," Louis added.
"I don't… really know about all that. I was raised in a lab…" Mirai sighed, brows furrowed. "Honestly… I don't even know what true friendship is. I only know it from books."
"Fine," Louis nodded. "I will become your friend, Mirai."
"R-Really?! It's just like in my dream!" Mirai said happily.
"Yeah, perhaps your dream has finally come true," Louis agreed, shaking her hand.
Their threads were already connected, so no new changes appeared, but he could feel Mirai's heart racing with excitement.
"Prince Louis, what do friends do?" Mirai asked.
"They give each other favors," Louis replied with a smile. "Would you fetch me some coffee? And… a donut, why not."
"Oh, of course! But please don't run away like in my dream," Mirai nodded before walking off.
When she returned, Mirai felt a flicker of fear that her dream might come true—that Louis would be gone, leaving her trapped in the VPI, unable to see him again.
Yet there he was, waiting patiently. His sharp gaze, long hair, beautiful face, and gentle yet slightly forced smile greeted her.
"Ah, thank you. I was craving coffee. It's been a long day, and I can't rest yet," Louis said, taking a sip from the cup.
"You didn't leave…" Mirai whispered.
"Why would I? We're friends, after all," Louis replied with a warm smile, though it felt like a carefully worn mask.
"Ah, yes… we are…!" Mirai nodded eagerly. "They said this donut is filled with custard cream."
"Hm, it's delicious," Louis said after taking a bite. "Come on, let's sit in the cafeteria."
The two walked to the cafeteria and settled at a table, sharing coffee while chatting. Louis told Mirai about the surface world, answering her many curious questions about the people and life above.
Louis wasn't thrilled about babysitting her, but he knew it was necessary if he wanted her help later—perhaps even to join him in hunting Soma and sealing the Dimensional Rift.
He had to admit he had acted too arrogantly before, viewing Mirai as an untrustworthy monster. Now, after enduring such trauma, he was desperate. He needed strength.
"So, Mirai, tell me—what type of men do you like?" Louis asked, smiling charmingly as he met her eyes.
"Me? A-Ah… such an embarrassing question…" Mirai muttered, blushing deeply. "I… don't know… Hahah… well… I like you, Prince Louis."
"You do?" Louis tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "How so?"
"I… like your attitude. And… ahem… um…" Mirai swallowed, her face growing redder. "You're quite handsome…"
"You think so?" Louis chuckled. "You flatter me, Mirai. I'm not that good-looking."
"Oh, please, you're really beautiful!" Mirai insisted, admiring him openly. "A-Ah! Fweeh?! Sorry! I-I didn't…! I shouldn't have said that!"
"Hahahaha! But you did!" Louis laughed. "You know, Mirai? I like honest people. Those who keep secrets buried in their hearts… I can't trust them. But you're true to yourself, so I like that about you, at least."
"Is that so?" Mirai asked, still embarrassed. "Thank you…"
In that moment…
Louis hated himself.
Why?
Because he was being truly honest.
Those words, spoken with apparent arrogance, had come from the heart.
He thought it would take much longer, but desperation had changed him.
He didn't want everything he loved and fought to protect to be destroyed.
For that, he had to accept Mirai as a person, not a monster, and seek her help with genuine sincerity.
"Mirai… I have to be honest with you."
"…?"
"A great evil is brewing beneath this city right now—something that could destroy the entire Kingdom."
"What?!"
"When the time comes… would you be willing to help me defeat it?"
"…"
Mirai fell silent, stunned. It was too sudden, perhaps.
Louis nodded, realizing he had rushed things.
"Never mind. Forget what I said. I'm going. I'll visit you tomorrow—is that all right?"
Louis stood, carrying his empty coffee cup to the nearby trash can.
"A-Ah, wait… you… you haven't heard my response."
Mirai rose, meeting his gaze.
"…?"
"I will gladly help."
Her red eyes locked onto Louis's golden ones.
In that instant, he felt their bond deepen.
A golden glow washed over them both as their threads of connection strengthened.
Level 3 was achieved, just like that.
"Really?" Louis asked with a pleased smile.
"I might have lived my entire life in a lab, but this country, this Kingdom—it's my home too, Prince Louis," Mirai said firmly. "So of course… if I can finally use my power—the power that… took my parents' lives… and has killed so many—to save people… I would gladly help!"
Louis noticed tears streaming down her face, overwhelmed by guilt.
It seemed his father had never hidden the truth from her.
"I see… Thank you, Mirai."
Louis approached and removed his necklace.
It was a precious gift from his mother.
He never imagined giving it away, but to show his sincere appreciation, he offered it to her.
"This necklace was made by my mother. It holds no magical power, but I could always feel her faint presence through it. It brought me comfort in my darkest hours," Louis explained. "Take it."
"W-What? Are you sure? This is…" Mirai trembled. "I cannot accept this!"
"No, take it," Louis insisted with a genuine smile. "You can return it one day, once you overcome your own fears and traumas."
"…I see," Mirai nodded. "Thank… thank you so much…!"
She cried, clutching the necklace before rushing forward. Louis tensed, but Mirai only hugged him, sobbing against his shoulder.
"You're everything I ever wished you to be… thank you… you're so kind, my prince…" Mirai whispered through tears. "I will treasure this for the rest of my life!"
"…" Louis's eyes widened. His heart… beat for this woman.
"E-Enough… I don't like being touched," Louis said, gently pushing her away. "How… H-How dare you touch your prince?"
"A-Ah! I'm so sorry…" Mirai bowed her head.
"Well, whatever the case, take good care of that golden necklace!" Louis said.
"Yes… I'll make sure to treasure it!" Mirai nodded. "I'll be eagerly waiting for tomorrow!"
"Hm, take care," Louis sighed, turning to leave while shaking his head.
"Such an annoying thing…"
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