Volume 2 Chapter 47: Nightmare

“Be careful, you two. Kreis-nii is involved in this too.”

Rett-kun stood up cautiously, warning us in a hushed tone.

Mina and I exchanged a quick nod, then turned to face Kreis-san, who was spinning in circles. No, not just spinning—his face remained eerily fixed in our direction no matter how his body rotated. I wasn’t sure how he was doing it, but it felt like he was indeed facing us.

“Kreis-san, why are you doing this?” I asked.

“Hmm, because Sophie-chan asked me to,” he replied, still spinning but keeping his face perfectly still. The way his expression kept changing skillfully was unsettling. He furrowed his brows in a troubled manner and continued.

“I don’t think this method is right, you know. It’s not… elegant.”

He struck a dramatic pose, ran a hand through his slightly tousled hair, and shrugged.

“But, I’ve decided to side with Sophie-chan this time.”

His playful demeanor shifted for a moment. A faint glimmer of melancholy surfaced in his eyes.

“Sorry, my friends. If you intend to stop her, I’ll have to stand in your way.”

“Is there something going on? Can’t you tell us about it?” I pressed.

“Hmm, no, no, no. Unfortunately, that’s not for me to say.”

“Ugh, enough already,” Mina snapped, stepping forward and glaring at Kreis-san.

“I’ll just confront Sophie directly.”

“…That might be for the best,” Kreis-san exhaled softly, his expression briefly tinged with sadness. In that fleeting moment, his usual flamboyance gave way to a serene elegance. If he always acted like this, I thought, he could probably charm every woman in the Capital City of Elist.

But it lasted only for an instant. He quickly reverted to his usual self, striking another dramatic pose with a dazzling smile.

Then, he coughed.

“Gah, ack! Cough, cough!”

He bent over, wheezing.

“Cough! Sorry, sorry, hang on a second. Something… ugh… something got in my throat… uhhh… ughhh!”

He raised one hand to pause us, still coughing as he tried to clear his throat. While I found myself deflating in exasperation, Mina wasted no time. She closed the distance in a flash and lashed out with a sharp kick. Kreis-san, however, ducked seamlessly—still coughing—and dodged her strike. It wasn’t because Mina had held back. If anything, her kick carried an intent to kill.

“Tch…” Mina clicked her tongue in frustration, leaping back to our side.

Watching the exchange, I turned to her nervously.

“Kreis-san is an A-rank, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Is he stronger than you?”

“…I’ve never beaten him.”

I see.

“What about you, Rett-kun?”

“I wouldn’t even stand a chance.”

I see.

Their responses, accompanied by grim expressions, made me exhale slowly.

A monster. He’s a total monster.

What is this guy? He’s a freak of nature.

I just wanted him to be the “Hug Master” or something equally harmless. But true to his nickname, Kreis-san was terrifyingly strong—like a nightmare incarnate.

That Mina couldn’t beat him was already a bad sign, but for Rett-kun to claim he didn’t even stand a chance… just how absurdly overpowered was this man? This was the worst-case scenario.

We needed to confirm with Sophie why she’d gone to such lengths, but if Kreis-san was going to stand in our way—perhaps “enemy” wasn’t quite the right term—it would be a monumental pain to deal with him. Well, we had three people on our side, so we should be able to manage somehow—

“Ah.”

As that thought crossed my mind, a strange sense of unease hit me. I quickly checked my body and found the source of my discomfort. Cold sweat ran down my cheek as I realized the grim reality.

Mina activated her skill, Black Nail, and spoke with a hint of frustration in her voice.

“It’s fine. Sure, it’ll be tough to handle him alone, but—”

“Mina-san, Mina-san,” I interrupted, lightly tapping her shoulder. She frowned at me, clearly annoyed.

“What is it?”

“My mana bottles are gone.”

The pouch that usually hung from my waist was missing. Naturally, that meant I had no mana bottles on hand. My mana reserves were pitifully low to begin with, which left me in a bind. With no mana bottles, I could only rely on skills like Hunter, and while that skill was reliable, it wasn’t enough in this situation.

Great. Just great.

“……”

“……”

“Haha, this is bad…”

As I exchanged silent glances with Mina, who had a deeply furrowed brow, Rett-kun muttered with a wry smile.

Mina shook her head vigorously.

“N-No problem! You guys just support me! Okay!?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Y-Yes!”

Hearing her spirited words, Rett-kun and I nodded repeatedly. We were two useless guys.

“But! I won’t let you do that!”

“Ah, yes.”

While this was happening, Kreis-san, who had finished checking his throat, raised his voice triumphantly with both arms spread wide. It seemed to be a continuation from earlier.

When we all turned to face him, Kreis-san began his signature spinning.

“Perfect Me—Perfect Kreis!“

What kind of Magis Gear is that?

As Kreis-san spun around, a glittering crimson cape appeared on his back, and at his waist, a sparkling, jewel-like sword materialized. It’s all just so shiny. Anyway, it’s super shiny.

He flipped his cape with a flourish, paused to strike a pose, then started spinning in the opposite direction from before. Doesn’t he get dizzy?

“And then! Lots of Me—Perfect World!!“

What kind of Magis Gear is that?

As Kreis-san spun around, he started multiplying—one, then another—and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I rubbed them vigorously, but no matter how I looked, it wasn’t an illusion. About a dozen Kreis-sans lined up in a row, spinning around.

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Eek!”

Eek.

All the Kreis-sans started laughing simultaneously, and I involuntarily took a step back. What the heck is that? Scary.

As I was cowering, they all stopped at once, flipped their capes, and each struck a different pose.

“Hey, isn’t this pose of mine too cool?”

“Mm, it’s the best. But I’m not losing either.”

“Can you surpass my beauty?”

“This me is the one with the ultimate pose!”

“No, look at my hip movement!”

“Then! I present my perfectly shaped fingertips!”

Then, they all started chattering amongst themselves. I felt like I was going to go crazy.

Mina, giving them a look as if she were staring at filth, explained with genuine disgust.

“Perfect Me simply enhances his abilities. That tacky sword at his waist is amazingly sharp, despite its appearance. Kreis is a master of the Shisou Style.”

I don’t know much about swordsmanship, so even if she says Shisou Style, I don’t really get it. I think it’s an unusual school that uses a large cape and a single-handed sword. Its movements are unconventional, and I heard from the Manager once that there are few practitioners. That person can handle swords too. Actually, he can probably handle all kinds of weapons. I heard it’s self-taught, though.

I see, so that’s what his Magis Gear is for.

“Lots of Me is… well, just as you see. It’s a Magis Gear that creates copies of himself. How many he can produce depends on his condition that day. Each individual isn’t that strong, though. They’re about as strong as Rett-kun.”

…That’s plenty strong, though.

“Hey! Mina-nee, don’t make it sound like I’m weak! I’m definitely stronger than them!”

Right? Yeah, that’s right, of course.

Seriously, Mina, stop joking at a time like this.

Look, even Rett-kun seems dissatisfied.

“…Well, if I can keep my distance.”

“Eh, what if you’re close?”

“Then it’s tough.”

………

I see.

Hearing Rett-kun’s somewhat dejected answer, I thought.

Indeed, this is a Nightmare.

In the mansion’s garden, Elshan, who had descended from the ice pillar, turned to face Milis Albama, who was leaning against the mansion’s door.

“You’re next.”

Contrary to Elshan, who narrowed her eyes, Milis chuckled amusingly.

Seeing her like that, Elshan frowned suspiciously.

“Ah, sorry about that. It’s just too ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous, you say…?”

“Seeing you so desperate, I can’t help but laugh. Noil is mine, after all. I suppose it means that my Noil is that charming. Well, you enjoyed yourself for a little over a month, so isn’t that enough? I watched everything through the Desire Mirror, and I was quite envious, you know. So much so that I thought I’d have to do the same with Noil later. But Noil is shy, so he might dislike it. Oh, could you give me that candle? This might be a good opportunity to connect physically. Our hearts are already connected, but it might not be bad to create a physical bond as well. I may not be as much as you, but I’m also a woman, so I have such desires to some extent. Well, besides, with Noil and me becoming one through the White King, it’s not an exaggeration to say that our bodies, hearts, and everything are already connected. It’s wonderful, you know—a pleasure that others can never experience in their lifetime. It seems you seek a physical connection above all and want to be united with Noil, but true unity is like that. And only I can achieve it. Only I am truly special to Noil. Ah, but there’s no need to be pessimistic because of that. I won’t say anything about you trying to seduce Noil like this time. It’s fine to share bodies. If that happens, I’ll just share bodies with him even more. It’s embarrassing to admit, but even though I know Noil belongs to me, I can’t leave the parts others have touched as they are. I’m willing to accept Noil choosing others of his own will, but I just can’t stand it if my Noil’s body remains tainted by other women’s hands. Is this what they call possessiveness? Ah, now I can’t laugh at you for being ridiculous. Haha, love makes people foolish, doesn’t it? I’m sorry for mocking you when you’re desperate for my Noil. I apologize. So, how about it? Why don’t we reconcile here? You’ve been watching Noil all this time through the spirits, haven’t you? I don’t think so, but if you know any secrets about Noil that I don’t, could you tell me? Ah, and I’d be happy if you’d give me that candle after all.”

Milis extended her hand with a smile, but Elshan looked at her with cold eyes. The outstretched hand of Milis was sliced by the wind, and fresh blood splattered around.

“Hmm… that’s unfortunate.”

Milis muttered boredly as she looked at her own arm, which was covered in multiple deep cuts, blood dripping profusely. At the same time, the wounds began to close gradually.

“You’re a lunatic. Too dangerous.”

“Don’t get so worked up. And it seems you’re misunderstanding—it’s not over yet.”

As Milis curled the corner of her mouth, the ice pillar behind Elshan shattered.

Fiona, battered and bruised, with a broken wing and one eye visible through a cracked goggle, pointed her tattered short gun. As a magic bullet was fired, the short gun shattered into pieces. Having lost her last remaining weapon, Fiona nevertheless charged straight at Elshan, undeterred.

“Ugh…!”

Elshan, who had been focusing on Milis, reacted slightly late. She deflected the fired magic bullet with wind at the last moment, but by then, Fiona was already right in front of her.

Elshan’s eyes widened as Fiona’s fist struck her cheek.

“Ugh…!”

As Elshan staggered backward, Fiona tried to press the attack, but she was blown away by a gust of wind and rolled on the ground.

A trickle of blood flowed from Elshan’s mouth as she raised her face. She wiped it with her thumb and was astonished to see Fiona still trying to get up.

“…How can you move? In that condition?”

Fiona stood up unsteadily, bleeding all over, with most of her Heaven’s Witch destroyed and no longer functioning. She was clearly gravely injured.

However, her eyes shone with a strong light.

“…It’s… the power of love.”

Barely able to breathe, Fiona said that and smiled. Her body had long surpassed its limits. Besides countless cuts, her left shoulder was shattered from the fall, and her internal organs were damaged. Her vision was blurred, and she could hardly see. Intense pain coursed through her entire body incessantly, and even breathing was difficult.

But she did not lose consciousness.

Thanks to the power of Love that was fitted around her neck.

Love was a Magis Gear that responded to the commands of Noil Arlens. To fulfill his wishes, Fiona’s originally low physical abilities were enhanced, and she wouldn’t easily lose consciousness unless it was by Noil’s orders.

However, that was just a bonus for Fiona. Just by feeling him through Love, no matter how much pain she endured, she could gain happiness that surpassed it. No matter how hard it was, she could keep going.

Therefore, she wouldn’t fall easily.

What drove her now was her love for Noil, which could be called madness.

“…Please stop. If you move any more, you’ll lose your life.”

“…I… want… you to…”

Slowly, one step at a time, dragging her body, Fiona moved forward.

Elshan simply watched silently as she approached.

“…Sen…pai…”

At last, Fiona reached right in front of Elshan. She slowly raised her hand and slapped Elshan’s cheek with her trembling hand. But it was a strike with almost no strength, more like a mere touch.

“…Give… him… back…!”

With tears welling up in her eyes, Fiona said that in a strained voice before collapsing. Elshan caught her.

Then, after gently laying her down on the spot, Elshan turned to Milis.

“…Can you heal this girl?”

“Yes.”

“Haah… Could you explain everything to me?”

As Milis nodded and approached the two, Elshan let out a sigh and spoke as if tired.