—Travel to the past and rewrite history. When I said that, everyone there was struck speechless. “W-Wait! Eugene. Are you seriously saying something like that can be done…?” (Sara) “Eugy-kun, who’s the person that came up with this plan!? There’s the Dungeon Master here, and one other, right!?” (Sumire) “Eugy! Everything you’re saying is jumping all over the place, I can’t keep up anymore…” (Airi) Sara, Sumire, and Airi each pressed me with questions. Claude stood with his arms crossed, looking troubled. Rita-san had her head in her hands with a face that said, “I just overheard something really bad.” …Maybe I should have kept Rita-san out of this talk? The Dungeon Master Anemoi was giving me a look that said, “So, what now?” (I know, Anemoi.) (Eugene) There was no point wasting time here. “Everyone, first, let’s go over the specific plan from here on…” (Eugene) Just as I was about to say that… — “This is bad, Eugene-chan.” A faint silhouette appeared in midair. Eyes shining in seven colors that stirred unease just by looking at them. Her features were impossibly beautiful for a human. But her form was so faint you could barely see her if you didn’t focus. She looked almost like a ghost… “Demon God-sama, what’s the matter?” (Eugene) Everyone there widened their eyes in shock and backed away from the Demon God-sama. “Just now, your talk was overheard by the Gods. Well, to be precise, by only one of them.” “T-That’s impossible, Loki-sama! My barrier was definitely strong enough that neither the Divine Realm nor Hell could hear anything…” (Anemoi) Anemoi shouted frantically. “Anemoi… You…” (Eugene) If this plan leaked outside, it would all be over. That’s why the barriers inside the Zenith Tower to share the plan had to be perfect. “N-No, Eugene! I swear this talk isn’t being overheard by the Divine Realm or Hell. Loki-sama, there must be some mistake…” (Anemoi) Anemoi kept panicking. — “Stop, Anemoi-chan. Don’t call my name. Same for you all, please.” (Loki) When the Demon God-sama said that, both I and Anemoi nodded. Sumire and Sara were staring at her like they were looking at something terrifying. — “Maybe I should properly introduce myself to those kids over there? Though, we’ve actually met before. I’m an Old God who was sealed away as the Lamp Demon God, forgotten by name. Three years ago, I regained a little strength in exchange for “everything” from your Principal, but even now I’m stuck in this ghost-like form. So don’t be scared…just call me Demon God-chan or something, okay☆” (Loki) Even after her self-introduction, Sumire and the others didn’t relax their expressions one bit. But there was something else more pressing. “Demon God-sama, the God who overheard us is…?” (Eugene) — “It’s a relative of mine whose seal was recently broken… Oh, she’s talking to me now. …Mhm, hey there… A-kun. Long time no see… Ah, don’t mind me. I’ll just do as I please.” (Loki) Anemoi and I looked at each other. Apparently she was talking with someone, but we couldn’t hear the other voice. “Anemoi, who do you think the Demon God-sama is speaking with?” (Eugene) “Now that you mention it, there was a rumor that the Evil God sealed in the Deep Sea Temple recently revived…” (Anemoi) That’s critical information! “B-But it was just a rumor! Besides, if the seal was only just broken, I figured they wouldn’t have much strength yet…” (Anemoi) I looked back and forth between the flustered Dungeon Master and the Demon God-sama conversing with “someone.” — “Yeah…got it… A-kun. That helps a lot. Bye then☆” (Loki) Apparently, the talk ended. “Demon God-sama…?” (Eugene) — “Good news, Eugene-chan. My relative, the Goddess who revived, says she’ll ‘overlook this.’” (Loki) Anemoi and I exchanged a look of relief. We were saved… I thought the plan was about to be ruined before it even began. “Um… Eugy-kun.” (Sumire) Sumire spoke timidly. “Ah, Sumire. It’s okay. Seems the Demon God-sama worked things out for us.” (Eugene) “You say that so casually! Tell us more clearly! Isn’t this Demon God… the scary one who ate the Principal!!” (Sumire) “Sumire, that’s—” (Eugene) Just as I tried to explain… — “That’s a one-sided way to put it. The deal back then was legitimate. There was no other way to handle the Red Dragon-chan that appeared on the surface. He offered that price to protect your lives. Are you denying that act?” (Loki) “…I’m sorry. I was wrong.” (Sumire) Sumire apologized honestly. — “Fufufu, I’m glad you understand.” (Loki) The Demon God-sama seemed to be having fun. …Though, honestly, she didn’t feel very “Demon God-like” at all. “Hey, Eugene. What should we do from here?” (Sara) Sara asked, and I looked around at everyone. “Here on the 300th floor, we’ll train to break through the Deus Discipline on the 400th and 500th floors. Like I said, time here flows at 1/300th the rate of the surface.” (Eugene) “But Eugene, even if we have the time, there’s no guarantee we can actually clear the 500th floor. Only one person’s ever done it in 500 years. Just training aimlessly won’t cut it, right?” (Claude) Claude pointed out, and I nodded. “Yeah, exactly. That’s why we need a concrete target.” (Eugene) “Is there really such a way, Eugy?” (Airi) My childhood friend asked doubtfully. “There is. Like we learned in history class at the Lykeion Magic Academy, 500 years ago, the one who faced the Deus Discipline on the 500th floor of the Zenith Tower…explorer Cristo…fought against the previous Dungeon Master. And right now, the one with us is this Anemoi.” (Eugene) Sumire and Sara’s eyes widened. “Exactly. Anemoi will be our sparring partner, playing the role of the trial opponent for the 500th floor. There couldn’t be a more suitable choice.” (Eugene) “P-Please…take care of me.” (Anemoi) Anemoi greeted us awkwardly. Things were pretty heated, so I’ll refrain from replying to the comments. Only four months left in this year. Will I be able to finish within the year, I wonder… “Dungeon Magic! [Rain of Arrows]!!” When the Dungeon Master shouted, hundreds of wooden arrows materialized in the air and rained down on us. (Barrier Magic: [Large Shield].) (Eugene) I conjured a large magical shield above us to block the rain of arrows. Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! The sound of arrows bouncing off the shield rang out. I caught one of the falling wooden arrows with a snap! The arrowhead was rounded, so even if it hit, it would just hurt a little without piercing. It was clearly a training spell. I observed how the others were handling it. “Wah! Wah! [Fire Storm]!!!” (Sumire) Sumire unleashed a fire spell centered on herself, burning away every single wooden arrow that fell around her. A flashy way of dealing with it. “[Light Sword Dance]!” (Sara) Sara used her holy sword magic to cut down the arrows. Airi skillfully dodged every arrow. That girl… She’s treating it like a warm-up. Considering I heard she hasn’t been moving her body much due to her emperor duties, she’s probably testing her sharpness of movement. “Rita-chan, don’t you need to go back to the 100th floor?” (Claude) “No one’s showing up to explore right now. Besides, I finally got to see Claude-kun again… ♡” (Rita) “Well then, after training…” (Claude) Claude, who had quickly escaped beyond the range of the dungeon magic, was flirting with Rita-san. In a sense, that was the safest choice. You could also call it shameless. Everyone looked to be handling things fine. “Hey, Eugene! Is this good enough!? Should I use more types of magic!?” (Anemoi) Anemoi shouted loudly. “Then gradually increase the power and range of the spells.” (Eugene) “I’m not good at fine adjustments, you know that!!” (Anemoi) Even as she complained, the Dungeon Master kept throwing out spells strong enough to only cause minor injuries. Suddenly, holes opened in the ground, rocks fell from the sky. Iron weapons came flying, and the attacks grew stronger step by step. I blocked or dodged them with barrier magic, while keeping an eye on everyone else. “Wait, wait, wait! This is bad, this is bad, this is bad!!” Sumire seemed to be the most frantic. But no matter what attack came, she burned everything away with the fire magic of an Ifrit. Oi oi…is that blunt iron spear melting? Anemoi gave me a look that said, “What’s with this one?” Well, she’ll manage somehow. Sara and Airi were getting hit now and then, suffering minor injuries. “Whew! That’s close!” (Claude) Claude wasn’t just staying outside the spell’s range, he dodged rains of arrows, spears sprouting from the ground, and giant falling rocks (hollowed out inside) with ease. Unlike Sara and Airi, he hadn’t been hit at all, likely because he positioned himself in spots where the dungeon’s attacks weren’t so intense. Specifically, he kept moving skillfully from one blind spot of the Dungeon Master to another. (Claude’s field of vision is wide.) (Eugene) Probably because as a dragon knight, he often had to oversee the whole battlefield. In comparison, Sara and Airi had a tendency to face things head-on. You two are national leaders. Pay more attention to your surroundings. After about an hour, Anemoi stopped her attacks, and it was break time. The Dungeon Master conjured drinks and light snacks with magic. We reflected on the training as we ate. “How was it, Anemoi?” (Eugene) “Well…with this group, I think you could make it past the 200th floor.” (Anemoi) “Is…that supposed to be impressive?” (Sumire) Sumire looked unconvinced. “That’s no good. Our goal is the 500th floor.” (Sara) “Still, I can’t really picture it.” (Airi) Sara and Airi frowned. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍 “Hey, Eugene. You cleared the 300th floor, right? What was the difficulty like for a Deus Discipline?” (Claude) Claude turned the question on me. “I’ll show you now. Anemoi, be my opponent.” (Eugene) “Ehh, let me rest a little longer~!” (Anemoi) She complained, but prepared anyway. You caused plenty of trouble with your blunders. No whining until you work. “Here I come.” (Eugene) I readied my White Sword. “If it’s against you, I can go all out, right?” (Anemoi) …Zuzuzu, a sinister red-black mana swirled around Anemoi. “Full power at 300th-floor level, right?” (Eugene) I confirmed, just in case. She’s careless sometimes. “I know that much. Here I go!” (Anemoi) I leapt sideways at the same time as her voice. A massive blade thrust up where I had just been standing. A dungeon spell full of killing intent. “W-Wait a second!!” (Sumire) I heard Sumire and Airi cry out in panic, but I didn’t have time to respond. ——Dungeon Magic: [Thousand-Blade Storm]!! Over a thousand blades rained down unpredictably. I heard Sara’s voice, almost like a scream. I closed the distance toward the Dungeon Master while dodging the falling blades. ——Dungeon Magic: [Shadow Beasts]! Pitch-black wolf-like beasts erupted from the ground. Beasts from the ground. ——Dungeon Magic: [Chains of Blood Thorns]!! From Anemoi’s center, red thorned chains writhed like living things, reaching to bind me. “Eugene! You okay!?” (Claude) That was Claude’s voice. Blades, black beasts, and red chains surrounded me, leaving no escape…or at least that’s how it looks. (Angel Magic: [Time Delay].) (Eugene) For just a brief moment, I slowed the flow of time around me. Surrounded 360 degrees by Anemoi’s Dungeon magic… (There! …Twin Heavenly Resonance Style: [Sky Walk]!!) (Eugene) I found a tiny opening and closed the distance to the Dungeon Master. Then, I pressed the blade of the White Sword against her neck. Anemoi first looked shocked, then glared at me. “That’s match.” (Eugene) “Whaaat! Using Angel Magic like that is cheating!!” (Anemoi) “There was no other way.” (Eugene) “Unfair, unfair, unfair! One more time!!” (Anemoi) “You’re tired, we’ll do it later.” (Eugene) “Don’t run away after winning!!” (Anemoi) I ignored Anemoi screeching at me and returned to the others. When I did, they all stared blankly. “What’s wrong?” (Eugene) “What do you mean what’s wrong, Eugy!? What was that!? Teleportation!?” (Airi) “Eugene! When did you learn teleportation!?” (Sara) To Airi and Sara, it must’ve looked like teleportation. “No, that wasn’t teleportation. I could barely see Eugene moving to dodge the spells…but it was beyond human speed.” (Claude) So Claude could see it. “That was an arrangement of Destiny Magic and Barrier Magic. I just altered the flow of time around myself.” (Eugene) “You can. I’ll teach you all later.” (Eugene) I call it Angel Magic, but it’s not exclusive to angels. Humans can learn it too. It’s apparently a basic technique for angels. Mother can even use full time-stop magic. (Actually, some level of space-time control seems mandatory above the 300th floor…) (Eugene) Even Demon Lord Eri once told me that. The difficulty of the upper layers of the Zenith Tower…there’s no way they ever intended humans to clear it. “Hey, Eugene! Fight me again!!” (Anemoi) Anemoi wrapped her legs around my neck and clung on like she was forcing me to give her a piggyback. “I’ve got something to do, later! Keep training the others!” (Eugene) “…Fine. Later then.” (Anemoi) She pouted and let go. What a spoiled Dungeon Master. Not that I didn’t already know. Sumire, Sara, and Airi were staring at me. “What is it?” (Eugene) “Eugy-kun… aren’t you pretty close with the Dungeon Master?” (Sumire) Sumire said something strange. “W-Well, after three years together…” (Anemoi) “We’re not close.” (Eugene) I answered before Anemoi could get mad. After all, for three years she’s been saying, ‘Don’t get too familiar just because you’re human! Don’t misunderstand!’ Her pride is as high and troublesome as the Zenith Tower itself. “Right, Anemoi?” (Eugene) “Ah… y-yeah… I guess so.” (Anemoi) She seemed a bit downhearted. Maybe she was just exhausted from back-to-back sparring. “Well, I’ve got somewhere to go.” (Eugene) “Where are you going, Eugy?” (Airi) Of course Airi asked. I hesitated how to answer… “To a woman’s place.” (Sara) “Yeah, to a sexy older woman’s place.” (Sumire) Sara and Sumire beat me to it. That phrasing sounded malicious. “What!? No way!!” (Airi) As expected, Airi tried to stop me. Thanks to their wording. “I’m going to consult Demon Lord Eri about strategies for the Zenith Tower.” (Eugene) And also about Angel Magic. I could ask my mother, but she always says, ‘Ask Eri about combat. I’m not a combat specialist.’ Even though she should be a high-ranking angel… Eri’s combat ability surpasses hers. We’ll need Eri’s help to break through the 500th floor. “Well then, I’m off.” (Eugene) Airi still tried to stop me, but I persuaded her somehow and headed for the dungeon elevator. I could already imagine her scolding me for being late to visit… >Isn’t Anemoi-chan’s clumsy-girl trait getting stronger? -She’s always been clumsy. Eri finally makes a reappearance after so long!! And let me repeat again: The main characters from the previous work Zero Believers will not appear in the main story of Zero Sword. (After Stories are separate.) That resurrected Evil God will only be mentioned by name at most.