Volume 3 - CH 30

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

Three days since my uncle's return.

Now I am in a very difficult situation.

I'm talking about the ...... "Stigmata of Existence".

All members of the raid team must have this to enter the "Inverted Labyrinth Tenebrae".

Otherwise, the moment they touch that black wall, their existence will be turned inside out and they will be transformed into shadow stalkers.

However, it is somewhat difficult to share this in the same way as Rain.

It is no exaggeration to say that it is terribly difficult for the fellowship to decide to adopt that method.

"So I'm here to talk to you. Lun, can you help us?"(Yuki)

"Well, yes. It's not impossible to use the king's power, the gold that has been transferred to Lun, to grant everyone the stigmata of existence."(Nibelung)

"I'm glad."(Yuki)

I am truly relieved.

The power of the "gold" is originally derived from my magic and also the power of "Persephone's Blessing".

The people of the Nibelung world used it as a system of wish fulfillment,......, but it was still possible.

Nibelung herself is now in control of this abominable power.

To begin with, it is a fragment of the power to transform a city and cross over to the other world as a "proof of existence stigmata".

I thought it would be impossible to make a few people function as "existence mark stigmata" without any side effects, but I was relieved to see that it was still possible.

"Persephone's Blessing" is essentially a kind of curse related to the afterlife.

If there is no other way, I suppose it can't be helped, but it is not something that can be shared on a whim.

Besides, there is the problem of the method of granting it.

Rain accepted it willingly, but not everyone else could accept it wholeheartedly.

"But why can't you give you your "stigmata"?"(Nibelung)

"......There are a lot of reasons."(Yuki)

The Nibelung's question made me cringe, and I answered in a deceptive manner.

It's not something you can tell a child about.

'Lun thinks, we'd better make sure we're doing it right."(Nibelung)

'That's probably true, but ......"(Yuki))

'Yeah. If all else fails, Lun will use her "golden" power. But first, you and my sisters need to talk and decide which is better for them."(Nibelung)

Nibelung's unexpectedly firm words made me flinch a little.

She has been a bright girl since we first met, but I feel this is especially true now that she has started to clearly express her own opinions.

Perhaps she was influenced by the Mastoma.

Even Nibelung is a person of royal blood.

"Anyway, you should go and talk to my sisters."(Nibelung)

"I understand."(Yuki)

I nodded, somewhat intimidated.

The present Nibelung is behaving like an older sister to me, so I have no other choice but to go.

"Good luck Onii-chan, If it's those Onee-chan everything will be fine."(Nibelung)

As I left the room, Nibelung's words of encouragement were placed on my back.

I turned around and nodded, then closed the door, wondering who I should visit first.

At that moment, a voice called out from my view.

"Are you done talking?"(Rain)

"Ah,......, Rain?"(Yuki)

She was waiting outside the room.

The talk with Nibelung was ...... probably being heard.

"Lun is a tough child, right?"(Rain

"I know, So what's wrong?"(Yuki)

"Honestly, I have no choice but to speak."(Rain)

Rain looks up at me, hugging me loosely as I worry.

It may be a point of concern for her as well.

" I'll go with you. I'll tell everyone."(Rain)

"Yeah, right. Let's do that."(Yuki)

I return her embrace and make up my mind.

If Rain wants me to be with me even after death, then I have no choice but to accept it.

I headed for the common room to talk with my friends.

◇

"......"(Yuki)

I silently stirred the dark mead as I watched the chipped moon on the balcony in my room.

Rain, sitting across from me, tilted her head curiously.

"What's wrong, Yuki? You seem a little hazy."(Rain)

"No, how should I put it? I'm not sure what to say,......, but I'm having a hard time thinking straight."(Yuki)

"To be honest I'm not surprised that you are surprised."(Rain)

"Well It was a surprise.....atleast to me."(Yuki)

Afterwards, I talked with my friends about my "existence mark stigmata."

I told them about the method and properties of my "existence mark stigmata," and then I told them about Nibelung's ability to grant risk-free "existence mark stigmata" using the "gold. 

But they chose to share the "Persephone's Blessing" that resides in me.

I can understand their aversion to gold.

If one look at the labyrinth of "Glad Shi-Im," which has transformed people, there will be a reaction of rejection.

However, I tried to persuade them that they should not choose "Persephone's Blessing," which would bind their fate after death.

But the girls shook their heads.

That's  not the case.

They wanted  be equal to Rain as they also  wanted to be loved.

"It's up to Yuki to decide how you wants to respond."(Rain)

"If it weren't for times like this, I'd be a little more at ease. ......"(Yuki)

"At a time like this,"(Rain)

Rain stood up and hugged me.

"I'm afraid of death, just like I'm afraid of losing Yuki. But even if we die, with Yuki we can go without fear."(Rain)

"Rain ......"(Yuki)

The inside of Tenebrae is probably a labyrinth created by the Invisible Darkness or the Tower.

Or it could be an enlarged "King's Temple".

Either way, this adventure is always more deadly than usual.

Both for me and for the girls.

How should I respond to the girls who are prepared to go with me into the land of the dead?

" We had too much alcohol. Let's go to bed."(Rain)

Laughing, Rain pulls my hand.

I had had a little too much to drink, it seemed, and I was urged with unsteady steps to the bed, where I collapsed with a thud.

" Leave your worries aside . I'm here for you today."(Rain)

"Is Rain fine with the things going?"(Yuki)

"I-I......"(Rain)

After thinking for a moment, Rain opens her mouth.

"I might be a little bit jealous."(Rain)

I gently hugged Rain, loving her fading little response.

TL Note- Rain officially joined the harem and the others are on the way.