—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?
But compared to some angel from the 300th floor I hardly knew, Rita-san seemed like the better option.
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."
Pop!
A faint silhouette appeared in midair.
Long black hair.
Dark brown skin.
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)
When I asked…
""""!?""""
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)
"You…!" (Eugene)
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)
"Eh…?" (Sumire)
"No way…" (Sara)
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.