When Ritsuka awoke, what she saw was an endless sea of flowers.
"Yeah, you're awake, Ritsuka-chan."
"Merry-sensei?"
Sitting up from the flower sea, Ritsuka rubbed her eyes and looked at Merry sitting beside her: "I… where am I?"
"You're still in a dream." Merry said. "Your body is asleep. The barrier Naoki used to confine you seems to have a forced-sleep effect, so you passed out when sealed inside. But besides that, it also has healing properties. I noticed the minor wounds from Lancelot's attacks on you are gone."
A sealing barrier combining forced sleep and healing…
Ritsuka fell silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered: "By the way, why is Sensei here?"
"You forgot I'm a Succubus? I told you we're in a dream." Merry explained with a laugh. "It's a bad habit of mine—a little Magecraft I left on you long ago. Simple function: lets us talk in dreams like this. I used to prank Naoki with it."
"You really don't respect privacy."
"Ahaha, I'll remove it once you're back. But now it's our only way to communicate—let's summarize the situation first."
At Merry's mention, Ritsuka grew serious.
"We… lost?"
"Yes, lost. Though against the Fairy Knights and Morgan there was still some fight, the moment Naoki returned, you were all defeated. Instant Imaginary Manifestation and sealing barrier Magecraft—he truly didn't slack over two thousand four hundred years."
Two thousand four hundred years. Give any Magus that time—even one with zero talent—and it's enough to reach a decent level. Especially someone like Naoki.
Paired with a god-realm Magus like Morgan, no one could predict his growth.
"Of course, the most shocking is him defeating those four." Merry sighed.
Arcueid, Aoko, Rei, Majin Souji.
In Proper Human History, those four united—few in the world could beat them. Yet Naoki won, seemingly unscathed.
"Department Head… is so strong even our combined efforts can't beat him?"
"Well, I think neither Arcueid nor Aoko used full power before defeat—or didn't use it at all. Like Arcueid's planetary support or Aoko's True Magic."
Merry didn't believe full-trump Arcueid and Aoko couldn't scratch Naoki. So likely, they held back.
As for why…
"Aoko's side is unclear, but Arcueid probably couldn't use it."
Merry's words made Ritsuka frown: "Couldn't use it? A restriction?"
"Yes—Arcueid's full power relies on planetary support. But given Naoki's strength, this Lostbelt's planet likely gave him everything, leaving nothing for Arcueid."
Naoki monopolized all resources. Thus Arcueid's defeat made sense. Though her base abilities were high, she couldn't beat planet-backed Naoki.
"Then… how do we defeat Department Head?"
"Yeah, he's truly the strongest. Plus, the real Naoki Number Two is gone somewhere, and you're all imprisoned. I doubt you can fight." Merry said despairingly. "Even if I help, I'd just be bait… Should we surrender? Naoki will return after his business. How about Rayshifting back?"
"Can we?"
"Ugh… Probably not."
Merry smiled bitterly: "Unsure if Naoki's barrier blocks space. Direct transfer should be impossible. Anyway, I was joking."
"I see…" Ritsuka lowered her head, disappointed.
No fight, no support, total annihilation in direct combat… Worst situation.
Seeing Ritsuka slump, Merry laughed and patted her head: "Don't be too pessimistic, Ritsuka-chan. Actually, it's not hopeless for you. Naoki's a stranger now, but he doesn't fully hate you. Otherwise, with his nature, he wouldn't imprison—he'd kill you all."
"So at least that's safe. You're truly secure in the Lostbelt now. Though maybe no freedom."
They were prisoners, after all.
Ritsuka felt slight relief: "Then… what do we do next?"
"Wait and see. First, figure out a few things—What does Naoki want in this Lostbelt? How will he achieve it? And… where did Naoki Number Two go?"
Compared to the first two, the last might be most serious.
The one who gathered them and started the fight against Naoki was Naoki Number Two. If his goal in sending a message from 2400 years ago was to guide them against Naoki—what was his purpose? His true identity?
(Well, I have a rough guess, but it's too impossible—I'm not ready to confirm. Need more evidence…)
"In short, Ritsuka-chan—use this time to rest well. Physical injuries, mental shock—all need recovery. Only after Naoki frees you does our real Lostbelt battle begin."
"I have a feeling the outcome here might greatly impact Proper Human History too."
Saying this, Merry's figure vanished with the flower sea from Ritsuka's view. Followed by overwhelming drowsiness flooding her consciousness.
(So sleepy… Hmm… Sleep first…)