Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume17 Chapter8 (section)

===Part 6===

&mdash;His view turned blank.

Kamito opened his eyes, only to see before him the crystal where the spirit Iris was sealed.

"&mdash;This is the truth that I hoped to convey, successor."

"..."

Kamito gently drew back his fingers from the crystal's surface and gazed at her face.

Green hair, reminiscent of the fresh verdure of forests. Crimson eyes, as red as blood.

The graceful lines of her ears were characteristic of ''that race''.

"Looks like the Holy Lord kept his promise with the Demon King&mdash;"

With mixed feelings on his face, Kamito whispered.

He realized her true identity... In other words, ''that'' happened.

"Your guess is correct. The Holy Lord granted him the power of miracles and resurrected me. I lived again, but this time as an imperishable being that would never know death again&mdash;a spirit."

Resurrecting the dead&mdash;there was only one power in this world, capable of such a miracle.

&mdash;The boon awarded by the Elemental Lords, to each winner of the Blade Dance.

"&mdash;Having obtained power from the Holy Lord, lost in his hatred for the world, he launched a war that swept across the entire continent. I failed to stop it. His heart was already corrupted by destruction. All I could do was face destiny together with him, to accompany him until the end of his life as the Demon King's one and only contracted spirit."

The Queen of the Demon King City looked squarely into Kamito's eyes and said.

"I only invited you here to tell you the truth. I hope you will not make the same mistake as him&mdash;"

Demon King Solomon was the young man formerly known as the hero.

But lost in hatred, he fell to become the one known as the Demon King.

...No one could guarantee that the same would not happen to Kamito.

Putting aside the incomprehensible Holy Lord for now&mdash;

Kamito had almost gotten swallowed by the Darkness Elemental Lord's power on several occasions now.

"...I understand things now, but what should I do?"

Kamito asked the queen.

He did not think he would end up like Demon King Solomon, but&mdash;

"&mdash;I have a suggestion, successor."

The spirit Iris replied calmly.

"Suggestion?"

"Have you ever thought about living here in this Demon King's Capital?"

"&mdash;Huh?"

Kamito involuntarily made a stupid sound.

"...Uh, what do you mean?"

...The leap of logic was too great. His mind could not keep up.

Living in this city?

"This is a dimensional gap isolated from both the human realm and Astral Zero. Neither the Elemental Lords nor your enemies should be able to find you here. In that case, there would be no need for you to fight. The Darkness Elemental Lord's power would not awaken and you shall be able to live in peace, at this eternal city where time repeats for perpetuity&mdash;"

"..."

After listening to Iris&mdash;

Kamito took a breath and looked towards Restia.

"Indeed, this could very well be the safest place on the continent. At the very least, it might be better than being on the run from the Ordesia Empire."

"...! Restia!?"

"I am just stating facts, Kamito. No matter where you go, be it to the ends of the world, I shall always stay by your side&mdash;"

Restia's dusk-colored eyes were gazing at Kamito.

"If it is your wish, the concubines you have brought could also live here too."

"...They're not my concubines."

Correcting the queen, Kamito looked down at his feet.

A place of serenity, where time was eternal.

Indeed, staying here might be safe. Whether the Darkness Elemental Lord or the Holy Kingdom, he could forget them all and live in peace.

That being said, Kamito had absolutely no wish to become the Demon King&mdash;

...But suppose Claire or any of the girls in his company were to be killed in front of him?

To be honest, Kamito could not be sure he would be able to control himself then.

Then there was the fact that he had forsaken everything in the past for the sake of finding Restia&mdash;

"I..."

Just as Kamito clenched his fist hard.

There was a noise from above. The pyramid shook slightly.

"...What the heck?"

"...! Could it be!?"

The spirit Iris exclaimed in shock.

"What happened?"

"&mdash;Intruders. Someone has destroyed the pyramid's barrier."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume17 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume17 Chapter9}}</noinclude>