The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 44: To the Outside

Episode 44: To the Outside

――In this space, a deep and quiet silence had arrived.

The figure of the monster that once squirmed like cords was now nowhere to be seen.

The remains of the shattered core.

At the center, which had barely retained its “shape,” something that dully reflected light was buried.

I carefully moved my feet toward that place.

Without relaxing too much, yet not hurrying too much either――

When I lowered my gaze, there was a crystal. It was black like a stone. It had an unnaturally neat outline.

(…So this is the core.)

The crystal was about the size of a fist. It had not a single scratch on its surface. And for some reason, it carried a chill.

Maybe it had something to do with the surrounding air becoming clearer.

The presence I felt when I confronted this thing could no longer be sensed.

Even so――this crystal was somehow “foreign.”

It had a dim glow. It was as if something similar to that monster’s life had soaked into it.

I couldn’t judge it.

But when reporting this event, I should submit this.

Before wrapping it up, I quickly kicked and broke the surrounding ground to check if anything else remained.

Just in case, I wrapped the crystal itself in two layers of cloth and sealed it to prevent any presence from leaking.

Suddenly, I looked toward the direction where the ice monster had left.

There, between the gaps of broken rocks, a small “ice chunk” remained on the ground.

Its shape was too well-formed to be something created by the aftermath of battle.

As if someone had “placed” it there, it was just sitting there.

(…Is this meant as a guide?)

Testing it, I touched it lightly with my fingertip.

In that instant――

The ice disappeared like mist. It softly vanished.

Not even leaving behind a drop of water. Only the faintest chill lingered.

Beyond that, in the depths of the darkness――

Along the wall, another faint glow of an ice chunk could be seen.

Faster than I could think, I had already begun walking.

Small lights lining the darkness.

They were like frozen “guideposts.” They showed the direction to proceed.

◆

Footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor.

This must have once been a mine tunnel.

Old metal fittings and rusted iron ladders were attached to the walls. Some of which had collapsed partway.

Avoiding the stones scattered at my feet, I continued walking in silence.

The ice fragments continued at regular intervals.

By now, I was convinced that it was no mere coincidence.

(…It’s guiding me…)

I didn’t understand the meaning.

However, this was clearly an action that held “will.”

It was not an enemy. But still, it didn’t feel like an ally either.

However――

That monster had fought alongside me, and then left.

If so, then the thing it left behind was worth trusting.

As I continued forward, a cold wind eventually blew in from ahead.

Clearly different from the damp underground air—it was the chill of night.

“…Wind?”

When I quickened my pace, a crack in a collapsed rock face appeared at the end.

The rocks were unnaturally shattered. And light was pouring in.

When I passed through the crack――

There, I found a “passage to the surface” gaping open on the slope.

The scent of grass. The smell of soil. The buzzing of insects’ wings.

And――the light of the moon and stars.

From a distance, this exit must have looked like part of the rock wall.

Without the moonlight, even I might not have noticed it…

Even if someone searched from above, the chances of reaching here were vanishingly low.

Narrowing my eyes, I gazed into the world of night.

The wind brushed my cheek. The slightest fatigue gently weighed on my body.

But I could still move.

Because I had “Constant Activity: Lv.1.”

“…Hah.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

At this level, I was already like this――

Just how tireless would I become at Lv.2 or Lv.3?

Now that I had also acquired the “Indomitable” skill, the path ahead was already visible.

In that case, all I had to do was push forward.

(…I need to go back…)

I turned around briefly.

But there was no sign of the ice monster.

There was only a leftover mining site. It was without even a single shard of ice remaining.

(What was that, really…)

There was no answer.

Yet, somehow, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they would meet again.

As I descended the mountain path, I suddenly lifted my gaze.

Far away, across the valley, I saw the lights of the second base.

As I got closer to the lights of the second base, the surrounding noises began to reach my ears.

“――Someone’s coming back!”

“It’s one person! …No way, that’s—”

The commotion spread like waves.

Some peeked out from behind the makeshift walls. Others ran up along the path.

Eyes filled with astonishment, confusion, relief, and tension all mixed together were focused on me.

But I didn’t stop.

I just walked straight.

Toward the place where the light was—

Toward the entrance of the base.

――And then.

From the entrance of the base, one man appeared.

Silver-rimmed glasses, neatly styled hair.

His dignified posture gave off an intelligent impression――it was Lucrane.

Without breaking his stride, he quietly stepped in front of me.

He seemed somewhat relieved. Though his expression didn’t change.

“I had considered the possibility that you might return… but to think you actually would.”

“Sorry, I seem to have made you worry. Were you okay, Lucrane-san?”

“Y-Yes… I’m fine. The plan was to wait for the ground to stabilize before attempting a rescue again, so…”

Lucrane opened his mouth for a moment. He then fell silent.

It seemed he hadn’t expected a response that showed concern for him.

…Now then, about that cord monster and the ice monster.

Where should I begin explaining?

Original Author’s Comment:

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Thank you very much for reading until the end!!

Thank you for the stars, the follows, and the support……!

If you’d like, I’d be happy if you look forward to the next one too!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)