The razor-sharp blade of the scythe scattered auras of blue light, and the handle, extended like a serpent’s tail, swept wildly across the battlefield.

Though I never forgot this wasn’t reality but a dream, I was now fully realizing the dream’s unreality.

The number of heretic inquisitors encircling and charging was endless. It made no sense that the Shrine of the Sacred Spirit’s elite inquisitors were legion-sized.

And seeing Muriel Filize, who only appeared from the 40th cycle onward, standing right before me was abnormal.

The dream had long discarded any historical accuracy to the 17th cycle timeline.

No, before worrying about such things, there was an even bigger variable.

‘That would be me.’

Because I was the one who absolutely shouldn’t be in the 17th cycle.

I kept slashing through enemies without rest. Feeling my stamina rapidly draining, perhaps due to the cursed nightmare, I thought—

Maybe all this despairing number of enemies and the appearance of the worst characters were because of me.

Tesilid Argent’s mind had painfully learned helplessness and despair.

The more peace and comfort he felt in this dream, the more he was forced to imagine the corresponding worst despair.

That’s why an absurd number of heretic inquisitors were summoned, and even Muriel Filize from outside the 17th cycle was called here.

This dream world operated on his despair and misfortune as law.

“Haa... haha.”

Even as I struggled to catch my breath, a laugh slipped out.

I had believed hope would prevail over despair.

Like waking from sleep greeted by morning sunlight and bird songs, I thought his consciousness would naturally seep into happiness and escape the dream. But this was a fight horribly unfavorable to me.

The dream world governed by despair laws was perfectly suited to Tesilid’s despair-addicted mind.

Then, how the hell—

‘How do I end this dream?!’

Feeling myself swell with emotion, I took a deep breath. Calm down. I mustn’t catch despair too.

[‘The Language That Constructs Worlds’ reminds you that there are two more ways to wake from the nightmare.]

The Language had already given answers and hints about these two methods.

One was to endure all 100 cycles. The other was...

‘Jumping to the conclusion.’

A nightmare is like a predetermined story. Once you see the whole story or reach the ending, it ends.

Then how to jump to the ending?

[‘The Language That Constructs Worlds’ asks you to consider what the end of this nightmare, which repeats the past, might be.]

While continuing the battle, I glanced at Tesilid.

He remained kneeling in a helpless state. Black heat haze writhed like worms crawling up his body.

The nightmare had materialized, binding his will and sinking him into despair.

Seeing him wrapped in an aura utterly incompatible with a paladin, a thought came to me.

‘...I must corrupt him to end this.’

The ending was predetermined as corruption, and it must be hastened—within the 17th cycle.

“Hah...”

I didn’t know if the burst from my mouth was a breath caught in my throat or bitter laughter rising from my stomach.

For now, I could only desperately resist the situation.

Swinging the horizontal scythe blade and the vertical hidden sword simultaneously, I swept the surrounding area. No elite of the Shrine could match me.

The problem was still my stamina, leaking from the cursed nightmare. I used the scythe as a staff to support myself amid the fallen enemies.

“To defeat over 100 heretic inquisitors alone is impressive.”

The voice held no hint of awkwardness.

Muriel scattered immense healing power widely as a saint. All the heretic inquisitors staggered to their feet.

It seemed less a miracle of god and more a foul necromantic summoning.

Truly, a nightmare.

Muriel, standing at the center of the inquisitors, turned her attention to me.

“Your name?”

“.......”

“Don’t want to talk? But you must need time to catch your breath.”

“True enough.”

I decided to cooperate.

“Ayleth Rodeline.”

“Nice to meet you, Sister Ayleth. I am Muriel Filize, a saint serving the will of ‘Strict Order and Good.’”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Hm?”

“Sister? I have no intention, not even a shred, of worshipping ‘Strict Order and Good’ as my god.”

“......You just said something very dangerous. That is heresy. Do you wish to suffer in hell while alive?”

I only sneered.

In fact, I had no stamina left to respond. The nightmare was eating me alive.

I was forced into the most desperate flow. And the one controlling that despair was none other than Tesilid’s unconscious mind.

I must bring Tesilid to his senses. Only then would this nightmare and despair end.

Summoning my remaining strength, I spoke to him.

“Tesilid, snap out of it. This is —”

“.......”

“Tesilid.”

“.......”

“Reid! This is —!”

“.......”

The cunning nightmare erased the taboo word. Tesilid, firmly trapped in his unconscious state, couldn’t hear my voice at all.

Instead of answering me, he spoke to Muriel.

“Please let her go, saint.”

Despite his firm tone, there was no sign of resistance. Kneeling properly, he looked like a resigned prisoner awaiting execution.

“I swear to ‘Strict Order and Good’ that I will not touch her.”

“.......”

“I will do whatever god desires.”

“.......”

It was so like him.

At that moment, my expression and Muriel’s diverged sharply. While my face twisted, a radiant smile bloomed on Muriel’s.

“Continue your infinite regressions. For the sake of this world.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I involuntarily shouted, overly absorbed in this nightmare.

“Fool, after this cycle I won’t exist!”

“Then all the more so.”

As if prepared, the rebuttal came back.

“In this timeline, you must continue life. It’s your only life.”

“.......”

“My life doesn’t matter. Because there will be another cycle, and another after that. But you won’t.”

He met my gaze with gentle eyes and smiled.

“I told you, Ai. It’s enough to hold onto the possibility that you are alive somewhere.”

...This insane 17th cycle.

Before I also lose my mind, I want to get out of here. To do that, I need to think.

‘How to wake from the nightmare, quickly.’

[‘The Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things’ says this is the 9th cycle including the current one, so 91 cycles remain.]

If all those past cycles repeat, Reid will go mad after waking.

[‘The Manager of Creative Economy’ asks if you will use the method to jump to the conclusion immediately.]

This is the suggestion to hasten the ending by corrupting him within the 17th cycle.

If I choose that method...

How much, and how.

Must I despair him?

“.......”

Just the question made my heart freeze.

[‘The Sharp-Tongued Balancer’ remains heavily silent.]

[‘The Scales That Judge Souls’ quietly watches you.]

[‘The Architect of the Tower of Trials’ sadly holds his forehead.]

Gathering all my composure, I asked.

“Tesilid. I have something to ask.”

“.......”

“If I die here, how do you think you’ll feel?”

“......!”

He didn’t answer. It was the loudest silence in the world.

I saw a face robbed of all breath and eyes trembling anxiously. Even a lost child abandoned in a shaking world wouldn’t look that bad.

I couldn’t bear to look longer.

So I lowered my gaze to check something else.

The black heat haze feeding on him danced gleefully on the ground as it grew. It was a wicked and intense energy that seemed more than enough to corrupt him.

“I see. Got your answer.”

Actually, the one I was asking wasn’t him but his despair.

“That it ends if I die.”

“Ai, what are you saying now...”

Having gained certainty, only decision and execution remained. But—

“But you know, Tesilid, I don’t want to corrupt you twice.”

It was too realistic a dream. I didn’t want to add the worst ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) memory again. That would be too hurtful.

Then—

‘Back to the original plan.’

I will make hope prevail over despair.

I will give you the morning bird songs and sunlight you will awaken to from this dream. I will give them to you, no matter what.

[‘The Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things’ notices your intention and widens its eyes.]

[‘The Sharp-Tongued Balancer’ grumbles as if knowing this, secretly relieved.]

[‘The Scales That Judge Souls’ cheers your decision.]

[‘The Architect of the Tower of Trials’ nods solemnly.]

‘Is that okay, Language?’

I waited nervously for an answer.

[‘The Language That Constructs Worlds’ says that no matter what form you take, you will be a god’s true believer.]