The vast lake felt just like the ocean. No matter how far forward I went, the opposite shore never seemed to get any closer. Meanwhile, Narcissus was rapidly closing in on the careless prey. 

If the man locked eyes with the water crystal embedded in Narcissus’s head, it would already be too late.

“Narcissus!”

I called out the name in urgency, but it was nowhere near enough to stop him. Instead, the movements gliding through the water became even more cautious, like a predator right before the hunt. Was there no choice but to give up? Just when I was about to resign myself—

“Haah….”

With a deep sigh, my body floated up into the air. I gasped without thinking and looked down at myself. Black smoke rising from the ground was wrapped firmly around my waist.

It was Nyx’s ability. Having moved me to the opposite side of the lake in an instant, Nyx clicked their tongue softly.

“How did I end up….”

Unlike usual, the low voice carried some inexplicable regret.

Just as I was about to thank them, Narcissus burst out of the water. The scales drenched in massive spray reflected the sunlight, shining brilliantly. Soon, Narcissus opened his mouth wide and lunged at the man. Without hesitation in this critical moment, I shouted.

“Narcissus!!”

In that instant, Narcissus stopped dead in his tracks.

It was only a hand’s width difference. If I’d been even one second later, the man’s skull would already have been crushed beyond recognition. 

Soon, water droplets fell onto the man’s hair. It was Narcissus’s saliva. Through the savagely opened mouth, teeth meant for crushing bones were fully visible. He seemed to be waiting only for the command to fall.

“Come here. That’s not prey.”

When I carefully reached out my hand, Narcissus obediently approached me. I turned my head slightly to avoid looking at the water crystal, and Narcissus bent his long body on his own. Soon his head touched my palm, and I felt a cold, smooth texture.

“Sorry for suddenly raising my voice, Narcissus. …Did I startle you?”

The high-pitched cry sounded particularly weak today. It made sense he’d feel wronged, having lost prey he’d almost caught because of me. Unable to find a proper way to comfort him, I could only stroke him. That’s when the man who’d been sitting there dazed suddenly fell backward.

“Hu, uaaaah!!”

Was he about thirty or so? The man with bushy curly hair looked good-natured even while screaming. His strangely contorted eyebrows and hunched shoulders made him look terrified.

“Wh-wh-what is that…!”

“Don’t speak until you’ve calmed down. Loud voices will only provoke him.”

When I spoke firmly, the man covered his own mouth with his hands. At least he listened well, which was fortunate. 

Besides, judging from his neat appearance, he didn’t seem to be an adventurer or poacher. Unless he’d come here deliberately to provoke Narcissus, it was an accident as expected.

A moment later, when the man seemed somewhat calmer, I asked accusingly.

“Why did you go near the lake?”

“Pardon? Well… I was driving the carriage and suddenly felt drowsy, so I came to wake myself up.”

“You’re not from around here, I take it.”

“That’s right. Actually, this is my first time on this route….”

If it was all true, he’d almost died in the most absurd way. Of course, death can’t always be meaningful.

“This Lake Liriope is Narcissus’s territory.”

“N-Narcissus, you mean….”

His trembling gaze reached Narcissus. Fear was laid bare on his pale face. Strangely enough, Narcissus seemed to know we were talking about him and quickly hid himself in the lake. I watched his gradually receding shadow with pity, then whipped my head toward the man.

When I stared at him quietly, the man flinched, his shoulders jerking in surprise.

“Do you understand now how dangerous what you did was?”

“I’m sorry.”

“How could you just wander into such a remote place, especially on your first time here?”

An irreversible incident had nearly occurred. As Nyx said, it was the natural order, but it wouldn’t have ended as simply a case of a predator killing prey. 

Perhaps an unwanted misunderstanding would have led to an imperial decree: “Eliminate the dangerous magical creature that harms humans.” 

I couldn’t let Narcissus, who had already been abandoned once by humans, suffer any more.

“Just go back now.”

I swept back my wet hair and let out a deep sigh. I was about to turn away when suddenly the man stared intently at my face. Just as his gaze was becoming burdensome and I was about to ask what he wanted, the man spoke with an exclamation of realization.

“By any chance, are you a priest who follows Hemera…?”

Ah.

“…Are you a priest who follows Hemera?”

I didn’t know whether to consider this fortunate or unfortunate. I even wondered how Hemera had become so famous. Feeling somehow exposed, I asked defensively.

“Why would you think that?”

“I heard that among humans, only Hemera’s priests can handle magical creatures.”

What a strange rumor to have attached itself. By that logic, Theseus, Hemera’s first acolyte, would already be raising magical creatures and then some. 

I was about to press him on where such a rumor came from, but changed my mind. Still, if I had to be rumored as a human who handles magical creatures, it was more convenient to be called Hemera’s priest.

When I said nothing and casually averted my gaze, the man’s face brightened.

“So you are a priest after all. Thank you for saving me.”

“…It’s nothing. Please be careful from now on.”

“Of course. I’ll be cautious. Yes.”

The man, who affirmed several times, scratched his bushy hair and said.

“If fate allows, I suppose we might see each other at the festival in Iafe as well.”

“Iafe?”

“Most priests gather in the holy city for the founding anniversary, don’t they?”

It’s a long tradition. The man, who added this afterthought, stared intently at me again. His sparkling eyes seemed to be saying, “You know that, right?” 

The atmosphere felt like one where I couldn’t say I didn’t know, so I answered nonchalantly.

“Ah… I’d forgotten.”

“Haha, when you’re devoted to your training, that can happen.”

Laughing heartily, he put his hands together in prayer and bowed his head to me.

“Please bestow your blessings upon believers like us in Iafe.”

With those words, the man turned to leave. More precisely, he kept turning around and bowing repeatedly the entire way, so I couldn’t relax for a single moment. 

Only after the man completely disappeared did tranquility return to the lakeside. Finally, I was back at Lake Liriope, which I’d come to in order to meet Asrein.

I stared at the calm water surface and mulled over what I’d just heard.

“Most priests gather in the holy city….”

Then would the priest who appeared in Aconitum’s memory also come to Iafe? Perhaps after the festival begins, I might encounter him again in the holy city.

I was lost in thought with a glimmer of hope when I suddenly noticed a wriggling shadow at my feet. The black smoke gradually climbed up my ankle and gently wrapped around my waist. 

The place I was pulled to was right in front of Asrein’s mansion. As I calmed my startled heart and looked up, Nyx was sitting alone on a secluded bench.

“…Thank you for helping me, Nyx.”

When I carefully sat beside them and watched their reaction, Nyx said.

“I didn’t do it for that stupid human.”

“I know. You readily helped because I looked troubled.”

There was no answer. Instead, an unpleasant aura began seeping out from Nyx.

They must be angry. Since I’d openly saved a human right in front of someone who wanted me to side with magical creatures, earning their displeasure was natural. 

There was no room for excuses. I just felt regretful thinking that after working so hard to close the distance, we might return to square one.

I was quietly swallowing a sigh when I heard a chillingly cold voice.

“Next time, you might die.”

“Pardon?”

“No matter how special you are, I can’t camp out here every time to stop it, can I? Soon enough, some other stupid human will come to the lakeside, and then Narcissus will definitely succeed in his hunt.”

My slightly parted lips closed. Everything said was correct, with no room for argument. Even if we put up signs warning of danger, humans would definitely approach. 

No, they’d come more, not less, upon hearing news of a magical creature. Knowing this fact, I nodded with a bitter smile.

“Well… I suppose so.”

“You’re accepting it more readily than I expected.”

“Because as you said, I can’t prevent every unfortunate incident.”

I already know the limits of my abilities. I’ve felt it keenly through the various incidents I’ve experienced. Preventing all incidents is possible not for a god in name only, but only for a truly omnipotent god. But if I could at least imitate a god somewhat—

“Still, if something like this happens again, I’ll continue to make the same choice as today.”

“You’ll side with humans?”

“No. The choice that sees less bloodshed.”

Nyx’s gaze, which had been fixed on the lake, flew over and pierced me. Having lost trust once, those red eyes weren’t as warm as before. They were as sharp as when we first met in Tartarus, but I still met them directly without avoiding them.

“Even if that man just now brought death upon himself by mistake, no one would think it was his fault. …They’d condemn it as a merciless magical creature devouring a poor human.”

“That’s what humans are like, isn’t it? Treating as dangerous anything they can’t control.”

“I know. That’s exactly why I’m doing this. Thanks to Asrein’s efforts, Narcissus has only just settled into the lake. I don’t want everyone to be troubled by a single mistake.”

“Quite the plausible excuse.”

I’d explained earnestly, but Nyx’s heart was already closed. Soon they let out a low, hollow laugh and muttered.

“I thought you’d make a slightly wiser choice.”

“Nyx….”

“But thinking about it, I think I knew from the moment we first met. That you were this kind of human.”

“This kind… of human?”

“Yeah. You resembled that bastard too much. …Starting with thinking neutrality can exist between humans and magical creatures.”

Unlike the gently curved lips, the eyes were endlessly cold.

“Do you know why paradise is described as beautiful?”

The gradually twisting lips spoke only of thorough despair.

“Because it doesn’t exist in this world.”

Nyx was closer to death than any other magical creature. Being an existence that savors the deep darkness within, they would know more certainly. 

How many magical creatures had died at human hands. And what kind of ending the betrayal born from futile deaths had created. 

The world those empty eyes gazed upon was probably no different from ruins.

Was that why? I couldn’t readily say no. I was hesitating when I felt a presence behind me.

“…What?”

The statue that had walked out from the mansion at some point approached the bench. Since it just stood there silently without saying anything, I looked up at the statue as well. But Nyx seemed to have caught on to its intent and shrugged nonchalantly.

“Wow, how quick.”

Nyx, who’d instantly returned to normal, spoke mockingly.

“I guess you were quite anxious about leaving your precious lover alone with someone like me.”

“What do you…?”

Could Asrein have returned? I looked back at the mansion, but there was no particular sign. I was carefully watching the room with the magic circle connected to the school when Nyx suddenly stood up. 

I immediately stood up as well and followed after them. Somehow I felt that if I let them go like this, I’d never see them again.

“You’re leaving already?”

“I should. What else would I hear by staying?”

“Still, if you could at least have some tea before….”

It was the moment I was about to grab their wrist in desperation.

“Hemera.”

Nyx, who’d stopped in place, murmured with their back still turned to me.

“If a situation ever comes where magical creatures and humans must cross swords, I’ll cut down humans without hesitation.”

“……”

“Don’t think you’ll be an exception.”

It was quite a murderous warning. But I wasn’t afraid. Rather, a corner of my heart stung like it had been pricked by a thorn.

They had always willingly lent me strength whenever I was struggling. Though they liked playing mischievous pranks, I’d clearly felt their affection for me. 

That might be why I’d grown especially attached. They’d become an irreplaceable, precious existence before I knew it, so I couldn’t just let them go.

“Nyx.”

I stared intently at their back, which looked free of regrets, and said.

“I haven’t given up on you yet.”

At the sudden confession, Nyx turned around, looking flustered.

“What?”

Had I been wrong? The eyes looking at me wavered unlike them. It was only for a brief moment, but I felt a definite emotional disturbance. Fortunately, there was still room to turn their heart around.

“Do you remember? When I collapsed after pulling out the spear in Tartarus and woke up looking exactly like this. I fearlessly asked you for something.”

When I deliberately spoke vaguely, Nyx’s eyes narrowed. I worried they might not remember, but it was a needless concern.

“…You asked me for a chance to persuade you.”

“You remembered?”

“Because every time I saw you, I tried to love humans.”

I was momentarily at a loss for words at the unexpected answer. The heavily contorted expression held emotions both complex and simple.

“But they’re still detestable and hateful. Even you, who saved a human, make my teeth grind. …Like I’ve been betrayed.”

That was disillusionment.

Crack. The sound of grinding teeth rang out sharply. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t hurt by the gaze that recognized me as an enemy. But their attitude actually gave me courage. Saying they were disappointed in me meant their expectations had been that high.

“That means… you believed in me, even just a little.”

Was it false hope? Nyx snorted and frowned in disbelief.

“Ha, I’ve been too lenient with you.”

“Nyx.”

“You’re just as arrogant now as you were then.”

It was strange. I felt like I could now understand Nyx’s heart, which I’d never been able to read even once. Beneath the mask stained with mockery and displeasure, their real face was hidden. 

Perhaps a thread-thin hope remained that humans might be trustworthy. So I brazenly approached step by step and asked.

“Have you ever thought of me when facing humans since that day?”

“That….”

The crimson eyes shook greatly. Not missing that opening, I spoke again.

“So have you ever been unable to act as you intended… even just once?”

It was a first. Nyx, who was nonchalant no matter what, couldn’t even finish speaking.

A long silence followed. There was no way the proud Nyx wouldn’t deny something incorrect. 

Thanks to that, I realized. They were struck speechless, hit right where it hurt. Nyx would never know how much hope that fact brought me.

“That’s enough.”

I smiled brightly, filled with genuine joy welling up from my heart. The more I did, the more fiercely Nyx denied it.

“Just give up now. It’s a futile effort.”

“No. I’ll never give up.”

“Do you really think you can change me?”

They seemed unaware that many things had already changed since we first met. I remember their face smiling at a young child on Mount Campe. That’s why I nodded firmly, stood before them, and said.

“Day and night can coexist.”

I suddenly looked up at the sky to see the sun already setting. At the edge of the dusky evening sky, the sun still hung there. Thanks to that, a mystical scene unfolded. The sky where sunlight still remained was bright like day, while the opposite side was dark, seemingly representing night.

“…Just like now.”

I murmured quietly and looked to the side. Nyx was also looking at the sky. Their eyes, dyed in the bright red sunset, took on an even more vivid red hue. 

Without saying what they were thinking, Nyx, who’d been gazing at the sky silently, turned away. I couldn’t hold onto them as they gradually disappeared, becoming black smoke.

So I gave one last smile.

“Thank you so much for today. You’ll come visit again, won’t you?”

“You’re really….”

Nyx, who’d drawn out the words for a moment, shook their head.

“No, never mind.”

Finally, the black smoke disappeared like a mirage in hot summer. Soon the lake was enveloped in deep darkness.

Night disappeared from my side, and another night arrived.

Somehow, this night felt like it would be quite long.