Grimgal of Ashes and Illusion - Volume 16 - Chapter SS1

#2 The Monster Whispers

A short guide with eyes the color of black tea, almost red, led the way up a spiral staircase. Shinohara knew that the staircase itself was a relic. Because if it wasn’t, then what else could it be? These stairs, which seemed to be made of something other than iron or stone, went round and round, upward and upward, in an open space that was neither bright nor dark. With nothing resembling walls. Just the spiral staircase.

The stairs, which had seemed endless, came to an abrupt stop, and they emerged into what appeared to be a forest. He looked up, but there was no sun, no moon, and no stars. Instead, there were globular lights hanging from the branches, or placed on top of stumps.

The guide turned back to speak to him. “The master awaits you.”

Having curtly informed him of that, the guide tried to leave, but Shinohara couldn’t help but call out, “What’s your name?”

“Alice.”

“Is Sir Unchain a good master?”

“He’s the kind of person who’ll turn you into a monster if you trust him. Not that I think he’s a person at all.” The guide smiled faintly, then warned Shinohara, “You’ll become a monster, too, soon enough. I think I already am. Or at least halfway there.”

With that said, the guide departed. Shinohara was forced to walk around the top floor of the Forbidden Tower, looking for its master, by himself.

The master was sitting in an armchair, his hollow eyes focused on the book that lay in his lap. Shinohara was surprised to see that his high, wide-brimmed hat was not on his head, but on the floor at his feet. Next to the armchair was a tree, the inside of which had been carved out to create a bookshelf. The interlocking branches above formed a cage, imprisoning a half-naked woman inside.

“You’ve come, have you?” Sir Unchain closed his book, and turned his face towards Shinohara. If you could call what he had a face. Well, it probably was. The man looked like a drowned corpse raised from the depths of the sea, but his long, curly hair and beard were full of life. Every single hair looked like it might begin thrashing around on its own at any second.

“We managed to secure our participation in the Frontier Army. I thought I would come pay my respects.”

“It will be reassuring to have you there.”

Sir Unchain rose from the armchair with awkward but silent motions, returning the book to the tree bookshelf.

“What did you make of him? How was Commander Mogis doing?”

“He’s in high spirits. The man seems serious about becoming king.”

“A king, hm?”

When Sir Unchain raised his right hand, a white staff appeared from somewhere and flew into his grasp.

“Eventually, the No-Life King will awaken, and stand before all kings.”

“Where is it that your liege sleeps?”

Sir Unchain — which was to say Ainrand Leslie — let out a strange sound that might have been a chuckle, but did not answer.

“Who... are you...?” the woman imprisoned in the tree asked quietly.

“I am called Shinohara,” he replied with a smile, and the woman repeated his name with hollow eyes.

“Do you... know... who I am...?”

“Yes. Just a little.”

“I... don’t... Only... my name...” The woman shook her head. “...Dark.”

Had she summoned it? As if pushing through an invisible door in front of her chest, long black threads appeared, weaving themselves together. In no time, they had assumed humanoid form.

“That’s...” Shinohara’s eyes widened. It was magic, surely, but not a kind he had ever seen before.

“Stand back,” Sir Unchain growled. Shinohara did so immediately.

This Dark, or whatever it was, let out bizarre noises, whirling counterclockwise as it got bigger.

The cage of branches splintered. The woman fell.

For an instant, Shinohara questioned whether he should swoop in and catch her. But, no, it wasn’t necessary. Dark was holding her.

The woman descended with Dark wrapped around her.

As if she had sprouted wings of darkness.

“I am... Shihoru... I only know my name... and Dark... but...” The woman glanced at Sir Unchain. “He says if I do as I’m told... I can go home...”

“That is correct.” Sir Unchain always spoke honeyed words in a curt tone.

It was as if this monster had no feelings of his own.

“If our goal is reached, you will be able to return home to your world. The world you came from. The place you ought to be.”