Fire Elemental 

Severe burns/injury, hallucinations.

It was first sighted when Agidis was merely the name for an unexplored mountain region.
While the truth of this was unknown, it was said to wander the rugged mountains without burning to ashes, despite its entire body being engulfed in flames.
This was the testimony of a man who, by sheer luck, managed to encounter it and survive.
After observing its behavior for a while, the man said It neither preyed on anything nor burned everything in sight.
As he watched, he realized something.
Perhaps It was wandering in the mountains because it was constantly searching for something.
And then, he added:

“I know you won’t believe me, but when I hear its howl, I can’t help but feel sad. I lost a friend in the mountains long ago, so maybe it’s feeling the same way…”

As the man’s story spread, embellished with all sorts of additions, It was called by many names, but over time, one name eventually stuck.
With both dread and reverence, it became known as “the Flame Demon.”

Once upon a time, a tragedy unfolded in a land that worshiped Nefeshé, goddess of fertility.
Foolish individuals, driven by an unwarranted desire to seize the divine power residing within Nefeshé, swiftly distorted the fate of the world and its people.
The power they so desperately craved was the divine power of the Elementals.
It was the power of the four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind.
When these elements interact, they bring stability, prosperity, and the cycle of life to the world. But harmony had already been shattered, and the scales deciding the world’s fate were now slowly tipping toward destruction.
The power of the Elementals, separated from Nefeshé, was inherited by four beings, whether they desired it or not.
The power of earth went to Telseuras.
The power of water to Salacia.
The power of wind to Möwe.
And the power of fire to Avenius.

Will the day come when Nefeshé’s prayers for equality and peace, for which she has dedicated herself, are answered?
Will her wishes fill the land, bringing back an era overflowing with light?
Let us once again unravel the story written in this world of the miniature garden.

In a cleared area overlooking the mountains of Agidis, the sound of wind cutting through the air echoed.
The intervals were regular, punctuated by slightly ragged breathing and the scraping of feet against the ground.
There stood a warrior with chestnut-colored hair, clad in leather armor.
He swung his weathered broadsword with single-minded focus.
The season was shifting toward winter, the harshest time of year for living creatures. Even at the foot of the mountain, the cold was unbearable.
But for the warrior, it was a trivial matter.
He continued to swing his sword without hesitation.
His exposed limbs were sunburned, and sweat dripped down his well-trained body with each swing.
Suddenly, a dry wind swept across his cheek.
He smiled defiantly and swung his sword down from above, as if challenging nature itself.
He remained motionless in that stance for a moment, then exhaled deeply, as if a taut string had snapped.

“…Too slow. At this rate, I won’t even reach my father, and no one will acknowledge me. Not even him… Damn it.”

Just as he cursed and tensed his grip on the sword again, a low, calm voice echoed from somewhere.

“So you were here, Ilios.”
“Father…what do you want?”

The warrior protested with obvious displeasure, not even turning toward the voice. The man he called Father was about twice his size, and standing next to the still-small Ilios, the difference was clear.
Despite his muscular build, the man approached Ilios with light steps, tapped his sweat-soaked shoulder lightly, and spoke.

“The day of conquest is near. It’s fine to devote yourself to training, but it’s not good to neglect hunting for the winter.”
“It’s not like I have to go.”
“That won’t do.”

In that instant, Ilios felt as though his father’s body had grown a size larger. At the same time, he realized he had crossed a line he shouldn’t have.

“The people judge whether a leader is worthy by watching his back. But what about you now? You always push people away and focus solely on seeking strength. Do you think that will convince anyone? Do you think someone will reach out to help you when you’re in a pinch?”
“I know… I know that much. But...”

If those traditionalists won’t deal with it, it’s pointless.
Ilios couldn’t voice such self-centered thoughts in front of his great father.

“Now, let’s go.”

He stared straight at his father’s back as he descended the hill.

“You know it too, Father. That there’s an insurmountable gap between us.”

Ydal, Ilios’ father, was a brave warrior who united all the clans living in the village. And also the man who sought to establish a new nation in the untamed lands.
His scarred back was strong and resilient.
And because of that, it was imposing.

The Hero-King Ydal.
The origins of the man who would later have this name lay in Tioquia, the Water Capital, located far south of Agidis.
He was descended from one of Tioquia’s most powerful noble houses.
The clan split into multiple families, each excelling in commerce or industry and amassing great wealth.
Their influence extended to the people of Tioquia, effectively placing the city under their control.
They held an unshakable belief that they possessed the eternal right to freely command their people. Yet, that system underwent a drastic change one fateful day.
It was due to the girl who inherited the power of the Water Elemental from the fertility goddess Nefeshé: Salacia.
As people gathered around her, the opaque structure of conflict became visible.
If one wanted to control a city as one pleased, governance through money and violence was the simplest and most efficient method. Therefore, it was necessary to eliminate those who opposed it, including Salacia.
Men specialized in violence, even among the noble families, took the lead in moving to subjugate her.

“The power of the Elementals is nothing but a sham.”
“She’s just a woman, there are countless ways to make her submit.”

They hurled vile insults at her, attempting to gang up and torment her. Yet, each time she pointed a finger at them, they drowned one after another.
Before the godlike power of the Elementals, humans were powerless.
Forced to witness this proof before their very eyes, even the most arrogant warlords had no choice but to submit to Salacia.

While their comrades and other warlords prostrated themselves before the girl, those centered around Ydal’s clan took a different approach.
They neither pledged allegiance to Salacia nor wasted their lives in futile resistance; they simply abandoned Tioquia without hesitation.
Their nature was akin to that of merchants.
When the political landscape shifts dramatically, those in power start to target a merchant’s wealth.
If their assets were confiscated, everything their clan had inherited would vanish.
Therefore, choosing to seek a new land despite the danger was a natural consequence.

Afterward, as the clan moved their settlements northward, they heard rumors of the Flame Demon appearing in Agidis and attempted to establish a nation in the untamed lands.
They already understood.
The one who commands the power of the Elementals will forge a new world order.
Without the support of the Elementals, they would be forced to swear eternal allegiance to the already powerful Luthra and Tioquia.

Over ten years had passed since the clan established their village at the foot of Agidis’ mountain range.
Their colonization progressed steadily. They assimilated the indigenous peoples scattered throughout the surrounding regions, quietly expanding their influence.
Simultaneously, the clan compelled the village’s women to bear children.
All for the purpose of producing warriors capable of defeating the Flame Demon.
If they could master the Elemental that wielded fire and harness its power, a solid nation immune to unjust invasion would be born.

///////

Having finished their winter hunting, Ydal and his party were on their way back down from the mountainside to the foothills.
What had once been a treacherous animal trail, impassable even to humans, had been transformed into a smooth path through the cooperation of clans skilled in construction works.
As Ydal gazed upon the fruits of his people’s efforts, he thought.

(When many people pool their strength, even the weak can achieve great things. Defeating the Flame Demon is no exception. We already have a plan-)
“Father! The sky!”

Ydal’s train of thought was interrupted by Ilios. Looking in the direction he pointed, the man saw a cloud of dark red smoke rising in the distant sky.

“There was a village in that direction.”
“I believe…it was the one that relocated near the river?”
“That’s right.”

The smoke continued to billow thickly. Somehow, the scent of something burning seemed to drift on the wind.
Then, Ydal turned to his comrades waiting behind him and shouted.

“Those skilled in combat, come with me! If the Flame Demon is in the village, we’ll assess the situation and carry out the extermination! The rest of you, prepare for any eventuality!!”
“”OOOOOHH!!!!””

The warriors’ voices rumbled like an earthquake.
The young men headed for Ydal’s village, while the burly men who remained rushed with Ydal toward the village shrouded in black smoke.
When Ydal said “any eventuality,” he was referring to a pre-established discipline in case he fell in battle.
His clan, composed of multiple clans, had a leader for each one of them, with a strict hierarchy established.
It was an organizational structure with unbreakable bonds, capable of immediate recovery no matter what.
That was the true strength of his clan.

Ydal and his men reached the riverside village as the sun began to dip.
The source of the smell that grew stronger as they approached was now unmistakable.

“…Ugh.”

Ilios, still unaccustomed to it, reflexively covered his mouth with his hand. Even though they were used to it, the other warriors couldn’t help but frown.

“Get used to it now! Those who falter in battle will meet the same fate!”
“F-father, you…don’t mean that…”

They said that those who survived the conquest still cannot forget that smell.
It was an ugly stench mingled with a savory aroma.
The smell of burning human flesh.

The village, dotted with mud-brick and straw huts, was mostly ablaze. Most houses were engulfed in flames, spitting black smoke with crackling sounds.
Nearby lay charred remains of livestock and humans, burned beyond recognition.
The source of the stench was human, as Ydal and his men. Organs and brain matter spilled from cracked abdomens and heads, the heat intensifying the foul odor that filled the air.

“How horrific.”
“Lord Ydal, this must be…”

At the man’s words, Ydal nodded quietly.

“The Flame Demon. It should never have appeared at the foot of the mountain…but it might still be lurking around here. Don’t let your guard down and check for survivors.”

As the warriors scattered to search for survivors, Ilios remained unable to move.

“Ilios.”
“…Huh? Wh-what is it, Father?”

Ydal pulled out the sword from his back and slashed the ground to separate him from Ilios.
Then he looked at his son again. His gaze was sharper than anything Ilios had ever seen.

“This is the divide. Cross this line if you wish, or turn back silently and fulfill your true duty for the clan. Choose whichever path you prefer.”
“…Don’t mess with me. I decided to become a warrior and follow in your footsteps. There’s no way I’m backing out now! Of course I’m going too!”
“Then I won’t stop you. Do what you have to, warrior Ilios.”
“Yeah, I’ll do it…!”

///////

While the others explored the village and the houses spared by the fire, Ilios, sickened by the corpses strewn everywhere, decided to search the outskirts.

“Haa… Feels a bit better…”

Breathing in decent air, he seemed to feel a bit more at ease. Perhaps it was because he was able to pay more attention to his surroundings, which allowed him to detect a sound he hadn’t noticed before.
A river’s murmur, faintly mingled with the crackling sounds.

“Come to think of it, this place is right by the river.”

Looking toward the sound, he saw a narrow, cleared path stretching ahead. Beyond it lay the river used by the residents.

“Maybe the demon is over there-“

No way – Ilios muttered to himself, but once the thought had surfaced, he couldn’t shake it.
Seeking an answer, he began walking toward the river.
As his anticipation grew, the sound of the flowing water became louder and clearer.
Soon, he emerged into an open space, and immediately, a gently flowing river came into view.

“Guess there really is no demon after all- Huh? What’s that?”

A black mass lay rolled up on the riverbank.
He squinted and observed it carefully. There was movement, faint though it was.

“A survivor? Maybe they’re drinking water?”

Ilios called out, “Hey!” toward the mass. But there was no reply. He took another step, then another, closing the distance.
Even as he drew nearer, all he could tell was that it was still “black.”
Then, suddenly, the black mass slowly sat up.

“Hey, you!! Are there any other members of the villa-“

The moment he started to say that, Ilios leapt sideways and hid behind nearby rocks.

“Wh-what the hell was that…”

Cold sweat began to bead on his skin.
That thing was clearly an alien presence.
Ilios finally realized his rash actions had been a mistake.
The sinister figure that had instantly burned into his eyes was now charred black, as if it had been entirely carbonized.
Its cracked body was broken and misshapen in places, as if pitted by rain.
Worst of all, flames flickered in and out of its pitch-black, empty eye sockets like a snake’s tongue.

“I-it’s the demon…”

If it reacted to Ilios’ voice, it would surely come his way eventually.
He desperately wanted to leave the spot immediately, but having gotten too close to the demon, he risked being attacked from behind before reaching the path.

“Dammit… My legs are shaking on their own! Haa, haa… In this state…I have no choice but to kill it. I’ll take it down myself!”

To earn the men’s recognition, Ilios needed an overwhelming achievement that would silence them.
Resolved to fight the demon, he peered out from behind a rock to assess the situation. The distance to the demon had closed further. Yet, it was still too far to attack.

(Ten more steps, just ten more steps closer and it’s my range.)

He concealed himself again, focusing every nerve, waiting for the moment. Faint footsteps steadily approached with a squelching sound.

*swoosh*
The presence came from the right.

“OOOOOOOOOHH!!”

In an instant, Ilios let out a roar-like beast as he thrust his broadsword forcefully forward.
In his hand gripping the sword, he clearly felt the sensation of piercing it.

(The sword went through…! Even I can do it!)

Ilios’ blade plunged deep into the demon’s abdomen. Entering through its left side, the sword passed through the ribcage and emerged cleanly on the opposite side.
The surprise attack had succeeded.
The demon showed no reaction whatsoever, the sword still lodged within it.
But this was a demon. If it did nothing, Ilios would simply continue attacking.
In that moment, he tried to pull the sword free for a follow-up strike.

“…!?”

The blade still inside the demon’s body glowed with a red heat. He noticed a red light burning within its cracked body.
The demon’s face turned toward Ilios with a creaking sound.
Flames burned brightly within its hollowed-out eyes.
As if mesmerized by the surreal sight, Ilios couldn’t move an inch.
Then the demon’s left arm swung toward him…

“ILIOS!! Run forward!”
“…!”

Ilios reacted instantly, abandoning his sword and sprinting forward, rolling past the demon’s side at full speed. Immediately afterward, a pillar of fire erupted from the ground where he had stood moments before.
Had he been even a fraction slower, Ilios would now be charred like the demon.

“Keep moving to stay out of its sight!”

The voice belonged to Ydal, who shouted precise orders.
His father and his men fired arrows to distract the demon, allowing Ilios to escape the area.

“Ne… …e…”
“Ha! Spread out!”
“Ooh!”

As soon as the demon’s attention turned towards Ydal, they scattered, hiding in the shade of trees and rocks.
All the while, the arrow attacks continued, clouding the demon’s judgment.
Their fighting style was shaped by the experience they’d gained from facing the Flame Demon countless times.

“…Y-you saved me, Father.”
“We’ll talk later! Its power is weakened now!”
“R-Really!?”
“Listen, Ilios. This is a golden opportunity. Once its power recovers and its whole body is filled with flames, arrow attacks will no longer work. We must land a fatal blow before that happens.”
“A fatal blow, what else can we do to something still moving with a sword stuck in its side!?”
“It’s using its power to regenerate. Look at its torso. see the flames writhing deep within its cracked stomach?”

Just as Ydal pointed out, the demon’s body radiated more heat than when Ilios had thrust his sword into it.
The light coursing through its entire body resembled veins.

“There’s one more important thing to consider when dealing with it.”
“And that would be…”
“…GAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!”

A scream cut off Ydal’s explanation.
One of the warriors writhed on the ground, his entire body engulfed in flames.
Despite their comrade’s injury, the warriors showed no sign of halting their attack. But the tide would turn soon enough.
Ydal spoke rapidly.

“As far as we know, its power is directional. It reacts of its own will to enemies that harm it.”

With that, Ydal drew two broad swords from the scabbards on his back and handed one to Ilios.

“If the attack is aimed at the head, then cutting off its neck and covering it will stop the demon from moving.”
“And if it doesn’t stop?”
“Then those who follow us will take revenge!”

Ydal raised his sword high toward the sky and shouted.

“The legend of the Flame Demon ends here! Go, Ilios!!”

The battle against the Flame Demon was fierce.
While the demon’s attention was fixed on the arrows, Ydal took advantage of the moment to thrust deep into its guard. His target was the head, said to control its will.
The downward swing of his sword hit the neck with pinpoint accuracy.
However, that single blow was not enough. Though the blade dug into the demon’s neck, it was not enough to completely sever it.

“…dy… …sh…”
“Dammit!”
“Haaaaah!!”

Ilios’ sword danced faster than the burning eyes could lock onto Ydal. The demon’s aim was missed, and a new pillar of flame rose from the earth.
As Ilios slashed, Ydal’s sword attacked the demon to close the gap.
Although they were not the kind of people who would train together, their coordination was synchronized, as if they were well-acquainted with each other’s movements.

“We can do it, Father!”
“Yeah, but don’t let your guard down!”

It was a battle between humans who had trained hard and inherited wisdom to subjugate demons, and a demon who wielded Elemental power, something beyond human comprehension.
The scene, unlike anything of this world, was undoubtedly so spectacular and beautiful it could make one stare in awe.

The humans had the advantage in the battle, preventing the demon from unleashing its full power. It was only a matter of time before they cut off its head. Everyone present believed it.
*clin* A high-pitched screech rang out.

“Wh-…!?”

Unnoticed fatigue had dulled Ilios’ blade, causing it to clash with the sword already thrust into the demon’s abdomen.
The unexpected recoil hit the boy, causing him to lose his balance.

“Damn-“

But it was too late.
Before anyone could attack, the demon’s palm pointed toward Ilios…and unleashed a torrent of flames.

“Ilios!”

As he vividly imagined his own death, Ilios thought.

Ah, this will free me from all bonds. No more distinctions. No more agonizing over anything.
No more of this suffocating world, no more rules that reject heresy.
Death will liberate me from all oppression.

The intense temptation of death reared its head.
Amidst the sweet whispers urging him to surrender, rising and fading one after another, Ilios made a choice.

I REFUSE!!

His eyes snapped open. He instinctively took a half step back, exposing his left side to the demon, and thrust his sword into the ground as a shield.
Immediately, the demon’s flames attacked Ilios.

“…Guh, ah, AAAAAAAAAHHH!!”
“Ilios!”
“NOW!! FATHER!!”
“OOOOOOOH!!”

As if answering Ilios’ words, Ydal swung his sword. The strike was perfectly aimed, cleaving the demon’s head clean off.
Its body collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. A flickering, smoldering flame could be seen at the severed neck, but it soon vanished without a sound.

After slaying the demon, Ydal, not minding his own body being burned, carried the motionless, kneeling Ilios to the riverside and administered first aid to the best of his ability.
That split-second decision had likely been the difference between life and death. Though Ilios suffered severe burns covering half his body, he had survived.

“The chain of fortunate events that led to our victory was only possible because we never stopped moving forward. This is the result we pulled together. I give thanks to our comrades who paved the way for us.”

And so the long-running demon subjugation came to an end.
After severing the demon’s limbs to prevent immediate regeneration, Ydal returned to the village with the surviving warriors.

///////

Nights in Agidis were harsh.
In winter the temperature difference between day and night was the greatest, and so everyone had to keep warm and stave off the cold.
For the people of Agidis, one thing was indispensable.
It was called the hot air bath.
Near the village, on a small hill, there was a hole dug large enough for several people. Inside, stone walls were built, a simple furnace was installed, and wooden planks were stacked around it.
The furnace served to store heated stones. By pouring water on them in moderation, it generated hot steam, raising the room temperature far above the outside air.
People of Agidis would heat their bodies inside the hole, then go outside and expose themselves to the cold air. Repeating this act was the supreme pleasure for them.

“…Gaaaaaaahhhh…! It hurts!”

But then, in the middle of the night when everyone else was asleep, someone was exposing themselves to the steam.
It was Ilios, bearing severe burns.
He continued to whip his completely naked body, covered in burns and cuts.
His left side, scorched by the Flame Demon, exposed raw, red, blistered skin, a stark testament to the horrific battle he had endured.
His sun-bleached chestnut hair now clung to his charred, blackened skin, blending in.
Ilios didn’t know what his face looked like.
His father Ydal had stopped him from seeing it.

“I get how Father felt. But… Well, seeing everyone’s reactions, I can’t help but understand.”

The frightened eyes of women and children. The pitying eyes of men.
They treated him like a monster.
That was exactly why Ilios came here in the dead of night, after everyone had fallen asleep, so the pain would distract him from thinking about unpleasant things.

“I chose to live, so complaining about the outcome won’t change anything… Ah, no! I’m thinking about it again!”

Shouting that, Ilios stood up to head for the stairs leading outside, only to bump into someone coming down.

“L-lord Ilios!?”

Looking down at Ilios across from him was a slender boy. Ilios remembered him as being from the clan responsible for tending the village’s livestock.

“What’s wrong, couldn’t sleep either?”
“Yeah, something like that… Wait, why are you naked!?”
“It’s no big deal. We always played together, I don’t care at all.”
“I-I care!”

Ilios, having regained his composure after encountering someone, replied coldly. The boy mumbled with an incredulous look on his face, then shouted, “I’m going back!” and dashed out of the hole.

“W-wait…!”

He reached out to stop the boy. But his hand wouldn’t move properly, stinging with the pain of his burns.

“What the hell? You think I’m some kind of monster too… Really…”

A few days had passed since the Flame Demon’s defeat.
The heads of each clan gathered to discuss the founding of a nation, but the process was proving more difficult than expected.
To convince the cautious people, they needed to prove they could harness the Fire Elemental’s power as soon as possible.

Beyond the outskirts of the village, a pit had been dug further up the hill where the hot air baths were located.
Its original purpose was to isolate those who had broken the rules for three days and nights, forcing them to reflect amidst the terror of darkness.
The pit was deep, yet wide enough to make it difficult to climb, making it the perfect place to isolate the demon.
Looking down into it, Ydal twisted his mouth into a satisfied grimace as he heard what sounded like the demon’s wails of resentment coming from the bottom.

“Did the demon’s regeneration begin from the torso?”

During his battle with the demon, Ydal had harbored a question.
Where exactly did the demon’s regeneration begin?
To verify this, he had decided to store its severed head, arms, and legs in separate locations.
Everything except the torso was stored in stone coffins and guarded by guards, yet no report of regeneration had reached him.
In short, its regeneration began with the torso and eventually moved to the details.

“This…might be useful.”
“…So you foresaw even this, Father.”
“Ilios. How’s your body?”
“The herb-soaked ointment seems to have worked. The pain’s better than yesterday.”

Ilios spoke, then flexed his left arm, tightly wrapped in hemp bandages.
A lot of this was thanks to the treatment provided by his clan’s skilled medical knowledge, but Ilios’ youth and vigorous constitution, inherited from his father, were likely contributing factors too.

“I see. Then, I have one request for you.”
“It’s rare for Father to ask for favors. What do you need me to do?”
“Use the severed remains of the demon to forge a weapon.”
“Forge a weapon? Me?”
“This is still just a possibility, but if traces of Elemental power remain in its head or arms…we might be able to manifest that power ourselves.”
“Huh!?”
“Even if it doesn’t work, this demon left you with scars that will stay with you for life. Take out all your anger on it.”
“Anger…? Oh well, I’ll do it.”
“I’ll have the stone coffins transported to the workshop. I’ll leave it to you.”

With only that instruction, Ydal turned to those watching nearby and declared loudly.

“Everyone! The Flame Demon is now a thing of the past! Having overcome our fear, a glorious future awaits us! Yes, through the Elemental Furnace, we will harnesses the Flame Demon’s power!”
“”Ooooooh!!””

Ydal’s declaration instantly reignited the spirit of those who had been gripped by anxiety.
Looking at the still-heated people, his conviction deepened.
With the demon’s fire, they could survive the winter without freezing deaths. By forging stronger weapons, they would gain engineering prowess unmatched by other nations.
Such superiority would directly translate to military strength.
And ultimately, it would improve the survival rate of their warriors.

“Tioquia, Water Elemental… I shall surely bring you under my control.”

///////

“Well… It’s about time.”

While Ydal and his men began constructing the Elemental Furnace, Ilios’ work was reaching its climax.
The sun was about to sink behind the mountains of Agidis.
Amidst the fantastical scene where the sunset sky blended with the night sky, only the area around Ilios glowed as if bathed in sunlight.
Beneath his gaze, atop a stump, lay a distorted sphere burning as red as the sun itself.
It was pig iron: a mixture of blackened iron ore, charcoal, and the demon’s remains, heated for hours within the furnace.
As he hammered away at the slag clinging to its surface, it grew to the size of a human head.

Next, he took a deep breath and raised the hammer…

“…Huff!”

He exhaled and brought it down on the burning pig iron.

*GOGYAH!*

“…!”
“Argh…! What the hell was that sound… My ears are ringing…”

Perhaps his strike was poorly aimed. The pig iron struck by the hammer emitted a shrill, screeching sound like a wail.
A moment later, the pig iron began to ooze like tears from the still-solid core, spreading radially down the stump.
Then, the molten iron that flowed onto the ground instantly lost its heat upon contact with the air, solidifying into black lumps.
Forging iron is a race against time.

“Gotta get used to it. Once it cools and hardens, it’s done for.”

Ilios hammered relentlessly at the pig iron.
Each blow brought a look of agony to his face, only to disappear again.

“Your last desperate struggle, huh? How much trouble do you need to cause before you’re satisfied?!”
“…take…”
“Huh…?”
“…not…take…”

Ilios had thought he’d get used to the screeching noise quickly.
But perhaps because it kept echoing in his head, it had gradually transformed into an auditory hallucination that began to consume him.
The crushing pain made him lose his composure.
His body couldn’t take any more.

“G-get out of my head… Stop yelling! Just shut the hell up already!!”

The hammer he swung in rage slammed into the flattened pig iron…

*Crush!*

The full-force blow sent shards of pig iron flying even more violently.

“Haa… Haa…”

The sound and voice that had tormented Ilios so intensely had vanished completely before he even realized it.
Regaining his composure, he finally realized his entire body was filled with overwhelming fatigue.
The task of shaping it should be complete. He’d sleep tonight to recover.
As such thoughts flitted in and out of his mind, he slowly pulled the hammer away from the pig iron.

“…Huh?”

What lay there was a head, its shattered skull spilling brain matter like a large flower in bloom.

“Wh-what…”

Nothing remained of its original shape except the mouth.
All he could make out was beautiful, fiery hair and a handsome face that was difficult to tell if it had been a boy or a girl in life.
Ilios covered his mouth and slumped down.
Just as he looked at the stump pedestal, trying to carefully observe if he had truly done this,
he somehow felt as if he had locked eyes with the head’s remains.

“Ahhh-”

But when he rubbed his eyes and looked at the pedestal again, only a shaped lump of iron sat there as if nothing had happened.

Even though it was a hallucination, the horrific image of him crushing a child’s head was still there.
Escaping into his bed, Ilios had a dream, a rare occurrence.
It was an oddly vivid dream.
Lights placed at regular intervals along smooth stone walls.
Heavy carpets with rich texture. Velvet curtains softly draping windows towering well above his height.
It was likely a palace in some distant country.
Everything Ilios saw was utterly different from Agidis, where he lived.

“Could this be the country of Luthra?”

Perhaps this dream was a reenactment of an old tale his father had told him when he was little.
Ilios stood there, stunned, when suddenly his vision blurred and his body began moving forward on its own.

“Whoa, what’s happening…!”

Against his will, his pace quickened as his surroundings shifted rapidly.
One moment, he saw a glittering altar dedicated to something; the next blink brought him walking through a dimly lit irrigation canal.
After shifting scenes countless times, he suddenly found himself frozen, staring at a carpeted floor.
It seemed he was kneeling toward someone.
Luxurious black leather shoes appeared at his feet. He could tell at a glance they were meticulously crafted.

It was then that Ilios finally realized he was seeing through the eyes of someone else.
He mentally urged, “Move!” but the owner of the shoes showed no sign of stirring.

“My consciousness is unusually clear. What a strange dream… Come on, move already, shoe owner!”

Ilios resigned himself to watching the situation unfold, but just as he thought he heard a faint sound, the owner of the shoes abruptly sprang to their feet.
What immediately filled his vision was the figure of a girl possessing an almost unearthly, almost artificial beauty.

Golden hair, illuminated by the soft light, shining with a lustrous sheen.
Eyes brimming with such compassion that they seemed to see straight into his heart.
Skin as flawless and delicate as silk, free of scars or blemishes, the complete opposite of his own.
At a single glance, Ilios found himself utterly captivated by the girl’s beauty.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Ne**shé. You must be the newly arrived Avenius? Are you perhaps nervous?”
“N-no, not at all…”

His vision blurred violently from side to side.

“I see. In that case…”

The girl smiled softly, closing the distance until her breath was almost tangible. Then, she gently cupped Avenius’ cheeks with her slender, small palms.

“U-uhh!? L-Lady Ne**shé!?”
“Does this ease your nerves? …You still have a frown between your brows. Now next…”
“I-It’s fine! Besides, I’m a guard. Protecting Lady Ne**shé is my duty-“
“Haha, this gal… has she fallen for her? How naive.”

Well, it’s not hard to understand how she feels. As this thought crossed his mind, Ilios wondered why he was having such a dream.

“…Hah. Could it be I harbored such desires too?”

In a world so far removed from his usual dreams he usually saw, he couldn’t help but laugh at himself.

“But seriously, I’m getting bored of this. Hey, sleeping me! Wake me up already!”

As if his request had been heard, the scene shifted once more.
A nostalgic townscape lined with white houses shaped like seashells. A rugged mountain path that seemed to reject human intrusion. A dimly lit cave. And then, plopping down onto the girl lying there… Her severed head.

“…!?”

Starting with this sudden, brutal sight, the world of the one called Avenius was thrown into upheaval.
The rapidly shifting scenes became almost impossible to recognize. Memories surged like a muddy torrent, even beginning to move against the flow of time.
Finally, each severed memory melted together in complex ways, fading and being painted over in monochromatic black.
Every single one was a memory built with that girl.

“This one… To go that far with that woman…”

Avenius’s heart shattered into pieces.
And then, the feelings, the pain, the rage that should have belonged only to Avenius…
Had, began to take control of Ilios’ body.
In an instant, his vision was painted entirely red…

*GOGYAH!*
The sound of metal slamming into something echoed.

“Don’t take her away!”
I swore it.

*GOGYAH!*

“Don’t take Lady Ne*****…”
I swore to protect you from everything that causes you sorrow.

*GOGYAH!*

“My memories with Lady Ne*****…”
Only I can save her! Her, her…

*GOGYAH!*

“*****… *****…!”
I… will protect…

Ah… Who…did I want to protect?
For whom, exactly, did I stain these hands with blood?
For what, exactly, have I burned everything to the ground?
…No. Nooooo! Don’t take her…!

I just… Just…

“No… Who am I?”

The words that escaped Ilios’ lips rose into the sky and vanished.
Above, clouds blending twilight and night hung in the expanse of sky.
Suddenly, his vision was blocked.
He looked up to see himself standing there, hammer raised high…

“…WAAAAAAAAAH!!!!”

Ilios leapt up from his bed.
He checked his surroundings over and over, as if trying to convince himself that the world he was seeing was real.

“Hah… Hah… Haaah…”

The broad sword leaning against the wall, his clothes strewn about. The cold sweat running down his entire body.
After checking over and over, Ilios finally convinced himself this was reality.

“Damn it, my hands won’t stop shaking… That was just a dream, wasn’t it? Not like me at all…”

When he felt frustrated, nothing beat a hot air bath.
He headed for the hill to calm his agitated emotions.

“Hm…? It’s unusually noisy…”

Residents looked up at the hill, their expressions anxious. No one moved, merely watching. It didn’t seem like an attack.

“Over there is…”

Their gazes were fixed on the pit where the Flame Demon had been sealed away.

Ilios, heading toward the pit, witnessed the scene of people struggling to force air into the hastily constructed Elemental Furnace.
The blazing sun born within the pit had now fallen into a precarious state.
No matter how much air they pumped or fuel they added, the demon’s flames would never again illuminate the pit.
The charred remains of its torso spoke nothing.
The Elemental power was gone.
It was enough to halt those who had overcome the deaths of countless comrades and continued to press forward.

“It should have kept regenerating, so why it suddenly… It was our beacon of hope…”

Ilios didn’t immediately recognize the man standing dazed before the elemental furnace as his father. As the leader commanding all clans, his father had always carried himself with dignity before everyone.

“Father…”

He gently placed a hand on his father’s shoulder, concerned.
Ydal turned, eyes wide with shock.

“H-Hey, there must still be something we can do. We’ll get the Elemental power back someday. And we’ve got the weapons made from the demon’s remains. I’ll try harder too… So…”
“…We did it.”
“Huh?”

Just as he was about to ask his father, who had muttered softly,
Ydal’s arm tightly gripped Ilios’ brand-new left arm.

“Ow… What the hell, Father!”

Ydal’s eyes widened as he stared suspiciously at Ilios’ body, his gaze trembling wildly.
A maniacal grin spread across his mouth.

“Ilios. What happened to your face?”
“Ah… Dammit! I forgot to wrap the bandage!”
“That doesn’t matter!”

Ydal’s hands grabbed Ilios by the collar.
Then, without warning…he tore it open.

“Hey, what are you doing!?”

Beneath the vertically torn clothing lay Ilios’ body. The sword scars running across his sun-kissed skin and the burns that should have covered half his torso had completely vanished, revealing a toned physique and ample breasts.
Ydal calmly questioned his beloved daughter, Ilios.

“What happened to your wounds?”
“Huh? Wh-what is this… My burns!”
“I asked what happened!”
“Y-Yes! I-I don’t understand either-“

As Ilios’ face showed confusion, the scene from her dream surged back like a raging tide.
Someone called Avenius had unexpectedly been bestowed with the power of the Fire Elemental by a young girl.
She then become the Flame Demon, and while her body was being eaten away, she continued searching for her beloved. She then saw her own hideous form by the river.

Ilios realized.
She had inherited all those memories.
And then…

A scream erupted behind the bewildered Ilios.
What they were pointing at was herself, now suddenly engulfed in flames.

“I-Ilios!?”

Ydal and his men saw it.
The monstrous form surrounding Ilios.
It was a fiery monster with four arms and undulating like a snake.
Ilios manipulated it as if it were her own, like a shimmering mirage, until it settled into her palm and transformed into a ball of flame.
But that wasn’t the only change.
Ilios’ chestnut hair had turned a vivid red, as fiery as the flames themselves.

“Wh-what should I do, Father… I-I… I!”

A twisted smile, neither joy nor sorrow.
Her father returned an awkward smile in response.

“Y-yes. This means I can be acknowledged, right? I’m worthy to succeed you, Father!! Everyone will acknowledge me, right?! It doesn’t matter that I’m a girl, does it!?”
“…Yes, I suppose so. You should be able to fulfill your duties properly.”
“Ha, ha ha… I’ll absolutely master this power! I’ll lead Agidis!”

Ilios trembled with joy.
Yet, in her overwhelming happiness, she failed to notice.
The true meaning behind Ydal’s words.

And so, Ydal’s daughter Ilios became the Fire Sibyl, inheriting the power of the Elemental.
The calamity she brought to Agidis was called prosperity.
It spread war and death over the world again and again… and eventually gave birth to true monsters, drenched in desire, upon Agidis.

A world whose very existence has been distorted can only move forward endlessly.
Until the day the end would come to this world of the miniature garden.