Ritual
"Pff."
"Why do you look down on me? Do you want to be killed?"
"I have more potential."
I'm still smaller, but in this life, I am superior. Sparks fly between us. It seems we have an irreconcilable relationship. Somehow, I just can't stand her.
"Counting your chickens before they hatch. So, why did you call me? I was enjoying some peaceful days."
"Mm? You're still alive?"
"No, I died a long time ago. You know that well, don't you? But I didn't live such a soft life that I would die easily. I live normally within you. Besides, I'm the one who gave you that magic, and all your knowledge originally comes from me."
Ugh. So she hasn't disappeared yet. Rather, she hasn't disappeared, but just exists within me, holding onto the memories. I should seriously start worshiping Teth. I've been deceived!
But what's going on? There are two of me in this place?
"Your deduction is correct. Naturally, I am me, and you are you. However, I am just the remnants. Most of me was given to you, so my disappearance is imminent. Well, you could say I'm only maintaining my memories? I didn't intend to meet you again. You should have eliminated this idiot who calls himself Great Mage. Momo-meat #2 is quite lenient too."
What does she mean by the Momo-meat #2? But that's strange. I know about the structure of souls too. That means part of my soul is missing. A missing soul is dangerous.
"It's not missing. I wouldn't make such a mistake, would I? There happened to be a broken soul in the right place... well, there are too many distractions to talk about it now. Just sleep for a while."
As my past self waved her hand, everyone except Eibon outside collapsed. It seems they were put to sleep.
"Impossible!! How can you interfere outside the barrier?"
"Do you think the barrier is invincible? If you can observe its structure, nullifying it is easy. Besides, it's too weak against such indirect methods despite its strength. Improve it a bit."
Interfering outside the barrier is indeed surprising, but if it's only high in strength, even I could interfere. But why can this person use magic... could it be!
"Your deduction is correct. Didn't I say I was inside you? Naturally, I can use the magic you can. Even more so than you. After all, I don't need sleep or food, so I can research anytime."
"Muu. How cunning."
"You use my knowledge as you please, so it's mutual, isn't it? It's fine, it's interesting."
Hmm. I can't argue. But the difficulty has suddenly increased. Can I win this? No matter how I think about it, it seems impossible.
"So, the key to this ritual is to subdue me, right? But unlike you, I don't like fighting. Besides, it's obvious that I would win if we fought."
"That's not true!!"
Suddenly, my past self appeared in front of me, and her palm strike broke through the barrier and was stopped just before my stomach.
"That's why you can't win. Unlike you, I also studied martial arts. I learned unarmed combat from the Shishido school. Although it was just for self-defense."
"... Even so, I won't lose."
I teleported away from that spot. I can't win in close combat. I 'know' the Shishido style. I can't win against that. So, I keep my distance. However, my past self teleported to the same place at the same time, not letting me escape.
"That's why I said it's impossible. Besides, I said I don't want to fight."
In a short time, the difference in our abilities was shown. I can't win. Frustration swirls within me, but since the other party doesn't want to fight, I give up. There's no reason to fight forcibly, and I should avoid battles I can't win.
"So, what should I do?"
"Well... do you really want to know the past?"
"I do."
"You'll regret it. There's also the possibility that my past will overwrite your current self. I'm content with this state, not wanting to live again."
That's right. If I learn about my past, that could happen.
"If that happens, it won't just be you who'll be sad, but those around you too. Unfortunately, my family isn't here, and the family in this world, your family, isn't mine. I have no obligation to protect a country like Arland. I'd live selfishly, discarding everything like trash."
"I'll accept it. So please tell me."
Even so, I want to master this magic. Danger exists everywhere. If I run away even once, I'll just keep running. As Royalty, I've decided to serve the country.
"Hmm~ Well, okay. But I won't give you my memories. They are mine. So, I'll show you. The life of me, Iris Field. Remember your name. No matter what you see from now on, your name is Alicetia von Arland, not Iris."
For some reason, she looked satisfied. Then, she and I touched foreheads.
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