Erick's POV:
- The roots… they stopped?
The roots that had been erratically tearing everything apart suddenly stopped. I stared in surprise as everything came to a standstill. As if time itself had stopped for the room I was in.
"Looks like we finally managed to push her to the limit. Congratulations, sir."
- ….
I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The sudden end didn't seem normal. Just looking at the roots hanging from the ceiling gave me the impression that they would start moving again at any moment. I stared at the ceiling for a while before sighing and turning to face the problem in front of me.
- I guess that means the question now is how we get out of here.
In front of me, a huge pile of rocks and dirt stood where the exit had once been. Although I avoided being crushed during the commotion, the only way out was completely sealed. And that wasn't the only problem.
*Rumble Rumble*
I nervously glance at the dome's ceiling above my head. Even though the roots have stopped growing, the ceiling still makes occasional noises. The once solid stones that formed the dome now shift slightly as pieces of gravel and earth occasionally tumble down.
- This place won't hold much longer.
"...Do you still refuse to use my powers to escape, Lord?"
- ...I'm sorry, Ifrit. I simply can't risk damaging the castle by suddenly raising all that lava beneath it.
Silence falls over the room, broken only by the momentary sounds from the ceiling. Although, thanks to my contract with Ifrit, I can't be harmed by lava or fire in general, that doesn't mean I could survive if tons of earth and stone fall on me.
- For now, let's try to clear the exit.
With the axe I was using for support, I quickly raise it and strike one of the rocks blocking the entrance, trying to clear a path.
Clang!
*Rumble Rumble*
Although I manage to cut the stone, a small tremor arises throughout the area.
"It's dangerous to continue like this my lord."
I remain silent. The way everything shook when I cut the stone suggests the entire structure could collapse if I force my way through. A slight feeling of fatigue creeps into my mind as I inevitably think of Dorothy.
- …Hahaha… It seems getting out of here will be more complicated than I thought.
I drop the axe I was holding, letting it fall to the ground. It immediately crumbles into particles and transforms into a small red orb. I take a few steps toward one of the rocks that had fallen in the initial collapse and sit on it, staring at the ceiling.
"…Is it alright that everything ends this way?"
-…
I am unable to respond to Ifrit's words. I simply gaze into the distance at the moments that had led me to this place. Everything that happened since I became the Hero of Fire flashes through my mind slowly and fleetingly. Despite knowing it, I didn't want to admit it was all over. I take a few breaths, thinking about everything I wanted to do.
- I'm so sorry, Dorothy. I won't be able to enjoy your home cooking again after all.
I whisper to myself. I lift my battered and wounded body and summon the golden axe in my hand once more. The doubts have vanished from my mind.
- If I'm going to die anyway, at least I'll go out trying!
I slowly lower my center of gravity. I focus all my remaining concentration and strength into my legs as small flashes of light emanate from them. I focus my composure on the axe as I observe my target.
- If this collapses the moment I destroy that wall, I'll simply pass out before everything else crumbles.
I slowly concentrate. Every last ounce of my strength is poured into this charge.
- Here I go!!
With explosive force, I launch myself against the wall like an arrow, my axe as the point. As if to match my enthusiasm, the ceiling above my head begins to tremble. Small rocks tumble down as I hurtle toward the wall.
- Is this how you want to end your story?
- ...Huh?
My voice falters at the last minute, and as I advance, I stumble. The momentum throws me hard against the floor, knocking all the air from my lungs.
- Pfff Hahahahahahhahaha
A loud laugh fills the now silent room. The impact disorients my senses as I slowly get to my feet.
- Who's there?
I shout defiantly at the seemingly empty room. I can't pinpoint the source of the sound. It's as if it's distorted or emanating from the very walls of the room. I raise my axe, searching for the source. Finally, the laughter stops, accompanied by a few stifled groans.
- Sorry, sorry. It was so funny I just couldn't help laughing.
Even though the laughter has stopped, I can't determine its location. I scan the area, hoping to find something.
- Who or what are you?
- Me? I'm just a humble little flower passing by.
- ...And you expect me to believe that?
- ...I suppose not.
Out of nowhere, a small purple flower blooms in the middle of the room. I unconsciously go into a state of alert as I lunge at the flower. In an instant, the flower is reduced to ashes.
- Why does everyone like to destroy my flowers?
A shiver runs down my spine as the same voice appears slightly to the right of the previous one. I can't help but be surprised.
- When?
Before I can recover from the shock, another flower appears on my shoulder.
- You don't have to be so aggressive, you know? You're being very rude to your savior.
I jump back, creating distance from the flower that had barely appeared.
- Savior? Such grand words for the witch who put me in this situation in the first place, plant witch.
- ...Plant witch?... Ah, I see.
As if it had a revelation, the small flower moves its leaves like hands, making a fist with one while gently tapping the other.
- It seems there's a slight misunderstanding here. Little Nath has already gone to sleep. I'm not the witch of-
Before it can finish, I create a huge arc with the axe that chars the three flowers that had bloomed. Immediately, three more flowers sprout around me.
- Hey, that's not-
- Just-
- Stop-
One after another, I cut down every flower that appears. They all end up charred in a matter of seconds… But it's not enough.
Each time I cut down a flower, three more appear in places far apart. They all seem to want to say something, but before they can, I cut them down. Even so, I can't keep up.
- This is never-ending.
In a matter of moments, the entire room is filled with these small flowers. Even the ceiling, which was previously collapsing, is now covered in them, as if it had become a greenhouse in an instant. I place my axe on the floor as I try to catch my breath.
- Satisfied?
Still unable to recover, I slowly take a breath, trying to speak.
- Just… Who… the hell…?… Are you?
- That's exactly what I was trying to tell you. I'm… Uhmmmm. Well. I guess telling you won't change anything.
As if the flowers around me were putting on a show, they all moved in unison toward the center where only one flower remained still.
- I am what you know as the witch of reality, Ena.