"Let's just stay here forever."
"Huh…?" Madillith blinked at Arnold's words, wondering if she heard Arnold correctly.
"There is no way to save everyone." Arnold made a self-deprecating smile.
He was never going to stoop so low as to rely on a demon's power again, not after he saw what it does to his body.
Guilt will catch up and consume you, was what Oriel told him. Even though Arnold did not trust the demon, his words were true.
Arnold had only been able to enact the plan to destroy Nuaria city because he knew that his goal was a good one, and not a selfish act to save himself. This time, however, was different.
By choosing to side with Cursama—or more like become a loyal soldier of the Soul King—he would sacrifice the lives of many. He thought that maybe he could make a deal with Cursama. That deal could be that he helps the Soul King enslave the nine realms and in return, Cursama recasts the skill to cancel its effects out, ensuring the choice of survival wasn't left up to Arnold.
But there was a third option Arnold was considering.
"The curse is called [Hearts of Cause], a curse capable of killing millions even if there is a single source distributing the curse on behalf of the caster. The curse relies on strong emotion, whether it's love or hate, to effectively carry out its purpose. If conditions are right then there is a 100% chance the inflicted will die but if not then it's possible to survive even if the chances are 1%. However, every one of the cursed individuals will suffer grave injuries as a result of near-death experiences. The mere action of drawing a breath will feel like swallowing thorns, every blink will feel like a needle poking your eyes out, every movement inside your throat will make you want to claw out your neck. Imagine if even those specialized in medicine were cursed and on the brink of death. Those millions of casualties will simply die out if there is no one to care for them. Among all of them, only the Source remains, unable to help and forced to watch as everyone dies."
A cracking sound—similar to the sound of glass on the verge of cracking—echoed from somewhere but Arnold could not hear it.
Telling her all this was meaningless since the spell's influence was enough.
Perhaps he wasn't actually talking to her but convincing himself. Everyone outside was relying on him, but despite their expectations, he couldn't bring himself to make the decision without convincing himself that it was the right thing to do.
He could imagine it: There, on the icy peaks of the glacier, the air hung tense with the presence of two powerful beings. Cursama, a monstrous unification of four servants of the Soul King (who were once the organs of his living body), loomed over one edge, while Oriel, the feared demon lord, stood proudly on another. Between them stood Arnold, atop a fragile peak of ice by his lonesome.
Arnold shifted his weight, his gaze flickering between the two formidable figures. Each movement threatened to tip the delicate balance that held the peaks intact. Cursama and Oriel awaited his decision, their demands echoing in the icy silence. The fate of worlds seemed to hinge on Arnold's next move, yet uncertainty gnawed at him.
Upon looking down, he sees a giant hole surrounded in darkness.
He does not know what awaits him down there. It could be a frozen lake, spikes of ice that will impale him upon landing or there could be a hole that's so deep that he could not fathom what lies at the bottom.
He did not see a solution at first but then suddenly he spots it: a hidden passage through the mountain that only became visible once the sun rose over the horizon, casting its light on the dark cave. It was a long way down but with a little patience and hope, he can jump into that cave. He does not have mountain climbing gear but he had his hands and will claw his way to the top. It didn't matter on which side the cave appeared, the third choice was his own.
…
"Only the two of us can survive. Together." he looked around at the peaceful world constructed solely by Madilith's mind, "We'll live out the life you wanted together, whether in here or far away from everyone we once knew and grew to love."
"B-But what about my friends, my family and…" she bit her lip, "Hofir…"
"Do you actually care about Hofir?"
"I-I do…"
"But you don't like him at all? Are you really using him to get off?"
"No!" Madilith shouted, "H-He did something for me that I'm grateful for and will never forget! He's a very kind person who deserves better than me but I couldn't bring myself to reject his advances or tell him that I feel nothing for him."
"Did you tell him that?"
"I can't… It will sound like a rejection. Telling him the truth will only hurt him. He's changed a lot since we entered the dungeon. He's not gloomy anymore and he smiles when talking with his classmates and laughs at jokes now. He even insists on helping around the camp. I feel like I'll destroy that if I tell him the truth."
"Do you still want to be with him?"
"No..." he received an immediate reply.
"And yet you can't tell him the truth."
Arnold put his hand on her head.
He needn't say anything since she knew what he wanted to say by that action.
This made her blush.
"But today is the day you leave the past you behind because you'll endanger everyone if we go back." Arnold shook his head, "You can't save Hofir or your friends. Nor can you save your family."
Crack.
"But can't we negotiate with the caster!? Do they want money? We can start a fundraising and give all the money to the caster!" she shouted with pumped fists.
"That's not how this works. The caster is a monster that seeks to turn its king into a god by using the lifeforce of those who die from the curse. I don't see anything else being its goal, especially not money. It's not human so we shouldn't think that it has the tastes of one. All it desires is to answer the wishes and obey the orders of its king. Nothing else."
"So, everyone has to die… Is it… Is it my fault…?"
Yes, it is. If you just forgot about me then none of this would've happened.
That was what Arnold thought but didn't say.
"Cursama made a deal with me."
"Deal…?"
"We have to become loyal servants for its king and in exchange…"
"In exchange?"
"I get to live."
"Eh…? Only Al…? But what about me?"
"The source is immune to all effects of the curse. You're the vessel who needs to hold all the lifeforce that will be sacrificed. If you die then Cursama's plan is ruined and the Soul King won't become a god."
"Isn't there another way!? I don't want to lose you!" Madilith clutched Arnold's hands, "C-Can't the caster make you the source?"
"I don't know. The skill might break if the caster does that and that goes against its plans. In the end I'll die anyway. You can go on with your life, however, you'll likely hurt many. A villain's greed is always ever-expanding so Cursama might want more people to die for its cause, deluding itself that more deaths translate to more power when its king is revived. It will welcome you going back to the real world and killing more innocent people."
"T-That can't be…" she put her hands on her mouth.
—Crack…
"To avoid serving a lord we have no loyalty for, and ensure the two of us stay together without endangering anyone else, I think the two of us should stay in this world you created."
Arnold pulled Madilith close, putting her head on his chest. She looked up at him with shaking pupils and pursed lips. Her hot, sweet breath hit his face.
"This is where we're meant to be. A world where our souls will be for all eternity. The River of Soul's blessing will keep us together forever."
While the dream magic spell had a time limit, that doesn't mean their souls will be sent into some unknown abyss out there. But what Arnold was certain of was that both their minds and souls will forever wander this place. The dream magic spell connects two souls which allows the caster to transfer their consciousness into another person's head but it's not the force that keeps them linked, rather that job belongs to the River of Souls itself, which had a blessing that protects all souls, whether living or dead.
But that doesn't mean his body is particularly safe for long. Vulnerabilities will arise, especially the one between his mind and body. That condition on his status was also an issue.
Since Arnold's soul was partially connected to this world, it will give Oriel the chance to take over his body if Arnold stays in here too long. This will allow Oriel to reattain his former strength and then reenact his revenge against the entire demon world.
Meanwhile Arnold will be in a world filled with endless possibilities of growth, the only limit being their imaginations.
"A-Al…" Madilith's face drew closer while she looked at his lips.
The two fell onto the grass and shared a passionate kiss with Arnold on top.
Luxtivin's AI [Illusion {Perfect Replica}] has been activated.
Arnold climbed out of the illusion's back as if he were a butterfly being freed from its cocoon and silently stepped back.
He looked down at Madilith who was encircling her legs around "his" waist, his face taken over by an unreadable expression.
'Goodbye, Madilith. If the blessing of the River of Souls still protects you after this… I hope you can forgive me.'
-The dream magic link has been severed