Published: January 22, 2026
While Orun and the others were at the Seeker's Guild listening to the princess's request, the armored explorer, Oliver, visited Cavadel's general store.
"You're back. How did it go?"
Cavadel asked as he saw Oliver enter the store.
"Just as you suspected, the dungeon near Falira Village flooded, and the princess and her group heading this way were attacked."
"I see. Sending Orun and you was the right call then. This should prevent the kingdom from being one-sidedly overrun by the empire's forces."
"Is the princess really that important?"
"When facing the empire’s army, the kingdom’s forces don’t have much time to hold out. Organizing the allied forces quickly is easiest by rallying around her as a figurehead. The princess thinks the same way, which is why she made herself a pawn."
"A big-picture perspective, huh? I still can’t see how much this will affect things."
"Hohoho. That’s something you can only develop with experience. Unless you’re a genius, of course."
"Like Orun?"
"Orun is a bit different from a 'genius.' Well, from the outside, he’s basically one."
"...We got off track. For now, can we say the conditions for our deal are met?"
"Yes. No problems."
"In that case, hand over the ‘Spirit's Eye’."
"Are you sure? There’s precedent with Shion, but that’s the only case. There’s a chance you could end up ruined."
"I understand the risks. But going forward, if we can’t see spirits in battle... it’s obvious we’re done for."
Although Oliver’s face was still hidden by his helmet, his voice alone conveyed his resolve.
"Besides, I’m stronger than Orun now, but once he regains his power, I’ll just be a hindrance. I can’t afford to stand still."
"…I understand. If you’re that determined, I have nothing more to say. Follow me; I’ve prepared a place."
After confirming Oliver’s resolve, Cavadel led him downstairs beneath the shop.
The room was used for experiments with developed magic and magical tools, so it was spacious and durable.
When Oliver reached the center, Cavadel activated his storage magical tool, summoning six cylindrical magical tools about two meters tall, evenly spaced around him.
"Within this cylinder enclosure, you can thrash around as much as you want without worrying about damage outside. No need to hold back."
"Much appreciated."
With that, Cavadel activated the cylinders.
They resonated with each other, creating a barrier of mana that enveloped Oliver.
Confirming this, Oliver removed his helmet, revealing his face, and brought a Topaz-like crystal — the Spirit's Eye — to his forehead.
After a few deep breaths, he braced himself and shattered the Spirit's Eye.
Dense mana stored inside began leaking out, and Oliver used mana convergence to absorb it into his left eye.
Immediately, his scream echoed through the basement.
The intense pain, as if the moisture in his eye was boiling and his optic nerve was burning his brain, felt eternal to him.
After several minutes, a profound silence filled the basement.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Oliver gasped, holding his left eye, swaying but still standing on his own legs.
"…Oliver, can you hear me?"
"…Yeah. You’re the scoundrel old man, Cavadel Evans, right?"
Oliver’s rude words made Cavadel smile.
"Hohoho. If you can joke like that, there’s no need to worry. Well done, Oliver."
"So this is the world Orun, Shion, and Luna see..."
Oliver removed his hand from his left eye and marveled at the view before him.
From his eye leaked visible, dense golden mana, and geometric patterns unlike magic circles appeared.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Previously, I mentioned that this chapter would conclude Chapter Five, but I’ve decided to add one more epilogue-style chapter from Orun’s perspective, so please bear with me for just one more.
Also, this update will be the last for 2022.
I started posting this work in February 2021, and I’m honestly surprised I’ve been able to continue it this long, haha.
That’s entirely thanks to all the readers who have made it this far.