"Shinra Bansho…? In simple terms, that basically means 'all things in creation,' right?"
As expected, even after hearing the name of his own ability, Orun still didn't seem to fully grasp it.
"That's right. I only know what the old you told me and what I've heard from others, so I don't understand the full scope either. But to put it plainly, it means you can do anything a human is capable of doing. Of course, there seem to be various restrictions, though."
"Anything…? That's ridiculous…"
Orun muttered in disbelief after listening to me.
"Yeah. That's exactly why the Order sees you as such a threat."
"If that story is true, then I can understand why that guy called me 'an absolute pain in the ass.'"
Orun gave a weak laugh.
I wondered what was going through his mind right now. His words and actions made it impossible for me to read what he was truly feeling.
Still, I knew that Orun was a strong person.
"I don't think you've fully come to terms with your ability yet, and that's fine. Just listen to what I have to say. In the end, this will all connect to the answers you're looking for."
"…Got it."
After confirming Orun's nod, I began to speak.
"[Shinra Bansho] can even let you use other people's abilities. The [Gravity Manipulation] you believe is your own ability is, I think, based on the [Hero]'s [Attraction-Repulsion Manipulation]."
Orun wore a surprised expression, but he listened quietly to my explanation.
"Abilities are foreign entities to humans. They're powerful enough to change a person's very structure. Ah, but I don't mean physically. More like mentally… or in terms of capability…"
As I searched for the right words, Orun, who had been listening in silence, spoke up.
"So basically, it's like a rapid evolution, right? A person who originally couldn't perceive magical power gains the ability to 'perceive magical power' by manifesting abilities like [Magic Power Convergence], [Spirit Dominion], or [Magic Power Tracking]. Something like that."
"Yeah, exactly like that. I guess I didn't need to explain it after all."
"I had already figured that part out. Though this is the first time I've heard that abilities are foreign entities."
"If I go into detail about that, we'll get way off track, so I'll save it for later. …What I'm trying to say is that when someone manifests an ability, it creates a kind of foundation inside them for using that ability."
When I resumed speaking, Orun listened attentively once more.
"And I'm an ability user too. My ability is [Time Regression]. Thanks to that, I can adapt to the flow of time to a certain degree. For example, no matter how many hours pass, I can accurately state exactly how many seconds have gone by without looking at a clock."
"That's amazing. Any enchanter would kill for a skill like that."
Being praised by Orun made me genuinely happy.
Enchanters were required to keep precise track of time in order to manage buffs for their allies. Even high-ranking explorer enchanters could only measure time accurately for about five minutes at best, or ten if they were really skilled.
Well, being able to track that much time accurately during combat was usually more than enough.
"Thanks. It took a while, but I've covered everything necessary. Now I'll start connecting all the pieces I've mentioned."
Hearing Orun's affirming response, I continued.
"I called this place the netherworld, but the world we were in before coming here is currently having its time rewound by Cavadele Evans. That's why I believe only those of us who can adapt to the flow of time through abilities like [Time Regression] are able to maintain our consciousness here."
"W-Wait a second! I can't keep up with this at all!"
Orun pressed a hand to his head and raised his voice in confusion after hearing my hypothesis.
I couldn't blame him. Even I thought my theory sounded pretty outrageous.
"Like I said earlier, your ability is [Shinra Bansho]. And since you and I had contact when we were kids, you were already able to use [Time Regression]. It wouldn't be strange for you to be able to adapt to the flow of time just like me. In fact, this is the only explanation I can think of for why only the two of us are here in a place like this."
"... Even if I give you the benefit of the doubt and assume what you're saying is correct, what do you mean Grandpa rewound time?"
"You know Cavadele Evans's ability is [Equivalent Exchange], right? He was an undeniable genius. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that 'his loss is the world's loss.' That's why I think a trade was made: his life in exchange for the world's time."
"..."
After hearing my thoughts, Orun finally fell completely silent.
He lowered his face, his expression a complicated mix of various emotions.
Still, I was shocked to learn that Cavadele Evans had been alive this whole time and had stayed by Orun's side. Records stated that about ten years ago, just a few days after the Order attacked Orun's village, he had taken his own life.
…Chris must have known he was still alive.
Now that I knew he might be hiding other things from me besides Orun's situation, I would have to question him later.
A quiet moment passed between us.
"'Listen carefully to the voice of your own heart. My answer lies there,' huh… Thank you, Grandpa."
Orun placed a hand over his chest and murmured the words as if savoring them. His voice carried a depth of emotion that words could hardly express.
"..."
Those were probably words he had received from Cavadele Evans. The bond between Orun and him must have been far stronger than I could ever imagine.
Seeing that made me feel incredibly envious.
We must have shared a bond like that when we were children too. But right now, it was no longer there between us.
"Thank you too, Shion. If I hadn't met you here, I probably would have stayed rotten to the core and trampled all over Grandpa's feelings."
Orun looked straight at me with a refreshed, clear expression as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and offered his thanks.
(That face is so unfair…!)
I felt my ears growing hot and silently complained to Orun in my mind.
"U-Um, yeah. I'm glad you're able to face forward now. …So, what are you going to do from here on out?"
Trying my best to hide my flustered state, I asked about his plans. Orun's expression turned serious as he replied.
"…I've thought about a lot of things regarding the future. But crushing [Cyclamen Order: Eighth Seat] 'Rakshasa' Stieg Strom is non-negotiable."
Orun declared it in a voice laced with bone-chilling anger.
We were only aware of five executives in the Order. I was surprised to learn there were at least eight, but I figured this Stieg person must be the one who had actually killed Orun's disciples and comrades.
"That said, the situation is still far from good. Right now, I'd just get beaten back if I tried anything. So I need to get stronger. First, I have to master my own ability. We don't know how long we can stay here, so it's a race against time."
(Yeah. Just as I thought, Orun is still Orun. His core hasn't changed at all, whether it was back then or now.)
Seeing Orun become so forward-looking brought a natural smile to my face.
"Shion, will you help me?"
"…Huh?"
My heart had been feeling warm and fuzzy, leaving me completely off guard. When Orun suddenly spoke to me, I let out a dumb sound.
"You're the only one who knows about my ability. So I'd really appreciate it if you could help…"
"Ah, yeah! I'll help with anything I can! …But honestly, I don't know enough about your ability to really teach you much. Abilities are pretty intuitive, after all."
My heart had soared when he asked for my help, but realizing there wasn't much I could actually do made my shoulders slump.
"—In that case, how about I teach you?"
A man's voice, different from Orun's, suddenly rang out.
Both Orun and I turned toward the source of the voice in surprise.
Standing there was a man in his early thirties with black hair streaked with red highlights.
This was the netherworld.
The only reason Orun and I could maintain our consciousness here was because we possessed abilities like [Time Regression].
There was no way any other person should be able to be here. So who exactly was this man…?
"Who are you?"
Orun asked, his voice thick with caution as he addressed the man.
It didn't seem like someone Orun knew either.
"Hahaha! Yeah, I figured you'd be wary if some stranger suddenly started talking to you. Just so you know upfront, I have no hostility or ill intent toward either of you. You can relax on that front. As for my name… August Sans. That's who I am."
""—!?""
The moment we heard the man's name, both Orun and I gasped in even greater shock.
But I supposed that was only natural.
There was practically no one who didn't know the name 'August Sans.'
After all, it belonged to the person known as the [Hero of the Fairy Tales], the one said to have subjugated an evil god that had plunged the world into chaos hundreds of years ago.