Chapter 35: Trial of the Shadow
{TL: By Creed}
After that, the dungeon exploration continued to be difficult.
Conquering complex three-dimensional mazes that changed structure every five minutes.
Having to correctly answer ten consecutive questions from the guardian to proceed.
Getting caught up in solving codes to find keys.
Unforeseen traps made the journey quite challenging.
I see. If there are only traps like these, clearing them all would be quite difficult. The Fairy Sword must be guarded by such traps. That's why no one has obtained it. I understand.
"Do you know how many layers the Fairy's Cradle has, Sofia?"
"It's a bit unclear, but I've heard from a certain source that it's ten layers in total. However, I can't say for sure."
"Hmm, if we believe that information, we're currently on the eighth layer, so we're getting closer."
I want to believe we're nearing the goal. The traps here grind away at our mental strength... I'd like to finish soon if possible. Otherwise, I might collapse from mental fatigue.
"Sofia, are you okay? Not tired?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I am the Sword Saint, so there's no problem."
"Amazing, Sofia. I'm getting quite tired."
"Shall we take a break? If the next passage leads to another room, there probably won't be any traps."
"No, I'm fine. In the past, even if I was tired or sick, I had to keep moving. Compared to that, it's much easier now."
"Even if you say that, I can't completely relax."
"It's really okay. I'll be honest when it's tough."
"Promise, okay?"
"Yeah, I promise."
They made a pinky promise.
Then, they entered the next room where the next trap might be.
This room was smaller than the ones before.
It was the same as before, with nothing in it, but suddenly, traps could activate, so they couldn't let their guard down.
"Now... what kind of trap is this time?"
"Be careful, Fate. Until now, they've been non-lethal, but as we approach the deepest part, maybe..."
"..."
Huh?
Sofia's lines were interrupted, and when Fate turned around in surprise,
"Sofia?"
She had disappeared, without a trace.
She was definitely walking a few steps behind just a moment ago, but now she was nowhere to be seen.
"Could it be... a trap has already...?"
Erasing a person in an instant, what kind of method could have been used?
Despite being on high alert, if the mechanism was completely incomprehensible, being vigilant might be meaningless.
"From now on, what's going to happen... huh?"
With a clunking sound, cracks ran through the wall, forming a door.
As the door opened...
"Fate?"
Each Sofia appeared from their respective doors.
However, there were two of them.
"Huh?"
It was such an unexpected sight that for a moment, his thoughts stopped.
During that time, the two Sofias noticed each other's presence and both wore puzzled expressions.
"Who are you?"
"..."
"Could you please not imitate me?"
Voice, gestures, atmosphere... everything was the same.
The two Sofias were identical.
If someone said they brought Sofia from a parallel world, it might be believable.
But that was probably not the case.
Probably, this was a trap.
Determine the real Sofia, that might be the content.
The two Sofias seemed to understand this and each appealed that they were the real one.
"Fate, don't be deceived. I am the real Sofia."
"Well, look closely. I have a slight discomfort. If you're my childhood friend Fate, you'll surely notice."
"Uh..."
"In other words, stop imitating me already? It's unpleasant to have my identity copied, even if it's a trap."
"Umm..."
"Really, such a talkative fake... Come on, Fate. Choose the one you think is fake and cut them down."
"Huh, is that how we're deciding?"
"Yes."
They made a decision by that method.
The two Sofias nodded.
Each of them held absolute trust in their eyes towards me.
Both of them are the Sofias I know.
Both seem genuine.
They seem genuine, but...
However, I knew the answer from the beginning.
At a glance, I could tell if it was the real deal or a fake.
I have absolute confidence.
There is not even a fragment of a possibility of being wrong.
But...
"Sorry, I can't strike."
"Eh?"
"Even if there's no other resolution, even if it's a fake, I don't want to strike Sofia. Absolutely not. If that's the only way to progress, then I'll give up and go back. So, can you please return Sofia to me?"
"Fate, what are you saying? choose one of us....."
"Both of you, aren't you fakes?"
"What!?"
Voice, appearance, gestures... everything is exactly like Sofia.
If it were someone else, they might have been deceived, might have hesitated.
But they can't deceive me.
After all, I am Sofia's childhood friend.
"The real Sofia is neither of you. That's my answer."
"..."
After a moment of silence,
"I see, your eyes are truly sharp."
"Is it over now?"
"No, not yet."
The two Sofias put on a mysterious smile...
Casually, they loosened their jackets, exposing their white skin.
Both of them are impostors.
They are impostors, but...
Having the appearance so similar to the girl I like, if they do something like this, I can't help but...
"What are you doing!?"
"If you're turning back here, you can do as you please with us, you know?"
"Such a thing..."
"Now, you're not giving an immediate answer as before, huh?"
"Ugh..."
No, that's...
Because I'm a man too.
Even though I know it's wrong, there are times when my heart sways like this...
No, no, no!
If the real Sofia finds out about this...
"Fate... What were you doing?"
In my mind, an angrily smiling Sofia appeared vividly.
"Anyway, I won't do that! Absolutely not!"
"..."
The two Sofias returned to their emotionless faces.
And then, their bodies shimmered like a mirage and disappeared...
"Oh?"
In their place, a new Sofia appeared.
Yeah, no doubt.
This Sofia is the real deal.
"Phew... that was close."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Welcome back, Sofia."
"Fate? Um, well... yes, I'm back."
Relieved, I instinctively embraced her, and despite looking embarrassed, Sofia hugged me back.
TL Note: Fate missed something good again but we won't, everyone I wish you a Merry Christmas in advance . Let's meet on 26th December with a new chapter.
Comments
Post a Comment