SIDE Valerie

　Along the border between the Kingdom of Lalva and the Principality of Liju, deep in the forest, there was a laboratory.

Please help me. ...... Please forgive me. ......
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts. ......
You bastard!　You're not a human being. ...... Aaaaah!

　What is unfolding in the room is a hellish picture of screaming and screaming....

　The specimens are in constant agony and extreme pain.
　In despair, on the verge of mental collapse... those who continue to be tortured.

　All of this was due to an experiment in magic.

"Good ......, your pain and despair will deepen my research.

　In front of the suffering subjects, he tells them as if to say.

　He is a middle-aged man in his forties, with sharp eyes and a stern air.
　He wears a reddish-purple robe.
　In his hand is a magic wand.

　He is Valerie, the wise woman who has been hailed as the world's greatest wizard, and who served as a strategist for the party of heroes who defeated the demon king, Virgalodomus.

The magic is the art of penetrating the darkness of the human heart. In order to further master that darkness...

　Valerie chuckles.

　Seeing the pain on their faces didn't hurt her.
　She didn't feel anything.

　Valerie could only observe.

　Calmly.
　Calmly.

　Assessing their reactions and collecting valuable data.
　The accumulation of these data would help him refine the techniques he was studying.

"Good, more suffering ......, more sorrow ......, more despair.

　My heart is pounding.

　What Valerie is exploring is the negative emotions of people.
　It is the basis and root of witchcraft.

　If she could manipulate them, she would be able to complete a new spellcasting formula.

"Mmmmmmmmmmm ...... Hahahahahaha!

　Valerie let out a laugh of delight.

"The spell I once cast on my apprentice was my masterpiece at the time. But it's not enough!　There must be a more intense, vicious, diabolical, and powerful technique out there somewhere. Yes, a formula that can give you power comparable to that of a god or a demon king.

　The ultimate formula that may surpass the forbidden spell "Dark Chains" that I practiced two years ago.

　When it is completed, Valerie may be able to obtain a power that surpasses that of humans and even the Dark Lord.
　She would reach a realm that no wizard had ever reached in ancient times.

　In front of me, more than thirty test subjects were each moaning in despair.
　They must have reached their limits.

"I guess we'll have to scrap them all.

　Valerie sighed.

We'll have to find some more live specimens.

　We've already hunted down most of the neighboring villages.
　We've already hunted most of the neighboring villages and there's probably no one left who would make a good subject.

　Maybe we should go to a town a little farther away...
　And then I thought.

"Master Valerii, I have something to report.

　Several men walked into the room.
　They were Valerie's bodyguards.

"Geez, ...... this is ......

　The soldier vomited on the spot as he saw a bunch of dead bodies scattered on the floor - specimens who had just died.

"If you're going to throw up, do it somewhere else. You're contaminating the lab.

　Valerie raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, sir. ...... Ugly .......

　She glares at the guards, who still look uncomfortable.

"What's the report?

　Valerie urged.

I'm busy with my research. Make it quick.
Yes. ...... Actually, it seems one of the subjects has escaped.
What's the number?
What number? 372, sir.
372, you mean... the girl?

　He sniffed.

I've already got all the data I can find. Overlook.
Shouldn't we go after her?
The curse on her is powerful. She'll die if we let her... the demon will kill her.

　Valerie was already losing interest in the report.
　We need to find a new subject.

"The quest for the ultimate spell - I'll get there ...... soon, ...... soon!

　A twisted smile appeared on the wise man's face.

　　　　I'm not sure.

　It's been a few days since the Saint disappeared from people's sight...



　There is a great commotion in Larva.
　It's no wonder that the world's most popular saint, Irina, has suddenly disappeared.

　In fact, she has turned into an ugly demon beast and is still fighting the remnants of the Demon Lord's army.
　But there's no way people can know that.

　Some people are trying to connect this to Riot's murder the other day.
　But it's not going to be easy for them to get to me.

　If you don't know what they've done, it's hard to know who I am.
　As far as I've been able to find out in the past two years, I was officially killed in the battle against the Demon King's army.
　Someone from Yuno's group must've reported it to the government.

　Well, that's more convenient for me.
　It's easier for me to act without people knowing who I am if I'm dead.

　After that, Shea and I fled the scene on horseback.
　We deliberately chose a route that would be difficult to follow, in an area where there were many vicious monsters.
　We carefully covered our tracks, and so far there is no sign of our pursuers.

　Of course, we should not be too careful.

　As for Irina's voice orb, I had not disclosed it yet.
　Shea has it in her possession.

　It contains the deeds of all of Yuno and the others, so we need to determine when to release it...



　My next stop is near the border between the Kingdom of Larva and the Principality of Liju.
　It's said that Valerie the Wise has a laboratory there.

　Valerie herself isn't always there, but she's often in the lab.

　That night, we were walking through the forest.

　The forest was dense and the visibility was poor.
　Monsters might appear from anywhere, or a thief might attack.

Don't get more than ten meters away from me.

　I tell Shea.

　I've given her the Darkness skills [Cut] and [Accelerate].
　Even a top-notch warrior would have difficulty defeating Shea now.

　However, there is no guarantee that she will not be taken unawares by a surprise attack.
　It's best to stay within the absolute safety of my skills.

"Yes, I won't leave you no matter what.

　Shea grabs the sleeve of my robe.

　Shea grabs the sleeve of my robe and wraps her arm around my arm like a dead tree.
　...... No, we don't have to get that close.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

"Shea, you don't have to get so attached...

　Just when I was about to tell her.

I was about to say to her, "Aaaaaaah ......!

　Suddenly, I heard a muffled scream.
　It came from up ahead.

"Master Chrom, I'll go check it out!

　Shea shouted.

All right. But if it's dangerous, get back now.
"Yes, sir.

　Shea ran off, leaving a red trail behind her.

　High speed movement skill [Acceleration].