We stepped into the room that housed Valerie's magical research - the Sage's Compartment.

　On the shelves on the right side of the room, there are countless orbs.
　Each one of them must contain his research data.

　Looking to the other side, I saw a number of black crystal pillars.
　Inside are all kinds of people, young and old, male and female, locked up in a state of undress.

It hurts. ...... It hurts. ......
"Help me! ......

　"Help!

　Is it a mechanism that causes pain when you are inside the crystal, or is it some kind of magical experiment that causes pain?
　Screams and sobbing, anger and resentment... they could be heard without interruption.

　It was truly a picture of hell.

"You're a test subject like me. ......

　Ulin murmured with a dark face.
　...... I wonder if she herself has been through something like this.

　When I was Valerie's student, she taught me something.
　I was taught that witchcraft is the art of using a person's 'negative emotions' as an energy source to activate.

　The higher the level of witchcraft, the more negative emotions are required.
　Pain, rage, grief, resentment, and despair...
　The same kind of feelings I used to have.

　I guess they're also being given endless pain to activate some kind of spell.

　I can't watch.

"Shea.

　I commanded the submissive girl.

"Yes, Master Chrom.

　Even if I don't use concrete words, she understands my will.
　No, even if I didn't order her to do it, she would have done it of her own volition.

"...[Cutting]

　I sliced through the crystals one by one with my shiny black sword.
　Release those trapped inside.

"Those who can move, run! All traps on the path we've taken have been destroyed.

　And explain to them the route we've taken.

"Oh, thank you, .......
"Ugh. ......

　Most of the people got up and left the room with a cry of pain.

　The remaining dozen or so seemed to be in too much pain to even stand up.
　I wish there was a way to cure them...
　And

"......!

　I looked to the far end of the room and scrunched up my face.

　There was a tattered stone slab propped up.
　A mural cut from somewhere, perhaps.

　It depicted a small hill and numerous grave markers.
　A long chain hanging from the sky and a woman.

No way...
"It depicts the forbidden spell, the Dark Chain. Two years ago, I found a mural in an ancient ruin and brought it here.

　Clacking footsteps approaching.

　That voice...
　I gulped.

　I couldn't forget.
　How could I forget?

　She's been teaching me magic my whole life.

　She said she wanted to be strong enough to protect Irina.
　I've studied under her with that in mind.

　He was a respected master who was strict but also showed kindness at times.

　All of this is in the past tense, but...

"So it's you, ...... Chrome.

　On the other side of the door stands a man with long, bluish black hair.
　His keen eyes look straight at me.

It's been a while, Valerie.

　It's been two years since I've seen my former teacher.



"Why are you still alive, Chrom?

　Valerie looks at me with a grim expression.

"What, you're not happy to see your apprentice alive?

　I asked sarcastically.

I asked sarcastically, "......, my apprentice?　Your talent was not worth it. I was willing to lose ...... you, so I sacrificed you to the Dark Chain.

　Valerie sniffs.

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. Enough to defeat the Demon Lord.
"So you cut me off because I wasn't good enough?
That's the main reason why I recommended you for sacrifice. It's boring to teach someone with no talent.
So your disciples, the ones I eliminated, were full of talent.
"...... Some of them might have eventually become as good as me. What a shame.

　Valerie frowned.
　I don't know if it's the talent of the apprentice that he's regretting, or the fact that she's his mistress.

Let's get back to the point. How did you survive?　How did you acquire that [Darkness] power?



　Valerie is staring at me.

　The look in her eyes is one of caution and fear.
　And then.

I'm not sure what to make of this. So why did he get the power that even I didn't get ......?

　I'm not sure what to say.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.