I already knew her identity the moment I saw a crimson-haired woman on the rooftop.

She was Dina, the Monstrumancer who implanted a demonic monster into her body.

Among the Monstrumancers affiliated with Dante, she was someone who possessed a unique ability that no one else hada freak who could devour everything.

When I played [Retry] and had to face Dante in the game, she would appear as a named mob.

At that time, I could handle her easily because I had already become proficient in the gameplay.

However, her power felt different from the game now that I had to face her directly.

Well, it was understandable since the character I used to defeat Dina in [Retry] was Aria.

[Did she implant multiple demonic monsters in her body?]

The Dark Spiritualist, who had returned to my side, spoke calmly as she observed Dina. While her opinion was convincing, I shook my head.

"No, she only has one implanted demonic monster.

[Huh? But...]

"The human body is not strong enough to accommodate multiple demonic monsters."

It appeared as though there were multiple demonic monsters because she implanted a different kind of demonic monster.

And from what I had seen, it wasn't an ordinary demonic monster.

"There might be demonic monsters that could consume mana. However, I have never heard of those that can devour souls to assimilate them as their own."

While observing Dina, who was transforming into something even more hideous, I continued speaking.

"It is not a mere demonic monster; she must have combined a yokai and a demonic monster into one."

[And she implanted that into her body? It sounds unbelievable... However, it might be possible if it was Dante doing it.]

"Yes, that is right."

It was a plausible abnormality if it was Dante, an organization that gathered numerous dark mages.

For example, there was the Human-Bone Centipede; a yokai that parasitized Emilys body to manifest.

Meanwhile, Dina fused a yokai and a high-ranking demonic monster, and then implanted it into her own body.

It was the very definition of eccentricity.

It was an insane act fitting for a mad Dark Mage, but Dante had the capabilities to make it possible.

Perhaps it was something akin to Tam1, similar to a yokai from Chinaa monster that devoured everything, and eventually devoured itself.

Not only could its entire body turn into a mouth, but it could also devour things that had no physical form, like mana and souls.

[So what are you going to do? Can you resolve this?]

"It is surprisingly simple, that even you will be surprised."

Upon hearing my words, the Dark Spiritualist seemed to chuckle behind the black veil. She acted as if my answer was too ridiculous and leaned on my shoulder all of a sudden.

[Then why dont you act sooner? Findenai and I went through so much because of her.]

"If my aim was to kill Dina, then I would have done that sooner."

But my objective was to send off the yokai. Upon realizing that Dina was the mastermind behind the scenes, I concluded that there was no need to pursue her.

After all, she would simply come to us during the procession of yokai.

If I could handle the problem with Dina in the process of sending off the yokai, then everything would be fine.

[How are you going to do it?]

Dina gradually transformed into something more hideous. Her entire body grotesquely turned into a mouth, causing people to scream and recoil in horror.

One couldn't possibly laugh while witnessing such a sight.

Therefore, I intended to kill Dina as quickly as possible. Her presence here alone had already disrupted the procession.

So, I once again planned to bring out Lemegeton.

Originally, she appeared as a quite tough opponent. Her persistent stamina and recovery was impressive when she appeared as a named mob. However

"I should let her know that she will harm her body if she recklessly puts everything into her mouth."

I retrieved the black gem from my pocket. Unfortunately, in the end, games were all about being overgeared. And this very world was one formed with a game as its basis.

And I held a gem that could only be called a cheat.

I swiftly threw Lemegeton towards the mouth of Dina, who had completely transformed into a monster and lost her ability to think.

Gulp.

Dinas movement halted after consuming it. Black light began to emanate from her body, and the dead began to escape from every mouth across her body.

[...Is that right?]

After putting up such a hard fight against Dina, it felt strangely anticlimactic to see her die so easily. From the Dark Spiritualist's perspective, it must have seemed unfair.

She might have felt aggrieved; Findenai and her risked their lives in the battle, yet I resolved everything effortlessly by tossing Lemegeton into Dinas mouth.

"It just shows she was not a significant figure in this story."

Of course, there was a reason why the two had to fight against her.

If Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist hadnt fought and depleted Dina's stamina beforehand, psychologically pressuring her, she wouldn't have transformed her entire body into a monster like that.

In that case, naturally, she wouldn't have swallowed Lemegeton, which I tossed towards her.

In the end, if the build-up was solid, everything would unravel so well that the ending almost felt anticlimactic.

[It feels a bit unfair.]

Nevertheless, I ignored the grumbling Dark Spiritualist and focused on sensing Lemegeton, which had entered the womans body.

Actually, this was also an experiment.

I felt the energy of Lemegeton growing stronger. This convinced me that it was seeking me out.

I also sensed that my connection with Lemegeton was becoming stronger.

I knew exactly when this phenomenon started to happen.

It was ever since Stella fell asleep.

Stella, the Former Saintess.

Ever since she started her rest within me, my assimilation rate with Lemegeton had become higher than before.

I was sure this was because of the Demon Lord Velica who was assimilated with Stella.

Originally, it felt like I was simply borrowing Lemegetons power.

But now, I had truly become its owner.

Even though it was unintentional, thanks to Stella and Velica's existence, I could see that Lemegeton had finally acknowledged me.

"Grrraaah!"

Dina screamed in agony as she twisted and contorted her body; her waist twisted and bones snapped. She couldn't digest all the evil spirits running wild inside her.

It was natural.

"Saying she would devour everything is just an exaggeration. There is no way she could truly consume everything in the world."

If her stomach really had unlimited capacity, wouldn't she become the ruler of this continent?

"She was merely a demonic monster with an insatiable appetite."

Dina, who was still contorting, eventually could no longer control her body and collapsed. And then, the procession of yokai passed over her.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

As she gradually lost her human form, the yokai didn't even recognize Dina's existence when they trampled over her.

I manipulated my Mana to create a faint fog, shielding the surrounding people from witnessing her gruesome demise.

"You should be a bit picky with what you eat."

In the end, all that remained in that spot was an ominously glowing Necromancy Stone amidst a mass of semi-fluid corpses.

It wasnt referred to as an item that came close to the Holy Grail for no reason.

Its effects were evident.

[With this, everyone in Dante will know everything about you.]

"Well, that is fine."

Daybreak was gradually approaching. And with the procession of yokai coming to an end, the people were applauding for our impressive performance despite their exhaustion.

[Lemegeton and your existence, everything has been exposed. Dante will now surely thoroughly prepare to face you.]

"I know."

I reached out and Lemegeton recognized me as its master, nestling me into my hand. Because it was a bit dirty, I used magic to create water and easily washed it off.

"But I, too, will continue to grow stronger."

I extended Lemegeton out once more, absorbing the soul of the recently deceased.

With this, it had become the second time that I arbitrarily acquired a soul that I bound to me.

To prepare for the battle against Dante, I needed to replenish my strength; the soul of the Dark Mage Dina would be quite useful to me.

[...You should be careful.]

Seeing that, the Dark Spiritualist worriedly stared at me. Perhaps it was because of the impending battle with Dante, but her follow-up words indicated otherwise.

[I hope you won't get too immersed in Black Magic like I and Dante did.]

"..."

[When dealing with souls, no matter how strong one's will may be, they would eventually come to see it as something expendable.]

I understood what she was worried about. She feared that I might abandon my current principle and become an ordinary Dark Mage like the others.

[When someone begins to decline due to their lack of strength, they eventually lose their humanity, like that Monstrumancer just did.]

"I understand."

[I hope that you won't become a monster as well in the process of defeating those monsters.]

"I will keep this in mind."

At my words, the Dark Spiritualist cautiously hugged me and then disappeared.

At the end of the festival, while bathing in the rising sunlight, everyone laughed and chatted happily as they cleaned up.

They were happy to reminisce about the memories from just a few hours ago and were grateful to the yokai who had provided them with such a unique experience.

And from amidst the crowd, a boy approached me.

He had removed his wig and changed from a skirt to pants, discarding the female disguise he had been wearing earlier.

I looked at Owen and asked.

"How was it?"

Before the festival began, I had told Owen to learn and feel a lot from today's festival.

"I think I now understand why I couldnt help the yokai disappear."

I calmly remained patient, listening to Owen as he spoke.

"They wanted more than just my grandfather from me. They had high expectations. They hoped to happily disappear through my help, and not just to be consoled.

Owen had always followed behind his grandfathers steps, and had never thought or acted independently about the yokai.

That was the mistake that led the boy down the wrong path.

"You showed me that. It's the first time I've seen those yokai smile like that. It is the first time I've seen them disappear with contentment."

A faint smile appeared on the boy's lips as he stared at the bright sunlight, thinking of those unfortunate yokai who had now departed.

"Thank you for enlightening me.

I once again gently stroked Owen's head.

"Your grandfather, Oster, was a performer who brought comfort to those who listened to him play."

However, Owen was different.

I recalled the impressive melody that built up excitement from the final performance Oster had left for Owen.

"You are a pianist who spreads joy."

"......!"

Owen tightly clenched his small fist.

However, he had a sense of duty within him.

With his small hands, the boy could already see how many smiles he would be bringing to people's faces.

"Come with me, Owen."

"Pardon?"

"I highly regard your abilities. You have the capability to walk the same path as me."

However, it would be in a different way from mine. That was why I needed him.

"When I lose my way, I might need your music."

Owen swallowed hard and tried to take my hand, but he hesitated for a moment.

"B-but without me, yokai will reappear in Claren."

In the end, Claren was a city of artists, and more yokai would be born from their imaginations, continuing to appear. However

"That is why this festival was held."

Of course, the opposite could possibly happen as well.

"I plan to create a thought form inspired by today's event, called 'The Night Parade of One Hundred Yokai.'"

"Pardon?"

In fact, thought forms were not just yokai. Thoughts could also attach themselves to any unique phenomenon.

School ghost stories were a typical example of this category.

"Just as the imaginations of artists turn into yokai, the hopes of those who anticipate this event every year will create today's scenery again."

Each year, just for one day.

There would be a day when yokai become visible to everyone.

"Ah...."

Owen exclaimed. It seemed like he had realized that now there would be no more problems since the yokai would disappear every year.

"There is no need for you to be here anymore."

It was just as Oster wished.

I wanted to show the boy a wider world.

Just as much as I needed him, I also wanted to teach and show him many things.

"I see."

Squeeze.

Owen slowly reached out and tightly gripped my hand, displaying a firm determination to walk alongside me.

Just like that, we headed back to the inn. And the story in Claren, the city of artists, had come to an end.

The time for us to leave had once again come.

As if it was an epilogue, Owen slightly flinched and then turned his head towards me.

"By the way, why did my grandfather and I gain such abilities?"

I gently replied to him, who still couldnt understand this one thing.

"What was your ability?"

"Huh? I-I can see spirits when I play the piano."

I persisted with my questioning despite Owen's bewildered response.

"What were you planning to do with that ability?"

"Oh, I was planning to help yokai peacefully pass away."

"Yes, think about who needed that ability the most."

"...The yokai?"

Owen looked at me with wide eyes. I chuckled softly upon seeing the innocence in the boy's eyes.

An elderly master who possessed extraordinary skill and could touch the hearts of people through his playing, even managing to comfort the yokai.

"They did not seek the both of you because you had this ability."

And a boy who empathized with them, possessed a kind heart, and would never let go of the piano.

"It was they who chose you."

Furthermore, it would be the final gift that the yokai left for the boy who never gave up on them until the end.