I separated from Miyuki after our dubiously legal endeavor and was now on the way to the House. In this case, I think the ends justify the means. We got rid of a monster that was supposedly gonna kill someone, so I don’t think anyone can complain.

  Given how the PSF treats us at the House, there’s a good chance we would have been the ones called to fix the mess sooner or later regardless.

  But this little adventure also revealed something interesting… The monster turned into a painting after it died. Just like the lizard in the cruise turned into a mirror… There has to be some kind of connection. Monsters turning into objects… Maybe the separator Endell talked about has something to do with it.

  “That’s unlikely.” Huh?

  Next thing I knew, Endell appeared in front of me in the streets of Three Records. She was leaning forward with an overly cutesy pose, winking, and with her fingers forming a V over the open eye.

  “Endell? What? Pffft. You get sillier every time I see you.” Her appearance was sudden, but with that pose, I couldn’t help but crack up a bit.

  “Don’t complain. This is your fault.” With a satisfied smirk, she stood up normally and approached me.

  “Wait, what are you doing here?! You can’t suddenly appear out in public like this! What if someone sees you?”

  “*Sigh…* Not a problem.” She placed one hand on her waist. “You’re the only one who can see me.” Ahh… Okay… That makes sense… She did say she was like a figment of my imagination… Like, she can only exist as a manifestation of my perception.

  “That’s good…?” Huh? But if that’s the case, there’s a big inconsistency! “Is that really true? What about last time? Why did you check I was alone before showing up?”

  “It was funny?” Haahh!? “Well, I also wanted to spare you from talking to yourself in public…” She corrected herself after seeing my reaction. “Either way, I never said it was because other people would see me. You jumped to conclusions on your own.”

  Guess I did… Well, it’s not a bad time to talk right now, so I let it go. “Fine… Come with me.” I was still heading for the House so the two of us walked side by side. She’s so small that it’s like I got a little sister. “So? What was that you said earlier?”

  “You were wondering if the Separator created that monster, right? I don’t think they can do it.”

  “That’s a pretty bold claim… Why not?”

  “Do you know how monsters come to be?” Endell looked up with an inquisitive look. I shook my head and let her explain. “Monsters, as is the case for most life from my world, are born by combining the power of the three pillars. Magic and matter from the Pillar of Essence, life from the Pillar of Void, and a soul and intelligence from the Pillar of Silver.”

  Okay… Follows the same logic that the big Endell told me in my dream… “All the pillars are needed to make monsters, but the Separator is just one. They represent a force like one of the pillars, so it’s unlikely that they’d be able to do what the three pillars can do by themselves and still have the power to interfere with the Pillar of Silver.”

  “So… Basically, the Separator’s not strong enough on their own to create monsters? Is that what you’re saying?” Endell nodded.

  “Pretty much, but I can’t say for sure… It’s possible that the force behind the Separator is actually much stronger than the three pillars combined. It’s just that if that was the case, why are our worlds still merging? Why would that force create an avatar, the Separator, to handle that task? This is why it’s unlikely that this is the Separator’s doing. Those monsters are born from the power of the pillars.”

  “I see what you mean… So, what’s up with the monsters that turn into things? I don’t think they’re normal… I’ve never seen anything like them in the other world.” And I’ve killed a lot in the other world.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “They don’t come from our world.” Endell said calmly. “They’re not natural monsters after all.”

  “Wait… Does that mean someone is creating them? Someone from this world?”

  “Maybe… The reason the monsters turn into objects after they’re killed might be because their existence depends on the object. They’re probably created by a skill that creates monsters using objects as catalysts.”

  “A skill? On a person from Earth?!” I’m a bit of an exception… And at this point, I guess Carol is too, but does this mean we’re not the only ones?!

  “I don’t think you understand how skills work…” Endell looked a bit disappointed for a second, but she was glad to flaunt her knowledge. “You see, the Pillar of Silver is the one responsible for giving living beings the ability to use magic through the use of skills, and it doesn’t discriminate. Any being with a soul developed well enough is eligible to receive skills as long as they’re in range.”

  “In range? What does that mean?”

  “It means that anyone in the other world can receive skills. With more holes connecting our world, portals, all it takes is for someone to step into the other side. Even for a second. If they’re fit, the pillar will automatically grant them a skill.”

  “Wow… So is it really someone from this world that’s creating those monsters?” We had walked for long enough, and the House was now in sight.

  “It’s possible. I just saw you struggling and wanted to clear it up for you. It’s my job to support you…” Oh… How adorable… Endell must have noticed the way I was looking at her, or perhaps she was able to sense my thoughts.

  “Ah!” She blushed, let out a small gasp, and disappeared.

  “Come on… You didn’t even give me time to thank you.” I tapped the sword hidden by my hip. So there’s someone creating those monsters… How can I explain this to the others? It’s not like it solves any of our problems right away, so I guess I can wait to tell them… I’ll keep it in mind.

  …

  I stopped by the House, but my goal for today was the other world. When I was with Miyuki, I received a message from Ririna.

  Ririna met with Flanne, and Flanne left a letter with her. A letter for me. It seemed like it was important, so I decided to head there right away.

  Unfortunately, I was right. The letter I received was a beautifully written passive-aggressive letter. It called for my immediate presence, and at the bottom was the signature of Ebrilyon’s beloved princess, Beatrize.

  “Hey, Bea! Hey, Flanne! It’s been a while, huh?” I decided to try to keep things friendly. I don’t think my head’s gonna roll right away this way.

  Flanne opened the door to Bea’s office after I knocked. This was a different room from when I met her with Galene. A room less grandiose, less fit to receive guests. Goes to show where I stand on the totem pole. Bea sat behind the desk and smiled as I entered.

  “It truly has been a while. Please, take a seat.” Well, she’s still being nice to me. That’s good. Flanne closed the door behind me and started preparing some tea as I sat across from Bea.

  “Sorry for not contacting you for so long… We’ve been busy cleaning up after you and Carol drove the demons away from Ebrilyon.” Bea was talking politely and calmly but then leaned over and whispered naughtily. “All the scumbag nobles that supported them have been really quiet since then. They’re all quivering in fear that the princess’s shadow will go after their heads. While it has been a lot of work, it’s been much smoother.”

  “Princess, refrain from calling noble families that have supported Ebrilyon for generations scumbags. I’m afraid you’ll slip up in public one day.” Flanne calmly took a sip from a cup of tea.

  “Again with this? There aren’t going to be any accidents, and it’s true, isn’t it? Also, what are you doing relaxing by yourself without serving us first?” Flanne did as she was told and got up. She’s the same as always… Flanne is kind and gentle and pretty serious when on duty. I don’t get how someone like that can get so… lazy? Carefree?

  “Uhmm… Is the shadow you talked about… me?” I tilted my head while pointing.

  “Correct! The blonde girl who single-handedly and mercilessly massacred dozens and dozens of demons. The princess’s shadow.” Wow… They’re giving me weird nicknames now… There’s just one problem, though.

  “Blonde? How do they know I’m blonde? Did one of the demons escape?” At my reaction, Bea giggled.

  Flanne joined our conversation and placed two cups of tea between me and Bea. “We may have spread some rumors around. To keep bad actors in check. Everything else, they came up with on their own. A body double, an evil twin, or even just a dark side of the princess. Without any definitive answers, they settled on fearing her shadow.”

  “Since, you know, we’re both blonde, they started assuming we were connected somehow.” Bea shrugged.

  Makes sense… We’re actually quite different if seen side by side. The shade and shine of our hair are completely different, and her eyes are green, unlike mine. But that only makes it more believable that I’m Bea’s hidden, ruthless side… My red eyes, in the right context, would probably look kinda evil… And cool! Maybe…

  “Your and Carol’s help was greatly appreciated, but I don’t know if I can say the same for this time…” Bea continued on with a smile, but this time, I felt something sinister from seeing her face.

  “What were you thinking? Why did you pick a fight with the Hero of Humanity, with Galene, of all people? Do you know how much of a risk it was to defend you? Can you not do things that jeopardize our friendship? It’s not easy for a royal to have those!”

  Bea let it all out with a single breath. She inhaled and stood up straight again. Prim and proper. Like nothing even happened.

  “Uhmm… Sorry… That was my bad.”

  Bea let out a sigh, then rested her chin on her hand while looking away, bummed out. “You’re lucky you and Galene managed to kill the monster there and then…”

  Flanne had returned to a couch in the corner of the room with her cup. “Thanks to your quick action in joining forces, Bea didn’t have to take any additional measures regarding you. Not that it would have been your first time with your head on the chopping block.” She was so right! And whose fault was it last time, hmm? That’s right! It was hers!

  Kinda… It was my fault for trying to save Ririna, if you can even say that. But I don’t regret it.

  “Well… It’s settled then, isn’t it? We’re all good? From the letter you sent, I thought you were really mad. Ahahahaha…”

  Bea showed a troubled smile. “I needed to let out some steam. That’s all. But don’t think we’re done here. When you showed up with Galene, you gave me a big fright. I took a big risk to defend you, and I expect this favor to be repaid…” Bea leaned over with a cunning grin.

  “And with that, I have a little job for you.”