castle and princess

There I was, staring at the scene of a city covered by a multitude of thorny vines that had replaced my everyday classroom...

"Alright.... Why did it happen again?!"

So, I decided to demand answers from the experienced Echidna!

<"I don't know">

Only to receive an unexpected response.

"Wait, what?! Why?!"

<"Literary worlds were to some extent interesting in my time, but not to the point of wanting to learn all the details of their workings.">

"...."

I couldn't argue with that logic, so I had no other choice (sadly) but to think for myself for the answer...

Nothing comes to mind!!

I'm not an expert on mystical or anomalous topics that I don't know!

"Now what to do... Hmm..."

<"Well, I can give you my theory on why we were absorbed again, if that helps.">

While I was racking my brains trying to make sense of why only I (and Echidna) were absorbed even though there was someone else beside me, I heard Echidna's words.

"Then please tell me your theory, as it's probably better than mine."

<"Most likely, the book that absorbed us has some connection to the one we overcame previously.">

"The one with the tower?"

<"That's right.">

The events of that literary world still irritate me. I mean, I fought alongside the straw dolls as best as I could against the (previously) imposing "black armor," and if it hadn't been for Echidna's display of power, we would have died.

And what did I receive as a reward from that place?

A damn mountain of underwear!!

If it weren't for the fact that I at least took (stole) Silver as a reward from that place, I assure you I would have picked up a pyromaniac hobby to vent my frustration.

"So, what you're saying is that I fulfilled some requirement to be absorbed?"

<"It would be the most logical explanation given the fact that only we were absorbed while the other human was using it normally.">

"That means we have to complete the story of this literary world to escape, right?"

&lt;"I'm glad you're learning.">

".... Haaaa.... I just hope it's not underwear again..."

But putting aside my weak hopes and using my previous experience, even without reading the story, I think I know what I have to do.

Since last time they left me right in front of the tower for me to complete it, that means the city covered in thorny vines in front of me is the story I have to complete, and due to its resemblance to a story I know, it's most likely that I have to reach the castle from where all these vines originate to end the curse.

"Well then, I choose you, straw dolls!!"

(Yesss!!)

(Here we go!!)

(Time for revenge!!)

So, learning from last time, I immediately took out the reliable straw dolls from my {dimensional storage pocket} for the job.

[a swarm of straw dolls attacks]

[a wave of thorny vines counterattacks]

[both forces are evenly matched!!]

But I didn't count on them neutralizing each other...

Even though as time passed, the number of vines began to exceed the total number of straw dolls, what was impressive was that they were still evenly matched with the numerical superiority of the vines.

"Hey, Echidna..."

<"What's happening?">

"Is it my imagination, or do the straw dolls seem stronger?"

<"It must be your imagination.">

"Are you sure...?"

I mean, they're now adopting shapes similar to the Tyrannosaurus Rex from last time...

They weren't even there at that time?!

<"Listen, you may have forgotten, but those dolls are curses. It's natural for them to strengthen over time.">

"Well... I guess you're right."

But even so, it seems to be at a standstill where neither can gain ground on the other. At this rate, it will only be an eternal battle.

"There's no option."

So, to break this deadlock, I decided to take Silver out of the {dimensional storage pocket} to finish this quickly.

("Hi, Mom!!")

<"Are you sure about doing this? Last time, you were bedridden and sick for 4 days after the fusion ended.">

"But now, thanks to the training, I should be able to withstand at least 10 minutes before starting to get sick!"

And with this fleeting resolve...

"Let's do it, Silver!!"

("Mom!!")

"RESONANCE"

(Flash!!)

"ARISING FROM AN EXPLOSION IS THE SILVER KNIGHT!!"

(BOOM!!)

<"I still don't understand why you invest so much time, energy, and effort in that sequence you practiced.">

"Because it's essence!!"

("Nod, nod!!")

<"It's just an unnecessary waste in my opinion.">

It's quite sad how Echidna is still unable to see how important a transformation sequence is, but I know that one day she will understand (hopes).

But let's get back to the main point. Now transformed into the "Silver Knight," I coated my body in the "gray flames" while walking along the path opened by the straw dolls for me, neutralizing any attempt by the thorny vines to attack me thanks to the properties of the "gray fire."

What are they?

Excellent question!!

You see, when Silver was still the imposing "black armor," it accumulated a lot of hatred and resentment from guarding the tower for an almost incalculable amount of time, causing it to manifest "black flames" that kept burning until they consumed their target.

But when Echidna made her display of power, purifying (punishing) the "black armor," its flames didn't disappear when it was purified due to their persistent nature. Instead, they mutated, turning into "gray flames" with the ability to nullify and neutralize the properties of other things while retaining their original destructive power.

I decided to call these flames {"Neutral Ash Flames"}, and thanks to them, it was quite easy to cross the thorny vines as they were unable to touch me. Moreover, with the superhuman speed of the "Silver Knight," I was making my way to the castle quite quickly.

However, it's quite sad to see all the corpses along the way, entangled in the vines, as I head towards the castle...

"This was suspiciously easier than last time."

<"It's only because you have the advantage in attributes this time that it seems that way. However, I can confirm from my perspective, seeing the number of corpses, that this should have been almost impossible to accomplish.">

"Is that useful to know...?"

And with this (somewhat?) calm conversation with Echidna, we arrived at the origin of the vines to find what I was already expecting, sleeping peacefully... Yep... It's a princess...