Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 85

Chapter 85 – The Ritual Begins (Part 5)

『KSHYAAAAA!!』

The second layer of the labyrinth barrier was a vast lake covered in lotus leaves.

There, as if declaring itself ruler of this domain, a massive serpent made entirely of water lunged at us the moment it caught sight of us dashing through at full speed, intending to swallow us whole.

“I-Iori-san! Behind you! Behind you!”

“Relax, I got this. Just hold on tight so you don’t fall off, alright?”

Using the unnaturally sturdy lotus leaves as footholds, I glanced briefly behind me.

(I’ve got its behavior down pretty well. If it’s going to strike…)

Just as we were about to land, the massive water serpent opened its giant maw wide.

“Now!”

I immediately launched myself with Wind Magic and cast Freezing Magic on both the lotus leaf and the serpent that was touching it.

『Gyaaa…』

In an instant, the creature became a giant block of ice and collapsed into the lake, scattering crystals of ice across the water’s surface.

The impact shattered the frozen serpent, clearing the obstacle.

And as if in reward, a large lotus leaf with a spiral staircase leading upward came into view.

“…Next one’s the final floor, huh.”

If we could just reach the control panel without incident, that would be ideal—but I highly doubted that would happen.

Somewhere beyond that door was the cause of this whole disaster. I had no idea what kind of twisted trap might be waiting.

“You two—whatever happens, don’t come in front of me.”
““Yes!””

Warning the siblings on my back, I sprinted up the spiral staircase.

It took less than a few minutes before we reached the top, where a heavy stone double door stood waiting.

We’ve faced demons and snakes so far… what’s next?

Thinking that, I pressed my hand to the gate and slowly pushed it open.

(What… is this place?)

Past the doors was a backstage area bathed in a dim red light—like something out of a theater.

All around were strange, scattered objects of unknown purpose, some piled high.

(This is the kind of place where you get ambushed if you’re not careful…)

With that in mind, I created several reconnaissance drones and sent them ahead to scout the area.

But within minutes, every one of them went silent.

(Figures. Nothing’s ever that easy.)

Still, confirming that no monsters were nearby was progress in itself.

“…Alright.”

I took a step into the darkness, taking care not to let my guard down. I also deployed the combat drones I had stored inside my travel bag in the item box.

“Wait—stop!”

I soon heard the sound of someone approaching—heavy breathing, footsteps drawing nearer.

I stepped forward, weapon drones raised, and shouted.

Then, a familiar voice called back.

“Wait, wait! Don’t shoot! We’re human! Not youma!”

There she was—Kuon Koharu, panicking as she waved her hands.

And leaning on her shoulder, barely conscious, was none other than Kuon Kyori.

(Didn’t think we’d meet again like this…)

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◇◇◇

“Alright, this should do it.”

I activated a massive bubble-like membrane infused with Water Magic, which provided both noise suppression and perception disruption.

Inside it, the three of them were already glaring daggers at each other.

“What the hell is that bastard’s brat doing in a place like this?”

“That’s my line, delinquent Koharu-san.”

“I don’t care how you met Iori-san, but quit acting all chummy with him!”

“HAAAH!?”

…I should probably add another bubble wall, just to be safe.

Suppressing my sigh, I turned my gaze to Kuon Kyori, lying on the ground and breathing heavily.

(Appraisal.)

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Name: Kuon Kyori
Race: Human
Age: 16

Status: Headache, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, general muscle weakness.

Note: Her physical and mental exhaustion stems from her power being drained by Kuon Genji through a ritual embedded in the barrier.

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Not critical, at least. Should be treatable with Healing Magic.

But still…

(Power drained by Kuon Genji…? What does that mean exactly?)

According to the Appraisal, it was due to “a ritual embedded in the barrier,” but I, Koharu, and the feuding siblings hadn’t experienced anything like that.

Were there specific conditions? Or maybe something else…

(Anyway—Kyori’s treatment comes first.)

I cast Healing Magic on Kyori, and her strained expression began to soften.

She didn’t seem fully conscious yet, so for now—

I stepped between Koharu and the siblings, forcing them to stop bickering, and faced Koharu.

“Koharu, you came from deeper inside, right? Then you must know what’s going on ahead.”

“…Kuon Genji was turning into a monster—he was sucking people’s blood or something and stealing their power. Kyori-oneesama was the first, and then he went down the line, draining anyone with strong powers, and…”

She trembled, her voice barely steady.

Either she saw something truly terrifying—or went through it herself.

“I only managed to escape by chance, dragging Kyori-oneesama with me. That’s when I ran into you guys.”

The fear in her voice silenced even the previously hostile siblings.

Thinking back, maybe her earlier aggression was just her way of avoiding her own fear.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you relive that.”

“I-It’s fine. If it means we can get Kyori-oneesama out of here—”

『WHERE ARE YOOOOUUU!? KYORIIIIIIII!!』

A guttural scream tore through the bubble, carried on a wave of red mist.

“That voice… Could it be Genji-sama…?”

“No way… That means what Koharu said was all true…?”

While I reinforced the magical barrier with Water Magic, the siblings trembled in shock.

Judging from the voice, Kuon Genji—or what used to be him—had likely lost all sanity.

There was only one thing to do now.

“I’m going to go punch that lunatic in the face. You guys stay here and look after Kuon—”

“—No. Let me come too.”

I turned, surprised by the voice. There she stood—Kuon Kyori—still unsteady on her feet, but standing under her own power.

“Wait, no. You’re in no shape to fight that monster.”

“She’s right, Onee-sama! What if he drains your power again—?!”

“I’m sorry, Iori-kun, Koharu-chan. But I am okay. And more importantly…”

Kyori’s gaze turned firmly toward the mist-covered depths.

“I’m probably the only one who can stop this. Please—take me to Genji.”

She bowed her head to me.

“Onee-sama! That’s insane! You should be figuring out how to escape, not walk into danger!”

“This is my responsibility. I have to be the one to end it. I can’t run away.”

If I truly cared about her well-being, I should stop her.

But her words carried weight. And in this bleak situation, her resolve was the only light I could see.

“…Alright. But no heroics. Got it?”

“…Yes!”

With my response, Kyori immediately tore part of her kimono to make it easier to move.

Meanwhile, Koharu stepped toward me with a serious expression.

“Take me too. I can’t sit back while Onee-sama goes off alone.”

“No. I can’t protect that many people.”

“…Then take me instead of her!”

“Koharu.”

I locked eyes with her as I said her name. She flinched, as if struck.

“This is our limit. Stay here and wait until this is over. Got it?”

“…F-Fine.”

She relented—but then added immediately:

“But you better come back with her. Not a scratch, got it?”

“Yeah. I promise.”

At that, Koharu finally stepped back.

Alright then.

“Kyori, you really sure about this?”

“I’m sure. So just leave it to me, Iori-kun.”

We stood side by side, ready to face what was ahead.

I wasn’t even close to feeling confident—but if Kyori said to trust her, then that’s what I’d do.

“Ten seconds. I’m going to blow away the mist and launch us straight to the voice’s source. Be ready.”

“Understood. Oh, and one more thing.”

Just as I was preparing to activate Wind Magic, Kyori murmured softly.

“‘Kuon’ might be confusing right now. From here on, please call me Kyori.”

“…Got it. Ku—Kyori.”

“Fufu. Guess it’ll take some getting used to.”

“I’ll try my best.”

With that brief exchange to ease the tension, we turned back to the red mist.

『WHERE ARE YOUUUU!? WHEREEEE!? KYORIIIIIIII!!』

“Quit screaming like a lunatic! She’s coming to you right now… so shut it!”

I stepped out of the bubble and immediately unleashed my most powerful Wind Magic, blasting away the mist—

—and launched straight toward the source of the voice.

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Translator’s Notes:

• Kyori vs. Kuon Naming: The heroine asks to be called "Kyori" now, likely to differentiate her from the Kuon family’s name amid the growing madness.

• The Water Serpent: Symbolizes the layer’s hostility adapting to their presence—implying more twisted guardians ahead.

• The Bubble Magic: A clever use of Water Magic to create safe zones, showing how versatile and strategic Iori has become.