A night that glowed blue.
The crimson currents that had blanketed the sky of the Underworld sank below the horizon, and cold blue winds blew in from the permafrost to the north.
Gazing down at the rocks below as they frosted over before his eyes--
"...I wonder if Eleline camped out in this cold too. Coming to the Underworld all alone, fighting off demons and monsters while he tracked down the Demon King's Palace."
Ren murmured, his hands resting on the windowsill.
"Remember this. That man never once raised the shield of justice to justify his goals. No one was ever as greedy, as selfish, and as willing to burn his life chasing what he wanted."
It must have been a desperate struggle. No matter how strong a human was, there was no way anyone could wander through terrain this brutal without suffering.
(...No, the same goes for Heaven and the Valley of the Dragon.)
(...He was a swordsman who fought alone, all the way through.)
Misunderstood by other humans. Hunted by dragons, angels, and demons. And still, he had challenged "the shining ones" on behalf of the entire world and put an end to the End War.
"And then he left behind the Encore, huh..."
The words and his breath slipped from his lips.
They touched the cold glass and dissolved into pale white mist.
"It's almost time. I think we'll find what you left behind soon."
To a swordsman who had looked upon this same Underworld landscape three hundred years ago.
"This might sound weird, but... I guess 'thank you' is the right word. Because you traveled with Kyelse and Fear and Elise, I think that's how I got to meet those three myself."
He looked back on the path he'd taken.
The road he'd traveled to get here had never been his alone.
"That's exactly why I want to find the Encore even more. If finding the last record you left behind is a way for me to pay you back, then--"
It had started at the Valley of the Dragon. Then Heaven, and now the Underworld.
It didn't feel real yet, but he had been retracing the journey the Brave Hero once took, one step at a time. At least, that was what it felt like.
...Knock.
A soft tap at the door came just then.
"...It's me."
"Kyelse?"
Her silhouette appeared in the light from the hallway.
A girl with blue-silver hair stood perfectly still in the open doorway.
What was she doing here this late at night? Ren was about to ask, but the words died in his throat.
"............"
Something was different.
She was wearing her usual traveling gear, and more than anything, her expression was taut.
--She had been the only one missing.
In the courtyard of the Demon King's Palace.
Even after Isis of the Silent Agency had departed, Kyelse alone had chosen to stay behind.
That was why, when Ren, Elise, the Demon King, Housekeeper Lulu, and Fear had gathered in the great hall, she had been the only one absent.
She had things to think about, she'd said.
"What's the matter, Kyelse? You look like you've been brooding."
"...Can we talk?"
"Talk? Yeah, sure."
Kyelse shuffled into the room.
Instead of a chair, she sat down on the edge of the bed. That was like her, but her usual firm voice was weak now, and even sitting there, her shoulders looked slumped.
"...I heard about the fight with the Spirit Beast. From Elise."
"Hm? Oh, that. Fear already healed me up, so I'm fine."
"It's not about how bad the wounds were."
Her emerald-green eyes were wavering.
Along with a weak, self-mocking smile.
"...I dragged you into this."
One quiet sentence. That was all the dragon girl said.
"The ones who stole the Demon Seal and the beast that attacked you--you've probably already figured it out, but they're remnants of the End War. The true identity of that Silent Agency."
She clenched her fists, her shoulders trembling faintly.
"Why they hate us--the dragon-kin, and the angels, and the demons. I don't know the reason. How far back this conflict goes, whether we did something in the past to earn their grudge, what they even are in the first place--I don't know any of it. But..."
...I didn't want to show you this ugly side of the world.
The sights she had wanted to show him were supposed to be something else entirely. She bit down on her lower lip.
And then.
"...I'm sorry."
Kyelse bowed her head.
"When I invited you on the journey to find the Encore... it wasn't because I wanted to drag you into this ugly hatred from three hundred years ago. I just--"
"Nothing's changed."
Ren cut her off.
"Seriously, is that what you've been out in the courtyard stewing over?"
"Wh-what do you mean, 'is that what'!? This is important!"
Kyelse's head snapped up, her voice rising.
Her eyes were still wavering.
Ren met those deep, vivid green eyes head on.
"It's been like this from the start. Finding the Encore means competing with a ton of other parties. We knew that going in."
"But they--"
"It's no big deal. It just means a few people outside the parties joined in."
The mad scramble of heroes for the Encore hadn't changed.
Even without the Silent Agency, the journey to gather the Seals and reach the Isle of the End would have been exactly the same.
"'Will you come with me?'--who said that again?"
"...Th-that was..."
A faint blush crept across the dragon girl's cheeks.
Her expression softened just a little, and Ren cracked a small, sheepish grin.
"It's kind of embarrassing to say now, but I was seriously happy when you asked. Forming a party with someone was something I'd only ever dreamed about."
He had spent so long wishing he could see the world beyond.
He'd thrilled at tales of heroes and their adventures, longing for that life. If this journey was one that followed in Eleline's footsteps, then what was there to hesitate about?
"Fighting with the Dragon Emperor, meeting the Goddess, going into battle alongside the Demon King... It's like a dream, isn't it? Now and going forward, I know I'll never have a single regret about this journey."
"...Really?"
"Really. If you ask me, we shouldn't even worry about the Demon Seal. What's taken can be taken back. And even if that's tough, if we all put our heads together, I'm sure we'll find another way to reach the Isle of the End. Figuring out how to get to the island--that's a minor detail. What matters most is--"
"What matters most?"
"Finding the Encore."
He placed his hand on her shoulder as she gazed up at him.
"Let's find it. The Encore. Before anyone else."
"............"
"Right?"
"...O-of course!"
Kyelse nodded again and again, her expression dazed with emotion, and Ren nodded firmly back.
Afterword
The challenge of heroes living in the present day begins--
Thank you for picking up this book. I'm Sazane.
Thanks to all of you, I've been able to safely release Volume 5 of Encore.
This volume's frontier was the Underworld. In the world of Encore, it's known as one of the most dangerous and vast hidden lands--a sprawling underground realm. Volume 5 focused on events at the Demon King's Palace, but the Demon King Versalem and each of the Five Great Disasters have their own personal history tied to the Underworld. I've packed so much lore into the setting that I'd love to bring the Underworld back if the chance arises.
And then the main events of this volume: Fake Brave Hero Ren versus the Demon King, and the battle against Silent Agency operative Discant.
When the Fake Brave Hero loses the aid of his spirits for the first time, what does he rely on? I'd be happy if the battle in this volume reminded you of the decisive confrontation from the Elmekia arc.
Now, a few acknowledgments for Volume 5.
To my editor N, who put so much effort into getting this book finished. Between checking the Volume 5 manuscript and all the work on Project Encore, I truly owe you.
To Fuyuno Haruaki-sensei, who drew the gorgeous and adorable cover illustration of Elise. A cover with the power and presence worthy of the last of the Three Princesses! Thank you!
And to everyone who picked up this book.
Thank you so much for reading Volume 5. We've been able to expand the media mix in multiple directions, so please look forward to these new Encore projects as well.
About Project Encore--
Collaboration CD: "The Boy Knight and the Heroic Poem of Three Girls"
The entirety of Encore Volume 1 has been performed as a musical composition.
The music was composed by Dragon Guardian, and the CD was released in September.
The orchestral symphonic metal rendition of the scene charging up the Flame Mountain is incredibly cool--the tension comes through perfectly.
Manga Adaptation: Encore***
Serialization begins in the October issue of Monthly Comic Alive (released on the 27th of every month).
The art is by Usui Ryu-sensei. The detailed artwork is beautiful, and the lively expressions and charming gestures of Fear and Kyelse are a must-see.
The first installment includes color pages, so please be sure to check it out.
Drama CD: "The Blue Fairy and the Knight of the Silver World"
On sale October 23, 2015.
For this drama CD, I wrote a completely original script, performed by a wonderful cast of voice actors. It releases right alongside the novel's Volume 5, so please listen to it together with the book!
The script focuses on Ren and the Three Princesses' comedic journey, and I think it turned out to be a fun behind-the-scenes episode of the original Volume 1 story.
Finally, a preview.
Encore Volume 6 is scheduled for February 2016.
Those who await Ren and his companions at the climax of their journey. Those who reunite. Those who entrust--
Every emotion and every battle converge in the "Isle of the End and the Encore" arc. I believe it'll be a story worthy of this turning point in the larger narrative.
Please look forward to it!
Sazane Kei
Author
Sazane Kei
Project Encore, begin!
Between the novel's Volume 5, the drama CD, and the manga serialization, this October is packed with events and I can't wait!
Illustration
Fuyuno Haruaki
Illustrator. Known for cover and interior art across numerous light novel titles. Recent works include Listening to the Soundtrack of a Film I've Never Seen (Shincho Bunko nex).
Cover, frontispiece, and interior illustrations by Fuyuno Haruaki.
Book design by Atoji Takahisa.
Reader notes