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Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu - Volume 3 - Chapter 4




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Chapter 4: A world beginning to awaken[edit]

In the distance, there was a sand cloud dancing.

Then there were lights…

A few, few, and another few lights emerged and then extinguished, followed by sounds of explosion.

Claugh sat on his horse and used his red eyes to observe all of this.

He used this small hill as a shelter to watch his enemies,

“Ah…Shuss. How many soldiers are there over there?”

“Around eight, nine thousand…”

“Hmm.”

He nodded slightly in response.

The vigorous battle had already started at the bottom of the hill.

They were in a place called Suriad in Roland…

The Estabul army were targeting the city of the anti-royalist forces—where Count Cleaude was staying. Like what Froaude had predicted, their numbers were about eight thousand.

Claugh frowned,

“That guy… his information is so accurate that it’s disgusting… Then how long can Cleaude’s city hold for?”

The seventeen, eighteen year old officer who had replied just now, said,

“They can’t hold for another half an hour. Count Cleaude’s personal soldiers don’t even reach the number of one thousand.”

Claugh laughed,

“Looks like Cleaude must be in a panic. He should have evacuated from the beginning. It seems like that city has some things that he does not want us to see. Never mind, it’s already like that, what do you think of waiting until they have dealt with Cleaude before we attack, Shuss?”

Shuss immediately replied,

“I’m very clear that you aren’t someone who would do that.”

Claugh said, depressed,

“Ahh? If you always use that tone as if you’re able to see through everything, then I will feel that I’m a simpleton whose thoughts are seen through by everyone.”

“That’s the charisma of Major-General.”

“Don’t speak such nonsense.”

Saying that, Claugh knocked on the younger official’s head and scrunched up his brows,

“Then, we should be going. We’ll charge from this hill and cut off their army from the side.

"After that, you can command the troops as you like. After all, we have fifteen thousand here… They aren’t our opponents.”

“It’s a boring battle.”

Claugh smiled,

“Oh, you have the guts. Battle is not an interesting matter, you should be clear on this, right?”

But Shuss used an earnest tone,

“So I say it’s boring. It’s a battle where the outcome is already decided, there’s no need to fight. I hate people dying meaninglessly.”

Claugh nodded,

“That’s that. So…”

Following that, he shouted in a voice that soldiers behind them could hear,

“This battle is our victory! You can’t die! Then,”

Saying that, he turned his eyes to their target in front of them and flicked the reins,

“Charge!!”

Almost at the same time as the command, the army started to move.

First, it was the cavalry who unsheathed their swords and charged forward, then it was the infantry led by the mages…

When the Estabul soldiers discovered this, although they wanted to immediately chant the magic that Estabul had to write words in the air…

But at this moment, the cavalry with Claugh leading them had reached their sides.

Like a knife slicing two parts, he cut off their ranks.

The Estabul soldiers entered a state of panic,

“Ro-Roland’s dogs, where did you appear from!?”

“Wu!? If they mix in like this, we can’t use large-scale magic…”

Strong, large scaled magic could involve their own people. So when using large-range magic in a battle, it was always released from a distance.

Although the confused Estabul soldiers used magic, but they were unable to decrease the numbers of the Roland soldiers.

But Roland was the same…

Actually, having ten or more mages performing a large scale magic from the distance could decrease the number of Estabul soldiers and then attacking would be more effective, and the damages would be lesser…

But Claugh didn’t do so.

“Shuss! I’m going! Try to think of a plan to decrease the damage!”

Claugh shouted in the battle. Shuss decapitated an enemy who was about to chant the offensive spell magic, then immediately started to rapidly draw a glowing magic structure,


“WHAT I SEEK IS THUNDER>>> IZUCHI!”


Lightning was released.

In a moment, an Estabul soldier who was about to cut down one of the infantry released a cry and collapsed…

Shuss checked the conditions of their side and then turned back.

“Alright! Go quickly! If Major-General isn’t quick, then the damages from our side and their side will increase!!”

But Claugh had already ridden away and couldn’t hear what he was saying.

Claugh looked around.

“Where is it?”

He muttered softly. He didn’t hold any weapons, and he didn’t use any magic, he only rode on the battlefield.

But even so…

The places where he passed by were stained with blood. The people who tried to attack Claugh all cried, shouted and released sounds of fear.

“Che… I deliberately left you with your lives… Be quiet…”

But this was not possible. Because they still live, so they still moaned…

Claugh cut down the Estabul fighting forces by himself, just like that. Then he looked at the person who was on a horse furthest from him, who was most obviously commanding the soldiers to attack the city…

There were six red stripes on his uniform near his wrist and criss-crossing green stripes.

The red stripes indicated the position they held in the army, the green lines were evidence that they were nobles.

Claugh said to him,

“Are you the commander of this army?”

The Estabul noble turned and looked at Claugh.

Claugh felt a little unhappy when he saw him.

Firm and sharp eyes. Eyes that said that he was proud for whatever he had done. He was different from those kind of nobles like Cleaude who didn’t not participate in the battle but only stood to one side and scream, he had a gaze that said that he sincerely meant well for his country…

The Estabul noble said.

“You are Roland’s General…”

But he didn’t finish speaking when Claugh started charging from the side.

In a moment.

Claugh’s hand was stained with red.

Before the nobles behind their commander could understand what had happened, their leader collapsed, his body sliced into two.

Claugh gently waved the hand stained with his enemy’s blood,

“…Really… Even if you are thinking for the country, don’t do something like this… There can’t possibly be no one grieving over you if you died…”

He gently whispered, as if moaning then he raised his head,

“Look! The Estabul commander has been killed by me!! You will find that your situation is not good either! If you continue to resist… we’ll exterminate all of you!!”

He let out a shout that made even the earth tremble.

The surrounding Estabul soldiers completely lost their will to fight.

Even if they did not do so, the front lines that had been destroyed by Claugh himself were wavering, and they were taken care of quickly.

Then, Shuss shouted from the centre of the battlefield,

“The general of the Roland army, Major-General Claugh Klom has taken down your commanding officers! From now on, the fifteen thousand strong Roland army will raid you! If anyone dares to oppose, we will kill them immediately!”

The cry was repeated from the back…

The battle was quickly ended…

The Estabul soldiers had lost their will to fight.

But this was to be expected. Their commander being killed was one reason. The overwhelming number of their opponent was another. The unexpected attack that caused their formation to crumble was another…

But the largest reason was…

Claugh Klom, this name…

The Crimson Finger Claugh…

In many battles, his hand was always stained crimson with the blood of his enemies, Claugh’s names was very famous because of the constant wars Roland had with Estabul.

His existence was one that was just as feared as the mage knights…

Victory was gained in a moment. The eight thousand soldiers attacking Cleaude’s territory surrendered just like that.

 


After that, on nearly all the battles, this situation was almost the same.

As long as they attacked according to Froaude’s instructions, the Estabul soldiers would collapse one by one, as if they were controlled by an invisible enormous power…

Their power decreased alarmingly.

Then finally, they were pushed back into the territory of Estabul…

 

In a room in Aose.

In this room, the Estabul camp was in an uproar. The nobles and the military officers were sighing in the room.

“What is going on!? Why are we always ambushed by the enemy!?”

“Can’t someone think of a plan!? Why do they always know the areas we’re going to attack?”

“So, so that’s what I said! This is impossible… it was only five thousand soldiers…”

“What are you saying? Didn’t you agree with this too! You said that we would get Estabul from that hated Roland!”

“But!?”

But…

Hearing them quarrel, Noa closed her eyes.

But… the soldiers were dead. They had died without leaving their legacy. This was the truth. If it was like that, then there wasn’t any need to fight.

Everyone… was dying needlessly…

Noa creased her brow in pain.

Then she opened her eyes again and watched the nobles who were frantically trying to decide on a battle plan… even though they were already in this situation.

But they had already lost more than half of the five thousand soldiers. How should they counter-attack?

The Roland army was so strong that it made one scared.

It wasn’t only the strength of the army. Their information gathering skills were superior to their own. Where and when they would attack, that general called Claugh Klom in charge of the army seemed to predict their movements, and would always lie in wait at their targets’ territories, then ambush them.

Roland had someone who had the same mindset as Noa.

They didn’t want to see anyone else die. This was Noa’s wish, originally… but the nobles in front of her still did not want to give up. They still wanted to continue fighting.

Noa could only say softly to the man beside her,

“…How ironic.”

Salawell turned his eyes to her,

“What is it? Your Highness.”

“What is it? Is there a need to ask? Other than the fact that the enemy is saving our people… and our nobles are taking away the lives of our people, is there anything else that can be more ironic?”

Salawell revealed a troubled expression,

“Your Highness, we are fighting a war with justice on our side. We can’t possibly lose…”

“But, but we have lost, haven’t we?”

Noa’s words were slightly louder now, the nobles who were discussing stopped talking.

Their attention focused on Noa…

Noa simply bore their attention.

She met the eyes of those who were looking at her.

“This war, shouldn’t it end now? If there is no future in progressing this war, then even if it reduces the sacrifices, shouldn’t we end it here?”

But towards this,

“Wh-what are you saying, Your Highness! Your meaning is that we should do nothing and surrender to Roland like this? We can’t do that. At least we must repay them, even if it’s only a bit…”

“…Then, for this small thing, will we have to lose the lives of many soldiers?”

“But, but… only this…”

She didn’t want to hear it anymore. What was coming next she knew very well. If this continued, she would be killed as the main conspirator of the rebellion. To prevent that from happening, at least they had to create a beneficial condition that would allow for them to continue this, that was what it meant.

But, for only that, it was not possible to prevent the lives of the soldiers from suffering even more…

Noa shook her head.

“It is already enough. Rest assured. The main conspirator of this rebellion is me. The other people were threatened by me, coerced into following me… isn’t this enough?”

“How can that be possible!? We can’t let Your Highness bear this burden…”

“Th, then, we will go with Your Highness…”

But at this moment, Salawell interrupted the nobles’ conversation with the princess.

“Please wait. As long as we do not fail, we will not have to do this. Your Highness’s life, and everyone’s life, there’s no need to give them to Roland for nothing, right?”

Hearing this, the nobles,

“Although that is how we say it… but in this current situation… there are only slightly more than two thousand soldiers left. But the manpower on Roland’s side, at least it is more than ten thousand? What to do…”

But Salawell’s expression showed no signs of shrinking back; he revealed a confident smile,

“The numbers in a battle do not determine everything, everyone. Strategy, and morale… as long as we can defeat the troops led by Claugh Klom, the morale of everyone will be boosted. About this point, I have a good idea.”

“Ohh!? Is that true! What is…”

Salawell nodded his head,

“Very simple. Target Roland’s weakness.”

“Weakness?”

“Yes. After everyone saw the battle tactics of the troops led by Claugh Klom, did anyone feel anything?”

The nobles looked at one another,

“If you’re asking us what we feel…”

“It’s only that they’re overwhelmingly strong, and their movements are quite fast…”

At this moment Noa spoke.

“Are you referring to… the matter of him avoiding to kill our soldiers?”

Salawell happily nodded his head,

“Exactly, Your Highness. And, this is their weakness. On Roland’s side, to be able to gain control of Estabul quickly, they would do their best to avoid a war that will make us angry and avoid giving us a cause to hate them. And that means… What does everyone think?” As if seeking for everyone’s opinion, he surveyed the people in the room.

But everyone tilted their heads thinking…

At that moment, Noa suddenly realized.

Salawell wanted to carry out… that scary plan…

“Don’t, don’t tell me you want to…”

Just as she spoke, Salawell nodded,

“That’s right, Your Highness. It is the matter of using the people of Estabul as hostages against Roland.”

“Salawell! What are you saying…”

But he ignored Noa,

“Of course I have never really thought of sacrificing the people. But, using the people as hostages is the truth. Then, as long as they are our shields, causing the battle situation to progress in our favour, it wouldn’t be our fault. If Klom is unable to attack, then we defeat them. Not to mention… the people I lead have already taken the people of Roland as hostages, and they have caught them… at least like this, we will be able to have the upper hand in our dealings with the other party. They will also be unable to attack our base.”

Saying these kind of words…

“Ohh!”

“It’s Lord Salawell indeed! We can see the light again!”

Actually saying this…

Noa was already speechless.

What exactly, was he saying? If he did this, if he did this then it wouldn’t be a problem that could be solved just by bearing the crime of being the main conspirator of this rebellion.

Using the people as hostages…

If this was able to successfully defeat Klom’s soldiers, and in the future, if they were able to defeat Roland…

Then the direction had no future.

There wouldn’t be a country that could prosper and have the people not looking down on each other.

Although she wanted to say that, but…

Salawell, who was standing by Noa’s side,

“Your Highness. I understand what you want to say. But, there is no choice but to do this. I… want to protect Your Highness…”

Noa stared at Salawell unwaveringly,

“For the sake of protecting me, there is a need to use the people of hostages, you say!”

But Salawell shook his head, saying.

“No. I only wanted to protect you, I wanted to protect you whom I have watched grow up… that kind of feeling is one of my reasons. But the other reason is, thinking for the people of Estabul after today. If we lose to them like this, what will happen to the people of Estabul after this? They will be ravaged, invaded, and if they are tired of this, they will be killed… that is the fate of a country that has lost. I am only thinking of a way to save them…”

He was very serious. It was an determined expression that said that there was no retreating.

This mood was enough to understand. If there was a possibility, she would want to save the people of Estabul too. But,

“…Can we not let the people be hostages… Can we not let the people suffer anymore?”

“…”

Salawell did not reply.

Noa could only change her question…

“…Is there… no way to stop this…?”

“… It cannot be stopped.”

Salawell replied, then left Noa’s side. He started to discuss about the battle strategy they would take after today with the nobles.

Looking at this…

Noa’s face had a sad, but beautiful smile…

“…Is that so. Until the end, I was only a marionette monarch that was carried to the throne by someone else. No matter what, I was still… unable to save anyone…”

Noa shut her eyes again.

 

 

The fortress was situated on the other side of the plain. In the past, this was a stronghold that Estabul had constructed.

Although it was not a big fortress, it was protected by a moat, and walls fortified with magic, an impulsive attack would not be able to overcome it.

This was the base of the conspirators of this rebellion.

The stronghold was right in front of them, but… Claugh was at a lack for what to do.

The unbelievable thing was that Estabul had actually caught the people of Roland, and even their own people as hostages.

He took up the document that Estabul had sent him…


Claugh had a disgusted expression,

“What are those people thinking of doing. Even if they were forced into a corner, there are some things that they can do and other things that they should not do. Can’t they even differentiate this?”

The letter sent was written like this.

 

First, the legion that Claugh Klom is leading, has to be dispersed, and retreat. Second, release the Estabul soldiers who are slaves. If you do not listen to our demands, there will be one less head from the Roland or Estabul hostages every hour.

 

A simple document.

But…

“But, this is a very effective plan. The conditions that the other side is giving us, definitely can be accomplished… If they depend on this threat to deal with the difficult problem of getting Roland to surrender completely, then we also ignore the hostages and attack… But now we are unable to attack…”

Shuss commented calmly.

Claugh crumpled the letter up, throwing it away…

“What effectiveness. No matter what, we cannot lose. This will only give us a reasonable excuse to kill them. If they take the people as hostages… war criminals… it will definitely be death.”

“But, then Major-General, do we attack and ignore the hostages?”

Hearing this Claugh frowned slightly,

“Ahh? Damnit, of course we can’t! Really, we have lost to them. What do we do now? Should we draw back first, then discuss this with Sion? But if we release all of the Estabul soldiers, what will we do next?”

“…After that, there would really be a full-scale war.”

That was the worst path to take…

“But we can’t give up on the hostages. If we did that, then there would be no difference from the previous king of Roland. Ahh, really, we actually have to discuss this with him, how embarrassing…”

Although he said it like that, but Claugh still turned his horse around. Seeing this, Shuss smiled,

“I quite like this Major-General who is embarrassed.”

“I hate you the most.”

Just as Shuss saw Claugh who was sighing smile…

Suddenly, there was an urgent voice,

“Major-General! The Roland soldiers are attacking the fortress of Estabul now!”

“Ah!?”

Claugh turned his head again,

“What is going on! Aren’t there human hostages there!? Did they attack on their own without my order!?”

But, the officer who had came to report cowered in fear because of Claugh’s roar and replied,

“A-About that… Actually, we’re still not sure who those soldiers belong to…”

“Damnit! Shuss!”

As he gave the command, Shuss was no longer by his side… Claugh had already galloped out.

He had to check which legion was acting on their own accord among the three thousand strong army he had.

But, there was no time to wait. Claugh quickened his speed…

At this moment, he heard Shuss calling from behind him.

“All of our soldiers are here!”

“Ah!? Then, whose legion is that!”

“…”

There was no reply. Shuss was not sure, too.

Damnit! What was going on? Think carefully. Think carefully before the hostages are killed. Can I move? Or can I not move?

If that legion was sent out by Sion’s order, then he should stay at his original position and wait for his opportunity. But, if it wasn’t… No, Sion had already said that the responsibility of this matter would be handed to me.

Then…

Thinking until here, he frowned.

There was only one person. His appearance seemed to appear in front of him… It was the person whose information on Estabul was so accurate that it felt slightly abnormal. He had though that he should be on the side of the front lines…

But…

“Damnit, it’s Froaude!”

Claugh spurred his horse on.

Shuss shouted from behind him,

“Major-General! It’s too dangerous to go by yourself…”

But he interrupted this,

“Shuss! No matter what happens, don’t let the army move! Keep the soldiers there!”

Saying that, Claugh rushed by himself to the Estabul fortress that was under heavy attack.

 


At the same time, the Estabul side entered a state of mayhem.

“How, how can this be!?”

The nobles shouted.

This was impossible. Roland actually ignored the presence of the human hostages, sending soldiers towards them.

The nobles glared at Salawell who was standing by Noa and interrogated him,

“What, what is going on!? At this rate, at this rate, it is already…”

“Salawell, how do you plan to take responsibility for this!!”

Salawell had a troubled expression.

“No, that, even if you want me to take responsibility… I didn’t think that, Roland would actually carry out this kind of immoral, cruel attack, ignoring the lives of the human hostages…”

“You actually said that you didn’t think of it! But this is the truth! How do you plan to take responsibility for this! Any- anymore and we will walk towards destruction! We have taken the people of Roland and Estabul as hostages… If this continues we will become criminals… it will be the death sentence! Explain to us, how you will take up this responsibility!”

“Th,that… But, it doesn’t determine that we will definitely lose…”

They argued.

Noa looked at them arguing, and sighed tiredly.

They would lose. The moment they took their people as hostages, Estabul was fated to die. In the end, it would always be like that, she had known of this deep in her heart.

No, but because she knew that the fighting style of the man called Claugh Klom, she had never thought that he would pick this kind of method in abandoning the hostages and attacking so early…

But no matter what, the difference between their strengths was too much.

This rebellion itself was as if they were foolishly dancing in the hands of their enemy.

When the nobles heard Salawell’s words,

“That’s, that’s right. This doesn’t mean that we will lose… As long as we stay in this fortress, according to the negotiations, don’t stop killing the hostages, Roland might stop attacking…”

“That’s right! They think that we are not serious, so they attacked us! Then we have to show that that we are serious! Hostages…”

When they spoke to this point, Noa couldn’t stand it,

“Shut up!!”

She shouted angrily.

The nobles gathered in the hall trembled, all of them fell silent.

Noa saw this, narrowing her eyes.

Everyone, looked exhausted. It was a tired expression because of the approaching death in front of them, because of the unsuccessful rebellion. How pitiful. This should end. No… It had already ended.

Estabul, was already…

Noa used a gentle tone to say.

“Everyone, you cannot lose your direction.”

“But, but…”

Noa shook her head slowly,

“Everyone has worked hard. But, let this end. Release the human hostages. This is the best that we can do.”

“But Your Highness, if it’s that we will…”

Noa shook her head again, interrupting him,

"Although, I do not know what will the ending be… But I will do my best, to think of something, to use my own life to…”

At this moment, Salawell interrupted,

“Princess, you can’t! We can’t let our princess die alone… I will go with the princess!”

As soon as he said that, although it was not everyone… but there were a few nobles who said the same…

Noa felt, this was enough.

“I feel… happy. That I am surrounded by this many people who are concerned for Estabul… But, Salawell… and everyone, please continue to live. As long as you live, there will always be something that you can do. If you are dead, then everything has ended. Even if Roland forces us to shame, as long as we live, there is something that we can do. There will always be a method for happiness. Estabul…”

As she spoke until there…

Her voice started to tremble.

Towards what she was about to say next, she felt fear.

Troubled.

And there was some reluctance.

She had been born and she had grown up in Estabul…

She had always… always had been the princess of Estabul, praying that she would be able to create a country where anyone could smile and live. Create that kind of country, where she only hoped that the people who could be happy, would be happy. For that, she had worked that hard to learn. She had worked so hard to learn all of the many things that Salawell had taught.

But…

The ending was still this…

She wanted to cry.

What she had done, was only capturing the commoners of Roland, even the people of Estabul had been used as hostages, and hiding behind the soldiers who were fighting, enclosing herself in this city…

It was too disappointing. It should not be like this.

What she had hoped for, was not something like this…

So…

Noa suppressed her trembling voice.

She did her best not to let her tears flow out from her eyes…

But. Everyone in the hall, already understood what she wanted to say.

Some people lowered their faces, others had already started crying.

Noa smiled, saying.

“Even if Estabul is destroyed… Even if it cannot be resurrected again… I believe, there is a way for everyone to be happy… For this, I…”

There wasn’t any need to say anything else.

Following this, it would be enough if I just accepted my fate.

Noa tried to prevent the tears from slipping down her face, closing her eyes…

But at this moment.

From the front of her closed eyes, there was a dark, cold voice as if coming from a dark oasis…

“This is really… troubling. I am truly touched by everyone’s deep concerns for the country. But… from my perspective, I feel that if we only take Princess Noa Ehn’s life as compensation for this crime, it is slightly insufficient…”

A voice suddenly rang in the hall.

This voice, made Noa open her eyes in a moment, looking in the direction of the voice.

There was a man standing in the entrance of the hall.

Black beautiful long hair. Cold, dark eyes. And, a smile stained red.

He opened his mouth,

“Yes… Doesn’t everyone present feel that the best decoration for the destruction of this Kingdom called Estabul, should be a tragedy?”

Saying this kind of words…

Towards this, the first person to react was Salawell. He took a step forward, as if wanting to protect Noa, shouting at him.

“You, you, what are you!?”

The man nodded his head politely,

“Pardon me. I am Miran Froaude. I am a major of the Roland Empire army…”

At this, the nobles entered a state of confusion,

“Ro, Roland!? How, how can they reach here… Un, Unless, the soldiers outside have already… been wiped out?”

But Froaude shook his head.

“No, no. Your fellow Estabul soldiers are still fighting hard. Anyway, there are one thousand soldiers with me, while there are two thousand and four hundred soldiers protecting here… It isn’t that easy for the city to be defeated. No, even if it were taken down, the Roland soldiers would be unable to enter this city. Because…”

As he spoke until there, Froaude’s appearance suddenly changed.

No, it wasn’t a change that could be seen on the outside.

But it was… killing intent.

Still carrying that faint smile, but, his eyes, as if having the ability to kill all living creatures, was unbelievably cold.

It was the eyes of a devil.

Froaude slowly opened his arms,

“The show that is about to start here, is the last scene of the tragedy…”

As he said that, he brought his arm to the front, pointing at a noble in front of him,


“Shadows… Come forth.”


In a moment.

Something unbelievable happened.

The shadows on the floor started to swell…

“Wuah…”

He could only let out this kind of sound. No, it should be said that there could be no other noise made. Because, his body and his head, had already been separated…

In this short time frame, no one said anything.

From the noble’s head, fresh blood spurted out, staining the ceiling, walls and floor.

“Wu, Wuaaah…”

The voice stopped here again. This time it was the body. The body seemed to be swallowed by a large beast, the body and head disappeared…

Leaving only the blood that had spread everywhere.

Red, red, red.

The hall was momentarily covered with red.

“What, what is this…”

Noa could only say this aloud. Her body was already unable to move.

The nobles escaped in all directions as if mad. Then, one person, followed by another, was killed…

“Who, who else is there!? Is there anyone there! Soldiers! It’s the enemy, the city has been infiltrated by the enemy…”

Halfway through his shouting, the voice was interrupted again.

This time it was the whole upper body that had been snatched away.

By the darkness… By the darkness that pooled out continuously from under their feet…

Among this chaos, Froaude wasn’t dirtied by a single drop of blood, he only spoke towards the dead noble who had lost his upper body,

“I’m terribly sorry. I am being rude, but the soldiers in this city are already dead. Because they might have interrupted this beautiful performance of Estabul being destroyed.”

Saying that…

Noa trembled. There were at least fifty soldiers in this city… This man said that they were all dead. And he had said that so calmly.

Monster…

She thought.

No, it wasn’t a human…monster…

If it wasn’t, then it was a devil…

That would devour everything.

The shadows that this man called Froaude summoned, devoured everything…

At this moment, Salawell pulled Noa’s hand,

“Princess! This, this has already ended. Even if it is only the princess…”

“But, but…”

Noa just opened her mouth, from the hall,

“Salawell! This, this will be blockaded by us! You have to think of something, think of a way for the princess…”

But this was interrupted.

He was killed.

He was killed!?

Salawell shouted,

“Princess! Escape!!”

“No! Everyone…everyone…”

“Dammit! Pardon my rudeness!”

Saying that, Salawell carried Noa and ran out.

“Let go, Salawell!”

“No! Please calm down!”

Just like that, Noa and Salawell escaped from the hall. Noa was carried by Salawell, looking dazed.

Why? Why would this happen?

She completely couldn’t understand.

It should have been her that died, but the ones who died were the people she wanted to protect. In order for her to escape, everyone had died…

All were dead.

When they escaped from the hall, Noa had seen it.

The last person’s death, and Froaude looking at her…

Using those devil’s eyes to look here…

Look here…

But at that moment, suddenly…

“Princess, please come down, I’m a little tired.”

Salawell said,

“Eh? …Ah, eh…”

Noa nodded, coming down. She looked around her, this was a meeting room that was slightly smaller than the hall earlier. Although it was like that, when Noa and the others came to this fortress, the chairs and tables here had already been cleared away, its usage as a meeting room was gone. So it was easy to move the chairs and tables into the hall on the first floor and use it as a meeting room. Salawell, the soldiers and the nobles, without caring for the difference between their statuses, had laughed and said that they would use this place as a meeting room, then moved the chairs and tables there, that was a matter not long ago…

For the sake of restoring Estabul, and laughing, it really was something that had happened not long ago…

Looking at the empty big meeting room, Noa said,

“…All of it, is gone…”

But Salawell replied,

“No, there is still something left.”

“Something left? What is left? Putting aside the companions, everyone who thought for this country, when we caught those hostages, we had already lost our honour. We already, have nothing.”

The meaning to live too…

Not long after, that monster called Froaude would come here…

Noa did not want to escape. Even if she did not die here, what would await her would be the death sentence. Then it wouldn’t matter where she died.

Everyone, was dead…

But Salawell looked at Noa, for unknown reasons, a happy smile appeared, he said,

“It hasn’t finished, Princess. You still have your life, right? According to the plan, this should be so. ‘The Estabul that has taken people as hostages. Roland who is unable to move against them. Then, Estabul that has been forced down this damned path, started to kill people…’ Your role was to lose control, Princess.”

He actually said something like that…

“Sa,Salawell…? What are you saying…”

Although she said that, but, Noa already understood everything, towards what Salawell had just said, she understood everything. She had known from the beginning, it would have been better if she died not knowing anything… She had known that, she should have died with those nobles in the hall, dying with a happy dream…

But towards what was in front of her, was the cruel reality…

This man’s face that she had trusted since she was a child and understood the best, suddenly turned into someone she did not know. A meaningful but indecent smile appeared.

“Then, the one to stop this wild Estabul will be Salawell Seal, as the hero who will save the country, he will be promoted to the noble of Roland, that was what was predicted.”

A nightmare…

Yes, Noa thought.

She had finally understood what Froaude’s words had meant.

The stage called a tragedy…

From the beginning, they had been controlled to dance.

Estabul’s rebellion too, from the beginning it was within Roland’s grasp…

Towards this Noa…

“Ahh… Why did this happen… I’m really foolish… There were clearly many hints. Those Estabul soldiers were ambushed by Roland every time. If only I had noticed. Or maybe it was when Salawell, the moment when you spoke about using the people as hostages, if I had found out at that moment… Or maybe, towards that monster…. That, noticing our escape… but letting us run away… Seeing this truth if I…”

Salawell laughed,

“No, no. You aren’t foolish, Princess. You merely trusted me. Even if you notice that there is something odd, you would purposefully ignore it. I… I who have been serving you since you were young, could not do something like this. Yes, didn’t you think so?”

“…”

This was the truth. Salawell could never betray her. Even if it was anyone who betrayed her, only Salawell couldn’t betray…

She had thought like that.

Then… Salawell said.

“You still regard me like that. So I will only teach you the beautiful things. The beautiful me, the beautiful me, the beautiful world… so you are beautiful. Unbelievably, you have been brought up as a strong, beautiful person.”

Saying that, he revealed a regretful expression,

“What a waste… I brought you up to be so beautiful with much difficulty… In the beginning I had planned to use you, then marry you, to get Estabul.”

“…”

Noa didn’t say anything. From the beginning Salawell had… this man had been always lying to everyone.

For this fellow, everyone, everyone had died…

“But you see, Roland has promised me a position… I am satisfied with that now. Didn’t Princess say that just now? As long as there is something remaining, there still can be things done.”

This fellow… Unless there would only be this kind of person continuing to live on in the end?

Noa trembled. It wasn’t because of fear, but it was because of anger.

That was, reality… As what Salawell had said, this was the punishment for me who only known beautiful things…

But…

Noa slowly reached towards the dagger hidden at her back.

But… only this person could not be forgiven.

Noa…

“I… really wanted to create a world where everyone would laugh and live…”

“You’re still saying pretty things. Beautiful things can never move this country.”

“Even so! I, still want to create that kind of country! Even if it is only pretty words… Even if behind some people’s smiles, there will be some people crying… This wish, can’t it be fulfilled!?”

Salawell laughed coldly,

“No, wishes are for free. This kind of fool will die in the end, I, who will survive, will become the hero to save this country. That’s all. Then alright, it’s about time…”

In a moment, Noa stabbed the dagger,

“I wouldn’t die for nothing…”

Then…

Her hand was simply caught by Salawell… Salawell revealed a satisfied smile,

“Princess is very cute. Just like what I taught, until the end she is still very pure, righteous, and, as if controlled by me, she will always make the actions that I predicted. Did you think that I did not know where you hid your dagger?”

Just by applying more pressure on her wrist, he took the dagger from Noa’s hand…

Noa looked at the dagger that seemed to be glimmering towards her, falling into despair…

In the end, she was unable to take revenge.

Everyone was dead. They were controlled by this kind of person, dead…

She didn’t want to die.

That was the first time she thought of that.

At least this man… this man should be…

But, she didn’t have that power.

“Then, let this end. You and everyone else, will die for nothing.”

He aimed at Noa’s chest, stabbing the dagger down viciously…

At this moment.

Salawell’s hand, still holding on to the dagger, flew away.

“What!?”

Before he finished speaking, his head went flying too. Then he collapsed on the ground…

A voice spoke.

“Yes, Salawell-san. You are really foolish. Just like what my plan was, until the end you had no ambition, so vulgar. As if controlled by me, you would always take the actions that I predicted... If he is used without any change, it would be like that? Princess Noa Ehn.”

Saying that… that man walked into the room.

That, monster…

That monster from Roland called Miran Froaude…

He still had a calm tone.

He walked to their side casually, looking down at Salawell who was on the floor,

“Rest assured, Princess. Roland isn’t so lacking in heroes that it needs this kind of man to be the hero because of saving a country.”

He said.

The eyes looking down on the target that was about to be killed, as if he had no compassion…

Noa revealed a disgusted expression,

“You say hero? Roland’s hero!? A hero who does something like this!? You’re saying that someone who plays with others' thoughts, in the end mocking them, that is the way how the Hero King of Roland, Sion Astal acts?”

Froaude revealed a slightly troubled expression as he heard this,

“…That’s not it. The one who does these things… is not a hero. My King would not do this. These are my own actions. And I have mentioned this to the king… but I was rejected by him.”

“…What means, the one behind the curtains for this matter was you?”

“Yes… until this rebellion was started it was all… But the king did not select me, but he commanded Major-General Claugh Klom to suppress the Estabul rebellion… what will happen next, Your Highness who is intelligent should be clear, right?”

Noa accepted this answer.

This was the arrangement…

Claugh Klom’s way of fighting, it was that fighting style that the Roland king wished for.

Froaude continued,

“But, although I do not wish to use Salawell-san’s words, beautiful things cannot move this country… This is the truth too. So, there is a need for people like me. Your Highness, a country where people can smile and live… that wish… I don’t hate it. I don’t hate people like you, too. If I were the officer or commoner of Estabul, I would choose you as king. But…”

He picked up the dagger in Salawell’s hand, raising it,

“Princess Noa Ehn took the people of Estabul and Roland as hostages, and killed them, then committed suicide. That is the synopsis of this tragedy.”

Noa glared at Froaude.

“Are you going to kill the hostage?”

“Yes.”

“You think that King Astal who wishes for that kind of battle style, will forgive you?”

Hearing this Froaude seemed troubled again, yet carried a slightly happy expression,

“…If this isn’t revealed, that would be best… But it would definitely be revealed. But… what will happen. That lord, probably would forgive me, that is what I think. That is, the strength of the king…”

Speaking until here, Froaude suddenly stopped, turning,

Then quickly jumping away from his position…

In that moment. A

man she had never seen before appeared suddenly, carried Noa’s body, pulling it away,

“Miss, you aren’t injured, are you?”

He asked…

It was a man with hair red as if it were burning. With sharp eyes glaring at Froaude,

“You bastard, don’t joke around. Or did you want to say that you were the main conspirator for this rebellion?”

At this, Froaude gazed at them with dead looking eyes,

“I’ve really lost to you. Major-General Klom. I didn’t think that you would reach here that quickly… How is the situation outside?”

Klom…?

That Crimson Fingered Claugh Klom…?

Noa raised her head to look at the man who was gently carrying her. A masculine, well featured face, boiling with overflowing anger, he certainly looked very strong, but…

But it was different from what she imagined. The Crimson-Fingered Claugh Klom that had fought in their battle with Roland, causing the Estabul soldiers to tremble in fear…

She had always thought that he was a strong monster…

He was angry. Towards Froaude who had ignored the hostages and attacked this fortress. Towards Froaude who had played with the hearts of Noa and the Estabul people, causing them to start the rebellion… he was angry for them…

This was… Claugh Klom…

He was someone who was completely opposite… this was Roland…

Claugh settled into a position as if he would rush out any moment to hit someone, staring at Froaude.

Then,

“Answer my question, Froaude!! According to your answer…”

Froaude laughed coldly,

“According to my answer, you will decide whether to kill me or not, right?”

“…That’s right. Sion really doesn’t need you. When I first saw you that was what I thought. You will make Sion turn strange.”

“Really, didn’t you come along willingly? Major-General Klom. But, you don’t see what that lord is carrying. No, if you continue to converse with me here, you wouldn’t even have the right to serve His Majesty.”

“…What do you know. I don’t need the right to remain by Sion’s side.”

But Froaude shook his head sadly.

“Truly, there is no need for anyone to have the right to remain by Astal-sama’s side. But that lord is already the king. When he first became the king, he was already no longer human. He became a person who has to calculate the lives of people, the numbers and importance of the side. Now, killing the hostages of Roland and Estabul. Maybe not long after, Estabul and Roland will have casualties of tens of thousands of people, if it is this kind of choice, he will kill without hesitation. The road Astal-sama is walking down is like this… so in order to protect this path, I will kill Noa Ehn-sama and all of the hostages. If you want to hinder all of this, I will kill you too without hesitation.”

Claugh released Noa, lowering his body,

“Do you think you can do that?”

Froaude spread his arms. It was that posture again. Then,

“This… is very simple.”

In a moment.

Claugh started to move as if he were struck away, using an unbelievable speed to rush towards Froaude.

Then, Noa shook her head.

“No…”

Froaude… that person was very dangerous.

“No…”

Noa could see, she already knew. Froaude’s power, was not so simple as magic. That was not a power that humans wielded…

Even if it was the Crimson Fingered Claugh Klom…

Froaude raised his arm in front of him, saying.

“Shadows…”

Then, several tattoos of magical structures on Claugh’s arm started to glow…

No, no, no…

Noa thought.

She couldn’t let Claugh die here. This man, was necessary for Roland. He was able to support the Roland king, support this country.

For me that… The people of Estabul who have been captured by Roland, for them to be happy, he is a necessary character…

No.

I definitely can’t allow him to die here…

Noa opened her mouth,

“Froaaaaaaude!!”

She called loudly. This sudden movement, made Froaude and Claugh’s movements stop.

Noa saw this,

“Major Froaude. If you have to kill the hostages so that Estabul can be integrated with Roland… then let me convince them. I, for the sake of the commoners and soldiers of Estabul, can completely assist Roland, to persuade them… Don’t you think that this is a more effective way in allowing Estabul to integrate with Roland?”

Claugh heard this,

“What are you planning…”

But Froaude interrupted him,

“…What is this? Why would you do something like this…?”

“So that the hostages wouldn’t be killed. And this method, compared with killing hostages, allows the opinion of Estabul to lower, this indirect method is more effective, isn’t it?”

“So that the hostages wouldn’t be killed… huh. But… I see. That’s right, if you can persuade them, this will be more effective. You are respected in Estabul. But, doing this wouldn’t there be people who see you as a traitor?”

But Noa looked at Froaude determinedly,

“It doesn’t matter. If you wish, you can even kill me after that. So… so please don’t fight.”

Froaude revealed a faint smile. Using eyes that seemed to look through everything to look at Noa,

“…Ahh, I see. Indeed… you are an extremely clever person… it’s like that. Alright. Then, I will stop now. If I continue there will be more meaningless sacrifices. I will have to quickly allow those attacking soldiers to retreat immediately.”

Saying that, Froaude turned his back on them, leaving.

Claugh had a suspicious expression,

“Wait, hey… what is going…”

Just as he wanted to chase after him, Noa caught his arm stopping him. She grabbed him tightly… until Froaude completely disappeared from the room, always looking at his back…

Finally, when his body… disappeared in the deep darkness…

Suddenly her body lost strength, she sat on the floor numbly.

Claugh was shocked,

“I say, hey, are you alright?”

His voice was warm. Strong, but mixed with human compassion, using a seriously worried expression to look at Noa… Even though it was only like this, Noa would already confirm, she had not done wrong.

She sat, raising her head to look at Claugh.

“No, that, what exactly happened?”

Claugh had not completely caught on to what had transpired, asked.

But Noa did not give any explanation.

She only looked around her.

Everything she had, was gone.

Her country, family, people…

But, she did not die.

She thought that.

There were still many things she had to do.

Even if, this would completely ruin Estabul…

But, the people were not dead.

Thinking of the things that she would have to do no matter what from this day onwards…

Noa pressed a hand against her head, suddenly, using a light tone,

“Ahh, really… I’m slightly, tired…”

“Ah? Are you talking to me? What happened, what happened just now…”

She couldn’t use words to reply him.

Anyway…

“Alright. Major-General Klom. I don’t have any strength in my waist, I can’t stand up. Can you help me to get up?”

“Ah?”

Saying that, Claugh had an intolerant expression on his face now, reaching out a hand to Noa…

 


Just like that, the last rebellion of the Estabul Kingdom ended.

Froaude had already prepared the remaining part of the script before Claugh took Noa into Roland’s territory. Everywhere in the city were notices about the starting and ending of this rebellion…

Every part of Roland was filled with this topic.

That was how the script was written.

Salawell and the other nobles, had imprisoned the princess of Estabul, Noa Ehn, and used her name to commit many crimes.

But in the end, Noa, because she felt pained at the fact that the Estabul nobles had used the people as hostages…

So she was standing forward with their help.

After they defeated the nobles, and surrendered to Roland, they had successfully reduced the damage to a minimal extent.

After this day, so that she would be praised for her efforts, she would be the hero who saved the people of Roland and Estabul, and she would be given a high position in Roland…

That was the script.

This way there should be many Estabul people and soldiers, even though they were not loyal to Roland, they would swear their loyalty to Noa who was a noble in Roland… these people should increase without stopping.

No… the sign had actually appeared much earlier.

Noa rode on the horse, on the road heading towards Roland, the people of Estabul, even the people of Roland… everywhere were voices praising Noa as a hero.

Of course, compared to the majority of these voices, there were people who hated her for being a traitor, or nobles who were unhappy at the sudden appearance of an important noble. The numbers of these people increased by quite a number.

But.

There was no need to mind about this matters anymore.

Noa looked at the happy people who were praising her, she thought.

Even though she was hated, even though she was annoying. The person that should feel embarrassed by this, was no longer here.

Everyone was already gone.

The people who supported her.

The people who smiled at her.

The people who reprimanded her.

But, even so, there was no stopping her.

She would no longer be played by Salawell. She was not saying pretty words, she only wanted to create a world where anyone could laugh and live…

This time, she stepped on the fighting stage meaningfully…

“…”

Noa looked into the distance determinedly, this country’s largest building.

Roland’s city.

That time, she… No, at this moment no one could feel it.

What was waiting, was a vigorous change that had never been witnessed before.


The sign was already starting to appear in every land…

 

 

The location was Imperial Nelpha.

The shadow was hidden in the darkness.

Controlled breathing, a shadow that was aimed at its prey. Its movements were perfect. Its presence was gone, no one could feel its existence.

The shadow looked at its target, gathering all the strength in its body.

Its body was like an arrow, using a counter force…

“Bang! I am Iris-chan… Wa wa!?”

But, Ryner reacted quickly to the fist of the girl who had ambushed him from the ceiling, grabbing her wrist,

“Alright, alright. Can you not hit me every time you appear?”

He was already accustomed to this.

Just to reiterate this. They were now in a particular canteen of an inn in Imperial Nelpha. Ryner had his usual tired and bored appearance, grabbing Iris’s wrist he said that.

As for Iris, she revealed a despairing expression for unknown reasons,

“Ahh!? No, don’t touch Iris! If I am touched by Beast-san, in the end I will…”

But about this point, Ryner also seemed to have become accustomed to it, he carried a tired expression,


“Fine, fine. It’s that again, right? Ferris told you something like if I talked to you, you would get pregnant or if you were touched by me, you would be pregnant, something like that? Something foolish like that cannot happen so you can relax.”

Hearing him say what she wanted to say, Iris was even more despairing,

“No, that’s not it! That, eh, so, if you touch me, any-anyway no touching means no touching!”

In the end she couldn’t think of anything, Iris puffed up her cheeks adorable, Ryner laughed bitterly,

“Alright, alright. That is really impressive.”

Just as he finished talking!

Behind him… there suddenly was a surge of killing intent…

“Ah~…”

Ryner frowned, a tired face, he couldn’t help but make a sound.

Then, naturally, that thing came…

There was a ‘ching!’ from behind him, a sword settled at Ryner’s neck.

“Eh. Grabbing my sister’s wrist…”

But Ryner immediately interrupted her,

“Although this might be too much, but I have to make it clear that I definitely wasn’t thinking of doing something of kidnapping young girls, making them pregnant or anything of the sort?”

He said, turning around, then,

“…”

Ferris revealed an expression similar to Iris’s, as if she were sulky that her words were robbed, and an sad expression as if she were bored…

Ryner sighed,

“…Or I should say, I feel that I am very scary as recently, I actually am able to slowly interpret your emotionless expressions…”

He muttered to himself.

Iris, seeing Ferris,

“Ah! It’s Oneee-saaaaan!”

Like usual, she plunged towards Ferris’s chest. Ferris dodged Iris’s flying attack naturally, letting her fly into the table behind her, grabbing Iris’s collar, pulling her up in a posture as if she were about to be hanged,

“It’s really good that you came, Iris. How was your journey?”

She said to Iris who was red in her face because she was suspended by her collar.

Iris was at fault too,

“Yes! So that I would be able to see Onee-san, I came to her quickly!!”

She didn’t care that she was being slightly strangled, replying enthusiastically.

Ferris nodded in satisfaction,

“Yes, I was always in anticipation of the dangos you brought from Roland. I only wanted that every day.”

“That’s great! Onee-san also missed Iris!”

“Yes. The dangos from Wynnit’s Dango Store is really the best.”

At this moment, Iris’s flushed face had already reached a pinkish hue.

“Isn’t Iris… a good… child?”

“Yes.”

“I like… Onee-san the most…”

Then she stopped. Ryner was speechless by the unbelievable scene before him. Iris had already lost consciousness, but Ferris only nodded in agreement.

Ryner frantically asked,

“I say, hey hey, that isn’t the time to be saying ‘yes’! She’s fainted?”

“Eh? Was there something like that?”

“No, that, the problem isn’t about this situation… The problem is with everything, I complain that there is a feeling that something will happen…”

But Ferris revealed an uncomprehending expression,

“Complain? What are you talking about? I only let my adorable sister sleep normally, is there a problem?”

“No, you say that you let her sleep… Fainting and sleeping are…”

But Ferris seemed to be reminiscing the past, using a tone as if she were telling a story, calmly saying,

“Heh heh. In the past Iris was always unable to sleep because she was afraid of the dark, so she always came to my bed and for me to make her unconscious… If she didn’t sleep well, then there would be the danger of losing her life in the training session next day. I too, when I was young I made Onii-san knock me out…”

“I say……What kind of family do you have…”

“Eh? I feel that it is quite a normal family… Talking about which, you don’t seem to have any family. You have to know, family is like that.”

“De—finitely not!! …But even if I retort there is no meaning…”

Saying that, he sighed again.

Ferris was like her usual self, completely ignoring Ryner’s words…

She carried Iris who seemed to be sleeping comfortably, caressing her head,

“…Seeing this, Iris didn’t seem to sleep properly, forcing herself to run here. She has to rest for some time.”

She said.

Ryner revealed a stunned expression,

“Eh? You can tell?”

“Yes. Her movements were slowed slightly. At Iris’s current age, she should be able to move faster.”

“…No, I feel that I at ten years old would definitely be unable to use my fists to attack…”

“Heh heh. Next time my sister can finally kill the world’s enemy, you who are a pervert…”

“You should at least stop her!”

Ryner shouted.

 

After Ryner and Ferris put Iris to bed, the two of them ate the dangos that Iris brought, sitting leisurely, then… they fell asleep.

As a side note.

Iris rushed to Ryner and Ferris’s sides without sleeping, was because Sion had an urgent message for them…

The next morning.

Iris woke up comfortably.

Then she saw Ferris who was sleeping on the same bed,

“I like Onee-san the best—!!”

Shouting that, she rushed over to hug her. Ferris’s body temperature was very comfortable, other than that,

“Yes.”

She caressed Iris’s head…

After being hugged like that for a while, she slowly felt like sleeping again…

“Huah~”

When she opened her eyes again it was already noon, Ferris shouted,

“Eh, wake up Iris. There is a special sale for dangos today, come with me.”

“Ah, yes! I’ll go!”

Saying that, she went to buy dangos, when she came back she had a dango banquet with Ferris,

“Onee-san, this is yummy!”

“Mm-hmm.”

The next day they went to a special sale and had another dango banquent,

“Onee-san, this is extremely yummy!”

“Mm-hmm.”

The following day they went to the special sale and had a dango banquet,

“I like Onee-san the best!!”

“Mm-hmm.”

The days happily slipped away as if it were a wheel quickly turning.

At this moment.

Iris suddenly recalled that she had a letter that Sion had told her to send quickly.

Then…

“Ah, that, that, Iris, has a letter, Sion Onii-san bade me to send it quickly…”

Ferris who was enjoying the dango banquet at the side heard this,

“Letter?”

“Yes! It seems to be an important letter! So you have to read it quickly!”

“Oh. Then, where is the letter?”

“Ai!? That, that, ah, Iris, put it in that bag, it was stuck to the inside of the dango box in there!”

In a moment, Ferris narrowed her eyes. Then,

“That box has been thrown away.”

“Eh!? What, what do we do?”

“There’s nothing we can do, did you hear what he said?”

“Eh? Umm—it seemed, Sion Onii-san, was very frantic.”

“Oh, then?”

“Then, he said dragon, something like it disappeared.”

“Dragon? Ah, that meaninglessly exaggerated dragon. Then, he meant for us to investigate this matter?”

Iris heard this and hugged her arms,

“Umm, umm, it feels like he said something else important… umm—”

But Ferris patted Iris’s head gently,

“Don’t mind it. Anyway we’ll know if we go. Alright, if it’s like that then we should set out quickly. Iris, go find that Beast, tell him that Sion wants us to go to the dragon.”

“I understand!”

Answering that, Iris immediately ran to find Ryner.

As a side note.

Because of various reasons that delayed them, in the end when they set out it was two days after this…

 

That… a certain day after that. The lady boss of the inn carried out her weekly cleaning, found a strange high-quality letter in the dustbin. Towards this,

“Ah ya, what a pretty paper. It was actually thrown in this kind of place, what a pity…”

Saying that, she picked it up. Then she moved her eyes over the paper in the letter, the letter was written like this.

 

The people living on the fringes of the forest where the dragon was grown, although this is unbelievable, they have been killed by someone. Then, the dragon seems to have disappeared. There seems to be something dangerous, living near there. About the Heroes’ Relic, give it up. Don’t approach that forest.

 

The words were written like that…

The lady boss read it…

“Ahaha. Dragon? It’s something like a novel. But, a dragon would actually grow from the ground, what a boring novel. And the people were actually killed by some unknown person… If it were me, since it’s like this, why not let the dragon be active for a little longer. Forget it, although it is pitiful, but the books written by this author can never be sold.”

Using a pitiful tone to say that, she threw the letter away again.

After that, the lady boss completely forgot about what was written on the letter, returning to her cleaning.

 

 

Two days later.

Ryner and Ferris had already walked to the path leading to that forest.

Ryner walked slowly and said,

“Ai~. How troublesome… I said it before, what does that dragon count for? That thing, even we were unable to understand how it appeared, even if we are to investigate how it disappeared, I feel that we can’t uncover anything…”

“…”

“Anyway, if he really minded, Sion that guy would have come to investigate this. I knew that he would bully us from the city… He must be eating delicious food~… Saying ‘the dragon has disappeared, investigate for me’, like this he is making use of us even more.”

Just as he finished speaking, Ferris who had been, in contrast, walking quickly in front of Ryner suddenly turned around,

“Eating something delicious? Is it dangos?”

“…No, there are more delicious foods in this world…”

“Three-coloured dangos…”

“I already said that you have think of food other than dangos…”

Ferris revealed an uncomprehending expression,

“Mm-hmm. Unless there is something more delicious than dango on this world?”

“Ah? At least there is in the world I live in…”

“Oh. Then what do you like?”

“Me? Ah, let me think, what do I like…”

Ryner hugged his elbows, looking to the sky as he thought.

The cool wind blew past them, he heard the rustling of the trees. The sunlight had already passed the middle, warmly… the weather was just right.

In a moment, Ryner’s brain as if having a chemical reaction, made a decision.

This good weather should be used for afternoon naps!

Afternoon naps were the best!

Then Ryner,

“Yeah… I… like afternoon naps…”

Talking as if he were completely ignoring the topic earlier.

“Eh? Talking about afternoon naps, that doesn’t seem to be a food?”

“No, although it is not a food, but, it can surpass those things, it can only be confirmed that it has an impressive point.”

Ryner said.

Ferris nodded her head in satisfaction,

“Dangos too.”

The two continued enthusiastically with an unclear conversation, walking forward. Ryner was right, the weather was really good. On the path that they could see, apart from Ryner and Ferris, there was no one else. Only bird sounds, insect sounds and the wind.

There were only these gentle sounds.

“How quiet~”

Ryner murmured. Ferris nodded,

“Mm-hmm. Actually, if we drank tea here, it would be very interesting.”

“Ah, that idea is not bad. We are almost reaching the place where the dragon was growing from. When we reach there, we can rest for a bit. The tea you make is delicious.”

“Heh heh. That’s expected. The path of dangos, is a path that if you are unable to brew perfect tea, then it would be a dangerous path to walk. Alright, the weather is not bad, I can brew cold tea…”

As they continued this conversation, walking into the forest… at this moment.

“…”

Ryner lifted his head to look… he couldn’t say anything.

Then Ferris,

“…Eh. This is surprising.”

“It should be said… is that… a person?”

“It’s a person.”

“Why would he be on a tall tree?”

“He has interests in climbing trees.”

“De—finitely not!”

Saying that, he closed his eyes, then opened his eyes to look there.

That, was an unbelievable scene…

Several people were blended in with the trees.

No, to be more accurate it wasn’t like that. It was because the people received a large impact and slammed into the tree, their bodies had changed shape, limply hanging from the trees…

This description was more accurate.

It was an abnormal sight.

The corpses, there were many, many, hanging from the trees. Even so, not even one drop of blood flowed down…

“……What is going on?”

Ryner asked frantically. But,

“…”

Ferris remained silent.

Ryner frowned,

“Unless, unless it was that dragon that we released…”

But Ferris interrupted him.

“Even if we think about that it is meaningless. Let’s proceed. Investigate the reasons.”

“…Yes. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The two of them walking to the middle of the forest.

 

The situation in the forest was even worse.

Not only on the trees, everywhere was filled with piles of corpses…

Men, women, children, elderly, Nelpha soldiers, apart from those, there were even wild beasts… There was no ending to the sight. Death had equally visited everything.

And there was, even though the body had been cut into two, the blood did not flow out…

It was an impossible matter.

This large number of people, these tragic deaths, this area should have been filled with a strong smell of blood earlier… but now there was completely no smell of blood.

“…Why would this…”

Ryner wanted to ask, Ferris raised a hand to interrupt him.

“Ah?”

Ryner looked in the direction where Ferris was looking at, there, in front, at the place where the dragon had grown from there were two people standing… and it was living people…

“Eh, you two are…”

The duo turned towards them, a young girl of the duo,

“Ah! You are the Nelpha Secret Investigation officers!”

The tall man, still carrying that weak expression bowed towards them,

“Ah, hello, how are you…”

Indeed, it was Kuu and Sui who they had met in a nearby Nelpha fortress.

Remembering what they had said at first, the brother was an author, and he was going to all places to search for research materials for this novel or something like that…

Ryner seeing that,

“Anway, what exactly is this…”

But he had not finished speaking, Sui spoke first,

“What happened here?”

“…”

Being asked by the other party, Ryner could only shut his mouth. Then,

“But, why are you here?”

Kuu was like usual, energetically replying,

“You should listen to me! Sui Onii-chan heard a rumour from some place that a real dragon had appeared here, and had became a tourist spot… I felt that that was a lie, I wanted to stop him, but he said he had to come! He completely did not listen to me.”

But Sui hearing this, used a weak voice,

“But, but, Kuu didn’t you say, if there were a real dragon, you would want to see it too? And as a fantasy author, I really wanted to see the dragon…”

“Onii-san didn’t you say that you wished to be an analytical author!”

“No, no, I recently discovered that I can’t write deduction novels. A dragon suddenly appearing to snatch the princess away, then…”

Speaking until here, Kuu half-closed her eyes,

“…Although I don’t think it is possible, unless you want to write a story like a hero bravely challenging this dragon, that kind of foolish and vulgar story?”

“Ah!?”

In a moment, Sui revealed a despairing expression, as if his soul had left his body, his whole body was stiff…

Kuu sighed, ignoring Sui, looking around her…

Then she frowned and said,

“But, because of that reason we came here, but this is like a war has been waged, there are corpses everywhere… What is going on?”

Of course, being asked like this, they were unable to answer too,

“I wanted to ask that too.”

Ryner shrugged, wanting to walk nearer to the spot where Kuu and Sui were standing, the place where the dragon had grown from…

Then,

“Eh?”

Suddenly, Ferris grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“What is it, Ferris?”

“…”

Ferris didn’t reply. She only used her sharp eyes to look at the place where the dragon had grown from…

“Hey, Ferris?”

Ryner asked again, but she still ignored Ryner…

Ferris opened her mouth,

“Can you explain to me, what exactly happened?”

“Ah? What are you referring to, explain what?”

Ryner who completely couldn’t understand asked, Ferris revealed an annoyed expression,

"Haven’t you discovered it. What that man who wants to be an author is wearing at his waist, what is that?”

“Eh? Waist?”

Ryner hearing that turned back to look…

In a moment, Ryner narrowed his eyes, using a tired voice to say,

“…Ah, that’s bad… So it’s like this…”

On Sui’s waist, as a dagger that they had seen before. It was dagger made of an inorganic material that they did not know of. Ryner had thrown it to the ground then, it was the dagger that the dragon had grown from.

At this moment—Sui still had the smiling expression, but,

“Ahhhh, we were still discovered by you… Then, your meaning is that I should explain why I have this?”

He had an atmosphere clearly different from earlier. Firstly, it was that he no longer had that dazed feeling.

Then Ryner looked at the younger sister Kuu…

This one, was completely different, she had suddenly turned mature… or it should be that she had became cold and dark.

Ferris said,

“That’s it. The people were killed by you, right? According to your answers…”

Saying that, she put a hand on her sword hilt.

Sui revealed a troubled expression,

“Ah ya… Even if you don’t make that kind of threat, we will still reply honestly. It seems you know many things. Telling you wouldn’t matter.”

Ryner hearing this,

“Situation? Telling us wouldn’t matter?”

Sui nodded,

“Yes. Eh, where should I start from. Simply said would be like this. The reason why we went to that fortress, was actually the same as you, if I say that, you should understand that better?”

Ryner narrowed his eyes,

“You were finding ‘Heroes’ Relics’, do you mean that?”

“?... Ah. Oh, so you Roland people call those Heroes’ Relics. I see, this calling method is a little strange. But, it’s that meaning. But, there were none in that fortress… Rhule Fragmei… Ah, no, according to your terminology it should be Heroes’ Relics. At that moment, we eavesdropped on your conversation, Ryner-san seemed to have some leads to where the Heroes’ Relic was… so…”

Hearing that, Ryner sighed, continuing,

“So you deliberately let us move… allowing us to find the relic… is that so?”

“It’s like that. Like what I thought, you found it, and you threw that thing here for us to take, my gratitude to you cannot be expressed.”

Sui finished, smiling.

But Ryner frowned,

“…I can’t laugh at all…”

“Ah, I apologise. You have been used, so of course you can’t laugh out.”

Then,

“I’m not referring to that! You… killed almost… all of the people who saw the dragon growing here… so that they would not speak of it… so that there would not be an increase in the people who knew about the existence of the relic…”

Sui revealed a surprised expression when he heard that,

“Ai? So you were angry over that? Didn’t you do something like that? So that you would be able to possess this unknown power, let it belong to yourself. If others knew, then we can only kill…”

“Shut up.”

“No, even if you want me to shut up… it is too late. I said it would be alright if I told you this, that’s because you will be silenced by us. You heard my story from the start to the ending, so, you have to die.”

Ryner hearing this,

“You say… silenced? Do you always do this, always kill people? You people, are always like that…”

But Ferris interrupted Ryner, pulling Ryner towards her, stopping him from stepping forward,

“Mm-hmm. I am very clear about your situation. Then, before killing us, can I ask you a question?”

“What question?”

Just as Sui asked that, Ferris pushed Ryner in the back. At the same time she whispered,

“Go. I will draw away their attention, so you can quickly prepare.”

Ryner’s eyes narrowed…

Ferris said,

“Who are you? Why did you start to collect the Heroes’ Relics?”

Sui laughed lightly,

“Ah, so you plan to continue living, so you would ask this…”

Ferris didn’t let him finish, continuing to say,

“No, actually I don’t have to ask anymore. I already knew what country you were from since the start.”

“What!?”

Just as Sui exclaimed in surprise.

Ryner used the energy he had been gathering, running out.

Then he started to write a string of words in the air, chanting what he had learnt from the Estabul mage knight, using his special eyes… the magic he had snatched using “Alpha Stigma”.

Sui seeing this,

“Eh, the magic of Roland Empire needed to use words… That’s obvious, every time I see the magic of other countries, I'm surprised.”

At this moment,

I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, LETTING THE SLUMBERING SPIRIT OF LIGHT DWELL WITHIN

The magic was completed.

In a moment.

Ryner’s body sped up.

He approached Sui at a high speed… but Sui still remained unmoving.

“Ohh, so it is a magic to raise your body’s strength. Very fast, very fast… But.”

Saying that, he leapt back, crossing his arms in front of him several times, constructing a net of light,


CREATING BRILLIANCE FROM WEST, NOTHINGNESS, FORMATION…”


But Sui’s words stopped.

He looked at Ryner who was rushing towards him, the smile on his face was gone now…

“Ai? Those eyes… that red five-pointed star… Damnit! You are the wielder of “Alpha Stigma”!!”

“You’ve discovered that too late!”

Saying that, Ryner made the same movements that Sui had done. And it was under the effects of the enhancement magic, at an unbelievable fast rate constructing the web of light,


CREATING BRILLIANCE FROM WEST, NOTHINGNESS, FORMATION AND SUN


“Che… even thought I stopped halfway, magic will still be stolen… I thought that the standard of the “Alpha Stigma” before they lost control, in the magical eyes they aren’t powerful… It seems that this thing will be more troublesome that I thought…”

As Sui muttered, Ryner had completed the magic, a spear of light flew towards Sui, aside from that, behind Sui, Ferris was moving at a speed far superior to Ryner and swinging her sword…

Then.

“Kuu, have you prepared?”

“…Yes.”

“Then, full defense.”

“…Eh.”

In a moment.

In front of Ryner, there was a wall of ice…

“What!?”

Ryner’s magic on this side of the wall, disappeared.

Aside from that, behind Sui, there was a sharp ‘clang!’ sound, Ferris’s unbelievably fast sword had been blocked…

Ryner really suspected that there was something wrong with his eyes.

The people who could block Ferris’s attack, were few… or it could be said, there should be none at all.

But, blocking her, was a fourteen year old girl.

It was Kuu.

Kuu who had turned quiet earlier, now, in her hands, was a scythe-like weapon that was larger that Ryner.

She was using this weapon to block Ferris’s attack…

Ferris flipped her sword, trying another high speed attack…

But she was still blocked effortlessly, not only that, under the last large strike, in the moment her weapon clashed with Ferris’s sword, there were flames.


“Wu…”

Ferris’s body was flung back.

And it was a large force.

If this continued, hitting a tree or something like that…

It would be like what they had noticed when they entered the forest… that limp body…

“Ah, damnit!”

Shouting that, Ryner ran forward, hugging Ferris’s body that was flying out, pulling her down.

The forces were neutralized and they landed. But the two of them still rolled several time because of the large energy…

Ferris stabbed her sword into a tree, Ryner used his legs to hook around it, standing firmly, finally they stopped.

“…”

It was an unbelievable power.

It was a power that surpassed that of humans.

Ferris used her sword to block the enemy’s blow, after that Ryner had dragged her to the floor and only then the backwash of power was stopped… But, putting that aside, if Ferris’s sword had not been stabbed into the tree, then if they had collided with the tree, they would be dead…

Kuu’s strength, was that kind of power.

“Oh, oh no…”

Ryner moaned.

What was this person.

At this moment, from under Ryner,

“Hey, even if my beauty dazzles you, I think that picking this time to do such indecent things, does your brain have a problem?”

Hearing Ferris’s words, Ryner looked at the face of Ferris who was tangled with him,

“…I say, you, fighting with that person, you still have the time to joke?”

If it was not like this, just by their own strengths, it would be impossible to deal equally with their opponents.

But Ferris stood up,

“Time? I always have time?”

“Oh, really? Then, how free are you? Can you win against the two of them?”

Ferris nodded simply,

“Yes, it’s if you didn’t help just now, I would nearly die that kind of free time.”

As she said that… Ryner had a helpless expression,

“Is that so. How coincidental. I should say that I feel that I almost am that free too.”

Saying that, Ryner looked to the front, the duo who were standing slightly far away.

Sui and, Kuu…

No, it was Kuu.

Long hair that was a rare pink colour. That body that wore an outfit that was like a skirt but also like a one-piece clothing, was extremely slim. Her previous chatty attitude was not very obvious, and it did not suit her age, an adorable but cold beautiful features, now that she had become silent, it was even more noticeable.

In her hand, there was a large scythe, like what a death god would have.

This scythe was very troublesome…

Ryner thought.

It was completely green, the blade was made of some unknown metal.

And it was not clear what material it was made of, the hilt was carved with twisted strange flowery patterns.

That thing was clearly…

Ferris said,

“A relic. Those people are in the stage that they have already started to use Heroes’ Relics.”

Ryner towards this,

"Then, our chances of winning?”

“You?”

“…Yes. If it were Kuu alone, it would be fine but if the two of them attacked at the same time, can you think of something? That, it seems like a scythe that can increase the strength of the body, right?”

Ryner frowned.

“…Ah, damnit, there is that kind of power… How can this be the weapon of the legend of the heroes? I have never heard of the legend of this weapon… Then, it’s that, just now that wall of ice was also the power of this scythe… Talking about which, the blood of those corpses, also because they were cut by this scythe, this was the reason for their blood to freeze… can it be said this way?”

“Mm-hmm. But, that power is more dangerous than imagined. Just by cutting a few times, my sword has been frozen and it has been getting heavier. The surrounding temperature is also lowering, my body activities aren’t so sharp…”

“Eh. It’s quite a useful weapon. I see. OK. Then let us ignore Sui, attack Kuu together. I’ll use fire magic to cover you, and think of a way for you to break the formation, is that fine?”

“…We can only do that.”

Saying that, Ryner and Ferris looked at the enemy again.

At this time, Sui,

“Then, have you decided on how you will attack?”

Hearing him say that, Ryner shrugged,

“Ah, yes, we suppose so.”

“That’s great. It’s rare that there is “Alpha Stigma”, this is a precious thing. I cannot miss this, I have to crystallize it, then grab it.”

He said that…

Ryner hearing it,

“Ah? Wait, wait a moment. Crystallize? What is that… You, towards these eyes… “Alpha Stigma” what do you know?”

He frantically asked.

Sui revealed a slightly surprised expression,

“Strange, you’re clearly a bearer of “Alpha Stigma”, but you don’t seem to understand the situation you are in? Then, what about this?”

Saying that, he pulled out a bag, from the bag, he took out something that seemed like a colourful gemstone, lifting it to show Ryner,

“It’s this, don’t you know about the crystals?”

“……I already said… I don’t know, didn’t you hear that!”

Ryner couldn’t help but shout.

The man in front of him, knew more about him than he knew…

He knew these eyes.

These eyes that anyone would fear, curse and hate…

The eyes that had caused him to be called a monster…

Although he did not want to hurt anyone, but he had killed everyone… it was also these eyes…

I…What am I…

And the one who knew the answer was right in front of him.

Ryner stared at Sui, Sui seemed to laugh even more happily,

“Heh…Kuu, they, seem to know nothing.”

“…Right.”

“But they don’t even know this Rhule Fragmei and threw it here carelessly, that’s not odd.”

“…Right.”

Kuu seemed to be leached of emotions, a lifeless marionette, her voice was monotonous. She was completely different from Ferris, her expression was truly like a real marionette’s. As if, that scythe of ice, was numbing her feeling that kind of atmosphere…

Ryner hearing that,

“You actually take me as a fool…I…”

But at this moment, Ferris,

“Calm down Ryner. We can talk about “Alpha Stigma” later. Now, first…”

“I know! But…”

“Just win. As long as we can control Kuu, capturing Sui will be easy. The matter about “Alpha Stigma” can be asked later.”

“…That’s, that’s true. I know, then we should quickly…”

Saying that, Ryner dashed out, but at this moment, Sui,

“Then, let me give you something good to see. That is the method to use the relic that you threw aside. The relic that is the kind of ‘changing state’…”

He took up the dagger at his waist, then stabbed it into his right arm.

In a moment.

Sui’s arm trembled, then—


Wwuuuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!


A large roar.

Immediately, Sui’s arm was no longer an arm. It grew a jaw, sharp teeth, scales, red eyes… A dragon. Sui’s arm had transformed into a dragon…

Sui moved it, the surrounding forest, in a moment started to burn…

Sui said.

“This is the true method of how to use it. It can according to the user’s thoughts, become a weapon to burn the opponent. But, the ground has no thoughts, so the dragon that grew on the ground was completely harmless. Alright, let us start. Ah, let me say first, apart from this, I can use a weapon that is stronger that Kuu’s Ailecrono’s Scythe, that was what I had planned.” Hearing this…

Ryner and Ferris exchanged glances.

Ryner revealed a reluctant expression,

“Damnit. Our chances of winning…”

Ferris continued, calmly saying,

“Are nil. Retreat.”

“…”

“Ryner.”

“…I know!”

Saying that, the two of them ran away.

There were many places they could hide in the forest, they should be able to escape.

Then, Sui spoke again at this time,

“I wouldn’t let you escape. Especially, I definitely wouldn’t let Ryner-san you… Alright, I should crystallize the “Alpha Stigma”…”

Saying that, he took out one of the gem stones, throwing it into the air,


“Resonate.”


Everything changed in a moment.

Ryner remained in his original position unmoving.

“Ryner, don’t stop.”

Ferris shouted, but he still stood there…

“Ah…eh…Wha…”

Ryner felt his vision slowly turn white, turn white, the feeling of it clouding over. No, he didn’t know if it was his vision, his mind was also slowly whitening…

Everything… everything…

“Hey, Ryner, what is it?”

Is Ferris approaching me…

Or is it…

No…

This… is…

His consciousness was slowly leaving.

His consciousness was slowly leaving.

Death was approaching from his back, but he couldn’t seem to care.

He couldn’t feel anything.

Even if was anything important, it didn’t matter…

No, no… If it is like that…

No, this is your wish.

The wish for everything to disappear.

At this moment.

Ferris asked Sui,

“You, what have you done to Ryner.”

“Ha ha. I only let it crystallize. If he does not awaken, it’ll be impossible to get the crystal.”

“Awaken? What do you mean?”

“You don’t mean you don’t know? The reason why “Alpha Stigma” are cursed and hated by people… Mad devils… Cursed killers.”

He seemed to hear this conversation…

But this was meaningless…

No, I…

Me…aningless…

Ryner cradled his head.

“U, uah… Fe…”

He cradled his head that was starting to go blank, desperately cradling it, said,

“Fe…Ferris…escape…quickly”

“What is going on?”

“Leave…I…don’t, don’t see… this… I … monster… will… kill… you… I… don’t……want………ah……”

But, at that point, everything disappeared.

His senses were more acute, they became even more acute, all the structures of the objects on this world, were all expanded in front of him.

Using numbers, graphs, symbols to denote.

People died.

But everything was meaningless.

Let everything end.

Everything of everything.

Just like he wished.

Release everything.

Open.

Kill.

Everything.

 


Kill everything in front of his eyes…

“Ah, ahahah”

Unconsciously his voice slipped out. But why was he doing this? Everything was meaningless. His consciousness was clouded. It was troublesome. No matter if people lived, or died…

“Ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha”

Ryner laughed, he laughed madly.

Sui used a calm voice,

“Confirmation that the bearer has lost control. Awakened.”

Ferris seeing this,

“You guys, what have you done to Ryner?”

But, Sui laughed,

“Ryner-san no longer exists in this world. Once “Alpha Stigma” loses control, all of their humanity will be erased. He will no longer be returning. Following this, he will destroy everything in his surroundings as if he were mad. But, before that we will kill him and obtain the crystals…”

At this moment.

Ryner’s eyes opened.

In the center of his eyes was a five-pointed star. Five-pointed star. Five-pointed star.

It wasn’t only one. There were several, several others continuously multiplying in his eyes, one of them suddenly, was released from Ryner’s eyes, heading towards Sui.

But Sui,

“That’s useless. We have already a few experiences of hunting “Alpha Stigma”. This mere power, as long as I use the Rhule Fragmei I have… Elemio’s Comb that has the god’s power can neutralize it completely.”

Saying that, he pulled out the comb in his hair.

But as he waved, a strong magical power surge rushed in Ryner’s direction…

But the released five-pointed star did not stop.

“Eh…?”

At the same time Sui released the surprised sound, the five-pointed star that had completely absorbed the power released, stuck on the comb Sui was holding…

Then, a sound descended from the sky…


Analysing existence. Disappear, ant.”


In a moment.

The comb disappeared.

No, not only the comb,

Sui’s arm… from the ends of his fingers they slowly turned to sand, disappearing,

“This… What is this… Wuah,aaaaaah!?”

He screamed.

Frantically using his right arm that was a dragon, biting off his own arm, abandoning his arm that was slowly turning to sand.

“Ha…wu…”

Sui’s brows scrunched together.

Kuu still used that voice that was emotionless like a marionette,

“Sui Onii-chan… are you still alive…?”

“Y-Yeah. I’m still alive. The blood has been stopped by cauterizing the wound… but…”

Saying that, he timidly lifted his head to look at Ryner.

“What, what exactly is that, this guy. He isn’t a normal “Alpha Stigma” bearer? That power just now… and that voice just now. What was he saying! Completely different from other people…”

At that moment, the voice descended from the sky again…

“Kill me? With that magnitude of power? Kill me? You will kill me with the mere power of Elemio’s Comb? The ants crawling on the ground, actually said they would kill me? Ha, hahaha, hahahahaha. Disappear. Disappear, disappear. Let everything end. Nothingness. Return to nothing.”

The voice spoke, Ryner lifted his hand, the five-pointed star released by his eyes expanded on his hand…

 


Sui shouted.

“Quick, escape quickly, Kuu! That, that isn’t “Alpha Stigma”! That, that is…”

Before he completed his words, Kuu carried Sui, with a speed that was faster than a human’s, jumped away from their original positions.

Following that, in the space that Sui and Kuu had been in, completely disappeared.

Just as if nothing had existed there in the first place…

The forest, the land, air…

Everything turned to complete nothingness…

It was an unbelievable power.

Kuu and Sui escaped like this…

But, that voice descended again.

“Even if you escape to other places, everything will turn to nothingness. α is destruction. Thou dost not create anything, dost not benefit anything, dost not save anything. Only destroy, return everything to pureness.”

Following that, the destruction started.

Five-pointed stars started to expand in every direction.

Every time every time, the world was slowly destroyed.

Forest, land, and dead people, they disappeared without a trace…


But.


Among that.

Ferris looked at Ryner.

She didn’t have any intention of escaping, sheathing her sword, looking at Ryner.

Looking at Ryner who was spreading destruction in the world continuously.

Then…

“Hey, you, who are you?”

She asked this monster that had lost control.

Ryner turned back to look at her…

The voice still descended from the sky.

“Ha, haha. God, Devil. Demon. Hero. Monster. Whatever you call me. Anyway you will disappear too.”

Saying that, he raised his hand. Using that, using that unbelievably powerful five-pointed star… pointing at her.

As long as that five-pointed star was released, everything would end.

This five-pointed star had that kind of power.

But, Ferris, towards this, she didn’t go into a posture as if she were meeting battle, only looking.

Always looking.

Then,

“…Eh, Sui seemed to be surprised. About the matter of you not being a simple bearer of “Alpha Stigma”. But this is not surprising.”

At that moment, the five-pointed star was released.

Ferris retreated from that position, dodging.

The space that she had left, disappeared.

Ferris looked at this, saying,

“That’s right. You aren’t a simple bearer of “Alpha Stigma”. I knew this from the beginning. Because you… aren’t that kind of monster, but you are an even more evil, legendary pervert. And apart from being a pervert, you are a lazy useless fool.”

The five-pointed star was released in Ferris’s direction again. No, not only that. But it was sent to the surroundings continuously.

It was as if, Ferris’s presence, wasn’t different from the beginning, deliberately sending this destructive in all directions…

If this continued, sooner or later, Ferris would be unable to escape.

And she was unable to shorten the distance between them, only, she continued to look at Ryner…

“…I didn’t tell you before, I read a page of the report that you wrote when Sion showed it to me. On it, this was clearly written. I hate people dying. I hate killing people. I don’t want to cry, or be made to cry. How does it feel to be unable to choose one's own life? The feeling of losing family? The feeling of losing loved ones…”

Saying until there, Ferris dodged the power of the five-pointed star again, calmly continuing.

“When I read that, I felt that the person who wrote that was a fool. Saying you hate people dying? Saying that you hate people dying, hate killing people? That kind of slack person who felt tired of people’s births or deaths, and you who are a coward…”

Dodging the descending five-pointed star again, Ferris said,

“Someone like you cannot kill me. That's what I think.”

Again, dodged. Then, Ferris, looked at Ryner straightforwardly and said.

“Hey, Ryner… you wanted to move forward, didn't you? Aren’t you tired of being called a monster by people? Don’t you hate killing people? I have already dodged five of your attacks. But, the next time I will not dodge. What follows next will be up to your decision. I don't think you are a monster.

“Can you hear me? You are not a monster.

“You are my partner, slave, my friend who drinks tea with me. Not a monster. Can you hear me? Ryner.”

At this moment, Ryner seemed to react to Ferris’s voice, raising his hand.

Opening his hand with the red five-pointed star, pointing to Ferris…

Then…

Ferris used an unbelievably loud voice,

“Can you hear me, Ryner!!”

She roared.

In a moment.

Ryner’s hand started to tremble. No, his whole body was trembling…

Trembling ceaselessly…

The descending voice was similarly in pain…

“You, you guys…”

But, at this moment, Ryner opened his mouth. He also used a pained voice, but, it was a voice bearing self-awareness,

“Damn…Damnit… Shut, shut up… the time for you to appear, has already, ended… I’m sorry… Ferris. Can you shut… my eyes…?”

Ferris seemed to reveal a slight smile, rushing to Ryner’s front in a moment, closing his eyes.

Then…

Ryner collapsed on the ground.

The energy in his body was sapped away, he could not say anything.

Ferris didn’t say anything too.

The two of them kept silent.

“…”

The sun was setting.

The light rays passed through the forest, even if it turned dark it would not be strange, but because the surrounding trees had disappeared, so it was still bright.

Ryner still lay there,

“…I… in the end I still wanted to kill you… Ha ha. This is who I am. A monster that everyone hates and curses… Apart from killing people, a monster who can do nothing else. But, I already, don’t want to kill the people that I know. So, this journey, shall end here. You can return to Roland. As long as you explain your reasons, Sion will not blame you.”

He said that.

But the answer never came.

No, there wasn’t even a presence…

“Hey, are you there?”

In the moment Ryner raised his head, someone stepped on his head from behind him, slamming his head into the ground again.

“Wa!? What are you doing… Gyaaa.”

He had not finished speaking, he was stepped on even more vigorously.

Then, from behind him,

“You say that you are a monster who can only kill? Who did you kill earlier?”

“Ah? No, earlier it was just by chance that I didn’t kill you, but you…”

“I didn’t die. No, if you really wanted to kill me, you should've been able to kill me. But, that person who was messily spreading the five-pointed stars causing trouble for everyone seemed to purposely ignore my movements. That meant… that is it. A coward who cannot kill a woman, calling yourself a monster? Don’t joke around.”

“No, no, that…”

But Ferris again, ignored his thoughts,

“I’ll say it again? You cannot kill me. If you have any complaints, I’ll cut off your head.”

Saying that, there was the sound of a sword being unsheathed…

Ryner frantically,

“I say you, earlier your words were serious!?”

“Of course. I am different from you, I can kill you, this kind of matter should be witnessed to be believable…”

“I don’t want to see it!”

A usual cry…

Yes, his usual self, Ryner smiled lightly.

At this moment, from behind him,

“Mm-hm. Alright, I’ll go and brew cold tea.”

These words…

“…Yeah, not bad… But, let us leave this forest before we talk about that, what do you say~”

Ryner said as he climbed up…

Then,

“Mm-hmm. The place to drink tea can be anywhere.”

Ferris said, completely ignoring Ryner, walking away…

Ryner chased after her slowly,

“Ah—hey hey, wait. You don’t have to be that urgent. I feel a little tired…”

But, Ferris suddenly interrupted Ryner’s words,

“Ryner.”

“Eh?”

Ryner raised his head, Ferris suddenly turned around,

“……… I’m glad you’re back.”

“………”

Ryner shook his head weakly like usual,

“…Yeah. I’m back.”

He replied like that.



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