Dai Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu:Volume 5

These are the novel illustrations that were included in volume 5

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The Various Forces Surrounding Ryner Lute

Ryner Lute

Possesses the cursed eyes Alpha Stigma which allows him to decipher all forms of magic. "Bothersome" being his favorite word, experienced much hardships, currently moving together with the Anti-Roland Coalition......

Anti-Roland Coalition

Currently a relatively unknown faction created with the purpose of defeating Roland. One of its achievements was saving the people of Nelpha when they were on the verge of being massacred. Vois, the head of this coalition, is in the midst of maneuvering in the background to push Ryner to become king of the Coalition.

Supreme Head

Vois Fiurelle

Azure Princess Mercenary Group

A mercenary group employed by Geihlficlant Empire. Actively crushing small nations in Central Menoris. The group leader, Pia, has deep ties with Ryner.

Queen

Pia Varliere

Roland Empire

Subjugated the whole of Southern Menoris, in the process of further expansion. The king, Sion Astal, is the best friend of Ryner.

Hero King

Sion Astal

Gastark Empire

Unified the whole of Northern Menoris, with the ambition of unifying the whole continent. Currently invading the divine city of Eron. The king, Refal, seems to be in the role of saving Ryner from Sion, but......

Hero King

Riphal Edea

Conflict - Regarding that Report

It wasn't as if he hadn't grown accustomed to the deaths of people.

He knew enough about the cruelty of the world. That no matter how much naive nonsense a person can shout out, in the end it can only be foolishness, Ryner understood well enough.

Someone shouted out love.

Shouting that he wanted to protect the girl he had discovered he loved.

Yet, in front of his eyes, she died.

So readily, she died.

While crying, her body was torn apart.

And the murderers were laughing.

He howled his resentment.

Yet, he could do nothing.

Within the everlasting despair, he continued to scream.

And so, those screams led to the next revenge. As you kill, the more you kill, the more the world steadily advances into the depths of the deep darkness.

That was what Ryner observed every day.

"............"

Day after day, he continued to gaze upon it.

Ever since he could remember, he was gazing upon it.

Roland, the country he was born in, was completely engulfed with madness.

Ruled over by war, greed and madness.

Even though it would be good enough to pass the days with a small smile; in a blink of an eye, the madness would pervade those days.

In a blink of an eye, the greed would pervade.

And the screams would start again.

Despairing at the world, howling in resentment.

Even if you scream how much you can't bear it, reality will continue, indifferent.

Choosing the most unbelievably cruel path, reality will continue.

And now—

"............"

All his comrades died.

They died, yet until just yesterday they were smiling.

"............"

But having already grown accustomed it, Ryner, weakly muttered,

"So again this world...... would kill humans in such a way....."

And he believed it was a matter that couldn't be helped.

It couldn't be helped that he could do nothing.

Because it was always the same, since then until now.

And surely it would be the same from now on.

Anything and everything was too cruel, and to do anything about it, even thinking about it, was impossible.

And so again, people died.

The girl who said she loved him, died.

The friends who told him to become comrades with them, died.

Died.

Died.

Died.

Died.

"............"

While eternally gazing upon those deaths, suddenly, he could bear it no longer.

He felt, at this rate he could no longer live.

He was running away.

The world's cruelness was in front of his eyes

Because it could not be helped, the world's cruelness before his eyes. Because he could not do anything, he continued to run away.

One day abruptly, in the cup of the depths of his heart, the despair accumulated reached the limit and overflowed.

"............"

And so, while knowing it was but a pipe dream, he wrote that report.

But he has already lost that report. Left behind in the darkness of Roland, he had already lost that report.

Yet he still remembers the introduction.

Not expecting for it to be shown to anyone, to an embarrassing extent he poured out the feelings he kept hidden into the introduction.

"............"

Even though it felt like such a long time has passed since he wrote it, he began to recall the contents.

"............"

The beginning of the report went something like this.

People hate dying.

They hate killing as well.

They don’t like making others cry, or cry themselves.

How would it feel to not be able to choose one’s own life?

What about having one’s family dead?

What about having one’s lover dead?

No one should have wished for all that, but yet why is the world smiling and desiring only such senseless sorrow?

I have never thought of forcefully changing anything. But if I don’t, it will be sorrowful, and neither do I want to lose any more things......

Such bothersome talk......

It’s about time to move on. All this while, I’ve averted my eyes, but if needed, I shall try looking at my own past.

And.

In order to create a world where no one loses anything.

A world in which that child, and Kiefer don’t have to cry, in which Tyle, Toni, and Fahl don’t have to die, in which Sion doesn’t have to brood.

A world in which everyone can laugh and just take afternoon naps.

Ryner Lute

"Ryner Lute."

He softly whispered.

He softly whispered his own name.

Then, he began to remember that report full of embarrassing things that he foolishly wrote.

That he wanted to obtain a world where he would no longer lose anyone or anything.

That because he did not want to lose anything, he would move forward.

At that—

At those words,

"............"

Just what-

"...... What am I saying?"

He whispered.

And then, he opened his eyes,

Faced the scenery spread before him,

And thought.

Just what can I do, I who did not notice Sion's despair? Just what can I do, I who could not save those who were precious to me? Just what can I do, I who spread such twisted despair?

"...... Just what am I trying to accomplish?"

That's right, he whispered—

A demon will descend.

A demon so cunning, so austere, enough to empty the deep, dark hole in the hearts of the people, will descend.

A king, not human— but a demon will.

And so, finally this story will begin.

Chapter 1: Inside of The Falling Rain

Something amazing had happened.

The light flashed and then there was a loud explosion.

Ryner looked to that side as he ran, “… What is that? What has happened?”

Now, he was at the south of the Southern Country of Ali. Up further south was the boundary of the Republic of Belis.

The citizens and soldiers of Imperial Nelpha that Toale had been leading and the soldiers led by Vois had gathered together to form this army of mixed groups. They were now under attack from an unknown attacker.

The attacker had been from the south, so they had almost thought that they were under attack from the Republic of Belis. But Vois had said that one attacking now was a mercenary group known as the Azure Princess.

Even though they did not know why the mercenary group was attacking them, but they were under attack, so they needed to prepare for battle.

After all, this was a group that had been attacked by the Roland army.

They had been attacked from the side, so they had no reason to allow the damage to spread.

To defend against this attack, Ryner and Ferris were running.

As Ferris ran, she asked with her usual emotionless expression, “What is it?”

“No, that… I can’t tell for certain without using the Alpha Stigma…”

“Mm-hmm.”

“The magic that those people used to attack us, that probably was Roland’s magic.”

Ferris seemed to widen her eyes at Ryner’s words and looked at him. She looked at Ryner’s face with her clear and big eyes.

“…Roland? That means there are soldiers who purused us to the Republic of Belis?”

But Ryner shook his head.

“No, Vois said that wasn't the case. It seems to be an unknown mercenary group attacking us.”

“Mercenary group?”

“Ah, it seems to be a mercenary group called the Azure Princess… Have you heard of it?”

“No.”

“I haven’t too. But if they're capable of ambushing the mixed army of Nelpha and Vois’s soldiers…”

At this moment, there as another flash of light and an explosion.

A few soldiers under Vois’s command that had been in the front of the group were caught in the explosion.

Because of this scene, Ryner’s eyes widened.

“…”

Then a strange red five-pointed star started to shine in his black eyes.

That was the cursed eyes called the Alpha Stigma.

It was the cursed eyes that were able to read all kinds of magic.

Using those eyes, Ryner stared at the explosion ahead of them.

“Ah~ That is really Roland’s magic. And it has been altered greatly.”

“Altered?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it powerful?”

“… Well, I wonder.” Ryner stared at the glowing magic again and tried to analyze its structure, strength, specialties and range of effect.

“Ohhh, this is pretty amazing. It's a lot more powerful than Roland’s magic. Or rather, it seems to have a rather difficult formation… I bet this complicated magic can’t be used by that red-haired muscled idiot?”

Because of what Ryner said, Ferris seemed to be slightly unhappy, “Are you competing with that person called Claugh or something like that?”

“Yes yes.”

“Hmm. That means that someone who's stronger than him is attacking us, right?”

Towards this, Ryner shook his head.

“No, well~ That red-headed idiot’s physical strength is impressive, so it's debatable which side is stronger, but…” He stopped, reaching the side of where the battle was occurring. “…But, if I’m not prepared like I was then, I might be killed…”

Saying this, he tensed and examined his surroundings, confirming the events that had happened here.

“…”

In front of him, Vois’s black-armored soldiers were desperately fighting against the assailants.

No, though they were doing their best, their assailants were far stronger—it was that sort of hopeless situation.

Then he looked at the people who were attacking them.

“…Talking about which, what is this? Isn’t it obvious that they have gone bonkers? What exactly is after Vois’s life?” Ryner said with an annoyed expression.

Then he started to stare at the fighting invaders in front of him.

Although he had said that, but one person was heading towards them.

Only one person.

No, behind this one person, there were many soldiers that looked like this person, but they did not participate in the fight. So only one of them was heading to attack them.

That soldier charged into the midst of the mixed army of the Nelpha and Vois’s soldiers.

“…”

Ryner stared at that lone person that was overwhelmingly powerful.

A metal mask and red battle uniform. There was a red butterfly insignia on the chest of the soldier. It seemed to be the insignia that represented the Azure Princess mercenaries.

Looking at that insignia, Ryner said something idiotic like “…that isn’t blue at all!”

Then Ferris unsheathed her sword and asked, “Not blue?”

“Yeah, um, aren’t they called the Azure Princess mercenary…”

“Oh. But I haven’t heard of it.”

“Me neither.”

“Unless they become famous only recently?”

“Well, who knows. But…” Ryner looked at that red figure.

Then said, “If they have a monster like that, then they'll become pretty famous soon.”

At this moment, the attacker that had defeated Vois’s chosen soldiers said, “Yes yes, the game ends here~ You've realized by now, right? Come, look at my movements, you must have thought ‘Ah, this is no good, the genius has come~! The genius-sama who will defeat us ordinary humans has come~, right? Then hurry up and escape. Because it's one of my rules to never go easy on my opponent, I'll kill any idiots who don’t understand what situation they are in~”

As the person said this, the person caught the wrist of Vois’s subordinate who was attacking. Broke that wrist. Threw the person aside. Then continued, “If you don’t want to die like this fellow, then escape. I’ll count to five~! Those who haven’t escaped in five seconds will be my enemies and be killed by me, understand~?”

As the attacker said this, Ryner finally reached Vois’s soldiers who had been ambushed.

Ferris successfully managed to link up from somewhere else.

It seemed as if the time needed to reach the enemy from the soldiers would take about ten minutes…

But the enemy said that they would begin the massacre in five seconds.

“Ai~ I can’t make it in time. Well, I should first engage the enemy first.”

Ryner seemed to grumble. As he ran, his fingers started to trace glowing forms in the air.

The special magic that Roland had, drawing the magic formation.

At this moment, the attacker started to trace the magic formation in the air too. At that, Ryner frowned and said, “Damn it, it’s really Roland’s magic…” As if asking why would there be a Roland soldier in this place.

“…”

But he stopped speaking.

The attacker started drawing the magic formation far more quickly than what Ryner had expected.

The person’s speed was almost as fast as Ryner’s, no, to be more accurate, even the accuracy too.

Upon looking, it seemed to be a magic formation for KUURI. KUURI was a high-class magic in Roland that released spears of light to kill the enemy.

It was a complicated magic that normal mages had difficulty wielding.

But now, the magic formation being drawn out did not seem like a simple KUURI.

In the magical formation, seven glowing blocks that seemed to combine with KUURI appeared and something that seemed like eyes appeared in the blocks. These eyes moved around, as if they had their own conscience and were surveying the enemy.

Ryner looked at this magic that he had never seen before and muttered, “What is that…”

The attacker said, “Hey hey~ five seconds are up. Then if those who didn’t listen to my warning and attack…”

But in the middle of what he was saying, a soldier pulled out the sword at his waist and charged towards the attacker yelling “Die!”

But the attacker didn’t look in the direction of the soldier, only softly said “WHAT I SEEK IS THE TUMBLING TRUTH OF IRIDESCENT DESTRUCTION >>> KUUKURA!”

A spell, magic formation and activation sequence that had never been heard before.

Then one of the eyes in the magic formation responding to the approaching soldier and released a killing beam that was very similar to KUURI.

“I wouldn’t let you gain the advantage. WHAT I SEEK IS THE TUMBLING TRUTH OF IRIDESCENT DESTRUCTION >>> KUUKURA!” Ryner finished drawing the magic formation and chanted the incantation. A block of light appeared in the middle of the magic formation and released a light beam.

The KUURIs released by Ryner and the attacker collided and neutralised each other.

“…Hmm. After separating the magic strength into seven parts, the impact for each beam has seemed to decrease… But, well, even so it is quite impressive. Let me try this next time…” Ryner looked at the scene and muttered.

Then he bent down and started to run.

The attacker looked in the direction of the magic that had neutralised his own magic, “Ohhhh, what was that earlier? An outsider has entered this fight. And earlier, that was KUURI, right? Why would there be a Roland mage in the Anti-Roland Coalition~?” as he said that, he looked towards where Ryner had been.

The six eyes that appeared in the magic formation looked in the same direction, as if reacting to what was happening.

They looked around, as if trying to find Ryner’s figure that had released KUURI.

But they couldn’t find him.

No, to be more accurate, Ryner had hidden his presence so that they would not find him.

Although his speed had decreased because he had erased his presence. But he quickly reached the place.

He was about to reach the place where the enemy was.

At this moment.

“Found you!” the attacker yelled loudly.

The eyes made of light turned from the left to the right.

Ferris stood in the sight of these eyes. She was quicker than Ryner and had ran out from Vois’s soldiers, swinging her sword.

“Idiot. It’s too late.”

As she said this, she reached the attacker.

“Wa wa wa wa , what… what is up with this person? She’s too fast… Trouble trouble trouble, but this is not enough to deal with the genius me who is like a god reincarnated!” the attacker said and raised two fingers, pointing to Ferris.

Two eyes in the remaining six eyes swiftly released the light beam that was KUURI towards Ferris.

Seeing this, Ryner smiled, “…This is useless towards Ferris.”

At that moment, Ferris stopped. She looked at the two beams of light emotionlessly and calmly.

“Hmm.” With that soft sound, she used a speed that only Ryner was able to see and swung her sword, cutting apart the two light beams.

The attacker let out a stunned,

"Eh?"

And then in a surprised voice,

"It can't be."

At this moment, Ryner charged out from the soldiers.

He said, “As of now, it is too late to be surprised.” And started to draw a magic formation. In a moment, he finished the structure for KUURI.

Seeing this, the attacker said in a surprised tone, “Wa~ what is this, so it’s you…”

“And using KUURI at this moment is a little despicable~” He quickly pointed his right hand in Ryner’s direction.

The four remaining eyes looked in his direction.

“Release.” The attacker said. A light beam shot towards Ryner and another headed for his magic formation.

“Wuah…” Ryner rolled onto the ground and dodged the attack.

Although his completed magic formation had been destroyed, but it was alright.

Because he had managed to decrease the distance between him and the attacker again.

“Ferris.” Ryner said.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Which side will you be backing me up on?”

“I’ll cut away those two remaining light blocks.”

“Ok, then…”

Ryner looked at the attacker.

Surprisingly, the attacker revealed a troubled expression, “You…you, isn’t two against one a little mean?”

Ryner laughed, “Ha ha, I’ve been a despicable person since I’ve been born.”

He shortened the distance between him and the attacker as he said this. He wanted to use his right fist to hit the person’s face, but he knew that it would be painful if he tried to strike the metal mask, so he cast that thought aside. Instead, he used a karate chop and struck at the neck that was between the mask and the uniform, “Did it hit?”

Unexpectedly, the person fell back and avoided the attack. Then he pointed in Ryner’s direction, “Release!”

“Eh?” Ryner raised his head, and looked in the direction where the magic formation that should have been dealt with by Ferris.

As expected, the magic formation drawn by the attacker had been dealt with by Ferris.

Upon discovering Ryner’s actions, Ferris shouted, slightly frantically, “Idiot Ryner. Don’t move your eyes from your enemy. This is a trap!”

At the moment, Ryner felt the killing intent and he pressed his lips together tightly, “Damn it.” He muttered then bent back and leapt back. If he had remained in his original position and looked at in front of him, he would have been pierced in the neck.

If Ferris had not warned him, he would have probably died. Definitely would have died.

But Ryner breathed in a small breath, as if calmly breathing. Then he muttered: “I must be an idiot. Don’t relax… This is a battleground. The foolish things that I do…” he said this to himself. Then he straightened himself again and looked at the attacker.

The attacker that he had chased with much difficulty had increased the distance between them and raised both his hands.

“Ah, I apologize, everyone. I thought that I could kill one or two dogs of the Goddess by myself… But an unexpected enemy has appeared. So, please take care of the reinforcements~”

As he said that, the hands of the red-garbed soldiers raised and started to trace glowing magic formations in the air. And everyone was activating their own different forms of magic. It really was a mercenary group. It looked like the Azure Princess was made from people of different countries.

Even if he did not care about this, it seemed like the magic would attack at the same time.

No, it seemed that even the area where Toale’s people who were resting behind them would be attacked too.

Ryner tensed his face and shouted to Vois’s subordinates, “Damn it, defend!”

But they ignored Ryner’s yells and started to form offensive magic.

Of course, everything was offensive magic.

“Huh? Hey hey, stop joking! If the offensive magic collides in a short range, there will be too many sacrifices…” But Ryner quietened down. This could not be stopped by anyone. This battle that had already been started could not be stopped. Anyway, Vois’s subordinates were not Ryner’s subordinates.

So they had no reason to listen to Ryner’s orders.

The only way to stop this was the attacker that had used the altered KUURI and seemed to be the leader of the opposition.

But that person had already seemed to understand that he was unable to defeat him and Ferris so he had started to escape.

If he allowed that person to escape, then there would be no way to stop this massacre.

Ryner looked at the attacker who was trying to escape but was being chased by Ferris. It seemed like he would be unable to use magic to capture that person.

The attacker’s movements seemed to be faster that what they had expected. Just be looking at his movements, one could understand that not only magic, but this person’s physical condition was excellent. And his judgment of the current situation was good.

It seemed as if he had wanted to make them lose their will to fight, but after meeting Ryner and Ferris, he had understood that this could not be remedied immediately.

“…Ah, damn it, this is bad, huh?” Ryner mumbled.

That person was probably very powerful.

A one-on-one fight would be hard. It would definitely be difficult. He thought.

But he breathed in deeply and used his loudest voice to shout, like an idiot, at the soldiers who were about to use magic on one another, “Stop, you bastards! Don’t continue this meaningless massacre, this will be left to a one-on-one by your leaders!”

In a moment, Vois’s soldiers slowed on their magic formations.

However the enemy’s magic formations did not stop. But Ryner used a challenging tone to yell at the escaping attacker, “What do you say? Are you escaping because you’re scared of me? Ha ha, if you would run away with your tail tucked between your legs, then you shouldn’t have charged in on your own!”

“… Ah?” Hearing this, the attacker stopped escaping, turned around and raised his left hand. In a moment, the red-armoured soldiers stopped their magic formations.

Ryner contorted his expression slightly. He became slightly melancholic as he saw the soldiers that had been so well-conditioned that they stopped their movements just by seeing their leader raise his hand.

Although he did not know how well trained Vois’s soldiers were, but if they really started to fight against each other, they would be greatly damaged.

This was plainly seen.

But this was the same to the other side. If they fought, then they would not be able to retreat unharmed. After all, his side had the advantage of overwhelmingly powerful soldiers. Furthermore, aside from Vois’s soldiers, there were thousands of Nelpha soldiers.

So the enemies allowed one person to attack first, to make his side lose their will to fight after seeing that person’s power. Although there were a great number of soldiers on his side, they were also with a crowd of people who had no fighting experience. And these people had already been attacked by the Roland Empire, their families and companions had been killed. As their spirits were crumbling, they were in an uneasy situation.

If a surprise attack was launched, then up until the point where the soldiers lost their will to fight, as long as this anxiety spread throughout the people, chaos would ensue.

Those people probably wanted to use that panic to do something.

“…”

But if the other side won this one-on-one fight, there might be a similar effect.

So, the other party had to accept Ryner’s proposal. This way, the fight here could be prevented—

“Well, although that’s what I’m thinking.” Ryner muttered, not confident.

If this failed, there would be a magical battle and an unbelievable number of people would die.

So…

“Please.” Ryner said softly.

The attacker looked to him, “What did you say?”

It worked! Ryner thought and tried to suppress his crow of triumph. Then he looked at the attacker, “I said let’s have a one-on-one? But talking about which, didn't you actually want a one-to-one fight? Didn’t you want to kill our leader so that we would lose our fighting will, hence why you came in alone? I only said that I would take on your challenge.”

Hearing what Ryner said, the attacker snorted, “Ha? What is that? Don’t tell me you think that you can defeat me?”

“Who knows.”

“Got no confidence?”

Ryner nodded at that.

“... It's not a fair fight, right? Don't you have the advantage in this transaction right now? So just accept."

Then,

"Hmm,"

The assailant said, crossing his arms. He fell silent, apparently thinking about something for a while. And,

"... Well, thanks to you, the situation's changed a bit, huh...? Though it's fine even if I accept."

In response to those words, Ryner looked at the assailant. He peered at the metal mask. He stared at his eyes.

From this conversation, it seemed that somehow, he knew of Ryner.

Or rather, well, if he was from Roland, and on top of that, with that level of magic skill and martial arts, he might have been from the Hidden Elites or Emirel Private Forces or someone from one of those special organizations in Roland's underworld. In that dark side, the name of Ryner Lute was hailed as The Greatest Magician in Roland, a title that many aimed after, so perhaps he knew him from there.

But.

Ryner stared at his opponent and narrowed his eyes. He felt that the voice of the man in front of him was slightly familiar.

But the owner of that voice should have died.

It was the voice of that idiot who had fought with Ryner over the position of The Greatest Magician in Roland.

That guy’s name was Zohra Rom, if he wasn’t wrong.

He used to be an assassin for the Roland Empire and had said he wanted to try to assassinate Ryner but, because he was an assassin who did not kill women and children, he was unable to kill Ryner who was thirteen years old then. He was a enormous idiot who had betrayed Roland and had become a traitor.

But that person was already dead.

When he felt that Sion was starting to go mad, he had challenged Lucile and had died in the end.

Ryner had seen the dissimilated body.

So the person in front of him now could not be Zohra.

Ryner stared at the attacker in front of him. Then said: “You… are you someone I know, by any chance?”

“How can I know someone as silly as you?” The attacker replied.

“Ha~ Is it like that?”

“Yes.”

“Then, Zohra.”

“What is it?”

“Hey, you’re really Zohra!”

Hearing what Ryner said, the attacker shrugged and pulled off his mask, revealing his face.

Tea-coloured hair and determined blue eyes that would not admit defeat. Just by seeing his confident face, anyone would feel annoyed.

Then that smirking mouth said: “Ah, even if I wear a mask, I’m discovered? It seems that I should give up being an assassin because I’m unable to hide this heroic air of mine.”

Even his way of talking was exactly like Zohra Rom, who he had met in the past.

Ryner frowned and said, “What? Why are you alive? Weren’t you killed by Lucile?”

Zohra shrugged casually, “The hero of the story wouldn’t die.”

“So you’re the hero?”

“Of course.”

“Hmm. No, I didn’t think you would easily retreat from that monster, unharmed.”

“Ha. That’s a guess from your perspective? My abilities have surpassed the abilities of a god, so I can do this kind of thing easily.”

“Oh?”

“You bastard, are you looking down on me?”

“No no~”

“I’ll kill you!” Zohra clenched his fist.

But Ryner didn’t reply to him and asked, “So why did you appear in this mercenary group called the Azure Princess? Talking about that, why did you attack us?”

“I'm not obliged to answer you. Anyway, what are you doing in this place?”

Are~, why was he here? Ryner thought about this for a moment then he shrugged, “Um, well~ I met a lot of trouble and then unknowingly came here.”

“Unknowingly, hey, do you understand what kind of place that is?” Zohra asked impatiently.

“…”

What kind of place… Towards this, Ryner thought about the place and situation he was in now.

He had escaped from the Roland army with Toale, the soldiers and the citizens. Under the situation where they had been unable to escape, they had been saved by the Anti-Roland Coalition that Vois had created.

And heard that Vois could control an inhumane grotesque monster called the Goddess.

Well, because this was what Vois had said himself, he did not know whether that was true or false, even if he had asked Vois seriously, he would have gotten a vague excuse so he still couldn’t understand whether the Goddess was an enemy or an ally.

That meant that he had a companion who he still did not know whether was he an ally or an enemy.

Ah~ that meant.

“…Well~ How do I say this. A lot of things happened so there's been a lot of changes going on. So don’t ask about the details.” Ryner replied honestly.

Zohra had an ‘are you an idiot’ expression, “Huh!?”

Ryner could only laugh bitterly, “No, well~ that’s what I think as well.”

At this moment, Ferris walked over and sheathed her sword, “What, Ryner? You know this guy?”

“I suppose so.”

“Is he an enemy?”

“Who knows~? Our relationship wasn’t too good in the past…” Ryner turned his eyes back to Zohra and asked, “Are you our enemy?”

Zohra looked back and said, “…From your position, it seems so. If you're in the Anti-Roland Coalition leader, then that means that you've left the mad Hero in Roland, right?”

“Mad Hero? Are you referring to Sion?” Ryner asked.

Zohra laughed, “Sion… Sion, huh? I told you to choose your friends more carefully…”

“I did.”

“You didn't. I told you to stop with Sion, didn't I?”

“You did say that.”

“In the end, you were betrayed by that fellow?”

“…”

“So that’s why you’re here right now?”

“…”

“After Sion Astal betrayed you, the companion you met while escaping was Vois Fiurelle. Why don't you stop for a while? Vois Fiurelle is a piece of rubbish who sold this world to the Goddess.”

Hearing this, Ryner revealed a troubled expression, “No, well~ Although I agree with your view that Vois Fiurelle is a piece of rubbish… But if we explain, there are many other reasons besides that.”

“I don’t care about your reasons.” Zohra quickly replied.

“Let me explain!”

“I don’t want to know.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Hearing Ryner’s question, Zohra raised his face to the sky, turned around and confirmed the expressions of his companions. Then he said, “Yeah~ One on one, then.”

“Eh~ I don’t want that. This is like a reunion among old friends, there’s no sense of urgency.”

Zohra laughed, “We’re clearly not friends.”

“Eh~”

“Anyway, I don’t know if you still have the time. I’m also taking other things into consideration.”

“Hmm, like?”

“For example, if you still possess enough strength that I could consider making you my ally, or if it'd be okay to talk to you on friendly terms like old times, things like that. Then I should simply take you to my leader, things like that.”

“Oh~. Then do I live up to your standards?”

Zohra shook his head, “Not at all.”

“Really?”

“Really. After seeing the mistake you made in your fight, I was quite disappointed. You haven’t been training yourself, have you?”

“…” Ryner was silent.

Zohra revealed an enlightened expression and said, “Like what I expected. And I feel that you’re weaker than what I had expected? So I have no interest in a weak person. In this cruel world, weak people can only be treated like rubbish. No matter what kind of causes, they are only reasons, so weaklings can only die. Depressed people can only die. Which one are you? You're always talking about how friends are important and you have that face that says you don’t want anyone to die, so do you have that power to protect the people who you want to protect? I only want to know this.”

From the beginning, this person had particularly liked to know who was it who was powerful, who was the first, I’m the genius etcetera, he had not changed from the past, always displaying that confident face that made people depressed and saying this kind of stuff.

But Ryner could not reply.

He was very clear that he did not have that powerful strength to protect his comrades.

No, it was clearly understood if one looked at the results.

Most of his important people were already dead.

The king who he had thought was his best friend had left, crying.

At that time, what did I do? What did I do?

Ryner thought of mumbling “Damn it… It’s troublesome” to those matters.

Then he gathered his strength and settled his body.

Then Zohra smiled again, “Oh, you really want to fight?”

Ryner replied, “If I don’t fight with you, you wouldn’t be satisfied, I suppose?”

“Yes.”

“Then, I can only fight. Well, even though I have known them only for a short while, even if it is Vois’s subordinates or the Imperial Nelpha’s citizens, they are my comrades.”

“So you want to protect them?”

“Yeah.”

“Ha ha. You seem to be a bit more responsible than before.” Zohra said.

But Ryner revealed a sad expression, “Because I’ve lost too much.”

“Heh. What, you want me to sympathise with you?”

“I don't need you to.”

“True. Then, let’s start.”

“Yeah. Because you’re strong, I won't go easy on you.”

Zohra laughed as he charged, “Ha~ha~~ Who are you talking to?”

Ryner stepped back in reflex and started to trace glowing words in the air, his hands dancing.

It was the magic he had gotten from the Estabul mage in the past, it could release the limits of the mind and enhance the body’s strength.

“Ah, that is a convenient magic. I also have people who were born in Estabul using this. But being too slow is a weakness.” Zohra threw a small knife at him.

The knife struck the magical formation Ryner was drawing and twisted it slightly. As Ryner was frantically trying to redraw it, Zohra reached him.

Zohra reached his right hand into the magical formation, thinking to steal the magic.

To resist Zohra’s actions, Ryner increased his speed of his magic formation and said, “Wuah, you are despicable, this is my magic.”

“If it’s stolen away, then it isn’t yours.”

“I won’t let you steal it.”

“I’ll steal it for you to see.”

“Impossible.”

“You are impossible.”

“Then die!” The two of them shouted at the same time and used their hands that were uninvolved in forming the magic to punch each other.

“Guaaaah, that hurts!! But I completed the magic faster! I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, LETTING THE SLUMBERING MALICIOUS SPIRIT DWELL WITHIN.” Ryner started to chant the spell incantation.

A glow enveloped his body and his movements became faster.

But at the same time, Zohra snatched the half of the glowing words that Ryner had drawn, “I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, LETTING THE SLUMBERING MALICIOUS SPIRIT DWELL WITHIN.” He enhanced his speed in a breath and laughed, “It’s ended.”

Zohra’s movements were slightly faster than Ryner. His fist was already nearing Ryner’s face. Although Ryner wanted to dodge, he found that he could not dodge. And Zohra threw the small blade in his hand towards him. He felt a sharp pain from his ear, as if he had been scratched, but there was no time to think about that any more.

Ryner lifted his foot, thinking to kick Zohra’s chest, but he did not succeed.

“Too slow!” Zohra said, then he kicked at Ryner’s face swiftly.

“Ah, damn it. If it’s physical activity, then you’re stronger.” Ryner determinedly blocked the kick, then used the time to jump back, pulling apart the distance for the magical battle.

From what had happened, he knew that he was faster in magic, so he could probably pull something off if he used magic.

And if he used Alpha Stigma that could analyze all magic, he could win.

So he yelled, “Prepare for my next blow.” Then he prepared to kick and focus all his strength on the place he was about to kick.

“…”

But Zohra's kick stopped. No, not only that, the killing intent from Zohra disappeared.

Ryner couldn’t help but release a surprised “Ah?”

But Zohra ignored this, put down his leg and sighed. As if there was no need to fight anymore, he turned around.

“Eh? Eh? Why?” Ryner said.

Zohra didn’t turn around. He raised his right foot. Then he swept it back and a small blade flew out from his boot. On the blade of the small knife was a red liquid.

It was probably poison.

Looking at the knife, Ryner said, “…Ah… if it had continued I might have died… That means I lost?”

Zohra looked back with a bored expression, “As I thought, you don't have the right to be our comrade.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then, what do we do?”

Zohra looked away without replying to Ryner’s question. Then he pointed to one of the soldiers and said, “It was a draw. We met a little trouble, so this was a draw. Report to the princess.”

“But the Queen told us to kill Vois Fiurelle…”

Zohra interrupted the soldier and said, “Idiot. Then will you fight with that black-haired man who looks like he is about to sleep? Or can you match up with that emotionless blond woman’s speed? There are unexpected powers on the enemy’s side. If we continue to force our attack we will suffer more damage than what we had expected. Anyway, that guy…” He looked at Ryner, “That guy is someone who is important to the Princess. If we kill him now, the Princess will kill us.”

Ryner stared at Zohra and asked, “… Talking about which, who is the Princess who you’ve been talking about since just now? Well, because the mercenary is called Azure Princess, so she should be your leader… But who is it that can command you, who hates taking orders?”

Zohra laughed and replied, “I am Love’s slave.”

“Annoying.”

Zohra laughed even more happily, “It doesn’t matter if I’m annoying. I can even die for her.”

“Oh~?”

“She said not to kill you, so this is a draw.”

Ryner lowered his head, “Hmm. So that means your lover is someone I know?”

“Yeah.”

“Who is it?”

Zohra laughed as he replied, “That annoying brat called Vois on your side knows. Up until now, we've been clashing constantly, after all.” Then he walked to the back, “Then, it’s a draw, it’s a draw. Let’s temporarily return to the city.”

Zohra said and got up on a horse that was prepared and left. His subordinates started to retreat immediately.

Vois’s followers seemed to want to chase after them, but they were stopped by Ryner, “Let them go. Even if we chased after them, we would be throwing our lives away.”

Zohra was that strong.

He was stronger than what he had been.

At this moment, Ferris walked over to him. She reached Ryner’s side in a step.

Then she knocked Ryner’s head for unknown reasons.

“Owwww….?! Hey, why are you doing that suddenly?”

Ferris replied angrily, “Why did you lose that easily!”

Ryner rubbed his head and replied, “But that guy was powerful…”

Even so, Ferris revealed an angry expression and said, “But he wasn’t so strong that you would be unable to defeat him, were you? Why were you merciful?”

Ryner looked at Ferris, then he turned his eyes to look at the blurred silhouette of Zohra.

“Because that guy was also merciful…” Ryner said.

Yes, he had felt that from the beginning. The movements of Zohra who had stood in front of him were not powerful, he wasn’t using all this strength. If he moved back one side, the other side would move back one step too. That was what Ryner thought.

At this moment, a child’s voice spoke from behind Ryner, “… If that was the case, I would be troubled, Ryner.”

Ryner turned around and found that a thirteen, fourteen year old boy had walked out from amongst the black-armoured soldiers. He had beautiful black hair and intelligent black eyes, and he wore clothes that seemed like what a witch would wear.

This was the person who Zohra wanted to kill, the person who had created the Anti-Roland Coalition and had made Ryner the king of the rebels, Vois Fiurelle.

Vois had said that.

The intelligent eyes that held wisdom that a child should not have looked at him, “You are already a leader of an organisation, you know? If you lose easily as the leader of the organisation that would be troubling. And it would demoralise the soldiers.”

Ryner frowned and said, “That’s what you claim. Anyway, your soldiers don’t take me as your leader, you know? I told them to use the defensive magic, but they ignored me…”

Vois looked at his subordinates and asked, “Is that so?”

The soldiers looked at Vois with respect, unlike how Ryner had been treated and lowered their heads, “We apologize.”

Vois nodded, “But I also think that your judgement was right. The one who was wrong was Your Majesty.” Then he looked at Ryner.

Ryner frowned deeply. “So can you stop calling me Your Majesty. Anyway, you’re not showing me proper respect.”

Vois laughed, “If you want me to respect you, then please don’t be merciful to the enemy. Even if the enemy is a young child, you have to kill them mercilessly to be powerful…” Ryner interrupted Vois, “I don’t want to be that kind of powerful.”

“You don’t want it?”

“No.”

Vois nodded, “I see. Then those children that you let go because you were sympathetic will kill your companions after a few years.”

“…”

“Please don’t make me repeat this again. We aren’t playing any games. The road you’re going to take isn’t those kind of—ah, do we add bananas on the dessert?—kind of picnic where you ask fools questions. Because of your meaningless games, many comrades may die. If they die meaningfully, then it’s fine. But if it’s a meaningless choice that you chose because you were weak, then please disappear. If you’re so weak, then you don’t have the right to stand against Sion Astal. Because he is so strong that he is able to kill the children in front of him. He is so strong that he is able to kill while crying. Then what about you? Are you going to say that you don’t have the preparation to kill anyone, but you want to save people?”

This kind of question was evidently a continuation of the lecture Vois was giving him earlier.

Towards what Vois wanted to say, Ryner had already understood it. He sighed and said, “…But, I have my own views on Zohra being merciful.”

“Views?”

“Yeah. Not only the views on my opponent being merciful, but also views on my opponent, and I am unable to fully comprehend the current situation. I didn’t even know that the person who was attacking, Zohra, was with the Azure Princess. But you knew, didn’t you? You knew that Zohra was someone I knew but you still allowed me to go on the frontlines?”

Vois nodded and replied, “Yes, I know.”

“You wanted to let me kill someone who I knew?”

Vois smiled, “Because I knew that to Ryner who was weak, you could not kill him. But even if you didn’t kill him, that didn’t matter. I’m looking forward to a time where, if you fight with people whom you’re familiar with, you can fight for time and I can search for a way to stop the enemy. Because I know that if the enemy listens to what I say, I cannot lie to the other side no matter how many methods I try.” This was indeed what a leader of the Fiurelle clan, who had been generations of masterful liars, Vois would say.

Ryner used a resigned expression to say, “Then what I did can’t get 100 marks.”

“Yes.”

“Then stop grumbling.”

Hearing Ryner’s sigh, Vois shrugged, “But what I said was from my heart. If you are a person who can easily kill Zohra, then the path ahead will be slightly interesting… But, now, ma, forget it. You’ll change, anyway. If you meet anything unfair, you’ll change.”

Ryner sighed again, hearing Vois’s unpleasant words.

Looking at Vois’s soldiers and the Nelpha soldiers and citizens who were clearly exhausted, Ryner remembered the figures of the Roland soldiers who had pursued after them, Ryner mumbled softly, “Maybe that’s true…”

Ryner mumbled that with a tired voice that clearly told of the many deaths he had witnessed so far.

He had only left Roland and Sion for a short period of time, but everything had changed.

Even if it was the scenery in front of him, or the expressions of the people, everything had changed.

Maybe he himself had changed slightly, but he couldn’t tell. No, maybe he had started to change earlier than that.

But even if he thought like that, he would not be able to understand these kind of matters.

He only knew that the situation was slowly, slowly changing.

Because Sion wasn’t smiling by his side anymore.

Even Ferris and Kiefer had bitter memories.

Some of his companions had died, Toale had died too.

Only he himself had not changed—how could something this good exist.

Everything had started changing from long ago.

The more the situation in front of him changed, the more he changed.

But even so.

“…I wouldn’t change into something like what you said.” Ryner said.

“If you gave up that easily… I would have given up a long time ago.” He said.

Then he thought that if it was so easy to give up, then there wouldn’t be any need for him to escape yelling that he hated killing.

He could have become a killing machine like what the Roland Empire had wished.

He could laugh like an idiot while he killed.

If that had happened, maybe Sion could have killed me without any hesitation. Maybe he wouldn’t have to kill those comrades who told that monster ‘Let’s go’ and those friends who thought that they would be happy with that monster.

But I can’t do that.

Because I can’t do that, so I’ve come to do this.

You want me to give up on whatever I’ve been doing and become strong? If there was a need to, then I would have to kill these desires? Don’t joke with me!

If that was the case.

If that was the case, then I would have given up a long time ago.

I would have been like what I was before, not doing anything, saying it was troublesome then escape, escape, always escaping. And then dying easily in an unknown place. No, it’s better to say I should always think of dying.

But Sion will cry.

Because he is bearing that burden alone, so an idiot like Sion will cry, so I should try starting to fight.

Unless you want me to let go of everything and start killing? Admit that not killing is a weakness?

Ryner thought then he laughed sadly and stared at Vois, saying, “…The king that you wish for, isn’t there one like that in Roland? So I won’t walk the same road as that man.”

“That is a weakness.”

“Is it?”

“It is.”

“But bearing that weakness is not easy, you know?”

Towards this, Vois revealed a slightly defeated expression, laughing, “Ha, haha. Ma, that’s true… You really are an idiot. Choosing you was right.”

“Oh, because I’m too stupid, so I can be your marionette?”

Vois narrowed his eyes and replied, “Hmm~ Who knows?” Then he muttered something. He muttered something that Ryner couldn’t hear, “…Ma, it’s like what I thought… It is a demon who fears being lonely…”

“What?”

“Nothing, I was just talking to myself.”

Ryner stared at Vois and said, “Anyway, if you want me to be your companion, then you should stop hiding things from me. I didn’t ask you about Zohra and I didn’t ask about the details about the monster called the Goddess. And, ah, what~ you know the person called Princess who leads the Azure Princess? Who is that? And the person called Princess seems to know me, who is it?”

Vois didn’t reply Ryner’s questions but turned around and said, “I’ll tell you that when we reach the camp. According to what I know, the Runa Empire has surrendered, Roland Empire is starting to move there and operate from there.”

“Huh?” Ryner couldn’t help but yell, “Wait…wait a moment. That means that Sion is going to Runa…?”

But Vois didn’t reply and continued, “And the two Generals Bayuuz White and Claugh Klom are leading the soldiers and preparing to invade the Autonomous Holy City of Cassla. This is faster than what I had expected. They probably used the Rhule Fragmei to progress… Ma, no matter what, the territory of the Roland Empire has already reached the Southern Country of Ali already. Now there isn’t any power in the southern continent to stop Roland’s power. So we don’t have any time to stay here any longer. Although the Republic of Belis will stand on our side for now, they will change their minds when they see Roland’s power. Before that, we have to cross through Belis and enter the Central Continent. There isn’t much time left. Can we talk as we move?” Vois finished and walked away without waiting for an answer. He started to give orders to the surrounding troops. It was almost impossible to view him as a fourteen or fifteen year old child.

Ryner looked at this, stunned then he turned to Ferris, who was very calm despite what had happened and said, “…No matter how you look at this, it seems as if I’m obviously the subordinate, right?”

Ferris nodded, “You have a natural face that looks like a slave.”

“Haha, I thought of that too. I only want to have no responsibility and live simply…”

Ferris hit Ryner’s back as he mumbled that.

“Ah, ow… What is it this time?” Ryner asked.

Ferris complained, “Really, what are you doing. You lost to an assassin of unknown origins and you can’t argue against a brat who can’t say anything but perverted things… Even if you embarrass yourself, you have to have some kind of standard.”

Ryner smiled bitterly, “I’m sorry.”

But for unknown reasons, Ferris turned her eyes away and said suddenly, “But I… that… I don’t hate this side of you that is like an idiot, annoying and completely useless…”

“…Eh?”

Ferris continued to look away, “Anyway, you don’t have to mind becoming a marionette. Zohra? Vois? Who knows about that. Sion and I have already approved of you. Then we should only proceed in the direction of our path. So you should have some confidence in yourself, you idiot. Don’t lose to anyone apart from me. I will be unhappy.” After saying these things, she walked away.

Ryner looked at Ferris’s back and ran his hand through his rumpled hair, laughing lightly, “…That, this, if I made you unhappy, then I apologize.”

“If you are apologizing, then you shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”

“Yes yes~”

“Then, let’s go.”

As she said ‘let’s go’, Ryner thought about the events that would happen after today and sighed.

They had escaped the pursuers with much difficulty, but there still was a mountain of things to do.

Behind them were the pursuing soldiers from Roland Empire.

In front of them was the mercenary group called the Azure Princess.

And there were other countries.

In this mess, how was he going to bring the Nelpha soldiers and people, and escape to safety?

“Really, this is really difficult.” Ryner said as he turned to face the sky.

Like earlier, the sky was covered with a thick layer of rain clouds and appeared to be very dark. In this rain, he had to lead the tired people forward.

He had to lead the children who had their parents killed by Roland.

He had to lead the old people who had lost their families.

He still had to continue.

“Damn it, this is really difficult.” As he said this, Ryner started to walk.

Because he knew that if he did not continue, nothing would change.

And he understood that the more he tried to escape, the more saddening things would happen.

“…”

So he started to walk down the difficult path in the rain.

Chapter 2: In the Mire

Unknowingly, his feet were already dirtied.

He knew that it wasn’t there just now, but he had somehow managed to step into a muddy piece of land and now he found that he was unable to move his feet.

“…”

So he looked at his feet so that he would be able to pull his feet out of the swamp.

But he found that his feet had not sunk into any mire, even his shoes were clean.

Just that there was a lot of blood.

There was a large amount of fresh blood flowing out from where he stood.

The blood flowed and became a path.

It was like the blood was paving the road that he should take while flowing all over the ground.

He stared at this road.

“…”

Sion Astal used his golden eyes to look at the fresh blood.

No, if he was more accurate, the blood wasn’t flowing out.

At least in reality, no one would see the blood.

But Sion looked at the blood.

He looked at the scene that was in the Other World.

It was a world where there was the Goddess, Hero and Demon.

It was a world where Sion who was being devoured by the Mad Hero belonged to.

It was a world that changed constantly around him.

From where he was standing, red, red, no, because it was so red that it had started to turn black, the curse was eroding the land.

The curse had covered all of Roland, devastating the old Estabul Kingdom and continuing to spread to Imperial Nelpha and Runa Empire.

This curse made the people living on these lands submit to Sion Astal.

This curse spread to the ‘Human’s living on these lands, making them become ‘Human α’.

Then, even if it was Nelpha or Runa, they would be done for.

One of the bonds shackling the Fallen Mad Hero in Roland would be broken.

Towards the Central.

They could already head towards the Central.

But.

“…”

Sion closed his eyes and pulled his consciousness back to reality.

He was now riding on a horse.

They had crossed over the boundary between Runa and Roland, heading towards a new land that the Hero had never stepped on before.

Then invade the new lands.

For this, he had moved his operation grounds to Runa Empire.

Surrounding him were tens and thousands of soldiers.

But he couldn’t hear their voices.

He couldn’t hear their footsteps.

He could only hear his own voice.

“…”

I am using fresh blood and the curse to muffle this world’s sounds.

Hearing the sounds of the world changing.

Hearing the sounds of the world changing.

That is the world that I wished for.

That is the mad world that I wished to change.

But he didn’t know why, but he felt quite sad.

“…Sad?” Sion softly said.

“The me who isn’t human any longer, feels sad?” He muttered softly, then started to laugh.

He laughed with a bitter voice.

But Sion Astal could only continue.

The Roland King could only continue.

The Fallen Mad Hero laughed sadly and continued to progress to the north.

For the sake of changing this world.

For the sake of changing this mad world, he—

He suddenly found that he had dirtied his feet.

Fresh blood.

The ocean of blood had dirtied his feet.

“Damn.” Riphal Edea muttered. Then he raised his eyes to observe the current situation.

He was currently preparing to invade a small country called the Divine City of Elon.

Although the Divine City of Elon was the first obstacle that the Gastark ran into when they started to attack the Central Continent, but there was a large difference between the armies of Gastark and the Divine City of Elon.

So, according to common logic, there wouldn’t be a war. Only Gastark sending out the warning to surrender and then the Divine City of Elon would surrender and the war would end.

That was basically what had happened when they had fought with the smaller countries up north.

So this time, they tried sending a warning to surrender to the Divine City of Elon.

“… Are they idiots.” Looking at the mountains of corpses around him, Riphal said, “Didn’t I say I would protect you from Geihlficlant? Why did you give up your lives for nothing?”

As he said that, a pale and calm man standing behind him—Rigwaltz Pentest said, “…There’s no choice. These countries are dependent on the Geihlficlant Empire. If you compare us, who appeared recently with the Geihlficlant Empire, anyone would choose that side.”

He frowned, then turned towards the mountains of dead bodies. There was a torch on the walls of that country. So that even if it was evening, they could still see the situation clearly.

This city, Aislon was the only place where the Divine City of Elon could block Gastark. If they managed to break through this are, then they would gain direct access to the center of Aislon.

Of course, the Divine City of Elon dispatched nearly all of its soldiers to this city Aislon. And the Aislon soldiers were resisting Gastark’s attacks.

It was obvious that they would fail in battle, resisting futilely, shouting and crying, and then dying.

A frighteningly large number of people had died.

This scene was so saddening that it almost seemed funny.

There were people dying.

There were people dying.

There were people dying.

Riphal walked over these bodies.

He encountered some soldiers resisting and meeting drastic ends, sacrifices on his side. And their progress seemed to be slightly slower than expected.

But.

“It’s ended.” Riphal said.

The foundations of the wall had exploded due to their efforts and it had started to collapse, preventing the soldiers from making any further action to use magic to attack them.

Rize nodded, “Yes, Aislon has collapsed. This way, the Divine City of Elon has ended.”

“If I knew that we were going to have such a stubborn resistance… I would have used Glovil.” Riphal said, looking at the unbelievably long black sword on his back.

It was a cursed sword called the Sword of Regeneration. It needed to eat its owner’s body- namely Riphal’s body- to release a strong destructive power that was equal to that of the god’s.

But Rize shook his head and said, “If it were so easy to use that sword, then it would be troublesome. If we use it so easily, then even if you have many bodies, it won’t work… Even if it wasn’t like that, please don’t use that sword for more than three times in the future…”

Hearing this, there was an ache in Riphal’s left eye that had been eaten by Glovil.

“…”

There were three more times… he thought.

That was the number that he could use Glovil to collapse the three states in this central continent.

Riphal examined the powers in the Central Continent again mentally.

In the Central Continent, there were thirteen countries, including the Divine City of Elon and three states. Although it was put like that, but those thirteen countries were vessel countries of the three states, so it could be said that there were only three countries in the Central Continent.

And the names of those Three States were—

Geihlficlant Empire

Republic of Ertolia

Remrus Empire.

These three countries had a larger land mass than the northern continent and were therefore more powerful than them.

If it included the powers of the vessel countries, then perhaps their combined power would be stronger than the Gastark Empire that had unified the Northern Continent.

As a side note, the country, the Divine City of Elon that was about to surrender to Gastark was a country in the east of the Central Continent, and it was a vessel country of the Geihlficlant Empire.

Although Gastark had sent warnings to the Divine City of Elon at the start of the war, but it had rejected it as they feared Geihlficlant.

After they allowed the other party to witness Gastark’s power, Gastark had sent another warning, but they were rejected again.

Then Gastark sent people to investigate why the Divine City of Elon was rejecting them so vehemently.

They found out that the royalty and nobles had already fled to Geihficlant. Nearly all the nobility and cadres of armed forces had escaped to Geihlficlant. Only the people and soldiers left behind were ordered to buy time so that Geihficlant could arrange an army to deal with Gastark.

That meant.

“…”

At this moment, the wall collapsed.

Then yells came from the soldiers, even though they had been abandoned by their leaders. Even though sadness appeared on their faces, but the soldiers of Divine City of Elon continued to fight.

But.

“…It’s ended.” Rize said.

Riphal nodded, “Yeah. And they didn’t manage to buy enough time for Geihficlant.”

Rize laughed, “That, before Glovil, what preparations do you think they can make? Even before that cursed sword, the Rhule Fragmei can’t even influence it…”

But Riphal used his right eye that had not been eaten to stare at Rize, “If we had allowed them to prepare, then the soldiers that would have sacrificed their lives in front of Glovil would have increased.”

“That’s right.”

“Then, more people would die for nothing, right?”

“Yes, that is true.”

“I hate seeing people die.”

Hearing what Riphal said, Rize smiled calmly and said, “I hate it too. So you can rest assured.”

But Riphal laughed bitterly, using that helpless smile and unhappy eyes to look at Rize, “… Can Geihlficlant like Stohl, using Glovil to make them surrender?”

“Who knows? This is the first time we’re fighting with such a strong country. And our opponent has even hired the Azure Princess. And that Azure Princess can use Rhule Fragmei. This situation, compared to previous occasions, is more…”

“Is it troublesome?”

But Rize laughed. Then he bent down and put his hand on the ground. He touched the red earth that had been stained with the blood of the soldiers of the Divine City of Elon with a sad expression.

“…I will work hard to prevent the situation from progressing to that stage. That means that where would we use that Glovil. Anyway, if we use that sword, we will pay a great price. Because we are using Your Majesty’s body as a sacrifice, so we can’t overuse that sword’s power. So, where can we use it? The important thing is that we make the enemy have disappointing results. I also hate seeing people die. But we need to use it in an area where the enemy would definitely despair when they see it. Then, where should we use it? Because this time, the enemy can use the Rhule Fragmei, so we need to practice devouring that power, giving the enemy despair…” As if talking about his own views to himself, he stood up, laughing and said, “Well, no matter, we can’t lose now.”

Riphal nodded, “If we lose, then I should have died with those comrades who sacrificed their lives for this sword.”

“Yes.”

Riphal stepped to the front, although his foot sank into the soil that was mixed with blood, he didn’t mind it. Because my hands are stained with my comrades’ blood.

I have finally come to a place where I can see my sacrificed comrades’ blood in the Gastark Empire, this has already cursed my soul.

So there is no way to not progress because I am stained with my enemy’s blood, after all that has happened.

So Riphal looked at the collapsed wall of the city and said, “Then, let’s go the next place. If we don’t attack the central hub of the Divine City of Elon and attack the Geihlficlant Empire, then what would the other powers do?”

Rize replied, “No problem. There is still a large distance from here to the Remrus Empire. There is probably nothing they can do now. As for the Republic of Ertolia, according to the information from Sui and Kuu now, there does not seem to be any intentions in helping Geihlficlant. Well, these two countries have not been on good terms. That means if you want to, we can probably attack Geihficlant and Ertolia at the same time…”

At this moment, Riphal raised his hand and interrupted Rize, “You can do anything about that. Anyway, we have to fight with Ertolia sooner or later. After we defeat Geihlficlant, we can plan to attack any other countries. Talking about which, how about the movements of the users with magical eyes?”

“There have been no leads.”

“You didn’t catch sign of anything.”

“Yes. Although Sui and Kuu have already infiltrated the Republic of Ertolia, they haven’t discovered anything… Perhaps they have moved their operation grounds.”

“Don’t tell me they went to Remrus?”

“I don’t know about that. No matter which country, they all hate people with the magical eyes, so maybe they have hidden in a country without any permission?”

Riphal thought about the figures of those users with the magical eyes. He thought about the figures of those sad people who had been living a cursed life because they had been born with those cursed eyes.

And those figures overlapped with his own body.

They overlapped with himself who had been born in despair and who had been cursed with this destiny and sword.

But even so, he would not sympathise with them. Because they were definitely a group of people who had been cursed. A group of people who would make everything strange just by living in this world.

Although he said it like that, ma, even if it was Iino Dwoe, Ebula Crypt, Wilno Heim, Alpha Stigma or the number of Rhule Fragmei that the Gastark held, thinking about it should not be too much of a problem.

But.

“But if they appear now, it would be very troublesome.” Riphal said.

According to his sources, the king of all the magical eyes, the ‘Solver of All Equations’ had left Roland. If this happened, then all the people with magical eyes could gather at his side.

His name seemed to be Ryner Lute.

At this moment, Rize said, as if seeing through Riphal’s thoughts, “Riphal does not have the ability to choose women.”

“Idi~ot. Kiefer will definitely return.”

“I don’t think so.”

“That woman has already fallen in love with me, ai?”

“Ai~ I can’t see it at all~”

“You’re lying?”

“Really. Anyway, you know it’s true, don’t you? The one she loves is Ryner Lute. She is a pitiful woman who has fallen in love with a ‘monster’. So I said, if you don’t kill her, then you’ll have to snatch her away, right? Even if you forcefully make her love you, she will still be happy by your side. But why did you let her go?”

Riphal looked at Rize and then suddenly laughed, saying honestly, “Because I really love her.”

Rize revealed a defeated expression and said, “You’re always like this.”

“Idi~ot. If you don’t really fall in love with a woman, then what else can you do?”

“Yes yes. As long as Riphal says he has completely fallen in love with a woman, he will definitely be dumped.” Rize said. He didn’t use ‘Your Majesty’, but Riphal.

Riphal laughed, “If I am dumped again, then accompany me and get drunk.”

“Ha ha ha, but before that, we have to drink a celebration toast to defeating Geihlficlant. Then, we should clean up.” As he said this, Rize walked to the front. He commanded a few of his subordinates and started to arrange for what they would do after the war.

Riphal looked at all of these and then looked to the southern sky, thinking of Kiefer, who he had allowed to return to Roland and said softly, “… Well, anyway that person will return one day.”

If she wanted to save Ryner Lute—this ‘Solver of All Equations’, then she would definitely need my help. So Kiefer will definitely bring the Demon here.

And she will come back while crying.

Because she would come back crying with despair and begging me to help.

Save Ryner.

Save him.

Please kill him so that he could be released from this curse.

Kiefer will definitely beg Riphal to do that.

“…”

He didn’t want to see her crying face. He thought. No one would like to see the woman that they loved crying. So it was best that before things like that happen, I kill that guy.

And then to the source of the distortion of the world.

Kill Sion Astal too.

“…”

If Kiefer likes Ryner, then I will create a world where Kiefer and Ryner can happily smile and live in.

Then.

“Well, even so, I can only continue to progress in the end…”

He said, then he walked to the front.

He walked to the mountains of corpses.

He hid the sad expression behind his eye patch and announced his tyranny over this piece of the Central Continent.

And the one to be their first victim would be the Geihlficlant Empire.

Chapter 3: Inside of Hope

After the surrender of the Divine City of Elon, the Gastark Empire began its advancement to the Geihlficlant Empire.

Around the same time, Ryner continued to further advance his postition.

Currently Ryner, riding the carriage prepared by the Republic of Belis, continued heading north to the Geihlficlant Empire.

The carriage was suprisingly spacious; riding inside including Ryner were, Toale, Kiefer, Ferris, Vois, and said to be the Vois's close aide, the female soldier in black armor. Fixed to the center was a table they surrounded and yet there still was space leftover.

On the table were three maps spreaded out. They were prepared by Vois, maps of the Menoris Continent detailing the state of affairs, mountain ranges, rivers, up to the names of the countries and a brief rough figure of military strength.

Including Vois's movement plans from hereafter, these three maps were laid out.

While studying the brief map of military strength, Ryner ran over in his head the current situation of the continent that Vois informed him of along the road.

Just by examining the movements of five countries, you can grasp almost all of the circumstances.

The first is the Gastark Empire that has completely unified the northern continent.

Another is the Roland Empire that has engulfed the entirety of the southern continent.

And then in the middle continent, surpassing all of the southern continent's combined territories, were three massive countries —

— The Geihlficlant Empire, the Republic of Ertolia, and the Remrus Empire, known as the three major countries of the middle continent.

Apparently, at the mercy of the movement of the five countries, are all the still existing smaller countries.

Well for now, even putting aside Roland and Gastark, in a situation like this, with the three major countries so immense, the smaller countries would have to become vassal states or they will be soon crushed.

So even the alleged Anti-Roland Coalition organization formed by Vois, centered in the Republic of Belis, is no exception and was backed up by a major power.

By the way, when the coalition was just created they originally had the Remrus Empire's backup; however at Vois's decision, they rejected their assistance and are now searching for a new lead.

So now, they are continuing the negotiations with the Geihlficlant Empire to receive their backing and yet,

"Those guys from the 'Azure Princess' are getting in the way."

Vois said.

In other words, the Anti-Roland Coalition army and the "Azure Princess" are competing over who gets the support of the Geihlficlant Empire.

To that, Ryner faced Vois,

"So you made me your comrade to do something about the 'Azure Princess'?"

Nodding, Vois answered,

"Thats right. You are acquainted with the leader of the 'Azure Princess.'

"And you're keeping the identity from me right? Just who is it, and why the heck wont you tell me?" asked Ryner.

"It's not like I'm keeping it from you. It's just that there were too many things we had to do and I couldn't find the right timing to tell you," replied Vois.

Well, there was that too, nodded Ryner.

Certainly there was a mountain of things to do the last two weeks, and it was quite tiresome.

To start with, they just couldn't keep moving with the refugees from Nelpha, and would the Republic of Belis accept them? Would they properly receive them? They've been running about mostly because of this.

Toale who just recently had his prosthetic arm and leg attached with magic still cant use it well, yet he participated in the negotiation with the leaders of the Belis Republic for several days and nights.

To the point Toale became completely exhausted.

Although negotiations came close to breaking down, for now as a result, the refugees were accepted into Belis as official citizens. This brought up the problem of what to do with the soldiers that followed Toale up to this point.

If the soldiers cannot just enter the middle continent while maintaining their Nelphian nationality, then under which power should they go to? Would they remain in the Republic of Belis with the citizens and fight with the oncoming Roland army? Or should they disband for now and join the Anti-Roland Coalition army? However to that the soldiers were unwilling, asserting that they will not follow anyone other than Toale-sama and Major Seruesu. Then where does Toale and Seruesu stand? "If you guys treat Toale-sama and Major Seruesu badly we wont forgive you!" -kind of volatile atmosphere spread among the soldiers.

Somehow, the discussion took a further four more days.

In conclusion, Toale was accepted as an executive staff of the Anti-Roland Coalition, and former Major Kazaaru Seruesu, as a direct subordinate of Toale, was given the ranking of Major General.

Well, even if you say executive staff or major general, it's not very convincing since it's not clear just what kind of organization the Anti-Roland Coalition is. However, because Toale was received with a favorable treatment, the Nelphian soldiers gave consent.

And so, currently led by Major General Seruesu the soldiers, taking a different route than Ryner's group, are also heading towards Geihlficlant. Incidentally, Ferris's little sister Iris, Arua, and Kuku are also traveling with that group. Well, anyhow setting that aside.

Facing Vois, Toale said,

"Nevertheless, no matter how much you say you've been busy, you wouldn't give us a proper explanation at all. Although I am thankful the Anti-Roland Coalition has accepted the Nelphian soldiers and citizens, just what kind of organization are you? You call yourself Anti-Roland yet why did you send our Nelphian soldiers to Geihlficlant? Shouldn't they be fighting the Roland army approaching north?"

There was much more to it. Toale had left the people who followed him up to the Republic of Belis. If the Roland army were to attack Belis now, the citizens would be sacrificed along with them. In which case, it would make bringing the citizens desperately across the countries meaningless.

Obviously, it would be better for the Anti-Roland Coalition army to stop the Roland Empire oncoming north. Even if it's not so—

As Ryner developed his thoughts, whether Toale thought the same, he continued.

"Even if it is not so, the soldiers are exhausted. Attacked by the Roland troops, losing many comrades, and yet, while stressed, still desperately marching foward day and night to this point. Despite this, without a rest the whole army advances to Geihlficlant. I wont be satisfied until I receive an explanation for such recklessness."

Toale strongly exclaimed.

Vois then looked towards Toale, smirking.

"............"

However, he only laughed without answering.

Then Toale narrowed his usually peaceful brown eyes sharply. As if to yell something he opened his mouth,

But interrupting,

"Most likely..."

Kiefer muttered.

"Most likely we are moving because, even if left Bellis in this condition, the military force we have here isn't enough to win against Roland, right? However, I don't see the reason to move all the Nelphian troops to Geihlficant. I understand that we are going to there to receive the backing of Geihlficant, but isn't it enough for just us to go? If Ryner is the aquaintance of the leader of that mercenary group, the 'Azure Princess', isn't it a matter of Ryner going there to settle it? I don't understand the reason to purposely waste effort to move the tens of thousands Nelphian soldiers. Unless......"

She continued,

"Unless, does Vois-kun intends to have a war with the 'Azure Princess' at our destination?"

However to that question as well, Vois turned towards Kiefer,

"............"

Maintaining his irritating smirk, he gave no reply.

Hearing that, Kiefer's lovely face darkened a little as she looked at Vois with distrust. Toale has long since been making an indignant expression.

To that Ryner thought,

(Well, this guy's always like this you know? Always aloof, and thinks of nothing but deceiving people, kind of guy. I mean, he was born into a clan of swindlers back in the no longer existing Iyet Republic. I thought I ought to explain this but, I stopped.

Either way, as long as Vois doesn't give a proper explanation, we can't keep following him.

Actually, working with this guy would be way too troublesome.)

Wearily, Ryner asked,

"Well, most of the questions have been accumulated, but do you intend to answer any of them?"

Vois nodded and replied,

"Of course, but rather than that, these are all the questions right? If there is anything else you want to ask, please go ahead and speak up. After all, everything is related. It would be the quickest to answer all the questions in one go, right? If I answer Toale's, Kiefer's and Ryner's questions just now, will everyone be satisfied?"

At that moment,

"No, that's still not enough,"

Ferris spoke.

In response, Vois turned towards Ferris,

"Of course, there are tasty dango shops in Geihlficlant too."

And for some reason, to that Ferris nodded strongly,

"Then it's fine. You understand quite well don't you."

"Don't I?"

"Umu"

Like that, the two exchanged a stupid conversation. Presumably too tired, no one retorted.

Eyes half-closed, Ryner stared at Ferris and then surveying his surroundings,

"So, no one has anymore questions right?"

Everyone nodded.

After confirming that Ryner continued,

"Well then Vois, begin your explanation. Ah, by the way, if you use those lies you're so good at, right away Ferris's sword will spout flames."

Again Vois laughed, while saying something like,

"Although, I rather like being hit by Ferris."

Then Ferris nodded,

"Without getting hit, your head's gonna fly."

"Eh~♡"

And to Vois, who for some reason had a ♡ (<3) mark attached,

"You know, even though we've been ridiculously busy lately, you're still energetic eh~. I guess it's the age difference,"

Ryner somewhat sighed.

"Well, for now it's about time you continue."

Vois nodded.

He then looked towards his close aide, the female soldier sitting besides him.

According to her, as she boarded the carriage, her name is Relca Redehna.

With bright brown hair, and contrasting, a pair of dark eyes. A beautiful girl, with a bit loli-ish face, that Vois seems to favor.

Although, sitting close by was the abnormally beautiful Ferris, and the once boasted academy's most popular Kiefer, so you can't simply say, "beautiful girl." Well, it's really up to preference.

Contrasting her young appearance however, her eyes glinted sharply. Since boarding the carriage, she remained silent. With a pen, she simply continued to write on the papers she held.

Facing her, Vois spoke to Relca,

"The preparations?"

Without lifting her head from the papers, Relca answered,

"In about eight seconds."

"I see. Then within that time, the debut of a dirty joke I recently saved for everyone—"

"It's completed."

"Ehh~, wasn't that too early? That was only about two seconds you know?"

At Vois's words, Relca giggled as she looked towards him.

Although he did not respond to her smile, it seems Relca is not dissatisfied with Vois.

Besides.

"............"

Whatever, it's just two kid's love affair— no wait, Vois is no option right? That guy's a real pervert you know? Well, it really doesn't matter so I'll just keep quiet.

Ryner thought for a bit.

After placing the papers she was frantically writing in on the desk, Relca then announced,

"...... I have complied most of everyone's questions into this report. Please speak up if the information here is insufficient. As everyone is reading the report, in addition, I will write it up."

Ryner then cast his eyes down at the report spread across the desk. The report was written smoothly with tidy penmanship and the various information was organized to be understood easily.

For example, it had an organization chart of the Anti-Roland Coalition, the route they took from the establishment to the present, Vois's idea of how should the Three Major Powers and the Anti-Roland Coalition interact from now on, and so on.

Within this information, Ryner found the answers to Toale and Kiefer's inquiry earlier.

Why is it necessary to unreasonably press the Nelphian soldiers to the Geihlficlant Empire instead of engaging the Roland Empire forces ongoing north to the Belis Republic?

Written were Toale and Kiefer's questions, and the response was as follows.

1. With the current strength of the Anti-Roland Coaltion army, we are able to defend several attacks from the north going Roland army. But we do not hold enough power to defend continuously from this point.

2. In other words, in order to crush the Roland army head-on, an even greater force will be needed. In this case, with the backing of the Geihlficlant Empire.

3. However, the Geihlficlant Empire currently has their sights set on heading to war with the northern continent's Gastark Empire heading south with tremendous momentum.

4. As a mercenary group, the "Azure Princess" is participating in the war. Seeking to increase their war gains, they intend to obtain an exclusive support contract with the Geihlficlant Empire.

5. Similarly, wanting the support of Geihlficalnt, the Anti-Roland Coalition cannot let the "Azure Princess" monopolize rights of Geihlficlant relations.

6. Therefore it is necessary for the Anti-Roland Coalition to proceed towards the war against the Gastark Empire. Naturally, as an adaptable fighting potential, the Nelphian soldiers that have recently fought against the Roland army, will need to participate.

Such was written.

With his voice trembling a little, Toale spoke,

"...... Again....... do you intend to make war again?"

Vois responded, laughing,

"Aha, did you think there was another path for soldiers who've lost their country other than the battlefield?"

Ryner grimaced at those words and said,

"Wait, that maybe be so but...... we've been continuously fighting lately, they're exhausted. The way you put it......"

Glancing at his way, Voice interrupted,

"We don't have the leisure to select our words, Ryner-san. The middle continent is moving rapidly. The same way as a business that loses an opportunity will not succeed, you cannot win a war if you've lost your chances of victory. But we can still do it. According to my investigations, Gastark is quite dangerous. Boasting an overwhelming strength, they are a much more severe opponent than Roland. Furthermore, the only chance to take advantage of them is in this war."

At those words Ryner looked over to Vois,

"Ah~"

and said,

"Ah, somehow I finally get what you're trying to do. In other words, it's that right? You intend to use both sides, both Geihlficlant and the 'Azure Princess,' right?"

On hearing that, Vois grinned happily,

".......Ah, does Ryner-san finally feel like using his brains a bit?"

and said such a thing.

Ignoring him, Ryner continued,

"Even though you guys already have enough power to hold off the attacks from Roland, you guys are turning all that power to the war with Gastark. Now, I wonder why? The answer is, because we can only deal with Gastark now. The timing to use Geihlficlant, the 'Azure Princess,' and the Anti-Roland Coalition army, these three forces, to oppose Gastark is only now. According to your predictions, unless we attack Gastark with multiple forces, we can't stop them, is what you're thinking, right?"

To that question,

"............"

As always, maintaining a cheerful face, Vois said nothing.

Ryner carried on, disregarding Vois.

"Because they are the same as you, Gastark is also using the Rhule Fragmei. You want to completely crush the opponent that uses the same power. So you thought, how would you be able to thoroughly destroy Gastark? And your conclusion was this. With the timing of when Gastark attacks Geihlficlant, you'll lend a hand. As for the 'Azure Princess'......."

With a cheerful face, Vois spoke,

"I was the one who approached them first. After all, while being small scaled, they hold tremendous power. Moreover, they also have conducted research on the Rhule Fragmei, I thought that I could use them to fight together with us when we collide with Gastark...... So, in small amounts, I gave them the info that Gastark was dangerous, except midway what I was doing was exposed to their leader. To make matters worse, they were much nastier than I expected. I was already almost killed several times."

He placed his hand on his chest while saying, 'oh so scary'.

Ryner gave a bitter smile as if tired.

"So you thought, ah this is bad, and handed me the position as the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition to avoid getting killed?"

"Yeah."

"And you also picked me, because apparently I'm an acquaintance of the leader of the 'Azure Princess?'"

"That's right. Well, those aren't the only reasons...... But let's keep it at that shall we? Leaving that aside......"

Vois stretched his hand out to the desk placed in the center of the wagon. He then turned over the map with the whole continent of Menoris drawn out.

On that side he turned to, another map was depicted.

It was a map of the entire Menoris continent dyed black, and written in the middle was "Gastark Empire."

Looking at that,

"............"

Looking at the map completely unified by Gastark, the atmosphere in the wagon became strained at once.

After confirming this, Vois spoke up.

"I did not make this map as a joke. As of now that wannabe hero, Riphal Edea, has that much power. If we miss this timing, Gastark posses enough power to obtain this whole continent. It's not as if I can't continue business no matter what kind of world, however...... considering the death count in order to achieve this map, Ryner-san don't you feel like stopping it?"

Vois laughed, “Although it is generally spoken like that, but there should be several great powers checking the limits of each other. Bargaining is like that too. If you completely defeat all the opponents on the market, winning completely, the game ends too. And there is no way to expand because of competition… And we are going to stop this matter from happening in the world~! That is our situation now.”

But Ryner was unable to accept this saying, although he wanted to try to accept it, but he discovered that he couldn’t accept it.

“Although I roughly understand what you’re saying… but even so there are several parts that are unclear. Combining these three elements can push back Gastark—up till here, I understand. But what will happen after that? Accept Geihlficlant’s help and push back Roland? But there is the matter where the Azure Princess will not allow us to gain Geihlficlant’s help, right? How should we handle this point…”

Vois simply answered: “There is no need to deal with it.”

Ryner asked: “Ah? Then what should we do?”

Vois frowned, troubled, staring at Ryner, “That, Ryner.”

“EH?”

“Relca wrote out that report with much difficulty, could you read all of it first before you proceed with questioning? Everything about that has been written, so if you have questions regarding these matters, no matter how many I will reply to then… But we don’t have the time to spend talking here. Because we are going to war soon.” Vois said.

We are going to war.

This matter made Ryner depressed.

We are going to instigate the war—because Ryner had already decided to stop the war where Roland would instigate it, so we can’t help but go and instigate another war.

But…

But, he felt that there was a little strange sense of violation.

“…”

At this moment Vois suddenly stood up, saying: “Then, let’s go. We have two days before we reach Geihlficlant Empire. After that we will go to the palace, meet the king and negotiate with him, to let us participate in this battle against Gastark. Then perhaps there will be two weeks before we encounter with the Gastark army. Anyway before that, I will have to gather the rest of the Anti-Roland Coalition soldiers. So I will leave here first.”

Ryner looked at Vois, asking: “Oh? Then what should we do?”

Vois answered: “Relca will follow you, so please listen to her instructions. But the authority of the load of Geihlficlant Empire and Azure Princess will be handed to Ryner.”

“That means? What? Isn’t that the most important thing…”

Vois interrupted Ryner, “It’s expected of the king to go and handle the most troublesome matters?”

“What king! You’ve clearly been pushing the most troublesome matters to me starting from just now…”

But Vois ignored Ryner, opening the door to the carriage, thinking of jumping off the moving carriage.

“Wait, stop Vois. You, don’t talk to yourself…”

But he was ignored again.

“Then Relca, everyone will be under your care.”

Relca nodded, “Yes. Vois-sama please take care of yourself.”

“Yes yes. Relca must take care of herself too. Then…” Vois jumped out, although he nearly fell when he landed, but a subordinate stationed around the carriage helped him.

That subordinate was also a beautiful girl, Vois smiled happily, waving in their direction, using a frivolous tone to say: “Then, the rest will be left to you.”

Everyone watched this scene speechlessly.

Gently sighing, closing the carriage door, sitting down, Ryner crossed his arms depressedly, looking around the interior of the carriage, then saying: “So we can only go and negotiate with the king of the Geihlficlant Empire.”

Although it seemed to be a matter that could not be helped with, just by hearing it.

Because, it’s like that? A youngster of uncertain origins and a king of an unfamiliar large country negotiating, it was an abnormal behavior no matter how you looked at it.

At this moment Kiefer looked to Relca who had been left behind by Vois, “That… Vois-kun of course has already…”

Before she finished speaking, Relca nodded, “Yes. Vois-sama has already sent a letter requesting for an audience to the king of Geihlficlant, Gulafed Abuleld.”

“The reply from the other party?”

“He has decided to meet the leader of the Anti-Roland Coalition.”

Hearing this Ryner “Ahh?” cried out loud, “Wait… give me a moment. But the leader of the Anti-Roland Coalition jumped off the carriage earlier…”

Relca interrupted him, looking at Ryner, continuing: “Now, on the surface, the representative of the Anti-Roland Coalition is you, Your Majesty Ryner Lute. You’ll understand just by reading the report that I handed in just now, Vois-sama is only the general and head of state.”

“Eh?” Ryner turned his eyes to one of the pages of the report on the table, “But, from what you said, the general should be the leader, right? But saying that I am the leader…” At this moment, his speech stopped.

After looking carefully at the map of the organization, he discovered that there truly was a detailed explanation of the structure of the Anti-Roland Coalition.

It was an organization that was larger than what Ryner had imagined.

It held four small countries, governing all matters and armies in them.

Then on this map where Vois-kun had the highest position of general or head of state that seemed great no matter how you looked at it, although it felt like Vois was the leader no matter how you looked at it, but above that, in a place that was slightly far away and did not seem to be governed, and had little influence on the Anti-Roland Coalition, Ryner saw a string of words—

The king in name: Ryner Lute

“You’re teasing me!”

Relca nodded, “Yes.”

“Hey hey.”

“But Ryner’s job is very important too. If it’s to be described then it’s something like a ninja existence that would distract the enemies’ attention from Vois-sama. We have also been instructed to display the proper respect towards your performance.” Relca said with a serious expression.

Ryner hearing that, looking around.

He looked at Ferris’, Kiefer’s and Toale’s faces.

“…I’ve completely been used by Vois. Then, what should I do?” Ryner said.

But the three people remained silent.

That was natural, Vois had created this situation where they could not reject and left.

Because Ryner was unable to guarantee the living quarters and rations for the tens of thousands of Nelpha refugees and army.

And Vois had prepared these, then he had pushed this lousy condition of work over.

So Ryner and the others couldn’t reject it.

Ryner yelled, “…Ah~ Damnit, that guy is troublesome~” as he picked up two or three sheets of paper from the report on the table, lying on the floor, starting to read it.

Ryner asked Relca: “Then, for the negotiations with the king of Geihlficlant, what do I need to remember?”

Hearing this question, Relca smiled. That smile seemed to give off a feeling as if saying that so you have bowed your head to Vois-sama, making Ryner feel that the troublesome MODE was turned up.

Then she replied: “In the two days before we reach Geihlficlant, you will have to remember to death many things. And first you have to correct that habit you have of slouching and cast away that impolite fashion of speaking.”

Hearing this, Ryner couldn’t even sigh.

But in truth, he did slouch slightly, and he was unable to talk to royals politely.

As he thought that, Ryner focused his attention on the report.

And he discovered that there were a few things that Vois had never spoken of, but Ryner had his own suspicions when they started conversing.

Like why Vois rejected the help of the Remrus Empire, but suddenly accepting the help of the Geihlficlant Empire? A few reasons to this question were written.

The first reason was, to stop Gastark Empire from extending into the middle of the continent, they needed to combine forces with Geihlficlant. Because Geihlficlant did not have a good relationship with Remrus, so if they accepted Remrus’ help, they could not hold Gastark off with Geihlficlant, so Vois suddenly rejected Remrus Empire’s help.

But only like this, the explanation was still not enough. If they continued to accept Remrus’ help, they could fight with Roland. And Remrus Empire was a large country in the middle of the continent that was near the southern areas.

To Roland who was expanding its territories from the south, this location made it very suitable.

But Vois decided to cut short Remrus’ help, and changed to Geihlficlant.

Then, why was that? The real reason was written on the report.

There had been a huge political reform in Remrus Empire in half a year, from the country that was called the Holy Land of Veiohl it suddenly changed to Remrus Empire.

The Holy Land of Veiohl was a country that was built on a religion called Veiohl, but half a year ago, there was a strange hero that appeared, grabbing the authority of the country.

But there was no war.

From another country’s point of view, they may only think that the name of the country merely changed, there was no ruckus raised.

In addition that hero’s name was Remrus Remuld Aarqued.

According to this hero’s name, the country’s name changed to the Remrus Empire.

The country that had Veiohl as their country’s religion changed to Remrus as the new divine religion.

It was truly only using half a year’s time, the stage where he changed the whole country made one feel horrified. And when Remrus Remuld Aarqued became the king, the Anti-Roland Coalition cut off their ties with the Remrus Empire.

Then that reason was—

“…”

At the same time Ryner’s eyes narrowed. Staring that what the report wrote, the reason why the Anti-Roland Coalition cut off their ties with the Remrus Empire, he became slightly nervous.

The report, wrote this.

Using Relca’s neat calligraphy, it was written like that. Remrus Remuld Aarqued was not human. And it was something that had bad relations with the Goddesses, an organism that had come from somewhere, so if they continued to deal with the Remrus Empire, they would gain the ire of the Goddesses living in the desert. So, they had temporarily cut their ties with the Remrus Empire. These things were written in the report.

Ryner looked to Relca, handing the report that he was reading to her, asking: “This is?”

Relca shook her head, saying: “I basically wasn’t notified about information regarding ‘theology’, so for the detailed information, please ask Vois-sama directly.”

Ryenr suddenly felt like laughing.

Relca said ‘theology’.

The matters regarding the Goddess who seemed to be connected to a monster no matter how you looked at it, calling it ‘theology’.

Theology.

Theology… was it…? Ryner muttered softly without being heard, then continued to think.

Relca was not notified about information regarding ‘theology’, this point was probably trie. No matter what even if Vois had to be careful in order to manipulate those monsters that didn’t seem like human that were called Goddesses. So that had to be an extremely dangerous behavior.

No matter that the other party were monsters that had been given a divine name.

Then, he couldn’t reveal the information so easily to his subordinates.

But although this was a little bit, Ryner thought that way.

“…”

It seemed like the world was much more troublesome than what he had thought. He thought.

When he saw Sion changed, when he heard the voice that descended from the sky when his eyes went berserk, he had thought that.

Then when he saw an ugly monster called the Goddess appear from Vois’ shadow, he had thought that.

And it seemed that the most troublesome thing in this world was that there was someone in this world that could control this monster that should only appear in children tales.

Even if it were Remrus, Roland or Gastark, the famous countries in this world seemed to more or less have some connection with these monsters.

And Sion who had been swallowed by that darkness turned strange.

Then Ryner who had been swallowed by that darkness was always tortured by these cursed eyes.

So it seemed that if he continued that darkness, he would be unable to continue walking forward.

But, that wasn’t human, it was a monster.

It was a monster that had a strong power that could make it a divinity, what should we as humans do? Ryner was suddenly a little unsettled.

Then he looked to Ferris, Kiefer and Toale.

He looked at these human companions who were not monsters.

He looked these companions who were only weak humans and would die easily in front of the power of the Heroes’ Relics.

“…”

How should I proceed forward? He thought.

At this moment he suddenly remembered what Vois had said not long ago. He remembered what Vois had said, after they had seen that act where Toale was almost killed.

Vois seemed to say this.

“Although this time he didn’t die. Although this time he really didn’t die. But, next time he will definitely die, he will die a shockingly simple death. Because in war—humans are not able to be so strong.”

But

“…This is not a normal war.” Ryner muttered softly.

Yes.

This was not a normal war between humans.

It was a strange war that involved monsters from childhood tales.

And he didn’t understand what war the monsters would create.

But even though he didn’t understand, even if were Sion, Gastark or Vois, then Ryner could only start moving.

He obviously was not clear about who and which army he should fight against, but he still started to act.

Then, the moving gears could not be stopped.

People would die, people would die, people would die, but even so the gears would not stop.

Vois had said that. He had said that to Ryner.

“You said you would bear the responsibility of people’s lives. You said you would bear the lives of the citizens. Then, even if companions die, you have no right to stop. Even if Kiefer is beheaded, even if Ferris dies, you don’t have the time for crying. You don’t have the leisure to cry.”

Although he had though how could something so stupid exist, but, this was the truth.

Ryner looked at Kiefer and Ferris and Toale. Apart from Ferris, everyone was reading the report on the table seriously.

We have already been involved in this strange war.

Then if we continue to be involved, then there is a possibility that we will die.

Everyone, could all die.

Die because of the war.

Die because of the Heroes’ Relic.

Die from the monster’s attacks.

It was simple.

It was easy, humans could die.

Even if Ryner shouted everyone is important to me, I don’t want to fight with anyone, these nonsense, no one would listen to it.

It was like yelling you are my close friend, but Sion did not stop.

Then.

“…”

Then, what should he do? If his expectations could come true, if he wished that he could save his important people, not letting his companions cry, what should he do?

The answer was simple.

“…”

It was to become strong.

He had to gain enough knowledge that he would not lose to anyone.

He had to have a strong knowledge that would make the Goddess, the monsters, the logic in the world seem like idiots.

“What, if it were so simple it would be fine…” Ryner said to himself as he laughed bitterly.

But it seemed that no matter what he needed that power.

No, once he had thought of doing this. But in the end it had turned into a battle ground where he had killed his companions, Kiefer was crying, Sion was crying, everything was all useless.

At that moment, Ryner had done that.

So even if it was a little, it was good if he could slowly change this world, Ryner thought, the two years he had spent in Roland’s prison, he had always proceeded with researching this.

But even so time passed quickly.

Sion decided to challenge this world alone.

The world turned into a place where monsters moved in the darkness.

Then, there were people who died too.

Companions died.

When Ryner thought to move slowly, everything ended.

Every time he saw everything, he always thought that he was too lazy. The world clearly would not change even if he worked harder, I clearly didn’t do anything, I only spent the days lazily, he thought.

“…”

At this moment, the right wrist that was holding the report touched his left wrist. He touched his arm.

He touched his body that was said to be as weak as an idiot by Zohra.

Then, he thought.

Perhaps compared to the past, his body was much more relaxed. Although his magical knowledge had increased, but because Sion had been protecting him, so he left that bloody life that was filled with killing people or being slaughtered.

At least the present him, had no power to protect all of his companions.

Then Ryner thought, ah? That means I have to train myself again?

Wuah what is that, how troublesome. Seriously training and whatnot, he had never done that after Germer’s serious training.

But, even so.

“…”

Even so.

“…I will still have to do it.” He thought.

If there is the need, if this can protect my companions, I will work hard.

Although that was too late, although I have been spending my days like an idiot so it may be too late—but, if because I didn’t do it and caused someone to die, then it will leave regret and I will never be able to climb up again.

So.

“…Ah~, I’ll go out for a moment.” Ryner said, standing up.

Because of his sudden movement, everyone in the carriage raised their heads.

“What is it?” Toale asked, “Is there anything wrong?”

Ryner frowned, “No, actually there isn’t anything…”

Ferris suddenly said: “What, you want to go to the toilet.”

Ryner nodded, “Yes yes, toilet toilet.”

Then Relca said: “Then, stop the carriage.”

But Ryner shook his head, “No no, there isn’t much time left before the war with Gastark, right? It’s fine if you don’t stop the carriage. I have something else to do besides going to the toilet, if it’s completed, I catch up.” Saying that, he took the report on the table, opened the carriage door, jumped off.

“Ah? Wait.”

“Ryner?”

Although he heard those voices, but Ryner chose to ignore them, then came to the outside, dropping on the ground. Because the carriage did not stop, so if this continued they would be further away.

Ryner didn’t do anything, only temporarily watching the carriage leave. Then he slowly used his finger to trace something in the air.

In the glowing air, he wrote words.

It was a difficult magic from the Estabul Kingdom that could release the mental limits placed on the body and maximize its abilities.

Then, he chanted “…I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, LETTING THE SLUMBERING MALICIOUS SPIRIT DWELL WITHIN.” A blinding glow surrounded his body, increasing his speed. At the degree where it would shatter his whole body if he did anything more, he increased the speed of the magic.

He confirmed the effects, then breathed in, “Ah~ how troublesome.” He said that, as he tried to use the fundamental high speed attacks that Germer Kleisrole had taught in the training for war, and discovered that after he had increased his speed his body was unable to move flexibly. “Oh oh, my body has really gone slack…” Saying that, he practiced with seven different moves, doing them ten times in a row before he ended it. His whole body was already aching from the magic, only like this, he held his breath as if he were about to vomit.

“Oh no.” Ryner shouted as he did not stop his movements. Without releasing the magic for his increase in speed he started to chase after the carriage. Using a surprising aura, chasing after the carriage.

Then as he chased after it, he yelled, “Urrrrrgggh I really want to vomit. I really feel like vomiting. I clearly had no bonds with hard work and tolerance when I was booorn!” Although he said something as silly as that, but he did not stop. Only when he almost caught up with the carriage did he slow his pace, continuing to run. To gain back his body strength that had been diminishing because he was too relaxed, he continued to run. He was clear that he could not gain back all of his strength before the war with Gastark, so he suppressed the urge to sleep afternoon naps, running like an idiot.

Then as he ran he read the continuation of the report.

And he discovered a place that he had his suspicions about.

It was information about the Azure Princess.

It was a record about the leader of the Azure Princess that Ryner knew.

It was written like that.

Mercenary squad—important personnel of the Azure Princess. The leader called the Queen.

Pia Varliere.

20 years old.

Female.

User of Congenital Magic Abnormality. Was under the same training with Ryner Lute in the training facility of Germer Kleisrole. When she was six years old, she escaped from Roland Empire. Very strong.

Peria Peruula.

20 years old.

Male.

Seems to be a sacrificial lamb from Roland’s magical experiments. Body strength is unknown.

Like Pia Varliere he was under the same training programme with Ryner Lute at the Germer Kleisrole training academy… After escaping from Roland, he has always been moving with Pia Varliere. Very strong.

Zohra Rom.

20 years old.

Male.

Originally Roland Empire’s assassin.

Once after Ryner Lute defeated Kuwonto Kuo who had been called the “Greatest Mage in Roland”, then left Roland, becoming a traitor that was chased after, in the end he joined Pia Varliere’s Azure Princess, standing with Peria Peruula by her side. Continuously writing about these impressive matters.

Then looking at this, looking at Pia and Peria’s names, Ryner’s face was if possible, it crumpled as if it weren’t able to be more contorted, then shouting: “It’s them!”

Talking about which, Peria’s personality was still steady so that would be put aside, but now Pia’s existence had become the most troublesome matter, he thought depressedly.

No matter what, her personality was most troublesome. It could even be said to be as bad as Ferris. (Ryner corrected, Ferris was becoming more and more proud.)

From young she had a queen-like quality. She was more imperious than their teacher Germer.

And because they had too much power, so they were unable to control their powers and hearts. This person with congenital magical abnormality clearly had a mental weakness, but she had self-control, and she was able to analyze the situation very well, it was only under the situation where they were fighting, then she really let him see her genius-like power.

It was an oppressive power that no matter how strong Ryner became, even if he used the Alpha Stigma to fight her he would not be able to defeat her.

In the end she had even surpassed their teacher’s Germer Kleisrole’s power, taking Peria with her and escaped the country.

No, she had actually called Ryner to come with them, but he did not follow.

Because he had always been escaping. Because he thought that if he had a connection with someone, these cursed eyes would hurt them, so he could only escape. So Ryner had esaped from Pia and the others side.

Then he had never met them every again.

But until Ryner was twelve or thirteen years old, they would send a letter every two years.

But the contents of the letter was always the same. “To the cowardly Ryner. Haven’t you had the thoughts of coming over to us? It’s clear that if you always stay in Roland you will never open your destiny. Miller, Germer, they both think that you should go out of the country because you have become weak due to despair. If you say something we will come help you, so come to my side quickly. Because we already have the power to save you. In the two months when you receive this letter we will be at XXXX, you have to come. Understand? If you don’t come I’ll kill you.

Your queen forever, Pia Varliere

Well, we will really wait for you. If you want to come, come.

Your friend Peria Peruula.” He would always receive this letter. In addition in the XXXX there would be a different location written there every time.

But.

“So Azure Princess was Pia and the others…” Ryner groaned softly.

Thinking about his fellow comrades who he had been separated from in the distant past, he had an expression that was happy but also unhappy.

Furthermore people who had Congenital Magical Abnormality had a different hair colour from normal people, their hair would turn to the colour of water, so Pia had beautiful long blue hair.

And now the mercenary squad that he had to carry out the successful negotiations with was called Azure Princess too.

“Talking about which, why didn’t I notice it…” Softly murmuring.

Then he tilted his slightly depressed face to look at the sky as he proceeded towards Geihlficlant.

He looked to the northern sky that had probably had more troublesome opponents than the Geihlficlant king, sighing, saying: “…Urgh~ I have always ignored the invitations, then Pia upon discovering that I have suddenly become the enemy must be very angry…”

Then he started to train his body with more vigor. If he did not do that, if the situation became one that he had to fight Pia no matter what, the present him probably wouldn’t even be able to say anything.

She is a genius of that stage, just because they admired this strong person, Peria, Zohra, would follow her.

Talking about which, Zohra had been dumped horribly by a woman in the past, from then on he became strong in order to get the girl’s acknowledgement, and started to train himself. Although I remember Zohra saying this when I met him, then that is because of Pia… Ryner started to reconsider.

Well, no matter what, like what Vois said, the people in Azure Princess were people that Ryner knew.

But it wasn’t that kind of good relationship that Vois had wished for, but they were companions whose connection was a little strange.

“…I feel that that was too negative just now…” Just as he softly muttered that, he saw a woman standing in front of him.

Golden hair and blue eyes and expressionless.

She seemed to be born to be a queen, probably she was a woman that would argue with Pia the moment they met.

That person asked: “…Why didn’t you return to the carriage?”

Ryner couldn’t help but sigh, “Huh…”

Ferris’ expression darkened slightly, “You saw my face, then sighed?”

“No… no no, there isn’t anything of that sort…”

But Ferris had already unsheathed her sword quickly, putting up her sword, then said: “I’ll kill you.”

“Wait… wait a moment…”

But Ferris didn’t pause like she did before, but she stabbed the sword over with a speed that could not be seen.

“Uaah?!” Ryner dodged, frantically dodging, as he yelled aaaaaaaahhh and dodged, shouting: “You, Ferris, what are you doing! Just now you swung that sword at me!”

But she looked over expressionlessly, “Eh? I can’t do that?”

“Of course you can’t do that!”

But even so she tilted her head as if she did not understand, saying: “But this is training, right? It’s rare that you want to work hard by your own motivation, so I wanted to help you… am I being a busy body?”

Ryner looked at Ferris’ face as she said that. Indeed she revealed no expression, but he couldn’t help but feel that she was a little shy.

Then Ryner smiled, “No, sorry. I think you should continue doing that. If I do it alone my success rate may not be good. Then, I’m going to be serious? How about you receive training from me?”

Ferris snorted uncaringly, “Come on.”

“Yes~yes~ you have only known the relaxed face that I have before I’m serious, right?”

“Oh? You mean to say that you have never let me see your serious face?”

“No.”

“Then let me see it.”

“Yeah, I’ll let you see it now.” He said. Then he checked his body’s condition. Simply said, because of the training for the increased speed due to magic, his muscles no longer ached. And he knew Ferris for a long time, actually he had displayed several of his own serious moods in front of her, but, he tried to increase his magic abilities. Using a speed where he clearly did not move, but could hear his muscles creaking from the strain, forcefully adding burden to his body.

Then.

“Then Ferris, please be my opponent.”

“Yes.”

“Thanks.”

“Just start quickly.”

“Yes yes. Then shall we fight while we chase after the carriage?”

“Although the one who will die is you.”

“Haha. Then… I’m coming!”

Saying that, Ryner rushed towards Ferris.

There was two days left before they reached the palace of Geihlficlant.

In these two days, he started to struggle. In that distant direction back there.

Vois who had jumped down from the carriage raised his head, looking at the sky to arrange his emotions.

One of his subordinates said softly: “Vois-sama.”

“Be quiet. I’m thinking about many things now.”

“…Yes, I’m very sorry.” Although his subordinate apologized, but he did not look over. Only raising his head to look at the sky. The sky was blue. It was so blue that it was stupid. Although he had once read in a book the blue sky was the representation of peace, but what did that mean? Vois tried to sigh in his mind.

Even if the sky was blue, war would still erupt, people would still die, but what reason did that book have to write that the blue sky was the representation of peace? He thought.

Then.

“…Well, even if people die, even if war erupts, this is a petty matter compared to the blue sky, anyway this kind of rash thoughts about peace peace~ and the likes, I would agree with them…” He muttered, then laughed lightly.

As he laughed, he thought slowly about the things that he needed to do from today onwards.

Then.

“…Hey, Harmit.”

“Yes.”

“Roland will continue north, right?”

“Yes.”

“When will it reach Belis. When we chase away Gastark, and head back, Belis would most likely have fallen right?”

Harmit nodded, “Just by Roland’s current army, it is only a matter of time before they claim the whole of the southern continent…”

Vois nodded, then raised his eye brows, “Then, that means we have abandoned those Nelpha citizens who were accepted by Belis.”

“…”

“Then then, if I decide to abandon them, Ryner will be angry?”

Harmit looked over, saying: “Our king is only Vois-sama. Everyone will listen to your judgement.”

But this wasn’t the answer that Vois wanted to hear. So he did not look at Harmit, only continuing to look at the sky, “…But things have not extended to that stage. Because by my predictions, from today onwards Ryner will become someone important in this world… I want to satisfy his thoughts as much as possible. Ah~ how difficult. Which portions to abandon, which portions to pick up, this kind of choosing will always be difficult.” He said softly, looking towards the southern sky.

From here, he could see a trace of the clouds in the northern sky. He always felt that the wind did not blow towards Roland.

Ma but now was not the time to go against the south.

Now, what the Anti-Roland Coalition should do is—

“Harmit.”

“Yes.”

“Gather the soldiers. Abandon Belis. If we’re lucky, Sion Astal probably wouldn’t do anything towards the Nelpha citizens. Because in the end he is not someone who would bear to do that. So abandon all the countries in the southern continent. Then retreat the soldiers scattered in the Southern Country of Ali and the Ertolia Republic. Split the gathered soldiers into two squads, one will go with me to participate in the war against Gastark, and will you take control of the other one, wait for a chance on Tael plains?”

Hearing that, Harmit revealed a slightly nervous expression, “That means, it’s going to start?”

“Yeah. It’s beginning. Follow our plan. Take the chance of the confusion of war when we have combined powers with the Azure Princess and Geihlficlant and are fighting against Gastark, you will take the troops to ambush Geihlficlant’s south.” Vois ordered.

“Now~, there isn’t much time. Move it. All of the opportunities are lives. If this plan succeeds, we can become one of the three large countries in the middle of the continent. We can truly gain the power to fight with Roland and Gastark. No…” At this moment, Vois pulled out a map from his grasp, this was a cloth map of the powers if his plan succeeded.

In the north was Gastark, south was Roland.

What would be left was Geihlficlant with half of their territory left and the Anti-Roland Coalition who had the other half and the surrounding small countries.

And the Ertolia Republic and the Remrus Empire.

If Vois’ plan succeeded, this would be the era where the Menoris Continent would be separated between six countries.

So if they missed this chance, they could not increase their small influence anymore. If the gears of the world started to turn quickly, then they could not make a move anymore.

So this was the last chance.

And, “We can make it!” Vois said lowly.

Then he looked towards the western sky.

That side was the Remrus Empire where it was ruled by an organism that was not human, and towards the further west was the eternal desert where humans would not be able to enter, casting his eyes to a place further in the west, he said: “Well, although this is planned without sticking to the rules, it is a monster that is not human…”

“But if we think that this situation will continue, then we’re wrong. If they think that humans will always be more silly than gods, then they are wrong. Even if god really exists on this world, controlling all life, I will try to trick them. By me who was born from a family who are tricksters for all generations…”

But he stopped.

Staring at his wavering shadow, he stopped.

It was here again.

The Goddess was here again.

Was it for surveillance?

Did it want to pass any order to him?

But Vois smiled, revealing an expectant smile.

“…Well, even if I am your slave now it’s fine. Because I will betray you soon, then stab your ugly face.”

Saying that, he raised his head.

“Then, let’s begin. Prepare the horses. I will gather the scattered army then go to war with Gastark.”

Vois ordered his subordinates.

Chapter 4: Inside of that Complication

Actually, she was not that patient.

To be more exact, all the children who had the Congenital Magic Abnormality were very impatient.

“…”

Thinking about this, Pia Varliere stroked her blue hair. Her blue hair was extremely soft.

With her pleasing features, she was a pretty sight.

She reached the capital of the Geihlficlant Empire, wearing a modest but attractive dress.

She had come to negotiate with the king of the Geihlficlant Empire, Gulafed Abuleld.

This was the first time that she had received permission to meet the king of the Geihlficlant Empire.

Up until today, Pia who was leading the Azure Princess had made three such requests, but she had been rejected by Geihlficlant. Lastly, through the pressure from other surrounding countries and by continuing their spy activities in the Republic of Ertolia, she had managed to get the chance to see the king of the Geihlficlant Empire and had been summoned to the capital.

“…How long does the stupid king of Geihlficlant want me to wait? Doesn’t he understand what kind of person I am?” She complained softly.

As she took note of not to step on the hem of her evening dress, she walked around the capital unhappily around the large capital.

If someone were to ask her what she had been doing for these few days, she would reply that she had been walking around the capital. Even if she had requested for a meeting with the king, but she was given the reason that the king was extremely busy now and he couldn’t see her. But they had specially prepared a guest room for her, even the two thousand subordinates she had brought along were treated well, so it did not look like they weren’t preparing to be reinforcements, so there was no reason to return.

Anyway, for many reasons, Pia had been extremely bored these few days.

“…Really, when am I going to walk until?”

She walked out of the courtyard. There were a few nobles standing outside and smiling and talking leisurely.

Pia found that one of the men looked at her with a flattering expression.

“…Isn’t this Pia-san. You’re still as beautiful as ever.” He said something obvious.

Pia smiled her perfect smile and said, “Well, Baron Leist-sama. You are very flattering.”

That weak, unimpressive noble flushed and quickly replied, “I’m not worshipping you. I can fly to the sky if I see your face every day.”

“You really know how to joke, please don’t flatter me that much. I’ll be embarrassed.” So I can say something idiotic… She thought as she bid farewell to the noble.

She was that different.

She was different from the other users of the Congenital Magic Abnormality who were so powerful that they lost the ability to coordinate with other people. She had a strong sense of self-discipline, and that was how she had managed to integrate into the higher-class society in Geihficlant.

After that, she greeted a few nobles who were in a stable position in life. Greeting, greeting, after going around the courtyard once, she came to the water fountain.

Then in front of the water fountain, she sighed ‘huuu…’ and her adorable brows creased.

“Tired~” she tried saying that, and then sat on the edge of the fountain before she raised her head to look at the capital that seemed to be built to look powerful.

“…Well, but that means that this country has the power to keep this palace going~” As she said, she touched the dress that was the exact same shade of blue as her hair, she touched the dress that was made of such high quality material that princesses from other countries could not wear, “The clothes that I bought are also very nice…”

Then a man’s voice spoke from behind her.

“Then you should just be the princess of this country and forget about everything?”

Pia turned around and looked in the direction where the voice was coming from.

A man stood there, he seemed to be around the same age as Pia.

He wore the red uniform that only the elite of the Azure Princess were allowed to wear and he had shoulder-length soft golden hair and steady eyes.

Looking at the insignia of the phoenix in flight on his chest, she smiled and replied, “I’m not any princess, I want to become the queen, Peria.”

Peria laughed, “I know. Because I’ve been watching you since young.”

Although he said that, but his eyes reflected nothing. No, actually, he was deaf. Because he was the experiment of the Roland bastards, his sight, hearing and touch had been stolen away.

But although this was so, he had been tattooed with a special enchantment spell called “All Enchantment”. Through this enchantment, he could feel the wide surrounding world that his normal senses could not sense. He could touch this world through that enchantment.

So Pia said, only jokingly, “Aside from me, there is nothing else worth looking at in this world~”

Although he didn’t let out any sound, Peria knew that he had passed on his message to Pia, he happily smiled, “But I really think so too.”

“Ah ha, I like Peria’s flattering.”

“It’s not flattering, you know?”

“Yes, I know that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then that’s good.” Peria said.

Peria nodded and then she turned her eyes back to the capital.

“Then…” she asked, “Have you checked on why the king of the Geihlficlant Empire does not want to see us?”

As if he were slightly ashamed, Peria replied, “There seems to be a slight problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yes.”

“Will I be angry after I know of this problem?”

“Who knows~~ Maybe.”

“Then try and tell me the problem in a manner where I will not get angry.”

Hearing this, Peria said, “Zohra, he…”

Hearing this, she turned to look at Peria, “Ah la la, he didn’t get rid of Vois Fiurelle?”

Peria nodded, “It seems he didn’t succeed.”

“Is that so.”

“If I had went, then this wouldn’t have happened.”

Hearing this, Pia laughed, “Here goes Peria, you’re thinking of raising your points when Zohra is not here~~”

He smiled calmly, “I’m saying the truth?” As he said, he moved his eyes to someone behind them. There, Zohra was walking towards them with a rebellious and unhappy face.

As a side note, even if it was Peria or Zohra, both of them had not gained the permission to enter the capital.

So the two of them had evaded a large number of soldiers and easily defeated the many magical enchantments surrounding the capital and entered illegally.

Looking at the figures of her two capable companions, Pia smiled lightly. Then she spoke to Zohra, “But you aren’t hurt, that’s good. Belis was far, was it?”

Zohra looked at her and suddenly blushed, his eyes wandered around, as if not sure where to look, and said, “Wear… You look extraordinarily cute wearing a dress…”

Hey, what was this, saying something when he just saw her? Although Pia thought of that, but she knew that Zohra was always very straightforward, he wouldn’t say anything insincere, so compared to the Geihlficlant nobles, this sentence made her happy.

So Pia curtseyed, “Thank you. This is a very expensive dress, you know~~ Can Zohra give me this sort of present?”

He viciously nodded, “If the Princess wishes.”

“Then, give me that palace.”

“I understand! I’ll go assassinate that king now!”

At this moment, Peria who was standing by their side said, “Again~ What is it what needs to be dealt with by assassination~ If it was using power to deal with the problem, Pia would have…” Zohra interrupted him and took out a small blade, he placed the blade on Peria’s neck and shouted, “I’m not talking to you!”

Then Peria stepped back and pushed away Zohra’s hand that was holding the blade, using a slightly distressed expression to say, “Really. Why does Zohra want to kill me?”

“I kill the enemies of love.”

“Ho ho~ Then, do you want me to give you a little information that would make you want to kill me more?”

“No—!”

“Just now, Pia said she liked my praising of her.”

In a moment, Zohra’s face changed, he yelled, “Haaaaaaaaaaaa?!” then he looked to Pia, “Then, then what about mine?”

Hearing something so childish, Pia laughed and said, “I like Zohra too.”

Then, this time it was Peria who let out “Ai~~” and appeared to be unhappy.

Seeing the two acting childishly, Pia laughed again. This kind of situation had recurred for many years. Although they had saved each other’s lives on the battle field many times, but once they had the time, they would act as if they had a bad relationship.

So she had given up on stopping their fights. Although they continued to argue loudly, but their relationship was surprisingly good.

And Pia liked watching the two of them quarrel.

She also liked beautiful clothes.

She liked beautiful ornaments.

She liked beautiful palaces.

She liked the beautiful world.

So she wanted to claim everything for her own.

She wished to rescue those beautiful things from those over-lustful nobles.

She wanted to rescue those beautiful things from Roland who had stole Peria’s sight and hearing.

Then she would rescue this world from the ugly, dreadfully ugly Goddess.

In order to achieve my goal, I need power.

I need more power.

And Geihlficlant is that stepping stone.

But there is an annoying person who exists to make use of Geihlficlant’s power that I must get rid of.

That person is obviously a human, but he became the dog of the Goddess, Vois Fiurelle. It seemed as if he wanted to snatch the power of Geihlficlant from the Azure Princess and had created a secret group. If she did not kill Vois, then the Azure Princess’s road would not be lit.

But it seemed as if the plan to assassinate Vois had failed.

So Pia asked, “The Goddess that Vois is relying on is only Unsurpassed Vileness, right? It’s not any powerful monster. The Rhule Fragmei I gave you should have been enough to kill him…”

Zohra revealed an apologetic expression and said, “No, actually if I wanted to, I could have killed…”

“But you didn’t kill him?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Hearing this, Zohra revealed an expression that said that he did not know how to explain this in words.

Pia looked at him and said, “I like that straightforward side of yours. So you only need to tell me the events as they happened. What happened? Did you fight with the Goddess?”

But Zohra shook his head, “The Goddess didn’t appear.”

“Oh? The Goddess didn’t appear?”

Zohra nodded.

But this way, she still couldn’t understand the reason why Zohra didn’t kill Vois. Vois was a mad person who wanted to sell this world out, he wasn’t a human but a monster. If they didn’t deal with this, there would be a problem.

And Zohra should understand this.

So Pia continued to ask, “Then, why didn’t you kill Vois Fiurelle? If it was you, you could have easily…”

But he suddenly said, “No, if it’s about that, there was a more troublesome character who appeared.”

“More troublesome?”

“Yeah.”

“More troublesome than the Goddes… what is it? The Mad Hero from the South?”

But Zohra still shook his head.

“Then, what is it?”

When he heard her asking that, he replied.

He only said a name.

“Ryner.”

“…” In that moment, Pia lost her ability to speak, when she suddenly heard Zohra say the name of a distant companion that she had been separated from a long time ago, her mind blanked out.

Then she couldn’t help but turn to look at Peria. She found that he was just as shocked.

It was expected, after all, Ryner and Peria had underwent the same training from the same instructor.

Timid Ryner Lute.

Ryner Lute who had always wished to die.

Why was that companion now with the subordinate of the Goddess? As she started to ask Zohra about it, another subordinate approached them. It was a female subordinate who had received the permission to enter the capital with Pia, Tam. She wore the serving uniform and said, “…Princess-sama.”

“Eh?” Pia looked at her subordinate.

Tam said, “There was a courier. He says that Gehlficlant will see Princess-sama tomorrow night.”

Pia widened her eyes, Zohra and Peria looked at Tam.

“That means… The envoy from the Anti-Roland Coalition has reached?”

Tam nodded.

“Geihlficlant has specially allowed to give one side assistance…”

Pia smiled lightly, “Ha. Does he mean to say that we will have to fight with the Anti-Roland Coalition? Wait a moment, isn’t this different than what we talked about?”

Tam apologized, “I’m terribly sorry…”

“No, you don’t have to apologize.” After saying that, Pia looked at the seemingly impressive capital, “They’re treating us as fools. That’s fine. Let’s fight face-to-face. Oh yes, was the envoy from the Anti-Roland Coalition Vois himself? Do you mean that he is already in the capital? I want to go over and punch him and threaten him, so tell me his address.” Pia asked Tam.

She replied, “No, that, the envoy from the Anti-Roland Coalition does not seem to be Vois Fiurelle himself.”

Pia frowned tightly, “Ha? Then who is it? Does he mean to push everything to the messenger? Although he said he would fight with us, the Azure Princess, but the person himself did not appear? But this can’t continue. They say that the king of Geihlficlant is to be respected, but if it’s through the messenger, then he can’t talk to the king at all.”

Towards this, Tam said, “No, that… it seems that the envoy holds a position much higher than Vois Fiurelle, it is the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition.”

“King?”

“Yes.”

“Ai? Wait… wait a moment. But the leader of the Anti-Roland Coalitions is Vois Fiurelle, right?”

But Tam shook her head, denying this, “No. Recently, Vois Fiurelle gave the leadership position to the new king.”

“Gave?”

“Yes.”

“Then who did he give it to?”

Tam replied, “A man called Ryner Lute, he seems to be the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition.”

“…”

At this moment, Pia, even Zohra and Peria, did not know what to say. The enemy approaching from the south was actually Ryner. Because of this reality, everyone grew silent.

And that Ryner was about to reach. He was about to reach the capital of Geihlficlant.

Then Pia let out a “Oh~” and smiled. It was still that perfect smile. But it revealed a devil-like charisma.

It was a smile that could let everyone feel the kingly air around her.

She smiled like that and turned to the capital, muttering softly, “…Does that idiot Ryner want to fight with me? That is really… interesting.”

She licked her forefinger and lifted it to the wind.

Then.

“Hey, hey, what is this~~ I feel that the direction of the wind is suddenly changing. Let’s start to gather the information. Before Ryner reaches here, let’s gather all the information. What does Ryner and Vois want? How will this world change? We have to check this clearly first…”

Then she snapped her fingers.

“We still have to welcome our stupid childhood friend.”

She said.

Chapter 5: Inside of Fate

“Ah~ah~ah~” Ryner yelled.

Then he touched the tight collar of his clothes, displaying a pained expression, asking: “Is it really necessary to wear this kind of tight fitting clothes?”

Relca who was standing behind him and serving him revealed an annoyed expression when she heard this, saying: “What does Ryner treat this place like?”

Ryner looked around him.

This was one of the guest rooms in the Geihlficlant palace. Even though it was called a guest room, it was so big that it was not even the standard of a guest room. It was at the stage that if it were slightly larger, it would be around the same size as the throne room in Roland.

Looking at the large guest room, Ryner muttered softly, “…It really is a large country in the mid-Continent. The border state Roland can’t even compare…”

Relca nodded to express her agreement.

“That’s true. Then you will be meeting with the king of this country as the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition. Of course you can’t wear the dirty clothes like a pariah to see him, right?” As she lectured, Relca patted Ryner’s back, “Alright alright, straighten your back.”

And she pulled Ryner’s face.

“Your expression has to be more refreshed!”

Then she forced his eye lids open.

“Your eyes that seem like sleeping must open wider!”

“Ouch, ow ow ow, your finger is touching my eye…. Wuah don’t pluck my eye brows!” Pulling Relca’s hand away, Ryner yelled: “Ah, enough enough, I know. I will do it properly so don’t use your finger to **** my eyes.”

Saying that, anyway he had to straighten his back according to the request. Opening his eyes wide, looking at himself in the mirror.

And he discovered that after his messy hair was trimmed and tied back, wearing suitable clothing, a smile that was mysteriously confident, even though he didn’t know what there was to be confident about, appeared.

“Disgusting.”

Ryner remarked, then frowned.

But this expression was hit by Relca who was standing beside him, “You have to smile widely.”

“Wait… you don’t have to hit me…”

Slap.

“Sm~ile~”

“…...Eh … … Yes yes, I know~” Ryner said, trying to smile.

Relca finally nodded her head in satisfaction. Alright, this wouldn’t embarrass Vois-sama. She muttered.

Then Ryner continued to keep his smile, looking at the mirror again. His figure appeared in the mirror, even if he looked, he didn’t see anything to complain about.

He didn’t know if it was because his figure was slightly taller, the formal attire was very suitable. Even though he did not give the same feeling like Sion, ma, he wouldn’t be thought as a third rate noble. Looking at his figure, Ryner thought, clothes do make a man.

At this moment, the door to the room was opened, someone walked in.

“Ah, Ryner, you look handsome.” Kiefer’s voice spoke.

She seemed to have to change into a dress that was suitable for the palace or something, so she was taken to another room by Relca’s subordinates two hours ago.

“…”

Ryner turned around, discovering that Kiefer seemed to have changed. A low-cut red dress, her red hair was pinned up prettily, her make-up was more elegant than usual, it looked as if she was an elegant lady.

“Oh oh~ Looking like this, Kiefer is really a great beauty.” Ryner said.

Kiefer’s face turned red, “Is, is that so? It’s not strange?”

“It’s completely not strange? Isn’t that right, Relca?”

Relca nodded, saying: “Very beautiful. If the negotiations fail this time, and we’ll need to tempt the king, we’ll leave it to Kiefer.”

That, although Vois’s subordinate’s way of speaking was a little odd, but the fact that Kiefer was beautiful was true.

So Ryner crossed his arms, staring at Kiefer, saying firmly: “Yes, really pretty.”

Kiefer smiled happily, then turned back, saying: “But, Ferris is more beautiful.”

Another woman appeared from behind Kiefer.

It was Ferris.

She was wearing a white dress, she had a light dab of blusher, pink lips, her gleaming blond hair was pinned up with a bow-like beautiful gem pin. Her appearance, was even more beautiful than her usual other-worldly beauty.

But this Ferris, looked there, saying a strange sentence, “Eh? Where’s Ryner?”

“Aren’t I in front of you?”

“Ehh? You’re Ryner?”

“If I’m not Ryner who am I?”

She seriously considered this, “Hunch your back slightly.”

“Eh? What is it. How troublesome.”

“Make your eyes more sleepy.”

“So I’m saying why?”

“Then give out that kind of defeatist atmosphere that you usually have.”

“Who is the defeatist?” Ryner yelled angrily.

But after hearing Ryner’s angry yell, Ferris looked to him, revealing a relieved expression, “Ah, it’s indeed Ryner.”

“Hey, I say you are… Well, never mind never mind. Anyway I didn’t think I would fit this image.” Ryner said, then looked at the mirror again.

The mirror reflected Ryner wearing formal attire and two beauties wearing dresses.

Bringing these two along with him, me, even if he appeared in front of the Geihlficlant King and the nobles, anyway he wouldn’t be looked down on. Ryner thought.

At this moment, Relca said: “Then, it’s about time. Go and greet the Geihlficlant king—Gulafed Abuleld-sama. Ah yes, Ryner, the biography about King Abuleld…”

Ryner nodded and said: “Yeah, I remembered. I only need to remember the information on the documents you gave me yesterday?”

It should be mentioned that on the report that was given to him yesterday, something like this was written—

Gulafed Abuleld.

Thirty eight years old.

Four years ago his father Biert died because of the Rhule Fragmei, he inherited the throne. Beofre inheriting the throne, he took the army and fought a war. On the battle grounds he left a great achievement, that made his royal siblings admit that he should be the one to inherit the throne.

His personality is also a militaristic calm and strong. And he pays great attention to the difference between the upper levels and lower levels, probably he would not have a good impression of people who had light-hearted attitudes.

So to people who were unsuitable in society since they were unable to address their higher ups respectfully and was forever like a child—Ryner Lute, in front of King Abuleld, he must practice his usage of honorifics.

These troublesome matters were written.

And after he finished reading the report, he had this conversation.

“Honorifics are no use to me?”

“I’ll send you flying?”

“No, I’ll work hard? But even if I work hard, if indeed we have to really properly use honorifics to negotiate with the royals, it should be left to Toale who is of royal birth would be better…”

But Relca shook her head and said: “Toale Nelpha will not see King Abuleld. If it were known that he was from the Nelpha royal family that was destroyed by Roland, the fact that he was the royal family of the country that was destroyed and was destroyed by a border country will put him at a disadvantage. So you should obediently give up, practice using those honorifics in front of me. Anyway I will pretend to be the Geihlficlant king, so we can proceed with conversation.”

So until yesterday late at night they had been practicing using honorifics.

But to Ryner who was finally able to say “I’m really happy that I can see Your Majesty”, Relca was finally disappointed, and she had given up and ended this exercise on several fronts.

Ma, putting these aside.

Ryner looked at the large ornate clock that was as big as the room that was hanging in the room.

It was nearly seven o’clock.

They had arranged to meet the Geihlficlant king around seven o’clock.

Then Relca said again with a slightly worried tone: “It’s almost time, let’s confirm it again. Ryner the things that you need to accomplish here…”

But Ryner waved his hand, interrupting her, “I understand. I already know what I should do.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Don’t be so worried. Even I am nervous. I have to stand in front of a king of an admirable country, and negotiate with him? Furthermore I have my important companions with me. If I made a mistake and caused the plan to fail, everyone would be in trouble right? So that that will not happen, I will work hard slightly.” Ryner said.

At the same time, someone knocked on the door. A familiar male voice said, “You can meet with His Majesty, please prepare quickly.”

Ryner replied: “We’re prepared.”

Relca reminded: “Posture.”

“Ah~ yes yes. And I have to smile and use honorifics?”

“I already have no expectations for you to use honorifics.”

“No no no, perhaps I may unexpectedly be able to use them?”

Because of this sentence, not only Relca, even Ferris narrowed her eyes and made sounds of suspicion at the same time.

“Is that so?”

“Really?”

So Kiefer hurriedly said: “I… I trust Ryner!”

Ryner lowered his head and smiled bitterly, “…I’m not trusted~”

Then he straightened his back again. He examined his image in the mirror.

Then, thought.

He thought about the things that he would have to do from today onwards.

To tell the truth, he actually wasn’t very worried about the negotiations with the Geihlficlant king. Because to the Geihlficlant king, he only needed to mention the matter and it would be fine.

Let us join in with the war against Gastark Kingdom.

The Geihlficlant king would probably accept it happily. At the present when war was approaching quickly, the number of free soldiers increasing, there shouldn’t be any reason to decline.

But this time Ryner’s task did not stop here.

He had to deal with the Azure Princess that was probably in the palace.

He not only had to make the Azure Princess join the war against Gastark Kingdom, for the benefit of the Anti-Roland Coalition he had to stop them from gaining Geihlficlant Empire’s help, and he had to ask them whether they would help them in the war against Roland Empire? He had to plead them to accept these conditions that seemingly were only beneficial for his side—

“Definitely—it will annoy the other part… This kind of solution that will only help my side, I’m afraid no one will accept it.” Ryner moaned.

Furthermore the leader of the Azure Princess was a woman who hated to be used by anyone in this way.

Ma, although they had not met for ten years, he didn’t know what kind of person she would have turned into, ne.

“Anyway~ personalities wouldn’t change.” He said softly.

“Then let’s go.” The Geihlficlant messenger said.

Ryner nodded, looking at Ferris, Kiefer and Relca, the trio nodded.

So, they walked out of the room.

Walking along a corridor that was like a tunnel, entering the palace. Several figures of maids and officials appeared. Seeing Ryner and his party behind the messenger, they bowed deeply.

Towards this Ryner felt uncomfortable as he continued to walk forward.

The more he walked forward, the structure of the corridor and the quality of the decorations increased, even him who was an amateur in this could see the difference in the quality.

Slowly, the people passing by them began to decrease, and the people wearing beautiful and bright outfits increased. Probably they were nobles.

But, even if they still had not reached the meeting room to see the king, it seemed as if they had not even moved any nearer to him.

He couldn’t help but feel like complaining how large is this place, but even this would need the usage of honorifics, Ryner walked as he thought about these strange matter.

This place was big enough that he could throw all thoughts of Roland palace at the back of his mind. And this country still wanted to fight with Gastark, Ryner thought, gaining more understanding of what a huge country Geihlficlant was. Ma, but he still had to add the factor that Gastark would use the “Rhule Fragmei” in.

Thinking that even the negotiations were complete, what followed next was the war with Gastark, Ryner couldn’t help but feel a little depressed.

War.

It was war.

“I clearly worked hard to this point to avoid this situation, but why did it turn to this…”

After hearing Ryner mutter, the Geihlficlant messenger turned around, asking: “I’m sorry, is there something wrong?”

Ryner shook his head, “No, nothing.”

He just finished speaking, Relca quickly punched Ryner’s back, so he quickly changed his tone, “No, that… there’s nothing wrong.”

He tried to turn around and complain, were they properly using honorifics from this point on?

Relca displayed an expression as if disappointed again.

Kiefer was trying hard not to laugh…

Ferris was just looking at him scornfully.

“I say you all…” Ryner groaned.

Then they walked forward again. The messenger walked out of the corridor, walking towards the central staircase in the hall.

Following that they saw another group of people walking towards the stair case.

The other party had six people.

The first person to enter their sight was the messenger who was leading the way, then three soldiers who did not allow any openings walked by. They gave off an atmosphere that made Ryner vaguely feel that if he first fought with the three of them, probably they would enter a hard competition.

But it didn’t matter about these three people. Most important were the three people behind them that these three seemed to be protecting.

Especially the woman in the middle, that was the largest problem.

Ryner knew that face of the woman who was in a blue dressed and giving off a confident aura.

Pretty features, an elegant atmosphere. Then the long blue hair that was set apart from everyone that only the users of the Congenital Magic Abnormality would have, stubborn red eyes.

When those eyes landed on Ryner, she said: “Ara?”

Ryner raised his eyebrows, staring at her, saying: “Oh oh~”

Staring at the person who had once been one of his comrades, Pia Varliere.

And behind her, was a steady man whose eyes were closed. It was indeed Peria Peruula who had undergone the same training under Germer with him.

Then opposite him was Zohra Rom who he had met just recently.

Looking at these three people, Ryner smiled and that gave him a slight headache, trying to greet that, “That… Yo~ It’s been a long time since we last met.”

Peria smiled too, saying: “Yeah, it’s been a long time since we met. I’ve missed you, Ryner. You’ve grown a lot.”

Followed by Zohra who said: “I don’t even want to see you and that was it.”

After that Pia didn’t look at Ryner, but she looked in the direction of Ferris, Kiefer and Relca who were behind him, saying: “Ah~ what’s that, what’s that. That Ryner who had no friends and was always depressed actually brought these beauties along. And the three of them… ne, Peria, Zohra, them and me, who is prettier?”

Peria continued to smile: “There is only Pia in my eyes.”

Zohra followed: “Of course it is the Princess.”

Just by looking at these actions, Ryner could feel that he roughly understood what stage had Pia progressed to. Her actions and words were like their teacher Germer, then, although she was saying these kind of challenging words, but there was a gleam in her eyes that was examining the truth and false of his side.

Then Ryner suddenly remembered. He remembered she had once shown him that she had an ability that was like a genius in conversation.

At this moment Ferris suddenly said: “Hey Ryner, what is wrong with that woman?”

But Ryner stopped Ferris from speaking, “Ah, don’t move Ferris. That is a challenge. If we are insulted, it will become very troublesome.”

“But.”

“Alright, leave it to me.” Saying that, Ryner turned to look at Pia, “… It’s been some time since old friends were able to meet, so can you not release that killing intent to test my companions?”

Pia smiled as she asked: “Aha, do you want me to treat them more warmly?”

“Yes.” Ryner nodded his head honestly.

But Pia laughed even more, “But, I am not able to be more warm~ Because they are your companions, I haven’t killed them yet? Originally, if I saw the dogs of the monster I would kill them immediately.” Saying that, she released her killing intent. Her killing intent made their bodies tense uncontrollably. Perhaps it was because this killing intent was so strong, that people here couldn’t even feel it.

But, Ferris reacted. Her body had a reaction towards the killing intent that Pia emitted, entering a battle mode.

Pia looked at everyone’s reaction, suddenly laughing again, “Ahaha.”

Ryner immediately understood the reason for her laughter. She laughed because she discovered that the only ones who had a reaction to her killing intent was only Ryner and Ferris. That meant that the other party knew that if they had a head-on fight, the only ones who would fight were only Ryner and Ferris.

But the other party had Peria and Zohra besides Pia.

In plain words, if there were a fight here, his side had no chances of winning.

If he had to protect Kiefer and Relca, even if Ferris were helping him, they would be killed before they escaped.

This was almost as if the snake had made the frog its target. Ryner thought in his heart as cold sweat appeared.

But Pia suddenly opened her mouth and said: “What, all of them are useless. Thinking to fight me with that kind of battle power, Ryner-chan is as cute as before.”

Ferris muttered: “…You said useless, right?”

Ryner frantically said: “So don’t pay attention to her. All these are challenges. Furthermore you don’t have your sword, right? So you can’t fight now, give up.”

“Does that mean, you think I’m weaker than that woman?”

“No no, I didn’t say that…”

But, what would it be, he thought.

To tell the truth, Ryner was unable to imagine how powerful Pia would be now. But Zohra who he had fought with lately had a surprising increase in strength, then Pia who could let Zohra bow to her, should be really troublesome.

And, he had seen Peria mutter something by Pia’s ear.

Ryner couldn’t help but frown.

The whispered conversation between Ferris and Ryner had probably been heard by Peria.

No, instead of saying he heard it, it should be that he felt it.

Even if it were voices, feelings, smells, everything could be felt through the Zenkekkai tattoes that were on his body.

And that Peria, was now whispering to Pia.

Ryner looking at this, said: “…Hey hey Peria. We’re friends right? Don’t be so chummy with Pia.”

Peria smiled, closing his eyes as he looked over, “Friends? Friends would write even a single letter to me.”

“No, there are many many things happening.”

“Many many things. Although Ryner is not those kind of people who would specially write letters, but this time you’ve gone overboard. You even became the subordinate of a monster…”

But Pia said: “Peria keep your mouth shut. Only I can play with this long lost slave?”

So Peria shrugged, smiling: “Ah, I should mention that it was Pia who told me to write to Ryner. So she must be angry at Ryner who ignored her, so you’ll have to prepare yourself~”

Hearing this, Ryner was slightly scared.

Seeing the smile appearing on Pia’s face. Seeing that smiling face that clearly no longer had that small degree of harassment.

Oh no, this job is more troublesome than I thoooought? Ryner trembled.

Pia looked at Ryner, then happily turned her eyes to Ferris and Kiefer who were behind Ryner, moving lightly.

She wore a heavy dress, but it didn’t seem to cause any trouble for her, only using a step, she stepped in front of Ryner, putting her hands on his chest, tip toeing, drawing near to Ryner’s face.

When her face was so near that there were barely inches to spare between his mouth and hers, she said: “… Even if it’s a joke there has to a limit. In the past your goddess was clearly me? But now you’re flirting with other girls?”

In a moment there was a slight killing aura behind him, Ryner quickly used his hands to stop Ferris, and wanted to push Pia away, “Wait a moment, I say you, what are you doing so suddenly? Don’t pull this kind of act that would make people misunderstand…”

But Pia interrupted him, hugging Ryner’s neck when he tried to escape, decreasing the distance between the two of them, putting her lips by his ear, as if whispering she said softly: “… Ma, I am very forgiving, so if you flirt with one or two people I can forgive you. But even if your interests are bad, if you flirt with those women—those ugly “Goddesses”, I cannot forgive you. Sa~, so you have to explain clearly to me. If you don’t explain clearly, I will be really angry and kill those cute girls behind you?” Saying that, her hand twisted inwards, a small dagger appearing in her hand. Ryner who discovered this, grabbed her hand that had the dagger.

“Wait, Pia, stop…”

But at this moment, Pia suddenly smiled: “Annoying, Ryner~? Grabbing other people’s hand so suddenly, you’ve really become an adult, but, I understand it’s because of those passionate feelings you have for me.”

“Wuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaa? You, so that was…”

But she ignored Ryner’s words, returning to Peria and Zohra’s side with the same speed she had when she approached him, “Alright, the message has been passed~ because I have said what I wanted to say, so we’ll go first. We can’t let the Geihlficlant king to continue waiting.” Then ignoring his side, walked away.

Towards her retreating figure, Ryner shouted: “Wait, Pia?”

But she didn’t turn around, Peria and Zohra didn’t look back, leaving with Pia.

Ryner looked at this scene stunned.

At this time Kiefer who was behind suddenly asked: “…That, flirting or something… did Ryner date that girl before?”

Ryner revealed a tired face, turning back and said: “That, the previous conversation, would you think so?”

“No. It couldn’t be seen.”

“Right? From before she was this kind of woman who would play with her surrounding people with this attitude~” Ryner said.

Kiefer looked towards Ferris with an unsettled expression, then said softly: “But… but Ryner likes that kind of girls right…” (Because Ferris and the Azure Princess are the same type.)

“Eh?”

“No, it’s nothing. That… she was called Pia? What did she say? Because she was whispering to your ear, I didn’t hear it.”

But for some reason, Ferris answered this question. It seemed like she had heard the conversation between Pia and Ryner.

She said: “… Taking out a knife, then saying she would kill us. Then saying if he wanted to save his companions, then explain to her clearly. Explain to me why you have become the dog of the “Goddess”… But, before explaining to her, explain to me first. What is that thing called “Goddess”? Lately when I walk everywhere I would hear Goddess, Megami, nu shen these words. Vois, that person has also constantly said some matters about some strange monsters… What are you hiding from me? I always thought that you would tell me on your own so I didn’t really bother about it, but if you are planning to never explain it properly, before being killed by that woman, I will kill you first?” Even the queen herself on this side was starting to become angry.

Ryner stared at her, discovering that she did not really look angry. No, although it was said that she was always emotionless, she basically wouldn’t display her emotions on the outside, but now on her face, there was an expression that was more of unsettled than angry.

“…” Ryner seemed to frown as if he was troubled, then said: “Ah~ Sorry.”

“… No, actually I don’t quite understand so I never explained…” He turned to look at Pia and the others who had walked up on the landing, “But it seems that no matter where it is always hated, so the “Goddess” should be an evil person. Talking about which, has Ferris heard something from Vois?”

Ferris nodded, “Vois said your… your eyes were cursed by the “Goddess” so they became strange.”

Ah, so that was it. Ryner thought. So she revealed that unsettled expression.

“Vois that bastard, I knew that he had that information…” Ryner gritted his teeth as he spoke, then turned to Kiefer, asking: “What about Kiefer? Have you heard anything about “Goddess”?”

Kiefer shook her head, “I haven’t heard Vois-kun say anything about it… but, about the “Goddess”, I heard some rumours. After leaving Roland, I heard rumours from all over the world, no, it should be said as legends.”

Ryner looked at her, asking: “Eh, then what kind of legends are they? What are the “Goddesses”?”

She replied: “There are a few sayings in the legends.”

“Yes.”

“But no matter what the endings are, the “Goddesses” always swallow the world.”

“Is that so. So that means the “Goddesses” aren’t anything good?”

But, she revealed an uncomprehending expression. Then for some reason she slightly, really slightly revealed an expression that was like a dead end. But Ryner didn’t understand why she was revealing that expression.

But talking about which, this wasn’t the time to be worrying about Kiefer’s change in expression.

Ryner moved his eyes away from Kiefer, then said: “Well, anyway the information that we know is only a small bit, right?”

Ferris looked over to him, then said: “Eh? Are you talking to me?”

Anyway he would ignore this problem, Ryner continued: “Then, if what Vois said is true, then Vois may be preparing to trick that “Goddess”? Well, but because that person is a liar we can’t trust him completely… But, ma~, I’ll trust him a little this time. Because although that person will not tell us the truth, he will similarly not reveal his personality to the “Goddess”.”

Towards this, this time it was Kiefer who looked to him, “Wait, Ryner. That, this, are you talking to us?”

When he was asked this, he didn’t reply. He only slightly looked at Relca, using a voice that she would not hear, softly saying: “Furthermore, even if this point is put aside, we have no reason to abandon Vois right? I don’t know if it’s because the Anti-Roland Coalition has accepted the “Goddess” help, from the establishment till the current developments the speed has been quite odd. If it is not noticed, I don’t know what kind of things that person would do. So I pretended to be used by him, deciding to use him in return… If I explain it like this, what about it? Because I have Vois’s subordinates by my side I cannot explain it out loud, but anyway I plan to use the “Goddess” and Vois this way, is this explanation enough?”

Ryner said that. But he should not have been heard by anyone. His voice was so soft that it was like he was just breathing out, so even Ferris and Kiefer who were by his side couldn’t hear it.

But, after he finished muttering, he looked towards the stairs. He looked at Pia and the others who were so far away that even if he yelled and shouted they would not be able to hear it.

Then said “…If it’s you you can hear it through Zenkekkai, Peria. Then, pass on what I said just now to Pia.”

After hearing him say that, Peria turned slightly. From this position it seemed as if he were making a hand signal to Pia, then covering his ears, shrugging.

That action meant—“Even though I want to tell her, Pia is unwilling to listen.”

It conveyed this message.

“Ha? Don’t joke. Pass it on to her properly.” Ryner murmured.

Peria revealed a troubled expression, then patted his chest.

“Ha? What does that action mean?” Ryner asked.

Peria pointed over again.

But, he still did not understand the meaning of that action. So Ryner tilted his head, continuing to ask: “So I said I don’t understand. What is that? What are you trying to say?”

Peria still pointed over, then pointed to his chest.

“Eh? Chest? What’s with your chest?”

Peria shook his head, making a signal that said it’s not me.

“Not your chest? Then, it’s mine?”

Peria nodded.

“I already said it’s very troublesome so don’t hand signal to me. I’ll go over to your side now, talk to me properly…”

But Peria interrupted him, making a sign that said don’t come over. Then he made a signal for him to look at his chest.

“Ha? What does that mean…” As he said that, Ryner looked at his chest. He looked at his chest that was wrapped with that tight formal suit. And he discovered that a card that was as big as his palm had been snuck in there.

“Oh?” Ryner said, then remembered, it should have been placed there when Pia touched his chest.

This was a perfect surprise attack of a standard that Ryner didn’t even notice that a card had been snuck into his clothes.

“…” Ryner couldn’t help but frown.

If that card had an explosive talisman that would explode after a certain period of time, perhaps he would be dead by now.

No, even Ferris, Kiefer and Relca by his side would be affected.

“… How troublesome.” He groaned.

He felt that the ten years that had had been separated from Pia and the others, between the two of them there was an even greater gap between the levels of their powers, he couldn’t help but stiffen his face.

And.

“…”

Ryner pulled out the card, looking on the words on it.

To Ryner-chan of the dark magical waste house.

Although I heard from Zohra, but you really didn’t even discover the card, your abilities have declined compared to the past. Unless you have become a useless person than what I had expected? So I wanted to test you slightly.

Under these words, there was a face of Pia’s drawn in green ink. This face of Pia, after Ryner had read the words, there was a slight distortion. Then it became a complicated magical structure—

In the process of changing, Ryner shut his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.

In the middle of his eyes, there was a red five-pointed star.

Special eyes.

This was the cursed eyes called Alpha Stigma, it was able to see through all magical structures.

And it could completely duplicate the same structure, but the understanding of everything in that moment after that, proceeding with progress, using it in the end, it still needed special abilities.

And now the magic progressing in front of his eyes was to test his abilities.

Just by looking it was clear that this was a magic that would explode and destroy his surroundings. Then he understood that there were four seconds left to its activation. And he understood that to stop this magic, it would need a complicated, an equation that would change as if to solve the riddle, this was definitely unsolvable. Even if it were the high leveled magical scholars, would be unable to solve this riddle easily.

But Ryner looked at the magical formation, “…Eh. That, it’s like this here, there is that, it’s like this right?” He murmured, using his finger to draw on the card, easily solving the magic.

“How was it?” Ryner raised his head, looking in front, but found that Pia and the others were gone. In replacement, on the card that had the magic trap, there was another message. There were many words that made the head ache just by looking at them.

“…”

Ryner narrowed his eyes, looking at it.

It was written like this.

Ara ara, you passed.

It was good that you didn’t explode~

It was clearly a magical structure that Zohra made with much effort to scare Ryner, that you could solve it, you indeed are the same magic otaku as you were before. But, it seems that the point that you are still useful is more important than anything. Alright, I’ll let you live. But what you understand what you have to do after this? Apology and explanation. You completely ignored the letters from us, so this time you have to come before us personally. Before you come to our castle, kneel down and explain the situation, I will not listen to your explanation. And, if you continue to hinder our matters after today, I will not forgive you. Although I think you understand, Ryner you can never defeat me? If you don’t want to be killed, listen obediently to me.

Ah, I’ll tell you something, from our investigations it seems like Vois Fiurelle is planning to let the Ertolia Republic attack Geihlficlant? What is going on? Unless he wants to take the chance when Geihlficlant and Gastark are fighting, to attack this place with Ertolia? It would be troublesome if that happens. I clearly wanted to let this country become my possession, this way wouldn’t people be coming to hinder me. But, I don’t want to be deliberately be used by the conditions you set, so I’ll go back first. If you want to fight with Gastark, it’s fine if you go yourselves.

Ah, and one more thing.

If you knew of Vois’s plan and came here to use us, then you should understand the difference between our abilities? So don’t make your move.

But if you were tricked by Vois, then he isn’t your companion anymore.

Your true companions are us, Ryner.

Don’t do such foolish things and come quickly to our side.

Forever your Queen-sama Pia Varliere and her happy companions—

The card actually wrote something like this.

But, the matter about Vois planning to let Ertolia attack Geihlficlant—

“…Hey hey what is this?” Ryner said, then raising his head, starting to run to chase after Pia and the others who had walked up the stairs.

But the Geihlficlant messenger made a stop as if trying to stop Ryner, “Ah, wait.”

And Ferris and Kiefer made asked uncomprehendingly.

“Hey.”

“Ryner?”

Although he heard the two of them call his name, Ryner did not turn back, he only threw the card with Pia and the other’s message to explain the situation, then continued to run. Climbing up the stairs, running in the direction where Pia and the others had disappeared to.

But even as he ran he did not discover them. In his hurry he discovered the Geihlficlant messenger who was leading them who had a troubled expression on his face as he turned around, Ryner asked: “Hey it was you, where is Pia Varliere?”

The messenger turned around, with the same troubled face he said: “Th, that, they suddenly said they were tired of this country so they went back…” saying that as he looked at one of the doors in the corridor.

Ryner opened that door, discovering that strangely, there was a gust of cold wind blowing, so he looked in the direction of the wind.

And he saw that the windows of the room were open, the curtain and lace were swaying in the wind.

“…”

And the only things moving in the room, were only these. Pia, Peria and Zohra were no longer here. They had probably jumped out from the window.

That meant, the motive for them coming to this place was…

“…They came here to see me…” Ryner muttered.

Perhaps it is said that they came here to threaten me. And they came here to test me.

They wanted to investigate if we would yield after we knew that we were tricked by Vois.

Ryner frowned, “Vois that bastard, he actually treated me…”

At this moment, someone spoke from behind him, “No, I don’t think I’m lying to you.”

Ryner turned around, discovering that Ferris, Kiefer, Relca and Vois who had somehow chased after him were standing in the corridor.

Ryner stared at Vois, saying: “Not lying? Whose mouth has the right to say that?”

Vois shrugged, “If me not telling everything to you is counted as lying, ma, then indeed perhaps I lied to you…” He said as he walked closer. A small body drifted over, lightly peeking at the room where Pia and the others had disappeared from. Then opening the window, asked: “Arara, the people from Azure Princess are gone?”

Ryner looked at Vois, saying: “You clearly appeared because they left, and you dare to pretend to be stupid.”

Vois laughed, “Well, although that is true. But no matter what they want to kill me. But it’s a heartache that we didn’t manage to persuade them. Originally if it were possible I wished for them to help us proceed with the plan.”

Ryner thought of the contents of the card that Pia gave them, “…The plan to attack and gain Geihlficlant while it’s fighting?”

Vois raised his head and looked over, saying simply: “Don’t you think it is a good plan to quickly stop Roland’s power?”

“Even if I think that’s a good plan, but you clearly said that we would accept Geihlficlant’s power and go against Roland.”

“That’s true.”

“That means, you lied to me.”

“No, you’re wrong.”

“Where am I wrong.” Ryner said.

Vois pulled out several reports from his arms, then handed one over.

“This is a proposal to accept Geihlficlant’s help and fight against Roland.”

Then he handed over a second piece of paper, “This is the proposal to effectively snatch a few of Geihlficlant’s territories and fight against Roland.”

Lastly was a third piece of paper, “This is the proposal that under the situation that Azure Princess gains Geihlficlant’s power and assistance, accepting the help of the Ertolia Republic—Well, no matter what situation we can’t become exhausted, so I prepared a few proposals at the same time. It’s just that I did not tell Ryner the plans that would affect your mood the most. So actually I didn’t lie.”

Ryner was so angry that he felt that even scolding Vois as a **** bastard was even troublesome, but when he thought that this person was like this all the time, so he didn’t know why but he felt very tired, giving up on specially complaining, only looking at Vois with a tired face, saying: “… If you always tell lies, you won’t get friends?”

Vois laughed as he replied: “I didn’t need friends even from the beginning?”

“Well, you speak so straight-forwardly, I can’t even say anything… but, if it’s like this, I won’t help you again?”

“Why?”

“Why… Hey, I say, you completely tell me the truth?”

“If I told you, would you help me?”

“Depends on the situation. But, I already cannot find reasons to continue being with you. Talking about which, I didn’t understand why we had to help Geihlficlant defeat Gastark in the first place.” Ryner said.

Although he didn’t think of stopping this war, because even if there wasn’t war here, it would occur in other places.

For instance the war Roland was waging in the southern part of the continent. And the land in the central continent was quite big, so the places that didn’t know about, should have some conflicts too.

So, he who had taken into account of the other wars, it wasn’t for the sake for the sake of world peace, he didn’t have the thought that he had to stop the war between Geihlficlant and Gastark ahhhhh—this kind of thought.

Although, he had seen the actions of the people from Gastark when they were hunting down the cursed eyes, it also meant that they killed all the people who had special eyes like Ryner no matter whether they were man, girl, old or young. So he knew that they weren’t good people. But, this matter and that were two different matters.

Furthermore because the Nelpha people were Vois’s hostages, so he had no choice but to listen to Vois’s orders.

Although there was this reason.

But, even if there was going to be a war going on in spite of this, indeed there was something wrong.

“Vois.” Ryner said.

Vois turned to him, “What is it?”

“That.”

“Yes.”

“You, although you have taken the Nelpha of people as hostages, making us listen to your orders, but actually that can be easily retaliated, you know?” Saying that, Ryner raised his right hand, making a fist as if he were about to punch him.

Well~ although the other party was a child so threatening him like this would be strange, but there was no other plan, Vois looked at Ryner’s fist, replying: “Ara, has that been found out?”

“No, actually I discovered it in the beginning… I was only thinking about when to do it.”

“Ahaha, it’s really a good opportunity. As long as you punch me until I’m half dead and make me a hostage, you would be able to control the Anti-Roland Coalition.”

“Yes, no matter what you are of high prestige. So you can be a good hostage.” Ryner looked at Relca behind Vois who looked frantic.

Although she seemed to want to rush over when Ryner clenched his face, but she was easily stopped by Ferris grabbing her neck, stopping her.

But Vois did not react, only laughing as he said: “But, Ryner wouldn’t do this right?”

“That may not be?”

“No no, you definitely wouldn’t do it. Simply saying after you do that, what would happen? Making me a hostage, then grabbing the authority position of the Anti-Roland Coalition… But, after that? Gaining the control of an organization that would be unable to balance out Roland, what do you want to do?”

“Eh? That…”

“You will definitely do the same things as me. So that we will have the power to attack a country, then accepting a country’s help. No matter what, if you don’t take away someone’s power, the organization will be unable to grow.”

Ryner nodded, “Well, although that’s true. But why must the Anti-Roland Coalition grow? I don’t understand this point. Originally I didn’t leave the country so to fight with Roland. It’s the same with Gastark. I want to use my methods…”

Looking for a way to save Sion—although he wanted to say this, but he gave up. Anyway Vois never thought about saving Sion, even if he said it it was useless.

So he changed his words, “I would use other methods… new methods, to try and change the world.”

Vois continued to smile: “Yes. That was what you wrote on that report, right?”

Ryner looked at Vois’s smiling face that made people feel unhappy, asking: “…Why do you know about that?”

“I investigated it.”

“But that report should be with Sion…”

But Vois interrupted him, saying: “It wasn’t found when we investigated about you. That report appeared when we were investigating Sion Astal. I spent quite a bit of effort into finding that. Sion Astal seemed to treasure that a lot so he put it in the treasury. But it was really great that I was able to find it after that much effort. Because that report was filled with your feelings. And after reading that report, that made me really want to become companions with you.” Saying that, Vois reached into his arms, pulling out a few papers again. Because from the beginning he had been pulling out a few pieces of paper, so if it were the past he would want to complain how many things have you hidden.

But now he did not.

No matter what, he had controlled that country through grasping all of Eteggong.

Vois pulled out a few papers, passing it over.

“That, this is a copy of the part that I was most touched about. Do you want to read it?”

Ryner moved his eyes to it, the letters on the paper entered his eyes.

But, there was no need to read it. Not only was it because this was something he had written, and actually the memories of its contents were as fresh as it had been.

The contents appeared in his mind again a long time after he wrote it.

That report, its content was roughly like that.

In history, there were several demon kings who had the power to destroy the world, or demons, evil divinities. These demon kings wielded strong power that was unimaginable in the whole of the magical body. Even if it were an army made of strong Mage Knights and soldiers, they were not the opponents of the demon kings. Then the world would be pushed into the brink of extinction by these demon kings every time. But every time at this moment the heroes from the legends would appear, they were called the knights of light, they were human knights that had the power to go against the demon king and defeat them. Then, here’s the question. What are the heroes? At the moment we won’t go and question the existence of the demon kings and heroes… the “humans” who had the power to defeat these monsters, what was going on? A monster that even an army could not go against—if the records in the history books were truth, even if hundreds of strong magicians were sacrificed they would not be able to destroy the monster easily, but what was the hero that could destroy it just by himself? There were vestiges of legends regarding the heroes all over the world. Although no one saw those scenes… but there were records of where the weapons that the heroes used were hidden. Although it was a pity that the book that recorded the secrets of the demon king’s strength could not be found… but even so, if the remains of the heroes that were stronger than those monsters could be found, couldn’t they be used as a strong military weapon? In addition… did the demon kings and heroes actually exist… this could be explained with the Alpha Stigma. Although it wasn’t understood whether this was something vile or the heroes’ items… but abnormal power actually existed. Then, there would be the existence of other things that had this power too. On this point there seemed to be a great lot worth investigating. Because towards the strong power, according to the different ways of using the weapons, it could be ended before the war erupted.

“…”

Looking at Ryner who had vaguely recalled the contents of the report, Vois raised his head, saying: “You seem to have a sleepy appearance, but your mind is very scary. In this report you wrote that, to gain a strong weapon that no one in the world could go against—this kind of thinking right? But if the person who had this weapon lacked in character, what would it become? Having the oppressive power that the whole world could not go against, but instead he is a mad king. If something like that appears, what should we do?”

“…” Ryner did not comment.

In actuality, at the stage when he was writing that report, he had already predicted something like that. But, because too many people had died in front of him, because the ceaseless scary war had taken away too many lives, killed too many comrades, loved ones, family, friends.

Then, I have to at least do something, Ryner had carried that thought, writing the report.

Then he had started on the path to look for Heroes’ Relics with Ferris.

But, in the end—

“…”

Vois continued: “… You wanted to give that weapon to someone, right? Give it to your friend Sion Astal?”

“…”

“So this time you are searching for a weapon with a divine power to stop Sion Astal—are you planning that? Is this the plan that you talked of to change the world?”

Ryner nodded, “…Well, although I don’t think it would succeed so easily.”

Vois replied simply: “It wouldn’t succeed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“But, this isn’t something you can decide.”

“That’s true, this isn’t something I can decide. But, I already know what would be the ending of this. Your plan, will never succeed.”

“You’ve already said that you can’t decide…”

Vois interrupted Ryner, saying: “Or I should say, it’s too late. Gastark already has gained that kind of weapon that will make the world bow to them in a moment.”

Ryner froze because of this sentence.

Staring at Vois, his whole body was frozen. If they were talking about why they were saying this, it could only be said that Vois was also a person who had a Heroes’ Relic. Vois easily accepted the Heroes’ Relic that the Roland army used to kill thousands of soldiers. So this fellow also should have other Heroes’ Relics—using their lingo it should be called Rhule Fragmei.

And then watching these people with Rhule Fragmei battling, Ryner despaired.

Towards the reality that using those kind of things would worsen the war, he despaired. Then thinking, if he didn’t do anything, it would really be too late.

But Vois said that. Vois who had the Rhule Fragmei said that.

“…That is a kind of Rhule Fragmei, whose power is close to a divine being’s, which is very powerful. And they already have gained this power. So they would not stop. I’m afraid that Geihlficlant will not triumph over Gastark in this war. Even if we the Anti Roland Coalition which uses Rhule Fragmei help, even if there is the Azure Princess, the results will be the same. Not only with the number of soldiers, the standards between the soldiers are too great.” Vois said.

But even so, Ryner was still unable to understand his meaning.

Ryner muttered: “The Heroes’ Relics… are unable to match up to it?”

“Yes. There’s practically no way to compare it.”

“What exactly is that?”

“Sa? I don’t know, they are using a strange weapon. A strange thing that has the power to surpass the Rhule Fragmei. Then using this thing they made the strongest country in the northern continent, Stohl kneel for them. At that time the death toll, was actually more than eight hundred thousand people.” Vois said.

Saying such strange things.

Ryner stared at Vois’ face in a daze, not saying anything, only watching as Vois continued to say mildly.

“So I said it before? If we don’t stop Gastark here, it would become a bad situation. If to Gastark, we don’t… no, if we don’t proceed with warning the world that ‘using something as unfair as that kind of weapon could be dangerous so stop”, it would really become very bad. So Ryner you must participate in this battle, even if you are unhappy with me, even if you have to kill people, even if you hate to participate in war, you must participate in this battle. You must let the other party of low-class people who have made a move to the weapon that should not be used by humans know that that power cannot be handled by them.” Vois said something that was even more confusing.

“What exactly, have you been saying from just now…”

But suddenly, he felt a weak killing intent.

“Eh?” He turned to the place where the killing intent was originating from.

Right.

The deepest corner in the corridor.

But, there wasn’t anyone there.

But, that place was empty.

So Ryner yelled: “Ferris.”

And feeling that Ferris had already reacted. Turning in her direction, he found that she had done what he wanted to do.

Ferris grabbed Kiefer’s collar, dragging her into the room that Pia and the others had disappeared from.

Kiefer let out an uncomprehending, “Ah? Ah? What what?”

Ignoring Kiefer’s present confusion, what was needed more was to investigate the area where the killing intent was originating from—

At the moment Ryner discovered that something glowing weakly had appeared in front of him.

“Oh oh~” Ryner stepped back in reflex. Then widened his eyes, activating the Alpha Stigma. Then he saw a magical structure that he had never seen before blossom in front of him.

It was a magic that would use the reflection of light to let the opponent hallucinate. This was probably Geihlficlant’s magic.

“…” Ryner stared at the magic, in a moment, reaching out a finger to the magical structure, starting to interfere, quickly changing the activated Geihlficlant’s magic.

“Alright, it’s done.” When he muttered that, the magic in front of them dissipated like mist.

Then three soldiers’ silhouettes appeared. Three soldiers wearing green armor. These soldiers charged towards Ryner and the others.

Their movements were fairly quick.

Probably he would not be able to dodge—but Ryner didn’t care. When he had dealt with the magic, his work had been lessened by half.

Towards the daggers that were thrown with an air that could not be avoided, Ryner said: “Too slow.”

And Ferris who used a speed that was faster than the daggers’ by several times jumped up, with one swing of her big sword the daggers were embedded in the wall. Then picking Ryner up, throwing him out.

So that they could dodge Ryner, the soldiers’ defensive formation crumbled, at this moment, Ferris quickly used her karate chop.

The person who received the strong impact on the neck fell unconscious just like that, the enemy was lessened by one.

Although the next person wanted to ambush Ferris, but he wasn’t her opponent. No, it should be said that even if she were wearing a dress that was hard to move around in, the enemies were not able to match up to her speed.

Another soldier was struck on the head, then fell unconscious.

The remaining person, because of this extremely unbeneficial situation, starting to think of running.

“I wouldn’t let you escape.” Ryner said, then grabbed that person’s wrist, tightening his joint, flipping it upwards, placing him on the ground. Followed by that Ferris planted a kick on the enemy’s head.

The last enemy lost conscious too.

“…”

The fight ended like that simply.

But.

“…I say, wouldn’t we really be in trouble this time?” Ryner murmured.

“These people are Geihlficlant soldiers, right? Then this is the Geihlficlant palace… why did they want to attack us?”

But suddenly a voice sounded, interrupting Ryner’s words, “…Oh~. Even if three Mage Knights are the enemy, you can make them silent easily without dealing any fatal wounds… this is really reliable.”

The place where the voice came from, was the deepest corner from where the three soldiers on the ground had appeared from.

Standing there, was a tall man in his late thirties. He wore green armour on his strong body. But his outfit was slightly different from the soldiers who had attacked. There were a few noticeably useless ornaments on the armour, it could be seen that this person should be someone who had a high position. He was probably the leader of the Mage Knights, no, possibly it could be—

At this moment the man said again: “This Alpha Stigma bearer is the trump card against Gastark that you told me about? Vois Fiurelle.”

Vois bowed his head, saying: “Indeed. Your Majesty Gulafed Abuleld.”

Ryner considered the man standing in front of him again.

Sharp eyes, strong body. Just be seeing the confidence and aura from this person’s body, he could understand that he was stronger than the Mage Knights who had attacked Ryner earlier. No, although he had heard that the king of Geihlficlant was a military man, but the fact that the king of a country was much stronger than the Mage Knights was a little—

“…It seems like he is different from the king that I had in mind.” Ryner muttered.

The royals that he knew were corrupted people who were addicted with power, or it would be someone who had work-poisoning like Sion, he never thought that he would meet a new kind of king here, so he was slightly surprised.

“Alright, bring those fellows along. Those border countries have already started to invade my territory. It seems that they have started to kill my people in great numbers without any consideration. Take up my troops, go defeat them.” That king told Vois that, then turned to leave, disappearing into the long corridor.

Ryner narrowed his eyes and looked towards Vois, saying: “…Why~ do I feel that I have been tricked again? You seemed to have said that you have never seen the king of Geihlficlant? Isn’t that why you handed the negotiations over to me?”

Vois turned around, “Eh, before I told Ryner to go to the negotiations, I certainly never saw him before.”

“Then why did you two using a tone as if you had met him before to converse?”

“That’s because there was a slight change to the situation, so I needed to talk with the Geihlficlant king immediately.”

“Is that so?”

“This is true?”

Seeing Vois say that, Ryner revealed an expression that clearly said that he did not believe in anything he was saying, saying: “Then, what happened to the situation?”

“Eh.”

“What’s the situation.”

“That is Gastark is stronger than what I had imagined—this reason. And they are strong enough that even the Azure Princess has given up on helping Geihlficlant…”

Ryner narrowed his eyes: “Eh? What’s that? Pia and the others only decided to go back because they were tired of being used by you?”

“Oh, did she tell you like that?”

“No, even though she didn’t tell me face to face… but she left that kind of information.”

Vois laughed, “That’s a trick. If according to her personality, shouldn’t she fight with us on the battle ground, then letting us lose? But she didn’t do that. That reason is because the power of the Gastark army is much stronger than what I had imagined, than what Pia had imagined. So she went back.”

Ryner said: “… Is Gastark really that strong?”

Vois nodded, “Very strong. Didn’t I say that before? Besides using the Rhule Fragmei, Gastark has a weapon that is stronger than that. A normal country would not be their opponent.”

“Then doesn’t that mean that we are helpless too?”

“Yes.”

“Then, of course this battle too…”

But Vois shook his head, “No, we have to join in. And doesn’t Ryner want to join in too? Now, Gastark is killing Geihlficlant’s soldiers and people without differentiating between them. You should want to stop this, right?”

“No, but…”

“And, Nelpha’s soldiers and Toale and Iris are almost reaching the front lines. So if you want to delay here, your companions will die easily…”

“Hey you, don’t joke anymore! What are you thinking of!” Ryner grabbed Vois’ collar, glaring at him as he yelled furiously. As if wanting to see through all the plans that were hidden deep in Vois, he glared at him.

But he still completely couldn’t understand what Vois was thinking about.

He had clearly talked about the obvious power difference, even Pia and the others had given up on fighting with Gastark, but why did this fellow want to fight with them? It was clear that there were no chances of survival against that monster, but why did this person want to fight despite that? He completely couldn’t understand the reason for that.

So Ryner glared at Vois, asking: “What are you thinking about?”

Vois indeed had that smile that made people feel unhappy, “I wasn’t thinking of anything strange?”

“Huh? It’s clearly strange. Gastark has a weapon that is stronger than the Heroes’ Relic, right? Then how are we supposed to counter that thing?”

“That’s not a problem. Because we will also be using a weapon stronger than the Rhule Fragmei.”

“Ah? You have something like that?”

Vois shook his head, “I don’t.”

“What? Aaaaaahh, I already don’t understand aaannnyything!! You, I will really kill you? So don’t go in circles, tell me straightforwardly. What is that? What is going on? Who has that weapon?”

Hearing Ryner’s question, Vois pointed a finger at Ryner’s eyes, simply answering: “You.”

“What?”

Vois continued: “Your cursed eyes are the weapon I’m going to use. If we use this, we can kill the people from Gastarl.”

Ryner laughed, “Ha? You, what foolish things are you talking about? Indeed my eyes are the cursed Alpha Stigma, if it goes berserk, it will become something powerful. But truthfully speaking there is nothing great about that scale. The scale of Alpha Stigma going berserk, at most it can only stop a few Mage Knights…”

But Vois said: “If it were the normal Alpha Stigma, that would be true. If it were the normal Alpha Stigma, with only a group of soldiers experienced in hunting Alpha Stigma, they would be easily killed. But, you once killed the whole of the Mage Knights of Estabul with those eyes, right?”

Vois continued to say: “And after the normal Alpha Stigma goes berserk there would be no chance for them to resume their original selves. Before they are killed by others, they will continue to be berserk until they become a monster. But you still continue to keep your rationality up till now. You clearly went berserk a few times, but you still remain conscious. Why is that? The answer is, you are the genuine that. You aren’t human… but you are the real monster.”

Monster.

Bakemono.

Guai wu.

Towards the phrase that he was used to hearing—

“…” For some reason, Ryner was unable to say anything.

But Ferris who was by his side said “If you have to be arrogant then there should be a limit to that, brat.” as she started to pull Vois away from Ryner.

But Ryner said: “No, wait Ferris.” Then he looked at Ferris, indeed she still had her usual emotionless expression, but it was clear that she was concerned for his feelings.

But, now was not that situation.

Furthermore, towards this kind of matters he was already accustomed to it.

And he had always been cursing himself for being a monster that would only harm others just by living.

But because Ferris, Sion, Kiefer told me that it’s fine even if I am a monster, so I lived till now.

And I’m thinking of slowly progressing forward after today.

So.

“…”

So, I wouldn’t move my eyes from the truth that I am a monster.

And I wouldn’t continue to escape.

I wouldn’t escape, I will face it head on.

I want, to face it—

So he asked: “…Because… because I am not human… and I am a monster that can be used against Gastark’s weapon… so you made me your companion because of that?” Ryner asked Vois.

Vois nodded simply, “That’s true.”

Ryner’s face contorted slightly, suddenly thinking of escaping from here. But he suppressed that urge, asking: “…What… What exactly am I?” The moment he asked that, he felt his voice trembling.

Because this was the answer that Ryner had always been searching for. So that he could find that answer, he had lived till now.

But truthfully speaking, perhaps it was not certain that he wanted to find that answer. If he knew that answer, then what if it were a truth that was too cruel and he was unable to accept? Every time he thought of that, some thought shining in a corner of his heart, he would always want to escape from it.

But now, the answer appeared in front of his eyes.

Vois clearly knew something. No, this person already understood something. When the Goddess appeared in that fellow’s shadow. When that Goddess talked with something that had appeared from Ryner’s eyes, he had already understood.

But Ryner never asked about it before. It was clear that it was a matter where he could simply ask “What exactly do you know?” and it would be fine, but he never asked.

Once again, escaping.

He didn’t want to know the truth, so he escaped again.

But.

“…”

But he couldn’t escape all the time. Because he knew that the more he escaped, the more he would hurt the people who were treating him gently.

Because he already understand that escaping would only hurt those companions who still tell me that they like me, even though they know I am a monster.

So now.

“…”

If these eyes had the power to go against the power of Gastark.

Then, there is a need to know how to use them.

Before more innocent sacrifices are made.

He had to keep the soldiers and people from this boring battle… more importantly he had to end the battle before Toale, Iris, Arua and Kuku died.

Ryner stared at Vois, asking: “What exactly am I? Tell me, my real identity.”

Vois smiled, “…This kind of matter will be decided by yourself.” After he said that, he pried Ryner’s hand away from his collar, arranging his clothes with much pain, then suddenly asking: “For example, Ferris and Kiefer what do you think?”

“…” Ryner thought, he really was an idiot.

If he had to say why, that was because when Vois asked that, his body tensed up, he could not move.

He clearly knew what Ferris would answer, but he didn’t know why but his body was trembling with fear, making him unable to move.

If, she—

If Ferris said something that she felt like he was a disgusting monster, what should he do? – He only thought about something that would never happen.

“…”

He really was an idiot, he was so scared that he couldn’t even look at her.

Then he started to hate himself who was a coward. He started to hate himself who was trembling like a child.

At this moment.

“I…” Ferris opened her mouth. Simply opening her mouth.

According to Ryner’s prediction, her answer would be the same as usual—he is my slave, a lazy bum who only thinks of sleeping for ten thousand years, he is almost becoming the pervert that would cause trouble for the world and something like that—she would reply with this.

Then every time…

Every time Ryner would be rescued by her who never said the truth that he was clearly an Alpha Stigma monster who killed people and made people feel disgusted.

So he trembled as he waited.

He waited for Ferris to express herself.

Ferris said.

Using her usual emotionless, but clear and steady voice to say: “…Even if Ryner is called a monster by anyone anywhere… but to me, he is my most important companion forever.”

Then she continued: “Next time if you call this person a monster, I wouldn’t forgive you?”

That Ferris.

That Ferris who usually did what she liked, only causing trouble for people, suddenly said something like this.

So.

“…”

So he was unable to move once again. No, not only that, he even wanted to cry a little.

Towards her obvious confirmation, but him always sinking into depression it was the stage where he was so tired of it that he wanted to cry.

Vois said: “Yes. That means in Ferris’ world, Ryner isn’t any monster. Then next we’ll ask Kiefer.” He turned his eyes to the other side.

Ryner still was unable to look at the other side.

Vois said: “But it seems that there is no need to ask. Seeing you, you’re angry that I called Ryner a monster?”

Kiefer said angrily: “Of course?”

“Of course… right… Clearly almost everyone takes the Alpha Stigma bearers as disgusting monsters, retreating from them, but in Kiefer’s heart Ryner is not a monster…”

Vois turned around, looking at Ryner who was frozen like a fool, then said: “So you see, Ryner. Even if it is Ferris or Kiefer, they don’t think of you as a monster. And to me, I only treat you as a convenient weapon that can be used. But my thoughts, can be anything. The problem is what do you think of it, right? That is the only answer. How do you think of yourself? That is your true colours.”

“…”

Ryner tried to think about the problem of how he thought of himself.

But actually this wasn’t something he needed to think about. Because he had always thought himself as a cursed existence. From the moment he was born, he had been living in this curse. Then one day, Sion, Ferris, Kiefer, Milk, companions, suddenly told him that you’re not so bad. Was it really like that? That was a lie, right? I will become a monster that will kill people when I go berserk? But why do you treat me so gently? – At that time he had been stunned like he was now.

He had always hesitated in believing those words, because it was truly too troublesome, and everyone said that, so unknowingly his thoughts started to have a slight change.

Perhaps he wasn’t as bad as he had thought, then if he continued to live it would be alright—he started to have these kind of thoughts.

He started to be able to accept himself.

But, even so, he also needed to know how dangerous he was, what kind of power he held, and why was he standing here.

So that he would not hurt anyone.

And so that he would not be hurt by anyone.

So Ryner replied: “…I… I always thought that I was a monster…”

“Ryner!” Ferris shouted angrily.

She always yelled when Ryner was depressed.

But this time I am not depressed. Because I have decided to move forward.

So Ryner ignored Ferris’ voice, continuing to say: “…But, if it is possible, I want to be a monster that can be used. After all no matter what I will always be a monster that would trouble people, but even so I want to have to the power to protect the people who say they want to stay beside me. So reply me, Vois. Who am I? Why was I born with these cursed eyes? Why does Sion want to kill me even though he is crying? Why… Why does that monster called the Goddess know about me? Answer this, Vois. For what reason—”

Ryner asked: “For what reason, am I standing here?”

Vois smiled as he replied: “These answers, are now on the battle ground that we are heading to.”

Using a satisfied expression that said the topic has come till here, “The answers that you are seeking, are in the battle against Gastark. You will awaken there. The power in you will awaken. So there is a need for you to participate in this battle. And there is a need for the whole world to see that power. There is a need to let Gastark, Roland, the three states in the middle of the continent, Azure Princess and this world that had become so messed up because of the chase after power, to see that power. But it can end like that. After this war, you wouldn’t be called a monster by anyone…” Vois said that as he walked out.

But, as if wanting to stop Vois from leaving, Ryner said: “Wouldn’t be called a monster by anyone? What is…”

Vois answered simply: “Because through this battle, you will rescue this world, you will become the hero that would rescue hundreds and tens of thousands of people in this world. Towards that kind of hero, who would call them a monster? Until that moment, no matter how you see yourself, in the eyes of the rest of the world, you cannot be called a monster—ma, although I said that if you want things to progress to that stage, there isn’t any time to be talking nonsense here. If we delay here, Toale and the others will really die?” He turned his back to that side, walking out as if he were saying hurry up.

Looking after Vois’ back, Ryner asked: “Then my question—”

“There is no need to answer, isn’t that so? Because I said it earlier, these answers you can find them on the battle. And even if I don’t answer, the monster in your body will answer them for you. Even the things I don’t know about, it will tell you everything. Furthermore, the question about who you are, you should be most clear about that than anyone else. So don’t ask that kind of lame question, let’s go, we’re going to the battle field.”

Vois turned around, “…And we can change everything in this world. Although we are slower than Gastark and Roland, but we should be starting our story about now. Let us write our names in the minds of those who do not know about us.” After saying that, he continued walking.

Then he gave Relca two or three orders. Relca hurriedly left. Vois looked after Relca’s figure, nodded as he walked towards the corridor.

Ryner only looked at this speechlessly, giving up on continuing to ask his questions.

Indeed, everything that Vois had said was true. Only he would know best about his own matters, besides, before asking someone else about who he was, he should have a better person to ask.

For example, the voice that had descended when the Goddess appeared—the voice of Alpha Stigma.

He should have tried to ask the monster that was living in his body instead.

So Ryner, tried to talk to himself softly: “…Hey.” Although it looked a little stupid, but he continued to talk to his cursed eyes, saying: “Hey, Alpha Stigma, you know something right. The monster living in my body, give me a reply.”

“…”

But there was no reaction.

“Don’t ignore me, hey.”

“…”

“I want to ask you something. So give me a reply.”

“…”

“Mushi mushi~? Can you hear me?”

“…”

Although he tried to mutter softly, but there was no reaction.

“…”

But Vois had said that.

The answers, were on the battle ground.

If he joined in the battle against Gastark, he would find his answers.

Although he didn’t understand if that was true, but Vois was also good at lying. He looked at Vois’ figure, murmuring: “Damnit, there’s no other way. Then I’ll try and participate in the war.”

He clearly shouldn’t have heard Ryner muttering, but Vois turned around, seeming to be very happy for some reason, saying: “It seems it will be an interesting war.”

“Huh? I never heard that war could be interesting.”

“If you win, no matter what time it is interesting.”

“Win… ma. Do you have that confidence?”

“About there.”

“So you didn’t have it, hey!”

“Then then then, if I am picked by the Goddess of Luck, perhaps we can win. But, there would be no problem, after all I am very popular.”

“What is that?”

“Haha. Well, anyway let’s go first. If you feel like you can’t do it you can escape.” Vois said and then walked forward again.

He walked with a seemingly happy expression.

But even if he seemed to be happy, the path would lead him to a battle ground.

A battle ground where people would die.

A battle ground where companions would die. A battle ground where family would die, loved ones would die.

Towards the battle ground where people would pray never to experience in their lives, Vois proceeded.

“Ferris, Kiefer.” Ryner called his two companions.

“Eh?”

“What is it?”

The two answered.

Ryner looked at their two faces, “… Although I don’t really understand, but because of these reasons, so I have to go and confirm what kind of person I am. But you two…” It’s dangerous so don’t follow me,

Ryner wanted to say that.

Or he should say that the people participating in this war were idiots. No matter what, the opponent that they were going against had caused Pia and the others to choose to escape. And Vois had said it, even if it were the most popular country in the middle of the Menoris Continent, it was a battle that they would definitely lose, and we are joining in the war as companions who would defeat that country.

Wasn’t that the same as going to their deaths? So there was no meaning to bringing his comrades along. And Ryner only wanted to confirm who he was that was why he was going. It was only because he was stubborn, that he would go to the battle field.

There was no reason for them to gamble their lives, just because of his words.

There should be definitely no meaning to that…

But Ferris said: “… If you are planning to say something boring, I’ll kill you?”

“Hey, you’re saying that immediately!”

“I’ll kill you.”

“That… that means to say, you want to join in this battle?”

Ferris displayed an ‘of course’ face as she said: “Are you an idiot? Vois said it earlier, my little sister is in the process of joining this war. Of course I have to rescue her.”

“Ah, that’s true. But if I can go alone, Iris can escape as well…”

She interrupted Ryner, saying: “And I planned to escape with you if the situation deteriorated.”

“No, but…”

“There are no buts. If you meet something that would cost you your life… If there is something like that, I will be very angry and I will kill you!” Ferris shouted angrily, and walked off. She seemed to be really angry, turning her face aside, walking away.

Kiefer suddenly said: “…It’s no surprise that Ferris is angry, Ryner.”

Ryner looked to Kiefer, finding that she had a sad expression.

“…Because everyone likes Ryner, they are concerned for you, but you don’t even care about yourself.”

“…No, but…”

Kiefer shook her head, saying: “There are no buts, didn’t Ferris say it just now? So you can’t say but. If I said that I wanted to go to a war where it would be clear that I have no chance at winning, what would Ryner do?”

“But that and this…”

“But is prohibited~”

“Although…”

“Although is unaccepted too. But~, then let me say but. Ryner definitely doesn’t want us to go to the war. But, we will go. Because we are worried about Ryner. We are worried that when you are alone you will be able to force yourself even more easily, it’s like you will almost die.” Saying that, she tiptoed, patting Ryner’s hair. Untying the hair tie that was used to keep his hair up, caressing the hair that had returned to its original messy state because of his bad sleeping posture.

“So Ryner has to protect us who are going to the battle grounds with him. If you feel that it is dangerous, escape with us. If you can’t do that… we will not let you go to the battle field.” Kiefer said these words that were hard for him to accept.

But, even if it were hard for him to accept it, even if it were Ferris or Kiefer, it seemed like they were prepared to go to war.

So Ryner said: “…If Kiefer comes with us I…”

She shook her head again, “That won’t do. Because I feel that this is an important turning point for Ryner, so everyone should go together. Then we can see the truth of the world… like what Vois-kun said, if there is something in this war that can heal the deep wound in Ryner’s heart… if something happens that can stop other people from calling you a monster in the future… I feel that there is a need to participate in this war.” Saying that, Kiefer walked out. She wore that dress and walked out like that. Her current appearance was clearly more suitable than the usual leather armour that she wore, but she was walking towards the battle field once again.

“Lastly, Ryner. If you work hard with everyone, there will be no problems. Let’s go and fight against the world.” Saying that, she walked out.

“…”

In the end, the one who was left, was only Ryner.

Was it because he had always been escaping, so he was slower by a few steps when he walked forward? Ryner thought.

Then.

“…”

Then, he started to walk.

He started to walk towards that war where people would die.

But, a small smile appeared on his face. There was truly a small trace of a smile. But that smile, revealed an emotion as if he were about to cry. If his eyebrows scrunched together slightly, he would be thought to be crying.

“…”

But he wasn’t thinking of crying because he was sad, nor was he thinking of crying because he was in pain.

Looking at the companions walking in front of him.

Looking at himself who had started from some point in time, to not allow himself to die alone.

“…Then, I’ll work harder…”

Using that expression as if he were about to cry, he smiled happily.

Then the war started.

The crazy war started.

Although war held the things that were happy and depressingly crazy, but this war was different.

This was different from a normal war.

If he had to say why, that was because there was truly only madness.

Because this was one of the gears in the world’s madness.

So.

“…”

So, Vois Fiurelle laughed.

“Ahah.” He muttered, laughing.

Then from here.

Starting from here.

He continued to mutter.

Here.

A darkness would descend upon this place.

A sharp darkness that seemed to be able to dig a hole in people’s hearts would descend.

Then everything would change.

Everything in the world would change.

Then with this war as a differentiating factor, no one would call Ryner Lute a monster ever again.

Because he would awaken.

His true self would awaken.

Then.

Then he would scatter a large scale slaughter and despair that no one had ever seen before, and he would be called a demon by others from now on.

“The king… of demons… is it” he muttered, Vois used a slightly sad expression, laughing alone.

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