Dai Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu:Volume 6

These are the novel illustrations that were included in volume 6

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Influence Map of Menoris

Gastark Empire

♦ Riphal Edea

The king of the Gastark Empire. He has a sword that, by offering part of his body as compensation, can unleash destructive power on a large scale. Glouvil's wielder. He has already sacrificed his sense of smell, left eye, and right leg.

♦ Rigwaltz Pentest

The eldest son of the prestigious Pentest family of Gastark. As Riphal's right-hand man, the commander of the Gastark amy.

♦ Lir Orla, Kuu Orla, Sui Orla

As spies from Gastark, the three of them are siblings. They and Ryner have encountered each other before. Each of them in in possession of "Rhule Fragmei".

Roland Empire

♦ Sion Astal

An illegitimate prince who became the Hero King from starting a revolution, the king of the Roland Empire. Presently, in order to unite the southern continent, he's invading other countries.

♦ Lucile Eris

The head of the family that has protected Roland's king for generations. Ferris's older brother.

♦ Miran Froaude

Sion's close aide. Governs shady business from the "shadows". The descent of the Holy Knight Halford Miran. Bearer of a "Rhule Fragmei".

♦ Claugh Klom

Field Marshal of the Roland army. Sion's ally from the revolution, he possesses the alias of Crimson Fingered Claugh.

♦ Calne Kaiwal

A Major General in the Roland army. Like Claugh, he's an ally of Sion's from the revolution.

♦ Rahel Miller

Field Marshal of the Roland army. He supported Sion's revolution from the shadows.

♦ Bayuuz White

Field Marshal of the Roland army. From the ex-Estabul Kingdom that merged with the Roland Empire. Loyal to Princess Noa of the ex-royal family of Estabul.

♦ Luke Stokkart

A Sergeant in the Roland army. As Miller's subordinate in the Taboo Breaker Pursuit Squad, he's been sent as a spy into neighbouring countries.

Cursed Eye Bearers

♦ Tiir Rumibul

Previously visiting various countries to gather Cursed Eye bearers. Possessor of the "Iino Doue" that absorbs magical power. Acquainted with Ryner.

Geihlficlant Empire

♦ Gulafed Abuleld

King of the Geihlficlant Empire. In order to win against Gastark, he's making use of the Azure Princess Mercenaries and the Anti-Roland Coalition.

Azure Princess Mercenaries

♦ Pia Varliere

The queen of Azure Princess. Bearer of a Congenital Magic Abnormality. Originating from Roland, a childhood friend of Ryner's.

Anti-Roland Coalition

♦ Ryner Lute

The king of the Anti-Roland Coalition. Possessor of the "Alpha Stigma" that allows him to understand all magic. Was best friends with Sion Astal, the king of the Roland Empire.

♦ Ferris Eris

Ryner's partner. A girl with unworldly beauty who's a master swordswoman. Loves dango, and is a follower of the Dango God.

♦ Vois Fiurelle

Supreme ruler of the Anti-Roland Coalition. For some sort of goal, he elevated Ryner to the king of the coalition.

♦ Toale Nelphi

A member of the royal family of Imperial Nelpha. Depending on Ryner, together with the Nelphan people, he's staying with the Anti-Roland Coalition.

♦ Kiefer Knolles

Ryner's friend. As a former spy, she's knowledgeable about other countries.

Presently, with Gastark, Ertolia, Geihlficlant, Remrus, and Roland's power in equilibrium, smaller countries are paying close attention to these five countries' movements. As Gastark has begun to conquer the central continent, they're at war with Geihlficlant. Elsewhere, in order to unite the southern continent, Roland is invading Cassla.

Prologue I

Why are humans so fragile?

<<They>> laughed.

Why are they so sad?

<<They>> cried.

And today, <<they>> are watching again.

A certain <<human>> who lived up north shouted.

"I am a slaughterer. The king of slaughter. If you want to curse me, then go ahead. But still...still, I'll continue to swing this sword. To save more lives than I am about to destroy."

Watching him crying while shouting these words.

I don't want to kill anymore. I don't want to hurt anyone. I can't bear to continue swinging my sword in this world. He screamed, but still, the <<human>> swung his sword.

The sword that <<they>> bestowed upon him.

He swung it to a saddening extent.

And <<they>> laughed at that.

And <<they>> cried at that.

Then confirmed that the plan they put in place was functioning correctly.

And this time, a certain <<human>> who lived down south shouted.

"If I could go back...go back and regain everything...if I could regain the days I spent with Ryner and Ferris, I would even give up this life..."

He shouted, but the <<human>> still would not stop walking.

He betrayed his friend, he hurt himself and could barely even stand anymore. Still, the <<human>> would not stop walking.

And <<they>> laughed at that.

And <<they>> cried at that.

Then confirmed that the plan they put in place was functioning correctly.

Then confirmed that the plan - in which they used the sad <<humans>> and <<Goddesses> - was functioning correctly.

But right then, they realized that they could hear a slight noise. And <<they>> knew what the noise was.

It was the same as always. Alway, always, he would inject noises into this perfect plan.

That noise shook.

That noise wavered.

The noise in form of a <<human>> spun round and round.

But he wasn't a <<human>>.

At the very least, he wasn't the same kind of <<human>> that <<they>> knew.

The <<Goddesses>> called him a demon.

Demon.

Demon.

Demon.

They don't remember ever creating something like that.

Demon.

Demon.

Demon.

The demon which should've been slumbering within the depths of darkness slowly opened his eyes-

"...."

Prologue II

"A demon is about to be born."

She said.

"...demon?"

He asked, and she nodded in reply.

"Yes. A sad demon that fears loneliness..."

At her words, he turned to face her.

A beautiful young girl leapt into his view. She looked to be about twelve or thirteen.

She had a thin, young body that could not grow because she used her power.

Her long hair was stained purple by poison, and she wore a tired expression.

Pale skin and closed eyes.

She looks at scenery with her closed eyes.

A scenery far, far away that nobody should've been able to see. That place is called 'the future'.

The scenes she saw were scenes from the future.

Torch Curse

That's what her cursed eyes are called, and that's what she sees the future with.

And she said that a demon was about to be born.

He asked,

"...by demon, do you mean it literally? The kinds that appear in fairytales, I mean."

Then she opened her eyes - her eyes were stained purple as well. Her originally black eyes were stained by a pale shade of purple - so pale that it looked white. If she kept using her power, she probably didn't have much longer to live.

And he,

"Don't overwork yourself, Ene."

He called her name. Ene smiled and looked at him.

But her eyes did not reflect his figure. She overused her power, and lost her sight - her ability to see reality.

Ten years ago.

Only ten years ago, her beautiful black eyes were still able to reflect his figure, but now, her purple eyes did not see anything.

Despite that, she still looked at him in happiness.

And she said,

"...don't be so kind to me, Tiir. I'll become afraid of death."

Tiir narrowed his eyes at that.

"I'd like you to not die, if possible."

"I said~ Don't be so kind to me. Geez~"

Once again, she smiled sadly at those words. She smiled, despite her tears that threatened to overflow her unseeing eyes.

And Tiir continued his words. "And I'll be troubled if you died now. You have to keep on leading us, the bearers of God's eyes."

Ene smiled and said,

"They'll be fine with you."

"I can't do it. I don't possess the light that can charm others, unlike you."

"You have it."

"I don't."

Ene giggled at Tiir's reply.

"You do, Tiir, you just don't realize. If you didn't, I wouldn't have followed you to a place like this."

She said, and turned upwards as if looking at the sky. She was in a narrow, small room, so she shouldn't be able to see the sky, but her eyes always seemed like they were gazing at a far and distant sky.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

And opened them again.

A strange pattern appeared in the center of her eyes. A vermilion pattern that looked like a bird about to take flight. And she sees.

The future she sees isn't set in stone, and she might not see what she wanted to.

But she can see the future of her companions.

The future of the bearers of God's eyes.

She can see the future of the ones who are called bearers of cursed eyes and despised by humans.

She can see, touch, and - just for a little bit - change their destiny.

And right now, she was trying to see-

"A sad demon will be born."

Ene said.

Tiir asked her,

"Is he the one that you always took notice of?"

She nodded.

"Yes. He's an important person who'll bring about change.

"Ryner Lute?"

"Yes."

"You mean the idiot that remained amongst humans?"

She smiled,

"Yes. That kind person who could not give up on humans. But even now, he's still submerged in despair."

Tiir's face darkened at her words, and he muttered to himself.

"As I'd expected....it was a mistake to leave Ryner amongst humans. That's why I tried to pull him towards our side, even by force..."

Ene shook her head.

"That won't work, Tiir. You're not doing him any good by separating him from humans. Because he won't be filled with despair by humans. No matter how much he's hurt, he won't be filled with despair."

"But what about his heart, then? All Alpha Stigma bearers will continue to be betrayed, and finally die after going berserk. Even Ryner..."

"He will be alright."

"How can he be alright? He alone remained amongst humans..."

Ene interrupted his words and said,

"He'll be alright, Tiir. Because there are lots of humans who support him - who love him. And he'll be the connection between us and humans...."

"We don't need a connection like that. You trusted humans, and what did you go through? No, what did all the bearers of God's eyes here go through? They...the humans always did the same thing. They despised us, made fools out of us, betrayed us, and in the end, they were only using us for our power. I don't think it's necessary to forge a connection with such humans."

Tiir said.

Ene stood up at that. She looked at him with a kind face and began walking towards him. She extended her hand and - though she shouldn't be able to see - touched his cheek.

Then,

"...Ryner will heal even the wounds in your heart."

Tiir grasped her hand touching his cheek, and said,

"....my heart isn't wounded."

However, Ene smiled sadly and said,

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I see...but you need him. All of us bearers of God's eyes need him. We need the existence of Ryner Lute, who will solve all the equations of our despair." And she looked up at the sky again.

She looked up at the future.

Then, she suddenly smiled a bit smugly,

"...hey, you people watching. You're scared of him, right?"

She said.

He didn't know who those words were directed to.

But she continued, facing something that only she could see.

"You're scared of the Demon who Fears Loneliness[Ryner Eris Reed], who cannot give up on kindess, who cannot give up on humans, who cannot give up on friends - right? Because you cannot comprehend him - you cannot comprehend him with your laws, you're so very scared of him, right?"

She said, but Tiir couldn't understand most of what she said.

But she continued alone.

"Serves you right. But, you'll know further fear. Because we'll be helping him. We won't let anything go your way. We'll help him, and tear apart the worthless scenario you envisioned. We won't let you do whatever you want with Sion Astal, with Riphal Edea, and with Ryner Lute. If I could interfere with you, I'd even abandon my life."

She said.

And Tiir asked,

"....just who are you talking to?"

She answered without looking at him.

"God."

She said.

"God?"

"More accurately - the fools who mistakenly think they're controlling the laws of everything."

At her words, Tiir turned to face her, and then looked at the room's ceiling that she was looking at. He said,

"...oh, you mean...the fools who created good-for-nothings like us, who could only cry and blame ourselves?"

She smiled at that.

She looked at him, and smiled.

Then,

"As I thought. Tiir, you're wounded, after all."

She said.

She touched his cheek again.

"We aren't good-for-nothings, Tiir. Us bearers of God's eyes aren't good-for-nothings. We were born for a reason. And I'll prove that to you now."

Tiir smiled.

"By defying God?"

She smiled as well.

"By defying monsters who think they're God."

"And who are they?"

"Priests."

"Priests?"

"Yes. And that's all you need to know for now. Tiir, will you go on a journey again? I want you to save him once more."

"Ryner?"

"Yes. Save him. Because he's trying to become the king of humans."

"...king of humans? So I should just prevent him from doing that?"

But she shook her head again.

"On the contrary, I want you to help him with that. And make him the king of both humans and us bearers of God's eyes."

She raised her hand - which had been touching Tiir's cheek - towards the ceiling.

And,

"He stood up from mountains of blood, despair and corpses, but still cannot give up and overwhelm his heart with despair...make him into a gentle king of demons who - if he can save someone - will not hesitate to murder even God-"

She said.

Chapter 1: The Demon King

The sound of the earth trembling could be heard.

And the sound of horses running could be heard.

The sounds of the soldiers marching.

And, the sounds of people dying.

“…”

Everything, Ryner felt that they were all familiar.

“…The war, is beginning.”

He said in a low voice.

Narrowing his eyes, looking at the land in front. Those black eyes were like their usual unmotivated self as if they would sleep forever and never wake. The black hair was as messy as usual.

He slowly bent his slightly slouching frame, touching the ground.

The faint trembling of the ground passed onto his fingertips, passing on the message that the fight had started in a place not far away.

But anyway, if it was this feeling, probably it was a battle that was so large-scale that Ryner had not seen it before.

“Hey, Ryner.”

At this moment, a person called Ryner from behind.

He turned around, discovering that behind him, his partner was standing there.

Beautiful long blond hair, an emotionless face, but beautiful features that no one could compare to. A long sword hung at her slim waist.

But now, the armour that she wore was different from usual.

And the leather armour and skirt that she wore not long ago under Roland, were completely different.

She now wore a battle armour that had white and green as the basic colours.

Although he still didn’t know how that armour had been made, so Ryner asked: “… Is that the battle uniform that Vois assembled using gold and magic skills?”

Ferris nodded, “Yeah.”

“Is it convenient?”

“Well, because I just wore it. But talking about which it is really light.”

“Is that so, that’s not bad.”

“Yeah.”

“And, it suits you. White really suits you.”

Hearing Ryner say that, Ferris nodded harder, “Of course, who do you think I am.”

“That’s true.” Ryner smiled. Then he moved his eyes from her body, looking ahead.

Looking in the north where there was a possibility that Gastark might attack from in the end.

The place where they were now, was a northern state that was very far from the Geihlficlant capital.

Although it was a small state, but this plot of land used to be the capital of a small country before Geihlficlant overtook it, so this large capital had been kept with its original appearance, with the large population.

The population was so large until the degree that it was hard to completely avoid disaster.

So they definitely couldn’t allow the surroundings to be taken by the war.

If the northern castle that was near here could not stop the advance of the Gastark army as the center point of the defense line, the sacrifices of the people would probably be devastatingly more than what they had expected.

“…Perhaps, before the Gastark people reach the palace, we should ambush them and stop them from advancing…” He murmured softly.

Then he tried to imagine the situation where his people ambushed the opposition.

The advantages of the geographic location should be on his side.

Geihlficlant had a relatively accurate map of its country’s situation, if they went to war depending on the land form, they could come up with many battle strategies.

And there were several castles nearby that could be used as a base, the number of soldiers were larger than the enemy’s.

It probably was a war, that they wouldn’t lose.

At least the citizens living near the Famur place would think so.

But the Gastark Empire had reached here now, and they had defeated those countries that were not thought to be easily defeated along the way here.

That was because they had used the Heroes’ Relics’ power, and they had used something that was more lethal than the Heroes’ Relics.

Killing thousands, tens of thousands of people, coming here.

Ryner turned to Ferris who had suddenly come to stand by him, saying: “…Hey, Ferris.”

She didn’t turn her head, saying: “Eh?”

“That.”

“Yes.”

“As expected I still feel that it’s terrible joining this war. Especially, you, Kiefer, Toale and Iris have no need to be standing here?”

“…”

Ferris didn’t say anything. Only quietly looking straight in front. Looking at the place where war had probably already erupted, in the place where the killing had begun.

So Ryner continued: “…Me, what, because Vois that idiot said if I joined this war, I would know the secret about my eyes something like that, although I don’t know if it’s real, ma… But, because he said something like there was no wrong in joining, so there is a meaning to joining.”

“…”

“But you… it’s fine it all of you don’t come to participate in this idiotic battle…”

At this moment, Ferris suddenly interrupted Ryner: “Why do I have to listen to your advice?”

Ryner looked at Ferris’s beautiful side-profile, saying: “…This isn’t an order, it’s a request?”

“Request?”

“Yeah.”

“Then kneel and beg.”

“Eh? If I kneel, you’ll accept my request?”

“I wouldn’t listen to your request.”

“Ahhh~?” Ryner smiled slight troubled, then stared at her and said: “But, I’m not joking. Can you take Iris and leave this place?”

Ferris nodded, “That’s right, we’ll have to let Iris escape from this crisis.”

“No, you too…”

But Ferris interrupted him again, continuing: “Even if it is Kiefer or Toale, I just told them earlier not to treat a pervert like you as the center of the world, so they probably will leave.”

“Hey, although that is good news… but if you can leave together it will be a great help…”

Before Ryner finished speaking, Ferris said: “I won’t listen to your order or anything.”

“So~ I’m saying.”

“I’m definitely not listening.”

“Eh… Then, about that. That, if you’ll listen, I’ll buy you a pile of dangos next time.”

In the moment she heard this, Ferris’s body trembled slightly.

“A…a pile?” she asked.

Ryner nodded as he smiled, “Yes.”

“Really? To me a pile is more than one hundred boxes? You have that much money…”

“Yeah, even if I don’t have it, I’ll work hard to treat you.”

“You’re not joking?”

“Yes. So, this time will you listen to me for a little? Temporarily escape danger, then meet up with me again, how about it?” Ryner asked.

Ferris turned around, raising her head, using her slim blue eyes, saying: “Ryner.”

The eyes that never had any emotions, never had any change suddenly narrowed sadly, “Stop joking. If you plan to say those things that will make me leave you, I’ll kill you.”

She continued: “And what are you talking about? If I go to a place where I will be in constant danger alone, you will leave me too, escaping by yourself?”

“…No, but this and that are two matters…”

“It’s the same.”

“It’s not the same. This war is really dangerous…”

“I understood that a long time ago. But I still want to be by your side. Is there a problem?”

“…No, but because of me…”

At this moment, Ferris suddenly said: “…You are a monster.”

“…” Ryner didn’t say anything. Because he had never thought that she would say that word, his body was unable to move in that moment.

But she continued, “A monster that would kill people. A monster that will spread the killing to his surroundings… You have always thought that right?”

“…What, what are you saying so suddenly…”

Ferris continued: “Answer me. You have always, thought that right?”

Ryner nodded, “Yeah.”

Ferris’s eyes had an even more sad expression, “Then you—your eyes, are the monster.”

“Yes.”

Ferris nodded, “Then, as expected there is a need for me to follow? Have you forgotten the promise between us? The next time you go berserk—I will kill you. Don’t tell me you forgot that you had asked this of me?”

She said slowly.

And Ryner remembered.

The most evil promise, that he had ever made with her.

An evil promise, that would only leave painful memories for her.

So that it would revive me that was incredibly disappointed with myself, myself who kept escaping, she had made that promise.

Ryner who remembered this promise, stared at Ferris and asked: “…As expected I will go berserk in this battle?”

She displayed an expectant face, saying: “Because you are a monster. If you meet any problems, no matter where you are you will go berserk. And Vois said before that the secret of your eyes would be uncovered in this battle. Then, the possibility of going berserk has increased.”

Hearing Ferris’s words, Ryner’s face twisted slightly, then there was a slight smile, “That’s true.”

“So, indeed. I still need someone to kill me when I go berserk on the battle field.” He said.

And it looked like, she was prepared to properly fulfill this promise.

So that the monster would not kill people.

So that the murdering monster would not kill people after it went berserk.

For these reasons.

“…So Ferris came to kill me.” Ryner said.

But Ferris looked toward him, suddenly saying: “No, I came to protect the berserk you.”

“You probably may be a monster. You probably can be a murdering monster. But that does not matter to me. No matter how many people you kill, no matter how many killings you have done, these have nothing to do with me. I said it before right? You are my important partner. Even if something in your body changes in this battle, even if you become a real monster, so what? Even if you really are a monster, I don’t care. I will stay by your side always.”

Ryner looked at Ferris who had said something surprising. He used a frantic expression, staring at her. If this tenseness slackened slightly, he would definitely cry, so he desperately resisted it, staring at her and said: “But… but if you stay by my side…”

But Ferris interrupted him, “And I am happy staying by your side. So I will accompany you. Is there a problem?”

“…”

“So you don’t have to reveal that kind of expression like you’re about to cry when you are called a monster by someone else. You should be proud. Or else it would seem that I’m like an idiot for being happy even though I am at a monster’s side? You are the best partner that I have chosen. No matter what other people say, my opinion will never change. If what I say is not enough… if it is not enough…” Ferris stopped, then as if wanting to come up with more words she rolled her eyes, revealing a slightly troubled and sad expression, saying: “…If that is not enough… then what should I do? What should I do to persuade you not to leave me? What should I do… so that your scars can be smoothed out?”

With a troubled expression from the depths of her heart, she said that.

Ryner stared tightly at her figure. He stared at her figure as she looked as if she had no more ideas.

This person who ignored people the whole day, whose brains were stuffed full with the dango family, was actually revealing a sad expression.

And this was all because of his stubbornness and weakness.

So Ryner lowered his face, saying: “…Sorry.”

“…And my scars have already healed a long time ago.” He said.

“You are by my side. Even if it were Sion, Kiefer, Toale… Everyone accepted me, so I noticed—it’s alright if I’m living… even if a monster like me lives it doesn’t matter… I’ve already understood this.”

Ferris looked over, “Then…”

But Ryner interrupted her, continuing: “But even so, I still need to participate in this battle. But that is not for myself. And it is not to confirm whether I am a monster.”

Ferris asked: “Then, what is it for?”

Ryner raised his right hand, looking at his palm, answering: “To gain power.” He said, then raised his face, looking behind Ferris, looking at the wide southern sky behind her.

“…I am going so that I will gain enough power to stay by the people who can accept people like me.”

Ferris looked over, “The power to save Sion?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I will help you.”

“No, but, this battle is very dangerous like I thought.”

“So I will protect you.”

“That…”

“Ah, and I have to say something before this, even if you go berserk, I wouldn’t kill you?”

“Hey, ah? That, isn’t that different from what you promised me…”

“I don’t care.”

“Something like I don’t care… hey I say you…”

“Anyway I wouldn’t kill you. And if someone comes to attack you who goes berserk, I will protect you too. Then those humans will know it. The person who reared this monster Ryner Lute, was actually the big demon king Ferris Eris-sama.”

Ryner looked at the slightly smug Ferris, finally seeming to sigh as if he had given up.

Even if you say that.

“…”

Even if you say that to me, but if it really reached that moment, she would still act properly.

No, perhaps it should be said that she had to move.

These eyes.

Because this pair of cursed Alpha Stigma, once it started to go berserk, it would ignore his consciousness, destroying everything around him.

If this destructive power affected her body, affected the things important to her, she would not be able to remain unmoving as she had chosen.

But, even so.

“…”

Even so hearing what she said, Ryner was still happy.

Hearing her say that no matter what.

Even if he was a monster, she would treat him as a partner.

Hearing her say that, he really was happy.

Then this gentle partner who had said these surprising words, although he really didn’t want to bring her into such a dangerous battle field, but…

“…You, even if I say don’t follow, you wouldn’t listen?”

She nodded, “Of course.”

“Then, there’s no other way…” Ryner said.

Of course this wasn’t something that could be solved with a sentence like there’s no other way. No, to be thorough, the matter about participating in a completely needless war was seen as a stupid act.

“Ryner~, come and look at this quickly.”

Suddenly someone called his name.

Ryner looked in the direction of the voice.

Kiefer’s body came out of the carriage on the other side. Shoulder-length red hair, gentle red eyes. She wore a different battle uniform from Ferris’s. But it couldn’t be told if it were a battle uniform now. That seemed to be a cute uniform with fresh red as the main colour, that was made for Kiefer.

She wore this clothing, looking over happily.

Ryner nodded, “Very cute.”

Kiefer seemed to be happier, slightly embarrassed, smiling.

But that clothing was a battle uniform in the end.

The battle uniform, that Vois had prepared.

Clothings so that they could rush into the battle field.

It was clear that even if it were Kiefer or Ferris, there wasn’t a need to fight, but they wore battle uniforms to join Ryner in the battle.

Even if he allowed them to escape, they completely didn’t listen to it, only saying that they would continue to stay by the side of a monster like him.

He revealed a helpless expression, muttering: “…This, could be troublesome.”

Then he looked to the north again.

Looking at the northern lands that should be under attack from the Gastark army.

Then he thought of the words that Vois had said before.

Gastark had a strong weapon that had more power than the Heroes’ Relics, that could change the world in one hit, and they were using that weapon to defeat the countries on their way, coming here.

It seemed that when they fought a large country called Stohl, Gastark had used that weapon once to destroy Stohl’s army that had numbered eighty thousand.

Eighty thousand.

Eighty thousand, humans.

That scale of destructive power, according to the current magical skills could not be created.

Then was that a Heroes’ Relic? But this probably wasn’t accurate. Even the current magic academics were unable to explain the Heroes’ Relics, and they could not have such a strong power.

But Gastark had that abnormal power.

Gastark had the strong power that could change the world in one swing.

So what are we going to do to fight with this monster?

“…”

If that monster appeared on the battle field, how was I going to protect my companions?

There wasn’t even a plan that would feasibly be successful.

Because the enemy wouldn’t even use battle tactics or strategies to deal with their opponenets.

The enemy had too many weapons that were stronger than this side’s.

If that weapon was activated, the companions on this side would definitely be killed.

Then there wasn’t any war.

There wasn’t even a fight.

It was only suicide.

If they didn’t escape this battle ground, it would be same as committing suicide.

So he couldn’t possibly take his important companions, to that kind of place…

At this moment.

“Then then Ryner, the carriage has already been emptied. Please change too Ryner.”

A voice spoke from somewhere else.

Looking in the direction of the voice, he found that Vois was standing here.

Vois Fiurelle.

Beautiful black hair, wise and sly black eyes. A thirteen, fourteen year old body, wearing something that was akin to the clothes of a witch.

That body looked over and said: “Ryner’s uniform has already been prepared in the carriage. Please change.”

“That, Vois. I want to talk to you about something.”

But Vois interrupted him, “Ah, Ryner Ryner. You’re too late.”

“Ah? I haven’t even said anything.”

Vois smiled, “Anyway you’re thinking of saying something like please let everyone escape? Or something like you can’t bring your comrades into such a dangerous place as battle.”

Hearing Vois say those chilling words, Ryner couldn’t help but tense his face.

Vois seemed to smile even more happily, “So that’s true. But I’m sorry. It’s too late. Because actually this is already within the range of the weapons of Gastark.”

“What…?!” Ryner couldn’t help but yell.

Ferris who was standing by him seemed to be surprised, saying: “But we haven’t even seen the silhouettes of the enemy?”

Vois nodded, “This is true~ They can even activate the weapon even though you can’t see it, the power that can kill the people in this area, in all the districts. Ah~ Really, this is really sly. I am already angry. Ya--!! Like that.” He seemed to say happily.

But, this wasn’t something that could be ended with a joke. If this place was really within the range of the enemy’s weapon…

“Then in the moment now we could…” Ryner said.

Vois still had that happy appearance, saying: “We could die but that’s not determined. Ah~ How scary~”

“Hey I say, this isn’t a carefree topic…”

But Vois continued, “But, this is actually a normal matter? In this moment now we could probably die because our hearts are paralysed. You can even be knocked down by a carriage when you are walking on the streets and die. There are other options like perhaps you sneezed in front of a noble with a bad personality, probably you’ll be killed in Roland? The situation then would be the same as now. Anyway death can be seen everywhere, it is no longer a new affair.”

Ryner stared at Vois and said: “…But dying here is different from being knocked down by a carriage.”

Vois tilted his head, asking: “Is it?”

“It’s completely different. You clearly knew that this was within the range of the enemy’s firing range, but you didn’t tell us.”

Vois shrugged, “If I told you would you have followed me?”

“Nonsense. At least if we knew that this was within the firing range of the enemy’s weapon, then we could have changed the battle strategy that we were about to use…”

But Vois laughed loudly, interrupting Ryner, “Ahaha, please don’t make me laugh. In front of that weapon that can destroy eighty thousand soldiers, a battle strategy? If there is such a powerful battle strategy, please tell me secretly. Then we’ll use that miraculous, divine place, and go conquer the world from now on.”

He laughed as he said those words to tease Ryner.

But these words, were not wrong.

If they were able to stop the army of the Gastark, then they could go and conquer the world just like that.

Gastark now had the power to do that.

Seeing Ryner fall silent, Vois pointed to the carriage, “Then please don’t say such foolish things and go change. Geihlficlant will start the war with Gastark in the afternoon. The enemy will probably use the weapon there. If it can’t be stopped, don’t even talk about us, the people living in this area will all vanish. So that the events don’t progress to that stage, we have to work hard…”

Ryner tensed his face, saying: “Is there any space for us to work hard?”

Vois smiled as he replied: “No. I said it before, if the power hidden in your eyes is weaker than Gastark’s weapon, we will be committing suicide in this way.”

“Hey you…”

“But, the information that I have, says that your power should be enough to go against Gastark.”

“Hear… you, that…”

Before Ryner completed his sentence, Vois said: “It’s what the Goddess told me. α—the destructive power hidden in your body, is the most powerful kind of power.”

Ryner looked at Vois, then asked: “…Then?”

He asked about information concerning his eyes.

The in that moment, he felt himself become slightly nervous.

In the moment he asked about his eyes.

In the moment that he wanted to know about the information regarding his eyes, a deep terror would swell in his chest, he desperately tolerated that feeling, asking: “…Then?”

Vois looked over, “Then, what’s that referring to?”

Ryner stared at Vois who was acting dumb, saying: “Don’t pretend. There must be some other information than that? I already know that the Goddess said that a very powerful power is hidden in my eyes. But, what is this powerful thing? Under what conditions will this activate, what kind of destructive power does it have, what these eyes are, you actually know all about that? Or else you wouldn’t have come along to a dangerous place like this.” He moved his eyes away from Vois, turning to the place where the Gastark soldiers should be.

Although he couldn’t see Gastark’s shadow, but like what Vois said, this place was already within the firing range of those weapons.

That meant that now, in a moment after that weapon was activated, there was a probability of the people here all dying.

In a dangerous place like this, this lying swindler, Vois Fiurelle would not come over to confirm the doubtful information that “Ryner’s eyes seems to be pretty powerful”.

That meant that this person, should have more information.

He had to have that information…

“…Tell me what you know, Vois. Or else I wouldn’t help you again.”

Vois raised his head to look over there, then smiled again, “Arara, we’re already here, do you have to be so troublesome…”

“You will definitely say it.” Ryner interrupted Vois: “No matter what I brought a few important companions here too. I am responsibly for my companions’ lives. So if there is no evidence, only a foolish suicidal act, I need to escape from here with my companions.”

Vois made a surprised face, “Oh~ You’ll escape?”

“Yes.”

“This is a rare decisive statement that goody-two-shoes Ryner has made. And you said that to protect your companions, you would not rescue the people and soldiers of Geihlficlant?”

But Ryner was not wavering, “That point is different, Vois. I only think that even if I participate there is no way to defeat Gastark. At least in this situation where we don’t know anything at all, if we go into that dangerous battle…”

“It’s a foolish act, right?”

“Yes. But if you can explain more in detail to me…”

Interrupting Ryner, Vois simply said: “No, there’s nothing to explain clearly.” “I really believe what the Goddess said, the sentence that your eyes have the strongest destructive power, then I came here.”

“How can that be…”

Vois interrupted Ryner, smiling, “That’s true. It’s really an impossible matter. But this is more interesting right?” The boy who was born from a family of liars said.

“Having a life mixed with foolish jokes is more interesting.” He said those foolish words.

But this silly words didn’t have a link with people with common sense. So Ryner stared at Vois, saying: “Don’t joke, you. I have no reason to bet my companions’ lives on your joke...”

But Vois broke in, saying: “I didn’t say anything about betting your companions’ lives. What I’m gambling, is only my life.” He pressed a hand to his chest, “Understand? I’m standing here too, I’m standing within the firing range of Gastark’s weapon. But even so, I’m betting my life on you. I’m gambling my life on compared to Gastark’s weapon, maybe your eyes will have a greater power~ this point. Isn’t that explanation enough?”

He looked at Ferris and Kiefer who were standing behind Ryner, “Actually compared to Kiefer and Ferris, I gained more detailed knowledge about Ryner’s eyes. But I feel that I don’t have a need to explain any further. If you ask me why, because compared to the unknown weapon that Gastark is using, whether your eyes are stronger, this point, not even me, even the Goddess don’t know about it. But even so I still trust you and bet on you. Even an outsider like me gambled my life on you, so these companions who like you would stay by your side.” Vois said to the two, Ferris and Kiefer nodded.

But Ryner frowned, “No, even if you gamble your life by your choice, I can’t respond to that…”

Vois smiled: “If you can’t respond everyone can only die. But because they will vanish in an instant, so no one will blame you. Relax.”

“…I say, you”

“Then then, there really isn’t any time to waste. Even I am very scared. What if I gambled on the wrong person—I was so scared from just now that I nearly wet myself. Ah, but wetting myself in front of everyone seems interesting…”

“What are you talking about!”

“Of course it’s a shy PLAY…”

“So~ I’m~ saying!”

“Ah~ Yes yes, change the topic. Ryner is really troublesome, but I’ve been saying that I want to go to the toilet since just now.”

“…”

“Give a response~”

Staring at Vois who didn’t seem so nervous that he wanted to go to the toilet, but in fact he was smiling very happily, Ryner sighed.

“Talking to you is tiring. Not only do I have trouble differentiating what is true, what is false, and you will definitely go off topic.”

“Remove faeces?”

“Go die.”

“Ahaha, isn’t this more relaxing?” Vois said, breathing out, then deeply breathing in again. Then he smiled. He revealed an innocent, child-like smile that they had never seen.

“It seems that I will get engrossed in saying disgusting jokes, but because I really am very nervous too, so please forgive me. No matter what, this is really rare that I need to gamble my own life.” Vois said, then looked to the north where Gastark was.

“Swindlers putting their lives in danger and whatnot, there has to be a limit to my going against the family rules—although I will be lectured by my grandmother… but if the plan goes successfully…” He stopped, then smiled, “No, let’s talk about the matters later after we’ve survived. Anyway Ryner, please work hard.”

Ryner stared at Vois saying: “How should I work hard?”

Vois had his usual sneaky smile, “When the moment comes you will understand.”

“So I’m telling you to explain it clearly to me now.”

“Even if I explain it, it wouldn’t do any good. And didn’t I say it before, this is about your eyes? Then, you should be the one who knows best, try asking your eyes yourself.”

Ryner frowned, “…That’s because my eyes, can’t speak at all.”

“Ahaha.”

“But, forget it, that’s true.” Ryner muttered.

Then he narrowed his eyes slightly. Anyway it wouldn’t talk to him so he was also lazy to try talking to his eyes.

“Then Vois, about the matter that you aren’t clear about the specific details of these eyes…”

“That’s true. At least I don’t have any knowledge that can be used.”

“That means, I have to work harder.”

“That’s right. If we can’t stop Gastark here, everyone in the world would be killed by Gastark.”

Ryner hearing Vois say that, remembered something.

He remembered Gastark’s cruelty.

The Gastark soldiers that he had seen so far, were forever acting violently.

The people who were hunting for the bearers of magical eyes, then killing them after they gained information. And they even killed the children who didn’t do anything, but tremble as they hid in a corner.

And they killed Lafra and Pueka.

“…”

If someone like that descended from the sky, it wouldn’t be anything good.

So like what Vois said, they had to stop Gastark’s invasion here. Although they didn’t know what they should do, but there was no reason to allow them to continue with their invasion.

So.

“Well… then let’s go.” Ryner muttered.

Then he turned around to look at Ferris and Kiefer, and discovered that Toale, Iris, Arua, Kuku were standing there.

The companions that Ryner had brought over here, were all assembled.

And he was going to be responsible for these people’s lives, as he went to war. He was going to the battle ground where the possibility of dying was higher than ever.

Ryner looked at his companions’ faces, “I, came to a conclusion about bearing responsibility for your lives…”

He completely couldn’t do it—although he wanted to say that.

But Kiefer interrupted him, smiling: “Even if Ryner can’t do it, I have already made the decision to hand my life to Ryner, so it’s alright~”

And Toale too—that Toale who had his right arm and leg replaced with prosthetics, when the bright light released from Roland’s Heroes’ Relic destroyed them, smiled as he said: “I’ve already died once. So I’m in your hands too.” Then he revealed a foolish face that, no matter what Ryner said, he would definitely not back down.

Ryner couldn’t help become slightly despressed. I clearly said that I am unable to be responsible for your lives, but no one didn’t listen to me.

Even Arua said: “Although Kuku wouldn’t be on the battle ground, but I will help Ryner-sensei.”

And Iris said happily, as she jumped around: “Wherever Onee-sama goes I’ll follow along!”

But Ferris said: “No, you can’t go.”

“Ah~?”

“You have to help me investigate the dango situation in the neighbouring countries…”

The two started this conversation.

But, anyway.

“…"

This was a serious situation.

It really was a very serious situation.

On that battle ground where the probability of death was undeniably higher, trust me who cannot be determined as a human or monster, to participate in the battle. Something as ridiculous as that, wouldn’t appear somewhere else.

So Ryner said softly: “…Ne, Vois.”

“What?” Vois replied equally softly.

“The one that you need on this battle field, is only me right?”

Vois nodded, “Yes.”

“Then can you tie up these people, and take them away forcefully?”

Vois smiled as he looked over, “I can, but…”

“But?”

“They can’t escape? I said it earlier, this is within the firing range of the enemy’s weapons. If the enemy fires their weapon while we’re escaping, then this land will be blasted away. If you escape now…”

“Is it too late?”

“If you escaped yesterday it would be a different matter.”

“That means, you knew of it beforehand?”

“Yes.”

“You already knew, but you still brought Arua and Iris who are still children?”

Vois nodded his head simply, saying: “The more things you need to protect, the more motivation Ryner has right?”

Ryner didn’t look at Vois, he only lowered his voice, a killing intention appearing in his voice, “I’ll really send you flying this time.”

But Vois still had that sly smile, “You can. If you survive, I’ll let you hit me. But now you have to find the way to survive.” He pointed to the carriage, “Then, please change into the uniform that I have prepared. Well, although I think a large character like Ryner called the ‘Roland’s Greatest Magician’ wouldn’t die so easily, but who knows what will happen on the battle ground. If you are killed by a normal soldier before Gastark’s weapon is released, the plan will go to pieces. So, our preparations have to be complete…”

Ryner lowered his head to look at Vois, “Even though you suddenly brought us to a strange battle ground, you still are well-prepared.”

Vois smiled, he smiled as he pointed to the carriage, “Then go and prepare, Ryner. There is not much time. It’s about time that we enter the war conference with Geihlficlant, after that we will…” He temporarily stopped, then as if surveying everyone’s faces, said: “We the Anti-Roland Coalition, will be participating in the war against Gastark.”

They would join the war.

Although Vois seemed to say it very easily, but, this was a real war.

A war, where people were killing each other.

A war where people were killing each other, fresh blood and cries echoed.

A war like that was playing out on the Menoris Continent.

There was the Roland army that Sion was leading in the south.

There was the Gastark army with the mysterious army in the north.

And in the middle was—

“…”

Ryner looked at Vois.

This thirteen, fourteen year old boy, had used Ryner as a dummy king, and lighted the fires of war.

So Ryner said: “I hate wars.”

No, he should say that no one would like war.

It would be painful if you were hit, and it was painful for the fists if you went to hit someone else.

Killing enemies, them killing your companions, then killing enemies for revenge, and the enemy would come back to kill them for revenge, wasn’t this cycle too foolish? He thought of these problems with no solutions.

It was clear that anyone would hate this, but why didn’t the war completely vanish.

Not only that there were the hints of a world war, on this piece of the Menoris Continent.

And—

Ryner looked at Vois, finding that he was saying happily: “But in the history records I read, if it goes successfully you can gain a large sum of money in war.”

“It’s because of the existence of such people, that war doesn’t stop.”

“Well, although that can be said, but I regret that it’s not me who’s stirring up this war. This war was started by Gastark and Roland. We came in too late. It seems that I have to be more careful, it’s best that I instigate a war with me at the center then control the flow of money…”

Looking at Vois who was reflecting on that, Ryner lowered his face as if in resignation, “…Is it really okay for me to be with someone like this.” As he said that, he walked away.

He walked towards the carriage. To change into the uniform that Vois had prepared.

Then he would wear that uniform, and walk towards the battle grounds.

He would walk towards that battle ground where people would be killed.

He opened the carriage door, discovering that a set of uniform had been prepared.

A uniform for Ryner.

The clothing was elaborately made.

It was made with a pink thin material.

It was a little like the underwear of a woman…

And that thing that seemed like a woman’s underwear—no matter what it looked like a triangular clothing was placed on the seat of the carriage, with a piece of paper beside it.

Vois had written this on the paper

“If you wear this on the battle ground, Ryner will definitely become everyone’s idol—”

“Hey Voooooooiiiiis!”

Looking at Ryner who had poked his head out and yelled, Vois started laughing in the distance.

“Ah, you should like it…”

“What liiiiiiiike iiiiiit! No, I’m really angry! Didn’t you say there was no more time?”

Vois continued laughing, “Really~ Ryner likes to get angry…”

“Shut up!”

“You really like being angry~ ♥~”

“…You, you’re really…”

“Ah, anyway the real uniform is under the table in the carriage. I did prepare it properly, so don’t worry.”

Ryner went back to the carriage, and looked under the table.

This time he saw a reasonable uniform placed under it.

It was a uniform similar to Ferris’s, it was made of some material.

The colours were green, white and black. The white outfit was very thin, if examined closely there were magical structures found there that were not easily seen, this added defense against spells.

And there were magical items and small knives tucked in the interior of the elbow and knee, there were several small knives at the waist too. And the hard armour over his chest to protect his chest—simply said, just by these garments they had far surpassed those white uniforms that Sion had for the Magic Knights, it was genuine heavy-duty armour.

But it was lighter by half of Roland’s Mage Knight’s armour.

Ryner stared at this uniform, then shut his eyes. When he opened them again, a strange red five-pointed star appeared in his eyes.

These were a pair of special eyes, called the Alpha Stigma.

Although it was a convenient power that was able to see through all magic, but because it would spread the fire of killing if went berserk, so it had always been forbidden by everyone. But lately for some reason, curious people like Sion, Ferris, Kiefer had slowly increased, and now it had become a pair of troublesome eyes that were not forbidden.

“…”

Ryner smiled bitterly as he thought of this.

Then he used that pair of special eyes, to look at the uniform.

And in a moment he could understand the magic cast on the outfit, even the small unattractive parts on it became familiar to him.

But the functions of the magic were not much different from those of the Mage Knights, it was all counter magic, to ward against attacking magic. Of course because it was not from the magical system of Roland, so the structure and activation methods were different, but basically it was defense magic that was almost the same as Roland’s.

But there should be a magic that would lighten weight cast here. Or else there was no other way for this armour’s weight to be so greatly reduced. “…”

But, no matter how Ryner looked at it, on that uniform, there were no traces of magic that could control weight.

But talking about which.

“…Magic that can control weight, according to current magic it’s impossible. That also means that this is…”

This uniform could have been made from the skills of the Heroes’ Relic.

How was the relic that could control weight used, or was it that this light uniform itself as a Heroes’ Relic?

Putting that aside.

“…Even if it’s Roland or Gastark, they are already proceeding with the war with Heroes’ Relics, if I don’t increase my knowledge in this field, I can’t go to war.” Ryner muttered.

The basics of war was to know how much power and weapons one held, then he also needed to know how much power the enemy had. Only by grasping these, that the war would truly begin.

And the people who were going to battle without knowing anything about it, those probably weren’t heroes but idiots.

“I’m an idiot.” He groaned and sighed.

Even if he knew that he was an idiot, he could only go to join in battle. And he had to bear the responsibility of his companions’ lives to join the battle.

Just thinking about these problems made Ryner feel like going to have an afternoon nap.

But.

“…Ah, ah, really, it always becomes something as troublesome as this.” As he grumbled, he changed into that uniform.

Then he walked out of the carriage.

And he found that outside the carriage, there was another man.

A 30 year old man, who was tall.

Thick green armour hung on that strong body. Piercing eyes. That man was using piercing eyes to look to the north.

Looking to the north where the Gastark army were.

Looking at this man—the king of one of countries in the mid-continent Geihlficlant, Gulafed Abuleld, Ryner said: “I say, having the king-sama of a large country being here is alright?”

Abuleld looked over, then smiled, “You need to use honorifics when you talk to someone above your position, brat.”

Just as Ryner was about to retort, Vois bowed to Abuleld, “I’m very sorry, Abuleld-sama. But even so he is still our king.”

“Eh? You’re trying to say as king, our positions are equal? The leader of the Anti-Roland Coalition who does not have any land and me who is born as the Geihlficlant king?”

Vois seemed as if he wanted to say something. His face became slightly nervous, preparing to say.

But Abuleld interrupted him, saying: “Never mind. I was only joking. Perhaps you may think that since I was from the military I must be very particular about social statuses, but I’m not so traditional. Everyone is equal on the battle field. The dead people are losers, and the people who remain standing till the end are winners. Easy right?” Abuleld said, then looked back to the north.

“And if in the war that is about to begin, that brat who is the bearer of magical eyes can be used, then it doesn’t matter how he talks. If he can kill the most Gastark soldiers who trample on the Geihlficlant people.” He said, then looked over. Staring at Ryner’s eyes. No, staring at the evidence of the monster that was deep within his eyes, asking: “Then, how about it? Can you do it?”

But Vois answered for Ryner again: “Of course, Your Majesty. We said it before, we would defeat the Gastark weapon that was used to defeat Stohl…”

“Can that thing be stopped?”

“Yes.”

“In the past, the Alpha Stigmas that I dealt with in the army weren’t this strong…”

Vois nodded, “That’s true. But this can’t be explained in normal terms. Because our king is a special existence.”

“…Special, huh.” The Geihfliclant king looked at Ryner with piercing eyes again.

Then.

“Vois Fiurelle.” He called Vois’ name.

Vois bowed his head, “Yes?”

“If this thing about special is false.”

“Yes.”

“I will kill you. The group that you brought along will also be killed.”

Vois smiled, “I’ll remember that.”

“Yes. That means you have the confidence.”

“Yes.”

Abuleld looked at Ryner again, “Even though he’s a lowly bearer of magical eyes, but he gained such a large trust. But, this is good. If you don’t have that confidence then you can’t join in this accursed battle. That means you have the chances of winning.”

Vois said: “There is the presence of Geihlficlant’s army defending, so we can’t lose.”

But Abuleld stared at Vois, saying: “I have already investigated about Stohl’s battle. So this battle isn’t something easy.”

“Yes, so we came here.”

Abuleld smiled, looking at Vois he said: “That’s true. You came here because of that. Because I accepted what you said about being able to stop Gastark’s weapon, so you came here. So although you said that you wanted to join in this war, but you were preparing to attack Geihlficlant from the south and came to me.” As he said that, King Abuleld raised a hand.

And they were surrounded by the Geihlficlant Mage Knights wearing green armour.

Ryner looked at Vois and said: “You…”

In the moment that he spoke, Abuleld continued, “Oh, it seems like the bearer of magic eyes didn’t know about this? Well, humans wouldn’t trust bearers of magic eyes. So you’re only a puppet king? Then you don’t have to speak anymore. I’m talking with the last heir to a line of swindlers.” As he said that, Abuleld lowered his head to look at Vois. Those eyes were giving off a killing intention. His opponent was clearly only a child, but he didn’t give a hint of weakness, the pressure strengthened to a scary killing aura.

But Vois very simply accepted that killing aura, his face did not change, saying: “Ara, are we exposed? Then losing contact with my subordinates was because…”

Abuleld nodded, “The soldiers gathered in the south, have been arrested.”

“Arrested? Then I’m grateful. You didn’t kill them.”

“I’m not killing them now. But if you are unable to stop Gastark’s weapons, then I will simply kill all of them.”

Vois smiled, “But if I don’t stop Gastark’s weapon, you will…”

“Die?”

“Yes.”

“That isn’t a problem. Even if I die, my brothers will inherit this country’s throne. Then that brother will kill your companions.”

“Is it.”

“Yes.”

“But that hostage doesn’t really mean anything much. Because even if my companions are killed, I wouldn’t feel much pain.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Or do you need me to prove it? You can kill one of the companions right in front of me now, use that as evidence.”

Abuleld stared at Vois as if wanting to pierce through the thoughts that he had, saying: “…Oh… it doesn’t seem like a lie. You really wouldn’t be bothered by the death of your companions… You really are a brat that makes one unhappy.”

Vois smiled again, “Because it’s a messy world, so a brat like this would be born.”

“Then, why does a brat like you come here? Do you want to mess up Geihlficlant? But that has already failed. The soldiers in the south are already arrested.”

But Vois still smiled, saying: “I never thought of messing up Geihficlant. In the beginning I was planning to attack Geihlficlant that had been weakened by Gastark, then steal away with its land and resources. But Gastark is a more challenging opponent than I had expected, so I wanted to give Geihlficlant more power.”

“Oh, you want me to believe you? Actually you’re a spy from Gastark right?”

Vois didn’t quaver, replying: “Gastark has that weapon that defeated Stohl, do you think that they would send a spy?”

“Then it’s the Ertolia Republic? Or you could be a spy from Remrus Empire. Even if it’s not like that, I heard that this Anti-Roland Coalition had been receiving assistance from Remrus in the past…”

But his words were cut short, Vois said: “Can we not proceed with this boring questioning? Anyway you have already known about our intentions, and my companions in the surrounding would be arrested under your order right?”

“…”

At this, Abuleld quietened.

Confirming this point Vois continued: “But you didn’t do that. That is because you’re anticipating what we have, the power that can stop Gastark’s weapon. Then, continue to anticipate it. We will stop the power of Gastark’s weapon. And using this chance, you Geihlficlant will go and stop Gastark. This way the battle can be won… because most of the army is Geihlficlant’s, so even if you don’t emphasise your ultimate advantage, we understand.”

Hearing this Abuleld’s face relaxed for the first time.

“…Clever brat even if you get too proud you wouldn’t lose.”

“So in the beginning you gave us a threat to test our potential?”

“Yes.”

“That should be a compliment right?”

Abuleld smiled as he nodded.

“Yes. The more I investigate the more confused I am about the actual body of the Anti-Roland Coalition. But even so…”

“It’s not large enough to go against you. I’m clear about this point.”

“If you understand, that’s good. Then we should start soon. My army will collapse the Gastark army. But we can lend a few soldiers to your Anti-Roland Coalition…”

But Vois shook his head, “We have our own methods.”

“Is that so. But I will send some soldiers to keep a watch…”

“Please do that.”

“That’s good, our conversation is over.” Abuleld walked back. He walked back to where the Geihlficlant soldiers were.

Dazedly watching all this, Ryner said softly: “That sneaky plan of yours, not only Pia, even the Geihlficlant king knew about it.”

Vois smiled: “That was dangerous.”

“You can’t end the topic just by saying that it was dangerous. If you made a wrong move, before the battle started with Gastark, everyone would be killed.”

“That’s true.”

“It’s not that’s true.”

“But, we managed to survive. It must be the gods blessing us to go fight with Gastark.”

“Hey, what god is that. You don’t believe in that.”

Vois displayed a surprised face, “I believe. The people who give me money, are my god.”

“Ah~ I see.”

“It’s like that. Then, we should go turn this battle to gold.” Vois said, then looked to the north again.

In the large land before them, they could see dust swirling which they had not seen earlier.

A large amount of sand was swirling. Perhaps opposite the sand, there would be tens of thousands of soldiers.

The tens of thousands of soldiers, from Gastark.

A hundred thousand soldiers, from Geihlficlant.

And three thousand soldiers, from the Anti-Roland Coalition and Imperial Nelpha, that Vois had brought here forcefully.

Close to two hundred thousand people, would kill each other here.

“Really, how many people would die, I don’t dare to predict the numbers.” Ryner groaned, then looked at Vois, asking: “Then, what is the battle plan?”

Vois raised his head and looked over, answering simply: “There’s none.”

“Hey, I’ll really kill you.”

“Ahaha. Well, in such a large scale war, three hundred thousand-strong cannot do much. I can only say, don’t die before it ends.”

Ryner narrowed his eyes.

What Vois referred to, was probably that.

The activation of that weapon that Gastark would use, that was strong enough to kill tens of thousands in a moment—no, it could even be hundreds of thousands of humans.

And before the activation, Ryner needed to use his eyes to do something. As for what he had to do not even Ryner knew it, but anyway he would do something.

This way they could stop the activation of Gastark’s weapon, then the Geihlficlant army would crush Gastark that had lost advantage with its military power, this war would end.

--That should be the plan.

At this moment, Toale walked over, “That mean before things happen, we have to run all over the place and try not to get involved in the fighting, right?”

But Vois shook his head, “That can’t be done. Besides the weapon that Gastark has that can kill ten thousand people, there are several things like the Rhule Fragmei that are similar to ours that can kill many lives. If they use those, then Geihlficlant will be defeated before Gastark uses that weapon.”

Ryner remembered that Heroes’ Relic—what the destructive weapon that was called Rhule Fragmei had done to humans.

It was done not long ago.

To the Nelpha people and soldiers that Ryner and Toale had led, the Roland army only used that Heroes’ Relic.

Then they had easily killed half of the Nelpha citizens.

The half had been blown away.

With only one hit, thousands of lives had been taken away.

“…”

But Vois had said, that power would continue to be released in this battle.

No, it seemed in the following battle, it would be expected for that power to be used.

Even if it were Roland, Gastark, Vois, they would use that Heroes’ Relic. They would imply use that destructive power that should not be used by humans.

And Gastark had a weapon that was more powerful than that.

Before that weapon, humans would be destroyed like rubbish.

“…They’re completely mad.” Ryner sighed softly.

Vois nodded, “That’s right. They’re completely mad. And even in this crazed mess, the power that Gastark has seems abnormal. So we must stop them…” Vois suddenly stopped, then said: “Well, let’s stop with the conversation. The Geihlficlant army should be attacking about now. We should decide what to do after this.”

Indeed between the Geihlficlant soldiers, magical messages were being spread. Then the hundred thousand strong army seemed to move slowly, like a dragon that had raised its head.

Ferris looked at this, asking: “…Is the war starting?”

Ryner nodded, “Yeah.”

“Iris, Arua, Kuku, wouldn’t you let them escape?”

Ryner shook his head and answered: “It can’t be done.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

“Then they can only work hard.”

Ryner nodded and said: “Yeah, that’s true.”

Then he looked at Vois, asking: “Then, I’m the general?”

Vois nodded, “Because you are our king.”

“Hey will the king go to the front lines personally.”

“King Abuleld has also come to the front lines?”

“Because he’s an idiot.”

“Ahaha.”

“Well, anyway, let’s go. If we start moving the troops now, will we meet with Gastark’s troops?”

“We’ll meet them in the afternoon.”

“Afternoon… that means after two hours.”

“According to the movement of the other party, if the other side is moving to meet us, we’ll encounter after two hours.”

Ryner nodded, as he said: “Alright, then in these two hours…”

Vois seemed to understand what Ryner wanted to say, saying: “Yes, I’ll tell everyone about the numbers and the method of usage for our Rhule Fragmei. Then this will become the first case in the world. Countries using Rhule Fragmei to fight for justice, becoming the first battle—” Vois seemed to smile very happily. Although it wasn’t known why he was happy, but he seemed to smile very happily.

Of course because this person was a con artist, so it was completely unknown what he was planning, but at least other companions did not have such a bright expression.

The war was starting.

The war was starting.

The war where people would die.

“…”

But for some reason.

For some reason, Ryner suddenly felt nostalgic.

Then he remembered.

At that time when he was the student of Roland’s Imperial Special Military Institute.

When Sion and Kiefer were with him.

Fahl, Toni, Tyle were still alive.

And they had said this.

The war is beginning. But we will be alright. Because Sion is here. If we hand it to Sion, we don’t need to go to the front lines before the war is ended. Ah, it’s good that we’re following Sion… things like that.

“…”

Everyone was clearly smiling as they looked at each other, but why did Fahl, Toni, Tyle, everyone die.

Even Sion seemed to leave him for a faraway place.

But even so, he still tried to remember those memories.

Remembering being rowdy in the inn with everyone, everyone going to carry out boring assignments. Occasionally he would dream of those memories.

And he remembered at that time, Sion’s smile was not darkened by any negative emotions, his quiet smile.

In the end war had dissolved everything.

But.

“…I won’t let those things happen again according to your wishes.” He mumbled.

Although he didn’t know who ‘your’ was referring to.

Unless it was referring to the world that would become worst if left alone, that demanded too much from Sion.

Or was it referring to these humans who would not stop fighting.

Or was it referring to him using the excuse of these cursed eyes, not feeling that close friends were criticized, not feeling that companions were crying, only thinking of escaping.

He didn’t know the answers to these questions, but.

“…This time I will definitely not allow things to happen.” He thought.

At least I have already sworn not to escape.

Of course no matter how strong the promise, his heart would turn soft because of the cruelty of war, making him think of escaping.

But this time.

“I wouldn’t let anyone die.” He seemed to be saying that for the sake of himself.

Vois said: “How reliable.”

Toale nodded, “I will help too.”

Ferris too, although she was unenthusiastic in front of everyone else, but she had thought about many things surprisingly.

Although it was the worst situation where Iris, Arua and Kuku were involved. But, he could only work hard.

And Kiefer too.

“…”

Ryner looked around, for some reason, Kiefer wasn’t by his side.

“Eh? Where’s Kiefer?”

The other people shook their heads, signifying that they did not know.

Vois said: “Did she go to the toilet?”

At this moment, from behind the carriage where Ryner and the others had been changing their clothes, Kiefer jumped out as she blushed, “I didn’t go to the toilet!”

So Vois said: “Your face is red again.”

“No, it’s really not.”

“Then what were you doing?”

“Eh~? There was something I had to do~” Kiefer had a mysterious smile.

Although Ryner wanted to question about what she had been doing, but there wasn’t any time to be casually chatting now.

Everyone needed to remember the ways where the Rhule Fragmei could be used, in two hours, then they needed to be familiarized with the battle plan that they would come up with later.

So.

“Then, let’s go.” Ryner said.

Then he looked to Vois and Toale, saying: “Anyway let’s mix in the middle of the Geihlficlant army, move forward with them.”

Vois and Toale nodded.

Then Vois said to his subordinate Relca.

Toale ordered Major-General Sareiss, they both gave their own orders, starting to move the army.

After confirming these.

“Then, although it’s troublesome, but I should work hard.”

Ryner said.

Then the war started like this, the curtains were opening.

Chapter 2: The Heroic King

“It seems like the war between Geihlficlant and Gastark is starting.” A subordinate said.

The king of Roland—Sion Astal looked at his subordinate.

Long silver hair that seemed to be very noble, steady but depressed golden eyes.

He used these eyes, to look at his subordinate.

A cold-eyed man stood there. Black hair, and a pair of black eyes that seemed to be as cold as looking into a black abyss.

He was the Lieutenant General of the army, Miran Froaude.

Froaude said: “Finally the seeds of war in the middle have been lit too.”

Sion nodded.

Then he looked at the map on his desk.

It was a map that illustrated the whole of the Menoris Continent.

The northern continent, the central continent, and the southern continent were illustrated in different sections of this map. The northern continent had been taken over by Gastark, and now they had started to invade the Divine City of Elon in the central continent—that was the accurate information that Sion had. But if what Froaude said was true, then Gastark had conquered the Divine City of Elon, and they were marching deeper in.

So Sion asked: “…Is it too late for us to appear?”

But his subordinate shook his head, disagreeing. Then the red mouth smiled, “It should be fine. Anyway Geihlficlant is a large country too. I don’t think Gastark will defeat it so easily.”

“But Gastark will use Rhule Fragmei?”

“Even so, it’s impossible. Furthermore Geihlficlant has already detected the presence of Rhule Fragmei.”

Sion nodded, “Gastark that is only a small country, had defeated the northern giant Imperial Stohl, this news stunned the world.”

But basically every country had investigated that war. So every country should know of the expansion of the weapon that they had never heard of before, the truth that it could easily change the situation of war.

So the search began.

Everyone had started to search and gather Rhule Fragmei.

So before the other countries found the way to handle the Rhule Fragmei, and strengthened their own countries—

“…”

Sion looked at the map on the table again.

But this time he moved his eyes to the southern side of the map.

Previously other than the Roland Empire, there had been the Estabul Kingdom, Runa Empire, Imperial Nelpha, Autonomous Holy City of Cassla, Southern Country of Ali, People’s District of Urd, the southern continent with these seven countries, had now landed under the control of the Roland Empire.

Before the whole world had discovered about the presence of Rhule Fragmei, things had progressed to this stage.

But it probably wouldn’t be so successful in the days after this.

But.

“…Perhaps we can make it just in time?” Sion murmured.

Then he raised his head.

He was now in the most northern country in the southern continent—this country’s borders were right beside those countries in the central continent.

On the most northern fields of the country that had been called the Southern Country of Ali not long ago.

Further north from here, would be one of the countries in the central continent, the territory of the Republic of Belis. Sion had commandeered Roland’s army to this plain.

Although they had sent a messenger to Belis advising them to surrender, but they had not received any reply.

And the deadline was this afternoon.

If Belis had not surrendered before noon, Roland’s army would attack the central continent.

Even if Belis ignored the advice to surrender and had gained the Rhule Fragmei at the same time, even if they prepared to use the Rhule Fragmei, that wasn’t a huge problem.

In situations where both parties had the Rhule Fragmei, this war wasn’t any different from a normal war.

That meant that which side had more soldiers and stronger soldiers, would win.

Then Belis did not have the power to go against Roland.

No, it should be said that the only one who could fight with Roland that had gained the southern continent, was only the Three States and Gastark.

So what Roland needed to take note of now, wasn’t the Republic of Belis that they were going to defeat, but the Remrus Empire that was by its side.

Of course Sion had made preparations to fight with Remrus, and he had come to the conclusion that there would be a great number of sacrifices.

But for some reason the Remrus Empire had sent a letter that it had no intention of fighting with Roland. And it wished to join hands with a strong country like Roland in the war between the three countries again.

Roland had prepared to accept this suggestion. Because now that it was a time where it was warring against countries that was large countries. Even when they may become enemies one day, but now there was a stronger need to defeat the strong enemy.

Geihlficlant Empire, Ertolia Republic and Gastark Empire.

If they needed to fight against these three countries, Roland and Remrus allying wasn’t a bad decision—Sion had thought.

Furthermore if they allied with Remrus, it would be easier to enter the central continent.

If they entered the central continent without having the need to fight with Remrus, then they could temporarily avoid Ertolia which was in the distant north east, and Geihlficlant was now busy fighting with Gastark. If they allied with Remrus to attack now, it would probably be easy to gain its territory.

Defeating Belis just like that, entering the central continent faster than Gastark.

“…”

Sion used his finger to move the chess piece shaped like a coin on the map.

This chess piece symbolized the army of Roland. Then he moved that chess piece over the Republic of Belis, pushing it towards the Remrus Empire.

Froaude smiled, “Ah, as expected Your Majesty too, towards the request to be allied from Remrus Empire…”

Sion nodded, “It’s probably a trap. Remrus wouldn’t allow us into the central continent so easily…”

“Then what about allying with Belis?”

At this moment another subordinate walked in.

It was a tall, strong man. He had red eyes and hair that were like burning flames. A man called the death god on the battle field.

Field Marshal Claugh Klom.

Claugh looked at Sion, saying: “It’s time.”

Sion looked to the sky.

The sun was shining in the middle of cloudless, blue sky.

“It’s noon.”

“Yeah.” Claugh nodded.

Sion looked back at Claugh, asking: “Then, Belis’s reply?”

Claugh shook his head, “None.”

“Then.”

Sion just finished speaking, when Claugh turned around. Looking at the boundary line that was empty of people, said: “The idiots have started to gather their forces opposite the boundary.”

Froaude smiled too, then used a cold gaze, to look at Claugh’s back.

Two men who were like Claugh, they were field marshals of the army.

One was a man who had once been a major of the Estabul Kingdom. His age was around Claugh’s, around twenty four, twenty five. Slightly green hair, tea-coloured eyes. He looked slightly disdainful.

Field Marshal Bayuuz White.

And a man who was slightly older than Bayuuz and Froaude.

He wore Roland’s army uniform, had a strict face, no, it could be said to be a dangerously sharp expression.

Field Marshal Rahel Miller noticed Froaude’s glance, said: “According to the report from the Remrus Empire’s subordinates, Remrus doesn’t seem to have any intentions of ambushing Roland, but…”

Froaude looked at Miller, “…But, what?”

Miller replied: “But anyone who would trust Remrus in this situation, would be an idiot.”

Froaude smiled slightly, nodding, “I agree. Perhaps they will take the opportunity to suddenly attack us, when we are increasing our forces to fight against Belis. They probably would attack from the lands that used to be the People’s District of Urd. No matter what, Remrus is waiting for us to show a weakness. It can be possible that they allied with Belis…”

But Miller denied his assumption, “No, they didn’t ally with Belis.”

“How do you know?”

“My subordinates gained trustworthy information on this aspect. Although the Republic of Belis has requested assistance from Geihlficlant Empire and Remrus Empire, but the two countries rejected it.”

“That means you trust this source?”

Miller smiled which was rare, seeming to look down on Froaude, saying: “Because the man who told me is better than you.”

But Froaude didn’t get angry, only nodding his head simply, saying; “…It’s Sergeant Luke Stokkart right.” After saying that, he seemed to be thinking about something, turning to Sion as he said: “If Remrus didn’t combine forces with Belis, then it means that they’ll probably attack from the place that used to be the People’s District of Urd…”

But he stopped, suddenly turning his face to the sky.

The blue cloudless sky, had suddenly lost its colour.

The sky, air, land, everything lost colour, their surroundings were starting to be shrouded with darkness.

Sion raised his head to the sky, muttering: “Demonic Beast Destroyer…”

That was what happened when the Rhule Fragmei that absorbed light, causing destruction was activated.

Sion asked: “What about the counterattack?”

Bayuuz answered: “We can still make it. Are we going to use up a Rhule Fragmei?”

Sion nodded.

Bayuuz instructed his subordinate, allowing them to counterattack.

After they used Rhule Fragmei to neutralize the Demonic Beast Destroyer’s power, the sky quickly returned to normal.

Then Sion asked: “…Where did the attack come from? Belis?”

Before his subordinate could answer, the answer appeared in front of their eyes.

The sky, started to turn dark again.

And the center of the darkness, was in the eastern direction.

It probably was from the north east—an attack from the direction of the Remrus Empire.

Claugh said: “The second wave is coming.”

Froaude smiled, “But they haven’t seem to completely grasp ahold of how to use the Rhule Fragmei. If they attack from such a distance, we need some time to prepare a counterattack. If they use the Rhule Fragmei like that, then it wouldn’t be enough no matter how much they have.”

But Miller looked at the darkening sky, saying: “Perhaps they hold such a great number of Rhule Fragmei that they do not regret it even if it’s used for nothing. No matter what, people who underestimate their opponent, will die immediately?”

Froaude looked at Miller, narrowing his eyes, “…That’s true, I will remember that.”

At this moment, Bayuuz looked at Sion. Sion nodded again. The preparations for the counterattack began immediately.

After the darkness was chased away, the sky returned to normal.

But the scene in front of them after the darkness disappeared, was different from earlier.

On the plain that had been empty just now, it was now covered completely with soldiers.

As if moving over from some place in a blink of an eye, the horizon was covered with a large number of soldiers.

Sion said: “Use the Jaded Sight…”

But another subordinate’s voice spoke, “You don’t have to use it. That’s only a mirage.”

Sion turned around, seeing a twenty year old young man, sitting on a horse. Loose curly hair, adorable green eyes.

That was Major General Calne Kaiwal.

Looking at Calne, Claugh said: “Ah? Why are you here?”

Calne stuck out his tongue like a child that had been caught playing pranks, “Ah that, because I lost terribly.”

Sion turned his eyes to Calne’s body.

He found that his uniform was stained with mud and blood. And because of his deliberately bright expression and flighty behavior, it made him seem more depressed.

Calne should have been on orders to deal with the administration in the People’s District of Urd that had been defeated.

Froaude asked: “You wouldn’t have been defeated by the rebels from the people of Urd.”

Calne nodded, “You gave me twenty thousand soldiers, of course I wouldn’t have been defeated by the remnants of Urd.”

“Then it was the Remrus Empire?”

Calne nodded, then looked at Sion apologetically, saying: “I’m sorry, Sion. I lost half of our comrades.”

This was a serious situation.

Calne, who was left in the old People’s District of Urd, not only had Rhule Fragmei but also twenty thousand soldiers with him, had actually been defeated so easily.

And this matter, was not even heard by Luke who had infiltrated Remrus, what was more was that they had not alerted Roland that was in the neighbouring country of the old People’s District of Urd—the old Southern Country of Ali, and had set the soldiers there under their noses. Something impossible as that, wasn’t something that could be done by a human.

Sion said: “That means that Remrus has used Rhule Fragmei that we do not know of?”

Calne nodded, “Yes. And he used many.”

“Many?”

“Yes. Especially many illusion things, so I was defeated.” Calne said with an apologetic face.

But Sion shook his head, saying: “It’s not your fault. It is very fortunate that you were able to report to me alive. Go rest for a while, alright?”

Calne shrugged, “Although I rode for the whole night, I want to rest if I could, but…” After he said that, he turned to the soldiers that had appeared in the east, saying: “…That army is a mirage. But that mirage means that that army is in another place.”

Sion asked: “Where?”

Calne pointed a finger, pointing at Sion, “It’s right behind Sion.”

So Sion turned around, the other subordinates turned to look behind Sion.

But at this moment, Calne’s finger started to glow.

He said: “Goodbye, Sion.”

Calne’s finger released a purple light towards Sion.

“…Damnit.” Sion muttered.

Froaude flew forward, to protect Sion.

But before anyone else had moved, Claugh had moved.

He jumped towards Calne who was on the horse, stepping on the other’s wrist. And he used his hand to chop at Calne’s neck.

But Calne received this attack easily. Using a slim wrist that wasn’t even half of Claugh’s to accept the karate chop.

But Claugh used a hand to grab Calne’s hair and stood on the horse’s neck, smiling hardly, “…Oh~ Amazing amazing. I really wanted to kill this person, but I didn’t think I would be held off. That means, you, aren’t the real Calne, right? Calne couldn’t accept the blow earlier.”

Calne smiled as if playing coy, “That’s annoying, Claugh. I am Calne~” As he said that, he looked at Claugh. A red liquid suddenly flowed out of those adorable eyes, glowing. In the next moment a red beam suddenly flew out from his eyes.

“Oh oh!?” But Claugh dodged with an unbelievable speed.

But Calne pointed his finger at Claugh again, wanting to proceed with the attack.

“I wouldn’t let you gain the advantage.” Claugh raised his foot above the horse’s head, then stomped hard. The horse’s neck bent in a moment, then lost consciousness, falling down.

“Aaaaaaaaaah”

But Calne let out a voice that was devoid of panic, trying to jump off the horse. But Claugh stopped him, pulling his hair, pinning him on the horse. So Calne’s foot was crushed under the horse.

But even so Claugh didn’t stop. Breaking both of Calne’s wrists, grabbing his head and pinning him on the ground, “Then, Calne’s imposter. Tell us what you…” Claugh suddenly stopped.

A perverted smile that would never appear on the real Calne surfaced on Calne’s face, then his skin started to dissolve. In the next moment, a white jade appeared on Calne’s face, giving off a strong light.

Although they didn’t know what effects the jade would have, but thinking about the likely conclusion to this situation, it was easy to guess what would happen next.

So Claugh muttered “damnit, it’s self-destruction” as he checked Sion’s position. Then he grabbed Calne’s neck and the white stone and threw it in the opposite direction of Sion.

And in the moment he threw it out, Froaude chanted: “Darkness, appear.” Then stretching out a slim finger. A glow suddenly appeared from the obsidian ring on his finger.

The shadow beneath Froaude’s feet suddenly lengthened. Then a beast made of shadows that seemed like a wolf appeared.

That beast bit down on the head of that thing that was looked like Calne, ripping the body into shreds.

Claugh used his strength to throw that white stone that was lightened without the burden of the body to the sky.

And Miller and Bayuuz had finished their incantations, releasing their own magic.

“WHAT I SEEK IS WATER MIST>> MISUMI.”

“I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, LETTING THE POWER OF EARTH-CRAWLING SPIRIT SNAKE OVERFLOW.”

A water pillar appeared from Miller’s magic, and Bayuuz’s glowing words made the earth rise suddenly.

At this moment, the jade exploded.

The stone released a strong light in that moment. Then a loud impact and sound was released. Everything in its surroundings was destroyed.

But, Claugh looked at the sky, saying: “…The explosion was smaller than I thought.”

Then Bayuuz’s finger moved slightly, the earth that had acted as their shield fell with a clattering sound, said: “…Calne Kaiwal betrayed us.”

Claugh smiled, “That person, can be drawn back using women.”

“Perhaps surprisingly that person doesn’t like a senpai like you who only has muscles for brains?”

Claugh laughed as he looked at Bayuuz, saying: “Ah? Do you want to quarrel with me?”

Bayuuz replied with a straight face: “I have always wanted to fight with you.”

“Oh? Then let’s fight here…”

But Bayuuz interrupted Claugh, saying: “Your Majesty.”

“Hey hey, you’re talking to me now…”

But Bayuuz ignored Claugh, saying: “It seems that Calne Kaiwal has been captured by the enemy.”

Sion nodded, “…Yeah, that seems to be the case. The assassin pretending to be Calne earlier—” He paused, then corrected his description, “That monster that is some sort of Rhule Fragmei, pretending to be Calne, clearly knew about Calne. That means that Calne has already been caught by the enemy, or he could have been…”

He could have been killed.

“…”

Well, no matter which one, there was no way to verify it. Because what was most urgent, was that Remrus’s soldiers were before them.

They were about to start the slaughter.

They were about to start slaughtering a country that was using an unknown Rhule Fragmei that Sion and the others did not know about.

“Claugh.” Sion called his subordinate that was like his right hand, “we probably don’t have the time to save Calne…”

But Claugh replied immediately: “No need. That person wouldn’t be defeated so easily.” After he said that, he looked in the direction where his own squad would be. The soldiers in the distance had started to pass out warning shouts.

The enemy was coming.

The enemy was before their eyes, without them knowing it.

The army that had hidden themselves like how that person disguised as Calne had used the Rhule Fragmei to disguise himself, had come before them. The soldiers at the frontline were fighting with them already.

Claugh smiled, saying: “Well, Calne’s position, let’s ask the person who was kidnapped himself… Anyway, my team has gone to the frontline. Watch me kill them all.”

Then without waiting for Sion’s reply, he walked towards his own squad.

Froaude used his cold eyes to say: “…That was an unexpected attack. Let us retreat this time…”

But Sion shook his head, “There’s no problem. Anyway we would have met them sooner or later. Let us observe the enemy’s strength this time. But we don’t have to win. Repress the victim to the smallest degree, then confirm what Rhule Fragmei the other party is using.” He ordered.

His subordinates bowed their head, then prepared to return to their positions.

Sion suddenly said: “Wait Miller.”

So Miller stopped, looking back, seeing that Sion seemed to be thinking about something, said: “Going to rescue Calne Kaiwal?”

Sion nodded, “Tell Luke. Calne is probably…”

“In the Remrus Empire?”

“Yeah. If he’s still alive. And also tell him to listen out for more information about Remrus. As expected, Remrus is challenging.”

He said, then thought of the information that Luke had already given him.

That was news about the Remrus Empire.

No, only half a year ago, information about the country when it was a religious country called the Holy Land of Veiohl.

Yes. This country called the Remrus Empire, had been a country called the Holy Land of Veiohl that had built itself upon the religion called Veiohl.

But half a year ago, a large political change occurred in this country.

But it wasn’t invaded by another country, or had a bloody conflict like the normal reforms. Perhaps to another country, this was only a change in the name of the country, everything was still the same. So as if to give this impression to other countries, its name had been changed quickly.

But according to the information from Luke after he infiltrated, no matter how he saw it there were stranger matters, that made people feel like something was wrong.

It was even more abnormal that when he first saw the report he had thought that Luke had been joking with him.

That report that Luke had handed in, was written like this.

One day, a rip in the sky suddenly appeared, and a baby dropped down from there. The priests of the Veiohl religion, had treated this child as the son of god and the hero that would save the world, bringing him up with care.

And the growth of that baby was very fast, within three years, he seemed to be around twenty years old.

Then he inherited the throne.

The people danced in celebration because the son of god had finally became their king.

And the name of this son of god was—Remrus Remuld Aarqued.

The people decided to use his name as the country’s name, in the end even the country’s name had changed.

Then Remrus Empire had become a country had had been chosen by divinities, being blessed with eternal peace.

Because this was a country that was governed by the son of god. A perfect world where there would be no hurt, no pain, had finally appeared in this land—the people had celebrated.

Luke’s report had this thing that was like a fairy tale, no, it should be said to be more of a new modern religion.

And Luke had written this.

“This country is definitely strange. The whole Menoris Continent has clearly sank into war, but this country seems to be separated by a thin space from the rest of the world, submerged in a strange peace. I’m afraid there definitely is some secret. I want to continue to search.”

A peace that seemed to be separated by a thin space.

It was a false steadiness, that made people feel chilled.

Sion had thought.

Perhaps that hero that had graced Remrus Empire had used a Rhule Fragmei that was able to affect the nervous system within a large range.

Or it should be said that that the Holy Land of Veiohl had been grabbed by a person who used Rhule Fragmei.

“And that is a Rhule Fragmei that we do not know about…” Sion murmured.

At this moment, Miller had returned to his place.

Then the whole battle line started to move.

Fights appeared everywhere.

A blinding light and loud sound appeared on the battle field.

Although the war hadn’t approached the degree where devastated cries could be heard.

But definitely, many people would have died.

Many companions died.

Sion clearly knew this point.

Because he knew with the death of Human α, the power of the Hero in his body would decrease.

“…”

Sion closed his eyes, then his subordinates brought over war horses. He mounted a war horse, then looked to the battle ground again.

“…If the Rhule Fragmei that the central holds is different from the cheap objects that the southern continent discovered, then the more we should let them see the power of the Rhule Fragmei we have. So there should be an opportunity…”

But.

Sion raised his head to the sky.

He found that a small light had fallen from the sky.

But that light did not exist in reality.

As expected it was something that had come across from another world.

It was something that had appeared from the space between the two worlds that Sion lived in. The abnormal world that was chilling, where the Goddesses and the Heroes pranced in, suddenly had a light.

Sion who was in reality closed his eyes. “…”

Then that Sion in the other world raised his head to look at the light, calling: “…Lucile.”

There was a reply by his ear.

“Here.”

“What is that?”

“What that is. It’s only a thing that came out from the brain, after your companion’s head exploded.”

Sion’s face tensed, “Calne hasn’t died.”

“It doesn’t matter what happened.”

“…”

“Annyway, the light from that white stone reached here. Only that I don’t know what that is. It seems to be similar to the same wavelength as the Goddess and whatnot.”

As Lucile finished speaking, that light dropped to the ground, giving out a stronger beam. Then in the light, a thing that vaguely resembled a human appeared.

But that human had no face.

No, it should be said that it had no humane face.

The features of that head that seemed like a human had seven eyes, and six arms on the body. Two arms were crossed in front of its chest, the other two were on its hips.

Sion said: “It looks impressive.”

The seven-eyed monster replied: “Ahaha, because I am a king.”

“…Of the Remrus Empire?”

“Although it’s a little late for my self-introduction, but I am Remrus Remuld Aarqued.”

Sion said: “Isn’t that a monster.”

The monster laughed, saying: “You don’t have the right to say that? Asruld Roland.”

He shouted out the name of the monster, that hid in Sion’s body.

Shouting out the name of the Fallen Dark Hero Asruld Roland.

So Sion asked: “You know about me?”

Remrus laughed, but didn’t reply.

At this moment Lucile muttered behind Sion: “You are arrogant.” Then prepared to attack.

But Remrus still laughed, opening his mouth to say: “You can kill me, but I am only an illusion! It’s only a mirage. Because I’m very skilled at using this Rhule Fragmei that can cause illusions.”

“But it’s only an illusion in the end. But to tell the truth I don’t want to fight with you who is a war god tortured with hopelessness. You should understand this point?”

Although Sion heard that, but he didn’t understand.

No, maybe that Asruld Roland in Sion’s body understood it. But now Sion’s consciousness was not completely combined with Asruld’s consciousness.

So now he still could not understand what Remrus was saying.

But, even so.

“…I understand.” Sion answered.

Clearly towards this person who he did not know whether it was a friend or foe, no, he shouldn't say that he didn’t even know who he was, his present self was too ignorant, he couldn’t understand.

So Remrus smiled again, saying: “No, you completely don’t understand?”

“Although you have been spreading your name just now, but you actually haven’t combined with Asruld.” He said challengingly.

“If you have really become one with Asruld, you wouldn’t talk with me. Because you hate someone as traitorous as me. And you would kill me immediately. Because what I truly specialize in is not illusions, but spells. So if it were you who recognized me, you wouldn’t give me this much time for me to use spells…”

At this moment, Lucile moved.

An unbelievably beautiful blond man suddenly appeared before Sion, moving both hands, muttering: “White song of the corpse.”

Many stems that seemed to have thorns appeared on his hands, these grass stems weaved together to form a long sword, swinging toward Remrus.

Remrus’s head was chopped off easily.

But even so Remrus was still saying as he laughed: “Ah, I’m dead~. But, it’s too late. The curse has been activated.”

Then suddenly, the shadow beneath Sion’s feet was stained white.

“…What…” Sion murmured.

Lucile turned around, saying: “I wouldn’t let you gain the advantage.”

But at this moment, Remrus smiled even more happily, “I tricked you. This is my real motive.”

Suddenly Remrus’s body that had no head suddenly moved. Raising its palm, striking towards Lucile’s chest, reaching into the depths of Lucile’s chest.

And that the head that spun in the air said: “Annoying, I didn’t think that it would go this smoothly, I can only say that it’s great that I got the opportunity. Maybe I’ll become the hero that kills Asruld. Well, anyway it’s not interesting at all…”

At this moment, Lucile released the sword in his hand. The sword split into many sharp points in a moment, flying toward Remrus’s head. Then it easily destroyed Remrus’s head.

But even so.

“…”

The curse didn’t disappear.

Lucile pressed a hand to his chest, revealing a pained expression.

Sion looked at Lucile, asking: “Is it bad?”

Lucile smiled faintly, replying: “Maybe. It takes some time to remove the curse.”

“But it can be removed?”

“Yes… If I concentrate on getting it removed. But in this period…”

“You can’t protect me?”

“Yes… You alone, will you be fine?”

Sion laughed, joking, “If Father’s not here I can’t do it.”

Lucile laughed too, “Hahaha.”

Then Sion moved his eyes away from Lucile, turning his consciousness back to reality.

And at this moment, the situation had been changed greatly.

He heard crying voices.

The soldiers of Remrus had attacked a nearby place.

Sion narrowed his eyes, murmuring: “We have been greatly tricked.”

Lucile said: “It’s my fault.”

Sion smiled, “Yes, it’s your fault. So quickly heal. If it is known by the Goddess that you aren’t protecting me…”

But Lucile said: “They already know. They’re starting to come over. Perhaps this place will be where it all ends…”

But Sion interrupted him, saying: “Enough, heal quickly. I will think of a way to handle it.”

Lucile in the other world had a small smile, “Then, I’ll leave it to you for the moment.” Then his figure vanished.

Sion nodded, then ordered his subordinate: “Tell Froaude and Miller immediately. Then hand all of the arrangements to them…”

Sion suddenly fell silent.

No, he already could not concentrate his attention on reality.

Because in the other world, the figures of his enemy had appeared.

The clones of the strangely-formed Goddess had appeared.

And it wasn’t only one.

Having hundreds of monsters appear suddenly, made Sion lose the luxury of being able to fix his attention to reality.

And there were other problems. He could feel the power of Asruld Roland deep in his chest had been reduced again.

Perhaps somewhere on this battle ground, Roland soldiers had died again.

The number of Human α who believed in Sion were decreasing.

Sion felt that.

He felt the deaths of his companions.

He felt that his strength was decreasing.

But even so.

“…”

Even so he still smiled.

Because there was no way to retreat.

Because there already was no place where he could return to.

Because he had given up on everything, coming here as he cried.

Then, should he stop in this place and not proceed?

In this place…

“Ha, hahaha.”

If he was defeated in this place…

“Come, monsters. Let’s compare which side, me or you, is the real monster.”

Then I will not betray my companions and close friends…

“But know this well. I wouldn’t be defeated in this kind of place.”

And he wouldn’t cry and shout in pain every time he reflected…

“I’m a monster. A monster that will swallow the world. I’ll let you see, the power that I gained after I even betrayed the demon. Come, monsters. All of you—”

He shouted.

As if crying he shouted.

Then.

“Die!!”

The monster called the Hero King (Sion), shouted.

Chapter 3: The Courageous King

Opposite the slim telescope, they could see a large army.

They could see an astounding large number of soldiers that they had not seen before approaching them.

Looking at the approaching army that was so big that they seemed to be shaking the ground as they came, the young overlord of the northern continent that had entered the central continent—the king of Gastark Empire Riphal Edea said: “Oh oh, oh oh~, it’s magnificent.”

Slightly curly pink hair, one remaining eye.

He moved his eye away from the telescope, turning around, with a troubled smile, “It seems~, they are much stronger than Stohl, that Geihlficlant.”

The companion standing behind him nodded expectantly.

That was a twenty two, twenty three year old man, around the same age as Riphal. He had pink hair that Gastark people had and a pair of uncaring blue eyes. And he wore a blue army uniform that complimented his eyes, and it was also the colour of the uniform for the Gastark Mage Knights.

He was the Chief of General Staff and the Leader of the Mage Knight Squad of Gastark, Rigwaltz Pentest.

Rize spoke blandly: “According to our investigations, the power of Geihlficlant is around three times of Stohl’s.”

Riphal frowned, saying: “Wow, then we can’t win at all.”

Rize nodded, “Yes. And it seems the enemy has a mercenary group called the Azure Princess Mercenaries following them. And that means that they will use Rhule Fragmei.”

Riphal tried to imagine of the scene of Rhule Fragmei going against each other.

He tried to imagine the scene of the mad battle that would grab away thousands of lives in an instant.

No, that was probably a devastating scene that would not be called war.

So Riphal said: “…This time, there will be many sacrifices again.” He looked at Rize’s back, looking at the bottom of the small hill they were on—there, there were the figures of tens of thousands comrade soldiers, from the northern continent.

That means, I have to bet on these companions’ lives, start the slaughter from now.

And the opponent was a large country that had ten times the military power as him.

Furthermore the Gastark soldiers had been fighting all the way till here, they were already very tired.

Even the rations were not enough.

What was worse, this place was the enemy’s territory.

Riphal and the others hadn’t even familiarized themselves with the surrounding geography.

Looking at this battle where they didn’t seem to have a chance of winning, Riphal suddenly muttered to himself: “But we can’t escape.”

They couldn’t escape.

They couldn’t escape, he couldn’t escape—he repeated that continuously in his heart.

Before the battle began he would sink into this mood.

He didn’t want to see his companions’ deaths.

He didn’t want to see humans dying either.

Men dying.

Women dying.

Old people dying.

Children dying.

I don’t want to see the fresh blood stain my whole body red—he couldn’t help but want to shout like this.

But he didn’t have the right to say that.

Because the voices echoing in his mind, the cries of those countless companions following him and died, the cries of the countless people that he had to kill up till today, those voices echoed until it completely covered his own cries, then reverberated in his mind.

So I can’t stop.

And I can’t turn back.

So he looked in front, saying: “Then let’s start.”

Rize nodded too, then he had a sad expression, looking at Riphal, “I’m afraid this battle…”

Riphal already understood what he wanted to say, so he nodded as he replied: “…I know.”

Then he looked at the curse that he bore across his shoulders.

It was a black long sword that was so long that it didn’t seem like humans could use it.

He looked at the black long sword that was cursed and called the Sword of Regeneration.

This sword would activate its power after it had swallowed part of Riphal’s body.

The reason why he had one eye left was because he had offered the other eye as an offering to it.

The reason why he had a prosthetic was because he had offered his leg to it.

Then, probably in this battle, he would continue to offer his body to it.

But, he was never afraid. It was fine if this happened.

What he was afraid of, was after he swung the sword, how many people would die.

He was afraid that he would be bearing the burden of the large number of deaths that he could not bear.

So if possible, he would wish that he would not have to use this sword to end the battle. He wished that the other party would surrender before he had to use this sword.

But it seemed that it was impossible this time.

Because it was clear that the enemy was stronger than him.

Because the enemy was a country that was much stronger than Gastark that had gained the whole of the northern continent.

So it seemed that is was necessary to use this sword.

And there was a need for the other side to see how scary he was.

He had to let the other side see that Gastark had a weapon that could take away tens of thousands of lives in one hit.

He had to let the other side know that if they continued fighting, they would lose, and the humans living on this piece of land, would all be killed, let them know the taste of terror.

One hit.

There was a need to use only one hit, to pull up the curtains of terror on this land.

So for this point, there was a need for the Geihlficlant king to see his strength.

Or it should be said, there was a need to pull this king in to be killed too.

So Riphal called his subordinate—no, the name of a friend who had walked into hell with him, “…Lir?”

Rize answered: “He has already infiltrated the Geihlficlant army.”

“Then from which place, at what timing would using Glovil cause the least amount of sacrifice for the enemy to admit defeat…”

“Lir will tell us. Before that, we only need to minimize the number of sacrifices, pretend to be fighting.”

Although Rize seemed to say as if it were easy, but this was definitely not an easy task.

Because the other party had ten times more manpower than them, and they could use the Rhule Fragmei to attack.

It wouldn’t end with the smallest amount of sacrifice.

The soldiers that were his comrades would die.

Of course the enemy soldiers would die too.

Then in the end Riphal would swing this sword, then a shocking number of humans would die.

Tens of thousands.

No, this time there could even be hundreds of thousands.

But no matter what, this place would become a scary slaughter place.

And there was no way to stop it.

Even if he wanted to shout for them to escape, but it couldn’t be stopped.

So Riphal looked at the soldiers at the bottom again, asking: “…How is the morale of the soldiers?”

Rize had a slightly sad expression, saying: “Everyone trusts Your Majesty.”

“…”

Riphal smiled, he smiled while frowning. Then he used a weak voice that he would only show to Rize his childhood friend to say: “…Really, I really can’t bear it.”

“…”

But Rize didn’t answer, only stood by Riphal’s side. Bearing the deaths of a large number of humans with him.

Then he looked back at the soldiers, saying: “Even if we have to go to hell, I will follow you.”

“Then, it’s about time we left—to walk to hell.”

Riphal smiled as he complained: “Hey this place is already hell.”

Rize smiled too, “It’s hell. Or do you know a more cruel place than hell?”

Riphal’s shoulders dipped, then he hit his palm, raising his voice, so that the other soldiers could hear him and said: “But before, didn’t the brothel that you mentioned, filled with old women in their fifties, seem like heaven to a person like you who likes older people. But no matter how I look at it, it’s hell…”

Rize also raised his voice to deny: “I am not in the mood to talk about something as false and silly like that with you.”

There were laughter from the soldiers who couldn’t help it.

So Riphal nodded, saying: “Alright, the soldiers aren’t so nervous.”

Rize smiled as he looked over, “That’s true. The soldiers are slightly less nervous. As expected of Your Majesty, how amazing. But afterward I will hit you, remember that, idiot Riphal.”

He suddenly used a childish tone to say that.

But Riphal smiled happily, “You think you can win me?”

Rize smiled too, “Until the present, I have won one hundred and twenty seven times out of two hundred and fourty four fights, it’s clear that I have won five times more than you, why do you say those kinds of things that make you seem stronger.”

“Hey I say, you really remembered everything.”

“Of course.”

“Ah, ah why do I feel that you are super pessimistic…”

“I’ll kill you!” Rize tightened his fist.

Riphal laughed again, saying: “Joking. Well, let’s leave this fist until later. After we survive this battle, I’ll fight with you.”

Then he moved his gaze away from Rize, starting to walk down the slope.

Looking at Riphal’s back, Rize returned to his normal tone, saying: “…That’s my line. If we survive, you will still go to that brothel that you like that only has old grannies.”

Because of this sentence, the soldiers laughed again.

Looking at these laughing soldiers, Riphal smiled again.

Although he didn’t know among these people, how many would continue to live, how many would die.

But even so, Riphal still breathed in deeply, letting out a voice as if he were shouting, “Then you guys, it’s about time we let those idiots in the central see how powerful we are!”

His voice fell silent, when there were enthusiastic shouts and cries from the whole army that seemed to be able to shake the earth.

Then Rize who was standing behind him said: “Then Your Majesty, let’s proceed.”

Riphal nodded.

“Men, move forward!”

Rize shouted loudly.

So the war began.

So the war began.

The war that had a mad strong power no matter how you looked at it started, then the world structure would soon change.

Anyone would despair.

Anyone would cry and shout.

The war that could even be covered with cries and blood, was starting now.

Chapter 4: The People's King

The signal for war could be heard.

The shouts of the opposing soldiers could be heard.

Then an offensive magic that was large-scale enough by several times was activated.

The scenery in front of his eyes was filled with red, blue yellow and other coloured magical activations, as if it were the reflection of the fantasy world, but for some reason, it had a feeling as if it were fake like a mere reflection in the water mirror.

At least up until today there wasn’t the appearance of an activation of a spell that could kill hundreds, thousands of people in a moment.

If it wasn’t using the Alpha Stigma to watch.

If it wasn’t seen with the Alpha Stigma that could see through all magicks, this probably would look like a fire.

“…”

Ryner narrowed his eyes.

He was now with the Geihlficlant army, the squad that King Gulafed Abuleld personally led, they were near the rear of the nine hundred and ninety thousand soldiers.

That meant that they were very far away from the front lines.

No, even now, even if it were the soldiers closest to the front lines, they shouldn’t be fighting yet. They were now within the distance where a large-scale magic could be used to decrease the numbers on each side.

And that attack, should clearly show Geihlficlant’s advantage.

No matter what, according to Vois, the numbers of Geihlficlant should be twenty four times the numbers that Gastark bought down from the northern continent. Even this squad was around two times of the enemies’ numbers. And other soldiers were surrounding Gastark.

Then it seemed as if they were going to use a circular large-scale magic.

Under normal circumstances, Gastark had no way to block this magic attack. No, it may even be that this squad didn’t even need to cross swords with the Gastark army.

The difference in strength was so large that there was a possibility that because of Geihlficlant’s large-scale magic, Gastark would be destroyed immediately, and this side wouldn’t even suffer any casualties.

So now the soldiers were not nervous at all. Only following the signal, the mage soldiers started to chant the verse for the large-scale magic. But now they didn’t know if there was a need to release it. Because there was no guarantee that they would be able to bear the magic from Gastark’s lines.

So the soldiers weren’t too nervous, slowly expanding their magic.

“…”

But as Ryner watched them, he said: “…Gastark will immediately use the Heroes’ Relic… Ah no, it’s that, called Rhule Fragmei right? They will immediately use that.”

Vois who was on a horse beside him replied: “Of course. Or else they won’t have a chance of winning.”

“But we are going to stop that Rhule Fragmei?”

“It seems to be the case. Geihlficlant who started late in collecting Rhule Fragmei passed the collection duty to us Anti-Roland Coalition and the Azure Princess, so not only do they not have limited knowledge on how to use the Rhule Fragmei, their numbers are low too. They have no way to defend against Gastark who knew about the existence of the Rhule Fragmei earlier.”

Ryner looked at Vois, asking: “But you… no, the Anti-Roland Coalition can defend against it?”

Vois smiled faintly, “Possibly not. About the research on Rhule Fragmei, Gastark is the most detailed, and they had a large number of Rhule Fragmeis that we don’t know about, and they have researched thoroughly on the methods on which to use them.”

“Huh? Then the explanation you told us about those Rhule Fragmei…”

Vois nodded, “Yes. If we want to fight with Gastark, that number is not enough. But, as long as we stop a few attacks from the Rhule Fragmei, that is enough. Because no matter what, the difference in manpower is too great. If Geihlficlant can take the opportunity after the attack from Gastark’s Rhule Fragmei to break into Gastark, then victory will be decided.”

“Did you raise this suggestion to the Geihlficlant king?”

Vois shook his head, “No, I told him we would stop all of the Rhule Fragmeis, so please do not worry.”

Ryner frowned, “Isn’t that a complete lie?”

“My job is to con people.”

“I know that, even if you didn’t say it. Then, let us work hard to prevent the Rhule Fragmei of the enemy from killing people.” Ryner said these words that could not be treated as a joke.

So Vois laughed, “Just as long as our companions don’t die, it’s fine. And we only need to defend against a few of the attacks from the Rhule Fragmei, and Geihlficlant will defeat Gastark. After that that would be the main point of this war. That is Ryner you will bring endless despair to Gastark. Ah, that is a wonderful plan. It clearly is a war that can end everything, but our companions are all safe and sound~” Saying this speech as if he didn’t think too carefully about it, Vois looked at Ryner, continuing: “—Then use this motivation to work hard.”

Ryner didn’t look at Vois, saying: “How disgusting.”

Then he stared into the distance.

He discovered that the first wave of large-scale magic had already been released from Gastark.

And so that the waves would neutralize each other, Geihlficlant had released their magic too.

And there were eight spells.

Such a large attack, Gastark definitely would not be able to defend against it.

Then they would definitely use the Rhule Fragmei. And they would definitely release it in a place where these eight large-scale magics would be neutralised.

That meant.

“They would come here.” Ryner said.

Vois nodded: “Then block that. Ryner, according to what I taught use that Rhule Fragmei…”

Ryner pulled out a few things that resembled amulets and rings and a small cylindrical stone that Vois had given him.

These things were all Rhule Fragmei, and they all had different effects. He picked out a ring, then returned the rest into the bag at his waist.

Vois laughed again, saying: “You picked the Rhule Fragmei that specializes in defense again… People who don’t have the courage to kill their enemies wouldn’t be able to protect their companions?”

But Ryner replied without being affected: “What we need to do is to minimize the sacrifices, until the enemy uses the unknown weapon that is stronger than the Rhule Fragmei, right? Then this kind of meaningless slaughter…”

“You wouldn’t do it?”

“Yeah.”

“But if this would ask for your lives as a price, then what would you do?”

“…”

“If, because you are unable to control the attack for the enemy, and cause your companions, Ferris, Kiefer, Toale and rest to die, wouldn’t you regret it?”

“…”

“Well, that doesn’t mean that it would be fine if you regret it if they really died, but if the companion that died were me, then it would be troublesome…” Vois pulled out a red amulet, simply throwing it into the sky.

Then said.

“Explode, Demonic Beast Destroyer.”

In that moment.

The amulet started to absorb the light around it. As if wanting to suck away all the light in this world, strongly, strongly, strongly, that amulet took in all the light, then exploded.

An unbelievably intense light flew towards the place where the Gastark soldiers were.

But at the same time, a rainbow light flashed near Gastark.

Ryner had seen that light once.

It was in the past when the destructive light of Demonic Beast Destroyer that Vois had been using had been devoured by a glowing bug swarm.

Tens of thousands, millions of rainbow coloured bugs danced in the sky, started to devour the Demonic Beast Destroyer that Vois had released.

Vois had a slightly disappointed expression, saying: “Ah, Gastark is using Divine Parasite Bugs... Then the Rhule Fragmei of the ‘-arms’ series are uneffective. And Gastark will want to test if we have any Rhule Fragmei on this side that can erase ‘-arms’ light…”

At this moment, the sky above the Gastark army darkened suddenly.

Then Vois said: “It seems that it’s here. And the opponents are using five at one go. This isn’t aimed at us. You understand that?”

Ryner was unable to respond.

Only because he was quite familiar with what Gastark had done so far, so Ryner frowned.

What Gastark wanted to do.

It was unquestionably war.

This matter was clearly displayed in front of him. The enemy really wanted to kill everyone here.

Why did they use five Demonic Beast Destroyer but didn’t aim it at the main body of the Geihlficlant troops?

That was because their side had just used Rhule Fragmei.

That meant that the other side could use Rhule Fragmei, and that showed that they had a Rhule Fragmei that could neutralize the Demonic Beast Destroyer like them.

Then, they would use the Rhule Fragmei to attack other areas, attack those troops that did not have Rhule Fragmei and kill all of them.

Besides because Rhule Fragmei had so much power that it could allow one person to overthrow a country, so normally only the higher ups had the authorization to use it.

Well, this was natural.

Because there were idiots who would use Rhule Fragmei to kill each other after entering the dangerous battle field, and possibly they could wipe out their own army.

So now, only the Geihlficlant king and Ryner had those Rhule Fragmei with large-scale destructive powers.

Gastark probably had a few elite people who had Rhule Fragmei too.

So now, Gastark was releasing five Demonic Beast Destroyers to attack the main pillar of their army, and they were unstoppable.

So Gastark could kill Geihlficlant soldiers with a one-sided war.

And even if they encountered a situation where they were blocked, Gastark would immediately know that there was a Geihlficlant personnel who was important enough to wield this Rhule Fragmei.

No matter what situation, Gastark could gain information beneficial to themselves, through the Rhule Fragmei’s attacks.

And now, the situation in front of them, should be the first case.

The soldiers in the target region of the Demonic Beast Destroyer, moved into a defensive position—

“…”

At this moment, the light exploded.

The strong light exploded.

Then the sky returned to its original brightness.

It returned to the sky that had warm sun rays.

But the situation on the battle field had been changed greatly.

The soldiers who were not nervous until just now, were all crying.

It was to be expected.

Because the Geihlficlant numbers had been decreased by ten thousand in a moment.

More than ten thousand lives were gone in a moment.

This scene was so abnormal that even if the mind could accept it, the body was unable to react.

The power that was so strong that humans should not wield it, was rampaging on this battle ground.

Then Vois raised his face to look over, “Ah, in a moment many of our companions have died~. Although it was lucky that Ferris and the others weren’t there, but no one would know what’s going to happen next. So, go and quickly kill the enemies…”

At this moment a woman spoke from behind, “Shut up, Vois.”

Ryner turned around, finding that Ferris had appeared behind him on a horse. And Toale and Kiefer were behind her.

Seeing his companions appear after ten thousand people had disappeared from the battle field, Ryner’s emotions became heavier.

But Ferris ignored Ryner who was feeling down, telling Vois: “Don’t bully Ryner. Or else the person who would be frustrated because he is depressed will be you. If you bully him too much then what would happen if he escaped again?”

Ryner smiled bitterly, looking at her, “Ah, I don’t deny that point.”

“Because that’s the truth. And you have the history of escaping. When was that? I remember that was when a man called Tiir appeared…”

“Ah~ No, that was…”

But Ferris interrupted him, continuing, “Then the two of you casually ran off to play with women, and you let one get pregnant, in the end you escaped while saying that you didn’t want to take responsibility…”

“Hey, what are you talking about…”

But Kiefer suddenly cut into Ryner’s words, saying with a slightly serious expression: “Ah? Ah? What’s that, I didn’t know about that.”

So Ferris revealed a smug smile that said ‘you people don’t understand it, huh’, and for some reason, Vois seemed to nod, accepting this explanation.

“No, Ryner’s decision was right. Basically, escaping everything can escape responsibility, that’s the motto by which we swindlers live by…”

“Hey, I say! What nonsense are you talking about!” Ryner yelled angrily. Then he looked at Ferris with a defeated expression. He looked at her, even though she had seen thousands of soldiers disappear in front of her, even if the soldiers surrounding her had fallen into confusion, but she was still making these lame jokes, saying: “…Because I can’t escape, so stop teasing me.”

Ferris smiled again, “Bullying you is my hobby.”

“I know.”

“Then tolerate it.” Ferris said happily, but she still had a concerned expression.

Ryner looked at Ferris, nodding, replying: “Yeah.”

Then he moved his eyes from her, turning back to the battle ground, saying: “Well, because there’s nothing worse than you bullying me. So anyway there will be some way…”

Then he started to think of how they should move.

Looking at the battle in front of him that was using Rhule Fragmei in war for the first time in history, he started to think of the direction that they should head in after today.

Anyway for some reason, Vois had handed the command post of the soldiers to Ryner.

Vois’s subordinates and Toale’s soldiers numbered three thousand strong.

Although they had slightly lesser people compared to Gastark and Geihlficlant, but even so there was three thousand people.

Three thousand lives.

This was now Ryner’s burden.

This was the case where he could say “Ah how troublesome so I’ll leave first” and escape.

It was completely different from before.

“…”

It was already different from when he would escape from before Sion and Ferris.

Because I am carrying the weight of many people’s lives.

And I carry the intentions of my companions who believe in me—although it’s slightly irritating since it sounds innocent.

“…”

So he looked behind him again.

Looking at Ferris, Kiefer and Toale’s faces.

Looking at the companions who had come to the accursed battle field with him.

He thought.

At least, I have to let these people leave this place alive.

At this moment, Vois said: “Then we should officially start. The war has already begun. What should we do after this, Your Majesty.”

Ryner frowned, saying slightly accusingly: “What Your Majesty.” Then asked: “Oh yeah, Ferris.”

“Eh?”

“Where are Iris and the others?”

“They’re at the back.”

“Behind us?”

“Yeah. It’s the end of the Geihlficlant army. If it’s there even if we are killed by Heroes’ Relics, even if the soldiers behind us are killed, Iris’s side shouldn’t be too badly affected…”

But Vois interrupted her, “They will be affected. Even if it is the Rhule Fragmei from the ‘-arms’ series, there are types where they can fly a long distance in a straight line. Gastark is clear about the power of Geihlficlant. If they use it, then they will use the strongest one. As long as they are on the battle ground, there is no safe place…”

But this time Ryner interrupted him, “But it will be fine if we block all their attacks. It will be fine if we stop all the attacks from the Rhule Fragmei here, right?”

Vois smiled and nodded, “That’s right. His Majesty has finally said something reliable, I’m so happy.”

“So~ I told you don’t call me Majesty.”

“Ah? Then how should I address you?”

Ferris replied: “How about King Pervert?”

“Let’s use that!”

“Hey so I said, can you be more serious! Although this isn’t the front line, but this is still the battle field? We’re still in the range of the attacks from the Rhule Fragmeis?”

Vois nodded, telling Ferris angrily: “That’s right Ferris. So be more serious!”

Ferris nodded too, turning to Kiefer and saying: “Yes red-haired woman! This is the battle field! Be more motivated!”

Kiefer widened her eyes, purposefully pretending to be angry, narrowing her eyes, but her mouth still curved slightly with laughter, looking at Toale, “Ah? Me? Then… then… Oh yes Toale! You’d better be energetic!”

Toale smiled gently, looking at Kiefer, then turning to Ryner, “…Then let it be my fault, I’ll let my report be the ending of this topic. Nelpha’s soldiers, have followed Ryner’s orders, they can cover the rear at any time. Even if the Rhule Fragmei continues to reach to the rear, our soldiers probably wouldn’t be too badly affected.”

Ryner nodded, saying: “It’s good that someone can speak seriously.”

Toale had a slightly strict expression, saying: “I’m only frightened. Because someone is actually using the unknown weapon called the Rhule Fragmei to kill many people… just thinking about it makes me tremble… But this thing has happened before me, so I don’t feel like joking around…”

Although Ryner wanted to retort actually I didn’t, but he was unable to say anything.

Because before he opened his mouth, the battle situation changed again. The sky where the Gastark army was darkened again.

With this signal, Ryner threw the ring that he was holding into the sky, then muttering the phrase he learnt from Vois, that could activate this miraculous ring.

“Devour that light, Divine Parasite Bugs.”

In a moment.

The ring that Ryner had threw out exploded. Then the fragments of the ring floated in the air, giving out a rainbow light, before starting to multiply.

The light increased to hundreds and thousands of small fragments in a moment, making a sound of flying insects.

At the same time, the opposite side released the Demonic Beast Destroyer again.

And it was released to this side.

The light of destruction ate away at Geihlficlant’s large scale magic as it attacked.

But this attack was met with the rainbow insect swarm that Ryner had released.

Like locusts the insects flew towards that light.

“Pppsssssssssssssssshhhhhhhh!”

Releasing that cry, the insects devoured the light.

It seemed, this attack had been successfully blocked.

But.

Ryner said: “That was to confirm, right? It was to confirm whether we had the means to defend against the Rhule Fragmei from the ‘-arms’ series so they attacked.

Vois nodded.

“And they had the goal of erasing the large-scale magic. But…”

“Seeing that the attack from the ‘-arms’ series wouldn’t work, they probably use another one to attack.”

“Then, what would come next?”

Hearing that, Vois tilted his head, answering: “Who knows… even I can’t make a guess. Ah, but because Gastark has a more superior knowledge about the Rhule Fragmei than us, so perhaps it would be an attack from one that we don’t know about, or one which we don’t know how to properly defend against. Then what should we do?”

“…” Ryner was deep in thought again.

Then he tried to organize the information he had of the other side in his head.

Firstly, the soldiers’ numbers, this side had the advantage. Well, although this was under the situation that Geihlficlant was their companion.

But in this battle, the numbers of the soldiers didn’t hold much significance, although the king of Geihlficlant had some Rhule Fragmei with him, but Vois didn’t teach him all of the activation phrases. Because if Geihlficlant could completely grasp the ways of which to use the Rhule Fragmei, they wouldn’t lose to anyone.

This was why Gastark was so desperate to invade the middle continent. Before the major countries had gained proper information of the Rhule Fragmei, there was the urgency to occupy the mid-continent.

But aside from that, Gastark had another ace.

That was the unknown weapon that had more power than the Rhule Fragmei that terrified Pia and Vois.

And after that was activated, it could destroy hundreds of thousands of humans in a slash, it could only be said to be a detestable weapon.

But because of that weapon’s existence, Vois could make a deal with the Geihlficlant king.

Because Vois had said that he had a mysterious weapon that could be used to stop the unknown weapon that Gastark had, so it could be put to use in this battle, but in actual fact even he didn’t know whether it could be blocked, and that secret weapon was under Ryner’s control.

It was borne by Ryner’s cursed eyes.

Because it seemed like these Alpha Stigma could block Gastark’s weapon—talking about which, just betting thousands of people’s lives on this reason, no matter what it was insane.

“Ah, damnit!” The more he thought about it the more his head ached.

But, we have already come to the battle field, the killing has already started too. Thousands of people have died in front of me, and the battle is becoming more and more intense.

In this mad war, how could he let his companions survive.

“…”

Ryner considered this problem.

Then three possible solutions appeared in his mind.

The first was, after Gastark used that weapon, Ryner would successfully stop it.

But this would be a complete victory.

Because Gastark wasn’t only using Rhule Fragmei, and they had to activate that weapon, this fact in itself would mean that unless Gastark depended on the Rhule Fragmei they would be unable to defeat Geihlficlant, so if that weapon was ineffective, to Geihlficlant that had the distinct advantage in terms of numbers, Gastark would probably be defeated.

But, this solution was probably too hard.

Firstly, Gastark had more knowledge about the Rhule Fragmei than their side, so even if they fought hard with the Rhule Fragmei, there was no guarantee that they wouldn’t lose too.

Furthermore, Ryner was very clear about how strong Gastark was, that it could use the power of the Rhule Fragmei.

Just by remembering the opponents that he had fought against, Sui and Kuu, the Gastarkian soldiers, he could understand this point.

Gastark gave the Rhule Fragmei to a person, so that they could gain the power of more than a hundred soldiers, power that he and Ferris were unable to go against.

Besides that, the opponent they were clashing against, was the main body of Gastark.

There may be people who were more powerful than Sui and Kuu.

Are we only able to suppress these people, and force the Gastarkians to reach the step where they have no choice but to use that weapon?

But now he completely couldn’t come up with a plan.

Anyway if that weapon were activated, could he really block it?

“…”

To this point Ryner himself was so doubtful that he suspected that Vois had taken a wrong step somewhere.

At least towards Ryner, he couldn’t bet all the lives of his companions in this gamble.

That meant that this plan had no possibility of working.

The next plan?

Ryner continued to think.

Actually the other two were very simple.

Ryner only needed to unleash the Rhule Fragmei at where the Geihlficlant king.

This way, it would be easy to deal with that Geihlficlant king, anyway the king himself had probably never thought that his companions would betray him, and he didn’t know how to use the Rhule Fragmei.

And he could kill thousands of soldiers on the inside, letting Geihlficlant enter a state of chaos, abnd according to this they could continue to use the Rhule Fragmei to control the panic, in the end Ryner and the others would surrender to Gastark—

“…”

Well, if it were Vois he would definitely pick that, but I…

That meant, it was the only the third plan left.

The third plan.

But, this was a dangerous plan.

Well, simply saying, it was escape—that plan.

But it wasn’t running away, anyway Geihlficlant definitely wouldn’t allow them to do that, and if what Vois said was true, if the weapon range of Gastark was so large, even if he started to desperately escape, as long as that weapon was activated, they would die.

But, Ryner thought of a place that definitely wouldn’t be hit.

But in any case, if he said that out loud, it was a place that anyone would understand without thinking.

“…”

Gastark’s weapon would probably not be aimed at the place where the Gastark soldiers were when it was activated. No, although they would activate the weapon with the self-destructive feeling of knowing that their companions would be sacrificed, but Ryner had heard from Vois that in the battle against Stohl, Gastark had mostly not suffered much.

That meant…

“…If we go behind the Gastark army, that is the safety region.” Ryner muttered.

But Vois said: “Arara, so you were thinking about something as ridiculous as that?”

Ryner shrugged.

That plan was certainly ludicrous.

No matter what that plan needed him to dodge large-scale magical attacks and attacks from Rhule Fragmei before he could reach the front lines, and he would need to fight with the Gastarkians as he broke past them…

Furthermore there were only three thousand people on this side.

In simple words, this was an impossible plan.

“But the other plans are more ridiculous than this, so this was the best.” Ryner said.

Vois had a face that said ‘here you go again’, saying: “Killing the Geihlficlant king was the best.”

“…”

“But if Ryner you really want to do that, then I will stop you.”

Ryner widened his eyes in surprise, “Oh oh, how rare, I thought this would be your favourite plan.”

Vois continued to smile as he said: “If I wanted to use that plan, I would have acted before we came here. But I didn’t do that, because there is a need for you to be here, to stop the weapon of Gastark’s. If we let the world know that Gastark isn’t the only one with that crazy power, that the other countries have ways to stop that power, then we can allow the countries to bond together…”

Until here, Ryner could truly understand what Vois wanted to do.

It seemed like Vois wanted to completely seal that weapon here.

To clash with that weapon that could kill tens of thousands of people in a moment.

If this continues, then one day the world would be destroyed.

So they had to let the whole world know that this was scary.

“Is this, is your goal…” Ryner said.

Vois knocked on his head, saying: “Of course using some plan to dominate the world is more interesting, just by depending on the strongest weapon to wage war, and having the strongest be the winner, something like that isn’t it too boring? So I want to set the world on a new track.”

“So, you want to use my eyes to seal the enemy’s weapon?”

“Yes.”

“Even if you’re not clear whether my eyes can block it?”

“Yes. But if it really can’t take it, then there wouldn’t be too much to worry about. If anyone is unable to stop Gastark from conquering the world… then it would be too boring, I would rather die and be reincarnated to become an extremely beautiful Loli, then use beauty to conquer the world.”

“…An extremely beautiful Loli?”

“Ah, how impressive Ryner. You’re interested in this!”

“No no no, I’m not interested, please don’t speak nonsense.” Ryner interrupted Vois, then started to think about the meaning of Vois’s words.

That sentence that mentioned sealing Gastark’s weapon, letting the world to return back to its tracks again.

No, even though if he used the Rhule Fragmei in war there wasn’t anything strange.

But as if seeing through what Ryner was thinking, Vois said: “If it is successful, there’s a possibility that the Rhule Fragmei can be banned, or I should saw, I have already prepared for that information to be spreaded.”

Ryner looked at Vois, saying: “…It feels like, for the first time I can see through what you are thinking and then why you do such troublesome matters.”

Vois smiled happily, “…That means my mind is full of beautiful Lolis?”

“…That means, the Anti-Roland Coalition that has a weapon stronger than the Rhule Fragmei, would set the condition that both parties are unable to use that power, right?”

“Ah, wait, why did you ignore the topic about my beautiful Lolis…”

Ryner continued to ignore him, saying: “Then, you probably will tell the world this message. Using the Rhule Fragmei in battle is very dangerous. Then even the two countries that have power surpassing the Rhule Fragmei will decide not to use that power. So you can threaten other countries to stop using Rhule Fragmei, right.”

And the other countries would probably accept that.

The countries that did not have Rhule Fragmei would probably agree with this wholeheartedly.

And those countries that were one step behind in collecting Rhule Fragmei, including one of the three major countries Geihlficlant Empire.

If the country Geihlficlant and Gastark who had maintained the weapon that was stronger than Rhule Fragmei and the Anti-Roland Coalition decided to seal off the use of Rhule Fragmei, then many countries would probably agree.

Although they didn’t know the responses of the remaining two countries—Remrus Empire and the Ertolia Republic, but Vois probably had plans concerning this area.

As for the southern ruler Roland…

“…”

Thinking about that, Ryner’s expression went down.

Would Sion who was poker-faced accept this agreement on Rhule Fragmei usage.

Not long ago he clearly thought that he knew what that person was thinking about, and how he would react, but in a few months’, everything had changed completely.

No, perhaps he had never understood Sion since the beginning.

He had only thought that they had become friends. He had claimed by himself that the two were close friends.

He had mistakenly thought that he was able to save him.

And the result was, in the end Sion had disappeared as he cried.

Sion had clearly bore all the painful memories by himself, not showing any weaknesses to anyone—

“…”

But I completely didn’t feel Sion’s pain.

Before I didn’t understand his heart, now I am even more unable to know what he has been hiding.

I was clearly so close to him.

I was clearly saved by him many times, but I never completely understood him, so I was unable to save him.

If I can really could understand him, then we wouldn’t be on the battle field now.

Even if it reached the point where we had to fight, he would probably be at Sion’s side, helping him fight.

“…”

Ryner looked back at himself.

But there was no one there.

The person that should have been by his side was gone.

There should have been a person who would be like a devil when it came to work, then said to him “Then Ryner work hard for me~”.

And Ferris would definitely come to mess around.

Then, I…

“…”

I would definitely yell you are trooooublesome, but in the end I would work hard.

He would certainly shout you are all anooooying, but he would still work hard.

Because I like Sion, I like Ferris, and I like the people by my side.

So if Sion told me please defeat my enemy.

If Sion told him that the weapon of Gastark’s is very strong so think of something, or said because he wanted to conquer the world so let’s work hard.

Even if Sion raised a ridiculous request, even if it were something that was near impossible, he would definitely…

I would definitely say how troublesome, how annoying, then start to work hard.

But why did this future shatter.

Sion had cried as he disappeared, and used the Rhule Fragmei.

And attacked Ryner’s companions.

Then killed countless Nelpha soldiers and people. And destroyed half of Toale’s body.

So the situation had turned into something like this.

“…”

Ryner moved his eyes from the empty space by his side.

He found that soldiers with different coloured armours filled his vision.

They were Gastarkian soldiers.

This was the northern side of the mid-continent.

It was unbelievably far away from Roland.

This situation where the scenery was changing with different auras, to tell the truth, he couldn’t keep pace with it.

Perhaps Ferris too. Leaving Sion, leaving her country, and coming to a battle field like this.

Kiefer and Toale too. No, Toale had even lost his country. And he had many brothers, but now there was no news of them. Maybe they had successfully escaped, but perhaps they had died before they could contact Ryner and the others.

And, here, we still need to fight.

We need to kill.

And we will still lose companions.

They were clearly tired, but it was still not enough.

Because the world was changing perpetually, so it would force you to change.

Furthermore—

“…”

But, Ryner smiled, then turned to Vois, “…Actually it’s not bad. This is the first time after hearing your words, I feel like accomplishing that motive.”

Vois had a ‘I told you so’ expression, saying: “I thought that Ryner would agree with this thinking too. But, if a ban on the Rhule Fragmei could be made, the reputation of the Anti-Roland Coalition would soar.”

“…” Ryner nodded, expressing his agreement.

If it succeeded, if they could really ban the Rhule Fragmei from war, this news would spread to Roland.

What Ryner was doing, would reach Sion’s ears.

This wasn’t bad, Ryner thought.

It was at least better than doing nothing.

Although he could understand that it wasn’t to the degree that Sion would think ‘I want to see you again’ and leave the country.

“…It could be possible that banning the Rhule Fragmei would be something interesting.” Ryner murmured.

Clearly he had written in his report to change the world so he had went to find Rhule Fragmei—which was Heroes’ Relics, but the more he found the relics, the stranger the world became, so he would work hard to stop this.

Sion who would heard something stupid like this.

“…”

That person, Sion would definitely smile.

Ryner thought.

Vois said: “Well, but no matter what…”

Ryner nodded, “No matter what I need to stop the weapon from Gastark before it can be set up, right?”

“Yes.”

“If I don’t stop it, everyone will die.”

“Yes. So if you want to use that kind of plan—going behind Gastark, then dodging the attacks from Gastark’s weapon, then in the beginning you shouldn’t have come here. We can only face it straight on. Then, if it’s not victory, it’s death.” Vois said.

No victory, meant death.

But at this moment, Toale’s voice spoke from behind them.

“I am betting three thousand lives on my side, so I completely can’t tie myself on the same string as you.”

Vois looked at Toale, saying: “then what do you want to do? I think with only three thousand people, to fight with tens of thousands of people and breaking free, something like that is a suicidal act… Although we are protected by the physical shield of Geihlficlant so it seems safe, but while we’re talking, many people are dying. And it is many people. Although there may not be any screams, so you may not know…”

But Toale interrupted Vois with a strict expression, “The lives of the Geihlficlant soldiers and formerly Nelpha soldiers, I cannot treat them equally.”

Vois raised an eyebrow, “You can’t be as naïve as Ryner?”

“At least I can differentiate between comrades and enemies. You…”

“An enemy, right?”

“Toale’s gently eyes narrowed sharply, staring at Vois as he said: “…At least, I think you are a dangerous person.”

Vois smiled for some reason, looking happily at Ryner, “Annoying, it seems like there is another outstanding person, Your Majesty. Only outstanding characters would appear in chaotic eras. Although I thought that it would be fine if Toale died, but I didn’t think that there would be a person who would honestly call the Geihlficlant soldiers our physical shields. It’s simply uncommon. It’s great that he lived till now.”

Ryner had a slightly frustrated expression, looking at Vois, “The one who called them physical shields was you.”

“But Toale thinks that too, deep down. And he never completely believed me.”

“I didn’t completely believe you, too.”

“Ah?”

Ignoring Vois who was relaxed, Ryner looked at Toale, saying: “Sorry, the Nelpha soldiers are in danger too…”

Toale interrupted him, saying: “It’s not Ryner’s fault. The one at fault is Vois Fiurelle? He clearly could control all information channels, but he didn’t tell us what kind of dangers we would run into, forcefully bringing us here. Then probably until now, he has told us many lies…”

Vois simply replied: “Of course. Because I was born to be a swindler. But until now, most things are like what I predicted, so everything was truth.”

“You think I will believe that…”

Vois continued, “Compared to worrying about the progress of these lives, it would be better to stay here. Of course like what Ryner said, according to the range of Gastark’s weapon, if we can go behind Gastark, we should be able to safely escape. But I’m afraid before that, we will all be destroyed.”

“But…”

Interrupting Toale, Vois had a slightly challenging tone as he continued: “Even if we really successfully survived to go behind them, the remaining troops would be half of the original number. That would be troublesome. Because according to the plan I have for after today, I will need the power of the Nelpha soldiers. If they are wasted to protect Toale’s life here, then that would be very troubling for me.”

But Toale didn’t fall for it, only closing his eyes to think, then softly saying: “…Which side is better…”

This feeling, everyone was familiar with the heart break.

It was the situation where they didn’t know whether Ryner would be able to block Gastark’s weapon, so would it be better to wait for their activation.

Or knowing that there would be a large number of sacrifices, still taking the soldiers to proceed to hide behind Gastark.

This of course wasn’t a problem that could be easily dealt with.

Because three thousand lives were dependent on this problem.

If they were stubborn, then more lives could be lost.

This was a decision that was so painful that it made it hard for people to breath.

And the choices were limited.

The realization that everything could be destroyed packed an impact too.

And if there was the possibility of everything being destroyed, then at least they could anticipate Ryner blocking Gastark’s weapon, staying here and doing nothing?

At this moment, Vois suddenly said: “I think staying here is the best choice. Otherwise everyone, have you checked the battle situation?”

Toale asked in reply: “…Battle situation?”

Kiefer answered from behind him: “…Gastark stopped using the Rhule Fragmei. And the Geihlficlant soldiers are slowly pressed back by the approaching Gastark army, right?”

Ryner raised his head, although he hadn’t completely grasped the situation, but from just now, Gastark had stopped using the Rhule Fragmei.

And Geihlficlant soldiers were moving forward slowly. If they continued to move forward, the Geihlficlant soldiers would clash with Gastark soldiers soon.

If it reached that step, Gastark wouldn’t be the opponent of Geihlficlant who had the advantage of numbers.

So if this continued…

“…Gastark will probably use that weapon quickly, right?” Ferris said.

Vois nodded, smiling: “So everyone don’t argue here, let us bet our lives on Ryner… Although I said that, but if Geihlficlant-kun is easily defeated, then it would be troublesome.

From behind him, two subordinates on horses rushed over.

One of them was a girl called Relca Redehna who was in charge of them when they met the Geihlficlant king.

Shiny green hair, and eyes that were as serene as a black crystal.

Another was a girl who had carried Vois when he jumped off the carriage. Long black hair and green eyes, she wore battle armour on her slim body.

The two of them came to Vois, whispering something in his ear, then Vois smiled.

Seeing this, Toale told Ryner: “Indeed, he’s not reliable at all.”

Ryner smiled bitterly: “Yes. After all he is someone who didn’t tell the truth since the start.”

But what Vois said made sense, Ryner thought.

Stopping the attacks of the Rhule Fragmei on Geihlficlant, perhaps it was to prepare for using that weapon.

Then, even if they moved now, it would probably be too late. Then they could only hand over the war where was either kill or be killed to Geihlficlant, focusing on the actual battle would be better…

“…”

Suddenly at this moment.

“……Ah…”

Ryner made a noise of disbelief.

Then widened his eyes.

His eyes widened quickly.

Then he saw not far from him, there were some strange things flying over.

Although that object was moving too quickly, so he couldn’t see it clearly, but, he could clearly see something activating.

Then, numerous heads flew into the sky.

Countless arms and bodies flew into the air.

Followed by a large amount of blood gushing out.

“…”

But, there were no screams.

The screams were covered by the noise of the soldiers moving forward and the explosions from the large-scale magic, it was muffled.

But the Geihlficlant soldiers shouldn’t have met physically with the Gastark soldiers.

So heads flying into the sky was too strange.

Bodies flying into the air was odd too.

But, heads were entering the air one by one.

Then something jumped up.

This time he could catch a glimpse of that object.

It was golden. It was fast enough that it couldn’t be seen properly, something golden.

Ryner moaned: “…Oh no.”

Then he looked at Vois, shouting, “Vois! Those people didn’t stop using Rhule Fragmei so that they could use their weapon! It was to kill us… it was to kill the people who have Rhule Fragmei and initiate another attack to sort themselves out!”

At this moment, Vois heard the screams nearby.

Then five Geihlficlant soldier’s heads flew into the air.

Among the falling blood droplets, a golden beast was dancing in the air.

“…”

Ryner had seen this beast once.

Because he had fought with this monster once.

It was the ring-shaped Rhule Fragmei that had been used by a Gastarkian assassin called Lir.

Among the three of the Lightning Beasts that was called forth with that Rhule Fragmei, they were dancing in the air that was not the front line.

That Beast looked toward Vois, releasing an ear-shattering cry.

Ryner yelled, “Stupid Vois, be careful of your front!”

But apart from yelling, he couldn’t do anything. The beast was too fast, he couldn’t even react.

And he was too far away.

He couldn’t rescue him in time.

One beast kicked away the surrounding Geihlficlant soldiers.

The second jumped up, opening its mouth.

Just as it was about to bit off Vois’s head, and shred his body…

“Vois-sama!?” Relca who was beside him screamed.

Then she leapt in front of Vois, her arm was ripped off by the beast.

She dropped off the horse with a large amount of blood spewing out. But the last beast continued to move closer to Vois.

But this attack was blocked by Ferris who jumped out from behind with her sword.

At this moment Vois finally reacted.

He seemed to look at Ferris who was blocking the beast with some surprise, then he looked at Relca who was lying on the ground, unmoving.

He looked at his subordinate with a calm but cold expression, like a child.

“…”

But he didn’t say anything.

Relca didn’t move.

Relca didn’t move.

But…

“…”

There wasn’t the time for him to be sad.

“Damnit!!”

Ryner muttered, then started to draw the glowing words in the air with all his might. This was the magic that could increase the body’s speed that he had learnt using Alpha Stigma, from the Estabul Mage Knight.

Quickly finishing the magical sequence, Ryner started to incant the words, and so that he would be able to gain the maximum benefit, he tried his hardest, hardest, hardest to activate the magic, “I OFFER THE CONTRACTED WORDS, LETTING THE SLUMBERING MALICIOUS SPIRIT DWELL WITHIN.”

In a moment.

His body glowed, and he could accelerate to the point where his muscles nearly tore.

He jumped up from the horse, leaping towards where Ferris was fighting with the Lightning Beast.

He started to draw magical formations in the air again, and he drew two with both hands at the same time.

The magical formations were immediately completed.

Ryner chanted, “WHAT I SEEK IS IRIDESCENT DESTRUCTION>>>KUURI!”

Two glowing cubes appeared in the magical formations of “KUURI”.

Then a beam of light appeared from the cube.

One aimed at the Lightning Beast that had bitten off Relca’s arm.

The other aimed at the beast that was attacking the Geihlficlant soldiers.

The beast that attacked Relca disappeared after being hit.

But the beast near the Geihlficlant soldiers felt the presence of “KUURI”, moving its vision over, then jumped to a side, dodging.

“Damnit, it missed…”

But Ferris interrupted him, saying: “No, it hit.”

Then she waved her sword, sending the suppressed beast flying, then reflecting the “KUURI” beam from Ryner at it.

The beast was burnt by the light of “KUURI”, shaking as it disappeared.

Now there was only one left.

Ryner continued to draw magic formations, reaching Ferris’s side, asking: “There’s one left, can you deal with it?”

Ferris smiled slightly, raising the sword high, saying: “It’s different from the past. Now, I can finish off a few by myself… But, if the opponent is that person…”

Ryner nodded too.

If their opponent was that man called Lir, it would become troublesome.

Because he was the most troublesome opponent, that could use a few types of Rhule Fragmei at the same time.

He was the most troublesome enemy that Ryner, Ferris, Tiir and Luke could only face for five minutes.

This person was probably not far off from them.

And he had come to take Ryner’s and the other’s lives.

The reason was simple.

From where Ryner and the others were, they had used Rhule Fragmei that could defend against Gastark’s Rhule Fragmei—the enemy had already confirmed this point.

Then they decided to defeat the users of the Rhule Fragmei.

And maybe they were planning to grab all the Rhule Fragmei from this side.

No matter what…

“…Then let us defeat this one.” Ryner said.

Then he released the magic of the magic formations he had prepared.

But at this moment, the Lightning Beast leapt up, retreating. It killed the Geihlficlant soldiers around it, roaring.

The beast’s roar.

It was so reverberating that it stifled the heroic cries of the soldiers in the region.

As if spreading the message that there were many prey here, calling its fellow brethren.

Ryner frowned, turning around to look behind him.

He found that Kiefer had already rushed to Relca’s side, pressing her shoulder to stop the flow of blood, yelling: “She’s… she’s still living! She can be saved!”

Toale looked to Vois and called, “Quick, use that healing stone called Death Transference!”

But Vois only looked at Toale blandly, then had a very happy smile, looking at Ryner, “Ah, really, if I were more unfortunate, I would have died? This makes me more battle aware. And it was unexpected, that it could push away the Geihlficlant soldiers so easily, sending the assassin in…”

Toale interrupted Vois, roaring: “This is not the time to be talking about that! Hand over Death Transference quickly!”

Vois shrugged, looking at Toale. Then he moved his eyes to look at Relca who was on the ground.

At this moment Relca struggled to open her eyes, saying weakly: “…Are, are you alright, Vois-sama.”

Vois nodded, replying: “Yes, I’m fine. It’s all thanks to you protecting me, Relca. You did well.”

Relca had a faint smile.

Vois smiled and nodded: “But I’m sorry, we don’t have the time to heal you. The Gastarkian assassin has already confirmed our existence, I estimate that the next wave of attack will come quickly too, and I’m not willing to heal a soldier like you, and it will waste the Death Transference. So I will abandon you here. But if possible, please slow the Gastarkian assassin down…”

He didn’t even complete that, Toale shouted angrily, “What… what are you talking about!”

Relca was losing a large amount of blood, colour was slowly leaving her face.

There was clearly no time to be wasted. If he continued to leave it as it was, she would probably die after a few minutes.

So Toale stared at Vois, clearly saying: “Hurry, give me the Death Transference quickly…”

But Vois narrowed his eyes, turning around to look at his subordinate with black hair, “…Harmit, please inform the others about this situation…”

“Don’t joke around! Give me the healing stone quickly…”

But Vois only pointed a finger at Toale, making an action ‘kill him’.

Following that his other subordinate, that woman called Harmit unsheathed the sword at her waist, stabbing at Toale.

But Ferris moved her large sword faster than her, cutting the black-haired woman’s sword into two pieces.

Ryner took the chance to grab Vois’s hair, saying: “…You, wanted to kill Toale just now, right?”

Vois simply continued carrying that happy smile, simply wanting to acknowledge that.

But before he answered, Ryner tightened a hand in Vois’s hair, saying: “…Don’t look down on us, brat. Hand over the Death Transference quickly.”

Although Harmit wanted to turn around and attack Ryner, but Vois stopped her.

“Stop, Harmit. You’re not Ryner’s opponent…” he said that, raising his head to look at Ryner.

“Will you use the Death Transference no matter what?”

“Of course.”

Hearing Ryner’s reply, Vois had a troubled smile, “…Of course… huh… If it is of course, then there’s no help for it.”

He pulled out a stone that was smaller than a fist, then threw it to Kiefer who was desperately trying to stem the blood from Relca’s shoulder.

Kiefer caught the stone, quickly pressing it to Relca’s wound. But that stone didn’t start to heal Relca’s injury. So Kiefer looked up, staring at Vois and said: “Tell me how to use Death Transference.”

Vois didn’t look at Kiefer, only stared at Ryner, “…You really want to… use it…”

Ryner interrupted him, tightening his grip, saying: “Say it quickly.”

Vois sighed, saying: “…It drinks blood… Let the stone absorb the blood from the corpses of the Geihlficlant soldiers. If there is so much fresh blood, then there should be enough for it to have the power to save Relca…”

So Kiefer quickly soaked the stone in the blood pooling on the ground.

At some point in time, the fresh blood from the Geihlficlant soldiers had gathered into a small puddle, and that stone began to drink that blood.

Ryner looked at this scene.

He looked at this stone that gave him a chilling feeling even though it was going to save Relca’s life by gathering power through sucking up the life of the Geihlficlant soldiers.

Drinking the life of other people, to gain the power of healing.

This was the power of Death Transference.

But.

“…”

But Vois said disapprovingly: “…Although it is commendable that you didn’t care about the deaths of the Geihlficlant soldiers, but Relca isn’t your comrade, there should be a limit to how goody-two-shoes you can be, Ryner.”

Then Vois looked at Relca on the ground, calling: “…Relca.”

Relca opened her eyes weakly, looking at Vois, her lips forming the word ‘yes’, but unable to speak. It seemed that she was so weak that she was on her last breath.

But Vois only looked at her and said: “If we have to heal your wound we’ll need for it to absorb a little more power. But we have to leave this place now. Because we are targeted by the Gastarkian assassin, as we have the Rhule Fragmei. So, the Death Transference treatment, you’ll have to do it yourself.”

Relca nodded softly, then tried to reach out for the Death Transference in Kiefer’s hand. But although she wanted to reach out, but her body couldn’t move.

So Kiefer said: “I’ll stay…”

But Vois told Relca: “If you weigh me down, I wouldn’t want to see you ever again.”

Relca had an expression as if she were about to cry, desperately reaching out. Uncaring about the large amount of blood flowing from her shoulder, she stretched out her hand, grabbing the Death Transference that was soaked in the fresh sea of blood of the Geihlficlant soldiers.

In that moment, the Death Transference gave out a greenish white light, the blood pouring from Relca’s shoulder suddenly slowed.

Vois smiled and nodded, “…Good.”

Then he looked at Ryner again, saying: “Then, can you release your hold on my hair? We don’t have the time to be staying here and doing such silly things.”

Ryner stared at Vois, although he wanted to say many things to this proud brat, but he found that he didn’t know where to start from.

“…”

But, Vois’s words were always realistic—

It was realistic until it made people angry, he was clearly only a brat but he always talked about the painfully realistic truth, so Ryner let go of Vois’s hair.

He was right, there was not much time left.

The Gastarkian assassin—that man called Lir had already reached here.

He had come to take the lives of Ryner and Vois who had the Rhule Fragmei.

Although because his attack was stopped because of the temporary retreat of the Lightning Beasts, but that person would immediately return.

And he would return with reinforcements.

Although he was alone when he had entered Imperial Nelpha secretly, fighting with Ryner and the others alone, but now he had the army of Gastark with him.

Then.

“…”

Then, there was a possibility that there was an enemy as strong as Lir. Ryner knew at least two other Gastark soldiers who had the same large power.

The siblings Sui and Kuu. The two could wield Rhule Fragmei, and they had an overwhelmingly strong power, and had once hunted Ryner and Ferris.

Although up till know he had managed to dodge from their hunting because of his luck, but if those people joined powers and attacked, it would not be a small matter.

That meant, they could no longer spend time here.

So Ryner raised his head, wanting to tell everyone to retreat.

But at this moment, Vois told Ryner: “So as to heal Relca’s injuries, we have wasted a Death Transference here. But we only have four Death Transference, which means that there are only three Death Transference left. I hope that you wouldn’t regret saving Relca, Ryner.”

Ryner stared at Vois, deciding to ignore what he said, saying: “Retreat—” He suddenly thought of something, shaking his head, “No, that’s not right. Let’s separate. Because the enemy is only focusing on Vois and I. Kiefer and Toale leave this place quickly. I will protect Vois…”

But Kiefer said: “I want to stay too…”

Ryner shook his head firmly, saying: “Sorry, Kiefer. You will only slow us down. The enemy is very strong, I will not be able to protect Kiefer as I fight…”

Kiefer pouted.

But Toale patted Kiefer’s shoulder encouragingly, “Retreat with me. Even if we are behind the scenes we can do many things…”

“I understand.”

“…”

“I understand. But, Ryner…”

Looking at Kiefer who was watching him, Ryner smiled, “Yeah, I will try not to get myself killed.”

“You definitely have to work hard.”

“Yeah, then leave quickly. I don’t know when that assassin will reach.” Ryner said.

But Kiefer didn’t want to leave him.

So Toale grabbed her hand, forcefully pulling her back.

After Ryner confirmed that Kiefer and Toale had left, he turned to Ferris and said: “…Ah~ with you, that…”

Before Ryner finished speaking, Ferris opened her mouth to say: “I will stay by your side. If it were not for me, you would die immediately?”

Ryner smiled bitterly.

Then he looked back to the battle ground.

There were devastating cries from the battle field. And in the distance, there were blinking lights.

It seemed that the battle was approaching.

And Lir was probably closer.

And in this direction…

“…”

Ryner narrowed his eyes.

In this direction there was the king of Geihlficlant, Gulafed Abuleld.

Because King Abuleld had over fifty Mage Knights stationed by his side, so they were probably in the massacre too.

Ryner said: “The king of Geihlficlant, huh…”

Vois nodded, saying: “Now you’ve at last understood the reason for the enemy’s temporary retreat. King Abuleld is not completely useless. He couldn’t just let those parasites mess around. He probably commanded the Mage Knights to ambush the Gastarkian assassins.”

“Then, if we go over now…”

“Yes, if we combine forces with the Mage Knights, we probably can deal with the assassins. Hurry…”

Before Vois finished speaking, a sharp scream was heard from the back.

Ryner knew who was screaming.

It was Kiefer.

It was Kiefer’s voice, and she had just retreated to the back.

Ryner widened his eyes, finding that his whole body was trembling. He didn’t have the courage to turn around to confirm what had happened, only in that moment he couldn’t move.

He had the annoying thought of whether Kiefer had died.

“…”

He tried hard to dispel this thought, and turned around.

Kiefer was still alive.

But in front of her, a few bodies of the Anti-Roland Coalition soldiers went flying.

And in the middle of the commotion, there was a young girl.

She seemed to be around Vois’ age, fourteen or fifteen years old.

Her fringe touched her eye brows, she had the natural pink hair colour of the Gastarkians; she wore a black skirt and her pretty features gave her an aura of a pitiful child.

Ryner knew this girl.

She was the Gastarkian spy that Ryner and Ferris had met when they were travelling through the surrounding countries to search for the Heroes’ Relics.

Her name should be Kuu Orla.

And that Kuu was now holding up the scythe in her hands.

Her slim hands were able to hold up the scythe that was longer than Ryner’s body.

But the girl, as if holding a twig, swung the scythe easily, simply cutting through the bodies of the surrounding Geihlficlant soldiers.

But the bodies that the girl cut did not gush blood. Because those cuts had already froze over with ice.

Yes.

That scythe was one of the Rhule Fragmei.

This Rhule Fragmei called Ailecrono’s Scythe would take away the wielder’s feelings as a price, greatly raising the physical ability of the wielder, and sealing whatever it cut with ice.

And Kuu was now spinning Ailecrono’s Scythe.

Spinning.

Spinning.

As the scythe cut down, she continued to spread the bloodless death.

Then that scythe approached Toale and Kiefer.

“Damnit!!” Ryner yelled, jumping up from the horse, using his magically accelerated body, jumping forward at the speed of lightning.

But Ferris reached Kiefer’s back faster than Ryner, then stepping on Kiefer’s back. So Kiefer’s body narrowly missed the blade of the scythe, and her shoulder struck the handle.

Followed by that her body flew back with an unbelievable speed, crashing to the ground, landing at a distance that it would not be hard to believe if she had died.

But Kiefer only groaned “…Ow… that hurts…” as she climbed up.

Ryner breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, a sharp metallic sound was heard.

It was Kuu’s scythe clashing with Ferris’s large sword.

Kuu looked at Ferris, saying: “…I… recognize you…”

Ferris replied: “Then you should remember that it was you who lost to me? If you don’t want to die, retreat.”

Kuu tilted her head, “…According to my memory… It should have been you who lost…”

“It seems that you have forgotten.”

“…Then…” Kuu said as she raised the scythe again, swinging it down hard, “Make me remember.”

She swung down the scythe so quickly that Ryner couldn’t catch its movements.

But Ferris skillfully blocked her opponent’s countless attacks.

But Ryner understood that if this continued, Ferris would be defeated.

The more she blocked those attacks, the more easily Ferris’s sword would be frozen, then her movements would slow.

So he had to go and help her immediately.

“…”

But Ryner was unable to move.

Only standing on the ground, his nerves tensed, surveying the movements of the surroundings.

Because the enemy—

“…”

If this girl called Kuu appeared, another enemy would definitely appear.

It was the brother of the girl called Kuu—Sui Orla.

And the person called Sui was also one that could use strong Rhule Fragmeis, although he should have been severely injured by the Rhule Fragmei that Froaude used, escaping back to his motherland.

But if he was still alive.

“…”

At this moment, Ryner saw that behind Kuu, there was a group of Anti-Roland Coalition soldiers surrounding a slim man.

He still had that pink hair, it was long enough that it was a little feminine. A steady expression that was completely unsuited for this battle. Then slim eyes that revealed humour.

Sui Orla.

Sui still had that smiling expression, meeting Ryner’s gaze. Then looked at Kiefer who had been kicked out.

“…”

Ryner bent down.

He already knew what Sui was thinking.

He had probably seen him wanting to save Kiefer, understanding that she could be used as a hostage.

So Sui had a happy expression, saying: “Ah, isn’t this Ryner. It’s been a long time.”

During this time, Ferris was still fighting with Kuu. And it had become so aggressive that no one could break in.

Sui looked at this happily, saying: “Talking about which, you understand the situation now, right? Ferris has already been locked down by Kuu. And I’m still able to move. You understand what this means, right?”

Of course he understood.

There were many comrades by his side now. Kiefer, Toale, Vois, Harmit, and Relca who was still being healed, and the Anti-Roland Coalition and Nelpha soldiers.

No one among them could block Sui’s attack. If they were hit, they could only die.

That meant, Sui was actually holding everyone here hostage.

But Ryner smiled, saying: “…That is, on the account that you can attack faster than I can.”

Sui shrugged, “That means you’re stronger than before?”

“Yeah.” Ryner nodded.

This was only a lie.

In truth, compared to the time when he had fought with Sui, there wasn’t too much difference. At least he wasn’t so hard working. So he had a large gap between Pia, Peria and Zohra. Even if he frantically started up his training, there wouldn’t be any effects so quickly.

But, even so.

“…If you think that I’m same as before, you’ll regret it.” Ryner fibbed.

Then so that it would be easier for him to jump, he bent down.

But Sui laughed even more happily, “Then let’s wait for a while. It wouldn’t be too late when Kuu kills Ferris…”

But as he spoke, Vois said from behind Ryner: “Ryner.”

Although Ryner didn’t turn around, but Vois continued, “You can give the order to attack any time. This is the center of our base. Everyone is your comrade. So that person wouldn’t be our opponent…”

But Sui laughed even more happily, pulling out a dagger.

A dagger that did not have a hilt.

That dagger seemed very similar to the one that Ryner had discovered when he was in Nelpha, but the colour was different.

It was blood red.

This was a dagger that was blood red in colour, as if it had been stained with blood.

Sui gripped the dagger, saying: “Doing things like these would only result in more sacrifices. Vois Fiurelle.”

But Vois laughed too, answering: “How uncoincidental, I’m a person who understands who to balance out things. So even if we sacrifice hundreds of our comrades here, if Ryner kills you, it’s my win.”

At this moment Harmit suddenly yelled, “Aisweiar!”

This was probably a secret signal that only the Anti-Roland Coalition knew.

So the surrounding hundreds of soldiers started to draw magic formations in the air.

Vois said: “Even if you can wield the Rhule Fragmei because of you are chosen because of hereditary conditions—you are too self-confident. Attacking the enemy’s base alone, I would only call those people idiots. So die, baka-san.” As he finished speaking, Vois made a gesture.

In a moment, the Anti-Roland Coalition released their magic.

But Sui remained unmoving, only raising the red dagger, murmuring sadly: “…So I said there would be meaningful sacrifices.”

Ryner immediately understood that he said the truth. Because the Rhule Fragmei in Sui’s hand gave off a strong blinding light.

Although he didn’t understand its effects, but even if he didn’t understand, he clearly knew that if that thing was activated, it could easily kill the surrounding soldiers.

“…”

Ryner quickly started to think about what he should do. He thought hard. If he made a wrong move, his comrades would most likely be killed. Not only that, it could even give Sui more of an advantage.

Furthermore Sui had always been aware of Ryner’s movements. If he officially started the battle between Sui now, there would only be Ryner fighting.

So Ryner was unable to move, if he moved too much, he would be caught…

“…”

At this moment he saw something strange out of the corner of his eye.

In the furthest distance where Ryner could still see clearly.

Kiefer who had been hit by the hilt of the scythe stood up suddenly.

Then she frantically wrote a few complicated glowing words. That was a high-level magical formulation that was very strong, if she was not at the level of a Mage Knight she would be unable to control it.

But Ryner knew, Kiefer was unable to use that kind of high-skilled magic. At least according to her knowledge and ability, she was unable to use that kind of first-class magic.

And now she was using that magic. It showed that in the time they had been separated, she had not given up on her self-training, unlike Ryner.

Of course, that magic was slightly unsteady, it was unable to compare to Ryner’s accuracy and speed.

But even so, that magic was about to be completed.

So Ryner smiled, then lowered his voice to the pitch that Sui was unable to hear, telling Vois: “…Vois, after the soldiers release their magic, let them retreat immediately.”

“Do you have a good idea?”

Ryner shook his head, “Although I do not have a good idea, but our comrades have increased.”

“Comrades?”

He nodded, “Yeah, it is a strong comrade…”

“Urgh…!”

At this moment, Ferris who was fighting with Kuu gave a slightly pained noise.

It seemed that her sword had started to freeze because she was going against the power of Kuu’s Ailecrono Scythe.

“Urgh! If, if this continues…”

Before she finished speaking, Kuu’s scythe cut down again, Ferris wanted to raise her sword to block this blow.

But as the weapons clashed, the strong impact made her release the sword. Ferris widened her eyes, saying: “I’m, I’m going to lose…”

“It’s done.” Kuu said, raising her scythe again.

But Ferris smiled faintly: “What. The one who should be done with, is you.” She stepped forward, charging to Kuu who was holding the large scythe.

“I purposefully released the sword.” Ferris said happily, making a karate chop towards Kuu’s neck.

Although Kuu wanted to use her scythe hilt to block this, but Ferris’s karate chop hit her neck faster than she expected. Although the scythe hilt hit Ferris at the same time, but Ferris used her feet to block it, lending its momentum to jump towards Sui.

Sui’s attention immediately focused on Ferris who had appeared in front of him immediately.

The space of a second.

It was only a slight space.

But it was already enough.

Ryner took the opportunity, running over.

Sui hurriedly pointed the dagger-like Rhule Fragmei at him, wanting to say something.

But in the next moment.

Sui said in disbelief: “…Wha…What!?”

This was because the girl who had been sent flying by Kuu, who didn’t look strong at all suddenly rushed over like lightning.

Kiefer who had used the high-grade magic from Estabul to increase her body’s strength, jumped up from the ground, running over, then kicking Sui’s hand which held the dagger.

The dagger left Sui’s hand, spinning into the sky.

Ferris raised her leg too, preparing to kick Sui’s neck.

And Sui couldn’t dodge this attack.

He frowned, muttering: “Oh no!”

Then he moved his body slightly, changing the target position from his neck to his face.

In the next instant, with a smack, he was sent flying.

But because he had avoided his vital position, so he remained conscious, Sui adjusted his landing position, reaching into his pockets, wanting to take something out.

But Ryner immediately decreased the distance between him and Sui. Then he took out a stiletto from his belt and pressed it to Sui’s neck, saying: “Don’t move. Or I’ll kill you.”

So Sui stopped, raising his head, then looked at Kiefer, saying: “…I didn’t think, that she had that kind of ability to move…”

Ryner smiled, “My companions are very strong.”

“Your companions?”

“Yeah.”

“…Your companion… right? I thought Kiefer was our companion…” Sui stared at Kiefer, suddenly something as strange as that.

“Unless you want to betray us? Your mission was to bring Ryner to Gastark, right?”

But Kiefer simply said: “Ah? Did I promise that?”

Ryner was confused by that, so he stared at Sui and Kiefer, asking: “…The two of you know each other?”

Kiefer had a slightly troubled expression, saying: “that, when I was wandering around, I stayed in Gastark for some time, I came to know him there.”

“Is that only it… Riphal, your king always thought that you were dating him…”

Kiefer interrupted him, saying: “That was Riphal’s misunderstanding.”

“…But at least, when Riphal knew that you were here too, he frantically sent us over to rescue you. Because of you, he decided to stop Glovil’s attack.”

Hearing this conversation, Ryner at last knew what the relationship was between the Gastark king and Kiefer.

No, at least that man called Riphal, towards Kiefer…

At this moment, Sui said again: “His Majesty doesn’t wish for you to die…”

But Kiefer interrupted him, simply saying: “Then attack us.”

Sui had a disbelieving expression, looking at Kiefer in surprise, saying: “You’ll die too, you know?”

But for some reason, Kiefer laughed.

She seemed to laugh happily.

She seemed to laugh joyfully.

Then she said with that uncaring tone: “It doesn’t matter.”

“Dying with Ryner has always been my dream. So it doesn’t matter.”

“Because the one who I like… who I love, is not Riphal, but Ryner.”

She said simply, with clear eyes.

“…”

To this sudden confession, Ryner didn’t know what to say.

Sui said: “Then, you said you would bring Ryner back with you.”

Kiefer still smiled and answered: “I lied.”

“You traitor.” Sui said accusingly.

“You still dare to say that~” Kiefer smiled sadly.

Sui smiled too, his smile was bitter, saying: “…This is troublesome… Our king is always most unwelcome in front of the women that he falls in love with.”

Then Sui looked at Ryner, saying: “…Well, so we don’t have anything here to do… Although we were ordered to protect you and Kiefer Knolles… but because we were betrayed, so I have to go back. Then can you release me?”

“…”

But Ryner was slightly stunned, because too many things had happened, so he didn’t reply.

Kiefer knew the people from Gastark, and she had been ordered to bring Ryner back.

But she had simply betrayed Gastark.

And since she had stayed in Gastark for some time, then she should know the true appearance of the weapon that Gastark had. And she should know what kind of power that weapon had.

She clearly knew better than anyone else that she would die if she came here. It was even possible that she had seen that weapon’s power in Stohl.

But she had simply chose to come here.

She smiled as she chose to come here with Ryner.

And that reason was actually because, I like Ryner, so it’s like that…

An idiotic reason like that.

“…”

At this moment, Kiefer suddenly looked over, saying: “Ryner.”

“…Eh?”

“…Because there’s no guarantee that I would die here, so I wanted to say everything…” She said, then stopped as if she didn’t know how to continue. Then she blushed, but looked like she wanted to cry.

“I like Ryner.” She said.

She said with a voice that everyone could hear.

But Ryner was unable to reply. Towards this sudden development, he didn’t know how to reply.

At this moment.

“…”

There was the sound of something hitting the ground.

Ryner looked to the place where the sound came from. He found that Ferris’s sword had dropped on the ground for some reason, and she was frantically going to pick it up.

No, had she even picked up the sword that she had dropped intentionally when fighting with Kuu? But he had clearly heard that clang sound, Well, it was okay if anything happened, he put that aside.

That, so now, ah~ what should I do?

Seeing Ryner having that silly face, Vois poured cold water: “…What are you acting out. It’s clearly not a development to be surprised about, why is everyone’s reaction so big?”

Then he pointed at Kuu on the ground, ordering the subordinate called Harmit: “Tie her up.”

Harmit nodded, pressing down on Kuu’s body.

Confirming that nothing was missing, Vois dismounted, walking to Kuu who was unconscious and tied up by Harmit, looking at Sui, saying: “The tables have been overturned, now the hostage is on our hands. Then I’ll tell you what you told us when you appeared, ‘you understand what this means, right?’ … Killing so many companions, and still wanting to trick us…”

Vois took out a dagger, smiling happily, “So you want us to let you go back? You must be joking.”

Ryner and Sui yelled at the same time: “Stop!”

But Vois continued to smile, “I was joking. How tiresome, because I have too many good people here, if I really kill this girl here, I will probably be scolded terribly, so I’ll let her go here… But I can’t choose to let you go back. If we still need to fight Gastark, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few hostages.”

Sui tilted his head and said: “…Hostages? I advise you not to do something as useless as that. Because your opponent wouldn’t be Gastark.”

Vois smiled: “Because the weapon you call Glovil will kill us?”

“Ah, that’s true. As long as you stay here, you will definitely die.”

And Vois seemed to have a smile that was so happy, as if he could play with the whole world, saying: “It doesn’t matter.”

He raised his pitch, until he sounded like a woman, “…Because I can die with Ryner, that’s always been my dream, so…”

“I’ll kill you--!!” Kiefer shouted.

Vois ignored Kiefer’s shout, telling Ryner: “I love Ryner~ ♥~”

Hearing this very ‘Vois’-esque speech, Ryner had a slightly irritated expression.

But Vois continued to smile happily, staring at Sui as he said: “…We came here after knowing you had that mysterious weapon Glovil, and we still came. We bet our lives to stand here. If you misunderstood that we came here to try desperately…”

“We didn’t think of that.”

Someone said suddenly from behind them.

Behind Vois, there was a man.

He had the pink hair that only Gastarkians had, a strong, agile body and a confident smile.

Ryner knew this person.

He was the man called Lir Orla.

And he was the person who released those Lightning Beasts.

And this man wanted to release them again. He moved the ring on his finger, saying: “Appear, gathered Beasts!”

In a moment, a large thunder cloud appeared above Vois’s head, a golden Lightning Beast jumped out, wanting to bit off Vois’s head.

This was too sudden, no one was able to react.

Ryner, Ferris, Kiefer, Harmit, no one was able to react on time.

But Toale who had been standing by Vois’s side suddenly jumped up.

So one of the Lightning Beasts bit Toale’s leg, and he grabbed his leg, from his thigh, he pulled off the magical prosthetic, ordering: “Self-destruct.”

Following that order, Toale’s prosthetic limb exploded with the Lightning Beast that had bitten the limb.

One was destroyed just like that.

There were still two left.

Although the other one wanted to attack Toale who had lost one leg, but Ferris had reacted, raising her sword, blocking the Lightning Beast’s attack.

But the other Lightning Beast—

“Harmit, take Vois away quickly, leave that scythe girl!” Toale shouted.

Harmit hearing that, immediately grabbed Vois, leaving the area.

So the other Lightning Beast carefully collected Kuu and the scythe, running back towards Lir.

Ryner could only watch everything, unmoving.

Because if he released the restraint on Sui, the enemy would become Lir and Sui.

If they entered that kind of situation, then just by depending on the people around them, they would be unable to win. Ryner didn’t have the confidence to win two opponents with Rhule Fragmei without any injuries.

Furthermore the man called Lir, was more challenging than Sui and Kuu combined.

So he couldn’t let go of the restraint he had on Sui. Anyway let Sui faint first, then help Ferris and the others—he decided, but as he hesitated, the situation became worse.

Lir moved his ring again, saying again: “Gathered beasts, appear!”

A thunder cloud appeared in front of him, this time five golden monsters stepped out.

Three of them were wolf-like beasts that had mostly appeared.

And two were monsters similar to what Froaude had released before, similar to devils.

Then these five monsters rushed towards Ferris.

The five and the one from the previous round, totaling six monsters were attacking Ferris alone.

“…”

Ferris stepped back, desperately moving her sword, using an unbelievable speed, to block the demon’s attack.

But of course she couldn’t stop everything.

Several gashes appeared on her body, blood flowing. But even so, she tried hard not to let the enemy’s attacks be drawn to Vois, Toale and Kiefer, fighting alone.

At this moment, Toale who was on the ground because he had lost his prosthetic limb, started to draw a crest in the air. He started to construct the offensive fire magic of Nelpha.

Vois reacted too, not only ordering his subordinates, and the surrounding Geihlficlant soldiers, “There’s a Gastarkian soldier…”

And Lir said: “I wouldn’t let you gain the advantage.”

He pulled out a circular disc with a hole in the center, then used his finger to spin it, throwing it towards the sky, saying softly: “Spin, Fabluss’ Moon Circle.”

It was like a curse, taking Lir as the center.

No, so that Sui and Kuu would not be hurt, the circle took Ryner and the others as center, starting to move vigorously.

The small disc moved at an unbelievable speed, spinning. It spun several rounds at which others could not see it.

But, it could be felt that their surroundings had grown quiet.

The dozens of soldiers around them…

No, maybe hundreds of soldiers, had been sliced open in a moment.

They didn’t even have the time to scream, when they were speedily sliced up, becoming corpses as they dropped onto the ground.

The surroundings became empty.

In a radius that wasn’t counted to be small, the living people had all disappeared.

The only ones living, were Ryner, Sui, Kiefer, Vois, Harmit, Toale, Kuu, Ferris and Relca who was on the ground, so she wasn’t harmed by the Rhule Fragmei.

The other soldiers were killed.

Although the Geihlficlant soldiers and Anti-Roland Coalition soldiers had felt this abnormality and wanted to provide them with reinforcements, but they hadn’t caught up.

No, it was lucky that they had not caught up.

Because Lir had a weapon that was able to kill the surrounding soldiers in an instant. The strange disc had returned to Lir’s finger, continuing to spin at a speed that could not be caught by the naked eye.

Even if the soldiers came to help again, they would probably be sliced open by Lir’s disc before they knew that they were dead.

And at this moment, Toale’s magic had completed.

But before Toale could move, Lir pointed to Ferris who would definitely die in the battle with the Lightning Beasts.

Then in his hand there was a green ball that was familiar.

It should be called the Rhule Fragmei called Stone Devourer.

It was a weapon that was able to gouge out the eyes of wielders of magic eyes.

And it was a weapon that could destroy the strong yarn that Luke used.

Because its general usage was broad, so it couldn’t be understood what kind of power that Rhule Fragmei had, but, anyway it was an extremely dangerous weapon.

Then Ryner remembered.

He remembered Lir had simply killed his companions before.

He had killed Lafra. He had killed Pueka. As long as it was wielders of magic eyes, he could even kill innocent children without any hesitation.

And now this person, to Ferris…

“…”

And he wanted to kill Ferris.

“Stop!!!!!!!” Ryner shouted, releasing Sui, jumping up from the ground, running towards Ferris.

But Lir laughed.

He laughed scornfully.

“This is war? How can I stop.” He said, then opened his hand, pushing the green stone in front of Ferris, saying softly, “Devour this person, Stone Devourer.”

So the stone…

The green stone called Stone Devourer immediately exploded.

And Ferris wasn’t able to block this blow.

She had spent most of her energy dealing with the Lightning Beasts, she didn’t have any more energy to block it.

“I definitely, wouldn’t let you succeed!”

Ryner shouted, grabbing Ferris’s hair from behind, pulling her down.

“Ah.” Ferris called, falling back, then looked at Ryner in slight surprise.

Several Lightning Beasts wanted to chase after Ferris, but Ryner blocked them. He reached out his right hand, pushing it in front of a beast that was running over. So Ryner’s wrist was bitten off, but he didn’t stop, using his remaining left hand, to punch Lir’s face.

Although this punch made Lir move back slightly, but everything was done.

The green stone in Lir’s hand exploded, becoming a great distortion in space.

In the next moment, Ryner’s left hand was sliced off into the air, but even so it had not ended.

Lir said with a nervous but determined voice: “Gouge out the crystal, Stone Devourer.”

So the green stone exploded again.

Although he didn’t know what he wanted to do.

But if he didn’t guess wrongly, it should be that he wanted to do the same thing like had he had done to the wielder of Alpha Stigma, Pueka.

To Ryner.

To Ryner’s Alpha Stigma.

And in that moment.

“…”

Ryner lost his vision.

His vision suddenly turned black, he couldn’t see anything.

He completely couldn’t see where he was, what he was doing.

“Ah…” He said.

Then he felt his body suddenly lose strength, kneeling on the ground.

“Ryner!!” Ferris shouted.

Strangely, she shouted with a sad voice that was rarely heard. But because of this shout, he finally understood that he had saved her.

So Ryner sighed in relief.

It was good if she had been saved. But if he continued to remain here, he would be killed. So he needed to tell her to run away quickly. But he couldn’t say anything, all his energy was gone, he couldn’t say a single word.

Then he felt Ferris hug him, hug his body.

She should clearly run away, this wasn’t the time to be doing this, but she strongly, she held him strongly.

“…Hey hey, your crystal has clearly been taken away, but you’re still alive. You really are a monster.” Lir said.

“…You, you, you… I am definitely going to kill you.” Ferris said with a trembling voice.

But no, I must stop Ferris.

Ryner thought.

She can’t win, she definitely can’t win these people. So if she doesn’t escape, I can only beg for mercy.

Even if I die here, it’s fine.

But, my comrades.

The companions who followed me here, no matter what I have to let them escape.

“…”

Hearing Kiefer cry in sadness, then run over.

So Ryner said: “…Li…Lir… I have a favour.”

Lir said: “It doesn’t seem like I have a reason to accept my enemy’s favour, right?”

Ryner forced a scornful smile, “Take it as me begging you…”

But Lir opened his mouth as if knowing what Ryner wanted to say: “You want to surrender at this point in time? Impossible. This is the punishment for the companion who has turned enemy and betrayed us. We clearly came here to save her, but I didn’t think that I would nearly lose my younger brother and sister’s lives. I don’t want to make the same error twice.”

“…”

“But letting you escape is fine. Because we have no more time to waste here. So, hey, the one called Vois Fiurelle.”

Somewhere nearby, Vois replied: “What is it?”

“Give all your Rhule Fragmei to me. This way I will let you live.”

Vois said with a slightly depressed voice: “There’s no choice… Harmit, take these.”

Harmit made a noise of assent, then wanted to pass them to Lir.

Although he couldn’t see, but Ryner still understood what happened.

At this moment, Kiefer suddenly shouted, “Vois, bring the Death Transference to Ryner, quickly!”

Lir said: “The Death Transference if a Rhule Fragmei too…”

But Kiefer interrupted him, saying again: “I definitely wouldn’t let you have it! If you want it, you’ll have to kill me first!”

Don’t say that, Ryner thought. Don’t say that for me, it doesn’t matter if something like dying happened to me.

For a monster who has no meaning in living, don’t die so easily.

At this moment, he felt Kiefer by his side, she stroked Ryner’s face, saying: “Ferris, don’t cry. Hurry! We have to move Ryner to places where soldiers are bleeding… Or else the Death Transference that sucks blood wouldn’t work… I’ll go get Ryner’s wrist.”

Because of this sentence, Ryner’ mind suddenly went blank.

Kiefer said Ferris was crying.

That Ferris, was actually crying.

Ryner sank into a state of self-hatred.

When they left Sion, she cried too, unsettled.

He clearly said that he wouldn’t leave such lonely memories for her, but now it was still the same.

Because he had been too weak, so he had become like that.

And, he understood too.

I will probably die soon.

He could clearly feel something very important in his body dying, and Death Transference probably couldn’t heal it.

Lir said: “…This person can’t be saved. Wielders of cursed eyes having lost their crystals can only…”

At this moment, Sui said: “Onii-san, let’s go. Our work has ended.”

Vois asked: “…Taking away the crystal also means taking away the power of Ryner’s magic eyes, right?”

“Yes.”

“That means, the power of Alpha Stigma, all of it…”

“Yeah.”

“Then Ryner is no longer a wielder of cursed eyes? He has already become a normal… a normal human?”

Lir answered: “Yes. Well, but he’ll die soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

“I see…” Vois had a disappointed voice.

Of course. Vois had come here because of Ryner’s magic eyes.

He had anticipated that Ryner’s eyes would be able to block Gastark’s weapon and had come here solely for that reason.

But, now he had simply lost those eyes.

And that meant everyone here.

“…”

Everyone would die.

But Ryner was unable to think about this.

His blood loss was severe.

Because he had lost both wrists, a large amount of blood was rushing out.

His consciousness was slowly blurring.

Lost in a distant place.

But he heard Kiefer’s voice. He heard Kiefer’s trembling and hoarse voice.

“I wouldn’t let you die. I definitely wouldn’t let you die!”

Then he felt Kiefer touch his shoulder.

His chest was still being hugged by Ferris. So he could feel her body trembling uncontrollably.

They were probably using Death Transference to heal him. If it were Death Transference, it could probably heal the wounds of both his wrists.

“…”

But, his consciousness became more blurred, more distant.

Then, he felt it.

He felt death.

He felt himself walking into the depths of death.

He felt himself slowly losing the power to live…

Then finally, Ryner’s consciousness, disappeared.

•••••••

“…”

Raising his head to the sky.

Looking at the distant sky.

The weather was very sunny today, so when he woke up he felt that something good would happen.

“…”

After Vois Fiurelle confirmed that the assassins had left, he looked back.

He looked at Kiefer and Ferris frantically try to heal Ryner who had lost his sight and both his wrists.

No, his wrist had already been joined back.

The severed left had had started to join back under the treatment of Death Transference.

The right hand had been torn apart by the beast so it was unable to return to its former appearance, Well, but at least the blood flow had stopped.

No matter what this was war. The blood that was the source of Death Transference’s power was abundant here.

As long as it wasn’t immediate death, no matter how severe the wound, as long as they used Death Transference, they wouldn’t die.

But.

“…”

Ryner Lute would still die.

Because his 'Alpha Stigma had been stolen.

Because his magic eyes had been crystallised and stolen.

Vois had met people who collected crystallised magic eyes before, so he knew that after the wielders lost the power of their magic eyes, they would die.

They would die immediately.

It was as if having a major organ like their heart or brain being destroyed, they would die immediately.

Probably to the wielders of cursed eyes, these magic eyes were probably the most important organ that gave them their main power.

So Ryner would definitely die.

No matter what, his Alpha Stigma had been stolen.

So…

“…”

Vois raised his head to the sky again, calling his subordinate, “Harmit.”

The black-haired beauty looked at him, replying: “Here.”

Vois smiled, saying: “Ne, so I said today would be a good day, right?”

Harmit tilted her head, not understanding Vois’s meaning, saying: “…Huh?”

But actually there wasn’t any need for her to understand his feelings.

Because today really was a good day.

Looking at the crying Kiefer Knolles.

Looking at the crying Ferris Eris.

Looking at the grim Toale Nelphi.

Only he, smiled happily, then used a light tone, to say to these three people: “Then then, has Ryner died?”

The three looked at Vois at the same time. They looked at him with an unbelievably scary expression, but they didn’t say anything.

But there wasn’t any need for them to answer.

If he died.

Then his heart would stop, his breathing would halt, the Death Transference would stop working.

Because Death Transference wouldn’t react to dead people.

But now that stone was sucking the blood on the floor. It was slurping up the blood.

As if desperately sucking up blood to wake up something else in Ryner’s body.

In normal situation after their magic eyes had been crystallised, they would die immediately, but now something in his body that had allowed to live, was as if about to be awakened.

Vois looked at this, murmuring: “…Ah, anyway, it seems like I win this bet.”

Well, no matter what, he was actually unsettled.

What the ugly Goddess said, how much of it was truth? He had always been unsettled about that.

Furthermore, the Goddesses had described Ryner like this.

No, it should be said they had described the thing in Ryner’ body.

<…We don’t know what it is. And we don’t know what will appear. Up until now something like that has never happened, what has happened to the body of the Solver of All Equations?>

The Goddesses had said that.

But he only needed this, to Vois it was enough.

The existence that even the Goddesses were unable to fathom.

That thing, that seemed to control all Reason in this world that the Goddesses were unable to understand.

It was in Ryner Lute’s body.

And the strange thing that even the Goddesses were unable to understand, probably wouldn’t appear so coincidentally, Vois had thought.

“…”

It couldn’t appear just for fun, he had thought.

So Vois had thought that if he brought Ryner here, he would let that thing appeared.

If he weren’t a human who had to die.

If her weren’t a monster who was about to die here.

And, he told Ryner that— “α—the power hidden in your body, seems to be the strongest power.”

That information, was actually a lie that Vois had come up with. It was easy to trick his opponent with a small lie, he had thought, then came up with this lie that seemed to have some meaning, but, from the beginning till the end, that had only been a lie.

The Goddess had never mentioned that.

They only told him that he needed to watch Ryner Lute, and keep a tab on him.

Ryner Lute, and Lucile Eris.

The Solver of All Equations and the Weaver of All Equations.

Now in the body of these two people, there were unknown bodies in them.

Things that could easily twist the rational of this world.

It was something that was unable to be understood by the common logic that they knew.

And the things that lived in their bodies, had always threatened this world—the Goddesses had said, and they were scared.

So Vois thought of betting on this gamble.

He gambled on the thing that was beyond the Goddess’ understanding.

If that thing really existed, then this person wouldn’t die here.

Was that person a hero from the legends, or a legendary hero, or—

“…There’s also the possibility that he will be a demon that will ruin this world…” Vois smiled.

Then he looked at Ryner who had lost consciousness. He looked at this monster that was on the ground, that had lost his Alpha Stigma.

He still hadn’t died.

He had clearly lost his Alpha Stigma, but he hadn’t died.

The Goddesses didn’t seem to be too clear on the weapon that Gastark had—the information on that weapon called Glovil. Even if Vois had searched through all the information networks in the world, he hadn’t gotten any solid information.

That meant, in this place, there were two giant powers that the Goddesses did not know of.

There were two powers that even those people who controlled the world did not know about.

And these two powers would clash here.

And it was such a sunny weather.

Under this clear sky with no clouds in sight.

This was really—

“…Everything has been decided on since the beginning, don’t you feel as if this were fate?” Vois said.

Harmit had an uncomprehending expression.

Vois smiled.

Of course he was the one to push for this development. It was his careful planning, that had caused matters to develop to this stage.

But everything possibly was decided on since the beginning, he had occasionally thought.

In the fate that had been decided on, followed by the low-grade humans who would follow its joys and despairs.

“…Thinking like that, always feels a little irritating…”

But, even so, only this time, he wanted to think of everything as destined.

He hoped that this situation was also decided since the beginning.

That before Gastark would use that weapon called Glovil, Ryner would lose his Alpha Stigma.

Then, after becoming like that.

The real battle, was from now on.

If everything proceeded in the way that Vois had predicted.

If.

“If I can win this gamble… the world can really change.”

It would change into scenery that not only humans, even Goddesses had never seen.

Up until today, no one had seen that scenery, that would replace everything in this world.

So Vois breathed out a little nervously.

If it weren’t death, it was changing the world.

“…”

He turned around.

The battle continued.

Even if Vois didn’t have three thousand soldiers under him, the battle that wouldn’t be affected by that, continued.

And the Geihlficlant held an overwhelmingly strong pressure.

As if not scared of the destructive power of the large-scale offensive magic and Rhule Fragmei, it slowly pushed the battle line back, then Gastark slowly started to retreat.

If this continued, Gastark would definitely lose.

But of course, that could not happen.

Anyone could see what Gastark was doing.

They were waiting for those assassins who had been sent to retrieve Kiefer and Ryner to return.

And when they returned, Gastark would use Glovil.

No.

“…”

At this moment, Vois felt something interesting.

What those Gastarkian assassins said.

They said they had been ordered to bring Kiefer and Ryner back.

That meant, the Gastarkians, had already felt that something special had existed in Ryner’s body?

Vois thought.

But the Gastarkian assassins didn’t bring Ryner back together.

They left after taking his Alpha Stigma.

Then, what did this mean?

Then, what did this mean?

Vois asked himself, then smiled scornfully.

Gastark that had the weapon that even the Goddess didn’t know about, probably didn’t completely understand Ryner.

That meant, Gastark hadn’t grasped the information that Ryner was equivalent to a BUG?

He thought.

“…If everything were just my imagination, it would be troublesome.” It was rare that he would say a weak point, then he called his subordinate again, “Harmit.”

Hamit replied, in her proper, curt but energetic way: “Is there anything wrong, Vois-sama.”

“How are Relca’s wounds?”

“Although she is unconscious, but she will probably live.”

“That’s good.” He nodded, repeating: “That’s good.”

Then he raised his head to the sky.

Now he only needed to wait.

Or die.

Or wait for the moment when the world would change.

“Harmit.”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you hungry? We have done what we need to do. Let’s have lunch.”

Hearing Vois’s sudden pronouncement, Harmit tilted her head in confusion.

Because she was overly serious, so every time he joked, she would always reveal this expression.

Then after she remained confused for a period of time, she understood what he meant, and smiled faintly, saying—

“Yes.”

•••••••

“…”

Suddenly, a palpitation came from his heart.

So he stopped fighting.

He stopped massacring the monsters around him.

Then Sion Astal focused his attention on that palpitation.

“…”

A strong thundering was coming from his chest.

Something important to his body, started beating strongly.

At first he didn’t understand what happened, but his heart was beating until he wanted to yell loudly.

“…”

He raised his head to the sky.

The blood red sky.

He was now under a sky like this.

But somewhere opposite this sky, there was something strange happening.

Although he didn’t know what had happened yet.

Although he didn’t know what had happened yet.

But these monsters—

“…”

These clones of the Goddess, that had attacked Sion, felt this.

Hundreds of monsters that were unbelievably ugly, raised their heads to the sky.

They looked to the northern sky.

They looked to the distant northern sky.

It seemed like something significant had happened there.

So a beast called.

<Psssssssshhh-->

It let out a piercing shout that humans couldn’t bear.

But Sion understood its meaning. Sion who was no longer human could understand their call.

This was the retreat order from the Goddesses to their clones. So the monsters retreated.

Something worse than ambushing Sion here had probably happened.

It seemed like there was some serious problem, so these monsters needed to go and deal with it.

“…”

Sion pulled off the monster that was hanging on to his shoulder, stamping on it, then raising his hands, muttering: “Begone, monsters.”

A black sword appeared suddenly from behind him, piercing through the monster’s head. Followed by a clatter, the monster’s head disappeared.

Confirming this, he turned to the north again.

He looked at the northern sky.

Then closed his eyes.

Opening them again.

“…”

Following that he was back to reality.

The reality where there were no monsters.

He was now in a carriage.

He was in a carriage where there was a simple desk and bed.

He opened his eyes and found he was lying on a bed. His head ached terribly, it was probably because he had hit his head and lost his consciousness in reality when he was attacked by the Goddess.

He rubbed his temples, raising his head, getting off the simple mattress. Then he opened the carriage door. The outside was still as noisy as ever.

It seemed, he was still on the battle field.

Froaude was waiting outside the carriage, he said with a cold but slightly concerned tone: “…Have you work, Your Majesty.”

Sion nodded, getting off the carriage.

Then he surveyed the situation.

In the end he found that the scenery wasn’t much different from when he had lost consciousness at.

“…This is?” He asked.

Froaude replied: “The area between the lands that used to be the Southern Country of Ali and the Autonomous Holy City of Cassla.”

According to what Froaude said, Sion finally understood that his army had seemed to retreat by quite a distance.

“Have we been outmaneuvered by Remrus?”

Froaude nodded, “Because they used a surprisingly strong weapon.”

“So we didn’t win?”

“No no, this is only a temporary retreat to reorganize our army. And now Field Marshals Claugh Klom and Rahel Miller have gathered the soldiers to make a counter-attack. Because we sent out extraordinary pieces, so we probably can stop them.”

Hearing this report, Sion nodded.

Everyone had probably retreated to protect Sion who had lost consciousness. The morale of the soldiers who had seen Sion collapsed must have been badly affected.

But if they were able to regroup the army in such a short time, start the counter-attack, that meant…

Sion smiled, saying: “It seems that even without me, Roland can conquer the world?”

Froaude smiled too, “Please don’t joke about that—then I will go and spread the news that Your Majesty is already awake to the whole army. Because almost everyone followed Your Majesty to come here, so if you’re not with us, including me, everyone is not motivated.”

He finished saying these words that seemed to be offerings, turned around and left.

“…”

But Sion didn’t stop.

He moved his eyes away from Froaude, looking to the sky again.

He looked to the northern sky.

The sky there seemed to be very sunny.

It was so cloudless that it made him feel comfortable.

But for some reason, somewhere deep in his chest—

“…”

Somewhere deep in his chest felt very uncomfortable.

So he understood something important that would cause a change must have happened.

As if hearing something in the far north let out a cry.

But.

“…”

But even so, Sion chose to keep quiet in the end, not saying anything.

•••••••

“We will win!”

The Geihlficlant king yelled.

So as to increase the soldiers’ motivation, he yelled, almost making his voice hoarse.

In actuality, this war had many benefits for him.

Although he had been cautious because of the information that the strongest power in the northern continent Stohl Empire had been defeated, but in the end if you talked about it optimistically, it would be the side with more soldiers that would win.

There was no other path.

No matter what they did there was no other path, the person who stepped firmly step by step would win.

And Geihlficlant was that country.

No matter whether you were royalty or noble birth, people with no talents could not be acknowledged. People with no results couldn’t be recognized.

Even if it were the prince, if he did not have the ability to deal with it, his position would have been snatched away by the other nobles.

So he had never relaxed his demands towards himself. He had worked hard at disciplining himself since young. Because he was a just prince recognized by everyone.

And he wanted this country to become stronger, more peaceful.

But suddenly the country that he had never heard of called Gastark appeared, and focused its sights on Geihlficlant.

It was said that they had weapons that no one had ever seen before, up till today.

No, they had used it a few times on their way here.

And because those weapons spit flames, it had killed tens of thousands of his soldiers.

But, even so.

“…We will win.”

He thought.

The Geihlficlant army was already completely pressing back the Gastark army.

Furthermore they had ten times the power of the opposing army. If they had an opening, the Gastark army would be easily scattered in a moment.

And if it became a chaotic battle, the other side couldn’t use that strange weapon too. Because if they continued with their plan, they would suffer damages too.

So it would end like that—Gulafed Abuleld thought.

The shining conqueror of the north, the legend of the Gastark Empire, would end here immediately.

But they would leave a reputation. No matter what they had conquered the northern continent.

But in the history after today, their name would only pass down as part of the Geihlficlant Empire.

“…”

Gulafed smiled.

Then he pulled out the sword at his waist.

His horse galloped forward.

On the battle field that was filled with a few large-scale magics and deaths, he calmly galloped forth.

He was this kind of king.

A king who took up the lives of his comrades.

That was why everyone chose him.

They choose him who was fearless and courageous.

Because he was a king who was protected by the people and soldiers.

So the soldiers who desperately protect their selfless king who rushed to the front lines.

So the army strength increased in a moment. Thousands of soldiers moved at an unbelievable pace.

Then Abuleld smiled happily, raising his sword.

Raising his sword high in the air.

This sword was going to clash with the swords of the Gastark army.

He flew there in a straight line, roaring: “That’s enough, you guys!”

The Geihlficlant soldiers answered with an ear-splitting yell—

“Yes--!!!!”

Because of this earth-shattering cry, the Gastark soldiers trembled.

The world shook.

The earth shook.

With the progress of these soldiers who shouted that they wanted to kill the Gastarkians, everything shook.

So Rize shouted: “Too slow!”

He scolded angrily: “What are Lir and the others doing!”

“…”

But Riphal did not answer.

He only watched the Geihlficlant army that was slowly approaching in a huge mass.

All he could see were the green flags and armours of Geihlficlant and his soldiers.

“…Definitely.”

That country must have an extremely wonderful king. He thought.

Or else there wouldn’t be so many soldiers following him.

Even that military country Stohl, their soldiers had weakly shuffled their feet. But this was to be expected, because the royalty and nobles who were in high positions, didn’t follow them onto the battle ground.

But here.

On this battle ground, the Geihlficlant king was on its front lines.

In these nights and days, no matter how many northern countries he had defeated, this had never happened. But it seemed that the Geihlficlant king was this kind of king.

Furthermore.

“…”

Riphal frowned.

Then he thought.

If everything had not been distorted.

If the Goddesses had not devoured this world, if the Hero had not gone bad, if everything was not twisted, he would want to live in the country that was ruled by that kind of king.

To tell the truth he had never thought of ruling the world, much less have this kind of meaningless war.

Because he hated seeing people die.

Be it his companions or enemies.

Because he hated seeing people die.

This was completely meaningless.

No matter how many people he killed, the ending would still be the same.

In the end a country would take over the world.

But that country would be ruined one day.

And then a new struggle would erupt.

Leaving blood, screams and despair.

And people would immediately forget these.

They would make the same mistake.

He himself had never thought of entering this boring killing cycle.

Even if Stohl had killed his parents, he had opposed revenge.

Because there was no meaning.

He had even advised everyone in the village to have a peaceful life under Stohl’s governance.

But.

“…”

But why was he standing here.

Killing people here.

And killing many people.

It was clearly the worst action.

If no one was seeing, if there were no companions fighting by his side, he would probably hate it so much that he would cry.

I clearly only want to live in peace, why does that world disallow for such a small hope to exist.

Forcing him to move forward.

Making him move forward.

Making him move forward and kill people.

Or else in the end, the whole world would be devoured by the Goddess or something like that.

“…”

At this moment, his companions finally returned.

Lir, Sui and Kuu.

In the beginning he had only sent them to confirm the position of the Geihlficlant king, but for some reason the spy that had followed Kiefer returned at this time. And said that Kiefer had escaped his notice, coming to this battle field for some reason.

Hearing this news, Riphal had frantically plead for Lir and the others to save Kiefer.

Riphal looked at Lir who had returned empty-handed, asking: “…Why didn’t you bring Kiefer back?”

Lir looked down, saying: “She said she didn’t want to return to your side.”

Rize who was standing behind Riphal said: “Huh? Is that woman an idiot? She clearly knows what will happen.”

But if she was so adamant on not returning, there was no choice.

“Did she say she wanted to die with Ryner Lute?” Riphal asked.

Lir replied: “…No, the Solver of All Equations is already…”

“Dead?”

“Is this better to do this?”

Riphal nodded, “…Yes. That’s the case. Anyway I can’t save the Solver of All Equations… Even if you brought him back, I would probably kill him here. But even so… Even so, I still wanted to let them have more time together for Kiefer’s sake…”

But, Ryner Lute was already dead.

And Kiefer still hadn’t left the side of the dead Ryner.

Riphal smiled sadly, saying: “…I’ve been dumped again~”

Lir didn’t say anything.

Sui and Kuu and Rize were silent.

Because they already understood what would happen.

Riphal would swing that big sword.

He would swing Glovil down.

He would swing that cursed Sword of Regeneration.

Then everything here would end.

Half of the Geihlficlant soldiers would probably die. The crowd covering this area would disappear in and instant, it could be possible that they might even see the horizon.

And among that, Kiefer’s life would be ended.

“…”

He clearly said that he hated seeing people die, but his hand…

His cursed hands still…

“…Don’t tell me I have to kill the woman I love…” He muttered with a voice as if he were about to cry.

But that sentence was murmured so low that no one could hear it. No, that probably was the small, weak voice that was filled with hate and cursed fate, that sounded in the deepest corner of his chest.

Then he raised his head.

Because he couldn’t cry.

Because he couldn’t cry, and he couldn’t escape.

So he faced the front.

He found that the Geihlficlant army had already reached in front of him.

So he said: “…Let our comrades retreat. I will end this war.”

Lir nodded.

Rize yelled: “His Majesty is going to use Glovil! Retreat!”

The Gastark soldiers yelled happily, the shout to kill all of Geihlficlant soldiers spread.

Both sides were shouting “Kill! Kill! Kill!” as they prepared to clash.

And in the middle of these two armies.

“…”

Riphal Edea stood proudly by himself.

Then he pulled out the large sword on his back.

It didn’t seem like humans could use it—

A long…

Long…

Long…

Black…

Cursed sword.

He slowly raised the sword above his head, lifting his soldiers.

Raising his head, looking at the man who was galloping towards him amongst the front line of the Geihlficlant army.

That man who wore elegant green armour. He raised his sabre, leading the Geihlficlant army. There was the possibility that this man was that country’s king.

But.

“…”

In Riphal’s eyes, there was no reflection of the Geihlficlant king’s figure.

He only used that remaining eye, to look into the distance.

He looked at the other side of the enemy army.

He looked at the people he was about to kill.

He looked at the lives of comrades.

“…Kiefer she…” He murmured.

And he stopped, he didn’t continue. He squashed what he wanted to say back into his chest.

Because he didn’t have the right to explain himself anymore. He no longer had the right to explain what he wanted to do to the people he was going to kill.

So he could only shout like he usually did.

He shouted with that voice as if he were about to cry—

“I…I am a murderer! I am a king of slaying! If you want to curse me, then come! But, even so, I will still swing this sword. So that I can save more lives than I am going to kill now, I will kill you all here!!”

So he, Glovil—

The scenery warped.

The scenery warped.

The world warped with a strangely mushy sound.

And Ryner,

"..."

Had seen this same scene before.

He saw something within the depths of darkness.

The scenery being twisted, crushed, wrapped, and colors melting into each other, staining everything red.

Red.

Red.

Red.

Red.

"..."

This was the same scene he saw when he died a while ago. No, the same scene he saw when he thought he died from being stabbed in the chest with a knife.

Then Ryner looked at his hands.

His hands were being stained white.

Not only his hands – but his feet, his chest, his whole body were being stained white as well.

It almost seemed like his own existence was getting weaker – even the outline of his body was fading away.

"...everything is happening the way it did last time..."

He whispered.

Then he looked around.

Everything within his field of vision was being stained red.

And Ryner knew what kind of red it was.

The same shade of red that the pentacle in his eyes had.

A red ceiling.

A crimson floor.

A vermillion wall.

A scarlet corridor the stretches directly ahead.

And Ryner knew where he was.

He was within himself.

Inside his Alpha Stigma.

A monster called Alpha lived here, and...

"..."

A black-haired woman who tried her best to stop its rampage.

And he remembered the woman's face.

He remembered who she was.

Mother.

His own mother.

He didn't know why, but his mother risked her life to prevent the monster from going wild inside Ryner.

Therefore

"..."

Therefore, his mother should be here right now.

And Ryner whispered softly,

"...mother."

But no response came.

There was only the blood-red corridor, stretching infinitely.

So Ryner began walking. He proceeded through the passageway, and saw what he'd seen before.

Beyond the corridor lay an unbelievably huge room.

If I have such a huge and empty hole within me, won't I die of loneliness? These nonsensical thoughts passed through Ryner's head.

That room was red as well.

The sky; the earth; everything was red and wriggled like human insides.

The same as before.

Exactly the same.

Yet somehow different.

Because...

"...there's no voice..."

He said.

Yes.

Last time, a voice came from the skies.

A low and heavy voice that resounded directly in his brain.

It's the same voice that Ryner can only hear when his Alpha Stigma goes berserk, a voice overbearing like that of a god's – however, he can't hear it now.

The red monster who posed as a deity was supposed to live here.

But it wasn't here.

Ryner tried speaking up,

"Is it hiding somewhere...?"

Maybe when Lir gouged out his Alpha Stigma, that monster got devoured by that stone Spunquel and died?

Regardless, nothing was there.

Ryner emerged from the corridor and stepped into the room. He mused to himself as he walked on,

"...maybe everything's a dream? I'm already dead, so I'm seeing things during my last moments...or..."

Am I in hell?

That's one possibility, he thought.

He killed lots of people when his Alpha Stigma went berserk, after all.

Such a monster could never hope for heaven.

And he failed to protect his friends...

"..."

Ferris and Kiefer and Toale and Voice and Arua and Kuku and Sion and – no, he failed pretty much everyone.

Someone like that wouldn't go to heaven after he died.

So,

"...is this hell?"

He whispered, and something replied.

<<That's right.>>

Something replied.

However, the voice came from the heavens. A voice from the skies that battered directly at his head.

But it wasn't the overbearing voice that resounded when his Alpha Stigma went berserk.

This voice sounded somewhat sleepy and lazy.

Ryner lifted up his face and asked,

"Who is it?"

The voice laughed.

"Just 'ahaha' doesn't tell me anything."

And the voice said,

<<You should be able to understand by just looking, right?>>

Ryner scowled,

"Where?"

<<Straight ahead. Right in front of you.>>

The voice said.

So Ryner turned to the front again, and discovered that the scenery had changed sometime in between.

Not completely – everything was still stained red -, but two people appeared without his notice.

One of them was a woman.

A woman with beautiful and long black hair. A woman with a gentle face. A face that evoked such nostalgia in him, that he was nearly driven to tears just by the sight of her.

It was his mother.

His mother lay on the red floor, looking like she was asleep.

And a man gently held her in his arms.

Ryner took a look at that man.

"..."

And was at a loss of words.

Because...

"..."

The man was himself.

However, he wore strange clothes. Ridiculous ones like that of a clown, and a tear drop was tattooed below his left eye.

He looked towards Ryner with that left eye and smiled gently.

<<Hi there. So we finally meet.>>

He said in a friendly tone.

Ryner scrutinized the clown that looked exactly like himself, and said

"Who are you?"

The clown merely shrugged his shoulders in reply.

<< I'm you.>>

"Huh?"

<<You. Your sleeping self.>>

"I don't get it..."

However, the clown interrupted his words.

<<It's also correct to say that I'm half of "Ryner Eris Reed"[the Lonesome Demon] – the Solver of All Equations. But in the end, I'm still you.>>

He said.

But Ryner couldn't understand what those words meant. Seeing this, the clown smiled kindly.

<<It's alright if you don't understand it right now. You'll eventually get it.>>

"Really?"

<<Yep.>>

"I see..."

Ryner said and looked around him,

"So, where's that monster?"

He asked.

The clown replied,

<<You mean Alpha?>>

"Yeah."

<<He ran. Because I – no, you woke up...if you fully awakened, Alpha wouldn't be able to do anything about it.>>

That's what he said, but Ryner couldn't understand a word.

But it doesn't matter, because he has more important matters to attend to.

"..."

Ryner gazed at the woman lying before him; at the black-haired and gentle-looking woman.

And said,

"...so"

"So, is mother released now? She has been holding back Alpha for my sake, didn't she?"

The clown nodded, and gently caressed his mother's black hair,

<<She's been released.>>

He said.

Ryner's eyes widened at this. Pentagrams no longer appeared in his eyes. He opened his curse-free eyes – looking almost as if they've never been cursed in the first place - and ran towards his mother's side.

But the clown said,

<<Then she died.>>

He said.

<<She abandoned everything to protect you. She really is a kind person.>>

Those were his words.

And Ryner stopped himself. He looked at the woman on the floor.

His mother.

His mother, who risked her life and continued to protect him all these years, even though he himself forgot her name, her face and even her figure.

"...sh-she died?"

He said.

But the clown didn't answer. He merely looked towards Ryner in sympathy.

"..s-she died..but I, I haven't even said anything to..."

However, the clown replied.

<<Your feelings were conveyed to her.>>

"But..."

<<And you still have things to do, no? She's already dead, but you're not dead yet.>>

The clown said.

Ryner stared at the clown who resembled himself,

"I'm...not dead?"

<<That's right. And you have to protect your friends –no, we have to protect our friends. That's what we've decided, right? We want to save everything we see. If even monsters like us can save someone - then we'd want to save everything – we've decided, haven't we?>>

"..."

Hearing those words, he suddenly remembered.

What he should do.

What he had to do from now on.

And who he is.

So Ryner looked at the clown.

He looked at the clown who was the splitting image of himself, and said.

"You are..."

He felt the depths of his chest shake.

The very insides of his chest trembled.

Then he opened his mouth.

And his voice,

<<...I am...I am a demon who became mad to save Sion, huh...>>

His voice came from the heavens.

"..."

Ryner opened his eyes.

He saw the faces of his friends.

The faces of Ferris and Kiefer.

Both of them looked on the brink of crying.

No, they were actually crying.

They were crying and pushing Derunio onto his body like everything depended on it.

And they hadn't realized that Ryner was awake already.

"..."

On the side, Toale was talking to Vois with a troubled face.

And Ryner tried to say,

"...ah~"

He tried to speak up,

"...I'm beat."

Ferris and Kiefer turned around in an instant. Their eyes widened in surprise.

"Ryner!?"

Kiefer shouted and embraced him.

And Ferris...

"..."

She hurriedly tried to wipe her tears, but her attempts only made it worse. She turned away and shouted in anger.

"I-idiot! You sure took your sweet time!"

Ryner smiled wryly.

Toale came towards him with a happy face and extended his hand.

Ryner took it and pulled himself upright. He now realized that he's standing in a sea of blood. He was probably healed by Derunio absorbing the blood here.

His left arm was attached. His right arm was torn into shreds and missing, but the wound had closed, at least.

Ryner glanced at his arm, and immediately turned towards his two comrades.

As expected, Kiefer and Ferris were drenched in blood from standing in that sea of blood.

"...sorry. I made you worry."

Ryner whispered.

Ferris still refused to turn around and didn't even give him a reply.

"Ah~ That's great. So you did wake up, as expected."

Vois butted in, and Ryner turned towards him.

" 'As expected' my ass. You lied, didn't you?"

Vois smiled at his words, and tilted his head.

"About what?"

"About my eyes and what the Goddess said about them. What was it again? Er, Alpha is..."

Vois gleefully finished the sentence.

"Alpha – the power of destruction that lies within you is one of the most powerful types – was that what you meant? Yes. That was a complete lie."

Vois admitted curtly, even though he lied about an important thing that he really shouldn't have.

Ryner replied with a bored face.

"Don't screw with me. Alpha escaped."

Vois seemed a bit surprised at this.

"Hmm. So Alpha escaped...because it's afraid of Glovil?"

He asked, but Ryner shook his head.

And Vois grinned happily.

"Afraid of you?"

He asked, his expression smug as if he expected everything.

"..."

Ryner was getting more annoyed by the minute, so he stopped replying.

But, Vois kept speaking.

"So, did you find out who you are?"

"..."

"Everything went according to my words, right? If you came here, you'd find out..."

"...ahh geez. Shut up. Stop making such a big deal about it."

Ryner said, and Vois replied

"Well, you're having a talk with me later, but at least answer me this. I'm sure everyone here wants an answer..."

Vois paused. Ryner felt a slightly nervous air around Vois.

So, when Vois said

"...it's about Glovil, can you..."

Ryner interrupted.

"I can deal with it."

He detached himself from Kiefer's embrace and turned around. He stared at the real world he had come back to. A world filled with slaughter.

He gazed at the battlefield with eyes whose sight should've been stolen by Lir.

"..."

A tear shape floated within his eyes. A tear drop that flickered in blue, red, white, and all the iridescent colors.

Reflected in those eyes were things beyond this world.

The composition of all magic.

The composition of all humans.

The composition of all matter.

The composition of all Rule Fragments can be seen.

And he knew how to undo them.

Vois questioned from behind.

"...so, in the end, who are you?"

"A lonesome demon who happened to be very good at solving puzzles."

Ryner said without turning around.

He stared into the distance.

And saw, in the distance, a monster being born.

Perhaps no one else can see this scene. Maybe, not even the Gastarkians who summoned that could see it.

The scene is happening in a world overlapping with reality, but different.

A giant snake descended from the skies. A snake with white scales, whose body is huge enough to cover the entire sky.

The snake opened its mouth. From its mouth, another monster – no, the face of a beautiful girl with long, pink hair appeared and said

<<O, contractor...I shall answer your call again>>

The girl cast her voice downwards.

A quiet, quiet, quiet, yet overbearing voice.

A cursed voice that resounds directly in a human's head.

<< I shall answer. I shall answer. Come, offer the price. Offer it, and release my power.>>

Her voice coaxed.

The monster cast her voice downwards, and coaxed the feeble human.

And the contractor answered. The contractor replied, sacrificing his own body to gain power.

It seemed like the weapon Glovil had to be activated that way.

A human, offering his life to the monster to unlock its true power.

And the girl laughed.

She seemed to be laughing at the foolish antics of man.

She laughed softly, looking down on everything.

And

<<...the contract is finished. Releasing my power.>>

After she said that, a red light appeared from afar.

A light in the shade of blood was released violently into the world.

Ryner began,

"...everyone step back. I'm cancelling Glovil's mag..."

But his words stopped.

Because another voice came from the skies.

<<Ha, ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha>>

It was a voice he knew very well.

One that he heard over and over again.

The voice that descended whenever Ryner's Alpha Stigma went berserk.

The voice of the monster that kept tormenting him.

"..."

No, the monster that killed his mother-

"Alpha, huh..."

Ryner said and looked up towards that voice.

And it was there.

The monster that he once met in his eyes.

A beast as big as Glovil's floating body descended towards him.

Red skin in the shade of blood.

Eyes even redder than that.

Vermillion pentacles in the depths of its eyes.

Sharp fangs.

Sharp claws.

Gigantic wings.

However, those wings weren't flapping. They were merely swaying lazily, and the beast ignored gravity as is floated down slowly.

No, the concept of gravity that governs the plane of humans might not even exist in this world.

Ferris, Kiefer and the others probably couldn't see the monster. No, Ryner himself wouldn't be able to see it either if not for the power of the Solver of All Equations in his eyes.

All they heard were voices coming from the sky.

Voices like that of gods' descended from the sky, and humans feared.

However, Ryner looked up at Alpha with bored eyes.

Seeing that, Alpha smiled with its mouthful of teeth.

<<Ha, hahaha, ahahahaha, so you see me, so you see me, demon...so finally, you have stepped beyond the boundaries of man, just like that mad hero...>>

Ryner interrupted.

"Shut up, monster."

<<Bold words. But what can a mere human do by gaining just a bit of power? You're no longer protected by Artofaal. Nothing stands against my power now.>>

The beast finished, and bit into his own wings. He tore out his own teeth and sank his arms into his chest.

And gradually, the seal that had restricted the monster began to break. The restraints that his mother cast on the monster to hold him back – to prevent it from going on a rampage and killing Ryner – were being torn off.

And another monster tried to come out from the beast's body. The beast's chest was ripped apart and torn open,

"..."

And a giant spider with a human-like head emerged from within. Its whole body was red. A giant spider with a blood-red body. The spider opened its mouth and began devouring the body of the beast which looked like the demons in fairytales. It began devouring the Curse of Artofaal that Ryner's mother created.

And the human-like head above its mouth looked towards Ryner.

Actually, the face didn't have eyes, so Ryner didn't know whether it's staring at him or not, but it definitely turned towards him.

Ryner looked back.

At the face without eyes, a nose, a mouth or ears. It was simply an egg-shaped and blood-red head, and infinite amounts of pentacles that shone even redder appeared and disappeared before it.

And that head, with all its flickering pentacles, looked towards him. Looked down on him.

Ryner scowled.

"So that's your true form."

As expected, Alpha laughed. "Hahahahahahaha". It laughed with a powerful voice that made heads spin.

And...

<<That's right. And how would you call me? God. Demon. Devil. Hero. Monster. How would you...>>

However, Ryner extended his hand.

And with his eyes - eyes that were shining with prism tears -, he looked up at the ugly spider and muttered.

"...how would I call you? Hah! You're just a spider, aren't you?"

He said and moved his fingers slightly. A light appeared at his fingertip.

Then he looked up.

"...the spider's..."

And even turned his gaze towards the snake on the other side.

"And the snake's equations analyzed. Terminating their existences..."

But stopped right there.

He saw something grasping his left arm.

It was woman's arm.

At first, he thought that it belonged to Ferris or Kiefer.

But immediately dismissed that idea.

After all, humans shouldn't be able to come to this unnatural world.

So, who...

Who is it...

"..."

Ryner looked towards the woman grabbing his arm.

But it wasn't a woman.

No, it wasn't even human.

It had a long hair and a nicely shaped body.

But it didn't have eyes. It had eyeholes, but no eyes. Insect-like beings gushed out from its eyeholes, and it bit on Ryner's arm with its horizontal mouth filled with teeth.

"...a Goddess huh."

Ryner scowled and turned his gaze towards the Goddess.

"Terminating existence..."

But stopped again. He felt a great pain in his right shoulder. Something tore into him.

One after each other, his legs, back and neck were being torn into.

Ryner turned around in response.

And saw dozens of the Goddess' monsters.

Then, voices came down again.

Alpha's voice.

Voices of the Goddesses' doubles.

<<Don't get cocky, demon...we've decided to finish you off here...resistance is futile...you...all of you are going to perish here.>>

They said.

And Alpha released one vermillion pentacle from his face.

Not towards Ryner, but the ground.

The pentacle engraved itself on the earth.

And the ground twisted with red.

A hole opened from the distortion, and what looked like brown dirt gushed out. Then came the soldiers with green armor. Then the blue sky. Then the voices of humans.

Everything was being turned inside out, with the hole as the center. The alternate world was slowly transformed into the real world.

However, Alpha was still there.

An unbelievably huge spider monster, whose existence shouldn't even be allowed in the human world, appeared.

Just by raising its leg, soldiers around the spider were blown to smithereens, before they even touched its leg.

Humans were rendered speechless before such an unusual sight.

Speechless before the appearance of a monster that looked like it came straight from a fairytale.

But the screams began immediately.

The screams of madness began immediately.

<<Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaahahahahahahhaaaaaaahahahah know fear, humans! Tremble, humans! I am God, demon, devil, hero, a monster who'll slaughter all of you...come, scream for me!>>

Alpha roared.

It released vermillion pentacles from its face into all directions. When they hit humans, their blood boiled and exploded from within.

It was different from the power that Ryner used before. When he went berserk and released pentacles, the power within them was different.

Most likely, Alpha was merely abusing the power of the Solver of All Equations.

"...now you're just a monster."

Ryner groaned.

Ferris' voice came from behind.

"W-what is that..."

Ryner didn't turn around.

"The monster within me."

"Why is it out here?"

"Because I'm weak. But I'll stop it now."

"But, such a monster..."

However, Ryner interrupted her words.

"Hey, Ferris..."

"Hmm?"

"I've always made you worry, and you were the one who kept protecting me, but this time, I'll..."

He said.

"I'll do the protecting."

With those words, he took at step forward. His body felt incredibly heavy. The Goddess' doubles were swarming around his body and tearing into him in the alternate world, and he found it a bit hard to move.

But he ignored that and moved forward. Then he extended his hand towards Alpha.

Alpha laughed at this.

He laughed madly.

<<Hahahahahaha, hahhahahahahahaha, you can't do it. You won't be able to. The weakness in your heart won't let you.>>

Ryner ignored the words that Alpha cast down, and weaved light patterns in the air with his finger.

However, the spider monster still laughed.

<< I said you can't do it! Your power is too immense, so you can't use it in this world. If you do, you'll erase the entire landscape. So, you won't use your power. That's why I chose this place for your burial. Because you, with your weak and fragile heart, can't kill humans...you can only kill that monstrous snake in the alternate world. You can't kill...>>

Someone spoke up behind him.

"...you can do it. Right, Ryner?"

Vois said.

"You are our king. If you saved us here, then you'd truly be our king, both in name and..."

But Ryner interrupted him.

He cut off Vois' words.

"It's not about big things like that. The spider was right. I am a weak human. Not a monster, just a fragile human. And because humans are sad creatures...because they're weak and sad creatures, they cannot choose everything."

He said, and remembered Sion's face.

Sion, who was smiling as tears flowed down his cheeks in the rain.

He kept making choices.

The ones that are the hardest to make.

And in the end, he cried. He cried, and disappeared.

But if he was really that troubled, why didn't he talk to me? That's what I thought.

Why didn't he tell me to save him? I thought.

He said that I'm his greatest friend.

He said that I'm his companion.

Why did he heave all those burdens upon himself?

"..."

But, I was wrong.

He couldn't have talked to me.

Because I..

"..."

I didn't bear anything.

All I did was run away.

I selfishly proclaimed that I wanted to save everything, but all I did was run away without shouldering anything.

That's why Sion disappeared while crying.

But it's different now.

It'll be different from now on.

I wanted to stand beside him – not just by talk – but truly stand beside him.

But for that, I need to shoulder my own burdens.

I need to move on.

"If...if I'm not a monster, but a human..."

I need to move on.

Because I like Ferris.

Because I like Kiefer.

Because I like Toale.

Vois...well, I wonder?

And Milk, and Lafra, and Arua, and Kuku, and Fahl, Tyle, Toni, and Sion as well.

"Because I like humans...so..."

Ryner said and raised his hand.

He felt something on his face. Felt his own tears flowing down his cheek.

However, he still said,

"So, I'll move on."

And released a light from his fingertip.

A light that undoes all equations.

For an instant, Alpha looked surprised. But it really was for an instant.

Alpha was caught in the light immediately, and its very existence was erased.

But the light didn't stop there.

It couldn't be controlled by Ryner's will anymore. Slowly but surely, like a pandemic, the light spread out into the world.

It expanded in front of Ryner in the shape of a fan.

And the humans touched by the light all turned into sand.

Hundreds.

Thousands.

Tens of thousands.

Hundreds of thousands.

An unbelievable amount of humans were erased by the light and turned into sand.

And the light clashed with the red light that Glovil unleashed.

By that time, almost no one was left in front of Ryner.

Glovil's light and Ryner's light had killed most of them.

Then, Glovil's and Ryner's powers negated each other and disappeared.

"..."

It seems like their powers were almost equal.

And only despair remained.

Nothing that resembled a human figure could be seen.

More than a million people were erased, but the plains merely stretched on as if nothing had happened.

The sky was clear.

Most relaxing.

Ryner looked at the sky

"...I killed..."

He began, but was cut off by Ferris.

"No! You...you just protected us!"

She shouted.

She shouted with all her might.

Ryner smiled bitterly at that.

He smiled bitterly at her kindness. Normally, she'd swing around her sword and never stop yapping about dango, but at times like this, she'd be so kind. He felt like crying. But he won't. Not anymore.

"Yeah..."

He merely nodded.

"Yeah, you're right."

He merely nodded.

And mused to himself.

He killed to protect his friends.

That's...alright. It's a reason that he can accept, he thought.

But it's not something that he should do, whether he accepted it or not. It's not something he can forgive himself for. There's no way he can live on smiling sheepishly after killing more than a million people.

That's why Sion cried.

And even the King of Gastark-

Even Rephael Edea must be moving forward while crying, isn't he? Ryner thought faintly.

But nothing is going to change by just thinking about it.

Ryner closed his eyes.

And moved his consciousness into the alternate world again.

As usual, the Goddess' doubles were biting into his body.

Ryner narrowed his eyes.

"..well, that's that. What are you going to do about it?"

He said.

And the Goddess' doubles shivered in fear.

<<...you monster...>>

They say.

But Ryner smiled sadly.

"Sorry, but I'm a human, saddeningly so."

He said, and grabbed one of the Goddesses that was tearing into him.

"Disappear."

And it was done.

All the Goddesses detached themselves from Ryner

<<Orders for retreat.>>

They said.

"Then go. But tell this to your boss – since you guys bullied Sion, I'm not going to forgive you."

Ryner said. He raised his hands, and lowered his voice

"...tell her that I'll come and kill her one day."

And the Goddess' doubles hurriedly ran away from the alternate world that Ryner had created.

Ryner nodded and looked at the sky again.

The snake monster was still there.

A girl's head emerged from its mouth and smiled. Her hair was the same shade as that of the Gastarkians.

Then

-I thought I could meet you here. Hello, Mister Demon.

She said.

Ryner replied,

"Who are you? The structure of your equation is a bit different from that of the Goddesses or Alpha..."

The girl answered:

-I am Glovil. The lover of Riphal Edea.

"Lover?"

-Yes. I am a woman sent forth for the sole purpose of crossing with him.

"...sole purpose of crossing...um, I'm not really getting it...but, you're a monster, right?"

-Ahaha.

"Well, 'ahaha' doesn't really tell me anything...ah~ geez. So, you knew you can meet me here, and what did you come for?"

Ryner asked, and the girl answered.

-I just came to see. To see whether we can kill the mad demon. Whether we can kill the mad hero. In truth, the Goddesses aren't the enemy. The ones who mess up this world are always you two.

"..."

Ryner narrowed his eyes at her words.

He couldn't understand what the girl was saying.

"...the ones who mess up the world are always the demon and the hero? That..."

-Don't think too hard about it. You're mad with love anyways, so you won't reach the right conclusion. But...right. It's a bit troubling. Your power is beyond my expectations...

She stopped, and looked like she had a sudden epiphany.

-Well, I'm still glad that I could meet you. I wonder, will I meet you again, or will I meet the hero next? I don't know, but that's it for today. I'm going back to my beloved hero's sword. So, see you.

The girl said and returned to the snake's mouth.

And the snake disappeared.

Ryner looked at the empty space it left behind.

"..."

Suddenly, his body lost all strength. He couldn't even stand anymore. He fell on his knees and onto the ground.

"Ryner!?"

He vaguely heard Kiefer shouting.

Ryner opened his eyes.

And returned to the real world again.

Kiefer and Toale were trying their best to support Ryner, who was crumbling to the ground.

He looked at their faces.

"...ah, sorry. I'm just really worn out, and sorta sleepy..."

He said, and Toale smiled.

And so did Kiefer, who looked to be on the verge of tears.

"Ryner, you're always sleepy."

She forced herself to say in a bright voice.

A voice that conveyed her feelings, that she didn't mind what Ryner just did.

"..."

And Ryner was deep in thought.

Maybe he really isn't a monster anymore, he thought.

Because he was loved and helped by such kind companions, and maybe, simply by being amongst them, he'd become human.

Of course, he had committed an unforgivable sin.

He can't turn back now, for he had opened the gates of hell.

Despite all that, he realized that he was still human.

"..."

He was a weak, sad human that would kill to protect his friends, after all.

"..."

He realized that Ferris was looking at him behind Kiefer. Looking at him with a somewhat incompetent face that spoke of both her desire to come forth and her hesitance to do so.

To think that they'd want to stay at the side of a monster who just killed over a million people..such idiots.

But in the end, all humans are idiots.

Including himself, all of them are idiots, saddeningly so.

Imperfect beings that would hurt one another if they got too close, but would also die of loneliness if they weren't at each other sides.

So, Ryner smiled.

He smiled gently at her.

"..."

And Ferris gladly returned his smile.

♦

And the battle ended.

An unusual battle in which over a million soldiers disappeared in an instant; in which a gigantic spider went on a rampage, had come to an end.

And this piece of news spread throughout the world like fire.

With an impact that far surpassed the news of Gastark defeating the Steol Empire, this piece of information made its way throughout the world.

Accompanied by rumors and highly exaggerated retellings, it was passed on from person to person.

And the entire structure of the world is threatening to change-

♦

♦

♦

♦

♦

"......"

But the leader had realized that it would come to this.

She said that a demon was about to be born.

A sad, lonesome demon who is easily driven to tears.

She said that he was a weak being who'd die immediately if left alone.

A weak being who'd die right away if no one helped him.

Because he was too kind.

He was too kind, and he loved the hero too much-

He'd be driven mad immediately.

That's why

"...I have to come and get you."

He, Tiir Rumibul, whispered.

A Note that isn’t the Afterword

So this volume, was ended in a super—passionate atmosphere. But this time there is a small chapter called “From Reminiscing to the Future”. Although I was scolded by my editor, I’ve already written 347 pages, what short chapter do you still want to publish, are you an idiot! (Laugh)

But this was mentioned in the previous advertisement, in the process of the story, because the story is progressing too quickly, in the end it wasn’t able to appear in here!

So unknowingly it became “that short chapter wouldn’t be chosen!” this situation, in the end we received many letters requesting for the short chapter to be recorded, and this is one of the volumes that I like, so I requested for the editor to put this in.

About the time, it should be when Ryner and the others just left Nelpha.

Ah, and there is the afterword, so let’s meet later.

From Reminiscing To The Future

His companions were laughing.

They were laughing seemingly very happily.

Although he didn’t know why they were so happy.

But, everyone was celebrating.

“…”

Ryner Lute looked at his companions, narrowing his eyes as if complaining it was troublesome, but in the end he himself smiled happily.

This was an inn.

An old inn hidden deep in an alley.

It was an inn that he would frequent, when he was still a student of an unknown school the Roland Imperial Military Special Institute.

At that time he would occasionally visit this inn with Fahle, Tyle, Toni, Kiefer and Sion.

And now Fahle, Tyle, Toni and Kiefer were happily celebrating in this inn. As everyone celebrated, Fahle was giving out information as she talked about Tyle falling in love with a girl from somewhere, so their companions were asking about the details.

“…”

After Ryner watched this happy scene, he turned around to leave.

At this moment, there was a sound of a man chasing after him, “Hey Ryner. You’re sneaky thinking of slipping off by yourself.”

Ryner turned around, finding Sion behind him.

Long silver hair, steady golden eyes.

Sion Astal.

Now called the Hero King of Roland Empire, Ryner’s close friend.

He said: “Unless you want me to stay with these drunks by myself?”

Ryner smiled again, “Aren’t you good at drinking.”

“No no, lately I can’t drink that much.”

“Because you lack sleep?”

“Yes, because I’m lacking in sleep.”

Looking at Sion’s tired face, Ryner slumped his shoulders, “Who is the one who told you to work hard like an idiot.”

Sion raised an eyebrow, asking: “Is there?”

Ryner said helplessly: “It’s not the degree of saying is there. Tell me, how many days have you not slept?”

“Eh~”

“Hey, you’ve worked through the night until you forgot how many days. Really, enough enough, today you’ll simply get drunk and go home and sleep. That may be better for you.”

Sion grabbed Ryner’s shoulder as he smiled, saying: “Then, at least you’ll stay with me till the end. Exiting in the middle by yourself, I wouldn’t allow it as your mother?”

Kiefer joined in from behind, “As your father I wouldn’t allow it!”

It seemed that she was quite drunk, her face had even turned completely red. Shoulder-length red hair, red eyes that were glazed because she was drunk, and a blushing cute face. Ryner looked at Kiefer, wanted to complain “Hey hey, who’s my dad, who’s my mum”.

But, he didn’t manage to say this, a red-haired muscled idiot who had been drinking in the middle of the inn shouted, “It’s settled, as the punishment for wanting to escape, you will drink the strongest wine in the shop!”

Ryner wanted to look at the person, but before that, from the other side of the inn, there was an even stranger voice.

“Yes! Then I will eat these dangos at the same tiiiiiime!”

Ryner looked in the direction of the voice.

He found that there was a beautiful blond woman with blue eyes, with dango boxes scattered around where she was.

That was his partner—Ferris Eris.

Unless Ferris had drunk wine too? Her cheeks were red, her slim eyes were drooping, she had a slightly dazed expression, there were several dango strands in both her hands, shouting loudly for some reason: “I love dangos the mooooooooooooooooooooost!”

It was clear that it was an incomprehensible sentence, but for some reason, the whole inn also responded eagerly with “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh”.

It was so enthusiastic that Ryner who was not drunk completely could not keep up with the situation.

And not only Fahl, Tyle, Toni, Roland’s side still had their girlfriend Noa, Eslina there. Not only that, even that impossibly idiotic messenger with a spear, the swindler siblings, Toale, Ferris and Sion were here.

Even more strange, was that Lafra and Pueka who were bearers of god’s eyes like him where there.

Here, this many companions were celebrating happily.

“…”

Ryner had a confused expression as if he did not know what to do, asking: “Really, what’s wrong with everyone tonight. Why are they so happy?”

Sion turned around, looking over with his usual tired expression because of work, answering: “…Because this is what you wanted.”

“Eh? Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Did I say for everyone to come to this inn?”

But Sion didn’t answer this question, only looking at Ryner’s eyes sadly, then winked at the middle of the inn.

As if wanting to let Ryner confirm what had happened here, he looked in the middle of the inn.

Ryner nodded too, turning to look in the middle of the inn.

He looked at the scene where everyone was celebrating.

Companions, friends, people that he had a bad relationship with that made him annoyed, everyone, everyone, was happily celebrating there.

Just by looking at this scene, Ryner smiled again. Drinking wine with these group of annoying people was really so troublesome~

“…”

But he felt like there was something wrong. There was something about this place that felt like the gears weren’t turning smoothly.

Why, would he feel that?

Why would he have this sense of insecurity now?

He tried to think.

“…”

Then he immediately found the strange spot.

Ah, I see, he thought.

He looked at the faces of a few companions in the inn. Fahle, Toni, Tyle they should have died a long time ago.

On that battle ground.

On the battle ground where even Ryner and these Roland students had been forcefully sent, they were dead a long time ago.

No, not only that.

Lafra should have died too. After he had handed the organization of god’s eyes to Ryner, he had been killed by the bastards from Gastark. But he was now happily talking with his childhood friend. That childhood girl friend should have been killed a long time ago, but now the two of them were happily talking now.

And others, quite a few others, who should be dead, were sitting there smiling happily.

“…”

Looking at this scene.

“…”

Looking at this strange scene.

“…”

Ryner said.

“…Ah, damnit. Yes… this is actually a dream.”

As he said that, suddenly, a feeling of reality returned to his body. Finally understanding that he himself had been abandoned in the distance a long time ago.

Because of the death of companions.

Because of Sion’s leaving.

Because Sion ordered soldiers, to kill thousands of Ryner’s companions.

Because even though how hard he struggled to work hard, but it was still slowly, slowly becoming a world that was becoming worse.

So.

So Ryner murmured: “…I see. It’s a dream.”

He looked at the happy scene that was almost unthinkable, sadly muttering: “…It’s a dream.”

Sion looked over, shrugging. He still had a tired face. Was it because he was still working through the night like an idiot, or was it because while appreciating this scene he had accidentally pressed the ‘sad’ button, causing the world to brush past them?

“…”

It was probably, the latter.

Because clearly not long ago, he had still been smiling by their side.

Clearly not long ago, he had been shouting have mercy on me, as he smiled, because of Ferris’ treatment, Sion’s teasing.

“…”

Ryner said.

“Then, you’re a dream too.”

Sion said: “Next.”

“Am I not wrong?”

Sion moved his eyes away from Ryner, “…I don’t care if it’s not real, it doesn’t have any meaning? Anyway this is only a dream. If you open your eyes, reality will start again. And my connection with you has already…”

Sion stopped.

But Ryner didn’t want to listen to this anymore. He didn’t want to think about this in his dream.

So Ryner looked at the middle of the inn that Sion was looking at.

A scene that was so happy that it was unfair.

It was like an amusement park’s scene.

Sion didn’t turn around, saying: “…Then, Ryner. This it—the world that your heart wishes for.”

Ryner smiled bitterly, “Because it can never appear, so are you preparing to make fun of me?”

But Sion shook his head, turning around, revealing an expression as if he were about to cry, “No…If it can be done just by wishing, I would have wanted a world like this.”

“Is that so.”

“Yeah.”

“Then.”

Ryner said.

“Then, I always feel… it’s very sad.”

Sion nodded, saying: “…That’s true.”

Then the two of them looked into the inn. Looking at the happy faces of those dead people.

Looking at the people who had become enemies but were toasting each other and talking.

No, it should be said.

“…”

It should be said, now Ryner and Sion, had become enemies.

At the center of different powers.

At the center of opposing powers.

And by the side of Sion and Ryner, there were people dying continuously.

Those people had been involved in the war between two people, then died, died, died, died, died—

They were dead!

Dead!!

“…”

That scene seemed to burn up in his mind again.

People being cut open.

People being burnt.

People dying so easily.

Companions dying so easily.

Looking at this scene, Ryner couldn’t help but want to shout “stop joking!”

He couldn’t help but want to shout “this isn’t a joke!”

But before he could speak, people died again.

So what did this count for, he thought.

What does this count for! Ryner thought.

And the one who killed my companions, was actually Sion.

It was actually Sion who was his close friend.

Sion he.

Sion he had cried, as he moved forward.

“…”

Then killing Ryner’s companions.

Destroying Ryner’s important things.

But.

But Ryner said: “…Really, I want to give up…”

“Ha ha.” Sion replied with laughing dryly as if he were about to cry.

“Because I’m tired?”

“…”

“I should say that it’s more like I can’t handle it, it’s so painful that I’m almost crying.”

“…”

“Really, why did it become like this.”

“…”

“I really like you.”

“…”

“Although I never said it in your face… But I was rescued by you so many times, I’ve always treated you as a close friend.”

“…”

“But… but. But… you killed so many of my companions…Even if it were me I couldn’t continue to keep silent?”

Hearing Ryner say that, Sion looked over. He looked at Ryner’s black eyes, a weak smile had appeared on that face that was about to cry, saying: “Then, are you going to kill me?”

Ryner shook his head, “I want to save you.”

“Ha ha.”

“I’m serious?”

“…It seems to be the case. In contrast you’re the most serious when you say something foolish like this.”

Sion turned around at this point, turning his back on him. Even his back, gave of a tired feeling.

Then he said: “…But I will continue to kill people even after today.”

“I won’t let you kill them.”

“I’ll kill your companions.”

“I said I won’t let you kill them.”

“Then in the future. In the place ahead where I will be progressing, progressing, progressing, if I can meet you again, will you still be able to smile at me?” Sion said.

If we can meet again.

Because this sentence.

“…”

Because of Sion’s sentence, Ryner smiled happily.

Then he smiled as he answered: “…I’m sorry, I probably wouldn’t smile.”

“That’s true.”

“Yeah.”

“Then.”

Sion took one step forward, leaving Ryner’s side, following that, his outline slowly, slowly, became fainter.

It seemed like the dream was about to end.

Sion’s figure slowly became faint, until it couldn’t be seen.

In the end, what was left was his farewell.

“Then.”

His figure vanished, the dream should end here.

“Then, the next time I see you, will definitely be on the battle ground.”

Sadly murmuring this, Sion Astal disappeared in front of Ryner.

◆

So Ryner woke up.

“…”

After opening his eyes, the usual reality appeared in front of his eyes.

This was a temporary living quarter that Vois had prepared for the tired Nelpha soldiers and people who were escaping from the Roland army.

It was one of the temporary resting quarters that the Anti-Roland Coalition soldiers were using in the Republic of Belis.

No, although it was a hostel, actually it was only a small tent with a few roughly made things like a simple bed.

But even so, to the people and soldiers who had been escaping from the Roland army, who had finally reached the Republic of Belis by passing through the Imperial Nelpha, Autonomous Holy City of Cassla, the Southern Country of Ali, this was a satisfactory hostel.

“…”

Looking at the top of the tent, Ryner thought about the dream he’d just had.

He thought about the tiring dream that he just had.

Then he gave a slight sigh.

“…”

But, he still didn’t know what to say.

“…Ryner?”

At this moment, a woman’s voice spoke in his tent. Ryner remembered this voice.

The voice had appeared in his dream too.

Kiefer’s voice.

So Ryner looked to the owner of the voice.

He found a red-haired woman standing in the entrance to the tent. She looked at him in concern.

Looking at her, Ryner said: “…Ha~ Kiefer, morning.”

She nodded, “Good morning.”

“What is it?”

Kiefer smiled adorably, saying: “Good boy, I’m here to have a secret relationship with you.”

As expected she said it as if she were embarrassed, her face immediately turned red.

Ryner looked at Kiefer, then looked at the bright sunlight outside the tent, saying: “…Starting a secret relationship in the afternoon?”

Kiefer laughed embarrassedly, “I was joking.”

“It would be troublesome if you were serious.”

“Ah? You actually said it was troublesome having a secret relationship with a cute girl~”

Looking at Kiefer who puffed up her cheeks approaching him, Ryner sat up, as expected there was a slight trace of concern on her face.

Because of that, Ryner finally felt that he understood why Kiefer was forcing herself to say that she had come to have a secret relationship with him.

“…That, have I slept for a long time?”

She nodded her head, “Too amazing!”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Looking at Kiefer’s concerned face as she nodded frantically, Ryner smiled bitterly, “…Ah, what is going on~ I had a dream that I was attacked by a terrifying snake monster.”

“Snake monster?”

“Yeah. When I was at the I’ll be killed~ Save me mother~, I woke up.”

Hearing such a foolish dream, Kiefer laughed out loud, “What that~ is like a child’s dream.”

“Right? But it was a really terrifying dream.”

“Oh?”

She nodded, then leaned closer to Ryner, taking out a handkerchief, drying the sweat on Ryner’s face.

Then she said: “Hey, Ryner.”

“Eh?”

“Um.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t have to force yourself to say an outrageous lie. Because I heard Ryner yell Sion’s name in his sleep?”

“…Eh…” Ryner could only respond like that.

Feeling like his lie had been seen through, Ryner secretly considered Kiefer.

She was still looking at him in concern, asking: “…Are you alright?”

Ryner frantically said: “It’s nothing. Or I should say, I’m not troubled…”

Kiefer ignored Ryner’s explanation, leaning even more closer.

“Didn’t I say you didn’t need to lie? When you feel pain if you don’t say it honestly, it will be tiring? Ryner is always carrying everything alone. Try to let me handle some of your troubles?” She said, as she touched Ryner’s face, Ryner’s neck, in the end seeming to hug him like that.

Ryner yelled, “Hey waaaaaaaaaaaiiit. That, ah? Ki, Kiefer? That, what is…”

“Hey idiot Ryner! It’s already noon! Get up!”

At this moment, there was another familiar voice, the opening to the tent was swept open.

A beautiful blond woman came in. Her slim clear blue eyes widened as if in surprise.

“…”

Perhaps those blue eyes were seeing, this scene.

Ryner on the bed and Kiefer wanting to hug Ryner—this scene.

So Ryner said: “Ah~ No, Kiefer, this…”

But his words were stopped.

Because that beautiful blond woman who had entered the tent—Ferris Eris said: “D, da, daaaaaaangeeeer!”

Then she rushed forward at a speed where her body disappeared, raising her fist and aiming it at Ryner’s face. Ryner was sent flying with this fist, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh he yelled as he fell on the ground.

“How dangerous. A poor girl almost became a sacrifice of the big pervert demon king. Are you alright, Miss?” Ferris said these strange lines to Kiefer.

Kiefer said with a surprised expression: “This… that”

And Ferris ignored her, continuing: “That man is a scary monster that can make soldiers pregnant regardless of gender just by running on the battle field! Then, please escape! Escape quickly! Escape, escape, and escape, in the end please escape to a dango store by the street called Wynitt, and buy a pile of dangos back for me.”

As expected she was still saying stuff that had no meaning.

“…”

Ryner was lazy to go and argue with her.

He only rubbed his aching cheek, climbing up from the floor, then noticing the people who were frantically running around outside the tent.

Ryner looked at Ferris and Kiefer, asking: “Then, what do the two of you want? You both should be here to call me up, right?”

The two nodded at the same time.

Kiefer said: “Because we have to separate we will temporarily release some of the people from Nelpha—so that it would be easier for the Republic of Belis to take them in. Now they should be starting to disband the organization…”

Ferris continued, “Anyway like what I said, that Wynitt dango store on the street seems to be good. Let’s go eat.”

It was a conversation that completely did not make sense.

“…”

Ryner nodded, looking to Kiefer as he said: “I see. Because Vois and Toale need to discuss about the direction we will take after today so they want me to go over?”

“Yes.”

“Then, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Kiefer and Ryner nodded, preparing to walk out of the tent.

“You’re not allowed to ignore me--!”

Ferris pulled out a large sword like expected, swinging it at Ryner, wanting to strike Ryner’s head.

“Ah, annoying~” Ryner said, as he wanted to dodge the blow.

But he was still unable to avoid it as usual, when the sword’s blade was about to strike Ryner’s face.

It should have struck his face.

“…”

But for some reason, the sword did not touch Ryner’s face, but it stopped one centimeter from his cheek.

“Ah?” Ryner said.

He looked at Ferris, looking at her icy face that revealed no emotions, asking: “Ah? Why?”

“Why did the sword stop? It’s not like your style.”

And Ferris did not say anything, only kept her sword, revealing a little, only a little bored expression.

Anyone else would not be able to feel it, the small change in expression.

With that bored expression, she looked at Ryner, then looked at Kiefer, then looked lastly at Ryner.

“…”

For some reason, she suddenly left without saying anything.

“Ah? Ah? That…” Ryner wanted to stop her, but Ferris didn’t turn back, walking out like this.

“…”

Ryner looked at Ferris’ back dazedly, then asked Kiefer: “…That, what happened just now?”

Kiefer had a slightly troubled expression, it seemed that she should know why, so when Ryner was about to ask about that—

“Ryner, do you have time to spare?”

Someone called him from outside the tent.

This was the original Nelpha Prince, Toale Nelphi’s voice.

Ryner replied: “…Ah, no problem, I’ll come out now.”

After coming out from the tent, Ryner discovered that the outside world was like the wandering nomads everywhere had tents pitched. Now thousands of Nelpha soldiers and people were staying here.

But they weren’t able to leave these people here.

Ryner and the others needed to continue north, they were unable to bring these people on the battle field.

Since they weren’t able to bring them along, they needed to find a plan for them to live properly.

Ryner looked at the tent, looking at Toale.

Brown hair, honest eyes, Ryner looked at Toale, saying: “…Morning, Toale.”

“Good morning, Ryner. You were working late last night, I’m sorry for waking you.”

Ryner put out his hands in an accepting gesture. Talking about this Toale was the one, he didn’t seem to have slept lately.

No, it should be said, everyone here, no one could sleep peacefully. Being chased by Roland, involved in war, family people dying in front of their eyes, companions dying, lovers dying, but even so they were unable to stop moving, they could only continue to escape death, moving from one country to another country.

Of course, there was a need to end this kind of life.

If this Republic of Belis was able to accept the Nelpha people, they wouldn’t need to migrate over long distances.

That meant.

“You’re here to talk about the disbanding of this organization?”

Toale nodded, “Yes.”

“Talking about it didn’t Vois say that he could suggest to the Republic of Belis to temporarily accept the Nelpha people?”

Toale answered with a troubled look: “Yes, although Vois did say that… but, what is the Republic of Belis thinking.”

Ryner nodded too, “Ah, doesn’t this mean that we are going to constantly have communication with Belis?”

“Yes. But before that, I think there are many problems that you and Vois have to talk about.”

“Then, you’re here to talk about that with me?”

“Yes, so.” Toale pointed at Vois’ large tent that was some distance from here. It seemed that they were going to discuss about the plans for after this.

Ryner looked at that large tent.

Then he saw Ferris walking toward that large tent.

Ferris who had given up on bullying Ryner, revealing a bored expression had walked out of the tent, was walking alone towards Vois’ tent.

“…”

Looking at Ferris’ lonely back, Ryner wanted to call her.

At this moment, Kiefer said: “Let’s go, Ryner.”

Then Toale started walking, saying: “Let’s go. The ambassador from the Republic of Belis should be reaching soon.”

“…Eh? Ah, I know.” Ryner nodded.

He only nodded, as he looked again at Ferris’ back. Where did she think she was going, she had clearly passed Vois’ meeting tent, but she still continued to walk forward.

Ryner looked at Ferris’ back, suddenly feeling empty, anyway he felt a little lonely.

He didn’t understand why he would have this feeling, was it because earlier she had not kicked him hard? He thought.

“…Ha, don’t tell me I’ve really become an M.” Ryner smiled slightly bitterly.

But it was probably true.

Clearly all the while she had pulled out her sword, wanting to send Ryner flying, then he would fall out in a moment, then he would yell what are you doooooooing, in the end Ferris would say something strange, entering another dimension that he could not understand—this kind of unfolding of events.

But today didn’t turn out that way.

No, thinking about it carefully, it seemed like this had not happened for several days.

That kind of being bullied by Ferris, being teased by Sion, shouting have mercy on meeeeeeeeeee that definite sequence.

He had always thought that he had been depressed about that scene, but from some point in time, it had already disappeared.

“…”

After truly disappearing, he had felt a little lonely.

And now wasn’t the time to be silently sad.

The situation was changing every hour every minute, if he lost attention and wasn’t able to pull out a solution in time, his companions would die slowly.

So he could only move forward.

Move forward desperately.

So that his hesitation would not cause his companions’ death.

So that he would not cause the death of people because he had lost a chance.

I have to move forward.

Move forward.

So seriously speaking, he didn’t have the time to be having these lame jokes with Ferris…

“…Ah, so that person just displayed a bored face, so she didn’t hit me.” Ryner revealed a slightly troubled look, saying softly.

This is really my fault—something deep in Ryner’s chest ached slightly.

Looking at Ferris’ figure that was very bored, he smiled bitterly again. Indeed he still felt slightly lonely.

Ryner came back to his senses, starting to consider the situation that they were in, considering the badly made tents of those homeless people that they had temporarily picked up, considering the tired faces of the people.

Then he raised his head to look at the sky that was finally clear, but was far away from Roland.

“…”

Ryner said something softly.

But this sentence wasn’t heard by anyone, and there was no need for others to hear it. He shrugged, sighing lightly, it was only for moving forward, he breathed out hard again.

Then.

“Then, we should go to Vois.”

He started to walk.

Heading in front…

Moving in front…

◆

On the other side of the tent that Vois was planning to use as a meeting place.

“…Eh~”

Ferris was silent with a rare dark expression.

Crossing her arms, her mouth pursed, even so she was still beautiful. The men, women, old and young were secretly peeking at her from the surrounding tents, but she didn’t care.

She didn’t care…

“Annoying!”

She suddenly shouted angrily.

The surrounding people were shocked by her, but she shouted without carring.

“Annoying--!”

After shouting she was more comfortable, she nodded her head.

At this moment, in front of the nodding woman, a man appeared. Tea-coloured hair, a pretty beard.

That man looked at Ferris, smiling, “Beautiful lady. Is there something upsetting…”

Before the man finished speaking, Ferris shouted angrily: “You’re noisy!”

Then she balled her hand into a fist, punching the bearded man with an unbelievable speed. The surrounding people seeing this, revealed an “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?!” expression, but Ferris didn’t take it to heart.

She only looked at the sky without speaking. It was rare that it was a clear day today, the weather was very good. It was clear that everyone should go to a good dango store early in the day with this clear weather, then as she said “give me every dango in this store”, she would buy all the dangos, then let Ryner that idiot carry it, going to the park to have a dango picnic.

Squabbling with everyone to eat dangos, competing with everyone to see who could eat all the dangos in one breath seemed interesting.

But.

“…”

She turned around, looking at the meeting tent that Ryner and the others were entering. It seemed that Ryner and Toale and Vois were discussing about troubling things like what they would do after today.

Lately they had always been doing this. Running on the battle ground, escaping from one country to another, and many people died, died, died, but even so the journey wouldn’t stop. Just as they thought that they had escaped not easily, there was a mountain of things that appeared, and after these things ended, it seemed as if they had to go to another country.

What was most irritating was that it seemed to be a good dango store, and because those Roland idiots had suddenly started the war, it had closed business.

Ah, she was so angry.

Because the war had caused the store to close, what did that count fooooooooor! She should have exploded in this way.

“…” But, now what was making her annoyed was not this. It was not the dango store closing that made her angry.

Even if Ryner that idiot, it was fine if Ryner that idiot would treat her with some troubling feelings.

Because she understood that that person was working hard in his own fashion.

She understood that that lazy king and idiot Ryner who had never worked hard before since he was born, he had been working slightly too hard lately, so he must be tired.

“…”

So she wasn’t angry because of these reasons.

What made her unhappy, was another reason.

At this moment, she remembered it.

When she went to Ryner’s tent to call him up. She had heard that there was still a dango store still operating even though there was the war, so she wanted to say “hey Ryner, I heard there is a yummy dango store, let’s go eat, so get up now!”—Something that would invite Ryner.

When she entered the tent she found that someone had gotten there first.

That red-haired woman that had suddenly appeared by Ryner’s side and was spinning around him.

She had appeared in Ryner’s tent.

So Ferris had not entered the tent. Because she felt that it would be awkward if she entered the tent, so she didn’t enter. Because she had felt that she had seen something she didn’t want to see, so she didn’t enter the tent. She didn’t understand why she had become like that, but lately, this feeling had occasionally appeared. She herself didn’t understand why, but lately when she would become slightly honest in front of Ryner. Although she didn’t understand why, but in front of Ryner, there were moments when she wasn’t able to act properly.

“…”

Then that time too.

So she had stood outside of the tent, wanting to ask him to go to the dango store after Ryner came out.

Then she had heard voices inside the tent.

It was Ryner’s voice.

It was a voice as if wanting to talk with someone.

But this voice wasn’t talking to Kiefer inside the tent, of course it wasn’t to Ferris.

But Ryner had tried hard to talk.

“…”

Very.

It was a pained, tired voice as if it were struggling for his life.

A voice as if he were about to cry.

A voice as if he were about to sigh.

Ryner said.

Using that pained voice, Ryner called the name of the stupid king that had remained in Roland.

Ferris understood that he must be dreaming. She even understood what kind of dream he was having. And she even understood what he was troubled about.

Then after that person woke up, he acted like nothing had happened, seeming to want to struggle to move forward.

He clearly had no more strength, he was clearly so pained that he wanted to cry out loud.

“…”

Sion used the Heroes’ Relic, then killed thousands of Nelphians in a blink of an eye.

No, it should be said that Sion calmly wanted to kill Ryner, kill Ferris, kill Kiefer, kill the people who had always been his companions.

At that moment where had Sion’s heart gone to, Ferris didn’t understand this point.

No, there was no need to understand it. Because rescuing Sion was Ryner’s mission.

Ryner said he wanted to save that person. Then, I only need to follow Ryner, help him—she had thought.

But, what had Ryner thought?

Sion had used the Heroes’ Relic, killed thousands of innocent Nelphians. And calmly wanted to kill Ryner, Ferris and Kiefer.

When he saw this, what had Ryner thought?

“That person.” She muttered.

“Why does that person always, always, always, not find me to talk about this?” she said.

“Why doesn’t he show his weakness? He’s clearly like a fool even Sion’s figure appeared in his dreams, but why does that person want to continue moving forward with a tired expression?”

So she was angry.

Thinking about these, she got angry again.

Then she looked at the meeting tent again.

She wanted to knock Ryner out simply, drag him to the dango store.

She wanted to simply send Ryner flying with his forced smile, but almost crying expression, then drag him to the dango store.

But at this moment.

“…”

The meeting tent was suddenly opened, then Ryner peeked out, looking around. His gaze finally stopped there, then he walked out of the tent. Dragging those footsteps that had no motivation like usual, like it was very troublesome.

“Yo.” He said.

Ferris also looked at Ryner with her usual emotionless face, saying: “…What is it. Has the meeting ended?”

He shrugged, “It was too troublesome, so I left it all to Toale.”

“Left it to Toale?”

“Yeah.”

“You lazy fellow.”

Ryner smiled and nodded, using that sleepy, lazy face to say: “I’ve been a lazy fellow since I was born~”

Ferris asked with a depressed and bored tone: “Then, why did you come find me?”

Not waiting for Ryner to reply, she added, “I’m very busy.”

Ryner smiled, then seemed to be concerned with his surrounding situation starting to look around him, then had a slightly troubled expression, “Ah… ah, that, didn’t you say you found a delicious dango store. Ah, if you’re busy then I’ll leave it… but that dango store, is it far from here?”

“…”

Ferris couldn’t help…

“…”

Couldn’t help but frown.

She frowned hard.

Because if she didn’t do that, she would feel that her face would turn all red, so to prevent that she frowned tightly, but even so her face seemed to turn red.

“Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Anyway, so that Ryner would not find out, she sent him flying with a kick.

“Ah? Ah? Why did it turn out like thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?” Ryner shouted, as he fell.

She blushed as she watched the idiot flying away.

That idiot.

That idiot that would only be concerned for others. That idiot that was already so troubled by his own matters, but still cared for her feelings, so it really made her angry.

It was rare for her to be so seriously considerate for Ryner’s feelings, but from some point in time it had turned to Ryner thinking for her feelings, so it really made her angry.

And that, what Ryner said.

“…”

To this opportunity, she was angry about her idiotic feelings that she felt happy that she wanted to shout “Then let’s go to the dango store!”

So she said.

As she walked over, she couldn’t help but smile at Ryner, she said: “Alright, let’s go to the dango store!”

Ryner climbed up asking: “Why did you hit me?”

“Noisy.”

“Well, forget it.”

“Noisy.”

“But.”

“Noisy.”

“…Wait, at least help me up.”

“Noisy…”

She turned around, Ryner’s still tired face was reflected in her eyes.

She looked at this Ryner, saying: “Ryner.”

“Eh?”

“I will hit that idiot Sion like this next time.”

“…”

Ryner widened his eyes, looking over, but didn’t say anything.

But Ferris didn’t put it on her heart. She had always been this uncaring of other people’s gazes.

“We can still go back. No matter how many thousands, millions of people we kill, we can still go back. I will send you flying, send Sion flying, then drag you to the dango store. So…”

She said—

“So. So an idiot like you is not allowed to have a stupid dream like that alone ever again.”

Ryner couldn’t help but have a ‘this is troublesome’ expression, trapped between feelings of embarrassment and happiness, he said: “…Don’t eavesdrop on other people’s sleep talk.”

“Your sleep talk is too annoying.”

“You’re lying? My sleep talking was that loud?”

Ferris nodded, “Very amazing. Last night your voice was so loud that the neighbouring village could hear your loud voice ‘aaaaaaah I can’t stand it, I can’t stand iiiiiiiit. I like Toale. I like men. Who can stop my passionate feeeeeeeeeeeeelings!’, in the end Toale cried, you know?”

“Oh?”

“It’s true?”

“Oh~”

At this moment, Ferris pulled out the sword at her waist.

So Ryner frantically said: “Ah, I lied. Actually I believe you, I’ll apologise to Toale later so don’t take out that sword!”

Ryner said with his usual frantic tone.

So Ferris nodded satisfied, “Yes.”

Ryner smiled bitterly, saying: “Ferris… is Ferris indeed.”

Seeing Ryner’s bitterly smiling face as if it were troubled.

Noticing that he had returned to the unmotivated self that he had when he was with Sion, and had not sunk into depression.

Ferris smiled: “Yes~ Of course.”

Then she turned back. She moved her eyes to another direction. In front of where she was looking at, there was a small street called Club, there was a dango store there that seemed to be famous. This was the price to go try it.

So she said: “Then, let’s go eat dangos.”

Ryner nodded, “Yeah.”

“It’s a rare chance, let’s take Iris with us, and Arua and Kuku.”

“That’s true.”

“Then let’s bring that woman called Kiefer and Toale.”

“Yeah.”

“We’re not bringing Vois.”

“Yes yes.”

“Then one day.”

“Eh?”

“If that dango store's dangos are very delicious, one day.”

“Yes.”

“We’ll take that idiot Sion too.” Ferris said.

She didn’t wait for Ryner’s reply, and she didn’t need to.

But, Ryner grabbed the chance in that moment, replying: “Ah… Yes.”

Ferris nodded hard, said with a determined tone: “That’s it.”

Then she walked forward.

In front of the path, was a dango store.

It was a simple dango store.

It was not destroyed.

They were heading for, only a dango store.

So she smiled. She smiled happily.

Because we definitely are not struggling hard because we are walking toward depression.

◆

Raising his head to look at the sky.

The dark sky.

Lately it had been raining. It was clearly not the rainy season, but for the past week, it had been raining.

According to the information they had received, Roland’s side had not rained for a long time, so there was not enough water.

“If the country changes, even the weather changes.” He murmured.

Then he looked around.

This was Runa Empire’s capital.

Everything was different from Roland.

Everything was completely different from Roland.

But this kind of matter was fine.

Because no matter where it was, now it was completely different from the past.

“Your Majesty.”

A voice said.

So he—Sion Astal moved his eyes away from the dark sky, in front of him was Froaude who had attacked Runa Empire.

In the capital of Runa Empire.

In the capital of Runa Empire where all royalty, even the people in the city were killed, Froaude smiled as he said: “…Welcome to the Runa Empire.”

Yes.

This had become Roland’s territory.

It was like Nelpha, and not long after Cassla would probably be the same. No, one day, the whole southern continent would be under Roland.

Roland’s base would change as he moved.

Now the capital of Runa Empire had become the base camp for Sion.

Fresh blood and slaughter and despair covered this southern continent.

Sion looked at Froaude, looking at this subordinate who had emotionless, but determined gold eyes, saying: “It has been hard attacking Runa. After preparing the troops, we’ll continue north.”

Froaude bowed.

But he was already uninterested in that figure. Sion turned away, looking to the sky again.

Looking at this sky that poured with rain.

“Then.”

He thought.

Ahead.

The destination of this journey that continued forward, forward, what would it be?

He couldn’t help but think.

Even though this was necessary, but he had killed so many people.

Spread so much despair.

So at the end of this path, what would it be?

He thought.

“…”

But there was no one that he could ask.

He could only, blandly, allow the war to become more passionate.

“Your Majesty.” Froaude asid: “Then let’s start to attack Cassla.”

But what answered him was another woman’s order, “Go do it, kill all of them.”

Sion looked at the woman, looked at the woman with brown hair, an adorable face.

“…”

But he didn’t say anything.

He only wished deep in his chest.

He wished with an expression as if he were about to cry.

He hoped that he was moving forward on this path that was stained with blood, death and devastated cries.

“…”

That this path did not only have a bottomless despair in front of it.

Sincerely.

Sincerely.

Sincerely.

Sion Astal wished.

Afterword

From what you have seen, this is “Daiden 6”

I believe that the readers who have read the whole volume will understand, this story has finally entered the climax. This volume is moving one step to the ending of Ryner’s large story. Really, although I quickly progressed with the events, but that I was able to successfully volt line was thanks to Sion and Ryner, so please support them.

Other than that, although this volume has had a large reform, but I still feel, that I shouldn’t talk about the work in the afterword. Because this is probably the thickest volume in the densetsu no yuusha no densetsu series, so there are few pages for the afterword! And last month, the thickest volume “Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi 4” was published, why do I always continue to write such thick things! I have to get into the habit of writing less! Although I thought that, but no matter what I was unable to stop so unknowingly it became so thick! And a densetsu and ochita densetsu was unable to have short chapters published on both sides, it has a thick foundation and there are still short stories recorded, in the end it caused “Itsuka Kuro Usagi 4” and “Dai Densetsu 6” combined together made use of more than 1000 pages of manuscript paper, there’s actually 1000 pages!?

But, this time’s remaining pages are very little so let’s put the small talk aside.

First is a large announcement! The readers who have brought the first edition of this book has probably already seen on the coloured tag—

Dai densetsu already has a game!

And it’s on PSP! (Play Station Portable!)

And it’s RPG!

Seeing Toyota drawing new pictures until she’s about to die, so it’s released with new drawings! And this is what Toyota said.

“I like games, so no matter how many I will draw!”

“Really!”

“Oh oh!”

“Then if you can draw these pages—”

“Do you want to kill meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Ma, although this kind of mannish tone wasn’t exposed, but Toyota really completed many unbelievable drawings at the speed of light, so I swore to quickly hand up the manuscript in my heart. And the game’s plot seems quite interesting, so please look forward to it!

Next announcement.

“Dai Densetsu” is starting a new card game called “Project Revolution”!

“DRAGON MAGAZINE Block” on 19 September recorded “Dai Densetsu”.

Again! I’m going to request Toyota to draw Ferris for the illustrations! (Good luck illustrations!)

Although I feel like there are many things that I still want to say, but because there are not enough pages this time so I’ll stop here. And the manga on Densetsu series uploaded on dragonage has sold two volumes, my editor says it’s becoming more and more interesting, eh it’s really great that finally it’s becoming popular. Seeing Chozo-san’s Densetu manga series that is filled with love, I am really happy. It’s really interesting, it’s clearly what I wrote in the past, but I feel it’s not bad. (Stupid)

Ma, I’ll stop here. (Ne, there are really no pages left)

But this is still in progress.

This is the second book, there should be “Itsuka Kuro Usagi 5” next month, then the following month is “Ochita Densetsu 5”, you want to kill meeeee! Actually I had this mood when I wrote this afterword, but when this volume is selling I should already be handing in the manuscript!

Should be!

So as everyone complain that wouldn’t you have no books next month, as—

“Heeeeeeey!”

“Ara, editor-san. This time there is no page number for the afterword, so we’ll end with heeeeeeey! Ha ha ha~!”

So it’s like that.

It’ll be fine if the publishing for “Itsuka Kuro Usagi 5” goes smoothly next month~!

Takaya Kagami

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