Dai Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu:Volume 6 From Reminiscing To The Future

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.

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