71 70. Liquidation.txt (1/2)

.............

I'm thirsty .......

My head is foggy and I feel like I'm in a dream .......

That's right.

It feels like I'm in a dream.

The feeling that my perspective is far away and my body is always moving a beat behind me.

Slowly I wake up from this sluggish darkness.

The wooden ceiling catches my eye.

But it's dark.

Because of the darkness, I'm not sure if it's really wooden or not.

I move my head, looking for light.

I can't wake my body, so I have to move my neck only to check my surroundings.

First I made sure I was on a bed. Next to the bed, I found a stand with a candle and a jug of water on it. Apparently, the candle was the only light in the room.

Next to that stand, a man is sitting in a chair.

I've never seen this man before.

He is a strong-looking man with countless old scars etched into his face, and he looks to be around forty years old. From the way he carries himself, one can tell that he is a man of a good standing.

The strong-looking man noticed me waking up and called out to me.

'...... You're up, Christ Eurasia. Let me introduce myself first. I'm Rail of the Epic Seeker, a guild directly under the Lauravian nation. Due to your abilities, I am required to be present at all times.

The man introduced himself as Rail.

Lauravia.

One of the Confederates to the southwest, as I recall.

But I've never heard of 'Epic Seeker' or 'Rail'.

I don't know why I'm in front of a man I've never heard of in a country I've never heard of.

I try to remember.

If I don't remind myself of what I was before I woke up, I won't be able to grasp the situation.

”There are a lot of suspicions about you right now. Some good, some bad. Some good, some bad. Hence, you are in custody.

When I hear the word restraint, I get impatient.

I just try to put some effort into my body and realize that I can't move as much as I would like. Something like a weight was attached to my limbs.

You slowly make sense of the situation.

The more closely I observe my surroundings, the more I realize that this is not the time to be dumbfounded.

His right hand has been thrown off the bed and blood has been drained from the cuts on his fingers. Furthermore, something like incense is cooking in the corner and the room is filled with smoke. I can't smell it, but I have a feeling it's not good for me.

I keep trying to get up with all my strength, but I can't. I'm clearly not feeling well.

It's clear that I'm not feeling well.

My thoughts are blurred, but something is wrong with my body.

It's understandable that I'm confused. But you need to calm down. You need to moisten your throat first. I brought you some water.

Seeing me flailing on the bed, the man named Rail takes a jug of water.

He tries to get me to drink it.

”No, I don't want it: ......

I don't know what's in it, and I move my muffled throat to refuse.

'Oh, right. If you can talk, fine.

Then the man puts the jug of water back on the stand. He doesn't seem adamant about giving them water to drink. Maybe he really did have good intentions in preparing the water for me.

I feel like I've trampled on someone else's good intentions and try to keep my cool.

Then, with a cooler head, I remembered what I was capable of. I had forgotten even the basics.

[Glass jug]

It's just water in it.

I 'watch' the water in the jug to make sure it's not crafted.

[Status]

Name: Rail Senks HP 312/322 MP 0/0 Class: fighter

Level 21.

Strength 11.22 Strength 10.19 Skill 6.79 Speed 4.02 Cleverness 6.60 Magic 0 Element 1.09

Inherent Skill.

Acquired Skill: 1.03 foregone

I identify the person named Reil.

The name didn't lie, and it could be read from the status that he was a competent person in this world.

''S, sorry, Mr. Reil, ....... Could you please explain the situation ......?

At least I understood that Mr. Reil did not mean me any harm here. I try to be polite and ask for an explanation.

'Mu....... You're quick to get yourself back on track. That's the quintessential .......

Mr. Reil looked impressed and continued his words.

'First, let me tell you where it is. This is the building in the middle of Lauravia. It is the headquarters of the guild 'Epic Seeker'. As the guild is under the direct control of Lauravian, you can assume that you are now in the hands of the Lauravian nation.

Thanks to Reil's careful explanation, I'm slowly coming to grips with the situation.

I'm starting to remember what happened before I woke up.

As I recall, I went to save Rastiara, returned to the Valt, killed Arti, and was defeated by Palinkron.

But now, the most important thing is--.

'I know where it is. Thank you ....... So, so, are there any other kids in custody?

I stay on, trying to get Maria's name out. Even if I'm being held for some hoosiers-related crime, Maria is innocent. It would be best not to mention that we are still friends.

'I've heard of your associates. Currently, Rustyala Fuzzyaz, Diablo Sith, and Serah Raydiant are on the run. A girl named Maria is being held here.

Is the girl in custody safe ......?

Mr. Reil said, ”I'm listening. But I don't know how far he is listening. I choose my words and ask him about his friends.

”They're not dead. More importantly--

'Hey, Rail. Looks like Kanami's brother is up at last.

Mr. Reil was in the middle of answering when he was interrupted by the sound of a door being violently opened.

Together, their cheerful voices echoed in the room.

I've heard that voice before. I never mishear it.

It's the one from Palinkron: ......!

'Mm. Palinclone, you've been 'watching' ....... Sure, the boy got up, but .......

Mr. Reil turns and glares at the person who has appeared with a pained expression on his face.

I glare at him with many times that hostility and curse with a shake in my throat.

'Ah, ah, pa, palinclone ......!　Oh man, you're aaaaahhhh ......!

He tries to stand up, putting so much force that his limbs are shredded.

I forcefully scrape up the disordered magic and try to construct the magic 《Midwinter of the Overcrowded Dimension (Di Overwinter)》.

Of course, he can't get up and build magic.

Still, I can't stop it as I try to defeat the man in front of me.

'Don't be so angry, brother Kanami. Here, I've got something good for you. Let's have a bellyful first.

Palinclone emerges from the darkness at the back and laughs as he shows us the cooked bread in his hand.

'You've got to be kidding me!　Don't be silly, Palinkulon!

He responds to the situation with anger.

If only this guy hadn't been here, everything would have been solved.

If only this guy hadn't betrayed him - if only he hadn't slashed Dia - if only he hadn't appeared at the end!　Now I was supposed to be laughing with everyone in the southern country of Gliard!

That's why I'm so frustrated.

I'm just frustrated that I lost to Palinkron.

I put all of those emotions into my magic, converting it into cold air and running out of control in an attempt to freeze everything that restrains me. I expand my dimensional magic to the maximum in order to attack the man in front of me.

The iron fetters and chains restraining me trembled.

With a unique metallic sound, they try to neutralize my power. Gradually, I'm able to get my magic power out, and my body floats slightly.

''Huh?　It's got triple magical locks and five times the normal fetters!　I can't just refine my magic, I can't just move.　Wait, wait!　Both of you, wait!

Reil-san feels a surge of magical power I'm releasing and hurriedly stands up, interrupting the space between me and Palinclone.

I'm in the way.

Not only is Rail-san interrupting me, but the 'magic locks' and 'fetters' that Rail-san says are also in the way.

I know that they are blocking my body and magical power. Therefore, I twist my body to the limit, refine the cold air and try to break the magical locks and fetters.

''Rail, leave it to me. It's time for you to get used to your new power. --It's time for me to get used to my new power.

But before I could damage it, Palinkron's hand touched my head.

'd*mn it, you're stuck. ......!

I can feel the magic of the Palinclone flowing into my body and rapidly cooling my thoughts.

'It's just medical magic, man. It only has a calming effect. Well, calm down, brother Kanami.

I immediately check the status.

[Status]

State: confusion 9.81, sedation 0.45

Surely, it's not a lie.

As far as his state is concerned, he's just regained his composure.

The skill '??' There shouldn't be ...... enough abnormality to use the ?

However, that doesn't mean that all of your anger will disappear.

However, I can understand that if I try to fight this Palinclone while I'm restrained, I'll get the first move and definitely lose.

I kept my cool and decided that it would be better to negotiate.

Palinkulon, sensing this, sits down in a nearby chair and begins to talk.

'Well, let's get started. Time for some fun, fun interrogation.

Mr. Reil looks at us, takes a breath and steps back anxiously.

Palinclone confirms this and proceeds to speak.

''Right now, Kanami's brother is under a lot of suspicion. I've gotten a general idea of all the movements of the past few days from the 'magic stone line', so I can't make an excuse. That said, I've only been able to figure it out for the past few days.

Palinkulon speaks to me as if it were a detective drama.

Fourteen days ago, a boy who called himself Christ Eurasia appeared suddenly from the labyrinth. Yes, he came out of the labyrinth, out of the blue. That's the problem. Hence, only for fourteen days, the movement of this boy was unknown. He had checked all of the 'magic stone lines' of the five Allied nations, but there was no record of Aikawa Kanami entering the Allied nations or the labyrinth. The boy truly 'emerged from within the labyrinth'.

Palinkron is trying to expose me for who I am and what I am.

I can tell that from the way he talks.

In other words, it's the one card I can use to cut.

In order to somehow get to know Palinclone, I listen to him and turn my head fast and cold.

'In response, the higher-ups in the Vault suspected Christ Eurasia of being a guardian of the thirty layers (guardians). Someone had traced it to the 30th layer and the guardians (guardians) appeared and came to stroll into the city, as they did with Tida and Arti. I guessed so. After all, there are two precedents for this. From the top, I'd say, 'Here we go again.'

I can see that I've been lumped in with Tida and Alty and reflexively deny it.

'No. ......'

I don't feel like I'm going to be treated like a monster and treated badly. I decide that the only thing I deny is being a Guardian.

'No, you don't. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. That 'fetters' are proof.

With a grin, Palinclone pretended to be disappointed and pointed to the 'fetters' on my limbs.

I calmly think of an excuse.

If I say I'm from another world, that's all I need to say. However, the thin smile on Palinclone's face in front of me doesn't allow me to do so.

''I'm a dimensional attribute wizard ....... There is a magic called 《Connection》 in dimensional magic. With that magic, I can break into the labyrinth without leaving a record. I'm a human .......

I compare the cards in my hand that I don't mind being known with the ones I need to keep and reveal the existence of the magic Connection.

It's a hand I really wanted to keep hidden, but I can't turn my back on it.

''No, it's not. It was after meeting Maria's daughter that your brother learned the Connection. This has been confirmed by the owner of the magic shop.

Palinkron immediately and coldly denied it.

'...... so what about it. I'm saying that dimensional magic is capable of such things.

In response, I immediately and coldly retort.

''I see. I see... You're using a dimensional magic similar to the Connection to invade the labyrinth. Then that magic is--

'I'm not obliged to tell you. I'm just trying to tell you that there are plenty of ways to get into the labyrinth with no records.

We can only suggest the possibility here. Assert the possibility that I'm human and don't let them determine that I'm a monster. That's all I need to say.

'Well, you will.'

Palinkron shrugs his shoulders in resignation.

He doesn't look remorseful.

He's still blind to his purpose. I can't see this guy's priorities at all.

You might think he's just a hedonist, but sometimes he shows a strange obsession. You might think he's just a logical person, but he's just a hobbyist, and he gets carried away for fun. He is definitely one of the best when it comes to negotiating difficulties alone.

I ask him lightly about his companions, for starters.

In the meantime, I need to get at least a notch in the negotiation process.

'Palinkron ...... and Maria ......?'

”Restrained.

Palinkron replied shortly.

'Let me meet with you: ......

I was expecting to be restrained.

I do my best to make my request calmly.

Palinclone's expression changes when he hears this.

He looks serious, but he has an expression of amusement.

You can't do that. Two important and precious guinea pigs (・・・・・). There's no benefit in letting them meet.''

Mo, lab animals (guinea pigs) ......?

Hearing the word, a cold sweat broke out and his face contorted.

It was the word I had feared the most when I came to this world. When I was at level one, the possibility of it was so terrifying that it limited the actions I could take.

The word that had disappeared from my mind as the level increased and the danger was no longer there, but now the word came up at this time.

'Ah. She's the first human being to be fused with a guardian (Guardian). She deserves to be treated as a guinea pig, right?

In an instant, my mind is warped and cracked.

Blood spilled out of the crack, and I felt a pain that made me want to scream.

This story was the worst possible thing that could happen to me.

'Wait, wait: ......!　Wait, Palinclon!

He shouts out with heartache, anxiety and frustration.

That's the only thing you can do: .......

That's the only thing you can't do: .......

If it's just me, I'll get what I deserve. But not Maria.

Maria didn't deserve it.

It was my fault.

It's my fault, because I rescued her and then did nothing to hold her accountable.

I've made Maria unhappy, all the more so because of me. And yet, I'm making Maria unhappy again. That fact nearly breaks my heart.

”What is it?

'Maria is a child!　And that's a weak girl!　Maria didn't do anything wrong!　You'll have to forgive him!　Maria is not a girl who should be unhappy any longer!

Haha. How could I be so weak?　Thanks to Kanami's brother, that's a monster that a bunch of explorers can't match, right?　Yeah, it's all thanks to Kanami's brother.

'Yes!　This is my fault!　I'm sorry!　But Maria didn't do anything wrong!　So, forgive him!　You could have me as a guinea pig!　You lied to me. I'm not just a man. I'll tell you, I'll tell you-- so, only Maria!

I shouted, putting aside my shame and outward appearance.

There was no room for it. Negotiation vanished from my mind.

What remains in my head is that I swore to give Maria everything I had. I said I would make Maria happy, and now I'm about to renege on that promise.

The only reality is that I can't atone for any of it--.

'Isn't my brother in Christ just a man?　I know that (・・・・・・), I know that (・・・・・・). And you're going to be the guinea pig instead of your little girl?　What a stupid thing to say. We're both guinea pigs. How could we not both look into it?

......!

Palinkron's reply made me feel like I was falling into the abyss.

Fear as if I was plummeting from a high, high cloud by myself.

I seemed to be calm, and then I realized that I wasn't calm at all.

When we were defeated by Palinkron, everything was decided.

Me and Maria had fallen into the hands of the Palinkron, and there was no freedom for us. There is no room for negotiation.

It had been decided.

'Ahhhhhh ....... Ahhhhhh .......

He grunts with remorse.

If I don't, Maria will become a lab animal (guinea pig).

It's my fault.

It started with me selfishly saving Maria.

I foolishly reached out to her - and as a result, Maria is about to suffer a more horrible sight than death as a slave.

A laboratory animal.

Even with my poor knowledge, I can see that she is less dignified than a slave than a person.

Who is to blame for dropping her there?

It's me.

If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened.

What ”I won't let Maria suffer anymore” and ”I promise I won't leave her alone.” ......

I haven't kept any of them. After all, Arti was right, it's all talk: .......

I'm making everyone around me unhappy. If Maria hadn't been involved in the labyrinth, she wouldn't have been spotted by Arti. Thus, she would not have been held with me.

Come to think of it, so did Dia. I'm not going to be the only one who's been in this situation. The two people I lured into the labyrinth are both unhappy.

'Aaaaaaahhhh ......!

It's painful.

I can't bear the anxiety of being on my own, but when others are involved, that anxiety is multiplied many times over.

It's no good.

If it goes on like this, I won't be able to bear it.

The skill ”? is going to be activated.

Change your perspective.

Remember the good times.

This isn't over.

There's no time for despair.

I have a colleague.

I have a friend-- Rastiala.

She's the only one who can stand up and say, ”You helped. She's lucky that I was there for her.

And she's safe. And she has the chops and the character to prove it. Once she's back in shape and knows about my condition and Maria's, I have no doubt she'll try to help.

It's not over yet: ......!

I stop moaning, take a deep breath and repeat the process of gathering information to break this up.

'Hmm, that's close. Is there still hope? You must be ...... lords.

Seeing this, Palinclone muttered with a blank expression.

I ponder with a blank expression as well, so that my thoughts are not read.

As if to shake me, Palinclone says something to shake me up.

Now, will the Lord really come to help us?　Neither the Lord nor the apostle can be fully recovered immediately. At least, they won't be here right now.

I know I'm trying to break my hopes and I say back in defeat.

'There's Mr. Hein and Mr. Raydiant: ......

To which Palinclone retorts shortly.

'No, Hine is dead.

What?

Shortly, he tells her only of death and then quickly moves on to the next story.

'Serah will be stuck with the Lord and his apostle guards. With the Lord and his men having lost their strongest piece, Hein, there is little means to help your brother and Mary.

Palinclone continues to talk as if nothing has happened.

But the rest of the story doesn't enter my head.

'Wait, what?　Mr. Hein is dead ......?

Yeah. That idiot let three people go with his life. And now they're dead.

Once again Palinclone replied briefly.

I can feel my breathing becoming shallow.

I feel the calm I've forced myself to regain, broken by my physical condition. My heart palpitations speed up, and a sickening sweat runs down my throat.

I have no reason to believe it.

It's nonsense to believe the words of Palinclone, who can be considered a grudge enemy.

''Ha, ha. Huh, that Mr. Hein is dead?　Um... (sic) Mr. Hine?

Implicitly, he tries to leapfrog Palinkron's words by putting into words Mr. Hein's strength.

He believes that Mr. Hein, who would have been the most powerful of the Seven Celestial Knights in Heaven (Celestial Knights), would not die.

''Yeah, he's dead. Hein was at his limit when he reached the cathedral. That's all there is to it.

Palinkulon doesn't smile at all, only when he talks about Mr. Hein's death.

Maybe it was a poker face to fool me.

But somehow I didn't think it was a lie either.

'But still: ......'

I try to formulate the words to resist.

”Hain is dead, and the plotting of the deputy vizier Feydert continues. With such a situation, isn't it unfair to ask the masters, who are on the run, to rescue them?

Palinkron points out the unlikelihood of rescue and continues on.

He continues to talk about how that's not the only bad story, and that there's more to come.

'Rather, it's Kanami's brother who needs to be rescued. As the brave master who kidnapped the Lord from the Fuzzy Yards, you have to take responsibility and go to help the Lord and his friends. ...... One of these days, you might fall into the hands of Feydert and his friends, right?

That's right.

It's not going to end when we get Rustyala and the others out of the cathedral.

Rather, life on the run is the real deal.

The plan is to make use of my magic connection to make the life on the run easier. However, I'm not beside Rustyala and the others.

No matter how substandard Rustiala and Dia are, I don't know if there's a way to deal with long-term manpower tactics by the country. Perhaps Rastiara and Diah could be captured by the Hoosiers as early as tomorrow.

If they're not good enough, they'll both be dead ......?

Like Maria, it could be a worse future because of my half-heartedly reaching out to them. ......

'I wonder if those three clumsy, naive people alone could escape the Hoosiers' pursuers?　There's not a single one of them that looks like he's going to work his wiles.

Palinkron smiles a nasty smile, stands up and walks through the dark room. As he speaks, he slowly moves to the back of the darkness.

The actuality of this is that I would like to participate in the capture of the 'Jewelculus' and 'Apostle', but as long as we have the 'Hero' and 'Half Guardian' in hand, let's not be greedy. We have enough materials for our experiments.

I can hear the sound of flesh and water tangling.

It's a physiologically frightening sound.

Palinkron grabs something from the corner of the room and comes back to us.