106 105. Day 1, midnight.txt (2/2)

Rowen: ”Rowen ......

I spilled my name naturally.

'I'm sorry, Kanami. This is the path I've decided to take.

Rowen didn't turn around. She answered me with her back to me.

And then, to this Rowen, Mr. Rainer speaks dubiously to her.

I don't trust you, but--

I don't need credit. I just need you to use me.

I don't trust you, but I'll take what I can get. I'm Christ, you're Rustyala. Are you sure about that?

That's it. The Boy with the Two Swords.

The two men decided to work together without seeing each other.

Mr. Reiner heard Rowen's words to Rustyala and decided that there was no lie there.

Along with my impatience, I understand that I no longer have the luxury of time.

''--Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradiate)!　The magic ”Dimensional Snow!

They run while building up their magic.

At the same time, in front, Rowen and Rastiara also begin to fight. Rastiara was using the sword lowered at her waist to receive Rowen's sword.

I'm relieved to see that Rustiala prevented the first move.

However, there is not a moment to lose. If I'm dealing with a serious Rowen, I don't know what's going to happen.

I try to run as fast as I can to get to Rowen's back, but--

That's me, Christ!

Mr. Reiner stands his ground.

'I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take it easy anymore!

I shout back as I take out the Straight Sword of Crescent Pectrazi from my possessions.

Reiner's twin swords attack me.

In response, I release all of my magic power.

''-- Magical 《Midwinter of the Overcrowded Dimension (Die Overwinter)》!

Magic interference is meaningless to him.

So I spend all my magic power on movement interference.

Magic snow begins to occur from the trail of my movements.

With white splashes, I swing my sword with all my might.

Rainer-kun's expression changes as he sees the magical snow that is generated from my body fall to the ground.

A pillar of ice is rising up from where the snow has fallen. He seems to understand that it's packed with magical power that's a far cry from the magic bubbles I saw earlier.

The 《Dimensional Snow (Di Snow)》 restricts his movements, and I further restrict him.

The movement of his limbs is slowed down by the 《Midwinter of the Overcrowded Dimension (Dee Overwinter)》.

It's easy to defeat Rainer-kun, who is bound by icy magic.

He dodges his twin swords with minimal movement and slashes one of them right in the side.

The sword that received the world's highest magic sword called 'Crescent Pectrazi's Straight Sword' in its belly was destroyed like ice shattering.

''Wha, my brother's sword--!

Ryner-kun is upset that his sword was broken so easily.

Taking advantage of the gap, I take his arm that holds the other sword.

Then, he struck his stomach with the hilt of his sword and was about to throw his back to the ground as it was--

--It is the only way to get the best out of the new system.

The one that came flying in is the tip of a magic sword.

It's not just a matter of time before you find yourself in the middle of the night.

”--NAH!

Giving up on the back throw, I jump away from that sword tip while moving away from Rainer-kun.

Then, I check the source of the sword tip of that magic power.

Lowen, who is cutting with Rustyala with one hand, was extending the sword of magic power from the other hand without even checking me.

''Kook, Rowen?!

Rather than being disturbed by Reiner-kun's incapacitation, I'm terrified that he can afford to do such a thing against that Rustyala.

After all, in simple close combat, Rowen has the advantage.

''--gaah!　Christ!

Freed, Mr. Rainer was about to leap at me again with his remaining sword.

'Boy, use this!'

Loewen, who had grasped all of this, tossed him another sword that was hanging at his waist.

I knew that sword well.

'Oi, Rowen, it!

[Ruf Bullinger]

Attack power 5.

Mental Pollution +2.00

It's the broken magic sword 'Ruf Bringer' that was entrusted to Rowen.

It is wonderfully glued together by Rowen's magical power. It's different from the usual 'magical materialization'. It seems to have been repaired with special magic.

''You would fit it!''

Ryner-kun receives the sword that Rowen threw in the air.

I was planning to leave him behind and slash at Rowen, but I couldn't leave the sword's vicious magic alone.

''The nasty stuff!''

I complained to Rowen and intercepted Rainer, who jumped at me with wind magic.

''Christ oh!''

The magic power of the 'Ruf-Bringer' and the magic power of the wind were mixed together, and they were no longer separate entities.

However, as far as I could sense in the Dimension and status, he had that magic power under his control. He hasn't fallen into insanity like he did when I got it. It's just a slight increase in excitement.

But that's what makes it so troubling.

With a devastating wind, Ryner-kun slashes at me.

He catches the 'Ruf Bringer' with the 'Crescent Pectrazi's Straight Sword' and the other sword bends down to avoid it.

His attack is not over yet.

With his momentum, a kick by his right leg is released.

I see it as a chance to catch him, and I grab his leg with my extra left hand.

My hand is sore from the impact of the kick, but I can now move on to a throwing technique.

The moment I thought that...

WIND!

My left hand, which was gripping his leg, popped.

A storm of wind originates from his leg, and the ring and pinky fingers of my left hand break in the opposite direction. I frown at the intense pain. But now we are in the middle of a battle. I quickly push the pain to the back of my mind. It's an application of parallelism.

”--Ok!

And then, using the storm, Mr. Rainer takes advantage of it to distance himself from me.

Perfectly timed magic. He must have been convinced I could grab him.

But it's too reckless.

”Guh, ahhh--!

Mr. Reiner's leg was also badly damaged.

His flesh is carved by the wind and there is a horrible amount of blood flowing.

Still, he grunts and rushes towards me again. His legs may be damaged, but as long as the wind magic is there, his mobility is not compromised.

I want to run to Rustyala right now. However, the determined boy in front of me is more troublesome than Rowen if he's not good enough.

Ryner's aerial assault from the air again.

I'll deal with them again in the same way.

However, this time I dodge the 'Ruf Bringer' and destroy the remaining sword with the 'Crescent Pectrazi Sword'. However, he is not upset.

He immediately throws that sword away and strikes at me with his free hand.

I guard it with my left elbow.

Naturally - it pops again.

''--Wind!

A tremendous shock passed through his left arm, and his entire arm went numb.

Including the fact that my fingers are broken, my left arm will no longer be able to be used in battle.

I look at Ryner-kun, who has been distanced by the storm again, while driving the pain to the corner of my mind.

No, I look at his fist, which was mangled by his own wind magic, to be precise.

'Stop using that stupid magic!　You're in danger too!

If I could kill you, I'd rather die!

Reiner is going to repeat the same suicide attack.

I can see why he's repeating himself.

The difference between him and me is almost as great as the difference between heaven and earth.

But now, a suicide attack can do me some serious damage. The damage to him must be secondary to the damage to himself.

I allow Rainer's suicide attack without coming up with a countermeasure.

A zero-range wind magic from a forceful bare-handed attack. The repetition of this. In exchange for my right hand, in exchange for my left hand, in exchange for my right foot, in exchange for my left foot - I continue to be attacked.

His hand is bloody and his leg is on the verge of breaking.

Or maybe it's on the verge of falling off.

It's the way he fights to death, spattering blood.

Seeing such a Reiner, I felt nauseated.

An unidentified disgust.

And a headache I've grown accustomed to.

--I'm not going to be able to get away with it.

”Don't talk about your life and death so casually!　LINAR!

The boy - and I couldn't forgive him for being Ryner.

And I, like him, choose an attack that doesn't spare myself.

I discard the 『Crescent Pectrazi's Straight Sword』 and grab his body with my free hand.

''Wa, 《Wind》!

Naturally, Ryner chooses zero-range wind magic. No, he is forced to choose it.

Because that's the only method of attack that works for him.

--The wind pops.

Even my remaining right hand, the fingers fold in the opposite direction.

The ring finger, little finger and even the index finger are broken.

But I put all my strength into my remaining thumb and middle finger and don't let go of the liner.

”I've got it!

As it is, I bumped into Rainer with my whole body.

And with that momentum, he and I jumped into the pond behind it.

I'm not going to chant any magic.

It's only natural if you look at the battle so far. Whenever he was casting magic, he would pause for a breath. Even the quintessential guy can't use it continuously without breathing.

I checked the liner plunged into the pond and cast the magic I had prepared.

''-- Magic 《Dimensional Winter (Di Winter), Last Frost (Frost)!

Ryner's entire body freezes the water.

He feels his body being restrained by the ice and quickly tries to climb out of the water.

I hit Ryner's head with my best head-butt and drop an elbow to his groin.

'Gah, huh!

Ryner's brain is shaken and he spits out the entire contents of his lungs.

Then I make sure his strength is released and I complete the freezing spell.

It was a shallow pond, only waist deep, but it was enough to bind Ryner's limbs.

I quickly get out of the pond, leaving him with a concussion.

It ate up a lot more time than I thought it would.

I hadn't realized that a suicide attacker risking his life would be so troublesome.

I take out a dagger, not a sword, from my 'belongings' as I head to Rastiara's rescue. Because only my thumb and middle finger can move, I can only hold something light.

Rowen!

I approach the two men who are slashing each other at inhuman speed, shouting their names.

In response to the voice, Rowen retreats significantly.

Her eyes don't turn to me and she mutters in disappointment.

With the skill 'sensitivity', he must have been able to grasp the situation here.

''--Okay, time over? Rustyala Fuzzyards, you are more formidable than I thought. No, I should say that the chemistry is bad ......

Kanami, come on!　Help!　I enjoy fighting this guy, but not today!

Rustyala, who has suffered a massive cut, beckons me over to him.

I move next to Rustiala, not Rowen, and hold my dagger.

Seeing this, Rowen sheathes her sword.

''I thought it was a good time, but you were in a bit of a hurry. ......

Rowen glances over to Ryner, who has fallen into the pond.

Then she moves toward him, inching toward him, keeping our vigilance intact.

From its movements, I can tell that it doesn't want any more fighting.

Rastiara doesn't try to chase it. I don't want to chase it either. If I chase it, someone in this place will die. Rowen has the power to make me think so.

”If the Reapers are here ....... No, if only Mr. Snow didn't hate me .......

Rowen mutters.

His appearance is the same as the one I saw at yesterday's game.

He looks somewhat weak and lonely.

Then, Rowen quickly erases that look and leaps back in a big way.

She lands near the pond and crushes the ice of the pond with her sword. He takes the motionless Ryner by the shoulders and turns to leave.

'Wait, Rowen!'

I call it off.

I don't want to fight it, but I have a lot to say.

But it won't wait for me long.

So I sum up all of it and shout.

'--Now (...)!

I open my arms and confront the devastation.

A park that's been ruined by a slash and run between two outsiders. A frozen pond and fountain. My broken fingers. A cut-ravaged Rustyala. The boy who was too sick to move. I point to all of them and scream.

Are you sure this is the best you can do?　Is it really worth it to go this far for the 'glory' that Rowen wants!

I blame Rowen.

I appeal to its conscience.

Sweet-hearted Rowen reads all my intentions and grits her teeth.

Her face contorts and she looks apologetic - but she looks me straight in the eye and replies.

'There's no way you can know the value of something you haven't ...... gotten, Kanami. That's why I'm going to fight to make sure of it. Yes, everything, to make sure. If I can fight 'Hero (Kanami)' in the ...... final, then I will know the answer.

My words have been heard.

And Rowen is responding to it correctly.

It's a completely different response than it was against Snow or the Reapers.

But still, Rowen tells me, you can't go down the same path as me.

I'm sorry, but I'll take the boy. If I leave him alone, you or the guards will catch him.

Then Rowen left with Ryner in her arms.

We let our guard down on it.

I finally take a breath after confirming that we have moved to the south area with the 《Dimension》.

Rastiara next to me also confirms that it's safe and speaks to me.

''Ah, watch out ......!　Whatever, isn't the goal of the guardian, Rowen, to win the tournament?

'No, it's about winning. Rowen wants things like 'honor' and 'glory'.

Then why are you interrupting me like this?　It would have been easier to win the championship without us.

Then why?

In light of Rowen's actions and statements to date, I speculate as to why.

”Maybe Rowen believes I'm a 'hero' ....... And he believes that surpassing the 'heroic me' in the 'dance competition' is the only way to clear his 'unfinished business': ......

At every turn, Snow treated me like a 'hero'. And Rowen had never once denied it.

He always looked at me with some kind of expectation when I summoned him after reaching the thirty-third layer. In fact, they just said it's only natural that Aikawa Uzumi, who summoned him, is a 'hero'.

I'm sure that no matter how much I refuse to be a ”hero”, I'm still a ”hero” to those two people.

That's why we cross paths like this.

”Rowen can't see what's going on around her. ...... What she really wants is something much simpler and more modest: ......!　I'm sure he knows it in his heart.　He's so swept up in the illusion of 'heroism' that all he can see is beating me!

Today's attack has confirmed my suspicions.

I'm sure of it now.

Rowen can't see her surroundings.

Just like the night of the dragon slaying, she is missing something important.

'...... Okay, I get it. The guardian's aim is to 'win the dance competition' and 'defeat Kanami'. I'm relieved that ...... isn't so complicated.

Rustyala calmly summed up my emotionally charged words.

'...... Maybe that's it, I'm sure of it.'

''Hmm. I was thinking of appealing the current attack to the administrator of the ”Dancing Tournament” and losing the foul play, but I shouldn't do it: ....... If I completely crush the guardian's (Guardian's) aim, I won't know what they'll do to me in reverse: ......

Rustyala was nonchalantly thinking about her next move.

To her, Rowen would be nothing more than an enemy. She doesn't get confused by emotions like I do. I decide to keep quiet and wait for the calm Rustyala's instructions.

I'll let the guardians stick to the 'Dance Competition' as is. And only Hine's younger brother is going to be retired. If you appeal to the management of the tournament, I'm sure you can get rid of Vualhura for the duration of the tournament.

'Yes. If possible, I'd like to talk to him at leisure, but ....... Preferably after the 'dance competition': ......

”There's no excuse for this 'magic stone line' when it comes to attacking us with a ship full of ......--huh?

Rastiara sat down and put her hand on the 'magic stone line' (line) that was extending to the floor and was searching for something. However, his expression suddenly froze and looked as if he had lost his guess.

''What's wrong?''

Oh, what?　Nothing is recorded at ......?　No, I guess the 'magic stone line' (line) wasn't working: ......?

'Come to think of it,' said Rowen. The 'magic stone line' (line) isn't working where the boy is.” ......

'Maybe your brother had something crafted beforehand: ....... Huh, no wonder he's attacking us with impunity: ......

Rustyala sighs and stands up.

Then she urges me, ”Go home, go home.

It seems that the four of us, including Dia and Sera, are going to act in solidarity in preparation for Rowen's attack. I also think it's harder to get a hold of a large group of people, so I go back with Rustyala.

However, it doesn't add up.

On the way back, I'm pondering.

I couldn't believe that Ryner, who had lost his sight to that extent, had prepared for such a thing.

Since I wasn't in ”my room,” he was searching all over ”Vualhura” and happened to find us. It looked that way.

However, no matter how much I think about it, I can't be sure.

And even if it wasn't Ryner or Rowen who disabled the magic stone line, all we can do is to freeze and act.

After that, we return to our room and decide to stay alert until morning.

After Lastiara treated my fingers, she naturally thrust the duty of vigilance on me and soon fell asleep in her soft bed.

I'm slightly annoyed, albeit premeditated and reasonable.

I suppress my emotions as I deploy Dimension with Insomnia.

In the middle of my insomnia alert, I couldn't help but feel jealous of Rustyala, Dia-chan, and Sera-san. I continued to be vigilant about my surroundings, desperately suppressing my sleepiness from turning into a killing intent over the limit.