132 131. Prologue.txt (1/2)

On the deck of the magical stone ship, the Living Legend, I breathe in the sea breeze that blows quietly through the air to my heart's content. The smell of the tide tickling my nostrils is refreshing and comforting.

The deep blue sky stretches on forever, the pure white sun spreading a radiant race of light. One round sunbeam in the sky and about ten more reflecting off the ocean.

The ocean, which extends to the horizon, is a slightly paler blue than the sky. It is a beautiful color of the sea, darker than light blue, lighter than blue, and different from the sky. In the canvas of the sea, there are sparse, almost black blues and unique indigo colors painted irregularly. Perhaps the colors change according to the depth of the sea. It's a color scheme that transcends the art found only in the natural world.

Silver fishes bounce on the surface of the sea. A white bird flutters in the distant sky.

The music of the sea echoes in the quiet sound of the ripples. I shut my eyes and let it slowly seep into my mind through my ears.

I feel a sense of peace.

I meditate without being driven by anything, without being trapped by anything, without doing anything.

That's all it takes to make the world so gentle.

But my heart is not at peace. It was the exact opposite.

My heart pulses at an unsettling rate.

Along with my breathlessness, my mouth hurts.

My skin feels like it's starting to feel rough.

The darkening of the dark circles in my eyes has deepened and I can't hide my fatigue.

My stomach hurts.” ......

I mutter a few words from the bottom of my heart to the blue sky.

Then I stagger and lean against the wooden railing on the deck.

I'm woozy from not getting enough sleep.

It's smooth sailing on the voyage to the mainland, but I'm tired by contrast.

I was, by contrast, exhausted.

I was tired to the core.

I wanted to climb over the railing and get into the water right now.

Why am I so exhausted?

It goes back to the first day of the boat trip.

First, the reckoning of the promises made to Maria, Snow, Rustyala and the rest of the crew. Then, the narrowing siege of death. The problems that arise from revealing one's identity. The confinement of being a man alone in the confined space of a ship. Excessive skin-to-skin contact from his comrades. My position in the confederacy, which I don't agree with. An unwillingly growing reputation for intercepting enemy ships. The discrepancy between purpose and motivation. The labyrinthine search is difficult to navigate. Forty layers that are difficult to reach.

And I--.

--and to top it all off, I met the girl who is the source of my biggest problem.

A fragile girl with white hair and white plumage that looks vaguely familiar.

It's no wonder she looks so familiar. At any rate, her source of material--

◆◆◆◆◆

As we head out into Gliard's harbor, we finally have some free time where we are free to be unchallenged by anything.

After the Reaper and I stabilize the ship's navigation, Rustyala takes the lead in assigning rooms on the ship.

Each of us goes into our rooms to relieve the fatigue of the ”Dance Tournament”.

I fall into the white bed provided and stare at the ceiling of my room.

It's a big job just to see Rowen off, but because of Rustyala, I've added the task of vandalizing the casino.

I was just about to meditate on taking a rest today and was about to meditate when I heard a knock at the door.

'Kanami-san ......, are you there?'

It's Maria's voice.

'...... okay. You can come in.

I stood up, startled by the unexpected arrival.

I invited Maria into my room.

'Excuse me. I know you're very tired, but please give me a few minutes of your time.

No, no, don't worry about it. I'm totally fine.

Maria starts talking seriously.

I try not to make her feel uncomfortable and show her that I'm fine.

It's not a lie. It's true that my physical strength is at its limit, but that means I can't do battle. There's nothing wrong with just talking to them.

Yeah.

If all you have to do is talk, there's no problem.

As long as Maria doesn't lose the light in her eyes here and start a battle, as long as the ship doesn't go up in flames with Arti-bari fire magic, as long as it doesn't turn into a melee with Dia or Rustyala in the mix, we'll be fine.

Right now, we're united in fighting back against the Palinkron. There's no way that could happen. While telling myself that it will definitely be okay--I check the ”Treasured Sword of the Areis Family, Rowen” hanging on my hip, fully activate the skill ”sensitivity” and finish preparing to listen to Maria's story.

Good.

Let's listen to what Maria has to say.

So, is there something you want to talk about?　Maria

Yes, it's an important story: ......

They say it's an important story.

I restrain my body from trembling and keep a smile on my face as I speak.

...... If it's important to you, I've got something to tell you. I'm okay now, so let's talk about it slowly.

I could sense from Maria's appearance what she was talking about. Probably me and Maria's story would be the same.

I couldn't cut it out while I was in the Confederacy, but I have plenty of time to do so now.

''It's about that night of the Nativity, when you and Arti fought Kanami-san together.

Maria breaks off the conversation with a depressed look on her face.

'Oh, ......,'

My face darkens as well.

The fight that day has left a deep psychological trauma (trauma) for both of us. I'm sure both Maria and I would like to pretend that it wasn't a deep psychological experience. -- that's why we look up and remember that day.

'I betrayed Kanami-san that day. I avenged the favor I received and even tried to take Kanami-san's life. ......

Maria speaks in a sullen voice.

Her face was contorted with regret and her body was shaking all over. But I'm sure I have the same look on my face and my body is shaking as well.

I don't mind, it's my fault. I told you that day.　You were like my only family. So I bought you for money, kept you close, favored you, and made you a tool for my own satisfaction. I didn't think about the other person, pretended I didn't hear about their love interest, and continued to hurt Maria. You deserve it.

'No, Kanami, you did nothing wrong. He rescued the slaves, stood by them, and gave them preferential treatment. ...... Whoever heard it, there is nothing wrong with it, rather, it's a good deed. He didn't think about the slaves and pretended he didn't hear about their love interest. ...... This is normal.

Huh?

Maria roughly dismisses my full-throated argument.

'Kanami-san is too good for people. You seem to think it's natural to respond to other people's love, but in fact, it's the opposite. There are more people in the world who pretend not to notice or take advantage of you. It's not uncommon for people to ignore it because they think it's a nuisance. It's even more so if the person you're dealing with is a slave.

In a nonchalant manner, Maria speaks of values that are the complete opposite of mine.

I can't say back because I can't decide if that cold-hearted sense of love is unique to Maria or common in the other world.

'And yet, Kanami-san, out of guilt, even said, ”You can be mine,” and ”I don't mind if you die. He's an idiot. A really big idiot. ......

I remember.

I was trapped in Alty's 'ordeal' and I was going to bet everything on Maria.

'Yeah, I definitely feel like I said a lot of stupid things ....... But when I'm cornered, I'm just like that. If Maria swears to go to the deepest depths instead of me - if she promises me her sister, that's fine. I still feel the same way.

The truth is, it's not good. But I didn't want to lie.

Hence, I would leave reason and emotion in the balance and leave the decision to Maria.

...... I don't have 'eyes' anymore. So I don't even know if Kanami-san is lying to me. I have no choice but to believe you.

Maria took my words happily and walked over to me sadly.

Then she rests her head on my chest. After a short pause, she puts her hands around my waist and says, ”I can't replace Kanami.

'I can't take Kanami-san's place. That's why I can't make Kanami-san mine. Above all, I don't need it anymore. Because, Kanami-san told me, ”I'm not going to leave you alone. She said, ”I won't leave you alone anymore,” ”I won't leave you. And I believe that.

'Oh, I won't leave you alone again ......, I promise.'

Mary refused the covenant.

She didn't refuse it because she didn't believe in it, she refused it because she believed in it.

That's where she felt a bond with Maria.

She chose a bond that was far more precious than a contract connected by calculation and conditions.

Maria leaves my side and looks up. There is no longer a sad face there.

''Now I'm relieved. Kanami-san is so needlessly disciplined, I thought she thought she was going to be mine. Again, Kanami-san doesn't belong to anyone.

It's the same Maria's face as always.

It's not the empty face she once had. Nor was it a face tainted with despair.