151 150. Prologue.txt (1/2)

The information I got from 'gazing' tells me that Hailey's words don't lie.

--Name Shea Legacy HP23/23 MP17/17 Class Searcher.

Level 3.

Strength 0.45 Strength 0.88 Skill 0.23 Speed 0.34 Wisdom 1.02 Magic 0.92 Magic 0.46--

--Inherent Skills None.

Acquired skills, no--

His name is Shea, and his last name is Legacy, the same as Palinkron.

My body grew stronger just as the relatives of the grudge enemy at hand appeared.

I could tell at a glance that the girl in front of me didn't have an evil spirit. However, just having the surname 'Legacy' makes it hard to believe her. Her innocent attitude can only be seen as a trap to deceive and trap me.

I had believed that I was not the kind of person who discriminated on the basis of race or blood group. However, the reality is harsh. I couldn't relax just by being around this sunflower-like girl.

'I can't believe I'm so upset just because she's a relative of Palinclone: ......!

I understand a little bit more about how the politicians feel about eradicating their war partners from the family.

At the same time, I also understand how much I fear the existence of the Palinkron Legacy.

Seeing me stiffen, Heili tries to calm me down in a calm voice.

'Don't worry, she has nothing to worry about. As you can see, she has no talent whatsoever.''

Poppin' and tapping Shea Legacy's head, Hailey.

Indeed, Heili is right, there is no talent to be found in 'Display'. On the contrary, the column of skills is so blank that it seems difficult to find them.

But - that's why (・・・・・), it's also scary (・・・・・・).

Haili gives a compassionate look to Sia Legacy, who squints ticklishly at him.

'I'm helping to take Shea to the deepest part of the world. She is a kindred spirit, and I owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude.

After briefly explaining Shea Legacy, Hailey took the girl's hand and headed to 'Connection'.

'Then let's go, Sia. Everyone is waiting for me, right?

Yeah, yeah, already?　Wait, Hailey. Who the hell are these people?

But Shea Legacy stops and holds Hailey back.

She is still scurrying around and looking around. She doesn't seem to understand anything about the situation.

'Shea doesn't need to know. Even if you did know, you would only do something unnecessary anyway.

That's terrible!

The girl is saddened and I am surprised.

Although I introduced her as the party 'leader', her treatment of the leader is too careless.

Dissatisfied with that treatment, the girl escapes from Hailey's hands and faces me with her chest out.

''Well, ladies and gentlemen who don't know better. It's nice to meet you, I'm Shea Legacy. I'm still an explorer in this one!

It's a refreshing greeting, full of energy.

I haven't yet let my guard down. However, ignoring it is a matter of human courtesy. I'm going to introduce myself on behalf of the company.

...... We're explorers too. Our name is Aikawa Uzumi. It's nice to meet you, Shea Legacy.

Nice to meet you!　So you're a competitor! Then don't hesitate to call me Shea!　You don't even need to call me ”sir”, man!　I'll call you Kanami's big brother too, if you like!

The girl tilts her head and gives a friendly smile.

'Really?　Then I will, Shea.

Aikawa Kanami is a strange name! Aikawa is an amazingly unusual name ....... Hmm?　A, Aikawa ......?　What, Aikawa Kanami?　Really?

'Yeah, I know, but ......

As she recited my name over and over again, Shea's expression hardened.

Then she tried to flip her body around like an unoiled robot.

''--Yo, alright, Hailey-san. Let's go home. Let's go home now. If you're a competitor, you're a rival. You don't have to stay long!

With a hardened expression on her face, Shea gave us a quick wave goodbye. As it was, he took Hailey's hand and turned to head to 'Connection'.

Perhaps she had heard of my infamy in the Confederacy from somewhere.

''Hn......?　I understand.

That seemed to come as a surprise to Hailey.

Shea urged her to open the door to The Connection.

'So, then, goodbye - ....... Minasan ......

With a big wave of his hand, Shea quickly left for the other side of the door.

Hailey followed suit and tried to pass through the door.

However, just before he did, he stopped dead in his tracks.

''Oh, one last thing,''

Haili turned around and looked at me - and glanced at Dia, too. It was only a few moments, but my kinetic vision didn't miss her eye movements.

I can understand if Hailey is concerned about Rustyala here. But she looked at Dia for the last time. I can't grasp the intent of this.

'Boy, you said earlier that you've grown up.

Haili asks emphatically to me, hiding the movement of her gaze.

When I nod, Heili chooses enough words and then speaks out slowly.

'-But I don't think so. Seeing you now, I didn't feel that you had grown up. If it's 'you in my memory' and 'you now', I find the former more appealing.

And then he denied me itself.

What--!

Those words disturbed my heart terribly.

I had gone through so much hardship and overcame so many trials and tribulations, but the girl in front of me was in direct denial of my achievements.

Her level had gone up and she had gained a lot of skills. I've overcome my cowardice and stopped pretending to be something I'm not.

Without a doubt, I am stronger than I was before. And because of that, I am more comfortable now.

This is the reward for overcoming my trials and tribulations, in my opinion.

However, in Heili's eyes, laughing and bathing at a party may have looked like slacking off. Maybe she felt like she was regressing instead of moving forward.

It was too shocking.

I analyzed my disturbed mind and realized that I had unexpectedly respected the knight, Mr. Hein.

It's not that I want to be praised by the girl named Heili. I just wanted to have the being who held Ms. Hein's memories recognize the results of my efforts.

Her face naturally becomes distorted.

Seeing this, Hailey hurriedly shook her head.

''No, no, it's my personal story, so please don't take it so seriously. Yes, it's just a matter of preference. Raising the level isn't the only way to grow. I just wanted to tell you that. Sorry.

Although Heili tried his best to mend his ways, my heart would not calm down.

Heili must have sensed that the atmosphere of the place has deteriorated. She immediately bows her head deeply and breaks off to say goodbye.

''I'll leave you with this at ....... However, since we are rooted in the mainland Valt, we may have a connection with the young lady's group that is chasing Palinkron again. I hope you'll take care of us then.

Then Heili left behind the door, and the emerald green ”Connection” disappeared as a particle of light.

When the remnants of the white girl Hailey's presence faded away, Rustyala spoke up.

'...... What do you think?'

It's a serious look, which is unusual for the always easy-going Rustyala.

'Does that mean she's Miss Hein or not?'

No, that's obvious. He and Hein are like two different people. He looks and feels like a different person. That's because I'm caught up in my memory, but it seems like the language is similar. In the first place, there's no way I can imitate the magic of Saint Tiara's 'Rebirth' to Palinkron.

Rastiala asserts.

But I question that assertion.

'No, but ......,'

I didn't think the resemblance was as great as Rastiala said it was.

It may indeed be a different person, but there are remnants of Hain-san .......

'That's the girl from The Magic Stone Human who's having a hard time because of Hein's memories. It's a different person, that's for sure.

'But Heili said she has almost all of Ms. Hein's memories. If you have that many memories, doesn't that prove the person is there?

'No, you can't call it a 're-birth' just from memory: ......?

I thought I was presenting my own theory, but it seemed to be out of the question for Rastiara.

Rastiara is the 'masterpiece' of the 'Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus)' and an expert (professional) in magic. From her insight, what I'm concerned about seems to be a trivial matter.

'So, is that what it is: ......?'

In my world's value system, 'memory' is a very important thing. Some people must think that memories are the proof of life. In common science fiction novels, there is the idea that you can become immortal if you can transfer your memories and personality entirely.

But in this world, such an idea doesn't seem to exist.

'That's usually the case, Kanami-san. The things that are important for a person to become a human being are 'blood' and 'soul'.

Maria, who was listening by the side, seemed to have the same idea as Rustyala.

She cites the word 'soul' as being prehistoric.

No, surely in this world, this is what is modern. Since there is such a thing as magic, it is natural that there is a soul, and the soul may be essential to prove the ego here.

It's a good idea. That's why our saint Tiara was so meticulous about transferring the 'blood' and 'soul'. ...... but that Hailey girl's 'blood' and 'soul' are too different.

I can't keep up with the unique sensibilities of the other world and can't argue with them.

For a last gasp, I'll ask Dia's opinion. She's also a magical expert (professional) as good as Rustyala.

Is ...... Dear the same?

Dia, who was standing in the distance, was called out and looked up with a gasp.

''--What?　Um, ......, I didn't really listen to you. Sorry, I was a little sleepy. ......

Rubbing her eyes, Dia gave a wry smile.

'Sleepy?　You're right, you look a bit pale. I think I'd better get some rest.

Maybe she was tired from the unaccustomed swimming.

Although the HP of ”Display” hasn't changed, it seems to have drained a lot of energy.

”Yeah, I'm going to get some sleep. ...... Sorry, Kanami.

'Nothing to apologize for. The swimming is like I forced you to do it.

Yes, ......, 'I' don't have anything to apologize for, do I?

Deere gave a small smile and walked into the ship.

Her scarred body looked small.

Even Dia's back, which was even just small, looked even smaller. There were white feathers growing on her back. A lovely little feather. So small that you would have to look carefully to realize it was a feather.

When I talked about my personal life, I also heard lightly about the 'Apostle' from Dia. It seems that because he was born with that feather, he was treated as the reincarnation of the ”Apostle” of the Revan religion.

He said that his magic power was just a little higher and he was no different from other humans. I've decided to treat her as the same person as Dia's wishes. I consider the wings on her back to be a bit of an odd accessory.

However, just as Dia disappeared into the ship, the feather I thought was an ornament seemed to tremble a bit.

As Dia went to rest, everyone else began to act freely as well.

I really wanted to talk more about Hailey, but the answer seemed to be answered in Rustyala and Maria. You can tell by the look on their faces that they are convinced that Hein Helvirshain is gone.

They had gone into the water without a care in the world and had resumed their swimming practice.

I'm left on deck, thinking to myself about Hailey.

Heili called herself a failure and insisted that she was not Ms. Hein.

But the last thing she said to me was that I felt as if she had said it to me, as if Ms. Hein had said it to me.

It bothered me.

It takes a little bit of leeway away from me.

'...... No, no more.'

I shake my head and shake off the thoughts.

Lately, due to the rise in status and 'parallel thinking', I feel like I've been unconsciously thinking about unnecessary things. It's also troubling that my senses are too sharpened.

It's similar to the way a drawn blade hurts you.

There is no point in continuing to guess the evil that you can't help but think about.

What I need to think about is the labyrinth.

As Hailey, my rival in the labyrinth search, has appeared, I need to make my search even more efficient. Looking at Hailey's physical condition today, it will be a long time before she can resume her labyrinth search. However, if we are too careless, it would be a laughing matter if we really got to the deepest part of the labyrinth first.

I sit on a chair on the deck and contemplate about the labyrinthine attack.

It was important for me not to let ”Parallel Thinking” think about something unnecessary.

Yes.

There's no point in thinking about it.

There's no need to think about anything else right now--

Then we practice swimming again and the sun begins to set.

--this is how the day ends.

Today was a day of hardship, I think.

From a slight carelessness, the distance between me and Rathtiara decreased, and then all at once, I moved away. The skill '??' It was a mistake of the best of my ability to use

And then, as if to fold up, here comes Haili. Her presence is disturbing to me. I can only think that her birth, her personality, her thoughts, all of them are blaming me.

I go back to my room and throw my tired body onto the bed.

The exhaustion that had been building up in my body surges in. At the same time, the inescapable sleepiness fills my brain.

No matter how hard I try to look at it positively, this boat trip is still taking a toll on my mind. The drowsiness made me keenly aware of this.

Then, little by little, my vision turns black.

My consciousness was fading away.

I didn't fight it and accepted sleep.

Tomorrow, I have to start exploring the labyrinth again.

I need to get some rest and regain my energy.

So I fell, as I wished, into a restful dream.

I needed to rest.

So I fell, and fell, and fell.

I fell to the deepest depths of my soul--

◆◆◆◆◆

The sensation of floating in the black mud.

Everywhere you look, it's a stagnant, pitch-black world.

Nothing.

I was drifting in the black world.

Then, out of nowhere, a muffled voice comes out of nowhere.

--Oh, I've finally had enough (・・・・・・・・・・).

It was a voice of regret.

The voice was trembling and snatched as if it were spitting blood.

--I've crossed the 'boundary' set by the two of them -- that is, I've stepped into the 'limit zone' of humanity -- oh, if I don't do this. It's going to start again - it's going to overlap with the stories of the past - it's going to be that tragedy all over again - no -- what a terrible ending -- no, no -- I'm not going to let it happen again -- that's all.

--.............

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

The voice was quickly sucked into the darkness and disappeared.

I couldn't understand what the words meant now, or whose voice it was.

I ruminated over the words and tried to think about the meaning - and realized the meaninglessness of the words.

Now I am in the darkness.

A darkness that I don't even know where it is.

I knew that I was in a dream.

I know I'm in a dream, and I'm talking in my sleep. It's most likely a random combination of words with no deep meaning.

Realizing it was a dream, I relax my entire body and let the muddy world take over.

There's no point in getting serious. It's more important to rest my body.

But the dream doesn't leave me in silence.

The voice disappears, and then I see a scene in the darkness.

It's Rustyala's room on the ”Living Legend”.

A white girl, Hailey, is sleeping on the bed. Next to her is Rustyala and I, talking to each other. She is checking Heili's symptoms with a serious face.