250 248. "Magic Stone Human" and Aid.txt (1/2)

After that, none of us spoke up, and the surroundings were silent.

Neither Snow nor I nor Rouge-chan could say anything in front of Titi, who had turned into a demonic form. There was only one person who could answer that question.

(......) Those people are the 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus). (I still can't say that they are the true 'demon humans' that I want to help)

From one of the trees, a slightly frightened Id's voice rang out, which was immediately countered by Titi.

'So you're abandoning me!　I'm telling you, that mindset is the same as the South used to be!　Don't you realize that you're just switching words?

(...... Now, I'm not interested in arguing with The Lord Who Rules (Lord). Instead, it's the Ancestor Vortex Wave first. (If I don't get rid of Ancestor Vortex Wave before I convince you, we'll go in circles no matter what we talk about.

But the debate didn't last and was discontinued.

Ayd had no intention of talking to his sister. Right now, just as Titty only has eyes for Aide, Aide talks to me as if she only has eyes for me.

(Progenitor Uzumi, I have a general idea of your abilities now. The biggest difference between you and before is your 'swordsmanship'. Also, you seem to be more of a slow starter than before. (...... Although there are a lot of changes, it's still within my expectations)

Id!　Don't ignore the child!

The rudeness makes Titi angry, but she ignores it and the conversation continues.

(As expected ...... Still, it's strong. The progenitor vortex wave is foully strong. I knew it would be, but my body shakes. ...... Just over the course of a year, I've become stronger too. Of course, so did Apostle-sama and Sister.)

He brings Dia and Yotaki into the conversation and I can't keep quiet about it.

”I'm sorry, but I'm going to ask for Dia and Yotaki back. That's why I'm here, too.

(...... It sounds like we both have something we want back. (It would be easier to talk about it if we could exchange hostages.

I can't do that. As long as you want Titi back as your 'Lord', I can't give her back to you even if I wanted to.

We have each other's loved ones in our care. If we could exchange them immediately, we would. But we both knew that was impossible.

We paused to take a breath, both of us calmly waiting for the other to speak.

At the end of it all, Ayd opens his mouth first and declares war.

(-- Then, the progenitor vortex wave. Let's duel with yourself. (With the custody of your loved ones at stake)

It was so unexpected that Titi's voice, which had been raging behind her, stopped temporarily.

'Id--?'

As if to explain to a surprised Titty and a suspicious me, Ayde talks about the duel.

(No detours or tricks needed. No need to negotiate or discuss. Come straight to the castle of Vyasia, where you are waiting. --There I will beat you with everything I have. I should have done so long ago. (To be honest, I've had an inkling of this moment since the day I met you.

A voice that seemed to be vague and nostalgic for the past.

His voice was so quiet that it belied his earlier assessment of Aide being insane.

(Primordial Vortex Wave, I once wanted to walk with you. But now that you have appeared with my king again, I will shake off that sentiment. I don't think I can reach that ideal land anymore. I don't want the Ancestor Vortex Wave in my kingdom. (I have now decided that I don't need the Ancestor Vortex Wave in my kingdom.

There seemed to be a little bit of affection there for me.

It was a one-sided affinity that I don't remember. But soon it was painted over with rage, and the challenge was slammed down on me wildly.

(-- I will defeat the founder. This is the only thing you can't avoid. Don't leave it up to anyone else (・・・・・・・・・・). You are your own wall to overcome. (Your own nemesis, the 'Aikawa Uzumi Wave' --!

Titi, not me, reacts first to the words, which are accompanied by an unwavering will.

'A, id ....... If you're on your ......--

Titi must have thought the proposal was detrimental to Ayde, as she couldn't help but worry about the person with whom she was fighting. He senses something in his brother's reckless challenge and falls silent.

(I will be waiting with your sister and her companions at Vyasia in the north. Promise me that if you defeat me, you will cooperate fully with me in the return. In return, you will fight yourself fair and square.)

From earlier, all the words I hadn't expected to hear were thrown at me by the id.

I repeat the same words, including confirmation.

'Fairly ......?　Did you really do that?

(There is no other way to save the heart of the Lord, the King who rules, because you must not only eliminate him, but also prove to your king that you, the Vizier, are more reliable than you, the Founder. (Nothing else will save the heart of the Lord who rules.) Not only do you have to get rid of him, but you have to prove to your king that he can count on you, the Founder, more than he can count on you, the Prime Minister.

...... Okay, I'll take that duel. I'll take that duel.

In order to prove that Vizier Aide is more suitable to be next to Titi than the founder Uzura Wave - the reason is more than a little convincing.

Honestly, no duel is as convenient for me as this one. It's a good idea to nod your head, even if it's a trap, there's no doubt about it. It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get a job.

(Then let's end this contact magic. From now on, I will have to make preparations for the anti-primary, so I won't be able to respond at all. Do you mind?

Aide asks with concern.

It was a concern that we would be able to come under our own steam.

'Yeah, no problem. Don't stop, we'll be on our way soon, just wait for us.

(Quintessential founder. Even if you enter the bosom of the enemy without any preparation, you're confident of a certain victory. However, I will definitely show you an overturning of that confidence. (Excuse me ......)

Seeing me as a good choice to enter the enemy's ring without hesitation, the id made a little regretful voice ...... but quickly suppressed it and ended the conversation with a polite farewell address.

And after feeling all the magic in the surrounding trees disappear, I apologize to Titi, who has a difficult expression on her face.

”I'm sorry, Titty. I took the liberty of promising you a duel: ......

The first thing to do is to get a copy of ....... I thought that the id was just like the child, and that he was somehow mad, but not in the end.　Did he perhaps come to his senses in the middle of the game?　Then when?　Can you guys understand?

Even her sister, Titi, doesn't seem to know what's going on in Aide's mind right now.

Of course, I still don't know either.

When Titty first expressed her heartfelt wishes, there was still a part of Ayde that was somewhat above board. The part where he was furious and kept accusing me of being insane.

It wasn't until Rouge and Noir showed up that he regained his composure?　Or was it simply because of Titi's scolding at the end?

Well, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Kanaminyo: ......

I was trying to guess what was going on in Aide's mind in my own way, when Titi spoke to me apologetically. Probably, she was the same as me, and no matter how much I guessed, I couldn't get an answer.

So I can see from her face that she thinks we have no choice but to meet in person and talk again.

'Yeah, I know. Let's hurry to Ayde's place. On Maria's side, Glenn and the Reaper are there. You'll have to wait a little while to join us.

In the earlier remembrance, Maria and her friends didn't seem to have any enemies. It's also significant that Glenn-san and Reaper, the common sense person and stopper, are with them. Best of all, they have a track record of traveling safely for the past year.

I calmly decided to head north instead of south.

'Thank you ...... for the help. I can't help it if I talk to you. I can't help but want to see you right now.

I know the feeling.

That's what family is all about.

That's why we've come so far. Maybe there was no way we could ever get back on the road from here in the first place.

No more detours, just pushing forward on the few remaining 'ways back'.

Realizing this, Titi speaks with a bit of a sense of regret.

'It's been fun so far, Kanamin. But it looks like it's over.

Yeah, I guess it's over.

This is the end of the fun 'way home'. Playtime is over.

Titi and I will never play together again.

We both decide on that and laugh a little sadly at each other.

'--Oh!　So what do you do with these men?　I did my head pretty hard. I hope he's not dead: ......

As if to shake off the loneliness, Titty acted cheerfully as usual and pointed at the fallen 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus).

''No, they're breathing, so they're not dead. It's just that it's not a good idea to leave him like this.

If Ayde is right, they are some kind of clandestine scouts sent by the 'Northern League' to the 'Second Maze City Daryl'. If they were left alone in this state, they might get caught by the soldiers in the south and suffer terrible consequences.

I've been thinking about their treatment as I watched the only rouge that hadn't fainted cast a recovery spell on my fallen comrades.

In the meantime, the fallen ”Jewelculus” regained consciousness one by one.

''But it's sturdy: ......''

Noir-chan, of course, and everyone else must have some special reason for it.

Even though she didn't get up, she was trying to get her body up while staggering.

Among them, only Noir-chan muttered a curse and still retained her battle spirit.

''...... Eh, eh?　...... lost?　Ugh, it's a lie: ....... Lies, lies, lies. I'm a saint, I'm a savior of the world, and I'm supposed to be as good as anyone else!　Yes, I'm beyond that 'present God' too!　It's ...... and oh, dear Apostle!　Why?　Apostle-sama--!

I shook off Rouge-chan, who was trying to hold her down, and she was crawling towards me.

This time, I tried to persuade her successfully, but Titty stopped me from doing so by shaking her head. She seems to want me to leave this place to her.

''A thousand years ago, the 'King of Governing' (Lord) had a progenitor ......!　The rematch!　I won't admit it, again!　Please fight me again: ......!

To that Noir-chan's challenge, Titi replied while activating the 《Wind》.

''Even with this, the child has lived a long time on the battlefield. He has fought many times against troublesome ones like you. He has fought many times against such troublesome creatures as yourself, and he knows that there are some he will not understand unless he is cut in pieces. The next time you do, you'll kill him. --And yet?

A gust of wind blew through and made shallow cuts on Noir's neck and both limbs.

If I had wanted to, I could have killed her now,'' Titi threatened.

''Hi, hi!''

That fact and the overwhelming magical power of the guardian (guardian) she saw again made Noir-chan scream for her age and sit up.

”Black one, be a little quiet. You are absolutely at rest.

If it was against me, she could keep her will to fight, but it seemed to be impossible against the real one who was called the 'Mad King' in the past.

Noir-chan began to tremble like a frightened puppy and was unable to stand up.

Now there is no more enemy ...... When I thought that, Rouge-chan, who had been quiet for a long time, stood up and instructed the other 'magic stone humans' (jewelcrus) while looking at me.

''Everyone take care of Noir-chan. Run to the west, not the north, immediately. Because that's what the teacher said at the end.

...... Okay, Leader.

Hearing one of the 『Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)』 answered, Rouge-chan takes a step forward.

She doesn't fear approaching the still titi's murderous 《Wind》 in the midst of her still full of killing intent.

''Please, Aikawa Kanami-san. Teacher's sister. Take me with you .......

Then, as his own party was moving away, he asked us to accompany him.

First of all, Titi replies to that.

'Mm-hmm?　That's not possible. You belong to the Ayde, don't you?

'I know I'm being reckless. But please, please ....... I've been waiting for you two for a long time ....... I've been waiting for you for the past year .......

'Yeah, that being said, ....... Noh, Kanamin.

Rouge-chan bowed deeply and politely, and Titi looked at me in trouble.

I feel the same way as Titi.

Just a few minutes ago, I was attacked by the 'Jewelcrusters' who are fascinated by the Aide, who do not consider life to be life. It's hard to know when the same thing will happen to Rouge-chan, who is supposedly a companion of the ”Jewelcrus”, if she accompanies him.

Perhaps sensing our thoughts, Rouge-chan continued to talk.

The 'Jewelculus' are not all your enemies. I, unlike everyone else, would like to see you lose, if possible. ......

I knew Rouge-chan was different from the other 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus), but I didn't think it would go this far.

She knew that if the id would lose, in some cases, she would die.

''So let me lead you two to the doctor. If I'm here, most of the 'Northern League' can be bypassed. This is still a member of the 'Northern League' founder.

Titty snorts at the sight of Rouge looking straight into our eyes.

'Hmmm. It looks like he's not lying with his child's eyes ....... Kanamin, can you ask?

I know that the request is the magic that connects the mind, 《Distance Mute》.

I respond by nodding back that I still have some magic power left.

''Good. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can do this. To put it bluntly, it's a spell that allows you to insert your arm into your chest and reveal your heart. If you are willing to accept that, you may accompany the children. I'm sure you'll need a guide.

A little threateningly, Titty explained, but Rouge-chan walked towards me without hesitation and pointed her chest at me.

'That's what I'm talking about, Aikawa Kanami-san. You have a good magic. You're a lifesaver.

Now, if you'll excuse me. --Magic, Distance Mute.

I immediately put my arm in and make a 'connection'.

I wonder if Rouge-chan understood the effect of 《Distance Mute》 by accepting that magic, and she continues to talk ahead to prove that it's not a lie.

'...... All of us 'Demon Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' were saved by Ayde-sensei. He gave us a meaning and a place to live when we were made only to fight. Also, thanks to the cure that Dr. Ayde found for us, we are now able to live longer. That's why everyone is willing to die for the doctor: ......--

I, the 'connection', could be sure that there was no lie in those words at all.

Furthermore, the memory is caught by Rouge-chan trying to dig up a memory of her and Aide.

It was the memory of the first time Rouge-chan encountered Aide.

From that memory, I can see the dry, windblown plains.

It was strangely nostalgic, a place I've seen somewhere before--

◆◆◆◆◆

-- It seems that the 《Distance Mute》 has triggered the ”Past Vision” as an example.

Perhaps this is Rouge-chan's memory from a year ago.