252 250. Waiting for return.txt (1/2)

--this is how I can remember myself, and how I became 'the one who steals reason'.

This is the one thing I'll always remember: ......

I killed myself that day.

There is no doubt about it. In order to be the Prime Minister, he chased after the Lord who rules and crushed his heart to become the one who steals the logic of the tree.

All in order to live as the Prime Minister.

In order to be himself, he had to be the best Prime Minister worthy of being the Lord who rules.

Being a competent Prime Minister - everything else is a hindrance. It's a burden. Unnecessary! Not necessary.

Otherwise, I wouldn't know why I crushed my own heart.

”--......, sir (...)?

As you are endlessly alone in thought, you hear a voice in the distance.

However, at the voice, I shake my head in my mind and say, ”No.

I am not a ”teacher” but a ”prime minister”.

You can't be proud of a single ”teacher” in that castle.

That level of existence is not enough to protect the country.

I am the Prime Minister.

Because I am the Prime Minister, I can stand next to the Lord who rules.

I still think of myself as a Prime Minister.

I want to stand beside The Lord who rules!　I want to stand up: ......!

And yet--!

''-- The grudge enemy, the primordial vortex wave, has appeared: ......!

The man standing next to the Lord who controls is that man again.

Aikawa Uzumi, the man who is a gentile and is called the founder of this world.

The King Who Rules (Lord) ....... Why are you with that man again .......

I grit my back teeth and curse the current situation.

No, I'm jealous.

I understand.

At the end of the day - no matter how much crap you want to hear - that's what it comes down to.

”Oh, if only you hadn't shown up at ....... Because of you, I'm alone ......

The more he thought about the progenitor Vortex Wave, the more he remembered his last moments a thousand years ago.

Back then, there was no one beside him.

Of course, there were soldiers.

There were people who depended on him.

There were generals who respected him.

There were also the young officers he had raised.

He was surrounded by many demons.

They were all there.

--but there was no one.

Not one of my friends from the past had been able to follow me around as I became immortal.

All the demons I shared the orphanage with were under the grave, and not one of them had truly understood me.

It's no wonder, since they were all devoted to the ”Controlling King (Lord)”. It's a natural consequence of the fact that he swore that he didn't need anything else in his life as long as he was by his side, as long as he had the ”controlling king” (Lord).

In the end, at the end of that life - the Controlling King (Lord) was not next to me.

There was no one to understand, and I was alone - alone.

Sir, sir!　We're here!　Shh, please!

A thump on my shoulder and my body shakes.

I hear the voice again.

This time it's loud in my ear.

Oh, annoying .......

Don't call yourself a teacher lightly ....... You don't know anything about .......

'Sir!　Call everyone!　It's like that time again!

I know. Anyone who can use recovery magic, use it as best you can. I don't know what caused it, but it's better than nothing!

Wake up!　Sir, everyone is waiting for you!

Before I knew it, a group of 'magic stone humans' (Jewelcrus) whose names I don't even know were gathered around me.

None of them can remember the name of the ...... ah, I can't remember the name of the earlier one.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

Most of them were too young to work in the castle, but they were too strong to live in the castle town.

So I prepared a ”place” for them. I changed the environment of the continent so that they could live not only in this castle, but everywhere.

Maybe that's why .......

Before I knew it, their numbers grew, and before I knew it, they missed me, and I feel like I'm always clinging to them. ......

The salvation of the ”Jewelcrus” is something I've done myself, but now I can't believe it.

I'm not sure why I've saved so many ”jewelers” in the past year.

Why is that ......?

Is it because it was Hailey-sama from The Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus) who first reached the forty layers of the labyrinth and called me in this era?

Was that 'Jewelcrus', the same as that Nosfi-sama, bothering you as a researcher?

Or was it simply because you felt sorry for his situation?

Unlike a thousand years ago, unlike a thousand years ago, I can remember about a year ago without difficulty.

When I was called to this era, I first treated 'Hailey'. And as I listened to her stories for the treatment, I learned a lot about this era.

At that time, my body spontaneously moved and I discovered the research institute that produced the 'Magic Stone Man' (Jewelculus), uncovered its reality and turned it into a clearing. The first of the ”Jewelcrus” that I saved at that time was ...... I believe it was a rouge.

Her real name is 'Protoes'. I think I was ...... angry (...) when I found out that she was the very sin created by the continent, a human-born being to oppress, as I recall.

Ah, yes.

Because I was angry, I wanted to save the 'Magic Stone Human' (Jewelculus).

It's just a little bit, but I feel like the fog in my head has cleared up.

''--Sensei. We're here for you, so please say anything you want ....... Please don't keep it to yourself .......

'What ......?　Ah, ah, yes ......

A hand reached out through the slightly clearing fog.

Then I remembered that I was now in the throne room of Vyasia Castle.

There were jewelcrus people around me who were worried about me.

One of them, a blue-haired Jewelcrus, was holding my right hand in a tight grip.

He was probably worried about his own lack of response due to his thoughts.

Its hands were very warm.

'I'm sorry ....... Also, you were a little blurry ......

I just looked at those beautiful hands and I thought I was - not (...).

I thought it wasn't.

Her hands looked more like that person ......--.

'Sir, there's something wrong lately ....... I'm always in a daze and ....... Please tell me more about your problems, because the doctor has everyone else .......

'Yes. I'm relying on you all. Don't worry about that now, I was just nostalgic rather than troubled, so don't worry about it. I talked to an old acquaintance of mine just a few minutes ago: ......

That's fine then: ......

It's a story that has nothing to do with these girls.

When I was fooling around with a suitable excuse, one of the 'Demon Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' proposed an unimportant story.

''Ah, um, sir!　When is the next workshop?　It's been a long time since we did that, hasn't it?　I'd love for you to teach me a lot of things again: ......!

I considered my refusal carefully, and then shook my head.

'There's a lot more I want to teach you: ....... Sorry. Maybe we won't have another study group. It's ...... time to go.

'What ......?　But we're all looking forward to it: ......

I continue to shake my head at the ”Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)” who are biting down.

This is no longer the time to be playing around with them, such as teachers.

This is the kind of thing - 'playfulness'. It's a child's plaything.

It's no longer that simple. I'd like to conduct a 'castle' activation experiment as soon as possible.

All you have to think about is winning the Original Vortex Wave.

To do that, you'll need to stake everything you've built up until today.

''And you're going to raise a 'castle'?　Sure, we're ready for that, but ......, why the suddenness of ......

This ”castle” is my own - or rather, the last resort for the northern countries.

When it comes to activating it, the reaction of this blue-haired 'Magic Stone Man' (Jewelculus) is also natural.

''The enemy that needs it is approaching. Please urge the people in the castle town to evacuate, even if it means that the main force of the Southern League is advancing here.

Enemies?　Is that the person you were talking about earlier?　When those people are at the level of the enemy's main force ......?

No, they're nothing compared to that playful army. Two legends that threatened an entire continent a thousand years ago - anyone who gets involved will die instantly.

A thousand year old legend, like the 'Lord' or the Apostle ......?

Yes, sir. So I'm going to ask you guys to take shelter. The castle will be empty.

We don't need anyone else.

Only the beings chosen a thousand years ago are needed in this castle.

This is a battle only for those who know that they are the 'Prime Minister' of a thousand years ago.

''Wait!　We're going to stay here, and together we're going to--

''Only the 'Stealers of Reason' and the 'Apostle'-sama will remain here. The rest of our forces will honestly be a liability.

I will clearly tell you that you are in the way.

Hearing this, the 'Demon Stone Human (Jewelculus)' made a sad face and gripped the hem of his clothes tightly. If you look closely, the things around her also look the same.

Then they bite their lips and nod in frustration.

'...... I understand,'

I know that look and emotion better than anyone else I know.

That's why I almost look like them. However, there is no doubt that these girls will be a hindrance in the fight against the Primordial Uzura Wave and the others. I calmly turn my back to them and instruct them in a clerical manner.

''Then, please do as we decided beforehand. The situation is a crisis situation with an assumed pattern B. Please evacuate the area quickly.

...... Copy that. I will pass this along to all of you immediately.

The voice that came back was also clerical.

And I feel a little relieved for myself.

Then, the 'Jewelcrus' who were around looked at each other and then ran in disarray into the castle.

''Fufu. Well, it's going to be busy. I have to talk to Apostle-sama first. ......

I was left behind and immediately turned my eyes towards the throne.

The black-haired king with sleepy eyes - Aikawa Yotaki - was sitting there. Next to him, ”Diablo Sis”, who has an Apostle-sama in his body, was happily talking to the king.

The fact that he and the Jewelcrusteans were arguing right next to each other seemed to be of no concern to them.

They are the same as always.

They are always together. It's a good idea to be able to have a little more attention to your surroundings, even if you've guided them in that way.

As I approached the throne, I called out to him.

”Dear-sama. I'm sorry, but may I ask Sith-sama to take over for you?

Dia-sama, who was talking to Yotaki-sama one way or the other, looks at me.

When her name was called, it seems that her attention finally turned to us.

''Mm, now it's our time.

He just keeps his mouth agape and tries to dismiss his request.

'Sorry ....... It's urgent.

I'm glad that Lady Dear, who was born unfortunate, is looking her age, but I can't pull away just today.

' ...... It can't be helped. Let's get this over with as soon as possible. I've got some things to do with Christ (・・・・) now.

Since she hadn't backed down after being pampered until today, Dia-sama, who perceived the importance of her errand, closed her eyes.

At the same time, the strength drained from her body and the quality of the magic power she wore changed.

Soon after, Dia-sama looked up and gave a smile that Dia-sama would never give.

I took a look at the 'changeover' and spoke to the person of my original purpose.

''I'm here, Sith-sama.''

'I've been up all over ...... and I've been listening to everything. Finally.

She replies in the same voice as Dear-sama, but her tone is clearly different.

The one who is here now is not a pure and harmless girl, but the legendary apostle who once made a name for himself in the world - Sith-sama.

''But it's been a long time since I've seen an id that bare to that extent. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on some of them. ...... I don't mean to say it, but can you win?

Master Sith greeted the dark-haired girl next to him lightly before stepping away from the throne.

Dear-sama has the skill 'Over-Capture Protection' but Sith-sama doesn't, so this allows him to act freely.

The win rate is 50 percent ....... To be honest, it's a win rate that I don't want to go into battle too much. However, I must defeat the Primordial Vortex Wave and prove to the 'ruling king' (Lord) that I am better than him. Hence, I can never pull it off.

I didn't tell you to back off.

In a very light tone, the Sith-sama shakes his head and starts playing with his own hair.

You can tell from his appearance that he is not too interested in his own battle.

''With this 'castle', the attack will somehow get through. A thousand years ago, I ended up using it against Apostle Di Prakra instead of the Primordial Uzura Wave, but it was originally intended to defeat him. Finally, I can show you my true form.

'You've been taking care of it all year. Are you going to let it all go in a duel?

''Yes, this is the only power I can be proud of. I'll use the 'castle' to fight the Primordial Vortex Wave head-on.

But if you use your 'castle' as an ally, it will naturally leave the capital empty. If the Confederate States of America were to make a move on you, they could easily steal a lot of things from you.　You don't care about the war we've brought up to this point?

...... fine. If the war is over now, as long as one of the Lords remains, we can start over as much as we want. No matter what the 'Southern League' does now, it will not affect the big picture.

Of course, according to the Ides, yes. But will the other countries in the 'Northern League' agree to that?　Don't you feel a little sorry for him?

'It doesn't matter what the opinion of the nations who are using this 'viasia' as a bulwark. They will have neither the power nor the courage to condemn their actions. The preparations for annexing the whole of the North in case of emergency have been completed.

What, already?　...... really is this 'border war' - no, this continent is in the palm of Id's hand.

Normally it doesn't work out this way. It's just that with the 'Great Disaster' a year ago, there was a big hole in both of them. There was a lot of legacy from a thousand years ago, including the Apostle (you), so we were able to finish most of it with diplomacy alone. Honestly, it was very easy.

Easy?　That sleepless day is easy ......?　I didn't really understand it because it's not my specialty, but you're really awesome. Now, finally, I get it.

'No, you don't. I am an ordinary person. ...... More importantly, right now, the Primordial Vortex Wave is more important. In the eyes of Master Sith, do you think the 'castle' will work for him?

''It's the magic that sealed that Diprakra, so I think we should be confident. If you succeed, you should be able to seal it, even if it's an ally. If we succeed, of course.

Yeah, we'll pull it off. No more mistakes. I won't make any more mistakes.

Distantly they say success is a little harder to achieve, and I argue back strongly.

As long as the odds of winning were in balance, the ones that could win would not be able to win if they were disheartened. He glared at Sith-sama as if he was vowing to make sure he would definitely succeed.

Seeing this, Sith-sama rolled his eyes a bit in surprise and then gave a small smile.

''Haha, that's kind of funny. I can't believe that id is so bare. It's kind of like watching your brother trying to compete with the boyfriend that ...... your sister brought with her.

It is a very unexpected assessment and surprises me.

I immediately correct that unfair assessment.

'Are you my brother ......?　No, it's not. It's a rivalry, so to speak, against a colleague. As a king's vassal, he does not want to be outdone by any other vassal. As a vizier, he cannot be defeated.

Hmm, that's the 'Prime Minister' thing to do: ...... It's a hell of a career move. Well, that's fine. I'm sure you'll be happy with that. That's the 'contract'.

Sith-sama passes it off as a mature response and confirms the promise he made a year ago.

Indeed, the only thing that matters is the 'contract'. There is no need for Sith-sama to understand your thoughts.

''Yes, it's a 'contract' for this time. Sith-sama, together with Youtaki-sama, I ask you to halt the true 'ruling king (Lord)'.

I understand. I promise I won't let my annoying sister interfere in your fights. ...... But I need to ask you for a little favor.

'Feel free to tell me. We're all collaborators.

'Before we fight, may I have a word with my allies?　Just a little bit.

'You want to see them?　I'd like to keep the irregularities to a minimum if possible: ......

I find myself having difficulty with this unexpected offer.

'I want to advise you to surrender before you fight. See, I'm a pacifist.

I glare at the Sith-sama with my thin eyes.

Honestly, I don't believe the woman in front of me is a pacifist.

She will have her own agenda, just as I have my own agenda. If you hold her down hard here and stop her, she will no doubt act on her own.

Apostles are such creatures.

If that's the case, I'd rather they still do something reckless within sight.

'...... fine. It's just that if it becomes dangerous, I'll break in immediately.

Unlike myself, I know that, due to my ability to do so (・・・・・), I'm not going to be in danger, but I'll still make a reminder in case it happens.

Thank you. Then I have to hurry up and get dressed up too. Hmm, I'm going to be busy!

With that, Sith-sama meditates again.

Just like before, the same strength is removed from her body - her content changes.