254 252. Continued reunion.txt (1/2)

We met again on the terrace of the dining room in the corner of the royal capital of Viasia - I and Dia met again.

But it was clear that something was wrong with Dia.

...... Dear, are you okay?

Hmm, I'm good, right?　Instead, I was the one who was worried. Since you haven't shown up for so long, I thought something was wrong with Kanami.

Dia smiled casually and turned to walk back down the terrace to the outside seat she had been sitting on earlier. It was as casual as if she hadn't seen an old friend in weeks, an attitude that wasn't appropriate for a reunion over a year.

'It's just that I had some friends to protect, so I couldn't go over here to see them. I'm sorry, Kanami.

Then he turns his head to the other girl sitting in the seat.

The name of the black-haired girl in front of her eyes is 'Aikawa Yotaki'.

She's my sister.

Yotaki is frozen like a statue, seated at a white table. It doesn't look like she's asleep by looking at her half-open eyes.

'Yotaki ......'

The name spontaneously spilled out of his mouth, just as it did with Dia. Furthermore, my feet advanced on their own and I approached Yotaki, who was sitting at the white table.

Right now, the most important thing in the world is right in front of me.

Ever since I woke up in the labyrinth, I've been looking for it ever since I woke up.

My sister, the most important thing in the world. My one and only family.

The one thing I couldn't reach in the fight against Palinkulon in the past.

As long as Yotaki is there, I can say that my battle in the other world is over.

This is my ultimate goal, and the end point itself.

It's right in front of me.

It's natural for my body to approach on its own and reach out to my sister. But--

What?

I sense the occurrence of hostile (...) freezing magic. At the same time, my body sends a danger signal to my brain that I'm under magical erosion.

When I remembered the question, my outstretched hand - its fingertips were already on the verge of freezing.

I received the attack (...) and jumped back as quickly as possible due to my experience of fighting until today.

I retreat to a distance of about five steps away from the white table, and I reassess the situation.

Right now, the magic occurred as I was about to touch Yotaki in a few moments.

That magic is an icy attribute magic. Probably the ”Freeze” of basic magic.

However, it is not just a 《Freeze》. The 《Freeze》 that can freeze warm human flesh in an instant is impossible unless you have magic power at the level of 'The One Who Steals the Reason'.

The Dimension, which is always activated, has determined that this is impossible.

The current 《Freeze》 is a magic constructed by Yotaki sitting there.

The situation confirmation, which is too natural to be called a deduction, is over, and my heartbeat jumps.

I'm upset by the fact that my sister has attacked me with magic.

Seeing my upset, Dia apologizes apologetically.

'Kanami, are you okay?　Sorry, I should have told you first.

Then, Dia moved closer to Yotaki.

She moved closer than the distance I was frozen in earlier and held Yotaki's head in her arms.

'...... 'Christ. These people are not the enemy. Calm down.

I call my sister by the name of 'Christ' while patting my sister's head as if I were petting a baby.

'Ki, 'Christ' ......?　No, no, wait. Dia, that's my sister. That's my sister Youtaki. 'Christ' is a pseudonym I used, not Yotaki's name: ......

'Kanami, what are you talking about ......?　Kanami is Kanami, right?　And Christ is Christ.

From afar I tried to correct my mistake. However, what came back from Dia was a heartfelt and strange look on her face.

Little by little, I began to understand what this unusual situation was.

'No. It's my sister, Yotaki, who's there.''

Hee, taki ......?

Dia tilts her head as if she's heard a name she's never heard before.

As I recall, I explained to Dia about my sister on the boat trip a year ago. And yet, this reaction means that I'm already sure of it.

...... Hey, Dia. First of all, can you let me have a moment alone with Yotaki?　I need to talk to you for a moment.

Deciding to secure what he can secure before he speaks, he points to the yang-taki that Dia calls 'Christ' and tries to get closer.

This time, I'm going to try to calmly 'offset' the freezing magic when it occurs.

''--Bad. That's the only thing, not even Kanami can do that.

But before I can get close, he refuses to answer immediately.

Dia gets between me and Yotaki and begins a monologue with a stern look on her face.

'I'm the only one who's allowed to be around Christ. I'm the only one who can talk to him, touch him, everything. I'm the only one who can be alone anymore ...... and I'm not giving Christ to anyone else ....... I won't let you go again ......--

I could feel Dia's sanity, which I had suspected, being peeled away at once.

At the same time, the shape of Dia's supple 'right arm' collapsed. As if kneading clay, the shape of the hand moves away from that of a person.

The fact that both of those supple limbs were false was exposed as Dia's emotions crumbled.

First, the elbow to the tip of her right arm lost its shape completely, turning it into a pure white glowing particle of magical power. Furthermore, the light swelled up and increased in volume, becoming a mist.

Then, the fog of light slowly enveloped the yang-taki that was sitting nearby. It was as if a giant's hand was gently gripping it.

Dia grabbed all of Yotaki with her own magical power and continued to speak, carrying out her words of 'I'll never let go again' as she declared earlier.

'Oh, but don't get me wrong, Kanami ....... Of course I believe in Kanami. I just don't want to forgive you in case I ever do. I don't want to lose anything important to me ever again. I don't want to lose anything else ever again. ...... Yeah, I just want to protect them. From now on, until the day I die, I will protect Christ. ......!　I won't allow another scratch, I won't let you go anywhere, I won't let you talk to anyone - that's what 'I' swore to do. ......!　So!

I listen patiently, clenching my fists as I listen and talk to him in a probing way.

'Dear, does that mean I'm going to hurt that dark-haired girl over there?　It's okay. That's never going to happen. So, just let me talk to you for a minute, ......?

In line with Deere, this time the question was asked without mentioning her name.

But to be honest, I'm not expecting too much.

The fact that Deere is saying this kind of dialogue in this situation is already such a thing (・・・・・・).

That assumption doesn't come off, and suddenly Dia suddenly looks like she's about to cry and glares at me like she's mad.

'Ka, is Kanami going to take Christ away from me too ......?　Why?　Why are you all trying to take something so important away from me ......?　Why? ......?　Hey, why?　Why are we all picking on 'me'?　Funny, funny, funny, funny. Funny, that's not right, that's not right ......!

Little by little, she loses the light from her eyes and doesn't know where she's looking.

With that, Dia's magic power swells up. The glow of the light increases, and even her left leg is losing its shape, as is her right hand.

It's the part that Maria had burned in the battle with the apostle a year ago. From the knee of that leg, the tip of it becomes a particle of light, just like the right arm.

It crumbles and collapses - taking on a new shape.

This time it was not a mist, but shaped into countless feathers of light.

The feathers of light scattered from his feet and increased in volume like wings that spread out. In an instant, the streets of Viaisia were filled with light and feathers.

The street of unblemished white only - it's a situation that can only be metaphorically described as sacred.

It's beautiful, but if you have even the slightest understanding of magical power, the feeling of fear comes before anything else.

It's a similar feeling as when I was dealing with a serious titty.

The girl muttering in front of me now, just like that Demon King, had the power to make all of us lie down without a second thought.

''Oh, that's funny ....... Funny funny funny funny. I won't allow that to happen. ”I” will protect ......!　I will never forgive you: ......!　Oh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ......!

Dia looked at me while spewing her magic power and said, ”I won't allow it.

From the color of her eyes, I had a feeling she didn't even know who I was anymore.

Now she has one thing on her mind.

I will not let go of the ”Christ”. That's all.

That's what it looks like.

And with those vacant eyes, Dia stepped forward.

The vast and sacred magic power filled around her also begins to move following the Lord.

In an attempt to erase me, the obstacle, hostility swells.

''d*mn it ......!

It was no longer possible to talk.

I had to take Dia down before I could speak - that's when I thought.

”Oh--

Dia opened her mouth wide and let out a single word.

Then, as if the electric light (light) had been turned off, all of the shining magic power dissipates at the same time.

At the same time, Dia's face turns down and her swollen hostility dissipates.

I've seen that sequence of events before.

Therefore, I calmly watch the 'swap'.

Immediately, Dia looks up, chuckles, and shows a different expression than before.

From her expression, which is far from innocent, I'm convinced that it's a different person there. The Apostle Sith (・・・・) speaks to me in a friendly manner.

”--Well, I guess I'm at my limit (time limit). Well, that's about it. Oh, by the way, if 'Diablo' and 'Christ' are separated from each other by a certain amount, they will both go out of control, so be careful. You have to be careful.

'It's been a while, Sis: ......

I knew from the beginning that this guy was going to appear.

While calmly confirming the 'swap', I calm my excitement at the appearance of Dia and Yotaki.

--just as planned.

Thus, Sith speaking to me is still not a bad development.

''Long time no see, Snow-chan to my ally. Ah, Rouge is there too. Also--the real 'Lord' (Lord), the real 'Lord', it's nice to meet you too.

To us, it was like talking to an old friend, but only to Titty, and we were polite to her.

Quickly ending our initial greeting, we got down to business.

''Well, then - let's negotiate a peace deal before the duel. Because peace is best for everything, right? ...... Oh, don't tell me you guys aren't horrible people who would raise their hands to a military envoy, right?

Sis showed us her unprotected back as if she was testing us and moved to the large white table with Yotaki and sat down.

He then beckons us towards us and invites us all to get to the white table.

I arrive at that table without hesitation.

The three of my friends followed silently. I've decided beforehand that if there is to be a conversation with the Apostle Sith, I will be on my own.

The Sith and Yotaki sit down in front of the four of us, and it looks as if a debate between the two teams is about to begin.

All of us are seated at the same table, and I ask the first question.

Sis, what was that all about earlier?　Explain.

Don't be angry. I can explain. I'm an old friend and colleague.

Sith picked up one cup that matched the white tabletop and sipped her tea with a very elegant hand.

'As my ally fears, Dear, she thinks my best friend Yotaki is the 'Christ'. Isn't that interesting?　It was easy to mislead you into believing that. Since it's true that the body is ”Christ,” I'd rather say it's true now. Thanks to the skill ”Over-capture Protection”, I was able to use the ”Christ” as a target, so it was pretty easy to do that. It's not quite at the level of the Darkness and the Light's 'reason stealer', but for me it's a masterpiece.

For me, playing with my mind is more unacceptable than anything else. However, I have to suppress my raging emotions and try to gather information.

For Dia's safety, I have to talk to the Apostle Sith as calmly as possible.

...... why did you do that?

'Because if I didn't, I was at my limit. Diablo has been grinding away at her mind all year, and she's on the verge of a personality collapse. Before that collapse, you prepared something important for her to stabilize her mind. I'd rather have you praise me for stopping her from collapsing: ......

The Sith glanced at me.

Just like her words, she seemed to really want me to praise her.

From the way he looked at me, I began to understand the character of the Sith being little by little.

Maybe it's because I'm observing her with the 《Dimension》 without caution, or maybe it's because of the interaction we had a thousand years ago - I was sure of it anyway.

Surely, this woman would be on the side of justice.

A slightly biased 'self righteous' ally, but ...... definitely, above all, she loves justice, foolishly, honestly, and honestly tries to love and protect the world.

'And while I'm healing that, I've also planted all sorts of new techniques. I did my best to make an alliance with the id. 'If you try to harm Yotaki, Dia-chan's light will pierce the enemy. On the other hand, if you try to harm Dia-chan, Yotaki-chan will freeze the enemy. 'We will absolutely protect each other' - such is the jutsu of the rules. That's why Dia-chan and the others overreacted just now. There's also the 'condition enhancement (status boost)' of the 'overprotection' skill, so it's going to be an amazing thing!

Sis explains in a joking manner.

All the while, she pokes Yotaki next to me on the cheek to show that she's the only one who's okay with it.

Unlike when I approached her, Yotaki wriggled around ticklishly.

But even so, Yotaki's eyes still remained half-open.

They don't appear to be awake or asleep.

''Are you curious about Yotaki?　Right now, Yangtaki is sleepwalking. For the record, he's sleeping.

I'm guessing about Yotaki's condition, and the Sis, sensing this, resumes her explanation. His concern conveys his intention to really try to explain for me.

'Are you really sleeping ......?　I was asleep earlier and you used magic on me.

Of course it is. Because it's Yotaki (・・・・・・)?

I didn't understand the meaning of that quick answer. I've never seen a creature that uses magic in its sleep before.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out why and resume your explanation soon after seeing the confused expression on my face.

...... Hmm, what?　Ah. The current ally would have never seen Yotaki's fighting style before, right? Yii, ally?　That (...) flicker, which has four unique thinking skills, wouldn't be any handicap if she was asleep. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. Probably the best in terms of magical dexterity.

My sister's abilities in another world. I can't imagine it.

To me, Yotaki is a symbol of the original world and peace itself. I can't even imagine my sister using magic, but I can't imagine her being dexterous in using magic.

In the first place, is it a matter of just using the single word 'dexterity' to describe magic while sleeping? But the Sith in front of me seemed to believe that. Rather than lying, she brags about Yotaki's greatness as if it were her own business.

All sorts of questions come to my mind and I naturally frown.

Seeing my face, Sis smiles calmly.

'Calm down. Let's talk while we quench our thirst with a cup of tea?　The tea and cake here is delicious. It's a luxury we couldn't have had a thousand years ago. Oh, the waitress isn't here, so I'll pour you a cup of tea.

Conversation is all I can hope for, but when it's this blatant, it starts to feel like a trap.

I continue to be wary of Sis as she serves tea to all of us and cuts through the cakes on the line.

The Sith's expression darkens a bit as they look at me with that distrustful look. I might have prepared this tea and cake as a sign of seriousness and affection.

'...... ally. I really do want a peaceful resolution, don't I?　Properly, I've used my reflections from when I talked to my ally a year ago to prepare an even better story this time. As I recall, your ally doesn't like the fact that you despise Dear, right?

...... Yeah.

Putting down the tea and cake that no one else would touch, the Sith got down to business of their own.

'Listen to me carefully. I've got a story to tell you that will save you, Dear, and also give you what I want. It's going to take a little longer, but do you mind if I do?

Again I nodded my head and urged her to continue, and the Sith gave one cough before she began to speak.

It's her - or rather, what the 'Apostles' want.

'First of all, don't get me wrong about the basic premise, I'm acting to save the world. It's true. The Apostles are the messengers of peace that this world has created. The only condition for that 'Apostle' to be born into this world is when the world is about to be destroyed.