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

Sis is struggling to convey her feelings in any way she can with her gestures. Since I have no memory, I can see that she is trying to politely explain to me.

'Right now, the world is going to die ....... I want to stop it.

Then he said he was worried about what the world was going to do and wanted to make peace with it.

I thought that too beautiful story was too stinky, but the Sith in front of me seemed to be serious.

'By the way, the world was almost destroyed a thousand years ago too, so me, Apostle Diprakra and Apostle Legacy were born, right?

When you say nearly destroyed, are you talking about the World's Endangered Formation?

No, I wouldn't call that the end of the world. What the apostles and I are afraid of is the dark cloud over the Second Maze City Daryl in the center of the mainland. When that dark cloud fills the world, every living thing will be affected by the evil poison and become a monster. Eventually, the human species will disappear, and the monsters will kill each other based on their own instincts, and there will be no one left in the world. It is our apostle's 'mission' to stop them.

Now, finally, we understand the purpose of the apostle, which has been unclear all along.

They are trying to save the world, jumping over countries and even continents, without being trapped in individual values. It's a purpose that could be described as noble.

Only, that 'mission' was ignored by both Diprakra and Legacy, though. ...... So now I am the only one who can carry on the Lord's will. Yes, I am the only messenger of justice. So I can't back down. I can't lose anymore. I can't let anyone else get away with it: ......!

'...... Wait, do you guys have a Lord?　What kind of guy is that?

'My Lord lived a thousand years before the king there ....... The 'winged race' that aimed at the 'deepest' of the world in the long past and reached the first. At that time, the Lord took all the poisons of the world in stride and sealed himself with his own hands in the 'deepest'. He is the guardian of this world, you could say.

Much, much, much older ”Winged Race” ......?

In this other world, even a thousand years ago is treated as a myth, so it's hard to imagine a story that goes back earlier than that.

From what I remember looking up in the library of the Confederation, there was not a single document of what kind of culture existed, and it must have been a realm where it was doubtful that humanity could have lived properly.

”Through the sacrifice of my Lord, the world that was on the verge of destruction due to the 'Devil's Poison' has gradually regained its prosperity. However, even my Lord was originally just an ordinary girl ...... who was everywhere. After more than ten thousand years had passed, that spirit had reached its limit. I find that the poison that I had sealed inside my body has begun to leak out and spill out onto the earth. My Lord saw the cracks and crevices in his body and decided that he needed a replacement.

The story of the ”Lord of the Apostles” or something like that is also difficult to imagine.

It's big in scale, but can I think of it as a story of human sacrifice, which is also common in my world? From what I've heard, the girl seems to be a victim too.

I said, ”In order to find that 'replacement,' my Lord sent out three apostles, copies of himself, to the earth with his last strength. That was a thousand years ago. -- This is how the story goes. My allies have forgotten these basics, and that's why it's so confusing. What do you think of this story?　Don't you want to hear the rest of the story?　Don't you want to cooperate with me?

The Sith smiled a little proudly as he finished his explanation successfully.

She looks like she's proud of herself for being so wonderful. Seeing that, I calmly decide to encourage him to continue.

'Yeah, I'm eager to hear the rest of the story. I'll shut up and listen, just carry on.

'...... Thank goodness. If this wasn't good enough, we really could have started killing each other here. After all, my allies are the ones who understand me.

I'm still reserving judgment.

I maintain a reluctant look on my face and haven't even let my guard down. But Sith's eyes narrowed happily, and he started to touch the cake alone, looking relieved.

I felt nothing but anxiety at the sight of it.

Sith's personality is too much evident in her actions. And that exposed personality is too--

A thousand years ago, the 'demon poisoning' spread to the 'beastmen' ...... oh, that was the 'witch' back then. The birth rate of ”mavens” has increased. The increase in the number of ”mavens” is proof of the impending doom. Ten thousand years ago, there were no such thing as 'beastmen' or 'witchdoctors' in the world. Naturally, there were no monsters either.

The Sis continues to speak. He seems to believe that I will no longer object to him in the middle of the story, and he continues to tell me the history of the world.

We, the apostles, who were born on earth a thousand years ago, immediately tried to create a being that could digest the 'evil poison'. And the first subject of this experiment was you...

The Sith points to the green-haired girl - Titi - and confesses that The One Who Steals the Reason is an experimental creature.

Titi next to it does not change her expression. Maybe it's a story that she had noticed faintly.

The birth of a being under their control that breathes in a 'demonic poison' that exceeds their natural tolerance - a 'logic-stealing creature'. We've succeeded in removing the soul (level) limit in a friendly way. After confirming our success, we chose the second and third stealers and raised them. However, it's only at the third one that we begin to see the problems with this method.

Sis sips her cake and continues to talk as she clears her throat with tea.

Only one more person seems to be making small talk.

'Lord Titi, Tida Rands, and Arti - the minds of these three are just so weak ....... You'll notice that the hearts of the 'Stealers of Reason' haven't developed over time. We wanted them to grow up to be our Lord's 'replacements', but they realized that they could never reach the point of being 'logic thieves'.

I can see a little bit of the order in which he became the 'one who steals reason' unexpectedly.

After all, Titi was the first 'the one to steal reason' in terms of age.

'So from the beginning we tried to prepare a person with a strong heart and even more talent from another place. The condition for that summons was 'a child with a stronger heart than anyone else in this world'. At that time, this child - 'Gentile' Aikawa Yotaki, was the one who was called. We thought that Yotaki would be able to gather all the demonic poisons in the world and reach the same realm as our master, but as you know, the result was the same. Even now, I don't know the reason for that day's failure: ......

Sis pats my shoulder in disappointment. However, it seems to be only a mild disappointment, as if the cherished toy has been broken, and my expression, which was trying to be calm, is almost distorted.

It's a good thing that you don't stare at me like that, my friend ....... Understand that it was all for the sake of world peace ....... Please, .......

Sis apologizes as she carves a new piece of cake and sends it towards me. I can tell from her desperate look that it is intended as an apology.

To an apostle, cake and human life are equal, and perhaps there is no difference. She is lightly despairing at the difference in value and loses the energy to be angry.

'We've tried so many things for world peace,' Apostle Di Prakra called up 'Gentile' Aikawa Uzumi and worked together to perfect the 'Magic Power Transformation' technique that converts 'Demon Poison' into power. Apostle Legacy cooperated with Saint Tiara to complete the magic petrification technique, which is to remove the stone that contains the demonic poison. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.

That's why he wants to claim that he's great.

The Sith looked good at it again and sniffed with a huff.

I don't feel any malice there. The rift between ...... me and the Sith has only deepened because I don't feel it.

''So, brilliantly, that 'World Dedication Team' was a success!　...... Just the millions of people who died along the way, but, well, it was a necessary sacrifice.

You ......!

Until now, some things were a little more bearable because world peace was the premise. But that too light treatment of human life is slowly becoming unbearable.

''Seh, you were angry a thousand years ago ....... Don't be so angry. Properly, you killed me, so you can just call it a charade now, right?

You can tell from the look on the Sith's face that he really thinks it's going to be a charade.

I can't help but think that the Apostle Sith - that's just the way it is anymore.

I let my anger sink in and take a listening stance to gather information.

''After that, I was killed and my 'World Apprenticeship Camp Plan' was taken over by two of my allies, the Founder Kanami and Saint Tiara. Thanks to their efforts, the World Consular Force Plan was renamed the Labyrinth Project and remained until this time. However, it seems that the purpose of that plan was not 'World Peace' or 'Creation of a Replacement', but 'Revival of Yangtaki'.

Originally, the labyrinth was a space to select people to be substitutes. It's probably the result of my personal hobby of playing with it, and as a result of that, it has become what it is now.

I see. I understand your purpose. So, how are you going to provide a replacement?　What do you want me to do?

He asks questions to learn about the apostles from their origins to their deeds to this day, and then he asks questions to learn what comes next.

Now and in the past, my purpose was and is to provide a 'replacement' for my Lord. That's all. And we already have the means to do it. The 'Magic Power Transformation' technique that turns the troublesome 'Demon Poison' into power, and the 'Demon Petrification' technique that turns a person's entire soul into a crystal form!　A vessel to take it all in, Diablo-chan, and a stage to carry them out, The Labyrinth!　Yeah, it's all there!　It's ......, so it's really only a little bit of what I wish for that side. I'm just asking for a little favor.

This is where the first thing the Sith said about 'the story of saving Diah and also fulfilling the Sith's demands' comes in.

However, just by talking up to this point, I already know that my thinking is too different from Sith's.

'What I want is 'help me level up this me'. If I just level up straight away, it would be the same thing as you-taki - I want a lot of 'reason-stealing thing' magic stones that can get rid of the level limit. That's also a lot of magic stones filled with plenty of 'Demon Poison'. That's why I'm going to ask my allies to raise their levels first. If we can use the magical stones from Stealing the Earth's Truth, we should be able to get to level 60 or thereabouts. We've already checked this limit line in Yangtaki, so there's no doubt about it. Ally, look at Yangtaki's status.

As I was told, I 'gaze' at Yotaki.

I also check the status of the Sith I will be fighting at the same time.

[Status]

Name: Aikawa Yotaki HP587/587 MP2812/2812 Class: explorer

Level 59.

Strength 16.78 Strength 17.11 Skill 40.21 Speed 29.86 Wisdom 60.76 Magic 132.55 Element 0.79

[Status]

Name: Diablo Sith HP741/741 MP3412/3412 Class: Apostle

Level 59.

Strength 15.11 Strength 13.55 Skill 9.45 Speed 10.67 Wisdom 39.91 Magic power 177.22 Element 5.00

''--!

I had predicted this, but both of them are now plunging into a joke of a number.

The last time I saw them, Yotaki's level was 1 and Dia's was 20, but now both of them were more than twice my level.

My body almost tensed up as I now clearly understood the past year's lag in numbers, but I quickly reminded myself that status is just a number and kept my composure. After all, this is an indicator (status) that I created in the past. It's not an absolute, I've experienced it many times.

That's why. If both Aikawa brothers and sisters reach their limit, the next step is to die and become a demon stone. Naturally, the Demon King and the Aide there will also be turned into the demon stone. We'll unify the world with the id and turn them into magical stones. That way, we'll have five magical stones from 'Dimension', 'Water', 'Earth', 'Wind', and 'Wood' - a large amount of 'Demon Poison' filled with the 'Reason Stealer' magical stones!

The Sith naturally spoke of the deaths of the four 'reason-stealers' and said that he would also take away Rowen's magic stone at my waist.

''Those five will be swallowed by Diablo-chan, and all the 'Demon Poisons' will be converted into power!　Then you will be able to reach the body that can withstand the deepest depths of the body - level 99. The strongest body, the spirit of an apostle!　Really perfect!　I mean, I can offer this vessel of 'substitution' to the Lord who created me, in my own body!　So the world's 'demonic poisoning' will stop flowing out of the world, the number of 'beastmen' out of the bounds of humanity will decrease, and the ferocious monsters will disappear from the world!　Hey, isn't that a very good story!

The Sith must think that the blasphemous suggestion is a really good story. He looks more excited than ever and leans back from the table.

'Do you really think I'm going to go along with that ......?

No?　Properly, Dear, you're a survivor. As the best thing that ever happened to her.

Of course it's ...... a waste of time. It's no good when Yotaki and I are dead in the first place.

'What?　So, you and your friends will be remembered as the saints who saved the world. They will be talked about as saviors of the world, and will be honored for eternity. Wouldn't that be the best life for a human being?　It's the highest honor. Most importantly, I can die proud and satisfied with what I did for the world!　This time he will not die in vain!　Through meaningful life and death, Yotaki's life is complete!　There's an unquestionable conviction and satisfaction in there!　Hey, isn't this the perfect story that will make everyone happy!

You can go to your ......--

I am dismayed and exclaimed.

I can see why I had a rough time of it a thousand years ago.

Talking to Sis makes me frustrated, as if I'm being forced to solve a never-ending, incomplete puzzle. The feeling of not being able to share the same story while using the same language is sickening.

As soon as I realized that this was an argument without an end point, I couldn't speak back anymore.

Seeing me continue to be silent, Sis asks me a little anxiously.

'...... Ho, are you sure you can't?　Because we can contribute to world peace, right?　As a person, there's nothing more meaningful in life than this, right?

From the way the Sith look, I know that they really believe that everyone should be willing to sacrifice for the sake of world peace.

And I know that this mindset hasn't changed over the years, and in fact, it hasn't changed - literally - even in death.

I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I'm sorry, but I can't help you, but you will take me to the 'deepest part'. That's what I've decided.

We stopped talking and I only told him the non-negotiable part.

I had no choice but to do so now.

''Ally, you can't take Yotaki to the 'deepest part'. This girl has too many uncertainties and mysteries. I'm the one who knows the most about how the world works, I'm sure I'll be the one to go, and I'd be the one to clear up the issue of strength of mind. I'm the best person for the job.

”You may be the right person for the job, but you don't need to use Deere's body. You may want to be the 'replacement', but not Dia. I'm sure Dia's dream is still 'The Great Swordsman' ......!

'Dear, she's giving her consent, okay?　I told her the story so far, in a very polite way, and she told me I could give up on my dream and be a 'replacement'.

A year ago, there was definitely a section where Dear was agreeing to it.

I remember the last time I talked to Dia. That was when me, Rustyala, and Dia had regained bits and pieces of our memories from a thousand years ago due to Ayd's state recovery magic.

At that time, Dia said, ”'We' did a terrible thing to 'Kanami and the others'” and ”We have to make atonement.

In other words, she felt as if what this Sith had done to us siblings a thousand years ago was her own sin.

But it's absolutely wrong.

It's impossible for me to believe that the Sith and Dia here are the same entity.

As long as I can only assume that the Sith guy is using the kind-hearted Dia for his own convenience, there's only one thing left for me to do.

I'm not going to let them take Dia into the 'deepest' part of the world. I'm going to have to say that I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them. So, you should give up for once here.

'An ally discusses with my Lord ......?　That is exactly what is wrong. Only those who have the capacity to be an 'alternative' are allowed to touch My Lord now. Only a person with a strong mind and body and the ability to perfectly control the poison in the world can touch my master now. That is not an ally.

The discussion was parallel to just stating each other's demands.

We knew this from the beginning. Now that we've extracted enough information, it's going to be a savage battle, not a discussion, from here on out.

...... really no?

However, the Sith still squirm at the discussion uncomfortably and go to check with me.

”Yeah,

I respond to that confirmation with wariness and try to get up from my seat.

'...... You really can't. But allies, you can't beat me. Even if you can beat the id, you can't beat just the two of us here. As the 'reason' of the world, it's a given. Are you still going to fight me?

But don't get out of your seat yet because you won't be able to beat me with you, the Sith advises him to be concerned.

But if you would stop at such words, you would not have come this far in the first place. Without stopping, he stands up from his seat and puts his hand on the sword at his waist.

The Sith sees that the discussion is over, and for the first time today, he gives her a look.

''I've explained all this to you ....... Why doesn't my ally understand ......?　I am the apostle, the chosen one to save the world, and yet ....... Why ......

He turned his face down and grieved with all his heart.

I'm grieving for the reason that others won't die willingly for my reasons.

The gulf between me and Sith is already irreparably deep and cannot be bridged.

If possible, I'd like to talk to the Sith to settle the matter. However, since that proved to be too difficult, it's only natural to prioritize Dia's safety. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

--There's no choice but to fight.

Thinking that, he tries to pull out his sword.

But at that moment - with a thud, as if the entire continent had sunk a few centimeters, my vision wavered.

A well-timed earthquake struck us with a roaring sound.

And I had caught the cause of it with the 《Dimension》.

''Aide......!

At the top of the hill at the end of this roadway, it (...) moved.

The world was shaken because the huge mass in the center of the royal capital had moved.

-- Now, the Vyasia Castle was 'activated' and was about to move.

The castle on the hill in the center of the capital is the largest castle I know of, just like the one recreated in the labyrinth, Viaissia Castle. Its castle is decorated with countless trees, making it feel even bigger than it really is.

The roofs of the castle are densely covered with countless leaves and the walls of the buildings are endlessly covered with vines and ivy. From four points of the castle, long roots grow, tangle, twist, and twist into thick pillar-like trunks that look like limbs.

--Gradually the castle approaches the shape of a man.

The trunks growing from four points make it look from a distance like a distorted giant rising up.

It is easy to imagine a thick trunk growing inside that castle as well. That trunk is the bones, and the vines and ivy are the blood vessels and nerves - and at the center is probably the heart (the id).

Indeed, the castle will evolve into a giant 'person'.

The leaves of countless trees scrape and make a noise like a sandstorm. The birds that must have been resting in the castle take flight, singing, and spread out into the sky. Even now, the vines and ivy grow and make a scraping sound as if a snake were crawling on them.

Finally, the castle's two feet stepped on the earth, sending another roar through the royal city.

--The giant took the first step.

Without hesitation, he stepped through the square that was in the middle of the city street and crushed everything that was there.

The second step followed, destroying the city as well. He would have chosen the places to step on as much as possible, but even so, the damage was inescapable. Using everything as a stepping stone, a giant that you can't look up at approaches you.

After only the second step, Vieisia Castle, which should have been far away, is now near the restaurant where we are.

Once we got here, there was no way Titi, Snow and Rouge would be sitting at the table fluently anymore, and everyone was ready to fight.

The sun's rays were being blocked out by the huge castle, and the restaurant was moving into the shadows.

Looking up with the naked eye at the castle that had come so close, it was impossible to see the top of its head. The castle, which was even bigger than it was, has gained even more height with its thick limbs.

It's huge. That huge monster is not only big in height, but also big on the side. It's hard to even see the edge on the side.

It's like a wall.

It's truly a huge monster that could be called heaven-defying.

This monster, which is too huge, emits a voice.

Just like in the Second Labyrinth City of Daryl, the 'White Cherry Blossom' (Pieris Aysia) in its castle serves as its mouth.

(-- Sith-sama, the negotiations are over.)

It's the voice of the id.

In order to save the Sith who were about to be attacked at the negotiating table - the guardian (guardian) 'the one who steals the logic of the tree' has come.