276 273. A heart that never gives up.txt (1/2)

At Rastiara's urging, I examine my leg.

There's one arrow pierced and two gouged out areas of flesh.

There are three arrows that were hit - two of them seem to have been magical arrows.

Discolored skin is peeking out from the hem of his clothes.

It's a wound that could become important if left untreated.

”Don't worry about it. I don't care if it's rotten. I've already given my entire body, not just this leg, to the Lord.

But it doesn't matter.

Right now, there are more important things to do than that.

'It's hard to run ....... d*mn, I'll have to use my remaining magic to cast a recovery spell ......

I pull out a wooden arrow in a messy manner with my hand and then cast my own recovery magic.

Rath Tiara next to me also constructs a recovery spell in a sluggish way and tries to cast it on me and Tiara-san on my back. However, perhaps due to the influence of the ritual, its recovery magic is incomplete.

''Yes, you're right ....... Let's recover while we're at it. It's just that Tiara-sama's body is already ......!　The blood has stopped bleeding, but my body is cold. ......!

It was an imperfect magic, but I managed to close the wound on Tiara's abdomen. However, since it's a first aid measure, it's obvious that it will open up soon.

Above all, the problem is that today's rough treatment has nearly lost what little raw heat was left.

However, it doesn't matter either.

As long as Rastiara is okay, that's all that matters.

As soon as I've given first aid to the wound on my leg, I'll ask where the most important thing now is the location of the 'blood'. If I don't figure out how the ritual was distorted, I can't plan an escape or counterattack strategy.

''But you've been beaten. ...... Rastiara, what's going on with the 'blood' now?　Are we going to have to give up the 're-birth' now?

'...... Probably, right now, Tiara-sama's 'blood' amount is about the same for all three of you?　I suppose I could if I wanted to continue with ”Rebirth,” but I don't think I know what would happen with this amount. Will it fail, or will it cause a deficit in my memory and strength? ......

Roughly, they're divided into three equal parts Emily, Rastiala and Tiara.

It's enough to know that much.

”Half of it's on us, isn't it? Then we can make a deal with them--

I mutter a small word to myself so that Rastiara can't hear me.

In some cases, I can offer a ceasefire in exchange for giving up some of my 'blood'.

Beside me, who calmly thinks about getting the situation under control, Rastiara re-checks Tiara-san's body to see if there is any way to resume the ritual.

''Ahh, it's no good after all. It's impossible to repair this body anymore unless it's a 'reanimation' level magic ....... Even if the 'reanimation' is successful with this body, Tiara-sama will die immediately ......!

Although the corpse of the 'Jewelculus' that I brought with me with great effort, Rustyala had almost given up on repairing it.

The sword was thrust into the place where it was originally a corpse. Normally, it would be impossible to get it back now.

However, I was different.

I had a hunch. You could call it the 'gut feeling' of usual.

I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

And then I poured in my recovery magic with all my might and tried to contact her with my magic power. I felt my eyelids tremble with a slight - twitch.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get the best out of this.　At this time, I'm going to give up my power and somehow twist the art form so that I can 're-birth' my personality alone--

All the while, Rastiara was alone in his worries and trying to come up with an answer alone.

And the answer was the worst possible outcome that me and Tiara had feared.

'Rebirth' in Rastiara's body?

I can't allow that to happen. I'll buy myself some time while I repair Tiara's body.

'You can't do that. I won't allow you to use your body. You have to give up on Ms. Tiara now.

'Give up ......?　You can't give up that easily!　I've been working hard all year for this day: ......!　Since that day, when I relied on Lady Tiara instead of Maria, there's no going back: ......!

Relax. I'm just saying, realistically speaking, this is a tough situation. Anyone would tell you to be reckless in this situation. It's probably what Lady Tiara would have done if she were alive.

Hey, hey.

He interrupts me in the middle of the conversation.

'Why did you just put your recovery magic ...... on that side and not on your own leg?

It seems they know I was more focused on magic than on conversation. Rastiara curiously tries to ask the reason for my actions.

However, I've had enough of stalling.

With a thud, I confirm that the 'blood' in Tiara's body starts to move.

Even though her heart didn't move, the blood began to run through her entire body using only her own power.

The corpse begins to breathe, its limbs twitch, and life is breathed into it.

Tiara-san receives the recovery magic - and starts to move.

She gets out of my arms and stands on the ground, wobbling and alone. Then, she looks at me with her bloodless face. Immediately, I throw the rest of my earlier words at her.

'Isn't it?　Mr. Tiara.

'-Yeah. You're right, Reiner.

Breathing hard, Tiara replies.

Her face was contorted as she checked her own body's condition, but she still seemed to have room to receive. While holding her head in one hand, she clearly received the answer.

''-- Eh?''

Naturally, Rustyala is stunned by the fact that the corpse has started to move.

Leaving it alone, the two of us go over the situation with each other.

''Haha. You're a lifesaver, Ryner. Somehow we managed to bring back the only thing we could move!

''It was slow to come out. I mean, that Emily's sword, couldn't you have somehow avoided it that way?

'Don't be ridiculous. I was responsible for ninety percent of the great magic at that time, and I was focused on it, you know?　The next thing I knew, my stomach was red hot. I can't, I can't, I can't!

I mean, how can you not die? It's blocked up on the outside, but there's still a hole inside, right?

'Ryner-chan didn't give up and kept up the recovery magic, so I managed. But I feel terrible. To be honest, the hole in my mind is worse than the hole in my body. I've been pecked all over the place and I'm a wreck.

If possible, I tell her that I wanted help during the ritual raid, but she returns in a lighter tone that this was impossible.

I then gauge Tiara's condition from that conversation.

Her voice is bright, but her expression remains distorted. The fact that she is good at poker faces and can't control her expression - that's what it means.

While confirming that Tiara-san is out of power, Rath Tiara understands the situation.

''What, eh ......?　Could it be that ...... is not what's inside?　Dear Tiara, is it ......?

To which Tiara replies.

''That's right, my daughter. I am Lady Tiara, the mother of you Jewelculus. We don't have much time, so listen to your mother's words with your heart. --I'm not going to sacrifice my daughters to come back. You're not going to sacrifice yourself for me. Yes, make a promise to your mother!

Despite dripping cold sweat from the pain, Tiara keeps a light tone and tells him.

I can see that he's trying to avoid worrying and burdening us with a false sense of security.

Rastiara looks at me, not Tiara-san, to sort out the situation and asks.

'Ryner ......, did you know Lady Tiara ......?'

Yeah. As a matter of fact, we met a long time ago. But I didn't tell anyone because of you and Christ. Now I want you to calm down and listen to what Miss Tiara has to say.

If you've come this far, you can't hide our circumstances and plans. However, the explanation would be better for the adored Tiara-san than me. I hand over the explanation to her.

''My daughter, are you ready?　You can't save me now. This is an absolute. Even if I gather all the 'blood' in this body from now on, 're-birth' is impossible. Because in the first place, I myself don't want to 're-birth'.

What?

Hearing every premise being overturned, Rustyala becomes confused.

''So, I've decided to move as much as I have here from now on to the liner - I've decided to move it to the liner. It's such a waste!

I quickly push our plan, but Rustyala doesn't get swept away and responds.

'To Ryner?　No, then you'd better move over to me--

No. Because if I go in there, you'll definitely try to give me away, won't you?　Rasu-chan tries to save me, even if it kills her own ego. Your mother understands that much. I won't allow you to do that, mother.

''That ...... is what I'm supposed to do, and I was born to do that, so you don't have to worry about that ...... Tiara-sama, you don't have to worry about... ...

Tiara tried to force the conversation, but Las Tiara shook her head, saying that was not good enough. And Tiara-san shakes her head back. I strongly blame her.

''Such a role, I won't approve of it. You don't have to obey such a joke of a role,

He is scolded, and Rustyala is frightened for a moment.

However, he quickly picks up and continues to make his point head on.

'...... It is indeed a joke of a role. I think so too. I'm sorry, what you just said is wrong. ...... It just doesn't matter what role I play, I want my own will, and I want Tiara-sama to come back to life. I'm willing to give up my body to you because I think your story should continue: ......

Rastiara slaps herself on the chest, looks straight at Tiara-san and declares that she can give everything she's got.

From the look on his face, I realize the strength of will that makes it seem impossible to push through the flow. But Tiara doesn't give up yet. She continues with her light tone and tries to get me to listen to her.

'No, no, no! I've already had a talk with Ryner. From now on, he will inherit my 'blood' and crush my consciousness. So, the remaining ghosts that remained until a thousand years later will disappear. Rastiara-chan will be able to live as Rastiara-chan. This will solve everything!

Tiara-san laughed and moved both of her baby-like trembling legs as she approached Rath Tiara.

''Well then, I can't weave magic well anymore, so let's hold hands with the three of us and finish the ritual in a resonance magic style! It's a place, so I think it will be incomplete, but it can't be helped. It's the only way to do it now. No, in fact, I'm glad that this is the only method that's left. I'm glad we're staying put. Now, hurry up and hurry up!

Tiara beckons me and Rustyala to join hands in a circle with the three of us, trying to get us to hold hands.

But neither of us approaches.

--I can't do it anymore.

Rastiara looked at Tiara-san's trembling legs and looked as if she had made up her mind to do something. As I look at it, I too am finishing my decision to draw my sword.

And the one word that decides the breakdown leaks out from Rastiara.

''--No (...)

Rastiara moves slowly like a ghost and gathers magic power in her hands. However, no matter how much magic she gathers, she cannot use proper magic now. This is because all of the blood in her body has been specialized into a single magic because of the 're-birth' ceremony.

Hence, it is that specialized magic that she mutters and constructs.

''--Fresh blood magic 《Tiara Fuzzyards》.

A magic to bring himself closer to the saint Tiara.

He grabbed Tiara's shoulder with his right hand, which was filled with that magic.

''Kook--?　Oh, ahhh--!

Tiara moans.

Even though I don't know the details of the magic, I have a gut feeling that it's dangerous to continue, and I run out.

Holding the little Tiara-san's body with both hands, I roughly take it away from Las Tiara and take a large distance from her.

''Tiara-san!　Are you okay!

'Hey, it kind of sucked: ......!　Oh, I guess I shouldn't have done that: ......

With the current magic, some 'blood' transfer must have taken place.

Even the slightest remaining vitality is about to be lost from Tiara-san's face, which was even blue at the moment.

''Of course!　There's no way I could push through it in that haphazard fashion!　It's that Rustyala!

'No, if I could ......, I'd be lucky, I thought, ....... Ha, ha, ha .......

I blame her for the proper way to proceed with the conversation earlier.

Tiara-san tried to answer lightly to that, but she was no longer able to even speak. It's possible that she was in pain and her judgment was impaired and she was in a hurry to solve the problem.

I knew I had to be firm from here, so I hugged Tiara-san's body and put all my strength into my body so that I could run now.

In contrast, the Las Tiara in front of me moves very slowly.

As slow as the cathedral was.

It's slow, but ...... its appearance is too frightening.

The unreliable gait and the shadows in his eyes indicate that he is exhausted. The shining golden hair is disheveled and the breath is ragged. The mysterious beauty of Rath Tiara has an uncanny expression on her face, her hands are covered with magical power like a red mist, and she approaches you step by step.

''Tiara-sama, let's move from that body to mine first ....... There is nothing to worry about. This body of mine should be the most comfortable in the world. ......

His gentle speech now resembled the whispering of a demon.

It looked like a ghost trying to commit suicide with him.

Tiara-san must have felt that fear as well.

With both arms entwined around my neck, she replied with a drawl.

''Hmm, hmm ......, I wonder if Ryner's body is better than that one?

Tiara's clinging to me allowed me to free one arm.

I interpret this as having received permission from Tiara-san.

Now - I can swing my sword.

'If you move into a body that doesn't fit like that, you'll really be finished ......!　You can't do that!　If I do that, everything I've done until today will have been in vain. All those feelings for Kanami that were so packed in would be wasted. It's just the three of us ending up in this alleyway ......?　I can't believe the starry story that began in that tower ends quietly in such a dingy, dark place. ...... You can't just end a story like that. ...... Absolutely!　That's not too much of a dream and hope!

Rastiara continues to be obsessed with it.

He continues to be obsessed with the way other people's lives end, even if it is meddling.

And that obsession is what--.

It's all right. Don't worry about anything. Leave the rest to me, Lady Tiara. I'll make sure to convey your thoughts to Kanami. I will make sure that the story of that starry sky has a happy ending. I will make you and Kanami happy. --all for the sake of everyone's happiness!　Because that's the real role that this Rustyala Hoosiers has found--!

--shouting as if to say it's my 'mission'.

It's all about happiness for everyone.

He runs off with a determined look on his face for a dreamy ending (happy ending).

You can't make me!

I stop the first step of its sprint with a swipe of my sword to the side.

Rustyala retreated and avoided the sword, looking at me with a glare.

'Ryner, do you know what you're doing?'

He looks at me as I take out the weapon and strongly condemns me.

However, I aloofly brush aside the hostility, saying that I'm just doing what I deserve to do.

'I was only trying to save Tiara-san.

...... different. Lady Tiara is trying to save, and I am the one trying to save her.

Both said the same thing, but they never crossed paths.

Their mutual wariness and hostility proved it.

'If you believe that, so be it. We'll do what we believe for you and for Christ. As your knight in shining armor.

...... If you're going to tell me you're my knight, it would be very helpful if you'd listen to me.

I can't do that. My masters - I've recently learned that you and Christ are the masters of foolishness, so it's not enough to just do what you say, yes or no.

There is no reconciliation now, so I dare to speak out of turn.

I clearly declare that you are an idiot and cannot be trusted with this.

Naturally, Rastiara became enraged by this and put strength into both of his legs.

''This--!　Where's that, knight--!