326 323. Knowing death.txt (1/2)

As I fell, the round light in the heavens moved away and gradually became smaller and smaller. And before the light ball disappears and is gone, Lastiara, holding me, changes the angle of the fall slightly and grabs onto the fence at the edge of the atrium.

Instead of the ground floor, we arrive at the midway point, the twentieth floor.

It is a special place in Hoosier's Castle, an open area with no walls to partition it. It is a large hall where meetings and parties are usually held, but all the chairs and desks that were prepared for us are shattered, a sight to behold. Upon closer inspection, the stairs to the upper and lower levels are iced over and completely blocked off. Thanks to that, the knights on guard seem to be unable to come in here.

Amidst the remains of the fierce battle, familiar faces were lined up in the corner of the room.

First, Dia-san, and then Snow-san, who holds the sleeping Youtaki-sama, the one who steals the logic of water, in her arms. Both are kind people who befriended me, my enemy, in the past.

In addition, all five of the 'demon' knights I was controlling are also nearby. All of them have been defeated, or are bound with locks on top of their stunned bodies, and are lined up and rolled on the floor.

Me and Rustyala walk through the rough hall and approach the girls. Diah, who was wary of her surroundings, finds them and calls out.

'Rastiara!　And ...... 'The one who steals the reason for the light'!

Naturally, he is very wary of me. He greets me with a posture that looks like he's about to unleash his magic now, but Rustyala enters between us.

'Dia, it's all right. I'm done convincing you. The persuasion was successful. ......

”...... was a success?　That's fine then. ...... So, why are you two alone?　Where's Kanami?

Dia-san scurries around to make sure that her father is not beside the two of us. Seeing him, Rustyala ponders.

'You haven't met ......?　No, that's what you're good at, Ragne: ......

It wouldn't have been surprising if they had met this twenty-floor face on the way down, but that didn't seem to be the case. It was very likely that Ragne had avoided the unnecessary opponents and dropped straight down to the lowest level. In other words, the people here have not yet been told of your father's death.

Rastiara must have understood that. And after all that, when he tried to speak for them.

Kanami will join you later. Yeah, be sure to join us later at ......--

She stutters in the middle of the story and never finishes it.

She gave a small shake of her head and a small apology - and then she went on to say the end of this battle.

'I'm sorry, I almost lied. Kanami is dead. She was killed. After we finished fighting Nosfi on the forty-fifth floor, he was stabbed in the back by Ragne Kaikwola and died ....... Only me and Nosphy survived.

I almost stopped myself midway through that confession.

Telling that to Dia-san and Snow-san, who adored your father, is dangerous, no matter who you think it is. It's obvious that they'll lose their cool like I did just a moment ago.

However, Rastiara must have understood that and avoided the lie. There is a willingness to not just hide the truth here, over some kind of pride.

Dia-san and Snow-san open their mouths and are stunned. It's exactly the same as it was for me.

They can't understand Rastiara's words now, that completely unexpected reality - they can't understand it.

''What ......?''

Kanami is dead ......?

The words of confirmation are dark and heavy.

I'm the first to hear it, and I'm the first to hear it, and I feel like I'm going to be the first to fall to my knees. All of this sounds like a reprimand directed at me for bringing this situation together .......

'Kanami, the one in Lagne ......?　What, is that ......?　No, I'm pretty sure Ragne was gone from here in the middle ....... The flycatcher was acting strange, and I got a little flustered and took my eyes off him ....... But that guy, I thought he was going to sneak in something useful for everyone again, so I ...... and I ......--

No!　You're lying: ......!

Gradually, their voices grow raspy as they come to understand each other.

Rustyala takes it head-on and tells them.

''It's true. Sorry, I was there. ......

Then I realize.

It's too poorly communicated for the clever Rustyala. From that, I can tell that she is trying to be an emotional outlet for the two of us.

''Eh, eh ....... Rustyala, are you sure Kanami is ......?

'Of course it's a lie ....... Because you promised me before that Kanami would not die ....... You promised me then that .......

The two of them must trust Rastiara with their hearts.

I know that their words are not a lie, and their voices, which were dark and heavy, begin to become even more ominous and are accompanied by an icy coldness.

Just hearing their voices sends a chill down my spine.

Just seeing the magical power swelling from those two people's bodies is enough to make my blood freeze, too.

Your father's death - I would destroy the world rather than believe in it. The two of them had that kind of fearfulness. The weight of love that Rastiara doesn't have is contained in their voices and magic in their voices.

I know that feeling very well.

Unlike with Rastiara, this one is painfully obvious.

That's right.

It's different.

It's not true.

This is a lie, of course.

It must be a lie.

I, of all people, I am the one who...!

”--But, Dear, Mr. Snow!　Lady Kanami is coming back!　Trust me!　I will bring you back to life!　I am the Guardian of the Sixty Layers, the true 'Stealer of Reason' made by the Apostles, the hope of a thousand years ago, the Banner of Light!　All of this is just a procedure for Kanami-sama to give me immortality, as per the lore!　Kanami-sama will be back, so please calm down!

He stepped forward from Rastiara and approached the two men and took their hands from both of them.

''What are you saying--!

Ugh, ugh. ......!

Both of them were emitting a strong killing intent, but tears were almost in the corners of their eyes.

Even now, I'm crying and screaming like I used to, and I feel like I'm going to run without knowing why. I'm afraid I'm going to become a monster chasing after something that will never reach me again, with my vision becoming too narrow.

--It's no good.

I don't want to allow it to end that way.

Because I know that pain better than anyone else, I sincerely want to lie about their sorrow as well.

So I will say it.

That very nostalgic, very jointed 'chant'...

-- ”'Both the darkness that decays and the light that decays are equally unwhite' --

Unlike taking on the 'substitute' for the physical state of the body I just mentioned, I had experience in taking on the 'substitute' for the mental state of this one. I was confident of success. After all, I am a specialist in mental interference.

Of course, I don't intend to take away all the emotions.

There is a danger of simply carrying it all on your back, but taking too much away is an attack on them.

It's not to play with them, but to heal them.

Not for yourself, but for someone else.

Just as when you cast light magic on the knights, you bear it - to protect the most important thing in their lives.

In order to prevent the history of the past from repeating itself, I will cut down on the excessive pain the world inflicts on these women. I thought that was my role as 'the one who steals the reason for the light'.

Thus, again I am struck by the urge to scream to the point that my throat is torn, my chest is torn, and all my limbs collapse, but thanks to ...... the second time, I manage to suppress it on my own.

Maybe it's thanks to the same kind of emotions I was already having.

I'm not used to it, but I was prepared for it beforehand.

So, I'm fine .......

I'm still okay with it.

The pain in my body and the pain in my heart is warmer than it was a thousand years ago. It's better to gather these things in one person, me, who is experienced. It's more efficient. It's best.

-- that's what I keep telling myself, and I'm going to endure it.

Then, Dia-san and Snow-san, who stopped their outburst just in time, ask me, holding my hand.

'Yi, bring back to life ......?　If it's 'The One Who Steals the Light's Reason,' can you do that ......?

Nosfi, are you sure about this ......?

Although I took the spill from the vessel of my heart, their words are still heavy. They feel deep in my chest, but I smile and try to reassure them.

Yes, I can do it. Yes, you can. There is always light left in the world. So please don't ...... give up. Never give up. -- 'The darkness of your dreams and the light of your dreams will be equally black and inky.'

The comforting words spun out of his mouth smoothly with the 'chanting'.

It was surprisingly natural even for me.

Perhaps it was because I had used the 【Riology of Light】 example twice in this short time, I felt that I was gradually getting closer to the magic of the so-called 'Elixir of Immortality'. I could see myself getting the hang of how to use it.

And only one person here correctly understood the meaning of that growth.

'That's it ....... Nosfy ......!

Rustyala, who was watching the whole thing behind me, seems to have guessed the effect of the 'chanting' as thin as a stone. She has a face that looks like she wants to complain about something. However, before they can say that, I pull back Dia-san and Snow-san's hands.

''Come on, stand up. Please don't turn your face down and move forward. ......

They both manage to stagger back to their feet, caught by me.

The mental shock seems to be making them physically uncomfortable. I can't get my legs to work, and I'm about to fall back down several times. In the midst of it all, Dia glares at me.

'Nosfi ......, it's ...... I know. I know that if Kanami was here, I'd say the same thing to you ....... But I'm still not ready to forgive you ....... I wish you weren't there in the first place. I know that's not true, but dammit, I just can't help myself ......!

'That's very kind of you: ....... Thank you, Dear. You are really ...... with that man.

As I held her hand, I thought to myself, ”She's really different from the Apostle Sith.

Perhaps it's because Dia-san's face is very similar to that of the Apostle Sith, but I have the illusion that I'm talking to her as if it were a thousand years ago. However, unlike Apostle Sith, who was so presumptuous, Dia-san is very rational and mature.

''Ah, ah, it's not a lie after all ....... It's not all a lie .......

I'm not lying, Mr. Snow, but I'll make it up as soon as I can. I understand that you cannot trust me so easily. But for now, please believe in the power of the legend of a thousand years ago, if only for a moment. Please ......

Snow, unlike Dear, begins to spill large tears.

Her features as a dragonborn (dragonette) remind me of Serdra from a thousand years ago. But unlike him, she is not trying to throw out her grief. As he told me, he hasn't given up on life yet.

Most importantly, neither of them seemed to be laughing, having fun, or suddenly becoming stronger than the limits of their grief, like the 'Stealers of Reason'.

They are grieving very normally.

I am relieved that I have managed to prevent him from becoming a 'monster' who takes revenge on the world.

But until you lie about your father's death, neither of you may be able to move properly. I am still in a state of collapse now.

Soon I will look for a new collaborator. If Rastiara is going to face Ragne from now on, he should have more strength.

''Also, this one can be found at ....... --《Light》, 《Cure Fool》, 《Remove》.

I used my magic to wake up the 'magician' knights who were lying down.

I lifted all the light magic and 'fascination' that I had infiltrated to control them and healed their bodies.

First of all, the stiff knight Persiona gets up and confirms her freedom.

''Kook, it looks like you've finally been freed. ......

Next, Noir, who is also a 'magic stone man' (Jewelculus) like me, got up and started roaring.

”-Wow!　Oh, is that ......?　Could it be that the enhancement time is over ......?　Ugh, ugh, I didn't win again: ....... I'm a saint. ......!　This is a face to match Master Sith: ......, Master Sith!　Why are you here, sir?

I find Dia nearby and approach her, her face lighting up. And finally, the most loyal knight Sera, the most loyal knight of all, comes over to me as soon as she wakes up.

''--!　You son of a b*tc*!　Nosfy Foozeyers!　Only you will never--!

Immediately I try to bow my head to apologize, but before I can, Rustyala interrupts and stops me.

''Sera-chan, no!　Nosfies are with us now!　You're my sister!

'Guh, ugh, Mr. Rastiara: ....... I am sorry. I was pathetically misled by the enemy ......

No, I'm not the enemy. Thank you for being a big help to my sister in the past.

Lastiara's words caused the flames of anger in Sera to subside. It looks like it's better to leave this place to me rather than me speaking poorly. Rather, what I should do is to check on the rest of the Knights of the 'Magicians'.

Glenn Walker and Elmirad Siddharth.

As I had expected, these two have a different feel for disarming magic than the other three.

'After all, these two are ......

They are connected not only to the magic of light, but also to the magic of blood. Perhaps the two of them are not my light, but are 'enchanted' by the dream that Fafner is aiming for.

The two of them are awakened by the recovery magic and understand their situation while looking at their surroundings.

'...... Lady Nosfi?　So ...... means that we're losing.

Glenn muttered calmly, but Elmirad was very flustered.

''-- Ah, ah, ....... Ah, ah!　I'm not!　I've done a hell of a lot of things: ......!　That's what I really think: ......?　Is that my real ......?　So, all this time I've been all talk?　Then what does that mean for the fight to date ......!

He must be in shock as he remembers what he said and did when he was being manipulated. On top of this, he can't predict what the hell will happen to him if he tells your father that he's dead.

But now is not the time to pick and choose his friends. There is no doubt that both the too calm and suspicious Glenn and the distraught Elmiraad were your father's friends. He goes into negotiations to try to get them to join him, even if only temporarily.

''Both of you, please help Rustyala: ......!　I don't have time to go into detail, but right now--

I can't... Those two are my people. I'll take them back.

His voice echoed through the twentieth floor, interrupting the negotiations.

At the same time, the entire floor of the great hall turns red.

And the smell of iron piercing my nose and the moisture dampening my shoes. When I understood that the room was being coated (coated) with blood, two huge red arms extended out from the feet of Glenn and Elmirade.

''--Ha!