328 325. Escape.txt (2/2)

''I'm asking you if you've found Nosfi-san's 'best' properly.

Perhaps, as Lagune, he meant to make the question clearer for me, who couldn't answer it, but this one was only more confusing. I didn't know what that had to do with the will to fight.

'Guh-uh ....... Wow, is that my 'best' ......?

'Yes. I have been searching for the 'first' for a long time. The meaning of life that you have been seeking for a long time. You must have worked hard to find that answer, Mr. Nosfi.

I thought a very important question was being asked.

This is important to Ragne and to me.

It's just too obvious a question for me.

'My 'number one' is always your father!

But he's gone. He's dead. What will you have to rely on to get through life without him?

Ragne shook his head that the answer was no good.

I've been told to stop clinging to someone who's already done and show me the next answer.

I just can't accept that.

...... I have not given up!

Just a moment ago, I swore to Rastiara.

I swore to Dea and Snow as well.

I swore that I would never give up again and that I would leave your father in charge of me.

'It's as good as dead!　Your father is coming home!　I'll be back!　That's what I'm for!　With my magic, your father will surely save you!

He shouted to Ragne that this was the meaning of his birth and the reason he was alive now.

Lagune frowned as it was shouted in front of him.

He looked terribly uncomfortable listening to my answer. I've been expecting a different and better answer, but that's the kind of face I've heard ...... as if I'd heard a too shallow answer.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on some of the most valuable items.　That's the power of Nosfi-san that you've reached, Nosfi-san, and of course it's best for you to use it yourself.

I don't know who told me this, but Lagune seemed to know about my powers.

On the contrary, he seems to know more about it than I do and tells me how to use my magic.

''Is that okay? [Dead people don't come back to life]. It's only one life, that's why people can bet their souls on only one life. If even one person comes back to life and disrupts [human reasoning], that would negate the very foundation of human strength. If you don't let the dream of being brought back to life with magic remain a dream, ...... people will be weak forever.

Ragne, as a person, was very decent and tried to teach me to be very right.

But I'm not a decent person anymore and I'm sick of being right.

'I hate that kind of reason ...... I hate. I hate it. We all want our loved ones to be alive. We dream of the moment when the dead person comes back to life and says 'good morning' again. If that dream comes true at the point of weakness, I will be weak as much as I can be.

'............. If only I had that power, even I might be able to beat you, ......?　What's important now is that this is the only power that can change the world. If we give that power to a pawn of the world like that, no one else will be able to overturn it. The winner of this place, me or Mr. Nosfi, whichever wins will carry everyone's power on their shoulders and move forward, that's right!　The stronger survivor fights the world with the thoughts of his departed loved ones!　That's the right way to be a human being!

Ragne shouted strongly. From its content, I can guess a little bit about her feelings. I'm sure she wanted me to answer, 'My worst enemy is Lagune' or 'My worst enemy is the world'.

''Still, I want to save your father ....... I will never give up ....... Because this isn't the power to fight someone else. It's the power to save something important, that's what I learned from your father .......

And yet, I still talk about dead people who have passed away and refuse to move on.

I'm aware that I continue to fabricate my own lies like a child.

Ragne scolds me for not being a parent and not being independent.

'...... You've noticed it by now, haven't you?　To the countless 'magic threads' hanging over me and your body right now!　What's truly terrifying is being manipulated from behind the scenes by an entity that doesn't even show a shadow, let alone a figure!　I'm a hundred times better than I am than I would be if I had to perform the 'Elixir of Immortality' on Kanami's brother!　We can give the world a whirl!

”The magic thread. Out of place, I thought it was a word choice that was close to your father's sense of style.

I know what Ragne means. I know what you mean by that 'magic thread' isn't even magic, but it controls us like magic. In other words, it could be called fate. That feeling has been around for a thousand years. Even when I was crying on the forty-fifth floor just now, I felt the 'magic thread' or something like that. We are being watched by an icy gaze. It's been a thousand years ago and always has been.

--I know.

But I'm sorry Ragne, but your father is my priority. That's the only thing I can't change as a Nosfi Fuzzyards.

'I know. But even if I did, ....... Your father can do something about it ....... If only your father was here, I'm sure he'd do something about it ......!

f*ck you--!

For the first time, Ragne was enraged.

Her too-dense magical power also interlocked with her, intensifying her nature as she bounced around. Like the great whirlpool of the ocean, Ragne's body tried to suck in everything - but the power soon subsided.

The heat that lit up Ragne's face and the suction caused by the magical nature of his face instantly subsided.

As declared earlier, Lagune was becoming able to control his new magical power while keeping his mind at a normal level. Then, after calming his emotions, Ragne showed a blank expression that reflected a strong disappointment.

''...... Okay, I get it. However, if you don't want to give it to me or fight, I will never give you Dad's corpse. From now on, I'm going to pull out Aikawa Kanami's magic stone and 'get along' with it to become even stronger. Of course, I'm not going to use stupid rules to reduce my heart in order to stay the strongest in the world. I won't be defeated until no one else is left alone in the world. ...... So--

Ragnet expressed his will and squeezed his hands tightly together.

''I'll take that 'immortality' for myself.

'Gah, ah, ah, ah!　La, lagne: ......!

He squeezes my throat so hard I feel like my neck bone is going to break and I stop breathing.

'Does it hurt?　I'm gonna make it hurt a lot more than that!　Haha, I'm not going to resort to that anymore!　Even if you don't want to, you can do whatever you want!　This castle is full of medicines, magic tools, torture devices, and more!

Light Arrow!

Before my throat was crushed, I activated my magic.

I unleashed my full-length attack magic at zero distance against Ragne, who was both a grudge enemy and a trauma. At the same time, I placed the sole of my right foot against her stomach and pushed her hard.

With the impact of her physical and magical power, Ragne let go of her clenched hands and retreated significantly.

However, there was no damage in sight. Both the arrows of light and the kick were prevented by the crystal that seemed to belong to 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Earth'.

I also express my intentions to Ragne, who was flung to near the stairs of the great hollow.

''Zee, I absolutely hate ......!　No matter what you're going through, I won't let that stop me!　I'll never be as good as you!　But I can't crush my feelings for your father!　I will not make a mistake at the end of this 'magic'!

Strangely, my voice and my body weren't shaking anymore.

I could admit that I couldn't win, accept that I was scared, understand that I was wrong as a person, and yet I could still decide to resist Ragne.

'...... It looks like you finally got your 'courage', Nosfi-san. Too late for that, though.

Ragne replied with a slightly dumbfounded look.

He then pulled the Heart of Hermina from his waist and held it in his right hand. Her left hand lightly touches the 'Treasured Sword of the House of Aleis, Lowen' and hides it behind her waist, making it cover the crystal like a small hand. Instead of using the twin swords because of the two famous swords, she took her original stance.

In contrast, I cannot take a battle stance.

Honestly, I can express my will, but my heart is still defeated. Most importantly, if she repeats the covertness I just mentioned with the 'Heart of Helmina' in her hands, I don't know how to prevent it.

While only the idea that you shouldn't fight properly is circulating in your mind - reinforcements are falling from the top of the atrium.

''--【Impulse Break】Wuwu!

For a moment, I thought it was Ragne's attack, but that was quickly negated by the sight in my eyes.

Snow-san, who had fallen from above at high speed on the 'Dragon Wind', had released a full-body flying kick at Ragne.

Probably, he was looking at the situation around the second or third floor and trying to time it. Hence, she attacked when I moved away from Ragne and approached the atrium.

She had spread her blue wings, enlarged her limbs, and covered her skin with dragon scales.

As far as I know, this is the highest level of 'dragonization' among the 'demonization'. I know that joking power firsthand from the battle a thousand years ago. In addition, she also has non-attribute magic on her feet.

Lagune was able to react to a vicious blow that was sure to shatter just by its snatch. She catches Snow's sole with the crystal small hand in her left hand.

However, the 'dragon wind' that followed was not prevented from attacking him.

As Ragne nearly bends to her knees due to the wind, Snow adds on with killing intent.

''Aaaaaaahhh--!　Ragnarok!　How dare you!

The moment Snow-san was received, she flapped her wings and added her downward momentum.

Naturally, both 'Dragon Wind' and 'Dragon's Roar' were additionally activated.

All of the blood on the first floor of Fuzzy Yards Castle became a wave of blood that lashed towards the edge. Cracks appeared on the exposed sturdy floor, and the storm hit everyone, friend and foe alike, as if it was going to explode.

'This is ......!

At last, Ragne kneeled, and at the same time, the floor beneath her was completely shattered and gouged.

I thought it would be better to cover Snow-san, but even as I watched, it was hard to stand with the waves of blood and the 'dragon wind'.

This explosion in a place where it was just a pattern of melee. With Snow-san's intrusion, the first floor was completely engulfed in chaos.

I was still trying to decide my next move when the voice came.

''Saintess!　Miss!　This way!

It's the voice of Persiona Quager, a female knight who can be trusted wholeheartedly.

Persiona, Noir, Dia-san, and Yotaki-sama are riding on top of the completely 'wolfified' Sera, running down from the second floor and pushing forward in the storm.

'Penetrate!　--Flame Arrow!

Dia-san seemed to have finished kneading enough magic on her back, scattering particles of light and sprouting the apostle's unique wings of light on her back. Then, using the most immense magical power in the place, the magic was unleashed.

Its aim is the entrance to the castle, the great door protected by blood.

The name was 《Flame Arrow》, but it was no longer fire. The white light that swallowed everything became a waterfall and struck right beside it. In an instant, the blood that covered it evaporated, and the door melted into a hole in the sludge.

An escape route was secured.

Ragnet must have been watching it from the side.

He activates the power that seems to be his trump card with an unadorned tone.

''--[Hoshi no ri]!　Turn this strength into a weakness, reverse it!

At the same time as that statement, the impact of Snow-san's 《Impulse》, ”Dragon Wind” and ”Dragon's Roar” that had filled the first floor - all of them disappeared.

Instead of being gradually cancelled out, they were reduced to zero in an instant.

Furthermore, Snow-san herself was also experiencing abnormalities.

The wings and scales that symbolized the dragon were gone, and he had returned to being a straight human being.

Snow-san stared at his hands in the air above Ragne, in the grand entrance, amazed at this phenomenon.

'Forced release ......, not!　Oh, you're healing!　All of them!

In contrast, Ragne is unfazed. He quickly thickened his body's magical power and used the power that had been running amok earlier. However, it was a cry as if he was tightening the reins of the rampaging beast and saying to it.

''Star magic, draw it in!　Hoshi no ri] goes after the naked girl!　Next time, turn that life over to death!

Ragne stretched her defensive left hand upwards and tried to pull Snow-san's body in the air.

That hand was miserable and clothed in something more terrifying than magic power.

If you are caught, you will die. The more I foresee that, the more I feel an ominous malice.

''--Snow-san!

It was his brother, Glenn, who shouted and speared it.

He had escaped Ryner's opponent during the storm and had finished throwing his stringed dagger. He then dexterously twisted the string around Snow-san in midair and saved her from Ragne's clutches by pulling her closer.

Ragne was able to escape a desperate move with multiple trump cards and complained to his companions.

'Why are you in the way ......, Fafner!

No, that's pretty great!　Glenn!　I'm dividing up quite a bit of magic, and I've escaped control a few times before!

Fafner had also changed his position a bit in the storm. And he was more pleased than anyone else that the manipulative Glenn had saved Mr. Snow.

'Then why are you still using it!

d*mn, that's a good point!

But instructions fly from the Lord, Ragne, and he reluctantly tries to gather the blood at Glenn's feet and swallow it up. Seeing Guren being dragged to the bottom of that unlikely earth, Snow-san, who has landed, rushes over to him.

''Gu, brother Guren!

”Mr. Snow, me and Elle, we're good!　I'd rather go out there with everyone else--

He declined and turned his gaze to the empty exit on the first floor. Dia-san and the others are waiting there. Furthermore, nearby, the manipulated Elmirad can be seen swallowed up in blood, just like Glenn. It looks like Ryner and Reaper are striking down with the support of Dia-san and the others who have joined them, and Fafner is just about to make them pull back once they are done.

In the midst of a situation that has been painted over in just a few moments, Dia yells out while beckoning them to join him.

'Hey, Snow!　You said we'd get our shit together, didn't you?

Snow frowns and runs off, leaving his brother with just a few words.

'...... I'll be back again!

Glenn laughed at that and took it in and disappeared completely into a pool of blood.

And my hand, which had been watching the turn of events, was pulled back hard.

'Nosfi!'

Rustyala grabbed my hand and urged me to run away with her.

I follow along with it, almost falling down. However, of course, Fafner activates his magic to prevent the two of us from escaping alone.

''--[Bloodbane]!

The cloak of blood that Fafner wore became a cord. It branched out and began to swim through the air like a monster's tentacles. It was as smooth as a snake and as swift as a bird.

But now there is a girl in this place, a girl who shows unparalleled strength in magical battles at this distance.

''-- ”Flame Arrow (Fall Flower)!

The magical arrows fired by Deer in front of the exit shoot out all the blood tentacles and vaporize them.

Fafner clicks his tongue and has no choice but to move to catch us on our own feet.

But when Fafner realized that he was the only one chasing after him, he stopped and turned around.

''--?　Hey, Lagune!　What are you doing so calmly!

There was Ragne, walking awfully slowly.

His eyes, which had been the abyss itself just a moment ago, were reversed and dyed with a thin white dew of disappointment. It looked as if he had lost all motivation. She then turned to Fafner, who was getting desperate, and replied a little apologetically.

'No, I mean, they were all worth less than I thought they would be, so ....... As long as I'm going to kill them all someday, it's not enough to force me to go after them now ....... It's better to prioritize the castle, which will be our base of operations, for now. You haven't swallowed the top floor yet, have you?

The castle?　That's the basis of warfare.　You told me to kill all the people you see!

I continue to watch the exchange between the two of them in the rear as Rustyala pulls me along.

'Ah, I feel like I said that ....... I'm sure I said it. But I had to confirm a lot of things first, so .......

'Huh!　You know, after all that talk...

Fafner stopped his angry voice midway through.

Like me (・・・・・), he sensed Ragne's condition.

'The young lady and Mr. Nosfi, Ryner and Maria, the senior and the President ...... all of them were all shining ....... It looked like a very expensive life .......

Ragne continues to stare at us as we flee and continue to talk to himself.

But he doesn't meet my eyes as I look back at him. It's as if she continues to look into the void in the too dark nighttime street.

Looking at her, Fafner muttered quietly, ”Just becoming ...... is just becoming?

'And ...... they're all coming back anyway. As long as Kanami's brother is here, you'll be carrying ...... your 'immortality' carefully. We're going to kill you .......

Because of the same 'thing that steals reason', Fafner and I were able to understand Ragne's current situation a little better.

It seemed as if Lagune was less affected by becoming the 'one who steals reason', but that was never the case. In particular, the priorities in her mind have changed drastically in the wake of my earlier question and answer and my all-out attack on Snow-san. Because she's twisting that 'price' with her mental strength, she just looks better than the other sides, but the truth is--.

”Hey, Mr. Nosfi.

At the end of that Ragne's call, we succeeded in escaping from Hoozeyards Castle.

As we crossed the bridge in front of the castle and made our way down the hill, my face was severely contorted as Rastiara continued to hold my hand.