370 367. A young man named Tida.txt (1/2)

The approaching soldiers' movements are quick and their swords are sharp.

With flames lighting up their armor and small hands, they are unable to wield their 'body arts' in their pockets.

''Kook--!

The [Level Up] soldiers are unable to subdue them in one breath, and it takes a lot of time.

In the meantime, my master, who had stunned two soldiers late to me, shouts while approaching Romis.

''Haha, haha, haha--!　Lomis Neysha!　Where are you getting that element of fire, the 'demonic poison', from!

'What, you didn't notice?　From the ground, of course it's a fancier, right?　I am a lord, after all. I'm entitled to take it from these lords as tax revenue.

The master questioned Romis, aware of the answer.

He wanted to hear a different answer than he had guessed, but the enemy did not respond to his expectations.

''As long as the people receive treatment, any number of 'demonic poisons' will be supplied through the right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg of the Fire God scattered in various places. So, in other words, I can now control the flames extravagantly without any worries.

'You ......!　Don't help the people you can help!　Keep cutting up girls' bodies, tricking them all into praying!　Is that what a lord who should be protecting everyone should do!

'Would I be so bad?　As a lord, you just had to do your job tightly and save the strength you needed in case of an emergency, right?　In fact, I am now using my accumulated strength to secure the God of Light to enrich Phania. This is all thanks to the preparations I made in advance. Considering Fania's prosperity, aren't all my decisions correct?

Hearing the reply, Master stopped and refuted it, looking at the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' that was sleeping surrounded by soldiers just a few feet away.

''You drove her to that point!　Correct?　The real right thing to do would have been to work with her to go around and heal as many people as possible who suffer from this phania!　It was your greed that kept you from doing so!　Because I wanted to keep her miracle power all to myself!

'Yeah, you're right about that too. There's no denying it. ...... God of Light, the power of this fire is truly amazing. I don't have to rely on the power of the group while being a lord. Now I don't have to trust anyone anymore. I don't need to rely on anyone else, I can solve everything by myself. If it's just me, I will never fail again--

Romis, with room to spare, accepted all of his master's arguments.

In the face of this attitude, the master trembled with anger and ran out. Then, in front of the soldiers who were standing in front of him, he would formulate a 'spell' with all his might.

''Now, give her everything back!　Cut-throat flame!　--Cursed Flames!

Just like Romis, the master created flames from his entire body and let them strike the soldiers in front of him.

The soldiers were unable to avoid the flames that crawled at them with their snake-like movements. However, the 《Flame》 that Master had created did not burn the enemy to death.

What the 《Flame》 was targeting was not human flesh, but the flames of Romis.

The flames intertwined with the flames, interfering with each other and trying to devour each other.

--At the end, the flames and the flames canceled each other out and disappeared.

The soldiers, stripped of their enhancements and flame blessings, were challenged by their master to a close battle in the flesh.

Seeing this scene, I was surprised, but I switched tactics, saying that I couldn't afford to be late to my master.

As I recall, the flames of the 'spellcasting' technique were 'compensating' for the memories. If this continues, Master will throw away his memories without limit. I won't allow that to happen, so I will also allow myself to be consumed.

I wrote in my mind, ”The pain of being burned by the flesh is not so bad. After writing ”the pain of being burned by the flesh is light, it's as good as nothing”, I take the arm of the enemy covered in fire.

Then, with a technique you learned from your sister, you twist and break the arm.

The soldiers were overconfident in the flames they wore. As a result, instead of my flesh being scorched and burnt, the limbs of the soldiers facing me were broken one by one.

The soldiers collapsed in pain from the broken bones and let out inarticulate screams.

I jump over their heads and make my way to Romis. On the other side of me, my mentor is also approaching the soldiers, incapacitating them.

If this continues, my master and I will be able to pin the hated Lomis down.

When I thought that, Romis changed his expression and muttered.

''Shall we use fire as well? I'm happy to say that the Light God seems to be moderately adept at it. For the sake of future battles, I wanted to win without wear and tear, but ...... this can't be helped. Let's switch to a tactic that allows for attrition and get a solid victory.

Romis raised his heart in his hand.

Instantly, the 'demonic poison' in the room rushed like a storm. After the illusion of being swallowed by a tsunami, the sound of flames burning behind them could be heard.

Feeling the unusual 'demonic poison' and heat, I turned around.

''What--?''

The soldiers who were supposed to have been defeated earlier were on fire.

It wasn't just an easy flame to light on their armor from earlier.

The ignition point of the flames was their flesh and blood. The smell of burning human flesh filled the room vigorously, and one by one, the soldiers burst into flames. And it was no exception to the healthy soldiers.

''Lady Neysha!''

The soldiers, still able to fight, didn't know why they were being burned, and called out their superiors' names.

'Yeah. I'm sorry, but the material for this is strictly confidential. It needs to be kept quiet.

Oh, no...

But in the middle of the words, the soldiers were easily swallowed up by the flames and lost their voices.

One after another, the lives of the soldiers were turned into woodwood, and a new flame was born.

All of the soldiers turned into flames, leaving one Director holding his head at the edge. The flames were about twice the volume of a person - and on top of that, they retained the shape of a person.

The monsters that should be called flaming giants spawned and fell, and Master muttered as he trembled.

''This flame momentum ....... ''The 'price' ......?　And that's just one person's body at ......?

Hearing those words, Romis replies with a brighter expression.

''Ah, so the Light God knows how it works too. If it's ......, why doesn't the Light God also use 'compensation'?　Are you paying the 'price' for yourself earlier, or is that a slight to me?　If so, you're not becoming just like the flame god there: ....... Oh, it's not as if you're not becoming, God of Light!　Why don't you impose the 'price' on others!　Even a child knows what the word 'sacrifice' means!　If you're going to make me lose money, it's going to be someone else rather than yourself!　That's what it means to live in the world!

Neyshiaaaa--!

In the face of incompatible ideas, the master shouted, picked up his sword and slashed at it.

However, he was blocked by flames with substance on the way. They were the flaming giants that had become monsters earlier.

Using the monsters as a shield, Romis continues to speak.

''So don't be so angry. This is what the Altfel religion is all about. Isn't it great?　I'll make the lords pay for the 'Demon Poison' and 'Price', leave the conversion work to the 'Flame God', and I, the lord, will only wield the power of the 'Miracle'!　Crap, I've always wanted to make someone else proud of this city!　God of Light, will you listen to me more and more?!

'We're all praying for you!　I believe in you, my lord, and I pray for you every day!　All day, every day, in the hope that one day it will heal!　You're going to 'pay for' that prayer, my dear!

Yeah, it's all because of prayer. And those innocent prayers are now the force that will bring you down.

Romis waved his hand to the side.

Then, the fire giants that were nearby all jumped at once towards their master. The flame giants born behind me rushed at me with an agility that wasn't matched by their stature as well.

Unable to bear it, my master and I jumped back and took distance from Romis.

I was forced to focus on intercepting the fire giants.

I dodged with my 'body technique' and Master counteracted the flames with his 'spell technique'. However, the enemy's amount of materials pushed us inch by inch, and the distance to the hated Lomis only grew longer.

The situation frustrated his master from the bottom of his heart, and he let out a cursed voice.

''It's your fault ......!　There was a child who should have been saved but wasn't: ......!　You're on your own, for your own evil!　An innocent child dies unreasonably: ......!

But no matter how many words we say, it doesn't reflect on the situation.

We continue to be overwhelmed by the flaming giants.

Seeing the situation, Romis stops his previous man-eating mannerisms and spills out a soliloquy.

'...... that's it?　It's a bit of a shame. There have been changes in the way you're treated depending on how this battle went, but you're still children. You can't help but cry when you're hounded, you can't help but distort the order by wielding borrowed power. The only thing that serves the world well is for me to siphon off my power.

I was faintly aware of it, but it seems that Romis' agitated tone was to gauge his master's ability, values, ideology and purpose.

And now that our price tag is over, Romis is going to end the fight.

With a light wave of Romis' hand, the heat of the relative fire giants increases.

The speed and skill of their movements have both increased, and I realize that they've been holding back all along.

I was slowly becoming unable to handle the relative flame giants, and my master was approaching the limit with only his sword and 'spellcasting'.

If we continued like this, we would be defeated and captured by the enemy.

I had already finished anticipating the end of that story (Mirai) with my usual senses (skills).

--It's not so bad, I think.

If my priority is to protect my master's life, then it's best to lose in this area. Master will receive life-prolonging treatment as the God of Light, and I will be kept alive as a pawn of value to be used. --and sister Youtaki is free.

Including Romis's words and actions up to this point, I was almost convinced now that I was an enemy worthy of being defeated.

It's going to be hard on him in its own way, but not to that extent.

It's on the warm side of some of the more badly-ended books I've read.

The Fania version was moderately enjoyable, and with a smile on my face, when I was about to close the book - I could feel the swell of the 'demonic poison' like a tsunami from my master's direction.

''--?

The swell shook the world with a loud thud, like a heartbeat.

As soon as he turned his gaze, he saw his master, who was in a sparring match with the flaming giant's arm and sword, looking straight at Romis alone and spitting a curse.

''Can we lose? ......!　I'm not going to let a horrible guy like you get to me: ......!　You're right. I'm pretty sure a guy like you is the hardest to forgive.　Oh, I couldn't allow it!　No matter what the 'cost', that guy can't beat me to it: ......!　Absolutely, positively, positively--!

Master was also under the influence of an unidentified obsession, trying to help people.

At the same time, the air around the master became distorted like a bent painting.

It wasn't caused by the heat of the flames. It was the 'power of the dimension' being activated in conjunction with Master's curse. The 'Demonic Poison' leaks out of Master's body, gradually turning a light purple color, shifting everything around him (・・・・・・).

It's the same as when I did an extensive 《level up》 yesterday - that bad one.

I've never seen the power of that misalignment (...) manipulated through the master's will. This should be judged as a state of out of control.

However, it was certain that only that unknown power was able to counter Romis.

In fact, Romis, who sensed his master's abnormalities just like I did, had a look on his face that he had never shown before.

''What's this ......?　Isn't he a light user: ......?

Romis observed carefully and resumed his price tag.

I would similarly revise my predictions of future consequences in a big way.

The path of a major reversal comes to mind. From here, if I also fight by all means, there is a good chance that I can reach Romis' place.

While I'm thinking that, my master's power continues to swell. And the moment the path to a new ending is illuminated by a glimmer of hope--

'I'm not done with you yet, Lomis Neysha!　Still--

You can't do that, Kanami.

The darkness caused by 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Darkness' closes everything.

As soon as Tida's voice was heard, the cutting edge of a dagger protruded from the master's abdomen. The owner of that dagger was peeking out of his master's shadow with only his upper body, as if he was coming out of a lake.

Tida, lurking in the darkness, stabbed his master from behind with the dagger.

That too sudden and fatal wound left Master voiceless, and he could only poke his knees in the air.

''--?　d*mn, ah, ......

Master?

I scream my name.

From the looks of it, it's not a wound that can kill you instantly.

As long as the 'spell' is healed, it's okay even if the organs are damaged.

However, the problem is the mud from The One Who Steals the Dark Reason. Obviously, it was smeared on the dagger and placed inside his body.

From the look on my master's face, it doesn't seem to be double the pain I experienced.

Rather, the opposite.

The pain and the many emotions associated with it seem to be suppressed. So, even though my master is knee-deep in a fatal wound, he is able to very calmly ask the question.

'Hey, why ......?　Teada ......

Kanami, that doesn't make any sense.

Coming out of the shadows, Tida emerged completely out of her master's shadow, further amplifying the 'power of darkness'.

At that time, all of the turbulent emotions that seemed to shake Master's world had already subsided. The 'dimensional power' that seemed to be eroding the world had all dissipated.

It is a scene that proves that the power of the 'reason-stealer' is closely related to emotions.

And it also proves that the Darkness Power is uniquely powerful in a battle between the Stealers of Reason.

Hastily, I guessed Tida's purpose.

He seemed to have no choice but to come out because he disliked ”the development of 'the one who steals the reason' only to defeat the enemy with overwhelming power”.

Romis is as surprised as we are, and opens his mouth with a pout and squeezes the full name of The One Who Steals the Dark Reason out of the back of his throat.

'...... Tida?'　Could it be Tida Lands?

Tida looks back at the call.

But she does not answer.

She continues to stare at Romis with the Noh mask of darkness that has become a monster pointed at her.

In front of it, Romis' face brightened.

He seems to be innocently happy, which is the opposite of his previous impressions, and declares the 'Stealer of the Darkness' to be 'Tida Lands'.

'Tida!　I knew it was Tida!　Hahahaha, I'm looking for you!　My friend!　Tida Rands!

'You can still tell it's me: ....... Romis: ......

With a look of contemplation, Tida answered the call.

The two of them were old friends, and there was no doubt that Tida was hiding it from him.

But even though she betrayed him so majestically, Tida's voice was - trembling.

There was much to be concerned about.

However, my master's life is my top priority, and I'm running without the two of them.

I kneel next to the severely injured Master and check his condition.

The master had already pressed his hands to the wound and was trying to treat it with 'spellcraft'.

However, the surgeon himself was not able to concentrate due to the pain and the effect was not good. I took out a thick book that I had kept in my pocket as a safeguard. It is a book that describes the ”Technique” of ”The Price” that my master had given me in the camp before I arrived in Fania. Now, you have time to focus on healing.

At any rate, Tida and Lomis left us alone and began to talk.

'Haha, do you understand?　Of course. Aren't we the best of friends?

I wonder if our priorities are lower than Tida's for Romis, and the fire giant doesn't attack us either, just blocking our escape route.

I listened and closed up my master's wounds while I listened.

'Tida, I was really worried about you. Rumor has it that you're being treated like a killer in the city, right?　If you're under me, you'll never let them do that to you. ......

That's what you do at .......

'But that's a relief now!　Just stand next to me again, like in the old days, and all will be well!　Now that you're worthy of being called the God of Darkness - the two of us together, we're invincible!　...... Yeah, of course, you're special. After all, you're my friend. I won't let you be treated like the fire god or light god there.

Romis doesn't give Tida a pause to rebut, but goes on to tell her how worried he was about her.

Tida's body continues to tremble as she hears this.