374 371. Read a book.txt (2/2)

After that, Tida suggested that she could ”give her head” to the ”one who steals the logic of fire” just as she had done with her master. With that, they were now at the very edge of their conversation.

In the midst of this tightrope situation, Tida laughed dryly at the conversation.

It's a relief. But this one is ...... not going to be in your head until you die. Haha.

No, sir. I don't have to worry about it so much. It's just that I won't trust you for the rest of my life.

Y-You mean the rest of your life?　I want you, my kind, to know that it's the hardest thing for me to hear that: ......

'I understand that you want to be trusted by me, but I hope you also understand my inability to trust you.

...... Sure, you're right. Then I guess I'll just have to keep quiet and keep doing what I can do for you. Trust is a steady stream of actions.

Good intentions. However, no matter how much you accumulate, the 'price' of the 'power of fire' or something like that, I might forget that. At that time, I'll apologize in advance.

The spine-filled conversation didn't soften at all, and finally Tida let out a weakness.

'...... Fuum. I knew you'd be cold to me. Isn't that too different from your attitude towards Kanami?

'Think twice about what you've done, looking at the contents of that bag in your hand. I'm just hoping you're grateful that you're not being turned into charcoal.

'Hmm, that's another one for sure. You're right.

A thick killing intent flew from ”The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire” and Tida lightly accepted that it was no wonder she was killed, and the banter ended.

Darkness and Fire.

They are incompatible in terms of their abilities, but as a matter of course they use the word 'know' with a peculiar empathy. On top of that, Tida seems more natural when she's talking to 'the one who steals the reason for the fire' than when she's talking to her mentor.

I suspect that Tida is better suited to 'a relationship where we know from the beginning that we cannot trust each other' (・・・・・).

As I analyze this, Tida approaches a nearby carriage to the gohja-dai and places her hand on the cheek of a strange woman lying there.

'But I will do my job, no matter how cold you make me feel. First of all, I will assure you that Miss Distras will be safe in mind and body on the way to this hoozeyards.

The woman called Mistress Dystras, with her dull red hair hanging down to her shoulders, was breathing in her sleep. Her identity is quickly revealed through the mouth of The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire.

'Mother ......'

Lovingly, The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire grasps the hand of the one she called her mother. Then slowly the woman opened her eyes and sat up.

'Hey, is this ......?'

He looked around and tried to assess the current situation. Incidentally, Tida quickly ducked into the woman's shadow, hiding her horrible face to see in her sleep.

The woman looks at the three faces of me, my master, and 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' and her expression lights up as she recognizes only one of them.

''Ah!''

The woman smiled and squeezed back the hand of the one who stole the reason for the fire.

However, the face of the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' is dull and continues to have a poorly made smile.

''Are you, perhaps ...... your neighbor Arti-chan?　You've grown up. I wonder if your mother is still doing well?

The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire was treated like a stranger by the person I called my mother.

My master and I watched in silence.

We are well aware of what happened to Lomis, the childhood friend of the one who stole the logic of the darkness.

That's why we are well aware of the current state of Romis, the mother of the one who stole the logic of fire.

Now she is in oblivion.

After defeating Lomis, the family of the One Who Stole the Reason of Fire was freed. However, the only survivor was her mother - and for the past three years, she had only memories of her misfortune and was in a state of great mental damage.

Therefore, the three Stealers of Reason dared to strengthen the Curse to stabilize her spirit. The 'Things that Steal the Reason of Fire' remained in 'oblivion' and went along with the woman's story.

''Yeah. It's been a while, Auntie. It's Arti. ......

We have heard the real name of 'The One Who Steals the Truth of Fire'.

So we know that this is a false name (lie), but we don't say anything.

''Hmph, sorry to wake you up in your sleep. I'm feeling oddly heavy headed. ...... I feel like I've been having a very long nightmare .......

'Yes. I've been having really long nightmares, too: ......

From now on, The One Who Steals Fire's Reason will continue to use that pseudonym for the sake of her mother's mental stability. The consequences for her and her family were too tragic for her to have to do so, even though she called herself a hater of lies.

'Is this Fania, Arti-chan?　I'm sorry, but if you could show me where--

The woman must have thought she was talking to a child of her acquaintance.

She was very calm.

But in the middle of the process, the outer wall of Fania came into view, and it was instantly cracked.

''Oh, that wall ......, eh?　Ahhhh, ......, ahhhh, ahhhh--!

Mother ......!

Even if it's called ”forgetting,” it seems that if you get the chance, you'll remember it.

But there's nothing good about retrieving a too painful memory.

Yes, ....... That day, our village was attacked by Fania's soldiers, so ...... that's why!　Everyone, that girl too--!

Thinking that I might return to a crippled state if this continues, I move in a hurry to stun the woman.

''--Cursed art, 《Variable Relays》.

But before she could do so, a muddy hand reached out from the woman's shadow and covered both of her eyes.

Instantly she fell silent and began to lie down again on the gohja-dai and sleep.

'This is it. Not that I'm your doctor, but as the one in charge of her safety, I won't allow you to go any further.

It seems that Tida used the 'dark power' to play with the woman's mind.

Tida, who was taught 'spellcasting' by her master, swallowed the mechanism before anyone else - first and foremost, she learned how to use it for tranquility.

I'm jealous of that talent.

I really envy her because she absorbed even her master's strange sense of style so beautifully.

I am not as good at handling coined words and rubrics as the two of them.

Thus, the woman's mind was protected by Tida's new 'spellcraft'.

However, the mind of the 'one who steals the logic of fire' who was watching the scene was different.

'Oh, mother ......!　I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry: ......!　I--this 'eye' is ......!　Because I was discovered by The Apostle: ......!　All because I've become the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' -

He staggered back, holding his head with both hands, leaking flames through the bandages.

Clearly, his power as the 'one who steals the reason for fire' was increasing.

Instead, I could see that the fissures in my heart were also spreading.

'The village, the family, everything is burned out ...... forgotten (・・・・・) and gone ......!

Tida had her hands full using the new 'spell' on the woman, so she immediately asked her companions for help.

'Kanami!'

I know!

Then, not to be outdone by Tida, Master tries out the new powers he has developed over the past few days. Beside 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' who keeps muttering regrets, Master uses 'Chanting', which is the first time he's heard of it.

'It's me. It's me. It's all me. It's me, it's me, I--'

”'Dreamlike staggering and fibered.

The meaning of that 'chanting' is somewhat readily apparent.

Perhaps he is trying to make you forget the five years in Fania as if you were dreaming. The 'price' is 'forgetting' as well as the 'curse'. Furthermore, as Romis had told him, Master forcibly imposed the 'price' on him, gradually burning the trauma of the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' and erasing it.

'Sorry, now I'm going to intensify the 'curse' ......!　--'Cut off flames,' 'Dreaming staggeringly and at the mercy of the cilia,' 'Swallow me' --!

The Master embraces her and shouts in her ear.

You can tell that each word of 'chanting' that is added is a 'chanting' prepared for her.

The 'one who steals the logic of fire' also senses this and regains his composure for the sake of his master, who hugs him even though he is impatient.

'Ka, Kanami-sama: ......'

'Calm down ....... Just take your time and repeat my 'chant' .......

”Oh, 'Cutthroat Flames' ......, 'Dreaming Staggering and Cilia at your feet' and 'Swallow me' ......

...... From now on, let's try to control the 'cost' of the 'curse' better. I'm sure it will help reduce the 'curse'. With this 'chanting', you'll have a new life.

Understanding that it was a 'chant' to live positively, 'The One Who Steals Fire's Reason' nodded as he buried his face in his master's chest.

'...... Yes. I will take on a new life. The Fire Priestess that was in that village is no more. Here is a new me. I am Arti, the one who steals the reason for the fire.

Tida, who was watching the scene beside her, gently repeats the words of the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' - no, Arti's words.

The new me.

Tida must feel the same way.

The man who had started a new life as 'the one who steals the Dark Reason' spoke to his master with a slightly sunny face.

''I guess we can manage. If Kanami (...) takes care of the memories, but I take care of the emotions, one day the two of you will be able to return to a peaceful life.

Yeah. I'm sure they will be happy together. No, they have to be.

I found hope in Arti's future - but soon one of the fades begins to appear.

'Ka, Kanami (...) ......?'

Arti, who was in front of his master's eyes, muttered his name in wonder.

It was as if he had forgotten his master's name, his face and voice. Even Tida, who was optimistic about it, shouted in a hurry.

''Oh, gee. You can forget me, but just don't forget Kanami's name: ......!

'Sorry ......!　Dear Kanami, Dear Kanami, Dear Kanami!　I won't forget anymore: ......!

Realizing it's his master's name, Arti tries to repeat it over and over again, trying to get it into his head. Watching him, Tida's face turns grim and she discusses the situation with her master.

'I've been thinking for a while now, but don't burn the 'curse' of The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire as much as the memories of your loved ones, as a priority. And while there are no memories, only emotions remain.

'It looks like ....... Maybe, but I think the world wants something bigger (・・・・・), roughly, without thinking about it. But the world is kind, so if you properly 'chant' and say what you want, they'll change their priorities.

Is that true?　If this is true, there is a way to pay off the current debt by repeating the 'chanting' like before. If you say it regularly, you can avoid the fatal 'curse' from spreading to others.

'That's what you call a long term installment. ...... Yeah, I think that's what we have to go for now.

'Kanami. I'm sorry, but once you've developed a 'spell' for your sister's cure, that's the next step.

No, let's do it in parallel. We're a colleague in the partnership.

...... really helps.

The two of them made a plan for the future development of the 'spellcasting' technique, depending on the situation. Behind them, Arti was erasing her own trauma while repeating her master's name.

''- 'Cut off flames,' 'Dreaming staggering and cilia at your feet,' 'Swallow me' - but don't forget Kanami-sama. Kanami-sama is important. Kanami-sama is important. Kanami-sama, Kanami-sama, Kanami-sama, Kanami-kanami...

The heat of the flames in his body increased everywhere.

Next, the jet-black hair that matched his master's was dyed red like a flame. Tida let out a bitter voice at the sight of everything being turned into woodwood.

''Don't spend a moment moving to a new place. This place is not good for the spirit of the Dystrus family.'

Tida then urges Arti to get into the carriage.

Realizing that she is close to saying goodbye, she hurriedly grabs her master's hand again.

...... I think the two of them have been in too much contact since earlier.

In front of me, who is starting to get a little irritated, Arti desperately appeals to me.

'Um, Kanami-sama, one day (...) ......!　I will definitely be able to help you, Kanami, one day: ......!　It will be after your mother has found a new family, and like Tida there, I'll help you develop 'witchcraft': ......!

'You too ......?　That's fine. You don't need to find your mom a new family, you need to find a way for the two of you to live together.

Why?　Kanami-sama should have come all the way here to find a collaborator for the development of the 'Spellcraft'!

'Why? ....... Unlike Tida, you're still small, so ......?

'A small ......?　Yeesh, I'm an adult now!　Admirable!

Arti was the same height as me and thumped his chest. Master was surprised at the reaction and went to check with Tida.

''Oh, Arti, are you an adult now?

'By Fania's standards, he's reached adulthood. Just in case.

'No, but what can I say, it looks ....... I don't feel like I can rely on you to do it for me. ......

In my value system, it doesn't matter if you're an adult or a child.

I think we should respect each person's wishes.

However, the master was trying to send Arti to a safe zone because he was a child.

I thought that was a bit pushy. Maybe it was because he was a little bit like his sister, Yotaki's sister?　I feel like I've been looking at her as an object of protection ever since I met her.

'If it's a question of height!　Not so different from Lady Tiara over there!

What, me in here?

I was puzzled when he suddenly turned the conversation around.

However, before I could, my master would answer immediately.

'Tiara is small, but she's strong. Probably the strongest of them all.

-What?

Arti is exclaiming.

Then he looked at me and didn't utter any words of denial.

For some reason, the reputation of the 'Stealers of Reason' for me is unusually high.

Sure, I'm sure I'm as good as any of them, but I wonder if I've done so much to be feared in Fania .......

'I understand, sir, ....... So, I guess I'm not strong enough ....... Then I'll be strong soon ....... I will be able to use this 'fire power' to my advantage!　Never again will you lose to an opponent like Romis!

'No, Arti. No, Arti. All I want for you is for you to be happy. You have to understand that. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been worth it to save you. ......

'So, but ......'

It's okay. You just let us take care of the rest.

'Dear Kanami: ....... Still, I--

Arti bites down and tries to continue to appeal to his master with his 'eyes', which are beginning to turn red. However, he stops his words mid-sentence and moves on to another story.

'Kanami-sama, can we meet again?'

It's ...... of course. I'll see you again. I promise.

Yes. Well, I'll see you sometime at .......

Now, Arti seemed to have swallowed what he really wanted to say.

Then, with his true feelings swallowed, he said his goodbyes.

''We'll meet again sometime. Until then, I will never forget you, Kanami-sama. Even if there is a 'curse', I will never forget her face and name. I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. Until I die - no, even if I die, I will not forget you!

It's a bit odd.

Is Arti feeling something special right now, as well as my skill 'reading'?

As I recall, Tida said that she had the skill to 'see a thousand miles ahead'. Did that skill give her some sense of the future from her master's attitude?

Yeah, thanks. ...... See you later.

'Yes. Well, I'll see you sometime, I promise, at .......

Arti repeated, ”Someday (...),” and finished his promise.

My skill 'reading' read from that desperate figure - the

”Someday (...) in the distant future, Arti Distrustus is the only one who has become the 'stealer of reason' of men. Successfully, she has moved on to a new life. However, near the end of it, as she tries to speak the words she once swallowed, she realizes All the true feelings I wanted to convey had been replaced by fire--

My thoughts and body went rigid.

It was the first time the pages had been skipped so far and only the last one had entered my mind. Of course, she couldn't say whether that ending was correct or not, since the middle was completely missing.

In the meantime, Arti sat down next to her mother in Goshodai, and the Master approached Tida.

'Ah, Tida. Lastly, about the Apostles: ......

I know. They're only five years old. I'll take that as a given. They're like babies, you know, especially the sissy ones.

'I'm not a bad person. It's just that they're different from us in a lot of ways. ......

I hear the apostle Diprakra is a skilled healer. I think it's not a bad idea to cooperate with that guy. In the meantime, I'll work with him and I'll focus on developing a 'spell' for the cure.

The master insists that the apostles waiting in the hoozeyards are his friends, and Tida agrees with him. He puts his hand on his own Noh mask's face and makes a gentle voice that is the opposite of what it once was.

'Consequently, if I can fix my face, I am also willing to forgive you all.

Tida ......!!!

Perhaps it was because his master had told him about the circumstances of the apostles, but it seemed that Tida no longer had any resentment towards the apostles.

The Master was pleased with this progress, and Tida connected hope to the future.

'...... I'm going to go over there and start all over. Like Arti, I will live again as Tida, the 'Stealer of the Dark Reason' rather than Tida of the House of Lands. ...... This time, a knight might be a good idea. As a knight of the Hoosiers, I feel like you can forgive me if I live out my life this time, betraying no one to the end.

A knight who fights fair and square.

Honestly, I thought he was the furthest thing from Tida that I had ever seen.

A knight in need of people's trust is surely not something he can do.

Realistically, Tida has no choice but to abandon trust as a thing in his life.

”The only thing that could be is 'a relationship where we know from the beginning that we can't trust each other'.

I just don't feel like I can build that kind of special 'trust' with anyone other than my kind of 'reason stealers' at all.

'Knight ......!　We're rooting for you, Tida!

But the master recommended it without any change in color. With that, at last, Tida also climbed into the Gosha-dai. Then he grabbed the reins and drove the carriage out.

He peeked out from the side of the Goshodan and spun a conversation with his master to the limit.

'Kanami, I'll leave the rest to you!　Tell her that!　I believe!　I know you can trust me with my home!

So long, Master Kanami!　Goodbye!　Some other time--!

My master and I waved back until we were out of sight of the carriage.

All the while, I was the only one wrinkling my brow. My master, who had finished seeing it off, seemed to notice and asked me why with concern.

''Tiara, what's wrong?　Are you worried about the two of you?

...... Yeah, I'm a little nervous. I'm wondering if that carriage is going to be okay.

It's a lie.

Sure, I'm worried about our future together.

But what I was more worried about was myself.

'With your abilities, you two are safe in a carriage, unlike us. The 'dark power' is good at escaping, and in times of danger, the 'fire power' can take on many opponents.

Yes. ......

”The two of you will make it to the Hoosier's safely,” he reads with skill.

And it's that sense of being able to read that has been puzzling me for some time now.

I can feel the rapid evolution of the skill of reading. But it was very difficult to handle the fact that even if I could read ahead, I didn't know why.

'Yup, it's okay!　Well then, let's go back into town. The director's waiting for you.

'Huh. ....... Tiara, you should learn her name for good. Besides, she's a lord and not a rector anymore.

Yeah, that's right. You know, I'm not very good at remembering people's names.

I'm going back to Fania with me and my mentor.

I had a lot on my mind, but I have no intention of making a mistake in my priorities.

To be frank, the story of the Stealers of Reason was - for me - not that important. I honestly don't care about what I'm going to do to remake Fanja.

The only thing that is important to me at the moment is ”The Gentiles”.

The two ”Gentiles”, not ”the one who steals the truth”, are the main plot of my story.

I walk on, reaffirming that.

How can I use this evolved skill to protect my master and understand my sister Yotaki? Leaving behind the dark future I read from Tida and Arti, I continue to think about it alone.