402 399. Keep running, keep running.txt (2/2)

My friend Serdra screams and runs over to me.

This man is the biggest obstacle for me as a poor dexterity.

There is no affinity or weakness in The One Who Steals the Reason of Nothingness. The only way to win is to simply surpass Seldra's physical strength and magic amount.

''Get out of my way!

----?

Serdra sensed the danger and took a defensive stance.

That's where I'm going to tap into all of the white rainbow magic power I have. It only swept away magic power that hadn't gained a magical form, but if you quantify it, it's an amount that lightly exceeds ten digits. The magic power of the 《Revan》 was like a flood, swallowing up Seldora's huge body.

There would be no damage.

But with this, the enclosure between the three of them would completely collapse.

''Hitaki-chan!

He grabbed his celestial sword Noah and took one more step towards the remaining one.

He kicked the floor in a dying attempt, because this was the last step.

''............''

Without saying a word, Hitaki holds the ice blade in place.

Instead of moving it with magic, she uses 'swordsmanship' relative to me. However, I can tell from her calm expression that it's not an act of personal danger, but only a courtesy to a determined me.

--The swords cross each other.

The 'Heavenly Sword Noah' slid down the side of the ice blade as if it were grinding.

The two types of swords shimmer, and the last moment passes.

Naturally, Hitaki's ice blade had pierced into my chest.

Even though it was a fatal wound, there was no pain in the wound. Nor was there the heat characteristic of bleeding. My blood was frozen by the ice blade cooling me down.

However, the cutting edge of my 'Heavenly Sword Noah' had also properly reached Hitaki-chan.

It touched Hitaki-chan's neck with a snap.

My 'swordsmanship' that converged from the 'line' certainly exceeded Hitaki-chan's 'swordsmanship'.

In that situation, Hitaki-chan still speaks calmly.

''Aren't you going to swing it out?''

I listen in a small voice and I answer in a small voice.

'I won't shake it out ....... I just wanted to talk to Hitaki 'as an equal' at the end of the day. ......

Apparently, even if there is a hole in my body, I can at least make my throat tremble with magic 《Growth Extended》. It may simply be that my 'make-believe' body is specialized for this kind of situation (when).

'What's the time to talk about ......?　If you don't kill me, you will die. You will die.

With a gulp, Hitaki's hand holding the blade of ice became stronger.

I'm frozen, but the deadly wound in my chest is spreading.

However, I still don't move. The 'Chanting' ends with a verse.

Just like Kanami, I want to have a 'discussion' even if I die. And I want to help somehow.

That will of mine runs through the white 'thread' and is accurately conveyed to Hitaki without misunderstanding or discrepancy.

...... But if you die, it's over, Rustyala. Even though you and your brother were bonded together, it's only been ...... a few days. After just these few days, it will be the end, right?　You can't be talking to me.

'It's only been a few days ....... But for the past few days we've certainly been bonded, happy, and fulfilled.

I don't think it was short.

Rather, it was long.

My life has been very long. But now I have the satisfaction of knowing that my life has been very long.

'All that contentment is 'made up'. You are not fulfilled, nor does it follow after death, nor is it the same as tiara. If you die now, there will be nothing left of Las Tiaras Fuzzyards. I'm only four years old, and I'm dead. --I'm not going to lie. You're just a convenient fiction to your mother. Of course, it's convenient for me, too: ......

Hitaki continues to advise me, as if in repentance.

Watching her, I become convinced that I was not the wrong person to help after all.

I drop the sword in my hand and touch Hitaki-chan's cheek with both hands.

'Sure, I was a 'made up' ....... But I had a lot of fun. No, I think it was fun because I was 'make-believe'. 'I' like to create anyway. ......

Touching and caressing where 'I' couldn't reach a thousand years ago.

I've always wanted to do this.

Once Ragne-chan almost killed me and I saw a lot of memories and thought a lot about it - but in the end, I think I was fighting for this much.

'So I'm grateful to you to the hilt. I was happier than anyone else because of the books your mother and Hitaki made for me. Because I was born a 'fictional' person, I was able to become Kanami's 'one and only' person. We'll always be together, Kanami and I--

In the midst of all the 'make-believe', that love is the only 'real thing' that even the 'world' recognizes.

I am rewarded for my love of royal (goofy) theatre with just one page that says

...... No, it can't be (...) all the time. Unlike you, who were only in love with each other for a few days, I will now spend 'forever' with my brother. So the days spent with the four family members, the days spent with Lake Nagi-san, the days spent with Tiara, and the days spent with you will all be painted over. They will fade away and will surely disappear from your brother. ...... So much more than I wanted, absolutely.

Hitaki kept shaking her head. While talking about the future where her own wishes are fulfilled and she can monopolize her brother, she continues to deny it somewhat anxiously. So I kept stroking both of her cheeks and--

Kanami won't forget.

...... No, I forget. My brother is forgetful.

I'm proud of Kanami at all costs.

But Hitaki has an immediate answer too.

'I will never, ever pretend it never happened.

Pretend it never happened. He has a habit of running away. He's that kind of person.

Kanami will win. Even against Hitaki.

'I will not win. Your brother has never beaten me in any way.

Because Kanami is ...... my 'hero' (hero).

Because you're ...... 'my', ...... hero?

Hitaki repeated the words - 'still'.

That's the only thing that doesn't seem to be easy to swallow, and after wandering her gaze somewhat, she stared at my face. Then, he extinguishes the ice blade.

''Ugh, ugh--!

I grunt as the ice that would have been constructed with magic 《ice》 disappears.

The cold air fizzles out, and not only has the freeze on my chest been lifted. Blood gushes out of the wound, as if the frozen time has melted away. A sharp pain runs through the wound, making it hot as if it were on fire.

Hitaki takes a step back.

He turns away from my hands as if to escape, looks away and shows me his back.

'It's your personal choice to believe ....... If that makes you happy, I will support you. ...... Goodbye, 'The Last Tiara'.

The blade of ice that had been supporting my body at its limit disappeared and I had to fall forward.

I couldn't get up because I had overworked my legs with the intention of taking the last step. A hole in my body, which was not even in good shape for free, and everything that had been taut from it slipped away.

-- I will never be able to get up again.

But I'm satisfied that I was able to finally reach out to Hitaki, pet him, and talk to him.

Limbs going numb. My five senses are getting clouded. My consciousness is becoming fuzzy.

The only thing I can clearly feel is the gaze from the 'break'.

This is the second time.

So I was very calm.

With all the strength I had left, I raised my body on my back and looked up.

Finally, the 'starry sky' - I continue to look at Kanami.

My vision is filled with light, and a talking voice reaches my ears.

'Yotaki, won't you put a stop to this ......?'

The blown up Seldora comes back and speaks with Hitaki.

''If you leave her alone, she will surely die. She doesn't have the strength to resist the 'curse' anymore. Above all, she won't run away. She won't run away and give me .......

Sure, you're probably already sure about that ......, but that one?

Serdra was sincerely wondering at that reply.

Even if I'm right before I die from the 'curse', my body has an extraordinary magic power from the 'Revan' and 'Line'.

He doesn't seem to understand why they want to leave me alone.

''More importantly, Ragne Kaikwola has now disappeared at the 'summit'. We need to hurry and pick him up. I don't want to give your brother any unnecessary ties before I make the world stand still.

Without answering the question, Hitaki-chan nonchalantly proceeded to tell the next story.

''--So you'll go downstairs. As planned, we'll split up. I'll freeze my brother alone.

Then he started to walk.

The sound of his light footsteps, as if he were going for a walk, made Serdra frustrated but not opposed.

'You're right, it's all planned ....... Surprisingly, nothing has deviated from the 'prophecy'. There was no such thing as a transitional process that didn't exist. The outcome hasn't changed.

That's what I mean. The fight with her now is as good as nothing, because the future is still the same. Because, still, nothing has changed in the future. Everything is still ...... in my hands (stuff). So, I'm ...... to my brother, and I'm quick ...... to my brother.

The magic is built.

It's Kanami's specialty, the Connection, a dimensional magic.

Opening that magic door, Hitaki-chan passes through.

''--I'm going to see my brother.

After saying that, Hitaki left the first floor of Fuzzyards Castle.

And the three people left behind were the fallen Fafner, me, and Seldora, who was standing there.

--The three of us were left, and the fight was over.

It was over, but I believe we fought much better than we expected.

When I was able to touch and talk to Hitaki-chan, there was definitely a sense that I was moving and pulling before the 'thread'.

'Hmmm. ......'

I was happy.

But instead, I was completely unable to move anymore.

I was left to wait for death, and there was nothing to do but check my body.

The blood won't stop bleeding from the wound that pierced my chest. It's as if the damage (damage) that had accumulated inside due to the reckless way of fighting was just pouring out.

Even if you have enough magic power, your recovery magic hasn't caught up with you. It's not that I don't like the idea of it, it's just that the magical power that is overflowing is creating a crack in my vessel. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

It's like Hitaki-chan said, I'm not going to be able to save myself for sure.

I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.

I've never seen the ...... now yang-taki. A replica of a tiara - no, a Las Tiara. You're strong.

Then he sat down close to me and held his knees.

He doesn't look like he's resting from battle damage. Nor does she seem to be catching her breath. Just that Seldra was sitting and looking up, stunned.

To his dismay, he had skipped Hitaki's ”You go down” instruction. Seldora, at least, didn't seem intent on obeying as honestly as a knight. Serdra continues to stare at the light of the 'summit' with me, visible from the ground.

But I can't sit idly by and watch it forever.

-- Suddenly, the castle's cold air intensified.

Furthermore, Hoozeyards Castle shook greatly.

Even just the first floor was on the verge of collapsing in a fierce battle. The entire castle's lifespan was quickly shortened by the earthquake. The dust falling from the cracks in the ceilings and walls increased many times over.

--A new battle has just begun at the top.

The only people who can fight properly in this Hoosier's Castle are Seldora here - Kanami and Hitaki.

I wasn't the only one who understood the two fighting. Seldora next to me asks me for my prediction for the battle at the 'summit' like a carefree friend.

'Are you betting on Kanami to win ......?'

Perhaps he is likely to be watching the 'summit' with some kind of magic. In his narrowed eyes, I'm sure he can see Kanami's inferiority complex now.

But I nodded without hesitation and asked the opposite question.

'...... you are?'

Unlike me, Seldra cannot answer immediately when asked.

She turns her narrowed eyes to me. Then, after looking at Fafner, who is lying on this first floor, he slowly utters his prediction.

''I'm ......, and I know that no one can beat [Aikawa Yotaki].

Then, following the instructions of that undefeated Lord, he makes his move.

He performed 'Dragonization' and spread the wings of a dragon from his back.

However, unlike before, it is different in size. Apparently, Serdra can play with mass. Next, he covered his arms with dragon scales and swelled them up to nearly five times the size of an ordinary person, then grabbed my body with one hand.

Fortunately, there was no decent sensation left in me as much as the wound seemed to hurt. Seldora's hand, which was no longer a claw, grabbed me and took me away.

Serdra flaps her wings and with a single leap, she dives into the central stairwell.

She doesn't use the spiral staircase, but continues to speak as she drops downward.

'Soon, you will die ....... As planned, the castle will collapse, crushed by the rubble, and you will surely die. But here...

Just before the landing, the momentum of the fall was dampened by the 'dragon wind'.

Light as a dancing petal, Serdra softly planted her feet on the lowest level where the World Tree had taken root.

''This Hoosier's basement is special. Due to the nature of the 'yarn', it is outside of Yotaki's reading. It won't change the ...... ending, but it will buy us some time. Debris is hard to fall on.

Then he gently lets my body lie down on the dirt ground.

I can tell from his lines that he has chosen a place to pay his respects to my death. As it is, Serdra approaches the largest tree in the world - the 'World Tree' - and speaks to it.

''--I'm here to greet you, Diprakra.''

An overly high-pitched voice arose from Seldra's dragon-scaled throat.

Its vibrations crawled across my skin and then travelled to the surface of the World Tree. And all of its characteristic countless red leaves turned green.

Towards the World Tree, which had lost the protection of Fafner's 'blood', Seldora thrust his bloated dragon claws into the World Tree with great force. He moves his arm to explore the interior for a few seconds and then pulls it out. In his hands, an old man's body was settled in his hands.

It was the third 'Apostle' Diprakra, the third 'Apostle' that Lady Tiara had remembered.

'...... last. You and I can talk alone.

With that, Serdra grabbed the Apostle Diprakra and moved his wings to return to the path he had just fallen down.

I gave a small ”thank you” as she flew away with the ”dragon wind” on her back and watched her go.

............

Lying on my back on the lowest level of Hoozeyards Castle, I am alone and continue to bleed.

There is an uncommon rumbling of the earth from above, and pebbles fall with a crunch.

There is no other sound.

I'm the only sound of the creature's breathing.

So I know that my breath is gradually getting thinner and thinner.

I am left at the bottom of the earth, like a grave, at the point of death.

But I don't miss it. Rather, I'm finally - at last.

'Hey ......, still ....... Are you listening ......?

I can talk to you in a relaxed manner.

There's no one to talk to on this lowest level. I'm going to die alone. But I shake my throat.