472 467. Beastman.txt (1/2)

The streets of the long-awaited ”Final Festival” were alive with activity even in the morning.

Laughter echoed here and there, and fireworks constantly shot off into the blue sky.

Sera and I came out of an alleyway, changed out of our cloak hoods into animal masks, and joined the festivities.

Then the owners of the stalls say, ”Welcome! I was repeatedly greeted with the pleasant greeting, ”I'm sorry, I don't know what to say.

As we pass children wearing masks, we hear them sharing information in the way only children can: ”Which stall's food was the best” and ”Masks from the other country are cooler”.

Couples sitting on the couches provided were happily filling out their date plans for the day, asking ”Where should we go to the next event?

They should have been making a lot of noise all night.

And yet, instead of knowing that the Allies were tired, they were getting more lively.

Partly due to the influence of the 'magic stone line' (line) that faintly emitted light at my feet, my cheeks naturally broke into a smile.

I had worked really hard to rebuild this far.

It was a great sense of accomplishment to not only see the results, but to feel them with my ears and skin.

It wasn't a reward for that, but I would stop by any available food stall and buy some. I shifted the masks that were supposed to be used for disguise upwards and threw them in my mouth as I walked.

It's part of my strategy.

We are now heading into the labyrinth, but we no longer have any foul 'possessions' for us.

We can't safely hold our food, so we have to gobble it up to the limit.

I talk to my companion while swallowing a mouthful of food.

''Ngg. ...... Sera, I'm going to ask you one last time, are you sure you want to do this?　If we wait like this, though, there's a good chance that only Rastiara will come back.

Knight Sera Raydiant.

Unlike me, Sera-san was firmly wearing a beast mask.

When she heard that confirmation, she goes on to say back in a disheartening manner.

''I am a knight of Lady Rustyala. Therefore, I only think and act for the benefit of the Lady. ...... At all times, Kanami has been my enemy.

However, as I know her face a few days ago, I can't take her words to heart. At any rate, for the past two months, Sera-san has been a person who only talks about her memories of the young lady and--and Kanami--every time I see her, so I blurted out.

''...... You were Kanami's favorite knight until just recently.

Oh, that's it!

Sera, who had an idea of what she was getting from me, turned back to me, her voice hoarse on the road.

When I thought she was going to take off her mask and shout at any moment, she patted down her teasing shoulder and nodded.

'Yes, ....... Indeed, I was going to live to die as a Kanami knight. However, that new Lord Kanami did not believe in me at all. He hid from me the true purpose of the ”End of the Season Festival” and even lied to me proudly, saying ”In this chest, Rastiara will be there”. ...... absolutely unacceptable.

While explaining, he let his quiet anger build up.

With that anger, Sera continues to talk.

This case reminded me of the fact that Kanami was that kind of person from the moment we met. He absentmindedly kidnapped the young lady and hid her whereabouts, then pushed forward alone to ...... ruin himself on his own. He is really a troublesome man. How many times I would have cut you down if you were not a lover of the young lady.

All lies.

Unlike us, Sera doesn't have any ”Kanami saved my life” or ”changed my life” at all. She doesn't ”get tricked by Kanami's face” or ”get caught up in the air of heroism” that most people fall for, and she genuinely likes Kanami's personality only.

So, stare.

As I stare at her suspiciously, Sera-san rushes to continue.

''So, all I want is for 'Miss and Kanami to be together'. Or rather, from our side, Snow-sama is the one I'm worried about, if she betrays you in the process.

'What, me!　That's because I tried to monopolize Kanami at first, but ....... I'm not alone anymore. Doragonyu, I won't lie to you.

'I don't know. I know you well as a child in my work. I also know exactly how you have a habit of saying good things and then throwing them out at the end, don't I?

'That was when I was a kid!　Not now, no!

We have many doubts about each other.

But we also breathe well together.

Until today, Sera-san and I have had a relationship with each other as 'best friends of best friends (Rustyala)'. But now, we have completely exceeded that framework.

We were friends who trusted each other.

And it wasn't just the girlfriend next to me who felt the bond of companionship.

She turned back and looked up at the sky in the distance.

Not only the world tree in the labyrinth, but also the cathedral on the hill behind us was luminescent.

I can also feel a good breeze flowing over here.

Having confirmed the existence of my reassuring companion (Dia), I increase my walking speed.

'Really, you've been through a lot, including as a child and a year ago, Sera. ...... That's why we have to really work hard today. Maria punched a hole in the labyrinth and Dia was the bait. Let's go get a good part of it ourselves.

From now on, we are going to the ”deepest part” of the labyrinth.

I haven't explored the labyrinth of my own volition since I was a child.

When I was a child, I was a self-confident person, and there were many times when I tried to hide and hide by myself - failing and failing and failing, in the true sense of the word, I was alone.

But now I have Sera next to me. Dia is behind me, and Maria is ahead of me. What's more, that variously funny Rustyala would have read this story of ours with only persistence, even in death: .......

That feeling seems to be the same for Sera next to me.

'Yes, let's go get it, Snow-sama. We will aim, conquer and reach the 'deepest' part of the labyrinth on our own. In order to weave a more wonderful story with you all--

With some pretentious dialogue, we finish passing through the hustle and bustle of the festival.

What awaited us at the end of the walk was a shining path that led to the labyrinth.

It was the beginning of the labyrinth, the ”path of righteousness”, which was based on the ”Magical Stone Line”.

When you get to this point, the number of buildings has decreased drastically, and there are facilities and heavy security lined up as only a labyrinth can in front of a labyrinth.

However, it's not that there are no ordinary people at all.

I could see a few tourists and couples touring the luminescent Great Tree here and there.

Sera and I don't look up at that new specialty of the confederacy, but instead we walk forward, looking only at the entrance to the labyrinth.

The movement was a bit noticeable, as it was against the flow of people. When it was only a few hundred meters to the labyrinth entrance, they were stopped by a guard knight who was looking around.

''...... What's up?　No one is allowed to enter beyond this point. If you want to see the big glowing tree, I recommend watching it from a high place. Let's see, ......, you can get in there for free.

Then he looked in the direction we'd come from and pointed to a tall building that we could see from here.

He's a nice guy.

I want to fool around and go through with it somehow.

However, the man who seemed to be a priestess who was following behind the knight makes his voice tremble.

''Oh, hey.''

I put my hand on the shoulder of the knight who was pointing at me and tried to tell him.

Apparently, he had been instructed to check the 'status' of all those approaching the labyrinth.

''That's the one we're searching for now, Sno--''

The moment my name went out, Sera-san next to me had begun to silently 'beastify' her entire body.

Her cloak (cloak) was still intact, but the clothes she was wearing were tearing off.

I wordlessly jumped on her large back as she was being transformed.

We had decided to prepare ourselves, and at the same time as the ”beastification” was completed, we ran out.

Naturally, the pair of knights and priests tried to stop that sprint, but

Lady Snow!

Hold on!

Sera's huge body, which had turned into a wolf with beautiful fur, easily jumped over their heads.

He also attached his feet to the 'right-of-way' prepared by the 'magic stone line' (line) and swiftly ran through the intervals of the tourists.

At this point, he was no longer a prowler, but an outlaw.

The knights who were patrolling around us noticed us and shouted one after another to get us to stop. But with the violence of their 'speed' status, they ignore all of that. Even if there were those who were able to react to that 'speed' and those who stood in the 'right path', that's--.

The Dragon's Wind.

He released the wind from the palm of his hand, blowing it away and not letting it get any closer.

After a few seconds, they crushed through the hundreds of meters and reached the crowd in front of the labyrinth entrance.

It's the main camp of the knights guarding it.

A blockade by a crowd of people is in place to defend the labyrinth entrance to the death.

There are about fifty knights who are moving around busily, just by looking around lightly.

However, I can see the disruption in the leadership of those fifty people because I was the acting commander-in-chief for a time.

With the appearance of Dia in the cathedral, a realignment of forces is in the process of being reorganized.

There is a change in morale. The unrest is spreading.

I wouldn't say it's short-handed, but a definite gap has been created.

We have no hesitation in exploiting that gap, and we are straight ahead.

With a nice breeze that pushes us back, Sera's huge wolf body leaps over people's heads and scrambles.

With its wide strides, one, two, three steps--

Ahead of the gaze.

The entrance to the cavernous labyrinth was intertwined with over a hundred chains, constructing a pseudo-iron wall.

Furthermore, a man stood against that iron wall.

One of the Seven Celestial Knights of Heaven, a white-haired, mature knight named Hopes Jokul.

Already, Hopes has noticed us approaching.

''Geez ....... All hands, brace yourselves!

He reacts fast.

He has already finished drawing his sword.

However, even the surrounding knights haven't been able to react.

Sera and I both prepared to make contact with them at this rate.

Hopes shouts while holding his sword at the upper level.

''d*mn it!　Why do you choose your uncle's place?

I know what you mean.

There were other loosely guarded labyrinthine entrances that were in charge of a few matching newcomers.

Nevertheless, there are many reasons why I chose this entrance to the Hoosier's Country.

Among them, the most important reason is--.

'Uncle Hopes!　Rastiara told me to turn to you if I needed help!

As I replied, I also held the great sword Brave Florite at the upper level with one hand.

Instantly, Hopes' eyes widened.

''----?''

And then the swords raised by each other were swung down, sharp and fast.

At that moment, I had a fierce smile on my face.

Hopes swears, surprised.

''Seriously? Seriously--'

I repeated in a small way.

It was an intermingling that didn't take a moment's notice, and yet he seemed to be very happy, even if he was swallowing.

Did he not think that Rustyala trusted him that much? Or maybe he remembered Rustyala's face as a newborn in the cathedral four years ago.

Whatever it was, Hopes was lost.

His sword became loose, warm, and light - and then I shouted mercilessly.

'Thank you!　--Impulse!

Guh, uh--

The moment the sword made contact with the sword, instead of smashing it, I shed a magical shock.

I mercilessly paid Hopes, whose entire body was stiffened by the attributeless vibration, right beside me with the belly of the great sword.

As if dispatched by a broom, Hopes flew into the crowd of knights.

Good.

I'd heard that he was a pro at stalling and deceiving, so I changed what was really ”If you're in trouble, extort Hopes” to ”If you're in trouble, turn to Hopes”, and it seemed to have worked.

He was pretty lax about it, and I was able to defeat him with just two blows.

Now we can enter the labyrinth.

This one remains completely unharmed.

No wear and tear.

One step closer to the point where everything seemed like it was the best time.

So--.

「「「「「--《Invisible Ice Room》」」」」」

A high, young but heavy, thick, layered voice sounded.

Suddenly, a pale blue magic power spread out and filled my vision.

''--Kuch.''

As soon as I recognized it, I was about to release the 'Dragon Wind' with all my strength.

Sera-san also put all her strength into her legs, trying to penetrate the new pale blue magic power.

But neither of us would be able to make it.

We're almost there.

One more step and we stop at the point where we are in the labyrinth.

With a snap.

The momentum so far.

The sprint, the sword, the speed, everything.

It was as if time had stopped, and I was made to stand still.

The sudden stop sent a shock through my entire body. And the two of us, me and Sera, who look as if we are stopped in a running pretend (pantomime) - as if we are stopped.

I only move my eyeballs and stare at the cause.

To the right.

Hidden in the shadows of the confused knights, a familiar group of 'Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' was praying.

Hiding their faces with special masks (visors) are the elites under the direct control of the Primordial Kanami, who must have been working in the lowest level of the cathedral.

The girls chanted the magic name in a circle.

The Invisible Iceroom.

The Invisible Ice Room

The Invisible Iceroom

It's not a magic I don't know about.

I had heard from human biographies that there was such an interrogation magic.

That magic is being looped and resonated.

That's not all. Furthermore, that innately deep faith is the 'price' for that innate faith, and the amount of magical power each person has is extraordinary.

A single person's prayer of dedicating his body and soul to God is comparable to a demon's return. All of them neatly overlap, fit together, and become the spirit of the tree.