Vol 4 Chapter 3 (2/2)

”Because if we're forced to confront the fact that the souls are no longer, what exactly are we supposed to pray to? It's extreless”

”Ariella”

”That's why you should go to Firill Words that cannot be conveyed to the dead can only be confided to the living”

Ariella smiled sorrowfully then took my hand and led me out of the room

”Then I' on you, Mononobe-kun”

Ariella gave my shoulder a pat then was about to return to her room

”Ariella, are you okay?”

But I orried about her too, so I asked her fro

”Oh Yeah, don't worry about o It's way in the past To me, the hardshi+p after that was much worse”

”After that?”

”Basically the ti to Midgard I'll be very happy if you care aboutto listen to my story e have time in the future”

Ariella showed a bit of vulnerability in her eyes while she spoke

”Yes, I promise you”

”—Thank you, Mononobe-kun, you're so nice”

Ariella blushed happily and thanked me Her expression moved me

The path she had trodden in life so far seeine

If only I could help her somehow

With such thoughts, I made my way to Firill

Walking down the stairs, I found a door leading to the courtyard and opened it

Instantly, cold wind of the night blew, forcinghere for extended periods would catch a cold

Anyway, I went for the fountain in order to bring Firill back indoors

The center of the fountain was decorated with a bronze statue of a girl playing with birds Perhaps because it was late at night, the fountain's water was not flowing

I saw Firill kneeling next to the fountain, her shoulders tre

Since she did not react even when my footsteps approached, I took off my suit jacket, the one I had worn at the banquet, and draped it over Firill's shoulders

”It's very cold here, let's go inside”

”Mononobe-kun?”

Firill looked up to stare at

”I know you are very sad, but you're going to catch a cold at this rate”

I placed my hand on her shoulder and spoke but she shook her head

”I don't care”

”Firill”

Just as I hesitated, wondering what I should do, Firill asked me quietly

”This fountain's statue, what does it look like to you?”

”Huh? It looks like a girl playing with birds”

Despite feeling perplexed, I answered hat I saw

”Let ard, Grandfather ordered it ht?”

Firill spoke in a hoarse voice and smiled stiffly

”No—now that you er than your current look, I can still tell vaguely”

”Really? I still think it looks like someone else However, what I'm curious about is Is this how I look in Grandfather's eyes?”

Firill silently stared at the irandfather's eyes

”But There's no way to confir is possible now Until the very end, I did nothing more than enjoy Grandfather's protection”

With intense chagrin in her voice, Firill lowered her head again

”Being protected isn't a bad thing, right?”

Saying that, I put more force in my hand on her shoulder

”Huh?”

”I'hter, he didn't need any reasons or calculations He protected just because he wanted to protect Until the very end, even as a soul, he still acted according to these feelings Were I in his shoes, I'd definitely have no regrets”

Firill glanced sideways at htly The white breath scattered in the wind

”I think putting it that way has nothing to do with my wish”

”Yeah, you're right if you take the extreme view But so-called protection, in a certain sense, is a one-sided action to begin with It's there regardless of the receiver's wishes”

”That's way too sad, never considering the feelings of the one who is protected”

”Maybe, but there are people who only kno to protect in that way”

While saying this, I felt a stabbing pain in the depths of my heart

I was probably like that To protect Mitsuki and Iris, I had paid a terrible price

That was self-satisfaction without caring about the other side The result of that was I had deceived Mitsuki and hurt Iris

”Mononobe-kun, you're terrible If Grandfather is satisfied Then”

”No, crying for yourself is nothing bad It's just that—You should do it somewhere warmer”

In as gentle a tone as possible, I urged her to go indoors

”Got it, then I'll cry sohtly warmer”

Firill nodded but she hugged me directly

”What!? F-Firill?”

”If it's in your euess I'm allowed to cry?”

Firill had her arainst my chest

Things happened too suddenly, surprising ht of her tre shoulders restored calmness in my heart

”—Yeah”

I gave her an affirmative answer and placed my hand on her head

While I was coers, she wept silently

Earlier, when the principal was stroking s back then were like I was being acknowledged, being accepted

Hence, I wanted to reassure Firill too, so I gently stroked her head continuously

My shoulders felt cold because I had lenther, my front side was very warm

Feeling the night wind against me like this, I listened to her quiet sobs

After a while, the sobbing stopped Rubbing her eyes, Firill looked up

”Mononobe-kun The tip of your nose is red”

”Yeah, because it's quite chilly On the other hand, your eyes are very red”

”Then that ht?”

”I guess”

”Fufu—”

Firill smiled and separated from me

”Thank you, I've calht a cold, Mononobe-kun, so let's return”

Firill held ers and walked towards the palace

However—

”!”

She suddenly ainst the vicinity of her left shoulder

”What's wrong?”

”I don't know, it suddenly feels scorching—”

Firill pulled her dress away from her shoulder to check out the location of the syliaze ahen I heard her go ”eh”

Firill's dragon htly yellow

”Don't tell me”

Unable to believe the sight before roaned hoarsely

Just at that ht wind

”I guessed this would happen”

Kili eed from the shadows under neatly trimmed trees

”How long have you been there”

”I just arrived I saw you two flirting from theCurious, I came over to have a look”

”We weren't flirting”

”Now isn't the tiht? I believe the color change of her dragon ht now”

I kneithout needing her to point that out, but I just needed a bit of time to calm down

”This phenoon's eye?”

Looking at the partial color change of Firill's dragon mark, I asked Kili

”Yes, that's exactly it And since it's the sa her Hraesvelgr probably found its suitable mate, the real one, not an imitation like me, and it happened earlier at that place”

Kili answered with a heavy tone of self-deprecation

”What do r too?”

”My dragon th”

”Modified? Don't tell me—”

That was so possible only for Kili's creator, Vritra But I could not bring that up in front of Firill, so I stopped mid-sentence

”Yes, it's basically what you iine Hence, I'm an imitation, in all sorts of ways”

Kili spoke ly

”Kili”

”Don't look at me with those eyes The one you should pity currently should be her, whoht?”

Kili keenly noticed the shred of pity in my heart and pointed impatiently at Firill

”Mate huh? Then Hraesvelgr will still—”

”Once her dragon ain In Tia's case, the dragon e color couessing that she cannot bein color”

”Ten hours”

The color change was already in progress so the tiht be even shorter

If it started from the encounter earlier, there was only six hours or so re in the worst case

Hraesvelgr fleay despite getting interested in Firill, probably because the preparations for Firill to become its mate had not finished

Speaking of which, it was the same for Iris too Between her initial report of symptoap

”I've been chosen by Hraesvelgr—”

Firill was staring at her dragon mark in shock

”Okay, ill you do? Have a reainst? Or”

Kili stared coldly at me

”Anyway, I have to report this to shi+nomiya-sensei and Mitsuki first Then we'll talk about what's next”

Without thinking about the worst option, I accompanied the two of them back into the palace

We first went to find shi+nomiya-sensei but it looked like she was not back yet, so I knocked on Mitsuki's door

”—Co Eh? Nii-san? With Firill-san and Kili-san? It see happened?”

Seeing our unusual vibes, Mitsuki showed a solemn expression and invited us into her room She was probably in the ress on her tablet's screen on a table in the room

Mitsuki was dressed in her usual unifor

”Firill's dragon ed color”

After this opening line, I explained the current situation including what I had heard from Kili

Firill returned es had started to change color

”I see now That explains why—”

Mitsuki spoke with a grim expression

”Explains what?”

”shi+no in the Principality's outskirts Due to that, air traffic has been blocked off completely”

”In other words, escaping is iht from the start And reinforcements cannot come either”

In any case, I did not think Midgard or NIFL couldnow

”Right, so we have to handle it here”

Mitsuki answered gravely but Kili spoke up in response

”Clearly nothing works no matter what you do May I ask how exactly do you intend to handle it?”

”Indeed, our attacks cannot even harr, but that battle was not coanizing the report and I have also added my own analysis to the content”

Mitsuki moved over to the tablet at the table then continued:

”There are two noteworthy phenor at all And the fact that what appeared to be theAlbert's soul was able to touch Hraesvelgr”

Mitsuki raised two fingers and displayed a photo of Hraesvelgr on the screen Since this was inside the castle hall, it was probably taken by shi+nomiya-sensei

I thought back and agreed shi+elding Firill behind hir Before that, all our attacks were futile noaway Hraesvelgr's beak, attracting its attention and stopping the monster's attack

”Antimatter did not cause an annihilation reaction, which r's body is so that cannot be defined as matter And the so-called soul is precisely a concept that does not exist in physical laws While searching for a hypothesis capable of explaining these phenomena, I found one that matched”

Saying that, Mitsuki switched the information shown on the screen

It was a paper titled ”Unidentified Mediating Particle for Causing the Manifestation of Souls” with the author's na Miyazawa Kenya

”According to this hypothesis, Hraesvelgr's ability is to produceparticles to manifest the spirit—defined as 'ether wind' Since spirit bodies, which use ible form, do not follow the rules of this world, all kinds of interference will not work”

Mitsuki turned the pages and continued to explain It sounded like the same hypothesis as the one I heard from Ariella

”It looks like Hraesvelgr, whose appearance is a golden bird, is the manifestation of a spirit body That is why our attacks do not work yet King Albert is able to touch it, seeing as both are spirit bodies”

At this point, Mitsuki turned her gaze away from the screen and looked at her hands

”Back ere engulfed by golden particles, the reason ere unable to move was probably because we possess material bodies”

”What do you mean?”

Unable to link those phenoether, I tilted my head in puzzlement

”Because our spirit is inside the flesh, one could speculate that even if the spirit manifests, it is still in a state sealed inside the body”

”In other words There's no way to interfere with Hraesvelgr unless the spirit leaves the body to become a purely spiritual existence?”

”Indeed, according to this theory However, you can also say that we are protected by our bodies If we fought as spirits, ould surely have ended up like King Albert—”

Perhaps in consideration of Firill, Mitsuki stopped mid-sentence

Indeed, a hur Predator and prey—the gap was too large between them

”What is this? So the result is still no solution”

Kili sighed in exasperation

”Well Indeed, there is no concrete plan at theas there is a hypothesis, it should be possible to take countermeasures”

Mitsuki glared at Kili and retorted

But at this , spoke up

”That hypothesis—Ariella nized because there's no way to apply it”

”F-Firill-san But—”

Mitsuki was at a loss for words but still wanted to argue However, Firill cut her off

”I am prepared”

Clenching her fist, despite tre shoulders, she was about to voice the worst option

”If there's no solution, I'll—”

”Hold on!”

I yelled acutely and grabbed Firill's shoulders

”At least I still have a ht come up with an effective battle plan next, so don't jump to conclusions so hastily”

I persuade her in a strong tone of voice Firill answered with tre lips

”This verbal reassurance—”

”It's not verbal reassurance I' the truth There are other possibilities, so I won't give up”

After declaring that clearly, I turned to face Mitsuki

”This is sioes for you, Mitsuki, don't give up until the very end Even if you can't think of a single plan, I'll still find a solution”

”Nii-san”

Mitsuki's eyes wavered, showing uneasiness

Meanwhile, Kili watched us as though she had so to say

Part 4

Since the plans had to be e, Mitsuki kept Firill in her room and ordered us to rest until further instructions

In order for everyone else to fight at full strength when Hraesvelgr attacked, Mitsuki looked like she did not intend to wake them up until battle plans were decided

Kili and I went to the corridor I started walking back to my room and Kili followed me

”—Since you still have an ace up your sleeve, why didn't you use it when I was in a crisis?”

I heard Kili's voice by my ear when I stopped in front of my room

The bitter sense of guilt in my heart akened once more

”To me, it's a last resort that I'd avoid as much as possible But I was immobilized before I realized there was no other way Even if I wanted to use it, I couldn't”

I felt like I was looking for excuses, answering while avoiding eye contact with Kili

”I see, and what's the reason for avoiding it?”

”Because I'll probably become even less like myself than now”

””

Hearing my brief answer, Kili fell silent

”Sorry, I'ive any details”

”Very well, I believe you It's just that if that's the case—You don't have to force yourself, right?”

”Huh?”

Kili's suggestion was unexpected

”I'er matters to me If your final resort is of that nature, then it's only natural you won't use it to protect me, because what everyone should protect most is themselves”

”Well”

”You people seem to think that the only two options are to either defeat Hraesvelgr or kill the girl, but I believe there is also the path of living as a dragon At least, I don't think it's a bad option”

”Unlike you, rather than becoon, we—”

”You prefer to die? Really? Is there anything in this world ?”

Kili's words stabbed me in the chest

”Perhaps not, but we're the ones to decide what's important to us”

”I suppose that's a kind of truth too Sorry for saying souess I'm still a bit miffed That 'I'll still find a solution' from you—If possible, I really wished I'd heard it fro my crisis”

Kili sentle

”Move forward in theBecause no matter what path you take, no matter what you lose In the end, I believe you'll surely turn into the existence I hope for”

Kili s what sounded like a riddle to me

”What are you expecting from my existence?”

Watching her as she left, I muttered quietly to myself

If she was using us to protect her fror's attack, then there was no point for her to stay here anyard despite knowing her freedom would be taken away?

Her true intentions were unreadable I pondered while waiting for her to disappear fro to my room, I went to Iris' room next door

If the battle against Hraesvelgr required using the last resort, then there were things I must first tell Iris and no one else

”Iris”

I knocked while calling her na the door but it was locked fro soundly from exhaustion

But if I made too much noise, others would notice

I thought for a while then went back to my room in the end

Without turning on the light, I went straight to the largeon the far end and entered the balcony from there

Standing on the balcony's edge, I confirmed the distance to the adjacent balcony As expected, it was not far Just as we tested out yesterday, the gap was s our hands out

Hence, I backed away, took a running start then stepped on the balcony's railing

I ju that the as not locked, I entered the room Even if I called to her fro to wake up

A dihtbulb was lit in the room Iris was sound asleep in her bed

I approached and peered at her face She seeood dream Her face looked especially relaxed Placed on the sideboard next to the bed was the hairpin I had given her

”Mmmm Fufu”

I felt bad about waking her up because she really looked like she was enjoying her sleep But time was limited, so I resolved myself and shook Iris by the shoulder

”Iris, please wake up Iris—”

”Huah?”

Iris opened her eyes slightly and made a sleepy noise

”Sorry for forcing you to wake up”

Gazing into her eyes, I apologized to her

”Mononobe? Eh? W-Why Isn't this ht visit?”

Iris frantically looked around the rooht red

”Wahat should I do? I-I'm not ready yet—”

Seeing Iris' reaction, I could not help but feel ht visit

”N-No, that's not it Calm doill you?”

”Oh—Right, I proht? A-Are you that impatient?”

Iris spoke with a look of realization but that guess rong too However, Iris atchingcheeks Mesmerized by her appearance, I could not answer immediately

”Sorry foryou wait, Mononobe Come—you can kiss me now”

Sitting up in bed, Iris closed her eyes and pointed her lips upward

I gulped and almost subconsciously drew near Iris' face, then I suddenly came to my senses

”N-No, like I said, that's not it I ca important, Iris”

I spoke in a serious voice Iris opened her eyes with a dumbfounded expression

”So important?”

”Yeah, actually—”

I told her about Firill's dragonher brain for a plan Iris' face, originally red, instantly turned pale

”No way Firill-chan—”

”Hraesvelgr will surely co in color Mitsuki is definitely trying hard, but I think it's very difficult to come with countermeasures before time's up”

”T-Then what do we do? Will it turn out like with ht again”

”Don't worry, I told her I still have a solution As long as there are other ways, Mitsuki won't choose the worst option”

In response to my answer, Iris showed uneasiness on her face

”Mononobe What are you planning to do?”

Iris askedvoice Most likely, she already had some idea

Because there was no other option under these circumstances

”I'll borrow Yggdrasil's power one more time”

”N-No! If you do that, Mononobe, you'll again—”

Iris grabbed my arm in extreme panic

”I know, but that's the only thing left that I can do I don't want to give up on Firill”

”I-I feel the sauarantee you'll defeat Hraesvelgr”

However, I shook drasil's words, froh my mind

'Offer is, power Demand is, extermination'

Then when I asked the exterdrasil's ansas:

—All dragon species, apart from myself

”Yggdrasil asked ons Then it's very likely that the data it intended to send to r”

The knowledge of power that Yggdrasil transmitted to me—data on weapons from a lost civilization—was too vast in volume I halted the transon armament Marduk was also in a pitiful state with incoain to suppleh

”But, but”

Iris' eyes were overfloith tears

”H-Hey—”

Seeing her tears fall like rain, I could not help but get flustered

”You're clearly in pain fro et more Mononobe, what you clearly need to do is reet”

She was crying purely for my sake

The fact that I ht break her heart if I lose my memories was only secondary to her—

”!”

Unable to watch Iris' crying face any longer, I hugged her tightly Sh the flis of love surged from my heart

”Mononobe?”

”—Sorry”

I stroked her head and apologized to her

For telling her about etic to Mitsuki; for being unable to respond to her feelings directly; for being unable to stop, despite her worrying so much about me—

I entrusted all of y to this one word

”Mononobe, you've already decided, right?”

Iris asked while crying

”Yeah”

”You'll forget ht?”

”Probably—That will happen”

I had no way of predicting what I was going to lose this tiht not even notice what I had forgotten

However—I won't be my current self, that was for sure

”Then Tell me”

Iris clutched ed to squeeze out a hoarse voice

”Huh?”

I feltwet from tears

”Tell et, Mononobe Then it's fine if you forget, because I will remember them carefully!”

Iris looked up with tears flowing, crying out while her slender shoulders shook Her fir her determination

”You'll remember them, Iris?”

I felt s in the bottom of my heart were shaken

”Yes, I absolutely won't forget the current Mononobe”

Iris' words ly

”I also won't forget what you don't want to forget”

I felt fiery ee in my heart Her words led nonstop

”Because—Those are the memories of the one I love!”

My heart felt like it was about to stop My chest was hurting badly Feelings of love were overflowing I hugged Iris even htly

”Thank you, Iris”

Apart from that, I could not find any other words to reply

”Yeah—So, can you tell them to me?”

Iris stroked ently and asked me

”Okay”

Then as much as time permitted, I recounted my memories to Iris

Sitting side by side with her on the bed's edge, I conveyed to her the precious et

There was no need to ard As for the NIFL days, there were no memories I wanted to keep Hence, what I told her was necessarily things froo or earlier

But within that range, what I definitely res related to Mitsuki No, more precisely, they were memories with Mitsuki after we became family

For exaether, what places we often went to play, trivial reasons leading to argunificant yet incomparably precious memories that I could remember

Even I felt surprised that I could still res

There was a suether every year One year, on a cat plushi+e frooldfish and had to buy an aquarium

Showing off the presents by our pillows during Christether and discussing seriously what gauments

I still res I still had this many—memories that I had not lost yet

Theout

Scolded by parents, I got Mitsuki caught up and we ran away fro to see a ht and forced Mitsuki to co

There was far more than I could possibly talk about

Iris only nodded from time to time then listened silently

But co, there was too little ti

Before I could finish, our time was up

”—Iris-san, please get up”

There was knocking at the door Mitsuki's voice came from the other side

Most likely, the color change in Firill's dragonto tell everyone the situation

”Then I'll get back to h the balcony”

Although I had ot up from the bed

”Okay, I've remembered all of it Mononobe, don't worry”

Iris sently and nodded

”Great, that reassure