Dai Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu:Volume 7

These are the novel illustrations that were included in volume 7

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Influence Map of Menoris

Gastark Empire

♦ Riphal Edea

The king of the Gastark Empire. He has a sword that, by offering part of his body as compensation, can unleash destructive power on a large scale. Glouvil's wielder. He has already sacrificed his sense of smell, left eye, and right leg.

♦ Rigwaltz Pentest

The eldest son of the prestigious Pentest family of Gastark. As Riphal's right-hand man, the commander of the Gastark amy.

♦ Lir Orla, Kuu Orla, Sui Orla

As spies from Gastark, the three of them are siblings. They and Ryner have encountered each other before. Each of them in in possession of "Rhule Fragmei".

Roland Empire

♦ Sion Astal

An illegitimate prince who became the Hero King from starting a revolution, the king of the Roland Empire. Having united the southern continent, he nows aim to advance into the central continent.

♦ Lucile Eris

The head of the family that has protected Roland's king for generations. Ferris's older brother.

♦ Miran Froaude

Sion's close aide. Governs shady business from the "shadows". The descent of the Holy Knight Halford Miran. Bearer of a "Rhule Fragmei".

♦ Claugh Klom

Field Marshal of the Roland army. Sion's ally from the revolution, he possesses the alias of Crimson Fingered Claugh.

♦ Calne Kaiwal

A Major General in the Roland army. Like Claugh, he's an ally of Sion's from the revolution.

♦ Rahel Miller

Field Marshal of the Roland army. He supported Sion's revolution from the shadows.

♦ Milk Callaud

Grew up in the same Roland's Special Institute #307 as Ryner. Presently the captain of the "Taboo Breaker Pursuit Squad". Has a close connection to the "Goddess of Reincarnation".

♦ Luke Stokkart

A Sergeant in the Roland army. As Miller's subordinate in the Taboo Breaker Pursuit Squad, he's been sent as a spy into neighbouring countries.

Cursed Eye Bearers

♦ Tiir Rumibul

Previously visiting various countries to gather Cursed Eye bearers. Possessor of the "Iino Doue" that absorbs magical power. Acquainted with Ryner.

♦ Ene

Bearer of the "Torch Curse" that allows her to see the future at the cost of whittling away at her lifespan. Leader of the Cursed Eye bearers.

Geihlficlant Empire

♦ Gulafed Abuleld

King of the Geihlficlant Empire. In order to win against Gastark, he's making use of the Azure Princess Mercenaries and the Anti-Roland Coalition.

Remrus Empire

♦ Remrus Remuld Aarqued

A mysterious man who rules over the Remrus Empire as a god's child. At war with Roland.

Anti-Roland Coalition

♦ Ryner Lute

The king of the Anti-Roland Coalition. Possessor of the "Alpha Stigma" that allows him to understand all magic. Was best friends with Sion Astal, the king of the Roland Empire.

♦ Ferris Eris

Ryner's partner. A girl with unworldly beauty who's a master swordswoman. Loves dango, and is a follower of the Dango God.

♦ Vois Fiurelle

Supreme ruler of the Anti-Roland Coalition. For some sort of goal, he elevated Ryner to the king of the coalition.

♦ Toale Nelphi

A member of the royal family of the ex-Imperial Nelpha. Depending on Ryner, together with the Nelphan people, he's staying with the Anti-Roland Coalition.

♦ Kiefer Knolles

Ryner's friend. As a former spy, she's knowledgeable about other countries.

Prologue - First Love and Death God

I had my first crush at nineteen—when I get until here, everyone would always laugh.

That’s late.

You’re lying.

You must've been playing around.

But, before the crush that I had when I was nineteen years old, I really didn’t have a single scrap of interest for any girls.

Because of that, I was often lectured by my parents.

To the girls of upright birth that my parents presented, I rejected them without looking at them, I handed disinterested expressions to the girls who my friends introduced.

One day, my father told me angrily,

“Lieral, this, it’s almost time. Even if you prefer the same sex, you are the heir to the Lieutolu barony. You should at least have a child.”

Then, I laughed.

Although I was not gay, but I never had the plans to date women, and I didn’t know that the people around me were worried about such a matter.

Even so, I didn’t have any interest in females.

No, if the case were having a girl confess to me and then dating her, there were a few of them.

But, this was also a deception so that my parents would not be worried and chastise me over it.

And at that moment, compared to women or anything, it was something else that was able to strongly attract me.

Magic.

This varied ‘magical system’ that the researchers of the Roland Empire, had stolen my heart.

It was my father who first taught me magic.

It was a very simple magic.

It was only a magic that would produce fireworks.

It was part of the most simple part of the basic foundations of magic.

But to me who was a child, that feeling was a very special and wonderful thing.

As if a miracle had appeared in front of my eyes, my heart was moved.

Although this was only the basics, but to me who had touched magic for the first time, this feeling was very hard to contain, normally it would need more than a couple of months to be able to produce the most simple fireworks.

So Father had said something like this,

“Although it is difficult in the beginning, but if you can’t use magic, then you cannot become the talented heir of the Lieutolu family, work hard.”

But he didn’t know how, the day that he learnt it he succeeded in mastering that magic.

That was coincidence? Or was it luck?

Anyway his parents were very surprised and happy.

The interesting thing about parents was that, they always thought that their children were geniuses. My parents were no exception, they were very happy that I was different from other children. I must be a genius, something, they over-complimented me.

And I thought, that probably is not true.

I became arrogant because of that, truly reaching deeper, deeper, deeper to the degree where I touched what should not be known, thrusting my head into the world of magic.

In this state where I was deeply engrossed, so I had no interest in girls even though I was nineteen years old.

Anyway, I was happy because of the praise, so I read magic books passionately.

And after I read a book, I would show new magic to everyone, everyone was pleased.

Anyone would praise me.

I was happy because of this, and continued to move forward.

Learning more new things for this purpose.

Gradually, when I was four or five years old, I had already flipped through all of the magic books published in Roland Empire numerous times.

My father who was interested by this, had managed to obtain some new magic books that wold absolutely not appear anywhere else through various channels at the Imperial Magic Institute, allowing me to continue on my path to explore magic.

And he had gone one step further to invite a teacher.

At that time Father had asked a powerful mage knight and scholar as my teachers, allowing my knowledge to expand.

Of course, at this rate I had nothing to talk about with nobles who were the same age as me.

In the beginning I only had an interest in the topic of magic, but because my magical knowledge quickly expanded at a rate that my peers could not compare to, that meant that it was hard for me to form friendships with people my age.

Slowly, I began to feel that the magical system in Roland was lacking, and I started my independent research on this.

When my friends were interested in girls, I was only interested in the matters of the delay in the casting of IZUCH, the amount of water from MISUMI and so on.

When I was fourteen, I published an essay about how to control the amount of water from MISUMI.

When I was fifteen, I thought of the ways to improve the casting speed of IZUCHI, causing many people to comment.

And, when I was sixteen—

I became the youngest magic scholar, stepping up to take a position that was never heard of in the Imperial Magic Institute of the Roland Empire.

With that as the beginning, I started to be slightly popular in Roland.

The Imperial Magic Institute of the Roland—commonly called “the Imperial Institute”, was a place where only extremely talented magic scholars were qualified to enter, it was the most powerful research organization to control all the magical systems in this country.

Of course, the me of that time, did not have the necessary knowledge and power to enter there.

But, because my father’s influence as a duke was huge, I was able to enter this top research facility on magic through this path, and I was engrossed with it.

Naturally, at the beginning I tried my best.

I worked hard without resting, but I failed every day, showing that I did not have enough knowledge and was treated as a fool, an idiot that was looked down on because he had entered due to his parents’ relations.

But even so I still continued to work hard, and I didn’t feel much pain. To me, that place was filled with the knowledge of magic that I did not know about, it should be said that I was very happy.

Anyway, I liked magic.

To magic that was able to change the world’s foundations, I liked it a lot.

And I worked hard in my research with this feeling of genuine like, after perhaps a year, there wasn’t anyone who could call me an idiot.

Although I was still called a brat who entered because of my parents’ relations behind my back, but at least I wasn’t called a piece of useless rubbish anymore.

After another year.

When I was eighteen, my knowledge was deep enough that I was able to develop a new offense magic.

I succeeded in designing a magic that would allow the Roland soldiers to use an individual style of the offense magic IZUCHI that would increase the impact.

At that moment, no one in the “Imperial Institute” dared to say anything bad about me.

And in contrast, this time it was my parents who were displeased.

“You’re always caring about researching magic, don’t you have an interest in girls?”

“If you want I can introduce ladies who will like you to you.”

My parents started to say this.

Even so, I was still not interested in things outside of magic.

In the beginning I didn’t think that there would be anything more complicated, more interesting than magic in this world.

Because, magic had the power to change the world.

Magic had the power to change everything.

And having an interest in such a boring organism like girls, it was really foolish, that was what I thought in the beginning.

Until I met her.

♦

Meeting with her, it was when I was forced by my friends to go out as I was always researching in the research facility every day.

We went outside of the quarters where the nobles lived.

Of course, the usual me wouldn’t have done that.

Roland at that time had been having small-scale skirmishes with the Estabul Kingdom for a long time, in additions the abnormal weather that had persisted for years had caused a food shortage, there was much violence among the people.

Otherwise, there was also the replacement of the king.

To Roland where the internal affairs were worsening, anyone would be anticipating the decree of the new king, and the new king was always far more cruel than the previous one.

Rumours were hard to stop, although there was such a saying, but Father had never taught me this one.

And, I didn’t want to know.

This Roland Empire wasn’t a good empire, although I knew of this, but as the son of a duke, I had no understanding towards that.

I only wanted to gain what I wanted.

Food, clothes, books, education, they were the best things that I could put my hands on.

So I never thought that this country was strange, messed up.

Not only that, even going out to see the world, this would be my first time.

Of course, I had seen the capital of Roland and the lands my father controlled.

As my position was in the Imperial Institute in the capital, I spent most of the year in the capital, I only returned to my father’s lands occasionally.

Even so, I had passed by the areas where the peasants lived in.

But that was always under the protection of body guards, and it was hard to look outside.

Father had even forbid me from looking out.

Probably after looking at the lives of commoners, the nobles would be unable to maintain the expected, reckless way of governing.

And the me at that point of time thought, it’s probably like that.

But as they grew older, children slowly started not to listen to their parents orders.

There were several men among my friends who liked to find pleasure who snuck down out of the city to play, and I heard they played happily.

According to them the commoner girls were not like the noble women who were arrogant, if they said that they were nobles they would tremble, and be willing to do anything.

According to them no matter what attitude they had, they would not go against them.

According to them even when they were killed they had no regrets.

The numerous violence cases were probably the ramblings of parents—everyone often thought that.

Once their children went out of the city to play they would not be hard working in their work and studies, that was probably the reason why parents kept this a secret.

The evidence was, the parents themselves also went down out of the city to play occasionally, such rumours started to travel amongst my companions, and it also became difficult to go to the commoner’s area.

Even so, I was still uninterested in the matters outside the city. No, matters about other worlds, let it do as it liked.

His heart was only focused on magic research, he was unable to see the value of other things.

But when he told this to this companions, they were very surprised, they laughed and said you can’t do this.

Anyway you don’t understand women right? Then let us teach you, and then they had pulled me out forcefully.

The first time I saw the outside world, I received a shock.

The quarters other than the nobles, were much worse than I had imagined.

The expressions of everyone on the streets were dark, the entire street—no, the entire country seemed shrouded in darkness.

And seeing the carriage that transported nobles where we were seated in, the people’s faces contorted with terror. There were even people escaping, their whole body trembling.

My companions laughed out loud, haha they laughed.

Was something wrong with me? I completely couldn’t understand the reason why my companions were laughing, but they laughed happily.

And they said this, the commoners are interesting right? Although running people over with the carriage is interesting, but today we must teach you about women, so if we accidentally kill them it’d be bad.

They laughed as they said this.

--Then which one should we choose?

--It doesn’t matter which one right?

--Why not choose this?

--Ahahahaha!

My companions laughed as they spoke.

What they were talking about, I couldn’t understand a single bit of it as expected.

But I could understand this point, this country was already mad.

Why didn’t I notice it before today?

Why did Father forbid me from looking at the outside world?

This was the first time that I understood the reason.

Although I understood, but I couldn’t do anything. This country would continue as it did today.

What kind of attitudes the nobles used to treat the commoners, just by looking at the companions in front of me I could understand.

I had listened to my parents orders and lived till now, they had watched their parents’ postures and behaviors, similarly living until now.

And that meant that this country—

“…”

This country, was that kind of country.

My companions said,

--Then choose.

I rejected that.

Even so they pestered to let me choose, so I prepared a sincere smile, answering that I hated sleeping with commoners.

They immediately accepted this reason.

--Lieral really is a cleanliness freak.

--Well, he’s a baron, he’s different from us second-class nobles.

He wanted to puke.

Just by thinking that he was spending every day with these people, he wanted to vomit.

And he started to have a slight resentment towards his father. Why didn’t you tell me the truth about this country? Why didn’t you tell me the reality about this country even though I had reached this age? No, perhaps he had done that because it was his own child?

“…”

Actually, because of me only living with an interest in magic, so I could be inexperienced, I thought of that.

But, this was still strange.

Father had taught me when I was young about the appearance that citizens should have, the appearance that the country should have, it was a large difference from this country.

I narrowed my eyes, considering this world.

Analysing this world sunken in darkness,

“…Father, what is…”

I was slightly dizzy.

Then I saw the companions who were still laughing happily. They seemed to have found prey, calling that woman, stopping the carriage.

As they got off the carriage, they announced that they were nobles, the women started to tremble.

There wasn’t a hint of rebellion.

My companions turned back to look at me, telling me that it would end soon, stay there for a moment.

I nodded my head smiling, then told the driver to continue.

The driver was surprised in the beginning, but because I was the son of Duke Lieutolu, and they were second-grade nobles, so he obeyed my orders.

My companions who were left in the commoners’ quarters shouted for the carriage to stop, shouting why did the carriage start moving, yelling stop joking Lieral.

What happened to them afterwards, I did not know of it.

If terror and darkness had really sunk into the hearts of the people, they should return happily after their fun.

But if that was an act.

If the peoples’ attitudes were an act, they would probably die.

But never mind, it was fine either way.

To me anything was fine.

What I wanted to know was—

“…Take me to the Lieutolu lands.”

The driver was surprised again.

Because the distance from Roland’s capital to the lands my father governed, the distance was not short.

But I ordered him to set out.

What was Father doing?

That gentle father, what was he hiding from me?

I wanted to know.

♦

In a nutshell, Father had no darker side that he was ashamed of.

Compared to the other districts, the people of the Lieutolu lands that my father presided over were living more peacefully.

Naturally, because of war, the shortage of rations, life may not be as pleasant, but compared to the world’s scenes that I had seen on the way here, the lands that Father looked after had a distinct difference.

The opinions of Father after he changed specially to meet the people, in the end the opinions were not bad.

Towards me who was able to live on the lands that Father governed was a blessing, I could say proudly without stopping that Father was connected to the spirit of the people.

I’d heard that this was a very rare matter.

I’d heard that the country had fallen into madness from a long time ago, maintaining this kind of hellish situation.

No, the king of this country, not knowing why everyone who sat on the throne became mad, and the madness was not only limited to the royalties, even the nobles were affected.

It was said that the nobles who were affected by this madness, their lusts expanded endlessly, doing all the violent acts that they could.

Perhaps this country, was caught up in some strange curse, so it would be this dark, something like this, I had heard it from the commoners too.

Of course this was only a normal peasant saying, the degree of truth was unknown. But about the point that this country was mad, I understood it too.

To the me of that time, just as long as father was not caught up in that madness, that was enough.

And the reason why Father did not tell me this point, I roughly understood it.

I lived in the same place as the other nobles. So that I would be able to deal well with those noble friends who were infected with the madness, it was better to tell me nothing.

I understood this, even so,

“…But, the curse that made the royalty and nobles go mad, what is it?”

Even though such a corrupted world in front of my eyes, my heart was caught by the matter that was related to magic again.

The nobles living in the districts, the palace that the king lived in were surrounded by many magic barriers.

And the gaps of these barriers, were hidden from the magicians from the Imperial Institute, releasing a curse that made people mad, was this possible?

I thought.

But that was quite a large-scale magic.

A curse that infected hundreds, thousands of nobles.

A curse that lasted from decades, centuries.

Was there truly a possibility that a curse like that existed?

“…”

I thought along those lines, then smiled faintly.

“Perhaps it may be a curse that would turn the people who managed to grasp onto power mad in an instant…”

I muttered.

No matter what I was powerless.

No, I didn’t even have an inkling of what to do.

In the distance there were people dying.

But, that was very far away.

The people living in my father’s lands were living peacefully.

If the curse called “madness” that was threatening this country could be avoided, as a magician, naturally I would have to search for a way to deal with the curse.

But,

“…Revolution is not my job.”

I said.

“…What I can do is only this much.”

I said.

Then I returned.

I returned to the place where I should be.

“…”

It was there, that I encountered a beautiful woman.

♦

That woman had beautiful long black hair.

That was a hair colour that nobles of Roland did not have.

Her long hair swayed, she ran with a happy expression.

Then she coincidentally tripped in front of me, shouting that it was painful.

When I looked down with a surprised expression, she raised her head too, looking towards me shyly.

“I say, a girl trips in front of you but you don’t care, what does that count for?”

She said, then I frantically reached out my hand,

“Ah ha, that, you’re right, I apologise.”

So she grabbed my hand, clutching it tightly.

Because her hand was covered with soil when she tripped, so it wasn’t soft.

At least it was completely different from the slim, pale hands of the noble women.

Perhaps it was even more solid than my hand.

Then, she grabbed my soft hand, “Heh!” and she was standing up.

She smiled brightly at me, then, she looked at her white clothes which had been dirtied by the dirt.

“Oh no, that’s not good, it’s dirty.”

“Because you’re always clumsy so you can’t wear white~ Okaa-sama clearly told me that, but I didn’t think that I would dirty it in three days. This will definitely make her angry.”

Although she said that, but she still laughed happily.

I didn’t know why she was so happy, anyway she was laughing.

I was influenced by her, I laughed too.

Then she looked at me mischievously,

“Ah~ You can still laugh after seeing someone fall, your personality must be bad right~?”

“Ah? Ah, yes, I’m sorry.”

I apologized again.

She shrugged happily,

“It’s alright~ Thank you for pulling me up, then good bye.”

Saying that, she turned around simply.

Then she started to run.

Her urgency made it seem like she was going to do something, slowly leaving me.

I watched her back dazedly.

I watched her disappearing figure, dazedly watching.

--That was my first meeting with er.

It was only a simple meeting.

An encounter where nothing special happened.

We didn’t ask for each other’s names, there wasn’t anything that would make anyone feel that it was a destined meeting.

But I,

“…”

I sank entirely into the river of love.

I clearly had no interest in girls before, but I fell in love so simply.

I didn’t understand what event caused this.

But I remembered the feeling of touching her hand just now.

Looking at my hand that had just grasped that hand.

I felt my heart beat increase foolishly.

There was no magic specially used that could specially increase metabolism, but I felt as if my heart was yelling.

In a moment, as if I had a wrong feeling that I had fallen under some magic, I felt the passionate response of my heart.

Then I decided to go to the village that she lived in.

Even if this country were under a curse, even if this country were covered in despair.

Even though magic research had given me much fun, now it didn’t matter.

I had fallen completely in love with her.

♦

I asked around a little, her name seemed to be Iruna Lashwale, she was fifteen years old this year.

She was a girl in the village who was very adept at farming, many men in the village wanted to date her, but they all failed in the end.

Then I, indeed I failed terribly too.

Not only failing, from the beginning she didn’t even want to meet me.

That was to be expected.

I was a man who only met her once and she didn’t know anything about me, suddenly running over to her house and begging for her to date me, naturally it wouldn’t go well.

Why did I suddenly do something like that, now thinking about it, it seemed unbelievable, but probably because I had never seriously dated a woman before.

Anyway I was abnormally useless about her matters, I couldn’t present myself properly.

Furthermore, she would hate a weak man like me.

Although I had received the necessary martial arts training, I was called the strongest magician in this country, I was able to use harder magic than the Mage Knights.

But I heard that she was looking for a person who was strong, used to farming as an ideal husband.

But I did not give up, continuing to chase after her.

And forcefully helped her father with his farming.

After her father who had a troubled expression in the beginning saw me working hard to plant the seeds in the field, he told his daughter even if it is only on the outside try dating him.

Anyway, he is affecting our work too much.

Although I was determined, but it seemed, I was indeed not good at farming.

But because of that I was able to talk with her.

It was different from her smiling face when I first met her, when she came out to meet me, she had a forced expression.

“These kind of actions compared to being asked by men to date them, it is relatively more… but, just now being able to let Otou-sama speak, that was my first time seeing it.”

She said as if it were an impressive matter.

Then I apologized to her again, but it didn’t seem as if she noticed that point.

“You aren’t like a man.”

She said.

“Then I’ll try to be more manly.”

“Is it because I said it?”

“Yes.”

“See, you aren’t like a man.”

This conversation made me have a troubled expression. I didn’t know what to do, but as long as she was by my side I was happy—anyway this point made really made me slightly troubled.

Then, she smiled at me for the first time.

She happily raised her head to look at my troubled face,

“…Ah, but, you don’t have to have that kind of troubled expression.”

She said.

“…That, how should I say this… actually, that you are so serious in wanting to date me… I have received your gesture… that, it’s not that I’m unhappy.” She said this shyly.

She used that dazzling beautiful expression to tell me that.

“…”

Then, that was how we fell in love.

It was a normal love relationship.

No, compared to the normal, this was a slowly progressive romantic relationship.

Anyway, I had my first love was when I was nineteen years old.

A fellow like this can’t fall in love properly.

Slowly, slowly, our relationship became better.

In this period I told her about my status as a noble, she was angry that I had hidden this fact from her, although there was this small scene, but we were still together.

Our parents opposed this, anyone would say that a relationship between two people of completely different statuses could not progress successfully.

And the most troublesome was, Iruna herself was very frustrated, thinking that entering the ranks of the nobles, would be unable to make her happy.

But we still married.

I said we would definitely be happy.

I said no matter what happens, I will protect you.

If you were by my side.

“…”

If you were by my side, my life would be filled with light… so, I will work hard to become something like that to you.

Then she nodded. This was definitely, a hard decision.

A commoner and a noble marrying, it wasn’t such a simple matter.

But, we married.

Then we lived with much happiness in our lives—

Although I want to say that, but it was not so easy.

Because Iruna’s hair was a black colour that nobles definitely did not have, so it was hard to disguise her origins.

She should have suffered much when I was not looking.

But even so, she was able to overcome these, she was always smiling strongly, gently at me.

Anyway to me, I was happy that she was able to be with me.

But occasionally after seeing her hide her tears, I would think of working hard.

So that my treasured wife would not suffer from the contempt of others, I wanted power.

I wanted power that would not let others to look down on the Lieutolu family who had took her in.

So I worked hard in the Imperial Institute.

Then I created many new military magics.

A large portion of these magic was used in the military.

Magic that was for war.

Magic that was for killing people.

The magic that I had created with my hands, was accepted widely by the country, king and military.

And while I worked hard, my position in the Imperial Institute rose with each passing day, in the end I rose to the highest position that governed the whole of the Imperial Institute “the Purple Magician”.

Originally the House of Lieutolu was a duchy, wielding supreme authority, and my position in the Imperial Institute rose quickly.

As the youngest leader of the Imperial Institute, I was rumoured to be the monster that use the forbidden magic repeatedly.

Other than that, we have gained reputation that was on equal grounds with the House of Swords “the House of Eris”, the “House of Lieutolu” who was the Overseer of Magic—a slightly foolish landmark.

Then this power, protected us.

The madness of the new king increased with each day, the darkness covering this country expanded, but we were not affected by this attack of the darkness.

Because our existence, was necessary to this country.

Because as a powerful gear that was able to protect this country, I was able to make use of much needed functions.

So Iruna and I, were able to live happily every day.

At that time, there wasn’t anyone who dared to make fun of Iruna.

Of course, compared to my power, I thought that Iruna’s cheerfulness was even stronger, but she told me,

“Lieral is really, very strong.”

Then I gave her an equally strange answer,

“You’re the one who is really strong.”

So Iruna tilted her head,

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re always very adorable.”

“Ahaha, is that so?”

“Ah, that is the general opinion.”

“What~ you’re speaking nonsense. Actually it’s Lieral who’s strong.

As the youngest “Purple Magician” in history, the genius magician that Roland has had in ages… Aha, you’re a genius! My husband is really impressive.”

She said that, saying that with her usual cheerfulness.

Then I shrugged,

“I don’t have any muscles, and I can’t farm.”

Saying that, she laughed again,

“That is a difficulty.”

“Yes~”

“Ahaha, I like you the best, Lieral.”

She said that, caressing my golden hair,

“This blond hair too, those sleepy eyes too, that wise mouth too, that back that’s like a cat’s too, I like all of them!”

Then I replied,

“Me too, Iruna.”

I really loved her.

I loved all of her.

Just by being by her side, my chest was always warm, I felt really blissful.

As long as she was around, I would need nothing, I thought.

Then the things that were equally important to me increased again.

We had a child.

It was a black haired boy, he had the same hair colour like my wife’s.

It was a boy, who had the same sleepy eyes like me.

I gave him the name Felna.

It was a name that combined the ancient language for ‘courage’ and ‘love’.

Then my wife said, “It’s a good name.”

I said isn’t that so, then laughed proudly.

Although this name seemed like it didn’t take much thought, but in actual fact I spent three months thinking of it, because I was embarrassed I kept this a secret from her.

“Because that name has strength, this child will definitely have love and courage, he will become a gentle child.”

“Like you?”

“Yes. Like you, too.”

I laughed.

She laughed too.

Felna cried.

He really was a healthy child who liked crying, just by hearing his cries, I would feel that I was blessed.

I thought, my son’s voice, must be a magic that can make people feel happy.

The me of that time, already had the all the puzzle pieces that could form happiness.

I thought this kind of happiness could last forever, something as foolish as that.

That faultless, perfect thing could not last forever—this was the basics of magical structures in the book, but I did not apply it to real life.

It was probably because of that that I failed.

It was probably because of that, that I was unable to protect our happiness.

Because I was too foolish, thinking of having the perfect things.

Having everything.

Then, everything was destroyed.

It started crumbling when Felna was five years old.

In Felna’s eyes, in his innocent, adorable, black eyes—

A red five-pointed star appeared.

♦

The crimson five-pointed star that appeared in his eyes, was evidence of the monster “Alpha Stigma” that would spread disaster.

According to the laws of the Roland Empire, when a red five-pointed star appeared in your child’s eyes, that child would immediately—that monster must be handed over to the army. And the child that was sent over would be used as an experiment, or he would be sentenced to death.

The bearers of “Alpha Stigma” was a dangerous monster that would only go berserk once, and before it died it would continuously kill the people around it.

So, if they protected a child like this, its parents would be seen as conspirators, the parents who did not hand them over would be executed.

As expected, Iruna started crying and shouting.

She pulled out a dagger, saying that if her son was killed she would die too.

Was it my fault?

Was I the one who brought cursed blood to the Lieutolu house? She yelled.

Among the people who were related to the nobles, there had not been a single case of a child having the “Alpha Stigma”.

And, if it were known that my son was a bearer of the Alpha Stigma, the Lieutolu House could possibly collapse.

My son would not only be killed cruelly, he could even become the specimen of a cruel experiment.

So she was saying that if her son was killed she would die too.

She cried.

She trembled because of despair.

That black hair that was as beautiful as the waves, the gentle black eyes.

Tears streamed out from those eyes.

Behind her, Felna who should have been sleeping was standing there.

His sleep-mussed hair, he rubbed his tired eyes, as he held his most treasured picture book “The story of the Heroes”.

He said this.

“…Daddy, Mummy, I’m awake… Read this book to me again~”

He used that childish, adorable voice to say.

Iruna’s expression contorted, became extremely contorted.

“…Mummy…What is…wrong? Why are you crying?”

Then Iruna said with that depressed expression.

“Kill, I have to kill him… then, with this child, kill me…”

“I can’t do it, to you.”

“…But, but…”

I said.

Then she glared at me,

“We’re cursed! We… have been cursed!! If this continues, it won’t be us! You will be killed too. Your House will collapse!”

She yelled,

“I, I have tainted your blood line… It can't be, in my blood…”

“Don’t say it!”

“My blood has the blood of Alpha Stigma…”

“It’s not your fault!!”

“Then, then whose fault is it! You are a noble. You have your history. Until today your family has never had an Alpha Stigma bearer… It must, it must be my fault. Because I am not a noble, but I fell in love with a noble, this must be my punishment…”

“Don’t say such things! I don’t regret it. I said so when I married you right.

“As long as you are by my side… No, now as long as you and Felna are by my side, I don’t care about anything else. Be it family, position, it doesn’t matter if I lose everything.”

I really thought so.

If I had to give Felna to this country, I would be willing to abandon this country.

To me what was important, was only Iruna and Felna.

But Iruna continued to glare at me, as she pulled out a dagger with her trembling hands,

“I cannot let you do that. For a girl like me who is of common birth…”

And I reached out my hand,

“I have said it many times, I can’t do that to you. Come, give me that dagger quickly.”

But she didn’t hand over the dagger.

She was able to do that, but in her confusion, she did not hand over the dagger. I sighed at this, walking towards her.

“…Surely, you're willing to die for me. Personally, if it were for your sake, I'd die as well. So I understand your feelings. But, for certain, you can't be willing to kill Felna.”

Iruna’s expression contorted once again.

“But, but… either way, we will be killed? If he is known to be the bearer of the Alpha Stigma he will definitely be… and we can’t tell when he might lose control… then, then I might as well…”

But I shook my head, saying,

“You can’t do it. For you… that's impossible. That much is clear. That was the woman I fell in love with. That was why I didn’t care about the opposition and married you. Come, give me the dagger.”

Saying that, I approached her.

I hugged her shoulders that were trembling with despair tightly, taking away the dagger in her hands, throwing it to one side.

She was trembling, trembling in my arms. She couldn’t do anything, she could only tremble.

I tightly, tightly held her shoulders.

Then I said silently in my heart.

I said sorry silently.

I said silently that I clearly swore to make you happy, but I made you cry, I’m sorry.

Then I reached out my other arm that was not hugging her tightly, looking at Felna who was looking at us with an unsettled expression.

As if wanting to erase his unease, I gently, I smiled at him, as gently as I could.

So that he would not see the terror and unease in my heart, I smiled as gently as I could.”

“Felna too.”

Then he nodded, plunging towards me.

His body was still so soft, small, frail.

My wife’s body was also seemingly frail as if it could be broken into two.

So that I could erase their terror, I hugged the two of them.

I hugged them tightly, with all my strength.

Then Iruna said softly,

“But… but surely… it'll be the same in the end… if this continues we will all…”

But, I interrupted her, saying,

“…Even if that happens, don’t worry. I will protect the both of you. I have a plan. Felna will not be killed, you will not be killed.

“No matter what I have to do, I will protect you. It will be fine. Definitely… definitely…”

As I said that, I narrowed my eyes.

♦

Then I plunged into the research of magic that could change the body.

So that I could analyse the secret of the Alpha Stigma, I researched desperately.

This concerned my son’s life.

This concerned my wife’s life.

I truly, desperately analysed the secret of Alpha Stigma.

I repeatedly looked through the ancient texts, used forbidden curses, used sealed killing curses, other than that I also used all of the magic that was forbidden.

But fate would not be so easily changed.

Impossible matters were impossible indeed.

In the normal world, that would be true.

“…”

But I was not normal.

Although I had been called a genius when I was young, but until that moment I didn’t have that awareness.

But, I am a genius.

Regrettably, I am a genius.

So, even if it were a fate that could not be changed, I could touch it.

The other opportunity was Alpha Stigma.

The research on Alpha Stigma had touched the entrance to the truth that humans could not contact.

I touched fate, and with this as the thread that pulled the gears of fate—knew about the Goddess and the Hero—and even the existence of the Priest that had been born from this.

I knew about the existence of the monsters that were moving behind the back of the world.

I immediately understood, this probably was not the territory that humans could come into contact with.

That kind of matter was not allowed.

This world was unable to change, the rotations of the gears of fate relied on the forceful weaving, everything depended on destiny.

If it were destroyed, everything would disappear.

If it were stopped, everything would be destroyed.

So, this was definitely something that should not be touched.

Even the Priests, the Goddesses, the Hero didn't dare to touch it.

But I touched it.

If it were to protect my wife, I had nothing to be afraid of.

If it were to protect my son, I had nothing to be afraid of.

Everything would be destroyed?

So what?

What I wanted to protect wasn't the world.

What I wanted to protect wasn't fate.

It was only my family.

So I advanced forward like a madman.

I continued to absorb new knowledge as if I were dying of thirst.

Continuing to move forward.

Probed deeper in magic.

Got nearer to the truth.

I could feel that I was slowly walking away from humans.

But, I didn’t care about that.

Slowly, the other researchers, subordinates, started to feel that there was something odd about me.

There were rumours that Lieral Lieutolu had gone mad because of magic.

For that, the standing of the Lieutolu House started to become unstable.

Everything that had been built up so far, everything that had been built up desperately, started to crumble.

“…”

But everything, anything was fine.

What I was interested in was a method to save my son.

What I was interested in was a method to protect my wife.

So I touched that.

I touched that which should not have been touched.

The monsters didn't notice.

They were engrossed in their power, thinking that they were able to control the lower-class animals known as humans, and they did not notice this.

They didn’t notice my madness.

The humans that they had created, could approach a madness that was beyond all expectations for the sake of love.

Because they didn’t notice, so I had an advantage.

I betrayed the Priest.

I tricked the Goddess.

I destroyed the Demon.

I used the Hero.

And when each party was still oblivious, I arranged all of the “pieces of the puzzle”.

I arranged it messily, dirtily, so that it could not be kept.

So the world shattered.

But, so what about that?

The world didn't matter.

Such worthless truths didn't matter to me.

What I wanted to protect was…

I wanted to protect…

♦

Felna’s fate was changed.

It was changed by me.

The sacrifice for this was far too great.

I destroyed and used the piece the Lonely Demon/ Ryner Eris Reed, letting him inherit the name Lonely/Ryner, and losing the name Felna.

And to complete this magic, my wife sacrificed her body.

But, even so she was still smiling.

She told me happily as she smiled, you are a genius.

Thank you for saving our son’s life.

Thank you for using my life so that Ryner can be saved, she smiled as she said that.

Then I cried.

“I want you to stay by my side.”

Things had progressed to this stage but I still said that stubbornly.

Then she smiled, she smiled with an expression as if she were about to cry.

“If I can be reincarnated, I still want to be with you in my next life!”

She said,

“I love you, Lieral.”

Then I apologized.

I cried as I apologized.

I clearly said that I would let you be happy.

I clearly said that I would definitely protect you.

“I am sorry.”

I apologized to her.

So her expression turned slightly angry,

“Don’t apologize. Because I have always been happy. Having such a talented husband, and a cute son. What more could I wish for?”

“…”

“Come, don’t cry, raise your chest, my husband whom I have always been proud of.”

Then she spoke to me.

Carrying an innocent expression that she always had and sad expression she smiled.

“Then, for our beloved son, you have to work hard~”

She said that.

Until the end, she was so cheerful.

Before our son became strong and awakened, she would become a spell that would protect our son from the distance.

She would protect our son from the curse that the Goddess had scattered to defeat the Hero—Alpha Stigma.

This would be accompanied with a large suffering.

She would always, be the meal of α (Alpha).

But even though I told her that, she only smiled happily.

She smiled happily and said that she was blessed that she would be able to work hard to protect her son’s life.

Then she simply disappeared.

Smiling as she disappeared.

Becoming the magic that would protect our son, she disappeared.

My son left my hands too.

So that the monsters that had noticed my power would not discover my son, I erased my son’s memory, and I did not approach him.

The reason of fate hated me.

Because I had destroyed fate, exceeding logic.

So my existence slowly, slowly became thin.

But before my son’s power awakened, I had to maintain consciousness, no matter what .

When my son retrieved his memories, when he remembered about us, I had to tell him not to blame himself.

Father and Mother did this because they loved you.

If you want to repay us.

If you want to apologise to us, then, don’t betray our hard work.

Live on happily.

That these were sacrifices so that you could be happy—I had to tell him that.

♦

Then, until my son’s power awakened, fifteen years was needed.

I immediately knew about his awakening.

Because that magic disappeared.

That magic that had my wife’s appearance disappeared.

So I narrowed my eyes.

Iruna had disappeared.

She had disappeared from this world.

She had succeeded in protecting Ryner.

She had protected him, until she died.

She was a marvelous woman.

She was a woman who was wasted when she married me.

She disappeared.

She no longer existed on this world.

So I narrowed my eyes.

I narrowed my eyes as if I were crying.

And my tears could no longer flow out from a long time ago.

Only slightly, really it was only a soft,

“…Ah, yes, Iruna, if there is a next life…”

A soft murmur from me.

Chapter 1: The Dream of The Murderer

Shaking.

Shaking.

He could see the roof shaking.

“…”

Then Ryner Lute discovered that he was being transported by a carriage.

Messy black hair, completely unmotivated and bored black eyes.

Those eyes opened slightly, looking at the ceiling of the carriage.

“…”

But he didn’t say anything.

No, actually he wanted to open his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t speak a single word.

He felt very tired and fatigued.

Then,

“…Ah, Ryner, you’re awake?”

Someone’s voice spoke.

A woman’s voice.

A familiar, woman’s voice.

But he was so tired that he was unable to think of whose voice this was.

Anyway he was tired, very tired.

So the woman’s voice spoke again.

“It’s okay, sleep. I will stay by your side, so relax.”

His head was patted, he felt that his head was gently, gently caressed.

“But, Ryner suddenly fainting shocked me.”

“…”

“It must be, you were too tired… something like that happened.”

“…”

“But really, Ryner can sleep without worrying about anything. Because the war with Geihlficlant has ended… the remaining things will be handled by us.”

“…”

I know that my heart is reacting to what she is saying.

Although I don’t want to think because I am very tired, but to what she said—war—this word, I still had a reaction.

Because the dream that I had been having until just now, was a dream about war.

And it was not a normal war.

It was a war where a monster appeared on the battle ground, a dream where he laughed and cried.

It was a monster called a Demon, a dream where as he laughed, as he cried, he killed many many people.

It was an unbelievable sad scene.

A cruel scene.

Anyway many many people had disappeared into dust.

As he had this dream, he thought that it’s lucky that this scene is just a dream, he originally thought that.

Such a cruel scene, it would be good if it were not reality.

It was great that he did not live in such a cruel world, he had thought.

Then.

“…Come, the war has already ended, so sleep.”

That woman’s voice said.

Then Ryner forced himself to open his eyes.

He desperately opened his eyes that wanted to close, looking in the direction of the voice.

A red-haired girl, who was smiling gently sat there.

She looked at him with a loving and worried expression.

It was Kiefer.

Kiefer’s clothes had been dirtied with mud, dirtied with blood, that was the mud and blood from the battle ground earlier.

Ryner looking at these,

“…”

He looked at this, but he did not make a sound.

Kiefer spoke,

“Ryner”

She called his name gently.

But he was unable to respond.

He was truly too tired too fatigued, so he was unable to respond.

He only thought that.

Ah—he thought.

Ah, that dream, so it was reality.

He was a demon, and he had killed hundreds and thousands of people to save his companions—

“…”

But he only managed to think until there, his consciousness was severed suddenly.

Ryner entered a deep sleep.

◆

When he woke up again, he heard another woman’s voice.

At that moment, he was able to judge who it was just by hearing their voices.

That was an emotionless, a monotonous, but because of that it was a clear, beautiful voice.

That person’s voice.

“…”

Ferris’s voice.

That voice said,

“…Really, how long is this fellow going to sleep until?”

Then, Kiefer’s voice said,

“… I don’t know, but the military doctor said that he is only fatigued…”

“Are Doctor Yab’s words accurate?”

“…Yes, I’m very worried… But, it probably really is because of fatigue. After having something like that happen…”

“Perhaps, but this person is an unmotivated man who would laze for thousands of years. Perhaps he has already woken up, but he is thinking of pretending to sleep?”

“… If that’s the case, it can also be done…”

“Anyway, why don’t we try by hitting him?”

“Ah?!!! No, you can’t do that! Wait… Ferris…”

Bang—

“…Eh, he didn’t get up.”

Ferris said with a voice that sounded slightly more concerned from just now.

Then Kiefer said,

“That, I know you’re worried too, but hitting…”

“I wouldn’t stand here and worry for nothing.”

“Eh—”

“Alright, this time I’ll draw on his face.”

“So… I say, why do you have to join the eye brows and the nose hair together… Hahahaha”

Kiefer laughed, using a tired voice to laugh.

Then Ferris said,

“Then, red hair woman.”

“…Red hair woman… That’s irritating, you can call my name~”

Kiefer used a slightly happier voice to say again.

Towards this, Ferris replied,

“This time it’s my turn to look after this pervert, you can go rest for a while. This person has already collapsed for three days, if this continues you will collapse too.”

“But…”

“I don’t want to hear your opinion.”

“Ah…?”

Bang—

“Ah…”

“Good, she’s fainted. Hey, Toale, Toale!”

Hearing the carriage door open, then someone came in.

“Hey, why is Kiefer-san collapsed here?!”

Towards this question, Ferris answered.

“Perhaps it’s because of lack of sleep, when I entered, she had already collapsed.”

“…I see… it’s because Kiefer-san has been taking care of Ryner-san ever since he collapsed three days ago… She really likes Ryner-san.”

“…”

“Then, I’ll go tell Vois-kun’s subordinates, prepare a carriage for her to rest in, then I’ll take care of Ryner-san…”

“No, I’ll stay here.”

“But… but Ferris-san has not slept…”

“It’s alright, let this woman rest first.”

“…”

“Go!”

“…I understand.”

Saying that, Toale carried Kiefer out of the carriage.

There was only the sound of the carriage shaking.

Crrrreeeeaaaakk, shaking.

In the space between the sound of the shaking,

“…Wake up quickly, idiot.”

She said that.

“You are an octopus, slow man, sleeping insect, waste, worthless”

Then,

“…Really, idiot… Don’t make me, worried… Wake up quickly…”

She said that.

Only that, she didn’t say anything again.

The carriage shook.

It swayed.

Although he wanted to open his eyes for her, but as expected his consciousness slowly sank into the deep darkness.

It was as if he could not wake up again.

Although compared to just now, his consciousness was clearer, but even so, he still could not get up.

◆

When he woke up again, he could depend on his will to open his eyes and check his surroundings.

Opening his eyes, then surveying the carriage.

He immediately found that Toale was sitting by his side.

Brown hair, gentle eyes.

The right arm and leg sticking out from under the Anti-Roland Coalition clothes were prosthetics, but he used them well.

He was reading a book.

Although he completely couldn’t see what book he was looking at,

“…That, is that a rated book?”

Being asked that from Ryner, Toale looked over, smiling,

“Of course.”

“Ha ha, how can that be expected.”

“Of course that was a joke, this was received from Vois-kun, it is an educational material for the soldiers of the Anti-Roland Coalition to read.”

“Oh—”

“It’s quite interesting, it has made some work on the good cooperation displayed by the soldiers from different countries and different magical systems, when Ryner-san recovers does he want to read it too?”

Ryner nodded.

“That’s true.”

“Then, how is it?”

“Eh? How is what?”

“Your body’s condition. You have been sleeping for nine days?

“Kiefer-san and Ferris-san have been looking after you without any rest, for that they both collapsed. You’re so welcomed. I’m jealous.”

Hearing that, Ryner smiled wryly,

“…Jealous? Oh? So the prince of Nelpha, a good youth like you, could get jealous too?”

Toale laughed, as he laughed he passed the water canteen over slightly lazily.

After ensuring that Ryner had used the water to wet his lips, he said,

“Because I am human too, so I will get jealous too. And I am more particular about Kiefer-san.”

Ryner widened his eyes in surprise, moving the water canteen away from his mouth, asking,

“…That, is that real? Is that so?”

So Toale smiled again.

“You see, you are so dense that you didn’t even discover it… but, because this is a battle that I cannot interfere in, so I gave up. After all that—large cry, I could hear the intentions Kiefer-san had for you.”

“…”

“Well, because I like Ryner-san too, so I can give up because of you… But, what does Ryner-san plan to do? Accept Kiefer-san’s intentions?”

Ryner looked at Toale through half-lidded eyes.

“…Ah~ before we talk about that, did you say that you liked me? I’m sorry, I don’t have that kind of interest…”

“Using this to direct the topic away~ If you have used that attitude to treat Kiefer-san so far, she will suffer.”

“…”

“How do I say this, bullying Ryner-san while he is sick, I haven’t planned to give up from this side.”

Toale smiled as he said that.

Then Ryner smiled wryly,

“You’re really like this.”

“Ahaha. Then, quickly tell everyone that you are awake and full of energy. Everyone is concerned about you.”

Saying that, Toale stood up.

Then,

“No, can you wait?”

Ryner stopped him.

“…That, because I just sat up.”

Saying that, Toale looked at me worriedly.

“Your body, is it still in pain?”

“No, only tired.”

“…Oh, although the doctor said that you were over-exhausted, but just sleeping without waking for nine days because of exhaustion is really… it seems that, it’s related to using that power on the battle grounds… right?”

Towards this question, Ryner’s expression darkened momentarily.

He remembered himself using the power, the matter of killing an unbelievable number of people.

He remembered the people vanishing like mist.

Was it because he had used that abnormal power, that he had slept for so long as a side effect?

Being asked that by Toale,

“…What is it?”

Ryner muttered.

“Perhaps, it is only because I am a lazy person?”

But Toale was still worried,

“Of course it’s best if you can cure it just by sleeping…”

“I think there should be no problem.”

“Really? Although we say that, we are helpless about the matters that even the doctor don’t understand…”

Then Ryner narrowed his eyes.

Just like that, his eyelids wanted to close, as if entering sleep again.

So Ryner panicked,

“Ah~ Oh no, Toale, I think I’m going to sleep.”

“Ah??”

“But before I sleep I have something that I must know of…”

Although he only managed to speak until half-way, but Toale knew what Ryner was thinking, so he told him,

“What happened in the end in that battle, right? Please don’t worry, Gastark temporarily retreated—after that Vois Fiurelle-kun, as if he had predicted something like that would happen, spun around happily.”

“Vois?”

“Yes.”

“…That, makes me more and more worried.”

Ryner said that, Toale smiled. But Ryner felt, in his smile, there was something hidden behind it.

“What, even if it’s something worse than that…”

Then his speech ended there.

For some reason, Ryner became even more tired,

“This can’t be… I can’t even keep conscious… Damnit, what is going on… I can’t, I’m sorry, slight, ma…”

“Ma?”

“…”

“Well, what?”

“…”

“He’s already asleep… Really, is he alright. He woke up with much difficulty, never mind, he should be recovering slowly…”

But, Ryner could no longer hear what Toale was saying.

His consciousness became blurred, he couldn’t think about anything.

Then, Ryner suddenly thought,

“…”

This is not good, he thought.

Because this feeling of wanting to sleep strongly, Ryner had experienced it once.

That was magic.

And it was Roland’s magic.

Numbness, loose nerves, a magic that forced the opponent to enter sleep.

Because it was a magic only used for medical purposes, as long as the person it was used on rebelled it could be released immediately, so it wasn’t used in military affairs.

Of course the army had researched about using magic to force the enemy into sleep, but it had never succeeded. To people who resisted strongly entering sleep could cause a large stress on their nerves, and cause the person to die.

If it was for the purpose of killing the other person it wasn’t that it couldn’t be tried forcefully, but for that, there could be other simpler, stronger magic that could be used for that purpose.

So that magic was not completed.

But, now, the point wasn’t about whether this magic had been completed or not.

The problem was,

“…”

Now, there was a possibility that he was under a sleeping spell.

But, who was it who had done this?

And, he didn’t know when he had come under this magic.

To be straightforward, why did they want me to enter this forced slumber…

“…”

Then this thought process reached its end.

The human-made sleeping monster had already forcefully engulfed Ryner’s consciousness, he was already unable to think.

Damnit, although he tried to resist in his heart, but it was useless.

The strong sense of sleep attacked his whole body.

The strong sleeping monster collapsed his consciousness.

He could only, sleep.

Sleep.

Sleep.

He was unable to think.

Then he,

“…”

Lost consciousness again.

◆

When he woke up again,

“…”

The ceiling, no longer swayed.

It seemed like the carriage was no longer moving.

Had they reached their destination, or were they resting.

He couldn’t see any light rays shining through the curtained window, he thought that it should be midnight.

He moved his body slightly, most of his body could move now compared to when he first woke up. So Ryner sat up immediately,

“Ow, I overslept, my body aches…”

His face contorted.

And his body was already able to listen to commands, his urge to sleep was gone. To understand what magic he had come under—

“…”

Ryner closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, a strange pattern appeared in his eyes.

But that was no longer a red five-pointed star.

But, it was a pattern of a tear that was shining with all colours.

He didn’t know the name of this eyes too.

But it was through these amazing eyes, he could see himself.

Then, the structure of air, the structure of his body, the structure of the other particles moving in his body, a larger information than before entered his eyes.

But, he didn’t discover the magic that he had come under.

“Unless, I never came under, any spells in the beginning?”

Ryner muttered.

“That means that it could be a side effect because I used the power of these eyes, so I couldn’t move?”

That could be possible too.

Because he had used an unbelievably large amount of energy.

He had used a power that humans should not use.

Then, the scenary changed.

Many people disappeared before they could scream.

Doing that, there could not be no side effects.

At least in the world of magic, whatever power you used, you had to pay a price.

For example increasing the impact would mean sacrificing speed, the area of effectiveness and the mortality effect would be lowered greatly.

Using a large-scale magic, if the number of casters were not enough there would not be enough magic power—things like this happened.

Magicians had to maintain balance, as they created a magic with more practical value.

But,

“…This kind of power is not the problem of just maintaining balance… possibly my life span would be greatly decreased because of this.”

Ryner thought about this matter.

But, he didn’t think that that was scary.

Because he had taken many people’s lives.

Because he had taken away so many people’s lives.

Wanting to live on without paying a price, he had never thought of that from the beginning.

“…”

Then he reached out his left hand, looking at his hand that had killed a large amount of people on the battle ground.

“…Well, doing something like that, my life span would definitely be decreased, it’s a pity it hasn’t reached zero…”

He murmured.

Then he looked at his right arm. He looked at his right arm that had been bitten by the thunder beasts that Lir had released.

But, there was not a wrist there. The wound had been healed, but there was nothing there starting from his elbow.

“…”

Even so, he didn’t feel anything.

Be it his wrist, life span, losing anything didn’t matter.

Because he had protected what he wanted to protect.

Ferris, Kiefer, Toale, companions—because of protecting precious things, anything was fine.

He had come so far, he didn’t plan to find any excuses.

He would not say that he was a monster, a murdering monster, crying, sadly, escaping.

Because, I protected comrades.

Because, I killed people, protecting precious companions.

If that is counted as a monster,

Then, the people scolding that this is a monster must completely be monstrous too.

Then, I,

“…It doesn’t matter if I’m a monster.”

Ryner muttered.

After that, he raised his head, standing up, using his remaining left arm to open the carriage door.

Outside, was night as expected.

The other carriages had stopped.

The tents had been pitched, the soldiers were sleeping.

“…”

Ryner got off the carriage, looking at everything.

It seemed as if they had not reached their destination.

“Well, anyway we don’t know where is our destination… but that fellow Vois what is he thinking of doing?”

He thought about it.

In that war, the Geihlfilant king had died.

A large amount of the Geihlficlant soldiers had died too.

All those were Ryner’s fault.

It was the fault of the Anti-Roland Coalition.

If these failures were revealed, the relationship between the Anti-Roland Coalition and Geihlficlant would deteriorate, if this caused Gastark and Geihlficlant to cooperate, this would push the Anti-Roland Coalition into a bad position.

“Well, because it’s that person, it should be handled very well… From the beginning it seemed he wanted me to affect Glovil… Then, he should have rehearsed the plan to deal with the aftermath.”

He muttered, then wanted to think about what exactly was this, but shook his head, and decided to ask the person in question.

Although he didn’t know whether Vois was still here, but even if he were not, Toale and the others should roughly know about the situation.

Talking about which, earlier when he had been asking about what was the situation, he discovered Toale’s expression was slightly closed off.

“Then, what troublesome matters have occurred?”

Ryner revealed an expression that showed his bland interest.

“Even if it were not like that, there are troublesome matters all over the world.”

As he thought of that, he remembered about more of that war.

The matter about the pink-haired girl who emerged from the mouth of the large snake that had been summoned by Gastark, the matter about α abusing the battle ground.

The matter about the Goddess who had ambushed them to help α, the matter about the Demon living in his body that looked exactly the same as him.

And,

“…”

The matter of the Demon that had looked exactly the same as him hugging his dead mother, to his chest.

“…”

Ryner pressed a hand to his chest, then narrowed his eyes, several tears escaping.

He had clearly forgot.

He had clearly forgot about his mother, why was he so sad.

It was said that his mother had fought desperately to protect him.

It was said that his mother had sacrificed herself to replace him, so that he would not be killed by α.

Then, his mother died.

According to the words of the demon who he had met in the dream-like environment,

“So that she could protect you, she gave up on everything. What a gentle human!”

That sentence, to him, to Ryner…

Ryner wanted to say something, but he noticed something else, his eyes narrowed sharply.

Then,

“…What is this.”

He looked at the night scenary.

Looked at quiet darkness.

He noticed, although there should have been a large number of soldiers nearby, but there was no sound, this strange situation.

“…Damnit, I’m so silly… What bad things have happened…”

At this moment, as if covering this sentence, a voice sounded from somewhere.

“Yes, you’re late in your discovery.”

A voice sounded from behind him.

Ryner frantically spun around.

But there was no one there. There was only the carriage that he had been in just now.

And from that carriage…

“Where are you looking to?”

The voice spoke again.

Ryner turned around again.

“Here.”

From right, left, here, there, the voice continued to echo.

It spoke from everywhere.

Then as Ryner’s whole body went alert, he said.

“…What a boring game… using magic to move the air vibrations caused by the voice? That…”

He closed his eyes, then opened them.

And the power of his eyes was released, the tear pattern appeared in the middle of his eyes. Then he immediately looked clearly at the magic that was around him.

As expected, that was a magic that controlled the air vibrations from the voice. He didn’t know which country’s magic it was, but because it was simple, Ryner could use it just by looking at it once.

So Ryner’s hand started to move, so that he could activate the magic that would touch this magic.

He wanted to use his right hand to draw the magic formation, then he realized that he no longer had a right wrist.

“Ah, damnit, it’s not there.”

Saying that, he moved his left hand, quickly drawing a magical formation.

But when he was about to finish the magic,

“Ah, am I revealed? How capable~”

The voice spoke, then the magic that had been spread out by the enemy disappeared.

So Ryner stopped his magic too, so that he could block the next attack from the enemy, he needed to keep his left hand free.

Then he frowned unconsciously, feeling for the first time that losing his right wrist could truly be a little bad.

If he had a prosthetic limb it probably would be fine, but he had not become accustomed to the feeling of not having a right wrist. So earlier he naturally wanted to use his right hand.

And this kind of natural wrong judgment, in a fight against a strong opponent it could be fatal.

Then,

“…”

He stared at the darkness before his eyes.

No, he stared at the direction in which the darkness was spreading, as if weaved of magic, something that was like a black cloud of magic.

It was a magic he had never seen before.

It was strangely complex, even if it were Ryner who was familiar with magic, was unable to understand the context of the formula in one glance.

That cloud gave off something that was like a mist.

It was a transparent mist that could not be seen except by Ryner’s special eyes.

The effect of that mist was to induce slumber.

If that mist was absorbed into the body, it would act on the nerves, making a person fall asleep.

It seemed to be like until just now, the sleep that Ryner had been under for these few days, until the caster removed the spell, it seemed that the person who took in that mist would continue sleeping.

And it was very generous, so that the person could sleep without eating or drinking, it even provided nutrients.

Although he didn’t know why this magic had to be used, but anyway he had to make this magic—

“…”

That cloud that caused sleep, had already made everyone in Ryner’s vicinity fall asleep.

Probably thousands of people had already fallen asleep because of this.

Normally this kind of magic could not be controlled by one person.

If the area of effectiveness of magic was increased, the power would increase, a single caster would find it difficult to activate the magic.

That meant,

“…It’s a large-scale magic.”

Then Ryner felt that his heart was beating strongly.

Now they were, under attack by an army that had magicians that could cast a large-scale magic.

And all his companions had come under that spell…

But,

“No, Ryner, look carefully, that’s not a large-scale magic.”

A voice said.

The bodiless, steady voice said.

Ryner looked in the direction of the voice, as the magic that caused the position of the voice to shift had vanished, the owner of the voice stood there.

He looked in the direction of the voice,

“Eh? You, how do you know my name…”

Ryner broke off midway, suddenly stopping.

Because the man standing there, he had seen him before.

No, in the deepest corner of his heart.

In the deepest corner of his memory, the figure of that person was strongly engraved there.

“…”

So Ryner looked at that man, trembling.

He didn’t know why he would become like that, anyway his whole body was trembling.

Even so, he looked straight ahead.

Standing there, was a man with a sleepy face.

Golden hair, blue eyes that were sleepy.

A body that was like an unmotivated cat’s, and a black coat that did not blend in with the lazy atmosphere, a well-made leather bag.

He seemed to be in his late twenties, at most he wasn’t over thirty. But, it wasn’t like that. That person didn’t seem to be more than twenty years old. Because the man in front of him, had not changed at all, from the person’s figure in his memory.

He had not changed from the memory he had of him from fifteen years ago.

Like in the past, that person smiled at him with a gentleness that had not changed.

Then, Ryner shook.

Not only that, he nearly cried.

He used a weak and trembling voice to say,

“…Fa, father?”

As he said that, the man in front of him replied.

He had the same voice as he had remembered from his memories.

A gentle, very gentle voice.

“Oh dear, we finally meet… my dear son.”

That person said.

Chapter 2: The Demon Who Established A Kingdom

The scene changed.

South from where Ryner and the others were, near to the center of the Geihlficlant Empire.

There,

“…Ah~”

Vois Fiurelle groaned.

He was a thirteen-fourteen year old teen who had beautiful black hair, seemingly clever black eyes, wearing something that was like a witch’s outfit.

That boy used a tired expression to look to the side.

“I think we rode too much on the horses, my butt hurts, Relca what about you?”

He asked.

Then, Relca Redehna who was traveling on horseback with him blushed.

She had bright tea-colored hair, and black eyes that did not compliment them; her eyes wandered as if in distress.

“Even, even if you ask me how am I, I…”

“Your butt, doesn't hurt?”

“Th-that… because I practiced…”

“AH? I didn’t know that butts, could be trained.”

“It’s horse, horse riding!”

To Relca’s reaction, Vois sniggered evilly.

“I was joking~ I’m sorry, I was teasing you.”

“Were you teasing me just now ?”

“Yes, anyway, since I worked till now i’m so tired that I want to die~ So i felt frustrated and teased Relca.”

“…That’s, that’s it.”

“Yes.”

“…If V-Vois-sama feels happy because of that, I’m happy too…”

But Vois ignored her, looking in the opposite direction.

Then said,

“Hey Harmit, doesn’t your butt ache?”

A beautiful girl who was as beautiful as Relca was there.

Long black hair, indigo eyes, she wore a battle armor on her tall slim body.

Her name was Harmit Wolf.

Harmit looked over, smiling faintly.

“…After running for such a long distance, it is a little painful.”

She said.

To this answering style, Vois nodded.

“This answering method isn’t sexy at all, so I’ll give you 20 points.”

“Ah? Not sexy? Then, although I don’t understand, does that mean I’m not good?”

Vois shook his head.

“No, no, you only needs to stay this way.”

He smiled.

And his smile, also revealed his tiredness.

Many days after that battle with Gastark, he had been busy with various matters, he had not rested at all. Furthermore he had been on horseback moving, moving, moving.

“…If they make a growing child work like this, he wouldn’t grow tall~”

He smiled as he said that.

Of course, the actual owner of the Anti-Roland Coalition was him. That meant, the one who ordered him to work was himself, so there wasn’t anyone that he could complain about.

“…but, never mind, if I don’t work hard now, when will I work hard ? That’s the situation.”

So, he straightened his body that was slumping against the horse’s head, looking at the scenery unfolding in front of him.

Then that scenery gave off a light.

It was now two o'clock at the night, it was supposed to be dark where the sun rays could not be seen, but it was as bright as it was during the day in his eyes.

If it was asked why, it was because a battle was happening in front of him.

Magic and magic were colliding.

The large-scale magic from Geihlficlant, and the flames of the Rhule Fragmei, released from the Anti-Roland Coalition that had prepared first.

It was clear which side would win.

Under the pressurizing fire power of the Rhule Fragmei that magic scholars were unable to analyze, the Geihlficlant soldiers were unable to resist.

Furthermore, Geihlficlant was now in an utmost mess, because in the battle with Gastark Empire, they had lost their king.

And, it was rumored that the person who had killed their king, was the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition, that they had accepted.

And the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition Ryner Lute was not human, but the reincarnation of a demon, of course the one who had spread these rumors was Vois.

“…”

Anyway, it was said that Ryner Lute was a monster reincarnated as the demon, and just by opening his eyes, he could spread death, depression and disaster.

And, it was said that in the battle between Geihlficlant and Gastark, that demon had opened his eyes.

In the end the king of Geihlficlant, Gulafed Abuleld had died.

And, it was said that the hundreds of thousands of Geihlficlant soldiers had been cursed to become dust in a moment.

According to the people who had escaped from the battle ground due to luck, the demon king Ryner Lute could even control a large spider monster.

It was said that the spider monster spread a red five-pointed star to its surroundings, then the people who touched it; would have their blood boiling and dying exploding.

Then the spider would lay eggs on the corpses, and the corpses where the eggs hatched would become spider people, becoming Ryner Lute’s eternal slave—

“…”

Vois was spreading information like this all over the world.

Of course, no one believed this nonsense.

Demon?

Spider monster?

These things couldn’t exist, anyone would scoff.

But quickly, people came to know, that the king of Geihlficlant had been killed.

They knew about the matter where hundreds of thousands of soldiers had been demolished to dust in a moment.

Of course they still didn’t believe in demons, spider monster and whatnot, but Ryner Lute the nameless king named so, had used some method to simply kill over hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and like so he suddenly became infamous in the central continent; this point had spread around.

“Relca”

Vois said.

Perhaps it was because she had been ignored that Relca said "yes" with a slightly unhappy voice, nodding.

Then Vois while not even looking at Relca said,

“Then, what did the people of the city say? Are they surrendering to us?”

“Yes, although in the beginning they resisted, but now they have already…”

But Vois interrupted her,

“Ah~ No no, they've resisted. Then, kill them all. Our Demon King lord Ryner Lute has a very picky personality… As long as they resist we’ll kill them all~ He wants that done.”

“…Kill them all?”

“Yes, the women, the children, everyone.”

“B-but…”

“But what? Although I don’t want to hear any boring suggestions, then, are there any opinions that can be used as suggestions?”

“…”

“No? Then shut up. No matter what, the soldiers on our side are just a few. We don’t have the luxury of having more. So when we need to threaten we have to threaten; This way Geihlficlant’s lands can be gained with the least damage… Although it is progressing successfully now it's still impossible to gain all of it. No matter what we do, we can only gain four territories…?”

As he said that, Harmit said,

“Two have already…”

“Not enough and too slow. If we wait until Geihlficlant hands over the throne, rearranging their position, we will not be able to gain…”

Saying that, he turned his head to the sky as if he were thinking about something.

Looking to the night sky that was illuminated by the flames from the Rhule Fragmei.

“…No, but being engrossed in attacking it's good… Gaining complete control over the territories we have needs a certain amount of time… If it’s forced too much, other countries will attack Geihlficlant…”

This way, should there be a need for Geihlficlant to be able to regroup itself?

“…”

He thought about these.

If other countries came in to feed on Geihlficlant, then the Anti-Roland Coalition that did not have enough manpower, would be unable to chase them away.

That meant, there was a need for Geihlficlant to combine forces with them to chase them away.

Then,

“…It would be enough if they reach an acceptable stage… Then, where should we stop…”

He said, as he continued to have his tired expression, knocking his head lightly.

There were always various dangers when faced with the road to success, his grandmother who had taught him cunning tactics often said this.

“…Then, what are the degree of the dangers.”

He said to himself.

“Harmit”

“Here”

“The name of that city is…?”

“Sephilans.”

“Is it counted as a large city?”

“In Geihlficlant, it’s the fourth largest.”

“The fourth, the fourth huh… Then, if we obtain this, will we be able to separate Geihlficlant into two parts?”

“Perhaps… If Geihlficlant decides on a new king, attacking from both sides after reorganizing…”

But Vois shook his head.

“Not that. I don’t think Gastark will retreat just like that. The northern half of Geihlficlant has probably been taken over by Gastark already. And the northern country, Ertolia Republic. No matter which side moves; the northern side of Geihlficlant is done for.”

“…”

And the southern side will be attacked by Roland or Remrus Empire. If we separate it, Geihlficlant should be unable to trouble us.”

As he said that, a map unraveled in his mind.

The land of Geihlficlant Empire separated into two parts, and, in the middle, the map of a city called Sephilans.

Then he checked the position of other countries that had strong power.

In the north were Gastark Empire, Ertolia Republic.

In the south were Roland Empire, Remrus Empire.

“…"

It was probably, most suitable here.

If he had to build a country with Sephilans as the center, he had confidence that he would be able to defend it for a certain period of time.

And, where it would be more beneficial for the building of a country, he had already thought much about his movements. Actually long before he met Ryner Lute, he had started with these preparations.

And so that the front line soldiers would reach here, he had already positioned his soldiers before the fight with Gastark.

“…Well, although the Geihlficlant king was unexpectedly sharp, controlling a few teams…”

Vois said a little regretfully.

Actually he had prepared three times more soldiers than he had now, he had almost been able to gain much land, never mind, he had no choice since he had been found.

No matter what game, when all plans did not proceed perfectly, it was the place where it was most interesting.

So, firstly,

“This place, is the limit… If we can get Sephilans, then we can stop.”

He said to himself.

The south, had the three countries occupying it, the separated Geihlficlant Empire, Roland Empire, Remrus Empire, because they have to limit each other, they probably wouldn't move to deal with us.

Then in the north, the northern part of Geihlficlant that has been separated, Ertolia Republic Gastark Empire will face each other.

Of course, because Geihlficlant has lost its king, maybe it would be broken up even more and swallowed by one of the countries, but, this needed some time.

In this time, we can think of plans to expand the country and its strength,

“…Ah~ But, I’m still thinking of gaining more land in a moment… I should let more talented people be in charge… Although it’s no use saying this now, well, there's really no choice, let’s head to the next destination. Harmit, accept Sephilans’ surrender, Pass this intention on to the other party; we agree.”

Then Harmit nodded, riding swiftly towards the fight.

As he checked this, Vois looked at Relca.

“Then, are you still angry?”

“I’m…not… angry…”

“Your angry expression is cute, Relca.”

“This… that…”

Hearing this, Relca immediately turned red, then Vois laughed evilly.

“Then, I’ll play with Relca near here…”

“Play…?”

“Spread this news. A war that uses the Rhule Fragmei is sad, immoral, if this power is continued to be used, one day the world would be destroyed and whatnot, spread it to the whole world. Then for peace, we as the starting country, will suggest the Rhule Fragmei be forbidden from being used in the boundaries of the world…”

Vois’ voice was drowned out by a rumbling sound.

That was the sound of the flames from the Rhule Fragmei that the Anti-Roland Coalition was using, burning the enemy.

This way, a larger number of soldiers died compared to those who were under a normal large-scale magic. Only one hit, changed the battle situation.

Then Vois looked at that strong light that could not have been done by humans.

“See~ The danger of using Rhule Fragmei in battle~? Ah, it’s lucky we are already used to it, it’s great.”

He smiled as he said that.

“So we have to forbid them from using it, so that there will be no countries other than us using Rhule Fragmei for our benefit.”

Hearing this, Relca asked uneasily.

“But will the other countries, listen to us?”

Vois shrugged, saying,

“Some countries will listen, some won’t. Those countries without Rhule Fragmei will listen to us. If we talk about large countries, like the Ertolia Republic that has just started collecting Rhule Fragmei, well... will they agree to our suggestion? Then for those small countries that don’t want to enter war, their opinion will probably be the same as us. Anyway, it’s for peace, right? For peace, give up on using weapons, anyway, the powerless countries wouldn’t disagree. Everyone will spout the word ‘peace’ like idiots.”

Saying that, Vois laughed, he laughed.

“And, we have the Demon King. That is the monster that killed hundreds of thousands of Geihlficlant soldiers and that destroyed the Rhule Fragmei weapon that Gastark was using. Seeing the death of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, it’s a bad and dangerous sight. Then, we will stop using weapons, because it’s too sad, we will stop using them. Although we have the strong power that can neutralize the Rhule Fragmei’s incredible power, we are very kind, and we won’t use it in our daily lives. This is a little… persuasive right? Don’t we seem to be looking forward to peace too?”

Relca had an uncomprehending expression, tilting her head as she looked over.

Then Vois said,

“Any questions?”

Relca replied.

“…Hearing those words, I feel that lord Vois doesn’t really wish for peace… you don’t want peace?”

To this, Vois tilted his head too.

“Peace?”

He asked.

“Yes, you don’t wish for it?”

Vois said with a slightly troubled tone,

“Eh? Relca, you asked a confusing question? Humans hoping for peace and something like that, doesn’t exist.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, or we should say, perhaps. Imagine now, that you are about to die of starvation.”

“…Going, to die of starvation?”

“Yes, dying of starvation. You’ll die of starvation if you don’t eat in five minutes, that kind of borderline situation.”

“Yes.”

“Then there is someone in the same situation as you beside you, from children to old people there are in total twenty people queuing there, do you understand so far?”

“…Yes.”

Confirming that Relca had nodded, Vois continued. He happily opened his arms,

“Then, then, the gentle god comes to stage. Because the god is very kind, he has prepared a delicious soup in front of you. Then come drink, you’re hungry? Till today you have been suffering? But, the god who was supposed to be kind, why did he only prepare one cup of soup? There are clearly twenty who are about to starve to death, but he only prepared one cup of soup. Is the god silly, or is he bullying you for a laugh? I don’t know too, anyway he only prepared one cup. Then, what to do? Then, what would you do?”

“…”

“Will you say, because I love peace, so I’ll let others drink the soup? Of course you can say that. But what about the people beside you? The people beside them? Or would all of you shout that you love peace, die together?”

“…” “The world turns like that. Of course, I’m not saying there’s no love. Parents exit the stage for their children. They exit the stage for lovers. There is a possibility of these kind of cases. But, there is no peace. In the end someone will drink the soup, and everyone doesn’t think that there is a possibility of increasing the soup. Only thinking of sharing the soup with the people that they see. They will think, if I can prepare Relca’s share, something like that—”

Then, the flames of the Rhule Fragmei shone again.

And people died again.

People died.

The people who weren’t able to drink the soup, died.

As he was illuminated by the flames, Vois said.

“But they never thought of the people who they didn’t see. So, as long as a person has drunk one mouthful of soup, they do not have the right to say ‘peace’, this point is understood by anyone. Understand it, cry over it, proceed onwards.”

Saying that, Vois looked to the south.

Then he thought about the Hero King Sion Astal coming up from the south, and Riphal Edea who was aiming for the south from the north.

No matter what any of them were enlightened rulers.

They were said to be kind kings, who were much loved by their people.

As to what was that, it was probably because they could move onward while crying. Crying, shouting, but even so, they had no right to say something as good as peace.

Because they knew that was a fantasy.

Because they knew that was only a false kindness.

They stained their hands with fresh blood, but even so they desperately progressed.

“…Well, how unlucky, someone like our kind, is an innocent person who gives false kindness.”

Vois said, smiling slightly.

So Relca smiled too.

“Then lord Vois, you like that innocent person?”

“Eh?”

“Lord Vois really doesn’t wish for peace?”

“…”

“Even though you know it’s a false kindness, it’s a fantasy, but does lord Vois really not wish for peace?”

Vois smiled, laughing like he usually did, using a serious expression that couldn’t be felt to look at Relca.

“Why, do you think so?”

He asked.

Relca said,

“Even though lord Vois is not king, then it’s not bad being Sion Astal’s subordinate, or Riphal Edea’s subordinate. But, why did you come up with a new king, I have some suspicions. If it’s only using war to gain money, then you can use any country. But lord Vois went through the risks, choosing lord Ryner. I am thinking, why is that so…”

“Then, do you have an answer?”

Relca shook her head.

“No, someone like me, is unable to keep up with such deep thoughts like lord Vois’s.”

“Oh, is that so? It’s actually surprisingly easy~”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then, can you tell me?”

Being asked that, Vois smiled.

“…”

But he didn’t reply.

He moved his eyes away from Relca,

“Then, we were talking about boring things earlier. We should start work. Relca, spread out the information that I prepared.”

“That…”

“Send out a special emissary to the main countries, suggesting that the whole world be prohibited from using Rhule Fragmei.”

So she nodded, saying “I understand”.

As she prepared to leave, she was called by Vois.

“Ah, Relca!”

Relca stopped, turning around.

“Is there something you need?”

Vois added an order.

“You don’t need to go to Roland Empire and Remrus Empire, because those two countries are already mad… Send useless people, it doesn’t matter if they’re killed.”

“…Alright.”

“You can go to Gastark Empire or Ertolia Republic, the people there are still rational.”

“Then I’ll go to Gastark.”

“Is that so? Gastark… Gastark is probably, I think, fine…”

Vois was slightly troubled, the rumours and information about Gastark spun in his mind.

“…Ma, if we want to improve our relationship with Gastark, it’ll be better if you went. Then, you can go there, anyway don’t die.”

Hearing Vois’ concern for her, Relca smiled happily.

“Yes!”

Then she rode away.

When Relca left, many of Vois’ subordinates appeared behind him to protect him.

“From here let us…”

“Ah, thank you for protecting me~ I’ll count on you.”

He didn’t even look at his subordinates’ faces, saying that. Then he looked to the sky absentmindedly, feeling because he had not slept enough, his head ached when he moved it. Then, he carried a tired expression.

“…Ah~ I’m tired. I want to be surrounded by cute children on a soft bed, sleep after having meat and wine… But I can’t sleep… After separation the south and north Geihlficlant will have their own kings, I can’t give a bad impression on the neighbor above and below me… Otherwise…’

Vois moved his gaze back to the land.

He lowered his head to look at his shadow, that was stretched out on the ground clearly although it was night.

Then,

“…If I don’t put an end to this before the Goddeses get angry…prohibiting the usage of Rhule Fragmei is already useless to those people. Here, we still have lord Ryner…”

At this moment, Vois’ voice disappeared again.

Because the Rhule Fragmei was starting up again.

A light was released in the sky and world, the rumbling sounded.

Then, the mad killing power was released.

Vois opened his sleepy eyes to look at that light that would destroy everything.

“…Alright, let’s enter Sephilans, settle our base.”

He said.

Then he looked at his surrounding subordinates’ faces for the first time.

“Spread the order to the whole army. It’s about time we rest, work harder.

“This will be our base… Let us welcome our king… the Demon King who killed hundreds of thousands of Geihlficlant soldiers here.”

He ordered.

Then Vois kicked the horse’s stomach,

“Let’s go!”

And the horse ran out.

It ran to the dark night that was as bright as day.

As he held on to the horse tightly, he used a tired expression,

“…Then, after we have the land, there’s no need to use the name Anti-Roland Coalition all the time… Then”

The name of the country.

He had to come up with a name for the new country.

Vois thought in his mind.

Suddenly he thought of a good name.

“...How about the Love Woman’s Underwear Kingdom?”

Saying that, his surrounding subordinates did not complain at all.

Then he smiled humorlessly,

“…Or use the name of the Iyet Republic where I was born… Call it the Iyet Kingdom…”

He muttered to himself as the horse ran.

The fire became larger.

The fire, in the city became larger.

Looking in the direction of the strong light,

“…Then, what name should it be?”

He murmured.

Their destination was the city of Geihlficlant, Sephilans.

Chapter 3: Peace and Karma

The rumours and information that Vois Fiurelle had leaked out, seemed to stir up the world.

As if it had passed through some form of organizing first, the information that the Anti-Roland Coalition released expanded under various sources.

What was added, was the content about the ugly and fierce Demon King.

Regarding the atrocious battle, the content about the huge spider that was dealt away with the demon’s control.

The content about the demon only needing to huffing a curse, and killing hundreds of thousands of Geihlficlant soldiers.

The news about how Gastark, which had been heading south with their strong stance, had been unable to handle the demon.

Looking at the report that was written from rumours and truths, Sion Astal muttered to himself.

A slight grin appeared.

“…The Demon King, Ryner Lute?”

He said.

Under that well-groomed silver hair, was a pair of golden eyes that were currently filled with a little exhaustion.

Wearing the white battle armour that was specially used by the king of Roland and originally designed for the purpose of standing on the battle field, he, by himself, sat on a chair and was reading files in front of the table where they discussed the war.

The place where he was now, was roughly in the middle of the southern part of the continent—a fortress of the area that was originally known as the Autonomous Holy City of Cassla.

He was sitting in the large foyer of the fortress and he was reading reports from various places.

In a place slightly north of here, there was a fierce battle going on.

The place called the People’s District of Urd which was initially governed by Cassla, was snatched away by one of the countries in the middle of the continent, the Remrus Empire.

Claugh and Calne and the others were frantically defending against the Remrus army—that was the current situation.

But,

“…”

Sion looked at the map spread out on the strategy table.

Looking at the territory of Remrus that was encroaching the southern part of the continent,

“…It seems that it wouldn’t be easy, for us to proceed…”

He murmured.

And the Remrus Empire seemed like a slightly, no, it was a very odd country.

Until half a year ago, it was still known as the Holy Land of Veiohl, but in that half a year, there were major changes to the internal system.

It was said that in a place where there was nothing, the son of god was born, and obtained the throne of the king.

With respect to the name of the son of god, the country had changed its name to the Remrus Empire.

And then Remrus Empire, was then said to be a country chosen by god, and was blessed with eternal peace—

“…”

No matter how it was looked at, it was only a country that was supported with words that were lies, suppressing the People’s District of Urd which was protected by twenty thousand Cassla soldiers, moving one step forward in the conflict with the Roland forces that Sion themselves led.

It seemed that they had used some Rhule Fragmei that Sion himself was not aware of, other than that,

“…”

Other than that, in the alternate universe where Sion had been alone, another person had appeared.

It was the person himself who was called the son of god, Remrus.

Of course that person was not human. Like Sion who was not a human, that person was not a human.

He had seven eyes and six arms.

He was a complete monster.

That monster spoke, it seemed to know about Sion, no, it seemed that it even knew about the Hero in Sion.

Lightly calling Asruld Roland.

It said it did not want to fight with a mad war god that only wished for despair.

Then, it said excitedly.

“You, still know nothing, right? Even though you wanted to trap me from earlier. You haven’t completely merged with Asruld. If you really want to merge with it, you would not speak to me. Because you will hate me who is underhanded, then I will subsequently be killed immediately. Because my forte does not lie in illusions, but spells. So you who understands me, wouldn’t give me time to use spells.”

It had said.

Then as that person—Remrus had said.

Sion, and Lucile had made a mistake. Facing the spell that Remrus cast, Lucile became unable to move.

Now, Lucile was moving frantically to release the spell, but in this time period, Sion had become defenseless.

The Goddesses, the monsters that they used, and then, Remrus who had attacked with the spell, now had to be dealt with by Sion alone.

And Sion himself, understood that he couldn’t win Remrus.

Just having the shadow of Remrus causing the situation to become like this, if he fought with the actual body,

“…”

If he fought with that person called the son of god, he had to wait until Lucile was revived.

At least he had to wait until he had gained the power of the Fallen Mad Hero, that Hero—before that, Lucile’s power could not be missed.

And the Goddess had used the curse of Humans to stop the Hero, that was extremely powerful. If the Humans were not weakened, if they didn’t turn into Human α, he would be unable to regain his original power.

Unable to gain the huge power that could destroy everything.

So now, with the Remrus Empire as Roland’s enemy, they had entered a difficult battle.

Even if his subordinates had won on the battle field, but as long as Remrus himself appeared and cast a spell on Sion, everything would end.

Before Lucile got rid of the spell and came back, he could not progress too much.

And in that time,

“…”

In that time, something astonishing had happened in the Middle Continent.

A demon was born.

A Demon King was born.

It was said that that demon, was called Ryner Lute.

It was said that he had the same name as his old friend.

Then Sion,

“…It can’t be, Ryner was faster in establishing his name in the Central Continent… I really didn’t think of that.”

He muttered, feeling genuinely happy.

Then in a moment he thought of it.

Only in that short moment he recalled.

The times he spent with him.

The times when Ryner laughed foolishly, made a ruckus, yelling that he was bored to death every day.

Shouting something like, Sion you bastard, I’m going to kill you.

And Sion laughed.

Looking at the gentle demon making a fuss at his side, he laughed.

Ah, how boring, you bastard, I’m really, absolutely, going to kill yoooooou, Ryner had always shouted this, but in the end he had frantically helped with his work—Sion thought of his friend’s face and laughed.

Then,

“…”

He remembered that the two of them had constantly looked down on this country’s matters, from the highest place in the Roland castle.

The duo had worked tirelessly through day and night for a few days, and because of this, their heads were aching badly. Let’s go to the roof top to relax, he had forgotten who had suggested this, anyway the two of them had climbed up to the roof.

Then, they looked down at this country.

Ryner had his usual sleepy expression,

“This scenery, it really looks like it’s a mirage…”

He said, then apologized to me.

“…I’m sorry.”

In the beginning Sion didn’t know what that person was talking about.

But Ryner continued,

“… What I said in the past, that, I stand corrected.”

“Eh? What did you say?”

Sion had asked, as Ryner looked down at this country, looked down at the capital of Roland, he said.

“…It’s not a mirage.”

Ryner spoke.

This country had changed.

The originally mad country, has changed after you became king.

And Sion, to this,

“…”

I had replied.

As if sighing he had replied.

“…It is a mirage, Ryner, at that time I had said ‘without losing a single comrade’, right. But… But now, only a few comrades have survived? For the sake of the vision I described, exactly, how many comrades have died? Exactly how many…”

But Ryner interrupted me.

“Even if that’s the case… Sion, even if it’s like what you said, this isn’t a mirage. This country has changed, without you, this country would still be in the darkness.”

He had said this, and looked down to the streets of the city, using his usual tired eyes, and seemingly unmotivated, soothing expression.

Then he said,

“…That’s already, enough.”

He spoke.

“You’re already, very hard working. I’m very clear about this point. So, don’t use that kind of working method as if you’re blaming yourself…”

He said.

“It’s already enough, this country has changed a lot. Even if you relax a little, it wouldn’t turn back into what it was like in the past.”

He said.

“So if you make mistakes again, if you can’t do better… it isn’t necessary to make the opposition feel scared. Now, look, me, Ferris, we’re both here… and the others? That, red haired idiot, that pervert who likes older women, there are many companions here… it’s alright, this country, is already fine. You don’t have to worry alone by yourself. This country is changing now, and it is progressing in a good direction.”

Ryner had said.

And that Ryner, that person, was also no longer by his side.

“…”

Sion stared at the battle discussion table unseeingly, using tired golden eyes, to look at the files and maps. But nothing was reflected in his eyes, no image was reflected in them.

The only thing that was in his mind, was the scenes of those happy times.

In that moment, only that scene was imprinted deeply in his mind.

“…”

Naturally, he didn’t plan to say something stubborn like, I want to return to those times.

Because he had abandoned that himself.

Because he had always lied to Ryner, hurting him, and in the end abandoned him.

But, it is said that he doesn’t plan to give up on me even though I’m like this.

It’s said that he didn’t plan to give up on something so depressing.

That person had even wrote a message for me to be well.

Sion now still kept that paper with the message on it.

He kept the message that was written by that person who didn’t like to give up.

Ryner had wrote this.

Even though it was a piece of paper it could pass on that unmotivated air, it was written.

“So now, even though I do not know what you have been caught up in, but I will go to your side. On that rainy day, didn’t I say that? I can’t give up on you. I said I would do it and I will. So in order to save you, I will come to your side, to save you. For this, I am slightly motivated. This is from someone who is born to destroy the word ‘motivated’! I will shout this in the direction of your castle. Is it funny? Do you hear it? Ma, it’ll probably snow tomorrow. Anyway putting this lame joke aside… I will come back to your side. Even though I don’t know how much energy I have to burn up for this, but in order to have something important to me, I will come. So before that, be mentally prepared and wait. I will make you regret that moment when you didn’t kill me. You, have always talked to yourself as you despaired, and took up everything upon yourself. I was by your side as you nearly cried, I, but I… clearly took you as my best friend…”

When he read this letter, he completely didn’t know what this person was planning to do.

How could he return to my side? Someone as unmotivated as him, who would only uncaringly have afternoon naps every day, how could he return to my side? I completely didn’t understand.

But, it was said that Ryner had become a demon in the Middle Continent.

It was said that he had become the Demon King who could kill hundreds of thousands of people.

It was said that someone who clearly hated people dying had killed people, and, had become a king.

What exactly, was that for?

“…”

Of course I wouldn’t be so foolish to think it was for me.

But,

But even if that was the case.

“…Is your path, that one?”

Sion murmured.

“Then, further down that path, will you meet me…?”

He muttered.

“…Even if we’ve become enemies… Even if we will fight against each other on the battle field… Even so, as long as we can meet again… that is something to look forward to.”

He happily murmured.

At this moment,

“…Your Majesty”

A dark, cold voice spoke.

Then Sion looked up, and turned his head.

In the entrance of the hall, Froaude stood there with numerous armed soldiers with him.

Those subordinates were holding a girl. Her arms were tied up, and not only that, her shoulders were held firmly.

“…”

She had curly tea-coloured hair, and tea-coloured eyes, the black armour revealed pale soft and tender skin.

That was a battle armour that was made from a material that Sion had never seen before.

Looking at the girl, and the armour she wore, Sion asked.

“…Is she a spy? Or assassin?”

Froaude replied.

“She says she is an ambassador, she came to negotiate a treaty.”

“An ambassador?”

“Yes.”

“From where?”

As he asked this, Sion thought about it, at least he could confirm it wasn’t a request from Remrus to stop the war.

Because Remrus had already broke the promise once. Before this war, Remrus had requested an alliance with Roland.

And then after that he had attacked when they were unprepared.

Because he had broken the promise once, so he couldn’t have sent an ambassador.

Then, which country was it?

Sion didn’t think she was an ambassador from a small country, because now, Roland was suppressed by Remrus. The small countries had requested to enter the large countries protection range so that they wouldn’t be involved in the war, under this situation, there probably wouldn’t be any country that wanted to join up with Roland’s side.

Roland had already conquered the southern continent, so the ambassador should be from somewhere near Remrus.

Then, “…Is it someone from Geihlficlant?”

Sion asked Froaude.

If that was the case then that would be possible. In the period that they had lost a large amount of manpower from the war with Gastark, the Anti-Roland Coalition led by Ryner had attacked Geihlficlant’s territory.

And they had broken the territory into northern and southern parts.

The southern part seemed to have no one related to the royal family, and because there was some conflict over the issue of the throne, now, Geihlficlant was in a terrible state.

If it was left like this then there would be a self-destructive conflict, and if they were also attacked by the Remrus Empire at this time, now, they would not be able to withstand it.

That meant, Geihlficlant was facing a threat now.

In order to do something, seeking Roland’s strength—this was something easy to understand.

And this opportunity was just right, it benefited the Roland army by allowing them to enter the Central Continent, and enter a difficult battle with Remrus Empire. In order to defeat Remrus, even if it was Geihlficlant that had been split, it was the helping power that Roland wanted.

And because Geihlficlant understood this, so they sent out an ambassador recently, Sion had thought initially.

But,

“…”

But Froaude said.

“She’s not an ambassador from the Geihlficlant Empire, Your Majesty.”

“…She’s not?”

“Yes.”

“Then which country’s ambassador is she?”

At this moment, the girl lifted her head to look at Sion.

Then,

“…I am, an ambassador from the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet.”

She said.

Sion tilted his head slightly.

“…The People’s Republic of Sphelliyet… I haven’t heard of that before… Is it a small country in the Central Continent?”

The girl nodded.

“Yes, it’s a small country, so it’s no problem if Your Majesty doesn’t know about it. And, it was just recently formed.”

“…A new country?”

“If I say it’s the country built by the Anti-Roland Coalition, I think you’ll understand.”

She said.

Sion narrowed his eyes, then glared at her.

“…”

But that girl didn’t take note of Sion’s expression. No, she didn’t even look in his direction. Only, speaking what she had been commanded to say, in order to accomplish her mission as an ambassador.

But, who had ordered her to say that?

Because of whose orders, had she come here?

It was said that the king of the Anti-Roland Coalition was a demon.

It was said that the demon was called Ryner Lute.

Then, this person,

This person was here on Ryner’s orders…

The girl opened her mouth.

As if reading from a prepared script, she said,

“As everyone has heard, the ones who destroyed hundreds of thousands of Gastark’s soldiers that were fighting with the Geihlficlant Empire, was us.

She said.

“The ones who made the Gastark Empire who has been expanding south retreat is also us.”

She said.

“I trust that everyone has heard of these two matters, but we seem to have something that is far more powerful than what everyone can comprehend. By relying on that power, we have decided to build a country using this opportunity. This country is named the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet.”

She said this.

“Then, seizing this chance to build a country, we want to extend a treaty to the world to build peace.”

To this, Sion asked.

“A peace treaty…?”

“Yes, I think many countries have already noticed, on the current battle ground, there is an old weapon that has abnormally strong power called the Rhule Fragmei being used…”

Sion interrupted her.

“You don’t have to explain what is Rhule Fragmei. But, are you explaining this to the countries all over the world?”

He asked.

The girl nodded.

“Yes, in order to stop the usage of such dangerous weapons that can potentially destroy the world on the battle field, we are proposing a peace treaty…”

But, Sion interrupted her again, saying.

“Fools! By allowing the whole world to know of the existence of this weapon, what peace treaty do you want to talk about! If you do this every country will use Rhule Fragmei…”

“No, it wouldn’t become like that, this is the purpose of the peace treaty.”

“Who would follow that treaty…”

But the girl interrupted him.

“At least my country plans to follow it. We will not use such immoral weapons like the Rhule Fragmei on the battle field again. And we hope that your country can do this, for peace.”

“For peace? You say peace? What a joke, you…”

But the girl stopped him, saying.

She said with a shallow smile.

“Your Majesty, what are you shouting about, how can you yell angrily, the whole world is watching”

“…”

“The whole world is watching. Will you enter this peace treaty, or not? Of course it doesn’t matter if you don’t participate. You must think the world is yours, right? From the south and north, the king that will rely on the power of killing. No matter how you are called a hero in the south, if you choose wrongly here, this will decide your image in the Central Continent. Then, if that’s the case, what will it become? The people in the Central Continent will bow under the wild barbaric king who doesn’t want to enter the peace treaty? Do you think, after today you can progress north with only power?”

“…”

“If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter, anyway we didn’t think we could gain the approval of all the countries. But in the Central Continent, there are many countries who have agreed to this treaty…”

But, Froaude said,

“That’s your plan? Every country can’t possible reply immediately to such an important problem. Of course if you thought that something as absurd as rumours about the demon can threaten them then it’s a different story.”

He said sarcastically, but the girl smiled.

“Of course we’ve threatened some. This is obvious. The so-called negotiations, is something that is done after threats. Then timid countries will join in. Progressively, then large countries will also… this treaty has also garnered the approval of the Ertolia Republic.”

Hearing that, Sion was annoyed.

That the Ertolia Republic had approved of this treaty, Sion understood immediately. To Ertolia that had been late in gathering the Rhule Fragmei, of course they were quick in doing this.

Then, the Geihlficlant Empire that had lost power would definitely, give their approval.

That meant, these two great countries would support this treaty.

If that was so, then in the Central Continent, almost two thirds of the countries would agree with this treaty.

In this case that was more than half.

More than half of the countries had entered this treaty under that fake claim of “peace”.

This was under the suggestion of the Anti-Roland Coalition—no, the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet.

But what were these people, chasing after? Why, did they want to prohibit the usage of Rhule Fragmei?

Of course if it were Ryner, he probably hoped for this.

If it were that person, he could suggest prohibiting this weapon.

But, the people of the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet, had used Rhule Fragmei to snatch away the territory of Geihlficlant.

Or it was the previous body, the organization called Anti-Roland Coalition, that had already used the Rhule Fragmei in combat. Naturally using Rhule Fragmei, to kill people. Originally they could use that power to gain Geihlficlant.

That meant, under the excuse of already using the Rhule Fragmei to build their country, they suggested a world-wide prohibition of it.

But, the world that knew of the existence of such a weapon, couldn’t resist using it.

Men, would use Rhule Fragmei.

If a convenient instrument was placed before them, men would be unable to resist and use it.

And, the more hopeless situation they were in, the more they would mistakenly use it.

So before the knowledge of this power spread in the world.

Before using this power to ignite a war, Roland originally planned to progress into the Central Continent.

If they had to use Rhule Fragmei to attack, there would be an unimaginable number of sacrifices, so he had initially wanted to enter the Central Continent, without anyone noticing.

“…”

No, there were already enough sacrifices.

Roland and Remrus had attacked each other because they used Rhule Fragmei, causing a considerable number of sacrifices.

It was same in the north.

It was said that in the battle with the Gastark Empire and Geihlficlant Empire, with only one shot, hundreds of thousands of people had died.

It was said that although something like that had happened before, everything had ended already, but something like that had happened.

Then using that power, these people separated the world.

The world started to desperately search for this power.

Every country, possibly out of fear, or out of lust, or out of rage, or out of sadness, started to frantically search for Rhule Fragmei.

And then, used it.

The used the weapon that could kill.

So people died.

And it became a large number of deaths.

As long as they thought about it they would understand why it had turned out this way.

If every country had such large power, then there wasn’t any power that could suppress this.

So what occurred was a massacre.

An unstoppable massacre.

Perhaps, in the end nothing would be left.

Then Sion glared at the girl.

“…Then, who was the one who suggested the peace treaty? It probably isn’t your king—Ryner Lute who suggested it?”

The girl looked at Sion.

“No, everything is the thoughts of my liege…”

“Shut up!”

“No matter what Your Majesty thinks, the king of the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet is Ryner Lute-sama…”

“I told you to shut up! And you are wrong. If we stop here, we’ll hinder you. If I stop here, the world will be crumble and be swallowed up by the Goddesses…”

But Sion stopped, then used a sharper expression to glare at the girl.

“…Or are you, the subordinates of the Goddesses…? What are you planning to do to Ryner?”

He asked.

To this question, the girl smiled even more happily.

“…Although I do not know of the thing called Goddess that Your Majesty spoke of… But my master informed me, if Your Majesty uttered the phrase Goddess, then he instructed me to say this.”

She said.

Then Sion,

“Before that, tell me the name of your master who ordered you. Your master isn’t Ryner, right? Who is it? Vois…?”

But ignoring his words, the girl continued to speak. It seemed she had memorized what she was supposed to say.

“—I apologize, Sion”

She said.

“You seem to have done too much”

She said.

“You killed my companions, so I, will definitely not forgive you. If you don’t give up on the Rhule Fragmei… If you continue to be mad, if you continue to be mad to this extent because of the curse of the Hero, then I will look to you as an enemy…”

The girl said.

She spoke what her master had ordered to do in one breath.

Then,

“…”

To this, Sion had nothing to say.

If you are mad until this extent.

If you continue to be mad to this extent, then take me as your enemy, Ryner had said that once.

That was the original sentence.

Indeed, he had already killed Ryner’s companions. To the Nelphan soldiers and the squad that was escaping with Ryner, he had used the Rhule Fragmei.

So he understood that Ryner would be mad, he understood he would break his ties with him.

But, even so,

“…The one who would say that, is not Ryner.”

Sion said in a low voice.

But to this question, the girl did not reply.

“Then my mission is completed, release me…”

“No. Tell me you real master’s name. Is it Vois? Or is it, the Goddess?”

But, the girl looked at him with a pitying vague expression.

“Even if you threaten me, you can’t get answers from me. I came here after accepting a spell. If I tell you something other than what I have been ordered to do, the curse will activate, and I will die.”

“I see. But at least, Ryner will never do that.”

“Ahaha”

“Ryner… that guy…”

But at this moment,

“Your Majesty”

Froaude called out to him.

Sion narrowed his eyes in slight anger and looked to the direction of the voice.

Do not waver without a reason, and give your enemy information.

Then Sion stopped. He felt unhappy that he had revealed the weakness in his heart to his subordinates.

“…Release the girl, we cannot get any other information from this person.”

He ordered, then the soldiers who were restraining her let go of her.

Then she nodded to Sion.

“Will you give me your reply to whether you will participate in the peace treaty?”

To this question, Froaude replied.

“We will keep our opinion. Of course that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t enter. At least let us consider…”

“I’m not asking you, my master ordered me to listen to the reply from the King Sion Astal. Now, please personally reply me, Your Majesty.”

“…”

“Will you enter? Or not?”

“…”

To this, Sion glared at the girl, and after seemingly keeping silent as if he were thinking—

“…We join it”

At this point,

Froaude raised his hand, he held a dagger in his hand, the blade of the dagger pierced the girl’s neck, and she collapsed soundlessly.

Then Sion widened his eyes and shouted,

“Froaude! You?!”

But Froaude coldly, carrying a demon-like dark expression,

“We will keep our opinion, Your Majesty. We still cannot join this treaty.”

“But there is no need to kill…”

“There is. This woman saw Your Majesty waver, if she reported this then it would be bad.”

“…But.”

“Anyway she was already cursed, she was useless to us. But if we sent her head back, then that would show that even if they say Ryner Lute’s name, Your Majesty would be unwavering.”

Sion glared at Froaude and said,

“…Because I wavered, so you killed her?”

But Froaude shook his head.

“No, Your Majesty. Our king, wouldn’t waver because of something as trivial as this.”

“…”

“Then, please let me take care of the issues after this. Let me cover up this matter.”

Froaude said.

To this, Sion asked,

“How are you planning to cover this up?”

Froaude pointed to the girl’s corpse.

“In her body, there was a magic that was supposed to make her self-implode and kill Your Majesty—let us spread this out. Because Your Majesty was attacked, so we killed her. Then warn the kings of various countries to beware of assassins from the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet.”

“But even if we do that it wouldn’t be solved. Every country already know of the existence of Rhule Fragmei…”

“Yes, there’s that. Every country knows of that existence… but we have already been prepared for this. Thus we proceeded with the human experiments—modified soldiers, isn’t that true?”

“…”

“So that even though every country can use Rhule Fragmei, our country can still have the advantage, Your Majesty changed Roland.”

Then Sion looked at Froaude.

“But this too… even if this is the case, small countries will use Rhule Fragmei after today”

“Yes.”

“The sacrifices will increase.”

“Yes.”

“Even if you spread the lie that the girl was an assassin, the countries that have already joined the peace treaty…”

“They can’t possibly read through our intentions. But, this will arouse distrust. It will create confusion. What the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet did to us, we will do it too.”

Saying that, Froaude commanded the subordinates to take care of the girl’s corpse.

Then looking at Sion, he continued,

“They are different from us. We who have gathered under the Hero King Sion Astal, are different. The Anti-Roland Coalition? Vois Fiurelle? Heh, heh heh, anyway it is a troop that was gathered for money, right? Then, a seed of distrust can destroy it.”

So Sion asked,

“Then what do we do?”

Froaude replied mildly.

“…We ourselves, will meet with Ryner Lute. Speaking truthfully, even if it is me, I do not think that the People’s Republic of Sphelliyet is something that Ryner Lute will do. Then the key to breaking the organization lies here. Ryner Lute and the one manipulating from behind the scenes, Vois Fiurelle—the country that has two kings. Pull one of them off the stage.”

Saying that, Froaude bowed to him, turned around, and then quickly walked out of the hall, but stopped again.

He turned around.

“Ahah, speaking of which, Your Majesty, can I do the same thing like Vois Fiurelle?”

Sion asked suspiciously,

“The same thing? What does that refer to?”

Froaude had a shallow smile, a deep, dark smile like a demon.

“…Making use of the love Ryner Lute has for you. Like what the subordinate of Vois Fiurelle did, if I twist your words, and destroy Ryner Lute’s heart. Then make him kill Fiurelle, is that possible?”

He asked this.

Then Sion,

“…”

A smile appeared on his face, he asked.

“If I say no, will you give up?”

Then Froaude had a slightly happy smile,

“No.”

Then he bowed his head again, and walked out of the hall.

Sion looked at his figure.

He looked at the figure of his subordinate who wanted to kill Vois and Ryner.

“…”

But at this moment, another human walked into the hall.

It was a girl.

She was around fifteen years old.

She had pretty features and beautiful amber hair that touched her shoulders.

A slim body, blue eyes—

Sion knew this girl.

She was the younger sister of a youth who had been Sion’s secretary.

Eslina Folkal.

Before the war began she was Calne’s assistant officer, but as of now she was working steadily in the capital of the Runa Empire, slightly down south, as a civil servant in the conquered land.

But why did she appear here?

“…”

No, why she came here, he knew the reason already.

So Sion asked. Before Eslina, who had a tearful expression, entered the hall and opened her mouth,

“…Are you here because of Calne?”

He has asked.

“…I am sorry for leaving Runa and going against your orders. But once I heard the People’s District of Urd that Calne-san had been protecting had been occupied by the Remrus Empire… that all the soldiers situated in the People’s District of Urd had been killed, this rumour…”

“…”

“But, but, Calne-san is here, right? He should have retreated successfully, and joined back with the main army, right?”

“…”

“Please tell me that is the case… is it? Calne-san he… can’t be dead… right…”

Her voice was trembling because of the words she spoke, her expression had contorted too. She pressed her chest forcefully, squeezing out her voice.

An expression as if she were about to cry.

She had an expression that said she would immediately break down here.

Sion looked at her face.

Her brother had been killed, then this time, she could possibly lose a superior who had always accompanied her, she trembled because of this.

No, Calne and Eslina could possibly be dating. Otherwise she wouldn’t waver.

Because the two of them had always been together, so it could be possible that was the case.

Then, she could lose an important person again.

Because of war.

Because of this mad world.

Because,

“…”

Of this, useless king.

Thinking about his lack in power, Sion’s expression twisted too.

He couldn’t protect anyone. It was always because of the lack in power, and he was unable to protect his important people.

Ryner, Kiefer, Toni, Fahl, Tyle, Fiole, Calne, Eslina… Mother… even himself!

Everyone was crying, shouting, as they died, but I couldn’t do anything to protect them.

They were clearly calling for me to save them.

Everyone, had shouted for me to save them, but I couldn’t protect them… He hated himself.

He really hated his helplessness.

But, he couldn’t reveal such an expression.

Because he had revealed such an expression earlier, it had caused a girl to be killed. He only showed his weak side a little, but many things were too late to take back.

So, progress.

So, he could only step over this and progress.

So, Sion looked at Eslina and smiled,

“…Calne, is not dead.”

He said.

And Eslina raised her face, her face shone, at the same time, the tears she had been holding back poured forth.

“Then, then…”

But Sion interrupted her, continuing.

“But, he has been kidnapped by the Remrus Empire.”

“…How can that…”

“But relax, I have ordered my subordinate to infiltrate Remrus and rescue Calne. They are very talented… Because they are extremely talented, so Calne will definitely be fine.”

He said.

But Eslina looked at him with a slightly doubtful expression.

And, Sion said,

So as not to say anything outside of this, he said again,

“It’ll be alright, trust me.”

He smiled as he said.

Of course, Eslina’s expression did not brighten at this.

This was to be expected.

Her lover had been kidnapped by the opposing country.

And Calne was not an ordinary soldier, but a Major General of Roland. In order to gain information from Roland, he would surely undergo intensive torture.

And after that, the useless Calne, would continue to be used, and perhaps be killed as a demonstration?

No matter what, Calne’s future was not optimistic.

A minute… no, even they were late by a second in rescuing him, Calne could possibly be killed.

But,

“…”

Sion was no longer worried about Calne.

Of course, because Remrus Empire was a disgusting country ruled by a monster, wanting to save him was not so easy.

According to the report that Luke had submitted about Remrus, the people of that country could have had been affected by a brainwashing spell.

That meant, if he sent someone who had no ability carelessly, he could be brainwashed in return, causing a backfire in his plans.

But, even if that was indeed the case, Sion was not worried about Calne, because he had sent his best subordinate.

It wasn’t because the most talented spy in the whole of Roland, Luke Stokkart was in Remrus.

It wasn’t because Luke would save Calne.

Luke who was only a human, was not Remrus’s opponent.

But Sion had sent a different subordinate.

Another assassin.

Another spy.

He had sent a different monster into Remrus.

Then,

“…”

Sion smiled.

No, this smile, was fake.

He was always uneasy, fearful of being tortured by pain.

But for the sake of Eslina who was looking into his eyes, looking at him uneasily, he smiled, and looked at the maps on the battle discussion table again.

He looked at the country that Claugh and Miller were fighting now.

He looked at the Remrus Empire that Luke and countless other teams had infiltrated.

◆◆◆◆

Then the scene changed to the north.

Further up north from the former Autonomous Holy City of Cassla and People’s District of Urd where the Roland army was stopped.

In a country called the Country of God in the southern part of the Central Continent.

The country where the chosen people of God lived.

The scenery of this country, seemed to be covered with a layer of fog.

Of course, because it was transparent, although the eyes could not see it, but there was something there.

It was like a thin layer of peace.

A disgusting, fake stability.

Looking at the membrane of the Rhule Fragmei that covered this country,

“…Ah~ A strong magic was cast… It’s really done carelessly. If it’s such a strong power, humans will become abnormal.”

She said.

The place where she was, was on the roof top of a church in the Remrus Empire.

No, it should be said she was on a sharp spire.

From there, she looked down at the entire Remrus.

Because the wind was strong, normally speaking it wouldn’t be possible to stand in that sort of place, but she didn’t care. She looked around, as she was blown at by the wind.

She surveyed the Remrus Empire.

She surveyed this large land that was governed by brainwashing magic.

“…”

Then every time she looked at this scenery, her caramel-coloured ponytail would sway slightly.

Large and round eyes, a small body. On that small body there was something like battle armour.

But, it couldn’t be seen which country she belonged to.

Then, she heard a voice.

“…Captain~”

The voice of a man calling her sounded.

Then she looked down.

They were Human αs.

They were her subordinates, Human αs called Lach, Lear, Moe.

They were looking at her worriedly.

“It’s, it’s dangerous, please come down!”

“Wh-what will happen if you fall!?”

“We’ll be lectured by Luke-senpai!”

Hearing that, she laughed.

She laughed with an innocent expression.

She laughed with a flirtatious expression.

Then she ignored her subordinates’ voices, and surveyed the Remrus Empire again.

“…Then then, although I heard most of it… But this way everything has changed into something strange, what shall we do?”

She muttered.

“What do you think? Remrus Remuld Aarqued? Can you end the show in the end?”

She murmured.

“Sion Astal rejected the seduction and didn’t embrace me… The Lonesome Demon Ryner Eris Reed has been separated into two in the time that we were unaware of… In the end, it’s that. At the same time when we Goddess went mad, this. Ahah, although you are not a Goddess… But, at the same time when we went mad…”

She murmured.

“Who created the Goddess, and after which because it was too troublesome, created the Hero to destroy the Goddess, but the Hero was mad too. In order to stop the mad Hero, they created us Human α… This time Human has gone mad, and new scenarios are developing… and such. What is going on? Although we say it’s mad, mad, but this world, doesn’t it have sensible people?”

She muttered.

Of course this voice didn’t spread. No, so that it wasn’t spread out, she kept control over her voice, controlling how far it spread.

Not only that, she had set up a barrier, so that her presence was not felt by Remrus Remuld Aarqued.

“Ma, even though I am also mad because of love, I have no right to talk about other people…”

She pressed a hand to her chest. She pressed on her small chest. She felt her chest, and could feel her heart beating, the sound of it beating.

Feeling the emotions of the original owner of this body stirring.

This voice was extremely warm, comfortable. And following that voice, was the feelings of this body’s owner, despair, like entered her body.

This body shouted that it loved Ryner.

It yelled that it loved Ryner Lute.

It yelled that it loved humans.

It yelled that it loved every companion.

“…”

This body was frantically yelling useless things.

But even though it was something useless,

“…”

It was also extremely adorable.

It was always like that.

Really, I am always like that.

I can see the important meaning in useless things.

I can see the beauty in useless things.

And in the end even though there is no change, but I betrayed the Goddesses, interfered in the love between the Hero and the Demon.

Although I helped that pitiful love, the body that Humans created,

“…This time, let me support this lady’s love.”

She murmured.

This Human had a strong love that was rare in the current world.

If she were given up on then she would cry out, this body strongly loved the man called Ryner Lute.

If it were for Ryner Lute, she could die.

If Ryner Lute laughed, it didn’t matter if he were snatched away by other women.

Ryner Lute, Ryner Lute. Ryner, Ryner, Ryner… that Human continued to say.

Then her face reddened slightly.

Every time this resounding feeling entered her body, she would have the same feelings as that Human.

She released a small, small breath.

“…Ryner.”

She tried saying.

Immediately her heart had a reaction.

Her heart jumped strongly.

Then she tried sighing again,

“Hah…”

Then she laughed.

She laughed happily.

A flirtatious, innocent, beautiful smile appeared.

“… This Human created me, I can mostly absorb her feelings… This…”

She said.

“…This, is very interesting.”

She said.

“Why can this be controlled, the Goddesses thought. Why can something like this be controlled, the Demon and Hero thought. Why can such a strong emotion… To organisms that can hold such beautiful emotions, they clearly shouldn’t be able to control…”

In the end, the world events had become odd.

Initially the Goddesses wanted to do this.

Initially the Hero wanted to do this.

This time it was the Humans that planned to change everything.

The events that were uncontrollable had expanded, and it was unknown what kind of ending it would have.

It was different from normal.

When had this started from?

I do not know.

Was it started by a man called Lieral, yelling don’t kill my son, who resisted fate?

Or was it started by the eldest son of the Eris family, who ate the Demon Eris in order to protect his younger sister and became the Devourer Lucile?

Or was it started by the Hero who didn’t kill the Lonesome Ryner?

I do not know.

No one knows.

But, she thought.

In the end, no one is able to control anything, she thought.

But, everyone is trying to live frantically.

Everyone is desperately yelling about love.

So,

“…Ahah, it’s like this”

She said.

To her chest.

To her heart.

She who had been called the Goddess of Reincarnation, said with a satisfied expression.

“…It’s like that… that you want to stay by Ryner Lute’s side… that must be outside the expected events. No one knows of the story that is being created.”

Saying that, she laughed.

She could already feel that her words were slowly changing.

Her consciousness was being devoured by the Human that should have been controlled completely.

Her consciousness was slowly being devoured, collapsed, and merged with the Human that had been created to be manipulated.

Like how Sion Astal was devouring the Fallen Mad Hero Asruld Roland, this Human is also… devouring me, taking, and merging with my consciousness.

Of course I can defend against this.

It was even easy to erase this Human’s consciousness, because she had done that before.

But,

“…”

She didn’t resist.

Because this seemed interesting.

Because this seemed pleasant.

Because if she could merge with this girl who was emotionally wealthy and filled with love, it was an extremely satisfying matter.

So she laughed, she laughed happily.

“…Ahah…ahah, I…. I originally thought after being embraced by Asruld, being devoured… becoming Lonesome Ryner’s thing… This way, Lonesome Ryner and Demon Eris will be unable to become one. If he can gain me, Lonesome Ryner himself will gain everything… That means now, I can change the events. I can change everything. But why is that? Why is that? Why is there something like this? Why can someone like me who is an idiot, turn my back on everything?”

After asking that, she asked herself.

“…Ahahaha, ahaha, it must be, like this. Because I’m mad. I’m mad because of love.”

Saying that, she patted her chest.

Then, the beating of her chest stopped. She stopped the feelings of the Human that were forcefully entering her.

And then started to move.

The movements of the feelings, were even slower than just now.

And even so, even so,

“…One third has already been merged”

She laughed.

Ahaha she laughed.

Using a gentle expression like a child she laughed.

This expression, was something that this Human’s body had. Innocent, a very cute smile that made everyone want to be gentle to her.

She laughed with that expression.

“But, please hold on. Let me move with my own consciousness for a little longer. Just a little longer, a little longer, I will create a path that is beneficial for the person you love, then your consciousness will take over…”

She said.

Then she turned her head, using that rhythm to make it seem like she was going to fall off the spire because of the strong wind.

“Waaaaaaaaa”

She cried.

Then her subordinates,

“W-we’re coming now, captain!”

“Wait…Moe, go up quickly!”

Hearing that, she laughed, she laughed happily. As she fell from the spire, she used several magics. And her body floated up lightly.

“I tricked you~ Were you shocked? Humans?”

She landed before her subordinates, and laughed.

Then her subordinates looked at her with wide, surprised expressions, what was she doing? They asked, but they only received laughter that went heh heh as their answer.

“I’m amazing right~”

She raised her chest.

Then everyone praised that she was really amazing, really amazing.

It was only praise, but her body—this Human’s body, felt satisfied.

To this simple structure, she laughed.

She laughed.

She,

“…”

The Goddess of Reincarnation Milk Ephillet laughed.

“Then, it’s almost time to meet up with Luke. Then after we break out Calne Kaiwal… we’ll cut this country’s king—Remrus Remuld Aarqued into large chunks!”

Chapter 4: The reason for birth

I had a dream again.

I am frequently dreaming.

I am not dreaming alone.

A dream where he wasn’t abandoned by the world, and did not have cursed eyes, where he was loved by everyone, laughing happily.

But that was a fantasy, if he opened his eyes emerging from dreamland, he was always labelled as a monster.

The Alpha Stigma monster.

The disgusting, cursed monster.

These words had made me very hurt in the beginning.

But what could I do?

I was still a child at that time, a normal child. Then, I thought, why was I a monster?

I was the same as everyone.

Because I’m not able to survive alone, so I want to be by everyone’s side.

I hate to be alone.

I hate to be alone.

I hate to be alone.

I shouted, cried every day.

I cried as hard as I could

But, no one approached me.

They looked at me with expressions of disgust as if they had seen a disgusting insect.

They looked at me as if they were seeing an ugly monster.

“…”

So I slowly stopped crying.

I didn’t say that I was alone anymore.

I didn’t say, but that didn’t mean I was not lonely.

That didn’t mean I didn’t love humans.

That didn’t mean I didn’t want the warmth from others.

But, even so, I still didn’t say that I was lonely.

I shut myself in a shell, building countless, countless walls to prevent others from coming in.

Then, slowly, slowly tolerated the loneliness.

Then lied to myself, always laughing, keeping my distance from others.

Even if someone said they liked me, I didn’t believe it.

Even if someone said they wanted to be my friend, I didn’t believe that too.

Then lastly, learning to be like this was good.

Because I was a dangerous monster, if I went berserk once people would die.

I will destroy all of my important things.

“…”

So I, must keep my distance from everything.

Give up on exchanging heart felt words with other people.

Because the deeper the contact, the deeper the hurt.

Because the deeper the contact, the deeper the pain.

So I, gave up on interacting with people.

“…”

But even so, he would dream occasionally.

My dream self, loved girls.

My dream self, laughed with my friends.

My dream self, was loved by my parents.

“…”

When I woke up I always cried.

I thought that my tears had dried up, but I was always crying in my dream.

How weak.

How terribly weak.

In the end, no matter how I lie to myself, I am still lonely.

Who will come and see me, see me, see me, I cried in my heart, but everything was killed.

“…”

Because of my birth, I hated that I was something like a god.

But, because Roland didn’t have a religion, so I completely didn’t understand what was that thing that was like a god.

I completely didn’t understand the meaning of the birth of such an ugly monster.

Although it was a complete failure.

Although it was a failure that I couldn’t tell anyone about.

“…”

So this time, I started to hate my parents.

I hated my parents who gave birth to something like me.

But I completely didn’t know my parents’ face.

I had lost my memories of when I was before five years old, I completely didn’t have any memories of my parents.

Had my parents abandoned a monster like me?

Or did this monster, have no parents from the very beginning?

I didn’t know.

No matter how I thought about it, because I had no memories, I was unable to find the answer.

But I probably was abandoned, that was because I wasn’t loved. I only knew this point. Of course, such an ugly being that only knew how to hurt others, there wasn’t any need to let him live.

“…”

He had initially always, always thought that.

If he thought of it that way, he wouldn’t be hurt.

If he came up with that sort of theory, he wouldn’t be hurt again.

But even so he would still dream.

A dream where he was loved since his birth.

A dream where everyone anticipated his birth.

There wasn’t anything that needed to be special.

Normal was fine.

A dream where everyone was laughing happily.

“…”

But at this moment, he suddenly found his memories.

His memories that had been sealed for some reason suddenly returned.

Himself in the memory, was like what he had seen in the dream, laughing.

Gentle mother who watched my figure laugh happily, father who always kissed me, hugging me tightly, and found my favourite books to read by my bedside.

He always saw this scene in his dreams.

He only thought that this was something that could be seen in dreams.

“…”

Because of some reason now, he had appeared in front of Ryner’s eyes.

It was night.

A very dark night.

In the quiet night where everyone was sleeping, he saw that person appear.

“…”

He saw the figure of the man he only thought he could see in dreams, in the beginning, Ryner was doubtful about whether he was still dreaming.

In the darkness of the night—a man had suddenly appeared before him.

That person had similar tired eyes as him. Very unmotivated blue eyes. Soft golden hair. He wore a black outfit on his slouching body. He carried a pouch.

That man said.

He looked at Ryner, gently speaking.

“Ah, we finally meet……. My dear son”

That voice, it was indeed the voice that he only heard in his dreams.

The gentle voice of father who always read to me.

Then Ryner narrowed his eyes.

“…….Then, it can’t be you’re my father?”

Then the golden-haired man laughed, opening up his arms.

“Yes~ You can call me father, then come over and hug me~”

He said jokingly.

Then,

“…”

Then, Ryner scowled. Of course, he didn’t plan to run to that chest.

He looked at the back of the man who had the same features as his father, then looked at the cloud-like thing that was maintaining the mist of ‘sandman’.

It was easily seen, that person was attacking directly.

He had anticipated that other than Ryner, the others would be defeated by this mist, and enter a deep sleep.

No, not only that, these few days, the reason why Ryner wasn’t able to wake up, was because of this person.

So he tensed his whole body to maintain his nervous appearance and asked.

“The mist behind you…”

Then, the man who looked like this father replied.

“Yes, it’s created by me. Although Ryner can see it because of those eyes, that structure is very interesting? This, was actually created by me~ I can teach you how to create this…….”

But, Ryner interrupted him.

“Compared to the creation of this, I want to ask you, why are you using this here? Why do you want everyone here to sleep? No, the one who made me sleep, is you?”

Being asked that, the man shrugged.

“……Eh, that’s right. I made everyone sleep because, you see, so that no one interrupts the reunion between me and my son who I have not met for a long time.”

To that, Ryner said,

“Don’t speak nonsense!”

“Eh~? That, is a little surprising. I’m not speaking nonsense, this sort of thing…”

But Ryner continued.

“And you are not my father. Don’t let me see such a boring illusion. Who are you? Are you the companion of the Goddess or the monster called ‘α’?

He asked.

Then the man raised his eyebrow with a slightly troubled look.

“Eh? Why would you think that? No matter how you look at it, I am your father……Unless it’s because your memories haven’t returned?”

He asked.

It seemed that this person knew about the fact that Ryner had lost memories of his parents.

And, this person really did resemble his father.

That gentle father.

The appearance of Lieral Lieutolu.

But Ryner looked at this man’s appearance.

“No matter how I look at it, it’s my father’s appearance. And it is the appearance of my childhood memories. But how long do you think it has been since then? It’s been more than ten years. But why do you still look like you are twenty years old”

Saying that, the man who had the appearance of Lieral looked at his hand, then looked at his chest.

“…and, thinking what would happen if we didn’t separate, although I appeared with the appearance of that time…”

“Huh? You searched my memories, right? Then, you copied my father’s appearance…”

“It’s not that”

“How can it not be…”

“It’s not that, Ryner. I am your father. And you, don’t you understand this point? This isn’t an illusion. If it were an illusion, you would see through it. Now your eyes, aren’t the Alpha Stigma of the past. Your beautiful black eyes that are like your mother’s, can see through everything of this world. Then, from what you see, am I an illusion?”

“…”

To this, and, the power of Ryner’s eyes had already been activated. To analyse the sandman’s cloud surrounding them.

So the power of these eyes were already activated.

Then he used these eyes to look at the man before him.

But, that wasn’t an illusionary magic.

Only the man was standing there.

There was only the man who had a lethargic expression.

“…”

That, this was weird.

If this person was really his father, and was not using any magic, then why, was his appearance the same as the past?

This, as if he read his thoughts, that person said.

“…Ahah, of course I used a special power. To become like this, I used power, although it’s not any magic”

“Then, is it the Rhule Fragmei?”

“No no, Ryner’s eyes should be able to see the structure of Rhule Fragmei already.”

“Then, what did you do…”

Then the man questioned in return.

“…Your mother, has she aged?”

Then, Ryner recalled.

He remembered his mother as she died in the demon’s arms. His mother had young, beautiful features too. Like his gentle mother that he had seen when he was younger.

Then,

“…Are you immortal?”

Asking that, the man laughed. He smiled as he snapped his fingers.

Then the man’s appearance changed.

A appearance of a short youth.

An appearance of an old man who was over seventy years old.

A study appearance of over forty five.

Then back to the youthful appearance of over twenty five, smiling gently.

“Because I worked too hard, I became something that isn’t a human… Compared to saying that I wouldn’t age, it should be said I don’t have an actual body anymore. Then, although using various means, I worked hard in Roland… Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway the me now, and Iruna—ahh, that would be your mother. I turned myself into magic, so I wouldn’t turn old.”

He said this.

He turned himself into magic.

To be with his mother, he turned himself into magic.

“…”

Then, mother died.

She had always desperately shielded her son to protect him, and died.

Ryner looked at the man before him and said.

He looked at the man—his father,

“…Then, you don’t have an actual body, it’s because of me too…”

But father shook his head, speaking with a gentle expression.

“It’s not because of you. It’s because I wanted to do that. I wanted to protect my son, to protect the family important to me… Your mother and I thought about it ourselves, and did it ourselves…”

“But”

“Well, listen to me, Ryner. You must listen to your parents’ words”

“…”

Then Ryner fell silent.

Because his father’s voice had turned even gentler.

Because it was as gentle as that in his memory, so he was quiet.

Then Father had a happy smile,

“Good, what a good child. Well, from the past, you have always been the best child in the world to me.”

“…”

“Then, you don’t have to blame yourself for this. What their parents do shouldn’t be held accountable by their child. We gambled our lives on protecting our son, that was a happy matter. This is something that we can raise our chests up, and proudly tell everyone. So you don’t have to blame yourself.”

Father said gently.

Father seemed to say it with a tone that forgave me for what I did so far.

But, Ryner’s expression was still contorted. He looked at his father with a sad expression.

“But, I…”

“Killed many people?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you killed many people?”

“Yeah.”

“But, you couldn’t help it?”

“…”

“If you can’t help it, then you can’t help it. Humans are not gods, they are not so omnipotent and strong. But so what? Because you have special eyes, so you decided to become god?”

“…”

Of course, Ryner wasn’t planning that. Not only that, he had never once felt happy because he had these kind of eyes.

If it weren’t for that. If he didn’t have these eyes then no one would hate him. He wouldn’t kill his companions.

No, compared to that, the lives of his parents wouldn’t be so messed up.

So Father looked at Ryner’s face with a slightly sad expression.

“It seems I let you have painful memories. I’m sorry, for being unable to be by your side.”

“…”

“But I saw what happened to you. And you are always very hardworking. Even though you have been left alone on this world, you have always walked on the most accurate, best path. So, raise your chest!”

“…….But, I did many…..”

“There was a need to do that”

“And for this mother…”

But his father interrupted him.

“I know. Then I thought, your mother would be very proud. You have grown up exceptionally well. You have grown to the stage where you wouldn’t lose to the demon. So, we are very happy.”

He said.

He looked there, he said, because you have grown up exceptionally well so we are happy.

He looked at me who had always been cursed as a monster.

He looked at me who had been called a monster who spread ill omens, he smiled gently.

So Ryner’s expression contorted.

But he couldn’t take it anymore. Although he was unable to resist crying when he reunited with his parents, because he had cried too much, because he was no longer childish, he thought that he could frantically hold it back, but he couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

But Father didn’t laugh and say I’m foolish.

He only laughed gently.

“You have really, grown gently. Father is very happy. To have bet my life on this.”

“…”

“Well, although it was because if it was too gentle and turned out like this… so I needed to use the magic of sandman. If you had felt guilty because you killed too many people and committed suicide then that would be troubling. Before meeting me, if you died it would be very troubling. But, I have been a little too over-protective. Ryner has already felt it? That he is not a monster, but a human—a human that has parents and companions, loved by everyone, have you felt it?”

“…”

To these questions, Ryner couldn’t reply. His voice seemed to be trembling. It seemed too bad to talk now, his voice seemed to be shaking.

Then father smiled.

Then he raised his head to look at the sky, seeming to give a little time to Ryner to calm down, then opened his arms again

“Ah, talking about which there has been no time to have a hug for our reunion. Come? I’ll hold you tightly, come”

He smiled at Ryner as he said that.

“No”

“Why?! We’ve not seen each other for fifteen years. I don’t think it’s weird to have an emotional hug now”

“But—”

“You’re embarrassed?”

“Yeah.”

Looking at Ryner who said this softly, Father seemed to feel deeply,

“As expected as a person in his youth.”

“No no, I’m not of that age anymore.”

“Ahaha, you’re already twenty years old.”

“Yeah.”

“You grew up well.”

“…Thanks to you two.”

“Talking about which do you have lovers?”

“Huh?! Why did you suddenly mention that… there should be other things that have to be discussed.”

Then Father tilted his head,

“Others, what else?”

Then Ryner replied.

“Ah? Ah~ Like, what have you been doing so far and others… and, what have you done to suppress my Alpha Stigma. Then, I actually don’t know anything about Goddess, α, Demon”

Father heard that, shrugging.

“Those aren’t interesting, are they?”

“No, not being interesting and whatnot…”

“To me, I’m more interested in my son’s love relationship”

“That, so it’s not a question of whether it’s interesting…”

“Then then, that pretty child called Ferris, and that cute child called Kiefer, which one is your real…”

“Hey!”

Father laughed.

“I’ll mention, your Father, I fell in love with your mother when I was nineteen years old!”

“I don’t want to know!”

“No, you want to know. Or are you saying, you don’t want to hear about your parents”

“I was speaking nonsense”

“Ah, what are you doing. Even if you’re suddenly facing Father you shouldn’t… You have grown too much in the time we did not meet, dealing with you is such a trouble”

Ryner sighed, wanting to use his hand to rub at his face that was wet because of his tears, then he noticed again that he had lost his right arm.

Then,

“Ah, it’s inconvenient not having a right arm, right. Who was it, who hurt my darling son”

Father said, raising his left hand. He took his left hand as a knife, and cut his right arm.

Then there was the sound of meat being chopped, then Father’s right arm broke, dropping to the ground in an instant.

Ryner’s eyes widened,

“Huuuuuuuuuuuhh!? What, what are you doing…”

And Father muttered something with a seemingly calm and steady expression as if he couldn’t feel the pain. And a small black thing that looked like an insect appeared from his mouth. But upon closer look it wasn’t an insect. It was something made from complex words that he didn’t quite understand.

Then it stuck to the right arm on the ground, sticking to the part that was severed. Then suddenly, the limb floated up, flying towards Ryner.

“Wh-what?”

Ryner quickly planned to dodge.

But Father spoke.

“Don’t move, Ryner… Ah, you can… Klei, Telude Sierala”

He said something that couldn’t be understood.

In the moment he spoke that, grass grew out from under Ryner’s feet and stopped him.

His body was controlled.

This was probably, all magic.

And if looked clearly, if he used these eyes that could see through everything to look closely, he could understand what this magic was too.

Ryner’s eyes could see through all these complex structures.

But, because everything had progressed too quickly, he didn’t have the time to read what that magic was about.

But, Ryner had been cast on.

He was restrained by the grass, unable to avoid the flying arm.

That arm, father’s severed limb, approached where Ryner had lost his right limb. And the black words on the severed area of the limb crawled up Ryner’s arm, the severed limb starting to invade Ryner’s skin.

“…It, it hurts, this…”

And his words stopped there.

In the next instant, the shoulder implanted on him, moved according to his own consciousness.

Ryner looked at that limb, he looked at the arm that had just belonged to his father.

It was a limb that had skin of a paler tone than his, but it was still similar to his own.

Slim long fingers, even the feeling of the skin was similar to his.

Ryner tried to move the arm and fingers, then found that it moved faster that he thought they would. The movement of the fingers were faster than that when using his own hand.

Looking at his father’s arm that had been forcefully implanted, Ryner said.

“…What is this for…”

So his father who had lost a limb,

“That, is for you. It can cast faster magic than your own limb.”

He said simply.

But Ryner looked at the right arm his father lost.

“No no no, that, your… what about father’s limb”

Father had a surprised expression for some reason,

“Ry—”

“…Ah? Ry? What is that?”

His father replied.

“Ara, Ryner is asking after Father!”

“What? I say, it’s not that topic?!”

“Ahaha. Because it doesn’t matter if I don’t have that arm, so don’t worry, just use it”

“No, it isn’t that sort of problem… That, how did you do it? Transplanting another person’s arm in a moment… this magic, can’t be found if you search the world”

Ryner said, moving the right arm that seemed like his own arm. Then Father said,

“It was created”

He said this.

Then Ryner frowned.

“So, because it can’t be done so simply, so this world hasn’t been able to expand it properly… Well, that sleeping magic too, was that activated by Father alone?”

“Yes.”

“Really, you’re joking… It’s completely, monstrous… Well, there seemed to be something like this, I remember Father was called the genius at magic academics… but it can’t be till this stage”

Then Father held up a finger, saying.

“Hu hu, actually other than the nickname of being a genius at magic academics, I have another more commonly used moniker. If I used power, then magic like this is simple”

“There is another more commonly used moniker?”

“Yes.”

“That is the secret to your power?”

“Probably.”

“Then, can you tell me what that moniker is?”

Hearing Ryner ask that, Father said.

“Of course, do you want to know?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll tell you, I’m called this by everyone.”

“Uh-huh.”

“The gentle father who loves his child terribly…”

“Uh… why are you saying that now?”

Father nodded.

“I want to be spoiled by my son.”

“Die.”

“Then I want to be praised.”

“So I said…”

But, it seemed to slowly become troublesome, Ryner looked at Father with half lidded eyes.

“Ah—Yes, yes, I know. Father is amazing… Will that do?”

Then Father laughed and said.

“Yes, it will, I’m happy”

Then Ryner fell silent.

No, actually he already understood, the man before him, was an unbelievable genius.

Uncovering the secret of Alpha Stigma that no one else was able to understand, tricking the Goddess, α and the Demon, even using complex magic that the modern magic academia was unable to chase after.

The things that this person did, were abnormal.

The things that this person did, didn’t seem to be done by a human.

And he said that everything was for his family.

He said it was for his son.

Ryner didn’t know what sort of expression he should have, when he was told so straight forwardly that he was loved.

He had been so certain of his own birth, and had been frustrated of his birth, and now he was like an idiot.

Then Father looked at him and said,

“Although I’m incomparably happy at meeting my son after a long time… but before this, I have to tell you a surprising news. So to this, can you not be too nervous?”

He suddenly said this.

“Surprising news?”

Ryner asked in return, so Father nodded.

“Yes, but I don’t want you to be too surprised, can you promise me?”

“No, then isn’t the same as not listening…”

“Then I’ll not tell you”

“I say…”

Although it was a little sudden, but it was as if he did not promise then he would really say nothing, so Ryner nodded in agreement.

“…Yeah, but, I understand, then I’ll try not to be too shocked. Although I said that, but you’re going to say something surprising? Then I would really be shocked…”

Father laughed.

“Ahaha, that’s right. It may be a little difficult. I told you not to be surprised, but I think that can’t be done too… so I didn’t want to say”

He had a slightly sad expression, an expression that seemed to consider this, using a slightly strong tone,

“But, withstand it, I think you are a strong child… I trust that you will have no problem, so I’ll say it”

“Why are you becoming more dramatic… It’s fine, tell me quickly. Anyway, it’s something that needs to be said, right?”

“Eh”

“Then you can only say it”

Father nodded at this, then raised his head to look at the sky again, looking at the night sky. In such a dark night, stars couldn’t be seen, and he didn’t know what kind of scene the night sky was reflected in his father’s eyes.

Father looked at the sky, with a dark, sad expression.

“…Actually, it would have been better if we didn’t meet. If I met with you, the monsters would sense your existence, and our relationship. So, it would be better not to meet, but…”

He didn’t understand what those words meant.

Who was he referring to as the monsters? Ryner thought.

Was it the Goddesses?

Or was it, that snake monster that the Gastark king used, that was called Glovil and activated by using his body?

He completely didn’t understand. Although he didn’t understand, Ryner did not ask any questions.

Everything, this person—Father will probably tell me.

So Ryner looked at Father’s warm expression, listening.

“Then”, he asked.

“I will try not to feel too shocked… tell me.”

He said.

“Generally, Father and Mother, have hidden too many things. To protect me, they have sacrificed their lives by themselves…… Tell me these quickly. You have to tell me quickly. You have to tell me these quickly……Don’t take me as a fool.”

Father smiled after he heard that.

“There are some things that children shouldn’t know about…”

“I’m already not a child”

Ryner interrupted him.

Then Father smiled and nodded, saying that’s right.

Then Ryner looked at Father, saying,

“So, say it quickly. Even if I am shocked I will take it, I’m already used to this kind of things. So, don’t mind it, tell me. Don’t reveal such an expression of suffering by yourself, alright? Although I can’t really talk well, that, I will help too… Ah, damn it, what point are you going to let me talk until”

Ryner pressed his sleep-mussed hair, using the digits he had gained from his father to hold a hand to his head.

Then Father laughed. But even so, Father still had a slightly dark, worried expression.

“…Is it something that hard to talk about?”

Ryner asked, Father muttered, perhaps.

“Because you are very gentle”

“…That means, something that became worse because of the things I did…”

“No, although I said it earlier too, you haven’t done anything wrong. But, there is something that you do not know about. So I came to tell you”

“Something I don’t know about?”

“Yes.”

“There are a lot of things I do not know. Until recently I didn’t even know what my parents looked like.”

“…”

But Father didn’t continue.

He seemed to think about how he should say it.

Then Ryner stopped talking.

But, like what Father said, so that he didn’t waver when he heard it, he prepared himself.

Then, Father looked at him and spoke.

“……In that, battle with Gastark, you used the power? Then your power awakened, the power of the Demon in your body awakened.”

He said.

Then Ryner nodded.

“The matter about the appearance of the clown (jester), the Solver of All Equations?”

“Yes”

“What is that person?”

To that question, Father replied.

“It is the Demon that I added in. Originally it was a strong monster called the Lonesome Demon. I split this Lonesome Demon into two, and placed it in your body.”

Then Ryner asked.

“That is to ensure that when my Alpha Stigma went berserk, I wouldn’t die…….?”

“Yes”

“If you add in the Demon, the Alpha Stigma wouldn’t go berserk?”

Father raised his eyebrow slightly troubled.

“Because this is a long story, can we leave it till later?”

“Although I do mind”

“But let’s talk about the important things first”

‘The thing that will make me shocked?”

To this, Father had a slightly sad expression.

“Yes, this will be something that will shock you.”

Ryner nodded.

“…It doesn’t matter, I understand, say it”

“All right.”

“I’m sorry for interrupting you, please continue”

Father nodded again, continuing.

“The part placed in you, was the Lonesome Ryner of the Lonesome Demon.”

“Yeah.”

“The power of the Lonesome, is a strong power that can even make Goddesses fear it… Ryner you saw it too, it isn’t easily controlled.”

Ryner nodded, recalling.

What happened on that battle field.

To destroy α who had gone berserk on the battle field.

To destroy the dancing Glovil in the air, Ryner released energy, but was unable to control it. No, before he released it he understood, it couldn’t be controlled at all.

Because his strength was too powerful, so there wasn’t anything that could govern it.

In the end it had,

“……I, used that power to kill many people……Although I knew I would be unable to stop it, I still….”

“I know”

Father interrupted him.

“Then I said earlier, that was something that couldn’t be helped. Because you were doing that to protect your companions. If you didn’t do that, you, and your companions, everyone would have died.”

“…Yeah”

“So, don’t blame yourself”

“No, it’s impossible to stop blaming myself completely……But, I understand. Because of this reason that it couldn’t be helped, I understand.”

Then Father nodded, as if wanting to confirm that I had understood so far he wanted to say something.

That meant, there was something more serious than this.

Something more serious than killing over hundreds of thousands of people.

So Ryner,

“…”

He started to feel a little scared of what his father was going to say next.

Although he had been notified that he had to bear it, but in the end he still felt scared, and wanted to escape.

But, he already couldn’t escape, he had to withstand everything. Although there were many painful things, but he decided to withstand everything. To work hard to progress. Like what Sion had did, like what Mother had done, like what Father was doing.

Even if he was scared, he couldn’t escape.

So, Ryner asked.

“Then?”

Then Father spoke.

“When you were using that magic… After you awakened, and decided to use that power, in actuality you were activating my magic. So as not to let you collapse, I installed a magic in your body.”

“Magic?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of magic?”

“Eh, although there’s a lot, it’s too troublesome to talk of them one by one. Like not letting you die because you blamed yourself for killing too many people before you met me and letting you sleep and the likes.”

Ryner said.

“Yeah, that over-protective magic.”

“Yes yes, that over-protective magic.”

Father laughed as he said.

Then he continued.

“In the future, so that you wouldn’t be devoured by the Demon after you retrieved your memories, I cast a magic that would reduce the Demon’s strength… But that doesn’t seem to have activated. It seems that for some reason, the Demon likes you a lot, it’s allowing its consciousness to be devoured by you.”

Hearing that, Ryner thought of that time again.

The matter of the Demon who had looked exactly like him, dressed in jester’s clothes.

The Demon that had gently hugged Mother’s body to his chest, telling Ryner who was surprised at his mother’s death what he felt.

It said, let me protect my companions.

“Because, wasn’t that what you had decided?”

And,

“Saving everything reflected in your eyes. Myself who is a monster, if I can save people or something, then in that case, I want to save everything, didn’t you decide that?”

The Demon said that.

Then the Demon lent me power.

No, perhaps something like lending me its power, can’t properly express the feeling at that time.

The Demon was already in his body.

Everything about the Demon had merged completely with myself.

Then Ryner seemed to use the Demon’s power as if he were using his own power.

Then using that abnormally large power.

He killed many people.

“But at the moment you used that power…”

Father said.

“In actuality your memories had been changed slightly. Originally the things that you should be able to understand, have become incomprehensible.”

Father said.

Then Ryner asked.

“…Is that, because of Father’s magic?”

“Yes”

“That changed my memories?”

“So as to not allow you to see the truth—saying this would be better.”

Then Ryner looked at Father’s face, asking,

“What, do you want to hide from me?”

But Father didn’t instantly reply. He seemed to hesitate, and paused.

“…….Because Ryner has already learnt magic theory, you should know that when using large powers you will pay a similar price…….”

Ryner interrupted him.

“Don’t talk about such introductions, quickly get straight to the point. If not, because you told me not to be shocked, I’m all nervous… tell me this straight in one breath.”

Hearing Ryner say that, Father stopped, then went silent. No, perhaps his silence was a slight moment. But because of some reason, Ryner felt this moment was exceptionally long.

Then Father opened his mouth again.

“…Glovil, that the Gastark king uses, will swallow the user’s body to activate power. Have you seen that structure?”

Ryner nodded.

“I saw, that snake will take the user’s body……Wait, then the power I’m using too….”

Father nodded.

“There is a price too.”

“But, but I, haven’t lost anything? When using that power, the structure of what will be taken in exchange didn’t turn me…….”

“It didn’t?”

“Yes.”

“But that’s because it was caused by my magic. So as not to let you see that structure, I cast magic on you.”

“Then, than, I have lost something? When I myself was unaware.”

“Yes.”

“What, is that? That, is it really something like life? Like shortening ten years of my life, something like that?”

Father had a sad expression.

“It’s something worse than that.”

He said.

Then Ryner,

“…..Something, worse….? Even more, than losing my lifespan….?”

“Eh”

“That…….that, what is it. Although I’m very scared…… When Father speaks he’s very hesitant, that, what is, it that I will be really shocked by….”

“…….”

“Ah, no, but, if I don’t listen….worse things…..have been done before…….Ah~ Damn. I don’t care, just tell me. I am mentally prepared, is that okay, tell me.”

Then Father looked straight at Ryner and replied.

“When Ryner uses that power…….”

He said.

“When you use that power, in exchange…. It will take away the life of a human that you deem important.”

Then Ryner was unable to understand his father’s meaning in that instant.

“Ah?”

He foolishly let out that sound, then asked.

“…..The life, of a human, I deem as important?”

“Eh”

“That means…….”

“Under that situation, your mother….”

In a moment,

“It can’t be!?”

Ryner shouted.

Although he was warned to not waver, Ryner was still,

“You’re j-joking… Don’t speak nonsense. Then, then to Mother, I….”

But Father interrupted him, saying.

“No, your mother wished for you to do that, that wasn’t your fault.”

“But”

“It wasn’t your fault, Ryner! So, calm down. You didn’t kill her.”

“….How can this be”

“Your mother herself hoped it would be like this. Before you used that power, use her life first, she had asked me of that. Then I agreed to her.”

Ryner glared at Father.

“Why did you have to do that!?”

He shouted.

Then Father replied.

“To save you.”

He replied that.

Ryner’s expression contorted.

“There’s no such… request as that!? Did I say I want your help!? I, didn’t want you to be that, that… sacrificial to help me….”

But, he couldn’t say anything. He wanted to puke, his chest started to hurt too. His head was aching so much that he couldn’t seem to stand anymore.

He shook.

He shook hard.

He thought what am I doing, as he trembled.

Although I used the power to protect my companions.

Although I used the power to protect important things.

But Mother had died because of this.

I killed her.

“I…. I’ve again……”

Suddenly, Father moved, he stepped out, only a step.

It was only like that, the distance between him and Father had shortened in one breath. Father raised his left arm like that, raising his fist and hit Ryner’s face.

“…….Urgh”

Ryner fell back as he was hit, because of the previous blow, fresh blood trickled out of his mouth.

But he still raised his head to look at Father.

But at this point, he was punched again.

“….”

He was punched even more forcefully than earlier. He nearly lost his consciousness in a moment. But he stood up with all his strength, planning to go forward.

But that was already meaningless. This time, he was hit from the back. His consciousness left in an instant, then he awoke again. This time, he was already collapsed on the floor.

Father sat on his back, carrying a troubled expression.

“…..Yes, it hurts, right, I’m sorry”

Then Ryner raised his head,

“……Get off.”

Although he said that, but Father shrugged.

“Because I haven’t touched with my son who I have seen for a long time, I am very happy, so I won't get off.”

“I said to get off.”

“….Have you already, calmed down?”

“……”

“If you haven’t calmed down, I won't get off.”

“…….”

“Well, but, it isn’t so easy to calm down that simply… then you can continue listening to me talk like this.”

“…..”

“The one who killed your mother wasn’t you. Ryner, it was me. I killed her.”

“……”

“But, I rejected it. I told her, give up on Ryner, let the two of us live on. But, we didn’t have a choice.”

“…….”

“But, this was our choice, we didn’t tell you. You told me earlier, who was it who requested you two to do this… But, aren’t parents like this? Even if not asked, they would still do this. Because we, love you from the bottom of our hearts.”

“……”

Father said.

Then Ryner looked at Father,

“But I… didn’t ask for you to do that”

Father laughed.

“Do you understand~? Because Father is great, so listen to me.”

He said that.

Then Ryner laughed bitterly with an expression that was almost crying.

“….I….I’m still a kid, so I can’t understand…”

Father laughed again when he heard that.

“Yes yes, so I told you to fall in love, then have a child.”

“…..But”

“I’ll say this beforehand, those eyes wouldn’t be passed on”

“……”

“No, or would it saying that it would pass on be better? If your child’s eyes are really cursed, then at that time you will protect them with all your might. Gambling your life and protecting your child would be fine. Then, you should buck up. Being afraid of boring things, life will be have nothing accomplished. Think of what we gambled our lives for. To gain happiness, work hard for me. Laugh every day, give birth to a happy child, be more satisfied than anyone. If you don’t do that, we… we who worked so hard… wouldn’t we seem like idiots?”

Saying that, his head was hit again, then his hair was stroked.

“……”

Indeed he couldn’t say anything.

It was as if he had really become a child, he couldn’t say anything.

Then as Father stroked Ryner’s hair, he laughed again.

“….Seeing this reaction, it seems that is has been passed through”

“……”

“Ryner is really a good child, like Iruna.”

“……”

“Then”

Father stood up, Ryner felt his back become lighter.

“…..Then, the important things are finished.”

He said.

Then Ryner frantically raised his head.

“Wait, don’t tell me you’re already….”

Then Father laughed smugly,

“Ah, the words earlier, you thought I didn’t want to come anymore? Then, are you lonely? Will Ryner be lonely without Father?”

He said that with a mischievous expression, then Ryner’s face tilted.

“…..No, no…… But I still have things I want to know about…..”

Father laughed.

“It’s alright, I will still be by your side for some time. Although it’s only a while.”

He said.

Only a while—although he was slightly particular about the meaning of this sentence, but Ryner didn’t plan to ask about this.

He seemed to be treated as a child since earlier, his own questions hadn’t been answered. And, everything was controlled.

The movement of his heart.

Crying, laughing, feeling shocked, the healing of his wound, everything was controlled.

“…..Parents and such, are really naggy”

Then Ryner said.

“But seeing them makes you happy?”

Father replied.

Then Ryner stood up, patting the dirt from his clothes, knees, waist, chest, as he patted he whispered,

“….Yeah.”

At that moment, what expression was that on his father’s face, he didn’t see because he was too embarrassed.

So he looked at the sky.

The sky was slowly lightening.

Night was about to be broken through soon.

Because he had been continuously sleeping because of the magic, he completely didn’t know how long it had been since that battle, but, the night was ending.

Then Father said,

“…Then, it’s about time to release everyone from the sleeping magic…”

He said.

Then he looked in the direction of the cloud of the sleeping magic mist,

“….Ah?”

He said.

Then Ryner asked,

“Eh? What is it?”

Ryner pointed in the direction of the cloud,

“The magic, is disappearing.”

“Did Father make it vanish?”

“No, I didn’t. As long as I don’t cancel it, then that magic shouldn’t be able to disappear… Why did it disappear”

Ryner looked at the cloud that was producing the mist again.

Anyway the magic was released, who was it who did it?

He saw a man standing there and looking over here.

He seemed to be older than Ryner by two or three years.

Black hair, an outfit like a missionary, tidy black coat.

That man looked over here.

Using his glowing eyes.

A red cross appeared in his black eyes.

Then Ryner understood who this person was.

It was a man who planned to take Ryner away in the past.

The man who gathered Cursed eyes bearers, and took Ryner away.

His name was Tiir Rumibul.

A man who had different eyes than Ryner’s Alpha Stigma.

The red cross in his eyes were called Iino Dwoe.

His eyes could eat people and magic. No, to be more accurate, it could eat the source of magic in human bodies.

Then he could take that as his power, that was his ability.

Father looked at those eyes, then had a slightly irritated expression.

“Iino Dwoe…… I see, you devoured that sleeping magic”

He said,

Then Tiir laughed.

“Ha, a mere human using those eyes…. To look down on me, us, who do you think you are?”

Ryner heard that, then remembered.

Tiir hated humans a lot.

So he frantically said.

“No no, Tiir, this person is…. That is, this person isn’t like that. That, he’s my….”

But Tiir continued.

“Father, right?”

“Ah? You know?”

“I know, we all know.”

“Then….”

But he interrupted Ryner.

“But, don’t be tricked, Ryner. We don’t have parents. We’re not human. We never had human parents…”

“No, I say”

“Even if it weren’t like that, this person isn’t Ryner’s father”

“Eh?”

“My leader said this person is the worst…. This person is the maddest. So if he’s not killed…. Now, if he’s not killed immediately…. Our important Ryner, can’t let him be tricked….”

Then this time it was Father who spoke.

“Don’t be tricked, Ryner. Or should I say, it’s actually this person, the timing is not good…”

“Wait, I say the two of you, don’t talk about something I don’t understand…”

But the conversation continued.

Father said,

“No, or should I say that girl, found a good timing to send an assassin… After all that person can see the future, that Torch Curse. Then, it is the Torch Curse’s order to kill me?”

Tiir nodded.

“Yes, monster.”

“Monster, huh… Well, although I was always called that, but, can you do it?”

Then Tiir parted his red lips and laughed.

“I can, because my leader, has already foreseen your death”

In the moment he said that, Tiir moved.

And this movement was too quick that Ryner’s eyes couldn’t catch it. It was truly too fast, even faster than Ferris.

Father frowned.

“…..Damn it, if I knew Iino Dwoe was coming, then I wouldn't have used magic….”

“It’s too late, human.”

The voice spoke from behind him.

Then there was a simple thump sound.

Ryner looked there reflexively.

Tiir’s arm was stabbed through his father’s back and chest.

He had grasped Father’s heart.

“….”

Ryner made a pained sound, he made a pained sound at seeing this unbelievable scene.

But before that, Father spoke.

“….Unfortunately, I wouldn’t die like this, I’m already not a human.”

He said.

“So you wouldn’t die!”

Ryner shouted angrily without thinking, then relaxed slightly.

“That, an-anyway calm down. I don’t think this is a bad situation. Why do you want to fight?”

He asked, but he didn’t get a reply.

Only Tiir clutching Father’s heart.

“I know you wouldn’t die. Your body has already lost its flesh, no one can act against you…. You wanted to do this, but that’s not right, your body is completely made up of magic. Your soul is completely made from magic too. Then, my eyes…. Can devour magic, my eyes….”

Then Father grabbed Tiir’s arm, planning to pull it out from his chest. He seemed to be slightly panicked, wanting to escape.

But, he couldn’t pull it out.

He wouldn’t pull it out.

The arm that was stabbed through his chest, he completely couldn’t pull it out.

“….Isn’t it troublesome? This is the reason why we Iino Dwoe are born, it seems to be so. We are monsters born to kill you who no one can deal with. We are monsters created by the Priests to kill you. Because you are a monster—who caused their whole lives to be crazy. So, we would find you for compensation. Be devoured by me….”

At this moment, Ryner said.

“Tiir! Stop!”

Ryner shouted.

But Tiir didn’t stop, he widened his eyes. And the red cross appeared in his black eyes.

Ryner could clearly see the structure of that cross.

He could clearly see the special structure that devoured the opponent’s magic, and absorbed it as its own.

And that eyes had already started to absorb, the magic and soul from Father’s body.

Tiir went a step further and opened his mouth. Responding to that mouth, the power of his eyes increased. The power devouring Father increased.

“Stop, Tiir….”

“Be devoured by me, disappear, human!”

Tiir said.

Then he pulled his arm out from Lieral’s chest. The arm that pulled out the heart, squashed it in an instant, then absorbed it into his eyes.

In that moment.

“…..”

Father collapsed.

He didn’t say anything.

He didn’t even scream sadly.

He fell down as if his strings were cut—

Then,

“…”

This time Ryner released a real pained moan.

Afterword

Anyway, Denyuuden is finally going to be animated.

Oh—how amazing, it’s going to be animated!

But anyway after placing this aside, how does everyone feeling about “Dai Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu 7”!?

The two people who finally meet, the buried foreshadowing has expanded in a breath. But compared to the foreshadowing, that Ryner has that kind of feeling, not only Ryner, everyone has felt it too. Then, the people who can’t see that probably don’t understand at all! (Laughs)

Although I think this volume should make everyone satisfied, then what about it!?

Then, before revealing anything else, let us end the discussion about this work, and return to the topic about the animation—

Oh—How amazing! It’s going to be animated! (Although I wrote this earlier, laughs)

It feels really great, it’s actually being animated, what should I say, in all I feel very thankful.

In any case my luck is good. To be able to respond proudly to the fans that wished for the animation, this is something really great, I am almost crying.

Because—

The director and the staff, they told me they really like the legends of the heroes! Under this kind of environment, I have enjoyed the benefit of not being asked about this and that.

Although I was asked to help create the script.

Staff: “Is this area fine?”

Me: “Is, is it like that?”

Staff: “Please look at the schedule I made!”

Director: “Talking about which what kind of emotions should this be? This? This?”

Me: “Ah! It’s like that. Then how about writing it like that?”

Director: “Not bad! Then changing this point… and this point, how about it?”

Me: “Ooooooooohhh, amazing!!!! It’s linked! It’ll be good if I did that!”

Director: “No, if I did this as well it would be good…”

Staff: “Alright, please bring a white board over! Because I want you to write the time line down here! Ah ah, there’s no more paper already! Because this is very important, I’ll write this too! But I have already written this, the schedule is going to be as tight, as expected!”

And things like that, we created the script under this feeling.

Everyone listened to my opinions earnestly, and did even better, it even looks pretty amazing as the author of the original work. Not good. Although I said that, what if it were more interesting than the original works… (Laugh)

Talking about which, although I was warned not to write this here, but the director said something like this.

Director: “Ah ah, CG, although I want to pass it to a few people to draw, but if I see my people working so hard, then I’ll have no choice but to draw too…”

Me: “You said that before Director. But CG is drawn all by the director—then let’s write an afterword together!”

Director: “W-wait! I haven’t drawn it! Retort! Where’s the space for retorting!?”

Me: “Ehhhh~”

Doing something like that, everyone worked hard together closely.

So please look forward to this amazing thing!

Or I should say, even though it is animated, it wouldn’t be like this, although this is good too, if it’s not like that, if it doesn’t progress in the best way as dreamed, I would instead feel uneasy. (Laugh)

Anyway before the animation is completed we’ll need many people’s help. We’ll need the help of many people who shout that they like the legend of the heroes. Although there are many difficulties met along the way, but the end is this! It became something good!

And, this ending, was originally because of everyone’s continuous support.

I felt that that was so.

Everyone was able to support me, continuing with such a long story, the love of everyone at Fujimi Shobo, no one gave up. Not only the animation, there were many chances where giving up would not be weird, but everyone didn’t give up, and always helped me.

There were so many people who were passionate about the legend of the heroes!

Every time I saw this, I always felt that my power, was really only one small part of everything.

Every time the completed work left my hands, having people around me read it and expression their thoughts, was no longer only my business.

So, to let everyone laugh till the end, to let everyone who supported me laugh, I will work hard too!

No! I have finally reached this step, first generation super ability and endurance M-san! And Saori-san who has always drawn the illustrations! The first generation undertakers, everyone in Fujimi Shobo who believed in the legend of the heroes and helped me with everything!

And all the readers who have always supported the legend of the heroes!

My power really has been miniscule, thanks to everyone’s help I can come to where I am today, I will work hard, to bring even more incredible things to everyone! It’s time for a celebration, a celebrations! (Laughs)

Other than that.

The game for legend of heroes is going on sale next month too! The reason is because this was already written in the last afterword to let everyone know, Saori made me write it again! Yelling die, die! (Laugh)

In Saori’s diary, it seemed to write “The game for the legend of the heroes quickly…”, he ran the fastest! It seems like he loves the game a lot already!

Although I haven’t done that yet, I’m looking forward to it! Everyone, go try it out too!

Then, I’ll stop here, because the pages for this time’s afterword is shorter, I’ll end somewhere here.

There has been an official announcement on Fujimi Shobo on the animation. Other than that, it’s the special volume, the Legend of the heroes matsuri for messages on Ryner and the related animation, and a few short stories.

Other than that, there is the short story and special volume of the “Itsuka Tenma Kuro Usagi” that I have been working on together with the legend of the heroes.

Ah! And, those that have won prizes in the illustration plan to work with Pixiv and Fujimi Shobo, I will rewrite from the beginning. Although I want to write cyberpunk (note: a type of science fiction novel) as a topic, anyway I will write happily! If possible please come and read my work! Also, I have been praised by an impressive person in Fujimi Shobo! It’s great! (Laugh)

The first every Kagami Takaya festival that Fujimi Shobo is holding is about to start! Not only my original manuscript, around 150 pages!! And the new series in next month. I will continue writing the interesting school life in “Itsuka Tenma”.

But the title was really surprising.

It is “The Student Council Room of A Moonlight Flit”!

A work that has a man’s name in its title, it hasn’t been seen in today’s novel society? (Laughs)

Even though it you haven’t read “Itsuka Tenma” it doesn’t matter, so please read it when you have the chance to.

Then, ma, I hope that this year will be the biggest Kagami Takaya festival ever!

Then please continue to take care!

Then—Happy New Year—! (Although it’s now!)

Then, I will end here as I wish everyone a good new year.

Kagami Takaya

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