Cutting through the sealed doors, Amatsu and Michelle climbed out of the basement and upstairs.
　The familiar landscape of the orphanage spread across Michelle's vision.
　It felt like a different world now.
　Upstairs, the children were still asleep, unaware of what was going on.

'............'
It's just us now.
...... Yeah.

　No matter how many Amatsu you are, you can't fight with a limpet called yourself.　
　Right now, she should get out of the orphanage as soon as possible and go to the city to call for help.
　Michelle convinced herself that, for now, she decided to move on.

　Leaving the orphanage, the two stepped into the forest that surrounded them.
　The forest was covered in darkness at night, and the moonlight shining through the gaps in the trees cast a pale light on the forest.
　Michelle's strength was already at its limit after having run as fast as she could to this point, and the two decided to take a moment to breathe in the forest.
　Leaning against a tree, they stifle their ragged breathing and heartbeats.

'...... strange.'

　Potentially, Amatsu, who was not held by the tree and was wary of his surroundings, muttered.
　Amatsu's expression, illuminated by the pale moonlight, was somewhat stern.

''...... What's going on?''
'Halfway down the basement, of course, the chase became loose. Even now, there's no sign of anything going on around us.

　Isn't that a good thing, Michelle thought.
　Maybe Lily and the others had given up on Amatsu's strength.
　So she asked Amatsu.

I don't think so.

　Amatsu replied with a grim expression.

''They're not the kind of people to give up after this, you know.
...... So why aren't they attacking us?
'I don't know ....... Maybe there's still something, some hidden hand.

　Let's make sure we're fully prepared to escape from the forest, Amatsu said.
　After recovering his breathing and regaining his strength, he left this forest as fast as he could.
　He would run straight into the nearby town and Michelle would call for help, while Amatsu would return to the orphanage to help Sheena and the others.
　That was the plan.

...... What will happen to me if I can get out of here?

　They have no place to live and no idea where their family is.
　Even if we can help Sheena and the others, will there be a place that will take us in?
　The thought of the future makes me tremble with fear.

'Will we live, will we make it: ......
I'll be fine. ......

　Amatsu's warm hand was placed on Michelle's head.
　Reluctantly, with a slightly hesitant hand, Amatsu stroked her head.
　It was clumsy, but it was gentle.

'It's a big world out there. I'm sure there are places for you guys to live.'
...... I guess so.
Yeah. That's what Michelle does on the outside.

　Amatsu speaks in a gentle tone.

'And there are many more orphanages than just this one.
............?

　Suddenly, Amatsu's tone changed.
　It was as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

Have you ever seen the outside world, brother?
''--What?''　

　The expression on his face was one of astonishment, as if he had been caught off guard.

No. No. ...... It's not ...... that's a good idea.

　Looking confused, Amatsu put his hands to his face as if he were trying to remember himself.
　Then he quickly looked up, "No," he said.

I've never really been outside of ....... The inside of that basement incubator was everything to me.
So this is the first time you've been outside ......?
'Come to think of it, yes. I was so desperate that I didn't even notice ....... I've never seen the moonlight, the wind, the leaves swaying and all that.

　It's the first time, Amatsu said with a happy smile on his face.
　At the same time, Michelle could see the sadness on her face.

I don't know anything about all of this, but there is one thing that I feel strongly about. There is one thing that I feel strongly about.
...... what?

　Amatsu told her with a look that reminded her of a distant day.

I've been told that there is a lot of happiness in this world ...... and that I was born to protect it.
My brother ...... really does look like a fairytale hero.

　Amatsu frowned in pain at Michelle's casual words.

I'm ...... not like that. I'm not a hero.

　Amatsu remembers someone's voice.
　The words he's been listening to since he was born.

　--this time it seems to be another failed attempt. It's far from heroic, it's just a piece of work.

　--I can't believe they let all that material go to waste. ...... It's rubbish too. You should be ashamed of yourself.

　--Oh my god, it's a total failure?　I don't know what it takes to be a fake, half-baked piece of shit.

　That's what I've been told.
　I've been told that Amatsu/Homunculus is not a hero.
　He's a fake, badly made, worthless failure.

...... I can't be a real hero, because I'm a fake, badly made, worthless failure.

　Fake. A failure.
　Michelle tilted her head at the words slipping out of Amatsu's mouth.

Is your brother a fake?
...... Yes, he is.

　Amatsu affirmed.
　In response, Michelle asked.

'--is that a bad thing? '

　Eh," Amatsu froze.
　He couldn't get the words out, but Michelle continued to speak.

'Your brother helped me. I don't think it had anything to do with him being fake or anything.'
...... but I'm not.
Is your heart trying to help me or is it a fake?
It's at ......

　That's-- no.
　It's not, it should be.
　Despite his vague will, Amatsu's mind was screaming that it was different.

'Then I guess that's fine.
----

　A small smile appeared on Michelle's face, and Amatsu was immensely disappointed by Michelle's words.
　Then.

Thank you ....... Michelle.

　I thanked him.

'That's odd. It's odd for your brother to say thank you.'
No, it's not that weird.
No, that's weird. That's weird. And you're dressed like that too. You're almost naked.
'Shh, it can't be helped. I tore down the curtains on the spur of the moment and made it into clothes when I was escaping. ......
Too exposed. Your brother's a pervert.
...... that much?

　It was a conversation that had indeed taken place in a hellish place.

◆.

　After catching their breath, they began to move.
　In the dark nighttime street, Amatsu would move forward without hesitation.
　Even in poorly footholded areas with exposed tree roots, she ran through them without any problems.
　Michelle was able to keep up with him because of the way Amatsu was running slowly.

　When Michelle asked him how he was able to keep up at night, he replied that he was born that way.
　It seems that Amatsu is a homunculus that was created in an attempt to recreate the "Heroic Amatsu".
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

...... magic is only marginally useful, though.

　"Heroic Amatsu was able to use several powerful magic techniques, but Amatsu could only use two magic techniques.
　"Transformation" and "Hardening".
　It seems that the only magic that can be used is that which transforms the body and hardens it.

　It is precisely because the homunculus has a different structure from humans that they are able to learn this magic.
　It's not just a hero, it's like a demon or a demon tribe, Amatsu said to himself in mockery.

''Still, your brother is amazing enough.''
...... Is that right?
Yeah. With your magic, you'd be an adventurer or a cathedral knight.
Adventurer ...... and Cathedral Knight or .......

　As he ran, Amatsu pondered Michelle's words.

'If I save all the ...... kids, I might as well try to become one.'

　You should, Michelle nodded.
　I'm sure Amatsu will be famous wherever he goes.
　He would be able to save a lot of people.
　If he becomes an adventurer, he might even make it to the A-rank.

'When I get out ...... I'd love to help a lot of people that way.

　Biting back, Amatsu muttered.

'......!　Michelle, they're coming!''

　Immediately after that, a giant humanoid appeared from the shadow of the tree.
　It was a patrolling earth giant (golem), different from the one we saw underground.
　The earth giants come rushing in from all over the place, surrounding the two of them, shaking the ground in small ways.

' ...... tasteless. Michelle, over here.

　Seeing their numbers, Amatsu decided that they were at a disadvantage and immediately began to break away.
　With Michelle's hand in hand, he ducked through the gaps in the earth giants' encirclement and moved forward.
　From behind him, he heard the sound of a large number of earth giants chasing after him.

''----''

　Transforming his arm, Amatsu summarily slashed through the trees behind him.
　The falling trees slammed into the earth giant, slowing its steps.

'...... Okay, we're almost there.'

　Amatsu has never been outside.
　Still, the structure around this orphanage has been taught to him by Lily and the others.
　Cross-referencing his memory with the terrain, Amatsu proceeded through the forest.
　It's a good idea to have an encounter with the earth giants, and the escape route is the one closest to the exit of the road that you can take.

''Haha ...... haha ......''

　Michelle's face was bright red and beaded with sweat as she ran with her hand in tow.
　Her breathing was ragged and I could see that she was nearing her limit.

'Michelle, we're almost there. Good luck ......!
'Ugh, yeah ......!'

　At the word "only a few more", Michelle strengthens her almost loose legs.
　Stepping over muddy feet and jumping over exposed tree roots, the two of them continue through the forest.

'Okay, just a few more ----'

　Yes, before he could speak, a nearby tree exploded.
　Immediately afterwards, Amatsu's right arm was severed from his shoulder and sent flying through the air.

''U......ck.''
''Brother!?''

　Searching around in pain, Amatsu understood.
　The tree that shattered into pieces did not explode.
　It couldn't withstand the impact used for scaffolding and popped off.

''Hey, hey, hey, hey, you're reacting too late!''

　A young man's voice rained down from overhead.
　Michelle knew the voice was familiar to her.
　Because it was ----

　Someone falls from the top of the tree.
　The person who has fallen, shattering the ground.

　The person with gray hair that shines in the moonlight.
　The tall, slender body, and fiercely distorted, jet-black eyes.

"You are .......
...... your brother, the other one!

　It was a young man who looked just like Amatsu, a carbon copy of him.

Yo, you're such a piece of work!

　However, the expression on his face doesn't look anything like Amatsu's.
　His eyes, filled with malice and hostility, are like those of a beast.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


"A hero is here?