Same face, same hair color, same height.
　Except for the clothes he was wearing, everything else was the same as Amatsu's.
　However, this young man was inexplicably different from Amatsu.

　He has long, shaggy gray hair and jet-black eyes that shine with a scary, sharp light.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on one, but also of time when you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

"Brother ......!

　While holding back the section of his severed arm, Amatsu had a look of anguish on his face.
　You're going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to get a good deal more than you're used to.

...... I'm fine," he said. It's more important that you hide behind me. It's ...... disgusting.

　Amatsu, who has broken through countless earth giants (golems) and a large number of traps, described it as 'tasteless'.
　Michelle gasped at the seriousness of it.
　From earlier, Amatsu hadn't taken his eyes off that young man, even if it wasn't enough for a moment.

''Oh, come on, that's a boring reaction. The heroes are here.　Come on, make it more exciting.

　The young man snapped on his knuckles as he played with the sword, which was dripping with Amatsu's blood, in his hand.
　He seemed annoyed that Michelle and Amatsu were not touching him.

'So you're a hero ....... I thought there were a few others made besides me, but I see you're the one.
Yeah, that's right. You just don't put yourself through the same shit as that other guy, do you?
You're not like us?
Don't ask the obvious, Pooch. Isn't that obvious?　There is no difference between you two fakes and these bozos, because I'm a real hero, dammit.

　The young man speaks proudly, proudly, and in a much better mood than he did a moment ago.
　The young man, who calls himself a hero, would normally have been thought to be out of his mind.
　Yes, normally.

　--Hero.
　The extraordinary pressure that the young man radiates does not allow him to snicker at the word.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's not the same as an individual that dies quickly, doesn't have much intelligence, or can't fight properly!　I am the reflection of the hero Amatsu - the second hero, Lady Olga.

　The young man - Olga stretched out her chest and spoke her name out loud.
　"Dozens of homunculus have been created to recreate the 'Heroic Amatsu'.
　I'm the perfect example of that," Olga boasted.

...... did you come here under orders from Lily and the others?
Orders?　I'm not. You are the evil ones that threaten us.
We're the evil ......?
I'm a hero who's going to kill the Dark Lord and save the world, but I don't think we're ready for that yet. It'll take a sacrifice for a while longer. You people who would let such a sacrifice go are the only evil in the way of heroes.

　Isn't it obvious?　Olga tells him, and Amatsu clenches his fists.
　It's the first time the calm Amatsu has ever shown anger.

"Do you condone these people being sacrificed at the orphanage?
What are you angry about?　Are you an idiot?　They're laying the foundation for saving the world, you know?　You know what they want.
......

　Now," said Olga, clapping her hands.
　He shook his piercing robe with the magical power he released and leaned forward significantly.

"You're going to die quickly, you know. I'm the one they want you to bring the kid to.
"ugh. ......

　Protecting Michelle, who was retreating, the ship-armed Amatsu stepped forward.
　The severed section was blocked and the bleeding had already stopped.

'I'm backing away, Michelle,'
'Oh, brother: ......

　Olga wears her magic and Amatsu transforms her arm.

"I'll protect you from--!

　"The battle between the imitators (copies) of the "Heroic Amatsu" has begun.

✦The battle between the copies of Heroic Amatsu has begun.

''Hahahahahaha!''

　It was Olga who moved first.
　As she leapt while stomping on the ground, she slashed at Amatsu.
　A high-pitched laugh echoed through the forest.

''Kudos ......!''

　Amatsu caught the sword that was swung down with his hardened arm.
　Immediately afterwards, Amatsu's feet, which could not withstand the impact, shattered underneath him.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''Gah, ha!''

　To Amatsu, who stabs his arm into the ground and tries to kill the momentum of the kick.

"You're too late, you d*mn good-for-nothing!

　While spinning, Olga slashed at him like a bullet.
　Immediately after Amatsu stretched his legs and moved his torso to the side, Olga's strike passed right beside him.
　The aftermath alone causes the surrounding trees to buzz.

''Ugh......''

　The shockwave that was generated even reached Michelle, who had dropped back and was hiding behind a tree.
　The wind pressure was so great that Michelle couldn't stand.

''Brother .......''

　The battle between Amatsu and Olga was fierce.
　As Olga moved at high speed, Amatsu's hardened arms attacked her.
　It's so hard that the ground is gouged by each blow from Amatsu.

　As I expected, Amatsu is strong.
　But Olga was even stronger than that.
　It was as if Amatsu's attack hadn't reached Olga.

　Even from the eyes of Michelle, who didn't know anything about fighting, Amatsu's disadvantage was obvious.

''...... is, ah!''

　How many times did he attack and defend.
　Amatsu, who ducked Olga's attack, waved his arm at Olga, who had an opening.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

......!

　But soon after, Olga's body jumped up in the air.
　Olga's mouth twists in the air as she leisurely avoids a sideways blow by Amatsu.

''Also .......''

　From earlier on, Olga would take moves like that and ignore the laws of physics.
　Each time she did so, the attack of Amatsu, which was supposed to be decided, would swing out of the way.

''--Fool!

　Kicking at the empty space, Olga dropped like a bullet.
　Beyond that, there's the figure of Amatsu, who swept his arms away.
　Amatsu tried to evade, but Olga was far faster than him.

''--You're too slow!

　Amatsu hardened his arms to prevent the attack, but he was flung off by the fierce power of Olga's slash.
　Immediately afterwards, a shock runs through the forest to the point where you'd think an explosion had occurred.
　While snapping the trees, Amatsu flew through the air.

''Oh no, brother ......!
''Hahahahahahaha!''

　Olga laughed loudly, drowning out Michelle's cries.

''I feel great!　Fighting like this shows me how strong I am.
U......
Aah!　I'm the best!
''......!''

　While still on the ground, Amatsu extended his arm to Olga, who continued to laugh.
　A thrust with a speed that Michelle's eyes can't catch - but Olga evades it with another unnatural movement.

'Hey, hey, who are you aiming at just now?　I'm showing you an opening, so make sure you hit it right, right?
......-style magic.

　Ignoring Olga, who was provoking him, Amatsu spoke the answer to his unnatural movement.
　--Wind Attribute Magic.
　Olga was releasing wind from her body, allowing her to move in a way that defied the laws of physics.

''Correct!　At ......?　So?　Even if I knew the secret, your poor transformation and hardening wouldn't be enough to catch me, would it?
You're ......'s!

　You'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.
　Olga possessed such outstanding power that she could not defy Amatsu's attacks.

　Contrary to the unharmed Olga, Amatsu's body was gradually being wounded.　
　With each action by Amatsu, Olga's sword would blur.
　With each action, blood sprayed out of Amatsu's body, which was supposed to be hardening.

''Michelle......!''

　Eventually, Amatsu, bleeding from his entire body, shouted to Michelle behind the tree.

'I'll buy you some time!　That's why I'm going to escape----
How many seconds do you think you've got?
''Ka, ha-......!

　Before he could say it, Olga's sword was stuck in Amatsu's abdomen.
　Exhaling, Amatsu falls to the ground.

''Brother!
Oh, great, fake. You bought one second of time to fight me.　You should be proud of that.
Michelle, don't go to ......!

　With a whimper, Amatsu stops Michelle from running to him.

'Goodbye, fake. It's a good thing that you're a hero.
......!

　The magic-powered blade could cut even the hardened Amatsu.
　It's a good idea to have a good time.

　--You'll be able to get a good idea of what to expect.

What ......?

　Something long protruded from under Olga's feet.
　It instantly binds Olga's legs and blocks her movements.

''What is this ......?''

　As soon as she said that, Olga hurriedly turned her gaze to her surroundings.
　When did it happen? Amatsu's slashed off arm had disappeared from the ground.

'...... so. Arm, that is.''

　Amatsu, who had been lying on the ground, smiled as he endured the pain.
　The left arm that had been severed earlier.
　During the fight, Amatsu had manipulated it and kept it hidden in the ground.

'Chii......'

　Olga scratched the algae to remove her arms, but the hardened arms would not come off.
　It held Olga's body firmly to the ground.

'Hit the attack properly, was it? I'll take you at your word.'
You ......!
I'm sorry.

　Amatsu's arm transformed and became a huge sword.
　The arm, hardened by all the magical power, ran from Olga's shoulder to her side.

'----'
----

　And they were both astonished.
　Amatsu and Michelle's eyes widened.

'The idiot,'

　One of them smiled.
　Olga was laughing ferociously.

''Did you think I couldn't use magic that your level could use?

　Amatsu's blow did not even scratch Olga's skin by a millimeter.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Nah, nah .......''
Why are you so surprised?　Why are you surprised? Did you really think you could beat me as a loser and a fake?　"I'm the one who deserves it.
I am ......

　There was the sound of iron shattering.
　The sound of Amatsu's arm, which was restraining Olga, shattering into pieces.

''Brother--''
You're far too nasty for that, scum.

　Olga's blow slashed through Amatsu.


◆

　--I wanted to help.

　The Amatsu/Homunculus is a homunculus modeled after the "Heroic Amatsu".
　It has the hair, claws, body fluids, magic and battle data of a hero.
　Using a variety of samples, George and Lily have learned how to use lost magic to create a fake homunculus.

It's done!
Finally, we got our hero, Amatsu!"

　The first thing I heard was George and Lily's jubilant voices.
　The two of them had created a number of homunculus, but none of them had been able to form properly.
　But the first one to retain its shape was me.

　After hearing the story of the "Heroic Amatsu," he thought to himself, "I wish I could be that person.
　I'd like to be that kind of hero," he thought.
　To be the kind of hero who could save people.

　It wasn't long before he realized that this was not going to happen.
　Amatsu/Homunculus could only use two kinds of magic.
　"The mighty magic that the heroic Amatsu used, none of it.

"You're a failure. ......
"Make me feel better. No, it's a disaster.

　Fake.
　Failures.
　A failure.

　After being cursed as such, the Amatsu/Homunculus was placed back into the laboratory's incubator.
　Although it was a failed experiment, it was preserved as a sample that retained its body.

　After that, the laboratory incubator became the world of Amatsu/Homunculus.
　Normally, they are put to sleep, only waking up when the data is being collected.
　I lived like that for years.

　During brief periods of wakefulness.

　--Help me.

　I heard voices.
　A child's voice, begging for help.
　Screaming the name of their estranged parents.

　--Help me.

　I heard voices.
　Over and over.
　Over, and over, and over, and over.

"----

　How many times have we heard the voice?
　On a daily basis, Amatsu/Homunculus noticed.

----.

　That I am in my chest, screaming for something.
　That I am the one who sees a child asking for help and wants to do something about it.

　--help.

　The cry grew louder and louder.
　The urge to scorch my heart spread within.

...... me.

　But the cry is not my own.
　It is surely the desire of the man (Amatsu) who is the source of my existence.
　That's why that desire is not my own. It's a fake.
　It's disgusting, even.

　--Help me.

　But...
　Still, I went to .......　

I'm--I am!

　With an impulse, Amatsu/Homunculus shattered the incubator.

　Stepping out into the outside world, Amatsu/Homunculus finally knew.
　He realized that he had been crying.
　And that these feelings were irrepressible and irreplaceable.
　All the time, I was trying to move my body.

　And then.

"Help me: ......

　I heard Michelle scream.

'--oh,'

　It was then that the Amatsu/Homunculus finally realized.

"--I wanted to help.


You're not going to be able to do that.

Oh, ----

　Amatsu falls to the ground, spewing fresh blood.
　The wound is deep, and if it doesn't heal quickly, it won't be able to sustain life.
　"You can use Transfiguration to close some wounds, but there's no way the Olga in front of you will let you do that.

　-- or at least Michelle.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　Amatsu despaired.

'Brother ......!'

　Right in front of him, Michelle was in front of him.
　Screaming at herself, she struggled to hold her wounds in place, not willing to be stained with blood.

'Why ......!'
Nice one, buddy. All your hard work has been for nothing.

　Olga looks down at Amatsu and Michelle and laughs heartily.
　It's no use. From this distance, Michelle would not be able to escape from Olga.
　Recognizing this, Amatsu despaired.
　He was unable to save anything, he thought.

'Well, it's a natural consequence, isn't it?　Evil loses and justice wins. Fake loses, real wins. It's only natural that a scum like you should lose.
............
Don't look so glum. Of course a little prick can't get anything better than this, right?

　--that's right.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of this.　
　It's a flawed fake.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good deal more.

'...... Sorry, Michelle,'
'Brother, Mr. ......'
Fake me wouldn't have worked on ......

　--I couldn't help you.

　I can't beat Olga myself.
　I can't save Michelle.
　You can't save the children in the orphanage either.

　In resignation, Amatsu was crushed by ----


--not ......!


　--there was a voice, drowning it out.

'Your brother isn't a fake ......!
'----'
'Because it was your brother who saved me!

　Immediately after, there was a dull gurgling sound.
　Michelle's body floated and rolled to the ground.

'Ka......'
Shut up, kid.

　Olga's foot stomped on Michelle's back.

'This guy is a fake. I can't help it. I'm the only real one.
".......
............ ah?

　Michelle looked up as Olga stepped on her back.
　Fighting back, she looks into Amatsu's eyes and says.

'Your brother isn't like you, ......!
'............ Oh, I'll kill you,'

　Olga raised her sword.

'They told me to bring you back alive, but ...... I don't give a shit. You are evil. You are an evil, insulting, heroic whore. Yeah, I'm gonna have to kill you right here.

　Olga swings her sword at him.
　In a few seconds, Michelle will be killed helplessly.

　Just before the sword was swung down.
　Amatsu had definitely heard it.

　--Michelle's voice saying, "Help me.

----.

　I can't beat her.
　I can't beat Olga with me.
　I wouldn't be able to beat ----.

　I'm not strong enough.
　But I am good at what I do.
　I know I have to save Michelle.

　--I know that.

......?　What the hell is wrong with you?

　I scream.
　The words that have been burned into my heart.
　I really want to accomplish that mental image.



　--Mind Image Magic [Indelible Roar of Sincerity (Indelible Roar)]



''--Oh, oh, oh, oh!''

　It wasn't a fake - a sure cry pierced Olga.