--this is a memory of a distant day.

　The boy was born in a small village in the eastern part of the holy city of Schmerz.
　He was a timid and frightened child.
　The boy was so timid that his parents would say that the boy lacked courage.

　There were many active children in the village and it was not uncommon for the boy to be teased.
　The boy could not run around or climb trees.
　When asked why he was afraid, the boy didn't know.
　He was just afraid.

　When he was seven years old, the other children began to talk about their dreams.

'I want to be an adventurer.'
"I want to be a cool hero like Amatsu.

　As they talked about it, the boy couldn't find anything he wanted to do.
　He was afraid to become an adventurer and fight.
　There's no way I could ever be a hero.

　Unable to find his cowardly dream, he just spent his days sitting on a stump and watching the idyllic scenery.

　Then one day, I heard a voice say, "What are you doing there?

"What are you doing there?

　Someone came to talk to the boy who was sitting on a stump.
　It was a girl about his own age.

'I'm looking at the landscape,'
"Hmm. Are you having fun?
I don't know about ....... I don't know.

'Then listen to me,' the girl said, sitting down next to the boy.
　And without regard to the quiet boy, the girl speaks to him one way or the other.
　She complains about how strict her parents are, and how they make her read the Bible every day.
　After listening to the girl's story, the boy says a few words about what he thinks.
　When the girl finished speaking, she was satisfied and left.

　The next day, the girl came again.
　She sat next to the boy and talked to him about this and that.
　The boy would say a few more words about what was on his mind.

　The next day, and the day after that, the girl came again.
The boy said, "Playing with you is no fun," and when no one spoke to him, the girl spoke to him over and over again.

...... hey, why are you talking to me like that?

　One day, the boy asked.
　He couldn't understand why a girl would talk to him when he wouldn't enjoy it.

'Why do you think ...... is because you listen to me properly?'
What ......?

　The girl smiled at the puzzled boy and said with a smirk.

'The other kids in the village like to run and climb trees and stuff, don't they?　I wanted to talk to you, but you wouldn't listen to me.
...... I just don't like to exercise.
Still, you'll listen to me and respond well, won't you?
............
And you make me feel better when I talk to you.

　So, I'd like to be able to talk to you like this.
　No?　The boy shook his head hurriedly at the girl who tilted her head at him.

　Calm down.
　It was the first time he had ever been told that.
　But the boy also found that talking to the girl made him feel very calm.

'...... name,'
Hmm?
I haven't heard your name yet.
'Oh!　Come to think of it, I didn't hear your name either!

　'Weird,' the girl replied, laughing.

'I'm Kirie. My name is Kirie Ursula Avern.'

　Nodding at the girl's words, the boy said.

'...... I'm Leo William Disfrender.'

　This is a memory of a distant day.
　An encounter between a boy and a girl, etched in their memories.

◆

...... But that was a real anticlimax.

　While waiting for the visitors in his private room, Marcus let out a small murmur.

　That night, Liuzas came all the way to the mansion to sneak into the mansion.
　A chill went down my spine when I heard the story of the person who killed George and the others from that man, but it was nothing short of stupefying.

　The ghost of the hero Amatsu and the demon tribe he is working with.
　I thought it would take a bit more work to trap those two.
　I was prepared to have both my arms and legs amputated at the very least at the beginning of the encounter, but I didn't expect them to get away with it unscathed.

I was surprised that you took the trouble to save those stupid girls. You're still a hero, aren't you?　I'm afraid of too much stupidity.

　If that was the real Amatsu, he would at least know that he had been betrayed thirty years ago.
　And yet you're a bottomless fool for still being able to help people.

...... But I was at least prepared to get my hands and feet cut off before I set a trap.

　Somehow, those two stopped before they could slash at Marx.
　They took advantage of the opportunity to crush the floor, but it was a bit puzzling.

　Both of them were opponents who surpassed Marx in skill.
　If they were slashed from the front, they would not have been able to deal with it.
　From the beginning, I was going to pretend to be weakened by the slash and take advantage of the opportunity to collapse the floor.

'Was there not as much difference as I felt ...... or were you wary of me?'

　If only they had gotten in time to cut off the limbs, they could have killed those two more reliably.
　By collapsing the floor, I wasted some of the 'anti-magic item' magic power granting items (magic items) that I had received from Ryuzas.

''If this is the case, I should have kept those magic power granting items without setting them up.

　Even without that group of magic granting items (magic items) made for the 'anti-magic race', Marx had a secret move.
　"Hero Amatsu" and the Demon Race's trump card that would only catch them off guard and drop them into a trap.

Hmm ...... well.

　"The ghost of the hero Amatsu had lost his power.
　She seemed to have high skills, but that's just the extent of it.
　Whether it was the demoness or the woman of the demon race, if it was to the extent that she could be contained by the Liuzas' wards, it probably wasn't much of a strength.

　Inside the hole, there are multiple wards and several traps set up to kill those two people.
　Some of the traps, including the warding, were prepared by Ryuzas, but he was completely aware of their effects.
　Right now, those two must have been eaten by the traps.
　We can take our time to deal with those two after the matter is over.

So, in the end, you were too cautious. We had to go through a lot of trouble to deal with a guy of that caliber.

　Remembering the two people who fell to the bottom of the hole, the timing was right for Marcus to twist his lips.

It's a good thing that you have such a congratulatory head, isn't it?

　A familiar man's voice echoed through the room.
　Standing up with a bang, Marcus braced himself.

'You're underestimating those guys, man.
"...... Lord Liuzas.

　Leuzas' voice echoes around the room.
　Realizing that the source of the sound is around his own waist, Marcus lowers his gaze.
　The hilt of the sword Marx is using - I saw a small ring attached to it at some point.

''This is .......''
Don't be so brittle. It's a magic item that transmits voice and magic power.

　When.
　Marx held his tongue as he tried to ask such a dumb question.

　When?　
　It was obvious, that night when they first came in contact.

　Ryusas attached the magic power granting item (magic item) without letting the wary Marx be distracted.
　The fact that Marcus didn't notice it until this moment today means that it's probably an on-off type of item that doesn't release any magic power until you use it.

............
Are you mad at me?　In fact, it's only natural to be grateful. If I hadn't sent my magic power flying, you'd have had both your hands and feet chopped off.
............ I was rather planning to deal with it in anticipation of being done so.
Okay. Well, now you're in the way, aren't you?

　A vein floated in Marcus's forehead at the mocking tone of his voice as he scoffed at his defeat.
　In frustration, he reached for the ring on the sword at his waist.

'Hey, hey, you're going to break it?　This is a waste of time, isn't it?
I would appreciate it if you would not do anything of your own accord. I will destroy any other magic items as soon as I find them.

　With a cracking sound, Marx shattered the ring.
　Liuzas' voice, which had been heard, became mixed with noise.

'Well, that's fine. I've arranged for you to get this far. Don't screw it up, okay?

　With those last words, Liuzas' voice was completely deafened.
　He threw the ring to the ground and stomped on the soles of his shoes in frustration.

"I don't know if it's the 'Great Magic' or what, but you're getting ...... up to speed. You don't need to be told.

　It was that man who prepared half of the trap in that hole.
　Do you think you can't kill him after all that work?

...... tch.

　Or is he licking himself so much?　
　Either way, you can't break through the trap with two people of that caliber.

After all, my half of my body (・・・・) is filling it up.

　I check the whole room and see if Liuzas has set anything up because he hasn't.
　Apparently it's just that ring and nothing else has been planted.

'Now, that's not the point: ......

　Guisili, the chair Marcus is sitting on creaks.
　I meditate and switch my attention.
　It's not the intruder or Liuzas that I'm thinking about.

　--Kilie Ursula Avern.

　From the moment I saw her at first glance, I knew she was a good woman.
　All the women in the cult are dressed up, but when they take off their clothes, they are all disheveled and disheveled.

　However, Kirie is different.
　She has a beautiful enough figure without dressing up, and a toned body.
　From the beginning, Marcus was convinced that Kirie was the best woman.

'If you want to use her as a toy, an unholy sub-race will suffice, but ....... Huh, still a human woman if you really enjoy it.''

　So far, I've gotten whatever I wanted to get my hands on.
　I've used George and the others who were my bosses to get money and status.
　He used the money and position he gained to get his men, the women he played with, and even power.

　That woman was no exception.
　Kirie is a must-have.
　The body is important, but being able to use chanting magic is important.
　It's a good thing that you can eat it if you don't need it anymore, because if you don't need it, you can eat it (...).

You're a good friend of mine. I'm really sorry.

　I'm aware that Leo is in love with Kirie.
　The fact that he's aware of it makes him want Killier even more.

'It's your fault for being a kid and climbing all the way up to the position of second-in-command.

　How hard do you think you've worked to get to this position?
　There is no way I'm going to allow that blue ass kid to be right below me.

'Kuk.'

　I wonder what the young man would look like if he knew what happened to the former captain that Leo had respected.
　Just imagining it is a sobering thought.

"...... hmm.

　While I was thinking about this, the time had come.
　It was around midnight, a little before.

"I don't see those two coming out. I knew it, my half has eaten them.

　Then let's enjoy this one here.
　A few minutes later, there was a visitor in the mansion.
　When I opened the door, Kirie, who had changed into simple clothes, was standing there.

''Thank you for coming, Kirie-kun,''

　At the doorway, Markus greets Kirie with a smile.

'...... Good evening,'

　Killier was depressed and his voice was small and shaky.
　The frightened look on her face was palpable.

'Come on, we're not even here. Let's go to my room and talk about it.

　Resisting the urge to start laughing, Marcus urged Killier into the bedroom.
　Turning over, Killier obeyed silently.

(Stupid woman.)

　In Marx's personal opinion, Killier is not the dumbest woman out there.
　Because if she was just an idiot, she would have been swallowed up by the number of conspiracies in the cult and would not have been able to get to where she is today.

(But ......)

　When Leo is involved, the story is different.
　Because she knows the number of conspiracy techniques in the Order, this woman knows the horror of what is called 'power'.　
　Power and connections are also deeply involved in the Order.

　If Marx, who is involved with the depths of both the Order and the Knights, can really get his hands around it, he can prevent Leo's rise to power.
　He could even fly him to a battle-hardened backwater and invite him to die in battle.

(Actually, though, it would take a lot of recklessness to bring down Disfrender, who had risen to his current position at such a young age.)

............

　Killier accepted her engagement to Marcus for fear of shutting down Leo's future.
　Apparently, this woman is afraid of being a liability to Leo.　

(That's why it was so easy to put it on, Kirie-kun.)

　Marx bites off a desperate dose of inward derision.
　That's why.

......

　As he walked, he held his ears and failed to notice Kirie, who was gasping for breath.


◆

'I'll make you a cup of tea now. Just sit there.
............ Yes.

　Sitting Killier down in a chair, Marcus went to get the tea.
　He sprinkles a light dusting of brown powder that he took out of his pocket into the white steamy tea.
　The powder quickly dissolves and becomes invisible, mixing with the color of the tea.

　It is a powder made from a certain herb that is forbidden to be used, a powder infused with a certain herb.
　If you drink as much as you put into the tea, you will feel dazed, as if you were drunk.
　By the time the effect of the powder wears off, Kirie will have no choice but to drink 'tea'.
　If that happens, Kirie won't be able to leave Marcus anymore.

''I'm sorry, I'm sorry you had to wait.

　When Marcus returned to the room with the tea, Killier made a small face.
　His face was very pale, perhaps from nervousness.

'You don't have to be so hard. Here, drink this tea.

　I was about to hand Killier a teacup when I realized that all that tension would soon disappear once I had a cup of tea.

"...... what the hell are you doing ......?

　Kirie stared at Marcus with a snap and said that with a trembling voice.
　The uncanny look on his face caused a slight shudder to form in Marx's mind.

'...... yeah?　Killier, what's wrong with you? In the meantime, calm down: ......
'The screams are ....... The screams, I can hear them.
...... what?

　Holding her ears, Kirie tells her in a snatched voice.

'I've been hearing a lot of women screaming ever since I entered the mansion.
...... what are you talking about?
He said, "I don't want to go to jail ...... drugs ......, I don't want to do this anymore, I need help .......

　At Killier's words, Marcus froze this time.
　Screams were not audible to Marx's ears.
　No matter how good his ears were, there was no way he could hear the sounds in the basement here.

(Even if they used magic, they couldn't have heard ......!

　Marcus' eyes widened at the word "magic".
　The name of the magic she uses is "holy chanting magic".
　It is a special kind of magic that recreates the miracles of the gods (Melt) in the present day.

(No way, -- "Holy Hearing" ......?)

　It was written in the Bible.
　"Mert, the God of Light, did not miss his call for help.
　This miracle is what people call "holy hearing".

　If this woman could use it, it would be ----.

"What are you talking about, Mr. Killian? You're tired. "Drink this tea to calm yourself...

　He smiled and offered Kirie a cup of tea.
　I'm not going to be able to get it right.
　Even if it's a little forced, if I give him this to drink...

"--

　A sensation like a small thunderbolt with a bang ran through Marx's hand.
　The teacup popped and shattered with a clatter.

'Did you have something in your ...... tea?'
...... This is.
'After I heard the screams, I put wards on my body. ...... wards to protect my body from the impure.

　After a glance at the tea soaking into the carpet, Killier glares at Marcus.

'What the hell are you ...... doing ......?

　Killier's twin eyes look at Marcus from the front.
　It's not the face of the woman from earlier.
　It's the face of a clergyman, impeaching evil.

'I didn't expect ...... to hide such a power from you.
I wasn't hiding ....... It's the first time I've heard a scream.

　It's a tricky ability, Marx says, narrowing his eyes.
　Killier glares at Marcus with a stern expression on his face.

'...... Denial, you don't deny it, do you?'

　At Killier's words, Marcus blew out a little.
　Then he tapped his fingers three times on the desk with a knocking knuckle.

'Because you don't have to deny it,'
...... Why?
You know what to do.

　With a bang, a subordinate responded to Marx's signal and jumped into the bedroom.

'--because you're going to die here, you know.

　He had his men on standby for the unexpected, but he hadn't expected to use them on Killian.
　It's totally inevitable, Marx sighs.

'Kill him.'
Are you sure?
'It's a pity you can't humiliate him all the way through, but if you let him live, you never know what kind of miracle he might perform. Cut off his head and make sure he's breathing down his neck.

　It's a waste, but it's the only way to go.
　We'll make sure he's dead and then we'll eat the body.

......

　A subordinate draws his sword and slashes at Killier.
　Unable to cope with the trained knight's movements, Killier's head is severed - and

"Anthem Incinerate."

　White flames covered Marx's vision as he was sure of that.
　Immediately after Marcus jumped back, his subordinate, who was consumed by the flames, screamed out.
　He rolled around on the ground with a jiggle and then lost consciousness.

'----'

　Kirie exercised a magic so powerful that it surpassed advanced magic, with just a single word.
　In the midst of the white flames, Kirie stood still while shaking her indigo hair that was curled up in a string.
　An uncommon amount of heat - and yet, there were no burns on the bodies of the burnt subordinates.

''Excellent. So this is the "holy chanting magic" that I've heard rumors about: ......!
If you don't resist, we won't do you any more harm. ...... Mr. Marx, would you please tell me what you are doing, please tell me what you are doing? You can't sin any more ----
I deserve that power!

　Marx is elated to see the miracle reappear.
　To the approaching Marcus with his sword drawn, Kirie wordlessly swung his arm down.
　Without burning the furniture, white flames gush out, aiming only at Marx.

''I acknowledge its power, but--''
......

　The trained knight was swallowed up by the white flames, which were swallowed up by the trained knight without a second thought.
　Marx avoided it by turning his body upside down significantly.
　Kirie gasped for a moment at the unimaginable flexibility and immediately moved on to the next attack.
　In conjunction with Kirier's behavior, the blade formed by the white flame attacked Marx--but

It wasn't a little girl like you that did it!

　Marx rolled forward to avoid it.
　With the momentum of his rotation, he closed the distance between him and Kirier and slashed at him as soon as he got up.
　I'm not going to be able to react to that tricky bodywork, Kirie is unable to react.

"It's called a treasure trove, kunya!

　Aimed at the lower abdomen, Marx's thrust.

"-- "God has not forsaken me (Play Aegis)!

　The blade snapped soundly into the invisible wall that appeared at the same time as Kirier's chant.
　Without a moment's pause, Marcus released the bottom of his palm, but the wall didn't make a small move.

"...... 'Holy Light God', defensive magic?"
Yes. You're not the only one who can break this defense.

　Marcus nodded as if he had given up, with his hand propped against the wall.
　Killier's eyes fell down at that, and a sad expression appeared on his face.

''Marx-san. Please don't compound your sins any more. Melt-sama said. 'Acknowledge your sins and repent.' ......
Kirie-kun: ......
We all make mistakes. It's only important what you do afterwards. Mr. Marcus. Come with me to the Order's quarters. You'll explain the situation, and I'll explain it clearly.

　At Killier's words, Marcus looked up.
　Killier loosened his mind to see if he understood.
　But soon after, he froze when he saw the sneer sticking to Marcus' face.

''You really are a dumb b*tc*,''

　Marx's arm, which had touched "God will not forsake me," emitted a red-black light.
　At the same time as Kirie stepped back from the horror of that light.


''-- "Magic Skill Usurpation (Spel Divaur)"


　The wall that was protecting her was swallowed up by Marcus' right arm.
　The defensive magic was easily breached and Kirie reveals her agitation.

''.......''
It's late.

　Faster than he could unleash a white flame, Marx's arm grabbed Killier by the throat.
　He lightly lifted Kirie's slender body and slammed it violently against the wall of the room.
　The impact nearly made Killier's consciousness jump.

''S-......re, ha,''

　Marx's arm gripping Killier's neck.
　Countless red and black blood vessels were floating on the exposed skin.
　In the center of those tubes was a jittery, pulsating, diamond-shaped crystalline body.

Does this bother you?
......
It's part of the Amatsu Hero's power. I took it in return for helping George and the others.

　With a sticky smile, Markus tells the story.
　George and his team have been studying the cells and magic of the hero Amatsu, and they have succeeded in re-creating the "usurpation" magic that Amatsu used to use.
　In the process, they managed to reproduce to some extent the 'usurpation' magic that Amatsu used to use.

It seems that they turned to researching homunculi because they didn't think it would be practical.
You can go to .......

　With a bobbing sound, parts of Marx's body began to transform.
　A reddish-black tentacle-like object emerges from a gap in his clothes.
　At the tip of it, a circular mouth with countless teeth is attached to it.

''If I feed on others with these, I can make some of their power mine.
......
'Kirie-kun ....... I will bite off your soft skin, sip your blood, and chew your bones. By doing so, I will have your holy chanting magic in my hands.

　Tentacles writhe and approach Killier.
　Kirie struggles to escape, but Marx's inhuman prowess makes it impossible for him to even move.

''If you're going to be my pet, I won't hesitate to help you?

　Marx's smile, smeared with lust, as if he had boiled down sewage.
　In his dazed consciousness.

I don't like ....... ......

　Kirier refused to do so.
　Giving in here is an insult to the God he believes in and the people he loves.
　I can't do that.

'Abomination. How dare you reject me, you little b*tc*!
......
I'm going to eat you down to your bones.

　A large, open-mouthed tentacle pounces on Killier.

'----'

　Memories of a distant day ran through my mind like a runner's wheel.


◆

　I was lonely.　
　Her parents were so bent on improving their position in the Order that they wouldn't even look at Killier.
　Not wanting to be angry, Kirie had to be quiet and be a good boy.
　So all the time, he wanted someone to listen to him.

　I told my friends who were my age, but they didn't seem to understand what was going on.
　When I told an older boy and he said, "Let's go climb a tree instead," I couldn't help but laugh.
　There was no adult I could talk to about it.

　It was then that I met a boy.
　A shy, timid, slightly obtuse boy.
　Kirie knew that the kids in the village made fun of him.

　It was just a whim that spoke to him as he was zoning out on the outskirts of the village.
　Just, you know, out of boredom.
　Kirie complained one way or the other.
　I knew he wouldn't understand anyway.

　But.

".........

　The boy listened to Kirie and said what he thought firmly.
　The boy was not a very good talker, though.
　Kirie was happy that he listened to me properly.

　After that, Kirie started talking to the boy.


　Nearly two years have passed since he met the boy.
　Having become friends with the lively Kirie, the boy had become somewhat familiar with the children of the village.

'Come on, let's go.'
But ...... is dangerous.
I'm fine!

　That day, a group of village children gathered together, and Kirie and his friends went into the forest, which was off-limits to them.
　The reason was a childish one: they just wanted to explore.
　Forcibly pulling the boy who didn't want to, Kirie and his friends went deeper into the forest.

''Ah ......!''

　On the way there, Kirie saw a beautiful field of flowers.
　For some reason, she wanted the flowers that were growing irresistibly, so she jumped out of the line and Kirie stepped into the field.
　While she was engrossed in the beautiful flowers she had never seen before, Kirie went deeper into the forest alone.

...... Huh?

　By the time she realized there was no one around and the sun was nearly gone.
　Alone in the forest, Kirie wandered for hours.
　The sun had gone down, the surroundings were dark, and she didn't even know where she was.
　She was scared, sad, and anxious.

　And while he was wandering.

"Lulu: ......

　Finally, Kirie has met a demon.
　Several small wolf-shaped demons jump on Kirie, drooling.
　Unable to do anything about it, she sits down.

''Help me ......!''

　That was right after.
　Someone had intervened between Kirie and the demon.

''----''

　Not even the light of the moon, a dark forest.
　When no one comes to rescue you in the darkness.
　When you are attacked by a demon and are about to die.

You can go to ...... and you'll be fine. ......

　My body was buzzing and shaking, and I felt like I was about to cry.
　With a wooden stick in his hand, someone rushed to protect Kirie.

　The, the boy's name is ----.

◆

　With a thud, I heard something fall to the ground.
　If you look, the slashed off tentacles were pitter-pattering on the ground.
　Marx retreated with a look of anguish on his face.

''-- You, sir!

　In addition, my neck, which had been tightened, was huffily eased.
　Something warm supported Kirie's body as she fell to the ground, losing her stance.

　It was like a replay of that moment.
　If it wasn't, he didn't shake his body or feel like crying.
　He would be holding a single sword with a look of rage on his face.

''--It's all right now.

　He said that in a soft tone of voice.

'Leo, kun: ......'


　Leo William Disfrender.


　--was a dear, childhood friend of Killier's.