--The jet black and the gray-white collide and rival each other.

　The brilliance of magic and the glitter of the blade intersect, and the impact blows through the room.
　Both sides, rushing at a speed beyond human knowledge, both are on the offensive and do not take a step back.
　Elfiszak, who was lying down in the innermost part of the room, was just blindsided by the scene.

''Oooh oooh--!''

　Squeezing out his magic power and grinding his soul, Ryuzas continues to shoot his magic.
　He ran around the room in all directions with the power of necromantic possession, and while escaping from Iori's attacks, he continued to attack.
　Iori (Amatsu) knows how to fight well.
　Whether it's sorcery or swordsmanship, long distance or short distance, that man is the highest level of ability in all arenas.
　That's why he continued to refuse Iori's approach with the only superior magic technique.

''Haaaaaaaaa--!''

　While exercising magic and sending slashes flying, Iori chased after Liuzas.
　Fire, water, lightning, wind and earth - all sorts of sorcery are refusing to act on Iori.
　However, it breaks through all of them and fleshes out into the flesh to Liuzas.
　In close combat, this one has a huge advantage.
　This is because no matter how much the sorcerer's physical abilities are improved, there is too much difference in their skills.
　Hence, Iori closes the distance between her and Liuzas.

''--"Loss Magic, Dragon Cutting Fall"

　A huge amount of water appeared right above Iori.
　The water poured down on Iori with tremendous force.
　It was a torrent that even severed the dragon.

"Impact Mirror."

　Against the falling waterfall, Iori rushed her blade against the falling waterfall.
　Immediately afterwards, the momentum of the water stream intensified and changed its point of concurrence to Liuzas.
　Reflected, the blade of the torrent, which looms at a terrifying momentum.

''Gu, ohhhhh!''

　Ryusas responded with a pillar of ice.
　The ejected ice pillar collided with the torrent, freezing the water with a cracking sound.　
　The frozen torrent broke in half as the freezing freeze completely froze and slowed down to breathe as the ice formation stopped moving.
　Against Iori, who was rushing in with both sides of the small mountain-sized chunks of ice, Liuzas had no choice but to retreat while unleashing his magic.

　Iori had completely caught Ryuzas running around at a speed that was destroying itself.
　It's not just that, it's the speed at which it's happening.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　In the face of that monster power, Liuzas' hatred of it returns.

''Even though you have this kind of power, you!　Amaaaaaaaaattu!

　From there, the offense and defense became even more intense.
　It's because Liuzas, who had been keeping his distance, conversely began to close the distance between him and Iori.

　On top of the Broken Body Possession, I further layered strengthening and healing magic on top of it.
　Swallowing the shock and intense pain that shreds your entire body just by walking, Ryuzas closes in on Iori.
　And then he fired a series of massive magic from close range.

''Gu--''　

　He used a soft sword to catch it off-guard, but aimed at that moment when he turned to receive it, and Ryuzas' magic increased in intensity.
　Iori stepped on the tatara after receiving an attack that defied the common sense of a sorcerer.
　The mind-image magic that was reapplied is beginning to unravel again.
　Every time he played the magic, he found that his magic power and physical strength were being steadily reduced.
　I don't have time to replenish my magic power through potions.
　I won't be able to keep it up for much longer.

　But it's the same with Liuzas.
　Liuzas is fighting while cutting down on his lifespan.
　The repeated wear and tear is definitely taking its toll on him as he tries to return to his heyday with his psychic magic.
　He won't be able to keep it up for another five minutes.

　--Hence, the decision is at hand.

　This is the last battle method that Ryuzas chose to use, attacking at close quarters and at close range.
　Iori was taken by surprise at first, but he was already beginning to see through the move.
　A minute later, Iori's attacks had gradually begun to snatch Liuzas.

''Haaaaaah!''

　Iori exercised her magic and swung her sword.
　It is the same as Amatsu's movements from thirty years ago, even though his appearance is different.

...... ah!

　--From the beginning.

　Seeing Iori wielding the power of a hero, Liuzas muttered inwardly.

　--From the beginning, I knew it.

　The usurpation of the magic technique stripped away all of the enhanced magic except for the necrotic possession, slowing down Liuzas' movements.
　You can also have a look at a few of the other things that you can do to help.
　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.

　--I'm not going to be able to become a hero.

　Many people have been telling me that I can't be a hero.
　I've been told by many people that Ryuzas Gilburn is not going to be a hero.

　--ridiculous, right? Taking the place of Amatsu to be a hero?　Scum like you?

　This is what Dionis said after killing Amatsu.
　I'm a member of the Demon King's army, the story goes, and Dionis laughed at that while waving Liuzas in the air.
　That's right, he thought.

　--You let Amatsu die and then came back with a big smile on your face!　You are useless!

　What awaited Liuzas, who managed to survive and return from the Demon King's Castle, was abuse.
　What the hell were you doing that you couldn't protect your heroes, the king choked out.
　I can't even protect my sister, so it's only natural, he thought to himself.

　--Luzus Gilburn. It's a good idea to have the power to kill the demon king ...... and become a "hero", wouldn't you like that?

　The hero Amatsu, who was the hope of all humans, died, and humans were once again in dire straits.
　Liuzas alone was unable to change the situation, and killing Ortega was just a dream.
　It was at this moment that the Grim Reaper appeared.
　If I can get the power, I'll do anything.
　The Grim Reaper gave him the ability to reverse the cause and effect of his death and other magic.

　But the results were less than satisfactory.
　In exchange for acquiring powerful magic, Ryuza's magical power was disrupted.
　He was unable to use his magic as he wished.
　As a result, they can no longer even reach Ortegia.

　--That's funny: ....... I thought you could take a few more steps forward.

　You're not going to be able to get away with it.

　--You're not much of a hero.

　I've been studying magic for years.
　In order to regain my magic, to gain enough power to defeat Ortegia.
　To gain the strength to become a hero.
　And so I've come this far.

　But...

"...... I knew from the beginning.

　--that I'm not a hero's vessel.

　Because I've been watching him more than anyone else.
　More than Lucifina and Dionysus, who were fighting beside him.
　I've been watching the back of Amatsu, the hero who defeats his enemies.

　--I'm not going to be the only one who's been in a position to do this.

　You can't reach them no matter what you do with your scrap self.
　I knew that all along.
　I didn't need anyone to tell me that, but I understood it best.

''Gah-uh.''

　The jade taiji slashed through Ryuzas's shoulder and across his side.
　With blood splattered on the ground, Ryuzas rolled unceremoniously on the ground.

''But .......''

　Battered and bleeding.
　Liuzas still stood up.

''But yo ......!

　With wounds all over his body, Ryuzas still stared at Iori.

"If I give up. If I give up on being a hero--

　Liuza uses great magic.
　He used the "Falling Starlessness".
　It is a magic to make a huge mass of magic power fall from the sky above the opponent.
　It's not a matter of time before you get caught up in it, but it's a direct shot at Iori, who is right in front of you.

It's a good thing that Sasha, who was abandoned by the heroes, won't get rewarded for it!

　The best magic that the current Liuzas can use right now--.

The best magic that can be used right now by Ryuzas--

　Jade rushes.
　There is a lag of a few seconds from activation before the Falling Star Impenetrable shows its maximum power.
　Iori doesn't miss that moment.

''Ha--aaahhhh!''

　--The first demon sword, the severed boundary.

　From the large upper level, it is just a technique of swinging the sword down.
　You can't fly a slash and its effective range is narrow.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.
　It is the pride of the demon sword, its greatest technique.

''----''

　The star was cut off both ways from the front.

'You can't even get through to me on this one: ......

　Of course, Iori was not unharmed either.
　The flesh of her entire body has been burned cruelly from being touched by the enormous amount of magical power.
　Even so, Iori didn't stop.
　Right in front of Ryusas, he was fleshed out.

''---''

　You can't duck.
　Understanding this, Ryuzas' next action was to create a sword.
　He took up the sword he had created and attacked Iori.

　--I'm not going to be able to get a good look at it.


"Liuzaaaaaaaassssssss!

　And so the two blades crossed.

''----''

　The cutting edge of the sword in Ryuzas' grip slashed through Iori's cheek.
　With a flop, blood trickled down the blade.

　And--.

''--ga, fu.''

　Iori's jade tachi sword had pierced through Liuzas' chest.
　Without missing a beat, the blade drilled into Ryuzas's heart.
　A large amount of blood spilled out of his mouth.

　Its body tilted wobbly.

......!

　Still, he didn't go down.

"You killed me ......, Amatsu.
!

　At those words, Iori immediately took a distance from Liuzas.
　This is because she sensed the fearless emanation of magic power.

''Magic power ...... conversion.''

　He takes off his jet-black robes and releases the magic contained therein.
　Healing, self-destruction, and all the other techniques are poured into a single spell.
　This is the magic you learned to use to kill the Demon King Ortegia.

I did not become a hero.

　POTUS said.

'Amatsu,'

　The eyes, which were about to lose their color, still reflected Iori in my vision.

"Heroic Amatsu.

　The blood flowing from the pierced chest stopped abruptly.

If you're a "hero", then you're a "hero": ......

　A red-black magical power exuded from the hole in his chest.
　It gradually took shape and became a single arm.
　It was too fearless to be called magic -- it was the arm of death.

　-- "Loss Magic, Causal Return Burial"--.

　To the cause of death, the magic that returns death.
　The magic that was supposed to be just that, turned into the arm of death that takes the lives of everyone it touches, thanks to the magic power of Liuzas.
　Iori guessed that he was trying to take the lives of all those in this room.
　He wants to take Elfiszak, too.

''Let me go over this, oh my God!

　The arm of death approaches Iori while spreading its five fingers.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get your hands on this much magic, it's a matter of time before you can usurp a magical technique.
　"I'm not going to be able to get it to work.

...... I'm no longer a hero or a heroic person.

　To Ryusas' words, Iori mutters quietly.
　Because when I was disappointed in everything, I stopped being a hero.
　Because he swore to team up with the former demon king and take revenge for everything.

...... Still, to kill you.

　On the edge of her vision, Iori catches Elfiszak.

'...... I'm going to use this power to help that guy.

　He thrusts his right hand out toward the looming arms of death.

----.

　A jet black light flooded out of his palm.
　Like a black hole, the light formed the shape of a small vortex.
　The vortex forcibly absorbs all the magical power floating in this room.

　This is the magic that Heroic Amatsu once created to kill the Demon King Ortegia.
　This is the greatest magic that Amatsu can boast of, which was created by developing a magic that absorbs magic power.
　It's a technique that couldn't even be recreated, even with the use of psychic magic.

　Iori said the name of the technique.


"-- 'Eclipse'.


　The vortex that was swollen by the absorption of magic power became smaller and smaller, as if it were condensing.
　Immediately after, the vortex that had turned into a small sphere rapidly released the magic power it contained within.
　Jet-black light was shot out like an arrow at the arm of death, which was deprived of its magic power and still moving.

　The jet-black torrent that was released crashed into the arm of death.
　Space was distorted and magic power was blown out like a storm.

　Thirty years ago, the heroic blow that had dealt Ortegia a major blow.

　It swallowed the arm of death and devoured it.
　As it was, it continued to push forward to Liuzas beyond.

----.

　In the extreme light, Liuzas had no way to do it.
　There was nothing left to do.

　All that was left was an intense pain that tormented his entire body to the point that he felt as if he was about to go insane.　　
　And then there was the despair of my life.
　In the end, after more than fifty years of life, he could not do anything.
　A futile time of nothing rewarded, smeared with dirt.
　It's a fitting end for a scum.

"...... Sorry, Sasha.

　Liuzas muttered in front of the light that was approaching in front of him.

'Promises ...... nothing, I didn't keep them.'

　It reminded me of a picture book I had read many times at the urging of Sasha.
　The story of a young man who defeats a demon king and becomes a hero with the support of many people.
　It's a fairy tale about a young man who creates a world where everyone can live happily ever after.

　He vowed to create a world where everyone could live happily ever after like that young man.
　After losing his sister, he seeks his purpose in life to become a hero, and in the end, he is obsessed with revenge.
　He clung to his own hatred and did too many deeds far from Sasha's wishes.
　Truly, I can't save her.
　He failed to keep his promise to Sasha in any way.

　--What a foolish, stupid, trivial thing to do.

　That's when I smiled a self-mocking smile.

'Thanks ....... For always keeping .......'

　As the light closed in, I suddenly remembered Sasha's last words.

'I was very happy to be ...... with my brother, I was very happy to be ...... with my brother.'

　That time.
　Sasha said in a compassionate tone while stroking Ryusas' head.

'Your brother, you know, ----'

　It fell on deaf ears, those last words.
　After all this time, Liuzas finally understood.


''-- You were my hero.


　At that moment, Sasha said

...... ha!

　Liuzas laughed in the light.

'...... I see.'

　She burst into tears, reflecting her sister's fantasy in her eyes.

'...... Sasha. I've been a--

　And so--.
　Liuzas was engulfed by the light and disappeared.