--May there be a world where no one gets hurt.

　I will fight to create such a world.
　No matter how much I get hurt, I can keep fighting until my last moment.
　That's what I've been telling myself all along.

　Looking at the mental image magic that formed such a vow, he said.

''--I don't want Lucifina to use that magic anymore.

　He said that with a sad look in his eyes.

◆

Okay, I'll let you dry off.

　Saying that, Iori pushed the cloth against Lucifina's wet hair.
　After taking the moisture out of her hair with the cloth with a clomp, she used a magic technique this time.
"It's an application of a magic called 'Hot Air (Burning Blast)'.

N-......

　As she combed, Iori stroked her hair.
　It was a little ticklish and comforting, and I couldn't help but let out a squeal.
　It's embarrassing.

　This is not the first time Iori has asked me to dry my hair.
　It all started when I was injured in the battle against the Four Heavenly Kings "Hyoketsu".
　Although he used his psychic magic to protect Iori and the others, he was severely wounded in both arms.
　Fortunately, he was able to get back to normal with Ryuzas' healing magic, but his arms were numb for a while.
　It doesn't interfere with my daily life, but it's hard to do small tasks.
　That's when Iori had to ask Iori to dry her hair.

...... hands, are you okay?

　In the midst of all this, Iori asked in a worried tone.　
　Guilt made Lucifina's heart ache a little in her chest.
　Because the truth is, her arms are already back to normal.
　This is how she lied to Iori to get her hair dried.

''Ha, yes. I'm already feeling much better.''
Okay. So you think you can dry your hair yourself now?
'Hmm ...... hmm ...... it's that ...... I wish I could get Iori to do a little more of that .........' ...Oh my God.

　Was it too brazen to be a stone?
　I look at Iori's face, anxious.

''Then ...... I'll dry off for a little while longer.
"....... Ha, yes. Yes, please.

　While blushing a little, Iori looked happy.
　Seeing that, Lucifina's heart beat faster.
　Kaa, he felt his face also turn red.
　I wonder if Iori hasn't noticed me.

　That's when I was thinking about it.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　Suddenly, Iori made a serious expression.

''...... As I said before, I don't want Lucifina to use mental magic anymore.

　Lucifina's psychic magic is a ward that protects her friends around her from all kinds of harm.
　However, Lucifina herself cannot enter that ward.
　Whenever this magic was needed, Lucifina was the only one who was injured, without fail.

''Thank you. ...... but that's not going to happen.''

　Currently, only Lucifina and Ryuzas are able to use defensive magic.
　For the most part, the defensive magic of Lucidus is sufficient.
　However, there are times, such as when fighting the Four Heavenly Kings, when Ryuza's defenses are breached.
　At such times, Lucifina is the only one who can protect everyone.

''I might get injured, but I can protect everyone else in return.

　If you can protect the other three by only getting yourself hurt, that's a good thing.　
　The other three are much more important than me.

I don't want Lucifina to get hurt.

　Iori said clearly, with a terribly sad expression on her face.

''So,''

　After looking down at Lucifina's hands, Iori said.

''I'll be able to use defensive magic so that Lucifina won't have to use mind-image magic,''
Mr. Iori.
'You'll be able to create an absolutely indestructible shield that can protect your friends - Lucifina - from any attack. Then Lucifina won't have to use psychic magic, will she?
----

　Learning a new magic is not as easy as Iori says it is.
　It takes talent to use magic, and you have to put in a lot of effort before it takes shape.
Even with the 'proof of bravery', Iori should be no different.

But ...... it's an awfully hard thing to do.
Sure, maybe. But I've already made up my mind.

　Still, Iori had a strong will in her twin eyes.

''-- If Lucifina will protect us, I'll protect Lucifina,''

　I said so.

----

　I'm sure even Iori wouldn't understand.
　How happy I was at this moment.
　That I was overflowing with feelings, and that I was about to get myself out of it.

(Oh, I knew it.)

　I look at Iori and think.

(...... helplessly, I love this guy.)

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

　A sharp icicle protrudes from the ground with tremendous force.
　If it were just a man, the ice stake that pierces through without even letting him react, but not a single one of them hits.

　A brave man runs on the battlefield, shaking his gray hair.
　Leaving behind the ice stake that thrusts out a second later with overwhelming speed, Amagatsuki Iori closes in on the enemy.

...... you!

　The one who grunts is the Four Heavenly Kings "Hyoketsu".
　It is a fusion of fire and water magic to create ice at will.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it.

"Huh--

　Iori easily defeats the demon warrior while avoiding the ice.
　The demon tribe tries to stop her, but Lucifina, who was following her from behind, won't allow it.
　The dragon species tries to shoot a breath from the sky to the two running men, but Ryuzas at the back flicks it with his magic.
　Then, he tries to attack Liuzas, but Dionis uses his sword skills and magic to keep the enemy away from him.

　Just a dozen minutes ago, the demon race should have had an overwhelming advantage.
　As soon as those four appeared, the battle situation changed dramatically.
　From the demon tribe's point of view, it was like a nightmare.

(-- Ahh)

　Seeing Iori's back as she blazes a trail, Lucifina thinks, "I'm not afraid at all.
　I'm not afraid at all, she thinks.
　Until now, going out to the battlefield was so terrifying that it made me want to cry.
　That's now, she feels rather light in body and mind.

　Liuzas supports me with magic from a long distance.
　Dionis, who stands in the middle and supports everyone by watching the battle situation.
　And Iori, who runs straight through the battlefield.

　--their presence makes this body lighter.

''Oh, my God, oh, my God!　It's not going to end like this!

　It was then.
　I've been cornered, the Hyoketsu is cornered, and he holds his arms out to the heavens.

"I'm going to accept your warding, but I'm going to have to take your warding...

　A moment later, he covered the sky with a huge ward.
　It doesn't have any effect, it's just a wall of magic power.
　However, there is a huge amount of magic power contained within it.

''Magic power, transmutation.''

　All of that magical power was converted into a giant water.
　It's just water that falls to the ground.

''You guys are the ones who were hunted down. ......!

　The "freeze" tapped into that, and the "freeze" tapped into the magical power.
　In the blink of an eye, the water turned to ice and every drop of water turned into a sharp blade of ice.
　This is the only way to make sure that you will be able to get the most out of the game.

''---ha!　Oh, shit, man!
Oh, I can't do this. I can't protect myself from that.

　Ryusas unleashed his magic into the sky, but it was a scorching hot stone.
　There were only a few seconds left until the ice fell.
　There is too little time to release the Great Magic or the 'Heavenly Sword'.

''The Mental Image Magic at .......

　It was when Lucifina turned her hand to the sky, at least to protect everyone else.
　Iori, who was standing in front of her, grabbed her hand.
　Then she smiled gently and said.

''It's okay.''

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time.
　What a warm magic power, right after Lucifina gasped.

''-- "Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia)"

　A huge shield composed of magic power appeared above Lucifina and the others' heads.
　An enormous amount of ice collided with the shield, which was enough to cover the entire top of their heads.
　The shield of Iori didn't even shake slightly as it received an attack that would have pierced even the great magic.

'There's no need for Lucifina alone to get hurt anymore.
----

"Iori said that quietly after completely blocking the attack of the "freeze".
　At those words.

(...... what to do)

　It's a battlefield, Lucifina thinks, her face turning red.

(...... I'm going to cry.)

　Until recently, I had no idea.
　I didn't know that I could be happy and still cry.

　It wasn't even half a second before the game was over.
　Iori defeated Hyoketsu, and the humans won.

　This was the first time Il Ataraxia was used in this battle.
　Iori had invented it so that Lucifina would not have to use psychic magic.
　Just thinking about it, Lucifina's heart was filled with pride.

◆

　Even after the battle against the freeze is over, the journey continues.
　Sometimes we were comfortable in villages and towns, sometimes we would camp out in the mountains and forests for our mission.
　There was a lot going on in the field, and sometimes they would make a quick meal out of the food they carried with them, while other times they would find animals and fruit and cook their own food.

　If anything, Lucifina preferred the encampment to the village or city.
　It was exciting to sleep in a different, non-ceilinged place.
　Besides, it was fun to cook together.

''Me, I want to have some stewed food today.
'Hmm ...... ingredient-wise, but it's how you season it. What's up?
Salt would have been enough. It's just a hassle.

　She seemed to be struggling with the seasoning, so Lucifina raised her hand.

''Well then, how about stewed medicinal herbs from the 'Emilior Seal'?
""Not gonna happen."
Er, .......

　What a conversation to have while cooking.
　Eating it while everyone mingled.
　We'd wash ourselves in the nearby river or spring.
　We'd drink and talk, and then sleep in our sleeping bags and beds of plants and trees.

　There is another reason why Lucifina likes to sleep in the field.
　It was that she could sleep with everyone else.
　Naturally, they would usually be divided into rooms and Lucifina could be left out of the group.
　That was lonely.

　Would Iori be asleep now?
　After everyone had gone to bed, I sneaked a look next to her.
　That's when I met eyes with Iori, who had just turned to me.

''Huh.''

　Surprised, I can't help but put the covers over my head.
　Then he slowly turns his head and makes eye contact with Iori again.
　I notice that Iori was just as startled as I was and averted her gaze, which was oddly funny.

　They laughed and whispered for a while, both laughing and talking in whispers.
　When he was a little sleepy, hearing Iori's whispered voice was going to put him right back to sleep.

　If .......
　How comfortable would it be to sleep in one bed with Iori?

　You'll be able to hold hands and feel each other's warmth.
　It's a good idea to have an arm pillow or something.
　It would be great to sleep in Iori's slim, yet strong arms.

　And then we could whisper our thoughts into each other's ears.
　So ...... and then .............

'～～～～.'

　Lucifina is unconsciously writhing in agony, jittering and writhing.

(What a hoot: ......)

　Iori has a section where she sees herself as a woman and a companion, but also as a 'knight'.
　It's an image of a clean and honest .......
　I wonder what Iori will think when she sees herself floundering around thinking about trivial things.

'...... ugh.'

　I manage to shake off the annoyance, writhing again in embarrassment.
　Then, I turned my gaze to the one next to me.
　Iori had already fallen asleep and was breathing a small sleep.
　Seeing Iori's sleeping face, my cheeks loosen up.

　Iori is brave and reliable in battle.
　Such a sleeping face of Iori was very cute from Lucifina's point of view.
　I thought that being able to see Iori's sleeping face was one of the best parts of the field.

　I sneakily reached out and stroked her gray-stained hair.
　It felt nice and smooth.

'...... Iori-san,'

　Call my name in a voice so quiet that no one notices.

I love you.

　Say your thoughts in your mouth only.

　The best time to say it firmly is when the battle is over.
　When it's all over and the war is gone.
　At that time....


◆

　And the relationship with Iori.
　The buzzing and fussing around with everyone.
　It was all impossibly comfortable.

　So.
　I have no regrets about the process or the ending.
　Because I've been blessed with a life that was too good for me.

I thought that as I felt the "Tenri Sword" stinging my stomach.

　Just.
　If only one thing was allowed to be selfish.









'I wish I could have traveled with Iori-san again.