How did you know about...


　She didn't try to mend it. She was simply amazed. What she had been thinking about earlier had been guessed, word for word. If they had done this to her, anyone would think. This person.........can read people's minds, I thought.


You have such an expression on your face as to why you can read minds. Belle.
Excuse me but are you sure you can... read?


　I was genuinely curious. I wondered if a person who was trying to reach sainthood would also have this kind of ability... but the reply that came back wasn't like that.


''No, I was just saying it in a random way.
What?
'But ... your expression speaks eloquently. I thought so.
I see.....


　So, yeah. It was just so much attitude that a young child could see it. That's how much I dislike this job. I'm aware of that, but I had no intention of changing it. That's why Belle speaks candidly. Riane is five years old and yet she is intelligent. That can be seen just from the short conversations we've had so far. Then Belle made a suggestion.


'I ... need to ... fight in the twilight ... to spend the same ... time ... with you ... I don't have time ...'
...you're going to tell me in no uncertain terms.
The other day, my esteemed superior officer died. And in order to avenge him I must go on my way.
No, sir.
How could I...?


　Bells like that with a little more verbiage. She didn't want to do this to a child, and to royalty, but she would gladly be the bad guy if she could give up this role, she thought.


'You will die if you continue to fight in the twilight.
....
You know that, don't you?　About that mark.
Yeah I know.


　Twilight Syndrome 《Twilight Syndrome》. At the time, the name wasn't yet in use, but it was also called twilight disease by the people. And it was a disease that could kill a person.......especially in the military.

　Belle had noticed that her imprint was growing even more. When his superior officer died and he fought the demon, Bell broke through the wall. It was a breakthrough of sorts. It was also the fact that humanity had reached an even higher realm, but he was also aware of it. That this ability was a dangerous one. I was fighting while cutting down my own lifespan. I had that feeling.


　But such things are only trivial if you're an anti-magician. Everyone was fighting for their lives. If that's the case, then all of the opponents are equivalent to diminishing their lifespans. I'm not afraid of the Twilight Syndrome [Twilight Syndrome] now. What I'm afraid of is that this leg will stop.


''But........so what is it?　You don't........have anything to do with.......you know.
No, it's relevant. Not to me, but to mankind as a whole. Bertina Wright. You were discovered at an early age, and you became the first person in the history of mankind to become a special-grade anti-magician, and we can't afford to lose you. Besides, I could see it.
Can you see it?
Yes. You're dead in the future.
Can you... use... the future vision...?
'I'm not perfect, and as I get older my ability to see into the future is diminishing but you will die soon. And that too in the twilight. I'll have you by my side to help you avoid that.
Do you think that if I'm around you I can change the future?
'Yes. I can, for whatever reason, apparently change the future somewhat. It's something I've been doing for a long time.
....


　A young girl. Not even ten years old yet. And yet, her story was logical and logical. I wondered if this was the kind of person who would lead to sainthood, and at the same time, I became a little curious. Who on earth was she........ And if she told me she was going to die, I would hesitate a little. Even though her superior officer had just died, she couldn't just die too.


　And Belle reluctantly accepted Liane's proposal.


'Okay then I'll stay by your side for a while.
It's a pleasure to work with you, Belle.
Yes.


　◇


''Ugh ... ugh ... ugh ... ugh ...''
Are you ... are you okay?
'..................Yes. As usual.........
The usual...?
'I probably have not allowed my body to catch up with its own ability to sleep. This is how I occasionally have these sort of seizures.
Well.........


　Riane was weak. Or should that be called weak? She often tingled in this way, often trying to keep her breasts down. Bel felt sorry for Liane as she tried to hold back the pain and became smaller. How could such a young girl always be tormented by this kind of pain? That's what being a saint is all about. That being said, Belle was slowly beginning to understand Riane.


　She worked hard at her studies, acted like royalty in social circles, and endured the pain that came her way every day. There was no time for her to play. It would be the same day after day forever. It just seemed like an empty day. Just then, Belle asked. Why do you do that?


'Why do you.........work so hard.......?'
'Why, I don't know ... well ... Maybe because I wanted to be like my mother, that's what I thought.
The queen...?
'Yes, sir. My mother is the sole keeper of the wards for humanity. She also works in the management of the city. Seeing my mother like that, I naturally decided what I wanted to be.
Is that...?
He said he would devote himself to the cause of humanity.
''Are you sure that's what you want...?　Something I really want to do or...
'I may be able to do what I want to do in the future. But I've decided to dedicate my body to humanity until the day I am freed from the twilight.
...Oh, I see.


　Too young. How could she be so determined to be so young? When Belle was her age, she didn't think about it and just lived her life in a daze. And yet, Liane is already prepared for it at that age.


　I had a genuine respect for her. Respect is not only for older people, but also for the way they are as people. If a person's way of being a person is worthy of respect, it doesn't matter what age they are. It was the first time Belle had ever respected a younger person, even a little girl. How much determination resides in that little body. She endured suffering every day, not having time to play, but just going through the motions. I want to repay him. That's what I was beginning to think.


　And after that time, Belle lost her arrogance towards herself. She had become a special class anti-magician, and she was conceited. But as she watched Liane every day, she began to look at herself as well, and wondered what she could do now.


'Lady Liane,'
What's wrong, Belle?
'I ... misunderstood ... you ... I'm sorry ...'


　With that, Belle bowed her head. At this moment, she thought she should serve this person. I want to support her. Belle also decided to give her devotion to him.


'It's not ... it's the ravings of a child. Never mind......
'No ... that's not how it works. Lady Liane, I ... serve you.
Well ...
Yes.....


　Until now, she had been forced to take it because it was just a mission, but now it was different. She decided of her own volition to stay by this young girl's side. A little girl who has no friends and her parents don't care for her. She has to endure pain and suffering every day, and she wants to be her support. After vowing to be there for her, they develop an affinity that is deeper than a blood relationship.