Looking down at his brother's prone body, Allen let out a breath.
　To be honest, it was heavy on his mind in many ways, but he couldn't rest here.
　It's not over yet.

I'm sorry, but you take care of things.
Yes, I'm on it. Allen, you can also go to that ......

　I guess I don't know what to say.
　When Leeds slurred his words, Allen smiled bitterly.

　However, it was the same for Allen, who didn't know what to say, so he just turned away.
　In the midst of the staring eyes of those around him, he left the place without paying them any mind.







　There was a roar.

　It could only be described as a roar, and would not be called a swordfight in the least.
　Even if in fact it was.

　The battle between Akira and Craig was exactly what you would call a fierce battle.
　Each blow was heavy and sharp, and every single one of them was a kill.
　On top of that, what seemed like an infinite number of attacks were released.

　To be honest, it was all Edward could do not to be a burden.

"d*mn it, ...... this is bad. We showed up dressed to the nines, and now we're in trouble.

　Edward nodded to Akira, who muttered those words while taking a distance and adjusting his posture.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it.

　You can clearly see that he was really holding back in the earlier battle.
　I'm not sure if Edward would have been able to get past the first blow if he had been given this ability.

　It's a good thing that you're able to keep up with that. ...... But even so, there's no doubt that Craig is better, so that doesn't give you any comfort.

It's just a matter of time before you get the chance to see it.　It's obvious that he knows our moves from time to time. So that's his gift, isn't it?
That's right. His gift is the Undertaker. The Undertaker can see a few seconds into the future.
"Huh?　What the hell is that. That's a f*cking cheat.
It's not something that can be used in combat, because it requires extreme concentration. ......

　At least it's not supposed to be used so many times.

　But from what Edward could see, Craig was definitely using it in key places.
　Is it great that Akira hasn't been pushed aside, or is it great that Craig has an advantage over the brave men with that alone?
　There is no doubt that both of them are great, but if there is one thing I can tell you about them, it's that they are both great.

...... With all that power, why not use it for the people?　It must have been an extraordinary effort to achieve that level of power. She didn't want this to happen to her--
"Shut up. You have no idea what you've been through. You don't know what I'm feeling (・・・・・・) because you kept showing me (・・・・・・・) how he died (・・・・・・). ......!
"...... what?

　It was a word I hadn't expected to hear.
　But ...... there is only one thing I can think of when I think of Craig's gift.

"Craig, your gift can certainly see the future, but even so, it's only a few seconds away, isn't it?
I thought so too, and I still do. But for some reason, only then did I get to see him die for a year before ...... he died.

　I don't know if there is such a thing, but I guess there is as long as he says there is.
　And sure enough, it was something Edward couldn't even imagine.

"And it seemed that the future was not absolute. "And it didn't seem to be a sure thing, because something you did changed your view just a little bit. But ...... no matter what I did, the only thing that didn't change was the future of his death.
"...... It's that girl,
"Of course I knew. He told me he was satisfied with the end of it. But there's no way ......!　All I could do in the end was despair over a future that I couldn't change no matter what I tried to do: ......!　And if you can't change it no matter what you try, it can't be anything other than God had it in mind beforehand: ......!
"...... I see. So you deny God.

　Finally, I felt like I understood a little bit.
　Maybe that's why Craig is so adamant about denying the gift, God.

　Of course, whether or not you'll admit it is one thing, now that you understand it is another.

It's just a notch on the ...... list. But that's what made me realise it's true. This world is ruled by God, and everything is predetermined. Then the only way out of it is to kill God. ......!

　The tone of his voice and the darkness in his eyes convinced Edward that there was no way to convince Craig.
　I knew it, but I knew it would be impossible to convince Craig.
　The only person who can do this is that girl.

Hmmm ...... I only heard about it halfway through and I don't know the details of your situation, but... The bottom line is that you can't forgive yourself for losing someone you care about, right?　Then you just need to say it in a nutshell.

　It was at that moment that Akira said that.
　It was as if a rattle had been knocked off, and Craig's mood had changed.

　Before that, there was enough darkness in his eyes, but not in comparison to that--they are nowhere near as dark.

Huh. ...... I see. Indeed, I may have been thinking a little too much about ....... I don't think I'd have chosen ...... any means to achieve my goals.


"Oh my God, ...... did I step on a land mine?
"I don't think there's a land mine or anything after saying all those things, but ...... well, by the looks of things, it's probably sooner or later. It doesn't give me any comfort.
That's exactly what I'm talking about. ......!

　I think he instinctively knew it was bad to leave it alone.
　Akira jumped at Craig with all his might - the blade swung down and Craig grabbed it with his left hand (・・・・・・).

"Wha-......?
"-- devour the devil's left hand

　Blood flowed from the palm where the blade had been bitten, but the darkness erupted from there with even more force.
　You don't need anyone to tell you that it's bad, but you know at a glance that it's bad.

Burn them all, Soden ......!

　The moment the holy sword in Akira's grip was struck by blue lightning.
　It is a good thing that you are able to get the best out of the situation.
　It's completely antagonistic.

I'm not going to be the same as the dragon, ......!
"-paint it, demon's right hand
"Gosh--?

　And the same darkness flooded in, and when the right hand clad in it was reamed off, Akira's body was blown off with a joking momentum and crashed into the wall.
　There is no sign of getting up.

Craig ...... you, what the hell is that ......
"...... I just told you just now. I'm not going to resort to any means anymore. I'm not going to take any chances.

　All Edward could understand at the moment was that his body was blown up just like Akira's. He could recognize that he had crashed into a wall, but it was strangely painless and shockless.

　Although he was able to recognize that he hit the wall, there was no pain or impact.
　--No. I can't feel it already.
　I understood from years of experience that I couldn't feel it anymore.

　But at the same time, it was an unfamiliar sensation.
　I don't feel like I'm dying.
　It's more like sleep.

　But a sleep that would never awaken again.
　Your consciousness sinks, and you feel something seeping into you instead.

　Just as he was about to fall completely into consciousness, just for a moment Edward realized what it was.
　It's surely ...... Craig's consciousness, itself.

　Anger, sadness, sorrow, grief, pain.
　It's not any of those things, or any of those things, but something ...... that he has surely forgotten.

　I'd like to be able to see it, and I'd like to be able to see it.
　I'd like to see someone stop this friend, although we couldn't do it ourselves.
　Just as I thought that, I heard something shatter and Edward's consciousness fell as if melting into the light.