Hearing the name Tida, my body stiffened for a moment, and soon I too raised my sword and shouted to Palinkron.

''What, what, twenty layers!　No more Tida!　He's not there!
Yeah, Tida's not here. That's why I'm the substitute. I'll be the surrogate for The Twentieth Test.

　Palinclone walks up to us as he answers.
　While wielding that bloody sword--

　I don't have time to think about it. I stand in front of Maria, take out a spare sword from my 'possessions' and cross swords with Palinkron.

　The only thing that assists me is my magic Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient).
　That's how close my HP and MP are now to their limits.
　As a result, it's a pure swordsmanship competition.

　Palinclone's sword slides over my sword.
　Then, Palinclone sneaks into my bosom with a fluid movement.

　The man's swordsmanship in front of me was bizarre.
　Oddly soft.

　While matching sword to sword, Palinclone grabbed my arm with his extra hand. I can see that he has dared to bring us into an antagonistic situation and refused to compete with me in the sword arts.

　At that moment, the magic power in my enemy's body amplified.
　I could feel the horrible magic power from the skin that touched me. My instincts tell me that it's not a good thing, and I deploy my dimensional magic strongly for a moment, further cutting down on my few remaining lives.

　I seek out the weakest part of Palinclone's stance, exploit the gap, and put my strength into it.

''Get away from me--!

　Shake it off and push it away.

　Palinclone's hands were glowing vaguely. The true identity of the horrific magic power just now was most likely a mental interference type of magic.

''Oh. Wow, that's amazing, Kanami. Good work with that body.

　Palinkron laughs, looking sincerely surprised.

　Irritated.
　I'm irritated by Palinkron's actions, everything about him.

　I shout, rousing my aching body.

'What do you want?　Confusing the Hoosiers and not being satisfied with that!
That's a hobby. And it's a hobby. But I can't tell you what it's for. You can't tell me what it is. I'm just trying to get my bearings.

　In contrast to my enraged me, Palinclone replies calmly.
　With that aloof attitude, my irritation reaches its peak and I convert my life into magic.


[Status]
　HP112/284 MP0/657
　HP102/275 MP0/657--


　In total, my maximum HP had already been reduced by nearly 100.
　The life of one skilled explorer was being cut down, and my body was screaming over and over again.　

''Don't be silly!　You don't think I can take it easy now, do you?　I wouldn't even know if they killed me!
'You're worried about going easy on me here. You're really kind, brother. No, are you afraid of killing people?
I'm not afraid!　Now that I've killed Alty, I can't hesitate!
d*mn it, he's treating her like a human being. That's what I've been waiting for.　You're crazy!

　With that conversation as the last word, I try to advance my feet with the intention of killing the Palinkron. But that advance is stopped by something Palinkron has taken out of his pocket.

'But yes. I'm sure they're going to kill me if they take me seriously. It's a terrible thing, but even with the odds so far in my favor, I'm no match for Aikawa Kanami. Yeah, I don't overestimate my power. -- so that's why this (...).

　It was a stone that I had seen somewhere before.
　I "gazed" at that suspicious stone


[Guardian's magical stone]
　The magical crystals of the guardian Tida


Tee, Tida's magic stone ......?

　I understand that this is the magic stone of Tida, the 'one who steals the logic of darkness' that I sold off in the past.

'Ah, the magic stone of the guardian (guardian) that I bypassed and gave away. I didn't expect you to sell it off to Varto in a direct line. ...... Well, that's why I have it in my hands.

　Palinclone plays with the magic stone in his hand, the smile on his face twisting deeply.

　A drop of cold sweat runs down from my forehead.

''Miss and Tida said that there was no doubt about it, but I was still scared. But after seeing the scene just now, I could be sure. I - no, I'm the only one who can carry on Tida's will.

　Then, Palinclone took the Tida's magic stone in his mouth and swallowed it down.

　At the same time, Palinclone's magic power goes crazy.
　The world shifts from the base point of the Palinkron to the base point of the Palinkron.
　Space convulses.

　The mad magic power distorts the space, and the life begins to drain from Palinkron's eyes.
　The humanity that was originally faint is diminished even further, and the person called Palinkron is transformed.

　Outwardly, not one thing has changed.
　But without a doubt, Palinkron was transformed.

　Palinclone restrained his trembling body, his throat trembling.

''Ha, haha. Come on, hajeeme, Uze, eiyu......

　With a shudder in his throat, Palinkron laughed.
　I felt that his voice somehow overlapped with that Tida.

　Palinclone regrasps his sword tightly and approaches us.

　I 'gaze' at Palinclone again.


[Status]
　Name: Palinclone Legacy HP501/512 MP368/392 Class.
　Level 22.
　Strength 15.21 Strength 19.45 Skill 12.12 Speed 18.22 Wisdom 10.11 Magic 13.99 Element 4.89
　Inherent skill: observational eye 1.46
　Acquired skills: swordsmanship 1.89 sacred magic 1.23 spirit magic 3.89
　　　　　　　Physical Arts 1.87, Spellcraft 2.54


　He is no longer a different person.
　All of his stats have nearly doubled, and when it comes to his magic, he is an order of magnitude different.

　In an attempt to revise my assessment of Palinclone and review the tactics I had assumed--

　The Palinclone came at me with the speed of a Tida.

　The sword that is swung down is met with a sword, and my arms go numb from the impact. Obviously, my physical strength is not the same as the palinclone from earlier. This forceful blow reminds me of the Tida of the past.

''Such a ......!

　I'm frustrated in front of the Palinclone, who has become a different person.
　I severely regret letting go of Tida's magic stone even though I realized its importance.
　The fact that I will have to fight that Tida again - I'm scared.

'Now I'm like a monster!　You can kill me without a care in the world!

　Each blow is heavy and fast - and the sword skills that Palinclone possesses are elevating it to even greater heights. A technique that Tida once didn't have, and it's breaking down my defenses bit by bit.

　As it is now, I'm falling behind.
　I am forced to strengthen my magic.

'd*mn it!　The magic "Dimen--

　But it was a bad move.

　My body was approaching its limits due to the repeated construction of magic beyond the point of impossibility. If you look at the numbers, my maximum HP is still there. If it was only in theory, I could use magic. However, my physical condition in reality did not allow it.

''Kuu--, aaaaah!

　Trying to build magic by cutting lives and failing by the stabbing pain in the brain.
　He had cut too much life out of his life in too short a time.

　The pain caused the magic power he had squeezed out of his life to fizzle out.
　He defeated Arti, and the concentration he had once loosened was unable to return. He couldn't muster the strength to go beyond his limits. Along with the pain in my brain, stomach juices reflux and leak from my throat. Blood flows from a lacerated trachea and spills from a hole in his head.

　My body would not allow me to fight.

　As a result, a fatal gap is created, the sword in my hand is flicked off, and my leg is swept away. Palinclone straddled me on top of my fallen body, grabbed my head and slammed it into the ground.

''Gah--!

　At the same time, a frightening magic power was transmitted from the palm of Palinkron's hand.

'Even Kanami's brother couldn't resist Tida's magic, could he?　--Magic, Variable Down.

　The sensation of having your mind painted over.
　The sensation of being forcibly manipulated and toyed with in a convenient way.

　The magic power of the Palinkron invades the cracks in the tattered brain.
　It was similar to the magic that Tida had once performed. And the only thing that is horrifying is that it is many times more than that time.

　There was no time to get lost anymore.
　Either way, if you want to play with your mind, you can go to .......
　I'd rather die than have my will now ......!
　I have to use it.


A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption


I can't get--!

　I activate the skill I swore never to rely on, even in death. is activated. Then I repel the mental interference and forcefully kick away the palinclone that was concentrating on magic.

　He was forced to use it even if he broke his vow.
　Because falling under Palinclone's magic now felt more terrifying than death.
　I can feel all sorts of emotions being lost. Thoughts, vows, and vows are fading away.

　I look away from them with my cold head.
　Then I glare at the enemy who made me do it.

　The kicked-off Palinclone gives me a startled look.

''Kukkuk, hahahahahaha!　No, you're too strong, Kanami!

　Palinclone turned his surprise into a look of delight and regained his stance.

''--《Midgals Blaze!

　Then Maria's magic is released from behind. All along, it seems that she has been watching for the right moment for me and Palinkron to leave.

　However, the momentum of the flaming snake released is unreliable. The rainy environment, but the eye injury also has a big impact on me, and my HP and MP are both depleted.
　It's no surprise that it's not just me who's been fighting a fierce battle, but Maria as well.

　In the rain, Palinclone leisurely dodges the flaming snake that is advancing while scattering steam.
　As it is, the flaming snake is exposed to the rain and disappears.

''Kanami-san, are you alright!

　Behind me, Maria sounds worried. But she doesn't come up to us. Maria knows her role. I don't know if it's because of her feud with Arti or because of the rain. But her head is definitely cold. She's calmly going about her role as a rear guard wizard.

'It's okay!　Keep it up, and take care of the magic!

　If Maria loses her cool here, it's over.
　If the two-on-one shape collapses, she loses.
　If Maria, who has low physical ability, is taken hostage, the chances of winning are completely zero.

　Palinclone looks at us and slowly approaches us while muttering quietly.

''After all, both of you need to be weakened more ....... The body, but also the mind more--

　Palinkron runs out.

　This time he ignores me and heads for Maria at the rear. I run as fast as I can and block it, despite the intense pain I feel. I stand in front of Palinclone and hold my sword at the ready. But Palinclone calmly doesn't try to fight me, folding back and opening up the distance. Then he tries to head towards Maria from another direction again.

　It's sober, but it's ...... the worst.

　I follow it, bleeding.
　My body screams as I take a step on the ground.
　Let go of my consciousness now, every cell sends a danger signal to my brain.

　Palinclone is calmly aware of my body's condition.
　It knows that just swinging me around like this will be self-destructive.

　I decide that I must not linger, and I use all my strength to slash at the Palinkron.

"Oh, my God!　--Huh?

　But it had been read.
　Palinkron calmly intercepted me with a reckless move, flicked his sword and punched me in the stomach with his free hand.

　My body, which had been paralyzed by the drug in my brain, remembered the pain and my whole body went rigid as if it had been struck by lightning. While I'm stiffening, Palinclone throws away his sword and goes behind me to choke me.

　My neck is strangled and my carotid artery is compressed.
　It's the most dangerous kind of attack you can take right now.

"You're going to be knocked out.

　Gradually, his vision turned black and his consciousness faded away.

　In the midst of my fuzzy consciousness, I heard Maria's cry.

''-- 《Midgals Blaze》!

　But I can't recognize it.
　I felt something hot pass by. At the same time, the palinclone that was strangling me moved away.

　With this, I can still fight.
　So I burned my will to fight - but I didn't return with my vision dyed black.
　My cheeks hit the muddy ground, my head shook, and my whole body didn't listen to me.

　In the distance, I heard Maria's screams.

'Now you've got your little girl secured and ......

　Only Palinkron's irritated voice comes through loud and clear.
　I look up and stare into his eyes, feeding off the last of his wariness.

　Palinclone mutters something to Maria, who must have fainted, and lifts her body up and holds it on his shoulder.

　Palinkron, holding Maria, approaches the fallen me.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to be able to do this.

''-- Magic 《Variable Down》''

　A horrible magical power is invading my body - I'm nearing the end of my ability to recognize it.

''Ah, ah, ah, ......''

　I let go of my consciousness as I lose the last of my will to fight.
　In the midst of my receding consciousness, I hear a voice.

“Fu. So that's the end of the Nativity. ...... In the end, I'm the only one standing. I'm going to be the only one standing by myself, as planned.

　Palinkron's voice.
　His voice was different from his usual voice and somewhat slightly regretful.

　The End .......
　The day called the Nativity is ending .......

　With those last words, I fell into a deep, deep darkness.