The moment you leave the arena after the third round, the concentration that had been growing in the fight is broken.

　At the same time, all of the discomforts that had been lurking in the shadows until now returned.
　High-density nausea and drowsiness set in, and I felt dizzy on my feet with vertigo.

　I'm hungry and I can't stand it. ......
　No, I'm more thirsty than that.......
　I can't wait to drink water.......

　My stomach juices stick to my throat and I feel sick.
　I can feel a strong sour taste from the back of my tongue.
　I have a stinging pain in the back of my nose.
　I feel like this is the worst feeling of my life.

　No, I can't be certain because I don't remember my past ...... but it's so much more painful. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm in any more pain than this.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

'Wha-what's the matter with you, Christ!
'It's okay ....... I'm just a little tired. ......

　I control Flanlure's approach with my hand.
　Then I continue walking in silence.

　No one senses my mood and no one wants to say anything.
　We continue to walk in silence and arrive at a luxury accommodation ship in the northern area.

　I'm going to use the room arranged by the "Dancing Tournament" side that we visited first, and I'm going to talk to Flanlure.
　I reach the room in the north area and hurriedly open the door.
　Franlleure behind me is fidgeting strangely, so let's finish the conversation as soon as possible.

　However, there was an earlier guest in the room.
　Dia-chan was sitting on the sofa, waiting for me. She must have come here out of concern because she said she was planning to talk with Franlleure here in the morning.

　But it was unusually early.
　I didn't spend much time on the match with Franlleure and the others. We only talked for a bit longer before the fight.

　The Lastiara team seemed to have ended the match even faster than that.

''Dia-chan ......, and Rustiala and the others ......?''
'Welcome back, Kanami. Rustyala is out walking with Sera. She said something about being on guard while we were talking.
I see. ......

　Rustyala seems to have undertaken a vigilance of the surroundings.
　Now I can focus on talking with Franlleure.

''A story isn't just the two of us, is it? ......

　Franlure was disappointed that Dear was there.

'Of course, Fran,'
'Or rather, Dear. Why are you in Christ's room?　Could it be that you're going to sleep over together--!
'Hmph. Me and Kanami are friends, and we're all in the same boat, we're all destined to be together. We'll always be together.
'Oh, no. ......!　...... but for some reason I feel like I can forgive Dia for that. She's kind of like a handful of little brothers or sisters. She's the type of person who would never get into a relationship.
"Wha, what the hell, here ....... That's making fun of my height, .......

　I interrupt, knowing that this flirting won't end if I leave it alone.

'Wait. Let me talk to me first: ....... It's important.

　I want to talk about it and get it over with, if possible, as soon as possible.
　Maybe it's the headache, but the feeling is even stronger.

　Besides, there is a time limit for this discussion.　
　The terms of the game had set it at one small hour. If I asked him to, he would stay for as many days as he wanted, but the condition is one small hour. I will always ask him to leave in an hour of small time.

'Well ......, sorry. Both Kanami and Fran sit over here and talk to me at your leisure.

　Dia calmly ushered us to our seats. Franliure also saw Dia's auspiciousness and put the contraption away.

'Kanami, come over here. I'll recover.'

　Deer popped next to her and urged her to sit there.
　The magic power on my body has been transformed into a warm light. Apparently, he's planning to cast a recovery spell on me.

'...... separately. It's my job now to accumulate fatigue.
You can't recover from fatigue with recovery magic anyway. It only heals trauma. Come on, come on.
'No, really. I haven't taken much damage. ......
I don't want to be too careful.

　I'm not sure what I'm trying to remind myself of.
　But before I can refuse, Dia grabs my hand and forces me to sit next to her. Then, Dia's magic flows in and the graze disappears.

　All the while, she doesn't let go of my hand.
　Just like yesterday, she's holding it tightly and shows no signs of letting go. I feel like my mental state is back on track after being away from him for a bit during the game.

　Even after his recovery was over, there was no sign of him trying to let go. He was still holding my hand, ready to talk. I didn't notice the flanlure across the table from me.

　I have no choice, so I think I'll just go into the conversation.
　I can't even think about many things.

'So, Christ, what's the story ......?　From the looks of it, though, it's not what I'm expecting: ......
'Yes, ....... Let's see, it's about Reiner: ....... Do you know what he's been up to lately ......?

　I mention his name.
　Hearing that, Franlure tilts his head at the unexpected name.

'Is it Ryner?　Reiner would have volunteered to be a security guard for The Dancing Tournament. While we were at the 'Dancing Tournament', he said he had no time to do so. ......
"As a security guard or at .......

　Maybe he was able to stop the 'magic stone line' from functioning with that transmission.

''I want you to calm down and listen to me. He actually tried to kill me last night. ......
He-......?

　Franlure did not immediately understand what was said.

'He can't allow me to get on with my life. So he tried to kill me instead of my brother Hein.
What ....... Is it true that ......?
It's true. I have a friend who will testify to that, I'm sure of it.
Oh my God, ......!

　Hearing about the murderous act committed by his brother, Franlleure trembles.
　From the looks of it, it seems that Ryner had not informed him of anything. And I guess he couldn't even notice the killing intent.

'So, ......, if you can, I need you to stop him from little Franlleurie.
'Of course it is. I'll stop it in a heartbeat.
'If he attacks again, I think I'll have no choice but to intercept him with all my might. If that happens, one of us could die. I thought I'd let you, my sister, know that ahead of time. That's how it works.

　I implicitly threaten Flanlure by saying that Ryner is going to die.
　In fact, I don't intend to do that at all. Considering the difference in strength, there's a good chance we can get away with captivity. Even now, I have that intention.

　However, if possible, I want it to end with persuasion from my sister without a fight. That's why I overstated my case.

　Hearing of my resolve, I swallowed raw and shushed Franlleure, and shushed her.
　Instead, Ragne, who was standing behind me, asks.

''...... Brother, was Ryner really trying to avenge Hein-san's death?''
Yeah. That's what he said.

　He calmly confirms Ryner's purpose.
　Hearing this, Franlure finally squeezes out his voice.

''Brother Hein's revenge ......?　But that was ...... and there was nothing we could do about it. ......
'Ryner doesn't see it that way. He sees me, Palinkron, and Rustyala as the enemy.

　I tell him clearly and make Franlleure impatient.
　Lagune, who was thinking behind her, mutters.

'Those three (・・・・・) ......?　Reiner seems to know what happened that day: ....... Strange: ......

　He's going to get stuck on something.
　Then he quickly takes Franlle's hand and urges her to move.

''Fran-chan, I'm going to look for Ryner right away.
Yeah, yeah. Let's do that. Quick, we need to find that idiot: ......

　The two of them try to rush to find a liner.
　To increase their success rate as much as possible, I advise them.

''By the way, my sensing magic is keeping an eye on the western area, so if Ryner is hiding out there, I think it's somewhere else.
All right. Thanks for the tip on the liner. See you later.

　And then he opens the door wildly and runs out.
　I see it off and am relieved to see it off.

　I thought I'd be accused of asking a lot of questions, but that's not the case. It's a big deal that Lagune-chan understood the gravity of the situation and responded quickly.

　I don't think this will solve the Ryner situation, but we did the best we could.

　And after the girls leave, Rustyala and Sera-san come into the room.

''Looks like we're done talking. I hope this makes it a little less dangerous. ......
'I guess it depends on luck there. I don't think the liner will bend his will just because his sister convinced him to. But it's better than nothing.

　We meet up and start moving to the hotel where Rustyala and the others are staying as we talk. It's because whatever happens to intercept someone or something, it's more convenient over there.

'Now all we have to do is weaken Kanami while defending Dia to death until the game the day after tomorrow. ...... Speaking of which, how was today's game?　Is it still too hard not to sleep?
'No, I thought I was in the worst physical condition when I woke up, but I don't think I was during the fight. Maybe I'm on some kind of drug in my brain while I'm fighting.
Hmm, what's the deal?

　Rustyala nods his head at my words.
　Apparently, it was not a common word in this world.

'Let's see, I guess you mean something like concentration on the verge of death or the shit power of a fire. See, all-nighters are a weird tension, right?　Like that.
'It's true, I feel like I'm at my best when I'm dying. Yeah, I know, I know. Does that make you feel like you had the game to spare today?
'Yeah, that was easy. My thoughts were so clear, I could have won it all with the bare minimum of magic.
'Hmmm, it was pretty quick to finish, and you seem to have quite a bit left over. I was expecting you to struggle a bit more with Pell.
I thought I'd struggle a bit more, too.

　But when it was over and I look back on it, I don't think he was serious, except for Flanlure.

''Well then, let's tease her some more and weaken Kanami.

　Rastiala said, sounding very happy.
　It was not a line I would want her to say with a smile on her face.

'Well, um, Mr. Rastiara, ....... What are you going to do?'
'You don't have to be so frightened, I'm not going to do anything weird, okay?
'It's really hard except in combat, so go easy on me: ......
Just enjoy the endless chatter to keep you awake, okay?
Endless chatter about ......?
'Look, I've bought so many expensive sweets, so let's have tea together.

　Rastiara laughed, holding the sweet treat in her hand.

　A chill ran through him.
　It was a different kind of chill that surpassed the chill caused by his physical condition.

　Probably a chill in the sense of a bug warning.
　It makes me intuit that the time that is about to begin is something akin to torture. A glimpse of the 'sensitization' that Rowen taught me is a glimpse of it.

　My body tried to leave this place on its own.
　But the hand that connects me to Diah doesn't allow it. There is no sign of this hand being let go at all.
　With a smile on her face, Dia-chan happily takes my hand in hers and doesn't let go.

　And then she reaches Rustyala and the others' room.

'Well, it's a fun, fun time, isn't it? Well, you must be happy, Kanami. It's a slumber party with all the pretty girls, right?
...... Hey, you know, can't we do this another way?　I'm sure you'd be a lot less physically active if you were to move around.
No. It's the best way. Without a doubt. I can see it in Kanami's face. Hmmm.

　Rastiala opens the door of the room with a confident manner.
　From now on, I have to spend my time here until the next game. When I think about it, this place feels like something more terrifying than a labyrinth.

　I'm at a loss for words, and I'm stepping into the magical world.

　The torture has begun, no exaggeration or anything.

　It's hell, waking me up every time I feel drowsy and listening to trivial stories.
　I was so sleepy I couldn't even get a wink of sleep. I've heard of similar torture methods in my former world.

　The three of them take turns talking to me.
　Dia-chan pressed me, Rustyala teased me, and Sera blamed me. Moreover, most of them are talking about "Christ" which I don't remember.
　It's nice to have more information, but the heartache is ten times greater.

　This is how I entered the second night of hell.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　They chatted endlessly, late at night.　
　Now I'm just chatting with Rustyala.

'--Hooah ......, nothing's happening. I think I'm getting a bit bored .......
Haha ......, haha ......
You're breathing very hard, Kanami. You're like a pervert.
Soooo, let me rest alone for a bit: ......

　I was on the verge of losing my mind early on.

''No, if I let you rest here, it would all be for nothing ....... I'm sorry, Kanami .......

　Rustyala sees my unusual appearance and pulls a little face. Instead of her usual amused face, she makes an apologetic decision to continue the mission.

'I know that, but ....... What's tight is tight .......
Can we try to distract ourselves by doing something else?　Well, the four of us are tightly packed now, and there doesn't seem to be any enemy attacks, so let's spread out our sensing magic a bit. Maybe we can find someone nearby who is preparing a surprise attack.
'Yes, ....... I'm also a little worried about Snow. I wonder if he's eating properly: ......

　At times, the hassle outweighs the hunger, Snow.
　I hope he doesn't collapse on an empty stomach ....... No, it would be better for us if you collapsed .......

'Hmm. I'm still worried about Snow in this situation.
'Well, he's my guild mate, even that one. He's been my partner all along, and .......
Yes.
I'm curious about Rowen too: ....... But I'm not sure I can expand it to the southern area now: ....... --magic, "Dimension Multiple Expansion (Multiple)

　He used up his naturally restored MP in the past few hours and expanded his magical senses.
　And first of all, I was trying to find Snow in the west area--

　We soon find the unexpected person.
　To my surprise, Snow and the Reaper were talking on the deck of a nearby ship.

　Curious about what they were talking about, he was about to gather his magic there when the Reaper noticed him.
　Shaking his body like a cat, the Reaper looked around.
　Since we are wizards with the same attribute - and also have a 'connection', the Reaper seems to be able to sensitively detect my 'Dimension'.

　When the Reaper saw that I was expanding my senses, he beckoned to me and told me to come to him.

'There's an acquaintance of mine and Snow's just around the corner: ......
What, Snow?
So, come on over here, my friend is beckoning you to join him: ......
'Wow. ....... You can't go. I don't think it's a trap, but it's not a good idea to go: ......

　Me and Rustyala look at each other.
　As I was pondering what to do, one of the magic stones in the room trembles.

''-- Don't be alarmed. I will leave here immediately.''

　It's Snow's voice.
　He must have picked up our voice.

'The Reaper wanted to know where Kanami was, so I just told him. I'm only interested in the fourth round of games: ......'
...... All right. I believe you, Snow.

　I don't believe in it completely.
　But I don't want to raise things here unnecessarily. If he says he's going to leave here, I'll nod my head honestly.

　Hearing that, Snow shows a pained face. It looks like a trapped child.

　My heart aches slowly and painfully.
　I know that Snow is doing something stupid. But as a partner who worked with her to complete the work of the guild, I don't want to see her pained face as much as possible.

''Kanami, um, well--''

　And Snow fumbles with his mouth, trying to say something. I want to talk to him, but I can't get the trigger. It's like that.
　His expression changes dizzily.

''Well then, see you at ....... Kanami ......'

　He gave me all sorts of looks and then finally left.　
　Yesterday, he had cut all those dares on me. Maybe it was embarrassing to talk to him again.

　But he won't stop picking up on my sound. Snow is that kind of guy.

　As I resent that Snow's s*xuality, black magic gathers in the room.
　And then the Reaper appears.

"Hey, buddy!
...... Hi, Reaper.

　He's the usual reaper.
　But he has a habit of suffering alone behind the scenes, so he can't be too careful.

　Totally, who the hell does he look like .......
　Maybe it's my surrogate dad, Rowen.

"Hey, did Snow say anything to you ......?
Yeah, a little bit. I was asked to help out.
You got it.

　After all, Snow was trying to get the Reaper to help him.

'But I refused, saying I'm not on anyone's side.

　The Reaper declares as a matter of course.
　It sounded like he was taking a precautionary approach, not even on my side.

'Yeah, I know: ......'

　I nod my head quietly.
　I know that better than anyone else.

　But the Reaper says the opposite of my resolve.

But you're wary of being caught by surprise by Loewen, aren't you, brothers?　I can help you on that one, okay?　That's why we came to this big ship.
I thought the ...... leaper was beyond that.

　I'm not surprised that the Reaper is familiar with the situation.
　He himself has a sensing ability, and he was with Snow just now. It's not surprising that he's heard a lot of stories.

''Well, yes, that's true ....... But I'm in a bit of trouble if the Rastiara sister team falls here .......
'We don't want Rastiala to fall: ......?　No, the Reapers are Rowen's team to begin with, right?　Shouldn't you be cooperating with Rowen?
'Rowen's team ......?　Oh, right. But I don't care about the "dancing competition" for me. I'd rather be in Rowen's way right now: ....... I don't want to see that impatient Rowen. ......

　The Reaper looked really disappointed when he mentioned Rowen's name.
　Considering Rowen's words from last night together, the two of them were most likely in the midst of a mild fight.

''I see. But what do you mean when you say that you don't want the Rustyala team to fall?''

　I'm not sure about that.
　The Reaper and Rustyala have no contact with each other as far as I know.

　The Reaper is silent for a bit.
　Then he speaks of his availability in a light-hearted manner.

''...... Rastiara sisters are experts (specialists) in magic, you know. I'm going to sell them a favor for the future. There is a limit to studying in the library and eavesdropping on classes at the academy.

　I know what you mean.
　The Reaper's body is built with magic. So if you're going to try to solve that body's problems, you'll have to rely on a skilled wizard, not a skilled doctor.

　It makes sense, but I feel a slight discomfort.

'I'm good at dimensional magic. I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them. I've been getting stronger since then, you know?

　Huffing and puffing, the Reaper strains against his own black magic.
　Visibly, that darkness thickens.

　Indeed, before I knew it, the Reaper's magic power had become stronger.

...... Mm. I think the story is pretty much settled. But, Reaper-chan, huh? I didn't expect to see you again at this time.
Nice to see you again. Rustyala Sis.

　Rustyala, who had been watching, joins the conversation. Apparently, she knows the Reaper.

'Rastiara, do you know the Reaper?
Well. I met him in town not long ago. At the time, instead of teaching me about magic, I got a little help in finding someone.

　The Reaper adds to the story to supplement it.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get away with it. It's a good idea to have a good time with them, because they might be able to quickly resolve your body.

　It's like they've been interacting with each other without my knowledge. They seem to get along reasonably well.

So, I know a lot about your body, Reaper-chan. I'm not sure if I can trust you, Reaper-chan, because I know you well. ...... I'm not complaining, but you'll have to explain it well to Diaa from Kanami.
...... Got it.

　Rastiara seems to have trusted the Reaper.
　I guess he thinks that because of his magical body, the Reapers won't displease him as a magical expert (specialist).
　I can trust them there, too.

　That's the only part (・・・・・).

　Either way, if there is a reaper who can use the dimensional magic 《Dimension》, the possibility of being taken by surprise is much lower. Even though there are some disadvantages, it's still a good idea to welcome them in.
　Also, there's no excuse to say no, even if you want to say no.

　Rastiara and Reaper immediately hit it off and started chatting happily.
　The innocent Reaper's joviality seems to be a good match for Rustyala.

　Reaper waved the story of his body to Rastiara and got the opinion of a magic expert (specialist).
　After all, it looks like he came here because of the elements that would benefit him.

　It looks - but I know that's not the only reason I'm here.
　The 'connection' touches the deepest emotions of the Reapers.

"......, what's up?　Big brother.

　You can't help but notice the look in his eyes as he gazes at the Reaper.

'No, it's nothing ....... Nice to meet you, Reaper .......
Nice to meet you!

　On the surface, nothing can be deduced.

　However, there is no doubt that the Reaper is hiding a certain emotion.

　The reason why we can't see it is because the Reaper is growing at an unexpected rate.
　On the outside, he's still a child, but on the inside he's growing at a frightening rate. The Reaper is learning just as a perfectly innocent baby is learning from everything he sees.

　Before I know it, I feel the Reaper is far away from me.
　She is no longer the girl I knew.

　If I'm in perfect physical condition and can contemplate, I might be able to get a clue as to what's going on.
　But I can't get anything out of my current sludge-filled head.

　It's all I can do to keep my consciousness from flying away at any moment.

　Therefore, I had no choice but to accept the Reaper's kindness as a courtesy.
　Regardless of what the Leaper thought of me, my desire to help her would not change.

　It's an emotion hidden in the Reaper's deepest psyche.
　Even if it was far from a favor.　

　The third day of the tournament begins on the morning of the third day with the help of the reapers.