The young man's name is Rowen Alais.

　He is the guardian, the one who steals the reason of the earth.
　He's also the one who stands at the top of the Glory, having been awarded the titles of the Strongest and the Sage of Swords.

　And he is my master of the sword and my best friend.

　At the same time as our eyes meet, the announcement of our entrance rings out.

"-- In contrast, coming in from the other side is Aikawa Kanami, the 'hero' of the north!　For the past few days, the rumors about him have never ceased!　Rumor has it that he started as a master of the guild Epic Seeker, a knight of the Dragon Slayer, fiancée of Lady Snow, the daughter of the great noble house Walker, and is currently eloping with Princess Rustyala of the Fusyars and the Apostle Sith!　And yet, for some reason, we're entering with the leaper players who are supposed to be on the Loewen team, ah!

　The North Area host, who was familiar to me, was holding the magic tool (microphone) in the finals.
　I was expecting someone else for the finals, but reality was hard on me.

　I gave the moderator a quick glance and then walked towards the center.
　Rowen also slips out of the crowd of stuffy guards and walks towards the center.

　A lot of things had happened before I got here.
　But I call out to her like a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.

...... See, Rowen. I'm here, right?
"Kanami ......, you're here ....... Reaper also .......

　I'm sorry and happy to hear that," Rowen said, sounding apologetic and happy.

　I threw a homemade scarf I was holding in my hand to Rowen. It's a carmine red scarf that matches his hair.

'Here, scarf. The one I promised you.'
A scarf?　Oh, yeah, ......, and come to think of it, you promised to do that too: ....... It's discipline. Kanami is really disciplined: ......

　Rowen reminds me of my promise.
　Then she wraps the scarf around her right shoulder and thanks me for my help.

'I remembered yesterday. --I've got to make good on my promise.

　I will make good on all my promises to Rowen.
　To show it, I draw my sword.

'Body and soul are one (・・・・・・), (・・・・・) ......, and your memory is back, too: ......

　Seeing my stance, Rowen sees through it all.
　Rowen understood everything, not with or without the 'bracelet', but by watching my behavior.

'So what is the real 'Kanami' going to do with me ......?'

　Rowen makes one last check.
　I reply as a matter of course.

No matter what (・・・・・・), Aikawa Uzumi is Rowen's friend. I can't leave my friend who is suffering. Let's fight, Rowen. That's how we'll find out all the answers. --Lowen's 'regrets' will be cleared, and the promise will be fulfilled.

　No more mistakes.
　With Arti, he couldn't even treat her as a 'person'. Because of my own weakness.

　But this time it's different. I'm going to see Rowen off as my best friend.

　I swing my sword at my side.
　The flash is faster than when Rowen was teaching me in the labyrinth before.

　I'm in perfect condition, stronger than before, and I'm standing here now as the strongest enemy Rowen could ever want. I'll tell you that.

　Rowen opened his mouth in silence.

　What I had hoped for is right in front of me, more than what I had hoped for. So it's as if a small child is watching a hero show, with a mixture of surprise and longing. And yet, there's also a mixture of nostalgia and love, as if an adult is watching a hero show from their childhood.

　He is stunned before the unexpected joy, and after a few moments, he closes his mouth.
　And then I bite down hard on the emotion.
　I narrow my eyes, get down a bit, and mutter.

'...... I see.'

　Then Rowen looks up and slowly apologizes.

'I guess it was all unfounded on my part ....... I'm sorry, I'm really sorry .......

　He let out his heart with a serious expression.

'When I heard about Palinclone Legacy, my mind was reeling. I was sure that Kanami would take revenge first ....... That's all Kanami had been done ....... But still--

　Rowen draws her sword, too.
　I can tell that my feelings have been well received.

　And, with a belligerent smile--

-Kanami is going to fight me, isn't she?

　He comes closer to me.
　I try to do the same.

　But a shadow interrupts me.
　It's the Reaper.

　The Reaper, who can no longer hear, shakes his head, shaking between us.
　Seeing this, Rowen smiles kindly.
　Her face looked like a parent looking at their child ...... but it also looked like a dead man floating in the air.

'Reaper, see to it. At last, I will have my answer.
Rowen: "Rowen: ......

　The Reaper squeezes out his voice.

'Don't look so sad. Can you just smile and send me off?'
...... right? Hey. Doesn't Rowen want to stay in this world?　Don't you want to live ......?
'...... What are you talking about?'　I'm a dead man, okay?

　The rift between Rowen and the Reapers is deep.
　Before she can even speak of it, she already knows it.
　So she shuddered.
　That's why the girl didn't want to come here.
　So she didn't want to get involved with Rowen and try to help him behind the scenes.

　The Reaper shuddered, but still bet on her last hope.

'But we're here for a reason, right?　Well, then, I don't mind getting a little greedy...
Greedy. Greedy, and now I'm getting the answers I've been waiting for from my best friend. A dead man's luxury in my opinion.
I don't mean that!　When you get that answer, Rowen will be gone!　This time, he's going away!　Lowen Alais is really good at that!　With an ending like this!
'Good...' ...... Reaper, don't get me wrong. I've learned. The 'heroes' of this era have taught me--

　The Reaper finally shouts.
　But Rowen, by contrast, is calm.

　I didn't expect this calmness, and I didn't expect it either.
　The current Rowen doesn't have the agitation of a few days ago.

Glenn Walker, the greatest hero, taught me that this fool Rowen's dream is a dream. Fenrir Arrais, the 'Hero of the Swordsman', told me that the House of Arrais as I knew it was no more--

　While I was running through the 'Dancing Tournament' with Snow, Rustyala and the others, Rowen was also running through Rowen's 'Dancing Tournament'.
　That was a very telling line.

　I guess he won over Mr. Glenn and learned the substance of modern 'heroes' and saw the reality of the aristocracy by fighting with his descendants (Fenrir Arrais).
　That's why he has such a similar expression to me.

'-- There's no such thing as a Lowen Arrais here. There's no such man, Reaper. Long before you, the day you signed on to become The Reason of the Earth, Lowen Ares vanished from the face of the earth. Here we have an unnamed corpse that moves in regret. --It's just a 'thing that steals the reason of the earth' (monster).

　As a friend, the answer is a little sad.
　But it's the truth.
　Like Snow, Rowen had come close to her own answer, on her own strength.

'Mr. Glenn taught me the 'future' and Fenrir taught me the 'now'. But it's still not enough. The most important thing for the guardians (guardians) is still missing--

　But we're not there yet.
　I haven't gotten rid of it.
　Rowen shifts her eyes from the Reaper and looks at me.

"I believe Kanami is my answer to my past. I trust that she will tell me what my 'unconscious' is.

　Only one thing remains.
　The only thing that's left is my obsession.

　Of course, I intend to do the same.
　I nod back.

　But the Reaper keeps shaking his head.

'No, Rowen ....... But I'm still attainted, attainted ......!
And I will disappear. No matter what, I will disappear here today.

　Rowen patted the Reaper's head and then walked past him.

　Rowen moved forward.
　One of them went onward--.
　To confirm that true wish.

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

　Sobbing, the Reaper stops shaking his head.

'I knew it was ......, I knew it was .......'

　There was no hesitation in Rowen.
　He only stared ahead with a powerful look in his eyes that made it hard to believe that he didn't know what he wanted. The Reaper would understand that and know that he would never stop.

　The answers Rowen seeks are just within reach. All that's left is to reach out a little further. There's no stopping the Reaper anymore.

'You can't do it anymore, can you? I can't--
It's over, Reaper. I'm sorry, my friend. I guess the long game is over.

　Rowen walks past.

'Ugh, ugh. ......!

　The Reaper turned around and clenched his hands tightly - and quickly loosened them. I was flooded with an enormous amount of wariness for a moment, but it didn't last.
　If I tried to stop the match, in that case, it would be me and Rowen against him. Against the two of us with the skill 'Sensitivity', no matter how much magic power we have, we can't win with Reaper.

　Knowing this, the Reaper could only lament.
　I covered my face with my palms and shook my shoulders.

　I watched the end of the Reaper's battle and called out to the moderator

'When the game starts, take the reaper with you and stand back to safety. It's not safe. ......
'Yes, yes ......'

　The moderator nodded honestly in front of the participant girl's lamentations.
　Even if he didn't know the details of the situation, he could tell that he had lost the will to fight from the Reaper.

''Then it's fine for the two of you to play one-on-one ....... Please set the rules: ......

　Urging the two of us to play one last game, the MC distances himself with the Reaper.

　Me and Rowen are the only ones left.
　I'm worried about the Reaper, but we can't start the match in the dark.

　We'll set the rules.
　That's all it takes, but this is the equivalent of saying goodbye.

　I'd like to say goodbye with a smile at the end.
　With that in mind, me and Rowen talk in our usual fashion.

'I think I'd like to try a 'weapons drop'.
Wait, Kanami. This is the final, the final. Don't we deserve a 'deathmatch' where we can go to the limit?
''But I have to have a sword master and apprentice showdown with Rowen. ......
Hmm, I think I said something like that.
I remember it word-for-word. "A student and master battle for supremacy in the final of the tournament. Alais-style sword dances gracefully in the final of the tournament and the people are fascinated by their beautiful sword fights.
'As usual, your memory is handy: ....... So, the rules are 'deathmatch', but why don't we do our own 'weapon drop' first?　Let's go through the stages and get the game going.
'Let's do that. ...... But there's no tension in the rules when you play a match with someone you know.
'Indeed. Because of our participation, the last part of the convention is all about personal warfare.

　We laugh and talk to each other.
　I wanted to tell the girl, who was spilling tears right beside me, that there was nothing to be sad about, that no one would regret it.

　The discussion pauses and the host speaks to us.

'Well, don't you take bets?　Personally, I was very excited about the bet, since you two know each other: ....... Doesn't Rowen have a sideways love affair with Kanami's girlfriend or something like that, or is there some kind of female competition?

　You look like you're having a great time and have been very rude to me.
　I'm going to try to avenge my past grudges.

You can't be serious. I wouldn't bet anything on it, and neither would Rowen. I've been sick, and I've had to put up with it, but you have to--
'No, Kanami. Actually, I have something to bet on.

　But it is interrupted by Rowen.

'What?'
'Bet your sword (・・・・・・). Whoever loses gives the sword they have to their opponent.
The sword?　I don't mind, but I don't mind: ......
And I'll bet my sword on it.

　Rowen draws a sword from one of the two scabbards at her waist.


[The Treasured Sword of the Modified Aleis Family]
　Attack power 2


　It was the sword of Deer that I once entrusted to Rowen.
　It had been restored by Alibers-san's hands. The melted blade was prepared with ray crystals and the hilt was elaborately decorated with crystal designs. However, perhaps because of the forceful restoration, the sharpness of the blade has not returned.

'That's mine ....... No, technically, it's Dia's, but .......
It's the best thing that ever happened to me and Alibers. It's costing me some money. If you win, I'll give it back to you for free.
'What are you doing modding yourself ....... Huh, okay. I'm going to win and get it back.

　I bet The Straight Sword of the Crescent Pectrasli and Rowen bet The Treasure Sword of the House of Aleis.
　But the host is full of complaints.

'What's that bet ......!　It's boring: ......!
'Just declare this rule to the audience, Mr. Moderator. I'll freeze you out if you say anything strange?

　I deploy "Winter in the Dimension (Di Winter), Last Frost (Frost)" and freeze the MC's hair tips.

''Kook, I can't help it. ...... If you are threatened by someone as good as Kanami-san, I, as an ordinary person, cannot resist. I resent my own lack of strength .......
Come on, come on.

　I hasten to rush the moderator, who looks deeply frustrated.
　At this rate, I'm really going to unleash my freezing magic.

''--The rules for the final match have been decided!　The two of you will put your own swords to the test (・・・・・・・・) and play "Deathmatch"!　The two of you, who are best friends and master and disciples, have sworn to each other that you will bring all of those swords to bear on each other!

　Through the microphone, the moderator's voice echoes throughout the large hall.
　As if in response, the audience's voices returned like a mountain hiko.

　Hearing each of their cheers, one could tell that the audience was looking forward to the battle between the current 'Sword Saint' and his disciples.

　Rowen smiles with satisfaction in the midst of the anticipation.

''Good (...) ''I'll bet my own sword on it.'' That's what I wanted to hear. A good prevarication.'

　The cheering swelled like an avalanche.
　People from all walks of life, from all walks of life, call out to me and Rowen.

　One of the loudest voices in the room reaches me.
　I don't know how they got their seats, but Rustyala and the others were in the front row.

　Snow and Maria are cheering me on desperately.

'Good luck, Kanami!　Win and let me go!　For me, this is a crushing victory here!
Good luck, Kanami-san!　I believe we're going to win today, just like I did!

　The host sees this and his face lights up.
　Then he plays the play-by-play in the loudest voice of the day.

'Oh!　Kanami was a disappointment, but the audience didn't disappoint!　What a surprise, the Walker family's daughter, Mrs. Snow, and the rest of the Rustyala team are in the front row, cheering Kanami on!　What happened to these girls who were so acrimonious during the game!　And there's another new girl on the block!　But this time the girl is a bit young, Kanami-san, she's too young!　If you're going to send a girl to be a samurai, you need to pull yourself together a little harder, Kanami-san!　Ah, but somehow I don't see Helvirshine's daughter, Lady Flanlure!　Did she dump him after that turn of events?　That's what I call a "hero".　It's cold!
Why do you think you're so familiar with ......!

　I cast "Di Winter, Frost" on the moderator.
　The host puts his hand to his frozen lips and staggers back.

　Laughter breaks out in the audience, and I turn away, my face red. But it doesn't matter much, because everywhere I turn, there is an audience.

　In the meantime, the crowd continues to cheer.
　Rastiara and the others are especially loud.

　In response to Maria and Snow's cheers, Dia's mouth was agape.

'Hey ....... I'm telling you, I don't forgive you guys. Don't get too carried away, ......?
'I see. But I don't expect you to forgive me, so I don't mind.

　Maria coolly brushes off Dea's complaint.
　However, Snow panicked.

''Hee. I'm sorry, Sith-sama ....... I got a little carried away .......
Don't call me by that name: ....... Now I'm Dia. ......
'Yes, sir!　Lady Dear!

　From the way he's flirting with Dia, it seems that he's willing to have Dia protect him as well.
　Although the crisis has been overcome, Snow's personality seems to have deteriorated a bit.

''Eh, ehehehe ....... Please help me, Rastiara-sama .......

　The part where you immediately ask for help to Lastiara is no good.

'Mugu Mugu ....... Mmmm, delicious. What's this, Serra?
It is the native food of Eltralieu, my lady. I have prepared it for you, as it is said to be delicious.

　However, Rastiala was eating snacks with Sera and going through Snow with aplomb.

''Oh, that!　Lady Rastiara is going to be my hero, right!
'Hmmm, unfortunately, that was out of time. That was a time-limited contract, so I guess we're out of luck.
Oh, no. ......!
We're friends. We're equals now, and I'm not going to just help you one way or the other. Didn't Kanami tell you that?　...... Oh, and more importantly, respectful words. Can't wait to stop?
...... Ugh, ugh, I thought Lady Rastiara would spoil me.
'Oh, you can't do that. Kanami is stopping me from doing that kind of thing. ...... And I'm pretty tired too, so I need to take a break. I'm really tired from playing a match with someone who is seriously trying to kill me. Huh.
...... I'm sorry. ...... Oh, God, no. Kanami, please come home.

　Snow was going to give up early.
　Yesterday's vow is ruined.

'I mean, my sword ....... Why does the guardian (guardian) one have it ......
I heard that the guardian is from the Arace family. Isn't that the sword that has a connection to the Areis family?　Cut him some slack, Dear.
'The Alais family's ......, I see. ....... Then I guess I have no choice but to go to .......

　This is the first time today that I've seen these women all in a row.
　For some reason, each of their chatter is scary and unbearable. If possible, they should get to know each other better.
　The fear, like a fuse being lit, is a constant companion.

'Is that ......?　That sword, I'm sure I melted it down, but it's been fixed before you know it: ......
'Ha, ha!　Maria, what are you doing to my sword!
'Oh, that was Dear's sword?　That was good. Not Kanami's.
You're the one. ......!

　All right, let's get back early.
　I'm really scared that we're about to start a fight.

　And it seems that Rowen could hear the conversation. I'm trying to hold back a laugh. It's a little embarrassing, as if she's watching her people's shame.

　But there is still more support for my people.

　All of the people from the 'Epic Seeker' had also come.
　Everyone is encouraging me as a guild master.

　However, some of them were shouting things that had nothing to do with it.

''Look at that!　The sword!　They're both my swords!　Oh no, Master's "Crescent Pectrazuli" looks great, but I like Rowen's "Ray Crystal" too!　It's picturesque!

　This is Alibers, the blacksmith from Epic Seeker.
　He has fixed many weapons for me and made me a trustworthy sword.

'That's my master!　My!　Don't you think that's great!　Because the Master of 'Epic Seeker' is the most powerful!

　The youngest of the members, Seri, is shouting.
　Volzak-san next to her is quieting her down, saying, "Calm down, you're embarrassing me.
　Naturally, next to her is Teri. She turns her gentle eyes not to me, but to a corner of the auditorium. She was looking at Snow, who was nodding her head, just as she was.

　There are many other unique people in the audience.

　Explorers and adventurers had gathered to witness the battle.
　The ones who are skilled are staring at us belligerently, and those who have come to watch the swords have serious expressions on their faces as they try to steal our skills.

　Some of them were the masters of the Epic Seeker, the ones we had saved in the labyrinth.
　The party that saved me from being poisoned in the labyrinth are looking at me with respect.

　Also, there were the searchers who almost killed me on the first day.
　I wonder if they remember me. Only the man who is the leader of the group looks pale in my face.

　Many aristocrats also looked at me as if they were treading on my shoulders.
　There are those who genuinely enjoy the game, but there are still many nobles who are trying to pursue profit.
　Some of them are the nobles I met at the ball. As I recall, it's a corner of the Tarua family, Cain of the Corfelt family.

　The familiar faces are still there.
　Dignitaries from other countries who were attending the Nativity Cathedral are watching me with interest.
　Their guards are staring at the abilities of the kidnappers one day, not wanting to miss out on the ability of the kidnappers.

　Naturally, the 'Celestial Knights' are there as well. With an apologetic look on his face, Flanlure sat down. Perhaps it was not his intention to sit down without being able to find Ryner.

　However, the real Ryner was hiding in the shadows in the corner of the arena.
　I don't feel any hostility towards him that I could call it killing intent. However, he is glaring at me and Rowen with a stern face. If anything happens, I'll have Rustyala stop him.

　Since this is a convention representing the Allies, there are a lot of people from the Vault.
　Or rather, the tavern manager and Lin-san were usually there.
　Amazing.
　But they were cheering me on as I disappeared without saying a word.
　My words wouldn't reach them in this roar. Nevertheless, I responded by silently thanking the manager.
　Someday, I want to show up and apologize.

　The contestants of the "Dancing Competition" are also in the audience.
　Elmirado was mingling normally with the nobles' seats. She looks at me and Rowen with a twinkle in her eye.

　The rest are the fierce fighters who fought against Rastiara and Rowen, and my fan, the Academy students.
　For some reason, the sister from the receptionist's office sometime ago was also in the mix, cheering me on as my fan club. Very embarrassing.

　-- there are really a lot of different people and a lot of different voices.

　Yesterday it would have been just an irritating cheer, but now it's strangely comforting.
　The sound of a heavy rainstorm that hurts your ears is as refreshing as the wind blowing through the grass.

　My heart beats faster and my chest heats up.
　I could finally feel the real pleasure of the festival.

　Festivals are fun.
　Being able to share it with so many people is even more fun.

　I let my mouth relax as the roar of the festival breaks my eardrums.

　I just have a few regrets.
　Someone who isn't here.

　It would have been better if Mr. Hein and Alty had been here.
　I want to tell them both that I've changed.
　I thought to myself, surrounded by the envy of so many people.

　Rowen laughs as I bite down on my cheers.

'Huh. There's a bit of a difference in the cheering. I'm getting all these annoying looks from those annoying soldiers.
...... No, no, that's not true. It's not true, Rowen.
What does that mean?

　As I heard beforehand, there are no voices cheering for Rowen, the monster.

　There may be voices of hope for the fight, but the voices of support for individuals are mostly aimed at me.
　But mostly, though.
　Not everything--

We'll find out soon enough.
"...... is easy to find. Alright then. All you need is an answer.

　It's not something I can tell with my mouth.
　I regrip my sword and communicate with Rowen with my eyes.

　And the distance between me and Rowen is even closer.

　--Finally, it begins.

　As we get closer to the sword's reach, Rowen turns her face slightly to the sky.

'So far ....... It's been a short, but long life .......

　I am nostalgic and remember something.
　After a thousand years, Rowen has reached this stage. That feeling would be immeasurable if he couldn't see beyond Nayuta.

　Rowen looked at the bright sky in her eyes and muttered.

　That's determination.
　''An oath as 'the one who steals the reason of the earth'.

' -- 'Today, here, I will disappear' --'

　Then Rowen holds the sword in a careless manner.
　As my apprentice, I take the same stance.

　I perform a final confirmation 'gaze'.


[Thirty Guardian] The one who steals the reason of the earth.


　Now, in front of me is Rowen.
　The most powerful swordsman in the world, Rowen Ares.

　Confirming the power of my sword against it.


[Status]
　Swordsmanship 1.62 Sensory 1.01


　Probably less than half of Rowen's skill value.
　But that's okay.
　Today, I just came to fulfill my promise.

　Thus begins the 'Dancing Tournament' between me and Rowen.

The final round of the Ichinotsuki United Kingdom General Knight's Seed Ball is now underway!　Begin!

　As soon as he declared it, me and Rowen started to move.