The monstering never stops.

　And I'm not the only one who sees it.
　Everyone in the arena has seen it happen.

　There's an uproar in the audience.
　I had praised Rowen as the 'Sword Sage' just a few moments ago, but still, seeing him turn into a monster in person, I can't help but feel fear.

　Instead of cheers, there was more of an anxious rustle.
　Some people screamed when they saw Rowen turn into a monster.
　Gradually, the accusations increased.

　Finally, bitter voices poured down on Rowen, the monster.
　Some of them even included words like "disqualify him" and "kill him".

　I turn to the MC and the tournament management.
　They, too, were puzzled. It just doesn't seem to be moving right now.

　But I must make sure that the game is unstoppable.
　I diluted the Winter's Other World (Wintry Dimension) and closed the distance between me and Rowen.

''--Ka, na, mi!

　Rowen felt me approaching with 'sensitivity' and shouted my name.

'This way!　Rowen!

　I scream too.
　In this case, I have no choice but to produce a climax and eliminate the time to stop the fight.

　Thus, Rowen's sword also comes within reach of me.
　Rowen, who is on the verge of becoming a monster, reflexively swings her sword and I catch it.

　On a stage made of crystal and ice crystals, a pure white, colorless light flickers on the stage.

　My 'Straight Sword of Crescent Pectrazi' phosphorescence of blue.
　Rowen's 'Magic Iron Sword (Mithril Sword)' emitted red phosphorescence.
　They drew a fantastic trajectory and struck each other again and again.
　The sword competition resumes.

　However, unlike earlier, it's not me who is being pushed.
　It was Rowen, who had many handicaps.

　The crowd's voices were changing.
　They realized that I was going to win at any moment, so they easily let go of their fears and cheered enthusiastically, not wanting to miss the last moment.

　Everyone wants me to defeat the monster, Rowen, and my name alone fills the arena.

　Furthermore, the MC shouts out here and there.

'-- Deploying ice magic, Kanami hunts down Rowen's specialty of close combat!　This is the "Hero" Kanami Aikawa!　He is Lord Snow's Knight!　Its domination of the fantastic winter world is truly a 'Snow Knight'!

　Anyway, the host, who wants to connect me and the girl, is spouting off some strange things.
　But now that stunt was in full effect.

"'Snow Knight' will defeat the Guardian!
"Kill the monster!　Lauravian 'heroes'!
'Haha, we're almost there!　We're almost at a historic moment--!
'As expected, the dragon slayer's 'hero' Kanami!

　The audience shouts my name, 'Kanami', from mouth to mouth.
　They shouted all they wanted in support of "Hero".

　It was ...... uncomfortable, but also just right (・・・・・・・・).

　With that momentum, I continue to hunt down Rowen.
　Even though Rowen is a quintessential Rowen, it seems to be extremely difficult to wield a sword while enduring the monstrosity. There is no sharpness in the sword I swing.

　Me and Rowen get so close to each other that our faces almost stick together and cross our swords.
　And I tell her.

　I really wanted to tell her at the end of the battle.
　But it looks like we're out of time.

　The stage is completely set.

　Now, my voice can be heard.
　My voice will be heard.
　And our voices...

Rowen, listen to me!
'Ugh!　What, what?!

　The inside of the arena was dyed in one color.
　Everyone is calling my name, and they are excited about the victory of "Hero".

　That's why I can hear it now.
　In the midst of such a polarized flow, there is a voice that is not tinted with one color.

　It can be heard from a corner of the auditorium.

　It is a voice that does not expect anything from the "hero" Kanami, but just thinks of his friend.
　Real cheering.

'Shishou (・・・・)!

　A familiar child's voice.

'Don't lose!　Rowen!
I know you'll win, Shishou, I know you'll win!

　These were the voices of the children in the orphanage where Rowen had taught the sword.

　The voices of the children of one day were never overpowered by the raging 'Hero (Kanami)' call and stood out from the crowd.

　It takes a lot of courage to cheer for Rowen, a monster, here.
　Because just by being a monster, Rowen has earned the resentment of so many people. Still, the children continue to scream desperately. There is no miscalculation or misunderstanding there.

　They are not guardians (guardians) or monsters, not the 'Sword Saints' or the 'strongest', they are just cheering for Rowen Alais with all their hearts.

''Master, go for it!
Mr. Rowen, please don't die!
Secrets, shush!　Use that thing you mentioned before!
'I told you that Rowen is the most powerful swordsman of all!　We can't afford to lose!

　Rowen is sincerely surprised - and then, with all her strength, she flicks my sword and retreats.
　I hold out my hand and tell her.

'Rowen!　You can hear better now!　

　There is no mistaking the children's voices amidst the cheers of one color.

'Oh, oh ......'

　Rowen nodded.
　At the same time, the pulse of power in her body becomes very calm.
　The vicious sharpness that is almost monstrous is gradually reversed.

　With a very gentle face, Rowen looks at the children.
　This time, I won't let them lose sight of them.

　The night of the defeat of the dragon slayer.
　The battle of the tournament.
　The night of the Battle of the Dragon-slayer, the battle of the tournament, and the fact that she couldn't find her children while they were being treated like heroes.
　What was really important to her was taken away by Glory.

　But when she was transformed into a monster, she lost her right to be a "hero" and finally got her back.
　What she really needed.
　A true wish.
　Now, here--!

'My kids support me like this ....... They see me like this and yet they still (still) support me ......

　Rowen removes her gaze from me and continues to look at her young apprentices who are cheering her on.

　All the while, Rowen's body continues to turn into a monster.
　Crystals are crawling out of the wounds to keep Rowen from losing her power as a guardian (guardian).

　We watch it.
　Now it's up to Rowen to decide how she will take this.

　But there is certainty.
　There are assurances.

　I've watched Rowen's strength wane, and I've been by her side.
　I remember exactly how it happened.
　The moment Rowen weakened as a Guardian - when I was teaching the children and myself swordsmanship.

　It's not just me.
　Even those children were able to get rid of Rowen's 'regrets'.
　She wanted me desperately, but she was wrong.

　If only there was one child who accepted Rowen Ares without misunderstanding and supported him wholeheartedly, he could have fulfilled his 'regrets'.

　Truly, just that was enough to satisfy Rowen Alais.
　However, due to his strength, he had gone too far.

''Yeah, right ....... I knew it was for the best .......

　Rowen admits.

　After the 'glory' and hearing the voices of his children, he knew.
　That too much light had only robbed him of what was important.
　It was in this little light that he had been saved.
　That his wishes had already been fulfilled - he realized.

　Rowen smiles in the direction of the children and turns to me.

　Then she regrips her sword and shouts.

　With all my strength, I flash the sword and shake it off (・・・・).

'--I'm me!　It's Rowen Alais!

　As if driven by a scream, the crystal that had grown out of Rowen's body disappeared as a grain of magic power.
　Her hair re-dyes to a bright red color, as if it were on fire.
　The color of her eyes also returned to their original color and she reverted back to Rowen Ares.

　No, it's also a little different than returning.
　It was clear that it was more powerful than before.

　The strength of his body, his will, his wishes.
　Everything is different from before.

　As a human being, Rowen had risen to a higher stage.

　You can see it at a glance without any "sensitivity" or "dimension".

　--I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that, just like me, Rowen has now united her mind and body (・・・・・・・・).

　She has found her true wish and does not mistake her wish.
　Rowen is no longer at the mercy of anyone else.

　Now he is covered in wounds, his body lacks blood and heat.
　He has fulfilled his ambition and his power as a guardian is about to disappear.
　The sword's "magical materialization" is sealed, and the five senses that were used to use "sensitivity" are about to be paralyzed.
　Your body is wobbly, and your entire body is not moving well due to the cold air.

　And yet, there is no doubt about it.
　At this moment, at this time, this state of mind was Rowen's "strongest".
　The strongest 'swordsman' in history - the best condition ever.

　You can't help but think so, Rowen's expression was so bright.
　He spoke with satisfaction, as if he had solved his long-standing problems.

''What we needed was not a thunderous ovation. ......

　Rowen looks around and reassesses where he is standing.
　He doesn't lose sight of anything else.

'One small cheer was all I needed: ......

　Rowen chews out each of the children's voices.
　She continues her monologue with a radiant look on her face.

　I wanted to tell you the 'answer'.
　I wanted to tell you the answer.

　And then she points her sword at me.
　There is no more hesitation, no more frustration.

　There was a swordsman who got his life's "answer" and fulfilled his true wish.
　That swordsman's figure was more beautiful than anyone else.
　I say that feeling honestly.

'I'm here to support Rowen, too. Because I'm a fan of Rowen's too: ......

　Another small cheer, and Rowen is very happy - smiling like a child and thanking him.

'Thank you,'

　That gratitude had many layers of meaning.
　Rowen was grateful for everything that had happened to her to date, and she slowly moved her body forward.

　The contours of her body wavered.
　It's likely that he's lost his 'unfinished business' and his power as a guardian (guardian) is fading. Even what little magic power there was has disappeared like smoke.

I'm not going to be able to get it. I've got an answer and my regrets are disappearing...

　But that didn't stop Rowen.
　He doesn't even dare to think of disappearing peacefully.

　Rowen Alais fights to the end as a swordsman - as a teacher of children.
　The innocent cheers push him back, and he tries to live up to their expectations.


'At last, at last ....... Finally, now I'm dead ......!


　Rowen was on the verge of disappearing, losing her strength and speed.
　But he would not let his guard down. No, there is no way I can.

　The current Rowen Alais is undoubtedly the strongest ever.

　And they slowly enter the range of each other's swords.
　Rowen burns the last light, swings her sword and shouts.
　I take it in.

'Oh, my body is cold!　I'm losing consciousness!　This is death!　So this is the mission, use your life (・・・・)!

　The moment I step on the ground, transparent crystals scatter.
　My sword strikes Rowen's sword.

"I'm doing for myself what I wished for, yea, I'm doing for myself!　I wouldn't even hesitate to use my life for the sake of the kids who support me!　I didn't realize the first time that dying would be so comforting!　It wasn't enough!　For the second time, I understand the true meaning of the mission!

　As we clash swords, I feel everything about Rowen.
　I hear it all.

''What I wanted wasn't a title like 'hero' or 'strongest', nor was it the prosperity of the Alais family!　I didn't need 'glory': ......!　It should have been more of a 'little light': ......!

　We swing our swords at each other as hard as we can.
　Equal forces collide and pop, and we take our distance.

　At a distance beyond the reach of the sword, Rowen closes.

'Thank you, Kanami. I got my 'answer'. What I really wanted, I did get--

　Rowen's figure, the outline of it, flickers.
　She is on the verge of losing her substance and continues to waver.

　There is little time left.
　Sensing the end of the battle, Rowen 'chants'.

' -- 'I will leave the world (you) behind' --'

　In an attempt to leave it all behind, Rowen tucks all of Rowen into The Chant.
　She's trying to end it all with the best karma she's ever had.

"This is the last time, Kanami. Because it's the last time, I can't lose as a master. ......!　To meet the expectations of the children and the expectations of Kanami!　I'm going to give it my all!
'Of course, Rowen. This is the final of the 'Dancing Tournament': ......!　No pressure!　I guess that's why the game is so exciting!

　I swear to Rowen that I will take it all in stride.

"-- 'It was the world (you) that rejected it first, so I will live with the sword (Tsurugi).'
-- "'The winter world takes away all the lost people' --

　Their "chanting" overlaps and distorts the world.

　The power that surpasses the world's "reason" resides in Rowen's sword.

　Rowen will give it all she's got and deliver the best flash of her life.
　I'm going to give it everything I've got to prevent that from happening, so I'm going to give it everything I've got to build the best magic I've ever seen in my life.

　All of me.
　Ice, Freeze, Dimension, Form, Connection.
　I'll be able to use them all to create the best magic of my life.
　Activate all of them and mix them together.

　The first priority is to counter Rowen's "Sensitivity".
　Because of that skill, the aim of Rowen's sword is inexact.

　I've mastered Sensitivity.
　That's why I'm beginning to understand the countermeasure against "Sensitivity", if only a little.

　The answer to this is simple: Parallel Thinking.
　If Rowen's sensorium is able to understand everything about the world, then this one also uses sensorium to understand everything about the world, and then uses dimensional magic to shift everything about the world. That's all it takes to shift the precise blow of the incomparable Rowen.

　I know how to shift the world.
　Dimensional magic is in the form of bubbles due to the shift in space. Then you can create a huge "foam" - or use an equivalent "dimensional magic". That's all it takes to shift the world for a limited period of time.

　I will create countless forms, and then fill them with Dimension, Freeze Magic, and Connection.

　As the winter of the dimension intensifies, the space is enveloped in a gentle blizzard.
　It's where the magical D Snow filled with all sorts of magic is mixed in. Of course, the giant Form is also mixed in.

　The world turns white as the snowflakes overflow into the dimensional snow.
　A large amount of snow became a wall, blocking Rowen's view.

　But Rowen doesn't hesitate to draw her sword.

"-- Magic [Von a Wraith].
"--All magic unleashed!　''Dimensional Winter (Di Winter), Distorted Ice World (Niflheim)!''

　They complete each other's magic.
　At the same time, Rowen's inevitable flash slashes through - and ends.

　However, it wasn't me that the flash slashed.
　The chunk of snow filled with magic that tricked the world shattered.

　The world had been distorted by the countless giant "forms".
　It is no longer possible to grasp the location of space, even if you try to understand the world with "sensitivity".

　Loewen's "sensitivity" makes me lose track.
　But--

'Not yet!　Canamie--!

　Rowen roars.
　And then he wields his best technique, "A Flash of Ghosts (Von a Wraith)," again.

　The unrecognizable slash cuts through the space that should be unreachable.
　However, what was there was an ice mirror.
　The mirror that reflects an imaginary image that deceives even the world with "Magical Freezing" and "Form" is cut instead of me.

　The inevitable blow misses twice.
　But Rowen doesn't care and continues to swing her sword.
　As if to say that it's only natural, I let 《A Flash of Ghosts (Von a Wraith)》 dance wildly.

　In the silence, snow and bubbles pop up.　
　A number of mirrors break and pieces of ice are scattered.
　Several humanoid snow figures are neatly sliced apart.

　The unrecognizable swords become countless slashes, slicing through the winter world.

　Due to the cold air, Rowen's limbs would no longer be able to feel.
　His consciousness would be dim.
　Still, he continues to swing his sword, madly and lovingly, trying to get it to me.

　He seemed to enjoy it.
　Now he was having the time of his life.
　He is so excited that it is obvious at a glance.

　But even the happiest of times has to come to an end.

　--But the end will come, no matter how happy it is.

　The Form, the pinnacle of the Spatial Distortion, filled with the Connection, falls behind Rowen.
　In the blink of an eye, a purple door is formed and space and space are connected.

　I dive through that door and move through it.
　And immediately, the "Crescent Pectrazuli's Straight Sword" thrusts at Rowen's back, right behind her heart.

　The arena inside the ward has been distorted by dimensional magic.
　Therefore, even with the "Sensory", Rowen was unable to read the attack.

　It was as if time had stopped and everything in the arena was still.
　Only the snowflakes move.

　Rowen is surprised and understands.
　That his own sword did not reach me, and that my sword reached Rowen--.

　Acknowledging, he stopped moving and released his stance.

　Then he declares.

"-- Haha. Losing, huh?

　At the same time, the winter world clears up.
　Countless snowflakes and "D Snow" burst, exposing the scene to the light of day.

　The crowd erupted in the best cheers of the past five days.
　This was the spectacle that the audience had longed to see.
　It was the moment when the "heroes" defeated the "monsters" and became the winner.

　The moment was reached and a loud cheer rang out as if to let it all out.

　In the midst of it all, Rowen mutters in a very small voice.

'Come to think of it, this is the first time I've lost ......'

　Rowen turns around.
　I lower my sword.

'Life would have been different if we could have lost sooner: ......

　Defeated, Loewen finally begins to reflect on the situation.
　It would never have happened in his undefeated life.

'I worked out a little too much ....... Before I knew it, I got to the point where no one could understand me. No one can get to me .......

　He understands his stupidity and laughs, "I was stupid," he says.
　He laughs and looks at me.

'But at the end of the day, Kanami came to me. She found me. And the children were there to see me through ....... What a blessing that is .......

　Loewen, the thief of reason, was a force to be reckoned with.
　I've seen it all before.
　It's just like when Artie disappeared.

"Rowen: ......

　But similar, but not the same.
　With that in mind, I call out Rowen's name and reach for it.

　It's almost gone, but still thicker than the last of Alty (・・・・).

　But Rowen continues his monologue and says he's satisfied.
　He was trying to force himself to be satisfied.

　It stands out clearly because the rest of the 'unresolved' is gone, and he also got his 'answers'.

　That Rowen had more than one 'unfinished business'.
　And at the end, one 'regret' remains.

　And yet, Rowen is still trying to disappear.
　In order to stop her, I try to talk to her.

　But before it can become words, the Dimension detects the gleam of a deadly weapon.

　Neither red nor blue, a phosphorescence of the third kind.
　A black blade.

　I watched it wielded mercilessly, even though I could see it, I looked away.

　The cut end of the scythe sprouts out of Rowen's chest.
　A hole opens up in her heart, and Rowen spits out blood from her mouth.

　Darkness crawls out of the side of Rowen's back.
　Out of the darkness comes a tearful dark-haired girl, Reaper.

　Oh, I knew it--
　It's the one thing that still binds Rowen to this world.

　The fight is not over yet.
　Neither the Reaper, nor Rowen, nor I.
　It was nothing more than a matter of not telling them yet.