'--Good (・・・・). I'm relieved that it's better (・・・・・・・) than I thought it would be (・・・・・・・).

　Faced with that fact, I was glad that I wasn't the worst (・・・・・) (・・・・・・).

Huh?

　For Heili, the reaction was apparently unexpected.
　She opened her mouth and was stunned.

　I was certainly shocked to be shown the possibility of being a "Magic Stone Human (Jewelcrus)". It seems that I might not be Aikawa Uzumi.
　Apparently - but that's still within the scope of my expectations (・・・・・・).

　I've already finished thinking about how to deal with this case using 'parallel thinking'.

That's about as far as I can go. So, I'm going to go. If the 'Aikawa Uzumi' of a thousand years ago wants to replace me, he can do so. Like I said to Maria, it doesn't have to be me who helps 'Yotaki'.

　The despair at the end of the Nativity was nothing like this.
　Compared to that agony, it was nothing like this.
　There's still hope for us.

　Just because I'm the Jewelcrus, doesn't mean that anyone will be in trouble.
　It doesn't mean that I will die immediately, and it doesn't mean that I won't be able to save Yotaki and Dia.
　It's too warm.

''That's about (・・・・・)......?　What are you saying, ......?

　Unexpectedly, Heili stares at me as if I'm looking at a madman. In order to clear up that misunderstanding, I explain matter-of-factly.

'Hailey is right, I have what's called a 'progenitor Kanami' memory. That's why I know about it. ...... That guy was very sisterly, cared for his friends, and wasn't the kind of guy who would leave anyone behind. Honestly, he looked almost exactly the same as me. I'd be willing to take over for 'The Founder Kanami' (that guy), at least for a bit.
Well, wait a minute!　Boy, do you really understand what it means to be replaced?
'Yeah, I know. It must be very dangerous. But I can do it if it's good for Yotaki.
"For the firecrackers, for the firecrackers, for the firecrackers!　I'm telling you that this Hitaki guy is not the boy's brother and sister!　How can you help a stranger who's not even related to you by blood!

　Heili is misguided.
　She may have been familiar with my situation, but she doesn't seem to know anything about me.

'......?'　I'm not helping you because we're related by blood. I know that a girl named Yotaki has a good heart. I can't allow a girl like that to die unreasonably. That's why I'm going to save her (・・・・・・). There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

　I think I'm saying it's natural for people to say that.
　However, Hailey's expression becomes more and more distorted.

''I, no, it's not right!　That thought is from The Original Kanami!　Not the boy's!　The feelings the boy has for Aikawa Yotaki are fake!　You know that, why!
'That's not true, Hailey. It may have been fake at first, sure. But (...) I think it's already changed (・・・・・) into the real thing (・・・・・・・・). As much as I want to help Dia, I also want to help the girl named Yotaki. The person called 'I' doesn't want to abandon a girl who is involved in unreasonable misfortune. That's why I'm going to save her. It's really just that simple already: ......

　I answer calmly.
　This is the result of all the theory I've been armed with for the past few days, even to the point of making my stomach hurt. This is the most reasonable and convincing answer to the existence of "I".

　--But, conversely, I can say that I have no choice but to think so (・・・・・) (・・・・・・・・・).

　While hiding that anxiety, I continue to talk nonchalantly.

''Of course, I'm going to ask for my body back once I'm done helping Yotaki. I don't think it's foolish to think that I'll give you everything just because I'm the Jewelcrus, so don't worry.
...... or do you want it back?　You can't get it back so conveniently!　It's not that simple!
We'll talk about it and work it out.
Discuss with who?
'I'll talk to the 'Original Kanami'. Then we'll come to terms with it. We'll merge or whatever.
But there's no way I can!　I know I can't, and that's why I'm here to advise you!　That's right, you can't have one person and one person mixing together!　I couldn't do it!

　I shake my head at Heili, who shouts.

'No, I don't know about that. No one knows yet. It's ......, so we shouldn't give up yet. And Heili (・・・・).

　I remain resolute in my stand. Seeing that expression, Hailey flinches.

　I know I'm being reckless. But just because that path is difficult is no reason to give up.

　I'm not going to give up, no matter what truths are waiting for me. I'm not going to give up. --I will be strong.
　This is what I decided to do from the moment I decided to fight the Palinkulon.
　If I don't, I won't be able to face the Guardians and their friends who have disappeared.
　I couldn't just stop myself in my tracks in despair after preaching so much greatness.

　Perhaps sensing this firm will, Heili mutters with a shiver.

'Coming to terms with these memories ......?　Can you do that ......, is that really possible ......?　No, it can't be, it can't be done: ....... I couldn't do it: ......

　I return that feeble confirmation with confidence.

'I'm sure you can do it. I think ...... is trying to do that now, and I think Dia is trying to do it too.

　I'll use Dia as an example, who would have been in the same situation.
　The reason she was acting so strange all along was probably because she was talking to a Sith Apostle. And I'm sure it's still going on even now that he's been robbed of his body.

I'd do the same thing if I were in the same situation. I can't give up when Dia hasn't given up.

　The bullshit answer confused Hailey.

'Such ......, then I am ....... I don't know how to ......--

　I calmly watched it all happen.
　Although we share the same anguish, there is a definite difference in temperature between us.

　Maybe it's heartless, but although we've been arguing so vigorously with each other.

　-- Honestly, I don't believe everything Heili is saying is correct.

　The story that I'm a 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelculus)'. It's certainly a very likely story, but I can't take it on faith.
　As long as there is room for Palinkron to intervene, there is a possibility that there is a discrepancy in perception somewhere. On the contrary, this passerby itself could be a trap for Palinkron.

　And although I've been thinking about it since I heard the term 'magic stone human (Jewelcrus)', I can't help but think that there's something different about it.
　It's true that what Heili is saying makes sense. But there is something different about it.
　If you look over all the information in Parallel Thinking, you can see that there is a slight gap (...).

　Nevertheless, the reason I continued to argue head-on with Heili was to get through this point in a quiet manner.
　I slowly and condescendingly ask him to finish the job.

"So I need you to step aside. Hailey Weispurope (・・・・・・・)

　I tell her her real name and stare straight ahead.

''How did you know that name: ......

　When her name was called, Heili was upset.
　She didn't know why, but she could feel her wounded mind crumbling even further.

　Heili sobbed, staggered, turned her head and relaxed her entire body.
　Then she laughs and shows her surrender.

'...... Hmmm, hmmm. ...... After all, it's not as good as some piece of work.

　I no longer had a strong will left to not pass this place.
　Did he think that he didn't deserve to stand in the way of me and Dia trying to overcome a wall that he thought would never be overcome?
　Mocking myself, I admit my own weakness.
　With glee, she looks at me with longing eyes.

''-- Indeed, both Dia-san and the boy are still holding their own. Huh, what's the difference between them and me? Are they wishes, dreams, thoughts ...... or are they unrequited ......?

　Dia and I both have things that are more important than life. But not Hailey. That's the difference.

'None of these things are for me. That's why I'm like this (...) ......

　And she admits to being wrong.
　I don't get the details of the story, but I know she's regretting it.
　Looking at her own hands, she asks me.

'If I have something important to prove myself, like the boy and the apostle, will I be able to prove that I'm alive ......? If only I could find something important, too: .......

　I can't nod lightly.
　But by staring back, I can tell that at least I was.

　Looking into his eyes, Hailey cleared the way.

'Go to ....... I'll take the boy's word for it.

　Then Hailey shattered one of the rings and activated the magic 'Connection'. The magic door is refined into a plain and the whole warhorse tries to advance into it.

　In the end, Heili says.

''Finally, I'm beginning to see my way of life.

　The words were not about dying, but about living.

　Hearing those words, I was doubly relieved.
　If I had failed to convince her, I would have had to force my way through. If that had happened, her life span would have been greatly reduced. I wouldn't have been unscathed either.

　In the interval of relief, Haili went through the 'Connection' and disappeared. At the same time, her "connection" also crumbled with the wind on the plains.

　I sigh loudly and immediately call out a spell.

"-Magic 'Connection'.

　While refining the different colored 'connections' to the same place, I remembered my conversation with Hailey.
　Honestly, I was on the fence about whether or not it would be a battle.

　I said I wouldn't give up no matter what, but that didn't mean I didn't have any concerns.
　For example, just one thing. The only thing - if something is overturned, I won't be able to say anything back.
　But I managed to keep it hidden underneath the plating until the very end. Thanks to Parallel Thinking, it was easy to make up for it.

　But I had to be prepared for it.
　Unlike the kind-hearted Hailey, I don't think the enemy I'm about to fight would miss it.

　Now is like a rehearsal. The real battle is yet to come.
　At that time, we must maintain our strength like we do now.

　Just as I reaffirmed my resolve, the Connection was completed and the Living Legend's crew appeared from inside.

'We're connected!　Thank goodness, Kanami: ......!

　First, Rustyala comes out, alone and relieved that I'm not getting ahead of myself.
　Blushing, he takes my hand and confirms that I'm here.

　If I'm to believe Hailey's story, this Rustyala is lying to me.
　And has been since the first time we met.

　But I quickly push it out of my thoughts.
　I just decided to believe Rustyala in Lauravia's "Mai Mai". Even if she was lying, it must be a lie for me. I'll assume so.
　I don't have time to find out for sure, and 'me' is a low priority.
　We'll start with Palinkron and Dia. I'll take care of 'me' after that - or after I help Yotaki.

''Everyone is ready to go, Kanami-san.

　Maria comes out next.
　She has a sterner expression than anyone else, preparing for the battle to come.
　And next to her was Snow, with a more pathetic expression than anyone else.

''And it's finally here, this is ...... the time. I'll do it. ......''

　I'm shaking pitifully, but I'm not trying to escape.
　I can see that he is trying to be brave in his own way, Snow.

　Reaper and Sera follow behind him.
　They seem to have already grasped the situation and are wasting no time waiting for me to speak.
　I waste no time in starting to talk as well.

'I'll be quick about it since we don't have much time. The most important thing is not the overthrow of Palinkulon, but the reclaiming of Dia. Just make no mistake about it.

　They all nodded back.
　Not one of them seems to be the one who left Dia alone to seek revenge. Relieved by that, we divide the party as usual.

''First, me and Maria will catch Dia. No matter what the Apostle Sith says, we'll knock her unconscious and show her how to run into the ship.

　Perhaps the call to Dia will be important in the fight against the Apostle Sith. Hence, I will personally choose the members who can easily reach Dia.
　Rustyala, who seemed to have a long association with him, agreed without complaining. She also seemed to think that Maria was better suited to the call than she was.

'In the meantime, I want the remaining four of you to keep the two of you, Palinkron and the Guardian (Guardian) Aide, stranded. I'm not hostile to the id, but just keep the glare on, for now.

　Initial objective. Even if we were to overthrow Palinkron, it would be after we captured the Sith.
　I don't want to chase two hares and miss a beat.

Then I'll take care of the defective colleague.
'I'm going to Palinclone too: ....... I feel like if I don't do it, I won't be able to move forward. ......

　Sera-san and Snow will take care of the Palinkron's partner.
　I've thought of a countermeasure against 'The One Who Steals the Dark Reason' during the boat trip, so if it's just to buy time, it shouldn't be a problem for the two of them.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the guardian is there too. Just in time. I'll snowball yesterday's humiliation!

　Unlike yesterday, Rastiara's blood color has improved.
　As if to say that he won't make the same mistake, he's full of energy and burns for revenge against Ayd.

　And the last one.

'Hey, can my brother go ......?'

　Because of the 'connection', the Reaper understands my condition better than anyone else. To her, it seems that I'm the one she's most worried about.

The most important thing to know is that you can go. I was thinking about it during the "Dance Competition" as well, but I'm in the best shape to not sleep for a day.

　Hearing this, the Reaper looked at me for a few moments and nodded with a divine look on his face.

'...... Okay, I get it. Well then, I'll make up for the shortfall between all of you.
...... helpful.

　The most difficult position had to be asked of the youngest leaper. But it was also true that she was the only one who could handle it.

　Now everyone's role was decided.
　All that was left was to get Dia back.

　Once that was done, all we had to do was defeat Palinclone, safely reach the deepest part of the labyrinth, and help Yotaki. Nothing will change.

　So.
　After this battle, whichever side I'm on, what I'm going to do is the same.
　Whether I'm a human or a monster, it doesn't matter. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see it. And it doesn't matter if Yotaki is my sister or not.　

　-- it doesn't matter.

　Only the Reaper sensed that thought and frowned.
　And after we have all sufficiently slid the procedure of the raid together, we start heading to the fort.
　The Living Legend party begins to fight to save their missing comrades.

　Maria rides on the back of the beastly Sera-san, and the remaining four of us are largely aided by--

　Jump over the fort's defensive walls.