The all-out clash between 'the one that steals the truth of fire' and 'the one that steals the truth of darkness'.

　The result was spectacular.
　All that was left was a red wilderness where life had withered away. Instead of a green meadow, there was a meadow of fire, but that too was extinguished by the rain falling from the sky, and even the last of the color was lost.

　There was still a vague light from the 'World Consecration Squad', but it was unreliable. Perhaps it is because life, the object of our conversion, has disappeared from the earth. It doesn't have the same radiance as it did in the beginning.

　In these few minutes, the war was over.
　The tens of thousands of soldiers who had been fighting had disappeared and the battlefield had to be rewritten from the map.

　Only three men remained in its wake.
　Maria had been careful to prevent me from being exposed to the flames until the end. Thanks to that, I'm unharmed, and I have enough MP left.
　In contrast, Maria was sweating profusely and was out of breath. She used up all her MP and got down on her hands and knees on the ground.

''Defeat ......, wasn't it?''

　Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a palinclone, who was also out of breath. But the other side was able to stand on the ground with both feet.
　Maria regretted not being able to defeat the grudge enemy.

　Looking at Maria's status, her MP had been depleted and reduced to her maximum HP.
　Exactly like me one day, she must have exhausted her deadly power. The price of losing your mind and using magic beyond your limits. It is no longer difficult to maintain consciousness.
　Nevertheless, Maria continues to appeal to him while holding on to her distant consciousness.

"-- Kanami-san. Please don't think that this world doesn't need you. We need you. We need you. Just remember that: ......

　That's exactly what I looked like when I was trying to convince Hailey.

　But...far away.

　Now, I can understand a little bit about how Heili felt then.
　Even though she was called "Kanami-san", she couldn't believe it was her. It feels like someone else's problem. Heili must have felt the same way.

　When I first met Heili in the labyrinth, she had laughed. She was smiling when I first met her in the labyrinth, and said she wanted to die for her friends. I was greatly irritated to see her.

　But it seemed to be the same for me. When I met Palinkulon, I laughed at him. It's easy to die for someone else - in fact, I was happy about it.
　No matter how strong you are, what you're doing is exactly the same. I was keenly aware of this from Maria's plea.

'Fight the Palinclones and win: ......-'

　With that, Maria passes out.

'...... I know,'

　I gave my verbal affirmation to Maria's appeal.

　It was a plea with all my heart and soul, a plea for which I had risked my life, but the only thing that remained in my heart was a sense of loss.
　The word I wanted was not "encouragement". So I couldn't share the heat that Maria emitted until the end.

　Before I knew it, a deep gulf had formed between me and my friends.
　In inverse proportion to Maria's passion, my heart was cold.
　The distance between me and my companions that I thought was so close is now beginning to feel so distant.

　I feel a hole in my heart.
　During the battle at the fort, the wedge between my friends has been pulled out one by one. The wedge that surrounded me in the World Expeditionary Force has also melted away, and finally, the last wedge that held me together has fallen away.

　There is no more one person who needs to be strong. That's all I can think of right now.

　Maria had hit the nail on the head. She had seen through my mind.
　But just as my words did not reach Heili, Maria's words will not reach me.
　I know your thoughts. I understand logic. I know it's right.
　But it's not enough.

...... Ah, I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd be able to push me around even with a magic difference of one war's worth.

　Palinkron's voice echoed on the quieted battlefield.
　While Maria had fainted, Palinkron had the luxury of time. Even though they used the same 'Steal the Reason' power, it seems that the difference in magic power for the 'World Consecration Squad' was large.

　However, of course, they are not safe. The volume of the black liquid had been reduced by the magic that had been cut into its body. The liquid body was still bubbling and continuing to boil, and white steam was rising up. Most of the flesh in the parts of the body that were still human-like was on the verge of being charred.
　And there was no sign of the injury being repaired.

　And that's to be expected.
　Because the head-to-head battle between extreme magic and extreme magic was won by Maria.
　The current HP of Palinclone is--.

--status
　　　Name Palinclone Legacy HP0/512 MP392/392 Class None--

　--0.

　As far as I can hear in 'Dimension', Palinkron's heart has already stopped completely.
　Maria's fire magic has successfully defeated the magic of 'The One Who Steals the Darkness Reason'. There's no doubt about that.

　However, to my chagrin, the battle was won by Palinclone, even if the match was won.
　If this was a one-on-one fight, it would end with a finish to the stunned Maria.

　With his HP down to 0, Palinclone moves.
　While making a sticky and unpleasant footstep, it slowly comes towards us.
　Then, looking around at the wasteland, he speaks to me.

'Oh well. If the continent isn't cut down, we can still get it back. In fact, it's great that we've retired the little girl with the loss of 30,000 or so people. It's a little bit of a messed up plan, but it would be great if we could retrieve Miss Smith's 'magic stone' with this - but, well, that's still not possible.

　I block Palinkron's path as he tries to get to the fallen Maria.

'I know, Maria ....... Fight ......'

　I'm going to continue to fight the Palinkron as Maria wishes.
　However, victory is not the only thing I can promise.

　It's because there's no one left to be strong, that weaknesses easily escape my mind.
　I don't think we can win. To be precise, I have no reason to win.

　If possible, I'd like to use my Connection to move Maria to safety, but it's going to be difficult to stabilize my Connection in the midst of the raging magic of the World Service Squad.
　Above all, it's unlikely that the enemy in front of me will allow it.

"Come on, boy. We're back on track. I'm close to a dead end, even though I'm at .......

　Seeing me standing there, Palinkron took a battle stance.
　Then, he gouges his arm of black liquid into his own chest. It's beyond self-injury, it's suicide.
　With his heart clenched, Palinkron speaks to me, "I have no more friends to help me.

"No one can help me now, eh?　There's no one to be strong with, no reason to look good. True, only a boy. Let's see how far we can fight.

　Palinkron knew me better than Maria did.
　If Maria had accurately understood my feelings, she would never have left me alone.
　In this situation of just the two of us, Palinclone was sure of victory.
　Unlike Maria, Palinclone knows the time when I was a lone explorer. That's the difference.

　After crushing his heart, the Palinclone is no longer half dead (half).
　He's now a 'full-blown corpse (monster).

"This is where it gets real, you know. "The thief of the dark.

　The figure is getting closer to the Tida he once was.
　Most of its body was replaced with a black liquid, and what little humanity it had left was being lost. All that's left is for the head to become a black Noh mask, and then it's the return of the Guardian of the Twenty Layers (Guardian).

　The figure could only be described as a 'complete corpse (monster)' anymore.

--Stephen Star
　　　na■nk Paris■ reason■gasy HP■/5■2 MP---/39- Klass guardian (Guardian)--

　Gazing statuses are blurred. The "view" can no longer process them all, resulting in garbled characters.
　Then, the statuses are gradually rewritten and

--Monster　
　　　Twenty Guardians, the stealers of dark reason.
　　　Rank: Twenty Guardians (Twenty Guardian) --

　The display recognized Palinclone as a monster.

　Thus, I face the monster, the one who steals the logic of darkness.
　In order to protect my friends, I pointed my sword at Palinkulon.
　But the arm holding the sword is trembling weakly.

'Come on, let's play together, boy!

　Palinclone's miserable black limbs transformed. His legs curved like a beast, and his arms sharpened like wild swords.
　Then it bends over, twitching its legs and bulging its thighs like a beast. It was a preliminary motion I had seen in my fight with Tida.

　So I could predict his next move.

　A palinclone that bounced like a beast.
　It's a sudden acceleration that can't be replicated by the structure of a human leg. It was a rush because it was able to transform its body. And then, there were two deadly blades that attacked.
　Palinclone crossed his arms, which had been turned into deadly weapons, like scissors and closed them vigorously around my neck.

　I try to dodge it by averting my body.
　Then, with the intention of slicing off Palinkron's torso, I unleashed a flash of counterattack.
　The flash does indeed catch Palinkron's torso. However, there was no feeling of return.
　Palinkron's torso was sliced away - but the cutting surface immediately glued together. It was as if the water from the waterfall was being slashed from the side.

　After all, physical attacks cannot be understood by the 'one who steals the truth of darkness'. I reaffirm that.　

　Palinclone was swept around by the inertia of the rush and passed by the side. Then, raising a cloud of dust, it makes a sudden stop, accelerating rapidly and attacking me before I can catch my breath.

　I try to counter again and notice that things are different than before.
　One of the blades on his arm has been untied. Its speed is the beast, but its stance was that of a knight itself.
　The sudden change from a beastly strike to a refined one surprised him and he missed the counterattack.

　Of course, the enemy's attacks had not yet stopped.
　They continue to turn back and repeat their attacks from all directions. I continue to defend against them.
　The trouble is that it is a discarded body that has abandoned its defenses. And, unlike Tida, it is interwoven with 'techniques' and 'jutsu'. Because of those two things, it is impossible to strike back with ease.
　However, at this level, I still won't be able to touch it.

　While I continue to defend, I try to build an icy magic that is effective against the 'One Who Steals the Reason of Darkness'.
　First, I need to get Maria into 'Connection'. The best way to do that is to freeze the Palinclones and stall them.

　However, as if he had read my thoughts, a voice interrupts me.

'--Hey, boy. Can I ask you something?　

　In the midst of a high-speed sword fight, a voice sounded awfully relaxed.
　It's a disgusting voice that clings to your eardrums.

''This, I'm not going to answer you. ......!

　I reject it out of hand.

'But I told you what I wanted to do, okay?　So the boy would have to tell me, too, wouldn't that be fair?　Tell me. ...... Hey, boy, what do you want to do?

　Despite the fact that I refused, Palinclone asks me.
　Then I thought, don't ask permission in the first place.

　Angry, I silently swing my sword. But even so, Palingkulon refuses to speak. Even now, in the midst of the lethal swords flying around, Palinclone is agitating me for not answering.

''Hm?　If you don't answer anything, are you fighting for no purpose?　For no good reason?

　Normally, this is a reckless remark that should have been thrown out.
　However, I couldn't get rid of it now.

　We can't lose the will to fight, not yet. This is the only way to get Maria back into the safe zone, that's for sure.
　As if to confirm, I remembered my purpose.
　I speak of the upholstered will to fight that I've created from strength - a construction.

'I will save Yotaki!　Help your friends!　That's it!
That's it.

　Palinclone picks up my returned words like a beast biting.
　The words also intersect as the blue sword and black blade sparks.

'Is that really what the boy wants to do?　You know that already. That's the wish of the original Kanami, the founder of the world 1,000 years ago, not the boy. It's a fake, so to speak. I think you're making a mistake in your wish. I don't think you'll ever forgive me for that kind of thing.

　Palinkron speaks to me happily.

　It's throbbing and heartbreaking.
　Oh, this may indeed be a dead end.

　I'm upset, but Palinclone chases after me.

Hey, how did you feel?　After all that I said, you can't make a wish wrong!　The wish I got back, the oath I made, the impression I didn't own!

　This was no longer the time for magic building.

　I had to talk back or I would be swallowed (・・・・).

　That's what I thought, and I shouted.
　The same construction I said to Haili.

'No ......, I'm still not wrong ......!　Surely he could have mistaken someone else's wishes for his own!　But now I'm convinced of that wish!　I really want to help Yotaru.　This wish is already turning into something real!
'Really?　I can't do this without thinking that, it just looks like you think that!

　I repeated the same words, but Palinclone was quick to retort.
　Unlike Heili, Palinkron is not gentle. He will mercilessly poke at the vital points that he does not want to be poked at.

　If he continues to talk back, he won't even be able to help Maria.
　So, even though I'm trembling, I talk back.

'Oh, I'm not making an assumption ......!　Only this desire to help 'someone' should definitely belong to 'me'!　The 'Yotaki' I knew was so pitiful!　I wanted to help!　There's no lie in there!
''Heh, I see. So you believe in such thoughts that are not sure if they're yours or not, and save a child who may or may not be called Yotaki?

　I could feel my taut defenses being easily torn apart.
　The attack was too precise.

'But boy, you saw it too.　Aikawa Yotaki is dead a thousand years ago. Yes, he's dead. Honestly, there's nothing I can do to help him, you know?
It was you who showed it to me. ...... I'm not stupid enough to trust all those memories!
'Well, yeah. You're right. You're right. Memories are so fuzzy and unreliable, aren't they?　So, what do you think?　In the first place, did that Youtaki girl really exist?　You know.
''Hi, I wonder if Yangtaki is real or not, because ......?''

　My spirit wobbles. My answering voice trembles.
　The Palinclone was trying to uproot the value of my existence.
　In order to defeat me, who still has the will to fight, he's trying to knock me down to 'worthlessness' where there's no excuse and no way to help me.
　Even though he has prepared such a rocky battlefield, he doesn't take pride in it and thoroughly repeats his mental attack.

　I can tell that Palinkulon is serious about playing. But that was too much for me to overkill.

　Magic is directly linked to the mind. We no longer have the luxury of building elaborate magic at all. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get it right.

"'Aikawa Yotaki'. I'm not sure I can believe it because I've never met one. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on it. I also have a family, but sister and sister, that's more annoying, right?　Honestly, it's killing me sometimes. It's kind of crazy to have a brother and sister who are embracing emotions close to love, isn't it?
Yeah, that's just because your family doesn't get along!　It's good to be close, I'm sure!　I believe in the existence of a girl named Yotaki!
"Skills were messing with my head, I lost my memory, and there was a thousand years ago I didn't even know. Even now, an influx of unknown memories is flowing in and out of me. Well, you're in a bad way, boy. --And yet?　And you still believe that?　Memory is a fragile thing. They change easily. Still, do you claim that there really is a 'sister who is only in memory'?　That's a bit harsh, isn't it?

　He's not tired of just breaking your heart, and is painstakingly trying to grind it down.

　My heart starts to leap at an unsettling rate in the face of this thorough mental attack.　
　Instead of the usual thumping sound, it shudders with a thud. A tightening of the muscles in my chest, as if they were grabbed, and a pain that feels as if it's being torn to shreds, spreads through me. My body is hot. My heart feels like it's about to explode, and I'm scared to death.

　I don't have even a tenth of the power of thought that I'm so proud of. But even though I can't think about anything, time is moving slowly. It's probably because of my high 'monster' status.
　There is room for battle.

　But there's no room in my mind.
　The only thing that echoes through my muddled thoughts is Palinclone's voice.

　--Ah, indeed.

　Maybe there is no such thing as Aikawa Yotaki originally.
　After all, the existence of the Aikawa siblings has been a blur ever since I found out that I wasn't 'Boku'. I'm aware of that. I know that.

　So, I don't want to hear any more about it. I don't want to hear anymore. I don't need reconfirmation.

　Otherwise, your parallelism will kick in again.
　The less you think about it, the more you think about it.
　Once it starts, it's unstoppable.
　I don't want to be in pain anymore...

But that's it!　I have memories!　Memories of being a brother and sister living in the original world are in my head!　I can remember that!　It may be a given memory, but it's what I believe!　Only those memories, only those memories of living in my former world, are going to be nice to me!
How can you say that when it's not your memory?　But that too (・・・・)!　Memories in that boy's memory!　And 'The Original World (・・・・)', that's mostly a funny story too!　Is there really such a 'world'!　It's a fairy tale. Not another world!　You don't hear that word in the theater these days!　Who's going to guarantee that impossible otherworldly thing!　A boy who has never been there is going to guarantee it!

　The gap between sword fights - in that momentary moment, I'm thinking.

　Ah, ah, .......
　Maybe there is no ....... There's no such thing as another world.
　Because, including me - no one in this world has ever been to the 'original world'. I'm the only one who insists like a child.
　So, in truth, there is only this world, and there is no other world that you can dream of as the 'original world'.

　If you ask me, it's true.
　A world with science instead of magic?　If you think about it from the common sense of this world, it's an impossible existence. It is impossible for me to prove the existence of this world. The Jewelcrus was not born in this world. I just felt like I was living there.

　My friends who listened to the stories of my former world on the ship may have been laughing inside.
　Such a gentle, convenient, dreamlike world, no wonder they called it a delusion.

　The words I squeeze out next are also unreliable.

''Ah, ah!　Yeah, I know: ....... I know!　There is no guarantee!　There isn't one, so you're going to go and check that too!　I've decided I'm going to see everything for myself!

　That's right. To make sure.
　That's why I kept aiming for the deepest part of the labyrinth.
　Whether it's "there" or "not", I knew that I had no choice but to go for it. Either way, I knew that I had no choice but to go for it.
　I was shocked when it first occurred to me in 'parallel thinking': ....... It was like a pit in my stomach. At that time, I even suspected that this 'other world' was a world in the distant future of the 'original world'. Because of my increased status and my wasted thinking ability, the possibility of a possibility was something I thought about with an open mind. Some of those possibilities were obvious, like not having a sister or not having me.
　So I've been trying not to think about it: .......
　I've told myself that it's not a good idea to think about it, and yet, .......

'See for yourself, huh? Well, that's great. I'm sure you'll be able to find out if there is an alternate universe and also a yotaki. You will be able to find a lot of people who are not in the same boat as you.　What will the boy do when he's sure there's no one anywhere to help him?

　You don't have to push me so hard, you don't have to tell me, I know.
　It's all a bunch of bullshit. You don't really think so.
　I already know that there is no you-taki in the original world. The mission is lost, and I know that the Jewelcruise has been destroyed.

　I've long since surpassed my limit.
　It's only natural.
　There are many reasons.

　There are many reasons -- parallelism is always on.

　It makes the world go very slowly.
　So it's easy to remember.

　After all, we were stuck from the beginning.
　There was no way to realize that 'magic power' is 'poison', so there was no way to stop Apostle Sith and the resurrection of memories. There is no one to pay attention to that. No one can help you. As soon as you build up your magic power, you'll be a monster, and by the time you realize it, it's too late. But this is why my parallelism is predicting an unpleasant future and making me feel trapped. There were many other things that were hard for me to deal with. Every day I felt like there was a hole in my stomach. The skill '??' The "??" skill made a mess of relationships. I can't help but feel uneasy that the memories of the Ancestor Kanami will erode my personality. The signs of disintegration appeared around the time I met Heili, and it became decisive when I was hit by the Aide's magic. There was no doubt that I was already broken at that point. Just like Haili's prediction, collapse is also collapse. In addition, Dia and Rustyala collapsed as well. Maybe those two were also casting a lot of magic on themselves. That was broken by Ayd's state recovery spell. Dia's spell to keep Sith at bay was lifted, and Rustyala's spell to keep her love interest at bay was lifted. Maybe Lastiara's would be able to break the other magic as well. I didn't ask because I couldn't afford it, but I think it's probably Saint Tiara related. This is how my precious companion became an 'apostle' and I didn't have time to whine about it. And yet, Heili is proud to say that I am not Aikawa Uzumi. I know that. I knew it was coming, so I must have done a good job of it. Somehow, I managed to keep up the bravado in front of Haili--not Hain-san. But what awaited me at the end of that strength was Palinclone's "World Dedication Squad". That must be a direct link to the 'something' from a thousand years ago. That's where I was shown that Yotaki, more important than life, was going to die. I was also shown the reason why I'm not Aikawa Uzumi. It was possible that Palinkron was showing me a false memory - but that memory is definitely real. I know how it works. I know how it works. The World Hurricane dropped a past memory, so it's the inextricable truth. In other words, my most important premise, that "Aikawa Yotaki" was definitely dead. And I would lose the foundation of my life. I lost everything that supported me at the edge of my life. I lost my support and even myself, and I have nothing left. It's only natural that I want to die. That's to be expected.
　Yes, you do.
　I don't know if I can be sane.
　Can you be sane?

"If Yotaki is nowhere to be found ......, what are we going to do, because ......?
'Oh, yes, boy!　If I can't find him anywhere!　What if you keep searching all over the world for proof of the meaning of your life, and you still can't find it anywhere!　You get nothing, nothing left, nothing meaningful, and you end up not even knowing your own name - that's how it could end!

　Oh, shut up.
　I don't want to hear anything else.
　Either way, whatever it is, it's not going to change anything.
　So shut up--!　Both Palinkron and I (...), both shut up--!

You are so annoying!　I'm prepared for that!　Even if there was no Yotaki here, 1,000 years ago, in the original world, or anywhere else, I will continue to look for it--I have no choice (・・・・)!　Either way (・・・・・・), it doesn't change what we do!　You'll just have to be prepared for that, dammit!
'You know it's pointless and you're looking for it!　You're not going to be prepared for that, for no other reason than to be so prepared!　That's called desperation, boy!

　What's wrong with desperation: ......!
　You don't have to tell me that!
　I don't even know what's going on anymore!　You don't even know what's right or what to do!　You don't even know who you are!　You'd be crazy not to be desperate!

'Oh (...)!　So (...), now (...), you and I are going to fight (・・・・・) you (・・・・・)!

　I couldn't talk back anymore.
　Finally, I acknowledged Palinclone's point and, screaming, I swung my sword with all my might.

　The Palinclone catches that flash, which is similar to an eight-strike, with both blades.
　And with that impact, Palinclone retreats far back.
　When a large distance is left, I breathe with my shoulder.

　It's hard to breathe.
　I have more energy than I have left, but I'm out of breath. My lungs aren't getting enough oxygen. No matter how many deep breaths I take, I can't regulate my breathing.

　I clenched the flesh of my chest with the hand that wasn't holding the sword.
　If I didn't grip it so tightly that blood oozed from my nails, I wouldn't be worried.

　Palinkron pointed at my face.

'Boy, you're crying, ......?'

　When I suddenly wiped under my eyes, large tears were stinging my eyes.
　I hadn't noticed them because of the pouring rain.
　I found the tears spilling out in rags and I shuddered and spat out the words wildly.

'Then what the hell is ......!
...... No, it's nothing. It's just that it's over. ...... Yeah, it's over...

　Palinkron's muttered voice seemed strangely distant.
　He said he was using "Dimension", but it was hard to hear.
　Along with the tears that spilled out, my body's strength was released.
　The tension that had been building up in my body melted away as I realized that I was crying.

　My head feels lightheaded.
　The tension has been broken because of the question and answer with Palinkulon.
　I can't be strong and hold back tears because none of my friends will see me. I can't even fight to look good. I can't move because there's no point in being desperate .......

　Oh, what am I going to do? .......
　Even my purpose is fuzzy. I have to remind myself quickly .......
　First of all, ......,.

　--What skills should not be used are '? and 'parallel thinking'.　

　That's right.
　I had to suppress "parallelism.
　I've gone too far out of control. I had to restrain myself more: .......
　If I use such skills, I'll stop being human .......
　No, it's too late for that: .......
　Let's see, the next one is ......

　--The first objective, to defeat the palinklons.

　Yeah. I'm fighting right now .......
　But even though I know why I'm fighting, I can't remember anymore why I have to defeat it .......
　I can't remember what they did to me and how angry I was.
　There's so much going on, it just feels like a minor thing anymore .......

　--the second of my objectives, to help Dia.

　In other words, to help my people. I'm doing it now .......
　I'm standing in front of Maria, fighting for my life. I have to get her into The Connection soon .......
　I want to help her if I can.
　But the truth is, I was the one who needed help .......

　--the third objective, to help my sister, Youtaki Aikawa.

　My sister ...... and Yotaki .......
　Ah, I knew it was the best one.
　Although many things have happened, this is still the best wish. There is no way to go wrong.
　No, even though I know it's not exactly right, I can't help but make a mistake.

　Oh, I want to see you.
　I want to see Yotaki.

　It doesn't matter if it's a stranger to me or an ingrained feeling, it doesn't matter.
　Seeing her is the "end". It's the end (the goal). I will be freed from this pain.
　I want to go back to my old world and live in peace with Yotaki. I want to return to my normal life. I don't want to live in this fantasy other world, I want to live in the lukewarmness of the present day.

　That's all I've lived for, and that's all I've fought for in hope.
　The reward for that--I want it now.

　But I know.
　And I can't get that reward, no matter how hard I try. Forever.
　I've been told I'm not Aikawa Uzumi. They said I couldn't live as a brother if I helped them.
　I managed to argue with that.　
　Then he was told that "Aikawa Yotaki" was not alive. I was told that there was no one in this world to help me.
　I tried to endure that too, but ......, there was no way I could bear it.
　It was also a strength that I endured the fact that we weren't siblings in the first place. It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on a new one.

　The existence of "Aikawa Yotaki". If it's overturned, it's no longer possible. ......
　Nothing you do will be meaningless .......

　And I'm no one.
　I don't even know myself, so nothing I do will bring any emotion to my mind.
　It's terrible.

　I can't believe that the only way forward is to go on forever, fighting a battle that has no goal and no meaning .......
　It's too bad that after fighting and fighting and fighting, what's waiting for you is 'nothing': .......
　That's not even a painful thing to fight and win .......

　I don't like that .......
　I don't like it, I don't like it, I don't like it .......

　I can't be strong anymore .......
　I want to stop (・・・・).

　Yeah.
　I want to end up losing.
　I want to stop living because everything is pointless. And I want to rest. But because of the skill "? ?" is blocking that path.

　Just as Maria fears. No one will help me, so I was going to ask Palinkron to help me. He was cutting back because he didn't feel that victory meant anything to him. I was willing to lose the battle.

　Now that I don't have a strong opponent, I can see it clearly.
　This is my nature by nature. If there is no one to look good to, this is what would happen sooner or later. When I first started exploring the labyrinth, before I met Dia in the Valt, I used to whine in my mind every night. I still remember thinking endlessly before I went to bed.

　I didn't want a pep talk that said, "Hang in there," but a reassurance that said, "Enough is enough. I wanted the reassurance that "Enough is enough".

　And there was probably only one person in the world who could provide that.
　And probably the only person in the world who can provide that for me is my enemy, Palinkulon.
　Only the guy has that achievement.
　When I think back, since I came to this other world, Palinkron is the only one who has given me 'happiness', 'peace of mind' and 'salvation'. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well. Even though it's a fake, he has certainly given me that.

　That's why I've come so far.
　If only I could fight against Palinkron and lose, even I, the Jewelcruise, could be happy.
　I've come to the center of the world with that hope in mind.

　I want you to help me.
　I'm in pain.
　I can't stand the pain. So, I need your help, even if it's the end.

　Anyone. Ally or foe, friend or foe.
　I don't care what it takes to save me from this meaningless life.

　I don't want to be in pain anymore. So, I need help.
　Somebody please help me now.
　I need help.

　Help me, help me, help me .......

　--help me .......

"-- Yeah (...), I'll help you (・・・・・・・).

　A voice came from close by.
　It was a very audible voice, like a light shining into the darkness.

　Only six words. Hearing the words 'I will save you', my body lost its power like a puppet with broken strings.
　And then I thrust myself to my knees, covered my eyes with my hands and cried like a child.

'Ugh, ugh, ugh ......, ughhhh ......'
So you don't have to be strong anymore.

　Palinkron's words were too warm and comforting.
　He knew he had to fight, but he couldn't resist.

　Palinclone whispered.
　It was like an older brother nudging his younger brother.

The boy isn't as strong as they think he is. Status strength is a sham. Growing up is a misunderstanding. People don't change," he said. You can only live within the limits of your soul. And I am the only one who understands that. I'm the only one who can see the pain and suffering that that boy is going through.

　He continues to console me, and finally, Palinkulon concludes.

"-You've worked hard to get here, boy. You're done. You've lost. And it's over.

　It was a word I could only hear from my enemy, Palinkulon.

　He told me it was over and I was relieved, but I was also filled with emptiness.

　At last, I've lost. It's over.
　I wondered a little bit about what would happen to me now.
　But it didn't even matter. I didn't want to think about it anymore.

　I've given up on the idea of a happy ending.
　Bad or dead, as long as it's over, I'm not complaining.
　I can't kill myself because of my skills and my friends. If it's a game of killing each other and Palinkron kills me, so be it. Even the salvation of death is enough for me now. Of course, it will not be easy to kill me in this situation. If that's not possible, then I'd like you to erase my memory again. If I can't think about anything, brainwashing or whatever. I don't care what--!

　Whatever it is, I want it to stay put.
　Palinkulon. You're the only one who can do it.
　I'm begging you.
　I was hoping that you'd defeat me again like that day--

"-- but the boy fought well enough. I won't say all of them, but he got us what we wanted in his own way. So I've got to give the boy something back too, ....... That's right: ....... -- "I'll let you meet 'Aikawa Yotaki (・・・・)' (・・・・・・・・・・)?
What?

　It was too abrupt. It was too unexpected, even if I was using 'parallel thinking'.
　So I couldn't understand the meaning of the word and was dumbfounded with my mouth open.

''Haha. Don't make a funny face. I'm saying that I'm going to start reviving Aikawa Yotaki now, right?

　Palinclone saw how upset I was and reiterated.

　It would mean the end of all my otherworldly battles.
　Not just the salvation of death, but the salvation of my wishes coming true--.

　It was the best happy ending ever presented.