--waking from the dream.
　Consciousness awakens and regains freedom of thought.

　And my first thought is...

YouTaki!

　The name of the most important thing.
　My eyes widen, I sit up, look around, and immediately search for what I've been seeking.

　But all I see is a bleak room.
　A musty stone space with only a bed sitting on the floor. There was no sign of life, let alone people.
　There was no sign of life, let alone people, in this room. I have no memory of ever sleeping in this place.

No one is here ......?

　I immediately begin to dredge up the memories.
　My mind is as dull as a spider's web, but I still cut through the taut threads and remember the events before I passed out.

　-- as I recall, I was fighting in the darkness with the Palinkron.
　And with the help of Ryner and Hailey, I must have successfully completed my revenge.
　I wondered if everything was a dream, but I quickly shook my head to correct the fact.

　There was no way I could be wrong.
　At the end of that battle, I was reunited with my family.
　I saw Yotaki, a family member more important than life, 're-born'. Even though it was a ploy by Palinclone, my sister, my ultimate goal, was indeed there.

　With my gut feeling on a soul level, I can be sure that that wasn't an imposter.

　It was after that that it mattered.
　I passed out, having exhausted all my strength in the fight against the Palinkron. Probably after that, I got caught up in the World Inquisitorial Squad.

　I thought I had two choices: die or be swallowed up, but it seems I followed the third option (route).

　I quickly regained my composure and slowly checked my condition.
　I bounce off the blanket and get off the bed.
　Maybe it's because I slept so soundly, but I don't feel unwell. I'm not going to be able to get the same amount of sleep, but I'm just a little tired.
　I can construct magic without problems.

''--Dimension Multiple Expansion (Multiple)''

　The first and foremost thing I wanted was information.
　Expanding my perceptual range of magic, I went to check the time and place and the presence of others.
　Outside of the stone room - there was an old hallway - countless rooms - but no one else was there. --The hallway is long and richly decorated with antique furnishings -- and in the distance, the great hall -- no, this is --......!

And we're in a castle?

　I immediately recognized the structure.
　It was an old castle, no doubt about it.
　But I had never seen it before, and there was not a single person in sight. It was a bizarre sight.

　Even though it is such a large castle, it is well cleaned in its own way, but it is uninhabited. I felt a bit of fear.

　I filled the castle with the Dimension, but in the end I couldn't find a single person in the castle.
　And then I was forced to stretch my senses to look for people outside the castle - that's when I tried to stretch my senses.

　I could sense a magic that made my hair stand on end.
It wasn't captured by the 《Dimension》. It was simply because an enormous mass of magic power was coming towards me at high speed, and I was made aware of it.

''What--, this magic power--?

　That mass of magical power is flying through the air.
　It is moving through the air at super high speed and is aiming at the window of this room.
　Quickly I try to take out the sword from the 《Heritage》. However, I don't have the 'Treasured Sword of the Alais Family Rowen' inside, so I hold the 'Crescent Pectrazuli's Straight Sword' in my hand.

　At that moment, a girl jumps into the room from the window with a bursting sound, as if a giant balloon had broken. The blast hit the room as it brought its tremendous speed to a sudden halt.

　Then, one girl jumped into the eye.

　The first thing I noticed was her long hair that emitted a fantastic coloration similar to emerald green. It was close to the green color of a gemstone (emerald), but if anything it reminded me of the light green of nature. The hair is tied up at the back of her head, exposing her healthy nape of the neck. It's what's called a ponytail.
　Underneath Midori's hair is the face of a vivacious girl. She has a bright and beautiful nose, like a flower full of life. And there's one crying blackhead under her eye lids, giving her a bewitching female look. She is a girl who has the healthy charm of a wind-child and the lustrous charm of an adult woman at the same time.
　She is dressed in a turtleneck-like dress that reaches below her chin. Since the line of her ample breasts is clearly visible, it is difficult for men to look at her.

　But it's not the fullness and beauty of the girl's body that's important. I'm paying attention to a different point.
　The girl's most prominent feature - that was her wings.
　Green wings, the same color as her hair, sprouted from her back. They were so large that I am convinced that she used those wings to fly in the sky.

　The wings, which could envelop one adult, were slowly folded up.
　Then the girl turns to me, smiles, and calls out to me.

'Ooohayo, Kananamiin.'

　I was greeted with an unprecedented familiarity .......
　However, without letting my guard down, I continue to 'gaze' with my sword at the ready.


[Fifty Guardians (Fifty Guardian)] The one who steals the reason for the wind.


　The information that came to hand was enough to accelerate the tension.
　The developments were so abrupt that I couldn't understand why.

　Why am I here?
　Why is she the only one here?
　Why is the girl a Fifty Guardian?

　The questions are endless.
　But I know from experience that conversation is better for Guardians than hostility.
　My body naturally responded in a polite way.

''Ha, nice to meet you ....... I'm Aikawa Uzumi, .......

　Hearing this, the one stealing Kaze no Ri opens his mouth and immediately looks like a cat that has found a toy.

'Heh, I really don't know what a child is. Reiner was right.

　Then, with a casual movement, he approaches me.
　Frightened, I show the palm of my hand, the one that isn't holding the sword, to stop him.

''Well, wait!　Let me set the situation straight for a moment. You are 'the one who steals the reason for the wind'. That's also the guardian of the fifty layers (guardians), is that correct?
'Oh, oh, ......!　Kanamin in honorific language is great. Good. Goofy ......!

　But what comes back is an excitement I don't quite understand.
　I regrip my sword, thinking she's a Tida type who can't make a proper conversation.
　I glare at her, bare of caution. Perhaps sensing the hostility, the one who steals the reason for the wind replies gently.

''Don't be so wary. Yeah, it's true that the child (straw man) is 'the one who steals the truth of the wind'. It's also pertinent to say that he's protecting the fifty layers. ...... But is it just a bit too sad to be spoken to in a respectful manner, or is it a bit too stranger-like?　We're close to your sister and Nami, so no honorifics.

　The one who stole the reason for the wind was friendly.
　He would answer the questions properly and try to get even closer.
　The mind, but also the physical distance between us will try to bring us closer.

'Yes, no, but--'
You know...

　My stammering voice is covered by a heavy voice.
　For a moment. A moment that is really difficult to even detect, but the magical power of the one stealing the reason for the wind swells.
　Its magic power is vast and enormous. It's a magic power comparable to that of Rowen and Maria at full throttle.

　It's no wonder. She's also a guardian - a monster that was called in to protect the fifty layers.

　She is overwhelmed by its magical power and instinctively feels fear.
　However, I'm not going to lose. I'm used to this degree.

The degree of intimidation from the "monster" is not enough to put me off anymore.
　I'm not going to be defeated by the approaching thief of the wind, and I'm going to step forward as well.

''I understand. I'll do that ....... Then what should I call you?
The name of the child--well, is it Lord Titty?　You can feel free to call me 'king-chan' like you did before.
Nice to meet you, Lord. It would be helpful if you could call me Kanami a little more firmly.
Kanamin will forever be everyone's Kanamin, so I can't do that. If you don't like 'King-chan', then you can be the sealed 'big sister'.
'Unfortunately, I only have one family, so I'm not sure if it's possible to have a sister: ......
d*mn. It's true that I don't remember, but my guard is still up.

　I let my guard down.
　There was no doubt that the girl in front of me, Lord, had no hostile intent. Thinking back, the first time they fought, Tida was only belligerent, but the other three didn't suddenly attack her. Perhaps Tida, whose wish was 'to play', was special.
　Perhaps, but it's not a fight with this guardian (Guardian).

'I'm starting to get a bit of an idea of what kind of guy you are. So don't be afraid to ask me anymore, okay?

　I listen lightly, thinking I'm dealing with Alty and Rowen.
　If I'm not mistaken in my prediction--

"You're the Lord who rules. Are you sure you're the king from a thousand years ago?

　This girl is also a character from a thousand years ago.
　It was also, by its name, a major character (main character), no doubt.
　Hearing my question, Lord answers by changing the quality of his smile from light to heavy.

''- Haha, how true. You may not have any memories, but you know what you're doing.

　He emitted a slightly stern air.
　His language did not match his appearance at all. However, there was certainly a dignity worthy of being called a king. Perhaps this is the way he originally spoke.

''But I don't rule anyone anymore, though!

　Immediately, Lord misted away the heavy air and returned to his speaking style.
　And he insists that he is not the king now.

''So you've been swallowed up by the 'World Inquisitorial Squad' for a number of reasons, and you're a guardian (Guardian)?
'That's what I mean. But I've been neglecting fifty layers for hundreds of years now...

　Hmm .......
'Hundreds of years' and 'neglected' - I feel a little uncomfortable with that word.

'Anyway, can I assume you don't intend to antagonize me?'
'We shouldn't fight. Love and peace is the child's credo!
Well, I'm going to leave you now, but can't you stay?
What? Why?

　Sure, the Lord is friendly, but he's not entirely without concern.
　To be honest, I really don't want to get involved.

'No, I thought it would be faster to find another person to ask him about the situation than to hear it from you: ......　
Yeah. If you say that, you'll make me cry.
U......

　I retreat to the Lord, who is approaching me with really thin and teary eyes.
　That slight hesitation creates an opening for me.

"I'm not going to let you get away!

　Taking advantage of the gap, Lord pounces on me while shouting.
　I change my Dimension Multiple Deployment (Multiple) to Dimension Decisive Arithmetic (Gradient) and try to intercept it.

　However, I can't do it in time.
　Indeed, with the dimensional magic, he was able to grasp its movement. But even if I grasped it, with a speed that I couldn't deal with, Lord entered my bosom and grabbed both my arms to show me.

''--na!　

　Even though he was getting dull in his sleep, he still wasn't letting his guard down.
　I had the guts to run away as fast as I could after punching him away rather than being touched.

　However, the speed was so overwhelming that that spirit was easily reduced to a bubble. The Lord simply moved faster than anything I could do. That was it.

'Hmm, is that ......?　Kanamin, are you getting a little weak?

　Lord clasps both my wrists at close range and looks into my eyes.
　Apparently, it was unexpected that I hadn't resisted at all.
　As for us, we couldn't - but that's accurate.

'Ta-sure, maybe I'm getting weaker: ......

　I say back with strength.
　I try to unshake my hand, but I can't move as if I were locked up in a vise.
　It's true that compared to 'The Founder Kanami' and 'I who had the magic stone of the Yangtaki', they are weaker. However, it was unusual that he didn't get freaked out like this.

Hmmm. If you don't have any memories, it's only natural.

　Quickly, Lord lets go of my hand.
　Apparently, he's thinking about my weakness.
　I thought about running away in the meantime, but Lord's eyes never let go of me.

'I'll show you around, explaining things to you. You can't refuse. It's a good thing that you're able to do this. Hee hee hee.

　Then he smiles like a child (straw man) and turns to leave the room.

　I'm dripping sweat as Lord opens the door to the room and beckons me in.
　I had no choice but to follow her silently. I know that if I ignore her, I'll only get caught again.
　I have no choice but to leave the room and walk down the long hallway.
　I ask questions from the back of Lord, who is walking merrily.

Hey, Lord. Where are you going?
It's a secret. But I'll be there soon.

　I'd love to run away right now, but that's not possible.
　That speed and the ability to fly. We can't escape for sure.
　Therefore, he tries to put all his strength into the Dimension to make it fly, not with his body, but just within his perceptual range.
　But even that is not allowed.

It's forbidden. --Zyttert Wind.

　A soft breeze flows, and it is 'counter-magic'.
　I shudder at the brilliant and detailed magic construction.
　This girl isn't just fast and powerful. She also excels in magic. No, rather, I felt like this was her main business.
　Lord looks back and smirks at me.

'If you do all those easy things, you'll have a hard time later on. After all, you have to walk on your own feet and see it with your own eyes!

　Not only the movement but also my eyes are blocked and I smile bitterly.
　It's not conceit, but my Dimension's magical perfection is high. Probably, there isn't a single person on earth who can 'counter magic' the 《Dimension》. Even Hein-san in the past, when he used the same magic, it was all he could do to inhibit it. But even so, the Lord casually managed to pull off 'magic offset (counter-magic)' completely.

　If the Lord is the enemy, he has no chance. He has the power to make her think so.
　So, I can only follow behind her to keep her in a good mood.

　We walked down a long corridor that looked like the belly of a snake and turned many corners. A dim light shone through the windows that were open at regular intervals. Since I can't use 《Dimension》, I look at the windows, but I can only see the courtyard and the neighboring buildings. The only thing I can barely make out is that this huge castle is maze-like and intricate.

　At the top of a long corridor, a long staircase was also climbed. And after a few minutes of following behind Lord, we arrived at

Kanamin, we're here!

　It was a high viewing platform on the top floor of the castle.

　The scenery that jumped out at me was a spectacular view that was worth the effort of walking through it.
　And finally, I know the true meaning of where I am.

　By looking down from the top of the castle, I know the full extent of 'here'. The shape of the old castle is a cone, and within it is a garden that resembles a forest.
　That's right. This castle is so huge that it could encompass a forest.
　There is a river running around that castle. It was so big that it reminded me of the Hura River in Lauravia, with only one bridge across it. It's also a huge bridge, as if to say that it is the only place to attack this castle.
　In addition, the castle's downtown area stretched out around that river. Countless people can be seen crammed into this vast city that seems to reach the horizon. I could tell at a glance that the city was full of activity. It's a country with a name, I'm sure.

　--The only problem is the rest. But beyond that, it was too crazy.

　Further in. I turn my attention to the surroundings of the castle town.
　There's the darkened sky and the earth (・・・・・・), which is cut off around the horizon.
　I look around in amazement.

　There was no doubt about it.

　This country is no further than a city (・・・・).
　There is neither a plain nor an ocean, just nothingness. Because of this, it looks as if the castle and the city are floating in the dark sky.

'Hey, what's this ......?'
Welcome home, Kanamin!　To the Demon King's Castle of the Children!　With 《Dimension》, you couldn't be impressed by this scenery. That's the kind of loss I have in mind!
''Well, Demon King ...... and Castle ......?''
Oh, that name is Kanami. If there's a king who rules over demons, it's the Demon King's Castle.
No, it's not a name. It's not. I'm asking what is this castle or this 'here', I mean.

　It's not an ordinary place, by any means.
This is not the Labyrinth Federation, nor is it the mainland.
　If that's the case, that's all I want to know now, where did I get taken after the battle? To which Lord answers.

"'Here' (...) is in the labyrinth (・・・・・・・).

　It was too easy an answer.
　At least I thought it was outside, but my expectations were spectacularly betrayed.

This is the space that Kanamin prepared for me," he said. If we were to put it in a hierarchy, it would be the 'back of the 66th layer'.
'Ugh, back there, ......?　Is there a backstory to the labyrinth?
'It seems to be 'the other side' to be exact. In the realm of nothingness, Kanamin created it for me with dimensional magic. It's the same as the former 'northern' kingdom. I'm sure it's easy to recall here.

　Naturally, I don't have such memories.
　Then it was the 'Primordial Kanami' of a thousand years ago that did it.

　I couldn't help but get my head around the existence of this new realm.