You mean, I'm here to... fall?
'Yeah, yeah, that's what I mean. Literally, when it really came down, it took me by surprise.

　We put the pieces of information together to understand the situation.
The World's Vengeance Camp was connected to the "deepest part" of the labyrinth. There is no doubt about it. And through that 'connection', I seem to have fallen to this point.
　Immediately I confirm the most important thing.

'Hey, Lord. Is there anyone else who has fallen besides me?
I'm here. The two that fell out are Kanamin and Ryner, right?
What else?　There's supposed to be another girl: ......
Hmm. ......?　No?　Really, two. You'll know it's true when you ask Ryner later.

　I contort my face.
　Although I'm happy that I had life, without Yotaki, it means nothing.
　If what Lord is saying is true, then you are the only one left behind on the battlefield that can be called a great disaster. If that was the case, he had to go and help her now.
　He was driven by a frustration that made his blood boil - but he immediately forced himself to suppress it.
　And then, calmly, I activate a skill for this kind of situation.


[Skill 'The Pledge of the Deepest (Di Cavernator)' has been activated.　　　　　
　It stabilizes the mind in exchange for certain emotions.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption.　　　　　　　　


　I can't handle this frustration. I know.
　I've decided to build up my emotions so that I don't run out of control, resenting everything like the progenitor Kanami of a thousand years ago.
　I'll be able to separate the bad feelings from the bad feelings well enough to not run off into the darkness in a frenzy and screaming.
　Of course, I don't take it all in its entirety. It would be easier if we emptied it out, but that's not something we should do as humans. I've done that and it hurt me once.
　It's a spoonful of impatience, but just enough not to get out of control.

'Feng ......'

　Unlike the "?" skill from its incomplete form, the ? the skill "The Deepest Constraint (Dicavenanter)" can be adjusted at will.
　It's not too rational, but not too emotional either, and asks the question with optimal emotion.

'Then where is Ryner now?'

　In the meantime, let's get some friends.
　It's possible that Ryner may know what happened to the battle on the ground.

''Let's see, ......, Ryner is on a labyrinth challenge for the sixty-fifth layer.
Challenging?　Is he going into the maze by himself?
'Yeah. He left this morning, so I wonder if he'll be back any time soon?

　From the word sixty-five layers, I knew that the liner was heading to the ground.
　After all, it's important to meet up with Ryner. If we're interceded for by Haili, we should be able to work together without killing each other.

Then I'll wait for that guy.
Yeah?　So, do you want to take a stroll through the castle district while you wait and tell a story?　Aren't you hungry too?

　I'm certainly getting hungry, and I'd like to take a walk around 'here'.
　But if possible, I'd like to get away from the boss monster in front of me and gather information by myself. However, Lord's childlike eyes of pure fondness grab me and won't let go.

　It doesn't look like the Lord has something to hide from me, like Arti or Ayde.
　If anything, he looks more like a pure guardian (guardian) like Rowen. According to the earlier story, it seems that the past me, the 'Original Kanami', only favored Lord. In other words, she has a reason for favoritism.

　I'm not going to be able to say goodbye to Arti.
　If possible, I don't want to repeat the parting like that. I want to say goodbye to this girl who calls herself Lord as I did to my best friend, Rowen.
　I don't have the luxury of time now, but that doesn't mean I'm going to leave everything behind and just think about my sister. That's how I failed so many times.
　The bottom line is that it's all about balance. My sister is the first thing on my mind - but I don't want to do something so extreme (unbalanced) as to cut out everything else.
　If it was me before, I would have had a difficult sense of balance. However, the current me would be able to achieve that delicate balance. But now I have the skills to make it possible.

　I'll trust my new skill 'Deepest Constraint (Dicavenanter)' and accept Lord's proposal.

'...... Well, I'll do that, then. Lead the way, Lord.
Yeah, I get it. Follow me.

　Lord nods happily and pulls my hand back.
　And we head to the castle town.
　To get out, we walk through the empty castle. Another long staircase and a long corridor, and I pass through a dense but neatly arranged garden path. Along the way, I try magic other than Dimension.

　Naturally, I can't build icy magic.
　The next one I tried was Connection. However, I don't feel like I can hold my counterpart, Connection. As far as his status is concerned, his maximum MP has not decreased. It seemed that he had unconsciously deactivated it during the Palinclone battle.

　And the most painful thing is the disconnection of the 'connection' with the Reaper.
　Due to being exposed to so many disarming magic, the 'connection', which resembles a solid curse, was lost. This means that I can't even tell my friends on earth that I'm safe.

　It only reaffirmed the urgency of the situation.
　My face naturally twisted.

　While I'm trying, I pass through the large garden and go through the castle gate.
　The gates are left open as there is no one to manage them.

　Finally, we pass the bridge and arrive at the city.
　At that moment, the world changed.
　We passed through the colorless, silent castle and found ourselves in a brightly colored, bustling city.

　The city was full of vitality, a different vector from the Maze Confederacy, which was decorated with gems and ores.
There was not a single 'magic stone line'. Instead, stones and plants carefully took the edges of the path. The path is not made of stones, but soft earth, which is gentle on the feet. Above all, it reminds me of my true home.
　The smell of nature is strong, and I can feel the peacefulness of the countryside.

　The houses lining the road are old. There are almost no brick houses, only wooden ones. There are few high two-story houses and most of them are flat.
　Unlike the United Kingdom, which was probably built by carving out nature, this country was built to be one with nature. It's a gentle country.

　The quality of the people on the street is also different.
　There is not a single person carrying a dangerous weapon. It's a sight you'd never see in the Maze Confederacy.
　The serenity of the city is evident in the guise of the people. I knew at a glance that this is a country that is not associated with war, let alone petty strife.

　But there is one thing that is a bit odd.
　I had to observe carefully to understand it, but I was good at "seeing" things, so I soon found out. Among the people passing in front of the bridge - there was not a single pure human being.
　Surprisingly, there are only beastmen. Everyone had some kind of animalistic trait around their ears or tails, and occasionally someone walked by who looked almost like a monster.

'Lord ....... This is a recreation of the 'North' from a thousand years ago, right?
Yeah.
They're all beastmen.
I heard they call them beastmen nowadays. A thousand years ago, they were called demons. A thousand years ago, the 'North' was the last paradise for the beastmen.

　Lord says as if it's nothing.
　I feel a little shadowed by the story and decide not to ask for details. I'm going to assume that's what this city is about.

　If Lord's story is true, then this is the Kingdom of the 'North' ...... of a thousand years ago.
　I walk around, looking around with interest.

''Kanamin!　Well, let's go get something to eat anyway. I know a good place, I'll take you there!

　The Lord tries to blend in with the city as he is used to it.
　However, the attention of those around him is inevitable.
　From the relatively charming rabbit-eared and dog-eared beastmen to the full-body scaled lizard-man, all kinds of beastmen's eyes turn to us.

　As a full human, I seem to be in the minority here.
　As I was wondering if that's why they think it's so rare, a cat-eared girl came running up to me. Behind her stands a cat-eared adult woman who seems to be her parents. In the Maze Confederation, I've only seen one cat-eared girl. From the looks of it, it looks like there are a lot of beast ears here.

''Lord-sama!　Hello!
Hello. It's another beautiful day, Beth.

　Is it a nice day?
　No, it's completely cloudy: .......
　If this were a game, it would be a black sky that would be completely ruled by a demon king or something .......

　But the cat-eared girl called Beth looks up at the black sky and replies with a smile.

'Yeah, nice weather!　--More importantly, my dear Lord!　The guy over here is the example!

　The finger was pointed at me.

''Mm. We are the Demon King's Army, the Knight Commander of the Kingsguard, Kanamin!
Oh, my God!　I knew it was real!　That legend!　But it's all so normal!　He's like a human being!
Try to feel it. Kanamin is without a doubt the most powerful 'witch' in the world.
'Wow, it's true. Amazing magic ......!

　The girl looked at me with a yearning expression.
　I could only give her an affectionate smile.

''I'm going to go tell everyone that the Commander-sama is up!

　The girl runs off like a cat.
　In its place, others are approaching. They seem to have been watching for the right moment to call out to her the whole time. The girl's innocent greeting seemed to be the catalyst for them.
　Affectionate smiles froze in the air as people with monstrous appearances mixed in with them. Some had wings like birds, some had fins like fishes, and some were really various.

''Heh, this is the Commander of the Konoe Guard ......?　It looks very different from the legend: ......
'But as far as I can see in The Conjuring, I'm pretty sure it's not a person.
I heard you're a true 'witch', but you don't look very strong at all.
'You're not wearing anything. I was told it was a masked knight: ......

　They are priced out by beastmen, young and old.
　The Lord interrupts them and tries to get rid of the crowd of people.

''But it's peaceful 'here', so we don't need a Knight Commander!　Look, I'm not going to stare at you just because you're rare!　You can always see me!

　The people around me follow suit with a wry smile.

'Yeah, that's right. That's right, knights, it's none of our business.
I know. After all, it's a conflict-free world.
I'll see you later. Kanami.

　A quick wave to me, a newcomer, and then they leave.
　It's unusual, but that's all there is to it. Without any increase in interest, people are dispersing.

　I'm tempted to wave to them as well.
　However, my heart is not calm.

　This fantastic world is distorted.
　Confused by the eeriness of it, Lord takes me by the hand and we walk through the city.

　I felt as if I had wandered into a fairy tale.
　Outside the city is darkness. This is the kingdom of the "North" that should not have existed a thousand years ago. And here, I am the "Founder Kanami" and the "Knight Commander of the Konoe".
　If I hadn't been convinced that I was 'I am me' in the battle with Palinclone, I would have gone crazy.

''Ro, Lord, how does everyone know about me?''
That's because a thousand years ago, in the Northern Kingdom, Kanamin was famous.

　I don't know what the hell you're doing. I, the original me .......
　But when was 'here' a thousand years ago in the first place?
　As I recall, in my memory, there was a story about heading to the 'north' with Apostle Sith. The purpose of that trip was 'to gather magical power'. And as a result of gathering magic power - Yotaki became a 'monster'.
　Is 'here' a story (thing) in between, or is it a more different time: .......

　Even though it's roughly a thousand years ago, the scope is wide.
　While struggling with period studies, we come to a large house that is one of the largest in the city.
　Reading a large sign, we found out that this is a 'Diner (Restaurant)'.

　Lord entered the restaurant like a regular, and we were led to the back of the shop.
　The interior of the hall was close to a tavern, but the private room in the back was as opulent as a nobleman's room.

'It's a VIP room!　After all, a child is a road!

　To the waitress girl who came to take his order, Lord said, "The whole menu! I replied cheerfully.
　Lord smiled at the pale clerk and chased him away.

Bring me more than that!　It's a recovery celebration!
Yes!

　In a great hurry, the waitresses run off and the kitchen in the back of the room becomes hectic.
　And in the blink of an eye, the food is laid out on a table in a private room. I thought I was going to order something absurd, but this diner answered it with aplomb. As someone who works in the same restaurant, I was amazed at the sophistication of this restaurant.

''I'll leave it on the table for you today, just keep eating.
I'll take .......

　I take 'chopsticks' to eat before it gets cold.
　Then I noticed something unusual.
　The food and the dishes on the table are so familiar to me. It's not that I'm used to seeing them in the bars of the Allied Waldo.
　I was surprised to see the familiar items on the table from the original world.

　I use my chopsticks to put something that resembles a Japanese bowl of boiled rice into my mouth.
　The taste of sake and soy sauce spreads in my mouth. Perhaps mirin is also used.

'Delicious ....... Or rather, why is this condiment here ......
That's true. And it was Kanami-san who taught me this.
I'm ......?

　What are you really doing at "The Original Kanami" .......

　I plunge in, tucking into a nostalgic taste of my hometown.
　If you look closely, the interior of the restaurant is very close to my world. Even the staff's costumes are arranged just like their uniforms. It's a culture that didn't exist in the Maze Confederacy.
I can see the traces of the Gentiles' steady missionary work.

''No, let's leave that aside. There are more important things to talk about than that.''

　But now it's irrelevant. I shake my head and remind myself of the main issue.
　Now that I can finally sit down, I'm going to go over the details.

'Okay, let's take it slow, shall we?
"Before I came here, I was on the ground ....... Then there was me, Ryner, and a sleeping girl there. Do you really not know that last girl, Lord?
'Hmmm, I really don't know. The two people who fell here are Ryner and Naminami. If anyone of the third person breaks in, I'm sure the child (wara) will notice.

　It doesn't look like Lord is lying.
　While chewing on that fact, however, I calmly proceed with the story.

''So that's why only Ryner woke up first and headed to the labyrinth.
That's what I mean. We wanted to give them more hospitality since they are our guests. We could have had a national festival. But Reiner refused to go. Hey, Kanamin, do you want to hold a festival?
'I won't. I don't have time for that.

　His tone was naturally harsh.
　While my new skills have allowed me to try to remain calm, I'm not perfect.
　Seeing the frustration, Lord sensed my inner feelings.

''Hmm, could it be that you're in a hurry for something related to Yotaki-chan?''

　He dared not mention his name. And yet, easily, Lord mentioned his sister Youtaki's name.

''...... Do you know about Yotaki too?''
Yeah, I know. That's why you wanted to get revenge on the whole world, right?
Then you know what happens afterwards?
'After you got your revenge?　I don't know about that. Because before that, Warawa was betrayed by Kanamin and died.

　He even easily exposes the cause of his own death.
　At least it's not something you say while you're mumbling and chewing on a mouthful of food.

'Oh, is that true?'
Really, really.
Well, ......, maybe, but do you have a grudge against The Original Kanami (me)?
'Nope. I don't care about that anymore. Because it was you who asked me to betray you.
What?
"Kanamin made the child's wish come true. And after her death, she prepared such a good world only for the child (Warawa). That's why the child (Warawa) loves Kanami!
'Wait a minute, what's going on with you and me?　I don't see it at all: ......
'Hmm, I don't want to tell you because I honestly don't want to remember. I mean, I'm so jealous of your complete lack of memory!　Oh, I wish I could forget the children too: ......
But you're the only one who can tell me what happened a thousand years ago. Maybe a little.

　Many of the guardians (guardians) are dead, and now the only people who know what happened a thousand years ago are the Reapers, the Apostle Sith and the Aids. If possible, he wanted to gather as much information as possible here.
　However, Lord shakes his head while leaking the enormous amount of magic power he had been hiding.

''-- The past (・・・・・), it doesn't matter (・・・・・・) anymore (・・・・・). Because it doesn't matter on earth or 'north' anymore. Because the child has found peace here. So I don't care about the old wish or world peace anymore!

　Lord says with a smile.
　They look very happy, but I felt that they are distorted to the core. Just like the world (here), it is distorted.
　Underneath the brightness, I feel a sense of danger peculiar to guardians (guardians).
　Because he has a regret that he cannot die, he cannot be satisfied no matter how long he tries to live. However, even he doesn't understand the mortality of this regret. All I can see is that I'm wandering through a miserable and pathetic afterlife.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to say to your friends.
　I don't know too much about him. And I'm being unilaterally exposed to "Kanami" too much. I thought it would be better not to provoke them and make things worse.

'Wow, okay, ....... You don't want the past to be a part of this anymore. You want to live here in peace. Are you sure you want that?
I see.
'Then you can live slowly. But I'm sure me and Ryner will have to leave soon.
Mmmm, that's what Ryner said. You should have more fun in here.
'Then I'll come back when I've done what I need to do on earth. We'll play together then.
Hm!　It's a promise!

　For now, I promise to part ways peacefully. Since Lord doesn't seem to be in need of distress, it's likely that I'll only be able to sit down and face her when all my friends are present.

　The rest of us continue to wait for Ryner while making sure about 'here'.
　The food on the table is decreasing as I look at it. I'm a small eater, but the Lord is consuming a horrible amount of food at a horrible rate. I could feel the difference in race-based differences from the amount of food I was eating.
　When I asked him about it, the Lord replied, "The Flying Winged Race," a race I had never heard of in the Maze Confederacy. It's probably around Snow's relatives.

　While we were talking for a bit, everything on the table was nearly gone.
　Caught by her gutsy appetite, I sip my soup as a garnish. And then I found a taste of home again.

It's really good. I mean, isn't this miso soup?
The dishes Kanamin taught me to make were further popularized by Warawa in the city. Aren't they the best!
'Oh, calm down: ......'

　I know I don't have much time, but I'm overwhelmed by the murderous sumptuous ingredients.
　I tuck the hot miso soup into my stomach and let out a warm breath. I squint and stare blankly into the air.
　I was definitely in a state of peace right now.

　--But the sound of the aftermath of all this is broken.
　The door to the VIP room is roughly opened and a blonde boy enters. Although his clothes were slightly different, there was no mistaking it. It was a waiting liner.

'Don't be calm, Christ......!

　The first thing I open up is to blame me for being distracted.
　Reiner approaches, making loud footsteps.
　Lord welcomes the rude guest with a smile.

'Ryner, welcome back!'
'Lord, I know you're in a hurry because there's no one in the castle. You could at least leave a note.
'Oh, come to think of it, yes. I forgot.

　Scratching his head, Lord apologizes, "I'm sorry," he says.
　I'm also talking to Ryner, who is staring at it with a dumbfounded face.

I'm sure you'll be fine. Thank goodness ......
Yeah, he's fine.

　Realizing we were eating, Ryner sat down unceremoniously at an empty seat.

'Ryner, I'm sorry this is so sudden, but can you tell me what happened to you after you defeated that Palinkron guy?'
I know. I'll explain in a minute. We need to get out of here as soon as possible.

　Ryner replies as he picks at his spread of food.
　He must have anticipated my desire for information. He begins to explain without stagnation.

After that battle, both of us were swallowed up by the World Consecration Army when our strength ran out. We borrowed Christ's sword and protected our bodies with the crystal, so we didn't get dissolved, but we were dropped deep into the continent. It's here. 'Behind the Labyrinth'.
'Is it just the two of us ......?　The other--
"I'm sorry, but we're the only two people who fell. Your sister was taken off the face of the earth while you were unconscious. It was the Guardian Aide who took her.

　I guess that question was expected, too.
　Unlike Lord, clearly Ryner cleared up the question.
　However, when Ayd's name was mentioned, Lord's meal stopped for a moment. It seems there is no doubt that the 'one who steals the logic of the tree' and the 'one who steals the logic of the wind', the two are not unfamiliar to each other.
　At any rate, Ayd said proudly that he was waiting for the 'King of Governing' (Lord).

''Ayd ......, that guy ......?''
I'm sorry. I didn't know at the time that she was your sister.
''No, why would a guardian (guardian) use Yangtaki ......?''
'Aide is a teacher by nature and a founding idiot to the core. Probably, it's all about recruiting people for the founding of the country. I've always said that the country needs strength. From what Lord told me, that boy Hitaki is ridiculously strong, isn't he?　I'm sure it's because of that.
d*mn, that's what it's all about: ....... But Yotaki is asleep. It's an unusual cursed sleep. It shouldn't have been very effective .......
That's the id. ...... I'm a top-notch guy when it comes to non-combat magic. Isn't there some way to wake her up?

　It wasn't a bad story to get Yangtaki up.
　He was a strict guardian (Guardian) to me, but he was a polite guy to the rest of us. The fact that the children of the Demon Stone Humans (Jewelculus) liked him as well, so it's probably not a lie to say that Ryner has a teacher's nature.
　Probably, he should be sincere to Yotaki as well.

　However, I can't leave it up to you forever.
　It's my mission to protect Youtaki.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get to the bottom of this.

I'm sure you're right. I'm sure you'll agree with me that we should return to the ground as soon as possible and get everything back. I agree with that.

　After finishing his plucking, Ryner left his seat.

''I have to go protect the present human god as soon as possible.

　And then he said something that he would never have said before. His appearance was the very definition of a knight. Finally, he seems to have found his true self.

''Ryner. Don't you and Rastiara have any more fights?
"Fight," I said, "I meant to kill each other." ...... Well, you're right, there will be no more fights, as you say. From now on, I'm going to do my brother's will and knight that woman.
Good. I'm glad to hear it.

　That's the equivalent of being one of mine.
　When we get back on earth, I'll introduce Rainer to everyone. I'm sure the women who have been opposed to him for a long time will be convinced when they see him now.

'Well then, I think it's time for us to leave the store. Christ has a lot of work to do. We don't have much time, so let's hurry to the labyrinth.
Yeah, sure. Let's go.

　Reiner tries to leave the room, and I try to follow him from behind.
　But in the process, my legs get tangled up and I nearly fall.

You're still not in the right state of mind. That's a big deal, the magical stone was removed.

　His physical condition had improved, but the lack of balance was the only thing that could be done about it. The vitality of the two of us has suddenly become half of what it used to be. Even the simple act of walking could cause anxiety.

　But Reiner, seeing this, gives another reason: "Don't push it, Christ.

"Take it easy, Christ. After all, I heard you've been asleep for a year.
Yeah, I know. You've been asleep for a long time, have you--......?

　But one word in it cut me off.
　It was a word I couldn't stop hearing.

'-- is a year?'
Yeah, a year. Lord says it's been almost a year since that fight. I'm telling you, there's no time to settle down.

　Quickly, I turn to Lord, who is hastily biting into his mouth with the table's leftovers. She chews her food gaggingly, swallowing it forcefully and explaining.

'Huh. It's because the crystal is too hard. That's because the crystal is too hard.　It's not the child's fault!

　It seemed to be true.
　I had sensibly thought it had only been about a day, but the reality was not so sweet.
　I saved my life, but before I knew it, I was being made to pay the price for it.

　One year.
　I'm worried about Yotaki and Dia, but I'm also worried about my friends that I left on earth in this situation.
　I'm sure they will wait quietly for a few days, but for a year, it's a different story.

　But a year is a different story.
　The girls have the power to make me feel that way.

　We have more reasons to return to earth as soon as possible.
　The head that had become somewhat clear after the battle with Palinkron starts to ache again.

　I also understood why Ryner was in a hurry.

''Yes, let's hurry. ......!

　As I sipped my miso soup, I realized that there was no time to relax.