Hah, hah. ......

　He sits down in his chair, breathing on his shoulders as he finishes his blacksmithing work.

''Hm. You've really been following me. ......

　Mr. Reynand looked at it with admiration.
　It seemed to be worth it to him to do the job with all his strength. But in return, most of his physical strength was reduced.

''Le, Reynand-san, are you always this busy ......?
Hmm. If I was this busy every day, I'd be a dry bag by now.

　At my confirmation, Reynand shakes his head.

'Isn't it ......?'

　Even I am approaching a monster and this is the amount of work I have to do to breathe on my shoulder. As I thought, today's blacksmithing was unusual.

I was going to make him give up the job, but he came along so easily. ......
I knew it: "I knew it. ......

　I knew something was wrong when they started hammering back the repaired items after the hardware in the warehouse was empty.
　Apparently, it was all just to harass me.
　I could only smile bitterly now.

　Seeing this, Reynand-san also smiled thinly.

''You've really changed, kid ....... You used to be so short-tempered .......

　I squint at him nostalgically. There seems to be another me sitting in Reynand-san's mind. Perhaps it's the 'Original Kanami' that the Apostle Sith and Guardian (Guardian) Aide know.

'If it was a monk back then, he would have immediately clicked his tongue and said, "It's too much trouble, I'm going to stop. Things have really changed. ...... No, maybe this is the original monk. The first time I met him, he had the same expression on his face as he does now. ...... Hmm, that's a really fond memory.

　Mr. Reynand continued to speak alone. The information was definitely from a thousand years ago.

'Well, are you going to tell me what happened a thousand years ago ......?'

　When I saw him yesterday, he interrupted me softly, but now he looks a little different. It looks like the old story is about to begin as it is.
　Mr. Reynand shows a slightly troubled expression and asks me for a spell with a serious look on his face.

'Kid,' he said, 'where is the Lord now? Find out where the Lord is now.
'Er, ah, yes ......'

　The power of this was overwhelming, and I quickly cast the Dimension as soon as I could.
　Although I only lightly spread it out, I immediately knew where the Lord was. In the garden of a certain mansion, the scissors crackled. Next to him, Ryner was helping him.

'He's working on an amazing mansion. That guy really is a gardener.
'A mansion or ....... Hmm, that's probably a good distance. But we'll talk in the warehouse. Okay, come on over.

　There's no consideration for me. I can be forced to change places. Then Mr. Reynand took a seat on a handy table.

But you have a good instinct for choosing my place of business. That's what I'm talking about. I'm one of the few left.

　Leaving me to catch up with my understanding, Reynand-san continues to talk.
　It seems to be a story that she can't afford to hear, given that she was concerned about Lord's eyes.

'I wouldn't have intended to tell you anything if it was the rough lad I met the second time, but now the lad can tell you everything. I will tell you what I know. I'll tell you what I know about this place, Vyasia, from a thousand years ago.
...... please.

　There was no reason to refuse. He nodded without hesitation.

'In return--help the Lord's guy. Perhaps we can't save him anymore.

　He had a severely pensive look on his face.
　From his dark face, one could guess that the jovial guardian (Guardian) was in a bad state.

'Saving the Lord?　After all, is she in such a state now that you need to save her?

　I had expected this, but once again I gasped in the face of facts.

I've been trying my best here for a thousand years, but it's impossible. The person himself, Lord, says "that's enough, thank you," but nothing has been resolved. He hasn't been able to get rid of his feelings at all in a thousand years.
...... You know about the guardians (guardians), Mr. Reynand.

　The fact that the word "unrepentant" was mentioned shows that he understands how it all works.

'Yes, I know. To be precise, all of us in Vieisia know that this is a space to kill the Lord's man. This is the space where you can kill the Lord's man.
The Space to Kill the Lord: ......

　I raise an eyebrow at that boisterous word. Perhaps I made it up. I wait for Reynand's words to get the full story.

"'Here' is the space that the monk created for Lord. Hence, 'here' is everything the Lord wanted at the time. If the Lord's unrequited desire was 'Peace in Vyssia', then it would be perfect. But the Lord's unrequited love was not the 'Peace of Viaissia'. It was the first hundred years that he realized that. Then, in the second hundred years, the world began to crumble, and in the third hundred years, people's souls began to break down, and after five hundred years, everything went wrong.

　Mr. Reynand spoke so matter-of-factly that I could not immediately understand the words, which were too miserable to understand. But I could sense a sliver of that suffering in the words crumbling, broken and mad.

'As I'm sure you've already noticed, most of this city was created by 'recall convergence' (drop) from the memories of the continent. People and things. But most of their souls are worn out, and they no longer retain their original forms. Like my grandchildren outside, they have lost all memory of their past, and have become mere re-creators of the Peace of Viesia. The irony is that although this was a world that wears away the Lord's soul, only the Lord is left with a clear memory. That idiot's 'soul' is too stubborn.

　By comparing it with the Lord's information, I've gradually learned about 'here' - 'Viaisia'.
　A thousand years ago, when creating the labyrinth, 'Original Kanami' tried to repay 'Lord' for his help. That's why he deliberately created a separate 'Space for All Wishes to Come True' just for her. It's the 'World of Peace in Vieissia', and everyone thought that if they lived there, the Lord would fulfill his passions - everyone thought. The Ancestor Kanami, the people of Viaisia, and the Lord himself.
　But that was not to be the case.
　Perhaps the Lord was supposed to disappear in a hundred years or so. But even now, a thousand years later, the Lord still exists in the same state as a thousand years ago. On the contrary, it was the People of Vieissia, the producers of the Peace of Vieissia, who disappeared.

　We are beginning to see the laws (rules) of this uncomfortable world.
　But it's too unhelpful: .......
　That's why Raynand-san wants me, from outside the world, to save the Lord.

'I see, I've got it all figured out ....... But if you know that, it means that Reynand-san's 'soul' is also the stubborn one, right?
No, most of my memory is already faded. It's just that I was more of a monster than a thousand years ago (・・・・・). That's why I have a little bit of ego left - or maybe not. I'm not sure if it's because I've developed a desire to not be able to leave my lord behind. Hmph. ......

　Mr. Reynand smiled thinly, kindly. But that smile was too terrific.
　Even though my age is said to be over a thousand years old, I haven't lived for twenty years in my experience. I can imagine a thousand years of watching over the Lord, but I can't feel it close to me.
　I can only vaguely understand the tremendous amount of suffering he must have gone through.

'Lord - he began to tell himself that he was saved, that he had been saved, that he had been rewarded, that this was all right, that everything was over. For hundreds of years now, all the time. Yeah, there's no way it can't be broken. So, I need you to help him. I know it's not right to ask a monk to do this, but I'll ask nonetheless.

　Mr. Reynand's head was lowered when he thought he would not lower it to anyone. It was for one girl, Lord.
　It was an unthinkable situation from the way he had behaved yesterday.

'I thought Mr. Raynand didn't like Lord.
...... Yeah, I hate it. I hate the Lord and the monk. After all, because of you two, all the People of Vieissia are dead. Even his grandson playing outside is dead. Yes, they're all dead. And that's why the debtor lords won't leave.
'Because of me and Lord?　Can you tell me more about that?
'All right. The boy should know," he said. ...... We Northern nations were at war with the Southern nations. And the Lord was the head and the flag of the war. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it. They left all the soldiers they had led behind and abandoned the people they had been protecting and dazzled their whereabouts.
'Well, I don't blame them for resenting you for that: ......

　In a manner of speaking, they are all killed by the abandonment of their chief executives.
　I am amazed at the depth of heart of the people of Viasia who are warmly accepting those two war criminals.

'However, that's not the point. It's enough. In fact, everyone here has had enough of that. As for the grudge from a thousand years ago, this space has functioned properly. Everyone should have been able to forgive each other. However, it didn't end with Lord. Perhaps it's because he's bound by his unrequited love, but he won't diminish his presence at all, no matter how long it takes.
Do you have any idea what that Lord has been up to?
I am at a loss. The only thing that he was willing to give up was something that the King of Vyssia could not achieve, even if he had to give up everything. That much I do know. ...... Do you understand, monk?

　I'm guessing.
　Considering the tendency of the guardians so far, Lord has some regrets that he doesn't even know he has. Or, it's something she knows, but can't fulfill.

　Her true unrequited love.
　Honestly, I can't imagine it. Not without the memories of the past, it's impossible.

No, I have no idea. ......
I see. It still hurts that you've lost your memory. ......
'Sorry ......'
No, I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry, too. ...... But I think that the reason why the monk is here now is because of the Lord. But I think that the reason the boy has appeared nowadays is because of the Lord.

　I know what is expected of me.
　That's why Mr. Reynand explored my character through his blacksmithing work.
　And, anticipating his character, he tells me everything sincerely and even bows his head to ask for help.

　The dilemma torments me and makes my chest tighten.
　Right now, my biggest concern is on the ground. That's why I was trying to trick the Lord and head to the ground as fast as I could. I was planning the exact opposite of what Reynand-san asked for.
　But now that I've heard about Lord's current situation, I'm beginning to think a little bit that maybe I should help her first.

　The weight of 'now' and 'past' is being weighed in the balance.
　But sadly, the answer to which is heavier has already been given. So I had no choice but to answer vaguely, "I'm trying to do the best I can.

'I'll try to do the best I can: ......'
'No, that's fine. Just think about it. I'm the one who's asking for the impossible: ......

　Nevertheless, Mr. Reynand agreed with me. He probably sensed that I was more focused on the ground than on the road. But he said that it was okay with him.

　Then we silently cleaned up the workshop and finished the day's work.
　After receiving our daily allowance, we are about to leave the house to return to the castle.

''Ah, um, Knight Commander-sama!　Please wait!

　But Beth stops me at the doorway. Just like in the morning, her face is still on fire.
　She rushes to my side and hands me a cookie on a beautiful peach-colored handkerchief.

'While you were at work, I baked you some candy!　If you'd like, you can have it!

　I could tell from her trembling shoulders that she had the courage to say it.

'Thanks. I'll take it.'

　I nodded, unable to cripple her courage.
　But I realized that my hand was shaking as much as hers as I was about to receive it.
　I suppressed it and put the cookie in my mouth with a smile.

　The rare sugar content of the pastry soaks into my tired body. Even though I'm a fussy cook, I can't say that the cookies were any less delicious.
　To be exact, it was close to the sweets in my world - or maybe not.
　The taste is so nostalgic that I can only think (・・・・・・・・) that I taught it to them (・・・・・・・・・).

'It's amazingly good ....... You're really good at making sweets: ......
'Ehehe, that was good!　I'll make another one!　Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

　With a sigh, Beth waved her hand. From the look on her face, there was no doubt that she had a fondness for me.
　Probably the Beth-chan of a thousand years ago adored the 'Primordial Kanami' of a thousand years ago.
　But even so, it seems that the Founder Kanami left everyone, including this one, to die.

　I think that the resentment towards the "Sith Apostle" made him do that, but even so, it's not something I can easily accept. I'm going to be blamed for what I've done, but I manage to smile back.

''Umm, yeah, I'll be looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.''
'See you tomorrow!　Sir Knight Commander!

　Thus, I finish the first day's work.
　The blacksmithing work with Reynand-san had yielded more than the growth of the copper coins and skills that had accumulated in 'possessions'.
　What me and Lord did in the past. I learned the beginning of that story.
　The mood couldn't have been more depressing, even though we were only standing at the entrance to 'here'.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　In the time between morning and evening, his MP had recovered about half of it.
　Although he was drained of his energy instead, there was no problem at all for developing magic.

　In order to develop a new dimensional magic, he continued to experiment with magic in his room again.
　Since I've mastered 《Default》, I'll concentrate on practicing 《Distance Mute》 next.
　Concentrating the magic power of the dimensional attribute on my hand, I try touching the desk and chair with the image of putting my hand into the 'possession'. Then your fingertips will slip through, as if you were touching a three-dimensional image.
　However, they cannot interfere with the contents of the object just because they slip through. What's more, he cannot use his whole arm like in "The First Kanami".
　With this, he could only pass through a simple Connection. Or he simply deployed the Sword that Severed the Dimension (Die Flamberge) on his finger and shifted the thing's position.

　I understand that the magic up until now and the "Distance Mute" are two different things.
　If anything, it's more like the Dimension Graduation Operation (Dimension Graduation) [Realize].
　That was a magic that increased the dimension you see by one.
　And 《Distance Mute》 would be a magic that would increase the dimension you touch by one.

　If I didn't challenge the [Dimensional Reason] at the cost of my life, I might not be able to acquire that feeling.
　If this was in battle, I would challenge it without hesitation, but in peacetime, I would want to play it safe. It's not too late to do a little more research - but while I'm saying that, the ground may be in serious trouble - and again I shake the balance in my mind and ponder.

　Of course, I don't believe that if I can accurately weigh the balances, that would be the best option. If it was rational and everything would work out, I wouldn't be here right now.

　As I continue to grunt and groan in my private room, I hear a noise from a distance.
　Immediately, I stop developing magic and skip the Dimension.

　There shouldn't be anyone in this castle.
　If there are people here--.

It's a child!　I got it!　And mix in the children!

　The window is opened with a crunch and Lord comes into the room. You can tell that he has come over to you by the fact that an apologetic-looking Ryner is clinging to his waist, overcoming his restraint.

'From what I've heard, you two are having a nice dinner together at night!　Why didn't you call me yesterday!

　Apparently, he couldn't allow us to have our own dinner.
　Lord, carrying a large burlap sack on his back, stuffs me with laughter with his canine teeth peeking out. It seems that the bag contains a large amount of foodstuffs.

　My heart hurts to see that childlike Lord.
　The Lord seems innocent, but perhaps he's too damaged inside to see straight. He is crumbling, broken, and crazy, to the point that he makes Ms. Reynand say that he is crumbling, broken, and crazy.
　I couldn't bear to kick him out of the room, thinking that that smile is the way of life of a girl who has lived for a thousand years. So I answer as close a friend as I can.

'...... I'm making our meals with our money. There's no reason to call Lord, is there?
But they are friends, aren't they? Shouldn't we invite them out of respect for the landlord?
'No, I don't think of you as a friend, nor do I want to respect you as a landlord: ......
What?　Plain and terrible!
'Oh, you can eat if you want to pay for it, okay?　Just three silver coins per meal. Please note that there is an additional charge for friends.
'It's not just terrible, it's outrageous!　Wow, okay. I'll give you a discount on the rent over here.
'Just say that from the start. We don't have the money to afford it, so we'll go tight on anything that involves money.
Hmmm, even though it's a child, it's a bit too harsh for me: ......
"If you pay me the gold for your friendship, we're friends from this day forward. Or you can send us to earth and we'll be best friends.
'Let's not be that kind of deal-making friend!
'Look, just tell me how much cheaper your rent is going to be. That amount will determine how much of Reiner's food you can eat.
Well, um, so it's about half price then?
So that's about half a man's worth.
What's that math?
I'm just kidding. In the meantime, Ryner, you can get on with your dinner. I'm starving, too.

　After we finish chatting, I ask Ryner for help.
　Ryner confirms with his eyes that he doesn't mind having the Lord there, so I nod and return it.
　I'm already at the bottom of the MP needed for magic development. I was just wondering if I should use magic at the cost of my life. At least, I'm not going to do it today.

'All right, Christ. I'm going to go to the kitchen. I'll be right back.
'Oh, I knew we should make these things together!　As a friend, it's all about fellowship!
............

　Maybe he's doing it unconsciously, but the damage to me is so heavy on my mind that I want him to weigh himself a little more.
　Knowing what's going on, the desperation of the situation is too sad.
　After hundreds of years of saying goodbye to the people of the city and now living with the people of the city with no substance, the word 'friend' is too heavy.

'Yeah, right ....... Would it be faster for the three of us to do it together ......?

　So, I'm naturally sweet.
　I allow the three of us to head to the kitchen together.

'Good!　I'll cut up your vegetables and stuff!　I'd rather just leave the cutting to you!
...... Anyway, now that we know you have no cooking skills. Keep it as quiet as possible.
Yes!

　We leave the room and walk through the quiet, empty castle.
　If you've lived in this castle alone for a thousand years, you can understand why the new tenants, us, are so excited to see us.

　The three of us cooked dinner together, keeping up with Lord's nonsense.
　And what was lined up was a sketchy meat dish and bread.
　Lord had been boasting that he would cut vegetables, but he was very picky like a child, so in the end, meat dishes were the main focus.
　We started with a steak with plenty of Viisian spices, chicken and seaweed soup, and steamed wild boar wrapped in greens. Adding Lord's taste to our manly cooking had created a terrible nutritional balance.

　Lord doesn't stop chatting while poking at his dinner. Rather, he just accelerates.
　In the middle of it all, I shake the conversation about magic.
　I wanted to know the details of the magic I was teaching Ryner.　

'Come to think of it, Lord is teaching Ryner some magic. Did Ryner learn any new wind magic?
'Nah, Reiner really doesn't have much sense, you know. I can only remember two things.

　Lord laughs at his pathetic apprentice, and Ryner sulks.

'You're too crazy. "You are too crazy, don't compare yourself to the legendary king of a thousand years ago. It's amazing how much magic you can acquire in just a few days on earth!
Reiner!　Look up, not down!　No, the ground is up here, so ......, look down, not up!　Is it?　Anyway, don't be satisfied with the status quo. There are many ridiculously strong monsters in the world, so it's better to be diligent. Like the Kanamis there and the knights of the South!
'Christ and Mr. Rowen or ....... I certainly hope to get past those two someday, though. ......
Hmm?　Ryner, how do you know the name Aleis? Are you going to be famous on Earth in a thousand years?　After death and all that, he's still the same guy.
'No, Mr. Rowen was a Guardian of the Thirty Layers, so I've met him on earth.
'Wow. ....... I mean, he's on the ground now: ......
'No, he's gone. Mr. Loewen was defeated by Christ.
What?

　Lord was naturally convinced that Rowen was alive.
　But Ryner shook his head to correct that misconception. Then Lord looked as if he had seen the sun rise from the west.
　The expression on his face doesn't change forever, so I follow up on Ryner's words.

'Yeah, I beat Rowen,'
That guy.... Kanami?　Really?
It's true.
What?　Did you set him up in a trap?
I beat him in a duel.
'Is that a duel in terms of long range fire from another country?'
"In the middle of the arena, with an audience, I faced them properly and beat them in a duel-style fight.
'Face it properly ......?　Oh, I mean, does that mean we took a hostage?
'No, I'm not trying to riddle you. It was a real head-to-head fight.
What?　I don't believe it for a second: ....... As far as Kanamin is concerned right now, I don't think he's going to win. ......
...... Well, maybe it's not so hard to believe.

　Honestly, I believe that the victory over Rowen was the result of a number of coincidences.
　And it was only with the help of the Reapers that I was able to put an end to the Monster Stealer of the Earth.
　For crying out loud, I can't say I'm stronger than Rowen.

　But for some reason, Ryner starts to deny it out loud.

'Lord, we're not lying about anything. Without a doubt, Christ is a better swordsman than Mr. Rowen. And the proof of that is that Christ has inherited Mr. Rowen's sword.

　Ryner appeals to me with his eyes, so I have no choice but to take out the "Treasured Sword of the Aleiss Family, Rowen" from my "possessions".

'This magic ......, could this be Lowen Alais ......?'
Ah, the magic stone of Rowen. It fulfilled an unrequited desire to become a sword. By the way, the swordsmanship of the Alais family has been passed down to me and Ryner.
'Heh, that's what happens when you die properly: ......'

　The Lord gazes intently at the crystal sword on the table. However, he does not take it in his hand and try to touch it.
　With a somewhat frightened but slightly longing expression, he confirms his future appearance.

''Hey, what was it like to duel with that guy?　I'm very interested in this thing. After all, he's a monster that couldn't be defeated in the northern countries, even if you tried to use a mass strategy. I can't even imagine that he would be defeated.
...... Right. Looking back on it now, I think my duel with Rowen started from the moment we met. It was a battle to see how I could understand Rowen's fencing skills.
Uh-huh. So....

　I tell Ryner, who is standing next to me, the story of how I met Rowen and how we parted ways in an intimate way. Ryner has always had a lot of respect for Rowen. I'm sure he would like to know.

"-and I'm going to the 'ball' to get my memory back.
'Hmm, I'm surprised that Tida is harassing me after I beat her. It seems that his persistence cannot be cured even after reincarnation. Is it because the children didn't take care of him before he was born?

　To explain my memory, I also explained the relationship between Palinkron and Tida. When I mentioned Tida's name, he rolled his eyes, so I could tell they knew each other.

'I'm sure Ryner knows more about what happened to Rowen during the convention than I do. I want to know too, so why don't you tell me?
'Of course, Christ. I'm sure Mr. Loewen would like that.

　Reiner speaks as politely as I do.
　That Rowen fought with Mr. Glenn, the 'strongest' That he was hunted down by his contact with the nobles. Finally, he met Fenrir Arrais, a modern day 'swordsman', and gave himself an answer.

　Then me and Rowen meet again in the final, and Rowen disappears.

'It was a very Guardian (Guardian) way of disappearing, wasn't it, the Aleith one: ......'
Yeah, .......

　When Lord heard the end, he seemed to be envious from the bottom of his heart.
　However, his expression quickly changed and he chuckled.

''But this is also a story about the guy from Aleis getting weaker and weaker. And it's not fair that it takes two people to defeat him in the end using a crunching technique. This kind of thing isn't called a duel.
I mean, we couldn't have had a better duel than this one, you know?

　If you ask me, that's true. However, they think that they were able to fight head-to-head, so I'll call it a duel victory.
　Lord seems to be satisfied with Rowen's defeat, and he leaves the table with a clear face.
　While we were talking, the dinner on the table was 80% cleared up.

I'm going to try to make the guardian-like disappearance of the child. So, just as Areis left his swordsmanship to the two of you, the two of you will inherit the magic of the child.

　Apparently, since the meal was over, they moved on to magical training.
　The girl Lord called by the King of Demons and 'The Original Kanami'.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a little bit of interest in that magic now that I'm having leverage in learning dimensional magic.