Nosfi dodged the flash, stepping sideways and lightly avoiding it.
　Biting his lip, he looked away from it. At any rate, it was the first time he had ever touched the person he was talking to first.

It's not a good idea to have a look of distress on your face, please stop, Uzumi-sama. I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.

　However, it was worth it, the position within the doorway changed and I was able to place Reynand-san on my back. I can feel a wave of magic from behind me. Reynand-san is out of breath, but it seems that by using me as a wall, he was able to afford to cast a recovery spell on himself.

'Hey, Nosfi. Do you hate me ......?　Are you my enemy ......?

　While protecting Reynand-san, I take one last look at him.
　Despite the fact that Ryner rushed me in the labyrinth and I fought him, I still haven't given up on making peace with my guardian (Guardian). I was hopeful that I could do for Nosfy what Alty couldn't - I'm just nearing the end of it.

　Even Arti and Palinclone didn't show such blatant malice. The 'Stealer of the Light's Reason' here was so evil that it was almost heartbreaking just to face him.

　In response, Nosfi posed in an exaggerated manner.
　Her left hand is placed on her chest and her right hand is raised to the sky and she speaks as if to celebrate. You can see that there is no longer any dewy patience there.

'Oh, that's right!　Please don't call me an enemy. I'm on Uzuma-sama's side. Because I love Uzuma-sama. I've been in love with you since I was born. I'm still in love with you. So I would never try to be Uzumi-sama's enemy. If possible, I would like to be married again. Yes, I'm speaking from my heart and soul!　I'm a huge, huge fan of you, Miss Uzumi!　Hmmm!
Then why do you look so happy with me now?　You!

　I could sense righteousness and firmness in every bit of conversation between Arti and Palinkron. They didn't seem to be the kind of people who would lie just for the sake of victory, though they might lie for the sake of victory, but not with malice alone. In fact, they both were.
　But he couldn't sense that at all from the girl who was twisting her body in front of him in pleasure.

''Hmph, haha, hahaha!　Is it strange?　Don't you think it's not so unusual for love and hate to live together?　That's the one, the one that makes you want to play a prank on the girl you like. I think it's rather common. --I'm perfectly normal. Heh.
Are you normal?　Does that happen often?　No way!
As a result of love and hatred living together - I just wish I could stay by Uzumi-sama's side all the time and see him suffer (・・・・・・・・・) all the time (・・・・・・・・・) (・・・・・・). Yes, that's why I want to be married again. Just thinking about Uzunami-sama's pain and suffering at having such a wife makes my heart skip a beat. To be honest, I can't stop being excited!

　Nosfi's full smile - his malice glowed venomously. It was a look that clearly showed how much I had been dealing with the 'good guys' until now.

You're crazy ....... You're crazy ....... That kind of unconsciousness, crazy .......
Huh. Where the hell is that?

　After some embarrassment, I swear as much as I can now. But Nosfi brushes it off with an iron-clad smile.

''I rather think this is a normal kind of unrequited love. Because I'm just looking for a little cute revenge, you know?　Revenge, revenge. As a person on the verge of death, I think it's a very, very majority (majority) unrequited wish. Frankly, wishes like Lord and Rowen's are crazier. The anomaly is over there, over there.
This ......!

　Even her friend's wishes were rubbed out, and she turned her blood on her head and turned her hostility, laced with murderous intent, on Nosfi. But she took it in with glee. She takes it gently, as if she cares for it very dearly, as if she were loving her favorite dessert.
　And then, with an expression on her face as if she couldn't stand it any longer, she shook her head.

The actuality of this is that it's not a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.　If Uzumi-sama looks too distressed, all this fun would end too easily!　That's not good. Yeah, that's not good. Because I still want to be happy!　Because I haven't had enough of your ego yet!　More and more 'incorrect things', over and over again, 'wrong'!　I just want to watch Uzumi-sama's distorted expression with every single drink!　--Hmmm, so the important thing is balance. I have to do my best to adjust well so that my body doesn't disappear. Like last night, the last time I'll see Uzuraha-sama suffer from enforcing the proof of the bond, like last night. That's right, "The first time for Uzumi-sama and me (both of us)" is the last time!　If you don't enjoy it all the way to the end, you're missing out!　Hmph, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha--!

　My thoughts were growing colder and colder as I laughed at Nosfi's moody laughter.

　I've crossed the line.
　I can't do this anymore.

　Because this was Nosphy's true intentions.

　This is what Nosfi had been thinking about late last night, in that pinnacle of happiness.
　He just wants to make me suffer.
　That's all.
　There was no way I could ever reconcile with such a person.

'Then you're my enemy ......!　If you get cut down here and now, I won't complain!

　He tightens his grip on the sword.

　Slash her. I will slash her as if I were dealing with a monster, not a guardian (guardian) opponent.
　Along with that determination, I stared at Nosfy ...... but what comes back is a puzzled face.

''--!　You're going to slay me?　Why?　I love you so much ...... and think of you ...... and think of you so much!　If you get in the way, you're going to cut it down: ......!　No, it's terrible: ......!

　With tears in the corners of her eyes, Nosfi broke down in tears.
　The reaction that ignored the context of the story - I'm the one who wants to be confused.

'Nah, don't be silly!　Now you said you wanted to hurt me!　You're the enemy!
I don't want to do this, either!　But we have to do this: ......!　It was Uzuma-sama who made me do this. It was Uzuma-sama who made me do what I had to do to get revenge!　Yes, you say Uzumi-sama made you do it, but ....... And yet Uzuraha-sama refuses to do so!

　Nosfi screams as the amount of tears overflowing increases, scattering shimmering grains in the air.
　My voice gets smaller as the sudden change pushes me away.

'Yeah, did you let it happen?　What the hell did I--
Huh.... That's a lie. I'm perfectly capable of lying to you, too. You're like a child, aren't you?　Please give me a compliment.
Nosfiiiiiiiiii!

　The sword was swung before he could think about it.
　As long as he had Reynand-san on his back, he couldn't act lightly, but Nosfi tried to break it up with just words.

　His sword streaks are dull as he just let his emotions get the better of him.
　With ease again, Nosphy dodged and continued to talk happily. She folds her pinned hands at her wrists and continues to talk while putting the tips of her hands on her forehead.

But, Uzumi-sama! This is also what you taught me, right?　When I ask people for things, I make them look pretty. And when they don't get it, I make them cry!　And if that doesn't work, I'll cry my eyes out!　That's what you taught me was the most likely to succeed!　Yes, I'm not saying it's all up to you, but it's mostly your fault!　Most of what's here is influenced by you!　First of all, I and Lord ...... and its history with the country of Vysiia, the knights of the Kingsguard, the people of the town, the culture of life and--...... Ah! Well, that's not much anymore!　Hmmm, it's not all of them!　It's all your fault!
So I'm responsible for all of this?　So you want me to stay 'here'!　Don't be silly!

　He's aloof and light-hearted, with a sarcastic tone that strikes a perfect balance of responsibility.
　And it's all 'right'. It's a righteous argument, and my personality can't ignore it.

　Indeed, there is no doubt that the current 'here' exists because of me a thousand years ago. That's how deeply rooted the words "Aikawa Uzumi", "Aikawa Kanami" and "Knight Commander" are in every corner of "Here". All the people in this place resent me. They were chasing me. They were trying to make me atone for my sins.
　That means that I had sinned in the past and escaped punishment. And I did so without any responsibility. If that's the case, what I have to do now is...

　Nosfi's words entangle my thoughts. The sins of the past become countless arms that stop me from moving forward. They make me stop and force me to ask myself questions.
　Seeing this, Nosfy adorably puts both index fingers to her mouth.

''--Ooops, I mustn't break up Uzurinami-sama here. Hmph.

　I take a step back and say that any more talk is strictly prohibited.
　It's as if he could do me whenever he wanted to. Whether it's an argument or a battle, there is a glimpse of confidence that he will never be defeated.
　As you can see from his behavior, the only thing that Nosfi is concerned with right now may be 'how to win'.

I'm not the one to break Uzumi-sama's heart, but Lord's role. This time I am an extra. In that order, I'm the last one in ten thousand years. This time, if you don't enjoy the 'dessert' part of it, you can't cut ...... to death (・・・・・・・・・).

　If he wins outright, his own unconsciousness will disappear. Nosfy avoids that. From the way she talks, she could be looking at 10,000 years after the Lord disappears.

'You ......, are you really going to spend 10,000 years here ......!

　The sky-horror of the tremendous length of her field of vision brings me back to my composure, albeit temporarily.
　If I let her agitation get the better of me and let my emotions get the better of me, I might really be trapped in 'here' for nearly ten thousand years. That's all we have to avoid.

　Time to cool down with each other.
　After that moment of silence, a bang and the sound of a door opening rang out.

''Commander-sama Commander-sama, Commander-sama Ahhhh ......, I found ......!　Hah, hah, hah, I didn't expect to see you here: ......!

　A girl knight walked into the doorway of the mansion - it was Beth.
　She was sweating profusely and breathing on her shoulders. It could be seen from her appearance that she had run here in a great hurry.

　Nosfi calmly welcomes that sudden visitor with open arms.

''Hmmm, I've stopped you firmly in your tracks, Elizabeth. It's good that you noticed my faint magical signal. I praise you. Snap.

　With a cute gesture, he clapped and invited Beth to join him.
　From her words, I knew that Nosfi's talk so far had been a stall for time.
　Beth-chan bowed and then lined up next to Nosfi instead of next to Reynand-san.

'Thank you. I appreciate your help.
'No, no thanks are necessary. It's just that our interests are aligned.

　Then, at Nosfi's urging, Beth held her sword in front of us.

'Come on, Elizabeth. Here are all of your regrets. Make sure you settle your accounts. That's all I wish for you - oh, well, since you're here, shall we hope for more? If you are going to die, it will be in front of Lord Kuzuha's eyes. Yes, preferably in the form of blaming Uzumi-sama. Please take all that anger out of it and then finish. Please.
'...... fine. My anger would have done it before the Lord Wizard's request.
'Hmmm. Good answer, Elizabeth.

　The sound of Nosfi's applause grows louder.
　From this deteriorating situation, I realized that I had been stalling for Nosfi's time. He was oddly talkative because he was waiting for Beth.
　Maybe it was under the influence of some kind of magic - or maybe it was under the influence of a skill. For example, but it's possible that the skill 'fraud' per skill 'fraud' was far below.

　With Beth in the front, Nosfi retreated.

''Then, while Elizabeth fights for me, I'll go call my friend Lord. Apparently, they are unaware of my signal and are working on destroying the doorway to Viisia, so ....... It's true that if you break the 'door' you can certainly stuff it, but it's too much of a roundabout way to go ....... Huh.
Wait, wait, Nosfi!
"I will not wait. Since both the imperfect Master Uzumi and the ailing General Volus are more than capable of handling it, we'll have to modify our plan a bit. Uzumi-sama will stay here with Elizabeth for a while. She and Lord will be back soon.

　He doesn't hide his movements, but happily walks out the front door.
　Nosfi is the culprit who created the current situation here. I'm going to try to stop him from fixing this place, but in the meantime, Beth enters.

'Lord Commander, I won't let you go anymore ....... I already know everything: ....... My anger before I was born, this millennia of motivation ......, I'll let you take it all out on me .......

　I'm blocked in my path.
　I cool off again and stop chasing after Nosphy. I'm too confused from earlier. You are too angry at Nosfi for being mocked by him.
　What's important right now is neither Nosphy nor 'here'. The important thing is to escape to the ground with Reynand and Ryner, who are behind us.

　Now, just by defeating one Beth, the three of us will be able to act together. I'll immediately account for that loss and try to deal with the girl knight standing in my way.
　However, its advance is stopped from behind. Reynand-san grabbed me by the shoulders.

...... Wait, kid. Let me take care of ...... Beth. You've given me a lot of rest.

　A wounded Reynand-san wavers to his feet and tries to get in front of me.
　He seemed to be using his recovery magic behind me, but I could see that he hadn't fully recovered yet.

'Nah, you can't do that, Reynand-san. Your opponent is Beth-chan, right?
That's why. That witch of light (nosfied hoozeyers) may be dealing with a monk, but Beth is dealing with me. I've got him sleeping at the back of the house. He's sleeping at the back of the house.
If you push yourself with that injury, you'll die ......!

　Reynand-san, who was like a towering pillar of rock, is showing weakness like a dead tree on the verge of collapsing. Even as far as the 【Indication】 is concerned, he doesn't look like he can fight a decent battle.


[Status]
　Name: Reynand Vols HP 54/589 MP 7/123 Class: Blacksmith


　Beth takes an exasperated step forward when she sees me trying to stop Mr. Reynand's progress. I don't like anything - she speaks in such a way.

'That old man looks much more important ......, Sir Knight Commander. You say your former subordinates cut him down mercilessly ......!
'That old man--Mr. Reynand is your grandfather!　You even forgot something that important!

　She can't stand the way Beth talks to him as if he were a stranger, so she says it back as quickly as she can. When she hears this, she gives him a sincerely puzzling look.

''My grandfather?　What are you talking about?
We're family!　You've been living in this place for a thousand years, haven't you?　No, he said it was before he was born--!

　If we can convince them, we can get through this quietly. Maybe we can get Mr. Reynand and Beth on the ground with us. I try to persuade them with that hope.
　However, their voices are interrupted.
　By Raynand-san's attack from behind.

''--《Flame Axel》''

　I couldn't react to the unexpected attack from my allies.
　Reynand-san's thick arm reaches out and catches me by the neck. Then, left to the strength of his strong arm, I am thrown right back.

''--!　What, what, Mr. Reynand!

　Mr. Reynand replies briefly to me, throwing a question at me as I land at the back of the mansion.

'Boy, that's different (・・・・・・・).'

　He shows his big, sooty back and points out flatly.

Don't be deceived. There is no doubt that the witch is trying to take advantage of your sweetness. Listen to me, boy. There is no way that there is a convenient way left for you to get to the top. My unworthy grandson is focused on what is most convenient for her. He was probably at his lowest point in his life, when he was most unhappy with the boy. Therefore, it is useless to talk about it. It is useless.
'Maybe so, but ......!

　It was advice I couldn't refute.
　I can't say anything about it as I was stalling for time just a few minutes ago by Nosfi.
　--It's useless to talk about it.
　I knew it was not only Beth here, but I knew she was referring to the dialogue with Nosfi.

　And just like that, Mr. Reynand takes a stance.
　Before he knew it, he was holding the great axe of his own prey that had fallen on the floor in his hand.
　Against Beth's sword, Reynand-san's big axe is pointed at him.

'Beth, that monk over there is not the Lord Commander you know. And you are already dead. We who are dead can't drag the boy into the abyss.
'You ......, who is ......?　You're a great guy: ......

　Beth, whose frustration was beginning to reach its peak, spoke to Mr. Reynand as he stood there.

'You're high and mighty, aren't you? Well, you've been in a position of greatness in your own right.
'You don't know anything about me ....... You don't know the depths of this unfinished business. ......
Hmph. You've already destroyed my self-awareness, and now you're one of the best. You're a little too proud of yourself for something less than I am.
What? ......?

　The root of the problem was denied, and little by little Beth's hostility shifted from me to Ms. Reynand.
　At the same time, her hostility swelled to murderous proportions. The magic swells and pulses to the point where I can physically hear the sound of the earth shaking.
　It looks like they are about to start killing each other now. That's how much their magic power is increasing.

''Mr. Reynand!

　I couldn't watch and shouted to stop him. But--.

Let me do it. This is how I've always wanted to see my family. This is my job. Don't take it away from me.

　On the other hand, I was the one who was restrained.

　I wouldn't be able to say anything.
　-- I wanted to face my family. Those words would convince me of everything.
　If I were in the same position, I know that I would say the same thing as Mr. Reynand, so I can't say anything. But I can't dismiss him so easily.
　Seeing the figure stuck stiffly, Mr. Raynand reprimands him.

'--Just go ahead, boy!　What are you stopping for, you're in the way!　You have your own family, don't you!　Don't make a mistake!　Head to the ground!　Run to your friends!

　That was the same as saying that Mr. Reynand and Beth should be abandoned. There was no way I could do that.
　Seeing me still not moving, Reynand-san activated her magic.

''-- 《Earthquake》!

　I repeat the magic Beth used earlier.
　However, its power is incomparable.
　As soon as Reynand-san's one foot stepped on the floor, the entire mansion shook loudly while making a dull sound. With that single tremor alone, a spider's web-like crack rushed against the walls and shattered several posts in the doorway.

　The dull sound never stopped. The sound that resembles an avalanche continues to rumble in the distance. With the aftershocks, dust and pieces of wood flutter down from the ceiling.
　The mansion is about to collapse at any moment. In fact, the 《Dimension》 senses that it will soon do so. The shattered pillars were all important parts of the building. Reynand-san understood the main pillar of the house and aimed at it to destroy it.

　That magic has one purpose.
　To get me away from here.
　If the collapse continues like this, Ryner, who is unconscious somewhere in the mansion, is in danger. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on. In order to help him, Reynand-san cast the magic 《Earthquake》 to save him.

''Su, I'll come back with Ryner right away!　Hold on until then!

　I had to go.
　Leaving this place to Mr. Reynand, he opened the door just around the corner and ran to the back of the mansion.

'Hmph. ....... That's fine. Just don't go back in, don't come back .......

　The voice that came back from his back was kind.
　Finally, it was as gentle as a father telling his spoiled child to go away. And I could also hear Beth's voice as she faced Mr. Reynand, who was standing there.

'In vain. I'll end it in an instant before the mansion collapses. I won't let Uzuraha-sama escape.''
'Yeah, yeah, ....... Let's get this over with in an instant. It's all too much already. ......

　The voice answering his grandson was equally kind.

　That gentle voice lingers in my ears as I run through the corridors of the crumbling mansion.
　A gentle yet ghostly voice, like a will.
　Such a voice kept reverberating in the air.