"-- oh, oh!　Old lady, I think you're awake!

　Recognizing the wrinkled voice, 'I' try to open my eyes thinly. But my eyelids don't move well. Like a rusty door, it takes a long time to let in the light of the world.
　In the meantime, I hear another shrill voice from the other end.

...... Ooh, looks like it. Then I'd better get you something warm right away. We need to get something in your belly first. You'll never have the energy to get out of there.
Yes.

　When I finally open my eyes, I am blindsided by the light that has been a long time coming. But I manage to squint and try to get some information about the outside world.
　The first thing that jumps out at you is an unfamiliar ceiling. The ceiling was not a flat structure, but an unusual structure with a depth of triangular pyramid shape. The ceiling is supported by lumber assembled to weave into the space of the triangular pyramid.
　From the ceiling, I felt a sense of security as if I could see a huge tree towering over the earth.

　I wonder where "Here" ...... is.
　This is a very different place than the one I've been in.
　I felt like I was in a darker place .......

　I don't know why.
　I don't want to remember .......
　Ah, yes, .......
　More importantly, I need to see where 'here' is now .......

　Slowly, I turn my head to the side.
　An old man sits with a smile on his back against a window with no bars of light. A good old man dressed in beige clothes that I could tell at a glance that he had been wearing for years. He must be a 'witch' just like me. The tips of his hands and feet are like the tentacles of an octopus. It's most likely a mixture of jellyfish, an octopus, or an aquatic monster.

　I'm relieved to find out that the one next to me was not a 'person' but a 'demon'. Then, with that leeway, I let out a voice while gathering more information about the surroundings. I was a little anxious, but the withered voice came out properly from my taut throat.

'This, 'here' is ......?'

　There is no doubt that we are in a building. Next to the lighted windows, there are shelves for living and a diverse array of dishes. I can also tell that it is a private house by the dried fruit hanging on the wall. I am now sleeping on a bed in a private house.

Ah, it's our home. "Aye, it's our house," he said. At least we won't starve to death.

　The good-natured old man next to me replies in a gentle voice.
　Surprised by the warm quality of his voice, I reply.

'Eh ......, ah, yes ......'

　I couldn't even say thank you enough. It had been a long time since I'd seen such direct kindness.
　Then, to my confusion about the situation, something warm is offered to me from the opposite direction. A wooden bowl. In it was a white, steamy potato soup.
　The old lady, who is probably the octopus' grandfather's companion, puts the bowl in my hand.

'It's not much, but it's ....... Eat .......

　Another gentle voice.
　My confusion only accelerated.

'Why are you ...... giving me food ......?'

　Staring at the soup, he asks, "Why?

I'm not sure why. If we abandon a child like that, we will be punished by the gods who are watching over us. No, we will not be able to face the kings of viasia who are protecting us. Is that so?

　Because God will punish you?
　Because you won't be able to face the royal family that's protecting you?

　I was given back a story that I didn't understand at all.
　At least, the one who thought about it, which never happened in my life.
　So I just freeze, unable to push back the soup or put my mouth to the soup.
　Seeing this, the grandfather continues his story.

The old man sees this and continues his story. You have escaped from the south, haven't you?

　South.
　An expression I don't often use.
　But I've come to the north. If that's the case, it would be more appropriate to call the place I came from south.
　I nodded back.

...... Yes.
In the last few years, the gap between the 'human' and 'witch' has deepened. I've heard that the south side is notoriously bad with "witches". That's the reason why you're here, isn't it?

　Grandfather was aware of all my circumstances.
　I nodded honestly, knowing that I couldn't hide where I was before.

'...... yes.'

　We ran and ran and ran.
　Believing the rumor that there was a paradise in the north where the 'demons' lived, he came here without drinking or eating. Then, unable to walk or move, he lost consciousness alone in the farthest grasslands and thought that he was going to die like this.

I'm amazed that your little body has made it to the northern frontier ....... You can rest easy now. There is no one here to threaten you .......

　But I was saved.
　Now I am alive. My grandfather and grandmother, who are also witches, saved me.

　He comforted me with his words and the old lady gently rubbed my back.

'You should take some time to rest yourself today. Tomorrow will be a good day to introduce you to the things in the village.
...... Huh?

　It amazes me that you talk as if you could stay here forever. Because I was just thinking about how to thank him and how I was going to live from now on.

I'm not going to be able to get rid of it. You don't think you're going to leave?
Yes. Because I don't--

　--A stranger's nuisance. I was about to say so, when he abruptly changed the subject.

"What demon is mixed in with you, my dear?

　A shudder ran through his body.
　--mixed.
　The word provokes my trauma. Those words have defined my entire life.
　But it would be disloyal to my benefactor not to answer them. It's the same as asking who I am on the other side.
　As I suppress a shiver that floods my body, I answer.

...... slightly mutated, but maybe it's Harpy.
Yes, you are a demon after all.

　"Fiend.
　That's what drove me to this point. That's not a "person". That's what drove me to--

Then we're compatriots. What's wrong with family helping family?

　But the grandfather heard those words and made a smile that couldn't have been any better.
　He didn't change his demeanor when he heard the words that had produced nothing but a look of contempt from anyone who had heard them all along.

'Ka-zoku ......?　But ......
I don't care if we're related by blood. We define our family by our laws. By that law, you are no more than a member of your own family.

　We are Our Law ......?
　Family ......?

But I'm poisoned and defiled: ......
That kind of gossip won't work here. After all, we're demons too.

　Soooo, yes.
　Maybe it was my confusion that made me think I was the only one who was unholy. But it's not the case anymore. The North is different. That's why I've come this far.
　There are a lot of people here who are just like me: ......!

You can't force it. But could you consider living here, even if only for a little while?　I'm just glad to have someone to talk to for a short time, like us.

　The grandfather gently extended his wrinkled hand.

"Young ones are always welcome. Especially a pretty one like you, my dear.

　The old lady also gently stroked my young grass-colored hair.

　Neither of them had ever been in my life.
　Too warm. Even now, I feel like I'm about to melt away and disappear.
　Oh, ah, .......

Oh, thank you ....... Thank you ......, thank you .......

　Finally, I was able to say thank you as I squeezed it out.
　As I said it, all the tension was broken.

　All this time I had felt like I was walking in the dark, cold depths of the earth.
　I thought I was living in an abyss, a hell.
　But no.
　Not anymore.

　It's brighter and warmer here.
　Just by doing so, all the power is released from my body.

"Thank you so much for ......, thank you so much--

　Relief stimulates the tear glands, and my vision becomes blurred.

　-- 'Here (...)' is 'Paradise (...)'.

　The rumors were true. The last "paradise" is located at the point of escape to the north.
　That's where I arrived .......

　When I realized that I had arrived, I lost consciousness.
　I fell asleep in the warmth of my bed in the warmth of my house, sinking my head into a soft pillow.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　But people are cash, and when I was dying, I thought your grandfather and your grandmother were gods or something, but once I regained my strength, I wondered if there was something behind it. You would think that.
　I was one of those ungrateful people.
　I can't help but feel ashamed of being a human being, though it may be so far as I can say that I have lived my life in such a way.

What are you doing, child?

　Grandfather is calling me.
　I stop my hand.
　Next to the house is a huge tree with white flowers. He was chopping wood from a stump near it. I take the white flower petals from the tree, which have been stuck to my forehead for some time, and reply, "Over here.

'This way, Grandfather. Grandfather.

　After they picked me up, I became part of the village.
　However, while being offered a place to stay, I still hadn't opened up to them.
　I would watch everyone else as I unobtrusively helped out repeatedly. I just repeated this process and before I knew it, a few days had passed.

'I finished chopping wood: ......

　I quickly carry the split wood over my shoulders and head towards the direction of the grandfather's voice. The grandfather, who was at the back of the house, is surprised to see me appear.

''Chi, you're powerful. ......
Is that so?

　At best, I return an amount of firewood that is only as tall as I am, putting it in the storage shed.

'Nushies are a mixture of harpies, aren't they?　It should be more ineffective. ......
But others have done this as well.
Mm, what other things?
People with red cow (tauroi) mixtures or black wolf (gull wolf) mixtures: ......
There's something wrong with you compared to those species. ......

　Is that crazy?
　But I don't think I would be alive now if I hadn't been able to do this much. At that time I was so desperate to keep up with the people around me that I never even thought about my own seed. ......

Maybe the child (warabe) is a bit special.
A special ......?

　Does this mean that it is special among the harpy mixtures?
　Or is it as a 'witch'? Is he fundamentally a human being?

I've heard that sometimes a person is born that adapts well to the poison in this world. I've heard that they can manipulate the power of the poison to create fire and wind.
'With the power of poison, fire and wind ......?　It's like a monster.

　It's like magic in a fairy tale. It might be convenient to do such a thing, but it's too unrealistic.

It would be a legendary story. It's true that those that can adapt to poison and become allies are more physically strong.
'Huh. I see. ....... That's me?

　The legend is frowned upon, but an improvement in physical ability is likely.

Oh, maybe it's the child. But it's hard to say "child" with "child". I'm going to grow up from now on, so I can't keep calling you by your name forever.
'Its ......, sorry it doesn't have a name: ......'
'That's not something for which the bogeyman should apologize. But it's a new name or .......

　I don't know my name because I've never been called by my name.
　That's why I've always gone by "Warabe". Not 'Hey' or 'you', but 'Warabe' - I like it, but my grandfather didn't seem to like it.

Well, I will give you a cute name for it.

　As he is struggling with his name, an old lady appears from the front of the house. The grandfather is taken aback by her appearance, as if she has timed her appearance.

'Old lady, you've been there ......'
The name of the child is Titi. What do you think, isn't it a pretty name?
...... sure. That's probably for the best.

　Confidently, the old lady suggested, and the grandfather agreed with her.

'Titi?'

　He repeats his name.
　They nodded back when they heard it.

　I'm glad to get my name. I'm glad, but--

Maybe it's an important name: ......?

　I could sense it in their expressions.
　When he said the name, he seemed to miss something for a moment.

'You don't like ......?'

　The old lady asked anxiously.
　I had only one answer. Refusal was not an option.

'I don't hate it ....... I think it's a good name. Titi .......

　A little childish, but a cute name.
　I liked it right away.

Then it's settled. Then it's settled," he said.

　The grandfather makes his decision with a cheerful face.
　The silence disappears and the subject changes.

'And I'll have to get that accent straightened out as soon as possible.

　I nod my head as he pokes at me where I didn't expect it.

'What? Is there something wrong with your speech?'
Yeah, something's wrong. We're family now. No need for such polite language.
No need for polite language between family members ......?
Oh, yes. More frank, please, Titty!

　He pats me on the back with a thump.
　I nodded in confusion at that first request.

'Ah, yes. I'll do my best. I'll do my best.

　Then he bowed his head as much as he could.
　When the grandfather saw that, he looked a little troubled.

''Ah, that's not good.''

　My grandfather's fingers came close to my head and the tip of his index finger twitched.
　He gave me a slight shove.

'Ack. ...... sorry.
'Hmmm. That's the reaction to being poked and prodded or ....... When that happens, what do you do!　I said, "I'm sorry.　No respect!
Okay. I'll do it.

　I would bow my head as much as I could again.
　Furthermore, all the talk about no respectful language that was just said was blown away.
　Naturally, he pokes me gently again.

''Ah. Eh, um, okay--what are you doing?

　I took a breath, and then said it back to him with enthusiasm, this time.
　This time I tried to get rid of the respectful words. I looked at my grandfathers with anticipation, but ......

Stick figures.
You're not reading from a stick.

　It didn't work.
　The words may be right as grammar, but as a conversation, the intonation etc. was probably too unnatural.

　I was troubled.
　I didn't think it would be so difficult to use anything other than honorifics. The price I paid for thinking I could only use honorifics since I was born is coming out here: .......

　Seeing me at a loss, the old lady clapped her hands and suggested, "That's right.

That's right. That's right, try to imitate our way of speaking.
'What, are you imitating ......?　Then go to .......

　You should be able to do it.
　The intonation is right in front of you, too.

Yes. You can try it a little at a time at ......

　It's not very good, but it must be taking shape somehow.
　I looked up at my grandfather and grandmother to hear their assessment.

Well, it's better than now, isn't it? Maybe.
Hmmm. It's true that you can get rid of that awkwardness. You might want to try it until you get used to it.

　They smiled gently.
　Then they both stroked my head gently.

'Ehehe.'

　A little ticklish, but very warm palms. I smiled, losing myself in their touch. I'm sure I have the same kind face as the two of them.
　My face, which had been hard as ice, was melting away, and I could see it in my own mind.

　Just the right amount of sunshine falls from the blue sky and a fresh breeze blows from the meadow.
　The white flowers scatter and the petals ride on the gable roof of the house. Just looking away from them is really soothing.

　Ah, it's warm here.
　Surely, this is the place where I belong.

　I thought to myself, "This is where I belong.
　I decided from the heart of a child that this is where I belong.
　So I decided to keep it.

Thank you, Grandma. Well, I'll get to work on the next one: ......

　Perhaps it's because I believe that there's no place for something that doesn't work as a deep psychological thing, but I immediately try to move.

'You just finished chopping wood, didn't you?
"I still have a lot of energy left over from ......!　I'm fine!

　Trying to keep things as light as possible, I run out of the yard. There's a lot of work to be done in the house. Chopping wood isn't the end of it. I have to work harder for my place. I'm going to try to get a start on that and fetch water.

'Then good, but you must be careful!
Keep your head down.

　They wave at me as I run farther away with a tub of water fetching.

　I run through the meadow as if I were about to skip.
　I tear through the wind and run through the wide, bright world.

　I love this wind that caresses my cheeks.
　It allows me to run all day long. Fetching water is as painless as it gets.


　I follow the gravel road far from the house to the river that feeds the village. There is a forest near the river. Even though it is a forest, it is not very dense. If anything, it was more like a forest. It's about an inch or so in between. Because of the wide intervals between the trees, the light is as bright as the grasslands, and the path is easy to walk on.

　The animals that come out of the forest are all small. Even a small child like me can fetch water in a safe environment, as this is not a place for big animals.

　That said, I wouldn't mind if a big beast came out of the forest.

Gentlemen, I'm asking you again today.

　As you walk down the road, you call out to no one.
　Then, small animals show themselves from the nearby bushes. Small animals of many kinds, from the four-legged white ones to the brown ones. I don't know their names, but they have cute ears - my friends.
　They heard my voice and came out to help me, my friend.

'I'm just fetching water today ......, but I want to work hard enough to surprise my grandma and grandpa.'

　They all nodded when they heard those words.
　Then I put one of the tubs I was carrying on the backs of the two running white animals. This is how they've been helping me carry the heavy stuff for a few days now.

　I didn't realize it because I was in a place in the south where the demons were excluded, but here I learned how smart the animals are. It wasn't long before I talked to all those smart people and offered to help. Because even though I was just a kid, I knew that everything is faster when we all work together.

　I'm sorry to tell you all this, but I'm giving it my all today.
　I run down the road as fast as the little animals can keep up with me.

　As soon as I reach the river, I fetch water.
　I work with everyone else to carry the tub full of water home. Everyone helps me along the way, and I go back and forth.
　I don't feel tired. In fact, the tub of water seems to be getting lighter and lighter. The more you move, the more power comes from deep within your body. ...... I even felt as if I was breathing in 'something' energy from my surroundings.

　Working, small hour.
　There was enough water being carried in the yard of the house.
　When the grandfather and the old lady saw it, they were amazed.

They said, "We've fetched a lot of water. There's more than enough to go around. ...... and a lot of stuff that could be used as firewood. It must have been hard work.
No, it's okay, I had a friend help me. ......

　Suddenly, he is approached from behind and his language is mixed. But it seems that the grandfathers have more to worry about than that.

'My friend, is that ......?'
Yes, sir.

　I nodded back and introduced the more than ten animals running at my feet.

'Hou ....... This is .......

　The grandfather and the old lady both look impressed. No, astonishment seems to be thicker than admiration.

'Titi, do you understand a word these men say?
I don't know the language. ......

　Oh, now it's backwards. Maybe I shouldn't force myself to use it until I get used to it.
　I take a breath and then begin to explain.

'Somehow, I think I know what I want to tell you: ....... That's how I feel about .......

　They tell it like it is, without hiding it. When they heard that, their faces were colored with nothing but astonishment.

'What a ......'
Maybe this is weird: ......?

　I ask fearfully.

Hmmm. I don't want to believe in fairy tales too much, but I can't help but think that he's manipulating the power of poison. It's the same power as the Lord who rules the world.
'The Lord of the Lords' ......?
It is said that such things once existed on the northern continent. A savior who saved many people.
Savior: ......

　My heart seemed to beat a little faster in my chest. The words 'king' and 'savior' shook my young curiosity.

...... Well, that's not a bad thing. It's a bit of an unusual power, but titi is titi," he said. Anyway, we've been a great help. Thank you.

　When Grandma and Grandpa turned to smile, I felt a warmth build up in my chest. That warmth was comforting and naturally made me smile too.

'Ehehe.'

　I put my hands on my chest and make sure they are warm and secure.
　That alone is enough to fill me with a sense of euphoria to know the meaning of my birth.

'I'm proud of you, my child.
Do I make you proud?
'Oh, they must grow up smarter, stronger and more resilient than anyone else in the Northern King's Landing.

　I blush as they tell me I'm a vessel that can't fit in the village alone.

'That wing on your back will heal straight away and you'll soon be an immensely beautiful woman.

　The grandfather points to my back.
　I still have the evidence of being a harpy mingling witch in my clothes. It's conspicuous in the south, so it's a scar I plucked myself.

It's possible that Titi is not a hybrid mutant, but a winged race. According to legend, the Lord who rules is also a winged race. Their features are very similar.

　The two men continue to talk.
　Then they return to a slightly more serious look.

'Titi, you are a bundle of talent. That's why I have something to ask you as soon as possible.

　My body shakes at the suddenness of the story.

'You can choose many different futures. Don't you think you could hone your skills elsewhere?　Perhaps you can become anything. It's not a dream to serve in the castle of Vyasia.

　It was about my future.
　From the look on your face, there is no such thing as partiality, I must really be incomparably talented.
　But for me--

I don't want to go to .......

　I don't care what kind of talent you have.
　It doesn't matter.

　There's something more important. It's in my heart.
　So I talk about the future with a serious look on my face.

'I know the people in the north city aren't bad people. Even the orphanage was a fine one.

　Once, my grandfather and grandmother took me to the north city. Then there was my other path. Someone who lived and worked in a store to dream and live and work, and someone who laughed with many friends in an orphanage.
　That would have been a stop for me.
　They were kind enough to tell me that this village is not all there is to it.

　But for me--!

Still, I'm fine with 'here'. ...... 'Here' is fine.

　That's the answer.
　It has taken me a long time to be sure of that answer, but now I'm no longer in doubt.

　I want to make this place my home.
　And I want "here" to be my graveyard someday (・・・・・・・・).
　That's right ......, I thought .......

　But that is a selfish request, even though I was picked up by them.
　I'm not talking about the burden and inconvenience it would put on your grandma.
　You might be denied. No, that's normal.

　Such dark thoughts swirl around in my head.
　But that dark cloud soon clears.

"If you say so, fine. No, I'm glad to hear it, Titi.
Oh, we are so glad to have our prized titty in our midst.

　What awaited them was a smile on their faces.
　It was heartfelt hospitality.

'Thank you ......'

　Tears spilled out.
　Puffing, warm tears spilled out.

　Even though I wasn't sad at all, even though I was smiling now, even though I knew that this was the land of peace, I couldn't stop crying.

　My grandfather and grandmother held my head in their arms.


　--And so, I had a family.


　After a long and arduous journey, I had arrived at a comfortable world.
　And I worked a lot in the village for both of them.
　I continued to move to the limit of my talents to repay my grandfather and grandmother as much as possible. There were times when they were a little angry at me for working too hard.

　One day, another day, another ...... warm days passed.

　But even though it's such a warm world, there's still more to this story.
　There is one more family member who must not be forgotten.

　Oh, yes.
　I had a grandfather and grandmother - and a younger brother.

　That brother is the third family member, the beloved family.
　I'm sure that stupid brother will show up--......


◆◆◆◆◆


Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma. This one is suspicious.

　A year had passed since then.
　It was a very long year. I was finally able to become an adult for a year, but the slowness of the process made me want to yawn.

　Before I knew it, the child's stature was close to that of Grandma and Grandpa. Harpies were a fast-growing breed, but they were still said to be unusually fast. Even though her age has not yet entered the double digits, she has become close to the adults.
　It was as if the "world" was pushing the children to become adults.

　Therefore, when they are placed alongside a child as tall as the child they once were, they look like older siblings.
　The head was just around the child's belly. He stroked the brown head and made the suspect stand in front of Grandma and Grandpa as if he were poking the suspect out.

　Sitting on a wobbly-legged wooden chair in an unchanged house, Grandma asks, "So, Titty, what's up?

'So, Titi, where did you find that boy? Where did you find that child, ......?
...... I was playing a little far away when I found you.
'A bit far away - maybe a bit south?　You said so much not to go: ......
Well, um, I was going to the next town to the east, and I might have gotten a little off to the south?
Haha. ......

　Just like that, it is discovered that the child (straw man) has gone to the exclusion zone. However, because of this, he was able to catch a suspicious person approaching the house, so he should somehow be even.

　Sighing, the old lady gives up pursuing the child and speaks to the boy, who is wearing only a dirty ragged piece of cloth.

It's all right. The boy said, "Don't worry, you can rest easy now. There are no enemies of yours here.
'Ha, yes ......'

　The boy was frightened.
　As if to let his guard down, slowly Grandma and Grandpa heard from the boy.

'Let's start with the name: ......
'Is that your name ......?　I don't know. Probably not.

　The boy's words sounded familiar.
　It seemed to be the same with my grandfathers.

The same as Titi," he said. They must have escaped from a similar place.

　Like a child (straw), a child who escaped from the south .......
　I can't remember much anymore, but I just know I don't have any good memories.
　Perhaps this trembling boy also had a terrible time in the South. That makes me feel a little closer to him.

　Then, in front of the child's eyes, the story of the grandfather and the boy goes on. This, too, sounded familiar. With the warmth of the story, the boy's caution was lifted and his stay in the village was easily decided.
　He was the same as the child (warawa) he once was, until he passed out in his bed.

　He glares at the boy who is always occupying the bed used by the child (Warawa).
　He feels as if a foreign object has been mixed in with his precious place of residence, and his mouth is agape in disgust.

'-But this guy is fishy. It's very suspicious. Grandpa, are you sure it's safe to bring this thing into the house?
In terms of weirdness, ......, Titi, you're pretty much the same kind of guy.
Mmmmm.

　I can't say anything back to him when he mentions the old child (Warawa).
　Seeing me, Grandpa smiles and pats the child's head, and at the same time, his new roommate, a boy, is with him. At the same time, his new roommate, a boy, is with him.

"Don't be so serious, Titty. "Don't be so dismissive, Titi," he said, "we're from the same town. Treat him well.
When people say "hometown," ......

　You are a stranger to me. Besides, he has decided that the home of the child is 'here'. And he has decided that his home is here.

Your brother, so to speak. "So you're my brother, so to speak.

　Grandma happily welcomes her new family.
　The words release a little bit of the child's stiffened caution.

'Otouto ......?'

　I mutter and look at the boy in bed again. This time I don't stare at him, but look at him with curious eyes.

　There was a boy with earthen bangs hanging down and small tears spilling from his eyes.
　This boy who looks like his sometime self is the younger brother of the child ......?
　The suddenness of the event puzzled me.
　For a long time, she thought it was just a child and grandma and grandpa in this place.
　Then a new family enters.


　--This is how they meet.


　This was a meeting with a family who would be walking next to him for a long time to come.

　And the morning of the next day.
　The next morning, Warawa goes out to fetch water. It's a little chilly, but it's pleasant to breathe in the fresh air of this early morning. It is a daily routine that he has done every day since the day he was picked up, without a break.

　However, there is something different mixed in with that usual today.
　A boy comes walking behind me in a flurry of footsteps.

'Why are you following me?　This is a child's work, don't follow me.

　I turn around and blame him a little too strongly.
　The boy then looks troubled and replies in a rambling manner.

So, but your grandfather and grandmother told me to follow you: ......

　The boys' language remained stiff. Grandma and Grandpa called it "stiff" just as they did as children, but the language didn't seem to change at all.
　The language seems to be cursed.
　Maybe they were in a tougher place than where the child was.

'Mmmmmm.'

　If my beloved grandma and grandpa are mentioned, I can't help but roar at them. To the child, Grandma and Grandpa exist in a status equivalent to that of a god.
　I reluctantly allow him to accompany me.

...... Don't get in the way!
Yes!

　The boy replied happily and cheerfully. As it was, he desperately followed the fast-footed child (straw man).

　Why is that?
　We didn't have much to say to him, but he missed me. Is it because it was a child who picked up the child first? Or, did grandma and grandpa tell him they are from the same hometown?

　This boy believes it - ......, hmmm.

'Noh, you. Are you sure you don't have a name ......?
No. ......

　Will I have to call him 'Onushi' or 'boy' all the time?
　The child will not be troubled, but he will be troubled. In that case, it would be best to decide on it as soon as possible.

　As I was staring at him, the boy's face turned red as he thought about it, and then he asked me back.

''Well, your sister is .......''
Hey, sister. ......?

　Maybe it's because I'm still getting used to it, but it's a little itchy. No, it's not that I don't like it.

''Yes. What's your sister's name?

　The name of the child (Warawa) ...... It is a very good thing to hear.
　There are three things that the child is proud of: his fast-growing, strong body and the way he speaks like his grandma. It is this fast-growing, strong body and the way it speaks, like grandma and grandpa. And his name.

His name is Titi. His name is Titi, don't make a mistake, his name is Titi. "Don't make a mistake, the child's name is Titi, the precious name Grandma and Grandpa gave him!
'Sister Titty, ....... Also, I was just wondering a little bit, why is it 'strawberry' ......?
Hmmm, isn't it cool?　If you say "It's me" and "It's me" like Grandma and Grandpa, you will sound a little old and uncool!　I scoured the book, found some cool stuff, and borrowed it!
...... Oh, yes. Okay.

　The boy just nodded with an affectionate smile.

　Mmm, bad reaction.
　A bad reaction.

　I had expected a more surprised reaction, but it seems that his sense of humor may not be right. Here's the thing: "So that's what you meant!　That's my sister!　It's cool! And I'm about to clap my hands.

　It wasn't the reaction I was expecting, so the child (warawa) puffed out his cheeks a bit and walked through the meadow in silence, sluggishly.
　Then, as usual, he fetches water from the river. However, unlike someday, the number of friends who cooperate with him is different. And, by the way, the quality of that cooperation is also different.
　The child calls out to the collaborators who were waiting for him at the river.

Everyone!　Thanks again for the day!

　There was a wide variety of animals waiting for me there - and not only that. Insects, birds, and large beasts that could be called monsters were also waiting for him as his friends.

　As his body grew, his ability to talk to these animals grew as well.
　Thanks to this, he was able to not only help them with their transportation, but also barter with them. I can also provide them with advice if they have other problems, and I can mediate between different species.

　As a result of these exchanges, for some reason the animals in the area have begun to worship the children and give them offerings. Even if they say they don't need them, they continue to give them something because they owe him something.

　There are a lot of wild vegetables on the table today.
　Mmm, I was in a mood to eat fish today. ......
　But the child (warawa) doesn't show it on his face, but thanks and accepts the offering. This is also the same as always. It's a daily routine.

　But when the boy sees this, he is surprised and shouts out loud.

'Soooo great ......!　Could it be that you can communicate with them!
Hmm. Yes.
'Really?　With that power, you won't have to starve for the rest of your life!

　What the hell. You can speak very loudly, can't you?
　I thought you could only speak in whispers.

...... I don't expect you to get this for free. It's just that the child does what only a human being can do, and you all do what only you can do.
But it's still amazing!
Is it that great?
'I've never heard of this!　There wasn't a soul in the south that would talk to those monsters!　Sister Titty is a force to be reckoned with!　It's a force that can overturn the very foundation of our lives!

　Oh, oh, oh.
　I don't know about you, but it seems to have tugged on the boy's heartstrings.
　I was a little surprised, but it's not bad to be praised for being amazingly awesome.
　Mmmm, not bad indeed!

Gosh, gosh!　Haha, of course!　You are a great man...!　Be smart and strong (・・・・・・・・)!　Look at that!

　After a coughing fit, he claps his palms with a snap.
　Then the animals around us line up in unison.
　Everyone looks at me strangely as they use the emergency signal, but forgive me. As a sister now, this is a very important part of my life.

　And, as you might expect, the boy's eyes light up.

'Soooo great ......!　Sister Titi!
'Huh-hah, that's right, that's right!

　The child laughs with a good feeling.
　Then the boy says something else that makes him happy.

You're like a legendary king!　It's that 'Lord' himself!
Mmmm, just like the Lord who rules?　Oh, I've been told that a lot. It's the story of the Saviors of the North, isn't it?　The word on the street is that it's the second coming!
The return of the 'Lord of the Dominion'!　It's cool!
It's true, it's true!

　What!
　He's not a bad guy!
　As expected of a child's "younger brother"!

'Really awesome ......!　We're from the same South, but we're very different from ourselves: ......!
'No, not at all, my brother!　If you work hard, you will become like a child!　Everything you do is an effort!
'Well, no, you can't be ....... I'm a weak species. ......

　Immediately the boy's face turned dark and he turned his head down.
　Perhaps he thinks that the difference in power is the difference in species.

I'm not sure what kind of demons are mixed in with the Nushi ....... The Warawa is a mutant of the Harpy.
This is Doriad.
Doriade?　Where are we?

　At a quick glance, there is not a single tree-like feature.

''I plucked all the features that look like a tree, so ....... It's just the parts that are already hidden.

　With that, he first pointed to his own brown hair. Originally, he would have grown his features as a tree person there.
　Then, next, he flipped up his clothes to show the hidden features.

'Oh, I see. No, I don't need to show you. You have a lot of things going for you, don't you?

　I held his hand and stopped him.
　Because the child had done the same thing, he didn't feel the need to look at it. It would have left a wound as grievous as or even more grievous than the child's bruised wings.

　Immediately the child moved on to the next story.　

'But you see,' he said, 'the child is, well, you see!　I hate it when you call my brother a sissy.　We haven't decided on a name for the cat yet?
'Ah, yes ....... I can't decide: ......
'All you have to do is think of a word of your choice!　You can't just put yourself into words!　It won't take long!
Oh no, I don't know who I am. There's no such thing as a favorite and ......

　The younger brother gives him a troubled look.
　Nevertheless, the child knows how he feels, too. He must have said the same thing if he hadn't been given a name by Grandma and Grandpa.

　That's why I couldn't stand the idea of my brother being nameless like this. I kind of hated it anyway.
　And my mouth naturally moved.

''--then the Lord's name is 'Aide'!　Isn't that a good name!
'Aye, id ......?　Why are you an id: ......?
What, what--?

　He heard back and was at a loss for words.

　The name I came up with on the spur of the moment. It was the name of a little brown animal that had died just a few days ago. Grandma and Grandpa gave me the name of a precious thing that died, so I tried to imitate it, but I may have failed.

The id is the name of the senior animal here ....... I was wondering if you would be willing to take over the job for me, since he died of old age some time ago. ......

　I knew it was a bad idea to name the dead animals.
　But as I recall, 'Id' was originally a male name in the story of 'The Lord of the Dominating Kings' (Lord), so it shouldn't be a problem for people to use it.

''Everyone here's senior name ......?　What kind of animal was that 'id' ...... and what kind of animal was it ......?
What kind of ...... is that?
'Yes, I want to know what it was like for your sister.

　His brother had a serious look in his eyes.
　In response, the boy also decided to talk about the Aide without falsehood.

The Aide is a friend that I have been playing with every day for the past year. He was also the primary vassal of the Lord. He was the first person to go beyond being a collaborator and attend to a witch's boy. ......
The First Vassal: "The First Vassal: ......
"Oh, when we started playing 'Lord of the Dominating Kings' here, you were a reassuring ally to the little boy ....... And he was always there for me until the time of my death. ......

　I thought I'd shaken it off, but then I remembered my little friend and it made my eyes burn a bit. Even now, I feel like I still have the 'id' on my shoulder here.

The Id (...) ....... It's not bad. No, it's cool .......

　And my brother bit the name and admired it.

'Or is it cool ......?'
'Yes, very much!　Very, very cool!

　Hearing that unleashed praise, the child's earlier fears were blown away.

''Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm ......, hmmm, hmmm!　Well, it's not as good as the children's titty.　But take heart, brother!　The name of this id is not a light one!　After all, it is the name of the hero of this kingdom!　I'm honored to pass it on!
Yes, thank you very much!　I will do my best to live up to the title of First Vassal!　Sister Titty--no, 'Lord,' the 'Lord' who rules!
Mmm!

　The id seemed to enjoy following the playful game of the king's appointment.
　Both the boy and the id became a big smile and dodged a handshake.

　Now, here is a new sister and brother born.　

　To celebrate the moment, the animals sing in chorus.
　In the midst of the blessing, the child feels even better.

The people's cheers are soothing today!　And a new, trustworthy vassal was born!　I am happy!　Hahahahaha!

　At the end of that climax, a high-pitched laugh is heard.
　Then a voice that is neither a child nor an id comes in.

I'm sure you're not the only one. You're playing an interesting game. I'm afraid I've suffered some loss by worrying about you. Right, old lady?
Titi has been told too many old stories. ...... But when it comes to the kingdom, are we the Prime Minister?

　They were a grandma and grandpa who had come to check on him.
　But there was nothing more to worry about. Safely, Ayd became the younger brother of the child. And my kingdom is doing well.

No, I'm the Prime Minister!　I want to do it!

　Ayde, who was very motivated, raised his hand. Perhaps he had feelings for the role, but for some reason, he had an expression of absolute non-negotiability.

''Mm, then let's leave the vizier to Ayde!　Grandma and Grandpa are the counselors of the state - the Senate or thereabouts!

　He was a child who was in high spirits.
　He handed over his role in the legend to the two men.

Hmmm, they say we're the Senate. "Hmmm, they say we're the senate, old lady.
Haha, what a surprise. It's amazing that we've been given a position of power.

　The laughter was wooden.
　Beside the crystal-clear river reflecting the light, everyone had a dazzling smile on their face.
　The child (straw) is satisfied with that.

'Mmm!　Today, the Land of Children (Warawa) is brighter than ever, thanks to all of you!
That's right, "The Lord who rules!

　My brother and the children join hands and bless this world.
　Grandpa and Grandma laugh at that and accompany me.

Haha. Haha," they say, "but that quiet girl has changed. She's become a shrewd, unreliable horse. My little Titty...
This is in Titi's nature, isn't it? Good thing.

　It's a brighter world--
　It's a warm and wonderful place where everyone can laugh.

　With the arrival of his new family, the place for the child (Warawa) only grew brighter. In just one day, the distance between Aide and the child (Warawa) disappeared and soon they were playing together.

　And so begins the story of Aide and the child (Warawa).


Grandma and Grandpa!　I'm going with the id!


　After finishing his daily routine, Warawa takes his brother to play.

'We're going to swim in the river today!
Sister, in the river?
'Oh!　Think about what you're going to do tomorrow!　Time is precious, you know!
Yes!

　After that, they played in the forest, and then in the mountains.
　Some days they ran around in the meadows, other days they were busy helping the people in the village.


　--This was the true beginning of Lord Titty.


　This is not an adventure that can be described in a heroic tale.
　Most of them are dumb days of accumulated failure.

　But ......, it was indeed a great adventure for the mistress.
　It was an adventure that could rival any heroic tale.

　Inviting a spirit who appeared in the river to the house of a child, fighting nighttime monsters that appeared in the northern city, taming heavenly birds, begging a traveling wizard to teach her a lesson, getting carried away and going a bit into the city to anger the greats, a fist fight in the northern city to save the aide who had been taken hostage. and slaying pterodactyls out on the northeastern great plains - well, I've lost most of the battles unceremoniously, and I've been somehow forgiven for discussing my special skills - but that's the lore of the ' It was an adventure as great as that of the Lord, the King who rules.

　It was condensed into just one year.
　Perhaps it was because I had a partner named Ayd, but each day was so full of turmoil that a year seemed like a very long time. It felt like a decades-long adventure.

　Yep.
　Every day of my childhood was so long: .......

　And another year later.
　The children who have grown up quickly here continue to live the same life as before.
　The children, who believe that this time will never end, run through the grassland again today.

　Before they knew it, their bodies had grown up.
　The fast-growing child, not yet in his double digits, had surpassed his grandma and grandpa's bodies, and was now fitter than an adult.
　His young grass-colored hair had turned a translucent green, and the plucked wings on his back had regained their shape. It's a transformation that would be acceptable even if you called it an adult in the city.

''--Aid!　They say there's another big one in the East Woods!　Let's go together to exterminate it!

　However, what I do is the same as when I was a child.
　Perhaps, it is possible that he will remain the same until he dies, but inside of him is the same as a year ago, a child.

　On the other hand, the partner of the child--

Hmm?　Ayd, what's wrong with you ......?

　Unfortunately, his brother was not much taller.
　The younger brother, who was only up to the belly of a child, kept staring at the same spot near the house.

　His gaze was drawn to a white flowering tree.
　Aide smiled as she took one of the fluttering petals in her hand.

'I love it. This tree.'

　Over the past year, Ayde has been staring at the plants and trees a lot. The number of times he has looked at the tree next to his house is unparalleled.
　It's a hobby a little child doesn't understand.

I've always done that when I'm not studying. ...... You just love nature, you're not greedy.
'It's fun to watch, isn't it?　The wind moves the plants and trees slightly, too. Also, it's interesting to see how much they've grown compared to a few days ago.
I can understand that. ......

　But there is a limit.
　Aido has been bought books and toys by the city and peddlers, but never by the id. He always refrains from buying what he wants, saying that it's not in here.

'Really, Ayd doesn't want anything ....... Ummm ......

　This is a problem.
　As long as grandpa and grandma are in trouble with this selflessness, I can't be silent as a sister - or even as a king to follow.

'Then tell me what you want!　I'll make it happen for you, child!
Yes, Miss Titty?
'Mmm!　This is your prize!
Reward ......?
"The child is king of the bogeymen!　You haven't been paid for the past year!　As a king, I knew I couldn't do this!
Oh, no!　We don't need it!
You don't think I'd accept a child's reward?　Does that mean you're going to stop being the Prime Minister!

　I try to be a little nasty and force him into a corner.

I'm not so sure about that ....... I want to continue to be the prime minister of the country of "The Lord" ......
Then tell me quickly!

　Aide showed a troubled face and first turned his gaze to the white flowering tree next to him.
　Then he shifted his gaze a bit as it was, and looked up at the sky 'here'.
　Looking at the clear blue sky to where--

If you go to ......, 'now', give yourself more of this time.

　--I hoped (...)

'Mmmm?'

　It was what Ayde wanted, but he nodded his head at the overly abstract story.

"Well ......, I mean I want to live in peace all the time. 'Here'.
Ah, peace or want, you mean. As a mistress, I would have preferred something more dangerous.
No, "The Lord who rules. What I want is peace. Because I love this village in this country--no, I love this house.

　With that, Ayde laughed.
　It's a rare full-faced smile for Aide, who often has a troubled, affectionate smile.
　Caught in the act, even the child (Warawa) smiles.

''That's Do-Moja ....... The child also loves 'here' .......
Right?　So as long as I have 'now' and 'here', I don't need anything else. So, 'Lord', please give me more time for this.
"Haha, you really are an unselfish fellow!
I'm not selfless. He wants it, all right.
'Now' and 'here' and so on, free for all!　As it should be, they'll be there tomorrow and next year!　That's not even a copper!　Greed does not come into it!　It's a do-over!
'Well, I'm not so sure ....... I think it's a more important 'treasure' to me than gold coins. ......

　Mmmmm.
　A really hard one. That's the beauty of the id, but it's also inflexible.

''Hah, I can't help it!　If you're so worried, I'll give you my word!　As a reward, this king will 'promise' you!　I swear that this "treasure" - the "peace of the world" - will be protected by her!　Ah, we'll live together forever, Ayde!
"Hmm.

　Aide laughs even more happily at the promise of a reward.

''--Yes, 'The King Who Rules (Lord)'!

　Next to the gable-roofed house, on a meadow of white flowers.
　With both eyes narrowed to their limits, his high cheeks puffed out, and his mouth opened so wide that it took the shape of a half-moon - he smiled and replied.

　Satisfied with that best-ever full smile, the child (strawberry) pulled back from the id.

'Good!　Now, follow me!　Let's go east today!
Yeah, I'll go with you!

　And today, two children leap out of the shadows of the trees.
　They run across the meadow as fast as they can to enjoy their next game.

　As they run, the children look up at the sky.
　A rich, deep blue extends to the farthest reaches of the sky.
　And there are many fluffy white clouds floating in the sky. In the center of the sky, a round sun is shining brilliantly. A dazzling light spread out and a wisp of light was flying around.
　The sound of the wind, almost as if it were crystal clear, passed quickly through my ears.
　You don't have to look down to see what's going on on the ground, but thanks to that beautiful music, you can see the ground clearly.
　The wind is rustling through the grass and the rustling sound of the grass. The grass was swaying and rubbing irregularly, playing a natural melody.
　Now the child is running on a vast carpet of grass.
　It is a wide open grassland that makes him want to lie down, stretch his arms and legs and stretch out.

　I feel like I can be the wind of freedom and go wherever and however far I want to go.
　I feel as if my heart is floating high in the sky. My joyful emotions burst and twinkle, and I want to sing along with the sound of the wind.

　And as I continue to run, I'm a little out of breath.
　But it's not painful at all.
　My exhaled breath is refreshing. I've been sweating profusely and it's refreshing to see my heartbeat quicken as it drips with sweat.

　Ah, it feels so good. ......
　It feels so good to be "here" .......



　--So.



　Here.
　This is the true place for a child.
　And it is the place where the child's personality is made up.

　No matter how many hundreds of years he may spend in the orphanage or the castle in the future, this is his home and his homeland. Therefore, everything I learned in this place became my values, everything I acquired in this place became my belief.

　I didn't want to forget about it, but as I lived, I forgot about it ....... I was looking for it so desperately, but I just kept moving away from this real 'paradise' .......
　The most distant ...... but warmest memory.

　The id at this time understood that the child was still the king of playground tension.
　The child was still a child and was being protected by his grandparents as an adult.
　That was very reassuring, and those were very happy days.

　This is my treasure. The world of 'beautiful stones' that I found as a child.
　And a real 'treasure' that I could never have had again.　

　...... As I already know, this world will not last long.

　I'm not going to be able to get a good look at it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

　That was on the way back from an outing with Ayde to the northern city.
　I see that meadow engulfed in flames.

　...... It's painful just to remember.
　But just because it's painful, I couldn't forget this one. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you. I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. ...... After all, a child is a child.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.
　The soldiers who came from the south had reduced our home to ashes, killed the village's demons, devoured everyone in the forest, and turned that meadow into a hell.

　In the pile of the demon's corpses, there was also the figure of Grandma and Grandpa.
　Seeing this, Ayde shouted.

''Oh, Grandma!
No, no, Ayde!　If you leave, you die!

　Perhaps because of her responsibility as an older sister, the child (Warawa) maintained a little bit of her composure.
　Even the boy wanted to help Grandma. However, his sister, Warawa, understood that it was too late for him.
　He pulled his brother's hand away and hid in a nearby bush.

I'm scared. I'm scared, sister. What in the world is going on ......?'

　Encouraging the trembling id. It was all I could do.

It's okay, Ayd. The child is here. You have your sister here, so you don't have to worry about anything.

　--This is how it started (・・・・・・).

'My sister is here ....... That sister is 'here' ......
'Oh, yes!　It's always the children who have managed it!
'Yes, my sister is strong ....... She is stronger and smarter than anyone else ....... I'm proud of you, sister.
'The id is right, the child is strong. Stronger than anyone. The legend will return, won't it?　So--
'Is your sister really stronger than anyone else ......!　Really, just like that legendary 'Lord of the Reigning Kings' (Lord) ......?

　--My brother, the id, is expecting me.

...... and of course. I'll leave it to the boy. You'll be no match for a mere mortal like him.

　-- to which my sister (Titty) responded.

'It's ......, thank goodness!　I'll be safe with The Lord who rules!　Because The Lord Who Rules is the Savior of the North!　I'm not gonna let those southern bastards beat me to it!　He's the most powerful king of anyone!

　--Together, we will create the Lord who rules.

Yes, that's right. Yes, the boy is strong. He is stronger than anyone else. ......

　With that, the child (straw) stands up.
　Leaving his id in the bushes, he walks out to the burning battlefield where the enemy is waiting.

　If this were a heroic tale - he swore an oath that he was the 'ruling king (Lord)' and accomplished his revenge with his overwhelming power - but the reality is different.

　It is true that the child (Warawa) was strong.
　But for his age, he was ...... for a frontier village girl.

　There is no way it can be a match.
　But Aide believed.
　He believed that his sister would be able to handle it.
　Then there was no way he wouldn't go as a sister--!

We're here to save everyone!　Wait for me--!

　So I screamed.
　I challenged him to take revenge.

　If this were a heroic tale - a mere man could not be a match for The One Who Steals the Reason of the Wind, and all the soldiers were cut to pieces by the power of the free wind. And he reclaimed the area from the south, albeit only temporarily, but this is not true either.

　The truth is that they are dead.

　He was defeated.
　The child is not strong.
　He was not strong enough to take on a thousand soldiers.
　Although he persisted in his own way - he was killed.

　Both of his arms were cut off, his heart was crushed, his body was pierced with arrows and he bled to death.

''What a pain in the ass, you b*tc* ......''

　The enemy soldiers spit on the corpse of the child (straw).
　Seeing this, the id finally can't stand it anymore and jumps out of the bushes.

''--Ro, the 'ruling king (Lord)'!
'You're still here: ....... Shut up kid. Are you related to this woman?
'Sister, stand up, please!　You're a king, right, sister!　He's the legendary 'Lord' who rules like no one else!
'Oh ....... My sister died, are you crazy ......?
'No!　He's not dead!　The Lord who rules does not die!　Because he rewarded himself!　He promised me!　That 'ruling king (Lord)' wouldn't die without fulfilling it!
Let's just take the kid with us. Unlike the messed up girl, this one's going to sell.

　It should have been dead - indeed, the child overheard the conversation.
　The ears of the corpse lying on the ground had heard it.
　The id kept calling the child (Warawa) 'The Lord who rules' all the while he was being taken away - and he heard the expectant voice of the child (Warawa).

　So, even though I am only a soul, this body is still shaking.

　-- my brother believes in it.

　Just that alone was enough of a reason for the child (Warawa) to challenge the reason of the world.

　To meet that expectation, his soul tries to push the limits.
　In an attempt to make its vainglory and strength real, it pleads with the laws of the world, even though it is a corpse.

　--please.

　A heart. I don't care if it's crushed.
　But just pretend to move for a moment.
　With that, he stands up with a shake.

　It's the Lord who rules. You don't have to exist.
　But just for a moment, let me use that legendary magic.
　Then, I will control the wind.

　And then there's life. You don't have to do this.
　But just for a little while...!

　--Let the boy fight for his brother!

　She swore to do so and stole reason from the world.

　Unfortunately, that talent was in the girl named Titi.
　Yes.
　Unfortunately, she couldn't die 'here', she became 'the one who steals the reason', and she would lose her precious things 'in return'.

'Do not cry, id ....... The child (straw) is as good as anyone else .......

　The child speaks, moving the mouth of the corpse.
　Hearing this, the soldiers who were leaving looked back at him.
　They looked at him with wide eyes. They looked as if they had been attacked by a zombie.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. "Stand down, servant, before the king who rules.

　Against a burning meadow, a bloody girl, moving without a heart, stands with an uncommon wind.
　It might not be surprising to see such an expression on her face.

　Looking at the dumb soldier's face, the giggling child laughs.

''Ba, monster ......!　What the hell is this ......, what the hell is this guy ......!
Why is it moving?　There will be a hole!　There's a hole in my heart!
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

　And the soldiers, half-crazed, challenge the "Lord who rules".

　The child is greeted with a smile.

　As he fights back, his brother - or rather, the prime minister of our country - utters a wish that he remembers.
　He swears as if he were chanting.

''Rest assured, Prime Minister Aide. This 'lord' will protect you. I will protect the village that my grandfather and grandmother loved.

　He slashed back with a blade of wind, slashing at the soldiers who were screaming and slashing at him.
　Blood rained down.

''-- Above all, I will protect you, my beloved child,''

　A rain of arrows falls from afar. The wind dispels it all, and conversely, the wind rains arrows, slaughtering the archers.

　The soldiers try to flee in the face of this unusual scene.
　But the child (warrior) slashed them all with the wind from his back.

　This is exactly the scene that can be called a sentence in a heroic tale - a mere man could not possibly be a match for the "thief of the wind," and all the soldiers were cut to pieces by the power of the free wind.

　At the end of that opportunistic reversal, the child (Warawa) cries out.

'The child - no, the 'concubine' is the king of the winged men who rules the continent!　The descendant of the oldest demon blood, the ruler of all worlds, the Lord!　There is no reason to lose to these gnat-like dustballs!

　Thus begins the story of The Lord Who Rules (The Lord).
　The battle for the king of play to become the real king begins, and the girl, Titty's time is stopped by The Curse.

　This is all about her forgotten childhood.

　After this, this false king is carried up by the people of the north who are in distress. Then a child king who only started out as a mere child reigns in the country for decades, and the north collapses because of the impossibility of this. At the end of it all, the 'ruling king (Lord)' is killed by the Nosfies of the south. However, he cannot even die from the curse of being a "thief of reason" and is forced to be king for a thousand years in the depths of the earth - his soul is broken.

　This is all that is left of the child.
　This is everything that is true.

　Finally, I remember: .......

　The paradise the child was looking for was a gabled-roofed house that had been burned down.
　The family the child was looking for was a grandfather, a grandmother and an id.
　The reason why the child became king was to protect only one person - the Aide.

　That's right.
　Paradise" is not "viasia".
　Family" is not "The People". Of course, it's not Ryner or Kanami.
　I didn't become the King because of something as grand as "Peace of Nations".

　The Lord who rules was born to protect the "here and now".
　It's not just a country, it's a much smaller world.
　It's for a grassland that is large enough for two children to run on while two old couples look on.
　This grassland of my childhood was all I had - and it was all I had.

　-- and yet.
　I couldn't tell anyone about it, I was trapped, held back, and lost weight.
　It must have been the influence of Grandma and Grandpa's teachings. I didn't want to report to the two people in heaven that I didn't help my fellow demons when I had the power to help them.
　And it was chipping away at him endlessly.
　But if he had properly explained his suffering to Aide, that ending could have been avoided. My brother, not Uzumi, would have been the one who understood me the most. However, his pretensions as a silly older sister got in the way of that.
　One word, if he had just confessed to his brother that he was just a child pretending to be the 'Lord' who rules, that would have been all that was needed. That alone would have made him not a king, but a mere child again.
　But I couldn't do it.

　--That's why I regret more than anything else that I didn't deny the expectation of a childless king.

　Oh, I'm finally getting it: .......
　The underlying unconsciousness of the child (Warawa) is .......

　It's easy to put into words. One word.
　Deny all expectations from all people, get back to the same light body I had back then, and then - well...

　--I want to return (・・・・).

　I want to return to that house that has already been burnt down and gone - to the "now" and "here" which is more precious than the gold coins that Aide said - I want to return home.
　I want to betray everything I expect from a child and leave everything behind.

　That's what Mistress - no, that's the true desire of the girl called Titty.
　Ah, so you won't get there even if you play here for a thousand years.

　The child's unrequited desire is--!

　Go back to that gable-roofed house next to that white cherry tree!
　I want my grandma to call me "Titi"!
　I want the id to call me 'Sister' instead of 'Lord', the ruling king (Lord)!
　I want to go back to that pleasant, breezy meadow--and run through it again as fast as I can!

　Oh, yes!　All along, the boy was trying to get back there!
　And yet!　
　So what!
　The child (strawberry) got lost and ended up in a place like this (・・・・・・)!

　Where the hell is 'here'!



　--I open my eyes.



　What jumps into my eyes is the space behind the sixty-six layers.
　The world of fifty layers that reveals all of the children ...... is empty.

　There is no blue sky or fluffy white clouds when you look up.
　There is emptiness. It's a space that doesn't seem like the world of man.
　It is an abyss, an eternal prison, a world that can be called the hell of this world.

　Not even a ray of light, let alone the sun, can penetrate the world.
　My heart sinks into the too-deep darkness, and all I can feel is sadness.

　Naturally, there is not a bit of wind of freedom in this world.
　On the contrary, there was not even a thin layer of air. I feel like I'm going to stop breathing at any moment.

　So, even if I listen carefully, I can't hear the sound of the wind.
　All I could hear was the scream of the world collapsing. It's the sound of doom, and it keeps on spreading like a tree.

　There's nothing here. There's nothing to go to because there's nothing to go to.
　My body freezes at that fact. It's cold. I'm cold.

　Oh, I feel like I'm going crazy. I think I'm going to puke.
　My breath comes out in a gasp and smells like blood. My heart is beating like it's going to explode. You can't help but feel uneasy and anxious about that smell and that heartbeat.

　Oh, I feel sick .......
　'Here' is the worst ..........

　I've been lost and confused, and I've been living my life so desperately that I've come to this place .......

　It's different.
　It's not a place that the child was aiming for, it's not a place like this.
　It's a grassland.

　And yet, why--!

Why (...) ......?

　The voice comes out. It goes out.

'Why (...) ......, even here (・・・・・・・・) ......!

　And the 'mistress' shakes her head.

　Such a place (・・・・・・)!
　So much for this (・・・・・・・・), so much for that (・・・・・・・・), so much for that (・・・・・・・・)!

--------！！！！！！！　

　His voice sounded like the crushing of a soft heart.
　It was close to the sound of bone flesh tearing until it could never heal again.
　It was a scream of demise and a posthumous curse.

　-- In a word, a scream (...)　

'Ohhhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh...' Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! <-------- ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ------ ----------------！！！！！！！！

　The screams that kept pent up echoed in the labyrinth.

　It was the 'scream' of a thousand and eleven years.