Rustyala, who showed up, furrowed her eyebrows a bit and looked at Sera-san first.
　After receiving his gaze, Sera-san immediately begins to explain why I'm here.

''I brought him into the fold through my decision. I couldn't help but ask Kanami not to tell you, but he didn't tell me anything about the others.

　It seems that Sera-san brought me in on her own accord and not at the Lord's direction. That's what Rustyala blames her for, with her mouth agape.

''Hmm. When did you become a rebel, Sera-chan?
'Maybe so. But it's all for the Lord, my lady.
Okay. Yeah, sure. Thanks again. ......

　However, I didn't blame him strongly, but on the contrary, I thanked him.
　I envied that master-slave relationship a little bit. After all, a knight must not only listen to the Lord's instructions, but also act with what is truly for the Lord. Regardless of his character, Sera-san as a senior knight is very respectable.

　After gaining forgiveness, Sera-san immediately brings me forward and begins to introduce me.

''Well then, as I'm sure you know, let me introduce you. This is Ryner, the youngest brother of the Helvirshine family. He's a lot stronger, probably because he was with the Kanami guy. At this young age, he's even able to hold his own against that Hine.

　Cera praises me and emphasizes my usefulness.
　But to me, it's all a bit silly now.
　At any rate--

'That's a sarcastic thing to say, Serah: ....... I haven't forgotten yesterday's fight.

　--I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

　If I close my eyes, I can vividly recall the outcome of the duel at the back of the tavern under the moonlight.
　The end of the duel in the back of the tavern under the moonlight.
　The sight of Sera with the twin swords in her hands that she had snatched from me after I fell on my ass.

　It was a pretty irregular fight, but still, a loss is a loss. Without joking, I realized that Sera-san is the best knight in the United Kingdom.

　Incidentally, in that duel, it was promised that if I won, 'Sera-san will tell you everything she knows' - and if Sera-san won, 'she will not say anything to Kanami even if I listen to her.

'Don't worry about that, Ryner. I can't be strong anymore. I heard that any more 'magic power conversions' (leveling up) will result in the same thing as the former founders. That's why I need you. You are the one without a level limit.
'No, I don't think there's no upper limit, but ....... Probably just a little more than people. ......

　Normally, when the level is raised too high, the body becomes abnormal.
　Cera-san seems to be at level 26, which is almost the limit, but I am lightly over that. And I haven't seen any abnormality at all so far.
　Hearing that, Rustyala looks at me with interest.

Huh. I'm sure you're at the limit of your ability to do this, but Ryner's still not at that level. So that's the level?　That's totally on Kanami and Maria's side. Why is that?

　Now, Lastiara said that the 'demon return' - this is the main reason for my duel defeat.
　If you listen to it, it's said that the term was spread by the id guy in the year we were away.
　The term is said to refer to the fact that a person's body began to turn into a monster as a result of surpassing the limits of the human body and improving its level, and it is called the 'demon return'.
　The "beastmen" of the Confederation are born, but the "witch return" of this country is acquired - various adverse effects appear in the body due to the erosion of the poison that has been absorbed too much.

　If there is another person close to you who has turned back into a witch, it is Snow Walker, the former strongest hero, the dragon man. It is very easy to understand if we take the example of her use of "dragonization", a type of "beastification".

　Although Snow Walker was able to gain temporary strength through the "dragonification" process, she was really close to becoming a dragon due to the aftereffects afterwards.
　Unlike the 'Beastification' performed by ordinary beastmen, the 'Beastification' used by high-level beastmen who had reached the 'Demon Turn' would increase their abilities (status) to an extraordinary degree. In return, the monster will be closer to the monster even in normal times.
　It is said that this "Beastification" and "Longevity" that comes with this price is now collectively called "Majinka".

　It's because of this "demonization" that I lost to Sera.
　And when I heard that she turned into a monster just to persuade me after the duel, I couldn't resist her in many ways.

'Is that why my body doesn't show any signs of abnormality? ....... Maybe it's because I've been fighting with 'Rowen'-san for a while now.

　At Rastiara's curious gaze, I reply with a suitable reason.

''Ah, it's a sword made of the guardian's (guardian's) magic stone! Certainly, if it's that one, anything can happen to it. In fact, Maria-chan seems to be able to become as strong as possible because she has Arti's magic stone.

　In truth, I have a different idea. However, it's too unfounded, so I use Rowen-san as the reason for my misunderstanding.
　As soon as I get away from Rastiara's doubts, I quickly go back to my original story.

''Rastiara. I'm going to do what I have to do on behalf of Brother Hein. I want you to tell me as much as you think you can tell Brother Hein.

　He clarifies his position by mentioning his brother's name.

'...... All right. I'll explain everything to you now. I'll answer what I can, so ask me any questions you have.

　As if in recognition of this, Rastiara slowly began to speak.

''As Sera-chan said, we collected the 'Tiara-sama's blood' that had been scattered around for a year. So, I think we've already collected almost 90% of the blood we've collected. Right now, forty percent of it is in my body and fifty percent in your child's body.
'...... What, it's already 90 percent?　You're early. But why do they leave blood in your body too?　That's dangerous.

　I ask him about the danger of blood while being a little disappointed that it's already nearing the end.

It's easier to find the 'Jewelculus' who possess the 'Saint Tiara-sama's Blood' if you have it in your possession," he said. It also makes the process of drawing blood easier, and it's useful in many ways. Of course, this blood is safe because it's still sleeping. If you're serious about waking up the blood, you'll need to prepare a ritual as big as the one at the Nativity. We don't have to worry about it as much as Reiner thinks we should.

　But Rath Tiara smiled and replied that she was fine.

'But from what Sera told me, that's why Lady Tiara is so full of emotions, isn't it?　Maybe you should cut back on the volume.
'Yes, I do. But I think it's my job to know what Tiara-sama's feelings are, so I'm rather okay with that.
'No, it's not good. Didn't Christ get dumped cold yesterday because of someone else's feelings and all that?　Then it's rather disturbing--

　I am angry that my Lord has been treated unfairly and immediately try to appeal for the removal of the blood.
　But that appeal is interrupted by a deeper indignation.

'No,' Lord Tiara is not a (・・・・・・) stranger (・・・・・・).

　Rustyala glared at me.
　I knew I had stepped over her non-negotiables as we talked, and I immediately kept my mouth shut.

'She's not just a stranger, she's a major character (the main heroine), of course!　Lady Tiara has been in love with Kanami for a thousand years, all the time: ......!　He was closer to Kanami than anyone else and supported her all the way through. I did my best and continued to do my best, healthy and devoted. Until he died (・・・・・). And yet, in his last days, he died in the midst of his aspirations, without even a chance to confess it, being misunderstood......!　No, it's not like that!　I will never approve of such an inadequate story (story)!

　Rustyala shouts his thoughts to me who is silent.

　The sight of him reminds me of my old brother Hein.
　He's Brother Hein, whose love of the theater is so twisted that he gets too emotionally involved in the characters.
　In the same way, Lastierra seems to be getting too emotionally involved in Tiara now.

　How far did he see Tiara's memories - maybe all of them (...) is a possibility. Maybe he's in a state of projecting too much of himself onto the hero of the story, so to speak.

　But you can't pull as a knight of Christ, either.
　Slowly I reply, trying to make the Lord's position understood as well.

I heard that a lot of things happened a thousand years ago. But it's not a thousand years ago now. It's you, not Lady Tiara, that Christ loves now ....... Make no mistake, Christ loves Rastiara Hoozeyers with all his heart.

　I'm sure of it because I heard it out of a drunken Christ last night. I didn't want the Lord's feelings not to be conveyed to me, so I tried to say it back, not letting Rustyala's cries get the better of me.
　Rustyala would take it calmly.

'...... Yeah, I know that. After what happened yesterday, I know that very well.''
If you know what I'm talking about, why do you--
'But I'm suspicious of that 'Kanami likes Rustyala Hoosiers' story. Does Kanami really (・・・・・・・) like me (・・・・)?　What do I look like?　I'm such a normal, off-the-cuff, untalented doll that I can't even get on stage. And yet, I'm a mouthful, a useless person who's always been uppity and couldn't help Dia in the end. There's no way to compare her to that strong, kind, cool Lady Tiara. I can't help but wonder if Kanami misunderstands her feelings for Tiara-sama from a thousand years ago and says 'I love you' ......!

　Rastiala continues to despise and deny himself.
　I'm surprised at her overly bad self-esteem. There's a limit to his self-doubt.

　And because of that inferiority complex, I understand that Rastiara is no longer able to trust Kanami's feelings.

　But to have that present-day god Rastiara Hoozeyars say so much .......
　I'm tempted to ask her how much she's been beaten to a pulp over the past year against the Aids. Of course, I won't ask because it would be traumatic for her. If she pokes at it, she will lose what little composure she has left now.
　That trauma is something I can relate to, as I was unable to save Brother Hein, so I knew about our mine beforehand.

　I pretend to accept Rastiara's story and decide to listen to her own thoughts.

''- I know you're angry. I also understand that you loved Christ when he was the first born. But there is one thing I want to ask you. When you confessed to me yesterday, you said you hated Christ, is that true?　You looked a little happy from the side.

　After all, that's the most important thing.
　Rustyala responds lightly to that important story.

'What, me?　-- that's right, I love Kanami (・・・・・・) (・・・・・). All the important parts of my life are occupied by Kanami, so it's no surprise.

　I was bracing myself for how to get my true feelings out, but Rustyala told me easily and naturally.
　However, I insist that the anger is also natural.

''But I guess I don't like Kanami ignoring Tiara-sama ....... Yeah, I hate her. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you forget about the days with Tiara-sama and confess to a "demon stone person (me)" who resembles her, no matter how much Kanami is terrible. Tiara-sama was there, too, but ......!　Kanami is under the same recovery spell that I was hit with, so I'm sure she's definitely regaining bits and pieces of her memories from a thousand years ago. And yet, she only asked me to go with her?　He didn't say a word about Lady Tiara, on the contrary, he treated her like a nuisance: ......!

　Ah, .......
　In other words, Rastiala is angry for Tiara.

　From that, we can see that Christ's entire response yesterday was a mistake.
　Christ should have talked about Tiara first, without worrying about a lover he hadn't seen in a long time. Confession was out of the question.

　However, it would be terrible to ask him to talk about the tiara at that point in time.
　I hadn't reunited with the girl I'd always liked for a year, and that was still another problem with my sister and my friends, and I had just had a big stand-off with Nosfi and the others in the basement - and yet, Tiara was a guy I didn't remember well... ...And it would have been impossible for me to care about the being who almost killed my love, Rustyala, not long ago.

　...... I still pity the Lord, as usual. From the beginning, the confession was promised to be a failure.

'So that's what it was about, that was .......

　Finally, the discomfort of the confession was resolved.
　But at the same time, I also felt pity for Rastiara in front of me.
　She has too much of a loss of character. She has inherited only the bad qualities of her brother Hein, who was her educator. I feel more pity for him than pity.

　From earlier, Rustyala is only worried about the other children, even though he likes Christ too.
　Come to think of it, she was trying to save the dragonborn Snow Walker before Christ at the Lauravia tournament. From what I've heard, I also heard that he was rooting for the love of a dark-haired girl, Maria.
　In other words, this Rastiara person can do his best to get his feelings tied up with another woman if there is someone there who is more pitiful and tragic than him.

　Like Brother Hein, this guy follows the promises of the story, and even keeps to the exact order of the confession, thinking that his turn is the last to go.

I get it. You said you hate Christ, but you love him more than that. ...... haha. This is a two-way street. So how can it be so complicated?
'I wish we had feelings for each other ....... I don't know anymore if Kanami's feelings yesterday, or this feeling of mine, are true or not ....... A year ago, we explored the labyrinth together, saved each other's lives, and a lot of other things, but lately, I'm not so sure anymore ....... I've been wondering lately if Kanami really enjoyed playing with me .......

　It's inevitable, but my memories of Christ seem to have faded over the past year. The fact that he once played an active role in the 'Dance Dance Society' is probably a distant memory. Because of this, Rustyala has become so much less confident in himself.

''--That's why I'm sure. My objective right now is to 're-birth' Tiara-sama. But even more than that, my goal is to zero out the Tiara-sama element from this body!　If we can completely separate ourselves from Lady Tiara, I'm sure everything will be fine!　You will no longer feel indebted to Maria!　I'll even be able to face Snow straight on!　It's clear that neither Kanami nor I are mistaken!

　Along the way, the names of Snow and Maria are mentioned.
　This tiara's "re-birth" seems to be for the sake of her former friends.

　And that's not all, I can tell from the stories we've heard so far.
　Little by little, I'm beginning to understand the mindset of the inferior girl in front of me, and my face begins to tighten.

　Perhaps, but just seeing Tiara and Christ's love affair first won't be enough to make Rustyala feel better. She's just like Brother Hein, she wants too much of a perfect grand circle.

　So, this inferior girl Rustyala, this inferior girl, may be planning to have all the women she knows - to confess to Christ first - to see if his confession is true.

　First, Tiara, who was 're-born'.
　And then, next, his friends, including Mary and the like.
　And then there are the girls who were related to him a thousand years ago, without a trace.

　--all of them.

　If Christ confesses to himself once again, shaking off the confession of all of them, then we can believe in each other's feelings - I'm sure he's thinking about it.

　Indeed, Christ must prove the truth of what he said about 'the one and only (・・・・・・・・・) destined (・・・・) person in the world'.

　My Lord's happiness is so far away that I'm beginning to feel a little dizzy.

'Hey, hey ....... Can't you tell Christ what you just said?
'I can't tell you. Because if Kanami now knows, she's going to interfere with Tiara-sama's 're-birth'. In fact, Maria tried to stop me from putting me first. ......

　Certainly, from what I've heard so far, Christ could interfere.
　No, considering what he said in the tavern last night - is that a certainty?

'First of all, this 're-birth' work is always fraught with danger. I have no intention of making such a mistake, but if I make one mistake in the procedure, there's a chance that I, who's storing the 'Tiara-sama's Blood', will be crushed. If Kanami finds out about this, he might forcefully draw blood from me. So, absolutely, I can't tell Kanami.

　If Christ knew that his lover was in danger, he would take out 'Tiara-sama's Blood' from Las Tiaras, thinking 'not to regret it' or 'for safety' or something like that.
　And since there's a foul magic like 《Distance Mute》, it's easily possible.
　For Rastiara, I can understand how much the existence of Christ is a hindrance to his plans.

And even if I succeed, I will definitely not be 'special'. I'll be deprived of some of the 'qualities' that I have in my body. If that happens, Kanami and I will never be in the same place again. We won't be able to travel together, let alone hide in the maze together. It will be absolutely impossible for us to fulfill the "contract" we made when we first met. I don't know if the current Kanami will accept that without telling you.

　I mean, I'm afraid that Christ would start doing something out of the blue.
　I can understand Rustyala's desire to keep it hidden until the end of the matter.

''- I've come to understand the general situation. All right, I'll never tell Christ anything. With these circumstances in mind, Knight Rainer Helvilshain swears to cooperate with your plan. When he hears that you're doing this to persuade others to join the Lord, he won't have any objections. It's best to get this over with before Christ is gone and welcome him back.
...... Thank goodness. Thanks for the help, Rainer. Honestly, I needed someone to help me rush things along.
No, don't thank me. Just--

　While I'm willing to cooperate, that doesn't mean I'm limited to what I'm willing to tolerate.
　I glanced at the bed in the center of the room to let him know that.

'Of course, if you don't agree with what we're doing, you can leave right away. You know, like the way we treat the kids there.

　Rustyala, who I guessed from her eyes, approached the bed child and stroked her forehead, caressing her.
　Sera, impatient with the lack of a detailed explanation, hurriedly begins to explain to me.

'Rainer. We can't imitate Feydert. Hence, this is a child who has lived and died well enough. Her lifespan was less than a year, but she certainly lived her life. On top of that, she wanted to use herself as Lady Tiara's body after death.

　If you look at the amount of favoritism I saw from Rustiala's 'Demon Stone Human (Jewelculus)' when I confessed yesterday, it was a convincing story.
　However, Rastiara seemed to think that was an excuse for a story. With his face down, he adds an explanation.

'Honestly, I was worried about the 'vessel' I was transferring to, so it's like this sweet girl volunteered to help me. ......
'Maybe so. But still she desired. She sincerely wanted to help the young lady, and also to help Tiara-sama. As someone who also cares for the young lady, I can understand her feelings. Please, Miss, take her feelings into consideration and use them with a smile. I will ask you to do the same.
...... Yeah.

　The only person who doesn't seem to be convinced is Rastiala.
　I can see that even the reuse of a corpse is heartbreaking.

　It's as if they are different from me. For me, my tolerance is much different.

Good for you. I'm not going to have any more say in the handling of that corpse, so don't worry. ...... And the rest of the blood was ten percent left, right?　In fact, how many more are there?
'Well, ....... I've been desperately looking for you for the past year. I know that in a few more days or so, we'll be fully assembled. If we keep this up, I think that in another month - or even sooner - Tiara-sama will be back in this world.
Hey. Looks like it's going to be quick and easy. Maybe it'll be over before Christ comes back and we can pick him up on the other side.

　I smile and rejoice in the ease of things.
　In contrast, Rastiara, too, divides his mind and makes a smile.

'...... Yeah, you're right. Let's think more cheerfully!　I'm sure it will all be over soon and we'll have Kanami with Lady Tiara!　Everything will be fine!　Alright, then, now that we have some new friends - let's declare the resumption of Operation Tiara-sama 'Rebirth'!
Yes, sir. We'll make it work, miss. I'll follow you wherever you go.
Yeah. I'll do everything I can to help.

　With that declaration, Sera and I bowed like knights.
　We pledge to do our best to fulfill the wishes of Lord Rastiara, and we pledge to each other.

　...... Just behind that bow, I was thinking about a few things.

　If it exceeds my tolerance range - in some cases, I'll have to restrain Rastiara and kill Saint Tiara, or ...... - what a thing! re.

　Unlike Christ and Rustyala, it's not my intention to muddle through.
　You have to be alive.
　If you're alive, your heartbreak will be a laughing matter someday.

　--So I don't care about the promises of the story or the fate of a thousand years ago.

　I don't care about the founder of the past, or the Kanami of the Gentiles, or the labyrinth.
　To me, Christ is Christ.
　When we met - Christ called himself Christ.
　That boy, my brother tried to help him. That's all.

　I don't care about past saints, or being a Jewelcrus, or that hard love.
　To me, Rustyala is Rustyala.
　When we met - Rastiara called herself Rastiara.
　My brother tried to help that girl. That's all.

　When it comes to protecting the King and Queen's pieces, he'll take the enemy's pieces without mercy.
　That's what I do.

　So, when Rath Tiara's life is in danger because of Saint Tiara, what I have to do is determined.

　--it's decided (・・・・・・・・).

　Laughing at each other, I turn my attention to the twin swords at my waist as I am greeted by Rustiala and the others as my new friends.
　Inside the cold basement.
　Thinking about what if, I was assembling in my mind a way to beat both Sera and Rustiala --


◆◆◆◆◆


　-- and it just so happens that the way of thinking of that boisterous Rainer Helvilshain was exactly the same as a certain person.

　It was a coincidence, too - some saintly Tiara had the exact same idea as Rainer Helvilshain, and he would give the same answer.


　As a result, the one that 'Saint Tiara' will choose as her successor - not 'Rust Tiara', the girl of the Jewelcrustean Man (Jewelcrustean) who sleeps there, or the one who will inherit the name of the Fouzeyards, but no one else, but rather 'Rainer Helvilleshain'. It would be.


　Just like that.
　The story of the Hoosiers would be far removed from the vein that it should be.