As they stood behind the moving castle, only the Sith were not moving as they reached the table.
　Aide, who couldn't see that, called out to him.

(...... haha, Apostle-sama, please don't cry. That's why I told you not to do it.)

　Sith looks up, answering it with a shaky voice.

''Hey, I'm not crying ......''

　I certainly wasn't crying.
　But even now, I'm shaking so hard I feel like I'm going to cry.
　My refusal to do so must have been a real shock to him. I talk to everyone here about what I'm feeling.

But I believed that my allies would understand. ...... From the first day we met, I knew we were meant to be. I knew we were just like each other. ...... I thought that someday, we would definitely understand ...... and so ......!
(It was a long time ago that you and the Primordial Vortex Wave were close - give it up. Even if he knows everything about the world, he will never cross paths with you again.)

　The Sith's words are cut off by Ayde.

　Honestly, I feel the same way as Ayde.
　I don't think I'll understand her world-first, inhuman way of thinking until I die.

(Admittedly, if I continue to patiently explain it to her, maybe one day she'll agree with me: ....... But for now, I think it would be wise to stop. (Even now, the Primordial Vortex Wave is trying to take your body)
Yeah, looks like ....... ......

　If the castle had been slow to start moving even one more second, the battle between me and the Sith would have begun before the 'duel'. Acknowledging this, the Sith takes a deep breath once and stops shaking their bodies.

　Then, the negotiations that continued earlier take place.
　However, after placing the overwhelming power on their backs, it's no longer a peace negotiation.

''...... ally, Ayde has convinced me of what I said earlier. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. It was a very easy partnership.
"After all this outright refusal, you still won't give up on me ......?
Yes, of course. Because it would be so much quicker to use your allies. If you want to reject what you just said, then you'll have to ask me to 'duel' with you as well. Naturally, then you will fight with Yotaki too, right?　Because me and Yotaki have always been a pair.

　It was a pretty word, but in the end, if you didn't want to die, you had to fight.

　The peace broke down and tensions grew between me and the Sith.
　The cups of tea on the table were all shattered by the earlier vibration. The time for us to enjoy our tea together was no longer.

''Only, Ayd wants to have a one-on-one 'duel' ....... Then let's start off with a new and old "ruling king" showdown.　It wouldn't take me long to do that.

　The Sith invited Titi next to me to fight, not me. I could tell from the burning wariness in her eyes that she was trying to take down everything she could fight, to get this over with anyway, quickly.

'I don't mind. It's not a problem," he said, "but the original intention of the boy and Snow was to keep you in check during the duel.

　That suggestion was within the scope of the plan we had decided on beforehand.
　Titi and Snow to hold the Sith and Yotaki while Ayd and I fought. It's one of the ideal developments.

'Only, Lord Apostle. But first, may I have a few moments to discuss this with my brother?

　But in the face of that idealistic development, Titi interrupted.
　I was nearly in over my head from my interaction with the Sith, but she was still calm. We haven't forgotten the most crucial part of our plan.

The Lord who rules. After all this time, talk--)

　The most important factor in fighting the Guardian - is words.
　I believe that verbal persuasion is the most effective attack against the Guardian. Titi is convinced of this.

"Listen to me, Ayde!

　Titi refuses to accept Ayde's attempt to refuse dialogue and starts screaming.

'I can see why you hate Kanami!　From your point of view, the existence of the Primordial Whirlpool Wave was a grudge enemy that had taken everything from you a thousand years ago!　I can see that!　It's no use for a child to say that Kanami is not bad now!

　Perhaps he was consumed by that powerful cry, or maybe it was his brother's nature - Ayde silently listened to Titi's words. Surprisingly, Sis didn't seem to try to interrupt him either.

''But that doesn't mean you have to end it with violence!　A thousand years ago, we weren't quite so arrogant!　This was the method that you, the Prime Minister, hated the most!

　Titi doesn't deny Ayde from the front.
　He doesn't lift me up like he did the other day, but brings up the 'vizier' that Ayde seems to be obsessed with.
　It was a very good - adult persuasion.

'With your mighty body and the power of 'the one who steals the reason', I will 'duel' and get my wish!　Whoever wins is justified!　It's not a child's fight!　Is the 'vizier' that Ayde believes is such a child's quarrel being!
(Yeah, that's ......)

　A lost voice came from Id.
　In response to that, Titty threw in some very sisterly and kind words.

I'm sure you'll find that if you try to force things through with force, the conversation will only get more complicated ....... First of all, let's talk to the child about everything he or she has done to date ....... If you want to fight or talk to each other, you must first understand each other. If you're honest with yourself, that may be the only way to solve the problem: ......?

　The resolution of exposing their hearts to each other - perhaps that's what Chloe is referring to when she stopped Snow in the port city of Cork.
　Seeing two people with similar distortions to themselves coming to terms with each other, Titi wants to have a similar ending.

　I don't think it's impossible for me to do so.
　The man who is here now is not the Lord of a thousand years ago. This is Titi, who has suffered for a thousand years, traveled through the future, learned with me, and grown up a bit.

　I believe we can attract a different ending than we did a thousand years ago.

Relying on the power of 'The One Who Stole Reason' is the last thing you need to do. ...... Otherwise, power will drive everyone to lose sight of what's important. It's a good thing that this city, for example, could easily disappear if the children were to fight with all their might. ...... Hey, id. This is a wonderful city. I've seen the smiles on the faces of the people just from the first glance, and that's really good work. You've done a really good job.

　I thought I heard a gasping sound from inside the castle that had become a giant.
　The id was definitely shaken by the praise of the city of Vyasia that he had raised himself, and he was definitely shaken.

'Don't you wish to harm this city ......?　At least I know in my heart that the child does not want to hurt anyone, even in a deserted city.
(...... Wow, I get it. If The Lord Who Rules says so much, shall we change the location? There's a plain in the southeast. (There's nothing to destroy there, and we'll be able to fight to our heart's content.
"The southeastern plains. ...... It's close to the home of the children. Indeed, that might be the right place to end it.

　He easily manages to elicit a change of location.
　But Titi is not satisfied with that.

'But not yet. The boy hasn't talked to you long enough!　Now that I'm face to face with you, I'm sure of it!　You--

　As if deciding the game here and now, he raised his voice loudly.

''-- You don't really want to hurt anyone, do you!　You must be insane!　You haven't changed at all!　Not only do they worry about the lives of people, but even the lives of plants and trees!　Don't you love all the structures that people have painstakingly built!　I'm sure everyone in sight has to be smiling!　You really hate fighting, don't you!

　He is convinced, and he screams and slams at his brother, assuming everything about him.
　It's an act of arrogance, but I believe that only one person in this world - Titi - is allowed to do it, and that's me.

''Didn't you regret it terribly by kicking Rouge and Noir in the 'Second Labyrinth City Daryl'!　You must have been on the verge of madness many times, but every time you saw someone get hurt, you must have come to your senses again and again!　Someone else is going to get hurt because of you, and that's all it takes to get back to you, you gentle man!　Yes, of course!　You're not a child!　More kind-hearted than anyone else, "The Devil"!　A strong man who lived for someone else until the very end!　I am the id of the Doriad, the Doriad's pride and joy, my brother!

　My sister screamed all the way.
　At the end of the day, she called out to her brother, who was proud of her, instead of 'Prime Minister'.

(............!!!!)

　Ayd couldn't hide his agitation.
　The entire castle had shaken his body and shook the royal capital.

'...... please. Please answer me, Ayd. Let's talk about it a little more ....... The children are family ...... sister and brother, so we are .......

　Seeing the upset, Titty asked for help with a face that looked like she was about to cry.
　Approximately, it was an expression that was unbecoming of the "Governing King (Lord)".

　But there is no doubt that the expression and voice reached Aide - causing him to be upset.

　Right now Aide is lost in the Vyasia Castle.
　But if I accept my sister's argument as my brother, there is no way for a 'duel' with me to happen.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to find a way to get the job done.

　--The center of the royal capital.

　The center of the royal capital.
　No one speaks a word in the solemn air.

　The only sounds that can be heard are the distant chirping of birds and the blowing of the wind.

　The one who broke that silence - not his sister Titi or his brother Ayde, but Sis, who had been watching with a serious expression all along.

''That's not good ....... Aside from me and Yotaki, I can't hold that girl back anymore.

　She wasn't trying to interrupt her sister and brother with malicious intent. On the contrary, he could tell from her appearance that she was worried about the two of them.

''Sis?　What do you say ......,--!

　He tried to ask what the worry was about.
　But the question was retracted in the back of his throat by something cold that touched his back.

''--Hmmm (...)

　A giggle and a subdued laugh followed, echoing from my ears.
　I almost screamed at the inexplicable phenomenon.

　Now I am deploying the Dimension.
　I'm filling the royal capital with magic more carefully and deliberately than ever before.
　It's only natural since the Guardian is right in front of me.

　That's why I'm able to grasp everything that's in the royal capital.
　Without a doubt, I haven't missed even a single ant from every corner.

　However, in spite of that, someone from behind just now put their hand inside my clothes--

　I turn around in fear, as if I had met a ghost.
　Then I look at the figure, not with the 《Dimension》 but with my naked eye.

　The moment I saw that person, I quickly jumped back and took my distance.

　I had predicted this from the color of his voice.
　I had been thinking about that possibility before I entered the royal capital.
　Still, I was surprised by the sight of him and I lost my voice.

''Fufu, ufufu, ufufu. Fufu, fufufufufu--!

　The person behind him was 'The One Who Steals the Reason for Light', Nosfi.

　When I saw a face with even more furrowed cheeks than before, a chill ran down my spine in horror.
　He was still dressed in the same pitch-black outfit, with his blackened chestnut-colored hair swinging wildly - and he wore tattoo-like (・・・・・・) letters all over his body (・・・・・) and parts of his body were missing (・・・・・).

　The body is so transparent that you can see through it and see the other side, so that the dismembered limbs appear to be floating.

　The girl, who looks more terrifying than the ghost, spills her uncontrollable laughter to the outside world.

''Huh, hmmm, hmmm, ha, na, shi, aiiii?　A discussion?　I've done all kinds of things for you when I heard the word 'duel'!　You've been talking all day!　Quite frankly, it's very boring to watch!　I don't mean it!

　From the way he spoke, he was certain that it was definitely the Nosfies he knew.
　But if that's the case, why didn't I fall for the Dimension?

　Immediately I try to analyze everything about her.
　However, I can't detect anything unusual in the Dimension.
　No, the Dimension is observing the anomaly that there is nothing where Nosphy can see with the naked eye.

　I don't know why, but there is no doubt that Nosphy is escaping the Dimension. The invisibility of that part of his body seems to be taking advantage of the refraction of light. It may be one of the powers of the 'One Who Steals the Reason of Light'.

'No, Nosfies: ......!　I thought you went south!　No, more importantly, that figure is ......!

　Nosfi had been hiding and waiting for me.

　I understand that.
　I get it - but I still have a lot of questions about that strange appearance.

　Invisibility is about hiding your appearance. I understand that.
　But I don't understand the reason for its tattooed body. I don't know why its ghostly complexion is so pale.
　Her face is still clean, but unlike when I met her in the labyrinth, her eyes are bloodshot. He has dark circles under his eyes and looks like he hasn't slept in days. He clearly looks in bad shape.

''Hmph, this body?　This is--hmmm, yes, so to speak--the "love curse" of love, yes, yes, the "love curse"!　From the day I lost to Master Uzumi, I wrote all day, every day, without rest or sleep!　I hope this thought reaches you!　He wrote a 'curse seal' that plays the magic power of the dimensional attributes of Master Uzumi!　You couldn't see a lot of things properly, so you didn't even notice!　Be careful, Uzumi-sama!

　Nosfy easily told me the meaning of that tattoo.
　It seems that it has an effect that plays on my magic, so it means that it can't be captured by the Dimension. I don't intend to take it all in stride, but there's no doubt that Nosfi is getting an effect similar to that.

　I gulp and drip cold sweat.
　It's a tension I didn't have when I was dealing with Ayd, Sith, and Yotaki.

　Leaving me with a frown on my face, Nosphy speaks without restraint.

'Lord oh!　If possible, this wanker would not approve of ...... ending up in a discussion!　Because that's all too true, isn't it?　That's too common a war. It's too much like being an adult. Playing nice. That's not like us. As professionals, we can't allow that to happen!　Ladies and gentlemen, let's do more like it!

　Nosfi shouted at the center of everyone as if in a speech.
　Meanwhile, he produced a flag of light from his right hand and stabbed it into the earth. Then, adding an exaggerated gesture, he continues to speak.

'All right, gentlemen!　That's not what this is about!　The Prime Minister Id know what Lord is talking about, and so does the Prime Minister Id, long ago!　I'm very aware of that!　I know I'm doing this knowing full well!　But my feelings, my heart, I don't think they'll let me be sorry for myself now!　I'm repeating myself knowingly!

　It was like an inspiration, but it was a clever incitement.
　However, the problem was that the target was not the ordinary people out there, but rather the 'logic stealers' who have the power to rewrite the map.

And now, how can you discuss this with them?　It's useless, isn't it, Uzumi-sama!

　Just fight, Nosfi shouts.
　He also asked me for my extremely forceful consent. I couldn't help but make a bitter face at his usual tone.

　However, Titty was the only one who was different from me. She called out my name with a happy expression on her face.

'Nosfi!　You're here: ......!

　I guess he still considers that one a friend.
　Even with the intrusion in this important scene, Titi was welcoming.

　That reaction was probably unexpected for Nosfi as well. He opened his mouth in a slightly surprised manner before replying calmly.

'...... Okay, Lord. I'm not impressed with you trying to break down your enemies with words like that. A 'duel' is a promise. It's a promise to be kept. I think I'm right (and wrong) to end the 'unfinished business' with just an answer, without a soul to soul clash.

　It looks like Nosfi's momentum has been eroded by Titi.
　However, Nosphy is still in control of the place.
　He speaks to them one by one in a one-sided manner.

''Apostle-sama should not be consumed by the pace of Uzuraha-sama and the others. It is a bad habit to try to dialogue with anyone to the end like that. If you do that, you'll get killed while talking to them again, right?
...... Yeah, is that right?
Yes!
Oh, yeah. You're right. But don't yell in my ear. You'll get a good surprise.

　It seems we weren't the only ones consumed by Nosfi's appearance and momentum. Even our supposed companions, the Sith, are baffled.
　In the midst of this bewilderment, Nosfi chants his magic.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the story is now settled, so let's fight!　If you don't do it, you'll regret it!　Of course, you'll regret doing it!　Then you'd be better off doing it and even regretting it!　--It's called Light Elias!　Huh, then, there's no need to worry about it, you just have to do it!　I am a professional in the field of "discussion", I guarantee it!　Because killing each other in a fist fight is the best and most beloved 'discussion'!

　A dazzling light scattered continuously from the flag held by Nosfy.

　Light like stardust filled the midday city.
　The brightness of the world surpassed its limits and turned white.

　That's the power of The One Who Steals the Reason for Light.
　It is the light of the "discussion" that invades everything without question.

　That light enters our bodies and speaks directly to our heads with the magic of "discussion.
　The inciting words that Nosfi just spoke reverberate through our heads repeatedly.
　Fight, don't worry, follow your heart, don't regret it - he cheers.

　The next thing you know, your body is getting hotter and hotter, the words bother you, and you want to settle everything with violence.

'The light!　The will to fight--dammit!

　As long as the light was the medium, there was no way to prevent it.
　If I looked closer, I saw that my friends were frowning as well.
　On the contrary, the enemies they would be fighting were the same.

　Sith held his head down and gripped Yotaki's hand tightly.
　The id, who was holed up in the castle, shouted, making the plants on the outer walls slither around like a flock of snakes.

(Nosfi-sama!　That light!　(The control of the castle is out of control!

　He reprimanded his collaborators and asked for their release.
　But it was answered by Nosfy's advisory denial.

''-- Vizier Aide, you've made up your mind to have a 'duel', haven't you?　Then don't get lost. Do not hesitate. Don't take a step back. Otherwise, you won't even be able to try, will you?　...... like this me.

　His words were kind.
　Unlike the previous jokes, I even feel something close to compassion.
　Nosfi is worried about the id from the bottom of his heart.

　However, there is no righteousness in those words. Nosfi's own experience tells him to do as he wishes, even if he's wrong - he's encouraging him to run off because he's being kind.

'You know exactly what that pain is. Do not like or dislike it. You have a duty to fight for the sake of your fellow countrymen (harakara). That is why you have maintained your strength to this day, isn't it?　Yes, that is (just) wrong. So ...... souls and souls are not there for a dialogue that is all ornamentation, but to clash with each other. ......

　The words were beautiful, the figure was divine, like Our Lady, but the content was extremely disturbing.

　Hit me.
　He just clashes with each other in spirit - he's agitated and pushed back.

　And the id embraces that inspiration.

(...... indeed. You are right, you are right. If it's Uzuraha-sama's magic, he could end it all with just words. What he will do - unknown. Then, no questions asked is the best!　Yes, we should start a 'duel' quickly!　(Yes, right now!

　Ayde prepared himself.
　He begins to move the castle with a wariness heightened by the erosion of light.
　Releasing the rapidly growing vegetation and bloating the castle. The trees, growing everywhere, climb high into the heavens, beyond the top floor.
　The roots of the trees on the castle walls and towers grow thicker and begin to expand and contract like human muscles.

　With an earth-shaking sound, slowly one of the huge trunks on the side of Vyasia Castle - the right arm of the giant - moves and swings down towards the restaurant on the street.
　It was a wide-ranging attack, as if a wall was falling down.

''Wait, wait!　It's not too late for "The Duel" to be over after Tity's story--stretch it out!　Magic, the sword that cuts through dimensions (Die Flamberge)!

　Deciding that the blow would not stop, I quickly drew out my "Treasured Sword of the Aleiss Family Rowen" and extended the tip of my sword, clad in magic power.
　You can't use the skill of "magical materialization" that uses non-attribute magic power yet, but if it were me now, I would be able to do something similar using the dimensional attribute magic power.

　I'm going to have to say that I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.
　Of course, he didn't actually slash it, he just shifted space.
　As a result, two separate fists fall on both sides of the restaurant.

　The biggest shaking and explosion sound of the day creates two large craters in the royal capital. Naturally, the aftermath is tremendous.

　The impact and the storm blow up, destroying the surrounding buildings. Naturally, the restaurant next to it broke down like a toy that had been dropped from on high. The tables and chairs that lined the terrace were all blown away, and the nature that had decorated the street was stirred up.

　The blow caused everyone in the place to move in unison.
　The aftermath was not only the impact and the storm, but also the fragments of the destroyed houses, so it was no surprise.

　First, the Nosfies who had caused the devastation leapt onto the roofs of nearby tall buildings to take shelter. The Sith took the hand of the neighboring Yangtaki and stayed with a wall of sacred magic to prevent the aftermath.
　Snow did the same, protecting Rouge-chan with a wall of vibrating magic to prevent the aftermath.
　Only Titi isn't magic, she shouts up to the roof, brushing away everything that's coming at her with her hands.

'Nosfi, stop that glare!　Wait!　You must all wait--!
I can't do it, Titi!　You will protect Snow and little Rouge!

　I asked Titi for a companion and jumped onto the roof, as did Nosfi.
　The two people to be wary of now are Ayd and Nosfi, who have decided to fight.
　I take up a position where I can catch these two with my naked eye and bite my teeth as I look at the destroyed city.

'd*mn it!　Nosfy!
''Hmph. That's very kind of you, Uzumi-sama. But is this the time to worry about such things?

　Standing a little farther up on the roof, Nosfi laughs.

(After all, will he be cut down!　(But I know that much!

　I heard a voice calling my name from high in the sky.
　It was followed by a huge body blocking the sun, moving its remaining left arm and trying to strike me from above.
　Immediately, it readied its long sword again and tried to intercept me.

''It's no use attacking me with such slow movements!　Id!

　If it's only big, there are plenty of ways to do it - if it's Aleis's 'swordsmanship', there are techniques to take on a huge body that can pierce the sky.
　I shouted that to him, but he didn't stop moving.

(Yes, I don't believe that this big body just works either!　Except, of course, for the real deal!　(The purpose of this behemoth, too, is different!

　I hear a meaningful statement, but without regard, I intercept it with my sword.
　The sword extended with the 《Dimensionally Disconnected Sword (Di Flamberge)》 splits the sky and also tries to slice through the enemy's huge left arm vertically - just before that, a laughing voice can be heard from behind.

The actuality of this is that it is a very good idea to be able to have a good time. Are you sure that's right over there?

　Nosfi's voice.
　I draw out my sword, wondering if I'll be confused by the enemy's statement.

　It's true that the Sword that cuts off the dimension (Di Flamberge) has cut off the arm of the enemy - the sword doesn't receive any feeling back.

　-They were struck empty.

　The giant's left arm distorts like a mirage and disappears.
　That's where the Dimension reacts to the huge mass coming from right beside it.
　Not from above, but from the side - right beside it, the giant's left arm was approaching.

　Perhaps it was the magic of Nosfi's laughing behind him that he didn't notice the arm getting this close, but the magic of Nosfi's laughing behind him--!

What?　Another refraction of light!
That's the correct answer. This is the magic that Uzumi-sama taught me. It's the same "shifting technique" as yours. Huh? Uzumi-sama and I are the same.

　I don't know what principle it's based on, but only Nosfi has nullified my Dimension. That Nosfi's imperceptible magic has completely fooled me.

　A giant's arm is coming right at me from the side, scraping the entire territory of the royal city with the palm of its hand, right up close, scraping the houses with the palm of its hand.

　The palm of the giant's hand alone is lightly exceeding the height of those walls.
　At this rate, the entire foothold will be scooped out of the ground.
　I tried to run away in the opposite direction of my arms, straining my legs to escape. However, as I was trying to escape, a Nosferi who had set up a flag will try to pass me by.

You can't, Uzurinami-sama. You can't run away from a 'duel'. Unlike Uzunami-sama, who chose the too cowardly way of fighting, using his immediate family and family members to settle the peace, that Prime Minister's Aide doesn't have any tricks, doesn't take any detours or detours, curses his birth weakness, and is truly trying to rightly (・・・・・) 'duel'. And yet, you're going to run away?　--He's waiting for you now, in the castle. Yes, he's waiting!　We'll be waiting for you!　Uranium wave (you)!

　Her screams overwhelm me and I stop. And then, in the sky, the giant howls.

The decisive exterior of the Viaissia Castle shifts to its divinity-sealed form!　(By the World Tree of my soul, seize the vindictive enemy, Ancestor Vortex Wave!

　The palms of the looming giant's hands writhe, the roots and branches of the trees increase in number and change like a hand with a hundred fingers. I can feel its will to never let me go.

　The palm of that giant's hand scoops up the house where I and Nosfy stand, along with the ground.
　Literally, the giant that has me in its hands does not try to crush me as it is.

　I'm struck with a floating sensation as I put my feet on the roof. The giant was trying to take the dirt and buildings that it had scooped up with its hands up to its torso.

　In the center of its body is a huge exterior gate.
　Inside the castle of Vyasia - no, it was a gate leading into the body of a giant.

　Without a doubt, the id is trying to invite me in.
　In other words, this giant was not prepared to fight, but only to capture me.

　If I tried to jump out of the palm of my hand to escape that invitation, Nosfi would get in the way. There's no doubt about it, since she's been repeating from the beginning that we should duel.
　I have no choice but to throw my voice at my friends on the ground.

'Titi, Snow!　This discussion is a failure!　Stop worrying about persuasion!　I'll be right back over there, so focus on your side!　I love it!

　Seeing that I've given up on it, Nosphy throws out a voice as well.

''Hmph!　So, I consider 'dueling' to be an 'agreement'!　Master Sith!　You'll get Lord and Snow Walker!
'I don't want to say secure, but I'm going to keep it down!　Only, the opponents are the old 'Lord' who rules and the new 'Dragon Incarnate'!　If the two of us, Yotaki and I, are going to get serious and suppress it, there's a good chance we're going to be iced out!
'Hmmm, that's great, Apostle Sith!　Words of encouragement!　Please, be my guest!　If it doesn't kill you, I'll make sure you recover.　I am the greatest recovery wizard (healer) of all time!

　Statements by Sis and Nosfi's absolute confidence flew in and out of the room, with a delayed response from Titi.

'Kanamin!　Don't worry about it!　Over here, we have this unbeatable child!

　The Dimension captures Titi, who is facing the Sith and the others with the wind barrier, and the 《Dimension》 captures her. Snow and Rouge-chan were among them, well protected.

　I know Titi's abilities best.
　No matter how substandard the opponent is, he's not one to be defeated so easily.

　There's plenty of time to defeat the id in this giant.
　I focus my dispersed consciousness not on the outside, but on Nosfi and Aide, whom I will be fighting.

　Then I am carried up to the body of the giant - where the wall gates open to one person.

　The giant's left arm is plunged into the gate, which seems to have opened its large mouth. The scooped city, the earth and all of us, violently invite guests into the castle.

　Next, the second gate beyond the wall gate - the outer gate also opens automatically, and the left arm passes through it - the third gate, the main gate, also opens in the same way, and the left arm passes through it --Then, at last, my arms are too huge to fit in.

　But my floating sensation is not over yet.
　Only the branches and trunks of the wriggling trees emerge from my massive left arm and carry the roof of the house that serves as a foothold for Nosfi and I into the castle.

　The roots of the trees force their way through the doorway of the half-destroyed castle, and then the roots of the trees open the door, the door of the castle, and I am carried everywhere - I reach it.

　It's a view I saw even behind the sixty-six layers of the labyrinth.
　The great natural space that this huge castle boasts.

　-- the great garden of Vyasia Castle.

　That's where the momentum being carried finally stopped.
　As soon as the scaffolding settled to the ground, the door that had just entered was being blocked by thick tree roots.

　The retreat disappeared.
　In other words, this is the place of the 'duel' that Ayde had chosen.

　It's still a large garden.
　However, it's a little different from the neat and orderly garden I know.
　The ceiling of the garden is covered with leaves, completely blocking out the light of the sky. Perhaps because a wide variety of trees have grown up at will, it is strangely dense and lacks a sense of openness.

　I felt like there was no gardener in the messy garden.

　On the ground where the plants and flowers were laid out without gaps, a tall, thin man stood alone.
　The man's waist-length white hair was flowing carelessly along with his white coat-like clothing. His costume and the glasses around his eyes gave him the impression of a scholar.
　However, the cuirass on his arm denies it. Most of all, the magnificent legs that tread the ground and his thin, sharp eyes prove that he is a man of practice.

　Without a doubt, he was waiting to 'duel' with me.
　The wood-attribute magic that leaks from his body is full of wariness.
　All of the plants he has on hand are also stirring as if they are looking for someone to fight with.

　This is "The One Who Steals the Reason of the Tree".

　Now I'm facing it in the true sense of the word.
　The guardian of the 40th layer, the Aide, and I...