--I lost.　

　After shedding all the tears, my heart gradually calms down.
　Looking around, I saw the founder vortex wave standing a little far away, breathing on my shoulder, with a teary-eyed rouge accompanying me next to him.

　In the final moments of the duel, I didn't recognize the rouge myself.
　I am the 'one who steals the logic of the tree' and I retain the ability to grasp this entire Vieisia Castle. Still, I didn't notice it until the last moment.

　Why couldn't I notice...... I honestly know the answer.

　It's not that I didn't notice, it's that I was trying not to look.
　I could see that Rouge was worried about me, but I chose not to see it.
　Just like a thousand years ago, when he knew all along, he tried to pretend he didn't know.

　I realized after it was over that I was dueling while turning away from many things.
　I've been doing that all the time, which is why ...... I've always lost sight of what's important when it's important to me. ...... I am ......--.

　Perhaps it was because he had suffered an unqualified defeat head-on, but he was strangely calm.
　He even had time to hear from his dueling partner about his own abomination.

''Primordial Vortex Wave ......, how long have you been crying yourself ......?

　He didn't expect to be spoken to in this situation. The First Ancestor Vortex Wave was surprised, but he answered honestly.

''It's been a little while since we've been ...... fighting.

　In the middle of the process, little by little or .......
　I can't remember the moment when these tears begin to spill over.

''You've gotten stronger, the founder vortex wave ....... I have become really strong. Most of all, my heart has become stronger ....... It's a far cry from the old days when I frowned at my enemies, lost and regretted, and fought uncomfortably.

　While reminiscing about the past, I admired the winners.
　I was in the mood to do so.
　I was weak and the Founder Vortex Wave was strong.
　He felt like bragging about the result.

''-- You're not lost in the slightest anymore. You put up a great fight.
'Yeah, I've found that I just have to do what I have to do without hesitation. So I'm taking it one at a time, one at a time, with no regrets.
'It's just that, when you're alive, it's so hard to be human. Oh, it's not fair to be strong, after all: ......

　Naturally, the Primordial Vortex Wave said, but if everyone had been able to do that, none of them would have been sad a thousand years ago. With a bitter smile, he shook his head at the statement.

　Perhaps he wasn't happy with his own reaction, but the progenitor Uzura Wave turns a little bare and says back.

''I certainly think I've gotten stronger. ...... but I wasn't strong from the beginning. I've made many mistakes, lost many times and failed many times up to this point. ...... Maybe it's a moonshot, but I think real strength isn't the strength to never fall down, it's the strength to keep getting up no matter how many times you fall, that's what I think.
'You think you're going to convince yourself of such child deception ......?　The world is not fair. The strongest never fall down and keep winning until they die. That's just the way it is. In fact, I can't get up anymore, and you are almost unharmed.

　It is an unacceptable word to me, having been defeated by the overwhelming talent of the progenitor Vortex Wave.
　The hard air before the duel disappeared and they would argue like children.

　The First Ancestor Uzura Wave himself seemed to know that there was a difference in the power he was born with in this battle. He couldn't say anything back, and he snorted, his mouth clenched a little.
　However, with his fast thinking speed, he seems to have quickly found the words to refute. The founder Uzura Wave calls out to himself as he collapses and has a good look on his face.

''Hey, Ayd. Did that titty you think is so strong never fall down ......?

　It was a question that went to the core of his being.
　He asked himself more questions as he flinched at the challenge.

It's true that you, Titi's brother, may have been weak, but is that still the case? You may have been weak, but are you still weak?

　--I am unable to answer that question immediately.

　Seeing himself turn from a triumphant face to a reluctant one, the primordial vortex wave sighed with a smile. Then he turned himself around, found an opening in the tree-covered throne room and tried to get out.

''Primordial Vortex Wave, where are you going ......?''
I'm done with dueling. I'm going out.

　He answered with his back turned.
　Unlike himself, he had an immediate answer.

'I will not leave my only two family members - my sister alone.

　It was the same as declaring that he was going to go and defeat that 'Lord' (Lord) who controls. And he says that he will never lose.

'Id, what are you going to do ......?'

　Then he asked himself, the enemy.
　For some reason, the way he looked at himself was full of trust.

'If you leave yourself alone, you might attack that back ...... after you recover ......?'
You wouldn't do that, would you?　You're not a 'Prime Minister' anymore: ....... No, wasn't this a duel to 'prove' that in the first place?
What?

　In the past few days, I've been told something I hadn't thought about once, and I sounded uncharacteristic.
　The current duel was to 'prove' that I'm not a 'vizier' ......?

　Too much of a buy-in.
　I was only eager to defeat the founder vortex wave for my own childlike jealousy and self-preservation.

''What a fool .......''

　And yet, when the Primordial Vortex Wave said that, I almost felt myself thinking that.
　You almost feel as if you were fighting to receive the blow you just delivered.

　As I turn away, the founder Uzura Wave leaves me to say.

'Aide, I've seen what you left behind on the way here. So I know what you are.

　I've been screaming at myself that I didn't want to be understood, but the founder, Uzumiami, is nonchalantly looking at me from above and telling me that he understands. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

...... Above all, Titi also said. It's a good thing that you have the heart of the grandma and grandpa in you.
'Grandpa and ......, Grandma ......?'

　When I hear those words, my mind goes a little blank (...).
　I know the words.
　It's a word that refers to my grandfather and grandmother.
　In other words, my family - the family I don't have, but everyone should have one.

　I don't have any ......?　Really?
　No, I don't think it was ......, and I'm pretty sure it was ...... -- to myself.

Oh, God, not again!　Teacher, teacher--!

　As I thought about my own grandparents, the rouge next to me looked impatient and placed a hand on my shoulder and shook it gently.
　Seeing that hand placed on her own shoulder, she could see something familiar in her mind that should have gone blank.

　Ah, yes.
　That man's hand was also red like this, and so--

So I'll leave the rest to you, Rouge. This time, I'm going to be the enemy, you know.

　Seeing himself facing Rouge, the Primordial Vortex Wave laughed with relief. And with that, the Progenitor Vortex Wave left the throne room for the last time and disappeared.

'Ka, Master Uzumi: ......!　Please wait--

　Hurriedly, I called out to myself, but the voice did not return.
　Thus, only myself and Rouge are left in the throne room of Vyasia Castle.

　...... It would be quiet without him.

　There is not a single sound of fierce battle left, only the breathing of myself and rouge can be heard.

　As the progenitor vortex wave said, what should I do now?
　There is not much you can do with a body that is about to disappear after losing a duel with your entire life on the line.

　But even so, the founder Uzumi looked at him with a somewhat hopeful eye.
　He seemed to trust her and was able to say with a single word, "I know.

　I heard that the 'Lord of Control' said that he had inherited that grandfather and grandmother's heart inside him as well. ......--Grandfather and grandmother?

　Even though the first ancestor Uzura Wave is gone, that word is the only thing that stuck with me again and again.

　But no matter how much he dredged up the past, he couldn't remember such a family.
　All that comes to mind is the scorn from the friends who swore to protect the north together - and the image of myself who couldn't do anything about it - the weak 'self' --I want to die.

　The only thing I can remember is the worst life I've ever had.
　It was a life that didn't feel alive at all.
　It was a life where I just kept looking for my place.
　It was a life where I ended up finding nothing.

　It was painful .......
　No, I'm still suffering .......

　My breath is getting thin and I feel like I'm going to stop breathing.

　...... No, I don't care anymore.

　I've lost.

　The life I had lived up to today is worthless and I have lost the meaning of life.

　So, it's okay to stop breathing, even if it's like this.

　It would be better for me to die.

　It would be so much easier to end things like this.

　It would be easier to end it all.

　--And when I thought that.


Sir!　Get a grip, sir!


　The voice interrupts again (...).
　Rouge grips her own hand tightly.

'Se-Sensei ......?'
Yeah. You're our teacher. Don't forget that, please. ......

　Reflexively, I said to myself, "That's not true. I'm a 'vizier'," he tried to answer.
　However, I swallowed the words as I reflected on my battered body that couldn't even raise itself up.

'...... It's okay, sir. You're our proud teacher - even if your sister is gone, even if you're no longer 'Prime Minister', that much will not change.

　Rouge strengthened the strength of the hands he held, even more.
　And he repeated what the 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) always say at this time.

''A year ago, Sensei saved me from running away from the research institute and getting lost in the streets. He helped all of our families, too. He worked hard to heal our weak bodies and even created a place for us to live!　Because of the teacher, we are welcomed with a smile by everyone in Viasia, right?　If it hadn't been for our teacher, we wouldn't have found our place and we would have died in the wild somewhere. We wouldn't even know our names, and we would have died!　That's why we're all so grateful!　She's so glad she has a teacher!

　Rouge appeals, her throat shaking hard.
　But when I saw her desperation, my first thought was thinly veiled - why is she here?

　This is the Viaissia Castle in Viaissia Country - the throne room in the center of it.
　Since a long time ago, she should have been the only one here.
　A thousand years ago, on the day of the Battle of the World's Return, there was only one person left in the castle, the Prime Minister.
　At the end of that battle, no one followed me to my side.
　So, even after I became a Guardian, I continued to wait for the Lord to rule.
　This was supposed to be an empty throne room ......

　--Why was the rouge able to come to this throne room?

　If you listen to her, it's because she rescued the 'Jewish Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) herself a year ago. That's why she came here.

　--because I saved them?　

　The questions continue.

　--Why did I help these women a year ago in the first place?

　If you just want talent, don't train them from scratch, pull the finished ones from elsewhere. In fact, I've pulled out many human resources from the south.

　So why did you bring in the 'North' even the existence of the 'Jewelculus' itself is troublesome, short-lived and unstable?
　The Jewelculus is an existence that has nothing to do with me. It's a debt spawned by the "south" and had nothing to do with the "north".

　--And so, why?

　As I repeat the question "why" endlessly, I suddenly move my vision.
　I turn my attention to my arm, which hurts from being gripped too tightly.

　I see Rouge's hand holding my own twiggy tree man (Doriade) hand.
　Rouge's hands are clean - not beautiful - but they are covered in scrapes and scrapes, just like his own. Furthermore, it has been mutated by 'demonization'.
　It's discolored red and soft like a mollusk creature.

　--It was a very nostalgic hand, I thought.

''Natsu (...), koi (...) ......?''

　You said you missed it (・・・・・・・)?

　Do you know your way around this stuff?
　What is his name, if you know it?
　Who reached out to you before Rouge?

　That's what pulled me back from falling into madness so many times over the past year - the memories of those 'someone' who tried to turn my mind back to white (...).

　But the memories that are too old have become so blank that I can't remember their faces.

　However, those important people are nostalgic, dazzling, and loving...
　Even then (・・・・・), this is how he held my hand.
　I know that much.

　Just like when Rouge there ran away from the research institute, when I was wandering around without a name and a place to stay, that 'someone' held my hand.

　I had been a slave ever since I can remember.
　No, in those days, the existence of "demons" was avoided in the south, so it's more accurate to say that I was no better than a slave.
　While living as less than a slave to it, I found myself thrown into a trash heap when I was useless due to my physical weakness. And I remember crawling out of that trash heap and walking north to escape.

　I walked and walked and kept walking ...... How did I save myself?
　There is no way he could have survived alone.
　At the end of their escape, they must have met that 'someone'.
　And that 'someone' is exactly what the Founder Uzumi was talking about a moment ago--.

'Oh, grandpa, sir, ......?　Grandmother ......?

　I'm not sure, but I'm sure it's right for grandfather and grandma.

　As I recall ...... wandering, a girl invited me to a gabled-roofed house and lent me a bed. And as I lay in bed, they held my hand and encouraged me to lie down. They told me that I didn't have to worry anymore, that I didn't have anything to fear anymore.

　Just as Rouge is now, they held my hand like this and encouraged me then.

　On the day of that meeting, I received many words from my grandfather and grandmother.
　I remember all of them.

　Inside the gable-roofed house, on the warm bed, holding the warm soup that I had reheated for myself after I had passed out, I remembered the words of my grandfather, who was a "witch" just like me, little by little.

　Little by little, like picking up the pieces.

　I remember the good old days of my childhood.
　I remember what my grandfather said to me that day when I was sleeping on my bed in the warmth of the house.

"Well... Will you be Titi's brother ......?　We are an old man and an old woman. We can't stay together forever. Therefore, we feel safer with you nearer and closer to Titi.

　He said this to me when I was a slave with no name, and I was no better than a slave.

"Please, I want you to be a part of our family. I want you to live as Titi's brother. Can't you?'

　To which I reply.

'...... is, yes, willing. I will definitely become your sister's brother to repay you for your help. I swear to this soul that I will protect you all.'

　That's what I answered: .......
　Indeed, that's what I answered: .......

Mmmm, fear not. You are even more rigid than Titi," he said. But he was a bit stiff, too. ...... There is no need for such a grand oath. I'm sure Titi's will live the rest of her life the way Titi does. I'm sure you'll be able to live your life as well as your own next to her. Yes, just be next to me.
'Be yourself, too, next to ......?'
"Yeah, that's just fine.

　To that, I answer myself again.
　I remember my child self making a vow that day.

'Yes. Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma, ...... I will definitely stay next to your sister.

　The tears were soaked.
　I'm not sad.
　Just nostalgic, and any number of them are coming up from between my eyebrows.

　There are plenty of words I can still remember.
　My grandfather and grandmother aren't the only important people in my life.
　After that, I was given something important by a mere 'witch' girl who can be found everywhere--

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

　I remember a harpy mixed girl with a mouth full of harpies shaking her shoulders at the strange use of words.

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

　As long as I heard that it was my job to be by the girl's side, I couldn't leave.
　Although a little frightened, I walked patiently behind the girl.

　However, I soon found myself wanting to stay by the girl's side, not out of a sense of duty, but because I wanted to. Soon, the girl and I became friends, and she gave me a name that I would use for the next thousand years.

''-- Then the name of the Lord is 'Aide'!　Isn't that a good name!
'A, "Id" ......?　Why are you an id: ......?
"What, what--?　The id is the name of the senior member of the animals here ....... He died of old age some time ago, so I was wondering if you would be willing to take over the reins: ......

　The girl who had enthusiastically given her brother's name to her brother, confessed a little uneasily that it was the name of a dead forest animal.

'The name of everyone's senior here ......?　What kind of animal was that 'id' ...... and what kind of animal was it ......?

　I wasn't particularly unhappy with the fact that it was an animal's name.
　I was just curious about what the name meant.
　After all, it was my first name, so it was .......

'What kind of ...... is that?'
'Yes, I would like to know what you were like to your sister.
Aide was a friend of mine who played with me every day for the past year. It's also the first vassal of the Lord's master. It's the first time he went beyond being a collaborator to attend to a witch. ......
"The First Vassal: ......
When I started to play 'The Lord' here, you became a reassuring ally to my little boy ....... And he was there for me until the day I died. ......
'Id (...)' ....... It's not bad. No, it's cool: ......'

　The loyal 'id' who was by the girl's side all the way to her death.
　As a child, I thought he was so cool.

　At the same time, I wanted to be that "id".
　I wanted to be a part of this talented, but slightly dangerous girl, and I wanted to be there for her. I'm going to continue to support my sister who gave me my name .......

　It is certainly a self that can be called 'self'.
　It's not because they were ordered by others, but because they sincerely wanted to and decided to do so.


Yeah (...) ......


　--In the throne room of Vyasia Castle, the octopus 'demon' held my hand again, encouraged me, and I finally regained my grip on the piece of 'me' I had lost sight of.

　In the beginning, the reason I wanted to be the 'Prime Minister' was to continue to be next to him as my brother.
　It was never to deny that he was my brother.

　I can't believe that I was so frightened of returning to being less than a slave that I forgot such an important beginning .......

'Oh, oh ....... How stupid I am ......--

　I can't help but spill that.

　And as I look at Rouge, who clasps his own hand, I understand all the answers.
　I always thought that I sold out all of my "self" at the "price" of the "contract" that became the "one who steals reason". I've been thinking that the only thing left to me was the power of the Prime Minister and the one who stole reason.

　But no, it wasn't.
　It's true that I lost a lot of things instead of power, but the will that we inherited from Grandma and Grandpa, that spirit, was the only thing that remained.

　That's what the "contract" with Apostle Legacey of the "Stealers of Reason" was all about.
　That's what I meant by 'expectation' at that time.　

　That's why, a year ago, when I saw the Rouge of the 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelculus)' who had escaped from the Research Institute, I wanted to help them.
　When I saw the oppressed 'Demon Stone Man' (Jewelculus), I saw 'myself' still wandering around in the 'South' a thousand years later, so ...... that's why I say to them.

　To your grandfather and grandmother, to repay that debt--.

''-- How could you escape the institute with your little body? But you don't have to worry about it anymore. The people who mistreated you are gone now.

　That's what I did.

'How did you manage to get to the northern frontier in your little body? ....... You can rest easy now. There is no one here to threaten you. ......

　Because I was once told by my grandfather and grandma.

''-- It doesn't matter what the 'Jewish Stone Man' (Jewelculus) is. We can decide our own family by ourselves. By the way, by the way, in that own law, I think that everyone here is one family--''

　And I accepted that.

"We don't care about blood. We are defined by our own laws. According to that law, you are no more than a member of your own family.

　And I've been accepted.

'-- never give up. Let's all laugh together and aim for 'paradise'.

　Finally, I invited the rouge and others to do so.
　I knew that if my grandfather and grandmother were there, I would definitely invite them .......

　That's why I saved the 'Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' and the others.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, and you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world. Even the world couldn't change this "spirit".

　I had been given such a universal and wonderful gift in the past.
　And yet, I was - and am - ......

'-- Oh, ah, ah ......, ah, ah ....... I'm sorry, Grandma ....... I am a really bad son and a bad brother. No, I couldn't even be a no good brother ......!

　I repent.
　I regret my disappointment in not fulfilling my 'promise' to Grandfather and Grandma.

'They gave me two wonderful teachings, but I couldn't repay them myself: ......!　I've left Sister Titty alone: ......!　I've been by your side for a very, very long time, but not by your side: ......!　I went the wrong way, lost myself, and became a 'vizier' instead of a 'brother' ......!

　I didn't have to cling to the Prime Minister to be myself, but I took a wrong turn.
　Because of that fine upbringing, I was able to obtain a spirit that I could be proud of. Thanks to that splendid sister, I had a name to be proud of, "Id".
　There wasn't a single thing I lamented about my lack of talent. ......

'Oh, I was wrong about everything ....... I had been wrong all along. I didn't want to admit that to myself ....... So here's what happened: .......

　Mocking myself, I review my life.
　Because of The Price, I can't remember the days I spent with my sister anymore. But I do know that I made a vow to do something important in that white place.

　Under the white cherry blossom tree next to the gable-roofed house, I decided to do something very important.

　What did I vow to do then, under that tree?
　What did you think, what did you dream of, what did you say you wanted?
　What did you want to be strong for?
　Did you really think you could be the 'Prime Minister' of a country?

　Wrong.

　I wanted to be strong, not as a vizier (・・・・・・・・・).
　I just wanted to be strong (・・・・・・・) as my sister's brother (・・・・・・・).

　That was the answer that was supposed to be the light and show me the way, even if I would be alone and lost in the darkness. The real 'me'.

'...... is, haha. ...... ha ha ha ha.

　I laughed to myself.
　It was refreshing to finally come to an answer, but mostly it was a giggle at my own pettiness.

　Seeing herself with tears streaming down her face, her eyebrows furrowed, and a belly laugh, Rouge called out her name with some concern.

'Se-Sensei ......?'

　Thanks to her voice, she realizes that this is not the time to smile.
　You thank Rouge for teaching you something important, and you put some effort into your body, which hadn't moved even a moment ago.
　The muscles and nerves are crushed and severed, and although they don't move properly, they still try to force the body to rise.

　Rouge senses this intention and tries to pull himself up with his grasped hands. Myself, with the help of my student, stumbles to my feet and replies.

'Yes, I am the teacher. The teacher is all right now. I was just apologizing to your ancestors earlier.

　She doesn't want to worry any more, and laughs at him so lightly that it's hard to believe it's after the duel defeat.
　Naturally, the change in himself makes Rouge wonder.

'What ......?　My ancestors ......?
You mean family.
'...... Gosh, don't look at your ancestors, look at the present!　If it's your family, I'm here!　This rouge is the doctor's family--!

　Rouge exclaimed, holding her hand as if she still seemed to be trapped in the past.

'Yes, I am. I was not a 'vizier', I had become the fine teacher I had longed for. I had become an adult like the grandfather and grandmother I once was. That's all - that's all that matters now, isn't it?

　The memory is still completely slipped away, but I know exactly who I am.

　--I'm sure I'm strong (・・・・・).

　I didn't have to lament, whine and hit them.
　Before I knew it, I was as strong as that respected grandfather and grandmother. So it's all right now.

'Oh, I finally understand ....... Now I finally see what I have to do: ......

　I know. I'm not going to pretend like I didn't see this coming. Ever again.
　Uzumami-sama's right, we must do what we have to do--!

I don't need this anymore: ......

　Standing up, I put the book in my pocket - the heroic tale of the "Lord of the Dominating Kings" that I've been guarding for so long - on the empty throne.

　There is no more time for sentimentality.
　If I don't hurry - I won't be able to catch up with him.

'Thank you for your help. My dear family, Rouge. I am so glad to have met you.

　First of all, I thank my family for standing up for me.

'Uh, um, sir, ......?'

　From her point of view, it must have looked like a sudden change.
　She looks a little confused.

　I'm also a little confused about what to say next.
　I need to say goodbye, but there's so much going on in the time until today that I can't find the words.

　I'm trying to find the words, remembering the time up to today like a runner-up.

　-- and along the way, I remembered the moment of the beginning of the world after this millennium.

　Come to think of it, when I was summoned to this time period, the one I met before Rouge and Noir was a girl with white hair just like me. She was a girl who looked a lot like herself.

''Hmph, I have to thank Hailey-sama as well. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been able to meet you. I'm sure I would have disappeared without knowing who I was. I am deeply and sincerely grateful that day that I was called by Hai Li-sama at the forty layers.

　If I had been summoned around Uzumi-sama, we would have started killing each other on the spot. I will continue to be grateful for that series of bizarre but doomed encounters.

'Come to think of it, Master Hailey was also struggling with who he was ....... She was torn between 'victim' and 'knight' and suffered for a long time. I looked at it as if I were someone else, but that was what I was: .......

　I remember the battle in "The World Consecration Camp" one year ago.

　At that time, everyone was desperate to find their 'selves'.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has the ability to do this. Even Uzumi-sama and Hailey-sama - not to mention, even that Palinclone Legacy - everyone was fighting to find their 'selves'.

　And I watched as each of them came up with their own answers.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

　I wasn't honest, but I think I learned something in this post-millennial world that I couldn't have learned before I was born.
　Most importantly, I was able to do what I couldn't do in my lifetime.
　I was able to save the same oppressed people as myself with my own hands.
　Through them, I feel like I was able to save both my past and my future.

I want to thank not only Hailey-sama and Rouge, but ...... and all the 'magic stone humans' (Jewelculus). Thanks to you guys, I'm going to be able to achieve my true purpose as a guardian (Guardian) .......
Sir, sir!　Oh, thank God!　The teacher is being a teacher!

　At this point, Rouge finally dropped all the anxiety that had been plastered on her face and gave a big smile.

'So, Rouge. I'm off to .......

　I could see Rouge's smiling face, which worried me, and I was relieved to see her smile, and I tried to head out of the castle.
　Rouge stops it in a hurry.

''Eh?　Soooo, with that state of affairs: ......?　No, sir!　If we fight any longer, we'll die!　The teacher doesn't have to fight anymore!　Let's go back to everyone else's place together!
'I'm sorry, please let me go. I'm just a lost child - a 'dead man' from the past. Therefore, I can only lead you to this point.

　I could tell from Rouge's words that she wanted to start over again with everyone in the castle. But I tell them that it can't be done.

　There is something I must do.
　There is another place for me to return to. The people who have to return with me are not the rouge and others.

'We must all work together and move on. I won't be there, but ...... I'm sure you can. -- because you are proud of your students. You can live anywhere. You can be anything you want to be. Yes, no one can lose themselves anymore ....... No matter how much the 'cost' of the world hits you, the only thing that matters will never go away ....... Everyone has a home (・・・・・). Yes, that's the 'paradise' I set out to achieve: ......

　The 'paradise' is already complete.
　In the end, I didn't make it in time and created it in the too distant future ...... but still, this country is indeed a "paradise".

　After all ......, even without relying on The Lord Who Rules (・・・・・・), I alone could have saved the North (・・・・・・・) without having to rely on The Lord Who Rules (・・・・・・).
　If I wanted to, I could become the "Lord that rules" - or even surpass the "Lord that rules" myself.

　And in the country he saved - this "paradise" - his family, the Rouge, will live on.
　Not the people of the north that I wanted to save, but their descendants have arrived.
　We've already done what we need to do. Then we have to do what we need to do next .......

'Sir ......, finally smile .......'

　Rouge was surprised to see her own face.
　Perhaps it was rare to see her own full smile.

　Thinking that it was really good that the last expression shown was a smile, I quickly turned my back to Rouge as well and turned my face to the exit of the throne room.
　With a farewell, I leave a will.

''Rouge, I've left the rest to you. You and the 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) will decide the future of this 'Northern League'. This viasia was created by the power of the oppressed. Therefore, I think you are the ones who are worthy of following in their footsteps. ...... After I disappear, the nations of the world will be moving at the same time. I would like to be involved in the aftermath if I could, but that's not going to happen. It's very selfish of me, but from now on I will do what I have to do personally - I will disappear.

　I'll tell you loud and clear.
　I don't look back anymore.
　I don't look at Rouge's expression, just listen to her reply.

'...... um, yeah!　Don't worry!　We'll be fine!　Because the doctor saved me!　You saved us--you saved everyone in the north!　So, d*mn it, I'll take care of the rest!　We'll take care of our own!　It's okay to be without the legendary 'ruling king (Lord)' and 'Prime Minister'!

　His voice trembled a bit, but he didn't stall until the end.

'...... I am really proud of you, my student. Now I'll be able to accomplish what I need to do without worrying.
Does that mean I'm going to go fight with the people out there ......?
''Yes, he's a pretty strong opponent, but he's someone I have to take down with my own hands.

　The ones who remain outside are my sister, Snow-sama, Apostle-sama, and the Founder's sister - none of them are tricky opponents, but I have no intention of losing to any of them anymore.

'I'm not worried about them. Because I know you're strong.
'Yes, everyone's teacher is strong. They are invincible.

　Rouge sees me off without hesitation. I respond to it myself.

'You will wait here. You will be safe in here. The sealing magic formula has already been lifted and we're just a hard, big tree, but it should be enough for shelter.
'Yes, I will. I'll be waiting in the castle the doctor left behind: ......

　With that last, I start to walk away.
　I drag that body forward as if to chase after Uzumi-sama who has gone out.
　We say our goodbyes, and then--

Then go ahead. Professor--
'--yes. I'm off (・・・・・・)

　He left the rouge in the throne room and went out into the outer corridor.

　The corridor was filled with a large amount of plants due to the influence of my own 'Anti-Encestor Sealing Demon Army'. Even though I did it myself, it's a struggle just to get through the path.

　With this battered body, it's a bit of an excruciating path.
　The arm that had been slashed by Uzuraha-sama had been sutured with plants, but there was still no connection between the bones and nerves. The vibration of walking alone was enough to send intense pain rushing through my body and make it strong. The broken bones and bruises are uncountable, and I don't even know where the pain is. The blood from the wound would not stop flowing, so he had no choice but to block the exposed flesh with trees to force it to stop.

　I feel like I'm going to fall down any minute now.

　To be honest, I'm not even sure I'm fit to fight, let alone walk, anymore. Even from the standpoint of being a doctor's imitator for a short period of time, I can assure you that he is at rest. Rather, I'm in a state where I'm surprised why I'm still alive.

　But--
　Still, he was strangely light on his feet.

　Lighter than when I walked the castle a few days ago, lighter than when I walked the castle a thousand years ago - its footsteps are lighter and its heart is lighter.

　I have a map of the castle in my head.
　I walk the shortest distance and head from the corridor to the outer wall.
　I have to quickly chase Uzumi-sama's back - no, no. I can't just chase him.

　--I have to overtake them.

　I have to overtake him and get to him before Uzumi-sama.
　Now I know what Uzuraha-sama meant by the words he left out.

　You're right, Master Uzuma was strong.
　I lost a duel, but I lost a terrible battle.
　But you shouldn't give up on moving forward.
　You must never leave your precious family alone!
　I have to 'prove' to Uzumi-sama that I can't be defeated, even by Uzumi-sama, for my feelings for this family!

　Because I am the strong son of that grandfather and grandmother's dying wish--!
　He's your sister's pride and joy, your 'brother'--!

'Wait for me, sister: ......--'

　I limp, sometimes I almost fall, and yet I keep myself moving forward on the road.

　Sister .......
　I will pick you up now, myself .......
　Instead of waiting for your return, this self will come for you .......

　I will help you.
　Your brother is not weak.
　This time I will not be afraid, and I will open these hands in front of you.
　No matter how strong the enemy is.
　I will defend you.
　So--

　So, just a little longer.
　Please wait a little longer.　

　Sister Titi--!