The Eleventh Crossroads.
　It is the most crowded place in Huzzya's and the place where the 'magic stone line' (line) from all over the country gathers.
　The intersection of roads about thirty meters wide connecting to each other is an area large enough to be called a large square, and it's large enough to fight with magic.
　The only obstacles are a fountain and a stone statue, so it's also suitable for vigilance of the surroundings.
　But that's only if you don't take into account the ordinary people who come and go.

　Right now, Tiara and I are sitting side by side on the couch where I was having lunch alone a week ago.
　In the past, many people looked at me strangely, but today my partner is here, so I'm not floating in the sweet air peculiar to this street. However, I can't say that Tiara's clothes are so modest that she blends in completely.

　If you look to your right or left, all you see is a couple of aristocrats dressed in glittering outfits.
　Resisting the urge to feel sick at the throng of people, I try to be vigilant about my surroundings.

　Come to think of it, I think today was some kind of holiday.
　Maybe it's the date that makes me feel the air is a few percent sweeter than it was a week ago.

　I'm so jealous of a date in the morning.
　I'm getting ready for a bloody killing spree over here, and I'm not even sure I'm ready for it.

　I'm about to mutter one of my complaints when a voice comes from next to me.

'Ready. ...... Just, now I'm stuck with it, okay?　Can you protect it properly on your own?

　Tiara-san, who finished her usual preparations quickly, looks at me with concern.
　It seems that she managed to make it in time before someone attacked us.
　Maybe they didn't think that the other side would be taking a break at the country's largest intersection with impunity either. Anyone looking for an enemy on the run would check the back alleys like the one they were in earlier.

'Yeah, enough of that. Originally I was going to take on all of the Hoosiers by myself, so I'm fine.
Good answer. Then we'll move to intercept position!　Flat.

　As planned, Tiara finished all the preparations and got out of her chair the rest of the way. Then she sat down on the ground, not willing to get dirty, as she was struggling to even keep her body up.

　She must really have very little time left now.
　Not only was her body not strong, but her expression was lifeless. Her sweat has stopped, her breath is shallow, and her body is cold. I can only assume that my body is completely prepared to die.

　I get up from the couch and put all my energy into alerting my surroundings next to her as she lies there defenseless.
　My hands are placed on the twin swords at my waist and I increase the internal pressure of the magic in my body so that I can release magic at any time.

　However, of course, it would be noticeable if he did that.
　The couple thought they were sitting in a long chair, but one of them was sitting on the ground, and one of them was standing there watching them. You can't help but wonder what the hell they are doing.

　Couples passing by stare at us.
　Some moved away suspiciously, others walked away disinterestedly, and still others consulted with us distantly about whether they wanted to talk to us.

　Then, a few tens of seconds after we are ready to intercept - a certain gentlemanly blond male nobleman calls out to us.

''...... Are you okay?　Do you think I should lend a hand?

　Behind the man, his companion was looking at us with genuine concern.

　Clearly, this wasn't in our plans.
　I shake my head, a little impressed that the folks at Hoosier's are more than we planned, but I shake my head.

'Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it. But I'm fine. It'll get easier in time if you take a break.
'No, she is too, but ...... you look pale too. Wouldn't it be better to move to a quieter place?　If you'd like, we can help.

　Quickly indicating the woman behind her with her chin, Tiara tells me not to worry because her gender is lending her a shoulder. She seems to be someone who is not only kind-hearted, but also meticulous and caring.
　But I laugh and shake my head again.

''Excuse me. She says this is a good place to be, she says. It has to be here.''
This is the place: ......?
Yes, sir. So no hands are needed.

　He thought of the horrors that were about to happen and moved away from the gentle aristocratic couple with a strong rejection.

'I see. No, I have meddled. You can take a good look at them. You don't have to take it easy either.

　Without imposing good intentions, the nobleman easily stepped aside.
　His eyes stared at the knight's armband on my shoulder. He must have decided that it shouldn't be so bad, taking into account that I was a Knight of the Cathedral. Thank goodness he was careful and judgmental.

'Thank you,'

　Then, after thanking them, we come back to see the back of the kind couple as they leave.
　And with that, some of the pairs who had been watching us from a distance also move away. The people who were worried about us but couldn't talk to us seem to have given up after seeing the way we're handling things now.

　Some of them noticed my armband and were relieved, while others may have become suspicious and went to report it to the nearby military police, just to be sure.
　Not long after that, the pursuing knights will hear about it, and Feydert and the others will come here.

　I wait for the time of the attack to arrive without a care in the world.

　The sun is gradually rising.
　It's time to call it noon instead of morning. Normally, the ceremony would be over and we'd be in the cathedral enjoying a sumptuous meal.

　But that is no longer possible.
　The biggest obstacle to that peaceful future is now coming.

　Even though we don't see it, its singular presence gives us an inkling that it's coming.

It's here. As planned, my daughter will be here first. Just make sure you time it right.
Yeah, I know. You do the same.

　It's noon in the clear sky, and the Eleventh Crossroads are filled with people passing by.
　That wave of people is suddenly broken.

　A girl emerges from the unnatural split in the wave of people.
　A girl with golden hair dominating, intimidating her surroundings with her magical power, and pointing her sharp eyes forward.

　All of them were afraid to stand in front of that girl's gaze. As a result, a path was created in front of the girl as if an expensive carpet that she was hesitant to step on had been laid out.

　The girl who walks alone - the appearance of Rustyala Hoozeyers - attracts all the attention of the "Eleventh Crossroads".
　It's no surprise that she is the most famous, most precious, and most beautiful girl in Hoosiers right now. Rastiara's popularity in Hoosiers is high. All people, male and female alike, admired the way Rustyala walked.

　Normally, Rastiara would smile and charm the people with her amicable smile, but right now she doesn't have the luxury of time.

　She's serious.
　Her expression is solemn. Her usually restrained magical power swells and moves, creating a presence characteristic of a great man. The demonic charm that forcibly robs all who see it of their interest is leaking out.

　The buzz around him increases.
　Voices of "beautiful" are leaking out from all over the place. I hear whispers that it must be the real thing. But no one is able to speak to her. There is no room to call out.

　This, too, is the power of the girl called Rustyala.
　She is too precious to be approached or touched - she makes you hesitate to even cast your voice at her.

　Rastiara walks silently and comfortably along the road that has been made and comes right in front of us.
　And then he speaks to us in the same way as the aristocratic man from earlier.

''...... Lady Tiara, you seem to be in pain. Are you okay?　You can use your hands. I can lend you my body if you need it.

　It was a similar expression and similar words - but he had a resolve that could not be compared to the man before him. Even if he refused to be meddled with, he would never give up - he was ready to risk his life.

　But it's the same here.
　Both I and Tiara-san are risking their lives to win the game.
　I reassured myself that I would never back down, and I stood in front of Rastiara and said, "If you want Mr. Tiara, you must defeat me first.

''If you want Tiara-san, you'll have to defeat me first.
Reiner, get out of the way!
That's my line.

　In order to strike the will of hostility and also to insist on fighting here, he pulled out the 'Sylph Bringer' and the 'Knight's Sword' and stabbed them into the ground. On top of that, he took the 'Twin Wings of the House of Helvirshain' and thrust the cutting edge at it.

　In the face of that wariness, Rustyala narrowed his eyes and looked around.

''...... Could it be that you were waiting for me?　Did you think I wouldn't be reckless if I had eyes all around me?

　Half of the couples at the Eleventh Crossroads had stopped walking and were paying attention to our behavior. The current god of the present man, whom we admired, appeared and showed a swift air. It's no wonder they were curious and turned into onlookers.

''That's sweet, Ryner. I'm the type of person who suddenly feels more motivated when there's an audience.''
Are you sure?　If you're reckless here, you'll be in charge of your own cathedral: ......

　Against my wariness, Rustyala laughed, showing a greater wariness to me.
　It wasn't the smile of the current human god who managed the cathedral, but the smile of Rustiala as a single explorer.
　With a great return in front of him, he was excited that he would overcome whatever risk he had to take. It's the crazy smile of a thrill junkie.

'It's not a big deal about the position. I was going to leave it all up to Feydert after I resurrected Lady Tiara anyway. ...... Above all, here's something more important than that. Because right now I have something I'd be willing to give up everything in Fuzzyards to get.
You were willing to give it to that Feydert: ......
If you think about reality, not ideals, then Feydert should be the one to rule the Fooziers. Compared to those infuriating senators, it's a lot less ...... - no, let's not waste time talking about it. We're running out of time.

　I would have liked to buy some time with a long story if I could, but it doesn't work out that way.
　The story is busted at the right place.

　Rath Tiara would want to decide the game before the dying Tiara-san did anything reckless. Before the conversation ends, he steps forward and declares loudly while walking.

''--I'm sorry, not around you!　I'm going to fight you right now!　Stay away for a minute!

　With that last, Tantou Rastiara kicked the ground.

　She plunged into me with her bare hands without any hesitation as she held her twin swords at the ready. Naturally, I wield the sword - although I can't kill my opponent, so the goal is to slash off my arm - and Rustyala has completely read my aim.

　Rastiara twisted himself and successfully dodged the two swords with minimal movement.

　Then, in a mere instant, the advantage of sword spacing is crushed, and the enemy's fist approaches, filling my vision.

　I twisted around to avoid the fist, too.

　At the same time, my injured leg is impacted from the side.
　As my body swam to the side, I understood that I was being swept off my feet along with my fist.

　When my posture was lowered, Rustyala's fist struck again. This time it's a right fist that strikes down from directly above.

''-- 《Wind》''

　The wind magic that was prepared in advance is activated.
　The fact that the posture is broken is not an opening for the wind knight.

　For me, who can use the wind as a foothold to step on, every posture is a perfect stance. While avoiding Rastiara's downhill right fist with a forceful stance, this one releases a kick (high kick) aimed at the head. Unlike a sword, you don't have to hold back if you're using a body technique. It's an all-out kick in full force.

　The high kick with a stance and angle that is impossible for that human being, Rastiara takes a decent and immediate hit to the head. At the same time, her struck down right fist also hits the ground decently.

　Overlapping large and small bursts of sound.
　The ground shakes like an earthquake, and a large crack that can't be thought to have been caused by human hands ran into the 'eleventh crossroads'.

　Using the recoil of the high kick, I jumped back.
　The ground that was cracked in the shape of a nest of clouds is placed between us, and the new pause separates us.

　That's where multiple screams like tearing silk come from around me.

　I thought it was a little fight, but it was a clash of violence that could have easily resulted in death. Like spiderlings scattering, those who had been observing from a distance tried to keep their distance. But some women were too upset to stand up, falling on their asses with the shaking of the ground. Some people are almost delirious with confusion.
　With the impact of just one fist, the 'Eleventh Crossroads' became a bit of a mess.

　But regardless of the situation around us, Rustyala and I are flying the battle cry.

''We'll do it after all ....... Then I guess we'll start with Ryner. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have him faint ......!
'If you can do it, do it: ......!　You b*tc* (ama) ......!

　He uses a foul-mouthed and unaccustomed provocation to focus the enemy's attention on me.
　I'm looking for a way to fight them without being ignored, using my reflection from the previous Nosfi battle.

　There's also the fact that I simply don't want Tiara-san to be targeted, but I also didn't want her to break the ground with her momentum like she did earlier. This place is very important to our future strategy.

''Reinaaaaaah!

　Rastiara shouts and runs out in a curved line.
　In response, I stand in front of Tiara-san and reassert my twin swords. I know that the enemy will try to take away Ms. Tiara at any opportunity. I take a defensive stance to prevent them from ever coming near me.

　Rastiara dodges the tip of my sword with the tip of his nose as he dives in and retreats. However, he quickly regains his stance and tries to close the distance again, from a different angle.

　I'm in and out.
　It seems that he understands the disadvantage of the reach gap and never overreaches, taking advantage of the fact that I can't get away from Mr. Tiara to try various attacks. Although Rath Tiara seemed to have lost her composure, she remained top-notch when it came to combat.

''Tch. If this is impossible at this point--, then some weapon--!

　Rastiara gave up on the assault and moved to a nearby structure.
　The structure at the center of the Eleventh Crossroads - a fountain and a stone statue.

　Then, he roughly rips the stone statue off, from its base (・・・・).

"Wha--?

　The screams of the civilians around them increased even more.

　Rastiara searched for a weapon and chose the stone statue that was displayed before anything else. It would be no wonder that the screams would swell. He's dealing with a sword with his bare hands, and prioritizing mass over blade for weapons - clearly, it's the monster's side of thinking, not the human's, but the monster's.

　In the midst of the chaos, as if a monster had appeared in the entire town, Rastiara leapt with the stone statue raised above her head.

　He moved really well despite his habit of exhaustion.
　It's an overwhelming violence due to the muscle strength and stamina of his status. Rastiara's physical abilities are so outstanding that it's ridiculous to have learned about 'numbers that don't appear in numbers' until just recently.

　It is an imposition of ability that crushes small elements such as ingenuity, reading, luck and opportunity.
　That's how Rustiala fights.

''Eat it--!
Wow.

　Rastiara leaps effortlessly to the top of me and throws the stone statue in his hand.
　It's too effective a move for me, who can't avoid it and can only choose to intercept it.

　Even if you slash the statue with your sword, the momentum of the fragments does not stop. If any of those fragments hit Tiara, it's a big deal. I don't mind dying, but it's bad enough that what she's doing now is interrupted.

　I had no choice but to choose magic on the spur of the moment and try to deflect the falling chunk of stone to the side.
　Naturally, Rastiara appears from behind the stone statue and follows closely behind it, not giving her a chance to breathe or rebuild her magic.

　I try to swing my sword to keep it away, but it almost grabs the start of my arm's movement. He goes to strike Rustyala's immediate head with the hilt of his other sword, but he is ducked by getting further into the pocket.

　I was completely ducked out of sword distance.

　Even though he managed to retreat and try to get away from the distance, Rustiala, anticipating it, comes forward. Then, instead of the bladed twin swords, she plays with the back of her hand on both of my wrists, which are safe.

　I try to push my knee up in agony, but the enemy plays it and wastes no time moving his hands to suppress his initial move.

''d*mn!''

　The strength of the sword is crushed, and his physical skills are forced upon him.
　He understands that holding the sword is a disadvantage at this distance and tries to let go of it - but his decision is too late. The moment he lets go of the sword, the elbow of Rustyala's right arm enters the pigeon tail and all the air in his lungs is expelled.

''Kahaha--!

　Furthermore, from the state of the elbow strike, a right back fist attacked his face. Although he managed to avoid a direct hit by deflecting his face to the right, Lastiara's left arm, like a whip, struck the front of his face (flapped).
　The aim is a relentless eye crusher. Even though he didn't thrust his finger in, he took my sight for a moment by striking the face in a wide area.

　--No.

　His physical techniques are too top-notch.
　This one can only use body techniques that were taught at the academy, while the other side moves in a way I've never seen before.

　The moment your vision is taken away from you, you give up the game.
　At the same time, shock and pain are felt in my jaw and thighs, and both of my feet leave the ground.
　By the time I open both of my aching eyes, Rustyala has turned around behind me and has me in a featherweight choke hold.

''Hah, hah--!　Okay, I got you!　And...

　Rastiara was blowing her uneven breaths into my ear and was about to move on, confident in her victory.

　Then I look around as far as my eyes can see.
　And then I see my objective at the edge of my vision - and buy myself some time by swearing to get the timing right.

'Let go of me, you monstrous woman ......!
'I'm telling you, I'm not going to let you off the hook if you let your magic run wild. I'll just shut it down and that's it.

　Rastiara was right, there would be no point in unleashing magic at close range. I remember doing the same thing against Christ during the 'Dancing Tournament' and being grabbed and taken to checkmate.

　But that's okay.
　I don't care if I lose the one-on-one between me and Rustyala.

'Then I'll shake it off by force--!
'I can't. I'm already in complete polarity.

　I know I'm in the wrong place.
　My aim now is not to escape the restraints.
　My aim is still--to neutralize Rastiara. That's all I'm after.

　To be frank, Rustyala is focusing on me too much.
　He's not feeling well, and his ability to think is probably impaired.
　Rastiara, like everyone else, is rushing to win in a hurry.

　This is my advantage - I'm not the only one whose defeat is a fatal defeat. That's why I can sit tight and wait for the right moment. I am able to calmly check my surroundings, even though I am strapped in.

　-- I can see that the enemy's surprise attack is progressing well.

　And the checkmate of Rustyala is broken by the third board-playing player.

「「「「-- Resonance Magic "Invisible Ice Room"! 」」」」

　The same cries echoed from all sides.
　And a pale blue magic filled the field of vision. At the same time, Rustyala's power to tighten his neck loosened. To be precise, Rastiara and my body were forced to stand still by the magical power.

　Without a doubt, this is the warding spell that I ate with Christ and Titi a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's not.

　After we're stuck with magic, a man appears from the crowd, fully prepared.

''Hahahahaha, it's funny to see you split up!

　It's high laughter from the safety of the crowd, with the knights of the guard on either side of them.
　Only to quickly stifle the laughter and return to the face of business, telling the audience around them that they are righteous.

'Ladies and gentlemen, rest assured that our Order has arrived. We will take down those who run amok in these hoozeyers with the Knights. No exceptions will be made for those who harm our citizens, no matter who they are.

　More knights show up to accompany that statement.
　From a quick look, there were about fifty of them. There are a few 'Jewelculus' among them.

　Probably, the knights of Feydert had been surrounding us before Rastiara came. However, they waited and watched until their forces were in place and the situation moved. That's why we have the best time to fish now.

　It really is ...... the best time.
　For me, too--