-- and in the middle of it all, the sound of interminable applause rings out.

　I keep patting Maria's head as I turn my attention to the source of the slightly ridiculous sound. There was Nosfi smiling at me.

''Hmph. Long time no see, Uzumi-sama.''
'It hasn't been long since I've been with you. ...... Did Maria do that to you?

　First of all, I ask about Nosphy's condition.
　The reason I'm not in a combat stance right now is because the magic power I can sense from her is too minute. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Yes, I fought Maria before Uzumi-sama was here, but I was ...... wonderfully defeated miserably. Because of her spell cloth, I can't move at all ....... Hmph.

　Nosfi looks at his unmoving body and intensifies his laughter.
　It wouldn't be a lie. A closer look at his neck reveals that where a surgical tattoo was previously etched into it, it has been overwritten by a burn mark. You can see that Maria has captured Nosfi in a fight to the death.

''But now we have matching burn scars, don't we?

　Noticing me staring at him, Nosfi turned his eyes to the burn marks and spoke happily.

'This was very difficult, you know?　Dare to reduce the effectiveness of the recovery magic and leave a trail successfully, I'm sure only I can do that ....... Hmmm, can you give me a compliment?　Look at them. It's just like Uzumi-sama.

　As usual, Nosfi shows an uncanny obsession with me.
　And still, the way she does it is maddening. Even though she is a woman, she doesn't mind laughing when her beauty is compromised. She looks so evil and happy to have made a connection with me. It's a face that clearly shows he's thinking about how he can use it to harass me.

　Perhaps numbed by the malice, Ryner comes forward while drawing the sword from his waist.

''Christ. It's better to annihilate this woman and turn her into a magic stone. If it's too hard to do, outside the mansion, I'll take his head off.
'Reiner, it's been a long time since you've been there. But isn't it a little crazy to suddenly cut someone's head off without asking ......?　Are you really that eager to see human blood?　If you can't even speak peacefully, you're not a knight anymore, you're a barbarian who can't talk. Even a child would think a little more before acting, right?　Huh, as usual, Reiner is sickening: ......

　In lieu of a greeting, Nosfi curses so quickly that he doesn't even give himself time to argue.

'This guy ......!　I don't want you to be the only one to say that: ......!

　Challenged, Ryner tries to move into action before he hears the answers around him. Maria, who looks up from my chest, stops it with a panicked look.

''--Wait, wait. I was actually going to kill her as well, but there were circumstances that prevented me from doing so. ......

　Reluctantly, Maria moves away from me, but interrupts between Ryner and Nosfi.
　Then she explains her reason for stopping.

"Right now, Nosfie is using her 'replacement' magic to shoulder many of the illnesses of the people of Hoozeyards. If we kill her now, all of that will be returned at once and we'll be in trouble. I've used the Reaper's 'connection' to confirm this, so there's no doubt about it.

　Nosfi, who was being sheltered by Maria, laughed at Ryner to encourage him and leisurely supplemented his explanation.

''Hmph. I, after seeing Vizier Aide's heroic appearance in Vyasia, I remembered a little bit of my initial thoughts ....... I thought about what I could do for my hometown Fuseya's and as a result ...... this is what I came up with. I'm sorry that I accidentally ended up being a hostage of sorts ....... Yes, it really is accidental. I knew I'd be settling with Uzumi-sama soon, but really, it's just an eventuality, right?　Hmmm.

　It can't be a coincidence.
　I knew from the beginning that Nosfi was going to fight me.
　After the breakdown at the 66th layer, it was decided that one day we would undergo her 'ordeal'.

　In order to increase the difficulty of that "ordeal" as much as possible, Nosfi has taken hostages. It was declared that they would use an unrelated person as a shield to fight, and me and Ryner were outraged by the enemy's sneakiness and swore at him.

'Troublesome imitation ......!
She (b*tc*) ......!

　We make a clenched fist and think about how we can somehow attack Nosfy in a way that exceeds her intentions.
　As soon as we come up with an idea, we both bent over to her in the chair with the intention of attacking her.

　But before I can do that, Rustyala, who can't share me and Ryner's anger, shouts from behind me.

'Well, wait. Nosfi-chan isn't doing a good thing!　We saved the people of the city above!　I know it's a bit of a mouthful, but what we're talking about now isn't that much of a place to get angry!

　Indeed, if you only listen to what she's saying now, it looks like Nosfi is only doing good things. If you put the stories on the ground together, she's the very same saint who is dedicated to the Great Holy City.

　Everyone else seemed to think so as well. I can tell from their expressions that Snow, Dia and Ragne-chan don't have that much hostility towards Nosfy.

　The only people who are showing their anger now are Ryner and me, who have killed Nosphy in the labyrinth before.

　However, I can't unravel the only thing I can't do is to be on the verge of war.
　There is something that can only be felt by those who have fought her once.
　That is the conviction that the good deeds of the Nosfi Fuzzyards cannot be without a backstory. I explain to everyone that I want them to understand that feeling a little better.

'No, Rustyala ....... When I think about what Nosfy has done to me so far, I just can't get over it. This is a man who will not hesitate to come up with a plan to sacrifice a whole country. I'm not lying.
...... If that's really the case, I don't think you need to be so deadly.　It looks like Nosfi-chan can't move right now.

　Rustyala stepped in between them, as did Maria, and glanced at Nosphy, who couldn't move at the end. Naturally, with two more people coming to cover for her, Nosphy was on a roll.

''Yes, Rustyala-san is right. I can't move at all right now. ...... totally, right?　What does Lord Uzumi intend to do to me, who can't move at all?　Aha! I can't even resist now, I can only let them do what they want!　Yes - no matter what kind of humiliation it is, you can only stifle it with tears in your eyes. ...... Haha!　Oh, I can't stop laughing just imagining Uzunami-sama squirming in the nick of time!　I, for one, am very, very excited to see what you're going to do with me!　--Oh, but don't go near the liner because it's disgusting.

　Me and Ryner's clenched fists grow even tighter as Nosfy says all he wants to say in the safe zone.
　But that didn't change Rustyala's opinion. She stepped in between us, trying to quiet us down, full of killing intent.

''Let's calm down and rest for a while!　And this mansion would be so much more relaxing!

　It seems that no one but me and Ryner think of Nosfi as anything other than a strangely excited and talkative girl. It's probably because all of our previous guardians have been so kind-hearted. The sense of danger for her is too weak.

　It's like she's the guardian who's standing in my way, so she's still an enemy to me. However, she doesn't seem like an enemy that can be killed in earnest. They don't seem to be enemies enough to really kill each other.

And besides, I finally got to meet Maria-chan, too. ...... First of all, slowly I want to talk to ....... We all need to go to .......

　Rustyala pleads, looking at the two of us who are still killing us.
　Then she glances at Maria nearby and quickly turns her attention back to me.

　Little by little, I'm beginning to understand why she's so adamant about a truce. Perhaps she wants to talk to Maria before anything else. There are so many things I want to tell her and apologize for. I don't have time to be bothered by the guardians of the labyrinth (guardians) at the moment. That seems to be his true intention.

　Indeed, it's more important now to chew on the reunion with Maria. The fact that you are being pushed around by Nosfy is too regrettable.

I understand, Rustyala ....... For now, let's put Nosfy on hold.
'Ha, thank goodness ....... I was chilled that you're suddenly going to slash at a kid who can't move .......

　I took Rastiara's suggestion and scattered my wariness. Seeing me, Ryner also reluctantly put away his sword.
　In the back of the room, Nosfi has a happy look on her face as she says, "I've done it," but we'll have to be patient.

　Right now, my priority is to reunite with Maria and the Reaper.
　It's not too late to decide on her treatment, even after we finish all the stories that are piling up. With that in mind, I turned my head to Maria - and she threw an unexpected word at me.

''That ...... Kanami-san, Rustyala-san. Could it be that both of you are ......

　Maria was comparing me and Rustyala.
　Its eyes are wrapped in the same spellcloth as Nosfi's, so it's confirmed by the fireball floating around the room. It watches us with its unusual eyesight - and says just one word.

'--Have you confessed to each other yet?

　Without deviating at all, a question was asked that went to the heart of the matter.

''--!''
-Oh!

　Rastiara and I are surprised by a word that is too accurate, and we gasp.

　It's natural. Since I entered this room, I have not acted in any way that would lead one to believe that. Nevertheless, Maria sensed the difference in our casual gestures and attitudes.
　I was amazed at her observation, and her spur-of-the-moment reply didn't work.

...... huh?

　Then, belatedly, Nosfi spoke up.
　Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. The person in the room right now who is most surprised is undoubtedly her.
　While Maria has an expression on her face that says it's time for her to come, Nosphy has a look on her face that says she can't swallow what she's saying.

　That talkative and intelligent Nosphy, who is wasting his time, has stopped dead in his tracks. Seeing her more upset than I was, I was able to calm down a little bit.

　Immediately I choose words from my mind to reply.
　I want to ask her how she sensed the difference between us, but right now it's more important to answer Maria's question.

...... Oh. You are right, Lastiara and I confessed our love for each other before we came here, as Maria said. We confirmed our desire to be together forever.

　As long as the question is asked without deviating from the norm, I'll answer straight away without any embellishment.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.

''I see. ....... I knew it (・・・・) ......
...... doesn't surprise me too much, does it?

　He wondered at Maria's overly quiet reaction. Her calmness was unexpected, considering the rampage of Dea and Snow not long ago.

'Yes, I'm not surprised. I knew it from the beginning. Also, I was prepared for it.''

　Maria says without any agitation.
　On the contrary, I'm so calm that I'm more upset.

'From the beginning ......?'
'Kanami-san liked Rustyala-san even before she met me. And so did Lastiara-san.

　It's really the first time, if it was before I met Maria. Not just me, but everyone here is amazed. Surrounded by questioning faces, Maria assures me.

'Yes, I am. That's why I'm like that.

　Maria was looking straight at me, even if she didn't have both eyes.

　From her too-sharp gaze, I recall the existence of the former skill 'Penetrating Eyes'. And now I understand a little bit of the meaning of what Arti had said about 'we can see'.

　At any given time, Maria would have 'understood too much' because of her overly visible eyes.
　She knew this someday coming 'moment when me and Rustyala will surely be united'. That's why that day, the burning - I've already finished preparing my heart enough.

　Once I realized that there was no mistake in what Maria was saying, the words continued.

'- As I've said before, no matter how your relationship changes, I will not change. Because no matter what happens, I will just continue to love Kanami-san. So, I'm settling in.

　This was probably what he wanted to say the most. In a voice of firm will, as a reminder, he repeated the words of sometime ago.

'Maria ......'
If you say no, I'll force myself to go with you, so please be prepared for that.

　I couldn't find the words to reply, but Maria laughed gently at me.

　She has a gentle - and powerful - expression on her face.
　I know a look like that very well. I know very well that a person with that expression will never get lost again.

　The expression on their faces is similar to that of their guardians when they find their passion and accomplish their mission.

　Even if I refused to follow me and tried to get Maria to find a new love for me, it would be impossible now. I can clearly see that such a phase has long since passed.
　The only way to stop Maria now is to turn back the clock or erase her memories before we meet.

　I can now understand Maria's feelings very well.
　Not long ago, when I was rejected by Rustyala, I was thinking the same thing as Maria.
　I continued to watch over her from the shadows so that she would be happy, and I was prepared to keep thinking about her for the rest of my life. That was enough to make me happy too.

　...... It really says a lot about Maria.

　That's why I'm afraid to push it away lightly or accept it lightly.

　In the face of Maria's willingness to stare straight at me, I am completely consumed, and for a few moments, the room is filled with silence.

　The first to break that thin silence is Rustyala.
　She seems to call Maria's name, as if this is her turn.
'Maria-chan ......'
'Mr. Rustyala, ....... Finally. It's been a long time coming due to my constant interruptions, but ......

　In front of Maria, who is still gentle, Rustyala's expression changes giddily.
　Her mouth and eyebrows change shape as her face, which had been flushed by the reunion, gains strength. Her face goes from a troubled look to an apologetic one, and when she almost looks away again and again - she turns straight back to Maria again and asks for a word.

　I don't know if you've matched up with Maria and I. I also ask a terribly concise question.

"Well, Maria, is it okay with you?

　To which Maria responds immediately.

'It's not good. I'm very frustrated. ...... It's just that this isn't the worst for me. I've told you and lost, I'm a lot better than Arti. ......

　He looks a little deliberately angry to reassure Rastiara, but tells her with a calm expression that it's not the worst thing to do.

　Rustyala's face lights up in response.
　From now on, she can start over again with Maria. We can live together again and laugh together. He must have sensed that kind of hope.
　He takes a step closer and tries to touch Maria.

　But there was a voice that interrupted him, not allowing him to do so.

''Hmph, hahaha--!

　Nosfi laughs loudly, preventing them from getting closer. He exclaims as if to poke fun at the whole conversation now.

'Yeah, it's certainly better than it was a thousand years ago!　But the result is the same!　How many times do I have to chase after it, over and over again, and I'll never reach the One Who Steals the Truth of Fire!　That passion will never be transferred to your loved ones!　Doomed to be betrayed forever!　Oh, it really doesn't pay off!　The life of a "tragic love" that doesn't really pay off!　That's the shukumoku of The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire, shukumoku, me!　Hmmm-- hahaha, too bad fate!　It's just too much!　Hahahaha, hahaha!

　He speaks as if he's also laughing at 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' Arti in a distant way.

　Maria adored Arti, calling him her best friend.
　I thought she was going to be furious at that blunt remark, but she wasn't.

'Nosfi, what's the rush ......?'

　Maria continues to look suspiciously at Nosfi as he continues to provoke her.
　Meanwhile, Nosphy's cries continue.

''Yes. It may be rude for me, an unrelated person, to suddenly interrupt you ....... Maybe, yea, I won't overlook it!　Now Maria is a resident of Hoosier's!　As long as you are called a saint in this country, I will not overlook your suffering!　Most of all, I understand that feeling!　Maria, who has worked so hard every day for a year thinking of Uzumi-sama!　And yet, after a year, you'd think we'd finally found each other!　A different woman is next to me, and she's being flattened!　I'm not convinced!　I'm not going to go!　Of course, you'd think the place next to it was mine!　It's not unreasonable!　The first thing I found was - ugh, mmmm.
'-- Please take it easy (・・・・・・・) (・・・・). No Nosfies are not allowed to talk for a little while.

　Maria manipulated the spell cloth wrapped around Nosfi's body and blocked her mouth from continuing to move.
　Then, she quickly turned to Rustyala and denied what she just said.

''Rustyala-san, there's nothing to worry about. It's true that I'm a bit pissed off, as Nosfi says, but it's enough to keep me in check. As I said earlier, we've known all along, so ...... burning the city with fire magic again would be enough to make it clearer.

　With a bit of mischief, Maria tries to continue her reconciliation with Rustyala. However, after hearing the conversation between the two of them now, Rustiala must have decided that she couldn't just continue to spoil it. He stepped forward while apologizing.

''Maria-chan....... Well, first of all, I'm sorry for when I was a year ago!　Squirm, tease, and move around on your own: ......!　Oh, you're angry, aren't you ......?
'No, sir. Now that you've apologized, that's enough. I'm the older sister, so I'll tolerate you this time.
'And!　Let me apologize for this one, too!　I promised to support Maria in the beginning, but I kept slipping away to ......!　I betrayed Maria. ......!　Also, I have much, much more to apologize for--
I'm fine. So don't look at me like that anymore. ...... Here, come on over here.

　Maria looks at Rustyala, who continues to apologize frantically in front of her, and smiles in dismay.
　Then, she spreads her hands wide and tries to invite them into her chest.

　Rustyala, who has been apologizing in frustration, looks at Maria's face.
　Seeing a receptive smile that seems to take it all in, Rustyala staggers forward in a wobbly fashion. It was akin to a child on the verge of crying and rubbing up against his mother.

　Rastiara put her knees on the ground and rested her upper body on Maria's chest.
　Rustyala's breathless apology was broken, and Rustyala's unruly breathing was regulated. Maria continued to gently stroke its head and held it tightly, letting her own heart beat.

'...... It's okay, Rustyala. Just listen to my heart and my magic. That should tell you everything you need to know.

　Maria didn't just use her entire body to embrace Rustyala. She was also using all of her magical power to embrace her and try to convey her true feelings from her soul. He is trying to reassure Rustyala by throwing away all mental barriers.

'...... Maria-chan,'

　She felt everything about Maria on her skin, and she knew it was all true. In her chest, Rustyala is relieved - in a faint voice, she calls out her name again.

'Thank you, Maria, thank you ....... I really love you .......
'Yes. I like you too, Rustyala, ....... Ever since the first night I met you ....... You've been the only one who's ever taken me seriously like this .......

　The words "the first night they met" reminded me of their meeting.
　At that time, Rustyala forcibly invited Maria, who was not willing to open her heart, and they chatted in the same bed throughout the night. For Maria, who had been brought as a slave from her homeland, that forceful gentleness must have sunk to the core of her body.

　However, it feels a little uncomfortable, as if in a distant way I'm being accused of not being able to face Maria seriously.
　Leaving me behind, the world of just the two of us moves on.

'A lot of things have really happened since that day ....... A lot of things have really happened ....... So I think we're already in a relationship where we can sulk a little bit, but we can get back together quickly. Isn't that different, Mr. Rastiara?
'Not different ....... Not different at all ......!

　Just as Rustyala is special to Maria - Maria is also special to Rustyala.
　Unlike the "Celestial Knights" who had been prepared since birth, she would be the first same-s*x friend he found as a mere Rustiala.

　Rustiala was touched by the fact that he was able to sincerely communicate with that Maria.

'Just, of course, but I won't give up on Kanami-san until the end. Even if Rustyala-san is here, I still want to die with Kanami-san. Still--
'Yeah, I can see that. I like Maria like that, so it's okay.
...... It's embarrassing to see it repeated so many times, isn't it?

　Looking up from her chest, Rustyala continued to whisper "I love you". Maria turned her face away in embarrassment at that.

　Both of them have a look on their faces that I've never seen before. They are even more full of passion than when they are talking to me.
　It's a scene that makes me believe that all the talk about Rastiara and I being together and being boyfriend and girlfriend is a lie.

　Rustyala stands up, leaving me to worry about such things. And instead of being hugged by Maria, she hugs me from above in the opposite direction, cheek to cheek.

'I love you, Maria!　Thank you!
Hey, hey, Mr. Rastiala!　No more, please don't do this: ......!

　He hated it with his mouth, but it was like a refusal with no force.
　His expression was still gentle, and he was still at ease with what Rustyala was doing. Rather, he seems to relish the touch of her cheek and wants more.

　It could be interpreted as a complete reconciliation has already been made.
　There is no longer any killing intent or hostility between the two of them.

　Just to see the story come together neatly, Nosfi, whose mouth is held by a cloth next to me, snorts. Even though no words were uttered, I knew what she meant. She's probably claiming that such an ending is "impossible," "a travesty," and "wrong".

　But there's not a single person to hear it.
　Ryner and Ragne, the knights guarding Rastiara, are relieved that the air in the room has eased. Then Snow and Dea approach Rastiara and Maria, who are flirting, and they dodge the reunion greeting in a more peaceful atmosphere than ever before.

　I take a step back and watch as my sometime friends join them.
　I thought there would be a great deal of discord as Nosfi entered, but Maria's receptiveness outweighed everything and we were able to get through it all.
　I'm relieved that no one was injured, and I take one big breath.

'Huh. ....... Finally.

　The reaper who was in my blind spot also starts talking casually.

'Yes, yes, it really is finally happening. That's good, that's good. I'm happy to see Maria's sister's happy face for the first time in a long time.

　Taking up a position where she could see the whole thing better than I could, the Reaper looked out for everyone. She was as attentive as ever, and she was as happy for Maria's happiness as she was for me.
　I quickly turn around and talk to the Reaper.

'You're still the same, you know. I was worried about you too .......
'What?　...... Oh no, you don't have to worry about attaches, do you?　There are no problems with magic and safety when you're with your sister Maria. Above all, unlike someone else, Maria Sis is very strong and reliable.

　The Reaper chuckles as he looks at me. I ask, unwillingly feeling the reluctance behind those words.

'...... Reaper, I'm strong and dependable too, right?　It's as good as Maria's.
I doubt it!

　I can answer with a very nice smile.
　This is the second person to do so, after Rastiala. It's such an immediate answer that I'm afraid to take a survey of my other friends.

'Think about it for a minute ....... I'm pretty shocked.
I don't have to think about it, you know?
Oh, I see. ......
'Hee hee. I'm relieved to see that you're still the same, brother.

　Although I was saddened by my unexpectedly low opinion of myself, I was secretly glad to have the time to let the jokes fly.

　The reunion with all the friends I left behind a year ago is over, and I can confirm their safety. I can see for myself that the regret that has been rooted in the corner of my mind is disappearing.

　All that's left is for Yotaki to wake up and it will be perfect.

　--and then everything would be over.

　Next up is Apostle Diprakra in the World Tree on earth.
　If I meet him, I should be able to know a lot of things. Perhaps he could find out how to wake up Yangtaki soon. That's the kind of person you can count on.

　While everyone in the room, except Nosfi, is exchanging friendly reunion banter, I spread information about the 'World Tree Pollution Problem' in my mind.