The tension in our party is lightly broken by the fact that we are able to see Maria again.
　I'm relieved to have finished confirming the safety of my colleagues from a year ago.

　We've also secured the mansion that will be our base of operations, although it's inevitable that we'll be able to do so. In the midst of the burning underground city, there aren't many enemies who can reach this mansion. This place is ideal for taking a breather.

　As a result, the tension in Rustyala in particular was loosening up.

　After the reunion, we use one of the tables in the room and start playing with a bunch of cards (playing cards) that we took out from somewhere. At first the game was played with Maria, but now Dea, Snow and the Reapers have joined in, making it a large group. I know they're trying to fill in a little bit of a year-long void, but I'd like to see them play a little later.

　In that loose air, only Ryner and I are steadily preparing for the next one.
　While keeping a close watch on Nosufi, we'll be gathering information about the World Tree Pollution Problem from Maria and the Reapers during the card game.
　Then, we receive unexpectedly good information from these women who have stayed in the 'Great Holy City' longer than us.

''--Well, has Maria already met the 'Blood Stealer'?'''

　That the culprit who contaminated the World Tree is Guardian Fafner Helvillestein of the 70th layer. The Guardian Fafner was summoned by Nosfy. "The Guardian Fafner is an enemy of Nosfi and is in cooperation with Maria. These were the three.

　Maria answered my questions while playing with Rustyala and the others with dexterity.

'Yes, we fought a little bit when we attacked Hoozeyards Castle. But he was quite a talker, so we were able to make peace with him quickly.
And you attacked the castle: ......

　I have many things I want to say, but Maria doesn't mind and continues on with her story.

'Right now, Fafner-san is in a special situation, so please be careful. To put it simply, he is in a state where only his body is under the control of Nosfy. Whenever someone tries to approach the World Tree, his body seems to move on its own to fight. However, since I'm free except for my body, Fafner continued to tell me about his weaknesses throughout the entire fight with me. ...... It was a really weird fight.

　Maria reminisces about the battle and casually calls her new guardian (Guardian) 'The One Who Steals Blood's Reason' 'Fafner-san'.

'Fafner-san is magical and bound by certain rules. His five rules that I was able to confirm in a little bit of combat were 'Don't leave the World Tree,' 'Keep the World Tree sealed,' 'Don't let anyone get close to the World Tree,' 'Don't let any dead people get near the World Tree,' and 'Don't attack Nosfy.'

　And I can understand his awkward situation.
　The culprit who got him into that awkward situation seems to be another guardian (guardian) Nosfi in the immediate vicinity. I glare at her, remembering that she inspired Titi in the labyrinth.

''...... Hmph. Uzumi-sama, are you curious about it?　You're wondering what kind of magic I put on Fafner, aren't you?　If you're worried about Uzumi-sama, I have nothing to hide. I'll tell you right away!　Hmmm, that's the magic of trauma-influencing light.

　The moment I turn my attention to her, Nosfi starts talking, looking very happy. Rustyala has invited her to the card game as well, so the spell cloth on her mouth has already been removed.

'I don't want any more trouble making sure that's a lie,'

　Thinking everything she says is an attack, I shake my head to stop her.
　But Nosfi nods vigorously and goes on to speak.

'Yes!　Of course, it was no mean feat to brainwash the same 'reason-stealing thing'. The "light" and "blood" are compatible, but even so, it takes some ingenuity. So, in order to open up an opening in his mind, I took one of his important things as a hostage. Hmmm. As long as he has that thing, he will be obsessed and will continue to protect the World Tree until he dies. ...... Oh, by the way, once you put it on, it's a trauma that even I can't undo.

　Even though I didn't ask, Nosfi flattened out his atrocities.
　Thanks to this, I understand why Fafner hates Nosphy.

　He has been held hostage to something important and then traumatized by him. There is no doubt that their relationship has broken down. And it's only natural that he would cooperate with Maria, who is hostile to that Nosfi.

'By the way, what's the most important thing about that Fafner: ......?'
'Do you want to know, Master Uzumi?　You want to know, right?　Huh, it's an item that allows you to control Fafner, so to speak. Of course, of course you want to know, right?
...... No, it's still good.
But I can't... I can't... I can't do it!　Hmph, hmph!

　Putting down Nosfi as usual, I ponder.
　It would be easier if I could use 《Distance Mute》, but right now her body is engraved with tattoos that nullify dimensional magic. There are also wards for the entire country, so it will be difficult to succeed.

　There's another way to interrogate her and find out what she's saying, but ...... that can't be done where Rastiara and the others are. At least it wouldn't be the time yet.

　I'm not going to be able to get any more than a few of the information I have.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same kind of information from the guild as I did from Maria's story, so I'm sure of Fafner's current condition.
　He has become a kind of guardian of the World Tree. However, he is not so completely manipulated as to be able to be called brainwashed.

　Once Maria spoke with him after confronting him, she said, "The only Lord I respect is 'Aikawa Uzumi'. He is definitely not a Nosfi.
　Rather than being hostile to me, he is willing to cooperate with me. In fact, I'm already on good terms with Maria.

...... Fafner Helvirshine. If all goes well, he'll be an easy mate, just like he was with Rowen and Titi.

　That's my honest opinion.
　I'm not going to be caught off guard, but I'm going to judge that Fafner is easier to give than Nosfy.

　I'll be able to get my thoughts in order, and then I'll get up from my seat.

I'm not going to be able to get away with it. I think we need to meet with them first. Let's go to Fuzzyards Castle right now.

　We'll be leaving soon, he said, throwing a look at the faces playing the card game.
　But first Lastiara raised her hand and shook her head, insisting that she wasn't going to get in.

'Sorry, I think I'd rather pass. The castle looks a bit messy ...... or rather, I don't think it would be easy to talk about if I went.

　Rastiara, who has close ties to the Hoosiers, requested a detention. Incidentally, Dia and Snow, who could be detained by the state if they went, had a similar reaction.
　It's not unreasonable since all three of them have selfishly thrown themselves into their roles in the Hoosiers and are on their own.

　Maria and Reaper then tell a similar story.

'I'll get in trouble if I go too. I burned quite a bit of the castle when I kidnapped Nosfi, so I'm not sure. Probably wanted.
I know my face is exposed too. It's difficult to hide in there because the boundaries are so great.

　Immediately I turn to the rest of the knights as well.
　However, Ryner shook his head without looking at me as he continued to stare at Nosfi.

''I'm sorry, but I'm not going to go either. This woman is the only one I have to watch with, I have to stay with her and watch her. I have a feeling that if I leave this guy alone, it's going to be the 'worst' thing ever. ...... hunch.

　Ryner, who has fought in person, seems to think that even though they have captured him, Nosfi is still caught off guard. It's clear that he thinks he should be responsible for keeping an eye on Nosphy because the women are caught off guard.

　To which Nosfi responds in dismay.

'Huh ....... Reiner is really creepy ....... Go away. Go away.

　Ryner is agitated, but he continues to watch without moving a single eyebrow. It seems that he intends to keep a watchful eye on them and not engage in useless conversation.

　To be honest, it's a very helpful surveillance.
　I don't trust Nosfi as much as Ryner does.
　It's a really helpful story: ......

'So it's only me and Ragne who can go to the castle then?

　--and it will be.

　Two of them would be heading to the castle's world tree, and six would remain in this mansion.
　If we were to do two things at the same time, escorting Yangtaki, who can't fight, and monitoring Nosfi, it's not a bad thing that the number of people in the mansion will be large.
　However, as expected, I feel a bias in the formation of two against six. Still, Ryner doesn't seem to be willing to change his opinion.

''Christ, if we're going to formally visit Hoozeyards Castle, it's better to have a small group. It's not advisable to go in droves, and I have a feeling that if the guys here are in the same room with you poorly, the conversation will definitely be ...... sullied. ...... That's another hunch.

　It seems to be a hunch.
　But from experience, it's a story that's not unconvincing.
　Maria also agrees with what Ryner said.

'If it's just Kanami-san and Ragne-san, it's good that we can investigate the World Tree with impunity. For now, I think it would be good for the two of you to take some time to hear from him alone. As long as you keep your distance from the World Tree, you'll be absolutely fine. And if something happens in the castle, I'm sure Fafner-san will take care of it.

　From the way Maria talks, I can tell that she already thinks Fafner is on our side. It seems to be three to six instead of two to six in her mind.

'If you're dealing with Kanami-san, Fafner-san will definitely be able to tell you everything. He should be able to hear everything from his own mouth, including how to hear voices from the World Tree, the abilities and weaknesses of the 'Blood Stealer', and more. After bringing that information back here, I think it's best for us to slowly decide what to do from now on.
'Yeah, all the weaknesses and everything is ....... Really ......?
There's no doubt about it. After all, he's a big fan of that ...... pretty much Kanami-san. I was such a fan that I pulled out too. So I can safely see him off.

　Maria seems to think that Fafner is the owner of power and thoughts comparable to her own.

　However, not since Alti has a guardian (Guardian) won Maria's trust to this extent.
　When I was wondering what kind of conversation took place between Fafner and Maria, Ryner summarizes the conversation with Ragne-chan.

'Well then, Lagne. Please take care of Christ for me.
Yes, sir. I'm going to take a step back and be the liaison. If something happens, I'm going to run here as fast as I can.
Nice. That's the kind of thing I trust in, Ragne. ...... only there.

　Ryner seems to find Lagne-chan's cautious nature to be useful.
　And when it was decided that Lagne-chan and I would head to the castle together, a final farewell greeting is thrown by Nosfy.

''Then goodbye, Uzumi-sama. I wish you good luck here with Fafner, the 'one who steals the truth of blood' who has been placed under my control.
'I'm not going to fight the good fight. I'm just going to go talk to him.

　I retort to Nosfi, who no doubt hopes I fail.

''Fu--fufu!　Oh, I'm looking forward to it!　Just thinking of Uzumi-sama coming back in tatters when she went to the place where she believed she could get to know Fafner, hahaha--I can't help but enjoy it!　Haha, hahaha--gggg!　What?

　Rustyala stopped Nosfi from behind, who was trying to agitate him again without s*xual discipline. To be precise, he suddenly picked up his body from behind and carried it to the side of their table.

'Yes, yes, Nosfi is over here. You'll play with us! Hey, hey, has Nosfi ever played with something like this?

　And then he tried to join the circle of friends as it was. Nosfi was puzzled by this sudden invitation.

'Hah ....... No, there isn't one, but ......
'Well, let's do it together. But it's boring to play normally, so let's make a bet. Hmmm, let's say the loser answers whatever question is best.
What?　You can't have everything, okay?　I'm in the middle of an important plot.
Okay, it's decided. So, here we go.
Le rule!　Tell me the rules first!　Unfair is not good!

　Rustyala is talking to Nosphy, waving his hand without looking at us and trying to look away from me and Ragne-chan.
　I guess he wants me to go now, since he's going to keep Nosphy in check.

　I wave goodbye to the rest of my friends as well, and then watch Nosphy, who is bewildered and ready to join the game - and walk out of the room.

　As I walked down the corridor of the mansion, the last look on Nosphy's face lingered in my mind.
　It was a natural expression to Rustyala and the others, without any malice or artifice that he had never once shown me. Even when I entered this room. When Maria and I were chatting and laughing together, she was like a normal girl.

''Nosfi's, why are you only doing this to me ......

　I can't help but complain about the attitude that is too different.
　Ragne-chan, who was walking next to me, heard the swearing she muttered as she walked, and answered her question.

''...... You really like Kanami's brother, don't you, Nosfi-san?

　My attitude is different because I like it.
　It was an immediate answer with no hesitation.
　I was a little unhappy with that third-party assessment.

I'm not going to be able to say that I really like ...... that, do you think I really like it?　Lagne-chan.
Conversely, Kanami-san. Do you really think that's enough to make me hate you?
............

　As for me, I can't give an immediate answer when asked back.
　Without saying a word, I pass through the entrance of the mansion and exit into the underground city surrounded by flames. As we enter the tunnel of flames that was created beforehand, Ragne-chan tells me the rest of the story.

''-- If you meet them face to face, they will hate you. You say things that make you angry when you don't even hear them. If they really didn't like you, they wouldn't react like that. The real hate is more like--
Yeah, I know. I know it's not just that: ....... It's just that it's tempting to think so. He's doing too much stuff. ......

　I interrupted before everything was said.

　I'm not going to deny what Ragne is saying.
　All along, Nosfi has been repeating that he likes me. As she said, she must really like me, not just dislike me.

　It's just that her expressions of affection have become too distorted.
　It's not just that she loves me, she wants me to hate her because she loves me.

　--I'd rather be hated than have the person I love think nothing of me. I want to be angry. I want to be hated.

　I don't think it's an impossible emotion. I've seen the guardians distorted in all sorts of impossible ways. I've seen some of them, and I still understand Nosfy's childlike charm.

　But Nosfi does not stop at anything. The fact that he tried to trick Titty into locking me up in the labyrinth is not so easy to pretend that it didn't happen.

'You understand? ...... Kanami-san should know more about women's minds, shouldn't you? Otherwise, I feel sorry for the young lady and Ms. Nosfi. I heard that you had a date in the labyrinth. What are you doing?

　As I think about Nosfi with a grim face, I get an unexpectedly angry look on my face. As I climb the stairs to the ground through the tunnel of fire, I gauge my defense.

'Yeah, no, ...... because that's what Rustyala says why ....... The truth is, I wanted to go somewhere else too. A restaurant or someplace more decent ......
If you think so, you should have taken her out by force. The young lady is just too short in life experience to think straight, but once she was taken out, she would have enjoyed it for sure. Kanami's brother doesn't have that kind of forcefulness.
That being said, I've never been on a date or anything like that before either: ......
...... Hmmm. So you want to practice dating with me then?　I can teach you a lot of things along the way, can't I?　Everything is about experience and training.

　We climbed up the dimly lit stairs to the ground where the light was shining.
　There is a big city that is perfect for a date. In the midst of the crowded streets, men and women who look like couples are regularly walking around. In addition, the city has restaurants, theaters, clothing stores, decorating shops, and everything in between.

　It's not a bad thing to learn from Lagune-chan, who despite her appearance seems confident about her love life. I've been a good friend of Rastiara's since before I met him, and we're like childhood friends. I'm sure I'll be able to ask him about his preferences, which I don't know yet.

　However, I'll refuse the proposal. This is the only thing I can answer immediately.

You can't go on a date with ......, even if it's a copycat. It sounds like something bad, and I can't do it .......
I guess it's no use. It's rare to be able to be alone with Kanami, so I tried my best. I'm not sure if this is the same way with Nosufi-san. Poor thing.

　Just as I expected, Lagne-chan walks ahead of me down the main street of the Great Sacred City. As I followed her back, I asked her about the uncomfortable feeling I've been experiencing since a while ago.

''Lagne-chan, you've been holding Nosfi's shoulders strangely since a while ago,''

　I feel like it's all for Nosfi's benefit to blame me in some distant way. It wasn't until after the conversation between me and Nosphy that I started talking about something strange.

　Hearing my point of view, Ragne-chan replies while turning her face to look at the gorgeous streets of the Great Holy City.

''That's right. This is the first time I've met Nosufi-san, but I think I know a little bit about him. I'm like me, so I feel quite close to you.
Lagne and Nosfi look alike: ......?

　I was surprised at the unexpected reason for this.
　I didn't expect Ragne, who was quiet in that mansion, to be thinking about such things while looking at us in the back. And her unexpected story goes on further.

I thought to myself, "He must be a very dark person. Just like me, they can't reach the things they want, they don't have anything to live for, so they desperately create themselves and somehow fake their fears and frustrations. ......
...... What?　Wait a minute. Is that, well, Ragne's, is that, you know, character building?

　The seriousness of the conversation, which is not a joke, suddenly begins, and I hurriedly check it out.

　I quickly used the word 'character creation', but the translation spell on me seems to have conveyed the meaning without misunderstanding, and Lagune-chan replied without tilting her head.

'Yes, it's acting (character building). It's easy to do a lot of things when you speak this way. Since it's been like this for a long time, it's easy to hide things (poker face). I've been doing this with everyone for a long time now.

　I'm lightly speechless as the surprises start to pile up.
　I'm not surprised that Ragne was playing. There are people everywhere who make themselves and live their lives in greater or lesser ways. I'm just surprised that I hadn't noticed her performance.

　And more of her non-joking stories continue. She accuses me of folding up, blocking my escape, exactly like a nosy person.

'-But Kanami's brother is also (・・・・・・・・・), right?　You're making this because it's easy for you to put your sister first, right?　Nosufi-san, Kanami-san and I--we're the same kind. Haha.

　Ragne, who was walking in front of me, turned around with a dry laugh.

　The light brown eyes with no features catch my figure.
　I'm not going to be able to see everything like "sensitivity" or "penetrating eyes". It's not like they have some kind of advantage or skill to see through it.

　It's just empathy (...), and Lagune was trying to understand the person I am.
　She has an affinity for me as well as Nosfy.

　But I can't accept that fact. After a pause just to let her look away, I deny it.

'No, ...... it's not. That's just never going to happen.

　I'm not-- I'm not making a mistake anymore. I won't lie to myself.
　I won't pretend to be something I'm not, like Ayde and Titi.
　I am convinced that I am me.
　That's the only place where I'm sure it's 'Aikawa Uzumi'.

　That's why we've been able to come this far.
　I'm very close to the end of saving Aikawa Yotaki.

...... Oh, really?　I thought it was the same kind of thing, so I blurted a lot of things out: ....... If I'm wrong, that's a bit of a thing.

　Ragne blushed and scratched the back of her head.
　She thought she was one of them and blurted out her innermost thoughts, but was embarrassed that it was self-serving. But he was strangely resigned to the idea, and he kept repeating the confirmation and biting down.

'Really, really, that's the real Kanami-san, isn't it?　It's like someone else's ideal of it (...)?　It's not like he's just showing off?　If so, it's a bad way to put it, but it's too good to be true and smells too much like the opposite: ......?　Too sincere or something: ......
...... As a person, I try to be as honest as possible. I also try to be the right person. I'm not trying to make ...... myself.

　I will explain to Lagune-chan how to live her own life, which is impossible to mistake.
　The way of life of wanting to be right may be rare in another world, but it is common in peaceful modern Japan.

　But when Lagune-chan heard that, she still didn't understand.

''Then I guess it's 'the other way around': ......
Reverse ......?
No, I think I've made a mistake. I'm sorry for the weirdness of it.

　Suddenly, he admitted his disapproval and said no more. I was tempted to talk a little more in-depth, but it was difficult to talk to Ragne, who was walking silently.

　The two of us scramble side by side through the hustle and bustle of the Great Sacred City and make our way to the center of the city.
　We talked oddly, and it felt a little awkward. Ragne sensed that the casualness from before was gone between us, and she tried to resume the conversation with care.

'...... Um, Kanami's brother. I've already gotten this far, so can I tell you one more in-depth story as well?　If I don't, I'm the one who's going to be a real stinker. ......
Of course you can.

　I should have called out to her from me, but Ragne moved first. I nodded back, feeling unworthy.

''Well, can I talk to Kanami's brother about my life for a moment?　It's about my life goals.

　I suppose they intend to get to know the person they are in order to get rid of the scent. Indeed, if you know the person's dreams, you can understand who they are - like the Guardian's (Guardian) 'unconsciousness'.

'My life goals are simple. My goal in life is simple: I want to become a famous person in the world like Kanami's brother. I want to be the best in the world, and I'm working hard every day. I just want to go from a dark place to a very bright place.
'Heh ......, Ragne, you want to be famous.'
Yes. I want to be famous and be recognized by everyone. I'm a country boy, but I'm going to stand out in the city, be praised, and rebel at the top of the world. --I want to be the best in the world. That's my ambition!

　In contrast to my 'save my sister', Lagune seems to have a life goal of 'becoming the best in the world'.

　She had a very nice smile on her face as she declared that. And the skill 'Sensation' also says that it is not wrong. She doesn't seem to be trapped like the guardians (guardians) who "misunderstood the 'unconsciousness' from the beginning". She is probably hoping with pure ambition. It's a common dream that many knights often see - if you put it that way, it's a common dream.

　And it's a bit like Rowen Alais's 'unrequited love' that she fought in the 'Dancing Tournament'. Is it because of the similarity of this dream that I once fell in love with the 'Treasured Sword of the Aleiss Family, Rowen'?

　When I'm comparing the differences with Rowen, Ragne-chan asks me to make a low profile request.

''It's just that this goal isn't something that can be done by competence alone. ...... No, it would be possible for Rowen-san or Kanami-san's level, but for an ordinary person like me, the cooperation of many people is essential .......
'I'll help Ragne with her goals as much as I can. You've helped me a lot, so you can say whatever you want.

　Lately, it seems that the reason he wants my backing is because of this dream.
　For Ragnae, even the president of the Celestial Knights is just a passing phase. She aims for something much higher.

　When I told her that I would support her dream, Lagune-chan jumped up and down lightly, looking happy.

''Nah, whatever?''
Within reason.
Well, I guess I'll tell you right now.

　Ragne was about to utter her request with joy - and she quickly cooled down and took a step back.

''Oh, no, I'll still make ...... another one. Let's see, ...... then, I'd like to ask you not to participate in the 'Dance Tournament' anymore. This year's one will be held in a few minutes, but if Kanami-san and the others leave, we won't be able to aim for the win.
Sure, last year's tournament table was terrible: ......
If Kanami-san and the others don't show up, I'll have a shot at winning.　And this year, it's not a team game, it's an individual game!　If it's me who specializes in the dueling format, there's a chance (one chance)!
'Well, I'll be in the audience at the next 'ball' cheering for you, Ragne. I'll tell everyone else.
Thank you!　...... I've perfected my fighting style this year, so you can count on it!　I'm going to give it my all this time.

　Ragne placed her hand on the over-decorated sword at her waist and proudly deflected her small body.
　It seems that the surprise tactic of using that 'magic materialization' has evolved. Looking at his status, he doesn't have any new skills, but he seems to be confident.

''Heh, has it changed a bit since then?''
I don't think I've changed, but I feel like I've grown and perfected it. I'm going to be the winner of the 'Dancing Competition' for sure, so please look forward to it. I'll definitely, definitely (・・・・・・) show you (・・・・・・・).
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

　I don't ask for the details of that technique. I'm sure he's been warming it up for a long time so that he can show it off in the best place possible, the "Dance Competition". It would be less fun to hear it here.

　Above all, I don't want to pour water on this already lightened air. Ragnet-chan, who is in a good mood, walks in front of me at a speed that looks like she's going to skip.

I can't wait for the 'dancing competition' to come. I want to move up the ladder even faster, become richer, become a great person that everyone knows about - and finally, become the most famous person in the world. Then, for example, I will be able to eat all the spit-roasted food I want at that restaurant.

　Before we knew it, we had come to what seemed to be the main street of the Great Holy City.

　It was a weekday, not an anniversary of any kind, but there was a huge market unfolding on that street. Whether you look to your right or left, there are shops lining the street; if you look up, there is a bridge that forms the three-dimensional structure of the city; if you look down, there are beautiful cobblestones and "magic stone lines" shining.

　In the middle of the city, Ragne found an open-air skewer shop. If you look closely, you'll see it's something you once saw at the Allied Fuzzy Yards' pre-Sanctuary Festival. When she saw the food, she knew that every day was a festival in this great holy city.

''Let's just go eat. This won't take too long.
We're going to be home.

　It was just about time for us to get hungry, so we stopped at an open-air restaurant to order some food.
　We buy some pre-made ones for passersby to smell, and soon we're walking back.

'Oh, yum!'

　By the way, I have one in my hand and Ragne has about ten in hers.
　It's a skewer of about four pieces of meat, so it's quite a mouth-watering piece of meat. I walk next to her, smiling at Lagune-chan, who doesn't hesitate to say it's someone else's money.

''I'm really going to have a drink. ......
I've been told that a lot. But I don't care if you call me a rube, I'm not going to fix it.

　I chuckle as I look at Lagne-chan, who is chewing on a skewer of delicious food.
　Thanks to that age-appropriate innocence, the scent of scandal has faded. At least on the surface--.

It's a good thing I've arrived in the meantime. I'm going to do my best to appeal to you as the knight who brought the hero of the United Kingdom to you. My career path begins here!

　Looking around, the number of citizens had dwindled to the point where we could count them. We had just finished eating our spit-roast and we were climbing up the hill on the main street.

　And we were standing in front of Hoozeyer's Castle on a hill in the center of the Great Holy City.
　I looked up and took in the full scope of the building.

'So this is Hoozeyer's Castle ....... This is quite a ......

　I let out an exclamation of admiration at its bizarre construction.
　I didn't notice it from a distance, but this Hoosiers Castle is not decent.

　First of all, the number of towers is uncommon.
　Furthermore, there are too many gaps between them.

　It must be normal for a castle to have a huge structure. If there was a tower, it was only around the tower. However, this Hooziyaz castle is different.

　Everywhere you look, there are only towers - towers of towers.
　Its countless towers come together like a bundle to form one huge building. There are countless arched bridges between the towers, which fill in the gaps and make it look like a large castle from a distance.

　A high iron fence and a river surrounded that bunch of towers. Just like the Allied cathedrals, a gate awaited them across the bridge over the river.

'You two over there, stop!

　When I tried to cross the bridge, I was immediately surrounded by guards and stopped in a harsh tone.
　Unlike the cathedral, the castle does not seem to be open to the public. Just getting close to the bridge was painful for the soldiers to look at, so I guess civilians are not supposed to come in here.

''Thank you for your work. I'm Lagne Kaikwola, the president of the 'Celestial Knights', a knight of the Allied Fuzzyards, and--'

　In order to facilitate the conversation, Ragne steps forward before me.
　It's best to leave it to her here, so I wait quietly. In the middle of it all, I don't intend to listen in, but I hear a light conversation.

''--Then what about Rastiara-sama and Snow-sama?　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you go to work. I can't even predict where the three of you will be.

　After all, it seems that the return of Rustyala and the others was waiting for them. If the girls were here, there was a strong possibility that they would have been detained for a suitable reason. The words 'party' and 'audience' could be heard from every corner of the conversation, so Rastiara's expectation that it was going to be a hassle appeared to be correct.

　After a long conversation between Ragné and the soldiers, several knights who are differently dressed from the others come out of the castle gate. And then the knight who seems to be a representative of them, along with Lagune-chan, comes up to my side, gets down on his knees and bows.

''Kanami-sama. Please, come in. We have been notified by the Senate that you are to be personally received by the Senate. We are prepared to meet all of your requests, Master Aikawakanami Christ Eurasian Waldhusiers von Walker.

　After a lean greeting, the knight immediately stood up. While I was wondering if I wanted to omit his name, he mentioned our destination.

'Your objective is the castle's 'World Tree', right?'
'Oh, yes ......'
Right this way, then. Let me show you around.

　As the representative knights turned themselves around, the surrounding knights surrounded us to protect us. From the looks of it, it's a siege not to keep us from escaping, but to protect us. There seems to be no falsehood in the words of the previous "hospitality".

　Thus, me and Ragne-chan are led by the fine knights through the bridge and gates and into the grounds of Fuzzyards Castle.

''What a fast story, isn't it?''
Yeah. It seems they already knew we were coming to the World Tree. Maybe they're from the guild: ......?

　We walked through a garden that could be mistaken for a prairie while sneaking around and talking to Lagune.
　Anyway, the large grounds were lined with stunning trees that showed the skill of the gardeners. On the way, I pass a few people who seem to be nobles and knights, and they stare at me. Perhaps the news of my arrival had been conveyed throughout the castle for quite some time.

　After walking through such an overly large garden, we finally arrive at the building.
　We arrive at the door of the thickest tower, which is the core of Foozier's Castle, where countless towers are gathered. We can't catch the edge of the tower even if we turn our eyes to the side. Perhaps it would be more accurate to describe it not as a 'thick tower', but as a 'massive structure towering above all else'.

　A carved door with carvings that accentuate its majesty is opened by the knights and we are invited to enter the castle.

'So this is the inside: ......'

　The fantastic interior of Fuzzy Yards Castle made my voice leak out again.
　The luxurious furnishings and the "magic stone line" on the floor were within my expectations, but I was surprised by the construction of the castle.

　The first thing you see is a vault that is more than a kilometer in diameter from the top of the castle to the basement.
　The walkable floor was only about a hundred meters wide near the walls, and in the center, the partitions between the floors had been completely removed. A quick glance at the building revealed that there were about fifty floors to the top, which could be counted by the eye.

　Perhaps it was because the holes in the vaulted ceilings served as air passageways, but they were constantly spiraling eerie wind-cutting sounds.

　I thought it was a complete disregard for the theory of the castle.
　It may have been intended to be a relay tower to connect the surrounding towers, but even so, the architectural drawing was too bizarre.

''Aikawa Kanami-sama, the World Tree is the lowest level.

　As I look around the castle like a country bumpkin, the knight flies to my attention.
　Then I am immediately taken to a spiral staircase attached to the end of the atrium. That staircase has a fence attached to it, but if you're not good at it, you're headlong into the abyss. I follow behind the knight, doubting the mind of whoever designed this castle.

　Gradually, the natural sunlight is lost, leaving only the light of the magic tools attached to the stairs.
　The sounds of life in the castle that we heard on the ground become diminished, and the sound of our shoes as we walk becomes more and more noticeable.
　Along the way, there was a path that veered off to the side, but the knights leading the way headed for the lowest level without hesitation.

　It's not so dark that it's dark.
　However, there was an uneasy feeling of being swallowed by the darkness.

　We walked down the cobblestone stairs, which had become ridiculous to count when we crossed a hundred, and descended all the way down to the bottom.

　And then I see it.
　It stands completely inside the hole in the atrium - a huge, red-tinted tree.

　Countless red leaves fill my vision.
　It's a dull, stagnant red, quite different from the autumn foliage in Japan. It's a far cry from nature's stunning, vibrant red.

　If I hadn't known beforehand, I might have let out one small scream.
　But I already know.
　There is 'the one who steals the reason for blood' here.
　Then the true color of that red leaf can't be anything other than 'blood'.

　I descend a staircase with blood-stained leaves swaying nearby, and finally the lowest level of the castle comes into view.
　That means you can see the base of the red tree, and at the same time you can see the face of the man there.

　The man was surrounded by a group of fully armed knights in the distance.
　But he didn't seem to mind at all, sitting with his back resting against a tree, gracefully reading an ancient-looking book.

　His wispy, black, frizzy hair grew long enough to cover his ears and hide his bright red eyes like a lace curtain. His skin looks pale and lifeless, but a few old scars etched into his cheeks convince me that he is a warrior.

　However, the man wasn't wearing a knight's sword or even a single skirmish. Dressed in a plain white top and bottom outfit, he looks exactly like one of the soldiers who enjoys reading while on vacation.

　I had heard that he was the most active knight a thousand years ago, but he was not as strong as I imagined. His age is probably more than he looks due to 'The One Who Steals Reason', but he looks about the same as I do in appearance.

　Of course, there's no way he's the harmless soldier he appears to be.
　The magic that leaks from his body is mischievous and truly powerful. An average person would probably feel nauseated just by going near him. He is clothed in an abnormality worthy of a guardian (guardian).

　And his biggest abnormality was in his 'legs'.
　Both feet that he sat down and threw out on the ground - thin (...).

　He was not wearing shoes. He was barefoot, as if he didn't need them. And the shape is as vague as a goofy ghost in a movie.

　Once I had taken in all of his features, I made my way down to the lowest level of the castle. The nicely polished cobblestones up to this point are cut off, and from here it's dirt ground.
　On the dirt ground, red trees are rooted and towering close to the ground.

　The man who had been resting his back against the tree seemed to notice that we had come down. He places the book in his hand on the ground and stands there.
　I was anxious to see if his thin legs would support his body, but he stood firmly on the ground.

　The man stands and turns his eyes to me.
　There's a whole bunch of other people. There's a knight who came down with me, and Ragne, too. But he looks only at me, pacing slowly and speaking his name.

'Uzura Wave ......?'
...... Yeah. Is that one 'the one that steals the reason for the blood'?

　I wasn't sure how to answer, but I returned it in a friendly manner without using honorific language.
　There is no doubt that the two of us were close friends a thousand years ago. I chose my words so that we could build a friendly relationship, if at all.

　The man was slightly confused by my answer, but he soon understood.

"...... Yeah. ...... I thought you forgot about us because of the legacy?　So, I guess that means I'll have to introduce myself again. ...... It's a bit of a pain in the ass.

　Scratching his head messily in rags, but with a heartfelt flush of joy, the man repeats himself as he would have done a thousand years ago.

'My name is Fafner. I am Fafner Helvilshain, the agent of the "Blood Stealer" (...) Fafner Helvilshain. I am also the one who once served as your knight in shining armor. ...... Let's be friends and fools again, Uzura Wave.

　The man's name is Fafner Helvirshain.
　This is how Fafner and I met in the World Tree, underneath Fuzzyards Castle in the Great Holy City.