Honestly, I'm willing to let one of the Gen Xers become 'immortal'.
　I am already using a magic that blasphemes both the living and the dead. I don't want to make a big deal out of 'Elixir of Immortality' now.

　I'm sure it wouldn't be a bad idea to help the Senate develop the magic of the Elixir of Immortality, if they had the chance.
　I can sense the blackness of human beings, but at the same time, I also feel a certain patriotism from them. I don't want to assume that they are fundamentally evil just because they are greedy. That is also one of the reasons why people are strong enough to live.

　I'm not going to give up at least 'immortality' - I may have seen the lives of those who 'steal the truth' to think that lightly.

　I don't feel that 'immortality' is of much value.
　I don't feel that the value of "immortality" is so great. I know that even if you become immortal, you are still troubled by the problems of immortality, and even if you become immortal, you are still troubled by the problems of immortality.

　As long as there is absolute power and "immortality" above all, the illusion that the country will be safe is a moot point.
　If that's how you can be safe, then a thousand years ago we would have had a much better ending.

　I believe that I would be a good business partner with the Senate for a number of reasons, including There won't be any conflicts of interest, so there won't be any incompatibilities or deadly conflicts of interest. So, in that sense, it's really easy to do business with them.
　Of course, it would never be an easy partner in a deal or negotiation. ......

　After my audience with the Senate, I leave the castle with Ragne-chan and walk through the thriving castle town with Nosfi and the Senate's dealings.

　In the end, I accepted their favor.
　The "Saint's Kidnapping Case" was dropped, and I had a temporary interlude in the underground city that was under fire. I refused to help with the funding, but the charges against Maria and the Reapers are now off the table.

　I also promised them that they would be quiet until they settled things with Nosfi.
　However, none of these are just verbal promises, so we should be prepared to be betrayed at any time. If the gain outweighs the loss, they will throw away their conscience with impunity.

　Remembering their merry laughter, I regained my composure - and even more strongly regained my composure with the faces of the mansion in the underground city I was about to return to in mind.

　It's been quite some time since I fought Fafner and had a long talk with the Senate. We've had quite a bit of time to travel around the castle town, and it's almost dark.

　However, even as the night was setting, the Great Sacred City's vitality was not diminished in the slightest.
　Confirming the richness of the city that the Senate is so proud of, we passed through the entrance to the underground city and walked through the blazing fire to return to the mansion where we were based.

　First of all, we enter the great hall to check on the safety of our friends - and stop at the entrance when we overhear a terrifying conversation taking place there.
　The restrained yet strong Nosfi was asking Maria, who was sitting on Rustyala's lap in a chair.

''--Maria-san, as I said before, is this correct?　Is this (...) really the way to go?　Don't you hate the world if it's too unequal, if it's too unhappy?　
'As I've said many times before, I'm happy. No one else can decide how I feel - only I have the right to do so. I'm sure of it. Because it's such a warm feeling inside: ......

　Maria put a hand on her chest and smiled lightly at Rustyala on her back as she replied.

　...... Oh, horrible.
　I don't know how the conversation came about, but it was a conversation that went pretty deep into the depths of my life. I've only heard a word or two, but I can tell you that this is an exchange that could touch the land mines of anyone's mind at any time and cause a firestorm.

　Both sides are too serious, too serious. While guardian (Guardian) Fafner and I were measuring and measuring the distance between our hearts and engaging in a farcical battle - I never thought that Maria and Rustyala were having a heart-to-heart dialogue with their guardian (Guardian) Nosfies.

　In the midst of that dialogue, which was about to conclude their lives, only Nosferi was in a cold sweat.

The majority of people would call you pathetic ....... You can't ask for much. Even from my point of view, you are very unhappy .......
Again, ...... but I'm still happy. I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life right now - and I think I am. Even if it's a nosephew, I won't let it be denied. My life is mine and my world is mine. I don't have any hesitation in praising me. I think that's important.
...... So, I see. Maria is strong, isn't she? You really are ......

　And the discussion, if you listen to it from the edge, appears to be Maria pushing it.
　I don't know how it came to be about happiness and unhappiness, but I don't think Maria will ever break down. I feel the firmness of her heart.

　Right now, the only one shaking in this great hall is Nosfi - and it seems that the same is true for Ryner as well.
　In the corner of the room, Ryner was also in a cold sweat as much as Nosphy, and was gripping his sword with a very bitter face.

　He might actually want to leave his seat, but he couldn't escape before he said he'd be on guard. It was clear from his tired face that he had been in the same posture for hours, ready for anything to happen at any time.

　As Maria pushed her, Nosphy tried to change the contradiction.
　Next, he asks Rustyala, who has been holding Maria like a hug the whole time.

'Lastiara, are you ......?　What do you think of Maria's story?
'I believe everything Maria and the others say. So I feel safe. Even if everyone in the world makes fun of me, I will never bend myself. --I'm just going to pursue my dream with Tiara-sama.
'You have the same dream as Tiara ...... No, you're going to follow that back. Las Tiara, you are.
'Yes. I want to be with everyone else. No matter how difficult Nosfi says it is, I'm going to have a perfect, all-happy ending, no matter how difficult it is for me. So, even with Nosfi, I want to be with--

　Unlike Nosfi, Lastiara speaks in a sunny and refreshing manner. To top it off, she tries to invite even the enemy she's talking to now to join her.

''I'm sorry. I can't do that. That's the only thing wrong with me.''
"...... hmmm. Am I wrong?　...... Hey, Maria. Was that bad, Maria?　I was going through an absurdly orthodox scenario right now, weren't I?
'Haha ....... Rustyala, a scenario is ....... I'm thinking like the world in the theater again.

　At Nosfi's denial, Rustyala tilts her head and asks Maria, who looks dumbfounded in her arms. Face to face, they are within touching distance of each other, and they say briefly, "Yes, you do? I do." "Really? It's a total habit." "Really, really? 'I'm already sick.' "Nah, I'll try to get better ......," they said lightly to each other.

　Nosfi chuckled at the sight of them.
　This smile is also the most radiant smile I've ever seen - and it's the most radiant smile I've ever seen.

'Hmmm ....... I know I'm wrong, but ...... you two are really good friends. We're really ...... good friends .......

　A calm, harmonious and supple smile.
　The expression on her face was one that fit the expression "I can't help but smile when I'm faced with such trivial happiness.

'Seeing your faces reminds me of the past. There's Tiara, there's Sith, there's Arti, there's Serdra, and there's .......

　I hid and looked closely at her expression, wondering if it was related to Nosfi's true 'unconsciousness'.

''--At that time, I couldn't follow everyone else. I couldn't make mistakes like everyone else, and I pretended to be a good boy. I didn't have the 'courage' to take the first step: ......

　But while he may be regretting the content, his face doesn't look like he regrets it. He seems to be just nostalgic for his past pettiness while maintaining his smile.
　Towards that Nosfi, Rustyala invites him again.

''...... I see. But I guess it's not too late to start now, right?　I'll ask you out, okay?　Again and again.
'Hmm, thank you. You are very kind, Lady Rastiara. But we can't be friends anymore, because the times are so different. Because the times - the world is too different.

　Nosufi is grateful, but he refuses once and for all. From the strength of his refusal to give that much away, I felt that that's where the true 'unfinished business' lies.

It's just that I can't be your friend ...... but yes, I can. I can help you with the power. I'm confident that I can teach you light magic or sacred magic, so I'll teach you for the coming battle one day. Lady Rastiara should be a little stronger.
What? Can you get a direct lesson from The One Who Stole the Reason for Light?　Like ......!

　Then they begin to practice their magic in harmony, though across the desk.
　Even Maria, who is in between, is too curious to stop.

　For me, it's hard to watch what Nosphy will do to take advantage of the practice. But the two of them don't seem to be. I'm already treating them as if they were one of my friends, even though their invitations are rejected.

　I have no choice but to approach Ryner, who may have the same feelings as Maria and Rustyala, and call out to him.

'You're strangely close ....... The three of you ......
"...... Oh, oh, Christ. You're back. ...... It's definitely too weird and I'm going to throw up. But as far as I can tell, it was a normal story. If anything, it was a straightforward story, ...... so straightforward that I thought it was going to end up being a lot of things.

　Ryner is relieved to see me back, and he unstands his battle plan.
　He returns both twin swords to their sheaths and sits down in one of the chairs in the room, taking a breath.

　Seeing this, everyone else noticed my return as well.
　Naturally, it was Nosfi who was the first to speak up. His face lights up in a flash, and his voice is distorted and loud, abandoning all of the kindness he'd shown earlier.

'Oh, oh ......!　Uzumi-sama, welcome back. How was the interview with Fafner? No, what about the interview with Fafner?

　It loosens the mouth to the limit and makes people feel like they are making fun of you.

　...... This is the only time they do this (...) when talking to me.

　It's not easy to deal with, unlike the straightforward old men I was dealing with earlier.
　I tighten my mouth to the limit before answering as if to tell the others in the room.

'I know what Fafner's weaknesses are and how to attack him. I've also seen his true magic. More importantly, I found out that Fafner's most important thing that Nosfy took from him was a book.
'Yes!　So, then!

　Halfway through, Nosfy was covering my words and gave me a counterpart. I'm bitter, but I continue my report.

'So ...... there's no way we'll lose next time.
'Yes. What's next: ......?　Does that mean next time, or is this time it's ......?
...... came back with a light mock battle.
'A lightly simulated battle came back ......?　Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm--Yes, I understand very well!　You came back with a light mock battle, lightly overwhelmed, and swooning, Master Uzumi!　I can see it in your face!　I'm confident that I can tell you everything about Uzumami-sama!　I'm sure Master Uzuraha saw Fafner in pain and madness and couldn't leave him alone!　Oh, you're so sweet!　You're too kind - phew, that's funny!　I can see Uzuraha-sama, who tried to save her from the top, but ended up only making it worse - phew, tears come to my eyes too!　Hmph!

　Nosfi was laughing so hard that tears were forming in the corners of her eyes.
　In the end, I feel unworthy that the ending is exactly as she said it would be. However, I also think that I had a reunion and interaction with Fafner that was as close to the best as I could get, so I calmly pass off her agitation.

I'm sure you're not the only one who was determined to talk to her, but you ended up having a mock battle, and you lost. I understand!　You really wanted to give him a fight, didn't you!　Fafner shouted, Fafner hoped, and Fafner drew his sword!　Yes, I know this I know!
Yeah, you're right. You're right, this time you're on target. ...... But more importantly, it's the book now. Nosfi, where are the scriptures you took from Fafner?

　To the very excited Nosfi, I return a thin response.
　I wonder if the excitement on the other side has calmed down after being caught, and after exhaling one big breath, "...... Hmph," the bland provocation stops.

'It's that idiot knight's scripture, isn't it? ...... Yes, I have taken that one away and kept it. It's an important piece of manipulation for him.

　I maintain a stern stare and ask him where it is.
　However, I know that he won't answer honestly, so I'll have to try to find out somehow.

　That's when I thought that.

'Now the scripture is in the hands of Glenn Walker. But we don't know where he is or even what he is doing.
Mr. Glenn is at ......?

　The answer came back easily.
　On top of that, she even came up with a name I wasn't expecting.

　I was doubly surprised by her being too honest (・・・・・・).
　In the corner of my head, I echo the advice that it's an absolute lie and an absolute trap. However, all of my skill groups had decided that this was true. The familiar warning sounds (alerts) didn't resonate at all.

　When I'm confused, Maria, who is close by, adds to my confusion.

'Kanami-san. Glenn-san is also with Fafner-san and has been cooperating with Nosfi-san for a little while now, as if he's been instilled with a strange rule (trauma). He was with me when I first came to the Great Holy City. And, incidentally, Shea Legacy as well.

　That's right.
　When they used the magic of past vision in the city of Daryl in the north--Dimensional Decisive Operations, "Prequel (Recall)", Maria and the others were acting as a party of four.

　In other words, they came to this great holy city as a party of four and met and fought with Nosfi. In that case, it seems that Glenn-san was turned by light magic. The fact that this was the case was revealed, and my old acquaintance Rustyala laughed.

''Haha. Guren, you're still the same.

　Next to Rustyala's nostalgic look, I ask more in a stern tone.

'Nosfi, where is this Mr. Glenn now?'
Now, where is he?　There's no doubt that we're in the Great Holy City, but I don't know the exact location.

　I feel like this is a cover-up.
　The gesture is so ludicrous that he seems to be claiming "I am lying".

　However, if I questioned her about the lie, Nosfi would not speak up, even if she were dead. Rather, it seems that being interrogated is even what she wants.

　Once I realized that I would have to be creative to get the location of Ms. Glenn and the scripture, I moved the topic to the easier to tackle one.

　It's about Maria's fourth party member who just came up in conversation.

"Maria, do you have any idea where Shea is?
'What, Shea? ......?　Right now, Shea is at the Legacy family's villa in the Great Holy City. Well, to put it bluntly, I'm not much of a fighter, so I had to be evacuated.

　Apparently the Legacy family's villa, which is apparently located all over the world, is properly here. If you know where she is, then you can take priority over Mr. Glenn.

Then let's go to Shea's place first. I want to collect Tida's magic stone.''

　I'll get it from what I can reach.
　Perhaps because I heard the Senate talk about 'Immortality' earlier, I can't help but wonder about the whereabouts of the magic stone in 'The One Who Steals the Reason'.
　In the magic of past vision, I believe the magic stone of Tida that I picked up from the labyrinth was in the possession of Sia, Palinkron's niece.

''......?　Kanami, you know it well: ....... Indeed, she now has the magic stone of 'The One Who Steals the Dark Reason'. It was a hidden trump card. ......
She's ......!

　It's a good thing that you're not looking at my magic, because it makes you wonder, and Nosephee too, yell out loudly.
　I've been looking for it too, but I don't think I had any idea where it was until now.

I'm going to meet with Shea and collect the magic stone. I'm going to meet with Shea-chan and collect the magic stone, then I'll look for Glenn and collect the scripture as well. After refusing all the hindsight, let's fight Fafner Helvilleshain with all our friends.

　Having declared to Fafner that we're going to surround and beat him, we're going to do everything in our power to prepare for it.

　If possible, I'd like to get Glenn-san to join us before Fafner does. I think it's not a bad idea to gather as many acquaintances as possible who are at the level of being able to fight the guardians (guardians). For example, I'd like to meet Sera-san, who should be in this Great Holy City.

　Hearing my carelessness, Maria nodded with satisfaction.

''It's a good decision. Let's go with that. Fafner-san would like that as well.''
Yeah, that's what he told me, too. Fafner crushes a lot of people.

　He makes eye contact with Maria and communicates with her with certainty.
　A policy has been set. There is a strict Maria's approval. This should be for the best.

It's just that it's late today, so ...... we'll talk about it tomorrow. It's time for me to get some rest .......

　Immediately I turn on my heel and turn to walk out of the room.

''Ka, Uzumi-sama ....... Are you going to go already ......?

　Nosfi holds it back.
　I try to leave the room without stopping, but Rustyala repeats himself a little too hard.

''What. Kanami, are you going to go now?　Can't you go talk to Nosfi more properly?
...... I've already told you what I need to tell you. I don't think it would make much sense to talk about it any more. I think it's more important to rest for tomorrow now.

　In the dark, I tell him that he doesn't want me in this room.

　When I'm here, Nosfi will only behave as he does now.
　You won't be able to have a normal conversation with Maria, Lastiara and the others. Their beautiful smiles will become distorted because of me.

　It's not something I dare to see, nor is it something I want to face.
　For myself and Nosfi's sake, I decided it was best for me to leave my seat.

　I've been on the move all day, so it's definitely best to take an early break.
　I can't say I'm not worn out from fighting Fafner.
　He decided to keep himself in perfect physical condition at all times.

'Well then--'

　I leave the great hall, overcoming their restraint.
　Then I start walking towards an empty room in the mansion.

　I make plans as I continue down the corridor -.

　Let's take our time and rest for the night and then go to the Legacies' cottage tomorrow morning.
　My friends will be guarding Nosfi, not me. The same goes for guarding Yotaki.
　The same goes for the protection of Yotaki. Thanks to them, I can think only of saving my sister.
　I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I'm concentrating on meeting with Deepakra in the World Tree.

　--I've been thinking about this, and as I'm walking around with my face down, I see that the light from the room I just came out of has reached my feet.

　When I look up, it's pitch black. The dark corridor of the mansion with no way to see ahead continues.
　Only from behind me was a bright light shining in.

　Perhaps because of that light, the corridor looks even darker.
　As if to show the guilt I'm currently carrying, the path is dark, very dark - very dark.