On the second floor of the mansion, there is a large balcony protruding from the building.
　There are simple but old-fashioned chairs and desks provided, and it's enough of a place to take a break for a change of pace. If you look closely, there are traces of the original owner having eaten here.

　Escaping to the balcony, I put my arms on the railing and look out at the completely changed view of the basement.

　Having told Maria about my acquittal from the Senate, all the burning flames of the underground city have been extinguished. The flames that had raised the temperature in the underground city have been extinguished and the air outside has become much colder.

　The underground city is constantly being ventilated by magic tools. There are many doorways that are vents, and even though it's underground, a natural breeze is blowing in.

　I've been trying to get out of the Great Hall with Nosfi and rest, but I haven't been able to sleep yet.
　Even though the sun had set, it was only natural, since we hadn't even finished dinner yet.

　Since then, after finishing dinner with everyone, I've been resting on the balcony alone, resting my body, as declared, after finishing the basic communication.

　Basically, Maria and Ryner are keeping an eye on Nosfi, and Dia and Snow are guarding Yotaki while he's sleepwalking (Dia's reason for doing this is because of her "over-capture protection" skill, but Snow's reason for doing this is probably because it seems easier).

　Thanks to my companions' help, there's no more work for me to do than I should be doing, and I'm well rested for the fight with Fafner.

　With my cheekbones, I look out at the underground city of the Great Holy City.
　The underground world, which was revealed in its entirety when the flames were extinguished, contained a great deal of fantasy scenery from RPGs and fairy tales.
　The ceiling was a starry sky of magic stone jewels in the dimly lit yet gleaming streets. As I was twilighted a bit in front of the unique air - a voice more intoxicated than I was echoed on the balcony.

''--Hmmm, the wind of darkness is ringing ....... Is this the lament of a starving city ......

　Along with a poem that scored about eighty points on my scale, Rustyala appeared from inside the mansion.
　She was dressed in a strange pose, resting her back against the edge of the bay window. I calmly understood its meaning.

'Translation: you're here to be hit by the night breeze. ......?'
'Yeah, you know exactly what I mean. That's what I'm talking about, Kanami.

　Rustyala walked into the balcony, dressed in what appeared to be a thin garment that looked to be a nightgown. The dress is open from her chest to her collarbone, limiting the places she can turn her eyes. I have no choice but to look into her eyes as I speak.

'I'm kind of stuck on writing, ....... I'm here for a change.
'Writing is ....... Oh, that autobiography?

　Rastiala holds the autobiography she is writing and shows it to me.
　A year ago, I had seen him secretly writing it in the middle of the night. Oh my God, he's been doing that routine for a long time.

Yes, that. ...... I've accumulated a lot. It was in chapter one that Kanami helped me get myself back together, and it was in chapter two that I fought the Palinclones in the middle of the mainland. The year I was lost in the Confederacy alone with Kanami gone was three chapters, and the last confession was four. Now it's around chapter five - is it time to end it?

　The last time I looked at it, it was only one chapter, but before I knew it, it seemed I was on my way to writing five chapters. I feel how quickly time flies, and I think back on the accumulation of my battles and answer a bit pensively.

'Indeed ....... This battle could be our final chapter ....... Once Yotaki wakes up, there is nothing more for me to do. Finding a way to return to the original world will be around ...... the epilogue. Unlike before, I don't really want to go back that seriously anymore.
Things have changed a lot since we last saw each other... at ......!　You don't have to leave, you just have to explore the maze until the end!　Mostly for my enjoyment!
I know. That's something I need to deal with.

　If I'm the one who created the labyrinth, then I should be the one who ends it.

　And once you reach the deepest part of the labyrinth, the story in this other world is over.
　I've gotten past the epilogue and it's completely over. ......

　I'm trying to relax before I see the goal in front of me.
　However, I quickly regained my composure to not just let my guard down.

　There are still some disturbing factors.
　For example, what the apostle said about 'saving the world'.
　The Lord of the Apostle named Noi, who seems to be living in the deepest part of the world.

　Honestly, it's none of my business. I'm not responsible for that. I don't need to worry about it - I shouldn't - but I feel uneasy like a small bone in my throat.

　I shake my head and shake off the anxiety, diverting the conversation to another topic.

'...... Come to think of it, you've been getting along with everyone lately,'

　I think back to the dinner I had just had with everyone else and how they were making a lot of noise together.
　They were laughing and laughing at each other as if they were kids who had come to visit their relatives, messing around with everyone.

'Right. I'm sorry that I left Kanami out of the picture for a while. As my girlfriend.

　While Rastiara and the others were playing, I was thinking of something else from my seat in the distance. Of course, it was a plan to wake Yotaki up as soon as possible.

　From there, I feel a shift in consciousness with her.
　I'm putting 'my sister' first, but Rustyala 'everyone (everyone)' is my top priority. That's the gap.

　So it's not a bad thing.
　It's the same as when exploring the labyrinth, it's just a matter of pausing.

　However, unlike me, who took it so calculatingly, Rustyala's expression was a little different. Clutching the autobiography in her hand as she writes, she talks about its end.

'I'm sorry Kanami, but if I don't unite with everyone ...... first, I'll be anxious when I fight the last enemy (the Russboss) in the last chapter. When you are fighting a troublesome boss, don't you think the most important thing is the bond with your friends is a promise?　Especially the last battle.

　The Last Enemy (The Last Boss) .......
　Interesting otherworldly language translations that have been made.
　No, it's my translation magic, so I guess it's natural that it has a lot of game-like words.

　In the original world, I would have been ridiculed for being a game brain, but that expression fit my brain well.

'Haha, a bond with your friends at the Lastiara, huh ....... It's a promise for sure. I don't dislike it, and I don't think it's a mistake. Bonding is a really important thing. ......
Right!

　If the opponent is a wise-cracking boss, it's high time the protagonist and his companions took aim at the loosening of the bond between them. And Nosfi, who is now opposing me, would be the very representative of a petty boss.
　Thinking back to her ability to stir things up, I let out a weak sound with a sigh.

'Nosfy's stuff is nasty, you know. Really: ......
'...... Kanami, Nosfi-chan is not the enemy (boss). That's the only thing that's definitely not true.

　I was instantly rejected.
　Instead, he treated Nosfi as if he were one of his friends, and even showed a faint look of anger.

'Isn't it Nosfi?　Then you're talking about the enemy (the boss), Fafner?
'No. ....... The last enemy for me is ...... Kanami (...) -- 'Gentile' Aikawa Kanami, I believe.
What?　I'm ......?

　A completely unexpected answer followed.
　For a moment, I thought it was a joke, but as far as that Rustyala's face was concerned, it wasn't.

　It was serious. It stared straight at me with its golden eyes, which could be mistaken for the sun.
　Its pearly white skin didn't even twitch. While she was staring at me, not moving even slightly, her hair, like silvery threads, was swaying in the night wind. It is reflected in her eyes, shining and dancing in the night, like smoke fluttering in a sacred ceremony.

　I'm sorry for her seriousness, but her lofty figure and voice give me the impression that she's beautiful.

'I'm convinced that Kanami is the most troublesome enemy in the world. She's more troublesome than anyone else, more twisted than anyone else, more pathological than anyone else - but that's what I like about her. I'm trying my best to keep everyone on my side in case I have to fight (or beat) Kanami. I'm really, really desperate.

　With a coy smile, Rustyala revealed the reason for his recent actions.

　There would be no falsehoods, no detours, no real feelings.
　Just like when he was talking to Nosfi earlier, he hits his heart. He looked just like I did when I was dealing with my guardian, and he was going straight at me.

　I was at a loss for words, but I repeated her words, trying to understand their meaning as much as possible.

'Me and you fight ......?　When and why: ......?
'We've accepted each other's feelings, but we're still not convinced of each other's ideas. Uzumi wants to be happy with 'just one person of destiny', while I want to be happy with 'all of us together'. ...... much different. Really much different.

　Rastiara laughs and explains it to me carefully.
　She confides in me as if she's talking to someone she knows well in her calm home, but I can tell that she seriously believes that her thinking is fundamentally different from mine.

　Immediately I look for an answer that matches her seriousness.
　There's no pretense or detour here, and I tell her what I think, with enough feeling to bang my heart out directly.

I have to admit, I don't think your idea of 'we're all in this together' is a myth. Even if it's okay for now, everyone's feelings will soon be divided. As time goes by, everyone's feelings will gradually drift apart, and in the end there will be only one couple left (・・・・・・・・・・). People aren't that adept. I believe that each person can only love one person at a time. ......
'I wonder if Kanami needs to believe in us more: ....... See, we need to believe more in the bond between us and our friends!　We're at the end of the book, Kanami!

　Rustyala looks down sadly and then tries to persuade me while thrusting the written autobiography in his hand.

'I believe in you. I believe in you all. That's why we're able to travel together now and fight the same enemies as friends. ...... but what Rustyala means by that is that after all the fighting, we're all in this together, right?　I think that would be really hard to do: ......
It's not that hard. You know the promise of the story, don't you, Kanami?　This Kanami and Rustyala heroic tale is full of cute girls!　Then naturally, the end is bound to be a harem of sorts!

　I deny it, but Rustyala is stubborn and doesn't back down.

　In the middle of it all is the word polygamy (harem), which the Reaper once jokingly suggested. Apparently it's a common form in this other world, but it's a value that I refused to accept to the Reaper, saying it was unacceptable to me.

　What did I say at the time: .......
　As I recall, it was 'only one destiny' for a person to be linked to - or so I thought.

　Yes, I still think so.
　There is no doubt about it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

　I give a wry smile at that funny situation. It's a good idea to have a small "hahaha" laugh at me, and Rustyala's mouth is agape at my mischievous attitude.

'Kanami, I'm not joking. I'm very serious - I'm saying 'we're all in this together' for the happiness of everyone I love.
...... I know. Rastiara is always serious. I'm always going to support that kind of seriousness. I'm not going to stop you. ...... I just don't think I can do it," he said. This is the only thing that I can't do, no matter what Rastiala says: ......

　I didn't have time to think about it, but I repeated the word impossible.
　I don't want to see anything but Rustyala's smile, but I keep denying it, knowing it will cloud her face. It's strange even to me - I repeat it.

　At my response, Rustyala groans, "Mmmm," and exhales loudly in resignation, and--

Haha. ....... I'm really worried. That's one thing you won't give up--

　Then, out of the blue again, he throws in a story that was completely unexpected.

'--For example, if there was a magic that Maria and the others could start over, Kanami would use it somehow, wouldn't she?
...... Huh?

　I knew that me and Rustyala had different values, but it's been a long time since we've had all this unexpected talk. I've been pushed around so much that it reminds me of when we met.

　I've only recently rejoiced that our thoughts and feelings are in sync with each other, so the feeling is even stronger.
　In front of my dumbfounded face, Rustyala goes on to explain.

'The village Maria grew up in will never disappear, never fall into slavery, and will be able to live happily in her hometown until she dies. ...... Like Dia will no longer be an apostle and live with her real family, and Snow will have never left the village of the dragon race ....... Such 'magic (...)'
No, Rastiara ....... How can there be such a stupid magic--
You may not be able to go that far, but Kanami is the type of person who will eventually create a spell to undo the past. Without a doubt, Kanami's current magic is heading in that direction.

　When you say this much, I know what Rustyala is thinking.
　He thinks that I, the 'one who steals the reason for the dimension', will end up with magic that plays with people's past.

　I can't strongly deny it.
　Recently, I have accepted the idea of "immortality" as a mockery of people's destiny.
　I'm not going to be able to say that this is impossible if my magic, Distance Mute and Dimension Graduate Prequel (Recall) grow.

　I also have a hunch.
　It's a hunch that I remember from the time I overwhelmed the "One Who Stole the Reason of the Tree" id.

　--I have a premonition that my power is almost complete.

　It's not long before I'll be able to reach the final magic of the "thing that steals the reason for the dimension".

　It's not just a matter of time before I'll be able to get to the point where I'll be able to get to the end of my life.

　--A premonition that that time is near.

　I spoke earlier about the end of the story.
　Perhaps it's not surprising that the last chapter of the otherworldly adventure tale has such foul magic.
　But that magic should never be used by me.

''No, Rustyala. Even if there was such magic, it would be absolutely wrong to pretend that ...... the past didn't exist. Erasing everyone's memories or something like that would be the worst possible thing you could do. I don't want to just pretend that I didn't see something inconvenient and get a false sense of happiness ever again ......!

　It was something that had worn on me during my battle with Palinclone.
　It was really hard not to remember the past. The only thing I can forgive myself for is forcing someone else to do that.

'...... really?　Do you really think it's wrong to pretend it never happened?　If you're ......, isn't that a bit strange how you're treating Nosfies now?
......!

　As a counterargument, Nosfi's name comes up here.
　Perhaps Rustyala had wanted to talk about this all along. I can see from the corner of my eye that the faint anger I felt earlier is on the verge of rekindling.

　When I don't respond immediately to that rebuttal, Rastiara continues to talk.

'I've been avoiding it for a long time, trying to talk as little as possible. Kanami leaves everything to us, right, Nosfi-chan?　Could it be that you think Nosfii-chan is better off not getting involved yourself ......?

　I'm going to be hit with a bull's-eye.
　Rustyala sees through all of my current guilt.

　As I thought today when Ragne told me off, there are too many people who know me better than I do.
　Ragne said that me and Nosefy are very similar. And Rustyala says I'm avoiding Nosphy. That means--

'He was so insistent on ending the fight with the guardians (guardians) by himself. ...... Only against Nosfi-chan, he had no intention of ending it himself.

　Not a single word of denial came to mind as he continued to be questioned.
　He honestly admitted that Rustyala was right and confessed why.

'...... Nosfi is happier without me. When I'm not around, Nosphy laughs so much more normally. She doesn't force herself to laugh at me, she doesn't laugh at me in praise of me, she doesn't laugh at me in an agitated way, she doesn't laugh like she's about to cry ....... She laughs like a normal girl. ......

　For the record, I don't like Nosfy.
　But I don't hate him to the point of wanting him to be unhappy.
　The result of that is probably my current response.

　If it weren't for me, Nosfy's problems would be fine.
　It's impossible to do anything about it when you know that.
　There's no way I'd want to take the initiative to make Nosfy's face a mess.

　That's why Nosphy is left to his trusted friends - hearing my decision, Rustyala reluctantly nodded his head despite his unconvinced face.

''...... All right. If Kanami thinks that way, then I'll try my best, Nosfi-chan. At least we'll see how we do until my sister's problems are over.
'Thank you, Rustyala: ....... But you don't have to force me to pursue that guy's 'unfinished business'. You just need to laugh with me. You'll hear about the 'unfinished business' from me one day: ......

　There's still time.
　Fortunately, unlike the other guardians (guardians), Nosfi has someone to laugh with. The smile I was showing to Rustiala and the others earlier was definitely genuine.

　However, Rustyala shrugged at my weak posterior to it. Maybe she really wants me to show enough spirit to solve Yotaki and Nosfi's problems at the same time.
　Well, no. For Rastiara, she'd rather have priority over Youtaki, who she's never even spoken to, than Nosfi, who she can laugh with now.

'Just a little bit about Nosfi-chan - I've convinced you just a little bit, but don't forget what you said earlier. The magic I told you about earlier, that (...) is the only thing you should never use. Even if Kanami is the only one who gets hurt by that magic, even if it makes everyone in the world happy - we definitely don't want that .......

　At the end of the conversation, once again, Rustyala reminded me about the ridiculous magic ahead.
　It was a request that came so close to each other's face that they were attached to each other.

'Oh, ah, that magic you were talking about earlier ......?　That is, of course, ......

　Immediately I step back a bit to avoid our foreheads colliding before nodding.
　As I do so, we naturally form eye to eye contact.

　I was caught in both of Rustyala's eyes as he squeezed me and stared at me.

　The situation suddenly reminds me of the first time I met Rustyala.
　At that time, we were still staring at each other like this up close and personal.

　However, I - I am no longer frightened by the golden eyes of Rustiala that I once feared.
　I don't have the uneasy feeling as if my heart is being cut down just by looking at them. I still feel that they are too beautiful, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that they are unrealistic because I'm used to seeing them. Naturally, they don't look like fierce reptilian eyes either. They just look like the pretty eyes of a pretty girl.

　--just that Rustyala's eyes seemed to tremble a bit.

　A glimpse of emotional turmoil could be glimpsed from Rustyala, who stared back resolutely.
　I was only thinking about myself, but what kind of feelings does Rastiara have right now looking into my black eyes ......?

　Is she looking at my purely black eyes, which are rare in this world, and thinking I'm as beautiful as possible?
　Or is Rustyala now in awe of me, just as I was in awe of Rustyala when I was level 1: ......?

　Looking back, it has taken many battles since then, and the power relationship has been reversed.
　If you're even slightly afraid of my power, I'd like to reassure you right away.

''Don't worry, Rustyala. I'm not going to be able to get the most out of it. I'm not going to be able to use it, even if there was, I would never use it. Erasing the past and creating a happy world is ...... like a Palinclone thing. I'll never use it. I'll never use it.

　I will promise with all the tenderness I can muster.
　I also name my worst enemy and swear that I will not do anything but imitate him.

　Hearing this, Rustyala frowns.
　You can't easily be relieved by hearing that vow, but you are certainly glad to hear it--that's the kind of expression you have.

The actuality of this is that it's a promise. I haven't fully thanked Kanami yet, so ......

　Rustyala grips my right hand tightly with both hands, as if to cut off my fingers.

　While my heart jumps at the unexpected contact, I think first of all about the meaning of those words.
　Is it the fact that I've taken him out of the cathedral of Huzzya's by thanking him? If that's the case, I think I've been given back enough in Lauravia's 'Dancing Tournament'.

　I don't remember doing anything else.
　But Rastiara clasps her hands together in a desperate manner. She smiles gently at me, then shifts her gaze from the balcony to the black sky of the underground city, and monologues with deep emotion.

'This may be a bit inappropriate, but ...... I'm enjoying my life right now ....... I'm with Maria, playing with Dia, joking with Snow and ...... Kanami and Nosfi-chan bring me a lot of interesting trouble. The adventures I dreamed of in the cathedral when I was born are certainly here. I'm having so much fun and enjoyment ...... that I really don't want to have the last chapter (the end). So, I want to continue to spend time with all of these people ...... for years to come.

　I can feel that Rastiala is able to enjoy life now. And I can also feel that she wants to continue to live with everyone.

　When I see Rustyala staring off into the distance, I suddenly feel a little spill out of my mouth as well.
　While moving my eyes to the black sky in the same way--

Me too ...... preferably ......, and everyone else ......--

　But for some reason, I just can't get the words to follow it.
　When I'm almost there, I can't move on, as if the door is locked.
　I'm sure it's because I believe in the back of my mind that this wish will never come true.

　Only Rustyala can easily say the rest of this story.

　And I reaffirm it.
　This is the main reason why I like Rustyala.

　I've been in love with Rustyala since the moment I met him.
　She took me to places in the labyrinth where I couldn't go. What I couldn't do, she could do with me.
　It's dazzling. To a realm that is locked to me - Rustyala will lead me there.


　I know.
　I hate me, but one day Rustyala will defeat me.
　That's why I like Rustyala.


　As I look back at that self-contradiction (・・・・), I also look at the sky.

　Out of the corner of my eye - the false stars are shining in the underground night sky.

　It's an underground town, of course, but all the shine is artificial.
　It's just that the magic stones are processed and made to glow. It's just a 'fake' made to look like that.
　However, it has the same meaning as the 'real thing'. It plays an important role in illuminating the world.

　The people living in the underground city must be deeply grateful for the light in the sky.
　The people living on earth will have the same amount of gratitude as the people living on earth give to the stars.

　Rastiara and I continued to gaze at the created night sky.
　We didn't speak to each other anymore, but we kept one hand connected - side by side like lovers, and spent the same time together.

　The time has passed, which is more than enough for the two of us now, and the first day in the Great Sacred City is over.