Deer's cry fills the underground space.

'---, ----, --' ------!

　It's a demonic range that can drive you insane if you listen to it.
　It's not dangerous because it's loud enough to break your eardrums. It's just that the unknown sound that doesn't exist in this world makes my head twist just listening to it.

　To that voice that could be called a wide range magic, Rustyala responded with just words.

''--Dear!　It's so far away, I can't hear what they're saying!　That's how you really want to be a swordsman when all you do is magic at a distance!

　His throat trembles to the limit and loudly agitates Dia in the sky.
　Dia, who has been wandering in the air for a long time, is stimulated by the complex she has, and she reaffirms her earthly Lastiara. She stops screaming and mutters as she wavers and turns her eyes downward.

'La, Rastiara ......!　Why don't you run away ......!　Why do you think I--
'I'm here to make fun of you for looking like that and claiming to be a swordsman!　You're not a swordsman by any stretch of the imagination!　Now that!
"Oh, I'm a swordsman!　Ever since I was a little girl!　I always wanted to be a swordsman!　I decided to fight with this sword and live by it, and here we are!　And you, oh, you--!

　Under provocation, Dia changed the shape of the magic power gushing from the tip of her lost right elbow into a sword.

　She then flapped her wings of light that covered the entire ceiling and flew down to fall to Rustiala, who was directly below her.

　Rustiala smiles lovingly at Dia, who is trying to get out of the safe zone herself and settle the matter with a sword instead of magic.
　The innocence of Dia's being caught this way so honestly must be endearing.

''You're here, Dia!　As far as I can reach!
"I don't care where I am, I can't lose!　Even Rastiara will beat you with a sword!　I'll show you!　--I knew how to use a sword!　Let me see it!　Me too!

　After landing on top of the building where Rastiara was, Dia swung the sword of light in his right arm in a frantic manner.　It was not a flattering swordline, but when wielded by a being with a status as high as Dia's, it would be a terrifying speed and power. Rustyala dodges it at the point where it is a paper-thin point.

　Although Rustyala handled the sword using only his body technique, the increasing sharpness of the sword forced him to pick up the sword at his waist.

　But he doesn't pull it out yet. With the belly of the sword in its sheath, I try to catch the flash that I can't dodge.

''--What?

　However, he realized the failure of that defense.
　If this was truly a sword-to-sword battle, it was a brilliant defense. However, Dia's sword is composed of magic power. It's also the magical sword of Dia's self-doubt.

　The moment the sword's sheath and the sword of light came into contact, Dia's magic power that had been converging loosened - it burst.
　The light that had been hardened like a blade diffused, and like a shotgun, it slipped through the protection of the sheath and ripped through Rustyala's skin.

''Huh, you're being cut even though you prevented it or ......!　What is this: ......!
'RASTIARAH--!

　Rustiala laughs at Dia's unreasonable attack, and Dia yells out in excitement.

　Immediately, Rastiara throws his sword sheath on the ground as well and steps forward.
　He must have decided that it would be dangerous to seriously compete at sword distance like this. While snatching Dia's messy sword flashes at his torso, he forcefully enters from sword distance to clique distance.

　Using his physical abilities, he grabbed Dia's left wrist and right two arms, which were not good at body arts.

''d*mn!　Let go of the--!　

　Dia put in a lot of effort to shake it off.
　But Rustyala doesn't let go of her hand. And he doesn't move on to the next attack. She doesn't crush her opponent's arm or decide on an indirect, but chooses to 'discuss' face to face.

''Hey, Dia ....... Why do you want to be a swordsman ......?　Why do you go that far, ......?　Can you tell me, just for a moment, if you can: ......?
Why would I want to be a swordsman, ......?　Of course it is!　It's decided ......, it's decided--!

　Dia tried to answer - and choked on her words in the middle.
　It's a distorted expression, as if she was caught by Rastiara's question and remembered something she didn't want to remember.
　And then he immediately throws a tantrum, screaming and kneading his magic in a messy manner.

''Ah, ah, bother!　Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up--!

　If you think of it only in terms of physical techniques, this spacing is the distance of Rustyala.
　However, Dia has magic. It also has enough magic power to instantly cause an explosion that can reach a lethal amount just by making the magic fail at random.

''--【Flame Arrow】!

　The magic name was 《Flame Arrow》, but the effect was completely different.
　Dia's dense magical power that had lost its place to go burst like a flashbulb between him and Rustyala. It would be the same kind of technique as the self-destructive warfare technique that Ryner had excelled at in the past. It was done on a scale dozens of times larger than Ryner's.

　It's a power that Rastiara can't withstand.
　Rastiara had no choice but to let go of his hand and run away.
　Undoubtedly, Rastiara would flee as the magic was activated, but Dia believed--

What?

　Dia is stunned.
　She is surprised to see both arms still not moving at all, even after all those explosions.

　Rustyala is still in front of her.
　Dia looks at both of Rastiara's hands.
　Her fingers are broken - not only that, but they are broken. About two fingers out of ten have been blown off and lost. The flesh has been gouged out and the bones are visible, but they are still clenched tightly together.

　Rastiara did not take any evasive action.
　He did not defend or evade, but chose to continue this face-to-face situation.

　And Rustyala, who has half the skin on his cheek peeled off from the explosion earlier, tells Dia with a strong smile.

I'm sorry ......, but I'll never let you go.
Why do you want to go to ......?

　Dia grunts and questions.
　She doesn't know why she would go that far.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　--I don't know either.

　Rastiara doesn't show her pain and continues to talk with a smile on her face.
　Without answering the questioned reason, he goes on to speak the rest of his persuasion as if there was no magical explosion.

'Actually, I already kind of know why Dia is so obsessed with the sword ....... We've chatted a lot since then, slept together, and taught her the sword in a friendly manner .......
'Rustyala, your hands are ....... And your face is .......
'You're obsessed with the sword - you were kicked out of the house when you were a kid because you couldn't handle it. You think so, don't you?

　Leaving Dia in a state of bloodlust, Staggeringly, Rustyala stepped into Dia's heart with his earthly feet.

''Ya, stop!　Rastiara!　That's it. No more. Let go!　Now shut up!

　Dia doesn't use her magic, but tries to swing her arms around and unwind.
　It's a good idea to get away from Rustyala's sight right now, but Rustyala won't let go. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about it.

But you already know that the reason was not right, don't you? You know that it's all because of the existence of the apostles. That's why I'm not obsessed with swords anymore. I'm not a fan of the iron sword, I'm a fan of the magic sword. It's ...... one way or the other.
Rustyala!　Let go of me, or I'll slash your arm!　With this sword!

　The magic sword that Rustyala had just mentioned, Dia constructed it on her right arm.
　Unlike the iron sword, it's a sword of transformative light. Naturally, it can be wielded even if both arms are held down. Even though we are in the middle of a battle, it's really easy to slash Rastiara, who is just talking without moving in front of us.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　--No more holding back.

　With a cornered expression, Dia threatened. But the reply remained the same.

''Dia seems to be refreshing, but she's actually an indecisive and sticky type. The homeland and the sword are both unwilling to let go of their hands because of their unrequited love for each other. In fact, don't you regret a little bit about the Sith Apostle, too?
............!

　Dia's expression twisted into a distortion as Rustyala came to the core of the matter while bringing his bloodied face closer.

　It was a sight that only Rustyala could see now that he was losing his mind.
　He knows from experience that the words that can save someone who is truly suffering are a sincere call from the heart. But a call to abandon our defenses is insane.

　In front of Rastiara, who could only be considered crazy, Dia had no choice but to let out a scream.

''Aaaaah, aaaaah, aaaaah--!　Annoying-- I said annoying!　I told you to run!　Why?　Why is Rastiara so bothered by me?　So much for me, so much for--!　

　With a scream, Dia moved the sword of light.
　Dea, whose brakes would have been broken, is unable to stop the attack.

　And then - again, Rustyala catches it.　
　The sword of light moved, changing shape like a living thing, and its blade plunged into Rustiala's right abdomen. Rastiara's smile deepens at the attack not to his declared arm, but to his stomach.

''Kook, ugh--!　I knew it was kind of you, Dear. You don't want her to have to go through the same thing in this situation: ....... Why do I care, because that's the kind of Dia I like.
No, I'm not nice. ......!　Your belly is more dangerous than your arm. ......!　You're going to die, Rastiaraa: ......!
'Dear ....... If you really hate me, just slash upwards .......

　At last, Rustyala entrusted the right to live and die to the dire in front of him.
　Even with the fatal wound, he still does not bend his words. He says he's okay with it because his trust in Diah outweighs his pain and fear.

'But I trust that Dear will get lost. ...... I trust that Dia would be lost to kill me, no matter what state I'm in .......
......!

　Dia was speechless and moaned in an inarticulate voice.
　Dia didn't ask why anymore.
　I guess it's not even a reason anymore. The insanity of the defenseless girl in front of her - and the weight of trust seems to keep her whole body tied up and unable to move.

　Right now, a voice must be echoing in Dia's head, telling her to kill Rustyala.
　It was easy to detect this from the array of deadly magic that I saw and from the way he spoke. All of our instincts as human beings are coated with negative emotions, that is the magic of that 'thing that steals the reason for fire' Arti.

　However, even in the midst of those thoughts filled with killing intent, Rustyala's voice arrived.
　It was truly forced, but it was delivered and shown.

　As a result, Dia's instincts and reason are at odds with each other.
　The equilibrium between the killing intent and the bond has caused her to become completely rigid.

　There, Rustyala supples forward as if to deposit his body. She opens her hands, which have been clenched all the time, and puts them around Dia's back and hugs her.

　Dia continues to moan as all authority, including life and death, has been surrendered to her.

'Ugh, ah, ah, ah, I hate Rustyala, I hate him ...... and he's in my way, he's in my way too, he's in my way ....... I am Rastiara, Rastiara is ......--

　Dea looks at Rustyala, who is close to her, with a grim expression.
　Then, Dia moves one arm that has been released from its restraints, and the sword of light--

'--Aahhhhh, no!

　He shouted a denial and began to unravel the substance of the magic sword, turning it into particles of magical power.
　Then, even with just one arm, he hugged Rustiala back tightly and made a reply to her too heavy trust.

''--Rastiara is my mate!　You could know all of this me and still be next to me, and nothing would change!　You've always believed in me and guided me through every step of the way!　I'm not like those guys!　He spoke to me as an equal and kept me around as an equal friend!　He was more than just my friend, he was my friend!

　Dia proves her bond with Rustyala.
　She restores the sparkle to her eyes and converts the particles of the light sword into a recovery spell to seal the wound in Rustiala's abdomen.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　--at the same time, my hand stops.

　In addition, Dea envelops the wound of Rustiala's wound with her mellow magical power. The magic power of the missing limbs, the magic power of the wings, the magic power like the sun, all of it is converted into recovery magic, and I cry out to save Rustiala, who I now tried to kill.

''Rastiara and I are friends!　All the time, no matter what!　I'll always be--!

　I use my recovery magic as if to burn off the overflowing killing intent.
　I can feel the flame of Arti that has been lit in my heart fading. The magic of 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' is being offset by a comparable force.

　Then, after shouting enough, Dia whispers while supporting Rustyala, who is leaning back.

'...... Rustyala, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. ...... Honestly, I hate Rustyala. There were many times when I wished Rastiala wasn't there. Sometimes when I'm in a really bad mood, I want to kill him. But believe me, as much as I hate that feeling of dislike, I also have the feeling that I love Rustiala: ....... Rustyala, this is who I am: ....... To hate--
How could I not like you? I believe in you. Or rather, I'm okay with her hating me enough to want to kill me. It's more that I enjoy it. I want you to know that I didn't lie to you about what I said on the boat. I'm really okay with it.
Thank you ....... Rustyala.

　Rustyala kept up her usual tone as if nothing had happened. Dia's eyes narrowed in gratitude for that trust.

　Now the two of them had found a place where their emotions could settle alone.
　They were able to digest those negative emotions without breaking the magic.

　Rustyala laughed at that, as if it were natural for us to do so, and checked his body, which was one step away from death.

I'm going to be able to move. Safe ....... Huh, I believed you, Dear ....... As usual, you're cute with tears in your eyes .......

　I move my still-healing fingers and wipe the tears that were about to spill over from Deer.
　Then, I clench my hand with my fingers still damaged. It is a clenched fist that hurts just by looking at it, as there are many places where the flesh is still shaved off, let alone the skin.

　With that fist made, Rustyala walks away from Dia and starts to walk away.

''--Then let's go next.

　We're headed to a storm that's still brewing in the underground city.
　That's where the frenzied Snow is. Without hesitation, Rastiara tries to head into the next battle without her sword.
　Behind her, Dia is trying to stop her, but she never stops, she goes forward.
　Her back is too brave--.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　--I saw the whole thing and muttered.

'Dia stopped ......?'

　Unbelieving, I stop the sword I was wielding.
　I stop my skills and my feet and look at the two reconciled figures.

　At the same time, I take a breath.
　Dia stops and I can say that the mountain range has already passed.
　Now, the battlefield's power gap has been clearly painted over. As long as Dia's magic is there, Rastiara won't die instantly. Even if Snow and Maria are opponents, there is some relief.

　I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.
　I'm too concerned about Rastiara, so I gather together the consciousness that has been divided for a long time and look at the enemy I've been fighting all along.

''Hah, hah, hah ----!

　Ryner breathed as he spat out blood and supported his collapsing body by thrusting his twin swords into the ground.

　Rastiara almost died and is ravaged by my onslaught of seriousness.
　Fifteen bruises that would have led to fainting if it were an ordinary person. Among them, there were four bone cracks and fractures.
　There were three wounds that reached the arteries. Among them, there was one torn ligament.
　I could count more details, but this should be enough. It is more than enough to know that Reiner has suffered such injuries that I don't know why he hasn't collapsed yet.

　On top of that, his will to still not let me through has not been crushed and continues to stand in the way.
　Ryner, as he declared, succeeded in stopping me in my tracks.

　I am astounded not only by Rastiara, but also by Ryner's struggles.

　I paused, unable to believe it, unable to keep up with my understanding.
　I'm stunned to be consumed by their resolve.
　It's safe to say that I'm in love with their resolve.

　Both Rastiala and Ryner saw only the best happy ending and fought without compromise.
　It's not that they didn't do the math. They calculated and gave an answer that it wasn't worth it and then took on the challenge.

　Watching them fight, I was honestly envious of them.
　I thought they had something in common that I didn't. To be precise, they have something that we - the Stealers of Reason - do not have.

　Reiner and Rustyala.
　When I thought about the similarities between these two people - I suddenly remembered the figure of Saint Tiara.

　As I recall, it was these two that Saint Tiara was involved with and left something behind.
　Maybe that's why I feel like something has grown a lot, even though the ability value should not have changed much. It's exactly the kind of thing that is worthy of being described as 'a number that doesn't appear in numbers' that has grown significantly.

　The "numbers that don't appear in the numbers".
　This is the power to surpass the standards I set for myself in the past. This is the power that I vaguely define as "strength of mind".

　And now I've lost.
　This is also vague, but I thought so.
　Feeling defeated, I stand there and mutter a single word.

"--Reiner, that's enough.
'Hah, hah, hah, hah ......!　Hah, hah, hah, hah ......!

　But Ryner was too out of breath to reply.
　No, it's not just about breathing. Everything, such as physical strength and magic power, must be at its limit.

'Sorry, I overdid it ....... Like Ryner said, we'll see how it goes .......

　But somehow my voice seems to have been heard.
　The moment he continued to say that, Ryner let go of the hilt of the sword that was supporting his body and fell on his buttocks on the spot. Then he begins to cast a recovery spell on himself with the remaining magic power. With his status, it would be enough to heal him.

　After confirming that Ryner is safe, I then look at my two palms.

'...... Why?'

　I asked myself a word and calmly looked over the situation.
　Because I can't use dimensional magic, with the skills (skills) I've acquired in this short period of time - I don't rely on the 《Dimension》, but I see the underground city like the 《Dimension》.

　The collapsed underground city.
　Now, Rustyala, who freed Dia from his magic, is heading down to Snow, who is suffering alone. Meanwhile, Ryner has been wounded, and I, having done so, am comfortably assessing the situation unharmed. Lagune-chan, who had been instructed to fight with me, looks troubled because I changed my beliefs in the process.

　In this situation, the only one who is making a mistake is Aikawa Uzumi.
　I continue to ask myself about this unconvincing development and situation.

　...... How did this happen?

　No, I already know most of the reasons why.
　It's that sticky feeling I had earlier.
　When it became clear that Rastiara was going to die, I lost my mind.
　I was more self-conscious than Dea and Snow.

　I can't believe I've forgotten myself.
　I'm sure I've gone through a number of rituals with this one.
　I'm confident that I can crush it with my reasoning if it's just an instinct. I'm not upset by pain or insanity. My body is changing so that I can ignore the physiological functions of my body.

　And yet, like an ordinary person, I forgot myself and fought my own knight Ryner, to whom I had entrusted my unparalleled trust.

　There was such a compulsion in that sticky feeling.
　It was at a level where it was safe to say that his soul had rejected Rustyala's death.

　When I came to that conclusion, Glenn-san's words - that the 'stealers of reason' at the end of their lives are not able to recognize what they are doing - came to mind.

Really ......?

　Lately, I've been called 'the one who steals the reason for the dimension' more often than not. I've also started to feel a sense of camaraderie with the Guardians, who I only thought of as boss enemies in the early days.

　Tida, Arti, Rowen, Eid, Titi, Fafner - and Nosfi and me. I can't put into words exactly why, but we are the same. We live the same life for the same reasons.

　...... Did the guardians (all of them) feel the same unspeakable anxiety and bondage as I do now?　

'So Mr. Glenn did that ...... thing. And Ryner and Rustyala looked at me .......

　And maybe Ryner and Rustyala now remember the same uneasy feeling I had when I was looking at the guardians (all of them).

　All of the 'stealers of reason' - they are living desperately. They are living by clinging to the wishes of their lifetime.
　They don't look like evil people. Rather, they appear to be good people at heart - but they seem to be mistaken in some important way. That's the tendency of the "logic thief".

　Do I look like that too?
　Just as I looked at my guardians and thought, "There's something wrong with them, I can't leave them alone," do they look at me and think the same thing?

　I will review me.
　Comparing the insanity of the "Stealers of Reason" that I fought against in the past with my current form - I look at Rustyala, who is about to clash with Snow.

　I watch her back as she tries to regain the bond with her friends without regard to the danger to herself.