Leaving the difficult enemies, the Guardian and the Fiends, to our friends, Rastiara and I run up the stairs of Foozeyards Castle.
　Even though it's a tall building, it doesn't take long for us to get to the top if we run as fast as we can with our physical abilities.

　Of course, there are a few knights of the guard standing in our way. But they weren't on a level to deal with us. Basically, we ignore them and leave them behind, occasionally knocking them unconscious as we pass them by.

　Thus, as I climbed the stairs, the attack of the knights who interfered with me stopped.
　I've just entered the 41st floor. When it comes to the area beyond even the royals' living quarters, it seems that even in an emergency, the knights on guard cannot enter without permission.

　I knew this was going to happen.
　Me and Rastiara slowly climbed up to the forty-fifth floor, regulating our breaths that had been disrupted by our all-out sprint, and stopped climbing the stairs there. Above here are the heavyweights who run the Hoosier State and the 'Senate' - a world that has nothing to do with me.

　The only one who matters to me is Nosfi on this floor.
　We take a side street and head to the largest room on this forty-fifth floor. The scenery in the corridor along the way was lightly familiar to me. It couldn't be exactly the same, but it was very similar. The corridor overlaps with the corridor of Hoozeyer's Castle a thousand years ago, which I saw in "Past Vision" just a few minutes ago.

　And the doorway at the end of the corridor is also very familiar to me. There were other rooms, but I didn't get lost. Without hesitation, he pushed open that heavy door and walked in.

　The decor of the room was very similar.
　On the floor was a finely patterned carpet that looked like it could be displayed in a museum. There was a gorgeous chandelier made of magical stone on top. The walls are lined with several paintings that are ten meters wide. To be honest, the room can only be described as overspent and in poor taste.
　There was no table that should have been in the center of the room, but there were only chairs.

　There are two chairs, and in one of them sits a chestnut-haired girl named Nosfi.
　Nosphy stands up when she sees us enter the room.

'Are you two ......?'

　Nosfi looks at the two nearby seats with a surprising look on his face at the fact that Rustyala is also there. It's not that he doesn't like it. It's just that the seats I had prepared are missing, so I'm in trouble ...... It looks like such a mild confusion.
　Nosfi begins his hospitality with a gentle smile.

You have come by quite forceful means, Uzumi-sama. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with us.
'Nosfi wanted me to fight Fafner with him, but I refrained from doing so. That would take too much time. We can talk about those things later.
'Hmmm. ....... I'm sorry to hear that ......

　Nosfi understands that his schedule has been broken and takes the book from its bosom. He flips open the pages and looks at it, while strengthening the magic of his body.

''In other words, Uzuraha-sama chose to forcibly take this 'Scripture' from you. You have chosen to fight head-on against me, the 'thief of the truth of light'...
No, I'm not. I didn't come here to fight.

　It's true that the Scripture is necessary for Ragne's wounds to heal.
　But I'll tell them that's not my main goal.
　Soon I'll do what I have to do.

'Nosfy ....... It's late, but ...... it's really late, but I'm here to apologize. A thousand years ago, I did something I shouldn't have done to Nosfi. I said some things I shouldn't have said. I even tried to forget that responsibility. I came to apologize for that.

　No sword, no magic, he stepped forward and held up the words.

　Nosfi cracks a smile at the action. For the first time here, she looked disgusted.
　For Nosfi, this might be the least desired development.

'...... You remembered your memories with me, didn't you?
Yeah, I saw it. ...... I'm really sorry. It was my fault. I was the reason for everything. It wasn't Nosfi's fault.

　Nosfi's face darkens as he repeats his apology.
　Still, I continue to talk.

'Please, Nosfi. I don't care if you don't forgive me. You can punish me as much as you want. ...... but let's not fight each other as enemies like this. It's not right to involve Elle, Sera and the others. It's not a place like this, but a quieter place for the two of us to have a slow 'talk'. Because--

　First of all, I have to tell you this much.
　On the contrary, this is all I have to say.

'Because Nosfi is my 'daughter' ....... We're family. ......

　Never looking away, I say, facing Nosphy.
　And I'll never leave her alone again, I try to get closer to her.
　Before I can do so, Nosphy replies.

''To 'discussion', you're 'daughter' ....... That's very kind of you, Uzumi-sama. You are truly kind ....... But - I'm sorry, Uzurinami-sama. I can't believe those words myself.

　Now she laughed.
　But her response was the exact opposite of her expression.
　With a radiant smile, Nosphy went on and on about my complaints.

It's too late now. ...... Really?　Do you really consider me your daughter with all your heart?　The words seem light to me. I'm sorry, but the words feel very, very light.
............!

　They say that Aikawa Uzumi is not worthy of trust.
　I can't respond to those words with a single word.

That kind word already feels like a trap to me: ....... Instead of sympathy, I can only see it as a ploy to get this 'scripture' back for a time. ...... It feels like a token apology. I, for one, don't like the formality of it anymore. I've stopped being a good boy that says "yes, yes, yes" and does what I say. I've become a bad boy. So, Uzumi-sama--

　Nosfi answers.
　I don't know if it was the 'cost' of the magic, but it was a very 'honest' answer. I'd like to believe that she is now expressing her true feelings, just as I am.

'There's no need to apologize. I don't want an apology, I want your hostility, not something that may or may not be true. You're not going to be able to get the job done. If they hate me, and then they hate me, and then they hate me - then I will be happy. I will finally be happy as a human being.

　Nosfi appeals back to me that being hated by me is what makes him happy.

'Does that make Nosfi happy that I hate you ......?'
'Yes. Fufufu--I'm sure I'm satisfied. Because the more Uzuraha-sama hated me, the more I hated her, the less this body's 'regrets' faded away!　That day (...), the day Uzumi-sama first showed a troubled face because of me!　I could certainly feel my presence!　I was truly touched that Master Uzumi was in trouble with me!　I'm in your midst!　That feeling is the feeling of being alive that remains with me now!

　That day was probably the day I rejected Nosphy in his bedroom in the castle on the 66th level of the labyrinth. At that moment, for the first time in his life, Nosphy finally got a glimpse of me and felt safe.
　Because of all the mistakes I kept making, Nosphy felt happy for something like that.

'Nosphy ....... Let's not be happy by being hated ....... Happiness is something much warmer ....... In the first place, are you really laughing now, from the bottom of your heart?　I don't think so. All I've done all this time is make up laughs, you and I. All we did was look at each other's face and talk like we were touching boils. ......!　I don't want to do that anymore!　I don't even want you to!
'Wow!　Is that what you don't like about Uzumi-sama: ......?　Then I don't mind!　I have no qualms about continuing this bizarre relationship!　That's why I'm so happy.　Hmmm.

　Very happily, Nosfi laughs.
　He's trying to prove with that smile that his harassment of me is his happiness.

　But that smile is different.
　It's too different from the smile I saw in the past, when he was still pure.

'Nosfi!　It's because I carried my heart 'instead' on my back a thousand years ago. ......!　It's my fault, just because I think that ...... it's not normal happiness!
Normal?　Normal happiness ......?　Hmmm, hahahaha--I don't know!　I don't know anything about that!
"Nosfi, it was my fault, too. I kept ignoring it, and it was my fault--
'Enough (・・・・・・)!　I don't want to hear that story!　Well, I'm not going to listen to an apology!　I will never listen to you!　Hmph, haha, because (...)--!

　Nosfi continues to laugh.
　She maintains a radiant smile befitting a saint.

　However, I, who use dimensional magic, can see the flicker in that faint expression.
　Right now, Nosfi is carrying multiple emotions. Even though he's smiling, he's actually sad enough to want to cry. Even though he's laughing, he's actually angry to the point of wanting to kill. Even when he's laughing, he's really in so much pain that he wants to die. So, even though I'm laughing, I'm already--

'Haha!　Because (...), Master Uzumi didn't listen (・・・・・・・) to me (・・・・・・・・)!　No matter how many times I call out to you, over and over and over again!　They didn't even listen to me!　And now you're going to 'discuss' it?　Haha, I've been trying to have a 'discussion' with Uzumi-sama all along!　And you didn't do that, even though it was Master Uzura Wave who didn't do it!　So why do I have to have a 'talk' with you now?　Where is the element of belief in that 'discussion'!　I don't believe you!　I, for one, am saying something crazy!　Yeah, I haven't said a single word!　Because I'm always right!　You're disgustingly right!　Right, right, right, right!　I really hate this curse of being a good boy!　So I want to be wrong this time!　Even if I'm wrong, even if they don't like me, I want to get this wish through!　Be a bad boy, be an enemy of the world, be an enemy of Lord Uzumi!　I'm going to let you have your way!　I'll make sure that I will let the world know that this is my passion!

　After being wound up to the fullest, Nosfi's shoulders went up and down with a shortness of breath.
　He wanted to say this all the time.
　He wanted to hit me.
　That too-good-to-be-true argument deprived me of any rebuttal.

　Finally, he replied with one last word, that there was no way Nosfi was going to be persuaded.

'Hah, hah, hah ....... I won't cure you, Mr. Ragne....... Please die like that.
'Nosfi, Ragne has nothing to do with this ....... At least her wounds are .......
No, you can't. That was a hostage to deprive Uzumi-sama of a choice. I will never heal you. --magic 《light rod》.

　Saying it's all my fault, Nosfi generates a stick of light.
　He breaks off the discussion and goes into a war zone. There were no words for me to stop it.

'Now then, let the battle begin. As you wish, I'll even give you a 'discussion'. However, that opponent is not Uzurinami-sama, who won't listen to you, but only to that honest 'blood'.

　Light gushes out of Nosfy.
　The same light that was used in the labyrinth. It's probably trying to take over my magic with this.
　But unlike before, I don't feel that much of a threat. I've heard countermeasures from Ryner, who had a competitive battle with Nosufi, and I've also prepared a personal strategy.

　I'm fully prepared for battle with "Future Vision".
　If it's a proper fight, I will definitely win.

　But even if I win, the outcome will be two sides of the same coin.
　If I win, I will never be able to help Nosfi again.
　You can't even fulfill Nosfi's 'unfinished business'.

　Now the coin is tumbling and is on the other side.

　We're not there yet.
　We're still talking.
　We're not going to fight. We won't use swords or magic. We won't make a single fist. Ever.
　So I rediscover my resolve and watch her complete her magic.

"-- 'I will raise the flag (・・・・・・・)'

　Nosfi made a flag with light and set it up in place.
　It wasn't the 'discussion' magic of the example. It's more of a different kind of magic - a pulsation of light magic that I've never felt yet.

　Its 'chanting' is thick and comparable to that of a thousand years ago.
　Now Nosfi is trying to steal the logic of the world and construct some kind of foul magic. I can be sure of that.

　And the light fills the room.

　It wasn't just from Nosphy's body that the light was flooding the room. Light is coming in from the multiple windows that line this room.

　Of course, it was midnight now.
　There should be no sun outside, only the moon and stars. The natural light is so feeble that it will never reach the level of light that is currently filling the room. And yet, a white light, brighter than the clear sky, shone in from outside.

　In other words, the light coming into the room now is not natural light.

　I use the power of the 《Dimension》 to understand the true nature of that light.
　When I look outside with my magic, I see the castle town shining brilliantly. It's not just the 'magic stone line'. The buildings, the ground, and everything in the Huzzya's Country is emitting light. The light emitted from the people was especially strong.

　Even though it was the middle of the night, it was as bright as midday. Even if the entire sky is covered with dark clouds, it is bright enough to claim that the world is clear as long as this light is there.

　Each and every citizen is responding to the magic of Nosfy's magic. And Nosfi receives all of the light of the Hoozeyards Nation.

"I will 'take the place' of the people's 'demonic poisoning' - I will 'take the place' of their sickness and distortions - I will 'take the place' of their misery and sorrow. -- that hatred, that will to fight, 'instead of' me, 'instead' of all those thoughts, 'instead' of me!

　Nosfi converts all the 'demonic poison' in the country into light.
　In addition, all that light is absorbed into the flag in his hand.

　Normally, Nosfi obtained the "experience value" that could be obtained by defeating monsters and the like through magic. In a way, this is the interception of the 'experience value' that the people have. In this era, this would be an act of theft.

　But I know the true nature of this magic.
　I know the essence of this magic, and I know the reason why Nosufi was born.
　Hence, I know this is the cure.

　Now, Nosfi is sacrificing himself to cure the country - and the world itself. And with that 'price', Nosfi becomes stronger and stronger. The level surpasses both the limits of man and the limits of the guardians (guardians), and he is getting closer to greater heights.

　Now, the great hall on the forty-fifth floor was dyed white.
　There wasn't even a single shadow that should have been there.
　It was enveloped in perfect light.
　It was only barely visible that Nosfi stood leaning against the flag.

　'Chanting' is completed.

' -- 'I will raise the flag.'
　"The world (you) was filled with light, but the bannermen (me) were swallowed up by the shadows.

　The words of her own life are spun and her magic name is proudly declared.


"--Magic (...) 'Substitute Light (LilyLife Northfield)'.


　The light within the light.
　This is the magic that makes use of the characteristic of being a 'substitute' for Nosfi to the extreme.
　This is probably the first method of operating nosphy that Apostle Sisu had in mind - the convergence of the 'demonic poison' that consumes people by 'the one who steals the reason for light'.

This is the real 'magic (...)' that I have arrived at: ....... What do you think, Uzumi-sama: ......

　Nosfi himself admitted that it was the one and only magic.
　However, I, the person facing me, couldn't believe it was real 'magic'.

　Now I am in the light produced by Nosfy. Despite this, there has been no compulsory collection of the 'magic poison'. It's clear that 'magic' only works on those who are under the influence of Nosfy's light mental interference or 'fascination'.

　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them. To put it bluntly, the effect of the magic is not unreasonable.
　I'm not going to be able to feel the true nature of the "magic".

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''I've become stronger ....... Since that day, I've become very strong ....... There's no such thing as not being able to catch up anymore ....... So--Hmmm, I'm glad to hear your praise .......

　Then, he also takes out a new weapon from his pocket.
　Two shiny magic stone pendants.

''The more the stronger I am, the stronger I can be ....... Right now it's only Fuzzy Yards, but if you have the time, even the magic power of the northern countries can easily be put together ....... This is how I specialize in infecting people with the light of peace. Other times, this is how I ask for help from special magic stones: ......

　Nosfi's white magic power sinks into the magic stones of "The One That Steals the Truth of Darkness," "The One That Steals the Truth of Wind," and "The One That Steals the Truth of Wood" that are decorated on the pendant. Then, after the magic power is stuck inside for a few seconds, a completely different color of magic power is spat out.

　Nosufi not only wears the magic power of light, but also the magic power of darkness, wind, and wood to show off his power.

'If it's a magic stone, we can 'discuss' it like this, just like blood. All that's left is to pay the magic power for the 'alternative' and activate the magic formula ......--magic 《Tauschus Winding》!

　The wind whips up as Nosfi pulls the flag from the floor and waves it as if in support.
　Generated in the air of the great hall is a mass of wind in the shape of a giant stake. It shoots at me, sharp as an arrow fired from a crossbow.