'What are you talking about ......?　Am I the only one who will survive?　As long as Master Uzumi really fights, he will never lose!　That "magic"!　As long as you use that future-altering magic, you will never lose!

　As I abruptly declare defeat, Nosfy gives me some advice on how to win.

'No, I'm already using that one. So here it is: ....... Now I'm going to keep apologizing to you until I die. ...... In the meantime, as Nosfi has said in town before, keep considering ....... It's good enough for you to give it a second thought .......

　I refuse to say that there is no more victory for me and continue talking.
　Nosfi, who doesn't seem to understand the act, points to Rustyala lying a little farther away and blames me for it, raising his voice.

''There's no point in continuing to apologize!　If you don't fight, you won't beat me!　At this rate, Mr. Rustyala will really die!　You're abandoning Mr. Rastiara!　Is that what you want!
Yeah, okay. Then I'll die with you. We'll lose, but Nosfi will not go away. So it's okay.
'Yea, I don't know what you mean by that ....... I'm not sure I understand from earlier ......!

　When the Rastiara that was being pointed at now was safe, there would definitely be no counterattack.
　In the midst of this melee, Nosfi dared to avoid attacking Rastiara. We don't approve of that kind girlfriend disappearing while holding onto her 'unfinished business'.

　Of course, I'm not trying to kill myself now.
　Both I and Rastiala just believe that Nosfi (・・・・・・・・)--I'm not trying to kill myself.
　I'm not trying to die. We believe that if we are 'all together' we will come back alive and all of us, including Nosfi, will be happy - we are risking our lives on the slightest possibility.

'...... Sorry. That was a bit confusing.

　I throw the sword down on my waist and dump it messily on the floor, apologizing to my best friend in my mind.

'Why the sword--!
...... never fight Nosfies.
No, no, we're fighting!　As an enemy!　I am Master Uzumi's worst enemy!　--Light Arrow Breunak!

　Nosfi generated a huge spear of light that proved to be battle proof and threw it at me.

　I don't dodge it, or counter it with magic. I brace my head with both arms and try to catch it head on.

　A spear of light rushed through, gouging out the flesh of my right forearm and exposing the white bone.

　I smile as I heal the wound on my arm with my unchained recovery magic.
　I didn't take an evasive action, but the magic didn't hit me directly.

'...... different. Nosfi is not an enemy. To me, the 'worst enemy' was me. Looking at the memories from a thousand years ago, and talking to Nosfi now, I'm convinced that I had an enemy to defeat. If I had an enemy to defeat, it was the 'Original Kanami' of a thousand years ago, and never Nosfi ......!
'No, it's not that: ......!　That's a play on words: ......!　In reality, we're fighting right now: ......!

　Nosfi is still dismayed to see me not trying to fight.
　From his expression, I got the feeling that he was slowly leaning from the back to the front. It's the quintessential Rustyala-style persuasion method. It tells me that it's too early to give up on persuasion just yet.

　However, it's time to tell him before he can't talk about what happens if he can't talk, because he's nearing the limit of just defending without evasion. Because I can see so many possibilities, I have a lot to worry about.

I've asked Ryner to do just that, Nosfi. I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what to do with it. Then you can start a new life with Yotaki. Even if you can't be your father's number one, you can still aim to be Yotaki's--your mother's number one, and live out your life and fulfill your 'unfinished business' ....... Please, I hope you end up with a smile on your face.
'Take the liberty of going to ......!　Please don't go off on me like that!　We're not done talking about the enemy yet!

　Nosfi's face turns blue at the dislocation of their conversation with each other, and his impatience visibly accelerates. He shakes his head repeatedly, bites his teeth repeatedly, and finally lights up his face and voice.

'...... yi, yi, this is a threat!　You're threatening me, aren't you?　That's right!　It's a bargain!　This is the game of war!　Uzumi-sama's plan to capture me!

　Nosfi stabs the light flag into the ground and grips the red sword tightly in both hands.
　He then chooses the strongest of the powers he now possesses.

''Then it is not magic that I should use!　--the real 'magic'!

　The sword glows red.
　The special magic of "The One Who Steals the Truth of Blood" is probably being activated.
　Just looking at that red color makes me cower and want to run away. Just the approach of its cutting edge is enough to make me scream and cry. Just imagining that the blade touches you is enough to make you feel like you're going crazy.

　However, I stay on my feet.

''When it comes down to it, even if it's Uzurinami-sama, I'll never!　Absolutely--!

　Nosfi shouted to himself as he rushed forward, holding his sword straight ahead.

　Poorly done, poorly done. It was a questionable thrust, not just a sword technique, but an attack as well.
　Even a child would be able to easily avoid it.

　But if you avoid it, Nosfi will be hurt (...).

　The first priority right now is Nosphy.
　It's not "me" or "the man of destiny", but "Nosfy Foozeyers".
　I'm not going to make a move in order to make Nosfi believe that I think so.

　--And now, that [reason] of [I'll never return] pierces my abdomen.

''Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ......!

　I checked my own two eyes carefully as the red sword turned back to blood red.
　I want to praise myself for accepting this horrible sword without moving an inch.

　Nosfi's mouth was distorted against me with that light smile on his face.

''Hey, why are you ......!　It's not a cure. ......!　Uzumi-sama, this!　You can't cure this!

　In a hurry, Nosfi pulls his sword out of his abdomen.
　A large amount of blood sloshes out of the wound. Seeing this, the expression on his face that he was resolutely trying to be an enemy completely falls apart.

　Nosphy, who must have reached the peak of his dismay, busily moves both eyes and calls for help.

'Somebody please go to ......!　La, Mr. Rastiala!　Master Uzumami wouldn't let me get away!　Okay, then!　Mr. Rastiara!

　You can clearly see that he is truly confused from the fact that he relied on the person he had stabbed earlier.
　The person in question, Rustyala, is in a daze from the massive blood loss and is unable to reply. In place of her inability to speak, I respond.

It's a wound that can be healed if you ask Fafner to help you. ...... Besides, if you can't make it, it doesn't matter. Both Rastiara and I are willing to die for you. You're the best thing that ever happened to us. We know everything and we're taking that sword, so you don't have to worry about anything. ......

　It's not just Rastiala.
　I put Nosphy before myself.

　Hearing my response, Nosphy shudders.
　I furrow my eyebrows to the limit and keep my distance.

''This, this is crazy ......!　You're both crazy: ......!
'No ......, we're sane. We're sane and we talk all the time. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I'm really sorry, and I want to apologize without lying ......!　That's the only thing I want you to believe: ......!

　He takes a step forward to prove it.
　But the wound in my stomach is so deep that I can't successfully close the distance. No matter how much I close the wound with the palm of my hand, I can't stop the bleeding.

　With just one step, the pain hits me like a burning trowel being scratched around in my stomach. Even if I can't stand the pain, my body instinctively seems to choose to control it.
　But I'm used to suppressing my body's reflexes.
　I force myself to take a second step.

　I try to deliver my apologies as close as possible.
　Nosfi sees my second step and shouts back to stop me.

'Oh, I know you want to apologize!　I know, and I forgive you!　So please stop!　In the first place, Uzumi-sama doesn't need to apologize!　I'm a bad boy. I've done a lot of bad things in this post-millennium world!　I helped Titi and Ayde, and I've embarrassed you!　I've taken advantage of all kinds of people here at Hoosiers and magically changed their minds!　If I am left unattended, my false light of peace will invade the world!　I am the worst enemy of this world, and I am so bad!　There is no need to apologize to me for a single thing!

　There's no way in hell I'll ever have to apologize.
　However, the words "I forgive you" that spill out of Nosfi's kindness make my heart feel a little better. I turned my face down a little and bit down on the words I had finally heard.

　All the while, Nosphy was screaming desperately to stop me.

''-- Instead of apologizing, please fight me, the enemy!　Hate me, hate me, kill me!　All Master Uzumi has to do is avenge the evil!　Use this light to take away people's freedom and spread false happiness, the worst enemy of all: the one who steals the truth of light!　Only Master Uzumi can do that!　--Above all, if I'm not defeated right now, you'll both die!　Uzumi-sama, you are going to die!

　I listen to the nosephew's words as I take the third step.

　I can't help but be disturbed by the blood pumping up from my stomach.
　But I reply, never to misspell it. I can only say this now that Nosfi has given me words of forgiveness--

'Yes, ....... I certainly think Nosfi is a worse boy than he was a thousand years ago: ......
Yeah, it's all my fault!　I am a bad enemy to be defeated!　So, right now...
But that's okay. If she's a bad girl, I'll tolerate it. --Nosphy is my 'daughter'.

　She repeats that she is my daughter, just in time to forgive each other.
　I tell her that she is special. Even if Nosfi is trying to destroy the world, neither I nor Rustyala will ever fight, even if Nosfi is trying to destroy the world. Rather, we are prepared to take sides.

　Nosfi is stunned when he hears that too general method of identifying friend and foe.
　Towards that point I take the fourth and fifth step and shout.

'Oh, that's all I'm going to say ......!　Still, I'll put Nosfies first!　It just means we're on your side no matter what: ......!

　And I reach out my hand.
　Because of the fatal wound in my abdomen, the movement is poor.
　But I never make a mistake in my direction. I point my hand not at the lying Rustyala, nor at the wound in my abdomen, but at Nosphy.

''I don't believe--!　I am--!

　As I take my sixth, seventh, and eighth steps, Nosfi backs away from me, as if to escape.
　I can't believe her hands, her eyes keep shaking and her lips quiver.

　Please believe me, I continue to walk the ninth and tenth step - and then I lose strength from my feet, and I hit my knees.
　In the midst of the horrific blood loss, I praise Nosfi, who is just beyond my blurred vision.

'...... Nosfi wins,'

　I can't take it anymore.
　Everything, including blood, is on the verge of being emptied.
　A series of battles that have been going on since daylight, and a series of great magic such as 'Future Prediction' before they entered. These forty-five floors have been defenselessly devoured by the magic of each attribute of the 'Stealers of Reason'. The results are 'displayed'.


[Status]
　Name: Aikawa Uzumi HP4/543 MP10/1514 Class: explorer

　One digit left. Less than one hundredth of a life.
　Rather, I'd say that the ten steps I'm taking now are a miracle.
　Looking at me, who has stopped moving, Nosfi denies it in a weak voice.

''No, Uzuraha-sama can't lose ....... Because Uzuraha-sama is the strongest ....... There's no way I can win ....... Absolutely .......
With my 'magic,' there wasn't a single future where I'd beat Nosfies: ......

　Because I can't fight Nosfies before I win or lose.
　I want you to believe that.
　I believe that you can believe that, and that's why we've come this far, me and Rustyala.
　I believe that there is a bond between us.

'Mm, because she's your daughter ......?　That's not right: ......!　Because Lady Uzumi has no obligation to think of me as her daughter!　Not a single one!　The Jewelcruise, born on its own through an apostle's plan, and before you know it, it was alive!　There's no reason to think of me as your daughter!　Not one!

　An unexpected word comes back from Nosfy's side.
　There may have been a slight misunderstanding.

'No, Nosfi ....... It's not just because she's my daughter first. ......!　Before that, I'm a Nosfi (・・・・・・) Nosfi (・・・・・・・・) because Nosfi is (・・・・・・) Nosfi (・・・・・・・・) and I want to help Nosfi, that's how I feel!

　Not in that order. The first thing I thought of was that I just wanted to help Nosfi.
　'Daughter' is only the final answer.
　I can't end up with that misunderstanding left in my mind.

'Nosfi, I've seen ....... I've seen how hard Nosfi has worked. And I've also seen how Nosfi felt when he was born and how he felt when he met me. So--!

　In a pool of blood, I stand up.
　I push my magic beyond the limit.

"Or, if I see the past, the me of that time is no longer here--
I'm still looking at ......!　I'm looking at Nosfi now!　We're not gonna lose him again!　Twice!

　I shake it out of my throat.
　Then he takes the eleventh step. I take the next twelfth step, and as I get closer and closer, I convert the last of my magic into magic.

'Nosfi, please. This is my last magic, so I want you to grab my hand--

　It's already been won. Nosfy wins. So no matter what happens, there will be no reversal - and I force myself to let him work his magic head-on, assuming that's the case.

　I stop holding the wound in my hand.
　Then, I gather all the remaining magic power in my right arm and activate the 《Distance Mute》.
　I extend my right arm, which emits a faint purple light, to her.

''Nosfi, I'm sorry for being late ....... I'm really sorry .......

　Really slow.
　This forty-fifth floor of Hoosier's, the Great Hall.
　I'm finally back in the place where Nosfi and I first met.

　It's been a really long time coming, and even though this place is just being rebuilt, I know it's too late - but I still want to apologize. I want to reach out to you.

　My body is covered in blood and I can't take another step forward.
　I'm at the point of death, but I only think about Nosfi, I only see Nosfi, I only see Nosfi, and I reach out my hand - towards Nosfi.

'Uzumi-sama: ......'

　Nosfi calls out his name and lifts his right hand, as I do.
　Slowly, tremblingly, anxiously and fearfully.
　I put that outstretched hand on my hand.

　--The 《Distance Mute》 is activated.

　However, the 'connection' generated by that little magical power and dying body is faint.
　Hence, there is only one thing that can reach them. Only one.

I want Nosfi to live. And I want you to be happy. Even at the cost of this life (・・・・・・・・・).

　I want to save him, even if it means losing my life.
　I wanted to help Nosfi, who has been tormented by nightmares in this unreasonable world.
　I connect with her heart and tell her just that.
　I continue to hold tightly to the hand of my "daughter" who is suffering and about to commit suicide, and I continue to hope that she will live.

'Ugh, ugh, ......!

　Nosfi clenched his teeth and let an inarticulate sound escape from the back of his throat.

　Now my feelings have been conveyed to you without misunderstanding.
　It's not just the effect of the magic of the 《Distance Mute》, but also the realization that it reached me through the words I've accumulated up to this point.

　And Nosfi's voice swelled.
　Everywhere her voice trembled, snatched, and turned back - emitting a squeaky wail.

'Ugh, ahhh--ah, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh--!

　At the end of it, Nosfi pokes his knee into the ground.
　He drops the 'Heart of Helmina' in his hand to the floor.

　Nosfi wasn't cut by the sword. It's not like he was hit by magic either. But he was unable to stand, just like me before.

　In the forty-fifth floor of this Fuzzy Yards Castle, I continued to throw words, not attacks, but only words.
　The power of that discussion was now finally getting through to me.

　In time with Nosfi, I poked my knees with my dying body.
　We are at eye level, and we see each other in each other's eyes.

　We truly face each other.

　It's as if a parent and child are finally meeting for the first time.
　As if a girl was born into the world at last, and saw this bright world--

'Ahh, ah, ....... I, I am ......!　I am ......!

　Along with Nosfi's voice, I also hear the sound of the future changing.
　It's the sound of a coin that has been spinning and collapsing.

　The coin goes from the back to the front--.

'Wow, I want your father (・・・・) ......'

　The words to prove it come from Nosfi's mouth as well.
　At the same time, a single tear falls from the corner of both of our eyes.


　--We arrived (・・・・・).


　Rastiala and I risked our lives for this designation.
　I feel the convergence of the 'future' branches of success.
　By continuing to believe in my bond with Nosfi until the moment of death, I drew the best possible outcome.
　That future. As soon as the sun comes up, we'll all be 'together' in the future with a happy ending.
　Now it's solidified.

"I, too, will join your father in ......!　With everyone else, too, really: ......!

　I was able to reach Nosfy. They believed me. We had a bond.
　I've been able to do what I couldn't do a thousand years ago. I'm sure they're happy to see me.

　In the end, the fight never happened.
　We could have talked it out.
　And it wasn't strength that made it possible. It wasn't the growth of my mind.

　--It was a fundamental change in who I am.

　Yes, I have changed.
　I overcame my innate vices and went on with my chosen path without losing out to the thieves of the logic of dimension and the price to pay.
　I was able to rectify (knock down) the worst of the Aikawa Vortex Wave by myself.

　That's why Nosfy is holding my hand back now.
　He has forgiven me for this worst enemy (me).

　I'm so proud, the corners of my eyes and mouth relax.
　I'm really glad I had the courage to do this.
　It is because I was brave enough to risk my life without fear, and because I risked my life, that I was able to achieve this excellent result.
　So I want to thank you.
　Yes, to her for bringing me the courage to do this...


Tsk...


　The moment I saw her (...) face.
　I heard that she (...) clicked her tongue.

　--Slackness of mind.

　The cause was undoubtedly the "Dimensional Decisive Operation (Dimension Graduate) "Realize".
　Due to my vision of the future (・・・・・・・・・), I, who had been so wary of the gap after the battle, brought too many unimportant self-praise words into my head.

　I praised myself that I had entered the future of complete success, because this was the last time, because there were no other enemies anymore, because I had already confirmed it with "Future Vision" --

　--she (...) picks up the slack precisely.