Memories of "Elementary School".
　The school building, with its grazed beige concrete and regularly lined with transparent windows.
　The classroom at the end of the fourth floor. There are desks lined up for elementary school students with graffiti engraved on them, and a teaching table and a blackboard in front of it. The orange of the setting sun shines through the side windows. It should be a runabout, but there is a very nostalgic smell in the air. It's a smell that can dredge up so many old memories with just one sniff.

　It reminds me of all the memories that are now tied up in it.

　At that time, I was overwhelmed by my sister's talent and treated by my parents as a 'nobody'.
　I didn't have any friends at that time. It should have been a memory of a very difficult and painful time, but the kaleidoscope was twinkling brightly.

　In a classroom at dusk, there are only two students.
　Me and a girl. A pretty girl with her slightly brownish hair hanging down to her shoulders.
　The two of them were facing each other, both with tears in their eyes.
　The little girl is holding the little me who is crying and is encouraging me in a poor but strong way.

'--Nay, please don't cry!　From now on, I won't be alone anymore!
...... Yeah. We'll be together from now on. ...... I want you to be with me.
'Yes. I'm not going to disappear from Kanami-kun's presence. ...... From now on, we are 'all together'. So please don't cry anymore: ......

　When do I remember this: ......?
　No, who is this girl ...... in the first place?
　My friend ......?　No, this face, I believe, is .......

　--oh. As I recall, he was a childhood friend of mine.

　I'm sure she was a little bit like me, a lady of a certain conglomerate whose circumstances were a little bit similar to mine, and although she was a little bit out of touch with the world, she was a straightforward girl ...... unlike me, who grew up straight. I think I saw her ...... many times. And I feel like she helped me ...... many times. I think we had many opportunities to hang out together .......

　I don't know why I've forgotten about it until now .......
　It's not that I can't remember everyone's name in class, but I should have at least remembered her name .......

　No doubt about it. This is the memory of the time she saved me from the depths of despair.
　Childhood. It's a scene of one long and painful battle that came to its 'conclusion'.
　The beginning of a glorious, golden childhood.

　That's right, I had a childhood friend.
　I had a childhood friend, and he was--

　When I was able to remember it all, the scene in the classroom was scraped away like a fog.
　I confronted only the bare minimum of facts and jumped to the next memory.
　Ignoring my intentions, the runner's light rushes on as fast as it can go--

　--After "elementary school", "a room in a high-rise apartment"...

　This time I had grown up a bit more than before.
　I'm probably in junior high school.
　That I am at home - in that room with all the sounds of rain.
　I was facing my father in the glass-walled living room.

　At that time, I had given up on my own potential.
　I have no doubt that this was also a very painful and difficult time for me, but once again the bright lights of the runway are rushing in front of me.

　It's just the two of us again in the living room.
　It's me and my dad.
　He's smiling at me, his back to me against the tapping rain window.
　I smile at him and cry out, "Dad, we're all going to live together.

"Come on, Dad, let's all live together!　I want us all together!　From now on, we'll be together forever and ever!
'Yeah, yeah, ....... That's good for me too. That's what I've always liked about ....... I have a family. Even though I'm such an idiot, Uzumi--if only you were here, that's all I'd need .......

　It was an unbelievable scene.
　Me and my dad were laughing at each other through tears and trying to reconcile as a family.

　That dad looking at me: ......?

　And now they are even trying to hug me. It's like a scene in which the longstanding differences between families are resolved and a tragedy comes to an 'end'.

　Oh, it can't be .......
　This is the only thing that can't happen: ......!
　I've been alone for so long because this wasn't possible. I've become that way because no one can help me. And now it's like this.

　-- and by the time my mind screamed that, the next runner-up was already spreading out --

　As if to hurry up, not even the slightest ruminations are allowed, and this time I look at the dense "inside of the forest".
　From the scenery, which does not exist in modern Japanese cities, you can tell that this is a different world.
　And there are two people there again.

　This time I'm about a high school student. I'm dressed for another world, but my appearance is not so different from my current one. You'll find a girl in front of me who looks like Rustyala, but is smaller in size.

　It's probably me and Saint Tiara from a thousand years ago, and of course we're alone.
　The two of us are dying in a strange forest. Saint Tiara's wounds are particularly bad, but they don't seem to be incurable, and the two of us are using magic to recover them.

　This also appears to be the 'conclusion' of a certain horrific battle.
　After surviving that battle, Tiara was sitting against one of the huge trees and muttering to herself like she had noticed something.

'--Ah, so ....... So that's why (・・・・). That's why Sister Yotaki pushed me to do it ....... This master's reasoning (・・・・・・・) ....... So Sister Yotaki will always be ...... until someone else fulfills this role?　Such a thing is ....... Such a thing is--
Tiara!　Don't talk!　I'd rather get the treatment now!　We decided together that we would all survive together!　Instead of thinking about this time, think about surviving first!

　I refuse to let that be the time to talk and try to make recovery a priority. Seeing my desperation, Saint Tiara nodded.

'Yeah, I know ....... Master, I finally understand .......

　A girl nods strongly and smiles back sadly.
　A boy spinning magic in a desperate attempt to save her.

　From the looks of it, this is the end of a journey for two people that was a thousand years ago.
　This is probably also the end of something important.
　A very important--.

　--Three. I was shown the "consequences" of the past.

　That's where the runabout ends.
　And then I am brought back to the present "ending" that I have fallen into now.
　As if I was told to compare the four, I return to the 45th floor of Foozier's Castle after this momentary time travel.


◆◆◆◆◆


　Consciousness returned to my body.
　But my body doesn't move at all. I'm still crawling on the ground.

　The running time must have been really short.
　At least, it didn't take long for all the blood in this body to flow out.

　However, Ragne's position had changed a bit.

　He had moved to where he could see my face, and showed a severely pale expression.
　I could tell from his open mouth that he was surprised. It's as if he's seeing something more than a 'monster' and is truly frightened.

　However, that expression is the same for me.
　Instead of turning pale, I'm sure he has an earthen face like the dead.
　I've realized the true meaning of those things - the running lights that were shown as if they were rushing through - and the bloodlust that was missing from my body, which was even just lacking, is being drawn from my body to the limit.

　He instinctively understood that the 'ending' of the runner-up earlier was more important than Ragné, more important than his own death.
　Hence, my brain, which had given up on the idea that it was somewhere in the last days, was knocked up.
　It understands that it's no good about sleep now.

　The shape drawn by the line connecting the "ending" and the "ending" that I saw was too ugly.
　Finally, the truth that emerges, connected to the "ending" of my death this time, is the backstage of this world.

　--It almost reaches there, and it understands in the sanity allowed only at the moment of death.

　Countless words run through my mind.
　A chain of truths seem to be attached to each other by a string, revealing their true intent.

　-- 'original world', 'skill', '??' Aikawa Yotaki - The Rebirth of Tiara, Sacred Magic, The Huskyards Country, Revanism - Tiara and the Reaper, The Body of Magic, The Magic Stone Line (Line), The Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus) )" -- "The World After a Thousand Years," "The Question and Answer with Palinkulon," "Behind the Proposal," "The Word of the Known" -- "The Three Apostles," "The One Who Stole the Reason," "Aikawa Uzumi and Nosfi," "Elixir of Immortality. --

　Memories and reasoning overflow like water flowing, and they never stop.
　I'm sure he doesn't want to come up with anything, but as if pushed to the edge, I end up there.

　--A 'guess'.

　Of course, it's only a guess.
　It's not confirmed.
　It's a possible truth.
　Just a possibility.
　Just a possibility.

　But somewhere in the back of my mind, I already know that this is the only way.
　At any rate, my "magic" is the magic of seeing the past and future.
　You'll be able to see the past and the future, and that's why you'll notice it.

　--I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

　Realizing the true ridiculousness of it, I tremble with fear from deep within my heart.
　I lost my limbs, and now I'm dying, crawling and squatting like a caterpillar, writhing, but I can't stop the inaudible wail of woe from bursting out of my throat.

''--Aahhhhhh ----,'' ----, ---- --!　--ssh, ------ ----------！！！！　---------- ... ----ck, ----！！！！

　I mourn.
　I mourn as if I were to spit out all my saliva, my gastric juices, my organs and my soul.
　Next, the wailing turns into moaning, the moaning into sobbing, and the sobbing into sobbing. But the physical body can't keep up. There's a hole in my stomach and lungs, and I don't have the strength to make a sound from my throat.

　Now, it seems to have an answer to something else that has been unexplained for a long time.
　Why Yangtaki's illness can't be cured. Why Saint Tiara gave up. Why the Lord of the Apostles, Noi, will not go to earth.

　But I can't stop myself from realizing it anymore.
　I'm on the verge of death. Even though he has become strong as a monster, there is a limit to this inhumanity of his life.

　My vision is already blurred into a haze.
　It's dyed red with blood and doesn't function properly. However, amidst the blurred red, I can only find the outline of my objective.

　It's Rastiara.
　If I crawl just a little further, Lastiara is just within reach.

　My red vision faded slightly.
　Tears poured from our eyes without stopping.
　We were too much of a clown. I can't stop crying because of the shamefulness and frustration.
　I was crying and kept looking at Rastiala.

　--And then a question arises.

　Could it be that Rastiala already knew ......?　
　So, oh yeah too (...) .......

　Another hopeless guess, and tears well up at the possibility.

　It's not just about Rastiara anymore.
　Our encounters up to this point, our journeys, our memories, our battles, everything--everything.

　Really, Ragne was right.
　I know what it's like to want to get up on the stage and kill the actors.
　I also understand the feeling of coming to the aid of Rustyala and Nosfi, who were considered to be the 'stage set' for the convenience of the play.

　That's why the timing is today.
　Ragne must have known that everything would begin with Nosphy's death.
　That's why he had to play the game before Nosphy disappeared.

''-- Ah, ah, ah, ah ....... Oh, father ....... It's my fault ......--

　I picked up that Nosfi's voice with a ringing in my ears.
　Just as I was writhing on the ground, she was also trying to get closer to me. She finally understood what was going on and was trying to reach out her shaking hands to me as I fell, still clinging to my hips.

　Seeing that, the last flame is lit.
　With that heat, my supposedly dead body regains a small amount of strength, even though my heart isn't beating.
　I reach out my remaining left hand to Nosfi.
　Never, in an attempt to leave a will that this is not Nosfi's fault--

'Ah, ah, ah ...... no, nos--phy ....... Russ, with Ti--la, ----!

　In the process, a blade like a flash of light fell from above his vision.
　The left arm that was left behind was severed with a smack.

　A sword of magic power must have come flying in from the air.
　And it wasn't just one.
　More than ten swords attacked, severing not only the arms but also both legs. With the loss of all four limbs and five swords piercing and sewing on my torso, my will was stopped.

　Nosfi screams as he sees it in front of him.
　She splatters tears and reaches out her right hand towards me, trying to rub against me.

　But before I can do so, Nosphy is slashed from behind.
　Ragne cut him into a kesa-slice with the 'Treasured Sword of the House of Alais, Rowen'.
　Nosufi fell forward.

　When he was focused on me, it was another surprise attack from his back.
　She's really thorough in attacking from the dead spot.

　Ragne approaches me after watching the severely wounded Nosfi get stuck. Naturally, she does it cautiously, little by little. He is truly wary of the monster (me) who tries to move even after his heart is crushed and his life (HP) has been reduced to zero. If I try to scream again, she will stop me not directly, but by sending her magic sword flying. I can clearly see that she has vowed in her heart not to let the last 'chanting' and 'turning into a half corpse' be the only thing she will do.

　However, I'm sorry that you are being so cautious, but I don't have any more power.
　I don't have any tools to help you.
　All I can do is look at Nosfi, who is now looking at me with a gaze that is too low.

　Nosfi's mind was completely broken by both physical and mental shock. He collapsed as I did, looking at me with a tear-stained face.

　I don't feel like I'm getting the message of my earlier will.
　That's to be expected.
　It's impossible to convey the message accurately in such a state and in such a short amount of time.

　It's not enough.
　Not enough words, not enough time, not enough everything.

　I want to make my voice heard more.
　To Rastiara, to Nosfy.
　And to Ragne. I want to tell you what I just realized...

　But I can't speak.
　I can't deliver anything.
　I regret that.
　I can't help but regret it.

　Unrepentant.
　I honestly don't want to die, I really do.

　But the flickering vision finally disappears.
　I can no longer smell the blood in my nasal cavity, nor can I taste the blood in my mouth.
　The remaining sense of touch in my body also disappeared now. In the midst of this disappearance from reality, I still mutter a curse only in my mind.

　If I die now, everything will really be ruined. ......
　So I don't want to die. Ragne, please ....... I know you're disillusioned with me. It's no wonder you missed it. But it's not good enough. I can't do this. --I don't want to die. I'm still the only one who can do it. So let me try again. This time I'll find out the answer to your question. --I don't want to die, I don't want to die. I'm not going to give you a pathetic answer. I'll fight you. I want to fight. --I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die!　I'm not going to die intact. I'll never die. I'll never--!

　Not yet.
　I haven't given up.
　I haven't won yet.
　I can still do this.
　I'm not--


'Too reluctantly (・・・・・・・) ......'


　The last thing I heard was Ragne's voice, which was abhorrent and dismissive.

　That and the sound of cold cuts piercing the flesh.
　Since I have no sense of touch or pain, I no longer know where I was attacked.
　But I do know that it was a stopping blow.

　With that, it cut off with a pout.

　It is the sound of every function of life being cut off and the continuity of the ego that gives life to life being cut off.
　Black vision and metaphysical thoughts were all cut off.

　And consciousness is far away.
　You end up in the middle of nowhere.

　It's vast but choked, everything is dark but infinitely visible.
　My fingertips freeze but there is no coldness, and my soul continues to scream, even though there is no body.

　The world after death.

　I can never go back to the place I came from again.

　All that's left is to drift here forever.



　Forever, here alone...



































































　-- even though it's supposed to be (・・・・・・), you can hear that sound.

　It's the sound of rain pounding on the windows.
　It sounds as if a lot of things are falling from very high and are being smashed with a bang.

　Tangled in there - the voice of a very nostalgic youtaki (imouto).

　The words that I once heard once and only once.
　They keep reverberating through the sound of rain.


'--Just me and you (・・・・・・). Just the two of us, let's live together. My brother--


　I don't know when I heard it.
　I don't even know why I hear it now.
　Of course, I don't know what it means, why, or anything else.

　Oh, I don't know.
　I don't know anything anymore.
　I don't know.
　I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.
　I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.


　Is this place real or magical?　
　Original world or another world?
　Past or present or future?
　Am I dead or alive?


　--I don't want to know (・・・・・・・).


　That was Aikawa Uzumi's last moments.