"-- dead ....... I'm really dead ....... It wasn't easy to die, but finally ......

　He crushed both lungs.
　I cut off both arms and legs.
　I stopped his heart.
　And I also cut off the bones in the neck with 'Helmina's Heart' - which finally stopped it from moving.

　In front of that Kanami's corpse, I let a large amount of cold sweat drip from my forehead. To be honest, even now, there's a part of me that can't believe that she died.

　I didn't think it would move even if I crushed its heart. No, I had considered it as a possibility, but it was too horrible to actually see, and my body froze. The sight of him crawling around with only one arm was an instinctive disgust.

　His decapitated cry that echoed afterwards was filled with resentment, as if it was tearing through space itself.
　However, he managed to stop it before he was able to use 'chanting'.

　Even though it was a perfect surprise and a sure victory, Aikawa Kanami really surprised me. Even now, my heart is still beating so loudly that I feel like it's going to explode.

　As if to shake off that fear, I continue to use the two swords in my hands to stab his torso again and again, confirming his death.

'So, I'm not a monster ....... No, exactly (・・・・), Kanami's brother is already--

　The Stealers of Reason have a condition called Half-Corpse.
　This is the upper equivalent of the popular and revered 'demon'.

　Therefore, I make a mental note to thrust my body with my sword.
　With the body having HP and MP to spare, there is always the possibility that it will move after it dies.
　However, that cruel method of confirmation breaks one girl's heart.

''Ugh, ahhh, ahhh ......!　Uhhhh, ahhh, ahhh--!

　The one who steals the logic of light, Nosfi Fuzzyaz, is lying on the ground near you.
　Until just a few moments ago, she had been emitting light and wearing a thick magical power, but now she is a shadow of her former self. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.

　She is crying profusely.
　He continues to hold the dead Aikawa Kanami in front of his eyes and is crying heavily.
　She has been slashed on her back and collapsed in a pool of blood, scratching the floor so hard that her nails are about to come off, crawling desperately to get as close to her lover as possible, crying.

'Aaaaahhhh ......!　This can't be happening. ......!　Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible!　Oh, no way!　No way, it's not that kind of ......!!!

　I forget to even use recovery magic on myself and try to deny the reality in front of me.
　I observe it calmly.

　If I look closely, the wounds on my back are slowly healing. If it's 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Light', even if you slash it with a sword other than 'Helmina's Heart', it seems to heal automatically. In the face of that extrapersonal self-healing ability, I swell my battle cry.

' ...... Nosfi-san. ...... Oh no, I'm glad to hear that. As I wished, my dad protected his daughter with his life. And what do you plan to do after your wish comes true?

　He grips his sword in both hands tightly and shifts his gaze to Nosfi.
　I glare at him, along with the preparations for the battle that is about to begin, but--

Huh!

　What came back was a small scream.

　And Nosfi tries to escape. But he fails to get up and only retreats backwards, hunched over. His face is distorted and frightened.

'............'

　Wordlessly read your inner thoughts.
　It won't be a trap or an act. Nosefy is a softie like the rest of The Stealers of Reason. He's not good at lying to people.

　You can guess why she's scared.
　She was in love with Aikawa Kanami. It's fair to say that she worshipped him. She was convinced that her father was the strongest and coolest person in the world.
　Hence, he thinks that I am the world's strongest and most vicious enemy, having killed that Aikawa Kanami.

　It's an appalling way of thinking.
　The strongest person never loses. The best are always the best. Undefeated at all times. --so stupid it's funny.

　It's a very clear picture of how weak a race The Stealer of Reason really is.
　They are highly assumed, negative, and extremely dependent.
　They are prepared to be bullied by the world anyway.

　The One Who Steals Reason is weak.
　Definitely weak.

　--But (...).

　However, the "One who steals the reason of the earth" I saw in the past in the "Dancing Tournament", Rowen Arrais, was strong.

　I know what the difference is between him and her.
　The point is whether or not we have arrived at an answer.
　I suppose the difference lies in where the mind is.
　The point is that Nosfi is not yet complete.
　I don't know myself and I don't recognize myself.
　That's why he is so weak.

　This is not worth killing for. Killing it won't increase the value of my life. I continue to call out to her, even if it's against my style, so that I don't waste my time developing tactics for Nosfy. Laughing to mimic the girl in front of me - and laughing to mimic her - I

...... Ha. What's that? It's all inevitable. I indulged my dad for too long.
Ugh, ugh, ugh... ......

　Nosfi is frightened and continues to sob, but he continues relentlessly.

'I told you before, didn't I?　That's what happens when you spoil them.

　Be a mirror.
　For her. And for me.
　Let's complete that life as we did with Aikawa Kanami.

'Wow, I'm not spoiled ......

　Nosefy was about to argue with me, frightened, but I interrupted him coldly.

'Haha, you didn't mean to be spoiled by that?　He says he doesn't like daddy, and wanders around the neighborhood asking for attention. I'm a very bad boy," she says, appealing in front of me, and then she flicks her eyes at me. I don't know what to say if you don't call me spoiled.

　He cowered his shoulders and continued to falsify.

　It was a commonplace provocation, but it was also an undeniable fact.
　After being told outright what no one else had cared to say all along, Nosfi was stunned for a few seconds, and then started crying again.

'Ahhhh, ahhhh ......, ahhhh ....... Aaaaaaaaaaahhhh ......!

　While wailing, more tears spilled out.
　His face, which seemed to be twisted to the limit, became even more distorted and he held his head in his hands.

'Or did you think my favorite dad would be fine with it?　Are you high on the idea that a super genius dad would never die?　Ha, spoiled is spoiled too. You're too spoiled.

　I'm not going to go easy on you.
　Facts are facts. It's something you'll have to face at some point.

'So you'll get stabbed in the back for allowing a really bad boy like me to get close. Oh, this, all of it. It's definitely because of Nosfi-san's indulgence, isn't it?
'Aaaaaaahh ......, I ......?　It's my fault: ......!　My own private--aahhhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh--!
'Yes, it's Mr Nosfi's fault!　So long, Mr. Nosfi!

　Not only did she create a reason to fight, she also created a meaning for the fight.
　With all of this, even she could be a quarry--

It's time to avenge your father!　As promised, you'll play me.　Don't worry, I properly consider Mr. Nosfi to be the enemy!　It's time to weigh the scales to see which life is worth more!

　They continue to imitate, earn resentment and claim to be the enemy.
　They challenge you to fight now.

'--Yeah, yea, please don't come!

　But even after being made fun of so far, Nosfi couldn't stand up.
　She was on her buttocks and just shook her head like a girl everywhere.
　No matter how seriously injured she is on her back, she is still too weak.

　And I ignore the request, a little disappointed.

I don't like it. I'm going to come closer.

　This is the same as the earlier Nosfies, but they might fight me if it comes down to it.
　I approach unguardedly, a bit hopeful and inviting.

　Then I raise my sword.
　Very deliberately, trying to swing it down now and then.

''Hee--!''

　In contrast, Nosfi closed his eyes.
　He gave up his resistance and only screamed.

　I grit my teeth and furrow my brow.
　I stab my raised sword into the ground and point my free hand at her.

'Nosfi-san. So the world really was just Kanami's brother: ......

　I steal the two pendants that are around her neck.

　Easily and simultaneously, she obtains three of the magic stones of 'The One Who Steals the Reason'.
　This fact also proved that she had lost her will to fight.

　Even though Nosfi's biggest weapons were stolen, she still couldn't stand up.
　She continues to snarl with her eyes closed. Repeating the words too weakly.

'Ah, ah, ah ....... This, this is a dream ....... It's a dream ....... It's a dream......!

　I feel a little sad in front of that scene.
　She's too much like me and Kanami. It makes me feel empty in many ways in a world full of cheap lives.

'That's a bit unexpected ....... No, it's easier said than done .......

　I reach out my hand further.
　This time, instead of a pickpocket's hand, I proudly reach into her pocket and take the Scripture. I'm convinced by Nosfi's unmoving hand.

　I'm convinced that the one who steals the Truth of Light is no longer an enemy.
　Judging that, I quickly move my thoughts to the next.

　I look around the magic-ravaged great hall of the forty-fifth floor of Fuzzyards Castle and turn my attention to the last person in the room. Aikawa Kanami is dead, and Nosfi's heart is broken. There is only one person left.

'Well, let's get one last thing out of the way, young lady--'

　If we can hold the former master, Rastiara Hoozeyars, there will be no one to be wary of on this floor. With that in mind, I was about to head to check their status.
　But in the middle of it, a strong-willed shout goes up.

''No, no--!
"Oh?

　Nosfi moved.
　He forced both of his wobbly legs to move, almost falling over and over again, and rushed to Rustyala before I could get to him.
　Then he quickly sat down and held his body as it lay dying.

　I can't say that I got up.
　But I was mildly surprised that Nosfi was able to move.

'Ya, stop ......, please forgive me!　Mr. Rastiara had nothing to do with it!　She's just a victim!　Born only to inherit the ties of a thousand years ago, a victim of fate!

　I stop and think about the reason for her excitement.
　As I recall, Aikawa Kanami had mentioned the name Rustyala at the time of her death. I wonder if she decided it was a will.

'Rastiara-san will be protected by me. ......!　Mr. Rastiara is the only one I will protect!　The same fate as me: ...... my precious sister (・・・・) who suffered the same fate as me!　Yes, she's my sister!　My sister is ...... and Rastiala is!　Even the moment I was stabbed, he looked at me with kind eyes!　He still believed in me!　I'm such an idiot, and you love me for it!　She's a sweet girl!　I didn't do anything wrong!　Unlike me, I grew up to be a good kid!

　I soon realize that it doesn't matter what the will is.
　Her words and expressions say it all.
　Now Nosfi has decided that Rustyala is family. That familial love has managed to overcome her fears. It seems to be the kind of courage that only she could muster, where family was everything.

'I won't let my sister die!　I will protect you!　I will protect Rastiara!

　Nosfi hugs her sister's bloody body and screams to herself.
　It makes me a little happier.
　It's a world full of cheap lives, but I felt like I could still walk away.

Oh, okay. I won't hurt you. You're on the verge of death, young lady. I've beaten her many times in a one-on-one match to begin with, and I've already rated her. It's all rated.

　He raises his hands and dissipates the will to fight.
　Seeing this, Nosfi looks a little relieved.

　Honestly, he hadn't intended to kill Rastiara from the beginning.
　I won't kill only the present human god Rastiara Hoozeyars.
　I made a strong decision to do so, and here I am. I'm going to sell my debt to Nosfi, who doesn't know about the situation here, in a big way.

But I'm going to take all of the 'reason stealers' instead. And of course, Kanami's brother, too. If you don't like that, then you'll have to beat me.

　He drapes the pendants of "The One Who Steals the Truth of Darkness," "The One Who Steals the Truth of Wind," and "The One Who Steals the Truth of Wood" pendants in his hand around his own neck and takes the sword of "The One Who Steals the Truth of Earth," which he thrusts near him.
　He then takes the scabbard from Aikawa Kanami's waist and puts it on his belt.

　In his right hand, he holds the heart of the one that steals the truth of blood, and in his left hand he holds the head of the corpse of the one that steals the truth of dimension (Aikawa Kanami). This is tentative - six.
　Finally, he dares to grab Kanami's black hair in a messy grip and make a show of thrusting it at Nosfy.

''Uh-uh-uh ......!　Ugh, ugh, ugh--!

　Nosfi glares at me with tears in her eyes.
　She hugs Rustyala tightly and holds her trembling body in place.

　I know the feeling.
　You don't really want to.
　I don't want to give away just Kanami.
　The most important thing is Kanami - my own dad.
　I don't want to give him away. I don't want to give it to you! I don't want to give it to you.

　But I'm too afraid of me beating Kanami to move.
　I can't even challenge him.

'Oh, father ......!　Father, father, father, father! ......!

　All Nosfi could do now was call out names.
　After confirming that, I decided that there was nothing more to do on this floor and started moving.
　I'm headed for the stairs that lead to the forty-sixth floor.

　On the way there, I invite her to join me.

''I'm going to kill everyone in the 'Senate' now, do you want to come with me?　When you've done that, go downstairs and get the rest--

　But she wasn't looking at me anymore.
　I meditated both eyes tightly and continued to murmur as I hugged Rustyala's body in prayer.

''Ta, please help me ....... Lady Tiara-sama .......''

　Then she called the name of that saint.
　Here she comes, relying on her birth, and laments.

'We can't be your 'substitutes' ....... There is no such thing as a 'replacement' for us ....... A real princess can only be a real princess ....... So please--

　It's not bad.
　In fact, it's good.
　Nosfi is now reviewing her own life.
　And if she continues with her will to 'protect Rastiara,' she will reach.

　She has fulfilled [The love she really wanted, she will never again (...) get the love she really wanted].
　All conditions have been met.
　She has lost her 'center of the world' and is finally able to walk away with herself as the 'center of the world'. The story with her as the protagonist will finally begin.
　At the end of it, she will surely create real, true (...) 'magic (...)'.

　It's not the failed magic taught by the apostles. It's not just a petty magic to gather power, but a magic that is unique to her because she is her.

　--It's not just a matter of how much time you have left, it's a matter of how much time you have left.

　'Eternity' ....... 'Eternal' or .......
　It's not that I want it. Honestly, even if I obtain the power of 'immortality', I don't feel like I can become strong as a person at all. It sounds good if you say you get unlimited endurance and time, but it's obviously more convenient if you don't have it.

　However, it's worth looking at. It's a high value in global terms.

　So while I'm analyzing the power, Nosfy continues to mutter.

'I'm not a saint ....... I'm not even a light ....... I can't be a 'replacement' ....... So please, please ....... Please, please, please ....... Please, please, Lady Tiara ......--

　Read that face. It's a very recognizable face.

　How did this happen .......
　I never wanted it to end like this .......
　All I ever wanted was a little wish, and yet .......

　That's what he thinks.
　It's going to be a long time before he realizes that he is the star of Hoosiers, not someone else. And we don't have time to watch it fluently.
　Considering the enemies gathered here, I can't even spare a second to think about it now.

Then, I'm going to go. If you wait here quietly, I'll give you the last shot. After everything is over, though: ......

　After advising Nosfi, who continues to mourn, I walk up the stairs at the back of the forty-five levels.

　One by one, I tap the carved, wasteful, opulent staircase with the soles of my shoes and skip along in a delightful rhythm. I feel mildly satisfied that this Lagne Kaikwola is on its way - not that Kanami, not Nosfi, not Rustyala - but that this Lagne Kaikwola is on its way.
　Along the way, I smile and speak to the corpse in my right hand.

''...... Uzurinami's brother, I've shown you properly as promised. What did you think of my special move, what did you think?

　Of course, I didn't get an answer.
　But I was certain that if Kanami was listening, he would praise me for it.
　Aside from being killed, I could vividly see him admit in frustration that my brilliant surprise technique was brilliant.
　Shying away from that compliment, I boast to Kanami in the mirror of my mind - and I'm proud of him.

　From the day we first met, I had been struggling with the bogus magic strategy called 《Dimension》.
　I was trying to figure out how to beat Aikawa Kanami.
　The response I came up with was really simple
　Everyone knows the answer.
　'Just be a friend of Kanami Aikawa'.
　That's all it takes, and you won't be wary of me.

　No matter how good your magic and senses are, it's the person who deals with them. Everyone knows that as long as imperfect people use it, there are no words of perfection or absolutes in it.

　That's why I've always tried my best to be your friend.
　We had dinner together at the "Dance Competition" and watched a play on the boat. I gave him a lot of other advice, collaborated with him, and helped Aikawa Kanami, who had no memory.
　Of course, I never really fought a real fight during that time. As I'm sure you've noticed, I've continued to hide my power in that first duel, in the battle at the Cathedral, and in the third round of the 'Dancing Tournament'. Furthermore, I continued to work hard as a close associate of Aikawa Kanami's loved ones for the past year. Because of this, I was naturally able to accompany her in this battle - and gained the highest confidence as someone who understands the troubled Aikawa Kanami.
　All of that, all of that, all of that was for the moment I just mentioned--.

"Hmmm. I think this is the best way to fight in 'magical materialization'. I'm not particular about the 'sword technique' in my hand, so I can float the blade in the air like this. These things are not suitable for you.

　I let the little blade of magic dance in front of my eyes, visible to the corpse on my right hand.

　A few minutes ago - using this blade as a foothold - I ran up into the sky outside the window of Hoosier's Castle, all by myself. Then I broke in through a window on the forty-fifth floor and threw a projectile at the two men who had a gap in the air at the right time. Unfortunately, the first throw didn't kill him instantly, but the following blade successfully severed his dominant arm. With my voice and sword silenced, I was able to stop (stop) by generating a large amount of blades, my trump card.

"Kanami's brother, he really didn't notice me. I was on edge, but when it was over, I had plenty of time to spare. ......

　Kanami was unable to 'predict the future' of that series of surprise attacks.

　I think there are multiple reasons for this.
　First of all, Kanami had complete faith in me as her ally. I prepared many things, but in the end, this should be the main reason.

　That, and the quality of the skills and magic power I possessed had a large influence.
　I'm not only learning 'numbers that don't appear in numbers' but also 'skills that don't have a skill name' from Tiara-san. There is one skill among them that can be considered the ultimate in surprise. And this peculiar nature of my magic power was too suitable for this surprise attack.
　It was oriented like 'fate'.

' ...... Ah!　The afterglow of victory is important, but you have to make "affinity" with those who steal "reason" while you're at it: ...... I've heard a lot about the "affinity" mechanism, you know. And by the way, I've heard a lot about the mechanism of "affinity". It's not perfect, but it's possible to get there.

　The nature of the magic power depends on the person's personality.
　It can be sluggish and sticky, pure and flammable.
　In contrast, my magic power was shiny and bright.
　It was like a mirror, reflecting the world well. That convenient magic power is incomparable in covert.

　And that mirror's magical power would also exert its power in 'affinity'.
　Just by lightly adjusting his mind and praying to the pendant on his chest - boom, the world hit a quadruple heartbeat. The diverse magic power that leaked out of that magic stone wrapped itself around me, and it became as dense as the 'monsters' in this castle, as if it was on the same level as the 'monsters' in this castle. It's not perfect, but four of them are more than enough to draw out the power.

'Alright, that's a good feeling. I mean, I knew this ....... It's not for one person to use, but for multiple people to use together. And now I am the one who steals the logic of the earth, the tree, the wind and the darkness, right?　...... It's kind of a bad word.

　Easily I recounted what Nosfi had successfully done with his 'magic (...)'.
　Laughing at my own magical power that is too useful, I continue to make small talk with the corpse.

''Darkness, earth, wind, wood, a bit differently, but I'm adding blood and other things now, too - so together they're 'the ones that steal the reason for the stars'. What do you think?　Isn't that cool?

　It's just like "I" that there's no light at hand.
　Perhaps the corpse on the right hand side should have the sense to convince me.

　Having decided to call myself 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Stars' from now on, I reach the forty-sixth floor of Hoozeyer's Castle. Naturally, the knights who were on alert downstairs are waiting there.

　There are five in number.
　They are the gatekeepers selected to protect the 'Senate', which is more important than the country's royalty.
　Just in time. I just wanted to try them out.

"Lady Kaikwola. ......?　Why go here: ....... Up here--

　One of the knights spots me in the distance and speaks to me.
　I smirk at it and boldly approach him.
　It's not a smile that includes friendliness. It's a smile of joy at being able to use the attribute magic power for the first time in my life.

''Nah--!

　The distance closed and all the knights noticed my abnormality.
　The red cross and the corpse in their hands. Surprised by the strange magic power of those two - I pierce the gap and aim my magic blade at their backs and let it fly.
　It's the usual battle strategy that Kanami avoided, but the knights can't avoid it.

''Guh, aaah......!　Why, why ......, Kaikwola, well--

　If I looked closely, one of the knights across from me was a familiar face.
　As I recall, I had shared a room with him during the terminal days of the Seven Celestial Knights in Heaven (Celestial Knights). That knight spat out blood from his mouth, sent a transparent blade flying out of his heart, and now fell to his death.

　The other four knights followed, falling down with a bang.
　Each of them died after having their hearts eaten by darkness, nested in trees, bursting in the wind and pierced by crystals.

''This is the magic with attributes riding ....... It's interesting. It's just a little bit of magic, but it's still a lot of fancy stuff. I'm not going to be able to tell the difference. Hmmmmm...

　After confirming that the knights on guard had been wiped out, I chirped my way through the pool of fresh blood in a good mood.

　It was a pleasant sensation to see my magic, which had been tasteless for a long time, colored on, and my hand, which had been small all at once, increased. Naturally, I hummed as I walked up the next staircase.

''Hmph, hmph, hmph. Hmmmmmmmmm.''

　--We aim for the top floor while bleeding out the knights who stand in the way.

　It's really easy.
　The other side is caught off guard by thinking they are acquainted with you, and if you get close enough, you'll be surprised by the sword in your hand and the corpses, and there's a lot of room for error. It's much easier to take the enemy by surprise than the over-decorated sword I brought with me, which is much easier than the over-decorated sword I brought with me.

　Thus, if you meet them, you kill them and go up the stairs, if you meet them, you kill them and go up the stairs, if you meet them, you kill them and go up the stairs--

　At last I reach the floor where the Senate is waiting for me.