With each step Sera took as a wolf, the blood pooling on the stairs splattered in all directions.
　Its four-legged strides far exceed those of a human, and it runs up the stairs in five flying strides. It is no longer running, but bouncing and flying repeatedly.

　We parted from Snow in the middle of the castle and lost our cover from the stairwell.
　We began to take the time to defeat the 'blood puppets' and 'blood something' that were standing in our way, but our speed up the stairs didn't slow down one bit.

　The speed of the wolf 'beastman', Sera Raydiant, is the fastest on the continent.
　I also heard that he competed with his father and liners who specialized in speed and won. There was no one who could catch up to her who was worthy of being called the fastest in that era.

　She left the troublesome 'blood puppets' and 'blood something' behind.
　We didn't deal with the enemy properly, but slipped by their side - we made our way through the castle to the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh floors - and onward.

　Of course, all the while, there was no interference from Fafner at all. Occasionally, the pool of blood on the staircase would bubble up, and arms like tree trunks constructed of blood would reach out and try to grab Sera's huge body.

''--Sera!　A little to the left!

　However, he couldn't reach it. It was partly because his arm was slow compared to Sera's movements, but even more than that, the manipulator, Rustyala's skill was high. He predicted the timing and location where Fafner would be trapping and avoided it.
　Sera trusted and moved without any doubt in that master's futuristic instructions. The power of the trust between the two of them as squires nullified all of Fafner's remote attacks from downstairs.

''Kook, -- Magic 《Bloodbane》!
Serra, straighten up!　I'll cut down the danger!

　Sometimes, with magic, blood tentacles and blood arrows would attack them, but the two of them would be able to handle them as well.
　By no means would there be a problem with the power or speed of Fafner's fresh blood magic.
　It's simply because the distance between him and the surgeon is too great, and the activation speed (response) of fresh blood magic is slow anyway.

　And with that slowness, Sera's speed and Rastiara's flexible response ability couldn't provide an effective strike against the opponent - and then proceeded beyond the thirty floors, thirty-one floors, thirty-two floors, thirty-three floors - and I go.

　And then Fafner, who was numbed there, finally shouted loudly at one point.

'It's your turn!　Elmiraaddddddddddddd!

　The moment his name was called, a multitude of colorful magic arose that filled his vision. I thought it was Fafner's magic again, but the attributes were obviously different.

　Red, blue, green--.
　Nine magic arrows of fire, water and wind, three each.
　They fly in from the top of the stairs that run up, falling down.
　The one who responds to it is Rustyala.

''--【Flame Arrow】!　Water Arrow!　WIND ALO!

　The exact same magic was constructed by Rastiara and released to offset.
　The construction time was only a few seconds or so, but successfully Rastiara prepared an equal number of the same power.
　However, the moment those nine and nine collided, filling the staircase with a roar and impact - it (...) attacked from within the particles of magic power dancing in the air.

　The size of it (...) is about two sizes larger than a person.
　Its shape is similar to Sera's wolf, a quadrupedal beast. However, they are very different in kind. At first glance, what came to mind was not a monster, but a lion, an animal that had not been affected by the 'Devil's Poison'. Its characteristic mane was golden in color, and its lustrous fur shone as well.

　The golden lion pounces and bites into one of Sera's front legs as she runs down the stairs.
　I take the wound 'instead', but her movement stops temporarily.

''Sera!

　Rastiara shouted out, paying off his sword from over Serah's back.
　The golden lion lightly bounced away from it.
　Then, on the upper stairs, the golden lion roars low and turns its twin eyes, lit by reason, to us downstairs.

''Shh, lion ......?　That means Elmirad Siddharq ....... Sounds like a hassle!
'Be careful. Probably the same as Glenn earlier: ......!

　Rastiara and I checked each other for the threat of Elmirad waiting for us on the upper floor.

　Imaata's attack, Sera and Rustyala were on high alert.
　They had anticipated and prepared for the real attack, next to the magical arrows of the three attributes. But even so, Sera was still hit by Elmirad's attack.
　Probably with the assistance of 'The One Who Steals the Truth of Blood', Elmirado was made to reach a realm beyond even the 'Demon Return', and his speed surpassed Sera and Rustyala.

''Please. ....... The most noble bloodline in the Hoosiers, Elmirad Siddharq. Honestly, it's even worse than that one, down there (・・・・・). You're already my--last, of all--'

　We bit our teeth at the appearance of the new threat, but more than that, Fafner's voice arrived, which seemed to be troubled - it was interrupted in the middle.

　At the same time, our vision shook dramatically.
　After a tremor as if the castle itself had bounced, particles of magic power billowed up from the stairwell next to the stairs in a torrent.

''--?
The feeling of this magic is ......!

　You can see that several large magic flashed below.
　The attributes are fire and sacred, and no attributes (...). There is no blood magic mixed in.
　From the power, I predict that it is Maria, Dia-san and Snow-san. It can be seen that Fafner has been cornered below and has no time to turn his attention to us. No, perhaps Fafner is on the verge of defeat - it's a rush of magic power that only makes me think so.

　I can feel that the situation in the castle has greatly improved.
　Perhaps this Elmirade is likely to be Fafner's last hand.
　The moment I guessed that, my body started to move.

''Sera!　Rastiara!　We both need Elmirad, please!　Now is a good time!　I'm heading up!
'What?　No, wait a minute!　If you hide in the shadows over there, we'll take you down in a minute--!

　Rastiara stopped her, but I got off Sera's back. At that moment, Elmirado also started to move and let out a beastly roar.

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

　The entire staircase is filled with not only fire, water and wind, but also countless sacred and earth magic.
　Their shapes are not only arrows, but also swords, hammers, ropes and nets.
　In contrast, Rastiara also unleashes the same magic, not to be outdone.

''I'm still talking!　-- "Ice Battling Rum," "Waterwire," "Flame Flamberge," "Wraith Wind," "Divine Arrow," and "Earthquake!

　Nearly the same magic is smashed together with the same amount of power, offsetting everything - but that's the limit for Rastiala. There's no room to respond to Elmirade's subsequent rush.
　However, the chase, which took advantage of the lion's huge body, was prevented by Sera, who was equally fast, getting in between to check it. The two beasts stared at each other and the battlefield stalled.

　--It was still like this.

　As I had predicted the moment Elmirado appeared, their styles of battle were too similar.
　Rastiara and Elmirado. Both are versatile knights, with the same strengths and weaknesses. Both lack a decisive hand instead of being able to do anything.

　If the two of them were to stop and engage in a magical battle, an offsetting battle was inevitable. And the lion's advantage that Elmirado has will be crushed by his squire, Sera.

　At this rate, even if Elmirado doesn't lose to me, it will buy me a lot of time.
　Hating that, I start to move, shouting.

''Rastiara!　I can't waste a second of the opportunity that you all below have created for me!　In this one, if I make it to the top floor, I win!　I'll have to go first!

　I need to reach the 'top' of the castle before your father's magic stone is pulled out. I hurry and try to head up alone.

'So, but Nosfy ......!
''Due to the magical compatibility of 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Stars' and 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Light', Ragne will never be able to stop me!　Definitely!　On the contrary, this Elmirad can only be held back by the two of you!

　Convincing.
　In this one day, Ragne specialized in killing and I specialized in not dying.
　Assassins and immortals. It won't be easy to settle - but - in the extreme, I can ignore Ragne and walk away from him and just touch your father, and that will accomplish my goal. It's an excellent match.

　Of course, the ideal ending to this raid would be 'multiple people surrounding and defeating Ragne with multiple people'.
　Multiple people will reach the 'summit' and while one of us holds Ragne down for a few dozen seconds, I will revive your father with my real 'magic'. After that, it would be nice if we could slowly defeat Ragne - but ideals are ideals. Rastiara knows very well that reality doesn't go according to the ideal.

　Rastiara hesitates. At the end of it, did he read the hard will in my expression, or did he bide his time? I don't know which, but he agrees very succinctly.

''All right!　But don't take it easy!　I'll catch up with you!　Me too, Snow!　Maria and Diah, too!　We'll all catch up with Nosfi!

　Good.
　Ragne had reminded me beforehand that I would fight him, and Lastiara seemed to agree with me. Now I can have my ideal (・・・・・・・) 'One-on-one with Ragne'.

''--Yes!　We'll meet up 'together' later!

　I know I'm sorry for the way I have to deceive everyone.
　But instead, I promise Lastiara that today, no one will die.
　That no one will die, including me. We'll meet 'all together' later. I swear.

'......!　Yeah, I'll be 'together' later!　That's a promise!　...... Serah, we'll both keep Elmirad at bay!　I mean, I'm going to take it down as fast as I can!

　Rastiara quickly switches his thoughts and goes to counterattack Elmirado.
　With that movement, I run out as well.

　--Goodbye, Rastiara.

　I didn't say the words, but said my goodbyes in my chest.

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

　Only, of course, Elmirad barked and tried to stop me from going up the stairs. She instantly creates a gust of wind magic and rushes at me under the cover of that wind.

''--[Zeerewind]!

　The magic of that gust of wind is offset by Rastiara, and Sera hits Elmirado's body with her body.
　In the same way as Snow-san, Elmirado is restrained, clearing the way for me to run up.

　I gather my strength and run through the stairs.
　The sound of battle rang out at my back. But I never looked back and headed for the thirty-fifth floor.

　I can't even waste the strength to look back anymore. Now that I'm alone, I have to carve out everything from here on out by myself.

''...... Right now, Fafner's influence is definitely weakening. There are only about fifteen floors left, even if I'm alone ......--!

　Before I could finish that scolding to myself, a 'blood puppet' appeared standing on the stairs.
　However, they were few in number.

''-- 《Light Rod》!

　I re-filled the flag I was holding with magic and waved it at the approaching 'blood puppets'.

　To be honest, I couldn't put any more strength into my body.
　But the blood dolls are equally vulnerable. With just a few pounds, I succeed in restoring all of the blood dolls to their original form.

　I kept my guard up, waiting for the next enemy.
　But the enemy that follows does not appear.

　I check the water level. The amount of blood was clearly decreasing. A reduction that could not be explained by the total attack on the castle of the Foozeyards group outside alone. Fafner's main body must have been in danger, and it must be collecting blood from the castle.

　Thanks to the companions below, the 'blood puppets' that are standing in the way are weak and are not being hobbled by the blood. It can be said that there is no longer any interference that seems to be an interference.

''Hah, hah ......!

　However, climbing those empty stairs was a huge task for me now.
　Both of my legs, which had been able to run at the time of my parting with Rastiala, were gradually becoming immobile.
　My legs had deteriorated from being heavy as lead, and I was beginning to lose feeling.

　Gradually his running speed slowed down.
　The shortness of breath would not stop. His breath began to contain more than just a bloody smell.
　But still, I was sure. With the fastest speed imaginable, I go up the 36th floor, 37th floor, and 38th floor - and up the stairs of the castle.

'Hah, hah, hah, hah ......, hah, hah ......!

　Undoubtedly, the cause of my current discomfort is probably the 'substitution'.
　Among them, a lot of it is the substitution of Maria-san and Dia-san's magic power. The magic power and strength that these two bring with them alone exceeds the consumption of the entire Hoosiers' army of 10,000 people.

　However, they will definitely not cut off the magic power supply to the two of them alone.
　Right now, the two of them should be in the middle of a fierce battle with Fafner. With the assistance of me, the one that steals the Reason of Light, the one that steals the Reason of Blood, which had a high level of combat ability even in the battle a thousand years ago, they have cornered the one that steals the Reason of Blood to the point of not avoiding consciousness upstairs.

　Just imagining how everyone was fighting downstairs, this 'alternative' was unbreakable.
　Most of all, years of combat experience insists that it's no good for the safety of the street I'm walking on.
　In my head, I know exactly what I'm doing. But even so, my heart grows weak. I want to turn off the 'alternative' and take a break, even if it's only for a few seconds.

'Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah ......!

　My vision flashes and my thoughts flicker as I'm out of breath.

　Sometimes I don't even know why I'm walking.
　The reason why I'm working so hard to endure the pain jumps out at me.

　And what tries to fill my head to replace the reason - the pain.
　My body worries me and tries to fill my head with pain, a danger signal.

　Fewer allies, fewer enemies, more room to think, and conversely, the pain is more pronounced.

　I've tried not to think about it so far, but ...... honestly, it hurts.
　The bruises and bruises are punctured and blocked in my body over and over again. It hurts so much.
　My body hurts all the time. I'm in pain, I'm in pain, I can't stand it.

　The more time goes by, the more I walk, the more the pain increases.

　It hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts.
　It hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts.
　My stomach hurts. My head hurts. My arms hurt. My legs ache. My thighs ache. My flesh hurts. Bones ache. My blood vessels ache. It hurts inside. It hurts in the middle. I don't even know what it is, but it hurts. Everything hurts, anyway.
　The pain, slow and steady as a wave, can only be thought of as an attempt to twist my mind.
　I want to cry out on instinct already. I want to stop, prod my knees, tap the floor with my hands - I want to cry out to distract myself before I lose my mind.

　It really hurts. It hurts so much. Painful and painful. It hurts and I'm scared. There's nothing but pain in my head anymore. It hurts and hurts and hurts and hurts, and I don't even know when it started hurting anymore. I don't even know where it hurts anymore, I don't even know why it hurts, I don't even know what the word "pain" means anymore. The reason for enduring the pain I almost jumped at the beginning was now about to disappear--and


'Hah, hah, no (...) - hah, hah, hah ......!　Absolutely, I'm not--!


　I will not lose sight of the only reason.
　So my steps are the only thing that will never stop.

　No matter how much pain makes you blank out, that reason will never disappear.
　After all, that reason is what the "logic thieves" call "regrets".
　There are many of them inside me right now.

　His words.
　His face.
　Her words. Her face. Her voice.
　Everything about him is shining inside me now.
　He is helping me, the one who steals the truth of light.

　Yes.
　That's an example - the thoughts I received from Rastiara.
　The first time 'Rustiala Fuzzy Yards' was saved by 'Aikawa Uzumi'.
　I have memories of the time I was saved by her words, admired her appearance, and was pulled by her hand.

　I ruminate on that thought as I walk up the last steps of my life.