Ragne stops and reaches forward.
　Immediately I turned around to see what was out of her line of sight. There, the 'blood doll' that helped me earlier was standing there, protecting my back.

　Ragne's eyes are drawn to the 'blood doll'.
　Her body trembles, her eyes shake, and as she clings to it, she says one word in a small voice, "--Rielle? He said the words that seemed to be his name. And as Ragne took a step forward to get closer to the 'blood puppet,'

"Oh--

　The 'blood puppet' shook its head wide and lost its shape.
　It becomes just a large amount of blood and disappears, mixing with the shallow pool of blood on the rooftop floor.

　Lagune was stunned when he saw the scene.
　To put it bluntly, she's defenseless. But I don't attack her and call out to her.

'Is that person now an acquaintance of Ragne's?

　Quickly, Ragnet comes to himself, closes his mouth, and turns his serious eyes to me.

''Nosfi-san ....... Could it be that the knight now brought Nosfi-san ...... to this point?

　Ragne didn't answer my question, but asked the opposite.
　As my purpose is to 'discuss' with her, I don't particularly care to answer honestly.

'Yes, I do. You have saved me from a dangerous situation.'
'Really? ....... He helped Mr. Nosfy, didn't he? ......

　Ragne slightly furrowed her brows and smiled.
　From her mysterious voice, she could tell that the 'blood puppet' that she had just seen was both core and unplanned for her at the same time.

　Did Ragne have a stake in it, or was there another reason? Rarely does he continue the 'discussion' that I want to have.

'So, that figure ....... Let's see, is it a monster snake type ......?　It's been a while since I've seen it. The one that appears in the lower levels of the labyrinth, right?

　And then he picked and chose his words and threw a very inappropriate topic at me.

　The situation reminds me a little of your father.
　I'm sure he has something he wants to ask me. But I can't get that main topic out of the way. If I ask, I feel like I'm going to break something important, so I can't help but take a detour. If I'm not mistaken, Lagune right now looks like that, too.

''Yes. This is my true form. A thousand years ago, I would have been a 'demon' of the type called a snake person (lamia).

　I was not ashamed of my appearance.
　There is no doubt that this body has helped me get to this point. I may be grateful, but I'm not in denial.

'...... Something's changed a lot, hasn't it? You look like a different person than you did this morning. I don't know if you understood what I said," he said.　That 'immortality' is me or Mr. Nosfi. He said the stronger one should make better use of it.
'I'm sorry, Ragne. Since this morning, my answer is still the same. I - no, we want to 'save Aikawa Uzumi'. The real 'magic' of 'the one who steals the reason for light' is not for me or Ragne, but for your father. -- "I'm sure.

　It's no wonder I look like a different person compared to this morning.
　I'm standing here now, 'instead' of all my friends. My soul, so to speak, is not made up of just one Nosfi, so to speak.

'Surely, ....... To be honest, I was skeptical for a long time, but will that magic really bring you back to life?

　Ragne's response was not what I had expected.
　I was prepared for an even more outraged response than this morning, but she was very calm. As I continue to assure her with confidence, she confirms one of her assumptions. What's different from this morning is the quietness that makes me feel more like Ragne than me.

'Yes, I will definitely come back to life. That's what my 'stolen logic' power was all about.

　That resuscitation technique is a single step and doesn't use much magic power.
　It wouldn't even take that long. You can 'chant' as usual, become a 'substitute' and that's all it takes to revive you.

　Lagune must have read the simplicity of that magic.
　He lets out a dry laugh.

''People really do come back to life - ....... It's also quite easily ....... Ha, ha ha. Hahahahaha.

　From Ragnet's point of view, this is the resurrection of his grudge enemy (Kanami), who he had killed with almost everything he had on the line. He seems shocked by this ironic reality.

　And then he lets his eyes wander, even more vacantly.
　The corpse of 'Father' behind me and the remains of the 'blood doll' that disappeared behind me, I'm comparing these two for some reason.

''Haha. And (...) - at this point in time, are you still trying to confuse me?　Not me or Mr. Nosfi, but Lady Rielle too?　Like my mom earlier, and the interruption of 'affinity', really: ......!　Really, come on, ......!

　Exasperated, Ragne scratched her head.
　From the looks of it, she is now speaking from the bottom of her heart. My magic is working, for better or worse - or so I thought.

　I gripped the flag of light in my hand tightly and intensified the effect even more.
　Within the effect of this magic 《Flag of Light (Nosfy Flag)》 is the true power of the light attribute. It is the foundation of light magic and the 'price' I have fallen into.

　--The magic power of light makes people 'honest'.

　It makes both you and your enemies 'honest' and triggers a resolution through 'discussion' rather than battle. It is truly an attribute only for the sake of world peace. It is the light.
　As an expert (specialist) of that light, I am sacrificing my life to spread the greatest light ever to the entire Great Sacred City. Right now, the Great Sacred City is the kindest space ever in history.

　The soldiers, my friends, Fafner and I - Ragne is no exception.
　All are the objects of my light.

　Therefore, in many ways, I believe that 'discussion' is now or never.
　The only time I can deal with Lagune, who is likely to be less 'honest' than anyone else, is in this final moment of brilliance of the 'Stealer of the Light'.
　After confirming that I have a good chance of winning, I repeat the two names Ragne mentioned earlier.

'Lagne ....... That 'mama' and 'Riel', are these two people important to you ......?

　A name I had never heard of at all, 'Riel', and a name none of us had ever met before, 'Mama'.
　I expected these two to be the core of Ragne Kaikwola and asked.

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

　The well-spoken Ragne falls silent.
　I listen more deeply, convinced that my prediction is not far off.

''The two who are not in the Great Holy City right now ....... Do you wish to reunite these two and Ragne?　If you want to reunite and go home together and live with the three of you ...... and you think so, then you're on the wrong track. That wish is much like Lord Titty, the 'one who steals the reason for the wind'. To clear that blockage in your heart, you need to go back to your hometown once, not to this 'summit' -
'No, Mr. Nosfi. ...... I don't care about my hometown. All that matters is to be the 'best'. The only thing that matters is to make sure that your loved ones are waiting for you there. That's all I need to do is to make sure. That's my dream since I was a child.

　Rastiara and the others, who had known Ragne for a long time, had said that Ragne's true purpose was to 'revive his homeland' or 'reunite with his mother'. But that was denied without a pause. I had no choice but to look for a different way to cut it.

'But you're already 'best' enough. This is the 'summit' and you're standing above everyone else ....... In simple strength, you are the 'best'. Now you are stronger than anyone else in this castle.
...... Well, that's true. To be honest, this is usually the 'top' of the mountain, isn't it? Haha.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in this situation.
　I truly believe that Lagune is the current world's strongest, and she is proud of it.

　However, even though Lagune is the 'strongest' and the 'top' and the 'best', she shakes her head.

''But it's definitely not. Because my world is still dark. It's ...... dark. I never had a mum here, and my life didn't end. There was nothing on this 'summit'. No, it could have been, but it wasn't worth anything. It had no value. So, this place is not the 'best'. There is no way. -- definitely not.

　It's a unique theory and comes back with an even stronger denial.
　It's too emotional and the words are too abstract. It's almost impossible to convey to others.
　But I can sense the wildness of it all.

　I've had the experience of feeling dark in the face of a bright light. Days when the world is dark and I don't feel alive at all, no matter how hard I try.
　A lot of things have happened and I've come out of it. But I wonder if Ragne has yet to go out into the bright lights even once. Otherwise, there is no way she could 'relate' to all of those 'reason-stealers' so brilliantly. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

That's all right, Mr. Nosphy. Still, I'm doing well, and the goal is right around the corner. I'm really close to being number one.

　Seeing the worried look in my eyes, Ragne immediately strengthened that there was no need for that.
　After all, she is different. I need to clarify the difference between her and 'the one who steals reason' who is always looking for someone to help her.

...... What exactly is that Lagune's goal?
I told you this morning, too. He said it would be the best if he kept killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing and killing. If I work with Mr. Fafner now, it won't be so difficult.

　If you kill them, you'll be the 'best', says Ragne lightly.
　It seems that he killed your father, the 'Senate' and even the country of Huzzya's, and if that doesn't work, all of them.

　I've strongly prepared myself to have a 'discussion', but for a moment I lose the words to reply.
　I've always known that Lagune has a knack for thinking only in terms of killing people. He is so convinced that killing people, taking away their value, and growing as a person is the way to live. That's why their skills and power are so specialized in it.

　Will I be able to correct that soul-implanted value: .......
　No. Is it really wrong to begin with?
　I have yet to decide if they are even values that others can casually deny.

　And while I'm at a loss for words, she continues to talk about her 'dream' as if she were letting everything out of her body.

'Kill everything in the world, kill everything in the world ...... and drag out the people who pull the strings behind this world and kill ...... kill, kill, kill!　I'll be the last one standing!　Then, no one can complain about it anymore, because it's the best!

　Perhaps it was the light, but her words were not light. It's got substance.

　So I understand.
　I don't feel guilty about Ragne at all now.
　She can't think about the feelings of those who are dying in the process. No, maybe she thinks it's more of an insult to spare those who are dying.

　-- she has become that (・・・・・・・).

　That's the kind of person she has become.
　No, this distorted and too solidly built (...).
　Like your father (・・・・・・・), she has been made to be unquestionably that creation (・・・・・・・).
　Otherwise, there are many contradictions that cannot be explained.

'That's why I say 'immortality' is so important!　Me!　I'm not an apostle, not a 'stealer of reason', not a 'gentile' - I was born into this world, I'm the representative of this world!　Destroy everything in this world!　Deny the way the world works and everything else!　I'll kill everyone who was pulling strings in the background!　Of course, I'll make you apologize for your life then, Mr. Nosfi!　So--!

　And Lagune seems to understand all of these contradictions, and yet he seems to live with them.
　It's as if he knows he's on the wrong path, that destruction is waiting for him at the end, and that it's all a meaningless battle, but he still intends to be the 'best' -.

So help me out!　Mr. Nosfi!　Not to Kanami, but to this lagnet!　Please be the strength of this lagne!

　Ragne let it all out and finally asked for help.
　A sincere request.
　I didn't feel that all of his words so far were false.
　It was as much of a 'discussion' as it was with your father.

　The only thing I found out after we clashed hearts and minds was that the way of life and beliefs of Ragne Kaikwola and Nosfi Hooziyaz were 'opposite'.

'I see what you mean Ragne: ....... Perhaps you are most likely right. It's not just the weakness and mistakes of our 'stealers of reason' but also the strength and righteousness of our 'people' that we see in you now. ...... It's just that I can't do it. I just can't do it.

　I looked at my father, who was lying on a pedestal behind Ragne.
　She caught me and looked at her too, giving her a warm expression similar to mine.

''Still, you're going to bring that ...... Kanami's brother back to life, aren't you?
I'm your father and my family. I finally have my family. I will not abandon them.

　I assure you clearly.
　Ragne received that with a smile.
　It's similar to the expression she had when she saw the 'blood doll' earlier. She swears evasively with a gentle smile, as if she knew it was going to happen.

'...... family. Oh, family? No one, no one, family family ....... Family, family family family ....... Oh, that's really silly. --I know that you don't have to tell me that.

　I just can't deny it.
　There's a sense of hope in that and I continue to speak.

'Lagne ......!　I'm sure only family will pay for the darkness you feel: ......!　I, Titi and the Aide, all of us, from the same "Stealers of Reason"!　I was walking in the same dark world as Ragne!　But my family saved me!
'Family ....... Family to the rescue? ......
'Ragne, tell us about your 'mum'. Maybe there is something I can do for you. Let's 'talk' about it until you're satisfied. Let's talk about it until there are no more "unresolved issues". Let's find a solution that will help everyone. Because I don't have enemies here. I'm not your enemy. Rather, it's the opposite. I am here to help you: ......!

　To prove my words, I thrust my weapon, the flag, into the ground nearby and extended my bloody hand in front of me.
　It was the greatest expression of goodwill I could muster - but for Ragne, it seemed to be the opposite. He laughed, looking as if he had been insulted.

''Haha. Are you saying the same thing as those scum (...), even Nosfi-san?　That kind of thing is stinky. It's really stinky from a while ago. Stinky, stinky, stinky, stinky--
Sure, I know it's tempting to say that. Still, please believe me. Please. Please, please believe me.

　You can play sweet talk. You could say that I am an expert in brainwashing and incitement. However, I never use that kind of skill (skill) and continue to speak only unadorned words.

　I've been shown the closest thing to what it takes to save Ragne - or rather, what it takes to save 'the one who steals reason'.
　Following that, I approach her defenselessly and without any magic at all. I just extend my hand to her.

''Haha. ...... Still (・・・・), do you believe (...)?

　Ragne heard the words that exposed everything about me and ruminated out loud.

　He's willing to listen to me. He's willing to stay with my 'discussion' as long as he can.

　That's why Ragne frowns and bites her lip hard once.
　Then he lets his gaze wander. The sky and the ground, his own feet and mine - as if he's somehow looking for a place to land in his mind that he can convince himself of - such is the movement of his eyes.

'-- Family (...). I believe (...) --

　Finally, I turned my face away slightly and looked at my father behind me and muttered softly.

　A moment later, Ragne's magic swelled and my bangs swayed forward.
　Her magic power, which had been quiet all along, emitted an earth-shaking sound and changed its color.
　It turns the same black color as this morning and is accompanied by a strong gravitational force.
　It's as if there's another hole in the rooftop, and it begins to suck in all the blood that spreads across the floor.

　In the midst of that black magic, her twin eyes glowed and a thin voice sounded.

''-- Still, I can't believe that you would believe that ....... If I could believe, my brother and I wouldn't be ...... in this situation. Even if I wanted to ...... believe it, I didn't have the material to do so. Instead, the truth is all the opposite. Everything is just the opposite of what we wanted ....... So, we have to pretend to keep believing it, and we can no longer ......--

　Even now, the Nosfi Flag is shining behind me.
　It's bright enough to dispel the darkness of night and turn the entire rooftop into day.

　However, all of that light is played by Ragne's black magic power.
　She herself laments the darkness, refusing to let the light shine and covering her body. Naturally, it becomes impossible to read any of her expressions.

　As if to say it's useless now, the need for 'discussion' disappears.
　And then cold words escape from Ragne's mouth. At last--


Mr. Nosfi, I hate you.


　Like Fafner downstairs, his voice was somewhat laced with madness.
　It was thick with a rejection that made the person facing him realize the end.

　Unlike Fafner, the rift in the breakdown was deep because Lagune had made an effort to step up just before the accident.

　Undoubtedly, Lagune was doing his best.
　Thanks to that "blood puppet" intervening, the "discussion" began very calmly, they were able to "honestly" confront each other, and both sides walked the path of reconciliation. However, it was still impossible.

　Lagune's attack stung to prove it.
　Before I knew it, the tip of the blade sprouted from the pigeon tail of my torso.

''--!

　I make it visible with a moan.
　Seeing the transparent blade that is visible due to being smeared with blood, I recall the Ragne's ability that Ryner had told me about. No matter what kind of magic it is, it's a substitute that Ryner had assured me that there is no way to recognize - let alone see - that transparent sword.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. ''The One Who Steals the Reason of Light'' steals the light of Nosfi Fuzzyaz, continues to shine in 'Eternity', and continues to challenge this world.

　As I staggered toward me, Lagune clerically identified himself and made a declaration of hostility.
　Not a single emotion is riding on it. His voice is inorganic and low, as if the actor is playing the role of 'the one who steals the reason for the stars' - and he's not.

In the end, there is no point in 'talking'. There is only one person who can survive. They kill each other, they compare each other, the weight of their lives shakes the scales, and they decide one or the other. That's how the world is made. One side loses everything and the other side just has to take it all on. What you carry on your back, you just move on to the next. It never stops moving forward to the next and the next and the next. That is what it means to be a 'person'.

　From the tone of his voice, I can tell that Ragne has abandoned my request for cooperation and has switched to obtaining the 'magic stone' by killing.
　I can tell from the dark sphere in front of me that the lukewarm means of nostalgia is over.

''So, are you good ......?　You yourself don't think it's good, do you?
Lagne Kaikwola decided to be 'the best'. When I was very young, I made a promise to my mom that day, in that place, when I was very young. I love my mom and she loves me - so I can't break that promise. Yes, I came here because I love and love and love my mom. I've killed a lot of people just because I thought I could be the first to see my mom. It doesn't matter anymore whether it's good or bad, right or wrong. Neither does it matter what it means or why it exists. Even the value of it doesn't matter anymore. Even if I have no meaning for being born, no reason for living, and no value for dying, my dream of becoming the best - my 'dream' - is what I am (・・・・・・).

　You are not willing to have a conversation with me overtly.
　I don't even want to maintain a decent logic.
　I am Lagne Kaikwola. So, I'm going to be the 'best'.
　That's all. That's the only thing that has been established as her reason.

'Lagne ......!!!!'
"So die for the 'dream' that is me. "The one who steals the truth of light.

　The 'dream' called Lagne.
　The 'discussion' is over - but now that it's over, I finally see the essence of Lagne Kaikwola, the one who steals the logic of the stars, the essence of Lagne Kaikwola.

　However, that essence has turned into magic and is now turning on me.
　Lagne's black magic spreads across the roof of the castle, carefully enveloping my Nosfi Flag of Light and making the last light source on the roof disappear. Moreover, it even covers the sky, making even the shape of the flowing clouds impossible to catch.

　Ragne created a darkness that rejected the light and made her greatest weapon, the blade of magic power, float there.
　There were about ten of them.
　In a world where nothing was supposed to be visible, only the outline of the blades floated clearly.
　Soon, they began to turn.

　The blade swims in a sea of darkness around a mass of gravitational force called Ragne.
　It's the same one I saw this morning when Ragne killed your father. In other words, he identified me as a grudge enemy as much as your father and activated his trump card.

''d*mn--!

　When I manage to check Ragne's expression in front of me, I take advantage of the gap and come at him from the blade right beside me.
　My body reflexively moves to avoid the attack. The blade is hard to see, but with my kinetic vision, it's not something I can't avoid.

　I turn my head away and avoid it even while being slashed by a single skin.

''--!

　But as soon as I dodged it, my vision shifted.
　A strong impact rushed to my side and my body was leaning heavily.
　Recognizing the pain and heat that followed, I realize that I couldn't avoid the blade.

　I visualize the bloody blade piercing across my abdomen. The one I thought I had dodged was a decoy, and it seems that this one was the real deal. There are probably more blades circling the rooftop right now than I can detect.

　It's a very difficult task to avoid all of them, even if you are in perfect physical condition.
　It is impossible for the current me to do so.

　Having decided that, I--without taking evasion or defense, I choose to move forward.

"Ragne, please ......--

　I call out my name and just move forward.
　Naturally, my forward progress, which is too unprotected, comes at a great cost.
　First of all, the lower half of my body, which has turned into a snake, was pierced by two blades, one sensible and the other not, both of which were stabbed.

''Kuu--!

　Still, I move forward.
　Then, next, additional swords stab into my abdomen.
　There are more than ten of them.

'----!

　I won't let my voice trail off anymore.
　Still, I don't stop.
　Even though the spinal cord in my neck is severed, I only focus on maintaining my position.
　I use my hands not for defense, but only to pull out the stabbing blade.
　Magic power is not used to attack, but only to recover itself.
　It never fights, it only moves forward.

　Just straight ahead.
　Forward. Believe that you will reach it someday--

'I won't die. ......!　No, why don't you fight me ......!　You're here to get it back, aren't you?

　In the middle of it all, Ragne's attacker stopped and questioned me about my non-resistance.
　I hastily try to reply, not wanting to miss just a chance to 'discuss'.

''That's it--that's it--that's it, ghohoho!

　But blood spills from my mouth and I can't speak well. I have no choice but to stop and prioritize repair to my lungs and throat, making my newly healed vocal cords tremble.

'There's no point in fighting ...... lagne. Even before we fought, I have admitted that I lost. You have beaten your father, and I have no intention of beating you. Let the Stealer of the Principle of Light admit it. Without a doubt, he who steals the logic of the stars is stronger than anyone else. You are the 'best' in the world.

　Acknowledging defeat and celebrating the enemy, I congratulate Ragne's 'dream' - her very own.

'My victory ......?　No. I haven't even killed you yet. I haven't taken anything of value away from you: ......!　It's not over at this level: ......!

　But Ragne refused to do so.

　His vision wasn't functioning anymore, but he could see her shaking her head hard in the distance.
　It's still dark in Ragne's world, and there's probably nowhere near enough light to be worthy of the 'best'. So he still insists on being different.

　In the face of that stubborn assumption, I make up my mind.

'No.' Since a while ago, Ragne has killed me many times. Please take a good look at this hole in me.
'Such sophistry!　You haven't killed me yet!　He who steals the truth of light is not dead!　So, I'm still--!
'Lagne, the sophistry is on you. Why don't you say "yet" and admit that you are the 'best'?　You say you want to be the 'best' so badly, but it's your heart that's keeping you from it.

　Now that I was beginning to see the true nature of Ragne, I clearly rejected her claims.

　I've always thought that Lagune's word 'best' has no substance.
　If you are going to use an abstract word like 'first', you must first decide what (...) the 'first' is. If Lagune had decided on the number one of knights or the number one of hooziers, the battle would have ended long ago. Even if she had decided that her goal was to be the 'best' of the world, she would have reached even that.

　-- so there is no point in this fight.

　Lagne could end it all at any time, just by setting one standard. If Ragne admits that all of the 'best' that she aimed for were places that weren't bright or anything in particular, then that's all she needs to do -- and that's all she needs to do.

Now you call yourself 'the dream itself. Then when that dream comes true, you will be...
"--Hey!　Die!　Die, die, die, die, die, die, die!　[Hoshi no ri] Iiiiiiiiiii!

　An act that is already confirmed but does not end the confirmation.
　When she tried to point out the discrepancy, she rejected it with a scream and a swelling of magical power.

　The poison of magical power was applied to the circling blade, so much so that it was visible even in the darkness where nothing could be seen.

　Even in the darkness, he felt the distortion of the world strongly.
　From that forbidden wave, I was convinced that it was the 'stolen truth' of the example 'The One Who Stole the Star's Truth', using the same kind of power.

　I've heard about the effects beforehand from the friends who received that example power.
　Maria said that her magic power was drowned out and her consciousness was blown away.
　Snow said that her magic power was cancelled out and that she was cured of dragonization.
　Ryner, who fought Ragne for a long time, said that it was 'the power to turn the nature of things inside out'.

　And now the timing of the use of it.
　Ragne was congratulated by me, conceded victory, and when he was almost cornered by 'the best', he resorted to the power.

　I know this because it's the same 'one who steals the truth'.
　Ragne's [Star's Reason] is the power to 'reverse' what she doesn't want to admit.
　When I sincerely wished from the bottom of my heart that I wanted to 'replace' her, my [Reason of Light] blossomed completely. In the same way, there must have been a moment when she also wished from the bottom of her heart to turn it upside down.

　I understand how the 【Riology of the Stars】 works. So, in order to protect Ragne (・・・・・・・・・), I try to avoid all of its blades.

　But I can't avoid them. I receive the applied blade of 【Riology of the Stars】 on my body.
　As a result, everything inside me will be 'reversed'

"Ugh, ugh!　Geez, aaaaahhhh!

　In the distance, Ragne's moaning sounded.
　It was followed by the sound of water splashing - the sound of Ragne must have vomited.

　I stopped in my tracks and realized what it meant.
　Now, the battle between me and Ragne had begun.