The target of the 《Level Up》 is not only the girl who prayed, but the entire space.
　The air in the central sanatorium changes completely.

　The light was colorless. The 'Demon Poison' in the converted air had not yet been dyed by any power, and there was no such thing as color. It danced and spread with a sparkling glow as it searched for a vessel (human) to become its power.

　From patients who were particularly dense with the 'demon poison' inside their bodies, a lot of colorless powder of light was scattered. The evil poison that had only served as a harm was now shining brightly as a living force.
　Together with the 'Flame God's Light' installed, the room was truly a sky of stardust.

　While I was impressed by this brilliant "spellcraft", the patients around me started to groan and make a lot of noise.

'Hi--, is this ......?'
'What ......!　The light, the warmth: ......!
'Overflowing from the body ....... What is this ......?

　Everyone was surprised by the sudden radiance of the light - but they all intuitively understood that the light was warm and gentle.

　The disease of the "Demon Poison" disappeared, and the sense of overflowing human life force loosened the vigilance of the body's instincts.
　In the midst of this cataclysmic change, the girl who was dying in front of her master's eyes looked at her own body and spilled a few words.

''Eh?''

　He was confused by his own body's ability to move.
　He was confused about the unrealistic recovery.
　But because of his intuitive understanding, tears spilled out of his eyes.

'What?　What?

　The girl cries large tears in the light, uncomprehendingly, and searches for the person who caused it.
　Nearby, she sees a man who is praying and spinning "magic" beyond the limit.

　There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the "one who steals the reason for the dimension" clothed in that extraordinary power was the source of the light in this room. The girl's parents, the nearby patients and doctors, all paid attention to Master.

　Only, Master remained stern and did not look at anyone's face, concentrating only on his 'spellcasting' technique.

'Still ......!　Not yet: ......!

　It wasn't enough, he spat out resentfully.
　As I said before, Master wouldn't mind if I didn't save all of the "range of what I can do". He even used the 《Dimension》 as an example to assault all of them with the light of the 《Level Up》 without leaving a single person out.

　The master's heart was well conveyed.
　I guess I'm not at my limit yet, so I can't stop.
　I guess I will never allow myself to compromise before the limit.
　You can't allow yourself to be compromised before the limit.

　That figure, combined with the fantastic light, was a bit crazy.
　I decided that I needed to explain to the people who were rolling their eyes and looking at Master, and I would speak to the entire room as a supplement. If I don't, there's a chance that my master will be misunderstood.

''Ladies and gentlemen!　This is ...... 'Light'. If you say that Fania believes in the power of fire, then we at Who's Yards believe in the power of light. We are only purifying your "demonic poison" with that light. Please rest assured: ......!

　My voice passed through the throbbing, and everyone in the room looked at me, followed by the glowing master, who was convinced.
　There was a miracle there, as much as my words were worthy of. From my point of view, it's just a 'demonic poison' conversion process in accordance with the world's dealings, but the people here have no knowledge of it.
　They decide that there is enough groundwork to mistake it for God's work and dare to exaggerate the light and promote it.

'Listen to me. This light is the light of impassibility. The Master is the benefactor who freed my hometown Hoosiers from the darkness and pointed us to a new path. His brilliance will dispel the 'demonic poison' on behalf of the heavens here in Fania and save you and your paralyzed people. ......

　You know, like that word--
　It's not dangerous!
　It's not dangerous, it's just good intentions.
　So please don't get angry and don't panic.
　--I tell them.

　It's worth it, people are confused, but gradually begin to accept the miracle.
　Those who have actually gained vitality after the suffering of the 'demonic poison' disappears are especially quick to accept it.

'This is the light ......?　'The Power of Light' ......?
The 'demonic poison' is washing away: ....... I can see that for sure. Even I can see it in this me ......!
'Ahh, ......!　So it's light in Hoosier country!　The light is going to save us: ......!　Thanks ......!　Thank you, God, ......!

　The words of gratitude began to fall in drops, and one of them cried out in the glare of the light in the air and began to pray to his master.
　Following this, many of the patients began to pray along with their recovery.

'Hey, I'm cured ......!　You're cured, I'm ......!　
'Me too: ......!　Stand up ......!　I'm able to stand ......, oh thank you ......!
'Oh, ahh, ahh, ahh--!

　Patients who had embraced death in despair rise up and rejoice at finding hope for life.
　Deep down, they admit that they wanted to live, and they turn to the master who gave them that life, and they worship him.

　I laugh at the sight of it.
　The religion known as Altofelism is slowly breaking down.
　That faith is taken away from me by the Master who is still not happy to be there.

'Yo, okay ....... One room first. Hah, hah, hah, next door--!

　After confirming that the entire room was filled with 《Level Up》, I immediately stared at the other side of the wall and built up more 《Spellcraft》.
　The colorless light increases in volume. The guide boy, who sees the light in the immediate vicinity, hurriedly opens the scripture he's holding and mutters as he reads a particular page.

''Could it be that this is ....... Is this the one, Ma, 'The Great Savior (Magna Messiah)' ......?　Now in front of me ......!

　For some reason, he was given a bizarrely grandiose name.
　He is a master who has taken away a certain faith and is about to sidestep it to its origins.

　Only, it seemed that the limit of his strength had finally come, and the master's body began to waver.

　He had a pale face.
　His breathing was disturbed and he was sweating profusely.
　His body is giving off many danger signals.
　Finally, Master thrusts his hands into the ground and breaks the 'spell'.

''Guh, aaah--!

　With a grunt, the light in the room dissipated as it burst with a pang.
　The scene, as if countless small meteors were falling, widens for a few seconds. At the end of it, the inside of the central sanatorium was restored to normal. It's a room warmed by the high ceiling and 'heart'.

　However, even if the room returned, only the people would not be restored to normal.
　The symptoms and the heart have been turned around with just one 'spell'.

　Immediately, I calmly check the results of my master's 'spellcraft'.
　Quite a few patients were recovering, but not all of them.
　The widespread deployment of the 《Level Up》 must still be rough and unsteady. However, the fact that he was able to "level up" this number of people at the same time was a tremendous feat. If they can grow so much in just a few days of travel, how much power will they gain in a year's time .......

　I approach my current master with high hopes for the pages of the future.

'Master, are you okay?'

　Master in this state had seen it several times during his training at Fuzzy Yards.
　It's the depletion of physical strength and the 'demonic poison' in his body due to the use of the 'spell' technique. I watched with familiarity, but the former patients around me were different.

　When they saw their master's condition, they panicked - but they didn't seem to know what to do, so they first asked me next to them.

''Fuzzyards' apprentice, is he okay ......!　No, first of all, the person's name is ......
'Oh, ......!　Doctor, you need to see that person instead of me!　You saved us--
Please send your name to ......!

　Hmmm.
　When asked, I struggle with how much information to release.
　After a good calculation of profit and loss and hobbies, I provide a minimum amount of information to my former patients.

'My master's name is 'Kanami'. He is the 'Banner of Light' who descended on the Hooziyaz nation and is the savior of this dark world.

　Hearing my statement, the wobbly master stands up and squeezes out his voice.

''Ti, Tiara--!

　Could it be that he was going to walk away after having gone this far and say, "I'm not good enough to call myself that"? I'm afraid it's possible, if he's a master.
　However, a swarm of grateful voices quickly assaulted the Master, proving that this was impossible.

'Kanami ......!　Dear Kanami: ......!　It's Lady Kanami: ......!
'Oh, finally: ......!　Finally, a light in this dark world: ......!
'Thank you, Kanami-sama!

　Surrounded by a large number of former patients, the master is unable to move and quickly humbles himself with a smile.

'Ha, yes ....... But it looks like it's not even all of them. I was actually going to convert more ....... Haha.
'Dear Kanami!　All the people housed here were severely injured who were deemed not to be able to survive!　And Lord Kanami has cured it!　Definitely a miracle!
Ha, ha, ha.

　Master's face contorts languidly in front of the praise that seems to interrupt him.
　At first glance, his smile deepened and he appeared to be embarrassed, but I could tell he wasn't.
　The many "thank yous" pushed Master into a corner again.

　I read my master's thoughts.
　Compared to my counterpart against Sister Yangtaki, it was many times warmer.

　Right now, Master probably doesn't take credit for the results of the 《Level Up》.
　The reason for this is because he doesn't feel that the power of the 'spellcasting' that he suddenly obtained is still his own.
　What's more, he also feels guilty that it was his obsession that caused him to take action and not his own decision. In the first place, the master is likely to be unconvinced that even he is himself. That's why there is resistance to the idea that this appreciation and praise is due to him.

　Seeing such an inadequate master, I--.

"Hmm...

　I laughed, thinking it was teasing.
　Because this would mean that my master would never enjoy anything he did.
　Even if he tries desperately, his heart will never be satisfied.
　There is no excitement beyond the hard work. There is nothing to reward. Naturally, you won't get anywhere.

　-- then what in the world is the master (・・・・・) living (・・・・・・・) for (・・・・・・・)?

　Such words come to mind and reaffirm.
　Oh, I still love my mentor. One more thing I love about him, and I can't get my loose mouth back.

　And while I'm in love with him, the situation around me progresses.

　Former patients crowd around me and my mentor, and they speak of their appreciation for the miracle. Outside of the crowd, the doctors and guards of the 'First Demonic Research Institute' were showing disturbing expressions and movements. If I look closely, the boy who was guiding us was nearby, but I couldn't see the chamberlain.

　Immediately I was about to move out - I was stopped by the voice of the master next to me.

''Huh?　Yo, superfluous ......?　Why ....... --!

　Looking at the air in the distance, I was shocked to see that I was alone.
　Apparently, thanks to the fact that he hadn't yet deactivated the 《Dimension》 that he used in conjunction with it earlier, he could hear the doctors and guards talking.

''Master, tell me as well.''

　As an escort, I demand it a bit more strongly. Perhaps sensing the seriousness in his tone of voice, the master shares the information he's quickly gained with me.

''Those people want me to be captured at all costs. And, if they can't capture me, they're willing to kill me. ......
...... I see. Hmmm, well, is it any wonder that it happens?

　It's one of the reactions I was expecting.
　I pushed the former patients around me away as I pictured my escape route in my mind.
　In the meantime, my mentor's smile had completely crumbled.

'I just want to help ....... So ......--

　He looks frustrated.
　Master, who was trembling with a ware, looked like he was about to fall down.
　Before that happened, I brushed off Master's legs and forcefully held him in my arms. I hold his back with my right arm and put my left arm through both knees. It's going to be awkward for Master, but I want him to be patient for a little while.

'Huh?　Tiara, what--!
I'm leaving, Master. No more proper inspection. Let the escapade begin!

　I chose to force a retreat, based on my decision as an escort.
　I ran out the way I had just pushed away and headed straight for the window of the room. Just then, I heard the voice of the boy guiding me from behind me.

'Ah!　Well, wait, 'The Great Savior (Magna Messiah)'--!

　The ex-patients followed the boy and said, "Hold on! And raised his voice to stop us. Of course, the guards waiting around the crowd were many times louder than that, demanding that we stop.

'Wait!
Don't let him get away!

　Ignoring all of that, I run through.

　My strength and stamina have increased to an extraordinary degree with the 《Level Up》. Even if I had a master, there wasn't a single one of them that was suitable for my speed.
　I walked past the guards and leapt out of the window.

　I landed on a tightly cobbled street and quickly made my way to a back alley.
　You need to get between buildings and move as far away from them as possible.
　If it was a city other than Fania, the escape would be a success at this point. However, here, the lights of the 'Flame God's Stone' were set up in large numbers even in the back alleys, and the idea of hiding in the darkness was unacceptable.

　I was constantly running around, taking care not to leave any trace of my escape.
　But wherever we headed, soldiers, who seemed to be our pursuers, were waiting and looking for us.

'This way!　Go around!　We're running out of time!
Yes, sir!

　I watch it from the shadows and groan with wonder.

'Hmmm ......?'

　The siege was developing too quickly. There are a number of soldiers who can only be assumed to have been waiting for us before we escaped.
　I wondered if they had been mobilized to capture us from the beginning. What's more, I feel as if our general position is always being discovered by the other side.

　I pondered, trying to read the other camp's intentions. But before I can do that, the master in my arms shouts out and puts his feet on the ground.

''Tiara, it's okay now ....... I can walk on my own.''
Liukai. ...... Oh, is there anything I can do to hide my face?

　He pauses in his contemplation to check that his master has started moving.

　Looking around, I find just the right stall just out of the shadows I'm in. It's a mask shop that has sensed something unusual in the city and is hurriedly setting up shop.
　I approached from the back, plucked out two items without question, and threw a silver coin.

Hey, are you packing up?　I'll take this, please. Keep the change.

　The young woman who owned the stall took the money, to her surprise.
　After confirming this, my mentor and I moved away from the stall and took refuge in the back alley again.

　Black and white. Two humble masks were obtained.
　Master holds the black mask and asks me, "What?

'Ka, the masks ......?　On the other hand, isn't it noticeable?
It's better than being seen. I don't know if it's because of the festival, but I've seen a few people in town wearing masks.
'Hmm. If you're going to do it anyway, you need to do something 'spellcraft' ....... No, change the decorations on the masks to begin with--
Later!　It's definitely going to be long, so I'll get to it later!

　The elaborate master was about to perform some kind of 'spellcraft' on the mask.
　It seems to be a cautious master, but now is not the time to fluently add small tricks.
　When he insisted on it, the brightness of his vision suddenly reversed.

''--!　Ku, it's darkened: ......?

　Suddenly, all the flames of the city's 'Flame God's Stone' disappeared, and the lights that had illuminated even the alleyways disappeared.
　The meaning of this was mentioned by Master.

''Is this what 'The Night That Was' is all about?'''
Yeah, that. To be honest, it's a big help to me from now on as a hider.

　He plays with the mask in his hand and is pleased that the situation has turned out in his favor.
　But he also thinks it's odd.
　With fugitives mixed in with the city, it's not reasonable to turn out the lights. Perhaps this night, this thing called night, is unstoppable.

'Tiara. Look over there.

　As I was guessing, my master pointed out the street from the shadows.
　There were a few soldiers walking there. However, unlike earlier, they had no idea where we were, and they were looking left and right with no idea where we were. And after a short time, the guards began to move towards the 'First Demonic Research Institute'.

''Hmm, retreating ......?　Maybe there was a trick to this?

　I speak my mind.
　The Master seems to agree with that, and with a sigh of relief, he walks off to withdraw to the back of the alleyway.

　Now that I'm less worried about my pursuers, we have more time to talk.

''It looks like. This 'Fire God's Stone' doesn't just create fire, it seems to play a variety of roles.
Oh, I see. So, I guess I'll just have to run away to avoid the fire next time.
''No, there are so many 'Fire God's Stones' like this. As long as you're in the city, I think it's best to assume that as long as you're in the city, they'll know where you are.
So, do you want to go around breaking the 'Fire God's Stone' in the dark?
Then it's a complete crime. Let's not give the people of this town any trouble.
No, I'm sure they'll make up some random charge and catch him anyway.

　My mentor and I walked side by side through the back alleys.
　I was used to moving in the dark during the journey so far. The number of pursuers we had fought off had risen to double digits, and we were becoming more confident in moving through the back alleys.
　However, even so--.

'Tiara, still no crime. I've learned that I'm free to move about at night. From now on, we'll stay put until daylight and gather information at night--


'That's right (・・・・). On a night without a fire, she can't see. But there is one caveat.


　It wasn't until that voice interrupted the conversation that we realized the approach of that third party.

''--?''
Who?

　My master and I quickly put our backs together and prepared for the unknown assailant.
　We then moved our vision up and down and left and right to explore the location.
　We stare at the wooden boxes and jars on the cobblestones and the gaps between them. He checks the stone walls, the wooden door, and even the roof top, but he can't find the owner of the voice.

''-- From the night (here), it's time for me to go.

　The guy appeared out of the empty darkness as if he were emerging from the water.
　A man wearing a large, charred robe, holding two daggers in each hand, and wearing a pitch-black Noh mask head - no, a monster.
　The face was similar to the mask we now have, but it was decidedly different. It has no hair, eyes, ears, or nose, just a hollow space that resembles a mouth.
　A muffled man's voice rang out from a part of the body that does not resemble a mouth.

''Hey. Was that you guys earlier?

　I knew immediately what that was referring to.
　It must be the spell 《Level Up》 that my master deployed over a wide area.
　I can tell that the monster in front of me has enough power to sense it.

　After all, this guy was distorting the air around his body, just like his master.
　It has the 'Demon Poison' on its side, transforming and gaining power.
　If you want to name it, it's 'Power of Darkness'.

　So, the master speaks out.

''Ya, 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Darkness' ......?

　And then, with intent, you take a step forward.
　You think that talking to this man is what you are supposed to do.

'Tiara, let me take care of things here,'
The thing that soothes the secrets of the darkness ......?　What, what do you mean by that?
'Ah, 'the one who steals reason' is 'a vessel that can adapt to the demonic poison'. So you are 'the dark--'
Yeah. You must be the one.

　The conversation did not last.
　Master's resolve was empty, and halfway through, the man pounced on him, his dagger gleaming.

　I was ready for the surprise attack, and I immediately kicked my master to the side.
　Through my foolishness, the master escaped the dagger's threat by plunging into a crate in a back alleyway. He's a man who's moderately used to surprise attacks. If I hadn't learned 'body arts' from Sister Yotaki, Master would have been seriously injured.

　The man is disappointed that he failed to kill the enemy and moves his head to look for any other ambush soldiers besides me.

''Tch, you're fast. ...... But are the guys from The Apostle really gone?

　I silently watch the enemy's movements.
　From my reaction, the man is convinced that there are two of us and holds up two daggers.

'If you're not there, you're good to go ......, but I'm not going to let anyone associated with The Apostle get away with it.
...... Hey. We're just here to talk, okay?　Seriously.
A story. Yeah, that's important. As a person, it's very, very important to talk. But do you think I could do it against a fellow 'Apostle' who dropped me from that person to a monster?　I'm in this situation now because of that totally un-listening 'Apostle'. I mean, your smell is repulsive. You know what I mean?　Now I am very, very uncomfortable. So much so that I can't have any patience with a bunch of scum like you: ......!

　The more he speaks, the wilder the man's tone becomes and the more his anger is revealed.

　From the look of it, you can somehow understand the scene of the encounter between him and the 'Apostle' sama. I'm sure that he was forcibly turned into the 'one who steals reason' before he could speak.
　That resentment won't allow us to even talk.

　As soon as the man finished, he jumped at me.
　He was relentless, no matter how young I looked.

　In the face of a frontal lunge, I give up the conversation and focus only on winning.

　The man was holding a dagger in both hands with his opposite hand, trying to swing it out from both sides.
　I back up slightly and dodge the tip of his sword with the tip of my nose.

　I'm not that fast.
　Compared to the Yangtaki sister, mediocre is also mediocre.
　The man's expression changes when he successfully defeated the right leg kick that followed.
　The air around him distorts and the darkness in the alleyway becomes unnaturally thick. Perhaps it's the conversion ability of the 'Demon Poison' that he was given by the 'Apostle'. In other words, it's the 'power of darkness'.

　The man's body was assimilated into the darkness.
　And in that state of mind, they attacked again.

　In the face of that strange power, I was calm.
　It's an interesting ability, but the man handling it isn't strong enough. Even though it's hard to see, I can hear the wind noise with the large swing of his arms. The sound of footsteps is not muffled, and there is no ingenuity whatsoever in that dagger that looks like a technique.

　I thought it was an idea and a move common to those who can muffle their bodies.
　It wasn't that difficult to read that poor tactic.
　Most importantly, the movements seemed somewhat awkward.

　I dodged as before, dodging and neutralizing, successfully finding an opening and slamming a palm strike into the man's abdomen - but I was surprised to feel it return to my hand.

"Gee--

　It wasn't human flesh.
　The feel of my hand in the mud-like substance made me realize my failure.

　Normally, my inhuman belly strike would have frightened the other man no small amount, but it doesn't. The man swings his dagger at me while being struck in the abdomen.

　I had no choice but to twist myself and shift my aim from his neck to his shoulder.

''--!

　A cold chunk of iron slipped into my flesh. The wound, which rips through skin and blood vessels and reaches the bone, causes me intense pain. A child would have fainted, and even a grown man would have cried out from the depth of the wound.

　But I resist it with the skills I acquired as a child.

　The pain is intense, but I picture a sentence in my head and write it down tightly.
　It is "Tiara Fouzouyaz took the blade of the dark-clad assassin on her shoulder. But she had been accustomed to pain due to a painful and agonizing illness since she was a child, and she was able to endure the intense pain.
　Especially important is the last sentence.
　As a book lover, I believe it, assume it, and let it apply to reality.

　Having survived the intense pain (・・・・・・・・), I fight back.

'Ugh!'
What?

　He kicks up his left leg and aims for the man's right wrist.
　The man, who, like me, believed that a blow from this dagger would surely frighten him, takes a decent bite out of it.

　The impact causes the man to let go of the dagger and drop it.
　The man, startled, backs up for a moment and waves his hand, which becomes an empty fist, and sends something flying at me.
　Immediately I fly right to the side, but what looks like a drop of water sticks to my cheek.

　--Mud?

　As soon as I wiped it off with the sleeve of my clothes, thump, the wound on my shoulder heated up.
　I could tell that it wasn't the pain that was growing - it was the pain that was growing.
　It's my mind that's changing. It's hard to put into words, but my experience, or rather my tolerance for pain, is gone, and the pain seems to be increasing.

'-Nah!　Ouch!

　But for now I add three more words in my head, "endured severe pain," "endured severe pain," and "endured severe pain," and maintain my battle stance.
　The man sees this and clicks his tongue.

'How can it be painful, you monster ......!
Tiaraaaa--!

　That's when the blown-up master finally joins him.
　He jumped from behind, but his surprise attack was ruined because he shouted right before.

　He was easily dodged by the man, and in the process, he was made to adhere to the mud-like substance of the example.

Shh...
......?

　The master wiped the mud off his face and retreated, as did I.

　But the man watching him was the most upset he'd seen all day.
　He stops the chase and mutters.

'This guy is ......, my darkness doesn't get through ......?'

　Apparently, unlike me, my master has neutralized the mud attack from earlier.
　As I thought it was somewhat unfair, the man tucked his dagger into his cloak and gradually lost the will to fight.

'I mean, our kind ....... You, little you, are protecting our kind ....... My God, .......

　With a loud sigh, the man chooses to speak.
　That's what I had hoped for, and my master and I wait for the man's next words with caution.

'Huh. ....... Let's stop now. There's no point in doing it. I'm ...... and I'm sorry. He's been betrayed so much lately that he's been skeptical. My deepest apologies.

　He bowed his head and asked for a truce.
　We nodded back at that, and the man began to introduce himself.

'My name is Tida. I'm a vessel that can adapt to demonic poisoning and can control darkness and shadow. By the way, I'm called 'Black Hanged Man' here.

　The master hurriedly replied to that.

''Oh, um, I'm Vortex Wave. Likewise, it's a 'vessel that can adapt to demonic poison' and can be converted into 'dimensional power'. I was called by the 'Apostles' from another world and I'm moving around in various ways.
Don't call me "sir". I get it. You and I are definitely on the same side. I'll admit it.

　Tida held out her hand defenselessly.
　She must have been looking for a handshake. But knowing the power of the mud from earlier, I approached my mentor to stop the handshake - and conversely, my mentor stopped me, telling me it was okay.

　Master grabbed Tida's hand back, looked at each other, and laughed as if to mock himself.

'Right. I get it now. Meaning you'll know when you see me.
'If you meet him, you'll know: ....... Yeah, I do. I've figured it out too, a lot of things .......

　Tida seemed to share her feelings with her mentor, and she smiled the exact same smile.
　However, I had a sense of frustration and alienation in my heart, saying that I was not enough for the fight that ended so easily.