After all, Fania's lord insertion was completed in thirty days.

　After defeating Romis and releasing The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire, I used my skills to read the future as best I could and made a plan.
　And the events happened according to that plan, all the measures I prepared were successful, and there were no unforeseen accidents at all - very easily, the Director became a lord.

　Of course, not all of that would be my power.
　Having regained his power, 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' went around the giant statues of the Fire God in each of the research institutes and made speeches while he slept.
　Determined, the former Director of the Institute gathered up his courage and used his power as the next head of the Neisha family.
　These were supported to the fullest extent by those whom Tida had been rooting around for the past three years.
　The nobles and prominent people of Fania, including the Langs family, also exploded their accumulated resentment towards Romis, as if to say they had been waiting for this moment.

　Most of it was probably due to the "curse", but Romis had accumulated a lot of debt. All that was left was for 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' to break down the followers of the Altofel religion, and the inducement of the will of the people was easily successful.

　Even so, it would be to my credit that I was able to replace the lord without any mistakes and without a day's deviation, exactly on schedule, in thirty days. Perhaps I have a talent for governing, minus the fact that I was an emissary from Huzzyaz and a member of the royal family.

　On the morning of the thirty-first day, I grimace as I raise myself from the bed in Fania I's guest room, staring at my own hands.

'Heh heh,'

　With no master next to me, it became a very distracted and strange laugh.
　As it was, I clenched my fists and turned this success story into confidence.

'Heehee, did you see that ......!　If they're not a bunch of freaks, I'm awesome: ......!

　I've been feeling a bit self-doubt lately, dealing with sister Yotaki, Master, Tida, and all the other weirdos who are completely unpredictable, so I'll try to inspire myself.
　Tiara Foozeyers is a woman who is inherently capable of doing this much if she is dealing with ordinary people. She is a demon Foozeyards royal family, and she has not survived to this day.

　By the way, I can't show this kind of arrogance to the people around me, so I'm alone in my room now.
　By repeating "Hurray, I'm awesome" about ten times by myself, I'm able to dissipate the excitement that has built up. And finally, with a cold head, I read the 'anomaly' of this success.

"...... Huh. ...... I knew it was a bit weird. So many people, not a single unplanned thing has happened, and everything is in the palm of my hand.

　The first candidate for the 'abnormality' is the white 'thread' at the end of the hand I just stared at.
　However, even after examining this one for thirty days, I couldn't feel any effect or power from it. It's just connected to somewhere, but it's not harmful at all. And none of the 'thread' was visible to any of them, including the masters, 'The One Who Steals the Reason'.

''Hmm, I'll hold off until we get to the Hoosiers. This 'thread', there's nothing wrong with it. If it's not the 'thread' that's causing it, then the next--

　The second candidate is a skill I was born with.
　When I was planning my thirty-day plan, I was constantly invoking the "power to read the world like a book" as an example.

　But if that is the reason, the power of the skill is too advanced.
　I'm sure that once I named the skill "reading" in my mind, some kind of "compensation" occurred. Or maybe he went through a special 'leveling up' because he is living in a thick 'demonic poison'. Or maybe it was simply my rapid growth in the battle with Romis. Other than that--

'I knew it was this one: ....... But I wonder why.

　We have yet to identify the cause of evolution.
　However, I was certain that I was grateful. The reason why this power is growing is because it will be very helpful in dealing with Yotaki sister from now on.

...... Anyway, let's get up. It's the day I'm going home.

　I put the unanswered questions on the back burner and turn my thoughts to the hoozeyers.
　The plan is that on this thirty-first day, my mentor and I are to leave Fania.

　Not wasting a second, I hurriedly pack up and walk out of this luxurious room.

　What I see is a corridor that looks a little familiar to me.
　A black line was drawn on the border between the walls and the floor.

　I walk majestically down the corridor of the "First Institute of Magical Disorders" to the "First Office of the Fania Territory of the Fuzzyards".

　After the battle, the many research institutes that existed in Fania were merged into one, and the only one that existed was the Seventh Research Institute of Magic. Incidentally, the other research institutes were remodeled into 'General Hospital', 'Blacksmith Guild', 'Adventurer's Guild' and so on. My master had bullishly suggested unfamiliar names (probably a word from another world), so I feel that the number of buildings with unfamiliar names has increased a bit. If I have only one complaint in the last thirty days, it's that.

　Thus, as usual, as I fill my head with my master, I bump into a well-dressed attendant.
　He is the chamberlain who helped me when I entered this Fania and guided me through the city. He was a man in the service of the Neysha family, but after the interrogation of Tida (...) to make sure that he was safe, he was made to work as my valet for the last thirty days.

'Good morning, Lady Tiara.
Yeah. Morning.

　For what it's worth, this chamberlain may be the person I've become most familiar with in Fania.
　We have a master-servant relationship, yet we strike up a rather friendly conversation.

'Tiara-sama, the shades under your eyes are in trouble ....... Your makeup is ready today, but is it really necessary?
I knew it?　My eyelids are very heavy today, too, after a thirty-minute nap. But I don't need to wear makeup. I'm going to leave like this.

　To be honest, my body is not only heavy on my eyelids, but I'm not feeling well.
　I had experienced insomnia many times when I was sick, but this was a different kind of pain. This strange languor was a new experience for me.
　But without letting that weakness show, I continue to talk to him.

'As an emissary of the Hoosiers, it would be helpful if you would take care of your appearance ....... It would make a difference in the impression of the people.
'I suppose I should too. But my master doesn't seem to be good with people decorated with makeup. I won't do it.
''Hmph. You still put Kanami-sama before the people, as usual. Truly, you didn't lose sight of who you are until the very end, didn't you?
'It's important to be yourself!　For example, ......

　As he speaks, he turns his attention to a man who rushes up from the face of the hallway.
　He is one of Fania's most influential and prominent men. He is not as well dressed as Romis was before, but he wears the decorations of a nobleman and has a buxom figure.

　The man speaks to me with a deep bow.

''Tiara-sama, about the matter of the other day--''
'Not until yesterday!　I'm not working for you anymore!　I'm sure a replacement will be coming from Hoosiers soon, so please let him/her take care of the rest!

　But without letting him finish, I refused to let him finish, being me.
　The attendant next to me laughs at that, and the man in front of me snorts.

'Yes, at all? ......!　Kuch ....... Even though it was originally promised that way, it's a shame. If the two of you would stay in Fania forever, Fania would definitely be reborn ......!
'You can't flatter me. I mean, we can't stay here forever. To put it bluntly, this Fania is quite wealthy compared to the rest of the city!　So let the improvement of this city come from you yourselves!
...... Yes. We won't bother Lady Tiara anymore.

　The reason why I stayed here for thirty days this time was because of the promise Master made to 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire'. If it wasn't for the condition of "making Fania able to maintain a living area without the 'one that steals the reason'", I would have been able to impose everything on the former Director, run away, and be done with it in a few days.

　But what I tried so hard to do, I had no choice: .......
　Let's just say that this was part of the adventure .......

　So I'm leaving the prep work connected to my hobby before I leave here.

...... And besides, my mentor and I have a job to do, saving the world from now on.

　I blurted out at the end of the conversation.
　The man hears that big statement, and he asks me back, though his eyebrows furrow slightly.

'Se-Save the world, sir?'
Can't you believe it?
No, I believe that with all my heart. I believe with all my heart that you are capable of saving this world. And I'm sure Fania will do everything in her power to help you both, if the time comes.

　As I read it, the man shook his head and replied.

　But is it just a vessel to save the world: .......
　This is the kind of thing that makes me feel like a story!　I feel good, I feel good!

　I continue to speak solemnly, never letting my inner ebullience of "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say" show.

Thank you. I'm sure you'll be able to help me with a lot of things when the time comes to save this world. --That's a 'contract'.
The 'contract' ......?　Yes, the 'covenant'. Let us swear on the pride of our house. I'm sure our new lord will say the same thing about me.
Hmm....

　We make a verbal agreement. The man nods very casually, saying that he's not going to put his name on the contract - I chuckle, knowing that this is one of those 'witchcraft' things.

'Then I will leave you. Let's let the others know of Tiara-sama's intentions as well.

　And the man, who didn't know that he was now under a kind of 'curse', bowed and then moved away.
　I followed his back and saw that the other famous people were all around the bend in the corridor. My refusal to do my job was conveyed to all of them who had been waiting their turn, and they were dismissed with faint disappointment.

　None of them were busy in their steps.
　They must be trying not to miss out on the changes as the form of Fania is about to change drastically due to the replacement of lords.

　Just by looking at their vitality, my skill 'reading' reads that the future of Fania is not collapse, but prosperity.
　After all, there is no disease that stands in the way of prosperity, only Fania in this continent.

''NeNe. So, where's your master?

　I ask the attendant standing next to me where the person who got rid of the disease is.

'You must be Kanami-sama, right? I visited your room a few moments ago, but it was empty. But perhaps it is .......

　He really is a restless master.
　He must be in some kind of importance again somewhere.

　The chamberlain, who is probably thinking the same thing, directs his gaze to the corridor window, telling me that Master has been out of the 'First Office of the Fania Territory of the Fuzzy Yards Country' since early morning.

　Catching his gaze, I also turned to look out the window - but then a murmuring voice came from the back of the corridor.

'Oh?'　The doorway is very busy. It looks like you've just returned.
Ha. That master, he was a...

　I was urged by the chamberlain to walk quickly to the entrance, the former waiting room.

　On the way there, there was a large number of small rooms with no doors on the side, but none of the sick people who should have been there were gone. They hadn't been sent to the basement to be disposed of, but all of them had recovered from the 《Level Up》 and returned to life in the city.

　I walked through the corridor with a different scene from the first time I passed through, with my eyes burning in the last time.

　Then, in the doorway, which has been transformed into a large hall by the removal of the reception desk, I find the person I'm looking for. Or rather, the voices around me make me hear them without denial.

'Ah, Kanami-sama ......!　How divine: ......!
'The Lord of Light is back!　Everyone, get your prayer molds!
Abort the work!　For those unfamiliar with it, an Altofel service is fine!

　The master, wearing the mask and cloak given to him by Tida, was secretly moving around the corner of the great hall. However, everyone in the great hall had seen through the covert action and worshipped him down.

　That mask was supposed to have been given a 'physiognomy concealment technique' that tricked even the spirit by the 'dark power', but it seemed to be powerless in front of their religious beliefs because it had a strong effect on ...... the spirit.
　The master said, "I have to improve ...... again," he took off his mask and threw a greeting while showing a bitter face.

'Ta, I'm back ......'
'Kanami-sama ....... You have gone around today, even to the people of the city to perform 'miracles' while you slept ....... Oh, truly you, who you say you are ......!

　There were about a dozen people in the great hall who had been working all morning for the Fania Transformation. The highest-ranking man among them speaks in a prayer pattern before his master.

　The master does not deny the man's words.
　After the battle with Romis, the master was able to extensively "level up". From then on, he would go out to the city of Fania every time he took his eyes off of it and come back exhausted. That service has become a very famous story in Fania in the past thirty days (which I have exaggeratedly advertised all over the city, since it was my turn to do so).

　The master gave up on denying that he had gone around with the 《level up》 and proceeded to argue with another part of the story.

''That 'miracle' or something like that, please really don't do that ....... I've explained it to you many times, right?　I'm just treating you all with a new technique called 'witchcraft' and I'm not performing 'miracles'. Naturally, there is no way I am the God of Light. Please treat me as a normal person, as an ordinary person.
...... That's a difficult story, Lord Kanami. After years of suffering from this illness, you are now as good as God to us.

　Immediately, the man shook his head.
　And then another man, who this time seemed to be involved in the priesthood, followed.

'And we have a longstanding habit of honouring God. Please, please forgive me for hanging my head in front of you. To be clear, belief in God is an ingrained tradition of ours.
'So, is it tradition? ....... Hmmm, hmmm .......

　The Master will not be able to deny it again.
　The master is responsible for breaking the Altofel religion, which was the object of his custom. That's why Master couldn't be so forceful when he said, "Let me treat you as the God of Light instead.

''Above all, according to Princess Tiara, the God of Light was summoned from the other world by the legendary apostles. Exactly, you are a god from the old days from Fania. The 'miracle' you have caused is like the 'magic' in a fairy tale from a thousand years ago.
The 'magic' of a thousand years ago: ......?
Yes. Don't you know about the legend of the winged race (...), Kanami-sama?

　I sensed that the long story, which was not at all gratuitous and characteristic of the priesthood, was about to begin.
　Master is quite fond of this kind of useless talk, and if I'm not good at it, there is a danger that a day will pass.
　I hurriedly interrupted the conversation.

''Master!　You're not gonna make it this morning!　You're leaving today, remember!

　When the master heard my voice, he was surprised to hear my voice and went on to repeat the excuse he had heard so many times.

'Tiara ......!　I'm sorry, I just wanted to get some of the Fania people cured: ....... You can see in the Dimension that I haven't cured them all yet: ......
Not another time!　You were able to leave the 《Level Up》 "Technique" itself in the book, right?　Then Master has already done enough to do what he can do. It would not be better for everyone in the future if Master were to fall asleep and force himself now.
It's ......--

　The master clammed up.
　In the long run, the 'reason-stealer' who can develop 'spells' can save more people by spending more time on research than on treatment.

　Master must know that.　
　However, there are times when the master knows, but keeps making mistakes, so I continue to stare at him, unguarded. I need to be careful, because lately I've been on the verge of going out of control for reasons of "selfishness".

I know. I think I've already done what I can do with Fania: ....... I'm sure she (...) will be able to decipher it in no time.

　He managed to break it.
　However, the reason for the break was not me, but another woman.

　I can see that there is a deep trust in that girlfriend (...).
　You can put up with it if you are dealing with the same kind of "stealers of reason", but seeing a master allowing a lesser-special woman to have her heart set on ...... is quite annoying, so I move the conversation from "leveling up" to the Foozeyers return home.

''Well then, I'm going back to Hoosier's now. I'm sure Fania still has some patients left, but you have to compromise. Okay?　You can't say you're going to go back in the middle of the road, right?
'Oh, I won't tell. Even though it was a big job, I know I've spent too much time here. Let's hurry up and get back to the Hoosiers. Over there, people should be waiting for us.
I'm sure you know what you're doing. Then just follow me. I finished getting ready to leave yesterday.

　I take my master's hand and try to lead him to the gate I just entered.
　We are still wearing clothes, but for those of us who can use 'spellcraft', this is enough.

　Thus, we passed through the doorway as we were greeted from the rear with "Welcome, God of Light".

　We walked out of the "First Town Hall of the Fania Territory of the Fuzzy Yards Country".
　In front of them, on the main street of the city, there were two quadrupedal animals lined up.
　They were about twice the size of an adult, with light brown fur and a pitch-black mane and hooves. It is a unique animal found only in this fania. ...... I think its species name was Alouna, as I recall.

　When the master sees it, he begins to get excited for some reason.

''--?　Could it be a horse?　I've seen a lot of creatures that look like horses, but I've never seen one that looks so much like a horse: ......!　Oh, I have to make the stirrups later!

　He observed the reins and saddled alauna as he licked it around. Thanks to Sister Yangtaki's translation magic, I can see that it was an animal that also inhabited Master's world. By the way, there was no need to make the stirrups as they were housed behind the saddle.

　As usual, I calmly turn my attention to the woman next to Alouna, thinking that Master has a strange heartstrings, as usual.

　She, who is deeply trusted by my master - the former director of the hospital, was waiting for me in the same guise as Romis. Nevertheless, there are few precious metal ornaments that may have been used in battle. Perhaps this was the formal attire of the Neisha family. Compared to the bloody white robes of the past, it was truly magnificent.

''Oh, is that you're going to send me off?''
''Yes, sir. As the lord of Fania, we must not be ungrateful to our guest from the Fuzzyard nation.

　The former Director bows gracefully, indicating his willingness to help us depart.
　With that conversation, the Master finally seems to notice something other than Al'auna, and he coughs lightly before expressing his gratitude.

'Thank you. ...... I'm not familiar with the culture over here, but I think you've become very lord-like. It's a far cry from when I first met you.

　However, the former director himself doesn't take that praise with a disgusted look on his face.

'No, I'm just pretending ....... Today, I was going to read the book on 'The Technique' that Kanami-kun gave me, but everyone was pestering me to forgo it and forgo it, so I had no choice but to .......
Oh, I knew it was ......?

　The master chuckled and nodded as they shared the same taste.
　I'm pissed off again as the two of us begin to form a private air - but soon, the congeniality is denied in a low voice by the chamberlain who was waiting behind me.

''My lord. It's not out of choice. Even with this, I'm simplifying the formality to the maximum for you, right?
...... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that commonplace format. I don't need to see you off or anything, but I'm sure you and Kanami and the others trust me.
'I know that. But it's also important to make the connection between these three people known. For the sake of the future of Fania, please make sure that we are well informed.
I think my ability to use [Level Up] will also help Fania in the future: ......

　As usual, the former Director has a strong desire for his own research. I intercede with the two of them, even though I think that his dawning attitude is not suitable for a lord.

''Yes, that's it. I know it's going to be a lot of work, but good luck to both of you. From my point of view, both of them are equally important. Respect each other well.

　Both of them become more mature as I, the Hoosiers' emissary, step in between them. Then the former Director heeds the advice and uses hard words in an attempt to be a little more formal.

''Yes, sir. To be honest, I'm not sure yet, but I'm going to do my best in my own way. From now on, leave the future of Fania to me.
...... I knew it, you've changed a bit since I first met you. He's not a director, he's a proper lord.
'I promised Lady Rands and others that day that I would take care of your absence. ...... My research is important, but I will certainly fulfill my duty to protect Fania as well.

　The former Director narrows his eyes and looks into the distance, not at me.
　He's probably remembering the time when he left Tida's guy - that is, when he left Tida's guy.

　That was twenty-five days ago, if you count by day. We were promised much on the day when the 'stealers of reason' who feared the spread of the 'curse' departed ahead of time to the Hoosiers.

　The former director caught me thinking about that day, as I did.
　The day that the cause of the 'anomaly' that was in this Fania went away - the day that the cause of the 'anomaly' was gone.


◆◆◆◆◆


　That day, after a break in the calming of the commotion, we gathered on the plains outside the walls of Fania.

　The reason we were so far from the city was that the work was not for the public to see. The sight of severed human limbs scattered on the ground could be misinterpreted by the viewer.

　Tida held one of those limbs in her hand, swooping in close to the 'Stealer of Fire's Reason' that was floating nearby. Next to him, the master was concentrating on the 'spellcasting' technique for recovery and was mumbling and 'chanting'.

　It's not just the neck that steals the logic of fire, Tida is wearing a Noh mask and Master is dressed in all black, as usual.

　It's too suspicious.
　If someone who doesn't know what's going on sees it, they might be traumatized beyond misunderstanding.

　In the midst of such a scene, after spending quite a bit of time and trying every possible means, Tida shook her head.

''--No. This isn't something that can be cured overnight. Just like my face, the changes are fixed.

　The master who had been cooperating with him also roared out, deciding that it was impossible as well.

''d*mn, no? ......''
Ka-Kanami-sama!　Don't be so downhearted, but I'm fine!　See?

　Looking at his master, who was deeply regretful, The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire clenched both of his fists to show that he was in good spirits. In addition, he wrapped a bandage with the example letters engraved on its flaming body and used it as a substitute for clothing.

'Even if it's okay ....... A girl's body is ...... in such a state. d*mn it ......!
'Kanami, I'm sorry, but I'm giving up: ......'

　Tida calmly gave up and put the limbs of The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire into the large bag in her hand. Then, as it was, she moved to get into the carriage she had prepared nearby.

''But now everything we can do in Fania is over. The only thing left to do is to leave as soon as possible to prevent the curse from spreading to the city. The important thing, in my opinion, is not to stay in one place too long.

　Along the way, Tida turns her gaze to one of her companions.

'Just wondering if she'll agree to that: ......

　Confirmation is taken, and The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire replies in a different tone of voice.

'I told you to go to ....... There is no need for so many confirmations. Unlike someone somewhere else, I don't like lies.
'Yeah, I know that. That's why I'm insecure, because I once lied to you and betrayed you. Are you sure you're going to get your act together?
The Stealers of the Dark Reason, Tida ....... Now that I know that there was an inevitable reason for your former betrayal, I am no longer going to dig up what happened to me three years ago. As a matter of fact, the 'curse' you're worried about is something I've been feeling for a while now. ...... Above all, you have apologized to me for risking your life.

　After that, Tida suggested that she could "give her head" to the "one who steals the logic of fire" just as she had done with her master. With that, they were now at the very edge of their conversation.

　In the midst of this tightrope situation, Tida laughed dryly at the conversation.

It's a relief. But this one is ...... not going to be in your head until you die. Haha.
No, sir. I don't have to worry about it so much. It's just that I won't trust you for the rest of my life.
Y-You mean the rest of your life?　I want you, my kind, to know that it's the hardest thing for me to hear that: ......
'I understand that you want to be trusted by me, but I hope you also understand my inability to trust you.
...... Sure, you're right. Then I guess I'll just have to keep quiet and keep doing what I can do for you. Trust is a steady stream of actions.
Good intentions. However, no matter how much you accumulate, the 'price' of the 'power of fire' or something like that, I might forget that. At that time, I'll apologize in advance.

　The spine-filled conversation didn't soften at all, and finally Tida let out a weakness.

'...... Fuum. I knew you'd be cold to me. Isn't that too different from your attitude towards Kanami?
'Think twice about what you've done, looking at the contents of that bag in your hand. I'm just hoping you're grateful that you're not being turned into charcoal.
'Hmm, that's another one for sure. You're right.

　A thick killing intent flew from "The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire" and Tida lightly accepted that it was no wonder she was killed, and the banter ended.

　Darkness and Fire.
　They are incompatible in terms of their abilities, but as a matter of course they use the word 'know' with a peculiar empathy. On top of that, Tida seems more natural when she's talking to 'the one who steals the reason for the fire' than when she's talking to her mentor.

　I suspect that Tida is better suited to 'a relationship where we know from the beginning that we cannot trust each other' (・・・・・).
　As I analyze this, Tida approaches a nearby carriage to the gohja-dai and places her hand on the cheek of a strange woman lying there.

'But I will do my job, no matter how cold you make me feel. First of all, I will assure you that Miss Distras will be safe in mind and body on the way to this hoozeyards.

　The woman called Mistress Dystras, with her dull red hair hanging down to her shoulders, was breathing in her sleep. Her identity is quickly revealed through the mouth of The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire.

'Mother ......'

　Lovingly, The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire grasps the hand of the one she called her mother. Then slowly the woman opened her eyes and sat up.

'Hey, is this ......?'

　He looked around and tried to assess the current situation. Incidentally, Tida quickly ducked into the woman's shadow, hiding her horrible face to see in her sleep.

　The woman looks at the three faces of me, my master, and 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' and her expression lights up as she recognizes only one of them.

''Ah!''

　The woman smiled and squeezed back the hand of the one who stole the reason for the fire.
　However, the face of the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' is dull and continues to have a poorly made smile.

''Are you, perhaps ...... your neighbor Arti-chan?　You've grown up. I wonder if your mother is still doing well?

　The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire was treated like a stranger by the person I called my mother.

　My master and I watched in silence.
　We are well aware of what happened to Lomis, the childhood friend of the one who stole the logic of the darkness.
　That's why we are well aware of the current state of Romis, the mother of the one who stole the logic of fire.

　Now she is in oblivion.
　After defeating Lomis, the family of the One Who Stole the Reason of Fire was freed. However, the only survivor was her mother - and for the past three years, she had only memories of her misfortune and was in a state of great mental damage.

　Therefore, the three Stealers of Reason dared to strengthen the Curse to stabilize her spirit. The 'Things that Steal the Reason of Fire' remained in 'oblivion' and went along with the woman's story.

''Yeah. It's been a while, Auntie. It's Arti. ......

　We have heard the real name of 'The One Who Steals the Truth of Fire'.
　So we know that this is a false name (lie), but we don't say anything.

''Hmph, sorry to wake you up in your sleep. I'm feeling oddly heavy headed. ...... I feel like I've been having a very long nightmare .......
'Yes. I've been having really long nightmares, too: ......

　From now on, The One Who Steals Fire's Reason will continue to use that pseudonym for the sake of her mother's mental stability. The consequences for her and her family were too tragic for her to have to do so, even though she called herself a hater of lies.

'Is this Fania, Arti-chan?　I'm sorry, but if you could show me where--

　The woman must have thought she was talking to a child of her acquaintance.
　She was very calm.
　But in the middle of the process, the outer wall of Fania came into view, and it was instantly cracked.

''Oh, that wall ......, eh?　Ahhhh, ......, ahhhh, ahhhh--!
Mother ......!

　Even if it's called "forgetting," it seems that if you get the chance, you'll remember it.
　But there's nothing good about retrieving a too painful memory.

Yes, ....... That day, our village was attacked by Fania's soldiers, so ...... that's why!　Everyone, that girl too--!

　Thinking that I might return to a crippled state if this continues, I move in a hurry to stun the woman.

''--Cursed art, 《Variable Relays》.

　But before she could do so, a muddy hand reached out from the woman's shadow and covered both of her eyes.
　Instantly she fell silent and began to lie down again on the gohja-dai and sleep.

'This is it. Not that I'm your doctor, but as the one in charge of her safety, I won't allow you to go any further.

　It seems that Tida used the 'dark power' to play with the woman's mind.
　Tida, who was taught 'spellcasting' by her master, swallowed the mechanism before anyone else - first and foremost, she learned how to use it for tranquility.

　I'm jealous of that talent.
　I really envy her because she absorbed even her master's strange sense of style so beautifully.
　I am not as good at handling coined words and rubrics as the two of them.

　Thus, the woman's mind was protected by Tida's new 'spellcraft'.
　However, the mind of the 'one who steals the logic of fire' who was watching the scene was different.

'Oh, mother ......!　I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry: ......!　I--this 'eye' is ......!　Because I was discovered by The Apostle: ......!　All because I've become the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' -

　He staggered back, holding his head with both hands, leaking flames through the bandages.
　Clearly, his power as the 'one who steals the reason for fire' was increasing.
　Instead, I could see that the fissures in my heart were also spreading.

'The village, the family, everything is burned out ...... forgotten (・・・・・) and gone ......!

　Tida had her hands full using the new 'spell' on the woman, so she immediately asked her companions for help.

'Kanami!'
I know!

　Then, not to be outdone by Tida, Master tries out the new powers he has developed over the past few days. Beside 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire' who keeps muttering regrets, Master uses 'Chanting', which is the first time he's heard of it.

'It's me. It's me. It's all me. It's me, it's me, I--'
"'Dreamlike staggering and fibered.

　The meaning of that 'chanting' is somewhat readily apparent.

　Perhaps he is trying to make you forget the five years in Fania as if you were dreaming. The 'price' is 'forgetting' as well as the 'curse'. Furthermore, as Romis had told him, Master forcibly imposed the 'price' on him, gradually burning the trauma of the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' and erasing it.

'Sorry, now I'm going to intensify the 'curse' ......!　--'Cut off flames,' 'Dreaming staggeringly and at the mercy of the cilia,' 'Swallow me' --!

　The Master embraces her and shouts in her ear.
　You can tell that each word of 'chanting' that is added is a 'chanting' prepared for her.

　The 'one who steals the logic of fire' also senses this and regains his composure for the sake of his master, who hugs him even though he is impatient.

'Ka, Kanami-sama: ......'
'Calm down ....... Just take your time and repeat my 'chant' .......
"Oh, 'Cutthroat Flames' ......, 'Dreaming Staggering and Cilia at your feet' and 'Swallow me' ......
...... From now on, let's try to control the 'cost' of the 'curse' better. I'm sure it will help reduce the 'curse'. With this 'chanting', you'll have a new life.

　Understanding that it was a 'chant' to live positively, 'The One Who Steals Fire's Reason' nodded as he buried his face in his master's chest.

'...... Yes. I will take on a new life. The Fire Priestess that was in that village is no more. Here is a new me. I am Arti, the one who steals the reason for the fire.

　Tida, who was watching the scene beside her, gently repeats the words of the 'one who steals the reason for the fire' - no, Arti's words.

The new me.

　Tida must feel the same way.
　The man who had started a new life as 'the one who steals the Dark Reason' spoke to his master with a slightly sunny face.

''I guess we can manage. If Kanami (...) takes care of the memories, but I take care of the emotions, one day the two of you will be able to return to a peaceful life.
Yeah. I'm sure they will be happy together. No, they have to be.

　I found hope in Arti's future - but soon one of the fades begins to appear.

'Ka, Kanami (...) ......?'

　Arti, who was in front of his master's eyes, muttered his name in wonder.
　It was as if he had forgotten his master's name, his face and voice. Even Tida, who was optimistic about it, shouted in a hurry.

''Oh, gee. You can forget me, but just don't forget Kanami's name: ......!
'Sorry ......!　Dear Kanami, Dear Kanami, Dear Kanami!　I won't forget anymore: ......!

　Realizing it's his master's name, Arti tries to repeat it over and over again, trying to get it into his head. Watching him, Tida's face turns grim and she discusses the situation with her master.

'I've been thinking for a while now, but don't burn the 'curse' of The One Who Steals the Reason of Fire as much as the memories of your loved ones, as a priority. And while there are no memories, only emotions remain.
'It looks like ....... Maybe, but I think the world wants something bigger (・・・・・), roughly, without thinking about it. But the world is kind, so if you properly 'chant' and say what you want, they'll change their priorities.
Is that true?　If this is true, there is a way to pay off the current debt by repeating the 'chanting' like before. If you say it regularly, you can avoid the fatal 'curse' from spreading to others.
'That's what you call a long term installment. ...... Yeah, I think that's what we have to go for now.
'Kanami. I'm sorry, but once you've developed a 'spell' for your sister's cure, that's the next step.
No, let's do it in parallel. We're a colleague in the partnership.
...... really helps.

　The two of them made a plan for the future development of the 'spellcasting' technique, depending on the situation. Behind them, Arti was erasing her own trauma while repeating her master's name.

''- 'Cut off flames,' 'Dreaming staggering and cilia at your feet,' 'Swallow me' - but don't forget Kanami-sama. Kanami-sama is important. Kanami-sama is important. Kanami-sama, Kanami-sama, Kanami-sama, Kanami-kanami...

　The heat of the flames in his body increased everywhere.
　Next, the jet-black hair that matched his master's was dyed red like a flame. Tida let out a bitter voice at the sight of everything being turned into woodwood.

''Don't spend a moment moving to a new place. This place is not good for the spirit of the Dystrus family.'

　Tida then urges Arti to get into the carriage.
　Realizing that she is close to saying goodbye, she hurriedly grabs her master's hand again.

　...... I think the two of them have been in too much contact since earlier.
　In front of me, who is starting to get a little irritated, Arti desperately appeals to me.

'Um, Kanami-sama, one day (...) ......!　I will definitely be able to help you, Kanami, one day: ......!　It will be after your mother has found a new family, and like Tida there, I'll help you develop 'witchcraft': ......!
'You too ......?　That's fine. You don't need to find your mom a new family, you need to find a way for the two of you to live together.
Why?　Kanami-sama should have come all the way here to find a collaborator for the development of the 'Spellcraft'!
'Why? ....... Unlike Tida, you're still small, so ......?
'A small ......?　Yeesh, I'm an adult now!　Admirable!

　Arti was the same height as me and thumped his chest. Master was surprised at the reaction and went to check with Tida.

''Oh, Arti, are you an adult now?
'By Fania's standards, he's reached adulthood. Just in case.
'No, but what can I say, it looks ....... I don't feel like I can rely on you to do it for me. ......

　In my value system, it doesn't matter if you're an adult or a child.
　I think we should respect each person's wishes.

　However, the master was trying to send Arti to a safe zone because he was a child.
　I thought that was a bit pushy. Maybe it was because he was a little bit like his sister, Yotaki's sister?　I feel like I've been looking at her as an object of protection ever since I met her.

'If it's a question of height!　Not so different from Lady Tiara over there!
What, me in here?

　I was puzzled when he suddenly turned the conversation around.
　However, before I could, my master would answer immediately.

'Tiara is small, but she's strong. Probably the strongest of them all.
-What?

　Arti is exclaiming.
　Then he looked at me and didn't utter any words of denial.

　For some reason, the reputation of the 'Stealers of Reason' for me is unusually high.
　Sure, I'm sure I'm as good as any of them, but I wonder if I've done so much to be feared in Fania .......

'I understand, sir, ....... So, I guess I'm not strong enough ....... Then I'll be strong soon ....... I will be able to use this 'fire power' to my advantage!　Never again will you lose to an opponent like Romis!
'No, Arti. No, Arti. All I want for you is for you to be happy. You have to understand that. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been worth it to save you. ......
'So, but ......'
It's okay. You just let us take care of the rest.
'Dear Kanami: ....... Still, I--

　Arti bites down and tries to continue to appeal to his master with his 'eyes', which are beginning to turn red. However, he stops his words mid-sentence and moves on to another story.

'Kanami-sama, can we meet again?'
It's ...... of course. I'll see you again. I promise.
Yes. Well, I'll see you sometime at .......

　Now, Arti seemed to have swallowed what he really wanted to say.
　Then, with his true feelings swallowed, he said his goodbyes.

''We'll meet again sometime. Until then, I will never forget you, Kanami-sama. Even if there is a 'curse', I will never forget her face and name. I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. Until I die - no, even if I die, I will not forget you!

　It's a bit odd.
　Is Arti feeling something special right now, as well as my skill 'reading'?
　As I recall, Tida said that she had the skill to 'see a thousand miles ahead'. Did that skill give her some sense of the future from her master's attitude?

Yeah, thanks. ...... See you later.
'Yes. Well, I'll see you sometime, I promise, at .......

　Arti repeated, "Someday (...)," and finished his promise.

　My skill 'reading' read from that desperate figure - the

"Someday (...) in the distant future, Arti Distrustus is the only one who has become the 'stealer of reason' of men. Successfully, she has moved on to a new life. However, near the end of it, as she tries to speak the words she once swallowed, she realizes All the true feelings I wanted to convey had been replaced by fire--

　My thoughts and body went rigid.
　It was the first time the pages had been skipped so far and only the last one had entered my mind. Of course, she couldn't say whether that ending was correct or not, since the middle was completely missing.

　In the meantime, Arti sat down next to her mother in Goshodai, and the Master approached Tida.

'Ah, Tida. Lastly, about the Apostles: ......
I know. They're only five years old. I'll take that as a given. They're like babies, you know, especially the sissy ones.
'I'm not a bad person. It's just that they're different from us in a lot of ways. ......
I hear the apostle Diprakra is a skilled healer. I think it's not a bad idea to cooperate with that guy. In the meantime, I'll work with him and I'll focus on developing a 'spell' for the cure.

　The master insists that the apostles waiting in the hoozeyards are his friends, and Tida agrees with him. He puts his hand on his own Noh mask's face and makes a gentle voice that is the opposite of what it once was.

'Consequently, if I can fix my face, I am also willing to forgive you all.
Tida ......!!!

　Perhaps it was because his master had told him about the circumstances of the apostles, but it seemed that Tida no longer had any resentment towards the apostles.
　The Master was pleased with this progress, and Tida connected hope to the future.

'...... I'm going to go over there and start all over. Like Arti, I will live again as Tida, the 'Stealer of the Dark Reason' rather than Tida of the House of Lands. ...... This time, a knight might be a good idea. As a knight of the Hoosiers, I feel like you can forgive me if I live out my life this time, betraying no one to the end.

　A knight who fights fair and square.
　Honestly, I thought he was the furthest thing from Tida that I had ever seen.

　A knight in need of people's trust is surely not something he can do.
　Realistically, Tida has no choice but to abandon trust as a thing in his life.
"The only thing that could be is 'a relationship where we know from the beginning that we can't trust each other'.
　I just don't feel like I can build that kind of special 'trust' with anyone other than my kind of 'reason stealers' at all.

'Knight ......!　We're rooting for you, Tida!

　But the master recommended it without any change in color. With that, at last, Tida also climbed into the Gosha-dai. Then he grabbed the reins and drove the carriage out.

　He peeked out from the side of the Goshodan and spun a conversation with his master to the limit.

'Kanami, I'll leave the rest to you!　Tell her that!　I believe!　I know you can trust me with my home!
So long, Master Kanami!　Goodbye!　Some other time--!

　My master and I waved back until we were out of sight of the carriage.
　All the while, I was the only one wrinkling my brow. My master, who had finished seeing it off, seemed to notice and asked me why with concern.

''Tiara, what's wrong?　Are you worried about the two of you?
...... Yeah, I'm a little nervous. I'm wondering if that carriage is going to be okay.

　It's a lie.
　Sure, I'm worried about our future together.
　But what I was more worried about was myself.

'With your abilities, you two are safe in a carriage, unlike us. The 'dark power' is good at escaping, and in times of danger, the 'fire power' can take on many opponents.
Yes. ......

"The two of you will make it to the Hoosier's safely," he reads with skill.
　And it's that sense of being able to read that has been puzzling me for some time now.
　I can feel the rapid evolution of the skill of reading. But it was very difficult to handle the fact that even if I could read ahead, I didn't know why.

'Yup, it's okay!　Well then, let's go back into town. The director's waiting for you.
'Huh. ....... Tiara, you should learn her name for good. Besides, she's a lord and not a rector anymore.
Yeah, that's right. You know, I'm not very good at remembering people's names.

　I'm going back to Fania with me and my mentor.

　I had a lot on my mind, but I have no intention of making a mistake in my priorities.
　To be frank, the story of the Stealers of Reason was - for me - not that important. I honestly don't care about what I'm going to do to remake Fanja.

　The only thing that is important to me at the moment is "The Gentiles".
　The two "Gentiles", not "the one who steals the truth", are the main plot of my story.

　I walk on, reaffirming that.
　How can I use this evolved skill to protect my master and understand my sister Yotaki? Leaving behind the dark future I read from Tida and Arti, I continue to think about it alone.