Glen Walker's 'witchcraft' is terribly disastrous.
　He is the only one who is different compared to the other 'witch turns'.

　Knights such as the Celestial Knights and Elmiraad don't feel any madness no matter how they change their appearance. This is because even if they are out of human form, they are not out of the ordinary.

　However, Glenn's shape, turned into a giant bee, is distorted and too close to the monster.
　The fact that it has four wings is still good.
　However, its front legs are a sickle, and that's six. It has multiple joints, so it moves like a chain. What's more, it also has two stingers unique to bees--

It's a bit weird, isn't it?

　A short distance away from the battlefield, I uttered my impressions.
　I thought I was asking for agreement towards the 'slice', but there was no response.
　Nor did my friend Sera respond. Snow's rough fighting style had made the fifteenth floor difficult to foothold, so I had her wait upstairs, unable to take advantage of her speed.

　I lurked in the shadows of the debris, where it was easy to hide, and smiled.
　Glenn has turned into a large monster of a physiological disgusting insect, but he's not an enemy to me, having gained the knowledge of a thousand years ago. In that state, he's no different than a small fry monster that I know how to attack.

　I stare at the two fast flying walker brothers and sisters in the atrium in the middle of the floor (floor).
　Snow used the blue dragon wings on his back to create a 'dragon wind' and constantly emitted a 'dragon's roar' from his throat. In contrast, Glenn disliked close combat and continued to move his four wings and dexterously avoid direct hits.

''--Aaaaaaah, aaaaah!
----!

　A good antagonist.
　I gather the overflowing magic power into my right arm for a surprise attack.

　Just like with Elmirade, my target is to release the "demonization".
　The extra blood that Fafner may have added is also removed at the same time.

　That's what I can do.
　Obviously, the current Rustyara Foozeyers are the natural enemies of 'The One Who Steals Blood's Reason' and 'Demonization'.

'...... but isn't that something I'm proud of?'

　The reason why I can so easily disarm the 'demonization' is probably because of the research that Hermina Neisha, the researcher from a thousand years ago, continued until her death. The results of that research, through Lady Tiara, have come to fruition a thousand years later.

　So, from now on, Glenn will be fortunate enough to come to his senses unharmed before he kills his own sister with his hands.

　I run out in silence, thanking the researchers of a thousand years ago for their help.
　I continue to keep Glenn's blind spot through the shadows of the rubble. Then, I jump as Snow shouts out the name of his magic, trying to strike his brother with his best shot.

''--[Dragoon Arder] aaaaah!

　Snow, flying through the sky on the fifteenth floor, released a sphere of solidified 'dragon wind' with a roar.
　Glenn, who has completely read the trajectory of that magic, deflected to the side in the air. However, I had completely read the destination of that avoidance as well.

　Leaping at the perfect time, I take a leap behind him.
　Following that, I release the 'Blood Art' from my right arm, using the magic power I have accumulated.

''--[Blood]

　At my surprise attack, Glenn was able to react - and he was able to.
　However, the moment he lightly turned his face backwards and checked my face, he blocked his own movements with all his strength, as if to say "I've been waiting for this".

　Glenn's body, which had become rigid and defenseless, was struck by my magic.
　Just like with Elmirade, his 'demonization' is suppressed, and all the magic that was triggering the runaway is also removed.

　Glenn dissipates an enormous amount of magical power comparable to 'The One Who Steals the Reason', scattering particles of light and gradually losing the monster features of his body.

　With the disappearance of those strange four wings, Glenn was no longer able to fly.
　Immediately I hold his body by my side and land on the fifteenth floor, killing the impact with my wind magic to prevent him from slamming into the floor of the fifteenth floor.

''Fufu ......''

　After attacking the second 'demon return', I took a second breath and let Glenn's body be held by the nearby rubble.
　He thanked me for my response with a paragraph.

'Thank you, Rustyala, thank you ....... But how do you ......, Fafner-sama's blood ......?

　Unlike Elmirad, Glenn was less injured.
　However, his breath was ragged, and he was exhausted to the point where he felt like he was about to faint at any moment.

　Perhaps he had been forced to undergo a burdensome 'demonization'.
　Having exceeded his limit, his body is demanding a quick rest.

　The time I can talk to Glenn is short. That's why I decided not to answer his questions, but to spin my goodbyes.

'Thank you is a line over here. ...... I'm the one who is very grateful. Glenn the Searcher.
What ......?

　Glenn's mouth dropped open when he saw me curtsying in sudden awe.
　Ignoring his confusion, I leave him to say.

'A year ago, the adventures you told me about ...... were so brilliant in the closed cathedral. It's safe to say that I am the man I am today because I met you.

　Several times in the past, he had been taken by Mr. Hein, the education officer, to the cathedral garden.
　Honestly, none of the stories about Glenn the Explorer were realistic or interesting as stories. They were all about politics and power struggles, and I remember saying, "He's a disappointment," and my mouth was agape.

　But looking back on it now, thanks to that Glenn story, I was able to head into the labyrinth myself and meet Kanami.

'La, Rastiara-chan ......?　Maybe ......
Thanks for everything. See you, Glenn.

　Seeing my heartfelt gratitude, Glenn was on to something.
　His instincts are as good as ever, but there's no time to lose. I forcefully conclude my goodbyes and watch as his consciousness fades away.

''Well, wait ......, a little more ......, hana, shi--''

　Glenn tried to extend his trembling arm to me, but he ran out of steam in the process.
　Like a threadbare doll, the strength drained from his entire body with a snap.
　Drawing on the doctor's knowledge of the fresh blood magic, I am relieved to figure out that he is lulled into a lull.

　Just then, Snow, who had been flying all the time, dove vigorously towards my chest.

''La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-sama!　You're a lifesaver!　My brother was stronger than I thought!　It's a pain in the ass!
Nuh-uh-uh!

　Snow hadn't yet released its 'dragonization', so the weight (weight) of its wings and enlarged limbs was riding on its embrace.
　I moaned and stroked its head, holding Snow back with willpower.

'Alright, good. Snow, you did a great job. Good, good, good, good that it worked out.
'It really helped. I thought it would be easier to win: ......

　There was no doubt that Glenn was strong.
　It's no wonder that he had been drawn out to the limit of his power by Fafner, "The One Who Steals Blood's Reason".

　However, it's doubtful that he was able to show his true value, like Elmirado.
　All the time, Glenn Walker has been 'unlucky' to fight only against opponents who can't bring out the best in him.
　The traumatized 'The One Who Steals the Reason', Rowen.
　My beloved sister, Snow.
　Me, who became the natural enemy of the Reincarnation.
　All of them are deadlocked before the battle even begins.

　However, being able to defeat them with that difference in compatibility is probably one of Glenn's 'luck'.
　I'm thankful for the 'luck' that I was able to neutralize him like this before seeing his original fighting style that I had heard about.

　Then, facing Glenn's body, Snow walked up to him and lifted the nearby debris.

''My brother is thus and so ......

　He puts it on top of his brother's body as he falls mercilessly.
　He's going to carefully seal both of his arms and legs so that he can't move easily when he gets up. You will be able to breathe because you are avoiding the head, but your limbs are about to be crushed at any moment.
　Even though it is based on the premise of the life-force of the "reversion", this is still a very bad way to treat it.

　It's not necessary to go this far," the skill "Reading" predicted, but it's interesting that I watched.
　Thus, after confirming that Glenn was disabled by Snow's hand, I turned to head downstairs.

'-- Snow, let's go back downstairs to help Maria and Dea. Obviously, there's something wrong downstairs.
Downstairs?　Dear Rastiara, above is ......

　However, Snow was patting Sera-chan's back as she joined us late and turned her gaze upstairs. Besides, I repeat the words I threw at Sera-chan earlier.

'Upstairs, Nosfi will win. Kanami can handle it.

　Hearing this, Snow stared upstairs and thought about it for a few seconds.

'...... Yeah, I believe you. Nosfi is one of us.

　He stopped his distracted respectful speech, nodded vigorously, and shifted his gaze downward.
　Before raiding Huzzya's Castle, Snow also listened to Nosfi's 'chanting'. That's why he trusted Nosphy and entrusted his own thoughts to revive Kanami to the fullest.

　If there is any role left for me (Snow) now, it is to "quickly suppress Fafner, the 'blood-stealing one' who is in control of the Blood Castle, in order to support Nosphy, who is advancing upstairs," he neatly understands that.

''Let's hurry. We don't have much time left.''

　I try to move out of the way wordlessly.

　Just then, my skin feels a blast of cold air from downstairs, where I'm headed.
　A chill runs down my spine, a chill that doesn't resemble the heat of battle. A chill envelops your entire body, and the gaze of the "slice" watching right behind you intensifies.

　--It's a premonition of "death" that cannot be hidden.

　However, I have no intention of stopping.
　Even now, the red thread is leading me downstairs.

　I was not going to let Nosfi get the better of me.
　This "thread" is a guidepost that shows me the path I should take.
　It is the connection of trust itself.
　I will do my best like my sister, to go further than this thread.

How can I trust you? The only thing that awaits you if you follow that 'thread' is the future when you're used up.

　The words that shook my resolve shook the air of the entire fifteenth floor before I got on Sera's back.
　The voice was loud and heavy like vibrating magic, so at first I thought it was Snow, who was good at unattributed magic.

　However, it was different.
　The source was one of the large debris scattered across the fifteenth floor.
　The owner of the voice appeared from behind it.

　It was a man with short blue hair and a scarred face.
　He wears thick armor, but with his massive frame and good trunk, he walks with a light gait, as if he were dressed in silk. I thought he was an adult with a sense of sturdy stability and sternness. And above all, its most distinctive feature was its large horns and thick tail--a

'Wow, the same dragon man as me (Dragon Newt) ......?'

　Right next to me, Snow spoke the answer before I did.

　What's more, the man who appeared looked a lot like Snow.
　I'm not talking about his behavior or personality, but rather the coolness of his eyes and the color of his hair, I could feel his bloodline.

　--Snow's real father (Chichioya)?

　The two of us were so similar that the words "I'm not sure what to do" came to mind.
　I wanted to ask the man about his relationship with Snow, but he only looked at me and kept talking.

'No matter how many beautiful things you put on top of each other, your birth parents are going to kill you. So why don't you run away?　Reproductions of Tiaras (Replicas)

　The question was asked, but first I looked at my friends' reactions.
　They could see what I wanted to ask, and both Snow and Sera shook their heads and answered briefly, "I don't know". Based on that information, I ask the man as my representative (leader).

'Who are you, ......?'

　When the man heard this, he lightly scratched the back of his head.
　Then he takes a breath and introduces himself very calmly.

'You know me well. The ...... name is Seldra Queenfillion, the guardian of the 80th layer, the one who steals the reason for nothingness. As you can see, he's a 'demon' mixed with a dragon.

　Indeed, I was well aware of it.
　It wasn't just the story Kanami had told me about the General of the North a thousand years ago.

　In Tiara-sama's memory, there was a figure of him who once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Lord Titi, who was called the 'Demon King'. His magic power and dignity were no less than the 'Stealer of the Wind's Reason', and he was called the 'strongest' in the Age of Chaos, making even those apostles fear him.

　But what is the reason for that "stealer of nothingness" Seldra to be here?
　The question, "What do you think?" is quickly answered.

"After finishing my work, I was looking at the strength of the descendant Snow Walker. As the Most Powerful One of 1,000 years ago, I was a little curious about the power of the current 'Strongest'.

　That's when he finally turned his attention to his kindred spirit, Snow.
　Only, his gaze was quickly broken, and Serdra looked at another person. He smiles at the fallen Glenn, as if he's found his own kind.

　Finally, his gaze catches me again, at last.

'But now it's more than that, you. A replica of the tiara, you and I need to talk.

　A sharp look came from Seldra, saying that she had answered the question herself and it was my turn to answer it. The question at the beginning of the encounter was repeated once more.

'Why don't you run away?　You and Nosefy, whose name is Hoozeyards, will die if you follow that 'thread'. You will be used up. --that's your fate.

　Serdra was following the red 'thread' and 'break' with his eyes when he uttered the word 'fate'. He not only knows, but he can see them. Without a doubt, just like Ragne, Serdra is the one who knows.

　There would be no easy way to get away with it.
　Most importantly, Seldra is sincere so far.
　Even if Snow and Sera-chan were here, I thought we should answer honestly too.

''...... The reason I'm not running away is because I trust Tiara-sama.
You believe in it?　What do you think I believe about this guy? There's not a single part of her that I can believe. She was full of lies from start to finish.
'Not really. There was a lot to believe in. I'm sure Lady Tiara will write the last page to my satisfaction.
Your mother just wants you to look like the b*tc* she is, the one who insists on it. There's not an ounce of love in it.
'Sure, in the eyes of those around me, maybe. But that's up to me. I think it's up to me from now on whether that's love or not.

　So Seldora shut his mouth for once.
　I suppose he understood that I would not be able to be swayed by anything he said.

　However, from the look on Serdra's face, she still doesn't seem convinced. I supplement with some trouble.

'And ......, I want to help.

　Serdra frowned when she heard this and tried to make sense of it.

'Kanami would save us without you. As long as you have the 'magic' of Nosfi Fuzzyards, I'm sure.
No, Serdra. It's not just Kanami I want to help. I want to help everyone.
Does that mean we're the 'stealers of reason' at ......?
Yeah, you "logic-stealers" too. If everyone, including you "things that steal the logic of water," don't you feel like there's a real happy ending if you don't get saved?
"...... Are you seriously suggesting that you want to help 'the one who steals the reason for the water' too?　That s*xist woman calls herself 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Water', but in reality, she is something else entirely. Something more horrible ...... more akin to that out there, if anything.

　Seldora then pointed to the 'break' that was watching over me behind me.
　I'm sure I can already see it. He then lined up that one 'world' and each person and introduced them to each other.

'If you meet them, they will take your soul without mercy. The Aikawa flycatcher is an enemy of the world that has come to do just that. They are not beings to be talked about as being easy to help.
'Maybe: ....... But if that little sister is suffering, I'd like to make sure we have a good 'talk' and reach out to her. ...... just like Kanami, even if she's dead.

　So, even more so, Seldra's expression becomes distorted.
　She looks like she doesn't understand my words "I believe in you", "I'm convinced", and "I want to save you even if you die" at all, and then she piles on the questions of the encounter.

'If you know so much, why would you go to meet Yotaki?　That's not just going to kill you, it's going to take your entire life. ......
Maybe it's because we made that kind of promise in the first place, ......?

　I could tell that Serdra sincerely cared about my future.
　And as I seriously answered his question, words I hadn't expected to hear came out of his mouth.

　It was probably because of the passage in "Chanting" that I mentioned earlier.
　Once I've reviewed my life, my wishes are neat and tidy.

　What was important in my life wasn't just the day I was united with Kanami at Hoosier's Eleventh Crossing.
　The day that Kanami came to kidnap me to the cathedral for the first 're-birth' ceremony - or, to be precise, the words we exchanged in the back of the tavern in the Wirth on the night of my first companionship with Kanami - are also my most important bars (words).

"...... I promised Kanami that I would do it. In exchange for Kanami fulfilling my 'dream', I would help her return.

　I think that was the moment I started moving as me.
　It was also the moment I got my friends and the beginning of my 'dream' time.

　And I was scared of waking up from that "dream" for a long time.
　I was very anxious.
　But now, it's different. What I have in my heart now is

Kanami showed me a fun 'dream'. She even made them come true for me. ...... but I haven't given anything back yet. So I can't just run away.
I'll help you leave ....... There's nothing wrong with that level of 'contract'. You can travel with dimensional magic. Kanami will definitely be able to return to his world. You don't have to help me.
'No. ....... It wasn't the place that Kanami said she wanted to leave (・・・・・・・・・・). What Kanami had in mind at that moment was--

　He just couldn't explain that to Seldora until the end.

'--Seldra.

　The cold wind that danced up from the stairwell intensified, for a girl climbed up the stairs.
　With that one call, I felt that not only the air but also time was frozen.

　Forced to interrupt the conversation, I and Serdra turned to look at each other at the same time.
　A girl with black hair that matched her brother's to her waist was walking towards us.
　Her eyes were the exact same color, black that seemed to suck you in just by looking at them. The facial structure is so similar between the brother and sister that even though they are of different genders, you can almost fawn over them.
　They are really beautiful. Their unhealthy white skin and pure white clothes are layered on top of each other, and further colored by the magical white of the freezing attribute that rises from their feet.
　Most similar to her brother is the fact that her surroundings are distorted by the magical power of the dimensional attribute. As if reminiscent of the magic of the past 《Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)》, the magic power of the two attributes is intertwined and swirling around her.

　This is Kanami's sister.
　Seldora clicks her tongue at the appearance of 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Water' Hitaki.

''Chit .......''
What are you doing at ......?

　Hitaki grimly questioned Seldra.

'The duplicate (replica) of the tiara was trying to head down, not up.
Then we'll just send him on his way down. No need to hold him back.

　Even as they were talking, the temperature around them was dropping endlessly.
　The greatest characteristic of the 'Stealer of the Reason of Water' was the cold air.
　Their breath turned white, the blood shallows beneath their feet froze, and minute but icy crystals began to dance in the air.

'It was my job to keep them from going up. I don't know anything else - and you know I'm going to tell you," he says.
'Yes, I know. But it's important to have this exchange. In using you as a righteous man.

　Even with his magic power suppressed, he still has this much influence.
　The Snow next to her gasped, unable to move slightly, her whole body stiffened.
　The same goes for Sera-chan.
　Both of them are speechless, shuddering at Hitaki's true power and appearance.

　The reason I can barely keep my cool is probably because I knew beforehand from Tiara-sama's memory.

'...... I'll shut up now. The rest of you can do what you want.
'Yes. She's more important to me than having a long talk with you here.

　Hitaki seemed to be a collaborator with Seldra, but not a companion.

　Then what about against us?
　Even with this, we traveled together in a boat for only a few days. She kept sleeping, but we were by no means total strangers.

　Finally, the conversation with Seldra ended, and Hitaki's gaze turned to me.

''Thank you for waiting. It's nice to meet you, 'Last Tiara (Rust Tiara)'. I'm Aikawa Uzumi's sister, Aikawa Yotaki.''
Yeah, nice to meet you. Hitaki-chan.

　Formal greetings were thrown in first.
　Leaving Snow and Sera, who were frozen and unable to move, only to me - just unlike when I was dealing with Seldora, the air was very friendly and cheerful.

''Hmph. However, I don't feel like it's nice to meet you. Is it because we were traveling together, even in our sleepy state?
...... Yes, I feel like that too. To me, you're one of the most important people in my life, Flynn.

　Even as you talk to me, the fifteenth floor of Hoosier's Castle is rapidly transforming.
　Ice grains mingle in the shallows of blood, and the movement of the flowing wall of blood stands still, and next thing you know, it's colored.

　The color is white.
　The red 'thread' that was attached to my body disappeared as I was swallowed by the white.
　I pulled back to the floor at my feet as if to escape.
　All that was left was the 'cut' and the 'something' that had been swirling in the air for a long time - no, only a large amount of white 'thread' extending from the tip of Hitaki's hair.

　Only her 'magic thread' ruled, and the fifteenth floor gradually transformed.
　It becomes very similar to the white garden of Hoosiers a thousand years ago.

　So 'we' report the results of our journey with Kanami, just as we did a thousand years ago.

'Friends? Hmph, so you weren't so reserved.''
...... Maybe you remember a couple of times when we used it as a hug on a boat trip?
'Yes, I remember. I'm not going to lose consciousness to the extent that I'm asleep, because I'm not going to lose consciousness. ...... Rustyala. Even though your years are in the single digits, you'd better get out of the habit of using someone else as a cuddle, don't you think?
'Hmm, that's a tough one to discuss. If that doesn't work for Hitaki, then I'll take Dia as my next hug. If that doesn't work, then Maria or Snow. It's no exaggeration to say that I'm traveling with you all for this purpose.
'...... haha. You're really lonely, aren't you? If I were to say you're old enough, that would be ....... I personally think that kind of thing is adorable.

　We exchange words, as if to confirm that we're not alone.
　It appears to be the trivial banter of a naïve relationship - but in fact, it's something else entirely.

'Yes, I guess I don't like to be alone ....... I'm sure that if you're going to have an 'adventure', you should all be together. It's selfish of me, but I don't want anyone to be left out of my group. I just want everyone to be together forever.
...... After all, you are your brother's 'lover', aren't you? That's the kind of thing that really makes you a good match. You look very much alike.
'Yes, me and Kanami are kindred spirits.' -- so I like Aikawa (・・・・・・) Kanami (・・・・・・).

　However, I had no intention of fighting at all.

　Thus, the "duel" that had been going on for a thousand years was coming to an end.
　It was very easily settled by a loser called me.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. Everyone in the confederacy saw that, and the 'world' recognized it. So, no matter where anyone looks, I am Kanami's 'one and only destiny'.

　As the 'slit' looked on, Hitaki continued to listen to the conditions of the 'curse' being fulfilled while the 'slit' looked on, with no expression on her face.

　Then, after a sufficient pause, she bites her lower lip shallowly and turns her face down slightly to ask me. It was the only place I felt her raw emotions were riding on it.

"...... Rustyala Hoosiers, did you enjoy your 'adventure' with your brother?
Yes, it was fun ....... Adventure" is very different from reading about it in a book or doing it in person. Fighting monsters in the labyrinth, eating good food with the money you earned, and chatting with your friends in the same inn ...... was really fun.
Okay. Then it's fine. Then there's nothing wrong with that: ......

　Hitaki stammered.
　There was no more need for chit-chat and the conversation stopped.
　After all, now Hitaki-chan was promised that he would win the duel and his goal would be accomplished. I guess there is nothing more to say to me.

''Oh, Tiara ....... You really are ......--

　So it wasn't my name that Hitaki muttered, it was my mother's name.
　She wasn't looking at me anymore, while she was looking at me.
　Abominably - but lovingly, she went on to utter the exact same answer as a thousand years ago.

'Correct. You are really ...... well made.

　He looked at me and admired that.
　The words were so heavy and bitter and crazy--


That's why I can't watch it anymore.


　Without hesitation, Hitaki moved her hand.

　Ice was being generated without a chant.
　Its shape is a blade.
　The tip of the ice sword extended and approached me.