The image of Kanami healing people suffering from incurable diseases with a fantastic light is the very image of the "Great Savior (Magna Messiah)" that I always had in my mind.
　Without a doubt, that was my 'ideal'.

　But it was that "ideal" that was throwing my life into chaos.
　Like a misplaced button, everything started to break down from that day.
　The first thing that was done was for Lomis Neesha to deal with the Kanami witnesses.
　I become a victim of the "witchcraft" experiment - but fortunately, I survive it. Only one person, for some reason, survives, and it's another three years later. After hearing a rumor about Fania's lord, Helmina Neisha, I choose to return home...

　I arrived at the lowest level of the Demonology Research Institute.
　Just as Helmina-san had told me when I was a child, I stepped into it after I had grown up a bit.
　However, at that time I was neither a 'senior staff member' nor a 'low-level staff member', but one of the many victims of the 'magicians'.

　-- there was always an echo of screams.

　There, the patients of the real 'demon poison' disease continued to be victims.
　With every second, my sanity was being chipped away.
　I couldn't stop vomiting and crying at the thought that I had been living crappy lives on top of this hell for my entire childhood and continuing to ignore these voices. In particular, the prison I was placed in, called the "God's Body Storage Room," was a terrible place to be.

　It was a dark room made of stone, always bright red.
　Occasionally a cleaning crew would come in, but their cleaning was never able to catch up.

　--because the pool of blood in the center of the room regularly overflows.

　The surface of the water is constantly pulsing and endlessly producing blood from the chunks of flesh submerged in it.
　The admired Helmina-san had been reduced to a cruelty-free state.

　However, she was still alive.
　To be precise, she was being kept alive and her 'blood power' was being squeezed forever.
　As the new 'Blood God' to protect Fania--

'-- ah, ......, ah, ah, ah, ......'

　It's nothing short of hell to be chained up and continue to watch the person you admire suffer.
　I kept mourning and letting my voice trail off.
　However, it will never reach Helmina-san.
　No matter how many words I throw at her--

'Helmina, please ...... and also ......, please ....... Please .......
"I'm going to ■■■■ flesh and blood, and I'm going to count it.

　I can't talk.
　What came back was mostly a strange vibration that was not human.
　Even if I could hear something that looked like language, conversation was impossible.

　I couldn't get a lesson from Helmina anymore, like I used to.
　There was no one in the world to guide this foolish junior.
　In desperation, I kept crying, clinging and talking to him, even though I knew it was futile.

'I am ......, what should I have done ......?　Where did we go wrong: ......?　How could we have been saved: ......--

　Somehow, I wanted to hear Helmina's voice.
　I wanted her to tell me what to do from now on, just as she once did.



　But I can't ask.
　Just like the janitor in the past, Helmina-san has been invaded by the 'demonic poison' and is completely insane. It was a 'voice' that could only be thought of as such.

　I will never be able to talk to Helmina-san again.
　When I accepted that, I wanted to be as mad as Helmina-san.

　It was hard to be alive. If I didn't, I was just suffering. I didn't want to think about it or try anymore. If that was the case, it would be much easier to be like Helmina now - it didn't take long to think that.

'Oh ....... I'm going to be just like Helmina-san...

　I believed I could become one.
　The Dragon God told me that in order to become one of the gods, I had to despair of everything and give up everything. That's why I kept believing that I could become just like the Fire God, Light God and Blood God.

　I don't need strength anymore. I just want weakness. If I can just give in to this painful reality and I can also go to Helmina-san, I'll give in as much as I can. If my heart is cracked, shattered and driven mad by this, then--

　I can talk to Helmina again.
　Again, like when I was a little girl who didn't know anything.
　If there's even the slightest chance of getting that fun time back, I'll give up anything.
　If the more I pretend, the closer I get to the 'real' thing, the more crazy I'll be.
　Even if I'm not crazy, I'll be crazy. Go crazy, crazy, crazy. It's definitely easier already to go mad, so...

Lady Helmina would never want to be saved.

　There was a response on the way.
　'Not Mr. Helmina.

"Of course you are. Because even now, Lady Helmina is very 'happy'.
'What about ......?'　Huh?

　Somewhere along the line, I was able to talk to that crazy cleaning girl instead of being able to talk to Ms. Hermina.
　She had finished her cleaning duties and was taking a break, and when she couldn't see me in my pathetic state, she called out to me. I could hear it and understand it.

　I didn't know why I could talk to the girl now.
　But I was trapped in the 'Goddess Storage Room' and I was starving for someone to talk to, so I didn't think too much about it and ate it up.

'Soooo, you don't want to be saved, ......?　It can't be!　This is 'happiness'!　Look!　In that pool of blood!　Oh, it's just a piece of meat!　This!　This is how it ends!　Is this a punishment for Helmina, who has worked so hard all along to save everyone!　At all times, Ms. Helmina was trying her best to help those suffering from the disease of The Devil's Poison!　Little by little, I've been working my way through the ground!　And yet, this d*mned 'world' is aaaaahhhhh--!

　Maybe it's because I was more pleased to see that I could finally be crazy.
　If I kept pretending, I could be 'real' properly.
　I felt a little closer to Helmina and I was talking to her normally.

''Yes. So, isn't this what you call an 'ordeal'?
"'The Tribulation', you say ......?
At least, Lady Helmina thinks so. I've been with her all my life, and I know everything about her. --Didn't you once say that trials are about hope and luck?　By going through 'trials', one day 'magic' won't just be for God. ...... This is probably the way to go.
This is it?　Is this stuff on the way ......?

　As if she were Helmina, the cleaning girl would admonish me.
　For some reason I couldn't brush it off.

''Yes. Still, Helmina-sama is still in the middle of trying her best to overcome the 'ordeal'. And yet, Fafner Helvirshain is giving up?　You, a disciple of Lord Helmina, will succumb to 'trials' on such a path?
It's ......, I wasn't a disciple of ......
'No way, right?　-- because you're a 'strong man'.
'No, I'm not really ......, I'm really ......,--!

　I'm not strong.
　Before he could deny that, a piercing scream interrupted his words.
　It was the screams of the demons who are still being sacrificed in the Seventh Magical Research Institute.

　It sounded as if the screams stopped me from giving up.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us," he said, "and if you give up, what was the point of our deaths? I asked for our regrets. Please, I asked for your regrets.

　It's my imagination.
　But I was frightened and looked around.

　Naturally, there was no one else in this 'Goddess Storage Room' other than me and the cleaning staff.
　Nothing but blood. I thought--

What--

　For some reason, there was a copy of the Scripture of the Inscription White Church in this room.
　The book I used to prefer, rely on, and believe in.

　My hand moved naturally and picked up the book.
　My body knew the power of the book well.

'Gosh, chapter five, verse eleven: ......'

　As if out of habit, I recited it.
　Instantly, I felt a little more at ease.
　And because it was a little bit easier, I felt like I could still do my best.

　Of course, that's a trick.
　In medical terms, it's like a religious addiction.

"'Every soul must be honored' ...... and 'Even one's own soul cannot rest in peace.'" ......

　I, who was Helmina's assistant, know that this is a dependency in a very dangerous range.
　We should get rid of the 'Inscription White Faith Scripture' as soon as possible.
　Once you get into it, you will never be able to let go of it again.
　However, on the contrary, it is--

"-- Chapter 5:11: 'Unless you honor every soul, you cannot rest in your own soul.'"--

　It also meant that as long as there was something I could depend on, I could still do my best.
　It was at this time that I realized the true power of the Inscription White Church.

　I turn the pages of the Scripture of the Inscription White Faith in the "God's Body Vault".
　At the lowest level of Phania, I desperately pray to the oldest god and compose the rest of the book.

'-- Chapter 5, verse 12: "Respecting all souls, your soul has been laid to rest" --

　It had become a kind of 'compensation'.
　Little by little, that 'monumental white teaching scripture' becomes a part of my body that I need to live in.

　And from that part of my body, I can hear a voice that should no longer be heard.
　It's the voice of the sacrificed 'demons' saying, "You can go, you can go. Because you're our Helvilleshain--" the voice that pushes me back.
　The admired Helmina-san said, "The only thing that can pave the way is the knowledge you have accumulated. If you inherit my 'blood power', you will be able to get out of here..." a voice that tells you the path you should take.
　The Great Savior (Magna Messiah) Kanami says, "Fafner, don't give up until the end. The voice waiting at the end of the road that says "We will meet again someday...".

　Thus, I paid the price and obtained a distorted voice (skill).
　It's a powerful force that will never let your heart fail, no matter how many generations in the future, whether it's a hundred years or a thousand years.

''--Ha, haha, kuha!　
Hmmm--, do you understand?　You were a 'strong man'.

　Two giggles spill out.
　I continue to laugh, losing out to the screams of the 'demon' echoing from afar.

''Haha!　Yeah, I know!　Yeah, I knew it!　This much of an 'ordeal', always!　Ms. Helmina is still alive!　As long as we can hear this Helmina-san's voice, we can still do our best!
'Yes. ...... because we're alive. We're not dead yet.
Oh, I'll never die!　I'll definitely live, get out of here, and save everyone!　We'll kill all the top scientists!　It's absolutely ridiculous that we're 'unhappy' and those scum are 'happy'!　It's not supposed to be ...... that you can't be saved, that everyone can't be saved--!

　The "ordeal" is not despair. Rather, I was sad with tears in my eyes, smiling broadly and rejoicing that this is where the hard work begins.

　-- and that new 'voice (skill)' will lead me to it.

　The other researchers were useless, so I studied on my own in this 'God's Body Storage Room'.
　Stretching my chains to the limit and stretching my hands into the pool of blood in the center, I taught myself 'blood power'.
　How?　If you ask me, it's a very simple answer. Following the 'voice' that can be heard from somewhere, I have found a way to become the agent of the 'one who steals the reason for blood'. That's all.

　.............
　This is how I became the agent of the one who steals the reason for blood.
　After that, I continue to overcome the 'ordeal' like a madman.
　As Helmina's agent, I also spread her grateful teachings.
　Because I believed that if I worked hard, I would one day become the 'real thing'.

　.............
　That's just a tatemae.
　It was probably because it was the easiest path.
　In an effort to make my mind a little more comfortable, I instinctively chose Theologian and became an agent of the One Who Steals the Principle of Blood, and continued to follow the voice of the skill "oracle" - not the skill "oracle" - but the voice of the state abnormality "auditory hallucination".

　That is the true identity of Fafner, the agent of the One Who Steals the Principle of Blood, a thousand years ago.
　In the world a thousand years later, we sort out that past and become painfully aware of it.

　And with that pain, his consciousness slowly begins to clear up.
　Not only the mind, but the body also awakens.
　From the 'Goddess Storage Room' of a thousand years ago, to reality.
　From the Fafner Helvirshine after a thousand years, who can't even handle a substitute properly, and who still continues to make mistakes--


◆◆◆◆◆


　--Return, I wake up from my meditation.
　Slowly, I lift my heavy eyelids and exhale the air in my lungs.

'Huh. ......'

　The scene that pops into my retinas is the same one I had been recalling earlier.
　It was a bright red stone-built room with a pool of blood pooling in the center.
　But there are no more lumps of flesh submerged there. No one is there.

　Even after a thousand years, I was still in the 'God's Body Storage Room' and had my back to that dirty wall.
　I used fresh blood magic and the labyrinth construction system to 'recall convergence (drop)' the fania from a thousand years ago, so I can say it's almost the same room. However, the faces there are a bit different than in the past.

''Are you okay?　I don't know if I'm pale, or if my face is showing through a bit.

　Right in front of me, Glenn Walker was worried about me.
　And in his chest, that 'Heart of Helmina' was housed.

　A thousand years ago, I had given away what I had worked so hard to obtain to someone else.

　When I wake up, I often observe my surroundings.
　Me and Glenn, facing each other, are naked on top of each other, with a large hollow opening in their chests in a matching manner. However, I'm 'empty' and Glenn has 'Helmina's Heart'.

　Compared to when it was housed in my chest, its heartbeat was too feeble.
　But it was just as planned.
　It seems that I've succeeded in weakening its power to the limit. Even though Glenn had inherited the Heart of Hermina, the magic power in his body remained thin. This doesn't hinder his covert activities.

　And it wasn't just Glenn who was getting thinner, it was me too.
　Not only is his magic power quiet and quiet, but his raw limbs are very thin. The abnormal presence of the 'Stealer of Reason' had disappeared, and he had completely reverted to a single Ghost 'Magician'.

　Now the preparations were complete.
　In just a few moments, Kanami, the one that steals the logic of the dimension, will arrive in this "God's Body Storage Room".
　The existence that splits the ocean with a single fingertip, makes fruit trees grow just by stroking the soil, and cures all sicknesses by radiating divine light, is coming to save you because I once wished to be saved.

　That's why I discarded 'that which steals reason' ahead of him.
　I know that 'the thief of reason' is a synonym for 'the weak'.
　A child who has a crack in his heart and has just borrowed money from the world to gain an undeserved amount of power.

　When faced with Kanami, being 'the one who steals reason' is a weakness.
　So, as a final preparation, he performed the inheritance of that weakness.

　However, the ritual was harder work than he expected, and it seemed to take a toll on his body and mind.
　He thought he was doing some light meditation, but he was lightly disoriented.

'Yeah, I'm fine. I was just doing my own 'past vision' again, Glenn," he said. It's not so much ...... as it is that you're pale.
'Well ......, that's going to get a bit worse. ...... This is the end of me now, you know.

　Glenn muttered after his face fell.
　Out of the corner of his eye, a raw, pulsing heart fell.
　A fresh heart. Blood was still gushing from the tips of the shredded veins and arteries, continuing to stain the floor of the room red.

　--Glen had pulled out the heart with his own hands during the succession of The One Who Steals Blood's Reason.

　Normally, he would have died instantly.
　The reason why Glenn is alive now is because of the power of his "demonization".
　His mixture is Poison Bee. He's just a poisonous bee monster without any sort of twist. He's not a high-grade or vital monster. It was just that the history of his bloodline had been extremely distorted for a thousand years.

　Thanks to this, that insect monster's physical structure was quite unique.
　Instead of using the heart to circulate blood like a human, it used the organ called the pulmonary vascular system to control the body fluids throughout its body. In addition, Helmina-san's medical knowledge of anti-magician medicine and my genetic modification surgery allowed me to recreate a half-dead state ...... The point is that during the 'demonization' process, you can use another strange heart, so it's okay.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
　It's only natural since he's throwing away his human heart there.
　If he returns to human, he will die.

　Will he be able to transform into a monster for a long time?
　Or he will die as a human being by releasing his demonization.
　These are the only two options.

"Glenn, the succession of 'The One Who Steals the Reason for Blood' is now a success. ...... If you can divide Kanami and the others with that power as promised, then you can be Seldora-san's opponent and I can be Kanami's opponent. As expected, I can't refuse a life-threatening request.
Thank you ....... I have a very good idea that I am about to die. I can feel the knowledge of a thousand years ago from the 'Heart of Helmina' in my chest. It's a very strange feeling. ...... It's a very strange feeling. Is this what it's like to be a magic stone holder?　I'm not supposed to be able to 'get along' or anything.　
It's a popular phenomenon that knowledge and skills can be passed on from the magic stone. However, Helmina's magical stone is exceptional. The blood power is meant to be used by anyone, so we've made a lot of changes to make it easier to pass on knowledge.
'Wow, the technology of a thousand years ago is truly amazing. I have nothing but gratitude for the great scientist, Hermina Neysha, and a lot of respect for her. I also have great respect for her.
"Respect, Helmina would say this. I'm not the only one who deserves credit for this. The power of blood is the wisdom of generations of Neisha researchers, who have experimented and sacrificed so much in order to arrive at it, you seem somewhat happy about that.
'That's the kind of person Helmina Neisha was: ....... My family did something similar in the family business, so I can understand a little bit of that pride.

　We continue to chat.
　And then we check in with Glenn to see how well he's doing (...).

'In the ...... family business?　That's new to me. What kind of research did you do?
My family's skill of concoction is inextricably linked to science. I remember my grandfather used to call himself a 'poisonous scientist', and I remember it well. ...... Just because of Tiara-sama, we've entered the 'Age of Magicology', so the word science itself has become rare these days.
Magick.　I've never heard of that before. Is this era called the 'Magical Age'?
'What?　...... Oh, oh. Maybe I'm not the only one who said that now. It's like my knowledge of Helmina Neysha mixed with my knowledge of Helmina Neysha, and I just kind of thought of it and said it. No, it feels really strange, this: ......
'So that's what you mean: ....... It's true, from what I've heard, that was a Helmina-like choice of words. If it were me or Kanami, we'd be giving it a much, much more exaggerated name.
Oh, you're right, Kanami-kun, you do like the rubrics and all that, don't you? If you'd known about "The 5-step, 1,000-year plan," you might have arranged it, too.

　We laugh at each other and are convinced.
　Really, it's a good fit (・・・・・).
　Excessive memory transfer is supposed to be more of a side effect.
　There should be some unusual discomfort, but it's just a word for a strange mood.
　There's no rejection, nor does the auditory hallucination seem to be amplified.

　-- I'm reminded that I really wasn't a good fit.

　Unlike with me, Glenn checks his body over and over again and nods with satisfaction.
　Finally, he touched his left hand to the jaw area to make sure his back teeth weren't ringing.

'Besides, my body doesn't tremble in front of you anymore. Is this not just because of 'Helmina's Heart', but also because I was prepared to die?
Yeah, I know. You're not intimidated by me anymore. I'm gonna get you out of your doctor's office for good.

　As he replied, Glenn scratched his head apologetically.

　The 'strongest' Glenn Walker of this era had always had a phobia of monsters.
　When he was a child, he was attacked in the labyrinth by a monster called 'The One Who Steals the Dark Reason' Tida, and the people he admired at the time were slaughtered. Apparently, his sister-in-law Snow, who also survived, was also severely traumatized at that time.

　However, as Glenn interacted with Rowen, the One Who Steals the Reason of the Earth, and Nosfi, the One Who Steals the Reason of Light, he gradually alleviated his symptoms - and eventually met me, the One Who Steals the Reason of Blood, and cured him completely.

　It's a strange fate, I think.
　The three knights who serve the saints are basically a disaster that will kill you if you meet them.
　Maybe there's something special about Glenn, who met all of them and survived, that has some special power.

　But contrary to my high opinion of him, Glenn sighs and begins to self-mutilate.

'Huh. ....... I just really hate myself for not being able to stop shaking until I get to this point. I'm always shaking and cowering, lost and late to the party. Even Palinkron, Hain ...... and that Mr. Snow have already moved on.
I don't think there's anything wrong with being a coward. Not being afraid to die is just brave.
'No, cowardice is a bad thing. ...... Really, I've been a bad guy. So, here I will surely strike a match with Seldra Queenfillion. Because that's the only way I have left to redeem myself.

　But my voice didn't reach him, and Glenn smiled and spoke his resolve.
　This man, just like us, is probably carrying a lot of regrets, and he's here now.

　To be honest, if Kanami and I are serious about prolonging our lives, it's possible.
　However, Glenn will never accept it.
　It's because he has found his life's worth in striking a match with Seldra-san.
　In our style, he's made it his 'undoing'.

　This could be our last conversation.
　I scratched the back of my head, imitating Glenn, and told him how I really felt.

What a mess. It's always a terrible thing from the guy I've been rooting for.

　I stare at Glenn's exposed heart and mock myself.
　I think I've been slowly fixing the buttons I've misplaced.
　But I still find myself going around imposing misguided 'trials' on others.

'On the other hand, the ones I didn't give a d*mn about always turn out to be awesome.

　I thought back to my own childhood earlier, and I knew exactly what I was talking about.
　Trials are not something that can be given by someone else.
　Even if there is no 'test' for me, people will grow up. It's also beyond our imagination and far beyond what we can imagine.

　--I learned this from the Tiara Foozeyers of a thousand years ago and the Rustyala Foozeyers of today.

　When I saw that rainbow-colored magical figure, I understood in an instant that there was a guy who was working harder than me.
　Las Tiara Fuzzyards was the crystal of 'Magic Stone', 'Blood Power', 'Religion', and 'Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus)' - and at the same time, it was also the perfection of the science that had accumulated since the Dark Cloud Era. Tiara would have made use of all kinds of technology, without regard to science or theology.
　That's why Las Tiara Fuzzyards was miraculously balanced and extremely beautiful.

　Connecting them together with 《Line》 and uniting everyone's power with 《Revan》 as one.
　Her rainbow-colored light had a persuasive power that was worthy of her two names, the 'Present Man God'.

　I think she was truly more beautiful, graceful, righteous and sound than the candidates for the 'Great Saviour (Magna Messiah)' who were subjected to an unreasonable 'trial' from me - Kanami, Nosfi and Lagune.

　Even though you can certainly feel the thick blood connection, there's no bloodlust at all.
　That girl Tiara proved that anyone can be the 'Great Savior (Magna Messiah)' without any painful 'trials'.

'Oh ......, I have no eyes to see. Ever since I was a kid, I've been.

　I am acutely aware of this.

　I had even misjudged Helmina-san.
　That's why I couldn't realize that although I was claiming to be the successor to the one who stole the reason for blood, I was actually entrusted with the Five Step Thousand Year Plan to Saint Tiara.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　You're going to be able to find out more about the best way to get the most out of your own personal life.
　The same is true when the continent was frozen by the Gentile Hitaki. The last battle was conducted in an orderly fashion without me, and Tiara easily saved the world.

...... I just didn't have the eyes to see it, but I know I could see it through. Kanami came back to life, cleared up her past, regained all her memories, and grew more than anyone else ....... 'The one who steals the reason for the blood,' as an agent Fafner, would have accomplished his 'unfinished business' in a way that there is no excuse for it.

　And that 'Genjinshi' Rastiara is now in Kanami.
　This is because he survived the 'Last Battle' as an example, and inherited all the thoughts and power of the 'Stealers of Reason'.
　And, as per the 'Scripture of the Inscription White Church', he became a substitute for the power of God.
　My 'unfinished business' of 'watching Aikawa Uzumi grow up to the end' has already been fulfilled.

　Clearly, the 'Seventy-second Trial' of 'The One Who Steals Blood's Reason' is over (・・・・・・).

'So, I should be able to 'feel safe' now ....... Because the 'demons' are ...... no, the 'beastmen' now. I've already reached the blue sky for all of the "beastmen". And from now on, the world will be saved even more through the power of Kanami, the 'Great Saviour' (Magna Messiah), and the number of 'unhappy' people will continue to decrease ......

　But I'm not gone yet.
　I'm an artificial 'stealer of reason', and like the others, my power comes from my 'regrets'.
　I'm sure it's because I've studied the "magic formula" and was in charge of its treatment.
　And yet, I still--.

If I put my thoughts in Kanami's hands, it will all be over. I can be a part of the connection between people, and this time I'm not just talking, I'm helping to save the world ....... And that's what I'm supposed to do: ....... So why, I'm still--
''The 'blood-stealer' agent's 'unfinished business' may be over, but your own real (...) 'unfinished business (...)' is not yet, is it?　I'm with Miss Rowen and Lady Nosefy. --you, too, are waiting. The world may be waiting for a savior like Tiara-sama, but the 'Stealers of Reason' are waiting for someone like Kanami-kun.

　That question was answered by Glenn, not me.
　From the side, it might have been obvious.

　Glenn says that even after the agency succession is over, I'm still one of the 'reason stealers'.
　I've always wanted to become the "real" one, so that's a good answer. However, admitting that you are the 'real thing' now is only an opening when you meet Kanami, so it's a bit of a mixed feeling.

Are you sure I'm the 'one who steals the truth'?　Am I really alive now because of the 'unfinished business' ......?
And you're going to find out, aren't you?　You can't really 'feel safe'. Here.
'Yeah, I want to make sure: ....... Whether or not Kanami really inherited the 'Great Savior (Magna Messiah)' from Tiara. No, in the first place, I want to see if the 'Rustyara Fooziers' I saw are really in Kanami's body now (・・・・・・・・・) (・・・・・・・・).

　I figured that was my role.

　So, I'm going to try Kanami just one more time.
　My misguided 'ordeal' will be easily surpassed with that Rustyara's rainbow colored magic power.

　At that time, it's a 'relief'.
　I was really an idiot, but I can rest assured that the world is being saved in a place that has nothing to do with me, and the long-lasting story was a happy ending.

　But if I couldn't get over it.
　But if I was still mistaken, then...

　I'll do it.
　What that tiara did to Yotaki, I will do.
　Just as Glenn is ready to face Seldora, I need to be ready to face him.

　Seeing the thoughtful expression on my face, Glenn smiled at me.
　Come to think of it, this resolve was the first objective of Glen Walker, the party's scout and recruiter.

We've decided that our party doesn't need to check (・・・・・・・・・). But that doesn't stop you. It's very important for you to be convinced. ......

　With that, at last, Glenn looked away and turned his back.
　He knows that nothing will go on just by worrying about each other here.
　He put on the jacket he had folded on the floor and with wariness filling his back, he was about to walk out of this 'God's Body Control Room'.

''You're leaving already?　Just so you know, we've still got some distance to go.

　Even though I lost Helmina's Heart, I can still use my blood power.
　The reason for this is simple: I didn't become able to use my blood power because I obtained Helmina's heart, but because I obtained Helmina's heart by mastering the blood power in this room a thousand years ago - the order was reversed, so I was able to use the blood land on earth. The state of the "Blood" has been grasped through the application of magic 《Blood》.

　Even though Kanami and the others have invaded the Blood Land, there is still a lot of time left.

I'll be up there as soon as possible and move the 'Living Legend'. We also want to test the power of the Heart of Helmina for a bit. I'm sure it can produce the Blood Fiend, but I want to find out how long it can command.
Okay. Well then, that's it for now: ....... Finally, I'd like to wish you good luck. Please let me pray to the last guardian of the modern world, Glenn Walker.
Thanks, but I won't be the last. But I won't be the last. Our leader said that people's thoughts are always connected to each other--

　After saying that, Glenn walked through the door of the room and went up the stairs.
　I see his courageous back off, and I'm alone in the "God's Body Storage Room".

　In a room where there are no more sacred objects to keep, I mutter to myself.

"-- Chapter 14, verse 1: 'There is no such thing as a pure end for anyone. But no one has an unholy end either.'"--

　The congratulations I once gave to Lord Ragne, I also gave to Glenn while rolling up my current only possession, The Scripture of the Inscription White Church.

　This "Scripture" is one of the knowledge I learned from Helmina while I was held captive in the "God's Body Control Room" a thousand years ago.
　However, this was not a 'blood power' relationship, but rather a 'spell' invented by Kanami a thousand years ago.

　A thousand years ago Kanami had already succeeded in packing "The Price" into a book before he visited Fania for the first time. The chanting was written down in advance (...) and then the power of the book was increased by holding it while chanting the spell.

　In modern times, they are known as "magic tools" in the form of rings and bracelets.
　It's not an uncommon technique, just that it's often written on magic stones rather than paper.

　However, my "scripture" is too packed with "compensation" and has already gone far beyond the category of "magic tool". A thousand years ago, because I studied and experimented and pushed the rules too far, this 'Inscription White Church Scripture' is already my - half body.

' - 'The 'Inscription White Teaching'. Chapter one, verse one, 'You are the one who is here' --

　Maybe the reason I'm still alive, with my chest empty, is because this book is a replacement for my heart.

　I abandoned my name once.
　I will never use my name again.
　I've been composing under the pseudonym "Fafner Helvilshain" for a long time now.
　It's not as good as the sacred magic of religion, but that act is a big "price", and I'm receiving the magic favor from the world.

　You're going to be able to get the most out of it.
　You're going to be able to find out what you need to do with it, and you're going to be able to find out what you need to do with it.

　Just now, Kanami and his group had just jumped down from the top of the wall at the edge of the "Blood Land".

　After landing in the blood shallow water, they began their search slowly, with "Blood Sucking Species" Kounel in the lead.
　As planned, Kanami was aiming for a discussion and did not try to forcefully destroy the 'jutsu' that interfered with the dimensional magic that had sunk into the 'Blood Land'.

　As far as we are concerned, there was no problem even if it was destroyed.
　In that case, we have many measures to deal with it.

　That is, for example, the pool of blood in the center of this room.
　That's not just a pool of blood.
　It's the Book of Blood, a collection of my knowledge.
　Knowledge centered on theology, literature, history, folklore, and biology is stored there.

　It's a necessary medium for making the most of Ghost's 'demon' power.
　I've finished preparing it to the point where I can say that there's nothing more I can prepare for.
　Since I'm sure of that, all that's left is--

"-- Chapter 12, verse 2: 'Keep the time that is limited. Your sloth will harm all people.'"--

　I wait while I recite the poem.
　Calming my mind, I pay more 'price' while sorting through my memories.

　I build up my magic power externally, hoping for everything to be perfect.
　I've already packed so much of my 'compensation' in that it feels as if the 'scripture' is the main body of the book, but I continue to indulge in meditation.

"-- Chapter 12, verse 3: 'But as far as time is concerned, it is not reasonable. The freedom of all men will help you.'"--
"-- Chapter 12, verse 4: 'Therefore, keep the time that is limited. For you are one of all.'"--
"-- Chapter 12, verse 5: 'And let the time be on your side. It will give you peace of mind.'"--

　Just mindlessly.
　Remembering the person I used to be, I was indifferent.

　-- composing a poem and distracting myself from time has always been my forte.

　This kind of distraction was essential to keep me sane in the midst of horrific torture.
　The key is to successfully escape from the pain before your mind reaches its limits.
　It's easy to get cracks in your heart when you're trying to fight the painful reality.
　I was born with this in mind. My body took care of itself and worked well. That's probably why I was better at living than most people. I was blessed to be better than others, so I could pretend to be crazy as much as I wanted to.

"-- Chapter 12, verse 17: 'There is no limit to time. There is no limit to me in the world.

　As I continued to compose, my sense of time jumped.
　Did it jump for an hour or a whole day?
　Or was it a year?
　If I wanted to, I was confident that I could make years pass by with dexterity.
　And when I lost track of how many weeks I was reciting the same part of the poem over and over again -

"-- Chapter 12, verse 2: 'Keep the time that is limited. Your laziness--, ......!

　A tremor, I felt.

　I don't know how much time passed, but soon I turned my gaze to the ceiling.
　On the ground, I could feel a sea of blood raging.
　Perhaps the "Living Legend" had arrived in the skies above the city of Fania - or perhaps it was Shanghai. When I judged that, I felt a magical stone with great power fall within my Seventh Magician's Research Institute (Territory).

　It was the magical power of a woman I had faced many times a thousand years ago, a woman I had missed many times.
　Just as planned, it seems that the Apostle Sith has become a magical stone due to Glenn's surprise attack.
　Immediately, I remotely control the blood sea with my magic 《Blood》. Controlling the flow of the blood sea is now close to water magic. However, for me, who was no longer a genuine 'Blood Reason Stealer', it wasn't a difficult thing to do.

　A few dozen seconds later, I lead the Sith magic stone that was swallowed by the blood sea to the ceiling of this 'God's Body Storage Room'.
　With a plop.
　The surface of the ceiling bounced as if a stone had fallen on the surface of the water.
　The magic stone penetrated the ceiling and entered the room.

　Catching the Apostle Sith's beautiful magic stone.
　He quickly wiped the surface of the magic stone with his hand and looked into it, making sure that the contents were safe.
　Although I have many thoughts about the Apostle Sith, I don't have a grudge against it to the point of wanting it to disappear. Based on my experience from a thousand years ago, I examined the magic stone, confirmed that she was safe, and took a breath.

''Feng--''

　Relief.
　Then he looks up.
　You look from your hand to the front.
　When you turn it, there it is...

Hi.

　Already, there was 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Dimension' Kanami.
　Dressed in a pitch-black cloak, she was standing in front of the entrance door, as if a ghost was flickering. With eyes darker than the darkness, she was staring at me intently.

''Ka, Kanami-san (...) ......!

　It's early.
　They arrived at about the same time as the magical stone fell.

　Most of all, I'm surprised that they didn't notice the intrusion into this room.
　That magic power ghost Kanami is unusually absent. It's probably because the cloak that utilizes the power of Tida, the one who steals the logic of the darkness, suppresses the magic power to the limit.

　The Kanami in front of me was even more ghostly than the ghost's 'demon' me.
　She's still the same old mirror.

　That feeling reminds me of that day.
　The memory of the first time I met "Kanami-san".
　At the time, I was a theologian working for the First Institute of Demonology, and I was given the task of guiding a state guest.
　The person I was meeting with at that time was Kanami, a "Gentile" who came from Fuzzyards.

　We got along very well.
　I liked to talk about Fania's history and religion, and Kanami liked to hear me talk about it.
　We became friends right away. I was delighted that for the first time in my life, we might be like-minded friends.
　I thought we could be the best of friends.

　-- no, we were the best 'friends' (...).

　I was one of those who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Kanami.
　One of the greats who survived hell and went insane, but came back to life after a thousand years.
　I'm a 'friend' of the 'real' Kanami.

'--Kanami!　Haha, long time no see!　I feel oddly nostalgic!　When was the last time?　Not since that Ragne guy killed me!

　So I called out to him with ease.
　I had the dexterity to do that.
　I have the talent to get what I want and be what I want to be.
　But the person I was dealing with--.

'Nope (...). It's a little different to say since Ragne killed me. ...... It took me a thousand years to get here.

　It's a mixture of talents even more than mine, boiled down and matured into a 'stealer of reason'.

　Right now, Kanami and I are of the same physical appearance and about the same height.
　I suppose it's a figure worthy of an equal 'friend'. However, Kanami was looking at me with gentle eyes, as if she were looking at a boy smaller than herself. An older brotherly, fatherly, protective gaze engulfed my entire body.

　It dredged up memories of the two of us once walking through the 'First Demonic Research Institute' innocently and amicably, despite the difference in height, and talking about religion and demonic stones with ease.

''Yeah (...). I remember that day, I enjoyed talking about the culture of the city with you at the First Institute of Demonology in Fania. Maybe it was the first time since then. I haven't spoken to the 'real you' once since then.

　Naturally, he read my mind.
　Maybe it wasn't mind-reading, maybe it was reading my future response.
　In any case, it was a conversation with my mind being read ahead of time.

　Kanami looked around the 'Shintai Vault' and spoke with his hands on his chest like a performer celebrating on the stage.

'Sorry I'm late, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here to rescue you. I'm here to save everyone who is suffering in this Institute for the Study of Demons and Disorders--

　Then he smiled.