It was a pleasant morning.
　A variety of fireworks continue to shoot up against the bright, clear blue of the sky.
　The morning sunshine reflected diffusely on the magical snow (tierrei) that poured down, glittering.

　Under a strange festival sky, I cover my face with a large cloak and walk through the marketplace of the Wald - passing people enjoying the festival on the way. Among them were children of siblings begging for that one and me too, and a man and woman who appeared to be their parents replied, "Just for today!

　I finally got to see that scene with a sense of serenity.
　We walked for an hour or so, nostalgically, and arrived at our destination.

　It seems that there was a big meeting (mass) at the Fouzeyards Cathedral last night, and the priests were busy walking around.
　But as soon as I revealed my face to them and proudly announced that I had come to see the Sith, they allowed me to see them.

　I suppose it had been mentioned to me beforehand, from above.
　I was led to the innermost temple. However, it seems that an exorcism was carried out, and there were no ordinary guests inside, only knights and priests.

　I miss it a bit.
　There are stone pillars standing at regular intervals in a neatly cut out cubic space. The floor and walls were polished like mirrors, emphasizing the austere air. A red carpeted path was laid out from the entrance to the altar, with several couches for visitors on either side of it.

　A year ago, I had sat on one of those couches as an honored guest.
　I was dressed in ill-fitting prayer clothes, waiting for Kanami to arrive any moment - today I am the opposite.
　Underneath the cheap cloak, I was dressed for a labyrinth search. I've got a well-worn leather glove and breastplate, and I wear a rugged sword unsuitable for a temple, and I carry a bag of medicine and other props around my waist behind me.
　With this appearance, I'm going to pick up Kanami today.　

　I'm going to do that, but the knights who surround me as I stand on the red carpet will not allow it. I look at the besieging knights and blurt out.

'That's all you've got ......?'

　At a quick glance, there are about fifty people in the room.
　The large temple was not filled at all.
　I frowned at the smallness of the battle force.

　The new 'Senate' and the others have not appeared.
　The chain of command is functioning well from the knights' unhindered movements. I'd like to think that someone from the 'Senate' is hiding and conducting business nearby. However, it seems likely that Kounel, who is likely to be a representative, has moved to another location from the 'Government Affairs Office and Connection Storage' downstairs to avoid a confrontation with me.

　As I continue to critically observe the knights around me to see if I can somehow read the information on the move, I hear footsteps coming from the doorway in the corner of the temple.

　A Sith appeared.
　Then he slowly climbs onto the temple platform.
　The knights took the knight's bow in unison at the appearance of the serving apostle.
　There is no longer an obstacle on the carpet that connects me and the Sith, and my eyes meet with the Sith standing on the platform.

　A halo seemed to shine through the stained glass.
　The Sith, clad in the holiness of an apostle, speaks out quietly.

'You are so calm, Dear. You've really grown up compared to when I was inside.

　That's what he said when he saw how hard I was working on the information.

"...... Well, that's true. I've been through a lot of trouble even with this. I'm a veteran labyrinth explorer.

　I'm proud of myself a little bit because of the compliments I've received.
　But it's probably the Sith who are growing up, too.
　Inside the stern temple in the early morning, Sis speaks leisurely in the pale light.

''Right. There are no more labyrinth explorers in this Confederation that surpass you. As I recall, the last time I dove in was roughly 80 layers?　...... Really, it was so close to being over.
'Yes. So, maybe today I'll still reach the 'deepest'. And that's the end of the 'adventure' I've been yearning for since I was a kid.
'Since you were a kid?　...... Oh, that's an entertaining novel from the village church. Come to think of it, I used to read those all the time. It's kind of nostalgic.
What. Did you know you were in a coma?
'A little bit. I've been burned out because you're not raising the bar at all and I can't get out there at all.

　He didn't give the one-sided narrative characteristic of the apostles.
　The Sith did not raise their voices and had a good ear for us.

　Thanks to this, we could hear the sound of fireworks in the distance.
　Moreover, the hustle and bustle of the festival and the performances.
　It's like an accompaniment to the Sith speaking in a solemn temple.

　Seeing me listening closely to them, the Sith become more alert.

'You really are so calm. It's as if you knew it was going to happen. ...... Hey, since when did Dia see through the Lord's 'plan'?
Hmmm, that's a tough one. ...... It was on a trip to a hot spring that I became aware of the fact that Kanami was no longer working.
'A spa trip is ....... Before the "Blood Land" attack?　Not almost last minute.
Yeah, it was really last minute.

　Everyone had a faint feeling that Kanami had been suffering since beyond the example 'The Last Battle'. But what would be a fitting answer to the Sith's desired answer would be a trip to the hot springs.

　On the day of that hot spring trip, I discussed the 'End of Season Festival' with Maria and the others.
　Then, in agreement with what Rustyala had said about the 'last enemy', we anticipated and prepared for the battle that awaited us at this festival.

　It is a determination to never give up, no matter how difficult a battle is waiting for you. ...... At that time, Maria also said this.
　While soaking in the open-air bath with her familiar companions, she said, "--But if Kanami-san hadn't been peeking at this hot spring discussion with a strange concern, it would be a different story. It could be a very easy fight," she joked, laughing.

　I trust that Maria's reading of the situation.
　Of course, Snow and the Reapers, too. And, of course, Rustyala.
　I trust them all, and that's why I came to see the Sith, alone, with a sense of security like this.

　As if reading my inner thoughts, the Sith nodded.

'So ....... You're prepared, you're alone. But why did you come here first?　You would have headed straight for 'The Deepest'.
'Of course I'll be in the labyrinth soon. But it's not enough to just go to Kanami's place. You have to make a lot of preparations.

　The Sith will continue to ask pure questions and I will answer them without pretense.
　Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that me and Sith aren't good at negotiating or bargaining, so we have no choice but to do so.

'Preparation?　Heh ......, what kind of preparation do you need?
'I'm not very smart, so I didn't understand all of Rastiara's will: ....... But I know something about it. That probably means I shouldn't have forgotten anything.

　If all I had to do was go, I would already be there.
　But when I close my eyes, the memory of Rustyala stops me. Even on that last night, she laughed, repeating, "'We're all in this together'.

You're a forget-me-not. ...... You're taking so long to say that the 'End-Tan Festival' has already begun.
Maria taught me that there's no need to rush, you see. So I'm just going to be me and do my best to stop it.
"...... I won't let him stop you. No, the Lord can't stop now. The new Levantine religion and the 'sacred calendar' is going to last forever from now on.

　Tension rushes across the Sith's face as he hears the word "stop".
　Immediately, while spreading his hands out, he explains the religion that he himself protects.

'Ever since My Lord resurrected me as a magic 《Sith》, I've been given the task of spreading Revanism ....... There is no other religion as good as this one. It is the best and most perfect teaching that I have ever known.

　I think he's trying to convince me.
　I can tell that he doesn't want to fight me if he can, because he was once one with me.

'I think it's a good religion too. But when you say it's the best and even the perfect ....... Really?
Yes. Because this Levantine religion is 'real'?　Unlike the fakes, there are certain blessings. A thousand years ago, he saved people suffering from the 'Devil's Poison' and spread sacred magic that enriched their lives, and in the present day, he saved the world from enemies such as Palinclone and Yangtaki. It's not just a matter of "leveling up". It gives people all sorts of benefits.

　It is not a manual preaching.
　You can tell from the fervor in his words that this is missionary work from the heart of a Sis.

'And why is that?　Unlike other religions, the nascent Levantine religion has a 'true God'. So, if you pray, you'll get a good return for your prayers. ...... Hey, Dear. What other religion is out there like this?

　There will be nothing on the continent that can compare to this Levantine religion.
　That's undeniable, I responded with a shake of my head.

Well, there is no other way!　We haven't had ...... for a long time. But we finally found ......, finally after a long struggle!　That's not fake, confusing, or comforting!　'The Real God' is found by us, the apostles!

　Next, the Sith's gaze begins to wander through the air.
　He believes that he is beyond (...).

'No, not us apostles, but this 'I'. If I close my eyes, I can easily remember the exploits of this Apostle Sith. As an apostle of justice, I was always repeating the same words. I would say over and over again to the Lord when I wasn't yet a god, "It's a very honorable thing to be the cornerstone of saving the world. Over and over and over again, I kept saying, "Sacrifice to the Lord" ....... Finally, those words of mine made the Lord ......

　Sith's mouth relaxed as he stared at Kanami, who wasn't here.
　She smiled. However, the corners of her eyebrows were lowered.


''-- This 'I (Sith)' made the 'Lord (Kanami)' the 'real God'.


　He had a smile of admiration.
　But at the same time, it looked as if he was repenting.
　The Sith continue to proselytize.

'After a thousand years of sacrificing and sacrificing and sacrificing and sacrificing many things - laying many foundations - I have finally fulfilled my mission of saving the world. I saw it through to the "deepest part" and even received praise from the former Lord. It was just one word, but he certainly praised me: ......
'...... Sis, good for you. You've been through a lot, but I know you've been working hard. Now your apostolic mission is finally at an end--
No. It's not over yet.

　His exertions were interrupted.
　The Sith's complex smile crumbled into a sharp look of determination.

'The mission still continues. There was a continuation of the apostle's mission. ...... The continuation is to protect the new Lord.
...... He wants you to protect it. Did that Kanami order you to do that?
'No. It's just that when I saw the Lord of the 'deepest', that's what I swore to myself. This is not because someone ordered me to do so. The continuation of this mission is my path, chosen by 'me' of my own volition.

　Even the former Lord Noi doesn't matter, that Sith assures him.
　He also swears to Kanami, who is looking at him (...) out of the corner of his eye.

'Therefore, the Apostle Sith will continue to serve and protect the new Lord with all of his being until the end of his life.

　The halo is dazzling.
　It was the first time I'd ever seen a Sith.

　But it wasn't the first time I'd seen him in my life.
　The Sith must have finally gotten something important beyond the framework of being an apostle.
　With a newfound emotional support, he's going to risk his life to push forward on his chosen path.
　The way he caught that Kanami and wouldn't let go of him was, for all intents and purposes, my very own (・・・・・・・・・・)--

Oh, I see. It's my decision. I'm going to have to do something about it. ...... I knew it was my destiny to be a Sith.
'Fate ......?　Dear, what are you talking about?

　The Sith, who struck out on their missionary work, tilted their heads at my strange response and expression.
　It's something I can't explain in one word, but I'll tell them in my own way.

"I guess it was inevitable that I became the reincarnation of an Apostle Sith. I was born 'I (you)', so I met Kanami that day and invited her to join me in the labyrinth. ...... Surely, that was an invitation from 'me'.

　It was a night when the magical snow (Tear-Ray) was falling.
　That day, when I was still level 1, I took out Kanami, who worked at the tavern.
　Just like the Sith of a thousand years ago, what I did was the same.

"Sith, it wasn't just 'you' who hunted down Kanami. I" was also fulfilling the mission of the apostle. It was a 'connection' of fate, I believe.
'...... That's not true!　Destiny!　What are you really talking about!　Diah has no business being on an apostolic mission!　So you won't have a single regret!　You've forgotten the word of the Lord!　Dear is dear!　No crime, no responsibility (・・・・・), not even one--......!　No way!　It's all about 'me'!　With a little thought, it should be obvious!

　Quickly, the Sith defended me.
　But halfway through, I realize that the word "regret," "sin," and "responsibility" are mixed in with the word "protect" and I'm severely upset.
　I immediately agree with the Sith's words and continue the conversation.

'Yeah, there can't be sin and responsibility. I agree. It's just that, Sis--

　I don't regret taking Kanami to the labyrinth that day.
　It wasn't a mistake that Kanami and I met, and I'm not going to pretend it didn't happen.
　That's why I came to the cathedral first.

"Sis, you are too. You're just like me, so you don't have to feel guilty or responsible. ...... You've done your duty, you're no longer an apostle. I think we can put an end to all that.

　He mentioned the most important purpose of the day.
　However, as expected, it was hard for the Sith to accept, and his expression gradually grew grim.

'I'm not an apostle anymore, ......?　This me?
'If you've taken Kanami to this Noi guy, you're done being an apostle, right?　I'm just a Sith now.
'Dear, even you can say some things and some things are wrong. I'm still an apostle, okay?　I have been, and always will be, an Apostle Sith. There's no way I'm just a Sith: ......!　There's no such thing as a much more special, equal partner in this world: ......!　He wasn't there!

　The Sith's 'Apostle' is probably the same as my 'Swordsman'.
　Even if it doesn't make sense anymore, I'll continue to stick to that role.
　Because I know that feeling.
　As an equal friend, I invite Sith to join me.

'Sis, it wasn't Kanami or The End of the Season Festival that I said I'd stop. It was ...... you. I want to go with you to Kanami's place.

　Calling out just a name repeatedly, I stretched out my right arm - my magic-powered prosthetic hand.
　I also seduced the Sith to imitate Kanami.

'Let's bring back the 'Diablo Sith' one last time. We'll both get Kanami together, pull her and take her out. You'll be surprised.
Well, I won't let that happen ......, I won't let that happen!　Because the Lord is going, right?　Go to the deepest level!　To a realm that no one else has been to!　They make everyone 'happy' there!　Even the Lord himself!　And Master Noi!　Me too, you too!　Everyone will be 'happy' and the world will be saved!　You're going to interfere with that perfect ending!

　Knowing my purpose, the Sith shook his face from side to side several times.
　Clenching both fists as hard as she could, she continued to stress her own righteousness.

I've read that 'happiness' is something you have to take care of yourself. It has irreplaceable value because you desperately reach out and finally grab it. ...... So says the book, and I confirmed in The Adventure that I wasn't wrong. It's just a matter of time before that unconditional "happiness" rains down on you and becomes the norm. There is no way that people will always be grateful and keep praying to God. It will definitely become a 'curse' sooner or later.

　I don't think I'm arguing against it well.
　But my experience as an apostle going around the country as an apostle is telling me that we will fall together in a relationship of just praying and being prayed for. In fact, I've fallen, and I've come all the way to this confederacy. Even my experience as a seeker says it's absolutely wrong.

'Does that mean that people will get used to being 'happy'?　No, you'll never get used to it. That's the extent of the problem, the Lord has already experimented with Serdra and Kounel and solved it. No matter how much you argue, as long as the Lord always controls the flow (...), there will be no gaps in the 'plan'.
There's an opening that Kanami alone isn't 'happy'. If you do it that way, Kanami will definitely collapse one day.
No, it's okay because the Lord will be 'happy' too. He promised me that I would be 'happy' in 'the deepest place'.
'You mean you're not 'happy' yet, that is. ...... To begin with, Kanami unexpectedly breaks promises. It's also a bad habit to cheat only on the spot. This time, too, you said you'd be by my side, but you went easily ......

　It's an argument.
　And I'm aware that I'm saying some nasty things.
　But just to make sure, I go on for a bit more.

'Oh, no, it's not!　The Lord keeps his promises!　You're still there for me through The Slice!　He'll continue to watch over us as a magician after The End of the Season Festival!　The Lord made a promise to me a thousand years ago and he kept it right!　You've shown me the real 'magic'!　Again, he's going to keep his word!
That's why Kanami only tries to show her friends how cool she is, and that's why she reaches her limits so quickly. That's why she's so weak in the most important moments and always loses.
'Weak!　The Lord is strong!　It's really great!　He's more than the Master Noi who gave birth to the Apostles!　Don't make fun of that my true Lord: ......!　I will not allow you to mock the Lord!　Dear, even if it's you, I won't forgive you!

　Sis exclaimed as she grabbed the hem of her clothes and squeezed them tightly together.
　The gesture confirmed how much she liked Kanami.

　I knew it was .......
　I'm glad I came here .......

　--My best bond is with Sis.

　Because I feel the same way.
　I think you're strong, too.
　I admire you for what you do.
　I know that she'll keep her word.
　I won't forgive anyone who makes fun of her.

　I feel that 'connection' strongly.
　I'm convinced that the Sith are in that 'we're all in this together' that Rustyala was talking about.

　Naturally.
　Is that Lastiara's 'we're all together' only with our friends?　
　It couldn't be that small. Rastiara is the one who has a bigger heart than anyone I know, who accepted me with a smile no matter how deranged I was.

　In imitation of that respected Rastiara, I'm ready to go toe-to-toe with the Sith.
　Because we've fallen in love with the same person, let's say more, even if it means killing each other.
　Because I know that a strong bond is born at the end of that battle--

　--So, today, I will definitely go to Kanami's place with the Sith.

　The battle cry must have been conveyed.
　Sis trembles and closes her mouth in frustration.
　Then she takes her gaze off me in front of her and turns over to let everyone around her know.

'Guys, listen up ....... I'm sorry, but I didn't manage to convince Dia. She's going to take me to the 'deepest part' of the labyrinth, even if it means dragging me there. And on top of that, she's willing to take down Our God, too.

　That statement causes tension in the temple.
　The tension is not just because it is a place where pious people who believe in God gather.

'Of course, God will never fall. But my priestesses could disrupt the 'End of Tale Festival' that blesses the newborn Levantine religion. You must never let them enter the labyrinth. Don't let them interfere with the divine ritual ......!

　As I declared that, the magic power that the Sith wore was transformed.
　It began to emit white light and became directional, spreading out from his back like a fan.
　It was as beautiful as if an angel were spreading its wings, and if you looked closely, you could see the pattern of a magic circle drawn on it.

　Combined with the sunlight shining through the stained glass windows of the temple, it was truly divine.
　It was a figure that anyone could believe was receiving divine blessings from the heavens.

　The Sith leisurely lifted his hand and pointed his fingertips at me.

''Guys, I'll help you with your strength, so you can gently capture Dia. My priestesses use tremendous magic, but indoors, they can't use it at full strength. Even if you are cornered and use it, I will always 'counter magic' with the exact same magic. So, in the meantime, please hurry up .......

　From the holy apostle, instructions were given.
　And perhaps because of Kanami's magical flow (...), there was not a single knight who stopped to wander.

　The knights who had been waiting for it were approaching.
　However, they are not all of them.
　There are only five who seem to be the elite.
　First he speaks to me in a soft tone.

''Dear-sama, please excuse me. If you have anything you wish to advise me, it will be after the 'End of Tan Festival'.
'You are not just a priestess. There are many knights who believe that you are as ...... or more than that, just like the Apostle.
So close and there's so many of them. Please, don't resist. No one is going to hurt you.

　With a warning, the hand of a knight who seems to be from a noble family, who is walking at the front, is extended.
　I immediately extend my hand back.

　The noble knight's right hand and my right prosthetic hand meet.
　At the same time, our gazes meet, and my smile is reflected in the knight's eyes.

　The noble knight sighs a small sigh.
　I guess he was relieved to see that I had surrendered.
　Immediately, the gentleman tries to gently invite me to the back of the room, as if he were pulling the lady's hand away.

　But for that gentleness, I'm sorry to say, I put in a lot of effort.
　It's a level 59, if you put it into numbers.
　The 'muscle strength' is over 15.00.

　With an inhuman physical strength, I strike a surprise and throw the noble knight into the sky.
　As if an arrow had been fired, the body of a man weighing seventy kilograms was lightly launched high into the sky.

''----!

　Against that interception, the actions of the other elite knights were swift.
　While my eyes widened at my physical strength, they judged that I had no intention of surrendering and began to run at the same time.

　From the front, four more people.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get the most out of this one.
　I ducked all of those arms by turning my body wide open.
　At the same time, I make the tip of my left foot jump up and into the pigeon tail of the second knight nearest to me. The air in my lungs is pushed out, and the rest of the knights who are trying to hold me down approach and reach out from either side of the knight who is crouching down in agony.
　Furthermore, I ducked again, bending over so far that my cheeks almost touched the floor.

　The degree to which my body is warped is the limit of what I can do.
　Normally, you would be in a position to fall down.
　But thanks to the prosthetic leg that was hardened with magic power, it would never fall down.
　The left prosthetic leg changed shape, pierced the floor, rooted itself, and supported my entire body.

　Thanks to this, I could turn from that absurd position to attack.
　First, I grabbed the arm of the third knight, who was fully outstretched, with both hands, carried it on my back and threw it towards the temple wall. The fourth knight, who hadn't hesitated to draw his sword, grabbed the white blade with his right prosthetic hand, broke his grip, and then put his left fist into his jaw to stun him.
　The fifth knight was quite late to the party. So I slammed a spinning kick into the torso of the second knight who was most recently writhing in agony, blew him up, and drove the entire fifth knight out from between the swords.
　There, the first noble knight who threw the first one upwards falls.
　As expected of an elite knight, he leapt on the ceiling of the temple as a foothold, accelerating and even chanting magic.

''Capture the miko-sama!　--Waterfisher!

　But the one chosen was the magic of the water net.
　Still prioritizing capture, that's really gentlemanly.

　I raise my right prosthetic hand from the position where I finished the spinning kick.
　However, I don't use magic.
　The right prosthetic hand constructed with magic power was transformed long and sharp, slicing through the approaching web of water and making it head straight for the noble knight.
　But before the cutting edge could reach him, the knight generated a gust of wind and moved right to the side, sticking to the wall of the temple.

　It's a magic operation that looks familiar.
　Given his youth, he could be a friend of Ryner's.

　The battle is over, and particles of magic power are scattered around the temple.
　The Sith, whose understanding of the situation has caught up with her as she takes a breath, shouts out in astonishment.

''Nah, what ......?　Why ......!

　They must have been aware that close combat was a weakness.
　It seemed to be the same for the knights and priests who were keeping their distance, and one could tell from their expressions that they were desperately trying to correct the information given to them in their minds.

　And yet, the Sith are still waiting for the timing of the 'Magic Offset (Counter Magic)' and not moving.
　Thank goodness.
　Then I'll just control the 'Magic Materialization' and fight.

　According to what my mentor told me, this "magical materialization" is a technique passed down in the Alais family, which produces many "swordsmen", and is said to be one of the knight's secrets.

　Honestly, there is no reason why I can't use it.
　On the contrary, I've been unconsciously using this secret technique all this time, and I've even stepped into the next realm of skills.

　I review my own body.
　My torso is twisted to the limit, my chin pointing up to the ceiling, and I'm now in a position where I'm on the verge of falling.

　The left prosthesis, through the advanced application of "magical materialization," spreads magical power like a root up to the waist, stabilizing the balance of the body.
　The right prosthetic hand, which had become a long, sharp sword due to the rudimentary application of "magical materialization," slowly shrank in size.

　The reason he could operate it so powerfully and fluidly is probably because he had been using it on a daily basis for the past year.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of it.

　I stare at the tip of my right prosthetic hand, which is still held up, and I'm deeply moved by the fact that this is the moment.

　Really, I've grown up.
　I've changed.
　But in the end, what I'm holding up now is not a sword, but a lump of magical power in the shape of a sword.

　When I think about it, this is what has pushed me around my entire life.
　It all started when I was unable to return to my home village due to its unusual magical power.
　I kept being called an apostle, lost myself, and ended up in the labyrinth of the Confederacy as if I were running away.
　There, he met a level 1 Kanami and became friends with all of his friends. The rest of my days were spent losing my body to the Sith, losing someone I cared about, and eventually confronting the world's crisis, and those days were really--.

-It was really, really painful. But it was also a fun 'adventure'. It was 'just like those heroic tales I used to read.'

　The words came out of my mouth.
　I composed.

　The knights surrounding me gasped and increased their vigilance.
　They must be reviewing their tactics due to the strength of the enemy (me), which is even stronger than I imagined.

　All the time, we've been in a precarious position, creating a lot of gaps, but they're not going to hook us. I remember my mentor's advice that I'm over the top and am not good at feinting and luring people in, so I give up.

　I inflate and deform the hard magic of my right prosthetic leg.
　He lifts it up, covering it from the waist to the back, and slowly raises his torso.
　I don't rely on my physical body, but use my magical power alone to adjust my stance to an upright position, and I hold the 'sword-shaped mass of magical power' at the ready with the 'sword technique' of the Alais style.