I was at the center of the explosion, and its magic was inevitable.
　The next thing I knew, I was lying on my back on 99 layers of ground.
　On the sky-high ceiling, I could see the red amoebic blood stirring and the huge cavity I had kicked out of was beginning to repair itself.

'Gah, ah--'

　I groaned.
　But now my body was almost completely undamaged.
　Looking at my surroundings, even though it was such an explosion, there was no damage on the 99th layer.

　It was a magic that did not involve physical force.

　And yet, my body didn't move at all.
　I withstood both the vibrations and the wind from Serdra's magic, the Dragon Slayer's Dragon Blade (Dragon Genocide Ardor). I ate the attack, and next time I was confident that I wouldn't move slightly.
　However, I crashed.

　The reason was simple: before I knew it, the flying parts were lost from my back.
　The moment I was caught in the explosion, the wings of the dragon, which were so vibrant, lost their substance and were replaced by a red mist.
　What's more, the arms, legs, skin, and teeth have all reverted to those of a legitimate person as the red mist dissipated.

　This is the first time I've seen 'magic offset (counter magic)'.
　I instinctively understood that I had been 'Dragonization' counteracted.

　In other words, the explosion I just saw is a secondary one.
　The main effect of the magic was this untransformation.
　Exactly, it would be a magic that could be called a dragon killer. And it's also a completely countermeasure magic against me.

　Is this magic that I have never heard of, is it the 'spellcraft' of a thousand years ago?　It was a very difficult and special 'magic formula'. And yet, it had a degree of perfection and dignity that was worthy of the name of ancient magic, and it was also novel and fresh and genuine.

　I can't put my thoughts together well. I feel unusually weak, and I can't even move my limbs.
　I know, I know, but after an excessive transformation, the burden of it is overwhelming.

'Ha, ha, ha, ha ......'

　Because I was prepared to never return, the wear and tear was intense and I was out of breath.
　However, I could still fight (and do it), I was filled with the will to fight--

Haha ......, haha ......, haha ......--

　I was supposed to be able to fight, but every cell in my body wanted to rest.
　With the 'dragonization' over, my brain mistakenly thought that the fight was over.
　It was as if my body was telling me to wait for a moment, as it would repair itself even stronger.

　Even now, I feel like I'm going to swoon and easily pass out from the bloodlust.

''This, this magic ......, kooky ......''

　In an attempt to somehow connect with my consciousness, I voice my own reminder out loud.
　As if to comfort me, an explanation is thrown at me from above.

'It doesn't matter if you don't know about it. It's the last ancient magic that was lost on me.

　Serdra stands beside me.
　I only move my face to check on her, but she has already stopped bleeding and is fully recovered.
　Nevertheless, he looks somewhat tired and speaks while looking down at me.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the next few weeks. ...... On Earth, a lighter version of it called "blood pulse dilution" is popular, right?　That's the big book of magic.

　He was sure of victory.
　Serdra fogged up his battle spirit and put together a difficult word that didn't suit him.
　Gently, like a doctor, he tells me that the magic with the now-mysterious name of 《Dragon Slayer's Dragon Blade (Dragon Genocide Ardor)》 was the most advanced treatment.

''If this is the case, it was obvious that one of us would surpass the 'demon' and become a 'complete dragon'. Before that, I was allowed to use it. It's foul, sorry. ...... That kind of painful-looking future is all but absent in our 'plan'. Kuh-hah.

　The smiling figure is the gentle Seldora who teaches me everything not long ago.

　After releasing the magic 《Dragon Slayer's Dragon Blade (Dragon Genocide Ardor)》, he had suddenly calmed down.
　But it's clear that it's only temporary.
　He would only be mending his mind by 'compensating' for something in his mind with the magic 'chanting' just now.

　The man who clings to 'chanting' as well as God, looks at my completely defeated figure and sneers.

'Kuhahahaha ....... You see, Snow, well, you failed. ...... Of course I meant it, I meant it well. The soldiers on the ground, Diprakra, Kounel, and Blood Land, you're the only one who can do it. ...... Do you need a translation? I'll lend you some books I can recommend later. Anyway, you're cool like a hero, but you can't beat someone who can't win. You said before that you are willing to try again and again, and you are right. I can make you lose the dragon man! --It's all over. And you'll never reach the realm of the gods if you keep stumbling over me. Hahahahahahaha!

　Serdra laughed and was relieved.

　It was probably because he had been able to finish off the sturdy and troublesome Snow Walker.
　But it was also too much care and too safe a way to defeat it.

　Even when I lost my mind and went out of control (...), so all along I've been doubting and trusting Seldora's words.

'Seldora ......, just because you can't reach ......, don't run away ....... Let's go ......, even if you can't get back .......

　I invite him to finish.
　But Seldra deliberately doesn't listen and sits down beside me with a huge sigh.

　When he finally settles down to his waist, Serdra looks up at the strange post-war sky and speaks in a droning tone as he continues.

'Even if I never become 'human' again?　Ha, you're a really nice guy, Snow. It's ......, but that's enough, right?　We've tried hard enough, don't you think?　I was born biased as shit, but I struggled to live. It's time for me to take a break, okay?　Isn't it easier to pray than to fight?　Wouldn't it be easier to heal them than to hurt them?　People, it's much, much easier to be 'happy' than 'unhappy'. ......

　Telling me to get comfortable, Serdra patted my fallen head.
　It would be a kindness to comb my blue hair, wildly disheveled and spread out from the fight, to give it a rest.

　Terrible.
　It was too much of a terrible indulgence.
　"You're both sweet and flowery," I said angrily, moving my weak lips to retort.

'It's easy, but not ......, not ......, not 'partner' then. You will not be able to support Kanami, .......
You can't sustain a god. You can't give up equality. I couldn't do it either.
"You can't ......, alone, ....... The ......, which fails ......, is ....... So ......--

　I tried to respond to the immediate answer with an immediate response.
　But I didn't have the strength in my throat anymore, let alone my mouth.

　I don't have the strength in my body to make the vibrations tremble anymore.
　I am astonished at this first experience.

''Saying that, you're going to invite all your enemies to join you?　You're so flowery, you can't even laugh. I can't, I can't. It doesn't matter how many people are in the first place, it doesn't matter how many people are in the first place. That's not the level of the problem, that's why God is God.
Even if you can't, ......, even if it's a painful road, ......, don't make a mistake ......--

　Seemingly bored with my persistence, Serdra coldly shuts him down.
　Together, I feel my consciousness slipping away.

　But I don't give up until the end, and I choose my words.
　I deliver the most important words to Serdra.

'Hey ......, Sel, Dora is ......, Kanami to ......--, what, tell me ......, I got--
'Is that what Kanami taught you?　Me, Kanami, ......?

　When I turned my eyes to Seldra, I saw that she was thinking seriously.
　I wanted to watch his face change, but my eyelids begin to fall.

　I feel like I'm almost there, and I feel like I can get a chance to convince her.

　But Serdra was too strong.
　Too strong by nature, too strong because of his greed, too strong because of his 'curse'. I can't continue this 'discussion' of clashing hearts with him for long.

　Perhaps it has always been like that for a thousand years.
　Because of his overwhelming strength, Serdra had never been pressed to the core of himself by anyone.

　Currently (now), I'm the only 'dragon man' (Dragon Newt) like him - and yet, I'm the only one who can do it.
　I could absolutely convince Seldora to do this--
　If we just had a little more time...

　The frustration of defeat is as heavy as lead and drops my eyelids.
　Gradually darker and darker and darker--.
　Then, a worried voice immediately sounded from above me.

'...... snooze!　...... No, no, you're alive. I'm sure you'll be able to recover and get used to it on your own if you let it go. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you. If you taste defeat as often as I did in the past, this guy will understand.

　He's mumbling again, mumbling spoiled words.
　Just when I thought it was just a mouthful to say "I'll lose it in 'Dragon Man (Dragon Newt)'" after all - that soliloquy is cut short.

'...... hmm?　What is this?　Is this feeling ......, magic?

　Only Serdra's voice echoed in the silent 99 layers.

　It seemed that he felt uncomfortable in this battlefield because of his victory over me and the fact that he had more time to spare and was able to turn his attention elsewhere.

　A few seconds later, I heard the vibration (sound) of Serdra standing up.
　Then, a vibration (oo) that only took one step forward.
　A second and third step was also heard, and the location of the vibration (oto) remained exactly the same, exactly the same (・・・・・).

　Seldora, who continues to walk in the same place and is unable to move from the spot, shouts out in confusion.

''Kyi, distance distorting magic ......, 《Default》!　It's messy, but I also feel a "connection": ......!　No way, no way--!

　I heard an old dimensional magic name.

　《Default》 would be the magic that was restraining Seldra.
　And the other one is the magic of the magic gate.
　Before the 'deepest part', Serdra also understood the meaning of using that magic and let out the most impatient voice of the day.

''This unstable magic, d*mn it!　You've been using Snow as bait all along, and you've been doing it behind the scenes!　Beyond that, the throne of God!　I won't let any of you step in!

　I understand.
　Now someone is trying to sneak underneath Kanami in the 'deepest' part of the world.

　I realize this and re-focus my body.
　I manage to lift my eyelids back up.

'Ugh. ......'

　But we're over the edge.
　I can't even raise my hand. I can only see Serdra's back through my misty eyes.

　I still want to fight Seldora.
　Because it's me against Seldora.
　Maybe someone who is now breaking in has been working behind the scenes the whole time, believing that I will stop Seldra.

　But against the sense of responsibility and wariness that swells within me, my whole body is losing strength.
　The vision that managed to open up is also covered by a black curtain again - right at the edge of it.

　A black figure appeared in my vision.
　It was a large back.
　A familiar voice also echoed.


"-Snow-san, you look different. So, I want you to let your brother do the rest.


　He stood in front of me and praised me.
　At the same time, he also gave me the word to rest.
　Normally, these words would never be acceptable.
　But it was different only for his back and his voice partner.

"'The one who steals the truth of nothingness, Seldra Queen Fillion, your opponent is me. Mr. Snow's proud older brother (anni) Glen Walker will take over his sister's fight - no, the fight of the 'real hero'.

　Because he was Brother Glenn.

　And two disastrous 'black threads' that were easily recognizable as 'dangerous' even with hazy vision.
　They were extended from both arms and wrapped around both of Seldra's wrists.

　Moreover, he didn't just restrain her. That 'black thread' seemed to have severed Seldra's skin and flesh, making her bleed profusely.
　Even I could only hurt the surface, but easily, my brother was beyond my war effort.

'Gu, Glenn......!　So, I guess that means they're all Fafner!　You're going to ignore me and go!
No, I'll come with you. But I'm not going to go until I've surpassed you. I'm going to prove to you today that I'm really the strongest...

　The comforting vibrations of his dependable brother continue.
　In contrast, Serdra continues to be impatient with the appearance of a new enemy.

　My mouth relaxes.
　The one I've seen wrong is this one.
　That timid and shy brother is spouting reliable lines like a 'hero'.

　It's a little nostalgic.
　The situation in this labyrinth of 99 layers reminds me of my childhood.
　As a young child, I always preceded the labyrinth exploration by myself and was always reckless.
　He was able to do that because his brother was always behind him.

　No matter what kind of mistakes I made, he was always there to support me from behind.
　What I lacked in strength, my brother always made up for with his dexterous hands.

　This nostalgia brings back a few other memories as well.
　One day when I was young.
　After my brother Glen and I, who was from a hidden village, were taken in by the Walker family, we joined a guild called 'Epic Seeker'. The master of the guild, a man named Will, was a skilled explorer who was called the "strongest" in the United Kingdom at the time.
　From him, we learned about the existence of a 'real hero'.
　However, it was everyone, including brother Glenn--

　I can't help but think of so many old backs in my head that my mind slows down.

　Brother Glenn's vibration (voice) is just like that man, and it's too comfortable .......
　I'm sorry, brother. I just need a little bit of a break: .......

　I'll be up in a minute.
　I have this stupid resilience and I'm always full of energy, that's what I'm all about.

　Serdra is a rematch when I wake up.
　Next time, I will not be defeated.
　After this battle, I'm more or less used to aggression. I've gotten used to the pain. Next time, I'm confident that I can survive and surpass all the problems we've encountered. Most importantly, I'm with my brother Glenn.

　--You and your brother, you're more and more the strongest.

　I can absolutely beat up Seldora .......
　So, just for a little while more ......, I want you to connect with the rest of the story and wait for me .......
　Just a little bit more, brother......--

　Finally.
　Right at the point of letting go of consciousness, the black back half turned around.

　The hazy and blurred vision caught the figure that had been changed by the 'demonization'.
　It was difficult to see because of the blackness, but her eyes hadn't changed at all.
　With very kind eyes, it's Brother Glenn watching over me, his sister.

　My brother was moving his mouth.
　He's saying something.
　But no matter how good I am at it, I can't capture the vibration (voice) anymore.

　But I got the feeling that he was probably apologizing, saying, "I'm sorry.
　I'm sorry," she said in the same manner as her brother always does.
　Today, the same as always--

　I knew that my brother would make good time for me, which was not enough on my own.
　So I couldn't bear the awareness of moving away and let go.