Hey, there's no need to cry, is there?

　The boy Rapt, cloaked in a pale light, smiles.
　A white hand reaches out and strokes my wet cheek, stroking it.

"Oh, thanks, Rapt.
"Kamen.

　He smiles so carefree.

　Rapt looks like a boy of about 13 years old, just like me.

　He has blond hair and blue eyes.
　He's a picture-perfectly beautiful boy.

　When he speaks, he has a peculiar accent like the Kansai dialect, and when he smiles, his pointed double teeth peek out.

'Why don't you sit down first?'

　The beautiful woman Recto Alice, who wears the same pale light as Rapt, smiles gently and shows us the sofa.

　Unlike us, she has an adult appearance.

　She looks about 20 years old.

　Her glossy purple wavy hair flows down her back.

　Her crimson eyes tend to narrow like a thread, and they're now staring at us, narrowing gently like a bow.

'Yes.'
Yes.

　We nodded at Recto Alice's words and sat down on the couch.

　The two of us were in the guest room.

　There were two beds, a sofa, a table and a chest of drawers. Since it was the guest room of General Dardios' house, it was spacious, and all the furniture and furnishings seemed to be of high quality.

　Across the table from the sofa I sat on, Rapt and Recto Alice sat on the sofa across from me.

　Like a spotlight, the light from the window illuminates them alone.

　The two of them stared at me with a gaze.

(Erm.....

　I was so happy and nostalgic that I couldn't help but talk to him normally.

　But I've never met him before.

　When I sat down, I was a bit confused.

"Well, actually, I'm....
No.

　I was about to boldly confide in him about my apology and my memory loss, but Rapt's palm was thrust out to me to interrupt it.

(Huh?)

I know that just from looking at it. It's a lot of mixture, isn't it?
..........

　'So says Recto Alice.

"I've heard reports from the humans. They say it was an incomplete summons.
Yes.

　I nodded, nodding.

　I felt like I'd betrayed them both.
　But.

But you are still our best friend, my dearest ally.
Yeah.

　Rapt and Recto Alice looked straight at me and said so.

　Oh.

Merle's body rejoiced.

　So much so that I wanted to start dancing, and if I had a tail, I'd be waving it around from side to side to shred it.

"Thank you, you two.

　Tears welled up again.
　Raptor laughed as if he was teasing me.

"You've always been a crybaby, haven't you?
"Ha-ha.

　I laughed too and rubbed my eyes with both hands, scrubbing.

　Recto Alice also muttered nostalgically, narrowing her thread-like eyes.

''Looks the same.

　Huh?

(...adored?)

　That seems to have been a first for The Body of Marl to hear, too.
　Very surprised.

　But Rapt also nodded.

''Well,''
..........
I don't know if you've ever heard of them, but to me and the rest of the Household of God, the God Dogs of Yacour are heroes.

　Hero......
　As I was stunned, Recto Alice also said to me.

''Four hundred years ago, in the Divine Demon War, you seven bit those horrible 'demons' to death.
..........
You know what that god-like force is?

　His voice trembled a little.

"There were many of my brothers and sisters who were trapped in fear at the sheer power of the 'Devil'. I can't even begin to explain to you how much courage your 'God's Dog' showed us, the 'God's Family', how much courage it gave us, the 'God's Family', to live up to.
It's true.

　The two men's gazes were filled with unmistakable respect.

(.........is that so?)

　One of my men in the military defeated a godlike demon - that sounds like a monumental feat.

　I don't know.
I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get out of it.

　The two of them said to me in a lonely way.

I'm sure that's why the Battle of Disasters 300 years ago was so painful.
Yeah.

　300 years ago.
　That would be when the demonic splinter - the first 'child of darkness' - appeared in this world.

　Dokun.

　I felt a twinge in my chest.

So many of my people died for you.
''Yes, the coordination of the seven of us was our greatest weapon, the 'Godgu of Yacour'... but then, the move was blocked by the opponent, and so--''

　...........

(I'm the only one left.)

　This time, I close my eyes tightly so that I don't cry.

'--Rapt, Recto Alice.

　Slowly it opened, and my blue eyes stared at the two of them.

''In this world, that 'seed of disaster' has sprouted again. ........Could you please help us both?
Of course.
Yes. That's why we're here.

　The two beautiful 'divine Fangra' smiled and nodded to me.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The first thing to do is to share information.

　I told them both about my reincarnation up to today.

'How?　Then is your name 'Merle' now?
Uh-huh.

　I nodded to the surprised Rapt, and I nodded.
　Then I realized.



　To be exact, Illtimina misunderstood my muttering that was troubling me, and it just became the name. After all this time, it's an appropriate story, isn't it?　But now, I surprisingly like the name "Marl" as well.

　But I had a different name before I lost my memory, the 'Godgu' that I was before I lost my memory, of course I had a different name.

　I asked boldly, "What did I used to call myself?

"What was the name of the old me?

　Rapt replied.

'It's a coincidence. ........Actually, it's "Marl".

　Huh?

Really?
No!
..........

　Seeing my face, Rapt is laughing hysterically. Wha, what the hell, already!　I'm going to have to plunge in and do an accent.

　Recto Alice giggles at both of us.

Arc in. --Is that what you used to be called?

　That's what he told me.

　Arched in.
　A sense of nostalgia spread through me at the sound of it.

(Oh, this is true.)

　I didn't need to be sure, but I knew that.
　The feeling of being called that by the great goddess Yacour-sama and being stroked on the head so many times came up from within my heart.

　Ark-in.
　For a while, I repeat that name in my mouth.

　The two of them look at me like that.

So?　Myself, which one do you want?
Which name should we call you?

　That's what he asked me.

　At that moment, a woman's face appeared in my head.

(............)

　A gentle smile.

　When I awoke in the forest, the image of her, who had always protected me and stayed by my side until today, ran through my mind like a runner's wheel.

　It makes me feel a greater sense of security and warmth than the memories of the Goddess Yacowl-sama.

(Yes, it did.)

　I answered them both.

'Arkyn is gone. The only person here is Merle.
I see.
Okay.

　They nodded a little sadly.

　Then Rapt exhaled heavily.

Well, it can't be helped. Well, well, I'm not the same person anymore when my soul is mixed up with that much of it.
Yeah.

　Recto Alice also nodded, somewhat convinced.

　I felt kind of sorry for the two of them.

(But it can't be helped, right?)

　I'm sure that me as a Japanese and Arkwin as a god dog were reincarnated into a being called "Marl" together.　

　Princess Reclear saw me like this.

"The God Dogs of Yakoal have been wiped out.

　He described it as.
　I'm sure that's the right answer.

　At least 'Marle's Body' - I had a feeling that the Divine Ark-in was satisfied with that.

　Rapt noticed my gaze and

What's that look on your face, Merle?　But that doesn't change the way we feel about ourselves.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

　Recto Alice said as much.

'Thanks,'

　I couldn't help but laugh.
　They both laugh.

"Don't thank me.
Yeah.

　The three of us laughed at each other for a while.

　After a while, Raptor muttered to himself, "But Marle has already met the Son of Darkness twice.

But Marle has already met the Son of Darkness twice. He lived well.
Yeah. It's all about the guys.

　I replied, remembering the three of them.

(Especially thanks to Mr. Quilt?)

　If it wasn't for that reliable 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', I feel like I would have been killed long ago.

''Yes..... ''Yes........there are mutants among humans with incredible strength.
Yeah.

　The two muttered.

(.........?)

　It sounded a little different now.
　Was it my imagination?

　Rapt blurts out as he looks around the room.

''The old man here seemed pretty strong, too.
Awkward?

　Me, who is scowling.

　Recto Alice leans her weight on the armrest of the sofa. The way she swings her purple hair and sways, the way she leans over, is somewhat s*xy.
　And then she opens her red lips to

Rapt and I are now under house arrest in this house.

　I muttered in boredom.

(House arrest!)

　Rapt waved his hand in front of his well-formed face with a pat on the back.

If you want to go out, you can go out, though. All the people here are trying their best to stop you from going out, saying 'it's dangerous out there'. If you tried all out, you might hurt yourself.　Especially that old man, who doesn't seem to have the time to adjust his temperament either.

　Suffer the wrath of General Dardios, huh?

(Isn't the general as strong as Kilt?)

　It means that this Rapt, the boy from 'Divine Fangra', has the power to push through against such a person.

　And another person who seems to have the same ability - Recto Alice also has a pointed lip.

''Really, they're a bunch of idiots. Do they think they're safe here?

　Rapt cowered his shoulders.

''You still don't understand the horror of the Seeds of Disaster, do you?
You won't even know it's there until it's too late.
Yeah.

　..............

(No, I don't want it to be too late.........................

　In my mind, I pouted.

　I realized what I had been feeling uncomfortable about and asked them both honestly.

'Could it be that both Rapt and Recto Alice hate humans?'

　They looked at me.

"Yeah.
I'm not surprised.

.................

　Oh, really?

　I am a bit stunned and troubled.
　When I noticed that I was in trouble.

I'm sure Merle is fine because he has no memory.
..........
"Just so we're clear, Arkyn. No, Merle. There is probably no one in the Divine Family who likes humans as much as the humans did for us in our battle against the Seeds of Disaster 300 years ago.

　There is a cold light in the eyes of Rapt and Recto Alice.
　And her beautiful voice.

Your six God Dogs of Yakoal are actually dead because of humans.

　The shocking truth is that he spoke up.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Rapt's quiet voice echoed in the chilly air of the room.

We are the God Fang Luo. It's a fangled lattice to protect the great gods. It's never the same as for humans.
..........

　Luo is a thin fabric.
　It's a protective garment for God.

Four hundred years ago, God purposely sent down to the human world for the sake of foolish humans. --That's true. We love those gods, and we risk our lives for them. Many of our people have died under the influence of demons, but we have no regrets.
Yeah.

　Recto Alice nodded.

'We liked humans back then, too. We laughed and cried together. Sometimes I longed for their short-lived brilliance.'
..........
But it was different 300 years ago.

　A chilling, cold voice.

''Those were the days right after the collapse of the civilization known as the Thanatos Magical Dynasty and the loss of so many magic techniques. The world had fallen away from its prosperity, and the standard of living had fallen greatly. The humans' minds were in a state of turmoil due to that fall.

　I think I understand.

　What if civilization suddenly collapses in a prehistoric world?

　A global disaster.
　What if there was no support from anywhere, and life changed to the point where people would be deprived of food to eat today, and that continued?　I'm sure there's no room in those people's hearts for that.

　And.

In the midst of all that, that 'seed of disaster' sprouted.
..........
'It was during those times that we were summoned. Rapt and I, and Arkyn, were shown a lot of nasty things.

　Her good looks twisted painfully as she remembered the scene.

　Rapt touched her shoulder.
　Noticing, Recto Alice also exhales heavily, trying to calm her mind.

　Rapt says.

I've often seen the abuse of the people who were tormented by the demon, and their descendants. Are they called 'demon and blood people'?　There are still traces of it today, but in those days, more gory behavior was rampant.

　I couldn't help but draw my lips into a tight line.

We still said it was the fault of the times, and that we were trying to protect people.
..........
But the humans had mistakenly thought it was natural for God to protect people. They didn't think it was natural for our people to die, and they didn't appreciate it. They just thought of us as a useful tool.

　Rapt's tone was unassuming.
　But that's why you could feel the rage inside.　

"Thanks to that, even in a fight, we couldn't coordinate as far as I was concerned. -- and in the end, that thing.
...hmmm...

　I asked back.
　The one who answered is Recto Alice.

"--Using our 'Divine Attendants' as bait, the entire 'Seed of Mischief' was bombarded by an ancient magic weapon.

　...................

　I couldn't find my voice.

　Rapt says.

'Isn't there a town called Londoner in the north of here?　That crater was the site of the bombardment in those days.

　Are you kidding me?

(Oh, that's the size of an entire city!)

　It was about 10 kilometers in diameter.
　Three hundred years ago, the Attendants of the Godhead were fired upon by the humans they were risking their lives to protect.

A lot of my people died.

　Recto Alice looked at me.

"Along with your six most valued companions, the God Dogs of Yakoal.
..........

　When I came to, my hands were shaking.

　When I thought of my friends, the 'Divine Family' who had been betrayed by the people they believed in and who were dying in the fiery flames of the explosion, my heart ached and I was in pain, and I couldn't even breathe properly when I thought of their regret.

　''Google.

　I press down hard, on my chest.

　They are both staring at me.

　Both Rapt and Recto Alice barely survived that hell. So did Erkwin.

(No wonder they hate humans.)

　Maybe.

　Could it be that Ark-in was the same, and this time, the reason it was an incomplete summons was because he wanted to reject it, and he had put some kind of trick on the stone pedestal that was the 'Gate of the Divine World'?

　Does this body also hate humans?

(Really, Ark-in?)

　There is no answer.

　Instead, Rapt said.

"Thanks to that, the Seeds of Disaster have been eliminated. But to be honest, we don't want to fight for the humans anymore.
..........

　Recto Alice also says.

'I think that's what the people at the time intended to do. As long as they were living in their own time, they were fine. They didn't care about the people of the future. So they betrayed the gods and us.
..........

　Maybe.

　Rapt looked at me with his beautiful eyes and then asked.

''Hey, Ark-in?　No, Marl. .... and yet you still find yourself fighting for humans, even now?

　Recto Alice is also staring at me with the same eyes.　

　..........

　I closed my eyelids.

　Various emotions are swirling in my body.

　But beyond the convergence of these emotions was, after all, that gentle smile. Behind them, there were two reliable and cheeky figures.
　I couldn't help but laugh.

　I opened my blue eyes.

'Yes, I'll fight.'

　Clearly, he replied.

　The two men look surprised.

'Why?'
We're not going to lie about our story, okay?

　I know.

I don't think that's a lie. But I still like people.
..........
..........
'You said it before, didn't you?　A story about the person who protected me when I woke up in the forest. And the story of the person who protected me from the Child of Darkness. Other than that, to this day, the people who have helped me to live are all human beings.

　I stared back into their faces.

'You two call them 'humans' collectively, but they're not one.

　As he talks, he remembers.

'There were good people, there were bad people. There were good people, there were bad people, there were people who discriminated against us and hurt us, even though we were the same people. There were good people, there were bad people, there were people who discriminated and hurt people, but there were also many people who tried to protect them. Really, each person is different.

　I looked at my right hand.

　Ark-in's right hand.
　The hand of a 'divine dog' who was once betrayed by a human 300 years ago.

　But, you know what?

'Were all people 300 years ago only that bad?　Were there really no people who cared about us, even if they were few in number?　Do you really think that none of the people who didn't want to do that awful betrayal, neither Rapt nor Lectoris, ever had one?

　Arkham, you too?

..........
..........

　The two 'divine Fanglars' fell silent.

　At that time, I suddenly thought.

(..........Maybe that's why Ark-in lost his memory.)

　He hated the humans and still wanted to believe in them.

　At the end of that conflict, I may have lost all my memories and tried to become a person who could fight to protect the humans again.
　Of course, this is my selfish hope for Arkyn.

　The two of them seemed to be in great pain.

'Do you understand?　Originally, this is a battle between 'man and the devil'. The gods enter the war with only good intentions and mercy. They are essentially irrelevant, aren't they?
'They might not appreciate you fighting with them. No, they might take me for granted again. --So, you're going to fight?

　I think, "Well, then why are you two here now?

"Then why are you two here now?
..........
..........

　Why do you look so distressed?

　If he really didn't want to fight for the humans, he should have closed the summoning gate in the divine realm. Even if the human was injured, he should have left the mansion with all his strength.

(You wouldn't look like that until you bothered to stay.)

　I laughed.

'Both Rapt and Recto Alice are really sweet.
Pull it out, a**h*le.
Stop it.

　The two of them muttered.
　Then they look at me and finally chuckle.

''Haha, I really can't compete with the 'God Dog of Yacour'.
Yeah.

　Rapt said in a light tone, and Lectoris nodded, shaking his beautiful wavy hair.
　I shook my head.

'Arkyn escaped into amnesia. You guys are much stronger than that.
..........
..........

　The two of them just laughed in annoyance, but didn't respond.

　Eventually, as Rapt came to his senses.

　bang

　I slapped my own knee with my hands.

'Well, come on. If you're going to go that far, I'm going to get up in Merle's face and fight you once more for once.
Huh, that's a good one.

　They say.
　I bow my head deeply.　

"Thank you, Raptor, Recto Alice.

　A gentle smile is returned.

'My pleasure.'
'Yes. Thank you for guiding our minds, Merle.

　It's like an angel's smile.

(I'm sure that smile is the real you two.)

　Suddenly, I thought to myself.

　And so, the one 'Divine Dog' and the two 'Divine Fang Luo' exchanged warm smiles with each other for a while.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　We've made up our minds about the past.

　So we'll have a talk about the future.　

You know, Raptor, Lectoris. Do you hear that you and the people of this country are going to go into the Great Maze to look for the Divine Armor in the near future?
Yeah.
I'm here.

　They nodded.
　And then Rapt looked very annoyed.

"d*mn it, it's because the humans have been trying to do something unnecessary again.

　Huh?

What do you mean?
Nothing's going on. They killed all the God's armor, didn't they?

　............

(Kill everyone?)

　I'm surprised, and Lectoris gives me a look of remembrance.

'Merle doesn't have any memories, does he?
Yes.
''You know, the 'divine Armor' is a living being that absorbs divine energy, even though its form is armor, it is a living being. That's why 400 years ago and 300 years ago, when we returned to the divine world, we connected it to the life support system we built in this world and kept it in storage.

　Oh, yeah?

('Divine Armor' is a living armor?)

　And then I found out.
　The people of the Arun Divine Empire said that the 'divine Armor' was excavated from the ruins and collected in the country's temples, where they were carefully stored. That is, in other words, the act of separating them alive from their divine-giving life support system.

In other words, because you took it out of the ruins, the 'God Armor' is dead?
Hey!

　An angry raptor.
　Recto Alice is also sighing.

"300 years ago, I gave them a good explanation. I added a warning to the device.
'Oh, really?'

　But you might think of oral traditions and archaeological texts as just metaphorical expressions.
　So maybe that's why the people who found the ancient sacred artifacts in the ancient ruins recovered them without a second thought.

(And if it was an adventurer who found it, I wouldn't leave that kind of treasure unattended.)

　I don't know if it was for money, honor, or curiosity.
　At least, the people of the Arun Divine Empire didn't want to treat him badly either, since they kept him in the temple with great care. They didn't think he was really alive, did they?

(Sorry, "God's Armor," guys.)

　I apologize from the bottom of my heart to these people, whom I had never seen before, as a representative of humanity.

As far as I'm concerned, humans are really good at what they do.
Haha.....

　But even if it's not intentional, it's troubling.

(I hope the 'Divine Armor' of the Great Labyrinth has survived, please.)

　So I pray.

Yeah. Hey, can you guys tell me something?

　I changed the subject a bit, while still relating to the story.

'Hmm?'
What is it?

　I ask the two of them, who look at each other with a scowl.

''Do I have the 'Divine Qi' that that 'Divine Armament' requires as well, even if I'm imperfect?　If you have one, I'd like to know how to use it too...

　They nodded, "Oh, I see.

It seems that Marle is a lot of mixed up. --What's that, Recto Alice?
I'll be there in a minute.

　Rectoris closed both eyes.

　Cur.

　In the next moment, a third eyeball appeared on that white, smooth forehead. Wow!

　The red eyes on my forehead stare at me in amazement.

　Then the third eye emits a radiant red light that illuminates my entire body, moving from top to bottom. It's as if I'm being scanned by an x-ray or some kind of light.

'Are you surprised?'
Yes.

　Rapt laughed and I nodded honestly.

'It's kind of cool, isn't it?　Divine.
Oh, thanks.

　A small smile, Recto Alice.
　Eventually the third eye closed and she opened both of her eyes as a person and said.

'It's quite a physical re-creation, isn't it?　He's so close to a human. The meridian of divine energy is almost blocked. Merle, do you think you've ever eaten as many corpses as the humans have?

　Lots of dead bodies.

(That's, well, I've had a meal, but yeah.)

　I'm puzzled, and then Rapt tells me.

"You know what, Merle?　We, the Divine Family, basically only consume the divine water, or what humans call the 'healing spiritual water', the Shin-Sen. If they take any other kind of water, their bodies will become unclean.

　Really?

　I suddenly remember a tower in the Great Forest of Aldoria, the deepest part of the Great Forest, that was full of glowing water, the 'Spiritual Water of Healing'. At the time, I had been sipping on it for a long time and surviving until I met Illtimina-san.

(Maybe that's what it was for?)

　That tower was built by the followers of the goddess Yacour, for the Godgu.
　I realize that after all this time.

"Well, I didn't remember.
Yeah.

　The two of them said so.

　Such a vague glow of the two 'Divine Attendants' bodies could be due to the difference in their diet. Because, come to think of it, the glow of the light was just like the light from the Healing Spiritual Water.

　I asked.

"So, is it too late for me?
Nope.

　Recto Alice shook her head.　

''If you force open the meridians that are about to be blocked, if you force open the meridians, the divine qi will flow again, it will be fine. ........Only, it will be very painful.
..........

　It hurts.

I don't want to be in pain.

　I'm a bit distant.

　Raptor chuckles.

"Patience. You're a boy, aren't you?
Yes.

　I know.
　I nodded drearily, and Lectoris chuckled at me and Rapt's situation.

　Then I do as they say and lie down on the bed.
　Rapt and Recto Alice stand on either side of me, holding my hands in theirs. Also on top of me, their hands were folded together.　

''From now on, I'm going to let the divine energy circulate inside the three of us. I will use that flow to force open your nearly closed meridians.
Yes.

　I nodded.

'It hurts a lot, so?'
You scared the shit out of me...

　But Rapt had a genuine look on his face.

'No, I'm serious.
..........
But you can't let go of your hand. The divine energy that is poured into your body will go somewhere else. And if you do, your internal organs will be damaged. Worst case scenario, boom, boom, boom, boom!

　Let's not ask what's the bong....
　I took a deep breath.

"Okay.
That's okay. We'll never let you go.

　sizzling sound

　Squeezing her hand firmly, Recto Alice said so.

'Thank you. Nice to meet you.''
Yeah.
Okay, let's get started.

　As soon as I said it, two horns grew out of Rapt's forehead.

　A rainbow-like glow lit up the inside of the horns, which were about thirty centimeters long. Very beautiful.

　On Recto Alice's forehead as well, once again, a third eye opened and shone redly.

　The two 'Divine Fanglars'.

　That divine presence becomes stronger.

　The next moment.

　bang

!

　A strong jolt was felt through my hands.

　I didn't realize right away that it was an intense pain.

　DON'T, DON'T, DON'T.

　The impact was repeated again and again, little by little, eroding from fingertip to wrist, wrist to elbow.

'Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!

　I couldn't even clench my teeth.

　Once open, a full-bodied scream that couldn't be added or subtracted poured out of his mouth, and he couldn't stop. I was barely even aware that I was screaming.

　It just hurt.

　It hurt, and it hurt, and it was unbearable.

　I tried desperately to untie my hands.

'..........................
.....

　They're saying something, but I can't hear them.

　And I can't even get my hands off of them.

　Why!

　Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.

　Rampage.

　Struggling.

　The two of them use every ounce of their being to hold it down.

　I feel the blood vessels in my head chipping away.

　The scorching heat stained vision gets darker and darker from all sides.

(-- Ah.)

　When the torture called intense pain almost killed my consciousness, I suddenly felt that I could see that person's figure beyond that limit.

　Mr. Illtimina.

　In a moment, I remembered what I was here for, what I was here for.

　Towards her, I extend my awareness.

　Beyond the limits.

　Embracing this shock, I send the intense pain deeper into myself, without resistance.

　Crack.

　Something shattered.

　The moment I thought that, my consciousness had been cut off from this world - and I had been cut off from this world.