When I came to, I found myself in a world of pure white.

　White sky.

　The white earth.

　It went on forever.

(.........where am I?)

　As I thought that, I looked around.

　There was a 'black something' on the white earth far away.

　It was a giant.

　On the white earth, I saw a 'black giant' lying on top of the white earth.

　There was no life in it.

　I thought it was dead.

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

　My feet, somehow, took a step in that direction.

　It was almost at the same time.

A pitch-black, tar-like liquid flowed out of the Black Giant's body, and it spread out to the white earth.

(What, that?)

　The feet stopped.

The 'black liquid' eroded the whiteness of the earth, with the corpse of the giant at the center.

　The white earth was turning black.

　Without a sound, it spreads to my location, which is far away.

　I can't help but run away.

　But the speed of the erosion is surprisingly fast, and before I know it, the black liquid is filling up underneath my feet.

　CHAPO!

　Bubbles float in the air.

　And many 'black hands' grew out of that black surface.

!

　My whole body is grabbed by the "black hand".

　I can't run away, I can't scream because my mouth is covered, and I'm dragged down into the black water with a thud.

　Gobbowl!

　I couldn't ... breathe.

　I continued to struggle in the black water, and eventually I drowned there.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


What?

　Suddenly, I can breathe in and out.

　Her body was shaking.

　When I opened my blue eyes, I saw the back of Illtimina-san's head, wrapped in her glossy dark green hair, in front of me.

(By Illtimina-san, being carried on her back?)

　Or so I realized.

　The forest was all around us.

　There was a thin, white mist, and visibility was poor.

　The view of the forest was flowing backwards at a great speed, and I could see that Illtimina-san was running through the forest.

'You've noticed it, Marle!

　He could tell by the signs of movement, and he heard Illtimina's voice sounding like she was about to cry.

　Her profile as she turned around was a crying laugh.

''Yeah........''

　I nodded with a vague awareness.

　........What the hell am I?

　I went back to my memory and then hurriedly remembered that the 'black hand' had pierced my chest.

　He looked at his chest in a panic.

(!)

The "Fairy Iron Armor" had a round hole in it, and there were widespread traces of dried, black blood on the travel clothes.

　It wasn't a dream.

　I had been killed by a stake through the heart.

(But then, why am I alive now?)

　That's when I noticed the pendant hanging around my neck.

''Ah........''

　The magic stone in that 'Bright Stone of Life' had turned gray.

　I see.

　I was killed once and then brought back to life again.

'Good ... really good, Marle.

　Illtimina-san's voice was trembling.

　I could see that she was saddened by my death and had been worrying about whether I would really come back to life or not for a long time.

(Iltimina-san........)

　My chest is warm from having just come back to life.

'You're awake, Merle.

　Suddenly, I heard Kilt-san's voice from the side.

　When I looked, I saw Kilt-san carrying Solstice on his back, running alongside Illtimina-san, who was running.

　Further back, there was Poe's running figure as well.

(Kirt-san, Poe-chan........)

　Seeing everyone's appearance, I was somewhat relieved.

　But even though Kirt-san's expression was relieved to see me, there was an unusual tension in his expression that was even more than that.

　Then I suddenly realized.

　Besides us, there were people from the Kingdom Knights and the Adventurer's Group running in the fog.

　They were all running in the same direction.

(??????)

　What is this place?

　And, guys, why are you running?

　As I thought this, the question was on my face, and Mr. Kilt told me.

'This is The Foggy Woods,'
What?
Eight hours have already passed since you were killed. And the warriors are on the run.

　Escape...?

　When I was about to ask him back.

　Gogogog.

　Suddenly, the earth shook.

　An earthquake.

''d*mn ... here we go again!　Irna, Po, keep your guard up!
Yes, sir.
.......................

　Kilt-san's sharp voice.

　Almost at the same time as Iltimina-san and Poe nodded, several 'black hands' grew out of the ground.

(What?!)

　All three of them kicked and leapt on the ground, desperately avoiding it.

　However, there were some people who were being pierced by that 'black hand' among the kingdom knights and adventurers who were running around them.

(Ah.........)　

　Those people fall down with a splatter of blood.

　Killed.........

　Illtimina-san shouted to me, who had turned pale.

''Please hold on tightly so that you don't get shaken off, Marle!
!

　A voice without saying a word.

　I hurriedly put my hands around Illtimina-san's neck.

''What ... what's ... what's going on?''

　I asked, wincing.

　Illtimina bit her lip and then told me.

'Ever since Marl was killed, every time there was an earthquake, that 'black hand' would appear from the ground and we 'pioneers' have been attacked.
..........

　Ever since then?

The City of Ruins has been engulfed by a black ooze that has been seeping out of the ground and continues to spread to the rocky terrain. We've been escaping it, and now we've reached the Forest of Mist.

　bang

　Even as she was speaking, a 'black hand' grew out of the ground, and Illtimina-san leapt to avoid it.

　The impact of the landing shook my body.

　I couldn't say anything.

(What's that?)

I thought that after defeating the 'Serpent God Man' and getting the 'Divine Spirit Stone', I had finally achieved my goal and all I had to do was leave.　

　And yet.

''Ga.........''
Geez.

　A scream rises in the surroundings.

　The people of the Royal Knights and the Adventurers Group are pierced by the 'Black Hand' and fall to the ground one after another.

(How could this happen!

　At that time, I remembered a scene I saw in a dream.

　A 'black liquid' eroding the white earth.　

　If that dream implied reality, then that means that the 'devil's piece' in this land is a liquid existence, eroding the land of this dark continent, and attacking us above it while it is multiplying.

(Ah........I see.)

　Finally, I understood.

　That night in Pargania.

"...if you've made it to the Dark Continent, be careful he doesn't find you there. He has no intellect, only instinct.

　The meaning of what that 'Child of Darkness' warned us about.

　Geez.

　I clench my little fists.

　Our last enemy was this "Land of the Dark Continent" itself--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　It was night.

Inside the Foggy Forest, many bonfires were burning and many of the Pioneers were resting nearby.

　We were one of them.

　I'm sitting in front of the campfire and Illtimina-san hugs me from my back side and strokes my hair the whole time.

　On the other side of the fire, Solstice is lying on her side.

　She was already awake, and she was looking up at the night sky, which was dimly lit by a red and white moon and stars.

　Beside her, Mr. Kilt and Poe were each resting against a tree.

'Are you all right, Solstice?'

　I called out to her.

　Only the girl's gaze turns to me.

'Well. Well, you just overloaded your brain a bit. You just need to rest for a while and then you'll be fine.
Yeah, good.

　I let out a breath.

　And then.

But I'm surprised. I didn't expect you to use 'sorcery'.

　I laughed.

　The girl smiles back too.

'Hmph, you can respect me, can't you?'
'Yes. This is still something I've always admired, Solstice.
Oh, yeah?

　We laughed at each other.

　Crackle.

　The flames of the fire popped and disappeared into the night sky.

''But I'm surprised. You wake up to find that the "snake godman" has been defeated, the "divine spirit stone" is in your possession, and yet you are being attacked by a "black hand". It's really a strange situation.

　Well, if it was Solstice, it would be.

　She puckered her lips.

I feel like I'm in a nightmare.

　I muttered.

　Nightmare.........

(Really, if it was a nightmare, I can't wait to wake up.......)

　I thought.

　But then Kirt came over to us and said, "Well, that's enough talk.

"Well, that's enough talk," he said. We don't know when the Black Hand is going to attack again.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.

　We nodded.

　Then I relaxed.

　Naturally, I get into a position where I can lean against Illtimina-san, who is holding me.

　Ms. Illtimina whispers softly into my ear.

'Goodnight, Marle.'

　Yes......

'Good night, Miss Illtimina.

　I smiled at that and closed my eyes.

　Iltimina's hand stroking my hair was comforting.

　I wanted to just go straight to sleep.

　But.

　Gogog.........

!

　Earthquake.

　I open my eyes as they pop open.

　Mr. Kilt stands up quickly, with a grim expression on his face.

'They've already caught up with us!

　And.

'The watchers, wake up the sleeping ones!　The Black Hand is coming.　All of you, prepare for the attack!

　Loud voices were raised to the surroundings.

　Poe helped Solstice, who was still having trouble moving, to stand up.

　Soon, Mr. Kilt takes the girl on his back.

'Merle!'

　Illtimina stood up too.

　The movement was a little heavy, perhaps due to fatigue.

　Grasping the outstretched hand, I stand up too.

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

　My palms felt hotter than usual.

'Here it comes!'

　Kilt-san shouted and started to run.

　At the same time, a 'black hand' stretched out from the ground where she had been until now, as if oozing out of the ground.

(Kook!)

　I focus on the ground too.

'Don't stop, Merle!　This way!

　Iltimina-san pulls me by the hand and I start running too.

　Crack, Galaran.

　Countless 'black hands' grew through the bonfires, and countless 'black hands' grew through the bonfires.

　In the same way, many 'black hands' grew out of the side of the bonfires in the forest, and the 'pioneers' were seen desperately running away from them.

　Some of them were holding onto the 'black hands'.

(d*mn.........!)

　It's night, but there's no rest for the wear.

　--I've been running in the pitch black forest, just running and desperately trying to escape.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Five days have passed since then.

　Regardless of the day or night, our days on the run continue.

　I'm tired....

　We are resting when we can and moving when we can.

　But even when we were resting, there was an attack, and we didn't have much time to rest properly.

　Now we were in the 'reddish brown wilderness'.

　At noon that day, the five of us were summoned by General Roberto.

'Thank you for coming.'

　A general with a face full of fatigue, but full of spirit, welcomes us.

　Mr. Raydor and Mr. Aase are also there.

　General Robert looks at us.

　And then.

"I ask you point-blank. Is it possible for you to defeat that 'devil piece'?

　He asked me.

'You can't.'

　It was Kirt Amandes, the Golden Mark demon hunter, who answered.

''During the first raid, the strawberry tried to fight back. However, slashing with the sword did not help and the magical lightning did not communicate. The same is true with the 'divine energy' of the divine dragon Nagaia.

　thump

　Poe, who was beside me, nodded.

'Is it the same for you guys?'

　He nodded with a heavy expression on his face, which General Roberto and the others must have tried.

　Mr. Kilt said.

It's a black water with a will," he said. It's a water so big that it fills the earth.
..........

　General Roberto looked in the direction of the Forest of Mist.

　The wilderness could be seen to the edge of the horizon.

　On the horizon, there was a black glow that reflected the light of the sun.

　--It's the Black Water.

　The massive amount of water that produced the Black Hand was slowly approaching from beyond the horizon.

　It covered the left and right sides of the horizon, all visible areas.

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

　It's like a black tsunami.

There's no way to beat it. At least not that I can think of.
..........
Now, the only thing you can do is to return to the frontier ship as soon as possible and escape this continent. I see no other option.

　Mr. Kilt assured him.

　General Roberto closed his eyes.

　He was silent as if considering something, and eventually opened his eyes as if he had made a decision.

'All right. Then I have a proposition for you guys.
Proposition?

　Kilt-san asks back.

　General Roberto looks at the dragon knight captain next to him.

''I'm going to have this Raider Quodka and the rest of the 'Dragon Horsemen's Dragons' ride with me, and I'm going to send you and the 'Divine Spirit Stone' alone to the 'Pioneer Ship' first.

　I mouthed.

(What...?)

　All five of us were surprised.

''Both the two 'Divine Attendants' and the 'Divine Spirit Stone' are necessary for humanity in the future. I'd like to leave the other three in charge of guarding them.
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........

　What are you talking about...?

　General Roberto looked at us.

'A third of the Fifth Frontier Corps' has already died in the 'Black Hand' raids so far.

　A third of it!

　I'm shocked by this new information.

It will take twenty days to reach the frontier ships, no matter how fast we try to get there. It's impossible to say that the Fifth Frontier Corps will not be wiped out during that time. That's what I'm proposing.

　He concluded.

　Mr. Kilt's golden eyes narrowed.

'What about you?'
I won't stop running.

　General Robert laughed cleanly.

"But you will not be able to escape that easily. But you won't wait for us, if that happens, you will escape on your own.

　By his side, Mr. Reidl looked pained.

　On the other hand, Arse-san, the one who is left behind, was smiling beautifully.

　She was prepared to die - that's how I felt about her beauty.

　I looked up at Kirt-san.

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

　Her profile looked severely distressed.

　But she didn't utter a word of denial to the suggestion.

(Don't tell me........Kirt-san?)

　I panicked.

　I tried to open my mouth for her.

　But before I did.

Don't be silly.

　Iltimina's quiet, angry voice echoed through the place.

　Everyone's eyes are drawn to it.

　In the midst of them, Iltimina Wong said

How much of a burden do you people want to put on this child's shoulders?　Do you really think that Marle's heart will not be hurt by such an imitation!

　A strong anger hit the other adults.

　But General Roberto was unwavering.

"It's for the people,

　Mr. Illtimina doesn't back down either.

'You're willing to hurt Marle for that?
I won't say that. But Marle's life would be in danger if you didn't.
When your heart is broken, it's the same.

　sizzling sound

　Mr. Illtimina hugged me, looking at General Roberto and the others.

'Marle is a sweet girl,'
..........
If he were to abandon everyone else and save himself, he will never be able to fight again. ........Kirt, do you intend to repeat the mistakes you made in The Great Labyrinth?

　Mr. Kilt gave a huff.

(Mr. Illtimina.....

　I grabbed her arm with a squeeze.

　She realized and squeezed my hand back, then glared at the adults in the room again.

I'm not going to let the weight of your lives fall on her. You are called a "divine dog", but this child is just a child. Please don't push this gentle child any further with your selfish adult mindset!

　It was a strong scream that made the atmosphere tremble.

　Everyone fell silent in response.

　I said honestly, "I don't want to do that, either.

"...I don't want to do that either.

　plop

　As soon as I uttered the words, my emotions overflowed and I burst into tears.

　Mr. Kilt's expression intensified.

　General Roberto, Mr. Reidl and Mr. Arse gasped.

　The four of them looked at each other.

　Eventually, Mr. Kilt let out a sigh.

'I suppose so. Well, whatever the outcome, you will have to persevere to the end to be convinced.

　General Roberto wrinkles his brow.

'Kirto Amandes.'
'I'm sorry, General. I, too, as one of Marle's guardians, cannot accept that suggestion.

　Mr. Kilt chuckled.

　Mr. Reidle put his hand on the General's shoulder.

'This isn't good. Marle, you haven't 'given up' enough to accept our way of thinking yet.'
Nuh-uh.

　Mr. Reidle clapped his shoulder with a wry smile at the general's reluctant face.

　Mr. Aase looked at us curiously.

　Eventually.



　I told him so, and smiled somewhat happily.

　General Roberto let out a breath.

''...Okay. Let's put this proposal on hold for now.

　General.........

　Those words made me feel relieved from the bottom of my heart.

　Then I look up at Illtimina-san.

'Thank you, Illtimina-san.
No.

　She smiled serenely at the heartfelt thanks.

　Then she exhaled heavily.

　flap

　Its body tilted at an angle.

(Huh?)

　I hurriedly supported her.

'What's wrong, Illtimina?　Are you okay?

　Miss Illtimina held her forehead and got down on one knee.

　Everyone looked at her in surprise.

'What's the matter, Irna?'
Irna?
..........

　Mr. Kilt, Solstice called out to her, and Poe looked at her with concern.

　But Mr. Illtimina stood up quickly.

　And.

'I'm sorry, I think I got a little too excited.

　I chuckled.

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

　I stare at her suspiciously.

　Noticing this, Illtimina-san crumpled my hair and stroked it.

''Hmph, it's fine.''
Yes.

　I don't know if it's bullshit or true.



　So we decide.

　And so the five of us leave the place.

　We're walking.

..........

　Ms. Illtimina suddenly reached out to the blue sky and narrowed her crimson eyes.