...Why is Sora-dono here...?

Ayaka told me you were here. I came to check up on you.


　He responded to Cryer's faint voice with facts.

　When he heard the name of his synchronous student, Crya blinked his eyes.


''Ayaka is...?

Yeah. He was worried about you because you hadn't shown up for so long.


　The exact information that Ayaka gave me is: "Cryer", "not here", "Belch House" and "underground".

　It's not that I was told to "help" or "please" or "the enemy is attacking, the Berch family's caution will be loosened, so this is a good time to infiltrate".

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm ignoring it. If this was Klimt, he wouldn't have minded.

　But as for Cryer, I couldn't bring myself to ignore him. It's a good thing that you're a good friend of mine. You can call it a soul-supplier over the sword in the end, but in any case, when you have this much of a relationship, your emotions are transferred.

　In the end, Seal, Sparrow and Miroslav, who were attacked by Clair in Ishqa, also exchanged words with Clair. I'm not sure if I've ever had a problem with that, but I'm not sure if I've ever had a problem with the people I attacked.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


I'm sure you're not the only one who's been treated like a felon.　For a punishment for losing to me, though, Goz and Klimt were walking out with their swords sashayed.

...it's


　Cryer clammed up behind the sturdy bars.

　However, he quickly decided that there was no point in hiding it, and spoke out in a whisper.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that the current situation is part of the family's sanction by Gilmore, the head of the Berch family.

　Gilmore was furious with his two adopted sons for bringing disgrace to the Belch name by losing to me, but he still didn't punish Klimt so harshly. The two adopted siblings were furious that they had been defeated, but they did not punish Klimt so severely.

　But he was driven by an anger that exceeded his feelings and calculations to punish Cryer.

　The reason for this...


''Well, when I was living in Ishqa with Sora-dono, I thought it was more comfortable than the house of Belch. I thought it was more comfortable than the Belch house. When the master found out about it, he was furious, calling me ungrateful...


　Cryer slumped down, embarrassed.

　As for me, I can't help but nod my head.


'Comfortable?　It would have been like being watched at all hours of the day and night - oh, maybe about the food?


　It's a good thing that you're a hostage, or else you'd have to be a good person to get a job.

　I thought he was comfortable in that sense, but Cryer gave a small shake of his head.


''Before I was at Sora-dono's house. I've felt that way ever since I was in that big cave.''

... how hard is it to live in this house, man?


　How cold is the Belch family, a house that is more uncomfortable than the Lord of the Flies' nest, or how cold it is?

　He continued to speak, donning his words.


''Well, well, I sympathize with that, but you didn't have to be stupidly honest about it either, did you?''

Do you know what Sensei Rai is, Lord Sora?


　I let out a deep sigh as I figured out everything with that word. It's so typical of Gilmore, it's very typical of Gilmore.

　I look at Cryer in front of me again, having grasped the general situation.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time with the help of a good friend. I'm sure that every time I stepped into a prison cell, Crya would bow down to greet me.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Most of them could be erased by magic or medicine, but some of them may be scars that remain.


　No, it's Gilmore, so that's been taken care of as well.

'As you can imagine. It's not that I can't use it, but I have no intention of escaping. I owe my master a debt of gratitude for raising me to this day. Besides, I can't leave Klimt behind.

'He'd be happy to follow you around. He's not the kind of guy who's going to keep quiet when he finds out his sister is going through this.


　I said, and Cryer smiled faintly.


'Yes, I suppose so. But beyond that choice lies a daily battle with your pursuers. In the 300-year history of the Three Hundred Years of Giken, there has never been a single flag-bearer who has succeeded in escaping the island. I can't let my brother be led down that path.

So you can't run away. I see.


　Then I huffed and exhaled through my nose.

　I came here on Ayaka's word because I figured I could help Kuria escape if she wanted.

　I know the righteous nature of Krya. There was also the thought that if he had good luck, he would be able to secure a supply person with the same source being (anima).

　However, it's a different story if Kuria herself has no intention of doing so.

　When they had saved Suzume and Claudia, they were panting over a situation that was beyond their control. Even so, they were struggling to do their best and try to do something about it. That's why I wanted to help them, too.

　But not Kuria. He is a force to be reckoned with. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has the power to break the chains that the Belch family has placed on him, but I'm willing to accept the situation at this point in time because of my debt of gratitude, my brother's future, the threat of his pursuers and other interests.

　Then my meddling is none of my business.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the city.


'A wasted trip, eh? You're in my way.


　With that said, he turned on his heel without a second thought.

　Then a panicked voice of Cryer came from behind me.


"Sora-dono!

What?

'Um ... why are you here?　You said you heard about me from Ayaka, but Sora-dono has no reason to be concerned about me, right?

I haven't had a real opponent to fight me head-on since I got you back. If you were planning to run, I thought I'd help you out and make you grateful.


　When I revealed my inner thoughts without hiding them, Cryer opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, as if he didn't know what to say.

　At that time, a series of loud impact sounds came from the ground. For the aftermath of the battle of the city walls, it was nigh on impossible. Someone somewhere might be using a jingy technique continuously near here.

　The entire dungeon was shaking and the floor, walls and ceiling were creaking. After clearing the dust from the ground, I pulled out a small medicine bottle from my pocket. It was a long, round bottle that adventurers use to hold potions.

　Then I shoot it at Crya through the iron bars. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

This is a special potion made for the Sword of Bloodstain. It not only restores physical and magical power, but it also works well against poisons and curses. You said you don't want to run away from the island, but you don't want to die here in the dirt, do you?　When the time comes, use it with your mind gear.


　Cryer had said earlier about the mind-dressing, "It's not that they can't be forced to use it. It is likely that Gilmore has put a curse on it or driven a wedge into it to restrict it.

　If the basement collapses, Cryer will have to bring out his mind gear and break the restraints. But if Gilmour's trick is activated there, he won't be able to escape.

　That's why I fired the pill bottle. This will minimize the effects of Gilmore's trickery. After all, it's a gem with plenty of dragon's blood in it. It should have been enough to plow through the collapse and get to the ground.


''S-........''

I wouldn't mind giving it to Gilmore. Good luck, Cryer Berch.


　I was about to say something, but I interrupted Cryer's dialogue and quickly left the place.

　The voice of Cryer did not chase him on his back.

　All that followed were two red gazes.