The corner of his eye was lost to the carrier's carrier.

　The first thing that came to mind was the sound of alarm bells ringing in the back of his mind. The carrier's instincts, sensing the power of the sky, urged it to flee quickly.

　Cryer twisted that instinct's cry with the force of his will.

　If he fled here, the sky's attack would hit his brother in the rear. He had to stop it himself at all costs. In the worst case scenario, I will not hesitate to take a stand and become my brother's shield - that's all I was prepared to do.

　Even though he knew it was as Sora had intended, he could not take any other option.


　-- A figure like a small mountain appeared in front of that Cryer.

　His skilled gait could be mistaken for teleportation. I'm sure you've been hit by the fire magic in the sky just now, but there's not a single burn on your body or your clothes.

　Move and defend. The brilliance of his superior power techniques is unsurpassed even among the students of the Itto-ryu school.

　He is the third-highest ranked fighter in the master's elite unit, the First Banner of the Blue Forest.

　Level '81' - Goz Sima stood in front of the sky.



''-- Heart-armored excitation.''


　A low, heavy voice emanates from Goz's mouth.

　It's a simple sword that manifests itself in response.

　It does not display any of its distinctive abilities like the flames of Kuryukara or the wind of Kusa-Nabuki, nor does it radiate an unfathomably intimidating presence like the soul-eaters.

　It's just an ordinary sword with a few beads wrapped around the flange. That was Goz Sima's heart outfit.


　However, that does not negate the strength of the heart outfit itself.

　As if to prove that, Goz drew his heart-suit on the spot.


'Bind, Juzumaru.


　Goz's drawn sword and Sora's slash were simultaneous.

　The Sora's Hayate is a rigid sword that combines the power of power from the power of jujin and mind-dressing. The power of this sword was far different from that of other wielders' swords.

　It is no coincidence that he once broke through the magic of the Eighth Circle and cut down Jirinbo in the royal capital of Horus.

　It's a good thing that you've got a good idea of what you're doing, because you know that's why you are prepared to defend against the attack.



　No matter how much Goz is hit, if it's a direct hit, they won't get away with it - that was supposed to be the case.

　However, the flash, which was supposed to be powerful, dissipates without ever reaching Goz's body.

　Just like the light snowfall in spring, the dash that the sky released melted into the air without a sound.

　After confirming this, Goz speaks to Cryer behind him in an indifferent voice.


'I'll take care of it here. I'll take care of Klimt for you.''

Yes, sir, I understand, Shiba.


　For a moment, Cryer was about to say something, but quickly swallowed it and lowered his head.

　He glanced at Sora, then turned on his heel and ran out of the gate.

　Thus, Goz and Sora faced each other head on.


◆ ◆ ◆



That was a great strike, young man, that's for sure, Sora-dono.

"Brilliant," you say, "after you dismissed it so easily. It sounds like a mockery of sarcasm, Goz-- no, Master Sima.


　At Sora's venomousness as he deliberately mimicked the end of his words, Goz's lips were drawn together as if he was unsure of what to say in return.

　Sora gazed at the figure without caution.

　Sora was well aware of his former Fu Yaku's mind attire. Just as he said he had canceled out, Goz's mind-dressing Kazumaru's ability to crush the enemy's mind-dressing ability - or in other words, nullify it.

　The earlier act was due to the fact that Suzumaru's power suppressed the soul eater (Soul Eater).


　Of course, that of Suzumaru is not an all-powerful power that can counteract anything, and it doesn't work against higher-level opponents.

　However, as one of the Four Lords of the Gokens, Goz's ability is comparable to that of the other eight banner captains. There are only a few people who can wield the heart attire against Goz as they wish.

　Sora is no exception. The difference in power between the two became obvious when the power was vanquished by Suzumaru. How can they be happy about being called "brilliant" under such circumstances?

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


I didn't mean to tempt you," he said. It was a sword full of authority and power. It is not inferior to the Seirin Hakki's superior position, and I am impressed that you have managed to get so far in just five years.


　Having said that, Goz raises his eyebrows faintly here.


I cannot help but ask you. You have so much power, Lord Sora, so why did you use sophistry?　If it were you, you would have fought the Berch sisters and brothers head-on and won, but you took a hostage by surprise...

What about it?


　Sora kicked off Goz's complaint.

　I don't know how it was from the outside, but for Sora, the battle up to this point was like walking on thin ice.

　His opponents were his former Fu Yaku and the two golden generation. Considering the difference in strength between them, a one-on-three match would not be enough to win. Therefore, they had to take the fight to one on one at all costs.

　At the same time, he had to block his opponent's movements so that the other two would not move for the sparrow while they were fighting one-on-one.

　The best solution for this was the earlier battle. No regrets. No pain of conscience either.



　The one thing Sora had feared was that Goz would come at him from the beginning.

　It was Goz, and he would see through Sora's strength once he pulled out his mind gear. He would also come up with the possibility that Berch's sister and brother would be defeated. It was not unlikely that Goz would make a move from the first move.

　However, Sora knew the former Fu Yaku's character. When he saw the inferiority of the Berch sisters, he decided to sit on the sidelines for a while, thinking that "knowing defeat is also the way to become a strong man".

　The result was exactly as he had predicted. There was no need to listen to Goz now, no matter what he had to say.



　He had no need to listen to Goz now, no matter what he thought.

　Recalling the conversation up to this point, it was clear that his words hadn't reached Sora at all.

　When he was on Onigashima, he had never felt such a gap between himself and the sky. This is where Goz feels uncomfortable.

　There is anger at being hurt by the demon man and other companions he is protecting.

　But the sense of discomfort with the sky that can be felt in the series of words and actions is not a temporary emotion. It is deeper, distorted in the essential part of being a human being - Goz felt that way.



　What the sky once had and the sky now does not have.

　What you can feel from the sky you once had and can't feel from the sky you now have.

　What is it?

　Goz slowly opened his mouth.


''-- Sora-dono, you have indeed become stronger. There is no way to compare it to five years ago. But at the same time, you have lost something important that you once had.

Hmm, let's ask a question for a trial. What's that?

"The will to defend our country and protect our people. In other words, the pride of the Protectorate and the Salvation of the World, that it is.

..........

The sword without pride will only fall into the pit of emptiness. Neither Gokan-sama nor Shizuya-sama wish for you to wander in the darkness of delusion. Please--

Shut up.


　A voice colder than winter well water interrupted Goz's words.

　His eyes, dark as night, stared at Goz as if they were penetrating.


It's been five years since I was exiled from the island. Five years after I was exiled from the island, I've been crawling on the ground to get here. It's certainly not what I once wanted. Your mother may be disappointed in you. But I don't need you to tell me that. You gave up on me five years ago.

"Sora-dono. As the leader of the swordsman's family and the master of the Itto style of sword fighting, I am charged with punishing those who do not follow the swordsman's wishes. If it is said that they will not listen to your words, then it is unavoidable. From now on, I will use my sword, not words, to break the delusion of Lord Sora.

I wish. Go ahead and do it if you can, Goz Sima!


　The sky cries out. A black flame rises from the mind suit in response to the wielder's anger.