Two students from Class 4 of the second year were captured.

　The information was immediately delivered to the king's residence, and at the same time to Koganei. Koganei hurriedly asked the pawns at random, but naturally, they didn't know the details. Koganei eventually visited Akeno's room.
　Basically, Akeno, who holds the position of Bishop, works in a two-man cell with the blood family that holds the position of Knight. However, the Knight had not been replenished since Suou lost his life, and she rarely went out to study in her room, instead immersed in her own research.

　Opening the door roughly, Akeno glanced at her and then shifted her gaze to the suspicious flasks lined up on her desk again.

'Akeno-san, I heard that one of your classmates was caught...'
That's a fact. Two on a new continent. Arachne and Roper. I understand they're already in transit.

　Akeno muttered in a flat voice.

　It's Kumizaki and Tentahara. Koganei gasped. Finally, his other classmates, other than himself, would have been captured by the blood family. This kind of damage had to be taken into account when the class was split apart.
　Koganei honestly dreaded coming face to face with them. It had already been nearly two months since he had left the class, and things had changed considerably. He even wonders if he no longer has a place in that class. It's true that I'm beginning to feel hesitant about going back.

　But not Spider Saki and Tentahara. Should I just take them and escape this castle?

　Koganei, who had awakened in Phase 2, had already grown to the point where he could take on a pawn or so with room to spare. Currently, the castle's strength was stretched thin. As soon as Kumazaki and the others arrive, it's not impossible for Koganei to lead them out, perhaps.
　But, Koganei thought, it's not possible. They wouldn't necessarily be the only ones to end up being captured by the Blood Clan. Currently, their classmates are scattered. The story was that the troops led by one of the rooks were on their way to the Southern Kingdom of Pirica. Perhaps someone else would be captured again.

　As Koganei was thinking about it, Akeno was taking off his white coat in front of him and starting to prepare something.

''Akeno-san, where are you going...?''
Zelgas, the gladiatorial duchy.

　It was understandable to Koganei that this was probably because he had found out where his other classmates were, and that was why he was doing it.

'As long as my reasoning is functioning properly, I'll try not to kill you.
....!

　The words confront Koganei with a fact that he doesn't want to recognize, if anything, he doesn't want to recognize.
　Washio is dead. And maybe, just maybe, someone else will die again.

　At this point, I wonder what I should be doing at this point. I could follow Akeno now and fight her to protect my other classmates. But in that case, what would happen to Spider Saki and Tentahara, who would be sent to this castle?
　Would Kumizaki and Tentahara trust her in the first place?
　Koganei hadn't forgotten what he had done to them. Considering that, it seems like there is nothing that can be taken back.

　There is no place to stay in this blood family's castle.

　But that doesn't mean you can't find a place for yourself back in class.

　It's not a place where you can go back to after all this time, and I knew that long ago.

Then, we've already decided what we're going to do.

　Koganei gave a wry, cruel smile. In the end, it might just be that he hadn't been able to tread on it until now. But it was as if what Koganei could do here had been decided from the beginning.
　The new fact of the capture of two classmates determined a decision for Koganei Yoshiki.




　It was morning. Stuffing their stomachs with the skewered clams, nuts, and whatever else they had left behind last night, Kyousuke and the others began to prepare for the search. As we had planned, Kyousuke was going to explore along the coast with Yukinoshita.
　Rin pestered him before they left, so he jostled a bit. I thought about talking about how there's nothing to worry about, or how I don't intend to have such feelings for Yukinoshita, but I was embarrassed that I was wrong, so I decided not to.

'Am I alone with the squad leader?　What?　What are you up to, Squad Leader?

　As they begin their search, Yukinoshita makes an insanely loud noise.

''You have Himemizu-san as your squad leader!　Or have you switched your aim!
It's not like that!

　It's not easy to keep up with them when they are coming at you like this from the start. Kyousuke scratched his head and preceded along the coastline.
　Kyousuke is carrying the magic sword that he took from the adventurers. It was unclear what effect the bones of the daemon hanging on his left arm would have, but his strength should have been improved from before. Nevertheless, he couldn't afford to let the Lesser Demon and others come out, so he proceeded as cautiously as possible.

''But there's a good reason why we're down to two. As the squad leader, I'm going to interview each one of you properly.
"Ho ho!
I don't know my classmates very well.
'I see!　It's good to try to know!

　Crossing his arms, Snowdonia nodded yes.
　It's hard to do, after all. How much of this tension is genuine and how much is fake? If I suddenly got to the heart of the matter and said, 'You're making a character, aren't you?' wouldn't I be warned at once and it would be game over? No, it's not like we're playing a romantic simulation.

'Come on, ask me anything you want!

　Snowman said, slapping his chest with a bang.

　A snow woman on a summer beach. What a quaint scene. However, now is not the time to indulge in that breeze. Kyousuke stabbed his magic sword into the sandy beach and thought about it. Seeing Kyousuke begin to think, Yukinoshita walks towards the surf. He kicks off the crashing waves and they scatter into the air as icy debris.
　Now, what could he say? Kyousuke knew his example well. However, even with his own example, he doesn't know how to properly break down an opponent with such a twisted mentality.

　Yukinoshita kicked the seawater off with a splash, turning them into ice.

　Kyousuke was troubled and eventually decided to attack it from the front.

'Yukinoshita, everyone has a reason for being reincarnated into that monster.

　Basha. Snowdonia's feet stop.

'Apparently. Was it the embodiment of a complex?
'It's not just about the complex, though. I'm a skeleton because I have no substance, and Rin is a slime because she's flexible. Ryuzaki and Koganei reflect their pride, and Ei, despite his appearance, has a hot temperament.

　I don't know everyone in the class, but there are plenty of other things that come to mind.

　Mitarai Azuki is pretty easy to figure out. Kurumori, too, is probably a reflection of his hobbies, reflected in his current form to the fullest. Goubayashi became like that because he was too conscious of the violent existence and impulse inside him. Sakuma is, well. Sakuma is, well, yeah.

'How did Yukinoshita become a snow woman?'
.........

　At that moment, Snowdonia looks over her shoulder. Her ice-cold blue eyes were impregnated with a chillingly cold color. The air is clothed in cold air, gaining mass. The waves rushing to her feet froze in an instant in their shape.

'I'm a pessimist (pessimist).

　Surprisingly easily, Snowdonia admitted that fact.

''I think that's what it's all about,''
'Yukinoshita....'
I know what I'm talking about. No, I want to know. It's not nice, it's not a dream or an ideal. I want to be hot, and I wish I could be, but I just can't.

　Snowdonia turned her whole body around, a resigned smile on her mouth. He gently sat down on the frozen waves.

'Do you think Utsurogi-kun will be able to get us back to the world?　Do you think you can make it across these waters without getting lost?　Do you think it's such a miracle that we can all come together safely and in one place?
'Oh....'
I don't have it.

　Before Kyousuke could say anything, Yukinoshita said piquantly.

'Dreams and ideals are not enough to override reality. I've always thought it was impossible. Deep down, don't you agree with that, Utsurogi-kun?

　I feel like I was pointed at a figurehead. Kyousuke couldn't say it back.
　It would be nice to be able to return home, but that doesn't lead to a certainty. The possibility is infinitesimal. The more you search for a way for everyone to return home as one, the more the walls of reality stand in the way.
　Even if we managed to protect everyone in front of us now, we don't know what will happen to those who are already separated from us. There is a limit to what we can do with our dreams and ideals.

'Maybe so.'

　Kyousuke nodded.

'It's not just me. I think even Ryuzaki and others thought so. They're all anxious. So, it's probably not a bad thing to express that anxiety. If you really feel that way.
What does that mean?
Yeah, no, I don't mean to be rude, but...

　At Kyousuke's words, Yukinoshita's eyes sharpened.
　If Yukinoshita is a pessimist, it means that there is no need to force him to wear a mask of hot blood. It's like a reaction will come one day. It's true that hard work and perseverance are important, but there's no need to talk about things that you don't believe in deep down.
　Kyousuke explained.

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

　Snowflake stands up from the icy waves with his arms crossed.

'Hey. You don't think you can go home, Utsurogi-kun, either. How can you be okay with that?　Isn't Mr. Utsurogi lying?　I thought you were an actor like me.　How can you tell me to stop?
It's not that I don't think I can go home.
You thought so. You just admitted it.

　She was clearly exasperated. Behind the hot-blooded mask, behind the icy, cold real face, there was another emotion. She always smiled in class, smiling, clenching her fists, and preaching spiritualism, but Yukinoshita had an unimaginable appearance.

　How could he explain it? Kyousuke scratched his head. This is pretty hard to do.

'Sure, I'm worried about it. It's very unlikely, and it's just, uh...''
Sorry.

　As she made a gesture to scratch her bangs, Snowdonia said in a cold voice.

'I'm annoyed. First, just tell me what you've concluded.
I don't want to give up.

　In the end, all of Kyousuke's actions converge there.

　It's just the way it is, so that's a negative thing to say. But Kyousuke didn't want to give up, so he saved Azuki, and he saved Karasuma, Yukinoshita and the others. I'm sure it's the same for Ryuzaki and the others. He was an idealist, but he was never an optimist. He pursued his ideals with tragic futures and pessimistic speculations.

'Reaching out and not necessarily reaching someone else, but...'

　Kyousuke muttered as he looked at the demon's left arm bone.

'But I want to reach out while I can.'
'That's how he stretched out his arm, Utsurogi-kun, and it was blown off. It's ridiculous.
So, if that's what you think, snowflake, that's fine.

　I finally shrugged my shoulders.

'I feel like an idiot too, but I'm not going to push myself anymore. It's much more 'impossible' for me to give up or not reach out to you.
I don't understand...!

　Snowflake exclaims through clenched teeth.

'After all, Utsurogi-kun is talking about idealism and spirituality!　That's all I'm saying on the surface!　You don't really think that love and courage can save the world or anything like that!
But it would be nice if we could save the world with love and courage.
It's a beautiful thing!　The world could not be more cruel!
But people in the world are usually working hard to achieve their ideals and beautiful things.

　'I'm not trying to lecture you,' says Kyousuke, 'I'm not trying to lecture you.

'You want me to give up, Yukinoshita?　Or do you want to convince yourself?　Which is it. I know what I'm talking about is beautiful, and I know the world is cruel. Otherwise, Washio wouldn't have died.
I am...!

　Yukinoshita Ryouka finally clenched her fists tightly and fell on her face.

'I just don't understand. People like Utsurogi-kun, Ryuzaki-kun, and Himemizu-san.... I wish I could live like that, but I can't.''
'So it's the snowflakes you want to convince, then.

　It was then that Kyousuke realized the dichotomous conflict Yukinoshita was having.

　Yukinoshita Ryouka is not just a pessimist who wears a hot-blooded mask. As she first mentioned, she has the desire to believe in her dreams, her ideals, and so on. He wants to be, and he says and does things like that, but his calm nature whispers coldly to him, so his words are inevitably light.
　For Snowdonia, the way she has been acting may still be more ideal for her. But to Yukinoshita, love and courage are illusions, and dreams and ideals will one day decay.

''Would you like to make a bet with me, Yukinoshita?''

　Then, thought Kyousuke, he cut in.

'A bet?'
''Yes. If we can all make it to Verneus from this continent together, how about we believe in what me and Ryuzaki are doing...?
.........

　She stared back at Kyousuke with icy, clear eyes. She looked as if she had never heard something strange before and turned her head. But the snow woman, who had just revealed her cold-hearted nature, gave a small smile, ''Huh,'' and said.

''Oh no.''
Yes....




　In the end, it was a parallel story from there on out. Yukinoshita didn't change her opinion, and if she did, Kyousuke couldn't go any further. In the end, the result was a reaffirmation of the lightness of his words. Does it mean that she is still not accompanied by substance, or is it simply that Yukinoshita is stubborn?
　In any case, the plan to solve the problem by delving into her inner life ended in failure. It could be that her roots were deeper than she thought. But it wasn't just that I was fooling myself and pretending to have a hot personality; the problem was in a place where I had to dig further.

　They continued to explore along the beach for a while after that, but Yukinoshita Ryouka remained silent and just followed closely behind Kyousuke. Even though I know this is her true nature, it's a little hard to do.

'It's going to be awkward when I leave,'

　Looking up at the sky, which was becoming cloudy before I knew it, Snowdrop muttered.

'Which character do you think I should go as?'
Like I said, you don't have to wear a mask.
'So this character over here then......... People would be surprised....

　A cynical smile flashed across Yukinoshita's mouth. Kyousuke wasn't happy about that.

　He knows that the hot-headed snow woman is an act, but he can't help but nod his head that this cold-hearted manner of hers is her true nature. It's unnatural, as if she's forcibly crushing every ideal and dream in this one.

'Utsurogi-kun did his best. It's not like I didn't say enough.''

　Yukinoshita laughs as she walks a few steps behind Kyousuke.

''But even if you try your best, it doesn't mean you'll be able to open someone's heart. And with Utsurogi-kun, with whom you are not even close.
.........

　Now it was Kyousuke's turn to shut up. She was right, though. To say it was a poor prospect would be an understatement.

　But even so, Kyousuke did not want to give up.

'Considering all possibilities, I'll rule out the impossible as much as possible, and if there's something I still don't want to rule out, then I guess that's what I really want to do.'
Is that really what you want to do, to make a bet with me?
Now it is.
Himemizu-san will be furious.

　No, Rin doesn't get angry. It's puffy, though. Kyousuke was about to say it, but stopped.
　There are two reasons why he can't leave Yukinoshita alone. She's like herself, but she's also like Ei. So, in fact, Kyousuke is used to being showered with cold water with realistic words along with this kind of cold-hearted attitude. But such is the case with Yukinoshita, who hasn't been able to become anything at the moment, which is very frustrating from the side.

　I found myself walking on the beach for quite a distance. Two footprints. Yukinoshita's sandals and Kyousuke's foot bones.

''In the end, you won't find anything.''
'Yeah. It looks like it's going to rain.... It just occurred to me that the green space is so close, the ocean is so close, and it looks like it's going to rain often, so why is the desert so wide open?
'Well?　Maybe there's some kind of fantasy power at work here.　I hear you can't even grow a penny of grass by magic.

　As long as he didn't expand on the topic of his inner life and the possibilities for the future, Snowfall's reaction was normal. It was unnatural, though, just not in hot-blooded mode.
　Was the odd itchy feeling in his attitude?

'What, Utsurogi-kun? Should I talk to you in hot-blooded mode?

　This is where you'd have a choice if it was a simulation game, Kyousuke thought vaguely.

'I'm fine as it is, but I'm a little curious to see what you'd say if you spoke in hot blooded mode.
I don't know why, but if we continue to plant trees every day, this desert will be green again!　People can even make it snow in the desert one day!
I want it back.

　It took some effort to stifle a laugh.
　After all, if you take off the hot-blooded mask, she's a normal girl, although there's a bit of a pessimist in her, but she's a normal girl. Should I not look at her from too centralized a perspective? As expected, you're thinking too much, and you're starting to get confused.

''Oh, Utsurogi-kun.

　Suddenly, the tone of her voice changed. Kyousuke looked up. And immediately, his eyes widened.

''........That was!

　On the sandy beach, I saw a horse lying on the beach. Its entire body was white and its flowing mane was wet with tidal water. A single horn sprouted from its forehead. It was a unicorn, a unicorn.
　To Kyousuke and the others, a unicorn is a white horse unicorn. You can't immediately conclude that it is so, so I didn't call it by name, but Kyousuke ran to that unicorn on the beach. He shook it a bit, but it seemed to be unconscious and didn't respond.

''Is that you, Hakuba-kun?''
...Yeah, maybe so.

　Kyousuke nodded as he looked at the unicorn's body.

''It has the Knight Kingdom's saddle on it that Serena-san put on it.... And also, this.

　He picked up the black plate from around the white horse's throat and dusted off the sand.

''Washio-kun's tablets........''
''The white horse also came to this new continent. Then, besides this guy....
Where's Tentahara-kun?　We were close, weren't we?

　A tentacle field. Kyousuke looks around, but there's no shadow of it. The only one lying on the sandy beach is Hakuba.

'Are you okay?　They say Thoroughbreds have weak skin, so if they're in contact with the ground, germs will grow and rot.
'Unicorns aren't thoroughbreds. They're wild horses, at least, so I'm sure they're tough in that area...

　Kyousuke tries with all his strength to lift Hakuba's body for a moment, but he can't do that with his poor, bony body.
　When he glances at Yukinoshita, she just watches with her arms crossed.

'Help me, lend me strength.'
Okay, but it doesn't matter.
You'll never know unless you try!

　Yukinoshita let out a small sigh and stood next to Kyousuke. She put her arms into Hakuba's neck, too, and tried to pull him up at the same time as Kyousuke, but he still didn't say a word.
　It's not that she didn't put a lot of effort into it. Rather, for that moment, Yukinoshita also pulled as hard as she could.

'Hey, I told you. He said it's useless. Why don't you call Himemizu-san and the others?
f*ck.

　It's a fair argument if you ask me. However, Kyousuke can't help but be annoyed by such an attitude from Yukinoshita.
　Getting angry is a rare emotion when you think back. It's the second time he's directed it at a classmate, after the time he punched Koganei three months ago.

　However, he was curious as to why Hakuba was down here. And why his other classmates were nowhere to be found.

　Perhaps he was involved in some kind of fight. If that's why he got separated from the rest of his friends, it's not a very nice situation. It is also possible that the white horse has a chaser.

Everyone else could be dead.

　Snowflake left a harsh mutter.

''Well don't say that even if it's a joke.
You're kidding me.
All the more reason.

　Kyousuke stood up and looked around. Whether there were stragglers or pursuers, he couldn't just stand here looking at Hakuba. Snowflake also stood up and stood right beside him.

''I was just talking about the possibilities. Besides, if this is the case, we're going to die too.

　With that, she pointed towards the desert. A group of small demons (Imps) and corpse demons (Ghouls) were slowly approaching from the other side.
　The corpses were undead created by the blood race. Small demons are also often used as a fighting force. In that case, they are still in this new continent. And they are probably aiming at the white horse. They are aiming this way without hesitation.

You know what I mean, Utsurogi-kun. Everyone else is in their clutches. We don't know how many people are dead or how many they have taken.
I don't think we have time for that. We're going to take them down.
'There are too many of them. I'm running away.

　Yukinoshita said, simply. When Kyousuke looked at her, she had a woozy, somewhat resigned smile on her face.

'There are no miracles in this world, you know. Utsurogi-kun. Like you said in the beginning, I'm tired of it.

　To proclaim dreams and ideals that never come true.
　To claim a love or courage that doesn't exist.

　The cold, cruel nature of her cold, cruel nature was eating away at her entire body of snow. What she wanted to believe in was being overturned by reality, and she was losing her ability to resist.

''I'm...''

　Kyousuke readied his magic sword again.
　If he ran away here, the white horse would fall into their hands.

''I'm not going to run away, you know.''
Yeah. Have it your way.
I'll tell you what.

　Yukinoshita Ryouka kicked the sandy beach roughly and turned her back to Kyousuke.

'If we make it in time, I'll call Himemizu-san and the others. But don't hold your breath.

　It was probably the best concession she could muster in her pessimism.

　Kyousuke looked at the hordes of small demons and corpses that swarmed in front of him and reasserted his demon sword. If they were combined with Rin, they would be opponents in numbers that were not large. But now Kyousuke was alone. Although there are magic swords, it is not certain how far they can hold up against these numbers.

　They shouldn't be much of an enemy, but the situation was hopeless.

　Love and courage are just illusions.
　Dreams and ideals will one day decay.

　Miracles will not happen.

　Is this really true? It's a very good idea to have a good idea. Even if the reality is cold and cruel, Kyousuke resists and stands up to it. He doesn't want to think that it's a waste of time.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

　Soraki Kyousuke barked. Just to rouse himself.
　Only one person, to face the despair.