After parting with Kurohiko, Currier was walking alone in the corridors of the campus.
　Students were coming and going in the corridors incessantly.
　It's always like this right after class is over.
　But

　-- too public here.

　Currier changed direction and turned his feet to a place.

　It was the place that Cecily had told her about.
　Currier wasn't aiming for the fountain plaza, where many of the students were gathered, but a corner with a broken fountain at the back of the main building.

　We arrive at the desired location.
　I've visited the place a few times before, but it's still as deserted as ever.
　The walls surrounding the fountain are discolored by the wind and rain, and in some places they are falling down.
　The ground is bare.
　The trees do not seem to have been touched by human hands for a long time.
　It is easy to see that the site has been neglected for a long time.
　It was a place that looks like an abandoned place.
　Not much sunlight reached the place.

　Perhaps because it was such a place, few students seem to go there on a regular basis.
　It is almost impossible to see us from the windows of the main building, which is blocked by the lush trees.
　Furthermore, it is surrounded by walls, so it is unlikely that anyone will see you.

　I recall Cecily saying that this is a recommended place if you and Kurohiko want to have a meal or have a secret chat.

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

　No, now is not the time to think about that.

'Well - how about ending the sneaking around?　It's an eyesore.

　As Currier spoke, a man emerged from behind the wall.

'You're an eyesore. And that's a compliment, isn't it?

　The man who emerged had the front of his uniform jacket open.
　The black clothing he wore inside peeked out sloppily.

　His ear-length hair is a deep indigo color.
　His eyes are a light copper color.
　He has eyes that are almost trichromatic.
　He is a little taller than Currier.
　His face can be said to be relatively well-groomed.
　But the expression of a kind of wickedness that he creates takes away the expression of a beautiful young man.

'It's you, Rokia.
It's me, Currier.

　Rokia.
　Like Currier.

　He was from the 6th House.

　--I see, so it was this guy that Hibigami was talking about.

　Currier recalls the words of Hibigami: 'The information I'm getting doesn't seem to be making any real sense.

''The information I got didn't seem to add up to a real picture.''

　With the addition of Noyes and Rokia, and even the impostor, the figures in Hibigami must have been quite blurred.
　There may have been bits and pieces of information about Currier mixed in there as well.
　Even Hibigami did not think that there were more than three people from the Sixth House in this royal capital.
　But before that, what I'm wondering is who gave that information to Hibigami in the first place.

　Rokia went to the front of the fountain and put her feet on the edge.

'But I didn't know you were here too, "Silver Maiden". Is that what I thought it was?　Chasing noise?
Well, yeah.
I don't know. I came here to get my sword back from that d*mned noise, but why are you chasing the noise?
I'm not your business.

　Apparently, Lokia's love sword was taken away by Noise.
　Lokia's two beloved swords.
　I'm sure they were the Holy Sword and the Demon Sword of 'The Name Holder'.
　Currier searched his own memories.
　

　Holy Sword, Demon Sword, and Holy Demon Sword.
　Some of these swords have the sword name engraved somewhere on the sword and are 'name bearers' and some are not.
　And the "nominal holder" is more capable than the others.

　Also, Rokia has always preferred to fight with a holy sword and a demon sword, one at a time.
　By the way, the reason for choosing one holy sword and one demon sword each was, according to him, ''Of course it's because it's hotter! He said.
　But Currier had no idea what was 'hot' about it.

''More importantly ... the culprit in the case of the stolen uniform in question, is that you?''
What, of course you do.

　Without taking offense, Rokia admitted.
　Rokia stands over the edge of the fountain.

'I figured I'd need it soon. If we're going to be looking for noise on campus, it's easier to move around with this thing.'
Are you alone?
No, I have a colleague. I've got him hiding in a place in the capital. He's too old to be a student, and more importantly, his face is cracked by the school.
What do you mean, he has a split face?
I had the royal capital investigated in the past, including this academy, and that guy got caught.
........Don't tell me you guys had something to do with that destroyed school's detention room?
Yeah. Looks like he busted his ass pretty good when he got out of there.

　Rokia snapped her neck with a snap.

The only thing I can think of to say is that this school is surprisingly not to be underestimated. It's not the holy warrior or the instructor who caught the fellow students, it's the students here.

　Lokia snaps her neck even more.

"I heard that the one who caught him was a student named Beoza, but to catch that Gozuto guy, that's quite a feat.

　Beoza.
　He's that guy in the cafeteria with Phiburg and the others.
　I remember hearing that he was the strongest magician in this school.

''Whatever, that guy from Gozuto, he decided that he couldn't win against that Beoza student, so he raised the white flag for once on the spot. The name of the apocalypse has been broken, hasn't it?

　If it's someone that Rokia sent out, he should be a strong man in his own right.
　Since he had that man raise the white flag, it seems that Beosa, the man, is a person who is worthy of the strongest name in the school, in a manner of speaking.
　On the other hand, it can be said that the captured Gozuto was unfortunate.
　I don't know how they ended up fighting each other, but of all things, their opponent was the first student of the Little Saint rank.

It's just that the other guys can't handle it. So, the other day, I was brought in by me.

　Rokia sneers and looks down at me.

'But you ain't showing your tail, are you, that b*tc*?
Looks like.

　A b*tc* is probably a noise.

This could be a long game. But, you know, she probably doesn't even know she's doing it.

　Rokia cuts off the words.
　Then he slid his eyes to his surroundings.

'Surprisingly, I'm probably still seeing you somewhere, aren't I?　The sight of you and me meeting would be dramatic for him.

　From the way he spoke earlier, it seems that Rokia has a plan to sear out the noise.
　But

So....

　Right now, it was more important to ask the question to the homegrown man in front of him.

'What do you want from me, Rokia?'

　Currier said in a shunting tone.
　At the same time, he wore a killing spirit.
　Rokia narrowed her eyes and lifted her mouth.

You know you can't beat her, right?　Bullying the weak is a privilege that only I have. I don't like it when other people do it.
No shit. I told you it was an eyesore earlier. I'd let you off the hook if you were looking for noise, but if you're going to interfere with my life right now - I'm going to smash it here.

　A stinging, murderous voice.
　It's a voice that I didn't want Kurohiko to hear too much.

You're not going to be able to get it right.　I'm empty-handed, okay?
I don't have any weapons either, but my bare hands and magician's skills will suffice.
No, that's not what I'm talking about!

　Rokia waves her hands in a panic.

I'm not here to f*ck you, you know!　I mean, come on!　You're serious about this!　You're still going strong, Currier Versteen!　You're scary!　You're talking about a lot of things!
Go away.

　When Currier said this, Rokia took a breath to calm herself down.

The only thing I'm interested in is the fact that I'm a little curious.
Interested?

　Rokia stuck her tongue out and sneered.

'Yeah. I was with Teme today, with that guy.
"--
What's it called, Sagara Kurohiko?

　Rokia bent at the waist.
　Her eyes met Currier's at eye level.

'What the hell is that guy?　

　Melodic.........
　I guess it's a synonym for 'favoritism' in the context.

　Hibigami and the rest of the guys are mostly the same, but Rokia has always had a particular fondness for strange phrases.
　Currier is also half-hearted about that peculiar way of speaking.
　So I've decided to ignore the parts I don't understand on a daily basis.

''It's none of your business,''
But that's not saying much, considering he's from the 6th house. Rumor has it that he had a run-in with Hibigami.　I heard you turned him away at one point, didn't you?
''You said you came 'the other day'... you were in King's Landing when Hibigami was on the rampage?
'Don't be ridiculous!　That's just a temporary retreat, of course!　Who's going to have a go at that bakery?　I don't want to fight him, even if it kills me!　Look at the people before you say a word!

　Currier was unsure.
　Should he reveal the relationship between Kurohiko and Hibigami or not?
　Quickly, he turned his head.
　And.

'I didn't just turn him away. I heard that Hibigami admitted that Kurohiko was his sworn enemy for life?
What--what--?

　Rokia almost stepped off the edge.
　Rokia turns a startled expression to Currier while hurriedly regaining her position.

''Oh, that hibigami?　You, if that's a joke, it's not funny!
It's no joke. The proof of this is that Hibigami said he would wait three years and entrusted the Demon Eater to Kurohiko.
"'Demon Eaters'?　That d*mned sword that he's had in his possession since he was in the Sixth House?
Yes.

　A f*cking sword is a terrible thing to say.

　Currier decided to reveal their relationship because he thought that if he was Hibigami's favorite, Rokia wouldn't be able to touch him.
　In fact, there was not a single person from the Sixth House who wanted to seriously offend Hibigami.
　And as expected, Rokia seemed to be afraid of Hibigami.
　He wouldn't do anything to mess with her.

I'm not sure why you are so obsessed with it," he said.
'And Sagara Kurohiko is also a forbidden user. Do you know that?
A curse?　What do you mean by 'forbidden curse'.......are you talking about that forbidden curse?

　Apparently, he didn't know.

Yeah.

　Currier felt a twinge of cringe.
　Because strangely, it felt like he was bragging to Rokia about Kurohiko.

'Heh........forbidden spell user, hey.'

　Rokia touched the larynx with her thumb as she thought about it.
　Touching the throat Buddha was Rokia's habit when thinking about things.

'Then no wonder you can resist Hibigami. But when I saw him just now........he doesn't look bad, but he doesn't look like such a strong man......

　Currier was disgusted.

'He's a kind-hearted guy, you know. He usually just hides his fangs.'
I don't know. I don't know, but if you're a hibigami, you'd probably spit it out as a spoiled dog.
Facts are facts. I don't expect you to believe me.
Oh, yeah?

　Rokia looked at Currier with interest.

'What?'
You're on a crush on that f*cking Black guy, huh?
I don't know.
"Kukukuk, hahahahahahaha!

　Lokia hit her knees with amusement in a hunched over position.
　Currier felt a sense of deja vu at this trend.

''I didn't expect spring to come to that 'Silver Maiden'!　You don't understand the world!

　I still say something similar to Hibigami.
　Have I changed that much?
　I feel kind of embarrassed.

''So you don't know--''

　Rokia held out her hands to control him.

"All right, all right. I don't know. I don't know anything. I'm not interested in other people's love affairs, and you're not even my favorite person in the opposite s*x.
I've never wanted you to be the opposite s*x.
If you weren't a beautiful woman, I'd be attracted to you.

　Rokia tended to dislike women who were commonly referred to as beautiful women.
　He said it was because when he saw a beautiful woman, it reminded him of 'her' and the noise that created the Sixth House.

'Well, I understand the general idea. What, it's just that I've developed a personal interest in Currier Versteen's transformation and the man that Currier seems to like to keep next to him.

　'Hmph,' sniffed Currier.

''If you're done with your business, go away. I'll leave this matter unreported to the headmaster. However, as soon as the matter of the noise is taken care of, leave this academy.''
Oh, oh...
?

　Currier tilts his head.

'What surprises you?'
No, I was just thinking how you're getting to know each other so well... you really have changed a lot, haven't you?
Shut up!
Well, don't tell me you're embarrassed.　That Currier Versteen!　Are you crazy?　You're not yourself!　You aren't turning into a noise, are you?
Shut up!　Go away!

　With a whimper, Rokia jumps down from the fountain.

"Huh-ha-ha, is that due to the influence of this Sagara Kurohiko?　This one is suddenly a lot more interesting. A man who could make that currier change so much, climate change grade astonishment, here it is.
You put your hand on Kurohiko.
I know. There's no fool in the Sixth House who'd love to turn Hibigami and Currier Verstein against each other. I have no intention of hurting Sagara Kurohiko or making him feel bad about himself.

　Rokia smiled wryly at Currier.

'Well, if I find noise, I'll report it to you. So just let me off the hook until I get a hold of the noise.

　Currier wonders how far this man's words are worthy of belief.
　He wonders how far this man's words are worthy of belief.

　One of the three major organizations in Doomsday Township is called the Kingdom of Fools.

　This organization is characterized by the fact that the people of this organization are the true kings and everyone calls themselves the True King.
　That's why everyone who is caught outside the doomsday village says "I am the king".
　Such is the 'Kingdom of Fools' - many people who live in the apocalypse know about it.
　Clearly, there is one person who is different mixed in with the organization.

　That person was once called the 'Demon King' when he was in the Sixth House.
　He was called the King of Magical Elements because he possessed an extraordinary ability to absorb and release magnesium.

　That is the king who rules the Kingdom of the Fools - the Demon King Rokia.

　A long time ago, Hibigami had this to say about Rokia.

I would like to somehow remove Rokia's clownish skin, but he has no motive to use," said Hibigami. His roots are probably complete on his own.''

　Hibigami laughed as he tapped one on the floor with the bottom of his scabbard, seemingly half resigned.

''Kakkah, it's utterly daunting. To create a motive for Lokias, you must know him well, but his mind is as elusive as haze. He doesn't have enough anger in him to make me bite my tongue, so what can I do?

　I didn't understand all of Hibigami's words at that time, but there were things that Currier could understand as well.
　At the end of the day, Rokia is a man who 'doesn't understand' even with Hibigami.

　However, in the sense of 'creating a motive' for Rokia, Noyes' motive of 'stealing Rokia's beloved sword' was a brilliant success.
　The reason why Hibigami didn't choose this strategy, of course, is because it would have reduced Rokia's power.

　While recalling Rokia's character review like that, Currier was still lost.
　どうやらロキアはノイズを見つけるための策を持っているようだ。
　が、ロキアそのものが危険の種なのではないか……。

　キュリエはロキアよりも強い。
　しかも今ロキアは愛剣を持っていない。
　無力化すること自体は可能。
　ここでノイズを見つける策を強引に脅しなりなんなりで吐き出させるのも手か。

　とはいえ――問題はロキアの持つ『特質』だ。
　戦いが長引くのは明白である。
　この学園内で騒ぎを大きくすることが得策なのかどうか、キュリエは測りかねていた。

　ロキアは今、キュリエの横を通り過ぎ、雑草を踏みしめながらこの場を去ろうとしている。
　キュリエは腕に力を込めた。

　――やはりここで消しておくべきか？

　キュリエは振り向きざま、ロキアに接近すべく地面を踏みしめた。

　不意を突けばあるいは――

　が、すでに……ロキアの姿は消えていた。

「…………」

　キュリエの心に微かな憤りが湧く。
　それは安堵している自分へ向けられたものだった。
　ロキアと戦って騒ぎにならなくてよかった――キュリエは、そう思ってしまったのである。

　ここで騒ぎを起こせば学園に残れる話がなくなるかもしれない。
　何せ相手はあのロキアだ。
　騒ぎが小規模で済むとは思えない。
　戦いの中で他の生徒が巻き込まれて死ぬようなことがあれば、やはり危険と判断されて学園を放り出される可能性は十分にある。

　学園を去ること自体にはなんの未練もない。
　が、それはつまり『彼』と別れるということでもあり――

「私は……」

　キュリエは握った拳を開き自分の掌を見つめた。

『テメェ、ほんとに変わったとこはすっかり変わったんだな』

　先のロキアの言葉を思い浮かべると同時に彼女の脳裏をよぎったのは、自分を変えたかもしれない男の顔だった。