Masso seemed to understand Cecily's intentions right away.

''Teh, teh--''
"If I die here, you will not be able to fulfill your 'purpose' ... how about it?　Isn't that a figurehead?

　Masso's mistake was that he ran his mouth to get it intact if he could.
　If you want to kill him, then this move won't work.
　But he wants to get his hands on a "work of art" called Cecily Arkwright.
　It was easy to deduce this from the way he looked at you and the things he'd said and done up until now.
　If that's the case, he should want to avoid losing its value as a 'work of art'.

''Or........maybe just slashing this face to shreds without dying will make it worthless to you?''
And there's no way I could... A woman can't just.... wipe her own face off, you know.

　Masso bites his lip tightly.
　He seems to be remembering something.
　His expression was beginning to waver.

''No........I can't say it's never going to happen, or.......d*mn it.......!

　Masso asks, holding his forehead in anguish.

'So, what are we going to do?　If you do that, I will eventually kill you and the old man as well, now that you're worthless, right?
'But you will not be able to fulfill your purpose either. I can tell by looking at you ... you desperately want me as a work of art, don't you?

　Masso grits his teeth.

"I ain't gonna miss it, okay?

　'Here,' said Cecily, quickly taking over the conversation.

'There, sir,'
Huh?
What do you say we make a deal?
What?
If you guarantee my grandfather's life, I will promise not to hurt myself.

　Masso frowns.

''So ... what happens now?''
I am now free of the shackles of a hostage, and I will fight you fair and square. That's all.

　Masso put a hand to his chin and bent his mouth into a crook.

"Yeah, I see. Oh, well you think you can beat me without the hostages?　Okay, okay.

　Masso put his hand on one of the cuts running through his body.

'You're right, Miss Cecily, you put up quite a fight against me here.

　A scowl returns to Masso's mouth.

'Okay?　I'll take you up on that deal. So you want to play fair with me without any hostages?
Do we have a deal?
Yeah, it's a done deal.

　Then Masso began to examine Gaiden's condition.
　He seemed to be checking the degree of fainting.

"And one more thing I have an idea. Thank you. Let the old man watch as his beloved grandson is defiled by his own mangled mess.

　Masso, who has completed his examination, mutters that this won't be happening for a while.

"Shasha, I think I'm finally starting to get it. Zemeckis's idea of sweet despair," he said. I wonder what this old man will look like when he sees his precious treasure being defiled by the shredder.　And what the hell does Cecily Arkwright look like when she does that?　Shasta!　It's a pleasure that can never be obtained by simply satisfying one's own desires. If that's the case--

　Masso gently lays Gaiden's body on the ground.

I don't want the old man to die here, do I?
..........

　Sore loser, it seems, not.
　Apparently there was a reason for not killing Gaiden in Masso's mind as well.
　
　As for the rest--

　Cecily exhales thinly, then sets her feet together and reasserts her sword.

　--Up to me, huh?

　Honestly.
　I'm not sure if the odds are slim even if we fought under the condition of one on one without hostages.
　There's such a difference in power between the two of them.
　However, it is also impossible to escape here.
　It's unlikely that they could escape from Masso's leaping and running power, and that would mean leaving Gaiden here.
　But that didn't mean he was going to surrender immediately and let that man have his way with him.
　Besides," said Cecily, giving her eyes to the phosphorescent light emitted by the azure Frias.

　This holy sword is following me.

　Cecily recalls the words Currier said to her during sword practice.

　　　　　　　　　　*.

The new holy sword, sir?

　One day after school.
　Cecily was taking sword training from Currier at the first training hall.
　During the break, Currier suddenly brought up the topic of the holy sword.

''Rather........I should say.......the holy sword that suits you.
A holy sword for me, eh?
''When I saw you fighting the small species in the Holy Ruins, I also thought that when you wanted to move like this, the sword wasn't following the movements in your head... it felt like that.

　Currier bends his mouth awkwardly and covers his cheek.

''Sorry, I can't express myself well.
No....

　I look down at the holy sword in my hand.
　Some holy swords have the ability to amplify their speed as well as their sharpness.
　Holy sword users often anticipate this increase in speed and assume the movements of battle.
　Wiping his dirty palm with a cloth, Currier said.

'I think a better holy sword with more power would take you further than that.
Thank you very much.
You're not looking so good. What's going on?

　Cecily lowered her eyelashes and smiled.

'Far away, I thought.'
Is it far?
Thanks to Currier's training, I am stronger than ever. I'm grateful for that. But the stronger I get, the more I realize how far away Currier and Kurohiko are from each other.
Yeah, right.

　Currier seemed to have guessed what I wanted to say.
　Twice on the ground, Currier poked the ground with his toes.

''But ... I don't know.''
What do you mean by "I don't know"?
'You may feel that way now. But I think you're going to be a lot stronger. In the future ... or even better than me.

　Cecily chuckles at the unexpected words.

'Yeah?　More than a currier?　That's flattering, indeed, isn't it?
'No, I'm not flattered. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it, but I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it. The fact that the hibigami tried to kidnap you and throw you into the apocalypse means that he was that much more interested in you.

　Cecily bounced her heels to the ground with a knee.

'Yes, what is it?'
"Hibigami's sudden loss of interest in you was probably due to the appearance of Kurohiko right afterwards. It's just the way it is. As for Kurohiko that guy is no one's comparison in terms of qualities. I've never seen anyone run uphill like that, either.

　Currier smiles bitterly.
　She was also somewhat happy.
　Cecily looked up at the sky, which was turning blue.

'Can we be strong?'

　--to be on par with you and Kurohiko.

The potential is there, my dear. I'll vouch for that. So--

　Currier wiped the hilt of his sword with a cloth and looked up at the starry, twinkling sky.
　Then he loosened his mouth slightly and lightly poked Cecily's holy sword with the tip of the sword in his hand.

''The rest is up to you.''　

　　　　　　　　　　*

　--It's up to me.

　The fight with Masso had already begun.
　Cecily has done a good job of attacking.
　However, from a casual observer's point of view, he or she will not be able to see the advantage.

"Shasta!　How dare you!　That's cute!　It's intriguing to see you fighting to the death like that, Lady Cecily!

　The cut from the flyer looks fine.
　It's probably as good as twisting a baby's hand.
　The condescending smile never disappears from Masso's face.

''Hmm~?　You think it's weird that it doesn't hurt when you get cut?　Shascha!　I'm the most pain-sensitive of the four brothers, remember?　To begin with, I've been dealing with only small fry for a while now, so I've never felt any pain like pain!　Sorry, be strong!

　Masso's attack is even more vigorous, but he dodges it just in time.
　A hand is thrown out in an attempt to capture it.
　Every time I just barely escaped from that big hand, my whole body stood on end.
　Once caught, that's it.
　This godlike evasion is supported by a well-honed concentration.

　--If I lose my concentration, it's over.

　The power differential becomes clearer and clearer in its contours as the offense and defense are repeated.
　Masso is left with plenty of energy to spare.
　Cecily is in a deadly situation if she makes even a momentary lapse in judgment.
　It's clear to everyone that Masso is probably superior in terms of strength.
　Cecily, on the other hand, is losing her nerve every time she avoids an attack.
　Even so - Cecily doesn't lose her concentration even for a moment and sustains it.

　The fact that they're able to persevere to this extent despite the obvious difference in power is largely due to the special conditions.
　His opponent is one of the four evildoers.
　It's not an opponent you can win against in a normal fight.
　But right now, Cecily is in a position to fight back.
　Masso wants to get to Cecily Arkwright without hurting her.
　Hence, inflicting lethal wounds is out of the question.
　In other words, no attack is coming to deliver a fatal wound.
　Masso cannot be taken seriously.
　That's where the opportunity to take advantage of it lies - and that's exactly what he's doing.

　It was a last-minute battle.

　And how much time has passed?
　The battle had reached a kind of stalemate.

"I'm going to have to hold on to you quietly, for goodness sake!　It's only a matter of time before you're caught.　Ah!

　There is no time to reply to Cecily.
　It's all I can do to keep my distance from the hand that's looming in the slipstream.
　And the moment you take the distance, a slashing leftover.
　Although it's only slightly, Frias's blade scrapes away at Masso's skin.

It's a good thing that you're able to get this far, or at least a little bit unexpected.....

　Finally, irritation began to show on Masso's face.
　He had never been able to touch Cecily before, although there was no blatant striking out, but he had never been able to touch her.
　In the beginning, the mood was one of mischief, but as time went on, Masso's expression changed to one of anticipation of trouble.
　Part of the reason the evasion has worked so well is because of Gaiden.
　Thanks to him, he was able to get his eyes used to Masso's attack movements.
　But that's not all.

You know, that flowing movement of yours, if you can polish it up, it could be used as a type of offensive and evasive technique.

　Remembering Currier's words, he kicks the ground in small steps and moves, twisting his body fluidly.
　With a movement that resembles a dance, he plays with Masso's arms.
　Several times in the midst of it, he makes a slash.

''I don't know how much help I can be, but I'll help you too.

　The fact that we were able to elevate this sword kata to a more practical kata is due more to Currier's cooperation than anything else.
　She was the one who helped me create this kata.
　It is not only a good friend but also a good teacher for Cecily.

　--Thank you, Currier.

　Cecily thanked Currier inwardly.
　Then, Cecily thinks, as she runs her sword blows over and over again, one day.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get the job done.
　Cecily would be the kind of person who can say, "Cecily, you'll be fine.
　I don't want to be a princess who only wants to be protected.
　That's why.

　--I'm going to bring this guy down right here.

　That's when it happened.
　With a thump, Cecily's knee snapped.
　The movement, which had been in constant motion, finally stopped.
　Masso didn't miss the opportunity.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see the opportunity and quickly extend your arm.

''Shasha!　You've finally reached the end of your legs!

　Masso tries to grab Cecily's thin arm.
　A moment later, with a gulp, Cecily is back on her knees and regaining her strength.
　It wasn't an act, as her legs were about to become stupid.
　But the fact that it wasn't an act led to an unintentional movement by Masso.
　Unexpectedly, an opportunity.
　The arm that failed to catch its target, ducking into the pocket.
　Masso's arm that cuts through the sky.
　At the same time as he dives in.
　Cecily unleashes a slash while jumping back.

　Offensive and evasive in unison.

　And.

　--here.

　Even with Frias, he can't cut deeply into Masso's skin.
　Therefore, Masso didn't seem to be too concerned about being slashed.
　He also mentioned earlier that he has a constitution that is insensitive to pain.
　The reason why he doesn't dare to avoid slashes may be because his body is too wide and not suited to evade them.
　Anyway, it is difficult to break through Masso's unusually hard skin.
　Although.

　What if they could attack the same wound with such precision that they could trace it accurately over and over again?

　At first glance, the wounds appeared to have been inflicted in a frantic and frantic manner.
　But those wounds were the same wounds traced over and over again.
　All of them.
　All of the wounds had been traced 'about the same number of times'.
　As for the depth of the wounds, there was virtually no difference.

　How many wounds could be removed by a single blow?
　Cecily grasped it sensibly.
　The amount of force was also almost perfect and maintained a constant.

　Every wound is right before it reaches the depths of the wound if you add one more blow--.

　It is just before reaching a 'wound' that can be called a wound.
　According to my eye measurement, it should be.
　Cecily was betting on this moment.
　It's tough to inflict a deep wound with a single blow.
　However, if it was a wall that had been thinned by being carved away over time - with the next blow with all his strength, he could destroy it.
　If there is an opportunity to inflict a deep wound, Masso is underestimating himself, it's now or never.

'Shascha!　You said your attack wouldn't work on me.

　When Cecily summoned all her strength, she unleashed a series of blows that could be called a sword dance.
　Several shimmering sword flashes attacked Masso's wounds all at once.
　And then.

...Oh?

　The blood of the Four Deadly Plagues flew through the air.

''What?　It's normal, it doesn't hurt...?

　Masso put a hand on his neck.

'Ow ... huh?　Am I...?　It's a normal painful attack by a guy who isn't a beshgam or Zemeckis...?

　Masso's expression distorts.
　Blood trickles through the gap between his hands holding his neck.

　The first target was the carotid artery.
　Incidentally, the second one was the tendon in my wrist.
　Unlike the tendons and spines of the feet, it's a place that can be aimed at from the front as well.

''Te........Se-Cecily, Ark, Light--!

　Masso's bloodshot eyes widened.

"If only people had taken it easy on me, you'd have taken it easy on me!　You b*tc*!

　A slap, I think it was.
　I think it was, because the view was already flowing in my vision.
　I don't even know if I screamed or not.
　Apparently, in a split second, he had closed the distance between us and was slapped.
　The speed, it was as if it was different.
　It was distinctly different from before.

　A pain similar to numbness spread to my cheeks along with the heat.
　The inside of my mouth seems to have been cut a bit too.
　The taste of iron spreads.
　Apparently, I've let it get serious.
　The Four Wrongs.

'Shh, shit!　I did it!

　Masso, who seems to have come to his senses, runs up to you with his head in his hands.

'Oh my God, and your face!　d*mn it, what am I doing?

　She tried to get up somehow, but her knees were laughing at her from the attack she had received and she wouldn't get up.
　As Masso approached with a face that was irretrievably damaged, he saw Cecily struggling to get up and failing to do so.
　And then Masso squinted with a straight face and put a hand to his chin.

'Well that. We succeeded in catching him as a result, so I guess it should be a good thing. But ah, my cheeks are swollen.......did you cut the inside of my mouth as well?　d*mn, the blood will be on my hands if I do this. Huh, the world isn't going to work out as it should........

　Masso is saddened.
　Cecily holds Frias in her backhand and tries to poke Masso, but he easily twists both wrists and misses.
　But the wrists are easily twisted and the sword is lost.

''Kutu........''
"Come on, come on, it's all settled. That's what you get for killing your speed. Give up, okay?

　Masso bent down and, with a bite, grabbed Cecily's slender chin and turned it upwards.

'But well, whether your cheeks are swollen or your mouth is bleeding I am once again in love with you. Oh, I've been waiting for this moment..... I can't wait.

　Cecily glares at Masso, who looks overwhelmed with emotion.

"Well, I'm sorry I got serious with you, Cecily, aren't I?

　It sounded like a blatant taunt.

The actuality of this is that I tried so hard to win, Shasha, I thought I could win, and I tried so hard, right?　I'm sorry, miss Cecily?　I'm too strong.

　Cecily, with a peck, spits blood all over Masso's face.
　Masso raises both shoulders as if to taunt her.

'How, well, what a load of crap.

　When I licked up the blood on my mouth, Masso lifted the edge of his mouth in a crescent shape.

It's a good thing I'm not going to be able to get my heart pumping on this side for a long time.

　Masso tore Cecily's clothing from her left shoulder to her wrist, tearing it off.

'.................!

　Cecily takes one look at the torn piece of clothing and bites her lip.
　Still, she quickly glares at Masso.

'Shashashash!　You've got unbelievably nice skin!　I can love this lying b*tc* from now on!　You know, I'll try to live a long time!

　Next, Masso tugged at the black tights on his right leg and tore them off.
　He looked like he was enjoying Cecily's reaction.
　But

What the f*ck are you laughing at?
No. Hey.

　Cecily said as she looked down to the ground.

'You're not going to bite your tongue to death anyway ... are you?
Oh, you know what you're talking about?

　I could see it in his eyes.
　Rather, that was what Massot was most wary of.
　If he pretended to be, he would get stuffed in his mouth or something without hesitation.
　Then you won't even be able to speak.

Then I thought about giving up and pretending to be submissive, and then I'd kill him, but........but I decided not to do that either.

　The reason........was it because of the sudden flicker of his face?
　I couldn't help but move into action to lure Masso into being a woman.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good deal more out of it.

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

　In this state, it would be difficult to move both hands freely.
　Hence, it's also difficult to draw the magic formula.
　We have no weapons.
　We have no weapons.
　Most importantly, if he tried to act in any way, it's clear that Masso is faster than him.
　

　--There's no way to beat it, is there?

　'But,' muttered Cecily.

'But still--'
Hmm?
I can't lose. I won't let a lowlife like you get away with it. You could defile this body.

　He looked straight at Masso.
　Then he made a resolute face and Cecily smiled wryly.


'I can't defile it, even my heart.


　Masso looked dumbfounded, and then, for a change, he leaned back and laughed loudly.

'Shasshasshasshas!　You really are the best woman I've ever known, Cecily Arkwright!
...?

　She thought she would be disappointed, but Cecily was a little upset when she got a reaction she hadn't expected.
　She thought that if Masso would turn the tables on her for what she had just said, and hit her again or slap her, she could go get Frias....

'I know this!　Zemeckis is right!　You're going to want to break that spirit into a beak!　Oh, it's because she's such a big-mouthed woman that you want to make a complete dent in her, right?　I know what you mean, Zemeckis!　I finally understand what you're talking about, and that's the importance of direction!　That's it!　This wasn't enough for me!

　Then, with the piece of clothing he had just torn off, Masso restrained both of Cecily's wrists.
　Masso stands covering Cecily with his large upper body and begins to humming and wiping the blood from his body with the cloth that used to be the sleeve of Cecily's clothes.
　All the while, however, his glaring eyes never let go of Cecily.

'I'll tell you one good thing, Cecily,'
..........
Human beings are designed to be unable to overcome excessive pain and pleasure in any way. No matter how strong-willed you are, you will never be able to withstand the never-ending waves of pain and pleasure. I have always seen people like that beside Zemeckis you too will surely fall. I assure you.

　Cecily averted her gaze and didn't reply.
　Masso wiped the blood from the bleeding wound and threw away the reddened piece of cloth.
　When I looked, I saw that the blood in the wound had already stopped bleeding.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　With a smirk, Masso reaches out to her.
　Cecily relaxed from her body.

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

　Will he survive?
　Would I ever see them - or him again?

　And if I did, how would he react if I told him what happened to me?
　I wonder how he would react if I told him what happened to me.
　I don't think he would hate me for this.
　Rather, I think he would be overly concerned about it.
　He would probably be more heartbroken than I am.
　I'm sure he will continue to speak to me in desperate words of comfort.
　I have the feeling that this is the case.
　So - surely there is nothing to worry about.
　And yet

　--I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

　Cecily mumbled as she slumped down.

''I'm ... sorry, Kurohiko.''

　Why did the words of apology poke out of my mouth?
　I didn't know that myself.

'Oh?'

　A look of amusement came over Masso's face as he studied Cecily's face intently.

''By any chance........are you crying?　Shasta!　What the hell was that?　You've been hyperventilating and that's it?　But don't worry!　And now I'm going to make you cry in a whole other way, and I'm going to make you cry in a whole other way--



Who the f*ck you trying to touch with your dirty f*cking hands, huh?



　Cecily couldn't help but raise her face at the sudden voice in her ears.

　--What?

　There's something black, something--
　Yeah.
　From the side, something black came flying in at great speed from the side.


　With a single blow, he blew Masso away.


　The impact of being blown away caused Masso to roll around on the ground with a rumble and fall onto his back.
　The black something approached Masso with a speed that seemed like an instant.
　It stood in front of the fallen behemoth.
　Masso thrust his hand into the ground and tried to raise his body.

'What?　What, but--

　There was a sound that could not be described as the sound of hitting someone.
　In the next moment, Masso's massive body crushed the cobblestone and dug into the ground.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.　What the...?　What's with the power...?　This is the power of--haha!

　Masso vomited blood into the air.
　At the same time, a black fist was swung down again on his face.
　A sound as if an explosive technique had exploded could be heard.

　The fragments of the cobblestone pavement burst off as if they were an explosion.

　Its head had caved in to the ground to the point that it was no longer visible.
　A man silently looks down at the Four Deadly Disasters.
　The ends of the bandages wrapped around his arms and head were dominated by the wind.

　The bandages wrapped around him were soaked in blood.
　Brand new wounds could be seen on his body as well.
　It's like after a fight to the death....

　Black wings.
　A deformed left arm.
　It's hard to call it a 'normal' human figure.

　But I could tell from the voice.
　No.
　There's no way you can't understand.

I mean...

　--Here it comes.

　It's making my eyes hot.

　-- What's that?

　I can't help but notice the spillage from my eyes as they drip onto the stone pavement.

　--I'm not sure why you're going to come here.

　I don't want to be a princess who's always being protected and that's what I thought.
　But.
　But.
　If you come to rescue me like that...

　--It makes me happy, doesn't it?

　I can't control my emotions because of what's flooding my chest.

　--now that was.

　Cecily squeezed a snatched voice out of the back of her throat as she managed to form a smile on her trembling, uncomplaining lips.

'That wasn't fair ... blah ... blah ...'

　His image is reflected beyond the further blurred vision.

''........Kurohiko!

　At Cecily's call, he slowly turns around.
　He smiled at the bandage on his left eye, his face a little apologetic, but as if he was somehow trying to reassure Cecily.

'I'm sorry I'm late, Cecily,'