Als's gulping gait was very heavy.
　Why did he speak out like that? A lot of things he said and did that he couldn't explain.

　It was out of shame and uncomfortable shame that he ran away after spouting off as if he were a child. What was there was the appearance of the strongest magician. That's exactly the appearance of an age-appropriate figure.
　From the premonition that thinking about this and that would still go badly, Ars shook his head once to keep the approaching stream in view.

　Even if it was an excuse, it was necessary for him to break a sweat.
　The water was clear for a stream flowing in a place like this. It's so clear for a stream flowing in such a place, you'd think you could drink it directly.
　Of course, it's no surprise that they looked for a hiding place in this vicinity for the reason that there is a watering hole nearby.

　As expected, it is quite far from Alpha's exclusive territory, and even though it is close to Rusalka, it seems that the recapture has not yet progressed to this area.
　If you shake your gaze, there is a natural lake that deflects away from the narrow river. It was paved with gravel, and rocks were piled up around it. It resembled the natural fishponds that I had read about in past documents for fishing.

'Was it a chase fishery?'

　To keep the creek from damming up, there was a channel at the end that led to the river. At first glance, it appears to be just a pool of water.
　The fact that it's in a place like this is indeed not a man-made object. It may be that the one that was made before the demon invasion managed to remain, but it seems to have been cut into an oval by the flow of water.
　Either way, it makes me feel that it's been a long time.

　It's a small lake rather than a pond, just a pool of water, but it's enough space for one person.


　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. This was duplicated with earth system magic. It's quite unnatural to fill in the gaps in the stone, but if a gap is created, it will not be possible to store water even if it is heated.

　The process took only a few minutes. Next, the hot stone was thrown in to warm up the water.
　Because the center was left, it will be good as an open-air bath although it became narrower because it was small originally.

　It's a good idea to take off your clothes quickly in front of the open-air bath, which is filled with white steam, and put a change of clothes on a good rock.
　You can check the temperature with your toes and soak up to your waist in one go. The heat that seeps through the entire body is probably due to the temperature difference between the outside air and the heat.
　I let the upper half of my body sink into the hot water hurriedly.
　The hot water overflows, but that doesn't matter.

"Huh~

　I exhale as if the toxins have been removed, and even my mind seems to be cleansed. For some reason, I feel like I've been losing money because I've been living a life of efficiency and showering only.
　I don't want to think about anything right now. It was resetting my thoughts to the point where I didn't have time to think about it.

　It's a shame I can't stretch my legs, but I can't bring myself to leave now, it's extra effort. I've got enough space for one person, so any more would be a luxury. This is about as good as it gets.

　The murmuring of the river is even more comfortable as it seems to be in concert with the fantastic moonlight of the night.

　However, when I closed my eyes and listened to the music, there was a jangling sound that cannot be heard in the natural world. It's like a pebble rubbing against a pebble....

I don't mind, it's all right, it's all right.

　Right after I turned back towards the voice.

'Don't turn around, please don't turn around!
Yes, sir.

　Loki, who was already naked behind Ars, puts down a change of clothes and apologetically covers his front part with a towel.
　Even if you are not seen, the embarrassment of the drastic action cannot be hidden. His face is red to his ears.

　I looked down at my flat chest plate and worried only that I wouldn't be disappointed.
　The hand holding the towel on my chest squeezes and gathers courage. If he didn't summon up the courage to use it here, where on earth would he use it?
　As a result, I had to take a mixed bath, but I've been prepared to do that since I started living with them. However, when confronted with the actual situation, the heart that beats prematurely shows no signs of stopping.

　He slowly treads the gravel with his narrowed stride.

'It's a nice place,'
'Oh. I don't know what it was used for or if it was natural, but I was allowed to use it. Loki.........?

　There's only room for one person here. When I was about to mention it.
　The sound of hot water popping on your back with a chirp can be heard mixed in with the steam, and the volume of water increases slightly.

''Al, well ... could you shift a bit, please?
"--!　Bad!

　For some reason, the upsetting Ars was a little off reflexively. No, he was off to the limit for space. He held his knees, so much so that there was no way to move any more.

　He parted the hot water and moved forward.
　Every time a ripple hits my back, my mind is unsettled. I feel like I've been in many similar situations before, but this is the first time I've ever felt like this. Maybe it's because we are close in age, or maybe it's because the other person I've dealt with in the past was an adult.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to be able to get your hands on any of these things. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

"Loki, be careful with the scaffolding...

　Right after the reminder to calm myself down.

'Crap!'
Loki!

　The hot water rippled loudly with a zabang, and Loki fell forward, his feet caught in the rocks.
　And when he let the steam rise even higher, Loki was leaning against Ars, facing him.

　A towel that fell in a fuzz.
　Loki's face was hanging down and his hands, which he poked out as quickly as he could, touched Ars's chest. And the hands holding his own two shoulders were firmly supported to prevent him from falling.

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

　Fine milky skin. Her blood-colored skin was a light, fiery reddish hue. A drop of water dripped down the jaw line as if it had been covered by splashes. Ars felt the sweet scent of a woman's unique fragrance and the air in the area was colored.
　It was a sensational scene even if it was not seen from the skin and the side that received the moonlight and was transparent. Time often stops for the beauty that even feels dizzying.
　The skin that touches it conveys body heat directly. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.
　A moment - the moderation of manhood kicked in, and his face turned away as if it had been played.


　Rather than relief that he hadn't fallen... Loki opened his eyes and looked at the toned abs in front of him.
　Fearfully, I looked up and saw the profile of Ars, who looked away from my face as if he had taken care not to look.

　His face, stained like a boiled octopus, spun into a quick "I'm sorry". Loki, uncomprehending and accelerating his confusion, reverses, hiding his chest with his arms as if to escape. With a mechanical motion, he sinks wildly into the bathtub. He dives for an escape, letting air bubbles float up to his nose in the water.

　I made a huge mistake early on, until I secured the towel that would now be swayed by the waves, but I made a huge mistake.

　Any words I had been thinking about before I came were instantly erased.
　I wanted to run away, but that would defeat the purpose of coming here.

　Seeing Loki's back, Ars let out a sigh and soaked in the hot tub to avoid being noticed. Their backs are naturally touching each other.
　It was suddenly awkward, even though he couldn't understand the situation.

　I know thinly that I am the cause of it.
　It's always because of Ars that Loki takes drastic actions like this.

I know it's a little late to be doing this, but I'm putting burning rocks in it to keep it warm, so watch your step... and be careful.
It's really too late for that... bukk.

　The voice was hard to hear, like he was talking in hot water. Loki, who had leaned in to deposit his back to me, tipped his head back with a knot as if to get back at me.

'Al do you have a minute?'
..................

　The topic he hadn't touched on, a topic he had unconsciously tried to avoid, was cut out of Loki's mind.
　Once he let it out in a huff, Loki didn't try to remember the words he had been thinking about, but instead moved his mouth as he felt them.

　It's a strangely quiet silence. The voice of the chief soprano, somewhat gentle and fragile, sounded thin.

'Are you afraid of being alone, Al?　You don't want to let go?
..........

　I thought that Ars must be feeling the emptiness, the emptiness, that kind of thing. Although he was always isolated in the army, it was probably in self-defense to kill his heart and not be influenced by anything, as he showed in his battle with Noir.
　It was probably a choice he made because he loved humans behind his continued fighting alone.

　If he had been there, there would have been countless lives that didn't need to die. The fact that he wanted to be alone and the fact that he wanted to be alone are not synonymous. This is because the overwhelmingly strong man called Ars is inevitably burdened with many things. Some of the choices must surely have included the inevitable.

　The heart must have been brought to light when he became involved with Tesfia, Alice and Felinella at the academy. He was confused by the girls who directly touched his protective heart, and at some point he may have been sublimated into a must-have.
　Loki had sensed many times until today that the changes in Ars were due to them. He wasn't sure if that included him, though.
　As much as he didn't want to admit it, perhaps Ars didn't want to let go of the girls' presence, which was integrated into his daily life rather than the specific place of the academy.

'I don't know. I don't know, I don't really know myself. It was a pain in the beginning, but as I taught them, something changed. Maybe I changed with them. Fear, Alice, Felinella, and Loki...I don't want them to get involved if possible, but at the same time, somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm sure they think that the life they've been leading up to now is going to continue. That's pretty selfish.
'It's really selfish. At least I'm not changing anything I never will be.
I see.

　Loki dropped his gaze to the hot water as he nodded at the biting counterpart.

'Al you just have to be more arrogant. They're humble in a weird way I think they're not as weak as Al thinks they are.

　He slowly raised his gaze and looked up at the early winter night sky. It was there that he saw the best of what made the outside world so beautiful.
　A brilliance that would take even Loki's breath away. The moon twinkling in the heavens has a combination of grandeur and divinity that can never be expressed by anything made.

It's going to be okay. There is a place for me everywhere. Just as Al's place is my place I'm sure it doesn't matter if it's outside or inside.

　And Loki looks at the moon, which radiates an overwhelming brilliance, and thinks, "Well, it's not just the moon that shines brilliantly. It's not just the moon that shines brilliantly," Loki thinks.

'Because even if there is no such thing, a strong light has the charm to illuminate the surroundings. Where Al is is where he is is where he belongs.'

　The bouncing voice was somewhat happy. Words that seemed to fill the emptiness in his empty chest.

'What kind of logic is that?'
'Nothing will change. I'm not alone, and I won't let you be alone.
It's horrible.
So.........I'll be beside you, so please just look ahead.
Whoo, that's a big deal.
'What the hell, now, isn't it Al who has been watching these girls more closely than anyone else? You've been and will continue to do what Al wants you to do. It's okay!　Everyone has a place, and Al is special to me, but it's not as different as Al thinks it is. There's nothing to worry about. I'm sure it won't be any different for me or them. And if you ask me, how much place can you take away from everyone, rather than offering it to everyone else?

　A horrible feeling at his back made Ars let go of his back slightly, but Loki's back was pressed against it as if to follow him. 'I won't miss it,' he said, as if to say.

'You're a terrible one.'
It's my duty.

　I guess things can be said. Just as Ars doesn't realize that he saved the world, does Ars appear to be the savior to Loki? At the very least, she would not allow him to do something like that to repay the favor.

　Suddenly, Loki cuts in as if he remembers that.

''Like the starry sky, I like the view of the outside world too. I'm sure it's a feeling we all have. It would be wonderful if one day mankind could share this view with each other, wouldn't it? I think Al's perception of the outside world is a bit off, don't you think that way?　Was I wrong?

　Ars does research because, in the end, he loves humans. Research that is both self explanatory and beneficial to mages. He talks about how annoying it is, but his actions have protected the mages and the citizens. Maybe that's why he continues to fight alone after all.

　It's a very good guess, and Arus affirmed it without hesitation.

No, I think that's about right. Loki is right, I like the outside world. Sometimes I think about it. It's only when you lose it that you realize that one day you won't even feel anything at all, but at the same time, the period of time you've lost it makes you realize it less and less. I've never wanted anyone to understand or to share this view with me. But ... maybe it would be nice if people felt that the outside world, where abominable demons are prevalent, is such a beautiful place.
It's not very straightforward.
The first of these would be Loki, I suppose. The only one who shares your sympathy for the way things are, even with demons, are the same...
Well, that's...

　Of course, Loki had also performed many missions in the outside world, but he had never noticed the beauty of this world. It was only because this is how he saw it from the same perspective as Ars - he was able to notice it.
　I was a little happy about that, and it was a little bit unfair to say it now.

　Then I looked up at the night sky again.

''Ah--!　I, the stars have just fallen!
A shooting star. That wouldn't be the first time.
No, this is my first time. Isn't the damage indeed terrible at that speed?
'Hahaha, I'll burn up in the air, I'll be fine. Oh, so this is the first time Loki has seen it too... well, if you're on the inside, you won't have a chance to see the stars.

　And moreover, the mages who go out into the outside world probably don't have a moment to spare to look up at the sky and see the meaning in it. Maybe that's why they can't notice it, and maybe that's why their hearts don't feel it.

　This time, Ars's head was leaning against Loki's head.
　My heart leaps with a thud at that. My hair touches and the area of my back touches more. I could feel a different body heat than the hot water.

'Yes. Even I'm new to this, so for those who live peacefully inside, this may be a sight I'll never see again. So the demons want to have a monopoly on it.
You've been here for quite a while now.
'Hmmm, yes.'
I hope one day you'll be able to live under this sky.

　Loki scooped up a cup of hot water with both hands and looked at the false starry sky reflected in it and then dropped it. Since it is so close, there is no need to look away from it.

'Yes, Al would certainly... but I hope that's Al's sincere wish and action without anyone telling him, though.

　He felt a glance from behind him and looked back at his past self as if it were a disgrace. How much of his own greed was there.
　You can't blame Loki for thinking that. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

(You're always talking about me, aren't you?)

　Als didn't know if he could respond to that now, but he decided to do it nonetheless.
　The sky he looks up at now looks different from the past.
　The sky that I thought was so far out of reach, this landscape, only this time I couldn't believe that it was unattainable. There is no doubt that achieving it is a long way off. Still, it's just a long way to go, and I couldn't help but think that it was impossible. However, you must understand that it is difficult to achieve this on your own.

　In the end, you would be lost on your own. No matter how much knowledge and experience I gained, that was the only truth that would not change.

　I didn't want much, I just wanted to be sure that this world was more beautiful. To put it bluntly, I don't care what happens to the people I don't know even now. Still, this earthbound world is the truth, and the world laid out in the current survival zone and covered by protective walls is nothing more than a false birdcage.

　So Ars slowly meditated his eyes and muttered sorrowfully.

'Thank you, Loki.'
No, sir. No need to thank me.
In that case, I knew we shouldn't be bothering you here.
Yes, and I will do my best to help.

　The bouncy voice suggests that she will naturally join the warfare that will follow. No, it's probably already confirmed in her mind. I'm not going to re-listen to it at this stage.
　The word "please" melted into the starry night sky with the steam as Ars was grateful.