I was allowed to stay at Khalifa's house that day.
　After the three of them had gone to bed, I stared at the grain of the old ceiling and remembered the story of the five adventurers.

'How did you forget about it, Khalifa-san?'
Because that's what he did.

　Khalifa told me.
　It seems that Zephyr can erase the memories of his opponent.
　It is the magic described in Adams' grimoire that I once obtained.

''Here's a magic called Oblivion (Oblivion) and Memento Mori (Memento Mori), two in one,''
One in two?
Because he who cannot use both cannot use one. This magic has a concept of a key, which can be set to erase the memory of the target. The person who is given the key will regain the erased memories.
So, you're saying that Waiting for you on that hill, and in the third drawer, was the key to bringing back Miss Khalifa's memory?
I see.
Master Nito, may I have a word with you?

　Sufilia asked.

'Have you ever heard of a place called the Underworld Sigma Deus?'
What's that?
"The Godland of your story, now renamed the Underworld, is ruled by a new king.
The new king?
'The king's name has not been released. The Underworld is shrouded in mystery in all of it.
You know your stuff.
'Thank you. That's not all.
Is it still there?
'Yes. Does Master Nito know that a new king has been enthroned in Greberg?
'I think Patrick said something about...'
My name is Arthur Graysberg. But that's not what I'm talking about, sir.
What do you mean?
Guinevere.
Guinevere?
Yes. The name of the king's daughter on the throne was Guinevere.
But the same name isn't uncommon, is it?
Guinevere is an old name that is not used today.

　The air in the living room was silent.
　If it was Guinevere herself, why was she in Greberg?
　I'm not sure how many times I've seen it, but it's impossible to think of it as the person himself.

I'm not going to be able to say that it's the same person as you, it's a stretch, right?　Speaking of which, Khalifa, what happened in the dungeon?　That old gelt that Zephyr bought in bulk, I think I have an idea about that. I found a lot of old gelt in a place I happened to wander into before...
'Yes, the Old Gelt.... But you'll have to see it for yourself. I'm sure there's some truth at the end of the dungeon. You're a challenger, aren't you?

　It was as if Khalifa-san could see through something.



　When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the White World.
　It was like being in a thick fog, and when I groped my way out, there was a sea of clouds all over the place.

''It's here........''

　It's a landscape I know.
　The setting sun is shining from under the clouds.
　I look around and see the same temple as last time by my side.

"Sorry, call me back.
No Xiong to greet you, Zephyr.

　When I entered, I saw that this was also the same as the last time, the figure of the God of Vengeance - Zephyr.
　But there was no sign of Shaoan.

''Xiong is gone. His life span had already passed. Despite that, I forced myself to hold on to the 'existence' that was supposed to disappear... but it was at its limit.

　I don't know what Zephyr's words mean.

'Well, you haven't gotten that much information yet, have you?
Information, what's the story?

　Zephyr doesn't answer.

'For that matter, I've met Mr. Khalifa.

　Zephyr was blatantly surprised.
　Next, he looked as if he understood something.

'I see, so that's what you meant...'
Didn't you know I met the Khalifa?
'Yeah, of course. Why?
Because...

　Last time, Xiaon spoke as if he knew what I was up to.
　Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to tell the Toa to give up the Snake Sword Kyrgyzstan.
　That means these guys have been watching me, to what extent, I don't know.
　But now, I don't know - I said so.

"Can I ask you one question?
Hmm?
'You've been watching me, haven't you?　How could you not know?
Yeah, that's it. It's because I don't see what you're doing anymore.
I see.
'Instead, if you learn something important, you'll be somewhat aware of the change.
Change?
There's all kinds of information inside a living thing, and experience changes daily. I'm the one who can sense when you have new information. It's an imperfect ability, and one we barely handle.

　If you are forced to use an ability that you dare not be able to handle, does that mean that the restraint(,) is stronger than before?

''That said, I've talked to Khalifa-san, what happened in the Godland?''

　Zephyr's expression was disturbed.
　Rugged and dark, it felt complex.

'I can't talk about that yet...'
You said the same thing before, that you couldn't tell me?
'I'll tell you first, the doubts and thoughts you have about me are not wrong. I didn't tell you before, but I'm not leaving here.
Well, if you could get out, you would have.
And I can't give you too much information at once. So no more questions, I'll give you your requirements.

　I let out a deliberate sigh.

"I want you to make me an object.
"Object?
'Ask the Khalifa and she will tell you. Yes, a part of my body is in the underworld, tell the Khalifa that.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, don't make this up as you go along, I don't know what you're talking about.
Ask the Khalifa what it means. I also need you to make another object for me, not just mine.
Another one?
It's mine.

　I heard a voice from behind a pillar.

'You.....'

　There was a familiar face.
　I remember, this guy.........

Oliver Joe....

　The chief of the bandits I killed in the village of Tanya--Oliver Joe.
　He was known for his captaincy in the Radshausen Ash Clan, as well as for being known as the ashes of the dead.

'Didn't I tell you not to come out?'

I'm not the type to listen to anybody.

　Oliver slowly closed the distance and looked down at me.

I remember, I thought you were a crazy little kid who didn't feel any magic, but I didn't think you could kill me that easily. But I didn't think I'd be able to kill you so easily.

　He showed his double teeth and grinned wryly.

'You should be dead, how could you be alive...'
She ain't alive. And you won't bring him back to life?
"Oliver, stay away from Masamune.
Hey, yeah.
'Masamune, you'll find the answers yourself. I didn't know it then, but I can feel it for you now.
Feelings. What are you talking about?
The other object is Oliver. I don't need to tell you about this guy's body. You can ask the Khalifa for the rest.

　Oliver's body is in the woods near the village of Tanya.

It's time.

　Zephyr said.
　I haven't even gotten my head around the fact that Xiong isn't there yet.
　But one thing I do know, Zephyr is already dead.
　That's probably what's going on when Oliver is here.

'You don't always answer the important questions, do you?
Or do you want me to teach you a lesson?
Oliver!
Okay, all right. f*cking jokehead.

　Then it occurred to me.

You had a wife named Anna, right?

　Immediately after, Oliver's two red eyes stared at me.
　For a moment, I felt a chill.

'What did you just say to me?'

　I tried to keep my composure.

'Miss Anna is alive, she's back in Beastland.
....
Arnold told me. Anna lied about the attack to protect you from the Beast Nation.

　Then a familiar sensation hit me.
　Sleepiness.
　It was like waking up from a dream.

"Masamune, don't worry. I can't do this whole thing over...

　After the voice, the vision disappears completely.
　The last thing I saw was Oliver's upset face.

*

So, did we get to see Zephyr?

　As soon as I poured a sip of my breakfast chocolate milk down my throat, Khalifa said.

'It's okay, just eat as you go,'
You knew the Zephyr was going to show up?
'Somehow, somehow ... so what did he say?'

　I told Mr. Khalifa what happened in my dream last night.

'Yes, Xiaon...'

　Khalifa-san looked shocked once again at the fact that Shaoan was dead.

''Well, what's the object?''
'Well, before we talk, do you know what the organism is made up of?'
'Composition?　No, I don't know.
A living being is only possible when it has an existence and a body to contain it.
Huh....
When a person's life ends, the first thing that happens to them is that they leave their body. The body is then emptied of life, leaving behind a unique piece of life information called a cocoon.
Cocoon?
'Yes. Yes, the object is a magic that uses the cocoon to create a new body. The advantage of this is that, unlike restorative magic, it can be created with precision and in exactly the same state. Are we done so far?
''Maybe......... But why do you need such magic?
'Well this is just a hunch, but he's probably in a state of existence right now. His physical body must have perished.
You mean death?
'Yes, I suppose that's what happened. I don't know what happened, but there's nothing else I can think of.
'One thing I was wondering, if you have an object, could it possibly be revived again and again?'

　Isn't this what resurrection magic is all about?

'I can't.'

　But Khalifa said.

'Because objects don't inhabit cocooning, even though they are generated to a perfect state.
Well.....

　A cocoon only inhabits one of your first bodies.

Do you understand what I'm saying?
'Yes. But that means you can die and come back to life just once, right?
That's not true either. Existence essentially disappears at the end of life. That's why creating a perfect body doesn't usually bring a person back to life, it's just a new container. It's just a brand new container.
'Then why is Zephyr...'
I don't know about that either.

　Is there some kind of trick to stay in existence?

'By the way, how do you know so much about objects, Khalifa-san, it seems Zephyr knew about them too?
It was in the grimoire.
Did you show it to me yesterday?
Yes.
What kind of grimoire is that, though I know it belongs to someone called Adams or something.
Or, more specifically, a book about the Abyss?
Abyssal!
But first you have to get to the dungeon.

　Khalifa said, covering my words.

'You don't deny it, do you, about taking on the dungeon?'
''Although it looks like this, I'm strong enough to sense your magic power too. I'm sure Nito-kun will be fine, he seems to be quite strong.

　When the three of us got up, the conversation came to a close.

　After breakfast, it was time to leave.

'We'll come back here once we've attacked. At that time, let me hear the rest of the story.
'Of course. But by then, I'm sure your questions will have been answered.

　Mr. Khalifa smiled as he peeked out of the doorway.

'You're going!

　Nem gave a big wave to Mr. Khalifa and Sufilia bowed.

　I suddenly noticed a small hill outside the town.
　Is that the hill.........
　Even though I didn't remember, the time I spent alone here would have been lonely itself.
　Why did Zephyr leave Khalifa-san behind?

''Hey, you're not going!''
I'm coming!

　Khalifa, who didn't go outside, perhaps out of concern for the public eye, and saw us off from inside the house.
　The expression on her face at that time seemed somewhat sad.