After packing up, we had come to the bulletin board near the main gate.
The school building we looked up at in the rain was somewhat lonely, and the academy, which we should have had no feelings about, looked different.

Then Patrick appeared there.

I had already planned to go without telling him anything.
When I came to the academy, we first clashed, and then we became friends.
That's why I decided that sometimes it was best not to say anything.

'You smell like water, Nito,'

I'm sorry I was just going to leave.

There is familiarity in his tone of voice.
But we can't talk like that anymore.
It's my fault.
A part of me is aware of it, and a part of me feels that way.

"Nito did this to me...

Then Patrick said abruptly.

''.....

"Nito was the reason I was able to change. When I arrived at the Academy, I didn't have any friends, but Nito was the only one who reached out to me. Until then, I had been alone. Still, I spent my time trying to be strong, trying to be pretentious and looking down on everyone around me. At some point, no one spoke to me anymore, and I became more and more alone. It was self-inflicted, but it was still painful. I couldn't talk to anyone. Then Nito showed up. And he saved me.

Huh.........you're exaggerating, it's your power. You asked for it, you got it yourself, right?

Then Yui and Sarah appear beside me.
When Sarah and Yui looked at me, they stared at me with an unexpected expression.

I'm sure you'll be able to see that we, the Spirit King, have Adams' thoughts. We were created by Adams and we will not disobey his thoughts. But looking at you and Patrick, I sometimes wondered if......... The Fool of the Abyss, our spirit king, and Patrick, the guardian of the end...I thought more than once that each of us had a different life...that it wouldn't be so.

Guardian of the End?

Another great name.

"May the end not come to pass in the abyss.

Hmm?

What is it?　Sarah choked on her words.
Is it hard to say?

One who guards the world from the fools of the abyss. That is the code of the one who has made a pact with the Spirit King.

"From the Abyssal Fool" but that's not the point.

"Lest the end comes? ...what does that mean?　Why would something like that visit you?

I wondered about it, but the word "time" kept popping up in my head.
I realized that "the end" meant "the time".

You already know that, don't you?

....

So far I've been able to trace some of those things and find the answers right away.

"But you still have a choice to make. But...

Sarah was choking on her words repeatedly, whether she was paying attention to me or what.

I'm sure you'll be able to sense the abyss. And for some reason, as the 'time' approaches, the guardians begin to gather together. It's not as if we spirits want it to be, but as if. It's as if something is at work. And when the five guardians are gathered together, the world will see the beginning of the end...

Signs.....

And if that's the case, isn't that what Adams' will is all about?

'Well maybe there's something that he hasn't told us yet because he hasn't said much to us. And about us.........

"As the time draws nearer, the five guardians....
So you think Patrick is the Chosen One?

Did you do it, Patrick?　He said you were the chosen one.

....

But Patrick, despite the fact that he'd gotten his powers, looked just as unlikely as Sarah did.

I didn't mean to be a tease.
If possible, I wanted to just laugh and say goodbye, rather than talk about something this unfunny.
I knew I couldn't do that, and that's why I was going to leave.

'I get what you're saying. But I'm going to continue on the path I believed in, wherever it takes me. Unfortunately, I have three people who believe in me. I've been oppressed and called incompetent before as a result of living my life according to my surroundings. So I'm not going to make choices that bind me to those around me anymore. Everything is driven by my own will. Even if in the extreme, when you say "then". I won't doubt myself and I won't hesitate anymore.

I announce my intentions to Patrick and turn away as it is.

What do these guys have to fear?
Why is Sarah stammering for words and Patrick looking just as gloomy?
Of course, I know that.
I can't put it into words, but somehow, I knew it.
I had the opportunity to realize it.
Sarah's words, Vell's words, Sabrina's words, Oswald's words.
The same with fairy tales and such.
Were you a nameless adventurer?　That's what it said.
And all the "words" had a similar message in common.
So I had to take notice.

"The traitorous adventurer has fallen into the abyss."

I mean, that's what it would be.

-- those who touch the abyss are foolish and will one day betray something and bring ruin to the world.

In Sarah's words, 'the end'.
The thing is that Adams himself was a candidate for king, but perhaps Adams saw something in the Abyss.
As a result, he made the abyss an abomination.
He even bequeathed three warning letters.

The abyss is evil I've decided...............
That's why this world is steeped in the ideology of Adams.

'Patrick I'm not going to be ... we're not going to be ...'

I am me.

As long as I believe in myself, the Abyss won't betray me, and I won't betray you guys.

But Sarah still doesn't believe me.

'It doesn't matter what your will is, okay?　The abyss will one day consume you. When that happens, you will no longer recognize Patrick as your friend.

Wasn't that Adams' idea?　There's no evidence anywhere that he's right.

Perhaps Sarah fears that I will be swallowed up by the abyss.
But I have Vel, and it won't come to that.

.........

I knew it was going to be a story like this. That's why I hated it.
Patrick is my "friend.
So I wanted to be able to talk to him normally at the end.

"So long, Patrick good luck with that.

Alright, that's enough talk.
I would have liked to have had a more desirable conversation if I could.

But this is the way it is, isn't it?

I kept my back to Patrick, said goodbye, and ....
I walk straight to the main gate.

'Nito!'

Then I heard Patrick's voice calling out to me.

".........

I don't know what to respond to.
I can't respond anymore.

'We are!　No you're my best friend! --

....

Huh..........best friends.... So long, best friend.....



----...



Today, it's raining.

The sky, which was clear a moment ago, is dark now, and we can't see anything else.
I can only hear the sound of the rain hitting the ground.

.........

.....................Good thing I was wearing a mask.
This is going to get me soaked.

''Let's........go.......''

At my words, the three of them smile and reply as they always do.

And I don't look back, anymore.

The goodbye is empty, and somewhat sad, like this rain, and....

It was somewhat ... staggering.





o





　As we passed through the main gate, there were a few carriages there.
But they were not just any carriages.
They were about five times bigger than the ones we usually see.
The number of horses is not half bad either.

Then the carriage door opened and Schneizel appeared there.
What in the world does the king of Dahms Ardan want with me?
But I know why.
Let's at least say thank you this time.

'Thank you for your help, I've been cleared of all charges.

But when I say this, Schneizel doesn't change his expression.

It's a little different than "not guilty. I have been entrusted with your custody," he said. That said, I have no intention of detaining you or guarding you.

....

The rain's getting heavier. Why don't we talk in the carriage for a while, eh?

I've been thinking about it.

I think he was the only one who encouraged the Inquisition to make the decision this time.
Because he was the only one who gave me advice.
He told me not to use the word "abyss" and to speak without lying.
But there is a part of me that lied.

Then you can listen to him for a bit.
I have an appointment with Leonardo.

"Then you'll be free to make a deal with Leonardo. Can I talk to you, the King?

Well, I'll tell him that when I get back to the country.

Then, another "king" appears from another carriage nearby.
I remember. --The Queen of the Republic of Detritus.

"My name is Sylvia of the Detritus Republic. May I have a moment of your time?

She's a strange queen.
She has a steward, and yet she holds her own umbrella.
Even Schneizel let the butler carry an umbrella.

'Excuse me?'

No, I'm not talking about that. I just want to tell you that I have a few words for you...

What? .....

I make a dumb voice as if to say, "I see.

'Lord Nito, you are a hero!

Suddenly, he grabbed me by both shoulders.

'Don't forget that!　Lord Nito has saved people. There are many other things I would like to tell you about, but I believe that I do. The Detrulite will welcome you, so if you are passing by, please stop by and say hello.

Then the Queen of the Detritus bowed when she told him just that, and left with the steward.

A simple, exaggerated, enthusiastic speech.
What is it?　I guess he's not a bad person, but I honestly don't care.


Afterwards, the four of us were invited by Schneizel to ride in the carriage.





　The inside of the carriage was spacious, with about a one bedroom room.
And there seemed to be several other rooms in addition.
Did they come in something like this?　I'm not sure what the hotel was built for.

We were led into the carpeted living room and sat down on the sofa and asked to sit down at random.
Then Schneizel sat down on the sofa across the table from us.

'Let me be blunt,'

Schneizel begins the conversation with the preamble, "I'm sorry.

'I need you to come to Dames Aldan.

That's what I thought...

And then?　Why?

I'm getting the idea.

"As I have just explained, I have been entrusted with your affairs. In fact, I would rather form an alliance with you.

What?　An alliance?

A covenant between like-minded people who pledge to cooperate with each other.

--That is an alliance.

But.....

You're the king of your country.　I, on the other hand, am just an adventurer. How can a country ever form an alliance with an individual?

Never heard of it?

What?

What the hell is this thing?　Do you think I'm an idiot?

In such cases, they are either hired or they are given a position and absorbed.

Usually, they give them knights, nobles, etc. and make them part of the country.
That's standard practice.

But do you want to make an alliance?

'Yes. That's why I want you to come to Dames Aldan.

'What for? .....

The point is, why should I bother with the formalities?

You are an individual. I'm not sure that a country would ever form an alliance with an individual, let alone an adventurer, but I'd like you to obtain the title of 'Great Mage' for yourself.

A Grand Mage?

I've heard it a few times.
The highest rank of mages, that's the Grand Mage.

'Yes, that's right. "So I've sent a letter of recommendation to the Church of the Mages in Dahms Ardan.

What?

The guy had the nerve to say that.

I've sent a letter of recommendation to the Church of the Magi.

'I heard you. I mean, why do I have to be a great mage, you ask?

Hmm?　I see....

Then Schneizel made a surprising expression and was selfishly convinced.

''You don't know the Great Mage, do you?''

What do you mean?

Then Schneizel explains in a revised manner.

"First of all, no one is in danger of the country coming into contact with a mage. It would be more accurate to say that it is not possible. But this is not the case with the 'Grand Mage' class. A "Grand Mage" level mage is an individual who is worthy of being a national force. However, contacting a mage who is a mere individual is not a crime, nor can it be considered a conspiracy. In other words, the title of 'Grand Mage' is a system that allows a country to pursue contacts with national-level forces with impunity and treat them as an international problem.

In other words, a mage is an individual, no matter how strong he is, and it doesn't matter if the king of a country makes contact with him.
However, this contact could lead to a breakdown in the balance of power.
If a country were to surround a large number of mages of the Grand Mage class, they would be a threat to that country, and as a result, peace could be threatened.
The people would also be worried.

''Then why would it be possible?　That's because the Grand Mage is perceived as a 'country' rather than an 'individual'.

A country?

''Hmm, those who have acquired the title of Grand Mage will be recognized as a nation from that point on, especially if they come in contact with kings and the like, which will be recorded in the establishment. Unwarranted contact is a conspiracy and can be treated as a problem. And as long as it's a country, the state can't keep you around just because you're a mage. The fact that we are a country means that we can form an alliance. This time, my proposed alliance, as I explained to you, is recognized as an alliance between nations, even if it is an alliance with you personally, as long as it is after you obtain the title.

And then?　What does that alliance mean to you?

I understand the system.
I want you to get on with it.

Firstly, you will have my backing. This has already been announced to the world, and I'm sure there will be organizations and countries that will want to get behind you. But, as I have said, it is impossible to win over a nation. And with that, I can have your back in case of any problems. To surrender to you is to turn on Dames Aldan. It will alleviate some of the problems that may arise in the future.

So this guy is practically trying to keep me on the hook and make sure no one can touch me?
You're hoping that by doing so I won't get in some kind of trouble.

"I don't mean to deceive you. "I don't mean to be deceitful, but if you form an alliance with me, you'll be in no trouble in the future, and you'll have less chance of dealing with the Abyss.

Abyssal.............so you can see everything?
That means that the other six kings also know about the abyss, and they know everything that Schneizel has just proposed up to this point.
Otherwise, there is no way they would have entrusted him with the job.
And my innocence is based on the fact that I have taken on this alliance?

"I don't like being tied up. I don't care what you eighteen kings think, I'm just an adventurer, okay?

'Of course. I have no intention of binding you. But you are no longer a mere adventurer. There will be those who will force you to recruit. And when that happens, I expect you to respond with force.　If that happens, others will be harmed. But if you form an alliance with me, you can stop that too.

....

This is only a suggestion.
But if I refuse, they will pursue the reason why.
If we kill him, they will know.
It's all part of their plan.
Everything up to this point that is, I can't say no to this.

"Is the master going to be a great mage?!

What?

Then Nem asked happily.

''Nito-sama is a great mage it's only natural!

To the Suffragettes.

'Hey?　What do we do?　Are you going to Dames Aldan?

The Toa seems to be on board.
Could it be that he doesn't want to go to the Devil's Land?

''I don't mind if you just become a great mage, but I didn't expect that kind of system to be involved...''

A mage can be a tool of politics.
No matter how far you go, magic is a tool....

Alliance...

You don't have to decide right away, but if you're not in a hurry, why don't you come to Durms-Ardan anyway? But if you're not in a hurry, why don't you come to Durmsteadan for now?

Dames Aldan the Alliance the Great Mage the Great Mage....

.........

What's the use of worrying about it?
It's my fault for being so indecisive.

'If the three of you are good, do you want to go anyway?'

Yes, sir!

I'm with you, Master Nito.

You're in charge.



"Then, Lord Nito, I invite you in person to Dames Aldan.

Then Schneizel gave some instructions to those who were beside him.
Then the carriage begins to move slowly.

The rain hits the window glass.
The rain in another world is intense.

Has the heavens given up on you that the day of your departure is a heavy rain?
But it's none of my business to be abandoned by something I don't believe in.

Sometimes it's good to have a haphazard adventure.
That's what adventure is all about.
Anyway, I decided on a destination.
We've decided where we're going to go, and we're going to go through Dahms-Ardan, and the next stop is Devil's Land.

And so we left the academy on this day, riding in the "Unshakable Carriage", welcomed by heavy rain.

Just then, the door to the next room opens quietly.

"Hmm?

Hi, Mr. Nito.

I heard a voice quietly.

".........

What does that mean?

For some reason, Francesca and Dolly were there.