'Quit school?　What do you mean?

Saeki's words confused the brave men who were present.
The thunderstorm that can be heard even in the classroom gives the illusion that it is bad news.

-- Saeki leaves the school.

Ichijo leans against the wall next to the entrance, smiling at Saeki's words.
Saeki's change of heart, or growth. Maybe that's what he saw.

'I'm going to Greberg. That's where I'm going to become a holy knight. So today, right after this, I'm leaving the school.......

Saeki looked away and spoke a broken, one-word word.

'Graysberg? ...What happened to the Inquisition?

Kawachi asked on behalf of the group.
Everyone was waiting to hear it.

'Sonoda, you were right. Nito is innocent.

Saeki replied nonchalantly, not looking disappointed.

''Yeah....''

Kenshiro Sonoda.
A man who recently came out of the library.
He's been in the library since he was in Greiberg.
He's been in the library ever since he came to Ficianatica.
Occasionally he would be with someone else, but lately he was often seen with everyone else.
And even now, while reading a book, he responds to Saeki's words.

And so it was Sonoda who suddenly told Saeki, before the Inquisition took place, that he was not guilty of the outcome.
Saeki didn't pursue the fact that Sonoda, who doesn't usually talk much, had said that, but he was surprised to find out that he had actually done so.

'Not guilty? ...Why? .....

It wasn't just Kawachi.
Everyone was unhappy there.
Except for Ichijo.

''Currently, it seems that he can't be killed by humans. The kings have decided that it's best not to kill him. It's best not to kill him, but to keep an eye on him, that's what we've heard.

Best?　Are you saying it's best not to kill him?

Iida wasn't happy with the decision.

'Iida, I'm not either. But you know what?　I don't understand. That's what I said. I said, "That's crazy," and that's what I said. They asked me to be a person of interest, to listen to what I had to say, and I explained, but they wouldn't listen to me. What they were listening to was this old man Brahms or whatever it was he was talking about but they wouldn't listen to me. I was just a student to begin with, the fact that I was invited to the meeting was a funny thing to begin with. And today's result it was the king's decision. So, I guess we'll just have to accept it, won't we? .....

Saeki was not convinced. But he did understand.

Saeki is not stupid.
I'm sure I understand what Arthur said, too.
But his mind was still not calm enough to explain.

''So... what do you mean by becoming a holy knight?''

Once Saeki was thinking about how to respond to Mashima's question.
Then, for some reason, Saeki smiled thinly.
It wasn't directed at the students present, but a smile at himself.
Saeki was taken aback by himself.
And rather than answering the question, he tried to answer everyone's underlying question.

''Well we should have realized that a little earlier. That we need to stick together or else we wouldn't be able to ... survive.

Some people were puzzled by Saeki's words of "leaving the institute".
Currently, Saeki was a key figure in this group.
When the demons attacked the venue, Saeki was the first to protect the brave men and women.
Some were saved by that.

'Four years. I'll be a holy knight in four years. You have four years to become stronger than ever. And you must be strong enough to survive on your own.

Saeki.....do you still have Aries....

Yes, it was Hiiragi who asked fearfully.
But everyone had noticed Saeki's condition before.

''I can't say anything right now I don't know what's going to happen to me either.

Saeki doesn't really know anything about his condition.
That's why he can't answer that question.

But some of the brave men and women were tolerant of such a Saeki.
I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.

''Saeki, once you've made your decision, do you want to see it through to the end?

Iida says that while smiling.

''Ah........''

Saeki said in an embarrassed tone.

'Ichijou told me to wake up, and that's what I said, but as it stands that's my answer.

Saeki still thinks of Aries, even now that he's been warned by Arthur.
He goes to Greiberg, that's the majority of the reason.
He intends to carry on Aries' will.

'Saeki, I'll go with you then.

Then all of a sudden, Kida says he's going with you.

No I'm the only one who's going. Don't follow me anymore, Kida. You too, live your own life. Make your own choice.

Kida didn't respond to Saeki's words.
From Kida's point of view, he did not expect to be refused.
So I was unconsciously at a loss for words there.

'But Saeki-kun.......what should we do?　We're not as strong as people think we are, you know?　If Saeki-kun is gone, we will....

Chosokabe Haruhiko.
He is anxious about Saeki's departure.

Jessica holds Haruhiko's hand tightly next to his, and the two are lovers.
The two were lovers.

''You're going to be ... an adventurer, right?''

Then Saeki looked at the faces of everyone who would be left there in response to Haruhiko's question.
Then he asked them that question.

Haruhiko wasn't the only one trying to keep Saeki here.
Everyone here had similar concerns.
Koizumi and the others were gone, and Saeki would be next.
Wouldn't they all be gone someday, and in the end I would be the only one left behind?
That's what I was worried about.

'We're in a relationship that's inseparable, no matter what happens to us. That's just the way it is. It's a relationship that's rotten, but we're on the same side. So I'm going to make sure I say what I want to say to you guys before I go...

Then Saeki spat out the words he'd stifled.

'Don't chase Hidaka's shadow anymore. He's dead.

Saeki realized.

'I was just on a roll at the time. I see that now. These people are cruel, and they're not afraid to kill. I'll probably still do it. You'll have to get used to it. If you're going to be a holy knight, you're going to have to get used to it. You're going to have to get used to it, too. So we can't be chasing the shadows of our dead comrades.

"Friends"? .....

It was at that moment that Kawachi felt uncomfortable and startled by Saeki's words.

'Yes........Hidaka is one of us. And........I killed him.

They all heard Saeki's words quietly.
They hadn't expected such words to come out of Saeki's mouth.

'But after all, incompetence gets you killed. This is the world we live in. If we don't do something, we may end up like that someday. But I'm not going to do that without a fight. Neither are you. You don't want to live your life silently getting killed, do you?　Hidaka's dead, so we can't save him anymore. Then you'll have to live for him. Aries killed him. And that's what I wanted at the time. And you people didn't stop me. I mean, to a different degree, but at least there's some guilt in there, right?　Then live......and be strong to live. For yourself..... and for Hidaka...

Then Saeki took one last look at each of them.
Then he said goodbye to Kida, who looked down.

'Thanks for your help, Kida. Take care of everyone ... yes, I'll do this!

Saeki then tossed the robe Oswald had given him earlier to Kida.

'Selection. You protect everyone ... Kida.

Saeki....

You ... you'll come to realize that one day. We've both been horrible people, haven't we?　I still can't feel guilty about Hidaka, even though I say this in my mouth. I am that kind of person. But I'm sure that someday I'll realize that.

Saeki smiled and said.
It's a source of inspiration from.
I know I'm not the kind of person who can say such things.

It's getting damp, but so are Koizumi and the others. They must be alive somewhere. They probably have their own ideas. They're trying to live their own lives. If that's the case, why don't we follow their example?

Saeki then walks to the entrance.

''See ya ... guys.''

Then he stopped in front of the door.

''Ichijo........''

Hmm?

"I don't forgive you for...

Yeah.

But you're one of us. There's something wrong with me. I wouldn't know that myself, now, would I?

....

But if I'm crazy and it ever goes away, the next time I see you, we'll be laughing and celebrating our reunion. Until then, let's keep each other safe. Until Hidaka's, right?

Huh you've changed. But ... yes I have. Let's live.

Saeki and Ichijo smiled at each other for a moment, and then Saeki left the classroom.

Saeki hurried to the carriage where Arthur was waiting.
He ran down the corridor and watched the last of the fichanatika.
Then he saw Joanna and David at the end of the corridor.

'Are you going?　Saeki-kun?

David asks, still languidly.

'Oh ...'

If this is Saeki-sama's decision, I have nothing to say to it.

Joanna was sad to say goodbye.
It was written on her face.
She was lonely--.

Thanks for everything you've done for me. I wouldn't have known magic without you guys. So I'm grateful.

I knew it was going to be difficult for you to say that, Saeki-kun.

Saeki-sama doesn't often thank us for our services...

Thank you for that, right?　I wouldn't have been able to do it without you two. I wouldn't have gotten to play in a school game and I wouldn't have gotten to where I am today if it wasn't for the fact that I was just using them in the beginning. But now I think of you as my best friend. I didn't even know I had it in me before I came into this world. My best friend....

Then Joanna turned away from Saeki and turned back to hide her face.

'What's the matter, Joanna?　Are you crying, by any chance?

Then David was amused by the scene.

'I'm not crying!　Don't be ridiculous!

Saeki then smiled gently at the two of them at that.

'You two ... were both ... taken care of.

Then Saeki walked past them.
David and Joanna stared at his back.
David looked somewhat sad.
Joanna's eyes were red.

.........

And after a while, Saeki was out of sight.

After that, Saeki left his friends and left with King Arthur and left for Grayberg.

In order to live his life.

To achieve his goal...

----.





â-.





　Well, I'd better get going.

Ichijo said to everyone in a revised manner.

'What are you doing right now, Ichijo-kun?　What happened that day?

Kawachi asks.

'I left Grayberg on that day myself. To find Hidaka-kun. That's what I told some of my students........Xijo?　You haven't told everyone?

I didn't... say that.

I see.

But there was no one to blame for Nishikiro.
Besides Saijo, there were a few others who had been invited by Ichijo to go and find Hidaka.
That's why no one answered.

'So, what are you doing now?　Are you still looking for Hidaka?

Hiiragi asked.

'Yeah. I'm still traveling and looking for it. But I haven't found it yet. And I needed to build up my powers. Now I travel occasionally and train with someone who teaches me magic.'

So.......................

Kamii looked curious.
He remembered Ichijou's appearance on the battlefield.

'So that's how you became so strong?　What kind of person is that person?　By all means, would you like to share with me?

Then Ichijo was silent.
"There's no way I can say that I've been taught by the heart of the dragon.

I've been able to become strong mainly because I'm a 'hero'. It's the power of grace. It's a result of training, but mostly because I'm a brave man. So maybe if Kamii realizes his own style, he can become stronger too.

Oh, I see...

The conversation didn't continue as the thunder and rain rumbled through the air.
Kamii asked out of curiosity, and if he could, he wanted to be taught magic, but he was refused.

'Well I'm not Saeki, but I'll be strong again in the four years before we all graduate from this school. Then I'll find Hidaka. So I want you all to not worry about it and focus on training your magic, I'll come back to see you in four years.

Then Ichijo put his hood on.
Then he opened the door.

'Yes, when I see Koizumi and the others, I'll tell them about everyone else, too.

And Ichijo was stunned and left the classroom.
----.

And then proceeded down the corridor, and after a while.

Ichijo-kun!

I hear a voice saying, "I'm sorry.

When Ichijo turned around, he saw a little birdie there.

''West Castle?　What's going on?

He must have been in a great hurry.
The little bird was out of breath.
Then when she had regained her breath and calmed down, Kotori asked.

''Well........Ichijo-kun is also acquainted with Nito-san, right?''

'Yeah, but? What's going on?　You wanted to see Mr. Nito?　Then you'd better hurry. We should be leaving the academy by now.

'What? ........why.......

Kotori was speechless.
Why would Masamune go without saying anything to her?
Vaguely, the question popped into my head.

''I'm going to be expelled from the academy because of this one incident. That's why I heard he's leaving the academy today.

Masamune had chosen today as his departure date in advance.
Even if he wasn't expelled, Masamune had still planned to leave, from the beginning.

Then Kotori ignored Ichijo and suddenly started running.
The way it looks, "West Castle? Ichijou was surprised and confused.
But the little bird ran without a second glance.
----.

''Huh.............''

Then the little bird flew out of Fischanatika, past the venue in the heavy rain, and headed for Heil Kuwait.



----.



''Hah ... hah ... hah ... hah ...''

In front of the main gate of Heilkwaite.

'Hah ... hah ...'

With the rain beating down, Kotori looked off at the back of the huge carriage, still soaking wet.
He shouldn't have known that Masamune was riding there, but for some reason, Kotori was staring at the back of the carriage.
Panting and shaking her shoulders........

''Huh..........''

The carriage is moving away.

'Masamune-kun ... why? .....

But the little birdie's thoughts are unreachable.





o.





　In the carriage on the way to Dames Aldan--

For some reason, Francesca and Dolly are seated across from me.
Instead, there is no sign of Schneizel.

When Francesca learns that Schneizel is heading to Dames Aldan with Nito, she relies on the scoop and quickly makes contact with Schneizel.
This was the result.

But Nito is not keen on the idea now, saying that the interview can wait until later.
He gloomily stared out the window.

'Was it good?'

Then Toa asks abruptly.

'What?'

'A little birdie... right?　You've been friends since childhood, right?

Well yes.

'Are you sure you didn't want to see him last?　And you're still hiding your identity, right?

Well yes.

What is Nito thinking and what is he thinking right now?

Is that what happened to Nito?

...Toa.

Hmm?

You're the only people I have on my side.

Nito replies as he looks out the car window.
There's no power in his voice.

'I don't need those guys anymore.........'

Because of revenge?

....

For betraying Nito?　So you don't need those people?

But it was hard to answer such a question.
Nito's psyche was in a state of flux right now, somehow linked to this rain.

''I wonder....

Are you going to ... kill him? .....

Well I don't know.

....

But I do hope you're happy.

'What?　Happy?

Yeah ... be happy. Be more ... happy than I am. It's better for me.

'What's in it for Nito? ...What does that mean?　Have you forgiven those people?

'Huh.......forgiven......I wonder.......'

It's as if Nito doesn't want to answer the question.
But there doesn't seem to be any hesitation in his mind.

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

Toa could only be silent at Nito's condition.

'Toa?　I want to know about you.

What?

Nito speaks so abruptly, and Toa is confused.

'I want to know more about Toa. Something more, something I don't know about........

....

So, from now on, you're going to talk to Nem and Sufiria a lot more. And if you have a problem, you tell me right away.

That being said, Toa has no idea what he's talking about.
It should have been done before, Toa thinks.
But Nito said with sunken eyes as he stared out the window.

'Yeah I get it.

Toa muttered with a smile as he stared at Nito's profile.