A few days had passed since Masamune had decided to leave.
　However, Masamune was still in the Demon King's Castle in the Demon Territory of Uruzoura.

''If you're going on another adventure, where do you plan to go next?''

Hmmm... yeah... well, you know...

　Toa was in the garden, picking flowers.
　Masamune hadn't left her for a while now, accompanying her and talking to Toa.

'Playground?'

''Yeah. Even though we're already walking around the continent in order, this place is basically under the control of the octogenarians everywhere, and it's depressing, and I'm a nitpicker wherever I go.

Are you tired of being called a hero?

'I don't care about heroes from the start. But I feel comfortable in Radshausen, even though it's not quite the same as before. I want to go to a place where no one knows me. If it's a playground, I'll be leaving the continent, and the eighteenth is not involved, so it's just fine, right?

..... I suppose that's true.

'If you want to go back to the demon country, you can go back through the dungeon. But this one of mine only allows you to go to places you've been once.

So how about just Masamune going to see the country first?

'We all want to see this new continent. Even Toa hasn't been there yet, has he?

'No, there isn't. I mean, is there really such a country?　I've heard there are some, but I've never met a single person I've ever seen in person.

Don't the demons have one?

'I don't think he's there. If there were, you'd know, because that would make you famous.

　Once, the adventure to the playground was the dream of the first dragon's heart.
　But now it has become Masamune's goal.

'How do you plan to go about it?'

You know, boats and stuff. We're going across the ocean.

A ship? ...a boat, you mean that little boat across the river?　Are you going to cross by sea with that thing?

No, it's a bigger one. You know, like this...

　Masamune used the shadow of existence to reveal the image of a ship in the air.

'And make it out of iron, not wood. There are plenty of light and strong ores in this world, right?

No.

What?

How do you make something this big?

There are artisans, I don't know, dwarves and... you don't think there are any dwarves or...?

I've never heard of it. And I've never seen anything like it before. Did Masamune's world ever have anything this big?

Yeah, I've seen it once. I saw it once, in person.

Wow.... it's a pretty fun world, isn't it?

....

　Masamune had mixed feelings, wondering if Toa would have the same longing for a world he didn't know as he did.
　To Masamune, the world of the past was dark and stagnant.

'This world is much more fun, it has magic.

Really?

Yeah. The world I was in is no fun. I'm not going to go to that world anymore, I don't even know how to get there.

　Return, return - the fact that the words didn't even come out unconsciously showed Masamune's mind.

'Hey Toa, is Sufilia holed up in the archives again?

I don't know ... maybe.

Have you talked to him lately?

'We usually pass each other at meals and other times in the house, so if that's the case I'll tell you, but...'

...I think she's in some kind of trouble, you know? She won't confide in me, so when she finds out, can you talk to her about it, or whatever you want to do?

'No problem, but you always look good, don't you?

How are you?

'Yeah. I didn't see it that way, especially since I have to laugh and make jokes.

'Sufilia is a joke?　That kind of dark joke.

Dark? ...No, I feel normal.

You're gonna feel normal...

　But Sufilia was probably normal in front of the Toa, not a little bit.
　Then why does she seem so gloomy towards him, Masamune wondered.
　But he couldn't find an answer.

''Can't help but think about it...''

'Masamune? .....

...It's nothing. Anyway, Toa, don't you get bored staying here all the time, why don't we go out?

Okay, but where are you going?

　The conversations of Masamune and the others were cabled to Sufilia.
　Sufilia sensed that the distance between them was getting closer, and that they were becoming more intimate.
　But the closer their hearts got to each other, the more unlikely her gaze became.
　She has a forlorn expression for Masamune and a cold one for Toa.

'Is that how you always stare at him?

　Sufilia's heartbeat rises.
　Quickly turning around, she saw Lucius' figure in one of the stacks.

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

　Sufilia returned her gaze from Lucius to the other side of the window, trying to remain calm but silent.

''For a studious person like you, this place is a treasure trove of knowledge, right?

　Lucius took his place at a table on the ground floor.

....

But you should use that knowledge for your own good.

....

There's no future for you when you're around him.

Please don't.

　Sufilia told him not to look into her heart.

''You are a clever woman. You're in control of your own emotions. You have to stop having any illusions about him. He doesn't respond to your heart, you know that, don't you?

It was Masamune who ruined my father's country.

"...and you don't intend to get revenge.

Of course. I am grateful to you for freeing me from that prison for letting me live. I'm sure Toa feels the same way, and I understand how she feels.

....

"Emotional sensing is a universal ability. If you say you can understand my mind, then you know what I'm talking about. As for you, Masamune, you won't be happy if you have any illusions about her.

....

'She will respond, of course. But she will not be able to lead Master Masamune down a better path. Even if she is a reliable source of guidance. I can see the future without the ability to do so.

'I can imagine the same thing you can. But that's up to you, isn't it?

....

There's nothing but destruction beyond those murky emotions of yours.

What is it about me that makes me so muddy?

"Don't direct your murderous intent. That would be your own destruction.

Are you going to kill me?

'I'm trying to convince him not to. He has chosen Toa, and Toa has chosen him. I can no longer see your emotions, Masamune, but you have never seen more than I have from the beginning. You don't need to have the ability to see things. But what is not clear, people try to compensate for in their imagination by adding an ideal of convenience. No one but you can understand that kind of twisted affection, so he won't accept you for who you are. You have to leave him. He shouldn't be the only thing in your life.

I believe in Masamune.

Blind faith is not an intention. But you can realize, there's still time for that. He can't afford it now.

Do you want me to choose?

It's the best thing to do.

　But Lucius can't see up to Sufilia's purpose.
　This is because emotional sensing is not a panacea.
　What Lucius sees are only emotions, not the words and images that come to her mind.
　What Lucius could see was also not clear.

''--Why shouldn't I be the only one who is happy!

　Sufilia's voice, which could be described as a cry from her heart, echoed in the stacks.
　But Lucius' figure was no longer there.

　Sufilia's expression and shoulders were shaking with anger and sadness.
　Gradually she calmed down, but she still turned her gaze to the garden.
　She wanted to escape from that sadness, but she was too eager to keep her eyes on Masamune.
　But Masamune was no longer in the garden, either.
　For he had gone off to the city with Toa.

　Feelings of being left behind covered Sufilia's mind and vision.
　Her vision narrowed, and she couldn't get rid of her distorted affection.

''I am........''

　Lucius' words were conducive.
　Her denial made her heart feel more for Masamune.

''I am the only one who can understand that man...''

　Sufilia trembled with anger.



*



　Toa takes away his grief over the loss of Rosalia by having a heart-to-heart with Pixie.
　They have the power to heal.

　I stare at Toa's tamed form in the moonlight and regain my mindlessness.
　It's a peaceful time, with no need to look back on the past.
　Only the Toa can heal me.
　Vel warns me that I'm co-dependent, but I only have the Toa.

'Toa, I think it's time to come back inside.

　It's getting a little cold.
　It's a little chilly in the night in the Devil's Land.

"Masamune.

...hmm?

　Toa suddenly called out his name and turned around.

'I, Masamune I owe you an apology for something.

　The Toa bristled, as if it was hard to say.

'Apologize? ..............What are you talking about?

I mean...

"--Toa, Lisa's been looking for you.

　It was Nem's voice.
　Nem's voice appeared in the garden, and Toa's previous expression was broken.

''Well yeah, I'm coming.

What are you talking about, Toa?

Another time. Let's go inside.

　Nem is troubled by the new atmosphere.
　He looked at me and made an awkward expression.

''Next time........''

Come on, Nem. Let's go.

　Toa said, and halfway back inside to escape.

'What the hell are you talking about...'

　As I blurted out that, I noticed Sufilia standing in the low salt and staring at me.

''Don't scare me, Sufilia.

What are you talking about?

It's nothing to worry about.

Well.....

　Sufilia averted her gaze and looked down.

''Do you intend to head to the underworld?''

Eh....

It's a war story.

War? .... why all of a sudden?

Nothing....

　Something is wrong with Sufilia.
　I guess she doesn't like something about me after all.
　Don't tell me that Lucius-san said something?
　No, that person doesn't do such useless things.
　It's just a pointless struggle.

''Let's go back inside too.

Well, yes.

　But Sufilia didn't try to look at him, as if she was hiding something.







　Lucius, who had been staring at Masamune and Sufilia on the balcony of his room, bathed in the night breeze, let out a sigh and returned to his room.
　He sat down on the sofa by the fireplace and muttered, "I see.

What's up?

　Electra was also in the room as well.

'I knew he wasn't very good at it. But I didn't think it was right for me to intervene in this and that, so I was willing to leave it to him.

"But?

But he doesn't seem to know what you're feeling, Sufiria.

You've got... emotional sensitivity?

It's not working, for some reason.

Why or why not?

'I don't know. I can sense it, so there's no way I can't use it on him... maybe.

　Electra tilted her head.

'What's wrong?'

'Did you ever feel uncomfortable talking to him?'

With Masamune?　Not really, but... what do you mean?

No, it just occurred to me. I wondered if he was in control of his control.

It doesn't seem to be particularly out of control.

'I see it that way too. But he should be able to find out what's on your mind, Sufilia-kun.

'Sure it is. But isn't that what love is all about?

...I'm not so sure about that.

You still don't know what you're talking about.

　Lucius had a serious look on his face.
　But Elektra's gentle smile told him he was thinking too much.

''Well it seems so.''

　He smiled serenely.
　Lucius eventually changed his mind that he should leave the rest to Masamune and the others.

　The next day--.

　At the doorway of the quiet morning, Lucius stopped with a cup of tea in hand.
　It was Sufilia and Masamune.
　Masamune has something like a cold sweat on his forehead.

''Where are you going?''

I'm in town. I'm just going to do some shopping.

''You're ... you look very pale. You're not feeling well, are you?

No, it's not...

Masamune, what's going on?

　The Toa showed up late, too.
　Then Masamune's expression became even worse and he smiled bitterly.

　Lucius wondered.
　Because it seemed as if Masamune was trying to make some kind of appeal with his eyes.

''Hmm?''

　So I returned the question frankly.

　Sufilia with a mysterious look on her face.
　Toa wondering what's going on.
　Nemu peeking out of the second floor parapet.

　And Masamune told Lucius.

'Lucius-san.

...hmm?

Take care of everyone until we get back.

　Masamune turned to ashes and disappeared.