I opened my eyes.

　The morning sun hit my face.
　I blocked it with my hand and saw Toa peering in.

'Toa....'

　The Garden of Demonology.
　I was lying there.

"Good morning, Masamune. How long have you been asleep in here?

　The Toa helps me up and I get up.

　Is this orange light not the sunrise, but the sunset?
　No, I think it was the morning sun just now....

　Instantly, a crow's voice is heard and a sepia-colored landscape covers the area.

''Toa?''

　While I was watching the sunset, Toa, who should have been right next to me, was gone.

　The Toa was under a white roof nearby.
　He was sitting in a white chair.

'Are you sleepwalking?'

　He said as he poured a cup of tea from the table and took a sip.

'What, it's evening already... you should have woken me up.

　I said, as if I was faking something.

'You looked so comfortable sleeping, I thought it would be bad if I woke you up.

'Oh, well you don't have to worry about that. Huh? .....

　There is no sign of Nem, Sufilia, Lisa, Lucius, or Electra.
　Even from the gardens, I can see signs of the castle.

'Is everyone out?'

What?

I'm not talking about what, I'm talking about Mr. Lucius, or Nem, or Sufilia.

Masamune, what are you talking about?

"Huh?


You're the one who killed them.


　The area instantly went dark.
　The lights seemed to have gone out.
　The garden, the toa, the sunset, the crowing of the crows disappeared, and the world was black with nothing.

'Masamune...'

　I could hear Toa's voice.
　It seemed to reverberate around the area and could be heard over and over again.

'Toa?'

　But he doesn't respond to my questions, only occasionally calling my name.

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

　Suddenly, I spotted Toa.

　He was standing in the darkness, standing alone, with his back to us.

'Jesus, there you are.

　I ran to the Toa.
　Then I put my hand on Toa's shoulder.

　--And then the Toa disappeared.

That's.........

　Then there was Toa standing in a different place again.

'What the hell, Toa. There was a.........?

　I stepped closer once more.
　But the Toa figure disappears again in the same way.

　When he disappears, Toa appears again in a different place, with his back to me.

'Toa....'

　Toa won't turn around.
　No matter how much I call his name, he doesn't seem to hear me.

　I get closer, but then he's gone again.
　That's the fear that gradually overtook me.
　Then I don't want to get any closer....

　But.....

　Still, I wanted Toa to turn around.
　That thought is the only thing that sustains me in the darkness.

"Toa

　I've found Toa again.
　I'll take one step at a time.

　The Toa started to run.
　He ran and got away from me.

　No matter how close I got, no matter how hard I ran to catch my breath, I couldn't catch up with Toa's back.
　No matter how much I called his name, Toa would not turn around.

　The world is always dark, and Toa doesn't recognize my figure or my voice.
　I can't get to them.

　I can't touch the Toa.

"The Toa!

　---- I shouted loudly.

　I heard laughter.....
　Toa's figure had disappeared.

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

　I was left alone in the darkness again.

　I can see my hands and feet, but I can't see anything in the darkness that I can't check the end of.

'Toa........where are you? Come out.........

　The mumbled words echoed.
　It gradually took over my eardrums.

'Don't ... don't ... don't! --

　The ringing in my ears won't stop.

Stop it!

　-- the landscape around them changed.

'Huh? ..........

　I could see a burning tree in front of me.

'This is...'

　It was a familiar place.

"Tanya village....

　In the darkness of the night, the entirety of the small village appeared in vague glimpses.

　The villagers were sitting around the fire, singing and drinking.
　They were thanking us for saving the women of the village from bandits.

　When I looked closely, I saw Hilda and Alford there, who seemed to be enjoying themselves.
　They were comparing wines.
　As expected, Hilda-san has the upper hand.
　More importantly, when did they get to know each other?

　For some reason, Ignotus was also in the village.
　He's playing with a small girl from the white cat tribe, chasing her.
　Was that guy such a caring guy?

''........Toa.

　I suddenly saw Toa sitting next to me.

'What, you're here. Where have you been?

I was there all along.

　With a little twang, Toa said.

'Are you two having a good time?'

　Then a beautiful person with the same peach-colored hair as Toa appears.
　She hugged Toa from behind, and Toa was embarrassed and disgusted.
　She handed me and Toa a glass of wine, one for me and one for her.

'Thanks, sis,'

Well Rosalia, Miss?

Well, I don't want to interrupt you, so I'll leave you two alone.

　With that, Rosalia disappeared somewhere.

'A lot of things happened, but it was fun,'

'It was mostly Sierra who kicked the bandits to the curb, though. I mean, that Oliver guy, kidnapping is a bit much.

Do you remember the barbecue at Sierra's?

Hmm? ........Yeah, of course. When I go back to the Demon Kingdom again....

　I noticed that I couldn't hear the villagers singing anymore.
　There was no one in sight, and the only people there were me and Toa.

　I looked around again and again.
　But no matter how many times I looked, there was no one in sight....

"I will always be there for you...

'Toa? .....

I'll be there for you.

　Toa was walking around the firewood.
　He should have been sitting next to me....

'Don't be sad,'

　Toa said.

'Maybe we'll all die one day. But I'll always be ... with Masamune.

Oh, of course I'll be there for Toa, I'll be there for you guys all the time, right?

　Toa smiled as he walked around the fire.

'Yes, we'll always be together...'

What's going on?

Don't forget that.

'Huh? .....

　I suddenly felt like I was drunk.
　Slowly, my vision fell at an angle........

''Oh, did I drink too much........''

　I chuckled again, as if I was faking something.

　I lost my balance as I tried to get up from my seat.
　I fell over.....

　I looked up and saw Toa crouching a little further away, looking into my face.
　I naturally smiled.

'Toa,'

　For some reason, I was too heavy to get up.

　I scrambled with both hands through the dirt, trying to reach Toa.
　But no matter how far I went, I couldn't close the distance between us.

　Toa stood up.

'We'll always be together, Masamune...'

　The Toa turned away.

　He left into the dark forest with Rosalia and Hilda, Alford and Ignotus, and a girl from the white cat tribe.

'Wait, Toa. What the hell is that........ Hey, Toa.............................Toa!

　We chatted and laughed at each other.
　They move away from me as if they can't hear me.

　No matter how many times I shout my name, no one turns around.
　I'm so helpless that I can't even get up.
　All I can do is watch.

　I can only stare at Toa's smiling profile as he moves away from me.

'Toa I'm with you! ..........

　Suddenly my vision narrows and I feel sleepy.
　A floating feeling appeared in my body and I closed my eyes unintentionally.

'Toa, wait.........'

　For some reason, I cried a little bit.

　Faintly, I thought I heard Toa's voice.


'We'll be together forever,'


I'm not surprised.


　----Toa.