Long time no see....

　Lina's voice with no inflection echoes around her through the [loudspeaker].

''........Eh?　.........Ugh, lie?

　The 'saint of Kanazawa' named by Lina, the witness - Saori Kayama let out a voice of surprise.

''What, who........?　Kayama-san, is she an acquaintance of yours?''

　In contrast, the 'Sage of Kanazawa' - Ando Hideya was puzzled to see a stunned Kaori Kayama, who had forgotten Lina's voice.

''Long time no see.......Ando-senpai.''

　Lina calls out to the bewildered Ando Hideya in a voice without any intonation.

''--!　Na!　Well, well, no way........
"Ando-senpai, have you forgotten me?

　Lina responds in a voice that is still without inflection. A voice without inflection - a voice without any emotion at all - sometimes induces fear.

'Nah, nah... oh, it can't be... an illusion!　It was a ploy by the Demon King Theon to confuse us!　The same entity as that perverted rabbit over there--an illusion to confuse us!
'Oh?　Am I a disillusionment too?

　The perverted rabbit that was cursed like a stray bullet - Hibiki decided to pose with a miffed expression on her face.

''That's quite a way to say that thing........''

　Lina gave a wry smile and took off the Venetian mask she was wearing on her face.

''--!　Lies.........Ho, is it really Rina?
Is it really Sayama-san...

　Saori Kayama and Hideya Ando were dismayed to see Lina's true face, and the humanity around them began to buzz at the sight of them.

''I'm sorry, but it's different--''

　--Rina, shut up!

　I feel Lina's dangerous comment and force my mouth shut. Lina gives me a puzzled look.

　--It gets complicated if you call yourself Lina-Sion.

''Kohonk........ My name is Rina!　I was once called 'The Black Sword Hero' by all of you!

　Lina let out a loud, intoned voice, unlike the one from before.

''........Huh?''
'I thought 'Black Sword Hero' was dead...'
'Wasn't the Demon King Theon supposed to have killed you...'
Are they real...?
'As far as the wise man and the saint are concerned are they real?
...Is this an illusion?

　Humanity buzzed violently when they heard Lina's words.

'I have been called by Zion ... by Zion, my Lord, as a witness!　Therefore, I will tell the truth!　I'm here to tell you the truth of my own experience, not anyone else's!
Yeah, shut up!　Don't be fooled, people!　That thing is an illusion!　An illusion created by the Demon King Theon!

　As if to interrupt Lina's powerful words, Hideya Ando shouts angrily.

''That day........I set out with eleven companions including Hideya Ando and Saori Kayama here as Kanazawa City's official heroes to liberate the Demon King Zion's control territory. As a result, we lost many of our friends on the third level I was shot in the leg with an arrow from my supposed companion Emoriichi from behind... and I fell on the spot. I asked my surviving companions, Hideya Ando, Saori Kayama and Yuya Makino for help, but what I got back was--
"Shut up!!!!

　Lina's words were interrupted by the hysterical voices of Hideya Ando and Saori Kayama.

''-- The only thing that came back was a voice accusing me and the sound of footsteps running away.

　However, Lina continued to speak calmly, as if she couldn't see the two hysterical shouts.

There was only one truth in your words, which were painted with vanity. That truth was--that day, 'Sayama Rina' did indeed die!　She was called the "Black Sword Hero" and fought for humanity, "Rina Sayama" died on that day - she died!　Now, this is not 'Rina Sayama'!　As a member of the Astor Empire, I serve the Demon King Theon - Lina-Theon!

　Lina's voice gradually builds in heat, and finally she screams, bare of emotion.

'I don't regret the path I've chosen!　I don't regret a single millimeter of the choices I'm making now to fight for the Astor Empire, for my people, for my family!　You are not a wise man.　You're a saint...!　You who have abandoned me do not speak of me!

　Lina's exasperated emotions exploded.

　 Correcting the trajectory from here.......that's hard for Lina to do now.

　I walk over to Lina's side.

"Lina, give me [loudspeaker].
"--!　Theon, I'm sorry.

　Lina bows her head lightly and hands the [loudspeaker] in her hand to me and steps back.

''Well, humanity. This is the truth.
'No!　You're lying!　Don't be fooled, people!
You're lying!　Don't be fooled, people!

　Hideya Ando and Saori Kayama shouted out the truth that was told to them by the person himself, Lina, as a lie.

'Hey, hey?　Have you forgotten the words of Lina's ... fellow 'Black Sword Hero'?　Don't you--don't you dare cheat on Lina!

　I intensify my words and shoot a murderous glance at the two people who are still mumbling nonsense.

''Illusion...!　

　While Hideya Ando continues to deny it, I introduce the second group of witnesses.

"Hoho. Is Lina........my granddaughter a delusion?　So am I under a cloud?
Who are you?
My name is Kotetsu. Rina's grandfather, who was once known as the Swordsman of Suzu City.

　Throw in Kotetsu, the second most well-known person after Lina, and it further shocks the hearts of humanity.

''Swordsman...?''
It can't be... that's Sayama Toratetsu!
He was the leader of the Demon King's attackers, the 'Sword Sage'?
I heard that your Swordsmanship is dead too.
No, there were rumors of seeing someone who looked like the 'Swordsman' on the battlefield before.
Oh, it's real...

　The arrival of the kotetsu has unsettled the human race.

"The wise man there tells me that this is an illusion but it is true. I am one of those who, like Lina, fought against Theon and lost and was saved from death. We are not the only ones who were saved. More than a hundred thousand people in Suzu City were saved. ...that you are living well in the land of Astor.

　Unlike Lina, Kotetsu understands my purpose and tells me the words, as if it's the age of his age.

''More than 100,000 people are alive...?''
What do you mean, "healthy"?
...There are rumors that those who are under the control of the Demon King are brainwashed.
Do those two look like they're brainwashed?
You see?
''No, but didn't the 'Black Sword Hero' just now... didn't the 'Black Sword Hero' call out the Demon King Theon?'''
'Then ... they haven't brainwashed you?
Is the hierarchy loose?

　Kotetsu's words may have come as a shock, but it only added to the unrest among the human race.

　Let's see, the basis of negotiations is to communicate the demerits as well, right?

　I remembered the negotiation techniques I had researched on the internet beforehand and decided to supplement Kotetsu's words.

''So, the ones here are the 'Black Sword Hero' and the 'Sword Saint'. The 'Sword Saints' - just as Kotetsu said, there are many human beings living in the Astor Imperial State. But unlike others, I don't like lying, so I'll be the first to tell you the truth. Not all of the humans I've faced have lived in the Aster Empire. To be more precise, many of the human beings I've confronted with hostility and murderous intent are unfortunately not alive. Specifically, the 'White Silver Brave' -

　Well ... ewww, not Mr. Ewww, what was his name?

It's Masato Miyamoto.

　Lina was the first to notice my troubles and tell me Mr. Eewww's real name as well.

''--Mosho Miyamoto and the rest of the brave men and women except Lina and the two there were buried by me and my men. You can assume that more than 90% of the other human beings who invaded my controlled territory and did not return are no longer alive. But I haven't laid a hand on those who have sought shelter, who have no intention of fighting. In fact, many of the humans who surrendered are living well in my domain, the Astor Empire.

　My honest words of truth can cause dismay, confusion, and a multitude of emotions in the human race.

"Having told you these truths, I, the King of Astor, announce to you that I will open my doors to those who offer to surrender. Those who ask for surrender, I will open my doors and show them mercy. Those who resist, I will respond with force and death. So, I say to you, fellow human beings. --Surrender or resistance?　Decide by your own will what you are going to do!

　I was to announce a recommendation to humanity.