"Now--you and I, Levy--let's give you time to make your last will and testament.
　Nacht told him that in a voice that had been drained of all emotion.
　Levy, who had lost his margin of appreciation like never before, was shaking his shoulders slightly.
　It's no wonder that a dense mass of magical power is gathered in Nacht's hands, and one never knows when it will be replaced by violence.

''Wait a minute!　Calm down, Lord - the Dragon Striking Demon Method in the city is really not a fancy way to go about it!
　Levy was drilled into the light dragon's wedge and tied up so that his entire body was tied up in a goose chase.
　One more step and if Nacht put his magic power into the air, the dragon strike magic method would be activated, engulfing a city or two and turning them into extinguished charcoal.

''Fancy?　You think it's a joke?　I told you, Levy--I told you that if you mess with Aisha, I will kill you--
　Levy, who is exposed to the wedge of light, shakes his head hard.

'Oh no, my Lord that was, you see, a greeting - don't you know that chewing on a hoppet is a greeting among demons, don't you?

What kind of Italian are you and I've never been?

..........

　The city's clock tower, the two deformities face each other on its roof, facing each other with a creepy smile.

''d*mn, my Lord, you're a bad person too - if you were watching, why don't you just help him--''

..........
　This time, Nacht is silent.

'Well, you don't have to as long as I'm here - but I'm sure it's not my hand that she's looking for - won't you go?
　Nacht paces to replace Levy.

'I don't need to be told--'

Okay.
　Nacht says over his back to Levy, who dismisses him in a dumbfounded manner.

''--Levy--you're being punished for messing with Aisha, let's get one more job done.
　Nacht explained roughly, and Levy nodded, showing a little amusement as he explained roughly.

'Yeah, that's a bit of a job for my liking--'
　Only such murmurs were left behind, and the two shadows disappeared.





◇




Oh, my God, where are you going, Mr. Levy!　Because it's different, it's different!
　Then he looked around, but there was no one in the alleyway.
　Aisha's voice echoed softly and disappeared as if she was sucked into the scrap wood.

　It was probably due to the fact that she was making a lot of noise like that.
　But even more than that, Aisha is still unable to catch Nacht, who was deliberately diluting his presence.
　That's why he didn't notice it until it appeared right beside him - that is, right in front of him.

''Ha!　Ah--

　Her long black hair plays with the wind as it takes in everything. The gold rings that shine like the sun support the twin eyes that will see everything. Everyone will be stunned and fascinated by the elaborate figure that will have all the art in the world hanging down.
　You will be transfixed.
　They wouldn't even be allowed to resist, they would stare at it out of instinct.

　However, Aisha's eyes were a little different.
　Her eyes were vague, as if she was seeing an illusion.
　That body is trembling as if it wants to reach out to you at any moment.
　Aisha was there, looking anxious and confused.　　

　I'm not going to be able to get out of the house.
　However, Nacht stopped walking because of the mistakes he once made.
　He tried to open his mouth to say something, but it quickly closed.

'Hey, hey. It's been a while, Aisha--
　I found that my voice was very vague and faltering.
　The wind of cowardice had left me no choice but to say so.

　It was only a short distance, one step or even half a step.
　It seemed too far away, too distant.
　It was as if they were on the edge of a sheer cliff.

"Sir...!
　The voice he spat out was so vague and scratchy that an ordinary person would not be able to hear it.
　But Nacht certainly heard it.
　It was her voice, calling his name.

　It was almost at the same time as such a voice.
　The distance that was open was filled by Aisha without hesitation.

''Nacht-sama!''

　Only a week.
　For Nacht, it was only a fraction of a second, so much so that it could be called a moment.
　The warmth he had lost since that day was palpable.
　It was the only thing that sustained Nahat, who was all but distorted and unstable.　
　If that's the only thing beside him, Nacht can be Nacht.

''....Wha.......I........... .........
　Her throat was trembling and she didn't seem to be able to speak well.
　As if to interrupt Aisha's words, Nacht said.

'You fought well, Aisha--I'm sorry to say that I was cold--I'm proud of you.
　From the bottom of my heart, I shouted my praises.

'....no!　...No, Nahat-sama I was just spoiling for you, Nahat-sama... was right but I was actually aware of it because I was so weak--
　Nacht shook his head in denial of Aisha's confession, full of regret.

'No, Aisha - it is I who am weak. I, who was afraid of your words and couldn't even take a single step forward, and you, who took the time to move forward. I don't need to tell you who's stronger.
　Nacht says this bitterly, but happily.
　There is no room for excuses.
　Nacht is the one who is pathetic.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of this.

　But.
　Aha - but.
　As long as Aisha is around, Nacht is invincible.
　Yes, I'm sure of it.

"Aisha, you are mine. That hasn't changed since that day. I'm a miserable person who has been thrown away by temporary emotions, but will you still be by my side?
　Aisha, who had been burying her face in Nacht's chest with this, raised her gaze.
　Nacht looks at Aisha, who looks up at him with moist eyes, from the front.

''This body, this heart - all of Aisha's is yours. The vow I made that day has not even a shred of wavering.
　The sound moistened my ears more than any superb orchestra.
　It was a clear rapture that filled his heart.
　Nacht struggled to hold back the trembling of her whole body and hugged her precious squire tightly and strongly.

'--Welcome home, Aisha.

Yes, I'm home. Mr. Nacht.

　The clouds drifted away and the sky changed several times.
　For minutes, or maybe even tens of minutes, Nacht released her with satisfaction as she finished replenishing the Aisha component that had been lost by holding her in her arms and examining every inch of her body.
　Nacht did not release her after she had tried to escape several times along the way, and now Aisha was there, breathing erratically until she was breathing on her shoulder.
　Of course, he was just checking to see if there was anything wrong with Aisha while he was away, and he had no other intentions.
　It was clear that Levy was not to be trusted, and it was his duty as Lord to ascertain the physical abnormality.

The actuality of this is that it's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to do.

Well, well, well, Master Nacht...
　After receiving Nacht's words, Aisha cut in somewhat apologetically.

''--I have a favor to ask.

"Aisha asked for me to do something for her--

No, I mean - I know it's brazen, but--!
　Nacht controlled Aisha's words with his hand.

'Not so. I am happy, Aisha. More, more, more, more!　You can rely on me, you can indulge me. How could I possibly refuse Aisha's request!
　Nacht says with a big smile.
　It was such a violent smile that Aisha almost felt like she was going to be pressured.
　I don't have to say a word.
　Two words are not necessary.
　It's not necessary to say two words, it's your word that is absolute.

'-Now, let me hear what Aisha wants.
　Aisha says, leaving Nacht's words for the night.

'I have someone to help.'
　Nacht just listened to Aisha's story.
　He listened to the stories of how hard Aisha had suffered and how bravely she had fought.

'Hmm, stars twinkling in the night sky - I see, I know how Aisha felt.
　Nacht laughs.
　He's happy as always.

'When the dream awakens, the girl will be destroyed. Loneliness is a monster, and those who are consumed will try to die - because that's what they want - but do you still want to help?

'Izuna helped me. So now I'll help you.

Then I'll tell you one good thing--
　Nacht gave him a single fact that could not be called advice.
　Then he lightly pushed Aisha's growing back.

It's up to Aisha to take care of the rest. Don't worry about anything, just go ahead and fight.
　Nacht will at least prepare the way for that, I think.

"--Yes.
　With a powerful tone, Aisha's voice rang out.