Hey, wait!

　Minerva's sleep is abruptly interrupted.

　The panicked voice was Moore's.
　Minerva slowly opened her eyelids, somehow linking the consciousness she was forced to surface with her senses.

'What ......?'

　The figure of the man Rona had called Al jumps into view.
　Before you can get upset about the proximity of the distance, the sword in his hand is swung out sideways and passes over Minerva's head with a vibration that cuts through the air.

''Kyaah!''

　Something fell to the ground with a botching sound behind Minerva, who suddenly shrank back.

　What Minerva saw as she reflexively turned back.
　It was a creature about forty centimeters long.

　Its all-white body was shaped like three thick spiral strands intertwined with each other.
　The part that seemed to be the tail was intricately intertwined and united, but on the contrary, the part that seemed to be the head had a hole that seemed to be the oral cavity peeking out from the center of its three-divided body, with numerous projections that seemed to be teeth.

　The body surface was hairless and dull white.
　It looked and felt soft to the touch, and if one were to compare it to the juvenile body of a beast sleeping in the ground, it would be similar to the juvenile body of a beast.

　The creature was now about to be torn apart by Aldis' sword and die.

　The fluid that spilled out of its mushy body evoked even more disgust.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

　This creature isn't necessarily just one of them.
　It's quite conceivable that another individual could attack you when you're not careful.

''Huh. ....... Sorry, Al. Thanks ...... mnya.

　Rona says this with a yawn, and then curls up again and tries to go back to sleep.
　The danger has probably been dispelled, as Aldis is also trying to put his sword away.

'You can't even handle this level ......

　Aldis sighed with a blatant gasp.

'Don't be so reckless towards a kid who had never even held a sword before six months ago.

　Moore defends Minerva, but Aldis just gives him a look that says, "So what?

'As long as we're out of town, how can such an excuse be valid? Whether it's a human or a beast, it would be more expedient for the opponent to have a weak prey. If you're caught off guard by this kind of opponent, it's no good talking about it.

　Minerva is also painfully aware of her own lack of strength.
　She has yet to master a single piece of magic, and with her ineffective arms, she can't even defend herself when she wields a sword.
　But even so, having decided to become strong instead of accepting the status quo, I don't want to whine, nor do I want to give up on future possibilities.

''For now, it's still ....... But I'm sure that eventually--

　It is not conscientious of Minerva's feelings that she was about to utter a counterargument as best she could, but Aldis' words covered her.

It's no good if it happens sooner or later. You can't even handle the magic. It's impossible to survive out there if you can't handle your magic and can't sense your presence. I'm not going to say a bad thing. When we return to town, don't grab a sword and stay quiet.

That's ......, which is unacceptable.

　Of course, Minerva doesn't want to become a mercenary or an explorer.
　This time it's force majeure, but she doesn't want to go to a dangerous place of her own accord.

　I have no qualms about accepting the words "don't leave town".
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

　But the words "don't hold the sword" are absolutely unacceptable.
　It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're doing.
　Even if she eventually mastered sword magic and stopped holding the sword directly, she would not be able to let go of it.

　Telling the current Minerva not to hold the sword was the same as telling her to give up her strength.
　That's why I refuse to accept that as unacceptable.

''Do you really want to die that badly?''

"I don't want to die. I want to protect myself and the things I care about. What's wrong with seeking that power?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. But there's a word in the world that says 'worthy'. The people who don't know their own strength will die in the blink of an eye. Even with that sword...

　Aldis' eyes turn to Minerva's sword.

''It's too valuable for you to have. I don't know if you're some young lady or not, but it's a waste of treasure when you have a weapon that's only too expensive for your abilities.

I know. I know that this sword is not worthy of me. But this is still a precious gift from my master. Even if you're not worthy of being a user now, eventually you will be able to use it ......

"Master ......, Master.

　After putting one hand lightly to the side of his head, as if he had a headache, Aldis immediately resumed the conversation.

'I heard from Rona that your mentor has the same name as me: ......

　Aldis showed a fuming face that he had shown several times before.

'You're a very overprotective and lenient master, giving a chick like you that much of a sword. It looks like you have a very lukewarm way of life.

''Don't speak ill of your master!

　Criticizing her own mentor, Minerva winced.

'I didn't say anything bad. I'm just saying you're a sweetheart.'

Shut up!　I will not tolerate any further contempt!

　There are things you can say and things you can't say just because they are both people with the same name and because Rona clearly states that they are both Aldis himself.
　And to Minerva, it was not acceptable to slander someone she respected without knowing them well.

'Forgive or not, what are you going to do about it?

f*ck!

Stop it, little girl!

　Unable to endure Aldis's attitude as if to provoke her, Minerva raises her shortsword without regard to Moore's voice that restrains her.
　The sword shot, slashed down so sharply that it was hard to believe that it was unleashed from the slender body, was aimed at the hilt of the sword lowered to the opponent's waist.

　Ardis did not even try to avoid it.
　It's just a matter of following it with your gaze as if you were leisurely assessing its swordline.

　A swing that could be described as a full-bodied swing for Minerva is suddenly flicked off by contact with an invisible wall just before it reaches Ardis's body.
　I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.
　A large, rugged hand piled on top of it.

''Ah!''

　Ardis's right hand, which had snuck into his pocket in such a short time that it didn't even allow for the blink of an eye, grabbed the handle of the shortsword with Minerva's entire hand and held it down.

It's a shameful story. You can't slash at a bare-handed person from this distance and not be able to throw a single sword.

Kuhn: "Kuhn: ......

　Of course, even Minerva knows that Ardis' abilities are extraordinary.

　I understand that even Moore could not compete with the demon Neduro, who was not able to compete with him, and the way he calmly eradicated it was not a dream or illusion.
　I don't believe that a half man like myself can deliver a blow to such an opponent.
　But even so, by showing his swordsmanship, he at least wanted to prove that his master's teachings were not in vain.

'Hey, that's enough. You're pretty mature, too.

　Moore, unable to see it, blames Aldis.

'Someone has to tell you these things ---- before you get hurt!

　Ardis, who was about to say it while turning her cold eyes towards Moore, suddenly returned her gaze to the sword Minerva held and showed a surprised expression.

''What?!''

　Minerva's eyes are drawn to her sword, much to her dismay.

　The sword begins to glow white.
　And it is no ordinary brilliance.
　As if to drown out the red color of the campfire that has lost its momentum, a dazzling light envelops the entire area around it.

''What, what's going on?!''

　Moore raises his voice, unable to understand the situation.
　Rona, who was lying next to Minerva, stands up silently.

'Ugh ......, what's this?　My head is ......, my dream ......, and now ......

　Aldis kneels down, holding his head with his left hand.

　Minerva gasped when she saw that figure.
　It is not surprising that Ardis's body was tinged with the same light as that which the sword was clad in.

　The light that enveloped Ardis gradually increased in strength, while Minerva's sword, in contrast, lost its brilliance.
　It was as if the light emanating from the sword was being sucked into Ardis's body.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Suddenly, a huge, powerful emotion flowed into Minerva's mind.
　She struggled not to be swallowed up by a stream of emotions that were not her own, but the information flooding in like a muddy stream, Minerva's thoughts began to be steeped in someone else's emotions.

　It's someone else's memory.
　It's someone else's emotion.
　It is someone else's path of life.

　A lot of people.
　Many scenes.
　Numerous battles are projected in Minerva's mind.

　It's like a dream steeped in warm memories, but at the same time it's a nightmare of despair.






It's no big deal to have two kids' worth of food to support. I'm going to be worth that much.

　A middle-aged man, reminiscent of a strong man of the past, gives me a broken smile.
　My heart slowly warmed.



I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Don't talk about leaving the group or anything else, don't be a stranger.''

　The one-eyed man turned away, embarrassed.
　I felt like I had gotten something important.



I'm not going to be protected all the time. I'm not the only one who wants to be protected,.......

　The dark-haired girl stares straight into my eyes.
　I desperately suppress the emotions that make me want to hug her.



'You've gotten stronger. You're a little boy who couldn't even wield a sword well, and now you're a full-fledged swordsman.

　The middle-aged man teased me happily.
　A feeling of joy and satisfaction filled my chest.



'He's still my employer. I'm as annoyed as you are, but I can't beat him to death while he's still under contract.

　The middle-aged man tried his best to remain calm as he pushed down his frustration.
　He gritted his teeth and endured the frustration rising in him.



I gave that lousy landlady a run for her money!　It's a shame!

　A large group of friends squealed with joy, drinking cups in hand.
　My heart felt scuffed and refreshed.



''d*mn!　Who are these people?　Hey, how many people are down!'

　One of my companions shouted impatiently at the inferiority of the situation.
　My heart was overwhelmed with grief and turmoil at the loss of my companion's life.



It was fun to watch those poorly-behaved stray dogs pawing and scuffling. We got some good data, and I should thank you for that.

　A woman with crimson hair brushed back with one hand spits out an outrageous line in an elegant tone of voice.
　My eyes bleed with anger and my head burns painfully hot.



'We stopped it. And yet that guy said he had to go on his own ......'

　The twins answered in a rare and mysterious way.
　Fear and regret, something I've never felt before, swirled in my chest.



'You're going?　............ Okay, okay. ...... anytime. Make sure you come back.'

　The middle-aged man sent me off with a look that swallowed everything.
　I am sorry, but at the same time, I feel guilty for my inability to repay the favor.



'It's awful, it's awful, this kind of ....... You're not dead, but ......, you're not even alive!''

　The voices coming from beneath my feet seemed like an otherworldly event.
　While I don't want to admit it, I can't help but take my eyes off the figure.

　I take a step closer.
　I hear the dry thud of the soles of my feet and the cracking of small bones.

　Grief, grief, grief, grief, grief, mourning.

　Grief, grief, sorrow, grief, mourning, regret.

　Sorrow, grief, grief, sorrow, mourning, regret, pain.

　Grief, sorrow, grief, regret, pain, and remorse.

　Grief, sorrow, grief, regret, pain, self-doubt, and anger.

　Grief, sorrow, lament, regret, pain, self-blame, anger, and hatred.

　Grief, lament, regret, pain, self-blame, anger, hatred, hatred.

　Grief, lament, regret, pain, self-blame, anger, anger, hatred, hatred, hatred.

　Grief, mourning, regret, pain, remorse, self-blame, anger, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred.

　Grief, mourning, regret, pain, self-blame, anger, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred.

　Grief, mourning, regret, pain, self-blame, anger, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred, hatred.




'You're going to leave it like this?　I feel sorry for you ...... if you don't.'

　A voice at my feet prompted me to make a decision.

　I want to save him. I can't save him.
　I don't want to lose him. But I want to free you from the humiliation of the living hell.
　My emotions and my rational mind are fiercely competing with each other.

　My hands are trembling.
　I can't stop crying.

　She wants to run away, but she has to make a decision before she can escape.
　Someone help me, she says, an inarticulate plea for help.

　Because I know it's an empty wish, by myself.





　I ended my beloved ----.





　It hurts.

　It hurts.

　My chest hurts.

　My heart hurts.

　My soul hurts.



　Who are you?

　Whose fault is this pain?

　I know.

　I didn't need to hear it.



　It was that ---- madwoman.



　I'm going to kill her.

　I'll kill her.

　I'm gonna kill her.

　I'm gonna make them feel the same pain.

　I will do everything in my power to kill her.

　And wherever I go in the world, I will hunt them down and I will kill them.

　Killing them won't bring back my beloved.
　You cannot erase the crime of ending your beloved with your own hands.
　I will still kill him.



　Even if I have to trade my life for this one, I will kill with all my life.






　--I'll kill you.






"Zoogami"!　Don't get cocky!

　The mad woman blows me away and slams me into the wall.

　No matter how much he increased his sword speed, no matter how much magic he put into it, no matter how skillfully he constructed his attack, his sword inevitably would not reach the woman.
　Hatred covers the heart that tries to wrap itself in helplessness and makes it stand up again, but the reality is heartless against that thought.

　I can't reach it.
　One more step is not enough.

　He tried with all his heart and soul, but hatred alone was not enough to overturn the gap in strength that existed between them.

''We've done many experiments, but we haven't been able to fine-tune the details. I apologize in advance because I may be sent to a strange place.''

Don't you die, Ardis!

　The twin brother begins to concoct his magic and the older brother confronts the woman.

　Confusion.
　Doubt.
　Upset.

"So, Aldis. Ours too: ----'

　I can't even make out all of his words.
　His smile faded as he smiled to drown out his indignation, and his vision turned white.





　Minerva is at the mercy of a muddy stream of strong emotions that enters her, not knowing if it is a dream or a hallucination.

　When the torrent passes, regret, remorse, remorse, impatience and sadness remain in Minerva's mind.
　And then there was a strong feeling of hatred that never cooled down like a burning iron.

'Are you all right, Miss!

　Minerva was brought back to consciousness by Moore's voice from just beside her.

U ....... Sa, what the hell was that ...... just now?

　Moore was at her side, his hand resting on Minerva's shoulder.
　I realized that she had apparently supported me as I was about to fall down, and I briefly uttered a thank you.

'Thank you ......'

　He calmed his fuzzy thoughts and slowly peered around.

　Rona stood up and stared at a point, her eyes wide open.
　Out of the corner of her eye was a lone figure.
　Aldis, who was facing Minerva earlier, is kneeling down.

'Glowing ......'

　The words spilled out of Minerva's mouth as she moaned.
　Once again, she knew that the light she had seen earlier was not an illusion, and she was simply speechless at the unusual sight.