I was reputed to be very close to my sister Yotaki, but I was .......
It's not that we were close siblings who never had any quarrels.
I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.
I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.
Youtaki would not know that record of consecutive losses. It's a shameful story that I challenged him on my own and kept losing by myself. ...... There's no way for anyone to know about it.
I'm sure the first time I became aware of the competition was during a special training session to freely let out a tear or two as an actor.
At that time, Yotaki was about half my age, yet he was ahead of his brother. If you only look at the amount of time he spent practicing, I think it was less than one-tenth of the time I spent practicing. From that moment on, I had a hint of awareness that my sister was not normal. But I dared to try my best not to notice, and somehow I was going to win someday. ...... I had faint dreams that were unique to children.
I competed many times.
It started with the training of actors, the evaluation of the actors in their studies, general studies that anticipated the future, and regular athletic tests. Plus, all the little things in our daily lives. How much attention is given to parents in life. In the end, I was alone in the game of which one of us could get a call from my mother first in the morning. ...... It was a bit morbid, I think to myself.
It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get the best out of them.
I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.
But in the end, I never won.
Even my athletic ability, which should have been at an overwhelming advantage in terms of age, was defeated.
While I was out of breath, Yotaki was always praising me with a cool face beside me.
She had received great praise from her resident teacher, as if she was in front of a historical gem. In fact, she was a historical gem and a biological gem, so .......
Anyway, I kept trying and losing and losing and losing and losing.
Then I was painstakingly broken, withdrawn, and driven to the point of suicide. At that time, I recovered thanks to my childhood friend, Lake Nagi. ...... If it wasn't for that encounter, I don't think I would be in this world now.
It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on a new one.
This was triggered by the disappearance of my parents.
Two siblings left alone.
There was only one choice.
I knew that I would never win against Yotaki, so I decided to stand next to her instead of in front of her.
As long as I didn't challenge the odds, I wouldn't lose anymore. Most importantly, in the meantime, my family, Yotaki, will need me. I will have a family. Finally, my family will love me and I will be able to love them. I will finally have something important that I've always wanted. So, this is it. I'm done with this. ......
-- and I admitted it.
That's the moment I completely admitted my defeat.
At the same time, it was also the moment I decided to live as my sister's 'ideal brother'.
I don't think it's so unusual.
There are moments, big or small, when children are denied their omnipotence and faced with reality. In my case, it was just that my foul-mouthed sister was a big part of it. Same with everyone else.
--From this story, what I want me to understand is a simple [reason].
[That Aikawa Uzumi can't beat Aikawa Yotaki].
Rather, the basic premise is that no one can defeat the existence of Aikawa Youtaki.
It was a miracle that he was able to have the 'courage' to challenge Youtaki this time, just by being able to challenge Youtaki.
That's why the outcome of that match was only natural.
Although they may call it a "discussion" or "family meeting" with their mouths, the actual content is a "sibling quarrel".
As a matter of course, the result was--.
I lost.
The Great Sacred City on the mainland has been frozen.
Fuzzyards Castle was frozen and shattered, shattering into pieces and disappearing into the sky.
All of the people that Nosfi had tried to save were frozen in place and laid to rest forever.
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.
--I have a "memory" of this, though.
This is only confirmed in a dream.
You're going to be able to find out what you're looking for.
It's the same old thing.
I already know and I'm used to it.
In the next moment, it's like it never happened.
The magical cold air will chill me and my memory will stop.
Stop, and stop, and stop.
This "now" time will never move again.
It's a state where I can't regenerate to remember, so to speak.
And I, frozen by magic, am forced to return. I would wake up with the sensation that my body was slowly turning into icy sweets (sherbet) and shivering.
Not to the site of the Great Holy City on the mainland, which has become a great snowfield, but to the eighty layers of the Allied Nations' labyrinth.
From dream to reality - but not from reality to dream.
As many times as it takes. Until I give up.
--I can take it back.
◆◆◆◆◆ ...
That's dangerous, Kanami! --Flame Arrow!
A white beam of light passes right by my left side.
My left eye is dizzy, my left arm is burned, and my left eardrum is about to tear.
Followed by a shockwave that hits my entire body.
My daydreams are completely over as I feel like I'm being swept around in a direct grip on my brain.
The memories of the immediate past are gone like an illusion, and I can't remember any of them.
I look around as I calmly analyze that loss of memory.
I was standing on the cobblestones with sand in them.
Looking around, I see stone structures lined with history and decaying. On the high ceiling, the wind was whipping around with a loud noise as if it were blowing a conch. Ruins that reminded one of the remains of some kind of civilization were the hallmark of this labyrinth of eighty layers.
''Kanami! I know what you're thinking, but you've been too dazed lately!
And now I'm being warned by Deere, who has scraped off part of the ruins with Flame Arrow. Nearby, Herc Behemoth-san (rank 79), the giant quadruped-shaped monster that was touched by Deere's reverse scales as he delivered his attack to me, has his upper body annihilated and is disappearing into light.
''Just because we're stronger doesn't mean we're invincible! You have to have a proper sense of urgency like in the old days: ......!
The girl who had made a horrible mess with her horrible magic was cute and angry for her age and gender.
''Sorry, I was saved. That's the "Flame Arrow" of Deer, isn't it? ......
'Well, it's my job to cover you from behind ....... I don't have a choice now, Kanami is .......
Deere shrugs his shoulders in a good-natured way when I apologize, and then he forgives me very easily.
For the record, daydreaming in a labyrinth is something I should be lectured on for an hour. But she didn't pursue it deeply.
From the way she looked at me, I knew that Dia was happy to be in a position to protect me. Thus, it was one of her dreams to play an active role in the exploration of the labyrinth. It might be natural to feel a little buoyant.
However, instead of that buoyant Dia, her younger sister, Yotaki, said something that was difficult to say.
''Brother, it's very pathetic. I'm completely relying on Dia already.''
I try to blame my body, but Dia interrupts me.
'No, no, firecracker! All along, Kanami has been the lone vanguard! Sometimes you just need to let loose a little bit! We've already made 20 layers of progress today! Time to start losing focus!
...... haha. This is a lineup that Dear will cover for you no matter what. It only leads to your brother's corruption.
'I'm not going to cover for you no matter what, ......? But since I forced Kanami into the labyrinth today, at least this is ......, right?
I'm happy to follow you.
But I feel the nostalgic pimping coming on, and I get back into it.
'No, Dear. Now that was my fault. I was completely distracted by the fact that we were fighting and I was thinking about something else: ....... I'll be more careful next time. I'm really sorry.
'I see. ....... If Kanami says so: ......
Dia didn't break even when Yotaki said it, but when I said it, it was easy.
Yotaki's eyes, faced with such a sweet sight, only grew cold.
As if to escape from that cold stare, I suggest.
''But I'm sure Dia is right, you're starting to lose your concentration ......? We've made it 20 layers, so let's get back to the ground. Let's call it a day and rest the rest of the day.
'That's right, Kanami! I'm running low on magic, and I've accomplished my goal: ...... Okay, that's it for today! Go back to the ground and rest the rest of the day!
Dia immediately agreed, but Yotaki's eyes remained cold.
''...... haha. How your brother has managed to explore the labyrinth up to today ...... really is a sight to see. It's a good thing that you can see that your brother has been tricking, seducing and using an innocent girl.
'Hee, you're too much of a human being to listen to ....... I'd like to say that, but it's a little hard to deny it when I remember me in the beginning: ......
'In the beginning? I've heard that part, so I'll forgive you. I heard he had very little memory back then and didn't know left or right.
'Yeah. At first I didn't know what to expect, and the level was so low, it was really hard for me. ......
Remembering that I was summoned inside the labyrinth at level 1, I sincerely chewed on my good fortune to have survived to this day. That seems to be the same for Dia as well, "I miss it. I was a level 1 back then too, I remember ......," she mutters.
I dig up my memories and remember the status I once had when I was dying in the first layer of the labyrinth.
It's like the struggles of those days are a lie. We were dying in one layer before, but we've finally reached the 80th layer.
Then, let's go home. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time. --I'm not going to be able to get out of it.
A magical door was created in the corridor by Yotaki's hands, and the three of us pass through it.
Beyond that is the ground.
But instead of in front of the familiar labyrinth, I step out into a place surrounded by unfamiliar greenery.
In the midst of the great outdoors, not even buried by the pure white snow, I mutter to myself as I look around.
'Hey, is this ......?'
The Ancestor (...) This is the great garden of the House of Alais.
Then an old swordsman appeared from among the nearby trees and answered my questions.
His hair was white, his beard was long and wrinkled, but he was sharp-eyed. His attire was stiff, like that of a nobleman, and he wore a single sword at his waist. I had never spoken to him directly, but I knew his name.
But before he could utter the name, Dia shouted.
'Old Aleis! You've been waiting for me!
The old knight responds to that with a sneer.
'Haha. It's just a coincidence, just a coincidence. I was just passing by and felt a tremendous amount of magic, so I just stopped by.
As soon as he changed the way he spoke, I felt the youthfulness of the tenth generation coming from the old man.
His keen eyes and a vitality that transcends age. Without a doubt, it was Fenrir Aleis-san, the current head of the Aleis family.
After a brief greeting with him, Yotaki explained.
''Dia is living in the Aleiss family. It will save us a lot of trouble if we go directly here.''
It seems that Yotaki maintains many "connections" in the Allies, and he seems to have chosen the most appropriate place from among them. However, if that's the case, I was the one who wanted a word before I walked through the door.
I'm not fully prepared to face the old man, who is probably Dia's guardian. Hence, after bowing deeply, I throw out a very poor greeting.
'Well, uh, ....... Well, Dear has always been a great help to me. Fenrir Alais-san .......
However, to that lowly me, Fenrir-san responds with an even deeper bow.
''Founder-sama ......! You may be in awe, but we are in trouble. You are the 'Founder' of the Levantine religion we worship and the 'Swordsman' who should be the example of the Aleiss family. Please, please lift your head.
'No. ......! I'm not a foul, or a person from another world: ....... Anyway, I'm sure I'm not someone who's called 'The Founder' or 'The Sword Sage' in this day and age, so please call me out! And how about the tone: ......!
"It's one of the few pleasures of my short-lived existence that the Founder is baffled by this. So I can't stop. It's the only thing I can do.
'Yeah, yeah ......?'
I groan with a troubled look on my face as I realize I've been teased from start to finish.
And just as I was attempting to play the hero in The Ideal, Dia scolded me.
'Kanami, you're being too respectful just because they're older than you! Old Alais says he doesn't want that kind of thing, so go out with him more lightly!
'Hmm, you're right. I don't need any of that shitty etiquette. I'm tired of hearing sycophants elsewhere.
I've known from the beginning that Fenrir-san is that kind of person.
Like his ancestor Lowen Alais, he is a training addict, and he is not familiar with the customs of the nobility - or perhaps he is bored with a lot of things. If you lightly 'see past' his body and the magical power that leaks out, you can understand that much.
And Yotaki, who knows as well as I do, begins to pester Fenrir-san with a very nice smile.
''Then, grandfather. Since it's been a long time since I've given you a face, please give me some pocket money. You're my lovely friend instead of my grandson, right?
Haha. Well, Hitaki-chan, you know exactly what you're doing! Then I'll give you a taste of my famous sword.
...... haha. A sword? It's so-so. I'll cash it in later.
'That's really awesome, you ....... You got a gift from the head of a great nobleman and you sigh in front of him or .......
I've been told that a lot.
Yotaki receives the sword that Fenrir-san wears at his waist and gives him the reception he wants.
In the midst of such a harmonious banter, a shout approaches from a distance.
''Ka, na, mi, sama aaaaaaaaahhhhhh ----!!!!!!!!
A blonde twin-tailed girl, dressed in a shining outfit that resembled a dress, was running through the yard at full speed, not worthy of her attire. On the way, she took off the hat and veil on her head. Revealing her well-formed face, she reaches in front of me.
'Kanami-sama, you're here! This flâneur, I've been waiting for this day every night, dreaming of it! --Lord Areis! If you're here, Master Kanami, please let me know! That's not fair! It's not very gentlemanly!
Haha, you too? These days, all the guys aren't afraid of me, which really makes me feel young again. ......
Fenrir-san seemed to be enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart before the appearance of Franlure Helvilleshain.
In contrast, after Franlure only complained, she spoke quickly to me alone.
''Iyyy, now leave the thin-skinned person there! --Lady Kanami! You're in the right place! I'm just learning swordsmanship here at the Areis family ...... and I'd like to ask Kanami-sama, the current "swordsman" to teach me how to do it! Now! Today, here! How's that? How about that, how about that!
Although Franlure was tightly dressed in the formal attire of a nobleman, he wore a sword at his waist. It's an item no less than the famous sword received by the impresario Yotaki.
It wouldn't be a lie that she trains at the Alais family. However, it seems that she is not alone in this, and a slightly sad looking Dia comes in between.
'Yes, Fran ....... You're going to have a secret training session with me today, then .......
It seems he had a prior commitment called Dia.
But Flanlure is not so much about that as he is about to pack up again with a fast talk. I've thought for a long time that she's really a girl(ko) whose world revolves around her.
'Or rather, Dear! You've been in the labyrinth with Lady Kanami! You didn't contact this best friend of mine without telling her! Not much! Was that the extent of my friendship with Diah!
No, I've been there. ...... You can't follow me deep into the labyrinth, so what's the point of telling me? I've heard from the liner guy that you're only at the 20th level.
Still, please tell me! I was ready to sneak along!
'I know, ....... I didn't tell you because I felt that way. ......
It was a conversation that showed that the two of them had grown close without my knowledge. Moreover, their rapport is so deep that the word "best friend" is lightly mentioned.
It was as if time had flown by and I was the only one left behind - but there was something else that bothered me more than that.
I couldn't leave that unlooked-for part alone, and I interrupted their banter.
'Franlure, well--'
"--Hey! What is it? Lady Kanami!
Flanlure responded to that voice before anyone else and took my hand in both of hers.
'No, it's not a big deal ....... Your tone seems to be a little different than before .......
'Oh, that one! I didn't want to change it, but the people around me insisted that I change it. ...... I thought it was time for me to settle down and change it once and for all!
'So ....... I see. It can't be that way forever, can it ......?
I felt a strange sense of remorse.
Flanlure's "Yes, sir! I didn't get used to and didn't like the ladylike tone of "I'm not a fan of this" until the end, but I didn't hate ....... I never hated it.
In the midst of that small sense of loss, Flanlure tightened his clenched hands and re-invited her to come back.
''More importantly, Kanami-sama! I was wondering if you could help me with my swordplay instruction--
I told you, no. Fran, you'll have to put up with me. Kanami has been doing the vanguard all the way up to the eightieth level of the labyrinth by himself. We just decided a while ago that we're going to take a day off.
It was a casual word from Dia, but Franlle and Fenrir-san, who lived in the Alais family, were terribly surprised to hear it.
''Ha, is it eighty layers ......! No, I know Deere doesn't lie, but ......!
'Eighty ......! As I recall, Glenn's boy was around thirty: ......!
In this Confederation's perception, from the tenth layer onwards, it was a monster world.
After the twenty layers, it should have been the realm of heroes.
Hearing that they were more than three times further than that, Franlleure was crestfallen and became as quiet as a borrowed cat.
''...... Kanami-sama, I'm sorry. I, for one, was a bit flirtatious.
She took a step back. At the same time, I felt like our minds were a little closer together, so I leaned forward to respond to the amount of space I had available.
''No, I'd rather not be the one teaching you a little sword ......
'No! As usual, I'll put up with this Sir Aleiss! Come to think of it, I haven't even mastered the basics yet that Kanami-sama could teach me! Please take care of yourself, Kanami-sama, for the sake of Kanami-sama's purposes!
Franlure stands next to Fenrir-san and grits his teeth in frustration.
However, the head of the great nobleman next to him is smiling bitterly.
''No, this Lord Aleiss, this Lord Aleiss, ...... it's actually an awesome honor to be taught by me, right? If you weren't the Helvirshine family's treasured child, you wouldn't be able to meet them as well as you should, would you?
The noble House of Alais is one of the four noble families of the Confederation.
Since the influence of royalty is low in this world, he, the head of the four noble families, can fit on one hand if he is counted from the top as a powerful person.
It was probably because she was not afraid of that Fenrir-san, that she was able to get along with Dia like this. Most people would feel the face of the Apostle Sith in Dia, and they can't have a proper conversation with her.
.............
Speaking of which, Sith (・・・・) can be found at .......
I don't know if he's gone anymore: .......
'Fran! Anyway, we're going! I can't waste a second to be strong!
'That's the motivation, Dear ....... Let's go then. Oh, and Sir Alais, along with you.
I was the one who said it was friendly. You should respect your instructors a little more, you guys. ......
The three of them then turned their attention to the clearing in the corner of the garden. Presumably, that was the Aleiss family's swordsmanship training ground. As the three parted, they each said, "So long, Kanami and Hitaki! ''I look forward to seeing you again.'' ''Excuse me then. 'Ancestor, sister-kun,' he threw a greeting and then walked side by side.
During the move, Dia was smiling and chatting with Franlure.
Fenrir-san was watching over it like a parent. Even though they weren't related by blood, it was clear that they had a very warm relationship on their backs.
After watching the three of them, Yotaki pulled my hand away and headed for the exit of the garden.
''Then let's go home, shall we? To where we're going back.''
'Yeah, I guess so: ......'
This is the two of us, side by side, walking out.
However, the mansion where the four great aristocratic heads of the family are staying is large and not so easy to get out of. As I was walking leisurely through the elegant garden, I heard a light melody in the distance.
This time it wasn't a bell. It was a much thinner, higher and longer sound.
'......? Is this a harp? And there are some strange instruments in the mix.
As soon as Yangtaki guesses the name of the instrument, he finds a group playing in a large garden. They are not playing a single song continuously, but rather repeating a specific tone. From the level of refinement, we can assume that this is the band owned by the Alais family. They must be rehearsing in this garden to perform at some event.
We watch them from a distance as we walk through the garden.
It sounds great. It's as good as our world. Aside from the harp, there's also a kind of shamisen-like instrument. A thousand years ago we ...... or maybe it's the tiara that laid the foundation of the United States of America?
We may be the cause, but it was Tiara who spread it. But now that the tiaras have adopted Japanese culture, it's almost as if we've returned to our own world. This Alais family's house looks like a tourist attraction in Europe. Except for that shamisen-like something.
If you ask me, it's true: ......
The Alais family's large garden has a strong western cultural character. And if you look far enough away, you can see an antique mansion standing in the distance. I think I've seen a similar scene on TV shows about world heritage sites.
'That kid left the world with everything we taught him ....... It was a really long journey a thousand years ago, but it doesn't seem like it was in vain.
"A long journey a thousand years ago. ...... Hey, Yotaki. Did Tiara hear a lot about the other world from us?
'Yes, he was curious. I'm sure my brother must have been asked about it a lot during his travels.
But I don't know that now.
What did Tiara ask me and what have I taught her?
On the way back, I keep throwing questions at her.
'...... Yotaki. What was Tiara like?
I think she was a reaction to being sick for so long, but she was a very energetic - and rather fussy - girl. But I'm sure she was always more fun because of it.
So, ...... how did Tiara and I get along?
'Your brother was called your master. We taught each other magic. We were great friends.
Besides the otherworldly stories, what other stories you had as a tiara, do you remember?
...... whatever you call it, I'm just a regular girl-to-girl story.
So why did Tiara follow us a thousand years ago?
Yotaki's face gradually changes in response to me continuing to ask him a series of questions.
And as we pass through the Alais family's mansion and reach the inn we're using, he shakes his head, not wanting to answer anymore.
'...... haha, brother. What better way than to ask me? Wouldn't your brother now be able to see everything in 'past vision'? From this earth, all of Tiara's life.
Instead, we are offered a better solution.
That is 'Past Vision'.
It was a dimensional magic 《Dimensional Decisive Operation (Dimension Graduation) "Prequel (Recall)".
''Eh ....... Can I see it, ......?
There was a bit of resistance.
That was against human reason and an invasion of many people's privacy.
'That was a thousand years ago. It's also about someone who is already dead. Who can complain about trying to remember who they were in mourning?
However, Yotaki lightly tells me that it's fine if you want to pay your respects.
'Above all, if it's now (・・・・・), if it's here (・・・・・) - I can clearly see the tiara. On the contrary, it's only now, brother.
Overlapping and drummed up.
There were even recommendations mixed in there.
'But ......'
But I was still worrying.
I've shaken off a lot of anxiety now, but that was the only thing I was holding back. I really don't know if I should remember Tiara right here and now .......
You're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them.
''That look ....... Are you planning to steal a look at Tiara's naughty appearance or something? Perhaps you're confused by that?
'Soooo, no way. ....... That kind of thing hurts the person who did it.
Of course. Your brother is a gentleman. ...... also known as a chicken.
"...... is enough. I'm not going to ask you about the tiara. I'll remember it on my own.
Realizing that I'll only be teased any further, I show Yotaki my back and head to my room.
''Yes, that would be better. There's no more misunderstanding if he sees it in person than if I explain it to him.
When you're talking about ...... human biographies, there's inevitably some prejudice and stuff mixed in.
I agree with a voice from behind me.
'Well then, brother. I'll call you back when it's time for dinner.
Yeah, again.
When we part, we throw each other a parting greeting and go into our respective rooms.
This is how I came home.
I wake up in the morning - in a room that's neither clean nor dirty.
Immediately I move to the center of the room.
Then, I begin to weave a magic formula in order to begin the great magic. In the center of the room, I deploy the magic power of the dimensional attribute and carve a magic circle in the air. That magic circle moves like a living creature, spreading and multiplying, penetrating to the ground beneath the inn.
Its magic has one purpose.
The 'Tiara Fuzzyards' that would have lived on this continent - not.
I put my 'past vision' on something other than the one I was talking to Yotaki about.
The location is also just right.
This is the United Kingdom. This is probably the center of the "World Vengeance Camp" of a thousand years ago.
In other words, the place where the countries of a thousand years ago were located.
I'm going to focus my attention on the Fooziers from those countries.
The purpose of the magic is Aikawa Uzumi Wave. And "Aikawa Yotaki". The two gentiles.
You'll be able to see how they were summoned a thousand years ago, how they met Tiara in the Huskyards country - and what Yotaki and I did from there - I want to see.
I thought I should do so without being misled by Yotaki's words.
Let's check it out. One by one ....... --Dimensional Magic 《Dimensional Decisive Operation (Dimension Graduate) "Prequel (Recall)
The proliferation of the magic circle filled the room with letters, and the world became blurred by its magical light.
--The magical "past vision" was successful without a problem.
From the dimension of the present to the dimension of the past.
My consciousness is being pulled along.
And then I see.
This is Oguni Foods Yards, surrounded by mountains.
The important characters from a thousand years ago who live there.