We ate, chatted with Maria, and it was completely midnight.
The lights were turned off.
But it can't stay like this until dawn.
I let go of her hand, reluctantly reluctant to leave behind.
Then, with my free hand, I close the book - though it's not a real book, it's something in my imagination - and make a gesture with nothing at hand.
I've just finished writing The Story.
In these last pages, if there is a continuation, it is out of the book.
In other words, it is outside of the "innate skills" of writing and reading.
Now, with no more interference from Tiara and me, Maria can choose her own path and live her own life.
'Maria' ......, good job .......
While I praise them for that, I'll also praise myself for doing my best.
It wasn't a battle, but one wrong word could have turned the conversation around.
But because I faced her instead of running away, I was able to overcome.
I learned a new book.
I'm really glad to be here now to talk about it.
I title the cover of the imaginary book "The Story of Mary" and hold it to myself as if I were embracing it.
This is like a "possession" for things that have no mass, and in this place, as long as it's not a "distance mute", someone won't be able to take it away. It's named 'Bookshelf', and there are many thick books with fine spines.
Looking at the void with deep emotion, I let my weight rest on the back of the chair.
I feel thin-skinned to go back to my room here, so I think I'll just sleep in the chair, watching over Maria.
Normally, my back would be sore when I wake up, but I'll be fine.
...... haha.
I sigh and listen to the quiet sounds of the night.
This time, I try to drop my eyelids a little bit, thinking that I'll be able to sleep slowly - but I spot a twitching object on the edge of my vision.
It's like a black stain swimming in the darkness, and I soon realize that it's a magical 'covert' that uses shadows.
And if he hadn't made me realize this much, there was only one candidate.
With a bitter smile, I call out his name.
'Reaper?'
The black stain that was called out tried to fool me by not moving on the spot.
But I never broke my gaze.
She crawls out of the shadows of the room in abandonment and, slimily, with the movements of a child climbing out of the pool.
The one who appears is a black-dressed, black-haired brown girl.
For some reason, she was squirming and moving her mouth.
'I knew it, Reaper or ....... What's going on?
Hmm? Well, are we celebrating? The ninth (...).
............. What's in that mouth?
Hee-hee, you can't be too proud of yourself. I took every last piece of Rowen's candy from the kitchen.
It's not a lie.
Sure, he's been hiding and eating his food - but I guess his real life is different.
'I don't need to scavenge for leftovers, I'm making the same thing right. Here.
I didn't dare to mention it, and I took out a spare plate from my 'belongings'.
'Oh, you have one? Big brother, you have to say something like that first.
For now, I created a soundproof barrier with an unchored WIND.
I deployed it to wrap Maria, so she will be able to sleep peacefully until morning with it.
Then I stand up from my chair and place the food in my hand on the desk in the room.
It's the scene model (diorama) of the pastry, as usual.
The Reaper's eyes light up as she looks at it.
'Oh, oh ......'
You've given me the response I was looking for and it's very helpful. I'm quite happy. The Reaper snorts and shakes his head from side to side, looking at me from every angle and saying, "Cool!
Maybe it's hard to break the Reaper too?
'No, not at all. I'll just eat them normally.
When I asked, the Reaper took the prepared spoon and easily crumbled the Loewen doll with a small voice, "Eat it!".
And he doesn't even hesitate to take the remains of it into his mouth.
''Rowen, umami!''
I wish you guys weren't so reserved.
'No, I don't think they could normally do this! Even if it's an imitation, anyone would hesitate to break a human figure. That's normal.
'Normally it would be ....... The Reaper doesn't seem normal, does it?
That's because we're best friends! The late Rowen and Attah will always be connected by heart! So, fine, fine!
Without a doubt, Reaper and Rowen have a 'connection'.
They are even willing to lay down their lives for each other. If it wasn't for such a trusting relationship, it seems that they couldn't have eaten this scene model (diorama).
Thinking back on it, I continue to watch her eat, regretting that I had recommended harsh food to the kind-hearted Deere and the others.
That pleasant eating is really nice and warm.
On the way, she asks for a cup of tea, and I try to serve another dish while I'm at it. However, he shook his head and said that he only needed sweets.
Perhaps, after a moment of not looking, my understanding of my magical body has increased and I've realized that I can do whatever I want with my food. He seems to be living a nutritionally unbalanced life. It would be a problem if Sith, the same magical life form, imitated it, so I'll pay attention to that later.
''Phew, that was delicious!
The reaper finishes eating his snacks, gulps a cup of tea and takes a breath.
But that's not why he doesn't leave, nor does he leave the room.
Now, the Reaper knows my body better than anyone else.
That's why he doesn't have any reservations about me - and he doesn't intend to let me sleep from now on.
'Brother, you're done (・・・・・). Finally, all of it.
............
It's practically complete. I can see it all tied together. The flow of a newly written story.
And he touched on the core of the matter, which he could only understand because he was also a dimensional wizard.
The Reaper must have been looking for an opportunity to tell this story.
He looked at me as if he wouldn't allow me to escape and looked at me as if he was shooting through me.
'Indeed, after the talk with Maria just now, all the remaining worries may have been finished ....... The "Stealing the Reason of Nothingness" is over, the "Stealing the Reason of Fire" is over, and all that's left to do is retrieve the "Stealing the Reason of Blood" that's already done ....... I think the rest of the 'plan' will just go on as planned. ...... I just don't want to talk about this kind of thing too much because it's a losing flag.
Jokingly, I said in a roundabout way that I didn't want him to touch too much there.
However, the reaper remains serious and blames him for his earlier conversation with Maria.
The actuality of this is that you are not happy with the way you do things? Honestly, I feel like I'm leaving Mr. Alty out of the loop again.
'That's not true. Arti has been brought into a new circle of friends. Out of this painful circle of 'stealers of reason' and into a new one.
With that immediate response, I turned my attention to the bed behind me.
Caught in the act, the Reaper turns his attention as well.
I look at Maria, who is sleeping with a relieved expression on her face, and I reluctantly agree with her.
'Yes, ....... After seeing this sleeping face, I don't know if we can say anything back .......'
I don't care if you call me selfish, I will rid the world of all unreasonable things like 'the things that steal reason'. That's what I've decided.
Does that include Helmina and her brother Fafner?
"I will save all of the 'stealers of reason' (...), I will save them. Next time you go to the 'Blood Land' ...... and collect all the 'unwritten stories' left behind by Tiara and Hitaki.
It's like ....... All of them are collected in that 'blood land'. Since then, in just two months, ......, up to four (...) that I thought were almost impossible, all of them ...... easily.
Somewhat distantly, the Reaper mutters the number.
Then he laughs bitterly and criticizes me.
'--Big brother, you're early,'
Unlike the rest of his companions, his expression was laced with obvious frustration.
Only one person, the Reaper, complained about the continuation (...).
'Don't these things usually take years to do? Sister Kounell would normally have been someone you wouldn't have convinced to join you even if you'd persuaded her to do so for ten years, right? It's the same with this holiday. I had three days to spare and I already got to talk to Maria's sister ....... It wasn't too late to make a bunch of memories after we all went to the spa. It definitely wasn't late. ......
The Reaper says something troubling.
I can't answer him lightly.
It's because the atmosphere has become swordsmanlike.
The air between the two (...) is tense.
As with Maria, they need to be taken seriously.
"Reaper, I want you to listen to me. You can't just go along with it. You have to be serious about your life or you will definitely 'regret' it. ...... I don't want to have any more 'regrets'.
Sure, there was time.
But to talk with Maria earlier on the last day is just an afterthought.
I know firsthand that you cannot conquer your own life with such determination. In order to carve out a future, you need a strong will to face your destiny, not to run away from the odds.
I don't want to live through the 'regrets' ......? Big brother, you're really becoming like him. You know, like that Tiara-san and Hitaki-san.
'It's ......, I inherited a lot of stuff and I have it. It can't be helped.
It's hard not to be affected by so much honest conversation.
Both of them were really rambunctious girls, but they had a lot to learn from each other.
So it's no wonder that I've become so similar to both of them.
A sign that I'm learning and growing.
So, I want to end the conversation.
I want to end it, but...
''I was told that even if you have a 'magic stone', it won't affect you if you don't 'relate' to it. When that man told me about it ■ months ago (・・・・)--
--I heard a pitter-patter of biting off my lip (・・・・・・・・) (・・・・).
The unusual sound crushed the Reaper's voice and he couldn't hear it well.
Presumably, the sound could be heard by the Reaper as well.
Still, she doesn't stop touching the core of the matter. She had the same look on her face as I did when I decided to talk about 'Rustyala' earlier, but she never retreated.
As usual, she is easily influenced by me - but it's not good.
'Well, more importantly, Reaper. What are we going to do tomorrow? If you're going to go to the spa with me, you'd better tell me as soon as possible. Not only do we need to talk about the reservations, but we'll have some things to prepare for.
''Those 'magic stones' in your body, you should quickly transfer them to your 'possessions'. I know you're afraid of losing them, but it's a different story if you're '■■(...)'
The strange noise of ■ continues to grow louder as the one-sided conversations are bumped into each other.
It goes from a tingling and tearing sound to a grinding noise that is just barely audible.
That odd sound paints the Reaper's words.
And when the Reaper has completely gotten to the heart of the matter, it's finally--
Now, I've duplicated (...) Artie's 'magic stone' to Ragne's 'magic stone' and this is the ninth one. When I added the last remaining 'The One That Steals the Blood Reason', I had ten. Most of them are the ■■■■■■ ones, aren't they? As much as possible, you can't have the "deepest ■" thing in the same ■ ■ ■ ■, ■■■■■■--, ----!
It was muffled, distorted and completely inaudible.
The Reaper's voice had been shifted (・・・・) and replaced by a high-pitched, snatched, shrill sound that sounded like a recorded voice played backwards.
The Reaper closed her mouth and opened her eyes, realizing that the sound leaking from her throat was not a language.
This meant that it was not distorted by her will, but only interference from others.
It was confirmed that a magical attack was being carried out, and it could no longer be hidden.
■■■■ It was not the Reaper who was making the strange noises.
The one who was hearing the strange noise was from inside me--.
''--Why (...), why (...)? Why (...), now you say (・・・・・)?
A very small, weak voice echoed in Maria's room.
That voice is really small. But it is accompanied by an uncommon amount of resentment and distorted magical power.
You just said you were going to make copies ....... And that's another ten, ten is ten .......
His small voice is heavy and presses down on his entire body like a curse.
Naturally, for my own safety, the Reaper moves. He jumps back away from me, not moving an inch, and glares at me from the edge of the wall.
--I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.
The "top half of the woman" is teary-eyed, her cheeks flushed, blood dripping from her chewed lips, and she is pounding the floor with her hands in frustration.
The woman's slightly stiff-looking hair was brown and about shoulder length.
Her face is dignified, but retains some vivacity.
She wears the uniform of a Hoozeyer's Knight, so she looks like she could be mistaken for her former enemy, Ragne Kaikwola.
However, 'Indication' accurately inscribes his identity.
[Ninety Guardians (Ninety Guardian)] ■■ The one who steals the reason for the reason of ■■.
The one recorded is the being who started it all.
The woman who is the Lord of the three apostles and the Lord of this world.
The former 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Dimension' indicated the Noi El Lieberrul.
'The Shadow Adoring Reaper (Grim Lim Reaper)' ......, you're the 'judge', aren't you? Isn't "referee" the role of the referee? Why are you telling the end of my story about me and Seldora here now: ......? Hey, yeah: ......
Noi's character can be described in one word: cowardly.
It's easy to see that from his current face.
What is important is not the frightened look on her face, but the familiarity of her face.
Right now she is building and borrowing Ragne Kaikwola's face with her magical power.
If she were to show up, the girl called Noi would never show her own face.
When the time comes, I told her that if it's me or Ragne's magic stone, she can use it as she pleases, but she seems to have chosen her same-s*x appearance. However, it's an imitation (copy) of a 'future view' of the possibility that if Ragne had grown into her late 20s, perhaps out of concern for various reasons.
Noi is willing to use any means and sacrifice for the sake of safety and security.
That's why she has been hiding (・・・・・・) for a month now (・・・・・・・) from me (・・・・・) - all the way out of the safest place in the world - from hiding (・・・・・・) and lurking (・・・・・).
'Noi El Lieberrul,' .......
The Reaper takes his gaze off me and calls her name.
No, it was probably Noi who had shot through my eyes from the beginning.
I step back, realizing that the person I really wanted to talk to was Noi, not me.
''It's Ragne's body now, so ......, call me Ragne-san properly ......?''
'I can't do that. Because Lagne sister is only Lagne sister, you know. Noi-san is only Noi-san, too.
The two (...) who are swallowing swords, leave me to talk.
The tense atmosphere has already been completely popped. Immediately, I put the bed against my back to absolutely protect Maria, and strengthen the wards to more than soundproof.
"Listen, 'Grim Lim Lim Reaper,' the shadow-loving reaper. Today I was 'relieved' and had a great time reading ....... I was reading the rest of Rastiala's story in the safety of my home. I bought and ate with Dia-chan, held Snow-chan in a princess hug, cooked with Maria, and gave her some otherworldly clothes as gifts, and they were all very happy to see me. ......! Even with Alty, he and I are finally making up for it. Today is a really good day! It was peaceful, quiet, 'happy', no anxiety or worry at all ...... and a very nice time ......! So how come ......
"'Safe'? I couldn't be 'relieved' in the slightest. Because no one is more anxious just to be alive than my brother.
Facing each other, the two men engage in a conversation that is even more difficult than it was with Maria earlier, as they don't know what will happen if they get one word wrong.
Noi, in particular, is unsteady and protests as he dunks and pounds the floor.
'Oh, no! No, it's not! Kanami, you're awesome! There were a lot of girls like you and me when I was a kid! But I wasn't this 'happy'! I couldn't make any of them happy! Compared to me at the time, you're great and awesome, Kanami! I'm having my last holiday like this now because of him: ....... Really, the rest of the day is awesome... so don't interrupt me. ......
'But it's not fair. You just read about that 'happy' day-to-day life, sneaking in and hiding. It's a bit disingenuous to say that you yourself are nowhere else in the world: ......
'Fe, fair ......? What do I care about the fair? Because it's over. Oh, I'm done with everything. As of a month ago (・・・・), I'm already -- I'm already
--My 90th Test is over.
I'm done trusting my life to Kanami! It wasn't just Serdra and Helmina who connected me to the future, but this me too! In other words, that means that everything from the 'Tenth Trial' to the 'Hundredth Trial' prepared in the labyrinth has ended up nicely! I'm not being metaphorical, but really, Kanami, you were totally game clear! Then that's enough for you: ....... It doesn't matter if you want to have a little fun in the time you have left: ......
No, no. No. It's not over yet. -- that Fafner brother is carefully guarding the last ten (...). As long as that one is left, you should be one of the people in the public eye, just like Uncle Seldra, and you should stand up for yourself. I think that's a fair game.
I can't--I can't stand up (・・・・・)
In response to the Reaper's appeasing motherly voice, the Lord of the World responded pathetically and immediately.
He refused to get up.
The lower half of his body still hadn't built up, as if that wasn't necessary.
I'm not going to be able to get out of the house.
I'm tired ...... of it. I've had a lot of hard times and I've been working hard for a long time until today. That's why I've had enough of the 'trials' and 'tribulations' and 'dueling' and 'curses' and all that ....... Really, I'm tired. I don't want to fight anymore, no matter what people say about me being a coward or a loser. I don't want to fight with anyone. I don't want to compete. I don't want to compete with anyone. I just want to read the rest of this happy story in the safety of Aikawa Uzumi (home). So--.
Read a fun book, even if it doesn't make you happy.
It may not make you happy, but it will make you happy.
--This is exactly what I've been looking for all along.
The Reaper must have come this far because he was determined to talk to Noi.
He feels determined to say what he wants to say to the rest of this 'story', even if it means laying down his life. However, Noi's answers to that are all weak.
'-- We're at the end of our rope (・・・・・・・),'
Noi laughs with tears in her eyes and shakes her head.
His unfocused eyes look exactly like mine when he's looking at Rustyala.
''So I have no desire to engage with this world except to read books. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable living with everyone else. If you're going to tell me that it's not fair for me to read in secret, then I'm already ......, I'm already ......, I'm--!
-Oh!
Noi's face rose from his prone position and their gazes met.
Immediately, the Reaper braced himself.
The one he is facing is the Guardian of the Ninety Layers (Guardian), the oldest 'Stealer of Dimensional Reason'. And the Lord of the World.
If it comes to a battle, he will burn up all the magic in his body.
That's what the Reapers would have come prepared to do--
I have to admit to losing: ......
It's not going to happen.
Noi bites her lip in frustration and surrenders to her Reaper opponent.
''Fighting that 'Shadow Adoring Reaper (Grim Lim Reaper)' is scary ....... Very scary......! So, I lose. I'm giving up on sneakily reading anymore. ...... was, just! And for the record, I've been known to lose! Not to brag, but as a loser, I'm a veteran! So really, from now on, I won't be reading anything at all!
......, huh?
As a loser, he absolutely submits to the words of the winner, the Reaper.
The Reaper is baffled by Noi, who slaps him with that not-so-losing discarded word.
Noi's surrender to Noi's supposedly overwhelmingly high ranking is made to look like he was prepared to - not.
'No, it's not that, ......, I'm giving you a daily routine with everyone else--'
Yeah. But I'm glad. Now there's no more reason for me and the Grim Reaper to quarrel with each other. After all, fighting is not good. It's scary and painful. It's a loss for everyone. It's a loss for all of us. This is not the kind of tense atmosphere I want for a peaceful holiday. I'm really sorry that I didn't follow the mood and did everything to distract you. Please let me apologize for that. I'm going to use my magic to make amends and apologize properly--
Noi is no longer looking at the Reaper.
That comes through loud and clear, even from a third party.
Even though her eyes are reflecting the Reaper, her brain doesn't recognize the other person.
Out of fear, she abandons communication with the other person and just continues to speak alone, only to the answers she gives.
She keeps apologizing.
They continue to be afraid.
You stare into the void as if you are hallucinating.
It's the same as my 'constriction'.
Even though the direction was different, it had the same 'curse' of 'the one that steals the reason for the dimension'.
That's why I don't interfere with the activation of Noi's magic and watch.
I'm not going to be the only one who can use that magic, so it's easy to 'counter magic' and to begin with, the source of her magic now is me. It's because I can stop her at any time, so I wanted to let her do as she pleased to the limit.
'- Me and Mr. Reaper never talked about this. There's no such thing as a fight. There's no reason for me and the Reaper to fight with each other. There was never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. Be a stranger to me. Pretend it never happened. "Pretend it never happened, pretend it never happened, pretend it never happened.
Wait, wait. I haven't been able to--
Dimensional magic, the Black Shift.
Leaving the surroundings behind, just one person selfishly convinced, one of the magic she is good at activates.
It's a magic that works on the [reason] of the world and pays off the waste (・・・・).
I judge that there is no danger at all, but Lee■i pales and puts a stop to it.
But even if he tries to listen to those words, ■i is in no condition to hear them.
The only thing that can be done is to make the effect of dimensional magic stronger, even if you could hear it. A guardian named Lee ■■■l (Guardian) has been entrusted with and managed the world under such conditions.
So, even if ■■■ reached out to him, it would never reach him.
You're going to have to make sure that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.
The resistance is out.
The next wizard would be able to continue to recognize the current version even after receiving this fill-in-the-blanket. But that's what makes it a judgement call, but this is not the target of the book.
--You'll be able to find out what you're looking for by going to ■■■■■■.
But it's not going to happen anymore.
They're going to be painted with the law on ■■■■■■.
■■ ■■ is ■■ and ■■■■■■■■■, ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ and ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■.