After the semifinals, I split from Rustiara and the others immediately.
Compared to my time with Kanami, my trust in Christ was deeper after recalling his memories, and Rustiara and the others followed my instructions without requiring any detailed explanations.
Ignoring my body’s demand for rest, I exited through the opposite side of Rustiara. Then, passing through the corridor, I reached the waiting room where Reaper was waiting.
“Big brother, congratulations. You’ve finally regained the truth.”
Reaper congratulated me with an innocent smile.
However, I couldn’t honestly rejoice in it.
Recalling my memories served as a constant alarm, reminding me of past failures.
I could sense the hidden intentions behind her congratulations.
The emotions conveyed through our Connection told me that Reaper and I were incompatible.
I realized that the girl before me was a formidable enemy, comparable to Palinkron.
“Ah. Thank you, Reaper. It was a tough memory to recall, but I’m glad I got it back. It’s all thanks to you helping me.”
“Heehee, that’s good. Now you won’t mistake your wish, big brother!”
Reaper smiled happily.
However, I mustn’t be deceived by her childlike appearance and adorable smile.
I couldn’t be certain, but I could make a guess.
Perhaps Reaper gained more than just emotions through our Connection.
And no one ever said the number of Connections was limited to one.
By creating a large number of Connections, Reaper could potentially learn from the experiences and emotions of many people simultaneously. If there was no upper limit to Connections, her subjects could be all the citizens of Laura Via country. In other words, she might be able to gain hundreds of years of experience in just a few days.
Laura Via has many acquaintances of Palinkron. It’s possible Reaper learned by reading the powers and memories of Palinkron through the Connections of many people. There are signs that this is the case.
This is probably why Reaper exhibits behavior unbefitting her age.
“Now I won’t have to make the wrong wish. I made it this far thanks to you pushing me on the night of that dragon subjugation. Thank you so much.”
“No, I didn’t do anything. I’m completely preoccupied with my own matters.”
Reaper seems to have done nothing.
She truly just pushed me from behind.
I thought her methods were remarkably similar to Palinkron’s.
Perhaps it’s not just about Connections.
From what I heard yesterday, Reaper said, “I helped Rustiara search for people.”
When was that?
Did Reaper notice the abnormalities in everyone’s bodies, including her own, from the very first day?
On that day, Reaper flew around the country without sleep to collect magic power and gather information.
That’s when she must have met Rustiara and the others.
And who was she looking for?
Rustiara was looking for Palinkron.
Since she had already found me, her protected subject, she must have wanted to confirm the enemy next.
Reaper used Dimensional Magic《Dimension》 to help Rustiara’s search.
As a result, Rail’s residence was reduced to ruins, and Palinkron fled abroad. Reaper may have been present at that battle. This means she very likely came into contact with Palinkron.
“So, now that you’ve regained your memories, what are you going to do, big brother?”
Just that alone made my anxiety linger.
Reaper’s wish is “to protect Rowen.”
Through our Connection, I know that this feeling is not a lie.
That’s precisely why Reaper and I can never be compatible.
She probably always resented me, who possessed the power to erase Rowen.
Therefore, Reaper has consistently acted with the sole aim of expelling me from the Allied Nations. She ingrained in me the idea that I could do nothing without my memories. She encouraged Snow’s independence, put her own matters aside, and helped me recover my memories. Finally, she whispered that Rowen didn’t need me and even brought up my sister’s safety.
All of it was to distance me, whom she found so detestable, from Rowen.
“I’m going to meet Snow and talk to her.”
I carefully observed Reaper’s reaction as I brought up the subject.
“Sister Snow… But, is that okay? Didn’t you want Sister Snow to resolve the Walker family’s issues through her own power?”
“Ah, that’s right… But it’s cruel to leave without saying anything, isn’t it? I should at least talk to her one last time.”
“Leave—… Right. It might be better to talk at least once. You need to chase after Palinkron without any worries, don’t you?”
“Ah. But you know quite a lot about Palinkron. Who told you?”
“… Mr. Rail. I was there when Rowen heard about Kanami’s past from Mr. Rail. That’s why I know that the person named Palinkron is the one who sealed my memories.”
“I see. So that’s why you know so much about my past.”
I spoke with as little emotion as possible, without overthinking.
Reaper was probably the same. If we let our emotions run high, they would be transmitted to the other party due to our Connection.
I, who gained experience up until the Christmas festival.
The Grim Reaper, who gained hundreds of years of experience.
The two who met on the 30th floor, pure and innocent, are no longer here.
Both of us are full of lies and contradictions.
Yet, we continued our conversation without changing our expressions.
“But, are you alright physically? Even though your memory has returned, isn’t it okay to rest for a few days before rushing?”
“No, I want to chase Palinkron immediately. So, I’m going now.”
“I see. If you want to chase after that person, Palinkron… I understand…”
“Reaper, my magic power is completely depleted. Could you use《Dimension》 to find Snow for me?”
“… Mm, understood. – Let’s see, Sister Snow is currently on a medical ship in the west area.”
“Thank you. …Let’s hurry.”
After a slight pause, Reaper found Snow for me.
Knowing her location, I immediately started walking.
Reaper followed behind me.
I knew that without looking.
Reaper was observing my every move.
Her sharp gaze continued to pierce my back.
Still, I continued walking cautiously and calmly, conserving my magic power as I headed towards the west area.
Then, I boarded the medical ship. Using my title as Guild Master of Epic Seeker, I made my way to Snow’s hospital room.
I made Reaper wait on the ship’s deck.
I insisted on talking to Snow alone, and she reluctantly agreed. However, if she forcefully expanded《Dimension》, she would be able to see everything inside. I couldn’t be completely at ease.
I resolved myself to the fact that I absolutely could not fail to persuade Snow, and walked on.
And then, in front of Snow’s hospital room—there, I was reunited with Teiri of Epic Seeker.
“Kanami-kun…?”
She must have been there to look after Snow.
Even though my memories had returned, the memories I spent with Epic Seeker had not disappeared. I spoke to her with mixed feelings.
“Teiri-san…”
“…Ah, I’m so glad! You came!”
Teiri’s gloomy face brightened.
My appearance here must have been unexpected.
There seemed to be an equal mix of joy and surprise.
“Yes. I wanted to talk to Snow one last time…”
“…I see. So, this is goodbye then?”
“Yes.”
Whether this would be the end, I didn’t know.
However, with Reaper nearby, I decided to proceed with the conversation in that direction.
“Kanami-kun, please… Understand Snow… She was also doing her best. She fought with all her might in her own way!!”
Teiri defended Snow.
Her demeanor was like that of a sister protecting her younger sibling.
Perhaps Teiri thought this was my last chance to speak with me. She earnestly recounted Snow’s past.
“…In the past, Snow used《Dragonization》 and got serious three times. But each time, it resulted in the worst outcome. The first time, she destroyed her hometown. The second time, she killed the ‘Hero’ she admired. The third time, her best friend who had escaped with her died. And this is the fourth time. She must think she made another mistake… that she lost something precious…”
I had vaguely understood it.
Snow’s life was a life of mistakes.
Because of her repeated errors, she had given up on everything.
If I had made just a few wrong turns, I might have ended up the same way.
“Please, Kanami-kun. Aren’t you a ‘Hero’? Please save Snow… If Snow isn’t saved here, no one will be rewarded… No one…”
“…I’m sorry. I cannot do that. Because I am not a ‘Hero’.”
I denied it clearly.
Upon hearing this, Teiri looked down with great disappointment.
Teiri knew I disliked ‘Heroes.’ Nevertheless, she wanted me to be Snow’s ‘Hero.’
“…Then, what are you to Snow?”
“I am… I’ve come to speak with her as Snow’s ‘Partner’…”
If I wasn’t mistaken, at the beginning, Snow and I could have become partners.
Back then, if Snow hadn’t clung to me, she wouldn’t have seen me as a ‘Hero.’ Thinking that relationship itself was ideal, I proclaimed myself her partner.
Now that my memories have returned, I genuinely wish to be Snow’s partner.
Leaving Teiri, who meekly nodded, “So, a partner…”, I opened the door to Snow’s room.
I entered the room.
“Snow—”
It was a room of pure white.
A luxurious white bed, white-themed furniture.
A large white curtain swayed by the window.
Snow was looking out the window, her hair caressed by the curtain.
She was gazing at the endless blue sky, seemingly blinded by its brilliance.
As if truly dazzled.
