“What are you saying…?! That only I will survive? As long as Lord Uzunami fights with all his might, there’s no way you’ll lose, is there?! That ‘magic’! If you use that magic to alter the future, you’ll never lose!!”
Nosfy offers me words of encouragement for victory, responding to my abrupt declaration of defeat.
“No, I’m already using it. And this is the result… From now on, I will continue to apologize until I die… During that time, Nosfy, please continue to consider it, as you said in town before… Even just thinking about it would be enough…”
I state that my victory is no longer possible and continue speaking.
Nosfy, unable to comprehend my actions, points to Rustiara, who lies a short distance away, and scolds me in a raised voice.
“Apologizing won’t do any good! If you don’t fight, I can’t defeat you! If this continues, Rustiara will really die!? Are you abandoning Rustiara!? Is that okay!?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I’ll die with her then. It will be our loss, but Nosfy won’t disappear. So, it’s fine.”
“I, I don’t understand… What you’re saying… I haven’t understood it at all since earlier…!”
As long as Rustiara, who is currently pointed at, is safe, a counterattack is absolutely impossible. In the midst of this chaotic battle, Nosfy deliberately avoided attacking Rustiara. We cannot allow her gentle self to disappear while holding onto her ‘lingering desire.’
Of course, I am not trying to commit suicide now. Both Rustiara and I simply believe that if it’s Nosfy— We don’t intend to die. We believe that we can all return alive, ‘together,’ and find happiness with everyone, including Nosfy— we are betting our lives on a sliver of a chance.
“…Sorry. That was a bit hard to understand.”
I carelessly discard the sword at my waist onto the floor, apologizing to my best friend in my heart.
“Why, your sword—!?”
“…I will absolutely not fight Nosfy.”
“B-but, we are fighting right now!! As enemies! I am Lord Uzunami’s ‘greatest enemy’! —Light Arrow, Brynhildr!!”
As if to prove she is fighting, Nosfy generates a giant spear of light and throws it at me. When it comes, I don’t avoid it, nor do I counter with magic. I shield my head with both my arms and prepare to take it head-on.
The light spear pierces through, gouging the flesh of my right forearm and exposing bone. While healing the wound on my arm with incantation-less recovery magic, I smile. I didn’t dodge, yet the magic didn’t hit directly.
“…No. Nosfy is not the enemy. The ‘greatest enemy’ for me was myself. After seeing the memories from a thousand years ago and talking with Nosfy now, I’m convinced. If there was an enemy I had to defeat, it would be ‘Primordial Kanami’ from a thousand years ago, and certainly not Nosfy…!!”
“Th-that’s…! That’s just wordplay…! When we are actually fighting right now…!”
Nosfy becomes flustered seeing me still unwilling to fight. I feel as if her expression is gradually shifting from behind the scenes to center stage. As expected of Rustiara’s persuasion method. She tells me it’s not too early to give up on persuading.
However, I’m nearing my limit with just passive defense and no evasion, so I decide to convey my thoughts before I lose the ability to speak. Seeing so many possibilities makes me worry about many things.
“Nosfy, I’ve subtly asked Rainer for a favor. If Lasitara and I die, please cooperate with Rainer to save Ragune and Hidaki. Also, please live a new life with Hidaki. Even if you couldn’t be the best for your father, aim to be the best for Hidaki— live your life to the fullest and fulfill your ‘lingering desire’… Please, end it with a smile.”
“Don’t just… Don’t just go ahead with things! We’re not done fighting yet!”
Nosfy’s face turns pale at the discrepancy between our words, and her anxiety visibly accelerates. She shakes her head repeatedly, grits her teeth, and finally brightens her face and voice.
“…N-no, this is a threat! You’re threatening me, aren’t you!? That’s right! It’s a negotiation! This is a battle strategy, Lord Uzunami’s plan to conquer me!”
Nosfy stabs a flag of light into the ground and tightly grips a red sword with both hands. Then, she chooses the strongest power she possesses.
“In that case, what I should use is not magic! —True ‘magic’!”
The sword glows red. It’s likely the ultimate magic of the ‘Thief of the Law of Blood’ activating. Just seeing that red is enough to make my legs tremble and make me want to run away. The mere approach of its tip makes me want to scream and cry. The thought of its blade making contact makes me feel like I’ll go mad. However, I hold my ground.
“If it comes to that, even Lord Uzunami absolutely! Absolutely—!!”
Nosfy shouts as if to convince herself and points her sword straight ahead, charging at me. It’s a crude, crude thrust, questionable as either swordsmanship or even an attack. Even a child could easily dodge it. But if I dodge, Nosfy will get hurt. The highest priority right now is Nosfy. Not ‘myself’ or the ‘Destined Person,’ but ‘Nosfy Fuziaze.’ To make Nosfy believe that’s what I think, I don’t move. —And now, that ‘Principle’ of ‘Never Returning’ pierces my abdomen.
“Guh, uuu…!!”
I watch with my own eyes as the red sword is dyed anew by the red of my blood. I want to praise myself for accepting this terrifying sword without moving an inch. To me, who is smiling faintly, Nosfy’s mouth is contorted.
“Wh-why…! It’s not healing…! Lord Uzunami, this! This isn’t healing!?”
In a panic, Nosfy pulls the sword from my abdomen. A large amount of blood flows out from the wound. Seeing that, her expression, which had been composed as if facing an enemy, completely crumbles. Reaching the peak of her confusion, Nosfy frantically moves her eyes, pleading for help.
“Someone…! R-Rustiara-san! Lord Uzunami didn’t dodge for me! And then! Rustiara-san!!”
Her calling out to the person she just stabbed clearly shows how utterly confused she is. Rustiara herself is barely conscious from the heavy bleeding and cannot respond. In her stead, I answer.
“It’s a wound Fafnir can heal, so it’s fine… And even if it’s not in time, it’s not a problem. Rustiara and I are willing to die for you. We prioritize you. I accepted that sword knowing everything, so you don’t have to worry about anything…”
It’s not just Rustiara. I prioritize Nosfy over myself. Hearing my reply, Nosfy trembles. Her brow furrows to its limits, and she distances herself.
“Th-this is… This is crazy…! Both of you are crazy…!”
“No… we’re sane. We’ve been talking sanely the whole time. And from the bottom of our hearts, we truly mean it when we say we’re sorry. We want to apologize without any lies… Please believe at least that…!!”
I take a step forward to prove it. However, the wound in my abdomen is deep, and I can’t close the distance effectively. No matter how much I press my palm against the wound, I can’t stop the bleeding. One step assaults the inside of my abdomen as if being raked by a branding iron. Even if I can endure the pain, my body instinctively wants to stop. But I’m used to suppressing my body’s reflexes. I forcefully take a second step. I want to deliver the words of apology as close as possible. Seeing my second step, Nosfy shouts back, trying to stop me.
“I, I understand you want to apologize! I understand, and I already forgive you! So please, stop! Frankly, Lord Uzunami, you don’t need to apologize! I am a bad child, and in this world a thousand years later, I’ve done many bad things. I helped Titty and Aid, and troubled you. I used many people in Fuziaze and changed their hearts with magic. If you leave me as I am, my false peace will invade the world. I’ve done so many bad things that I can be called the worst enemy of this world! There’s absolutely no need to apologize to someone like me!!”
There’s no way I don’t need to apologize. However, the word “forgive” that escaped from Nosfy’s kindness makes my heart feel a little lighter. I lower my head slightly and savor the words I finally heard. All the while, Nosfy continues to desperately shout, trying to stop me.
“—Instead of apologizing, please fight me, your enemy! Hate me, loathe me, kill me! What Lord Uzunami should do is defeat evil! Defeat the worst enemy who steals people’s freedom with this light and spreads false happiness, the ‘Thief of the Principles of Light’! Only Lord Uzunami can do that! —More importantly, if you don’t defeat me right now, you two will die!! Lord Uzunami, you will die!?”
As I take my third step, I listen to Nosfy’s words. The blood rising from my stomach is a nuisance. However, I answer so as not to mistake my words. Now that I’ve received Nosfy’s words of forgiveness, this is the only time I can say it—
“You’re right… Indeed, I think Nosfy has become a bad child compared to a thousand years ago…”
“Yes, it’s all my fault! I am the bad enemy who should be defeated! So, right now—”
“But, it’s okay. Even if you’re a bad child, I’ll indulge you. —Because Nosfy is my ‘daughter’.”
I reiterate that she is my daughter, not missing the timing to forgive each other. I tell her she’s special. Even if Nosfy were to destroy the world, neither Rustiara nor I would fight her. Rather, we are ready to take her side. Nosfy is stunned by this overly broad way of distinguishing friend from foe. Moved by that, I take my fourth and fifth steps and shout.
“Ah, that’s all I wanted to say…! Even so, I prioritize Nosfy above all else! No matter what happens, we are allies…!”
And then, I extend my hand. Due to the fatal wound in my abdomen, my movement is clumsy. But my direction is never wrong. My hand is extended not towards the lying Rustiara, nor towards the wound in my abdomen, but towards Nosfy.
“I, I don’t believe you—! I—!!”
Nosfy recoils, as if to escape from me as I take my sixth, seventh, and eighth steps. Unbelieving of my outstretched hand, her eyes waver, and her lips tremble. Hoping she will believe me, I continue to take my ninth and tenth steps— and then, losing strength from my legs, I fall to my knees. Amidst the profuse bleeding, I praise Nosfy, who is in my blurring vision.
“…It’s Nosfy’s victory.”
It’s the limit. Everything, including my blood, is about to become empty. This is the result of continuous battles since daytime, and the repeated use of powerful magic like ‘Future Sight’ before the engagement. I have been hit by the elemental magic of the ‘Thieves of Principles’ unprotected on this 45th Floor. I will ‘display’ the results.
[Status]
Name: Aikawa Uzunami HP 4/543 MP 10/1514 Class: Explorer
Single digits remaining. Less than one percent of my life. Rather, taking these ten steps now is a miracle. Seeing me unable to move, Nosfy denies it in a weak voice.
“No, there’s no way Lord Uzunami could lose… Because Lord Uzunami is the strongest… There’s no way I could win… Absolutely…”
“With my ‘magic,’ there wasn’t a single future where I defeat Nosfy…”
Because, beyond winning or losing, I cannot fight Nosfy. We came this far, believing she would believe that. Believing we have a bond between us—
“Is it because I’m your ‘daughter’…? That’s absurd…! Because you have no obligation to think of me as your daughter! None at all!! I’m a ‘Magic Stone Human’ who was born by the Apostles’ scheme and one day just found myself alive! There’s no reason for you to think of me as your daughter! None at all!!”
Unexpected words come from Nosfy. There might have been a slight misunderstanding.
“No, Nosfy…. Being a ‘daughter’ isn’t the priority…! Before that, I want to help Nosfy, simply because you are Nosfy! That’s what I think!!”
The order is wrong. The first thing I thought was simply the desire to help Nosfy. ‘Daughter’ is just the final answer. I can’t let it end with that misunderstanding remaining.
“Nosfy, I’ve seen it… I’ve seen how hard Nosfy has worked. And I’ve seen what feelings you had when you were born and how you felt when we met. So—!”
From within the pool of blood, I stand up. Pushing my magic to its limit.
“E-even if you’ve seen the past, I’m not here anymore—”
“It’s okay, I see it now…! I see the current Nosfy! I won’t lose sight of you again! Never again!”
I force out my voice from my throat. And then, I take the eleventh step. Continuing on, I advance to the twelfth step, converting my remaining magic into a spell.
“Nosfy, I beg you. This is my last magic, so please take this hand—”
The match is already decided. It’s Nosfy’s victory. Therefore, no matter what happens, there can be no comeback— I beg her to allow me to cast magic under that premise, head-on. I stop pressing the wound with my hands. Then, I gather all the magic power remaining in my right arm and activate 《Distance Mute》. I extend my right arm, which glows faintly purple, towards her.
“Nosfy, I’m sorry I’m late… I’m truly sorry…”
It’s truly late. On Fuziaze’s 45th Floor, in the grand hall. I’ve finally returned to the place where Nosfy and I first met. It’s taken a long time, and although I know this place has only been remade, and it’s too late— I still want to apologize. I want to extend this hand. My body is covered in blood, and I can’t move another step. I’m on the brink of death, but I only think of Nosfy, look only at Nosfy, and reach out my hand towards Nosfy—.
“Lord Uzunami…”
Nosfy calls my name and raises her right hand, just like me. Trembling, slowly, with anxiety and trepidation. I place my hand on her outstretched hand. —《Distance Mute》 activates. However, with my meager magic and near-death body, the ‘connection’ generated is fragile. Therefore, only one thing reaches her. Only one.
“I want Nosfy to live. And I want you to be happy. Even if it costs me my life.”
I want to save her, even if it costs me my life. In this unreasonable world, I want to save Nosfy, who has been tormented by nightmares. Connecting our hearts, I convey only that. I tightly grip the hand of my ‘daughter,’ who is trying to commit suicide in pain, and continue to wish for her to live.
“Guh, uuu…!!”
Nosfy grits her teeth, letting out inarticulate cries from the back of her throat. I believe my feelings have been conveyed without misunderstanding. It’s not just the effect of the 《Distance Mute》 magic, but a sense of connection through the words I’ve painstakingly accumulated. And then, Nosfy’s voice swells. Her voice trembles endlessly, becomes hoarse, cracks— and emits a grinding lament.
“Uu, aaa— ah, ahhh, ahhh ahhh, ahhh AAAAAAAAAA—!”
At the end of it, Nosfy falls to her knees. She drops ‘Hermina’s Heart’ on the floor, which she was holding in her hand. Nosfy wasn’t cut by a sword. She wasn’t hit by magic. Yet, like me just moments ago, she can no longer stand. On the 45th Floor of Fuziaze Castle, I hurled only words, not attacks. The power of that discussion has finally reached her. Matching Nosfy, I, too, fall to my knees with my dying body. Our eye levels meet, and we see each other’s reflections in our pupils. We finally face each other. As if a parent and child are meeting for the first time. As if a girl has finally been born into the world and seen this bright world—
“Ah, ahh…. I….! I….”
Along with Nosfy’s voice, I hear the sound of the future changing. It’s the sound of a spinning coin falling. That coin flips from tails to heads—
“I, I want to… with Father…”
Words proving it are spoken from Nosfy’s lips. Simultaneously, a single tear falls from the corners of both our eyes. —We’ve arrived. For these titles, Rustiara and I risked our lives. I feel it converging on the branch of a successful ‘future.’ By continuing to believe in the bond with Nosfy until the brink of death, I have drawn forth the best outcome. That future. A future where everyone is happy ‘together’ with the rising sun. It has now solidified.
“I also… with Father…! With everyone, in truth…!!”
I’ve reached Nosfy. She has come to believe me. I’ve gained a bond. After all, the battle didn’t happen. We were able to talk until the end. And what made it possible wasn’t strength. It wasn’t emotional growth. —It was a fundamental ‘change’ in my existence. Yes, I was able to change. I overcame my innate bad habits and, without succumbing to the ‘Thief of Principles of Dimensions’ or the ‘Price,’ I followed the path I chose. I corrected that worst possible ‘Aikawa Uzunami’ with my own power. That’s why Nosfy is now holding my hand. She’s forgiving this ‘enemy’ who was the worst. I feel proud, and my eyes and mouth curve. It was truly worth being brave. It was precisely because I bravely faced it without fear and risked my life that I obtained this supreme outcome. Therefore, I want to express my gratitude. To her, who brought me courage—
“—Tch.”
The moment her face floats into my mind. I hear her tongue click. —A lapse in vigilance. Undoubtedly, the cause was 《Dimension – Decisive Calculation (Prelude)》. Because I can see the future, I, who was so wary of openings after battle, let slip words of self-praise that were utterly meaningless. Because this is the end, because there are no other enemies, because I confirmed it with ‘Future Sight,’ because I entered a future of complete success— I praised myself— She precisely exploits that opening. Next is tomorrow. In three hours. I could post them consecutively, but there’s a risk that some readers might skip them… I apologize.
