I used to be known for how close I was with my sister, Hidaki.
Not that we never quarreled.
In my childhood, I challenged Hidaki countless times.
I lost again and again in our many matches.
She probably doesn’t know about my losing streak. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I challenged her on my own and kept losing all by myself. There’s no way she’d know.
I think the first time I consciously vied with her was during the training to freely produce tears, a fundamental for actors.
At that time, Hidaki was half my age but surpassed her older brother. Judging solely by practice time, I believe it was less than a tenth of my own. It was around this time that I began to vaguely realize my sister was not ordinary. But I tried hard to ignore it, thinking I’d somehow win someday. I was lost in a child’s fleeting dream.
We competed many times.
Starting with actor’s drills, then evaluations in extracurricular activities, general studies that anticipated the future, and regularly scheduled physical ability tests. Then, there was everything trivial in daily life. How much attention our parents paid us. Ultimately, I even competed with myself over who would be spoken to first by Mother in the morning. I admit it was a bit unhealthy.
Still, as a child, I desperately wanted to receive my parents’ undivided affection, even if it meant pushing my sister aside.
I wanted to be my father’s and mother’s “First Place.”
But in the end, I never won.
I even lost in physical ability, where I should have had an overwhelming advantage due to my age.
While I panted for breath, Hidaki was always praised with a cool expression beside me.
She received immense praise from her private tutor, as if she were a historical prodigy. In fact, she was a historical prodigy and a biological one as well…
In short, I challenged her again and again, losing, losing, losing, and kept losing.
My spirit was meticulously broken. I withdrew and was driven to the brink of suicide. I recovered thanks to my childhood friend, Ragune, but… if I hadn’t met her, I wouldn’t be alive today.
After that, I reconciled with Hidaki and vowed never to challenge her again.
The catalyst was our parents’ disappearance.
The siblings were left alone.
There was only one option.
Knowing I could never defeat Hidaki, I decided to stand beside her instead of in front of her.
As long as I didn’t challenge her, I would no longer lose. More importantly, during that time, I would be needed by Hidaki, my family. I would have family. I would finally be loved by family and be able to love family. I would obtain the precious things I longed for. So, this would be fine. This was fine…
—Or so I acknowledged.
That was the moment I completely admitted my defeat.
Simultaneously, it was the moment I decided to live as my sister’s “ideal older brother.”
I don’t think this is an uncommon story.
To varying degrees, all children experience moments where their omnipotence is denied and they must face reality. In my case, my unfairly gifted sister was a significant factor. It’s the same for everyone.
—What I want myself to understand from this story is a simple “Principle.”
The “Principle” that “Aikawa Uzunami cannot win against Aikawa Hidaki.”
Or rather, the fundamental principle that no one can win against the existence of Aikawa Hidaki.
The fact that I dared to challenge Hidaki with “courage” this time was itself a miracle.
Therefore, the ending of that contest was inevitable.
Though we called it “Talks” or “Family Meeting,” it was effectively a “Sibling Squabble.”
Naturally, the result was—
My defeat.
The mainland’s Great Holy Capital was frozen solid.
Fuziaze Castle froze, shattered, and vanished into the sky.
The citizens that Nosfy, the “Thief of the Principles of Light,” tried to save were all frozen, entering eternal slumber.
Fuziaze had defended itself from the invasion by Fafnir, the “Thief of the Law of Blood,” and Ragune, the “Thief of the Principles of the Moon,” but a few hours later, it was thoroughly annihilated and reborn by the hands of Hidaki, the “Thief of the Principles of Water.”
—That is the “memory” I have.
I can only confirm this within dreams.
When I wake up, I forget everything.
It’s the usual thing.
I already know, and I’m used to it.
In the next instant, everything ceases to have happened.
Cooled by magical frigid air, my memories are frozen.
Frozen, frozen, frozen.
This “now” will never move again.
In other words, I’m in a state where I cannot recall or replay.
And I am forcibly returned, frozen by magic. With a sensation like my body is gradually turning into ice, I wake up trembling.
Not at the ruins of the Great Holy Capital turned into a snowfield, but on the eighty-first floor of the Allied Nations’ Labyrinth.
Not from dream to reality—but from reality to dream.
Again and again. Until I give up.
—I am returned.
“—Dangerous, Kanami! —Flame Arrow!!”
A white beam of light passes just to my left.
My left eye is blinded, my left arm is scorched, and my left eardrum is nearly ruptured.
Followed by a shockwave hitting my entire body.
With a sensation like my brain was being directly grasped and shaken, my daydream completely ended.
The memories just before vanish like an illusion, and I can’t recall anything.
Analyzing the loss of my memories calmly, I look around.
I am standing on a cobblestone street mixed with sand.
Looking around, I see stone buildings that speak of history, now in ruins. Above, in the cavernous ceiling, wind howls with the sound of a conch shell. Ruins that hint at some form of civilization were characteristic of the eighty-first floor of this Labyrinth.
“Kanami! I understand how you feel, but you’ve been spacing out too much lately!”
And now, I am being admonished by Dia, who has shaved off a piece of the ruins with her “Flame Arrow.” Nearby, the giant quadrupedal monster, Helk Behemoth (Rank 79), which provoked Dia’s wrath by nearly hitting me with its attack, has its upper body obliterated and is fading into light.
“Even though we’ve gotten stronger, we’re not invincible! We need to maintain the same sense of urgency we had in the past…!!”
The girl who had created a terrifying disaster with terrifying magic was now angrily scolding, cute for her age and gender.
“Sorry, you saved me. As expected of Dia’s Flame Arrow…”
“Well, covering from behind is my role… Geez, Kanami, you’re hopeless…”
When I apologized, Dia shrugged her shoulders with a sigh and forgave me very easily.
Honestly, I should have been lectured for at least an hour for daydreaming in the Labyrinth. But she didn’t press the issue.
From her demeanor, I understood that Dia was happy to be in a position to protect me. This, fighting actively in Labyrinth Exploration, was one of her dreams. It might not be unreasonable to be a little overjoyed.
However, in place of the overjoyed Dia, her sister, Hitaki, speaks the uncomfortable truth.
“Older Brother, you’re incredibly pathetic. You’re completely relying on Dia now.”
She tries to scold my sloppiness, but Dia interrupts before she can.
“No, no, Hitaki! Kanami has been fighting on the front lines alone for so long! Anyone can let their guard down a little once in a while! We’ve advanced twenty floors today already! It’s about time our concentration starts to waver!”
“…Hmph. With this formation where Dia will shield you from anything, you’ll only end up falling further, Older Brother.”
“It’s not like I’ll shield you from *anything*… But since I forcefully invited Kanami to the Labyrinth today, I’ll allow this much… right?”
The support was appreciated.
However, I felt like I was approaching the dreaded “kept man” state of old, so I renewed my resolve.
“No, Dia. It was my fault just now. I was thinking about something else while we were fighting and completely lost focus… I’ll be careful next time. I’m truly sorry.”
“Is that so… If Kanami says so…”
Hitaki couldn’t sway Dia, but with my words, she yielded easily.
Faced with such a sweet scene, Hitaki’s eyes grew colder.
As if to escape her cold gaze, I suggested,
“But, as Dia said, my concentration is starting to drop, isn’t it…? We’ve already advanced twenty floors, so why don’t we head back to the surface soon? Let’s call it a day and rest.”
“That’s right, Kanami! My magic power is also dwindling, and we’ve achieved our goal… Alright, that’s it for today! Head back to the surface and get some good rest!”
Dia immediately agreed, but Hitaki’s eyes remained cold.
“…Hmph. How Older Brother has managed his Labyrinth Exploration up until today… I truly understand this scene perfectly. Yes, I perfectly understand how Older Brother has deceived, beguiled, and exploited an innocent girl.”
“You’re making me sound terrible… I-I want to say that, but when I think back to myself in the beginning, it’s painful that I can’t deny it…”
“In the beginning? I’ve heard about that period, so I’ll forgive you. Apparently, you had almost no memories and didn’t know which way was up.”
“Yeah. In the beginning, I didn’t understand anything, my level was low, and it was really tough…”
Remembering being summoned into the Labyrinth at Level 1, I deeply felt the luck that had allowed me to survive until today. Dia seemed to feel the same way, muttering, “I remember those days. I was Level 1 back then too…”
Raking through my memories, I recalled the Status I had when I was close to death on the first floor.
[Status]
Name: Aikawa Uzunami HP 4/51 MP 72/72 Class:
Level 1
Strength 1.01 Stamina 1.03 Dexterity 1.01 Speed 2.02 Intelligence 4.00 Magic Power 2.00 Aptitude 7.00
[Status]
Name: Diablo Sis HP 39/52 MP 431/431 Class: Swordsman
Level 1
Strength 0.59 Stamina 1.12 Dexterity 0.92 Speed 0.88 Intelligence 1.34 Magic Power 23.25 Aptitude 5.00
I believe that was about right.
Dia and I started at Level 1, gradually accumulating Experience Points, and Leveling Up. Now, our Levels and Statuses are–
[Status]
Name: Aikawa Uzunami HP –/– MP 2834/2982 Class:
Level 52
Strength 30.54 Stamina 35.22 Dexterity 43.19 Speed 58.72 Intelligence 50.83 Magic Power 176.26 Aptitude 10.21
[Status]
Name: Diablo Sis HP 741/741 MP 3412/3412 Class: Explorer
Level 59
Strength 15.13 Stamina 13.55 Dexterity 9.49 Speed 10.89 Intelligence 39.91 Magic Power 177.24 Aptitude 5.00
It’s incomparable.
The struggles of those days seem like a lie. We, who were once near death on the first floor, have finally reached the eighty-first floor.
“Then, shall we go back? I’ll create an exit with the remaining magic power. –Magic: Connection.”
A magical door was created in the corridor by Hitaki’s hand, and the three of us passed through it.
Beyond it was the surface.
However, instead of the familiar entrance of the Labyrinth, we emerged in a place surrounded by unfamiliar greenery.
In the midst of vast nature, not buried by pure white snow, I looked around and murmured,
“Huh? Where is this…?”
“–Ancestor. This is the grand garden of the Aleis family.”
Then, an elderly swordsman appeared from between the nearby trees and answered my question.
His hair was white, his beard long, and he was heavily wrinkled, but his gaze was sharp. His attire was stiff, like that of an aristocrat, and he wore a single sword at his waist. I had never spoken to him directly, but I knew his name.
But before I could utter his name, Dia shouted.
“Old Man Aleis! You waited for me!?”
The elderly knight responded with a wide grin.
“Haha. It’s just a coincidence, a coincidence. I happened to be passing by and felt an incredible surge of magic, so I stopped by.”
The moment he changed his way of speaking, I felt a youthful vigor emanating from the old man. His sharp gaze and vitality that seemed to transcend age marked him as Fenrir Aleis, the current head of the Aleis family.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Hitaki explained.
“Dia lives with the Aleis family. It’s more convenient to head straight here, as it saves us a lot of trouble.”
Hitaki seemed to have many “Connections” within the Allied Nations, and had chosen the most suitable location from them. However, I wished she had given me a heads-up before we went through the door.
Faced with the old man who was likely Dia’s guardian, I felt unprepared. Therefore, after bowing deeply, I managed a very clumsy greeting.
“Um, uh… Well, thank you for always taking care of Dia. Mr. Fenrir Aleis…”
However, in response to my humble demeanor, Fenrir bowed even deeper.
“Shiso-sama…! Please, don’t be so formal. It makes things difficult for us. You are the ‘Shiso’ of our revered Revannism and the ‘Sword Saint’ whom the Aleis family should emulate. Please, raise your head.”
“No…! I’m more like cheating, or a person from another world… In any case, I’m definitely not the person who should be called ‘Shiso’ or ‘Sword Saint’ in this era, so please address me by my name! And please, adjust your tone!”
“–It’s one of the few pleasures of my remaining days to see Shiso-sama flustered. So I can’t stop. I really can’t.”
“Huh? Ehhh…?”
Realizing I had been teased from beginning to end, I groaned with a troubled expression. Just as I was attempting to perform as the ‘Ideal’ hero, Dia scolded me.
“Kanami, you’re being too respectful just because he’s older! Old Man Aleis said he doesn’t need that, so just interact with him more casually!”
“Indeed. I have no need for clumsy etiquette. I’ve heard enough flattery elsewhere.”
I had known Fenrir was that kind of person from the start. Like his ancestor, Rowen Aleis, he was a training fanatic and unfamiliar with aristocratic customs—or rather, he was likely bored with them. A casual ‘Past Sight’ of his body and the magic power he emitted would reveal as much.
And Hitaki, who understood him as well as I did, began to extort him with a very pleasant smile.
“So, Grandpa. Since I’ve come to visit after so long, please give me some pocket money. He’s a cute friend who’s like a grandchild, you know?”
“Haha. Well, Hitaki-chan, you certainly know how to get to the point. Then, today, I’ll give you my famous sword.”
“…Hmph. A sword? It’s… alright. I’ll exchange it for money later.”
“You’re incredible… Receiving a gift from the head of a great noble family and then sighing right in front of him…”
“I’m often told that.”
Hitaki, having received the sword Fenrir wore at his waist, responded in a way that pleased him. Amidst their pleasant banter, a shout from afar approached.
“Ka-na-mi-samaaaaaaaa!
A girl with blond twin-tails, clad in a shining, dress-like outfit, ran across the garden at a full dash that belied her attire. Along the way, she removed the hat and veil from her head. Revealing her beautiful face, she reached me.
“Kanami-sama, you’re here! I, Franryure Helvirshine, have dreamed of this day every night! –Lord Aleis! If Kanami-sama was here, you should have told me too! That’s unfair! It’s not gentlemanly!”
“Haha, you too? Lately, everyone is so unafraid of me, it really makes me feel younger…”
Fenrir looked genuinely amused at the appearance of Franryure Helvirshine. In contrast, Franryure, after voicing her complaint, spoke quickly to me alone.
“Hey, never mind that heartless person over there for now! –Kanami-sama! It’s fortunate you are here! I am currently studying swordsmanship at the Aleis estate… Please, I implore you, the current ‘Sword Saint’ Kanami-sama, to teach me! Right now! Here, today! Please! Please, please, please!!”
Franryure, though dressed in proper noble attire, wore a sword at her waist. It was a piece no less remarkable than the famous sword Hitaki had just received.
It was likely true that she was training at the Aleis estate. However, she wasn’t the only one, as Dia, looking somewhat sad, interjected.
“Eh, Fran… Weren’t we supposed to have secret training together today…?”
It seemed there was a prior engagement with Dia. But Franryure, not paying attention, pressed on with her rapid-fire plea. I’ve thought this for a while, but she truly is a girl who believes the world revolves around her.
“More importantly, Dia! You went to the labyrinth with Kanami-sama, didn’t you! Without telling your best friend! How could you! Was our friendship between you and me only worth that little!?”
“Well, I did go… But, you can’t even keep up in the deeper parts of the labyrinth, so there was no point in telling you. I heard from Rainer that your limit is around the twentieth floor.”
“Even so, please tell me! I was ready to follow you secretly!”
“I knew it… That’s why I didn’t tell you. I had a feeling you’d say that…”
Their conversation revealed they had deepened their bond without my knowledge. What’s more, their relationship was so deep that the term “best friends” was easily used.
It felt as if time had skipped and I was the only one left behind—but there was something that bothered me more than that.
Unable to leave that unmissable part unattended, I interrupted their cheerful conversation.
“Franryure, that—”
“—Ah! What is it!? Kanami-sama!!”
Franryure reacted faster than anyone else to the voice and clasped my hands with both of hers.
“No, it’s nothing major… I just felt like your tone of voice was a little different than before…”
“Ah, that! I didn’t want to change it, but everyone around me insisted. I thought it was about time for me to settle down, so I changed it completely!”
“I see… I see. You can’t stay the same forever, I guess…”
I felt a strange sense of lingering attachment.
I never got used to Franryure’s “desu wa!” lady-like tone, and I found it difficult… but I didn’t dislike it. I certainly didn’t dislike it.
Amidst that small sense of loss, Franryure tightened her grip on my hands and invited me again.
“More importantly, Kanami-sama! About the swordsmanship lesson—”
“No, I told you it’s no. Fran, you’ll have to make do with me. Kanami was on the front lines alone until the eighty-first floor of the labyrinth. We just decided he’s taking a break today.”
It was a casual remark from Dia, but Franryure, who resided in the Aleis mansion, and Fenrir were shocked by it.
“E-Eighty-first floor…?!” No matter that Dia doesn’t lie…!”
“Eighty…? If I recall, that young boy Glen was around thirty, wasn’t he…?”
In the Allied Nations’ perception, anything beyond the tenth floor was the realm of monsters.
Anything past the twentieth floor was supposed to be the domain of heroes.
Hearing that he was more than three times further, Franryure fell silent and became as quiet as a frightened cat.
“…Kanami-sama, I apologize. I got a little carried away.”
She took a step back. At the same time, I felt a slight distance grow between us, so I leaned forward to match that distance and replied.
“No, I don’t mind teaching you a little swordsmanship…”
“No! I’ll make do with Sir Aleis as usual! Come to think of it, I haven’t even grasped the basics that Kanami-sama could teach me yet! Please take care of yourself for your own objectives, Kanami-sama!”
Franryure stood beside Fenrir, clenching her teeth in frustration.
However, the master of the great noble house standing beside her offered a wry smile.
“Hey, ‘Sir Aleis’… you know, it’s a real honor to be taught by me, right? If you weren’t the prized child of the Helvirshine family, you wouldn’t normally even be able to meet me?”
The noble House of Aleis is counted among the Four Great Noble Families of the Allied Nations.
In this world, the influence of royalty is low, so he, as the head of one of the Four Great Houses, is one of a handful of powerful individuals.
Perhaps it’s because she’s not intimidated by Fenrir that she’s become friends with Dia like this. Most people tend to see a resemblance to Apostle Sis in Dia and can’t carry on a normal conversation.
…
Speaking of which, Sis…
She’s not here anymore, is she…?
“Fran! Let’s go! We can’t waste a single second if we want to get stronger!”
“You’re motivated, Dia… Well then, let’s go. Oh, and Sir Aleis, you too.”
“I’m the one who said ‘it’s fine to be friendly,’ but you guys should show a little more respect to your instructor…”
And then, the three turned their eyes towards a cleared area in a corner of the garden. It was likely the Aleis family’s swordsmanship training ground. As they parted ways, they each offered greetings: “See you later, Kanami and Hitaki!”, “I look forward to the chance to meet you again,” and “Well then, excuse us. Shiso-sama, Imouto-kimi-sama.” They then walked away side-by-side.
During their walk, Dia and Franryure chatted with smiles.
Fenrir watched them like a parent. Even without a blood connection, their back showed a very warm relationship.
After seeing the three off, Hidaki pulled my hand and headed towards the garden exit.
“Well then, shall we head back? To our home.”
“Yeah, let’s…”
We started walking side-by-side.
However, the mansion where the head of one of the Four Great Noble Families was staying was vast and difficult to navigate. As we strolled leisurely through the elegant garden, a light melody drifted from afar.
This time it wasn’t a bell. It was a thinner, higher, and longer sound.
“…? Is that a harp? And there are some strange instruments mixed in.”
Just as Hidaki identified the musical instruments, we spotted a group playing in the vast garden. They weren’t playing a continuous song but repeating specific timbres. Judging by their skill, they were likely a band employed by the Aleis family. They were probably practicing something they were going to perform at an event in this garden.
We walked on, observing them from a distance.
“The melody is beautiful. It’s no inferior to our world. While I can understand the harp, there’s something that sounds like a shamisen too. A thousand years ago, we… no, perhaps it’s Tiara’s fault who laid the foundation for the Allied Nations?”
“Even if the cause was us, Tiara must have been the one to spread it. However, with Tiara incorporating so much Japanese culture, it feels as if we’ve already returned to our original world. This Aleis mansion is like a European tourist attraction. Except for that shamisen-like thing.”
“Come to think of it, that’s true…”
The large garden of the Aleis family estate has strong Western characteristics. Looking far into the distance, an antique mansion stands. I feel like I’ve seen a similar scene on a TV show introducing World Heritage sites.
“That child left everything we taught her to the world… A thousand years ago was truly a long journey, but I feel it wasn’t in vain.”
“A thousand-year long journey… Hey, Hidaki. Did Tiara often hear about the other world from us?”
“Yes, she was very curious. You must have heard a lot during your travels, Older Brother.”
But now, I don’t understand.
What did I hear from Tiara, and what did I teach her…
On the way back, I continue to ask questions.
“…Hidaki. What kind of person was Tiara?”
“Perhaps as a reaction to being bedridden for so long, she was a very energetic— no, a very noisy girl. But thanks to that, it was always fun.”
“So… what kind of relationship did Tiara and we have?”
“You were called Master. We were colleagues who taught each other magic. She and I were best friends.”
“Besides stories about the other world, do you remember what else you talked about with Tiara?”
“…When you ask what kind of stories, I’d say they were just normal girl talk.”
“Then, why did Tiara accompany us from a thousand years ago—”
As I continued to pepper her with questions, Hidaki’s expression gradually changed.
And by the time we left the Aleis mansion and reached the inn we were using, she refused to answer any more questions, shaking her head.
“…Haa, Older Brother. Wouldn’t there be a better way than asking me? With your current abilities, can’t you see everything with ‘Past Sight’? From this land, her entire life?”
Instead, she offered a better solution.
It was ‘Past Sight.’
Specifically, Dimensional Magic, Dimensional War Calculation “Prologue.”
“Eh… Is it okay to see…?”
I hesitated slightly.
It goes against human reason and invades the privacy of many people.
“It’s about something from a thousand years ago. And about someone who is already dead. Who would complain if we try to remember their character with a sense of mourning?”
Hidaki lightly told me that it was alright as long as it was done with a spirit of remembrance.
“More importantly, now, here— you will be able to understand Tiara clearly. In fact, this is your only chance, Older Brother.”
She pressed on, giving her full endorsement, even encouragement.
“But…”
Still, I was worried.
Even though I had shaken off many anxieties, this was something I hesitated to do. Was it really okay to recall Tiara now, here…
Sensing my worry, Hidaki added a touch of jest.
“That expression… are you planning to peek at Tiara’s lewd moments? Is that why you’re hesitating?”
“I-I would never… Doing something like that would make my heart ache.”
“I’m sure it would. You’re a gentleman. …Although I’d call you a chicken too.”
“…That’s enough. I won’t ask you about Tiara. I’ll remember her by myself.”
Realizing I would only be teased further, I turned my back to Hidaki and headed towards my own room.
“Yes, that would be best. It’s better to see it for yourself than for me to explain, as it avoids misunderstandings.”
“…When you hear things secondhand, biases inevitably get mixed in.”
I agreed with the voice coming from behind me.
“Well then, Older Brother. I’ll call you again when it’s dinner time.”
“Ah, see you then.”
We exchanged greetings at parting and entered our respective rooms.
And so, I returned.
The next morning, I woke up— in a room that was neither beautiful nor dirty.
Immediately, I moved to the center of the room.
Then, to begin the great magic, I started weaving the incantations. In the center of the room, I deployed magic power of the dimensional attribute, carving a magic circle in the air. The magic circle moved like a living creature, expanding, multiplying, and penetrating the ground beneath the inn.
The purpose of this magic was singular.
It wasn’t for ‘Tiara Fuziaze,’ who lived on this continent.
Instead of what I had discussed with Hidaki, I was about to cast ‘Past Sight’ on something else.
The location was also fitting.
This was the Allied Nations. Likely the center of the “Shaka” from a thousand years ago.
In other words, the place where the countries existed a thousand years ago.
From those countries, I focused my consciousness on Fuziaze.
The purpose of the magic was ‘Aikawa Uzunami’ and ‘Aikawa Hidaki.’ Two ‘Foreigners.’
I wanted to see— how the two were summoned a thousand years ago, met Tiara in the country of Fuziaze— and what my sister and I did from there.
I decided to do so, without being swayed by Hidaki’s words.
“Let’s confirm. One by one… —Dimensional Magic, Dimensional War Calculation “Prologue”.”
As the magic circle multiplied, the room filled with characters, and the light of the magic power blurred the world.
—The magic ‘Past Sight’ succeeded without issue.
My consciousness was pulled from the dimension of “now” to the dimension of “past.”
And then, I saw.
Fuziaze, a small country surrounded by mountains.
The important characters who lived there a thousand years ago.
‘Aikawa Uzunami.’
‘Aikawa Hidaki.’
‘Apostle Sis.’
‘Apostle Diplakla.’
‘Apostle Legacy.’
‘Tiara Fuziaze.’
The meeting of those six.
The very beginning of the story.
From there, I began to re-watch it.
