The magic of “Past Sight” turned the pages.
The protagonist of the story written there was not “Aikawa Uzunami,” but “Tiara Fuziaze.”
What I’m seeking now…
The heart of “Aikawa Hidaki,” which has remained closed for a thousand years.
The death of “Rustiara Fuziaze,” connected for a thousand years.
These two reasons are absolutely impossible for “Aikawa Uzunami” to find.
And, in accordance with that change, the angle from which the prologue is viewed shifts dramatically.
Normally, after “Aikawa Uzunami’s Otherworldly Summoning,” it would be followed by “Aikawa Uzunami and Tiara’s First Journey.” However, “Past Sight” focuses on the gap between these two events.
What’s important is not the battle with the “Thieves of Principles,” but the mundane events “between the lines.”
It is argued that what is needed a thousand years later is all there, so I will follow the story that Rustiara admired.
***
A thousand years ago, in the small nation of Fuziaze, surrounded by mountains.
As its princess, I—Tiara Fuziaze—had many family members.
Twenty, counting my older brothers and sisters, and twenty more, counting my younger brothers and sisters. Including my cousins, it easily exceeded a hundred.
Even among the Fuziaze royal families of the past, this was an unusually large number.
This was because half of the infants born under a sky of dark clouds died within a month, and even those who managed to survive were destined for short lives due to “Demonic Poison.” In fact, I was one of those destined for a short life… By the way, eighty percent of my forty siblings are no longer in this world.
Even in the relatively wealthy Fuziaze royal family, this was the case.
It clearly illustrates how cornered the world was.
If the “Apostles” and “Foreigners” had appeared even a little later, humanity would have vanished from the continent.
At the same time, it also clearly shows how much of a savior the “Apostles” and “Foreigners” were.
It was no wonder that my father, the King of Fuziaze, became enamored with them. They performed miracles every day, brought prosperity to the kingdom, and eventually even solved the King’s personal health problems.
Therefore, when the talk arose of me accompanying the “Foreigner” Aikawa Kanami, my father readily agreed.
Looking at his expression during the audience, it was immediately apparent that the “Foreigner” was more important to him than his own daughter. His eyes pleaded with me to die protecting my master, just like the “Apostles.”
I agree.
I, too, prioritize “Foreigners” over blood ties, and I hope to one day share drinks with my father and discuss the wonders of our masters.
However, that’s all there is to it. Nothing more. To me, my father is no different from a stranger—his face is always shrouded in a dark cloth.
Thus, I easily obtained permission for my “Adventure.”
Now, all that remains is to depart the country once Diplakla and the others have finished their preparations.
While eagerly awaiting that time, I was walking through the dark corridors of the castle when I encountered one of the few remaining family members.
He possessed a face that resembled my father, the King, and eyes and a voice that could pierce and kill, making him the most capable man in this castle. He was my eldest brother, Ruron Fuziaze. I will speak with him on the day of my “Adventure’s” departure.
“—So I hear you’re leaving the castle with one of the ‘Foreigners.’ My dear sister.”
When my brother called out to me, I bowed deeply and affirmed his words.
“Yes.”
Although we are half-siblings, my brother and I are not equals. Our mothers hold vastly different statuses, and our positions in the line of succession are at the extreme ends. Frankly, there is as much difference between us as there is between a maid and her master, so I continued to keep my head down, saying nothing superfluous.
“…I am glad you have recovered from your illness. However, the drastic changes in Fuziaze over these past few days are not for the better. It can be said that the kingdom is in upheaval, being swayed by unknown entities.”
First, my brother congratulated me with a smile.
Then, maintaining that gentle smile, he subtly rebuked me.
I understood the emotions my brother harbored.
I was confident in my ability to read the expressions of others. While bedridden, I had relied on this skill since before I could speak and have honed it to this day. If I lacked this talent, I would have already met a mysterious death.
Now, my brother resents me, who has recovered from my illness.
The reason is simple.
My brother had continuously ignored me, who was like a corpse, less than a stone on the roadside.
He believed it was a waste of his precious time to deal with garbage that was likely to die soon. It is likely that he finds it irritating that this “garbage” has now gained unusual strength and is wandering around his domain, the castle.
“I wish for you to possess a noble composure befitting royalty as well. A composure that calmly, steadily, and with dignified spirit, fulfills one’s duties.”
I know that this brother of mine reduced the already small number of family members in the castle to a single digit.
Everyone living in this castle knows of his cold and ruthless methods. And they fear him. They know that Ruron Fuziaze, the true ruler of this castle, must never be defied.
I have no intention of defying my brother.
I have no interest in the throne that my brother desires.
I even have the will to cooperate with my capable brother’s ambition.
However, I will likely never be trusted until the day I die.
I accept this as is.
From my reading, I knew of relationships where people are bound to kill each other. When royalty is involved, it can even be considered common sense in a story.
To kill each other until death.
This encompassed everything about my brother and me. Naturally, his face, like my father’s, was also shrouded in a dark cloth.
Incidentally, my brother Ruron also received the “Level Up.”
However, I was more efficient at converting the “Demonic Poison” within my body, transforming it into greater strength. This is likely another significant reason why I am not trusted.
My brother, who will undoubtedly try to poison me sooner or later, asks me curtly as I remain silent.
“You understand, don’t you? My dear sister.”
His question held many layers.
In this dark corridor, I felt his dark emotions lurking and approaching my feet. I wanted to kick them away.
“Of course. I wish to shed this blood and flesh for the sake of the country my older brother will one day rule.”
“I doubt it. That habit of keeping your eyes down is very much like your mother. A foolish woman who once led our clan to ruin for her own ambitions.”
As I answered with a set phrase, he insulted my mother.
He likely doesn’t mean it seriously.
This is an attempt to shake me. He is trying to probe what is inside me, who remains withdrawn as if still bedridden.
“………”
Precisely because I understand this, I continue to remain silent.
No matter how I answer, my brother’s wariness of me will only increase.
No, but still.
Stories involving royalty are terrible.
It’s hopeless if I’m treated with hostility even when I humble myself.
When I was finding this somewhat amusing, a third voice echoed from the depths of the dark corridor.
“—You seem to be having an enjoyable conversation. Tiara’s mother? Hehe, I’m very curious about that.”
It was the “Foreigner” Aikawa Hidaki.
As if she had timed it perfectly, she appeared when I was in a pinch.
Feigning a flourish, Hidaki Sister tapped her heel on the floor and approached with a grace that surpassed even my brother’s.
Her presence was extraordinary, giving even the illusion that her entire body was shining.
Hidaki Sister’s face was not covered by a dark cloth.
Naturally, my expression softened, and a smile formed.
Brother Ruron, unfazed by Hidaki Sister’s appearance, responded elegantly.
“…It is not a conversation suitable for the ears of a ‘Foreigner.’ However, if you wish to know, it would be best for you to learn from Tiara, my daughter. She is the closest blood relation.”
“From Tiara? Yes, I agree. I think so too.”
“Then, I shall withdraw. There are likely many things that would be difficult to say in my presence.”
“Hehehe. Thank you for always being so considerate, Ruron-san.”
“…Sister. Be mindful not to cause any offense to the ‘Foreigner’.”
With that, Brother Ruron turned his back and left the corridor.
The conversation ended as if it had been scripted, with a certain flatness.
It was clear that my brother was uncomfortable around Hidaki Sister.
Hidaki Sister effortlessly overcomes the person whom I could only stare down and remain silent with.
Even though it had nothing to do with me, I felt a sense of pride.
“Shall we be going then, Tiara?”
“Ah, yes…”
She took my hand, and we walked in the opposite direction of my brother.
Along the way, Hidaki Sister let out a sigh.
“…Haa. What a terrible brother. To be radiating so much killing intent and to torment our dear Tiara.”
“No, I’m not being tormented… Older Brother Ruron has no choice but to say such things given his position…”
I, as his sister, offered a supplementary explanation for my brother.
Although there were many issues since childhood, I do not dislike my brother.
Seeing my reaction, Hidaki Sister’s brows furrowed.
“…As always, Tiara, you are so wise.”
Then, she suddenly stopped, praised me, and hugged me.
“That’s why I understand that you’ve endured such difficult days continuously. …You’ve gone through incredibly tough times. You can be more honest about your weaknesses in front of me?”
The series of movements was so natural that I couldn’t stop them. Hidaki Sister’s words slid straight into the depths of my heart.
Hidaki Sister held me tightly, tighter and tighter. My body—
The people of the castle had long accepted my frail body, confined to bed, and still, they wouldn’t touch me. Everyone could hear it. They heard my pained groans leaking from the top of the tower on nights when everyone else was asleep.
Rumors had spread throughout the castle that touching me would transfer my illness and curse. And now, even though the cause of the illness has been discovered by the Apostles, just like my Older Brother earlier, everyone continues to keep their distance.
Yet, Hidaki Sister touched my soft parts, which no one else had ever touched, without hesitation.
A dark cloth… it couldn’t be.
Hidaki Sister is beautiful…
Bright…! My bright light…!
More of an older sister than any blood relative, and more precious than anything in my life…!
“N-No! Hidaki Sister, you’ve had it much tougher than I have, many times over! Unlike me, you’re not even cured of your illness yet!!”
“…Even if that’s true, it doesn’t make your difficult days disappear.”
Hidaki Sister continued to caress my head.
As always—no, more gently than ever, she doted on me.
I couldn’t refuse it.
Without words, I nodded, “yes,” indulged her, and let her pet me for several minutes. After touching sufficiently, Hidaki Sister and I joined hands and started walking.
On the way, I touched upon something Hidaki Sister had been curious about.
“Um, Hidaki Sister… about my mother—”
“Incidentally, my parents were slaves to money and power. Betraying friends and relatives was commonplace, and they raised their two blood children as tools, only to be ruined by their own wicked deeds in the end. They were so psychologically damaged that they would gleefully tell me, their child, stories about how they drove rivals to death.”
Before I could say something difficult to express, Hidaki Sister preemptively and roughly threw out her own difficult words. While stunned by that, I didn’t want to be outdone and continued.
“…!” W-Well, it was similar for me… But Mother wasn’t to the extent of driving someone to death… And she seemed kind to her children. Also, she never lied to her family, and, well…”
“Fufu. Then, it seems I’ve won.”
“Huh? Won?”
“This is a contest to brag about misfortunes. Since your mother seemed to have genuine familial love, you lose.”
“Eh…?”
Although I let out a groan of confusion, I immediately understood that Hidaki Sister was being considerate of me.
She was deliberately acting silly to make it easier for me to talk. At the same time, having learned about my family situation, she was exposing her own.
I was very happy about that feeling.
However, at that moment, a slightly twisted emotion welled up in my chest. Even though I knew it was just talk, I didn’t want Hidaki Sister to win this contest. I wanted the kind Hidaki Sister to be happier than me, so I spoke of that person.
“But, Hidaki Sister has a Master…! That cool Master! My siblings are… well, like the one from earlier…”
Aikawa Kanami exists.
That’s why Hidaki Sister’s future life is bound to be bright and happy.
Just as I tried to convey this, Hidaki Sister, walking beside me, shook her head in disagreement.
“No. Even including Older Brother, my win is still unshaken. After all, I consider you, who calls me ‘Hidaki Sister,’ as my younger sister. If I am your Older Sister, then Older Brother is also your Older Brother. Therefore, Older Brother’s points don’t count. I’m still in the negatives.”
Watching Hidaki Sister develop her strange logic, my eyes started to water.
Hidaki Sister’s triumphant profile, proclaiming in her words that this was all natural. While acting playful, she was encouraging me, saying, “We are three siblings.”
I felt like crying, just like when I used to watch the stars from my sickbed at night—but my body was warmer than it was back then, beyond comparison. I had no choice but to surrender.
“Ah, fine… You win, Hidaki Sister. Compared to you, I’m happy. Supremely happy.”
When I admitted it, Hidaki Sister patted my head a few times with her free hand and started walking again.
“Good girl, Tiara. …Well then, shall we train together again today?”
“Traine? Huh, you’re going to teach me again today!? Yay!”
“I want to do everything possible before you embark on your dangerous journey. Let’s go to a suitable garden, not that specific tower.”
Bending the path slightly, we went outside. We went to the place where I received the Curse Technique 《Level Up》 on the first day, and there, I took off my extra jacket.
I was lightly dressed because I was going to learn Martial Arts, not Curse Technique. And not Fuziaze’s techniques, but techniques from Another World. For me, a bookworm, this was the greatest form of entertainment. There was only one cause for anxiety.
“But, Hidaki Sister, are you okay physically? You’ve taught me a few times since then, but have you been feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine. With just playing opponent to Tiara, I don’t get out of breath. Rather, my improving body actually benefits from this kind of light exercise. Moderate exercise is fundamental to health, fundamental.”
“I see… Then, that’s a relief…”
Indeed, when I was suffering from the Demonic Poison, not moving my body at all on my bed only made me feel worse.
I know the importance of moving my body within reasonable limits. Thinking back, before Hidaki Sister started teaching me Martial Arts, she would do flexibility exercises frequently in the shade of trees. This current Martial Arts training session is probably a replacement for that.
Relieved that teaching me wasn’t a burden, Hidaki Sister spoke as a teacher.
“Tiara, from here on, let’s be serious. …Since you gained physical abilities from the Demonic Poison, let’s learn as many techniques as possible that utilize that body.”
“Okay, I’ll learn. It might be necessary for our journey.”
“Yes. Now then, let’s have you show me all the movements I’ve taught you so far. I need to confirm that you haven’t forgotten them.”
“I practice them every night before bed, so I’m fine—Hup!”
Without much further conversation, I charged forward. Hidaki Sister emphasizes countermeasures for surprise attacks and ambushes that occur in daily life, rather than formal greetings and procedures. She taught me that being able to respond to them is truly useful Martial Arts.
“Hah—!!”
With the adult-level physical ability I gained from the Demonic Poison, I attacked Hidaki Sister.
I grabbed her hand in the stance I learned, intending to throw her. Rationally, it wasn’t right to do this to Hidaki Sister, who hadn’t fully recovered from her illness.
But I had absolute confidence.
—No one can defeat Aikawa Hidaki.
Even with her illness, she would find little more than a light stretch to deal with someone like me doing this. Such trust propelled my body at full speed.
“Fuh.”
And that trust was not betrayed; Hidaki Sister parried my attack with a laugh.
First, she cleanly brushed away my outstretched hand.
My subsequent movements in the kata were also met with corresponding, clean counter-movements.
Like a teacher checking homework answers, my techniques were dismantled one by one. At the end of these techniques, Hidaki Sister showed a new kata for the first time, gently tossed me, and sent me tumbling to the ground.
As I etched the movements of that kata into my mind, I looked up at the dark sky. I exhaled the breath I had lost, turning my racing heartbeat into words.
“Hah, hah, hah, amazing…! This is martial arts from Another World…!”
“Martial arts… it’s not that grand. It’s just self-defense techniques for women.”
She calls it not martial arts, but it’s her modesty.
Certainly, the kata themselves might not be.
However, when Hidaki Sister used them, they were elevated to world-class martial arts.
Because I know.
When Hidaki Sister was summoned to Another World, she showed us a glimpse of that martial prowess in our world.
—She subdued all the Fuziaze guards with her bare hands.
Among them were many top martial artists of Fuziaze.
At that time, Hidaki Sister was still suppressed by her illness, practically on death’s door, yet she did it.
Her body was emaciated, her complexion deathly pale, her breaths ragged, her limbs faltering—Hidaki Sister easily incapacitated about a dozen armed adults.
A slender girl, not yet fully an adult, overwhelmed robust martial artists. Only in the hero tales I’ve read do such characters appear so prominently.
“Hah, hah, hah…!!”
The Foreigner is shining.
It’s as if I’m boasting to someone, I confirm Sister Hidaki’s amazingness to Sister Hidaki herself.
“But, Sister Hidaki! Even if this is just self-defense, you’re definitely not an ordinary person, are you!? Going beyond genius or anything like that, it’s divine!”
“…Y-yes. …Well, that’s right.”
Faced with my intense gaze, Sister Hidaki made a troubled face and, after hesitating, nodded.
As I thought.
Just as I thought.
My giggles of “kuhuhu” wouldn’t stop.
Seeing my reaction, Sister Hidaki’s troubled expression gradually turned into one of exasperation.
“This… I should probably tell Tiara sooner… At this rate, she’s going to misunderstand things badly in the future… No, she absolutely will.”
At that, she made up her mind about something.
I couldn’t understand the depths of it, but I felt an unusual atmosphere of her wanting to talk about her inner thoughts.
Judging by the flow of our conversation, was this the secret to Sister Hidaki’s power?
If so, I’m too excited. Thrilled, I quietly await Sister Hidaki’s words.
“As you say, I am a little out of the ordinary. I would be called ‘abnormal’ in either world. …Honestly, this is something to brag about.”
“Yeah, you’re an amazing bundle of talent…! Truly, the makings of a great hero! If this were a book, you’d definitely be the protagonist, the protagonist!”
Sister Hidaki spoke teasingly, and I praised her earnestly.
She continued to speak, watching me in my great excitement with a fond smile.
“However, even if I boast, it wasn’t all good, you know? Because I was different from other children from birth, I was treated as quite the troublesome child. Because of that, I caused my Older Brother a lot of trouble.”
“Troublesome child? Well, you’re different from others, Sister Hidaki, you’re special. If this were a book, you’re clearly the chosen one. So, maybe you caused trouble for others, but…”
I was angry that the people of the other world had no discernment, but Sister Hidaki simply smiled faintly in response.
“…I was special. There probably isn’t anyone in this world who feels as omnipotent and conceited as I do. I was undoubtedly the chosen one, which is why I am here as the ‘Savior’. Heh.”
At that moment, I felt like that ‘Ice Power’ had leaked out.
I bathed in her overwhelming presence, and my breath caught. Facing the divine woman before me, I felt it would be rude for my lowly self to breathe.
Before me, as my breath hitched, Sister Hidaki slowly moved to the main subject of her story.
“—Well then, first of all. Let me explain a little about what makes me different from everyone else. Come at me a bit, Tiara.”
“Ah, okay.”
Prompted to continue the ‘Martial Arts’ training from before, I exhaled and, as I was told, charged forward.
Mid-charge, Sister Hidaki stopped abruptly and began her explanation.
“For example, if Tiara charges at me like this… I, facing you, would think of the next move, right? Like ‘shift my body,’ ‘reach out my hand,’ ‘sweep with my foot’… various things.”
“I don’t think that much. I’m the clumsy type who can only do one thing at a time.”
“Doing things one by one thoroughly isn’t being clumsy. It’s a strength—concentration—that doesn’t get distracted by trivial matters. It’s one of your blessed traits, Tiara.”
“Am I blessed…? Besides, I think most people are like me.”
“There are also people who cannot fit into that ‘most people’ category. You are undoubtedly above the average of ordinary people. Do not forget to be grateful for that blessed talent.”
“…Uh-huh, Teacher!”
In other words, even if there’s inequality, it’s important to work hard without giving up.
As I interpreted it, Sister Hidaki’s face seemed to darken for a moment. However, she quickly returned to her teacher-like demeanor and adjusted her explanation.
“Let’s get back to the topic. Earlier, I mentioned ‘shifting,’ ‘reaching,’ and ‘sweeping’ as responses in ‘Martial Arts’… but in reality, when I’m fighting, I don’t actually think of those three.”
“Huh…? You don’t think of them? Not like you think of many more options than that?”
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.
What would explain the fact that she subdued the knights of Fuziaze, surrounded, while remaining unscathed?
“My brother calls this unique way of thinking of mine ‘Parallel Thinking’ and ‘Convergent Thinking.’ Strictly speaking, I think that’s different… but that’s how it turned out. Recently, my brother has been determined to lump all these differences under the single word ‘Skill’.
“Um, ‘Parallel Thinking’ and ‘Convergent Thinking.’ And then ‘Skill’… Because of that, Sister Hidaki… your thoughts are faster than mine… right?”
I understood the importance of assigning proper names through ‘Curse Technique,’ but at this moment, I wished she would spare me. I tried to process the information appearing in my head through translation magic, but… new information relentlessly flooded in.
“Yes, they are quite fast. However, it’s a little different from the speed of Tiara’s thoughts. After all, it’s not me who is thinking, but the ‘Skill.’ Its form is inherently different from that of a human. In other words, my brain is specialized in processing the impulses from the ‘Demonic Poison’ drifting around me. Therefore, the movement and depth of thought are completely different. Naturally, the order of thought is reversed, and I am always from far removed from everyone else—”
“Huh, huh? …Wait a minute, Teacher. I’m getting confused.”
I gave up.
Through translation magic, I could roughly grasp the meaning of the words. But I couldn’t quite digest the connections like ‘in other words,’ ‘therefore,’ and ‘naturally’ in her sentences.
“…That story isn’t important, so it’s okay not to understand. There are sometimes people who are strangely sharp-witted, aren’t there? To make it easier for you, Tiara, who loves books, I’m like a ‘Character who seems to know the future progression.'”
I could tell Sister Hidaki was trying to break down the explanation for me.
But even so, it wasn’t enough, so I continued to ask questions.
“Like a strategist appearing in war chronicles? Or someone who stirs up the story in myths?”
“Yes, yes, something like that. I constantly receive information contained in the ‘Demonic Poison’ in the air—in other words, I have the ‘Skill’ to ‘read the book of the world backward.’ How’s that? Aren’t you getting envious?”
“Read a book backward…? You’re doing something incredibly wasteful, Sister Hidaki…”
“Wasteful… Indeed, it might be a bit wasteful. But, I am strong because of it.”
After explaining up to that point, Sister Hidaki beckoned me.
Sensing her intention, I leaped forward as I had before.
I tried to use a ‘Martial Arts’ technique, adding my own ingenuity as I attacked—but even with this novel move, Sister Hidaki evaded it without any danger. All the while, Sister Hidaki continued her explanation.
“Even now, the ‘Skill’ preemptively analyzed the options and is telling me the ‘Ideal’ outcome. I just have to read it carefully… and then, time will simply tick by, and in the end, it will always—”
Sister Hidaki lightly moved my limbs, swept them away, grabbed my falling body, and pinned me down on top of me. As I fell, my joints were locked, and I couldn’t move at all.
In a manner of speaking, now—Sister Hidaki had simply and calmly reached the foreordained ending.
“It ends like this. …Incidentally, the mechanism of this ‘Skill’ is simple. Similar to ‘Level Up,’ the ‘Demonic Poison’ is likely replicating my nerves. It’s one of the causes of pain. Sigh…”
With that, Sister Hidaki took a breath.
I hadn’t fully grasped it yet, but perhaps the explanation had reached a pause.
Having determined this, I delivered my own answer to the explanation so far.
“Um, Sister Hidaki uses ‘Demonic Poison’ to enhance her thoughts. So, her precognition is amazing, and she can see the victory from the start. That’s like reading a book backward, it’s unfair, and she’s incredibly strong—is that right?”
“…Oh. As expected, Tiara. You haven’t been swayed by my pointless complaints and have grasped the core of my strength. Wow, you’re really different from my Older Brother.”
Sister Hidaki stroked me as she released me from her hold.
However, I felt that behind that praise lay multiple meanings. Even with my observational skills, honed since birth, I couldn’t fully grasp them. I wanted to continue the conversation, trying to unravel them—
“However, Tiara. You’ve been saying I’m strong, strong, since a while ago… but what is true strength, really?”
—The conversation had veered off course significantly.
“………”
From that deviation and her expression, I understood that Sister Hidaki had given up on explaining the difference.
Earlier, Sister Hidaki had said, “First of all.” There were likely multiple significant differences other than the one we just discussed. However, since I couldn’t even correctly answer the “first of all,” I wouldn’t be able to hear about the second difference.
Even though “the first thing” might not be that important to Hidaki Sister…
“…True strength, huh. I don’t know anything about that, Hidaki Sister. If I knew, I wouldn’t be learning like this!”
I accepted the tangent, pondering this “true strength.”
It can’t be helped.
There isn’t enough trust between us to forcefully bridge this gap, nor are we equals.
“That’s right. Of course, it’s not just you; I don’t know either. It would be easier if it were decided like game stats, but it’s not that simple. If I knew, I wouldn’t be staying behind to watch things on this journey.”
“Eh? You really don’t know, Hidaki Sister? I feel like you know everything.”
“All I know is the basics of self-defense I’m teaching you right now. Now, Tiara. The most important thing in self-defense is—”
“Run!!”
It’s a shame the conversation derailed completely, but I’ll take the lesson seriously.
I energetically raise my hand, assuring my teacher that I’ve thoroughly memorized the basics of “Martial Arts.” Last time, I might have disappointed her with all the wrong answers, but I want to get all of this simple lesson correct.
“…Yes, well done. It’s rewarding that I’ve stressed this point since day one. That’s right, it’s okay to run away. In my world, this kind of peaceful approach is considered true martial arts? They say it’s one of the strongest techniques or something.”
“Hehehe. ‘True martial arts’ and ‘strongest technique’ sound good.”
However, while the words “strongest technique” sound good, I also find them a bit uncool. As someone who loves heroic tales, I naturally prefer head-on battles where one doesn’t retreat.
“You understand, don’t you, Tiara, after all the training you’ve received? In reality, you wouldn’t lose to ‘the strong me.'”
Suddenly, Hidaki Sister’s eyes sharpened as she gazed at me. I quickly tried to grasp the meaning of her words.
“Huh? Well, I guess so? …If it were a real duel, I could just wait for Hidaki Sister’s condition to worsen.”
My master, Hidaki Sister, taught me many things… but she herself cannot use the “running away” that would be her strongest technique. Hidaki Sister gets breathless after running and can’t move for long. Due to that fatal lack of stamina, I can gain an advantage simply by continuously running away in a match. That’s what she’s probably implying.
“There are no time limits in actual battles. In other words, the current Tiara possesses enough strength to contend with me.”
“Mmm. I understand I wouldn’t lose… but I don’t feel like I could win either.”
Hidaki Sister says it’s the same whether it’s a match or real combat. That’s true, but… I also thought it was sophistry.
“There are absolutely no unwinnable battles in this world. In the extreme, you can drag the fight out until the next day. No matter how strong your opponent, they are never completely unassailable. A moment to win will eventually arise. Until then, you must run and run and run, continuously running away.”
“Until the next day? Fight a duel continuously? Eeh…”
“Sigh. Tiara, you really dislike slow and steady progress… However, even if you dislike it, please remember this. A full dash, powered by honed, peak physical ability, is your trump card. Especially with your current physical abilities, almost everyone in this world can’t keep up. You can find a way to win in any situation.”
“Whee. Roger that, teacher. I won’t give up in any situation.”
“Excellent. That’s what I wanted to say.”
In the end, the tangent concluded with the ultimate secret of “Martial Arts.”
However, I’m sure there were many hidden meanings behind this lesson. Currently, I possess adult-level stamina thanks to “Leveling Up,” but I feel it’s different from the peak physical ability Hidaki Sister speaks of. The nuance is somehow different.
“Alright. This concludes the first part of the advanced ‘Martial Arts’ application.”
“Eh, the first part? I thought I’d mastered the ultimate technique! I thought ‘Martial Arts’ was mastered, and I’d received the transmission, meaning you have nothing more to teach me!?”
“Sigh, Tiara… ‘Running away’ can’t possibly be the one and only ultimate technique. There are different kinds of ultimates. This is also from my world, but they say there’s no end to martial arts. —Becoming stronger is like an endless hell, Tiara.”
Seeing my disappointment, Hidaki Sister etched a deep smile onto her lips.
“Seriously, I don’t want to be doing strength training until I die… I want to stop at a good point…”
“I know very well that you dislike slow and steady training. That’s precisely why we’ll do our running properly today. Running, the foundation of everything!”
“Ugh, here we go. Basic training running drills. My stamina is already quite high, so I don’t need any more than this. There aren’t many people who can run better than me.”
“That’s exceeding complacency. You intend to spread “Level Up” throughout the world in the near future, right? If so, then at that time, there will undoubtedly be many people who boast of even greater stamina than you. Relying solely on ‘Demonic Poison’ will quickly hit your limits.”
“…You’re right.”
I surrender and begin my warm-up routine with a wry smile (all of which Hidaki Sister also taught me). As I stretch my body by repeatedly bending and extending, Hidaki Sister speaks to me in a very quiet voice.
“Tiara, please… Currently, I can no longer perform a full dash…”
Her expression was as fragile as the loudness of her voice. Faced with an unusual Hidaki Sister, I interrupted my warm-up and listened to her humble request.
“Hidaki Sister…?”
“I’m terribly worried about my older brother… But right now, I can’t watch over him…”
Her plea was filled with emotion and weighed heavily. I don’t know anything about the Aikawa Siblings’ life and the circumstances of their original world. However, I can infer from the situation. From her words, I can tell it was as tragic as my own battle against illness.
“After spending a few days in this Other World, I realized it. I likely came to this Other World to find a ‘Substitute.’ Someone who, when my older brother is in danger, will take his hand, run with all their might, and run away with him—”
Hidaki Sister grits her teeth, regretting her own inadequatenesses. From her appearance, I could tell she truly loved her older brother. She seemed poised to entrust her entire future life to him. I respond to that passion.
“I-It’s okay…! I’ll be Hidaki Sister’s ‘Substitute’…! After all, I owe you so much! It’s not just me; everyone in this castle feels the same. We want to be of even the slightest help to the ‘Foreigner’ heroes who will save the world. Therefore, this country of Fuziaze itself will become Hidaki Sister’s ‘Substitute,’ to help my Master! To protect my Master! To be my Master’s place! I swear on the name of Tiara Fuziaze, I’ll make a ‘Contract’!!”
I shouted with all my soul from the depths of my being, weaving an absolute promise with the greatest words I could muster. Upon hearing this, Hidaki Sister was surprised, her eyes widening—
—!
She showed a moment of carelessness. Hidaki Sister laughed. However, it wasn’t the laugh of a friend or an older sister, but closer to the laughter of Brother Ruron or the Apostles. A black cloth seemed to cover the face of Hidaki Sister, who had been so radiant and beautiful. As if smeared with darkness, she wore a distorted, black smile and captured my image in her pitch-black eyes. That black cloth quickly disappeared. Hidaki Sister’s smile transformed into a gentle one, like the bright sun, and she expressed her gratitude.
“—, Fu, fufu, fufu. Thank you, Tiara. I would be happy if Fuziaze could become my older brother’s substituted hometown. And you will be my ‘Substitute’—”
“Eh, ah, yes…”
I nodded for the moment, but my mind was elsewhere. The darkness Hidaki Sister briefly showed me was unsettling. Her smile was darker than the darkness of royalty like my older brothers. If this were a book, it could only be described as the darkness of humanity. Did the bright Hidaki Sister I knew until today turn out to be completely fake? Is she still acting now, trying to deceive me? As I wavered, Hidaki Sister asked me.
“Tiara, is something wrong?”
I couldn’t grasp her inner thoughts at all. Honestly, I felt Hidaki Sister deliberately showed me her wickedness. Because considering it’s her, would she carelessly reveal herself even to me, who is confident in observing people? The fact that it was only for an instant makes it suspicious. Did she show it intentionally to attract my attention? Something dark, like what I prefer? No, considering our previous conversation, does Hidaki Sister already know the outcome of showing me this? If so, does Hidaki Sister want others to know her? To know what’s inside her—?
Tiara Fuziaze appeared to be a bundle of deep resentment and jealousy.
She couldn’t stand me trying to protect her “Older Brother” when she herself wanted to protect him. I knew she was unusually fond of her real brother, so possessiveness seemed the most logical explanation—
Many questions and conjectures flew around.
At some point, I stopped thinking.
For now, I voiced the answer I could give.
“Hidaki Sister, I’m fine.”
I owed my life to the Aikawa siblings.
They even took me into the books I admired.
There was only one answer.
“…Tiara?”
My response must have been unexpected even for Hidaki Sister, as she showed the most unusual expression I’d seen all day.
“I—Tiara Fuziaze, will do anything for my Master. I can even give up my life. You said that a little while ago, right? That applies to you too, Hidaki Sister. So, you don’t have to say anything. No matter what happens from now on, I’m on your side. If you tell me to be a ‘Substitute,’ I will be a ‘Substitute.’ If you tell me to die, I’m willing to die. I’ll do anything. If I were a book, that would be the absolute last page.”
If you don’t like me getting close to Master, I’ll pretend this feeling never existed.
If Hidaki Sister wanted me to disappear, I would disappear then.
—I confessed.
And then, I observed Hidaki Sister, hoping to see darkness again.
However, she simply smiled gently and reached out her hand.
“F-fufu… I’m happy. Oh, Tiara, you truly love books. It’s the best. You’re so cute. Let me pet you…”
“Ah—”
Wrong again.
She showed no distress at all.
There was no hidden meaning in her words.
It seemed that even I, who had only managed to see through others until today, couldn’t even attempt to challenge the depths of Hidaki Sister’s heart.
Understanding this, I let out a sigh and felt affection.
“…Ah.”
That was precisely why I wanted to uncover her secrets.
I wanted to uncover them, read them, touch them, savor them, and roll them around on my tongue.
Because, if she were a book, she would be the darkness of humanity. The darkness of humanity…!
It’s impudent, but that’s the most delicious part. The most intense part of her life.
Someone like Hidaki Sister would undoubtedly give me the greatest emotional experience of my life, more profound than any hero’s tale I had ever read.
I’m sure Hidaki Sister also wishes to be uncovered… or so I feel.
—Perhaps sensing my desire-filled thoughts, Hidaki Sister hugged me and patted me firmly.
“Ah, Tiara… Ah.”
“It tickles! Hidaki Sister, it’s tickling more than usual today!”
“Uri, uri uri. You’re just so incredibly cute. You’re so soothing—”
Right now, Hidaki Sister and I… it’s a casual relationship, somehow.
But someday, I will take another step forward. It will take years, no matter what I have to sacrifice, but I will do it.
And when I cross that final line, what kind of expressions will we have, what kind of conversation will we share, and what kind of ending will we reach?
Even though I knew I was reading too many books, it wasn’t Hidaki Sister herself that fascinated me, but the story we would weave together that I couldn’t stop being drawn to.
While being embraced, as my desires burned within, a third-party voice echoed through the garden.
“—Hidaki, Tiara! So you were both here!”
The one who appeared was another ‘Foreigner,’ Aikawa Kanami.
He shone with a brilliance equal to Hidaki Sister—my Master.
Although I couldn’t say it openly due to our positions, he is also the one I love.
The day of the summon of the ‘Foreigners,’ on top of that tower, the joyful time we spent together after such a cowardly encounter, will likely be my lifelong treasure. This Master is also someone whose heart I wish to uncover.
Hidaki Sister and I replied simultaneously.
“Ah, Master! What’s wrong!?”
“Hmm? Oh. Is it Older Brother? Disturbing my and Tiara’s honeymoon time…”
Hidaki Sister exhaled with a sigh.
Reluctantly letting go of me, she turned her face towards her brother, Master.
“You guys really are close… Tiara, is Hidaki doing anything strange to you? If anything happens, tell me right away, okay?”
“Hah? I’m not your Older Brother. Hidaki Sister and I have a very wholesome relationship.”
“…Hidaki, stop speaking as if I’m not wholesome. Tiara will misunderstand.”
“Hmm. The way you’re getting angry and the concern you’re showing… As expected, Older Brother is aiming to win Tiara over on this journey, isn’t he?”
“N-no, I’m not aiming…! Please stop with that kind of joke for real! I’m going on a journey with Tiara from now on!?”
“It’s a joke based on trust, fufu. I trust both Older Brother and Tiara.”
“Even so, it’s better to have as little discord as possible… It’ll be awkward on the road, so please spare me from that…”
“You’re really too anxious, Older Brother… Let’s have more mental space. It’s important, mental space.”
In front of me, the two of them continued their trivial conversation.
I suspect that Master has also noticed the root of Hidaki Sister’s heart that I noticed earlier.
Even having noticed it, they are this friendly.
There are still interesting parts to them that remain. If this were a book, I would still be just beginning to read. They have many pages that I don’t know about. It’s full of enjoyment. As I beamed at that fact, the beloved ‘Apostles’ who followed the ‘Foreigners’ also came into the garden.
Diplakla and Sis stood side-by-side, informing me of the awaited time.
“The preparations are finished, Tiara! Get on the carriage outside with Uzunami immediately!”
“Hurry up, Tiara! Uzunami is already all set! After all, she’s my perfect Uzunami! Yes, MINE!”
Ah, the ‘Apostles’ are also shining…
The personalities formed from their distorted origins make my heart dance with every word…
Although they are a step below Hidaki Sister and Master, I still love them dearly.
More than their roles as the mouthpieces of God, their hearts are simply pure and lovely.
“—Hey.”
As I was savoring the four shining figures in this overly dark world, I was called out.
I looked in the direction of the voice.
He was in a third position, not with Hidaki Sister and Master, nor with Diplakla and Sis.
The third Apostle, shaped like a small boy.
I couldn’t recall his name.
This was because, unlike the other four, his face was covered with a black cloth.
However, I could tell he was glaring at me from behind that black cloth.
“Tiara Fuziaze, you’ve been—”
“Eh, ah, yes. Um… Legacy? Is something wrong…?”
I managed to pull his name out.
It was understandable that I had almost forgotten it.
Legacy was that much of an inconspicuous existence in Fuziaze. Since appearing in Fuziaze, he had never done anything special. He was taciturn and rarely asserted himself, so many people treated him as if he were not there.
And now, Legacy—spoke to me.
And with a voice louder than I had ever heard.
I wanted to know the reason why, but Legacy himself began to look confused.
“Is something wrong…? Is something wrong with me now…?”
“No, you called me, Legacy… I was wondering if something was wrong…”
“Ah, I called you. I called you just now. Why think…”
He seemed unable to understand his own actions. And more than me, Legacy himself wanted to know the reason. He began to mutter to himself in a small voice, leaving me, who was standing in front of him.
Even straining my ears, I couldn’t catch the contents.
It’s fun when something is meaningful, but when it’s so self-contained, it’s impossible to decipher.
Legacy’s lack of interaction with others is a fatal flaw. Despite his position as an ‘Apostle,’ he takes a stance of not getting involved in the grand scheme of the world.
It’s a little disappointing, but his priority is lower than the other four.
I left Legacy, who was engrossed in his monologue, and walked towards the light.
“Um… I’m going now, Legacy.”
I took the hand of the person I admired.
“Shall we go, Tiara?”
“Okay…!”
Thus, seen off by Hidaki Sister and the ‘Apostles,’ I boarded the carriage with the coachman and set off on the road, following Fanian.
This was what happened just before I left on my journey with Master.
Hidaki Sister talked about herself to me, not to Master.
I want Master, a thousand years from now, to consider the meaning of that.
