Depths of the Otherworldly Labyrinth (WN) – Chapter 504

The 120th Ordeal began.

The stage was the 100th floor, and this was the 120th floor of “The one who steals the logic of darkness.”

Christ and I stepped onto a shallow area filled with a red light, kicking up crimson or black, ambiguous splashes of water. Neither of our footwork nor our Swordsmanship was ordinary.

The Swordplay that unfolded was both monstrous and multifaceted, with both of us wielding multiple arms.
Trails of sword flashes in various colors were drawn, only to be struck against each other repeatedly.
It wasn’t just the Swordplay; the resonating sounds were also abnormal. It was undoubtedly a polyphonic sound that could not be heard in a normal Knight’s duel. The sound of swords played as if in a chaotic battle.

As I listened to the melody of the battle, I felt a strange sensation.
This was because, at this moment, I was only focused on my own twin swords. Hein, my older brother, held most of the control over my body, including my “Soul Arms,” and was moving my body for me.

It was a state commonly described as being possessed by a ghost and having one’s body taken over.
However, there was no suffering at all. I couldn’t even imagine negative descriptions like my body being stolen or me ceasing to be myself.
Even the word “using,” which my older brothers used, was not appropriate.

“I believe, I cooperate, I rely on him.”

I left what I couldn’t do to him.
Even if I couldn’t do it alone, we could achieve it together.
With that single thought, the battle on the 100th floor continued and repeated.

Frankly speaking, the current Swordplay was almost the same as before Christ confirmed things on the ground. It was a rehash.
However, there was one clear difference compared to when it was my turn.
The conversation between the two as they fought told me so.

” “Fufufu, haha…! Young man, it’s been a while since we’ve crossed swords like this…!” ”
“Now, this much…! You’re no match for me now that my magic power has returned…!”
” “But, young man! Along with that returned magic power, emotions are reaching you too, aren’t they!? Don’t you feel the many feelings of wanting to save the young man from the ground reaching you!? I do! That’s what battles like this are all about!!” ”

It was enjoyment.
In any case, my older brother seemed happy.
It felt less like a battle and more like rekindling a friendship through swords.

That joy spread to me as well, and a smile naturally bloomed on my face.
In contrast, Christ wore a pained expression.
Compared to before, his magic power was surging.
By buying time, he was recovering from his damage.

However, his mind was terribly shaken.
His mind, which should have stabilized if he just bought time, was likely filled with anxiety. This was probably because the quality of the magic power sent from the ground was different from what he expected.

“What do you mean, emotions…! They don’t turn into any kind of power! This decisive difference in magic power will never be overcome again!!”
” “Do you think magic power alone decides a battle, young man…!? I wish it were that simple! If everything proceeded according to the numbers of magic power, life and stories would have been easier!!” ”
“………!!”
” “What always decides a battle is not magic power, but the emotions of a Person! And right now, I am being cheered on by everyone on the ground! I can feel those feelings from your sword! As long as these feelings do not run out, my sword will never lose!!” ”
“You’re just addicted to acting… just like Rustiara…!”

Hein, my excited older brother on the grand stage, resembled a certain girl.
Christ, through his adoptive parent, was reminded of Rustiara.
Apparently, his sword had dulled, and he was beginning to be pushed back by the seemingly joyful older brother.

Christ had many problems.
It was certain that impurities had mixed into the magic power being supplied from the ground, shaking his mind.
In other words, Christ was continuously under further mental interference magic.
The mental interference, which was already overlapping, was piling up further.

Naturally, mental disturbances greatly affected battles.
Especially for the Aleis style of Swordsmanship, the unity of mind and body was crucial.
In proportion to Christ’s confusion and hesitation, the sharpness of his ice sword visibly waned.

And seeing Christ’s disadvantage—

” “Kuku, hahaha.” ”

In a corner of the stage.
In the periphery of my vision, the man who had so boldly declared the start of the Ordeal was laughing idly.
He was clad in black mud, gripping a sword in his hand—and he remained still.

Like my older brother, he seemed to be enjoying himself.
He was merely watching, with no intention of participating in the battle.
Christ glared at the Palinkron for a moment and muttered.

“That guy…!!”

He was angry.
As Christ fought us, he was constantly diverting attention to the Palinkron in the rear.
However, that man, despite being in a state of readiness for battle, did not unleash a single spell.

Did he think he was being looked down upon?
Did he think he was being provoked?
Regardless, Christ was enraged by the Palinkron’s attitude and shouted as he fought.

“Palinkron…!! Do you underestimate me…!?”
” “Underestimate? Haha, not at all. In this critical matter of saving the world, I am doing my very best, you know? Rather, isn’t Kanami’s older brother being too wary of me? The moment he enters the range only allowed to a Sword Saint, I’ll be chopped to pieces. –So, don’t worry. I won’t do anything.” ”
“Y-you…!!”

Christ’s vigilance intensified, thinking that couldn’t be true.

Palinkron was truly skilled at adapting to the situation. Undoubtedly, he used the tactic of exploiting the opening in my Older Brother’s front-line battle, and at the same time, he managed to assert his presence effectively.

The more Christ was wary, the looser our Swordplay became.
The Palinkron, just by standing there, was chipping away at Christ’s concentration.

That’s why the Swordplay, which should have resulted in an overwhelming victory due to the vast difference in Status, couldn’t be pushed through no matter how long it lasted.
Christ translated that frustration and irritation directly into words.

“Stop getting in my way! Stop interfering with saving the world!!”

Christ reasserted his righteous cause.
However, it was likely not to dampen our fighting spirit, but to rouse himself.

Palinkron did not allow that battle-cry to go unanswered.
As if it were his job to argue, he began to mutter.
“To save the world? Kanami’s older brother? Heh…”

“What’s so funny…!”

“No, nothing’s funny. Unlike the others, I welcome the ‘Foreigner’ becoming a human sacrifice. The story is that someone from outside is going to pay our ‘price’ for us, right? We might as well let them, right? Haha… So, what I don’t understand is what came before that.”

Nearby, as we desperately clashed swords, he placed his free hand on his chin, his expression one of deep thought, like a detective.
However, his appearance and demeanor were suspicious, and he looked like he was merely pretending to think.

“To save the world. …It’s as if our world isn’t being saved right now, but I don’t feel it. After all, the world I lived in was the best. It was so clear that there was no need to save it. It always was.”

“You must understand at least! The situation has already reached the worst possible point!”

“Well, it’s true, as Kanami’s older brother says, the situation might be the worst… If the world is not saved in a little while, then we should be the first to apologize. The responsibility for that worst situation lies with us. With us, who raised Rustiara Fuziaze, who died so irresponsibly.”

Palinkron placed his hand on his chest and declared where the responsibility lay.
Upon hearing this, Christ’s expression stiffened, and his voice grew smaller.

“Ra, ‘Rustiara’… is not related to this now.”

“How could she not be? Since no one is saying it, I’ll say it myself. No matter how you look at it, this situation is her fault. It’s because Rustiara Fuziaze pushed Kanami’s older brother too far.”

The moment he declared this, the sound of swordplay completely ceased.

Christ retreated.
However, his older brother, instead of exploiting the obvious opening, also stepped back and watched.

Christ was enraged.
His veins bulged in his temples with anger, but he tried to calm himself by taking deep breaths, not wanting to fall for Palinkron’s provocation.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

However, he didn’t seem to have enough composure to calm down so quickly.
Christ, with his breath ragged like an excited beast, continued to glare at the man who had so easily touched what was precious to him.

“Her mistakes are two. Being deceived by the great villain Tiara and falling for her ‘writing’. And being swayed by the invader Hitaki and trying to save her life. If not for these two things, wouldn’t the situation have been better? Wouldn’t there have been a future where Rustiara was alive? …Yet, she cooperated with everyone indiscriminately. And the reason, I think, is probably—”

He explained clearly as if speaking to an inept student, incorporating body language. However, all his gestures were exaggerated, continuously provoking Christ’s emotions.

“Because Tiara’s script was very dramatic. And her own end was very romantic. If that’s the case, then maybe it’s okay to die… she died lightly, without considering the feelings of those left behind. And yet, she certainly shows no remorse even after death. Ah, it’s truly the worst…”

Finally, he put his left hand to his head and pretended to groan in despair.
To this obvious provocation, Christ quietly replied.

“…No. ‘Rustiara’ is perfect. She is the embodiment of everyone’s ideals, the most noble woman in this world.”

“Perfect and noble? Hahaha, there’s no way! She was ‘made’ to be like Kanami’s older brother, to be crazy! Furthermore, the tutors here intentionally made repeated blunders and turned her into a drama addict! Yet, for some reason, Kanami’s brothers seemed to brag about each other as ideal protagonists… but that’s absolutely not the case. Both are unreliable and worrisome children. —That’s why this is happening.”

With a flourish of his deliberate gestures, he gleefully indicated this ‘Final Festival’ and ‘Ordeal’.
Christ could no longer bear it, abandoning the composure he had regained.

“So what if it happened?! It’s not about who’s at fault now! It’s about how we solve the problems of this world!”

“No, if you can hate Rustiara, then the matter is over, isn’t it? …Hey, Kanami’s older brother. Don’t you think there’s no need to deal with a ‘curse’ like ‘the one you love most will die’ so honestly? I propose ‘defaulting on the ‘price’.’ I like you two, you know. I want you to somehow survive.”

To Christ’s distressed cry, Palinkron replied with tender words.

In other words, these words were not born of malice.
He was simply offering advice out of a desire to cooperate.
He wanted to lend his wisdom to the unreliable pair.
So Palinkron claimed, but of course, Christ rejected him.

“Don’t lie…! It’s impossible to hate her in the first place… Our love is ‘proof’. The ‘curse’ will never be broken. This, forever—”

“Who said it can’t be broken? Did you verify it? Let’s just try an experiment? Hate her, bring her back to life… and then, you can re-establish your ‘proof’. There’s no need to keep loving or keep dying. ‘Aikawa Uzunami’ and ‘Rustiara Fuziaze’ should go on to hate and love, die and live, and deceive the world successfully. That will solve everything.”

“…!!”

The carelessly proposed solution was too characteristic of a ‘strong person’.
Palinkron’s concept of love was vastly different from Christ’s. He viewed lovers as commonplace for aristocrats and heroes, and falling out and reconciling was merely a seasoning.

Furthermore, their values regarding life and death must have been vastly different.
Though Hairi had always denied it, he was now convinced that pseudo-resurrection through magic was possible. That’s why Palinkron could casually speak of “dying and living.”

The perspective was so different that Christ couldn’t choose.
However, from the tone of Palinkron’s voice, it was clear that this was a serious proposal for him.
Palinkron, despite hiding important things, was not the type to lie. Christ, I could see from my perspective, was slightly disturbed, thinking there might be some value in testing him.

However, Christ immediately shook his head. Love was not that simple. It was something more sacred. Even if reason dictated he should hate something, instinct would absolutely not allow it. More than anything, the mere thought of a time when Rustiara hated him was terrifying enough to make him want to die – his expression clearly conveyed such thoughts.

Towards that Christ, I began to supplement Palinkron’s words.

“‘Boy. Palinkron and I are not here to corner you. We are here to express our gratitude. …This ‘Ordeal’ is our way of thanking you for genuinely loving our young lady.’”

Now, we stood with our swords facing each other, undergoing a ‘trial.’
However, just like in the 110th floor where we were preempted, this was claimed to be merely an expression of gratitude.

“…!”

Christ couldn’t immediately deny it.
Perhaps recalling Maria’s precedent, his confusion only grew.

“‘Long ago, the boy told me… that what he desired was in the ‘Deepest Part’ of the Labyrinth, and that it was something I could not prepare for… That is precisely why, once more, I want to hear it from you. We are prepared to grant your wishes with all our might. …Now, what is it that you truly desire?’”

He spoke gently.
It was warm like family, and I felt a sense of security like that of an older brother.

However, combined with Palinkron’s earlier actions, the phrase “interrogation of carrot and stick” came to mind.
Perhaps this was their signature move, something they had repeated in life.
They weren’t just attacking Christ harshly like I would.
From two directions, they were pulling at Christ’s heart with their respective severity and kindness, trying to unravel it.

Christ’s heart had been relentlessly pressured for a long time.
Not just today. His worn-out mind and body had continued to tremble weakly, lost in confusion, and now, through the ‘120th Ordeal,’ a single honest thought was being drawn out.

“I want ‘Rustiara’… and ‘ordinary happiness.’ After saving the world, I wanted to live ‘happily’ with her forever…”

Was he answering us? Or was he reminding himself?
As if to confirm, Christ repeated what he had said before.

Unlike with Palinkron, Christ was truly straightforward with Mr. Hein.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Hein was momentarily shaken by ‘regret’—but without wavering, he accepted it and responded with praise.

“‘…Boy, that’s the ‘best’ answer. And this time, I will not shake my head. I will surely prepare it for you. That ‘Miracle.’”
“‘Miracles’ don’t happen… This ‘Deepest Part’ is just a storage room. No one can defeat me, and the future is already decided where nothing will happen…”
“‘That’s not true. After all, this time, unlike before, the location is good.’”

He stated firmly, looking around.
He saw infinite possibilities in this stage called the ‘Deepest Part’—and then, reminisced.

Mr. Hein seemed to be recalling memories as he spoke.
Christ and Mr. Hein had once dueled within the Labyrinth.
By leveraging that experience, he intended to change the outcome and the future this time.

“‘We will surely scold and bring back the young lady who left the boy behind and went on her own. So, please leave the rest to us. To my younger brother Rainer, and to ‘Helvishein’…’”

He elaborated on the solution I had proposed earlier.
Palinkron then added, as if striking while the iron was hot from behind.

“‘Let me be clear, Kanami’s Older Brother. If your proposal fails, Hein’s Younger Brother’s proposal is the best. …In the end, all Kanami’s Older Brother wants to make ‘happy’ are Rustiara and himself. All the help he’s provided until now was only for his own ‘peace of mind.’ Even if he extends his hands with ‘Demonic Poison,’ if he can only reach two people… saving the world is an impossible task. He’s not suited for it.’”

For Palinkron, this was unusually gentle.
Simultaneously, my body began to move.

“‘We vow to find a better future. Like this, ‘everyone together,’ combining our strengths—’”

He proposed, moving forward.
The swordplay was about to resume.
However, Christ was still wavering and lost in thought.

“A better future… ‘everyone together’…?”

No matter how much his body was filled with magic power, his mind, weakened by consecutive battles, had grown frail.
He tried to re-equip his ice sword with his ‘Monstrous Beast Arm,’ but his movements were clumsy and slow.
One ice sword began to melt, vaporizing, as if reflecting the confusion in his heart.

In sync with us, Palinkron, who stood further back, also began to move quietly.
Without any shouts or eye contact, they perfectly matched their breathing, attempting to sandwich Christ.

Both of them saw this as the best opportunity to strike.
Both of them trusted each other from the bottom of their hearts.

They were prepared to deliver a full-force strike if one of them were to be annihilated, with the survivor ensuring the blow.
However, this collaborative pincer attack was interrupted by Kanami—

“That’s no longer necessary. —‘The evil spirit of hell whispered transgressions’ ‘Sever the hands that pull back the living.’ —.”

Along with an ‘incantation’ that seemed to resent and seek to sever their trust, he finished casting his magic.
Simultaneously, Christ’s ‘Monstrous Beast Arm’ began to glow with an even deeper purple.

It was a magic name I had never heard before.
It was likely a new magic spell constructed improvisationally.
From the ‘incantation’ and the magic name, I sensed an intent to exorcise the evil spirits of Mr. Hein and Palinkron, and to separate me from Sia.

And then, that improvised yet supremely effective magic was unleashed.
With a ‘speed’ that made the swordplay up until this point seem like a lie, all of Mr. Hein’s and my swords were parried away.
Furthermore, an ice sword, clad in deep purple light, grazed my right hand.
“———–!?”

It was fast. Which meant, the reason Christ couldn’t break through with his sword until now was an “act.”

Even though Christ was at an overwhelming advantage, he cautiously leveraged his strengths and waited for the moment of certain victory. While fighting and arguing, he was coolly preparing a magic to counter the “Song of the Living Red Light” in the background. The result—

“Gah—!”

Pain, as if my raw skin had been stripped from my entire body, made it difficult to even stand.

The moment I realized our overlapping souls were about to be forcibly separated, I knelt, plunging all my swords into the ground.

Just grazing me caused the “Song of the Living Red Light” to unravel, and this pain. Yet, before my eyes—

“Gah, aaaaahhh!!”

A large “Monstrous Beast’s Arm,” clad in “Distance Mute Exorcism,” pierced through the body of Palinkron, who had been approaching Christ from behind.

Without noticing, one of the melting ice swords had disappeared. Using its free arm, it reached into its body made of black mud and lifted it with its “Strength.”

Christ smiled. He stopped “acting”—

“….Hah, ahahahaha. Mr. Hein, I knew from the start you’d try to attack from both sides at the end. Of course, it would have been best for me to have fallen for your provocation and carelessly approached Palinkron. It would have been second best for me to succumb to that sweet temptation. However, I held back. …This ‘struggle’ for the magic stones is my victory.”

He referred to all the conversations up to this point not as “talks,” but as a “struggle.” And declaring himself victorious, he didn’t deliver the finishing blow to me, who was kneeling before him—instead, Christ leaped high.

Using the power of “Distance Mute Exorcism” and the large “Monstrous Beast’s Arm,” he extracted Shira Legacy’s small body from the black mud body, then distanced himself to ensure his safety.

Shira, the caster and vessel, was like the core of the Boss Monster, Palinkron. Once she was removed, the remaining black mud began to collapse, unable to maintain its humanoid form—

Behind it, Christ landed in shallow water about ten meters away, first targeting the one person. Christ prioritized finishing off the most dangerous enemy.

First, he gently laid the sleeping Shira’s body down. She had likely fainted, experiencing the same excruciating pain as me from “Distance Mute Exorcism.” He extended one of the “Monstrous Beast’s Arms” to Shira’s torso. The plan was to reclaim the “Thief of Principles” I had given him, completely neutralizing it.

As Christ spoke, he meticulously manipulated Shira’s body with “Distance Mute Exorcism”—

“This is… the end… It’s okay now. It’s over…, …, ….—Huh?”

He continued to manipulate. Murmuring, he permeated “Distance Mute Exorcism” for nearly ten seconds, then his eyes widened.

“W-why…”

It wasn’t there. The moment he realized this, Christ looked up. And shifted his gaze back to the two of us who had been fighting until moments ago.

There, kneeling from “Distance Mute Exorcism,” were not just me and Older Brother—

It remained. The lump of black mud that had collapsed earlier, somehow maintaining its humanoid form. Even though it had lost its “contents,” Shira, the “outer layer” began to move. Vibrations emanated from the cavities of its head. This was no longer a proxy speaking for someone else.

“H-hah. Hahaha… You remembered our fight well and grew, Kanami’s Older Brother. But it’s not like I was just standing there, you know? I had been preparing to transfer to the ‘outer layer’ all along. Just like Kanami’s Older Brother, my precious niece’s safety comes first…”

The humanoid black mud, now just an “outer layer”—Palinkron Legacy itself—spoke, laughing as it straightened its collapsing body.

In other words, Palinkron had also been preparing impromptu magic in the background while talking. Likely using some “Blood Technique” or “Curse Technique” from a thousand years ago, it had transferred the magic stone of the dangerous “Thief of Principles” from its “contents,” Shira Legacy—

Now, the “outer layer” had become the “true” Palinkron.

A forbidden, underhanded trick. Yet, Christ, seeing the absurd magic, laughed. Perhaps feeling a sense of empathy—speaking like Palinkron Legacy, he laughed as he stood up from his crouched position.

“…H-hahaha, ahahahaha. …Not bad. Actually, it’s good. Palinkron, without hostages, do you think I’ll go easy on you anymore? Now I can kill you without mercy…! I can kill you again! That’s all!!”

Christ’s smile was filled with killing intent. A rare expression for him. Palinkron’s smile deepened at that emotion, which could only be directed at a special person. That face was the same as the “Blood Doll,” yet from a glance, it was unmistakably joy.

“Hah, hahaha!! Ahh! Of course, that’s how it should be! Now I can also move on to the next step without mercy! Come on, let’s go next, next…! I’ve waited this long, so I can play my hand boldly!!”

They were genuinely delighted to be able to kill each other. If you only took their words, it would be a conversation of unprecedented brutality. However, both were carried away by their own ideal scenarios, their voices leaping with excitement.

And immediately, Palinkron played its next card. It was as if singing an “incantation.” As if pulling “threads.” A certain continuation was sung.

“Now, my soul is connected to me from Shira… That Shira is connected from Teeda…, and that Teeda is connected from Legacy…, and that Legacy was connected from whom? Come, let’s trace our blood. Let’s spin the logic of the circle. All the bloodlines until now are a ‘price.’ —’Now, connect the blood and resonate the true soul song.’ —Magic ‘Song of the Living Red Light’ ‘Romis Neisha’.”
The Thief of the Law of Blood, who filled this 100th floor, had been activated.

Just as Shian had been summoned, it was now Palinkron who called out.

One after another.
As if drawing lines, points of the soul were connected.

Then, with his crimson blood magic, the name descended upon the black mud body: Romis Neisha.
A man who, a thousand years ago, stood as Christ’s enemy in the “Research Institute of Demonic Malformation” as the lord of Fanian.
A man who, despite being human, was deeply connected to the Thief of Principles.
That man, now through Palinkron’s soul and the one who steals the logic of darkness—

“Brother Kanami, my ‘Ordeal’s’ review is just beginning. And the first guest is none other than my— ‘Ah, I see. My descendant, Palinkron Legacy. …I shall praise you. Without a doubt, you are the supreme masterpiece of the Neisha and Legacy families, and a true ‘prodigy.'”

Palinkron’s frivolous words were interrupted by a new vibration from the hollow of black mud.
It was a voice I didn’t know. Nor did my older brother.

However, Christ seemed different.
As if facing a formidable enemy comparable to Palinkron, he tensed his body and repeated the name.

“Romis… Neisha…!”
“‘Hmph. So this is the source that Hermina Neisha spoke of… and is the Light God still the same? In that case…'”

He snorted disdainfully and first turned his face towards the ground.
Without even looking at Christ, he bowed respectfully towards his collaborators situated beyond.

“‘Apostle Diplakla, Apostle Sis… It is thanks to your prayers that I am here. That vibration will surely reach him—’ ‘—Ah, it has reached me as well. If it reached Palinkron Legacy, there’s no way it wouldn’t reach me. Would this Apostle Legacy abandon his game with Brother Kanami? No, that’s impossible. That, above all else, is impossible. Kukuku—'”

Following Romis, a child’s vibration could be heard from the ‘surface’ of the black mud.
The voice quality was closer to Palinkron’s.

Along with that somewhat suspicious voice, the face that was raised turned towards Christ.
His gaze was sticky and oppressive.

“L-Legacy…!? You, too, are here…!!”

Christ became even more wary of this new soul’s appearance than he had been of Romis.
However, Apostle Legacy was taking his time, diligently completing their tasks one after another.

“‘Then, Romis. Shall I praise you as well? For a thousand years, your blood has indeed granted my wish. Therefore, as an Apostle, I shall now fulfill the ‘Contract’. —’I want one more chance.’ I shall grant that thousand-year wish here.'”

Saying so, he thrust his black mud arm into his chest.
While tightly gripping the magic stone there, Romis began to speak.

“‘Are you watching me, Tiara Fuziaze… This story is by no means the work of your bloodline. Look at this radiant red 100th floor. It is not Fuziaze, but the blood of the ‘Thief of the Principles of the Soul’ nurtured by my Fanian that has completed the stage, and the true lord has now returned…! …Even so, you will likely laugh, calling it all your own script. But even so, I—’ ‘—Ah, that’s right. Even so, Romis, what matters isn’t winning or losing. Some things can be achieved through defeat. The strength of a ‘Person’ is to survive and be passed on to the next generation. We—'”

He wasn’t just speaking to Christ.
Now, with Palinkron as a focal point, I felt the paths of various souls intersecting.

All destinies were being bound together, and at their end.
Finally, Romis and Legacy—

“‘—We have learned. —Blood Arts [Line].'”

They finished chanting one magic.
Until now, Christ had been unable to keep up with the stories of the ever-changing souls.
However, this magic’s name seemed different, and he interjected.

“Th-that line… Could it be… ‘Rustiara’…?”

Feeling a connection to “The One and Only Destined Person” in this declaration, he began to mutter, “Impossible.”

“‘And Teeda, can you hear me? …That day, I feared you, and pushed your hand away. Ever since then, I have continued to challenge myself. Continuously aiming for a single goal. That is what I want to tell you now.'”

The magic stone he was now gripping was ‘The one who steals the logic of darkness’ Teeda.
I heard that Romis Neisha, the lord of Fanian, was his childhood friend.
Although they had once engaged in battles to the death and deception, I also knew that they were indeed friends.

I thought that relationship was a little similar to that between my older brother and Palinkron.
And Romis, as if not inferior to these Thief of Principles, strongly wished.

“‘—I will overcome the ‘Curse’. No matter what ‘Curse’ it may be, I believe that any ‘Person’ can eventually overcome it. There is nothing that cannot be overcome by a ‘Person’, even if the opponent is the world or God.'”
“…………!”

Christ was stunned into silence.

Were Tiara or Rustiara involved in these words of Romis?
Whose message was it, and to whom was it directed—

“‘Therefore, Teeda… I ask for your help again. This time, I will not be defeated by the ‘Curse’. I will not push your hand away. I will surely connect…! This time, we will survive together, undisturbed by anything…! I will show you by defeating that man…!!'”

While requesting cooperation from his former friend, he extended his black mud arm, the opposite of the one in his chest, forward.
It was an arm that continued to reach out, even after death, towards his precious childhood friend.

“‘We will not betray our friends again. Let this revenge battle be a testament to our trust.'”

It wasn’t just Romis’s vibration.
Two people’s vibrations overlapped.

And then, the humanoid figure of black mud began to move.
The inhuman face was looking at Christ and me kneeling— no, I realized it was also looking at Brother Hein, and as if in response, its body began to move little by little.