The dense magic power seeping from Christ’s mouth gathered in the sky above the 100th floor.
The sight of dark clouds obscuring the red light reminded me of a thousand years ago. At the same time, the fact that such a quantity was contained within one body was terrifying, and I hurried forward.
“…… It’s the same as during the labyrinth a thousand years ago. First, I’ll swap my body with Christ’s. Then, over a long period, I’ll cure your body’s illness.”
The proposed plan, like the dark clouds, evoked memories of a thousand years ago.
Though Christ seemed increasingly bewildered by the ancient plan, I continued without hesitation.
“Furthermore, I’ll add your and your ancestor’s ideas… and I’ll take that name as well. ‘Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker’ will be used by me starting today.”
“N-no, that’s impossible… Rainer… there’s no way it can be solved with such a foolish method…”
Christ, covering his mouth, looked at me with eyes that seemed to see an unbelievable idiot.
It was the same look I had once directed at Christ, and it felt a little nostalgic.
“It may sound foolish, but you taught me this too. In this ‘World,’ names are important, so you told me to add furigana and shout with all my might, didn’t you? With this proper magic usage, I will become Christ from now on.”
I was aware that I was saying insane things.
But even so.
If you continue to believe, you can become the ‘real thing’ someday.
There were people who truly became so by continuing to wish for it.
Because our ancestors have already shown us the path of blood, I can make this proposal with all sincerity without hesitation, and I have no intention of backing down.
“I will inherit all the ‘curses’ that remain in you. Including your name and body, I, myself, will go to the ‘Deepest Part’ in your stead.”
Christ, who called himself ‘Star Principle Thief’ with the power of ten magic stones, his path will be inherited by me, who has collected ten magic stones.
This means becoming the ‘Lord of the World’ and the administrator of ‘Demonic Poison.’
Reaching a ‘Magic’ body would mean transcending the mortal principle, which sounds good, but it also means dying and becoming merely a soul.
The moment Christ sensed my impending death, his expression stiffened.
Even as more magic power spilled from his mouth, he shouted and spoke forcefully.
“———!! Th-that, I absolutely refuse…! I won’t let you do that! Rainer, who has worked so hard until today, should become ‘happy’!!”
Unwilling to give up, he began to muster his fighting spirit.
Looking at me with genuine determination, he vowed to never allow a future where his companions die. But I, the victor, retorted confidently.
“Didn’t I just say it? This daily act of saving people is my ‘happiness.’ To be honest, it’s not much different from my knight life until today.”
“How can it be the same! First of all, curses don’t transfer that conveniently! That’s too ridiculous, it was an option I erased from the start! Such a future doesn’t exist anywhere in this ‘World’!”
I don’t think so.
Was that option, which I erased from the start, truly a mistake and non-existent?
Wasn’t I merely narrowing the power of the ‘Purple Thread’ by ‘constricting’ myself?
Wasn’t I only seeing the ‘last page’ by misusing ‘Future Vision’?
No matter how unfair magic or skills one possesses, their true worth depends on the user. If the user is too kind, their power can easily become useless—or worse, detrimental, as I have seen many times with ‘Thieves of Principles.’
“Do you really think it’s ridiculous? You might be convinced of that, but it’s the ‘World’ that decides.”
I replied, looking at the floating ‘rift’ in the air.
Now, I could feel the being on its other side very close.
I was proposing not only to Christ but to the world itself.
“…Did you hear that? Therefore, from here on, it will depend on the world. Including the ‘curse,’ who will be the ‘Lord of the World’…… Decide now, here. Which of us, Christ or ‘we,’ would make the world feel more at ease?”
“……?!”
It was a distasteful question to ask after the battle had concluded. Christ sensed my intention and, not to be outdone, gazed at the ‘rift’ and began to appeal.
“…I! The ‘World’ has always chosen me, watched me, and been with me! You’ve seen my strong form up close! It’s always been ‘my World’!!”
“That may be so. However, that doesn’t mean the ‘World’ will continue to choose you forever. Because… the ‘World’ also grows. It changes. It’s not a child forever. After the battles up to this point, you should have increased your ability to think for yourself. For example, is it a truly legitimate ‘transaction’…? Will the ‘transaction’ partner truly keep their promise…? Especially thanks to that extremely wicked Tiara and Hidaki.”
“The ‘World’ grows…?”
As if to confirm the truth of my words, Christ looked towards the ‘rift’ with eyes that asked, “Is it true?”
His gaze was surprisingly gentle.
Even towards the infinite power behind the ‘rift,’ he looked with the eyes of a worried infant.
This was truly insane talk. It was problematic because Christ was doing this with all seriousness, not out of madness.
And that was precisely what I wanted to complain about the most.
“That gaze is your greatest flaw. Unconsciously, you look down even on the ‘World.’ That’s why you strive to save and rescue not just all of humanity, but even the stage it’s on… Frankly, no matter how capable you are, it’s not something one person should be able to do.”
“……!”
Upon hearing those words, Christ wore a pained expression, as if he understood, and fell silent.
It was likely due to “Constriction” loosening.
We met each other’s eyes, our strength further whittled away.
Finally, his warnings were reaching me properly.
“You keep trying to do what you can’t, and if you continue like this, you’ll suffer eternally… That’s why you’re not suited to be the ‘Lord of the World.'”
“J-Just because of that, you think you’re more suited…? Because helping people is your life’s purpose? Just for a reason like that, pushing through to the 100th floor and beyond… it’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
He was practically admitting it, yet he continued to struggle, trembling.
He truly was like a lord, but I wouldn’t show him any mercy, and I would put him in check.
No, to be precise, everyone else has already put him in check.
I borrow even the words for discussion, let alone battle, from everyone, and connect them—
“Being suited for it isn’t just about myself. Older brother and Glen-san are with me too. And by the way, I’ll also make Palinkron cooperate to the extent of his sins. Just as I relied on the ‘Thief of Principles’ earlier, I’ll rely on everyone with all my might. …You saw how wide my connections are earlier, didn’t you? If it’s ‘everyone together,’ we can overcome even your absurd power.”
Including the outcome of the battle on the 100th floor, I convinced him with a boastful tone.
I continued to explain unilaterally to Christ, who couldn’t retort after his defeat.
“You don’t have to worry about your ‘Curse’ of ‘The One You Love Most Dies’ either. That’s just too single-minded and distorted for you… for me, it’s a ‘Blessing’ that allows me to find ‘The One and Only Destined Person.’ I’ll gratefully use it for finding a future partner.”
“E-Even if… it transfers successfully and you use it! That’s just delaying the inevitable! Someday, a future will come where Rainer suffers from ‘The One You Love Most Dies’! Therefore, it’s only right that I bear it here! It’s decided by the ‘Principles of the World’ that those who gain power they aren’t suited for must pay the ‘Price’!!”
“Even if it’s just a delay, we can all think of a solution during that time. …And ‘everyone together’ includes the World. What kind of ending do you want the World to weave into this story? I want to hear the ‘last page’ the World wants to read first.”
“……!!”
Christ continued to be surprised by me, inserting even the ‘breaks’ into our conversation.
The ‘World’ was also surprised and continued to intensify its gaze.
I’m sorry, but I’ll rely on not only ‘people’ but also the ‘World’ with all my might.
For Christ—no, for the ‘Thief of Principles’—who has suffered terribly many times because of the ‘World’—this is an unbelievable path.
The ‘World,’ being immature, was cruel and always unreasonable. Due to the trauma of that painful life, they’ve decided from the start that the ‘World’ is a troublesome existence—
I don’t think so.
I’m sorry, but ‘my World’ was not like that.
‘My World’ was always strict but fair.
It was reassuring with every ‘Incantation,’ and very dependable.
Honestly, I think the idea that the ‘World’ is an enemy is outdated. Furthermore, even the ‘Deal with the World’ that started it all is old.
Now, we can even have a ‘dialogue with the World.’ Together with the World, we can create a better flow and choose a newer path.
Christ continues to shake his head at my belief.
“Leaving the helm to the ‘World’ itself is dangerous…! You’ll be used by bad people like Tiara! It becomes a disaster just with the emergence of irregulars like Hitaki! This ‘World’ still needs a ‘Lord of the World’ to protect it!!”
“But the ‘World’ has overcome even that Tiara and Hitaki. …It’s not like I’m entrusting the entire helm to it. Are you saying that even my proposal to rely on that valuable experience and cooperate is unacceptable?”
“Th-That is…”
When I asked, Christ lost the words to retort.
He was probably frantically thinking to come up with a different answer in his head. However, before waiting for that answer, an impatient companion from behind interjected.
“…Hero-sama, you’re making assumptions again. Why is it that everyone else doesn’t grow and you always assume they won’t change? …Rai-chi, you’re taking too long on this simple matter of suitability. Let’s move on to the next topic quickly.”
Noir, who mentioned the next topic, tightly gripped four magic stones in his hand.
According to the operation planned in advance, the destination of one of those magic stones was Noir’s body.
“Noir… Are you really okay with this?”
I confirm.
I still have doubts about this next topic alone.
If it were simply about ‘saving the World,’ the proposals up to this point would suffice. However, if it’s about ‘saving Christ’s World’ as well, the next proposal becomes unavoidable. And that proposal involves not only my life but also Noir’s—
“What are you talking about now? I’ve cooperated this far because I heard I could go with you.”
Noir glared at me, absolutely refusing to let things be twisted.
Then, he loudly declared his wish.
“From here on… I’m going too. If I can go, I will definitely go! My wish is to surpass both Hero-sama and Tiara-sama and become a true ‘Saint’! So, further ahead! To where neither Hero-sama nor Tiara-sama have gone! To a place no one else has seen! I definitely want to go!!”
Noir finished shouting her request to accompany them.
This meant she would hand over her body to someone else, become a “Magic Stone Human” herself, and proceed beyond the “Deepest Part.”
Her eyes overflowed with the light of hope, filled with determination.
There was no trace of shadow in them.
She was the complete opposite of Christ, whom she had just faced.
Her eyes were neither vacant nor reluctant.
When I first met her, Noir was more like Christ in temperament, a girl with a dark image. But she had grown stronger. Most importantly, she had become more optimistic.
Christ probably felt the same way.
Compared to himself just moments ago, he squinted his eyes, looking at Noir as if she were incredibly dazzling.
Understanding the meaning of the words “suited for it” that had been repeated so many times, Christ called out her name as if to confirm.
“Noir too…?”
At that gaze from her nemesis, Noir gave a slightly uncomfortable smile and continued her explanation.
“…I absolutely refuse to hand over my body to a Hero, but I don’t mind doing so for Rustiara Fuziaze. Because she’s a “Magic Stone Human” by blood, and apparently she’s like my sister.”
She felt sympathy for Rustiara, who had shared the same tragic fate despite being born at the same time, and possessed a strong sense of family.
Hearing the added reason, Christ’s expression became complicated, and his words of protest were further silenced.
“Family… so…”
He probably had many things he wanted to say.
Resurrecting the dead wasn’t as simple as transferring a vessel.
With Hairi as a precedent, resurrections using blood or magic stones should be approached with caution, and other methods should be explored further—but he set all those arguments aside and moved forward, albeit unsteadily, with his hand covering his mouth.
Because her words had been taken away, he intended to stop Noir by force.
However, it wasn’t just because he didn’t want to admit defeat. He didn’t want me and Noir to become sacrifices because of him and Rustiara.
From his overly kind expression, I understood immediately.
Even in my current condition, Christ was trying his best to save both of us.
But from his cornered expression, I understood something else.
It was that the primary reason he was trying to save us now was for his own “peace of mind”—
Christ was still desperately trying to help people.
At his stubbornness, Noir’s anger flared, and her fighting spirit reignited.
“So don’t misunderstand…! This also serves to extend my own life! But I will just use all of you to survive…!!”
Noir clutched the four magic stones in her hands and slammed them onto the ground while looking up at the sky.
Instantly, the flow of magic from the 100th floor shifted, and a vortex began to swirl around Noir.
“I can definitely handle “Levann” better… If it’s me, I can save the world better than Rustiara-san or Tiara-sama…! I can even surpass Hero Kanami someday… I believed that and came this far!!”
“Guh…! “Levann” again…!”
Realizing that the magic from the “Final Festival” was being stolen again, just as when Noir had first launched her surprise attack, Christ began to counter.
He spewed magic from his mouth and raised one arm, trying to regain the flow of magic.
I watched their struggle.
I observed the difference between these two, along with the world.
“It’s a lot of dangerous “Magic.” But I’m not alone. —Resonance magic, “Gravity Greed”.”
“The “Demonic Poison” should be contained in one vessel and managed! By the hands of the chosen one! —”Gravity Greed”!”
The star-attributed magic, which mixed multiple types of magic, was unleashed simultaneously.
Two masses of gravity began to suck in the surrounding magic with tremendous force and rushed forward.
It was the exact same kind of battle as before—except the power dynamic had reversed.
In the contest of “Gravity Greed,” Noir, who referred to it as “Magic,” had the upper hand.
“Wh-Why…?”
“Didn’t I tell you that the quality of the magic has changed! Thanks to everyone on the surface, everyone’s wishes are riding on this magic! They want to save you… Crush yourself under the weight of that desire! KANAMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!)
Magic has no will.
Yet, the surrounding magic clearly chose Noir’s “Gravity Greed” and moved to help her.
The “Levann” and “Line” that extended from the surface.
All flows converged to Noir’s “Gravity Greed” and concentrated.
And Noir had perfectly controlled that infinite increase in gravity.
She wore a smile that suggested she was the most proficient in handling star attributes, surpassing the renowned mages and “Thief of Principles” from a thousand years ago.
—She had been suited for star attributes since birth.
It was a congenital talent that could only be explained as such.
Christ, who was now comparing his abilities against her face-to-face, probably felt this the most.
At the same time, he must have felt his own innate lack of talent.
Completely stripped of the initiative for “Levann” and “Line,” Christ’s expression was the polar opposite of Noir’s smile.
—The world watched the two of them like no one else.
I want you to reconsider this calmly now.
This is Christ. No matter how much the World favors its beloved Protagonist, the difference is now obvious.
More than anything, Christ is beginning to acknowledge it themselves.
Feeling hope in Noir fighting so vibrantly before them, they are starting to see new possibilities.
So is the World.
Now, hearing the words “Magic Power” in relation to Noir, it favored and cheered them on, sending them Magic Power.
Since the Final Festival began, the World has repeatedly looked away from Christ.
Those repeated glances and shifts in the flow are now converging on her.
“I will definitely win!! This time, for real, this very last moment! It’s my victoryyyyyy!!”
With the caster’s desperate cry, Noir’s “Gravity Greed” consumed their opponent.
Furthermore, its momentum did not falter, and it surged forward—only to veer slightly just before impact.
The clump of gravity that swallowed everything passed by the weakened Christ and then dissipated into magic and gravity in the distance as if bursting.
If they had wanted to deliver the finishing blow, they could have done so easily.
However, Noir, as the victor, showed mercy to their enemy.
Christ must be in utter shock.
Standing there stunned, they muttered to themselves.
“I… lost…? Completely, head-on… I, to Noir-chan…?”
Regardless of the circumstances or how much of a handicap they had, they probably thought they would never lose to Noir. The shock deepened by the amount of arrogance they had, unconsciously looking down on her.
Conversely, Noir seemed overjoyed by that same arrogance.
Still holding Shea, they reveled in bragging about the outcome of this battle.
“Haa, haa, haa… See… I’m better at using star magic, aren’t I…? Come on, Hero. Are you still going to fight…?” They chuckled smugly.
Still, they were exhausted.
Were they to pursue now, they could easily defeat them, but Christ did not attempt to do so.
More accurately, they tried to raise their one arm, but stopped halfway—their gaze shifting slightly, looking at me and the World watching.
It was a hesitant gesture befitting the prideful Christ.
They likely couldn’t bear to do something so embarrassing as refusing to admit defeat even after being shown such clear mercy, especially in front of us.
They are also likely considering the possibility that Noir might somehow wring out more Magic Power even in their exhausted state.
After all, such a flow has already been established in the World.
The flow has completely shifted towards Noir’s victory and shows no sign of returning.
I decided to state this fact to Christ.
“The World has judged that we are more suited than you… So, please acknowledge it quickly. I beg you. Please, let us… help you.”
Speaking it out loud and conveying it is important.
After all, we do not want to defeat Christ; we simply want them to find ‘peace’ now.
Christ, who had started to raise their left hand, looked at me, their eyes trembling.
They are likely thinking at a speed unimaginable for an ordinary person. And again and again, they must have reached the conclusion that they are already cornered.
Even if they were to fight Noir, their daughter Nosfy is protecting their body.
In such a situation, how could a father win?
Furthermore, my twin swords still hold everyone’s true “Magic.”
The difference in power is also evident in the number of Magic Stones held by the “Thief of Principles.”
Now, I have seven: Darkness, Earth, Wood, Wind, Blood, Water, and Moon.
Noir has three: Light, Fire, and Void.
Each of the Magic Stones is firmly supporting their wielder.
In contrast, Christ only has…
“Ah… aaa…”
Now, only one of their own.
Finally realizing this reality after desperately struggling, Christ’s solitary muttering ceased to be words.
With simple sobs, they slowly lowered their raised left arm.
Down, down, down.
Eventually, their left hand and both knees touched the ground.
Scratching at the shallow water as if digging their nails in, they spewed out all that was in their heart.
“Aah, aaaah… aaaaaaaaah…!”
Continuing to grieve.
Christ wants to meet Rustiara—but if they win here, they would only move further away from Rustiara.
They no longer have the strength to continue fighting while contradicting this reality.
So, all they can do is wail.
All they can do is groan.
Crying out like a child, tears falling into the shallow water.
“Aaaah, aaaaaaaaah…! Aaaaaaaah—”
They continued to cry until they were utterly spent.
Afterward, Christ relaxed the strength in their hands planted on the ground.
The tension from their arms and shoulders subsided, and the trembling of their neck and head stopped.
Slowly, their face was raised, and they answered the words the girl before them was waiting for.
“…. .. … Ah. Noir, you win…”
They admitted defeat.
Even during this time, tears flowed incessantly, unable to stop.
However, along with those tears, their strength and Magic Power drained from their entire body.
Everything they had tried to suppress with their mouth was now released.
Christ was allowing themselves to lose strength and weaken.
It was also a sign of them finally forgiving their weaker self by abandoning their strong self.
Dark magic power filled the 100th floor, and it was being stolen by Noir’s Levann.
Christ no longer resisted at all.
Leaving only the magic power necessary for his own body, he simply accepted his defeat.
Facing that sight, I returned my twin swords to their scabbards.
However, Noir, who had a short acquaintance with Christ, seemed somewhat unable to believe the scene before him. He had overestimated Christ more than anyone else, believing this man could still fight—but even she had to admit how drained Christ appeared now.
“Hah… hahaha, haha… Did you see that? Did you hear that just now?”
Noir slowly savored the reality of his victory.
Then, with a smile that was characteristic of her, she began to boast about her great achievement.
“Tiara… According to our Contract, I have surpassed you. I have accomplished what you could not… N-no, a false god like you! I-I will fear you no longer! I am now more worthy of being called a Saint! More than anyone, I, Noir, am the most Saintly! The true inheritor of ‘Divine Prayer’ is not the Hero or Rustiara, but I, NOIR!!!!! Thank you, WORLD!!!!”
Before long, she seemed to recognize the “crack” within her and offered her greatest thanks to the World.
The World, in return, sent a slightly embarrassed glance at her direct thanks.
It was quite favorable. Perhaps it was because Noir, despite her blunt words and mind, was truly a Saint.
A Magic Stone Human who would sacrifice herself to save the World.
This girl, who had achieved victory and salvation over Christ, something even Tiara couldn’t do, and was now determined to save the World as well—
Facing the Saint, Noir, Christ continued regretfully.
“Ah, this is Noir’s victory… and my defeat…”
However, he also had a wry smile on his face.
Finally, Christ’s expression and emotions were approaching what I knew so well.
Confirming this, I also spoke to him.
“Christ…”
“Rainer…”
We called each other’s names.
Looking at Christ’s tear-streaked face, I truly believed the poison had left him.
This wasn’t about the Demonic Poison leaving his body. It wasn’t about being freed from God’s power. It was about all burdens, including that “stenosis,” disappearing, and his mental clarity returning.
For some reason, I felt I could easily read Christ’s inner thoughts.
And I felt that Christ, now, would understand my own inner thoughts.
We were communicating without words.
Perhaps that’s why Christ suddenly turned his gaze towards Noir and Shia.
It seemed he was more worried about the two of them than me. Annoyed that their nature wouldn’t change even if they died, I returned a wry smile and nodded.
“Ah, I understand. I’ll keep an eye on Noir to make sure she doesn’t stray from the path. And you…”
“Mr. Hein and the others will watch over you… No, we’ll all watch over each other and protect each other. That’s the different future Rainer thought of…”
“It’s not me. It’s the new path we’ve reached just now, surviving ‘all together.’ More than you think, this is all guesswork.”
Even though we understood each other, Christ seemed to have learned the importance of expressing things verbally. In a tone that was once characteristic of him, he answered about the new path.
However, the conversation didn’t last long.
Because when Christ heard the words “all together,” he seemed to accept everything.
“It seems so… I see…”
As a result, no further words came from Christ.
If I were to say whose efforts led to this, it would be mine and Noir’s. Shia and Hairi. Of course, Glen and Fafnir, and everyone from the Thief of Principles—
There were probably many faces that came to mind right now.
So, all that was left was to nod, accept, and feel it.
“If that’s the case… it’s fine. I’m okay with that…”
And finally, Christ averted his gaze from me. While shedding large tears, he reported to his beloved, “The One and Only Destined Person.”
“Rustiara… The fighting is… over now…”
I actually wanted to have a more detailed discussion about the “Next Labyrinth Project.”
But at this point, I didn’t feel like I could intrude between the two main characters. More importantly, Christ had a look of determination, trusting and handing over to the next generation, to me and Noir.
Christ happily reported to “The One and Only Destined Person,” and just like with Noir—
“I lost, and everyone won… Indeed, this was a Duel… with you…”
He also admitted defeat to Rustiara.
Following that, Christ’s eyes slowly closed.
The tears flowed more abundantly. Even the smile on his lips widened, and a voice escaped from the depths of his throat.
“Hahaha, ahahahaha… Fufu…”
Perhaps it was due to the tears, but his laughter was no longer dry.
And from his gentle, tearful face, which looked as if he were asleep, I knew that Christ was now reminiscing about the past.
From the great defeat that awaited him on the 100th floor of the labyrinth, he re-examined his own life and began to “recall” it.
I watched beside him, witnessing his reflection.
