I held my breath before Mizunagi, but unlike me, her expression was bright.
She smiled and spoke to me, looking just as she did in my memories.
“Didn’t we make a promise? I said I wouldn’t disappear from Kanami’s side. I said from now on, it would be “everyone together.”
Her voice was exactly the same as I remembered.
As that initial promise echoed, a flood of words rushed through my mind.
Regret, apologies, weakness, escape—
From them all, I chose one and nodded.
“Yeah… Mizunagi. Thanks to you, I was never alone. …Thank you. I will never “erase” you again.”
I expressed my gratitude for the past and made a promise for the future.
This was something I should have sworn on the day of her funeral if it had been meant to be.
Finally, I could voice the feelings I had kept hidden from her all this time.
“I won’t say I wish I’d never been born anymore… I won’t despair, and I will never attempt suicide again. Thanks to you, I’ve come this far… I will live on, for your sake.”
My face was wet with tears, but I managed to smile back at Mizunagi.
Even now, I think it’s wicked to say “thanks to you” or “for your sake” when I’m the one who drove her to death. But I also learned today, during the “Final Festival,” that it wasn’t just that.
I conveyed all my memories, to Mizunagi, who was the beginning of everything.
Hearing my words of promise, she deliberately grumbled “Mmmph” before her face lit up even further.
“Hehe! I’m finally hearing positive words from Kanami, so I can “rest assured” too! …For a while there, you ran from me, even forgot my name… Honestly! Really, Kanami! What am I going to do with you! But I’ll forgive you! However, in return! From now on, you’ll call me Kana-chan!”
She used my nostalgic nickname, and my mistakes were forgiven.
Of course, it was truly *I* who could “rest assured.”
The holes in my heart that had festered for years began to fill.
But, ah, truly—
I thought it was too convenient. It was too perfect, too “ideal.”
Even if the effects of my “magic” had vanished, whether these words were “fabricated” or “real”—
As I pondered this with a complex smile, a bad habit, she sighed, “You’re really troublesome! But it’s so like you, Kana-chan,” and averted her gaze slightly.
“The “answer” to that, Kana-chan has already chosen for herself. The hand you’re holding is the “proof,” isn’t it?”
She smiled at my right hand and then smiled at me.
At the other end of that held hand was the precious person I had finally obtained after surviving in this “Another World.”
—Whether “fabricated” or “real,” it didn’t matter. She was my precious, “The One and Only Destined Person.”
So, I no longer had any doubts. I tightened my grip on my right hand and, like a child, gave a short, “Yeah…” to express my gratitude to her.
Mizunagi accepted it with a happy smile.
Then, she shifted her gaze to the next in line.
“Exactly! And so, since Kana-chan seems to be out of worry… it’s Hidaki’s turn next! From here on out, I’ll cheer Hidaki on with all my might! I, Mizunagi, your big sister, will be watching from here! Do your best!”
The worries that had taken me over a thousand years to resolve were settled in less than a minute.
And so, Mizunagi began to watch the rear, where the fierce battles were unfolding.
She then raised her voice with all her might towards her sister fighting in the distance. For some reason, she also took it upon herself to call herself “big sister.”
Her cheers reached Hidaki loud and clear.
Her sister, who had been freezing over a hundred “beast arms” with her full-powered “Freeze,” turned around, surprised by the unbelievable miracle, and paused her battle.
She instinctively hugged her partner Tiara and moved a little distance away from Noi. From that safe zone, she now saw and heard what I saw and heard.
“Hidaki, how was it? Was there someone there who was your “Equal footing”— No, a friend who surpassed you!?”
Mizunagi proudly declared, “So, the prediction bet is my win!” and puffed out her chest.
Seeing her, Hidaki’s eyes welled up with tears.
The memory of her senior, who had repeatedly challenged her even after losing, always to the death, was deeply etched in her mind.
Just as the future her beloved senior had foretold, Hidaki strongly grasped Tiara’s hand, who was blushing beside her. Then, like me, she clutched the precious thing she had gained through her loss and replied with a tearful smile, “Yes, Sister Mizunagi!”
Wiping away her tears, Hidaki returned to the battle with Tiara.
Mizunagi, having watched them go, also wiped tears from the corners of her eyes, just like Hidaki, and murmured with a refreshed expression.
“…Haa. Now I have no “lingering desire” left either. I’m truly glad. I’m relieved to have finally kept my promise.”
“You kept… a promise?”
I hadn’t expected it and asked for clarification.
Above all, the word “lingering desire” didn’t seem to suit Mizunagi.
However, she explained, looking back and forth between the siblings as if to say she was no different from us.
“Yes, didn’t we make a promise? Someday, to play together, the three of us… no, “everyone together”! …Was I talking about that with Hidaki, not Kana-chan? Well, in any case, we had a promise! To have this kind of “everyone together” time!!”
Playing together, the three of them, I thought she had promised Hidaki.
“Everyone together” was something we promised in the evening classroom.
She seemed to have been concerned about that promise with the siblings.
And with that promise fulfilled, she watched the scene on the 100th floor and enjoyed herself wholeheartedly.
“I always wanted to play games like this, just the three of us, you know. Like, me and Hidaki would tease Kanako while she was having fun, and then we’d all beat the final boss together with ‘everyone united’ and watch a touching happy ending.”
Tempted, I also turned my gaze and strained my eyes.
The battle on the 100th floor, which I hadn’t paid much attention to anymore, I rewatched it carefully at Kanagi’s request.
Indeed, it was a scene that made it understandable for her, a modern person, to mention RPGs.
The battlefield was the seemingly endless, dark shallows and sea of the 100th floor of the labyrinth.
However, it was very bright with the white rainbow light shining from above, and in the distance, many spectacular, out-of-specs great magic spells were flying. But even though it was in the distance, the concept of distance was completely distorted. Though it should have been far, I could see everything as if it were right in front of me. It gave me the sensation of being captivated by a beautiful scene projected on a display.
In that distant yet close field, strange black-purple ominous clouds spread, and the attribute magic that is standard in fantasy worlds countered them.
The three colors that stood out particularly intensely were crimson Fire Magic, deep blue Ice Magic, and white-green Wind Magic. They sparkled with divine effects, each seemingly a top-tier magic, flashing one after another to fill my vision. Sometimes they would burst and surge forward, the shock passing through even to our backs.
Of course, in addition to attack magic, light and sacred healing magic also spread softly and warmly like afterglows. Dark and wood support magic also lit up like fireflies here and there.
The magic used by the Thief of Principles could all be described as the extreme.
Not just in terms of raw power, but also in its beauty.
The unfamiliar Kanagi was overjoyed by this extreme magic. Of course, her mention of RPGs was probably a metaphor. Still, it was undeniable that one could feel it was fun, like a flashy fantasy movie or game.
After all, I felt the same way.
The battle before me looked exactly like the final battles I had fought in countless games… and honestly, it was fun.
It might be a contradiction, but right now, I was experiencing the 100th floor as a tangible reality while also enjoying it as a game.
…But then again, maybe it had always been like this.
Compared to the Original World, this Other World had always been kinder.
It had been a world of magic where effort was rewarded with strength, a world of equality.
Or rather, was I favored? I made full use of all that preferential treatment and, along with my talented companions, continued to challenge myself all the way to the Deepest Part. Those days of Adventure were truly like my favorite games… Finally, I felt like I had overcome all the Ordeals of the Thief of Principles, including myself, and found a single truth.
“Ah, ah, yes. That’s right, Kanagi-san… It had always been like this…”
And so, now, my true Lingering Desire was being resolved.
The ‘Immutability’ cast on my body was also fading.
I could confirm this by the difference between the ‘past’ and ‘present’ of the final battle unfolding before my eyes.
Looking at this final battle from the very back now, I couldn’t help but recall the screen I had stared at in dark rooms in the past.
In my childhood, I remembered repeatedly fighting the final boss and always losing. Because I kept losing, my sister Hidaki, who watched with me, would always look dejected and disappointed.
But today was different.
Looking at the backs of the companions who had gathered, I felt nothing but the premonition of victory. Moreover, the voices of everyone, heard through the ‘real threads’, further fueled this confidence.
Just now, Apostle Diplakla had begun to draw a new great magic circle on the shallows of the 100th floor.
Responding to it were the vibrations of my companions.
Unlike the end of a thousand years ago, the Thief of Principles, who should have been my companions, were not scattered.
Regardless of the past or present, they continued to call out to each other, fighting collaboratively.
I surrendered my entire body to this pleasant vibration and felt it.
Just by doing that, I already—
“—Now, Teeda and I have created the magic circle! But be careful before that!”
“Aaah! The ominous clouds are spreading widely in that direction, Maria, you two!”
“No need for you to tell me, I already know! We’ll burn it all up right away!”
“I’ll create a wall of flames! Rowen and the others please step back for now!”
I watched. Magic for defensive walls was beautifully coordinated to protect the new magic circle. The positioning of the front-row fighters also changed in perfect sync with its deployment—
“Roger that! But before I fall back, let me slash the sky one more time! Girl over there, watch more closely! Next time will be even more amazing!!”
“A-aah! I’m watching, Rowen Aleis-san! Your sword is truly amazing!!”
“…Rowen, you prefer girls like my older sister Deeah, don’t you? I’ve known that since you taught me sword fighting at the orphanage.”
“Oh, this is surprising… It seems there are proper young ladies on the 100th floor as well. Or rather, Fenrir-dono and the third family head are similar even to this extent. Is this also a matter of blood?”
The positioning didn’t change perfectly. However, even so, everyone was having fun, complementing each other’s shortcomings. That’s why everyone’s position was always more than sufficient—
“Kuhaha! That’s right, Siddharuku! Everyone was connected! Even if they weren’t connected by blood! That’s why it’s good, isn’t it! It’s really good to have companions! Right, everyone—!!”
“Well, you’re a knight who’s a bit too enthusiastic, aren’t you? And why does that ‘Blood Doll’ glare at me when I get close?”
“Kuhaha. Undoubtedly, the cleaner hates you. Even though you’re a murderer like me, it’s because you occupy too much of Fafnir’s heart.”
“Hmmm, did we just talk about love? Please include this child in such conversations too! Actually, I’ve wanted to talk about this with you all for a long time!”
There was more than enough time for idle chatter. Just like me, everyone probably cares more about “real threads” than battles. I can’t help but be happy in this very moment, and that’s why—
“Ah, please include me as well! When it comes to love talks, Franryure Helvirshine is here! Ahh, love that adorns this legendary battle is so wonderful!”
“As expected, Fran and Titty-neechan have a good wavelength. Actually, I’ve always thought so… but now is not the time! — *Dragoon Adder*!!”
“Yes, now is not the time. To be concerned with romance at a time like this… Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as my elder sister is happy, I’m fine with it.”
“You’re surprisingly sweet… However, as a knight, I agree that I’m happy to finally see you looking cheerful. …Well then, Nosfy-sama. Is it about time?”
Thus, even those who were seen as serious in battle were somewhat drawn in by their carefree companions. While carrying out their duties properly, they would offer wry smiles and genuinely enjoy the cooperation and banter with their comrades—
“It’s fine, my supreme knight Sera. Our defenses and preparations are more than sufficient, so you can let the foolish ones do as they please. Right, my sister Noir?”
“Yes! Leave it to Noir, the saint who is the sister of this saintess! With the real Noir, everything is ready! I intend to match the magic of the teacher and Diplakla-sama as well!”
“Oh, my junior is working hard. Heh heh heh, you’re so excited to be free from me. As a former saint, I can’t afford to lose!”
“That’s right, Tiara! As an Apostle, I can’t lose to her alone! Saving the world is something we will all do!!”
Because it’s fun, even though I’m fighting Noi, talks of victory and defeat are only exchanged among ourselves. Among them, my sister, whom Ms. Kotsunagi saw off earlier, was particularly focused on Rainer, who was in the center.
“Whether Tiara is a saint is a debatable topic… but I certainly can’t afford to lose. Especially to Rainer Helvirshine, who is over there, for some reason.”
“W-why is my sister glaring at me? I do have some idea… It can’t be helped. If you consider me an equal, I must show you a corresponding figure…! Gather everyone’s power to me! I will unite it all again!”
The sight of that battle was too bright.
That’s why my vision blurs.
It’s so dazzling I can’t look directly at it.
“Ah, ahh…”
I should properly bear witness to everyone’s battle.
Even though I understand that, my consciousness is drawn more to the vibrations traveling along the “real threads” than to the battle on the 100th floor.
As it inclines, I acknowledge my own “lingering desire.”
“Yeah… I’ve always wanted this… I thought I’d lost so much in my ‘Adventure’… But I had obtained it. It was truly fun… and comforting… and precious…”
So, the more I hear the vibrations, the more Ms. Kotsunagi’s presence fades away.
The outline of her body thins, and the miracle of ‘recall’ through magic begins to unravel.
It was the exact same phenomenon as the “Thief of Principles” who were disappearing after their “lingering desires” were resolved. To put it plainly, they would disappear.
Even knowing this, I say it without hesitation.
“Ms. Kotsunagi… From another world, I will live a ‘happy’ life until I die, absolutely. This has nothing to do with ‘lingering desire’ or ‘dreams.’ It’s because I, myself, have chosen this life and vowed it. Therefore… now, ‘my world’ has been saved.”
“Fufu… I’m glad I could save you. However, this is not goodbye. I won’t disappear… — our hearts will always be together…”
Her vibrations ceased.
At the same time, she vanished from my sight.
Now, I feel as though a very long prayer has ended.
One miracle has also vanished.
But neither the prayer nor the miracle has disappeared yet.
I move my body, believing we will always be together.
“Thank you very much, Ms. Kotsunagi. With this, my ‘incantation’ is also over… But before I activate my ‘magic,’ I want to introduce you to the one I will use it on…”
My body has no strength left. There is no magic power at all.
Still, wanting to convey this to Ms. Kotsunagi, I raise my left hand, which I’m still holding, towards everyone.
Especially, I boast about my knight, who is at the center.
“Over there… The one at the center is Rainer Helvirshine… The boy who will become the ‘protagonist’ of the next story.”
It was also a declaration.
However, the world itself responded to that declaration before anyone else.
That statement must have been special. From beyond the “break,” I received a gaze asking, “Is this really okay?” regarding that statement.
To that final confirmation, I answer immediately.
“Yes, it’s okay. You already know, don’t you? Rainer is more suited for it than I am.”
Throughout this battle, the ‘World’ has repeatedly shifted its gaze.
But it’s time to focus it on one person.
To save the girl Noi, who has gone so far away, I cannot reach her unless I gather and unify it into one boy.
“However, there’s only one thing I want to ask of the World. …Stop favoring blindly and giving excessive power. Stop making deals just because someone asks for them. Grow, World, think carefully, and choose the future according to your own feelings. …And, if possible, make him an even better ‘protagonist’ than I was.”
Perhaps I will not be able to continue watching over Rainer, who has inherited the ‘Master of the World.’
But the World will be able to watch over him continuously.
“To that ‘world/you,’ I wish to ask for your replacement, to rely on you.”
When I entrusted them with that, my heart pounded.
It was a great pulse that suddenly began to beat on the 100th floor, reaching the ‘Deepest Part,’ and it was likely excited. I continued to speak to the world that had recommended not only ‘Reading’ but also ‘Writing’.
“That’s right… From now on, ‘you’ and I will spin stories together…! Because I can trust ‘you’ who has overcome ‘ordeals’ together with me until now, I want you to look even more closely. That’s it…! That’s my proud knight, Rainer!!”
This is the very end.
So, since I have this chance, I will introduce his magnificence with all my might.
My heart is pounding, not wanting to lose to the pulsing beat of the 100th floor!
“He’s the best junior! He’s also a cool friend I admire! He seems ordinary, but he has overcome everything extraordinary! Even if not chosen for anything, the strength of heart to choose himself! Ahh, the person I respect the most right now is undeniably him! That person is Rainer Helvirshine… No, the boy who will inherit everything from me from now on will change his name! For now, is his temporary name ‘Christrainer Eurasia Helvishein’!? Ahh, this much is just right! It’s a good name befitting a descendant of Fafnir! I think it’s a really good name myself! I feel like he’ll save not just the continent, but even the ends of the world from now on! It’s the ‘protagonist’s’ name suitable for the story woven by me and ‘you’!!”
It seems I was excited too.
And the backlash of not being able to enjoy naming magic for so long has befallen Rainer.
But please forgive me. It’s a commemoration.
From now on, I will fulfill my ‘lingering desire’ to “reach the ending all ‘together’ and have the best happy ending at the end.”
Finally, I can genuinely cheer for someone without any burden.
It’s too much fun, too happy, I can’t stop now—
“Rainer!! Go!! If we fight ‘all together,’ we will never lose!! We can’t lose! Do your best! Go, Christrainaaaaaa—!!”
As I cheered, the world also pulsed.
It was as if the world and I were excitedly playing in front of a screen showing a flashy movie, just like when we were children.
Perhaps it was because I had just recognized the scene on the 100th floor as if it were a game.
I felt like a ‘player’ who had finally reached the ending after a long ‘adventure.’
Of course, I also felt like a ‘person’ who had lived through their own life.
Now, as a player, I am projecting my role onto my beloved Rainer. I am relying on him with all my being, entrusting him with everything. It is truly casual, ‘peaceful,’ and fun—
It truly felt like I had returned to my childhood.
But the room was no longer dark. I was not alone.
Just enjoying myself innocently with friends in a bright room.
— Of course, ‘She’ on my left hand is also here, along with the world.
As the three of us wholeheartedly cheered for the ‘protagonist’ and became immersed in it, the battle on the 100th floor had reached its climax before I knew it.
Although so many diverse magics had been flying about, now there were only two magics present on the 100th floor.
It had become very simple, as if to decide the outcome.
First, Noi. She gathered the countless ‘beast arms’ sprouting from her body and created a single, giant arm like the World Tree, holding it up to the heavens.
And in her ten branch-like fingers, she held a greatsword of magic, condensed from dark clouds.
To make all the persistent enemies ‘non-existent,’ she had completely made my《Black Shift: Overwrite》her own and honed it to its limit.
However, she was still seated.
Like me, she was on her knees, in a peculiar high-garde stance.
Facing Noi, who alone held her sword aloft, were my many companions.
However, the ‘Thieves of Principles’ appeared to be depleted from the battles so far. Nonetheless, my companions living in the ‘modern era’ were still full of energy.
And at their center was Rainer Helvirshine, whom I was cheering for.
He had the achievement of connecting and gathering the powers of the ‘Thieves of Principles’ earlier and defeating me. Most importantly, everyone instinctually understood.
— Rainer is the most suited for this.
So, in contrast to Noi gathering all the dark clouds to make a sword, all their powers were gathered in him.
While Noi bound ‘beast arms,’ Rainer bound ‘soul arms.’
Many ‘soul arms’ gathered, and this also created the World Tree with infinite ‘wind lines.’ In that giant ‘soul arm,’ white rainbow magic also gathered, shaping a sword of the same form.
Two types of swords clashing.
Rainer, while holding up everyone’s ‘soul arms,’ spoke to Noi as their representative.
“—Hah, hah, hah…. Noi El Lieberl, admit it…. That this ‘Christrainer Eurasia Helvishein’ will become the new ‘Lord of the World’!!”
It seems my cheers had reached him. As expected, my knight. As a supporter, I am truly happy that he used the name I suggested on impulse.
However, Noi, in contrast, looked utterly displeased.
She began to criticize the grandiose name.
“Ch, Christrainer… Savior binder…? That name is unfitting for you! Because it’s insufficient! A child who is still borrowing a girl’s hand is going to save someone as the ‘Lord of the World’!? It’s impossible!”
“Ah, it’s not enough!! That’s why we’ve come with such a large group, haven’t we!?”
Rainer and Noi expanded their conversation, like their hearts clashing.
Listening to the exchange from afar, I idly found it rather fitting.
It felt like I was witnessing a scene from someone’s final battle. However, unlike when I used to confine myself to my own room, I felt no tension or anxiety towards this battle anymore.
“Noi, I’m telling you too! Why is there only one ‘Master of the World’?! Why do you try to do everything alone?! It’s impossible!!”
“…!”
“If the world could be saved by just one person continuously trying for a mere tens of thousands of years… what was the meaning of everyone’s life in this world?! Was it that trivial and fleeting?! It can’t be! The power of ‘People’ is something that is built up together over much, much longer periods of time! Who is it that, just because they’re a little more skilled than others, presumes they can do anything and says childish things like that?! What ‘Master of the World’ needs is the power built up by everyone together! The precious, precious ‘Connection’! The bond with companions!!”
“W-what are you talking about, c-c-companionship! Don’t just use childish words! Such things don’t exist! I’ve confirmed over thousands of years that they never did! Don’t act like you know what you’re talking about, a weak child who’s only lived for a little over ten years!!”
Both of them were truly themselves.
The lines felt as if I had heard them somewhere before.
Thanks to that, I could feel a great sense of ‘security’.
Listening to their argument, I couldn’t help but let my lips curve upwards. My heartbeat quickened, and warm sighs escaped my smiling lips.
We, Noi and I, have walked such a twisted path to get here. It’s probably because Noi and I were ‘Thieves of the Principles of Dimensions’. We unconsciously repeated detours and retrogression, proceeding down an evil and crooked future. And in doing so, we had forged a path that led nowhere.
However, I can feel myself being forcefully guided back onto a direct ‘Seidō’ path here.
Of course, it’s quite forceful. As Noi said, it’s probably childish and cliché.
But the new path that everyone has connected to create flows much better than our own path.
“Ah, I am weak! I am a novice! That is precisely why someone strong and magnificent will help me! I don’t need to be strong! I don’t need to be special, kind, or great! Even so, the reason I can defeat you from now on is because of that! It is all of us who will save the world!! It was everyone’s power!!”
“…!!”
Rainer immediately acknowledged the words he had spoken back.
That’s why Noi groaned. It wasn’t because she lost the argument. In fact, in terms of a verbal sparring match, she was winning, as befitting a ‘Thief of Principles’.
But, every single one of Rainer’s words was the ‘security’ Noi had always craved.
The words she had longed to hear from someone for so long were coming not from a dependable ‘God’ as I had, but from such a weak and young boy. She was bewildered by this entirely new experience.
And now, she must be strongly feeling the flow that this ‘real thread’ is pulling. Just as I feel it’s a fitting flow, she must be thinking, ‘It’s like a flow where I’m about to lose’—
That’s why Noi averted her gaze from Rainer, as if to escape.
She met the eyes of the world next to me. From her wavering pupils, I could accurately read the numerous questions she had—
Why is my flow so bad…?
Why does the world only look at Rainer and not at me…?
I was the one who cared most about the ‘World’ and saved it. So why? Why favor him so much… what is so different?
The difference between them and me is…—
While asking with her eyes, Noi was also thinking for herself.
Why, why, why, she was confused and lost, breaking out in cold sweat that didn’t suit her body, desperately searching for a way to break through this situation where she seemed to be at a disadvantage. After thinking and thinking, trying to find a path where she could find ‘security’—
Her gaze wandered, and Noi saw Rainer—and beyond him.
The expressions of the ‘Thieves of Principles’, exhausted but satisfied and cheerful.
From there on, it was instinct.
Noi, the girl who had always sought ‘security’, could not help but choose.
As if to bridge the gap between herself and everyone else.
So that she too could wear the same expression as those other ‘Thieves of Principles’.
From her trembling lips, the voice she squeezed out was—
“—This, this ‘World’ is the ninetieth floor. The territory of Noi, the ‘Thief of the Principles of Dimensions’. It wasn’t hastily made. It wasn’t borrowed. It is I who have protected it all along! And no one will be able to overcome the ‘Ninetieth Ordeal’ anymore! ‘My World’ can no longer be saved by anyone but me!!”
She declared it. Like the ‘Thieves of Principles’, she announced her own protected floor and claimed to be the boss of the 90th floor.
She knew, as knowledge, that declaring one’s floor was the surest way to gather the world’s attention. She also knew that the act itself would become a great ‘Price’, granting immense Magic Power. She had witnessed numerous ‘Thieves of Principles’ display miraculous power after making such a declaration.
That’s why Noi spoke.
And she rejoiced. With the floor declaration, the conditions were the same. If not for favoritism or differences, her superior raw power would surely win.
Noi’s face brightened with this belief—
—And just as brightly, Rainer’s face also brightened.
Everyone already understood.
A floor declaration is like a call for help. It is an act of forging a Connection itself.
Therefore, upon hearing the declaration, Rainer immediately responded.
“Ah, I accept your challenge!! And I swear!! I will overcome that ‘Ninetieth Ordeal’ and surely save ‘your World’!!”
He nodded powerfully.
To Noi, a ‘Thief of Principles’, Rainer made a promise.
