Chapter 168

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Translated by: borisdrakoni
Edited by: stux

Translator Note:
To commemorate the conclusion of Kouki's and Eri's shenanigans, as a treat I present to you my first ever full chapter translation.  First, allow me to apologize to the official translators of the series since I did this on my own initiative without consulting anyone.  Hopefully it is far enough removed from your own efforts that it will not pose an issue.  Feel free to use anything I do at your own discretion.  This has been an excellent exercise for me, though since my skills are still severely lacking, take everything you read with a grain of salt.  I apologize in advance for any mistakes.  Without further ado, enjoy.

Editor Note:
Sorry for the delay.  Real life called and said: "Time to procrastinate!"
Okay, that really didn't happen but between having to take care of RL stuff and trying to recharge from said RL, this release got delayed. ^_^;  Thank you for your patience!

Don't forget to sponsor the author by buying the Light novel volumes!
	Don't know where to buy?
	Try this link: http://www.kinokuniya.com/us/index.php/fbs003?common_param=9784865540550

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-- Chapter 168
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Each's Conclusion

After Suzu had gone off to the abandoned buildings on the other side pursuing Eri, Shizuku and Ryuutaro were engaged in an even fight with about sixty corpse-beast soldiers while facing Kouki.

Ryuutaro invoked the high class transformation magic Demon Change to transform his own body to manifest the unique trait of a demon to close in on Kouki while Shizuku dealt with the corpse-beast soldiers that tried to approach or become a hindrance.

The group of black swords given by Hajime -- Will Showing Sword Swarm(Living Swords) were running around the battlefield freely, their coordination exactly like a single animal as they hindered or otherwise cut down the corpse-beast soldiers.

"Two formation - Senka(Brilliant Flash)!  Five formation - Hitsume(Flying Claw)!"

Shizuku's command echoes.  Moreover among the twenty-sword swarm, four cut up the space of the large shields of the corpse-beast soldiers possessing the defense system characteristic magic.  Then, formation disturbed, facing those that lost their steel shields, four more black swords fire wind blades.

The invisible wind blades that flew with perfect timing mercilessly cut up a pair of large shield-carrying corpse-beast soldiers as they were.  They were not cut in half because their defense power was high, but both arms were severed at the shoulder, spinning around in the air.

"Three formation - Hiten(Draw Heaven)!  Four formation - Senka(Brilliant Flash)!"

Furthermore, the corpse-beast soldiers galloping through the air to stab at Ryuutaro's back while making the large shield-carrying corpse-beast soldiers into stepping stones, were compulsorily pulled toward the four black swords shining with a dark blue color.  The large swords or spears held in their hands made a clanging sound as they were attached to the blades of the black swords that came flying through the air.

The corpse-beast soldiers using large swords or spears who exposed such a fatal opening were immediately hit from behind by the spatial tear and cut in two like bamboo.  As expected, even if they are corpse-beast soldiers, it is impossible to continue fighting when their bodies are cut in half vertically.

The corpse-beast soldiers possess recovery system characteristic magic, but healing lost limbs or being cut cleanly in two takes time.  And, because there is no way that Shizuku will give them such time, this means the same thing as elimination.

Like that Shizuku commenced simultaneously attacking the corpse-beast soldiers from the top, bottom, left and right.  The dark red glint in their eyes pierce Shizuku, murderous intent riding the wind to brush over her skin.

Even so, Shizuku already does not have the kind of weak mind that would shrink with that degree.  Especially now, because the sword of defense of the man she loves, also called the Black Sword Swarm, is beside her.

"One formation - Jusen(Heavy Flash)!  Cut them up, Hitsume - Shiren(Flying Claw - Four Groups)!!"

Four black swords surrounded Shizuku looking like graceful followers and pointed the tips of their blades in every direction.  They invoked the ability to temporarily cut off gravity - Jusen(Heavy Flash).

As a result, the approaching corpse-beast soldiers abruptly released from the chains of gravity had their balance magnificently destroyed.  Not missing that decisive gap, Shizuku invoked her sword drawing art.  With her sword arm blurring from the degree of speed, the sword draw was repeated four times within an instant.  Every time the ringing sound of a bell resounded, invisible slashes were launched at the corpse-beast soldiers' necks.

Moreover, the black swords flying in the surroundings return from the back with remarkable swiftness, cutting the headless corpse-beast soldiers to pieces just as they are, from behind.

Shizuku's Will Showing Sword Swarm is composed of five basic formations of four, chanting the different formation names and technique names, able to give the same order to one unit.  Also, she was able to command all twenty, one by one, with the names "one swing, two swing" too.  If you recite the name of the technique when putting them into operation, every black sword attacks the enemy with their own judgment to a certain extent with sword techniques based on Shizuku's Yaegashi style not inferior to the person herself.

Thus called by the name of Will Showing Sword Swarm, all of the black swords and Shizuku are able to understand each other and share images by means of Transformation magic, so Shizuku's will is shown as if manipulating all of the black swords without time lag.

And, at that time, harsh words flew to Shizuku who was repelling the corpse-beast soldiers' assault.

"Shizuku!  Avoid it!"

"Ugh--"

The warning from Ryuutaro.  Before confirming the contents, Shizuku immediately withdrew from there invoking Aerodynamic and Ground Contractor.

Immediately following that, a flash of Heaven's Might together with a thunderous roar passed through the spot Shizuku was in until a moment before.  Unfortunately for the solitary corpse-beast soldier swallowed up, it vanished without even leaving dust.

"Kouki.  You bastard, adding lines of fire on purpose.  You really did it, didn't you?"

"Since I am familiar with Ryuutaro's behavioral patterns.  Leading your movement is simple."

"Shut up!  If that's the case, I also know your moves!"

Ryuutaro, with the body of an ogre, pressed toward Kouki.  The sight of the large build whose length easily exceeded two meters approaching while causing shock waves to spread had a force to make the innards grow cold.

"It's useless."

However, Kouki did not change one facial expression facing it.  Then, without as much as an incantation or behavior, the light dragon behind formed a shield -- manipulating the mass of Heaven's Might that made up its body.  Although, since it was able to be made from Heaven's Might itself, it was only taking the form of a shield while the essence of the annihilation ability of its light of destruction itself was hidden.

"Cheeky!  Heavy Vajra!"

Ryuutaro did not falter.  Crossing both arms, he used the special characteristic of the ogre transformation: Multiple Deployments of Vajra.  It is a derivation skill of Vajra, forming a concentration of reinforcement that boasted the same level of strength as when piling up double or triple the walls of defense.

Changed into a single mass of iron, Ryuutaro plunged into the shield of Heaven's Might as he was.

And, although Heavy Vajra was blown off, he succeeded in splendidly breaking through while injured only a little.

"Yes.  I thought you would do so if it is Ryuutaro."

The calm voice of Kouki sounded from there.

A breath approached Ryuutaro who broke through the shield of Heaven's Might in an instant with perfect timing.  With Ryuutaro's Vajra just removed, the light of destruction approached freely even if there was the strong body of an ogre.

Nevertheless, although the light of Heaven's Might shone Ryuutaro floated a fearless smile.  At that moment saying "I suppose I'll have to do this?"

"Come, wolf king of the abyss, Demon Change!"

Immediately, the breath of Heaven's Might swallowed the place that Ryuutaro had left.

Simultaneously, at the place where Kouki turned his sacred sword to the side, choosing a defensive form, a strong crash resounded with a hard clashing sound.

The tips of sharp claws were barely stopping before Kouki's eyes.  What unleashed that had a wolf's head with hair covering the top half of its body and five sharp claws that grew grotesquely.  It was the very werewolf that appeared in fairy tales.

Kouki exercised an attack with the light dragon in silence.  However, when the light dragon's claws mowed down the place where Ryuutaro was, at that time, having already moved to the opposite side, Ryuutaro's spinning roundhouse kick struck Kouki's shoulder.  Kouki was blown away while gazing at that abnormal speed.

And, in the next moment, Ryuutaro, who chased after the blown away Kouki, swung that wicked claw.

"Ku-"

To the terrific speed and attack power, Kouki unintentionally let out a groan.  Nevertheless, while repelling the claws with his sacred sword, he ordered the light dragon to fire countless light spheres.  The light of Heaven's Might that strafed like a Gatling gun attacked Ryuutaro to counter him, and Ryuutaro dodged all of those attacks while taking along afterimages.

Transformation magic Demon change -- model werewolf.  Power and durability fell when compared to the ogre form, but the rising degree of speed cannot be compared.

Ryuutaro who escaped the light bullets, threw a slashing attack with his sharply extended claws slipping into Kouki's chest as it was.

"Such a thing."

That moment, Kouki made the light of Heaven's Might erupt, destroying the light dragon's form.  Light instantly swelled up placing Kouki at the center.  To Kouki that changed completely into a fixed star, Ryuutaro was unable to endure it and drew back.

However, that body was unavoidably fairly burned.  In that moment, Ryuutaro protected his vitals by crossing both arms, but it was not a form suited for durability. His body hair was magnificently carbonized and raised white smoke while he took some distance.

"Ryuutaro! Are you safe!?"

"Yeah, though it was just a bit effective.  About this much."

Cutting several corpse-beast soldiers while rushing over, Shizuku arrived to splash the recovery trait liquid from Hajime onto Ryuutaro's head.  This time, while raising white smoke for a different reason, Ryuutaro placed a glare on Kouki with a wolf's gaze.

"However, that Heaven's Might is a nuisance like I thought.  Transforming freely is too much.  Sometimes attacking in unison can be done."

"In that case, this time let's go with two people attacking.  Since thanks to Ryuutaro pinning Kouki down, almost all of the corpse-beast soldiers have been cleared."

"Alright.  Since it seems Suzu is also going all out.  Can't say it wasn't possible to win with two people."

"Sheesh.  Quickly, let's beat that idiot up!"

"Ou!"

Confirming that Kouki, again forming the the light dragon, fired the breath of Heaven's Might, Shizuku and Ryuutaro dispersed all at once.

Seeing that, Kouki shook his head once and spouted even more magical power into the air with a resolute expression.

"Eri will worry before long.  Though I was variously surprised by the two of you, have your hands already run out?  Let me end this."

Kouki simultaneously invoked even more small light dragons: Heaven's Might version Soaring Blade, and Heaven's Might version Flowing Rain Falling from the Sky, overrunning the pair and the battlefield like this.

The current Kouki seemed entirely like a fort where laser cannons were striking wildly.  The light of Heaven's Might formed into various shapes by Kouki in the center, thoroughly destroyed the abandoned buildings in the surroundings while approaching, so as to completely cover Shizuku and Ryuutaro.

However, if put another way it is certainly possible to say that the rough attack extremely lacked refinement.  Ryuutaro laughed for this reason.  Because Kouki always values relying on bold moves, he persisted in showing impatience.

Now this time, the prepared anti-Kouki trump card was far from finished.

"Next, large tree of Heaven's opposition, Demon Change!!"

While many Heaven's Mights approached, the werewolf's hair fell out, and the appearance transformed.  The body he attained was knotted all over, the skin dyed dark brown, and the hair also changed to dark green.  The piercing eyes within were giving off a dark red light.

Immediately following that, the small light dragons and Heaven's Might meteor shower struck Ryuutaro.  Ryuutaro avoided neither of them, and the light swallowed him while he rushed toward Kouki.

"Ryuutaro, I'll let you sleep for a little while."

Kouki muttered that, seeming to believe that Ryuutaro was defeated.  It's different when it is the defense specializing ogre form, but because Ryuutaro was not seen to have invoked Vajra there was no way he could withstand it.

However, that thinking was immediately denied.

"Don't joke around.  Who can sleep until you wake up."

"Wha!?"

Ryuutaro flew out from within the light uninjured.

Then, to Kouki who exposed an opening, being struck perfectly by surprise, Ryuutaro's fist that closed in pierced into him.  Attacking with a precise fist fired straight, it pierced into Kouki's abdomen overcoming his armor.  Struck precisely, aiming at the pit of the stomach, it spread through the interior of Kouki's body stirring his internal organs without leaving a violent impact.

"Goha!?"

Kouki was well acquainted with the destructive power of Ryuutaro's fist, and yet dispatching the holy armor and impact mitigation, the terrific power appeared to carry his consciousness away the moment his mind was disordered.  Unable to bear it he vomited the blood that blocked his voice.

Transformation magic Demon Change - Model Treant.  It was a plant system demonic beast of the 90th floor class of the abyss.  The special characteristics were light absorption and absorbed light energy conversion.  The converted energy can change into anything, even magical power, physical power, or simple muscular strength.

So, Ryuutaro in that treant form, while absorbing Kouki's light attribute magic and light of Heaven's Might, converted it into muscular strength.

Hit by concentrating on a single point without dispersing the impact, the result became that Ryuutaro smiled fiercely at Kouki, while the fist he tossed out did not blow him away.

"Yo, did that open your eyes a little, old friend?"

"Guh, Ryuta--"

"Here is a bonus.  I won't let you stay half asleep forever!"

"--Gua!?"

Ryuutaro's rock-like fist pierced into Kouki's face who could not move right away because of the impact.  Goba!  And striking the face with a roaring sound that should not resound, Kouki was blown away while scattering a nosebleed.

Even so, the body strengthened by Ehito barely managed to not interrupt Kouki's consciousness.  Somehow he tried to rearrange his posture manipulating the light dragon to link up.

That moment, Kouki's back suddenly broke out in gooseflesh.  Simultaneously, Presence Sensor informed him of the swordswoman's existence lying in wait for him in the direction he was blown off to.

Naturally, it was Shizuku who had taken a roundabout path surpassing the storm of Heaven's Might and corpse-beast soldiers.  Taking a sword drawing stance, she was condensing magical power with a tremendous density.  While the black sword's sheath was raising a creaking sound that could be said even it was unable to bear, dark blue magical power began overflowing from the mouth of the sheath.

Kouki, while desperately braking, called out Shizuku's name with a voice that resembled a groan because of the burden his body suffered from.

"Shi...zuku."

"This blow, resign yourself to receive it."

Like that, Shizuku stepped while erasing her figure with Mubyoushi(No Beat) together with a small mutter, "-- Hakuhou(Soul Demise)", and the sword draw flash fired was sketched magnificently straight in the air and bisected Kouki.

"--Ugh"

With the definite feeling of the slashing attack passing through the inside of his body, Kouki's voice could not help but scream, while he thought he had certainly been killed.

However, while watching Shizuku being attentive of the remainder passing through, Kouki who was finally able to stop after escaping from the impact given by Ryuutaro, unintentionally stared.  And then, he was dumbfounded at the state of his own body causing a creeping sensation over his hand.

There was no trace of that hand being cut before, and it was certainly related to the state of the body that safely lived.

"On earth, what..., what, magic power"

That moment, Kouki conveniently thought that he had been killed only in his imagination and that Shizuku was of course unable to cut him, but immediately following, it was decided that he would be made to realize that Shizuku's flash had certainly reached him.

The light dragon that Kouki carried on his back shifted diagonally and vanished all at once.  Not just that, the firing of the meteors of Heaven's Might - Flowing Rain Falling from the Sky and also the flying slashes of Heaven's Might - Soaring Blade and also the all-range weapon-like small light dragons flying about, all vanished entirely too.

Unable to understand the reason for this situation, Kouki, while being confused, immediately tried to refine magical power.  However, although the magical power infinitely boiled up within himself, it continued to spill out just like water steadily draining away from a vessel with a hole opened up in it, which led his magic power to dry up immediately.

In that situation, it was naturally the same as being stricken with a feeling of lethargy.  Kouki's body staggered, falling down to the ground.  The reason was that maintenance of the light dragon used to fly and also Aerodynamic, by means of the artifact shoes, disappeared.

Nevertheless, Shizuku and Ryuutaro went down and stood before Kouki who somehow or other avoided falling to his death while landing and was on his knees.

"Shi...zuku...what...did you do..."

Kouki asked with a trembling voice.

"Hakuhou(Soul Demise) -- Soul magic whose ability pursues the origin of power and can interfere with immaterial things living creatures possess.  Magical power, physical strength, or the spirit, the target to sever can be this type of invisible thing.  Cutting only what I want to cut...a swordsman able to arrive at the summit, advancing could only be done by cheating."

Kouki opened his eyes wide at Shizuku's explanation.  His dumbfounded facial expression seemed to say, "What's up with that?"

That also seemed not to be impossible.  The reason was that when Shizuku attacked, cutting the overflowing magic inside of him, his body had been unaffected.  Certainly, it was possible to say cutting only what you wanted to cut regardless of any obstacles was the summit of kenjutsu.

Shizuku, humbled herself because she could be a swordswoman with this kind of cheat-like thing thanks to the black sword.  Since currently, when Hakuhou(Soul Demise) was invoked, it seemed choosing the target to be cut was not able to be done easily.

At any rate, it only cuts the target penetrating through every element of the human body.  To do that much, supplementation with a clear image and above all a strong will are necessary.  Absolutely, to not injure anything else, cutting with a clear will without hesitation is necessary.

That isn't saying such a thing was easy, it would not be possible to do with a different level of swordsman than Shizuku.  At least, Kouki, who studied at the same school, would not be able to perfectly use Hakuhou(Soul Demise).

"...But, I failed a little.  I was also planning to cut apart the Soul Binding curse with this blow, but I wasn't able to get through the defending magic.  Because, you still saw a convenient dream, right?"

Kouki distorted his expression at Shizuku, who was preparing to use the black sword in her hands again while raising a sound of maliciousness and was accompanied by the sword swarm behind her.

"Shizu...ku.  You did not cut me... because your lost heart still... remains thinking of me, right?  Nagumo's brainwashing isn't perfect...  That murderous intent wasn't felt is the proof."

"Kouki."

"It's alright.  Ryuutaro also did not try to kill me.  I will save both of you--"

Kouki's words were interrupted.  The reason was that Shizuku shot Hakuhou(Soul Demise) while drawing out the black sword.  Ryuutaro, folded his arms with a wrinkle in his brow while coming up to her side, and thanked Shizuku for her hard work while he tapped her shoulder.

Shizuku also exhaled with a "fuu", sheathing her sword.  It was because she was convinced that Eri's Soul Binding was cut.  With this, the recognition full of contradictions planted by Eri should collapse.

"Kouki.  How is it?  With this your brainwashing should be removed.  What you were doing?  Now, what is happening... do you understand?"

"..."

"Well, what is it.  For the time being, you should strongly reflect.  Afterward we should quickly follow Nagumo and the others, beat that shitty god, help those guys fighting on the ground, and......return home, Kouki."

"..."

Though Shizuku and Ryuutaro call out to Kouki, he did not respond.  He did not even raise his face while having fallen into his current state of being on his hands and knees.  The facial expression that could not be seen was completely hidden by his hair.

Although, it did not mean it could be called silence without an answer.  Shizuku's and Ryuutaro's ears perceive a faint sound.  The small tone of voice did not even sound like words.  The reason was that Kouki was muttering something while looking down.

"Kouki?"

"----It's a lie, impossible.  It's strange like this.  Absolutely wrong.  Because I'm right.  However, just what is brainwashed.  Like I am the enemy......to Shizuku......to Ryuutaro......although something like this shouldn't be......even though I just wanted only to be right......I just wanted to be a hero......like Grandfather......just, with only that......why to such a thing......everything is stolen......Shizuku also, Kaori also, that guy stole them all from me......Ryuutaro is also that guy's ally......

"H- hey.  Kouki!"

"That's right......this is a trap.  What a cowardly tactic......that guy planned......just to trap me......I am not wrong.  Because I am not wrong.  Because that guy stole everything important.  The evil one is him.  If only he did not exist everything would end smoothly.  However, Kaori, Shizuku, Ryuutaro, Suzu, everybody by his......treachery.  I was betrayed.  I, was betrayed!  The likes of you!"

Kouki who muttered disregarding Shizuku and Ryuutaro calling out to him, suddenly lifted his head and turning a severe expression at the two, glared with a look filled with hatred.

No, that expression should rather be called bitterness.  Suddenly assaulted by feelings of guilt and remorse, the anxiety to which he could not go back anymore, impatience, despair and so forth; the "..." negative feelings saturate him, even he, with a facial expression of not knowing what to do anymore.  It was a state of panic.

That appearance was completely the form of a lost child.

However, the power in his possession was by no means that of a child.  The scream that resounds probably contained Kouki's hatred and bitterness, while at the same time magical power that was supposed to have dried up burst out of him with a unbelievable force.  The spiral of magical power pierces the heavens raising a thunderous wave.

That radiance was, as if...
"Ugh, Kouki!  Stop it!  Your magic power is already exhausted!  Anymore and it will affect your life!"

"Dammit!  What do we do!?  Why is his magic power overflowing!? Didn't it disappear?"

"It should be impossible!  The line of magical power supplying Kouki was cut off all together.  Even now, it is not recovering absorbing the surroundings' magic source!"

"Then how!?"

"Like that, if it is not possible there, he will have no choice but to bring it from another place!  Perhaps, such things as his soul and life force, he is forcible pulling it out from that area!  Anyway, it can't be a good thing!"

"That shithead!  Kouki!  Get back your sanity!"

So, that completely seemed to be the radiance of Kouki's life force.

Shizuku had certainly severed the magical power inside Kouki's body and the implementation of the magical power infinite supply line with Hakuhou(Soul Demise).  That was certain.  Thus, even with High Speed Magic Recovery, this degree of sudden restoration by means of magic source absorption was impossible.  Actually, looking at the magical power flow bursting out of Kouki, the appearance of taking from the surroundings could not be seen in the least.

In the case of the magic power that should not exist, it is proper to think that there should be some kind of compensation to pay for having forcibly brought it out of somewhere.  And, normally it is impossible for a person by some chance to expect safety and the like from such methods.  As it was, if left alone, certainly, there should be a price for Kouki that could not be overlooked.

With the storm of magical power in front of them releasing an intense radiance and pressure, planting their feet, Shizuku and Ryuutaro called out to Kouki while holding their arms out.  However, Kouki, because of his fury, did not listen to them.  He floated an expression of hatred and bitterness like trying to destroy the reality before his eyes, no, as if trying to destroy himself, the life force's radiance strengthened.

"......This is the end of everything.  Why has it become such a thing.  Kaori is there, Shizuku is there, Ryuutaro is there, Eri and Suzu are also there, everyone together overcomes difficulties......even though that was how it should be."

Exposing an expression like smiling while crying, Kouki's monologue resounded with awful clarity.

"I did not wish for things to end like this.  Everything, if I have lost it......if it cannot be taken back......preferably everything, by my own hands!"

The surrounding ground and buildings hit with the torrent of magical power were annihilated into dust.  Presently, the radiance of magical power was near to the radiance of Heaven's Might.  Simultaneously, the raging light was focusing to gradually form a shape.

"......Hey, Shizuku.  I'll suppress the Heaven's Might.  I'll leave Kouki to you."

"Are you conscious?  That Heaven's Might is far more dangerous than it was a little while ago.  You can't absorb it even in Treant form.  You'll die."

At Ryuutaro's muttered words Shizuku frowned her eyebrows more and more with a stern expression while enduring the light's tyranny.  However, Ryuutaro was directing the fearless smile floating on his mouth to her.

"Heh, I won't die.  Like he can do something like kill me with his hands.  Because I can't afford to die, I absolutely won't die!"

"This muscle-brain.  There's no reason, isn't there.  ......But, fine.  Now is not a time when reason is necessary.  I'll beat the sulking, despairing idiot until he apologizes while crying!"

"Ou!"

Ryuutaro dashed out.  Floating a fierce smile, he tightly grasped his rock-like fist filled with determination to bring back his best friend without fail.

Immediately, Kouki projected a torrent of light from his sacred sword together with a scream--drawing a spiral, the bombardment of Heaven's Might assaulted the two of them.

However, Ryuutaro did not falter.  Rather, while raising a roar of "Bring it on!", he attacked from the front.  Crossing both arms, he stepped into the front while perfectly displaying the large tree demonic beast's special characteristic.

The Heaven's Might bombardment directly hit Ryuutaro together with a terrific sound of an impact.  Nevertheless, it did not annihilate Ryuutaro.  He was also not blown away.  Catching it like a rock changing the flowing of a raging stream, shaking like a large tree towering over the surroundings in a violent storm, he caught the light of destruction as it was from the front, advancing one step at a time.

To that figure that did not tremble, Kouki opened his eyes wide.  The Heaven's Might that had been shot now, he believed it had the most power ever.  Despite this, Ryuutaro caught it from the front.  As though saying he cannot run away from Kouki, and he could not avert his eyes.

From the torrent of light's gap, to the transformed dark red eyes of his best friend piercing him directly, Kouki's feet retreated unknowingly.  "Absolutely, go back to your origin.  You can't run away!"  The glint in his eyes appeared to eloquently tell him that.

And, half amazed at his strong best friend's strength of will Kouki calmed down.  He noticed that he had drawn close before he was aware of it.

"D-don't come!  Don't approach!  Anymore, if you approach, I'll really kill you!  Even if it's Ryuutaro, I'll really kill you!"

Visibly deranged, Kouki shouted with an expression that was about to weep at any time.  It could be understood from his face that his mind was thrown out of order more and more as Ryuutaro's figure came closer.

It appeared that Ryuutaro already had wounds all over his body.  However much absorbing light was the hidden characteristic, there was a limit, and actually, dealing with the unbearable light of destruction both arms were torn up, leading to the scene where blood was spurting out from all over.

However, Ryuutaro continued to float a fearless smile as expected.  And he still advanced by one step.

"A-a-aaaaaaaaah!"

Kouki raised a scream.  Already, he did not know what he was doing.  Just, while repeating that it shouldn't be within his heart, he swung his power in order to deny the reality in front of his eyes.

The mass of perfectly formed Heaven's Might appeared to emulate the giants from legend.  The giant of light held up its large arm, tightening its fist.  And then, feeding on Kouki's scream, it swung its star-like fist down at Ryuutaro as it was with an explosion of light.

Doooooooooooooo!!!

A thunderous roar reverberated.  In the center of the place where Ryuutaro was, the ground was bursting open, mowing down everything in a radius around it.

"A-aah......"

Kouki groaned.  He was stunned while believing in the corner of his thoughts.  I have now broken my best friend with this hand.  Kouki's heart creaked.  His pupils lost focus, the meaningless thought spun round and round in his head.

And, when Kouki's heart was nearly collapsing, at that time,

"Yo, best friend.  What shitty pity face are you exposing?"

"Eh?"

The dust was blown off.

Ryuutaro was there.  He was alive.  That place, while floating a fierce smile, he caught the giant's hammer with both arms and hoisted it into the air.  Dark brown knots stood on the battered wood-like body that was spilling blood from the cracks running here and there down the entire length of it, while the strength dwelling in the eyes did not decline even a little.

"Ryu-Ryuutaro?  Su-such a thing, how, could you catch it......"

"Dumb.......ass.  Like this, just fighting spirit......in my fist is......effective for me.  ......Hey......Kouki.  You can't kill......me.  Why is it......you can't understand?"

"U, eh?"

"That.  The present me......has an invincible body.  Since the time I decided to bring back my dumbass best friend, I am invincible.  Therefore you......can't kill me.  Until I bring you back......I absolutely......cannot be killed, ugh."

"Uu, ah......Wh-why, would you go that far......"

Kouki unintentionally shrank his voice at his heroic best friend's words and figure.

Facing such a Kouki, Ryuutaro, while having wounds all over his body, broadly smiled and spun words.

"Such a thing is decided, right?  When going down the wrong road......hitting or stopping you......isn't it........the best friend's role?"

"Best, friend, therefore....."

"Ou.  ......But, well, this time, I'm turning that duty over to her.  A pity...... since my fist......won't reach."

"Eh?"

The instant Kouki was befuddled at Ryuutaro's words.  In his line of sight, a black shadow ran out from under where Ryuutaro had caught the giant's hammer.  Trademark ponytail fluttering, straightly facing him with a dignified look, was his female childhood friend.

"--Hakuhou(Soul Demise)!"

"Ugh!?"

With the invisible slash, Kouki's inner magic power was once more cut off.

The giant of Heaven's Might vanished while slanting sideways.  Thereunder, Ryuutaro collapsed having used up all his strength.  Because the drawn black sword was swung before his eyes, he stared at its obsidian-like form.  Whiles restoring his field of vision, Kouki was thrown back by the impact of the slash.

And, to Shizuku's gaze that he perceived didn't lose the will to attack after swinging the drawn out black sword, Kouki, with a strange peaceful feeling of "Ah, this is repayment......" received the blade of his female childhood friend.

However, then her voice resounded.  The dignified voice he was used to hearing.

"Clench your teeth!  You utter moron!"

"Uh!?  Gua!?"

Dogo!  Along with a large, dull sound, a severe impact was transmitted to Kouki's face.  With power resounding as far as the core of his head, in a moment his consciousness was flying.  His field of vision immediately returned while flickering.  His limbs lost strength which was caused by the concussion.

From the sky that seemed distorted in his view, Kouki vaguely understood that he had fallen.

Immediately following that, the impact of pursuit occured on the opposite side of his face.  His neck seemed like it might be torn off by the force snapping his head.  Thinking that, the next moment it snapped back again together with an impact on the opposite side.  Furthermore, crash, crash, crash......Kouki's head was shaken to the right and left at high speed like a broken toy.

"This is my share for all the trouble you caused me!  This is my share for all the trouble that was pushed onto me!  This is my share for all the messes you made that I had to follow up on!  This is my share for when I preached and it irresponsibly washed away!  Additionally, for the time being this is my share for various things!  This and that and this and whichever that is my share!"

"Bu!  Be!  Bo!  Ba!  Go!  Hi!  Gi!  Geh!  Obo!  A beshi!  Bu Bera!?"

Oraoraoraoraoraoraoraora!!  And with audible force, Shizuku could not help going around striking double slaps on Kouki's face while earnestly saying her share.  The white object glittering and dancing in the air was surely Kouki's tooth.

"Shi-Shizu, wai--"

"I'm not waiting!  I won't stop hitting you until you apologize while crying!  Already, the end of my patience has considerably run out for talking!  Throwing a tantrum no matter what!  Becoming sulky and despairing because it doesn't go how you like!  Using force to get around that!  This shitty brat.  I won't listen to your excuses anymore!  To this idiot who can't understand, I'll teach you by hitting!  Resolve yourself!"

Shizuku's angry words echoed throughout the war site in the wasted city.  Kouki who fell to face up on his back like when horseback riding, was mercilessly hit over and over again by her fist carrying various things.

"Shi-Shizu, gaha."

"It shouldn't have been like this?  That sort of thing is normal, right!  You can't always do what you like in life!  Everyone bears with it, is troubled by it, 'even so' they do their best!  Running away from the truth before your eyes, without even trying to fight, there's no way you will be able to obtain the future you wanted!  You are, after all, just a spoiled little brat.  You look away from inconvenient things, circulating nothing but excuses in your head, and additionally blame others when you aren't good enough......"

At some point, Shizuku's fist which lost its power, grabbed Kouki strongly by the collar and lifted him instead.

"You'll end everything?  Don't screw with me.  It's a huge mistake if you think you can end things at your own convenience.  Will you be given such an easy death?  However much you say you don't understand, I'll make you understand with force.  I'll even tie a rope around your neck and drag you to bring you back home.  And then, I'll hit you plenty every time you do a silly thing!"

"Shizu, ku....."

Her glittering eyes immediately reported her intention to hit him until he stopped talking if he was of a mind to be impertinent.  Already shedding blood from his nose and mouth, his face had swollen up like a goblin.  Bearing that horrible condition, Kouki opened his mouth with a voice that sounded like a groan.

"Na, gumo was, chosen......"

"That's right.  I love Hajime.  Not you.  What about it?"

".......Why......did you not abandon......such a me......in spite of the cruel things that I did.......Why......"

Hajime should have been chosen and yet, he had caused trouble for a lot of people and yet, he had done horrible things to his best friend and childhood friend and yet, why didn't they leave him? And to Kouki who can't hide his bewilderment, Shizuku finally erased her angry expression and floated a worried smile.

"I decided.  Since I am your childhood friend.  The whole time we've been together since the time we were small, to me you are the same as an important family member.  Family absolutely never abandons family.  Well, I wish you would pardon me from this troublesome little brother, however."

Because it is natural not to abandon important family members.  Whatever foolish thing he does, family will surely not abandon him because of it.  So, told that along with a smile, something fell within Kouki with a thump.

For the sake of the world, for someone else's sake whose face he didn't know, something like since he was a hero, something like righteousness was indispensable, until now he had always been fixating on such things which suddenly seemed like small things.

Just, "because they were family", "because they were best friends", the degree of strength for saying that cannot be compared with earlier; learning that, rather, the people chasing after him all the way to this Sanctuary, despite his betrayal of them, smiling even if they might die, to stop and catch the runaway.

It should be a small reason, and yet, how large it felt.  He felt it quite powerfully.

Tears spilled from Kouki's eyes.  Finally, he was completely aware of his shameful self.  To the childhood friends who held out their hands while risking their lives to the end, to that sort of horrible him, the words cannot help being messed up.  Even so by no means unpleasant feelings welled up from him.

"I'm, sorry......I'm really sorry......I, such a......Ah, I, such a thing......"

"He apologized while crying.  This big idiot."

The terrible feelings of guilt and remorse that came boiling out after a while could not help being transmitted to the childhood friends.  As far as Kouki, who came to fixate particularly over being right, was concerned he had done the lowest, worst deed.  Surely he thought that degree can only be made up for with death.

However, that would make his childhood friends' act of risking their lives meaningless, and thus, after all, that is,

"Don't run away, Kouki.  Live while fighting.  With the exception of a path like that, we won't allow it."

Death is running away.  Even if it is painful, even if you lose the place you belong, even if you are abused to what extent, stay alive.  That is the degree Kouki should have to struggle to be redeemed.  The part that completely escaped until now, he could not help but keep on living while struggling.

To the childhood friend's gaze straightforwardly looking at him, Kouki wept while chewing his lips.  The childhood friends wanted to believe that a line had been cut in his soul.  That he decided to separate from who he was until now.

"......Shizu, ku.  I......won't die.  To live, this time for sure, I'll fight without going wrong.  Neither anyone other, nor myself."

"Yes, that's right.  Therefore, cry now, and after that stand up and do your best.  If you make a mistake, I'll hit you until you cry again."

To Shizuku's manner of speaking, Kouki was mortified and ashamed, but also a little bit happy, really you could say he was floating a complicated expression.  And he turned eyes whose pupils had cleared completely to Shizuku who stepped back from his side releasing her hands from his collar.  That pupil was a completely clear color, as if a demon had been removed.

"......There is no need for that.  Because I will change.  Because I'll show you how I change.  At least, enough so that I am not treated like a 'younger brother' by my childhood friend who is the same age."

"Is that so?  Well, even if it is, I still won't treat you like a man?"

"Ugh, don't put up your guard.  ......You really like Nagumo that much?"

"Yeah, I love him a lot.  Solid love.  The point where I'm unable to monopolize him is frustrating, however even so I am still happy sharing.  Any hardships around there would only be giving a minor burden if it's him."

"Don't talk about your love affair in front of your worn out younger brother......"

Kouki floats a wry smile.  That look he made contained a considerable amount of frustration, but a mind in a state of disorder because of jealousy was not there.  Because within his heart he was consenting.  Shizuku, the place where she was attracted to Hajime.  The extent of himself and Hajime, or the differences of Shizuku and Ryuutaro, the reason that he lost, because he finally understood.

"......You all, did you forget about me?"

Kouki, while feeling vexation and self-condemnation about his excessively infantile state until now, making a decision to change and atone.  Ryuutaro that came near crawling his body resounded his voice in accordance with his displeasure.

"Ah, Ryuutaro.  Were you fine to move with your body that tattered?"

"Since I drank Nagumo's Yunke* special characteristic recovery liquid.  I can barely move."

Ryuutaro replied to Kouki who was facing him while fluttering the test tube type container.  Straight, to the best friend who had wounds all over it because of him.  To a man who continued to shout "best friend" to him to the end.

"Ryuutaro......sorry."

His head was not lowered.  When it finishes lowering, his gaze would be disconnected from Ryuutaro.  Already, never again, because of any truth, because of any reality, because he had decided to not look away.

Ryuutaro that received Kouki's gaze, returned a quiet, peaceful look after a little pause.  Then, one beat afterward, he smiled broadly and said a single word.

"Ou."

Unnecessary words did not have to be said, only that much was returned. Kouki slightly smiled at the Ryuutaro-like response.  Between the two of them it was enough.

And, at that time, a voice unexpectedly resounded.

"What is this......"

Shizuku suddenly dodged vigorously while bringing the black sword close to her hand.  Ryuutaro tried to prepare himself but the damage was too deep and because Demon Change has been resolved, he could not even stand up.

And, Kouki who was similarly unable to get up called out the name of the owner of the voice.

"Eri......"

With such a state of having wounds all over her body, floating in the air while fluttering flickering gray wings, Eri stared at the current state of Kouki and the others with an amazed look.

Suzu also came catching up from behind.  For an instant, Shizuku turned her sight away from Eri and made eye contact with Suzu.  Their gazes coming together were delighted at each others' safety, and then, the next moment their expressions were filled with tension because of staring at Eri.

Eri, who was in a state where Suzu was particularly not noticed, gave off a cracked voice.

"Hey, why, is it such a lukewarm atmosphere.  Hey, Kouki-kun.  Those people are your enemy.  The traitors who sided with the hateful hateful enemy that stole Kouki's important thing from him.  Why are you happily chatting with them I wonder?  Why I wonder?  Hey, why?"

Eri with empty pupils that lost their focus spoke as if she had broken while turning her head to the side.  From the fact that her limbs were pointing in different directions where they had not been broken, it appeared as though she was able to make herself into a marionette with difficulty.

"Eri......sorry.  I already will not fight Shizuku, Ryuutaro, or Suzu no matter what.  I won't fight.  I was mistaken in who I should be fighting this whole time."

"......What is that?"

Eri tilted her head to the side.  The angle of it gave off an optical illusion as if her neck was broken.  Eri opened her mouth toward the empty space, putting madness in her voice.

"What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?  What is that?"

"E-Eri, listen.  I, I am a fool who does not understand anything at all, but I surely hurt you, I understand that now.  Therefore, whatever you may think now, let's talk again."

Eri repeated the same words like she was broken.  To Kouki who reflexively called out to her again, Eri's pupils that stared into empty space seized onto him.  And then, she watched him fixedly for awhile with her expressionless face like a Noh mask.

The atmosphere was strained whether they wanted it to be or not.  Kouki did not avert his eyes.  His words were poor, and inside he wondered what the best thing to do was, as he had not understood what he himself could do about the situation, but he thought if he shouldn't at least see Eri precisely.

However, the gaze of that Kouki, who was desperately straightening himself to look at her, opposed something within Eri who seemingly reached an understanding.

Eri suddenly drew out power.  And then, she expressed the best human smile she ever had until now.  That mysterious smile carried a mix of resignation, scorn, sarcasm, and astonishment......

And, her one, final word resounded in the world.

"Liar."

"Eh?"

Kouki tried to ask her again.

However, before whatever words he had came out, an intense light surged from the pit of Eri's stomach.

"Th-that is, Eri, you--"

Shizuku, who saw through what the light's origin was, shouted in surprise.

That intense light emitting from the pit of Eri's stomach.  Once before, in Orcus Large Labyrinth while trying to save Kouki and the others who were cornered, Meld Logins used his self-destruction purpose magic, Final Loyalty.

However, the light Eri released was not a comparison to that time.  What she released plainly had a strengthened power.  That it was hiding artifact class power was evident.  Perhaps, it seemed that she had stolen Final Loyalty from the leader class individuals among the knights taken for corpse-beast soldiers, and by some method strengthened it to artifact class.

That destructive power was immeasurable.  And, naturally the speed of invocation for Final Loyalty was incomparable.

Shizuku's voice was interrupted.  Because the explosion of light erased even sound along with the surroundings in general that were trampled down.

The torrent of light dyed everything white.  A silence like the world had vanished pervaded everything.

Shizuku, Kouki, and Ryuutaro held up their hands in an instant.  And, while they were holding up their hands, they noticed and recognized that the world had been dyed white and silence.  Simultaneously, they saw a long shadow stretching toward them.

That is the shadow of the person in charge of defense on whom they can rely.  The barrier master girl who had gone through protecting her comrades many times until now.  She stood in the way of the torrent of light ahead like a shield without drawing back the pair of iron ribbed fans as much as one tiny bit.  There is the shadow of Inaba nestling close in order to support her back as well.

Their voices did not reach.  However, Shizuku, Kouki, and Ryuutaro all wholeheartedly prayed.  Since if they were unable to be helpful, if at least only that reached.

They felt that Suzu nodded slightly.

Before long, that figure was also buried by the light and seemed to disappear.

***

Suzu was in a mysterious space.

Immediately after she nodded like she had somehow heard Shizuku's and the others' voices, she noticed she was in a white space.  There was not light or impact and it was very deep.

In such a mysterious place, there was only one person's existence besides Suzu.

"Eri......"

"......Suzu."

The two people faced each other without a fixed distance.  Their gazes met in silence for a little while.  The one who opened her mouth first was Eri.

"A weird place.  Revolving lantern......it's a little different, I wonder?  Near death experience......also, because certainly dying is different."

"Then, did Suzu also die?  Although I thought I was able to finish protecting."

"Who knows?  However, did you want to become my traveling if possible?"

"Suzu wants to live.  I want to live with Shizuku, Kouki-kun, Ryuutaro-kun, and.....Eri."

Eri snorted in order to make fun of Suzu's words.

"Hmph.  I was mercilessly blown away, give me a break."

"Ahaha.  Right."

To Suzu who floated a wry smile, Eri became increasingly ill humored.  And then, she opened her mouth again without hiding that displeasure.

"Somehow, I seem not to be long for this world, so there's something I want to say at once.  Because Suzu is seriously disgusting."

"......Hee.  For example?"

"That's right.  The place where you always foolishly smile.  The place where you smile in spite of being insulted behind your back.  The place where your interior is a perverted old man.  The place where you say such painful things as wanting to become friends even though we are killing each other.  In addition too it raises endlessly, but the most disgusting is the place where you refer to yourself by name instead of the first person at that age.  No, really, it's impossible right."

Veins float on Suzu's forehead.  And, she went out to counterattack with a smile.

"Is that sooo.  But, Eri is also mostly disgusting right?"

"Hah?"

"You always draw a small smile.  You smile in spite of being insulted behind your back too.  The interior you show is just gloomy.  A moderate book committee member with glasses, your aim was too much.  To say it, I don't want you to complain about how I refer to myself, however.  What, 'I(boku)'.  Piling up such things as boku girl, glasses, book committee member is also just as painful.  Furthermore, 'I am the heroine'.  Pfft, you should graduate from your chuuni."

Veins float on Eri's forehead.  And, she went out to counterattack with a smile.

"Chuuni?  I don't want to be told that by a painful fellow who says something like 'Onee-sama~' in the real world.  Suzu has a yuri spirit.  Several times there were times when I felt my body was in danger.  You are a pervert to an impossible degree.  Seriously gross."

"Ahaha, such a category of joke, right?  I don't want to be treated like a pervert by a misunderstanding woman who complicates first love and dashed into the direction of the day after tomorrow.  It's painful to an impossible degree.  Seriously gross."

"......"

"......"

""Aa?""

Both of them who displayed violent words with facial expressions like delinquents did not seem like blooming high school girls.  And then for awhile, abusive language that made one want to turn one's eyes away flew about between the two of them.

And, around the time the two people who lose their breath began to breathe heavily with a "Haahaa", the white space slowly began to crack.

"Hmph, at last it seems this world is also ending."

"......"

To the facial expression of Eri having felt relieved or some such, Suzu did not answer.  She hid her face in both hands while looking down at her knees.  However, it was not possible to hide the things that trickled down thereunder.

"......What, are you crying?  You look like an idiot."

"Shut...up.  Because, the person that says idiot is the idiot......"

Suzu violently wiped her overflowing tears while enduring her sobbing.  Sensing they were really close to parting, uncontainable feelings were welling up.

"......Although I said so awhile ago.  Probably, Suzu and the others didn't die.  The one to die is me(boku)......  Only me(watashi)."

"E...ri?"

It suddenly changed, no, to the way of calling oneself that reverted back, Suzu lifted her face while her tears flowed down without change.  Because of that previous gaze, Eri intentionally made an ill humored expression and turned to face the other direction.

"Suzu understands somehow or other right?  Despite this, why are you crying?"

"That, is"

"......You really are an idiot.  What of the worst, trashy woman is valuable?"

It can be understood that the white world was disappearing from the edges of the surroundings.

"At the last moment, I thought you would aim at 'I want to be together' or 'I'll protect you'."

"Eri, Suzu is......"

"Look, change from that disgusting way of calling yourself!"

"Uu, Eri......"

The crumbling divided the space between the two.  Already, except for the ground at their feet the vanishing was mostly finished.  Throughout, Eri's monologue-like words resounded.

"......That time, if the one I had met at that bridge was Suzu......I wonder how it would have turned out?  Hoooww, yes, I am the number one idiot."

"Eri, Suzu -- I(watashi) was glad Eri was my best friend!  Even if it was a lie, but it was enjoyable!  I-"

The space under their feet disappeared.  The two people's bodies also vanished in the same way that sand blows away from underfoot.

To the shouting Suzu, the turned away Eri turned around.  Even if that expressionless face was seen, somewhere an atmosphere like relief was expressed.

And, the girl called Nakamura Eri's real last words, were delivered to the former best friend, or perhaps, even now it might be still be so, the girl called Taniguchi Suzu.

"Bye bye.  The time together with Suzu, just a little, I felt at ease."

"Ugh."

Suzu's cry did not become a sound swallowed up by the vanishing world.

However, Suzu believed, from the facial expression Eri showed in her last moment, that she had surely reached her.

***

Tears dropped, tears dropped and the feeling gently brushed her cheeks.

With the exception of behind Suzu, everything in the abandoned city has changed to dust.  There her weeping resounded.

The pair of iron ribbed fans Suzu held in both hands crumbled and fell to the ground as if having finished their duty.  Suzu who sat down while in a state of having wounds all over her body, from the perfectly protected behind, Shizuku and the others did not call out with worried voices.

Shizuku and the others did not know about Suzu's personal experience with the mysterious phenomenon.  Even so, they were able to guess that the tears she was spilling were from thinking about her important friend.  Only that, the figure they saw was as heartbreaking as it was dignified somehow.

Before long it could be said she cried sufficiently, Suzu who wiped her eyes and dispelled their redness as she was, got up putting in her strength firmly.  Then, she cheerfully turned to Shizuku and the others making up her mind to turn.

"Now, Shizuku, Kouki-kun, Ryuutaro-kun.  Let's advance to the other side!"

The innocent smile.  Always seen, the barrier that protected her comrades with a different meaning, now looked a little mature.  The time they were in Japan, since the time when encouraging everyone in the labyrinth, the whole time it was charming.

To the source of the exceptionally effective vigor, Shizuku and the others naturally loosened their cheeks too.  Only Kouki made a complex facial expression.

What it was, they did not ask.  Because whatever it was, was put away in the strongbox inside Suzu's mind.  Something like unreasonably opening it was inelegant.

"Alright!  Let's run after them and give whatever help we can!"

"You say that, although Ryuutaro and I can't move straight......"

"Moreover, the clocktower was destroyed?  Though there doesn't seem to be a doorway to connect space."

Shizuku turned her gaze to the place where the clock tower was.  There, a flickering of space sending out ripples could not be found.

"Ah, now that you mention it, I did not hear the story that this was the only abandoned city here in this space."

"In that case, let's search for another city!  We are considerably worn out, but if we use every cheat and also the sky boards I remember we have, it will surely be found immediately from the sky!"

"That's also so.  First of all, Kouki and Ryuutaro need to recovery quickly.  Your stomachs will become flabby drinking recovery medicine."

Although Kouki and Ryuutaro look with reluctant eyes at the recovery drinks lining up before their eyes, somehow or other they healed their bodies together with their resilience washing it down with their own efforts.

After they took a short rest like that, they took out the sky boards and fly into the sky.  Kouki rode together on Ryuutaro's sky board.

Suzu who soared high in the sky beginning at the outset, suddenly turned her head and looked down on the abandoned city under her eyes along with a little lonely expression.  However, it was an instant.  She immediately expressed a smiling face full of energy and raised her voice.

"Now, you lot, keep up with me!"

"Sheesh, Suzu."

"Haha, isn't that like Suzu."

"I'm no match for Suzu."

Like that, the four people of Suzu, Shizuku, Ryuutaro, and Kouki were soaring through the sky of the different world in search of another abandoned city in order to pursue Hajime and the others.

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