Where are we?
There's such a floating feeling, like a howa of consciousness. Because of my mind, my body is light.
Is that... or is my hand... impervious?
─ ─ Anna...
There was a voice calling for me. When I turned my eyes to the one whose voice I heard, there stood a loved one of mine across the river.
Brother......? What are you doing in there?
Yes, I meant to say it, or for some reason I didn't have a voice.
Instead, your brother turns his back on me and walks out on his own.
Ah... wait, brother!
I felt like I had to go after him. If we don't chase him here now, we'll never see him again, tightened to such fear.
I rushed out. [M] I tried to chase him.
But a hand that has been stretched out of nowhere gets in the way of it.
Oh, my God! I am... I am now...!
I was desperate to unravel my hand. But I'm not even freaking out like I've been grabbed by all my might. In the meantime, your brother will leave me.
Wait... Wait, brother!
You finally got that cry, and your brother, surrounded by thin, white things, looked back,
It's time to wake up.
That said, I turned my back and walked out again. Its back gets more and more blurred into a white jaw.
...... no. If you go that way, no, brother!
I don't know why, but I had to stop, and I thought so.
But the distance between me and your brother just keeps moving away.
Don't go! Wait! Please, wait, brother!
Your brother disappears across Kasumi.
Don't leave me! Don't leave me here!
Screaming didn't get it anymore. I couldn't get it.
I'm the only one left there. Yes, just me.
There, there were no more people I loved who would protect me, give me peace of mind.
Ahhhh... ahhh... YAY, NO!
By the arrival of the Demon King, Ignor, the capital of the Kingdom of Lykeberg, was devastated. Everything has changed dramatically, including the integrated view of the surrounding area.
There are approximately 200,000 casualties. Of those, one third accounted for those who did not return. Also, including missing persons, the number of deaths reaches as high as 100,000.
The dead, the courageous ones whose majority of the missing challenged the Demon King, but some of them were attacked by demons on the way to evacuation or caught up in sudden natural mutations and lost their lives.
We all lost family, friends, or acquaintances in this incident, which will later be referred to as the 'foretaste of disaster'. That heartbreak is deep, and the price of losing the country's greatest hero again is enormous.
The Wang capital during the reconstruction had a darker and more ambient atmosphere, even as many were moving towards the construction of a new city.
Such a corner of the king's capital.
One young girl was asleep in a room in the mansion that managed to avoid collapse.
Even a little over a week after the incident, she still doesn't wake up. The wounds on your body have already healed and you don't see any trauma. But the wounds she sustained in her heart were deep and could not be healed by healing magic.
It is her friend, Gold, who holds her hand like that and peeks into it with an uneasy face.
His usual innocent face was badly depressed by anxiety and worry for Anna, who would never wake up.
Gold kept sleeping on Anna's side and had been waiting for her to wake up from that day.
It's as if time had stopped moving indoors.
─ ─ Concon.
The sound of the door knocking lightly twice sounded.
Ha-ha-ha. Gordo looks up, go ahead and say it, eyes on the door.
Katcha and the door knob turn and the door opens.
"Oh, and how's Anna?
It was Ray who came in. With a brief greeting, Ray asks Gordo how Anna goes after that.
"I won't wake up at all."
"... well... hmm?
Ray answered in a nagging manner to Gold, who shook his neck beside him, and immediately raised his face. Then, for some reason, I turn my gaze around the room, and then I glance at Anna and loosen my mouth just a little bit.
"Gold, well, it's early, but I'm already going. I'll come back later. Follow Anna around all day today."
"... yeah, okay"
Gold twisted his neck small on such a strange look of Ray, then nodded for a moment.
When Ray left the room with his hands gently raised later, he went to work today to rebuild.
In the room after Ray left, the silence returned like time had stopped again. Without a sound, only the shadows created by the light of day entering through the window continue to convey indoors as the sun rises and falls.
Eventually, time is dusk. The strong sun of the orange before sunset illuminates Gold and plugs it into Anna's face.
Today, that look never changed again. That's one more thing, tightening Gold's heart.
I guess I won't wake up again.
Wouldn't time pass forever like this?
I don't even want to think about it, but if it floats, knock it off, if it floats, knock it off.
To that elusive emotion, Gold meditated deeply on his eyes.
─ ─ At that time.
"Yikes!"
A sad scream piercing his tympanic membrane echoes right next to him.
Gold opened his eyes hacked by that scream. Right in front of him was Anna, who was pale enough to make him, but woke up for the first time in 10 days.
"You're awake, Anna!
The spiciness and suffering to this day blow away at a glance and accidentally zero tears Gold.
"Great, I'm so glad"
Meanwhile, Anna was in tears again. But you two, equally wet your eyes, but it's clear that Gold is joyful, Anna has despair strapped to her face, and its tear-facing tip is the opposite.
"Ahhh..."
Little by little, little by little, it brings back memories I don't even want to remember in Anna.
Battle against the Demon King. A fellow falling in front of me. And his brother pierced his chest with a spear of fire...
"What, so... why am I alive?"
Tremors began.
Is that fear or sadness? Or Anna herself doesn't know if both are represented.
"Oh, Anna, calm down. I'll tell you everything."
"I don't want it! Your brother is ⁉ your brother is where ⁉"
That being said, Anna, who started crying and calling, kicked the futon and stuffed it to the gold. A mouth that is weeping and burning fear into your eyes, but for some reason seems to be laughing, moves right in front of Gold's face, calling you brother, brother.
Gold couldn't look away from Anna's sad appearance like that.
"Anna's brother..."
"Where's your brother! If I'm alive, you're alive, too. ⁉ Bring me! Now! Look, come on, Gold! Please, bring your brother! Later, look, I'll ask you something! So, come on!
I didn't hear the squeezed out Gordo's words until the end, and no, if I didn't want to, I smiled too hard and Anna begged Gordo to bring her brother.
Gold tells the truth that Anna tries to turn a blind eye, as she whispers in her ear, as she grips over its body, so as to silence her like that.
"Anna's brother isn't here anymore. That time... he died."
"Ugh, you're lying... because... you're not lying! That's a joke...!
"Anna!"
Anna shuddered herself to the scream of Biku and Gold as she rammed and cried in a strong embrace.
Gold hugs her even harder...
"Anna's brother is dead."
Yes, I told her again.
Guttari and his whole body is out of strength. An impossible smile that was trying to fool itself can disappear in an attempt to divert attention from the truth.
Later what remains is Anna's face wearing out and tears in fear and sorrow.
My face, reflected in the window, appeared very ugly, distorted by terrible scruples.
"... please, Gold"
So she doesn't want to remain such a scrupulous person anymore, she wants to be free from this suffering, she wants to escape from fear...
"─ Kill me..."
Yes, I said a cruel favor.
When Gold heard it, he couldn't take it anymore. If she was badly scratched and didn't want to live, she held Anna in her mouth hard enough to leave marks on her skin after killing her.
"... you used to tell me. If I give up, I won't be able to do anything. That's why I've been working so hard. That's what you told me. Anna can't give up living."
"... why not. I'm not talking about my childhood like that. I don't want to live anymore. I gave up living. In this hard, painful, scary world, I could live because I had a brother... so I... can't live anymore"
No one has told me that you will protect yourself anymore. Someday and no one can be the relationship I dreamed of.
Yet how can we bear this intolerable sorrow and suffering in the future?
Then here we are, and I want it all to end.
I want to throw everything away with this spiciness already.
"I don't like it. I will never let Anna die."
Even though he said he would normally listen to anything he said, he wouldn't let me out of this pain.
"... why..."
There was a boil of anger as it crept up from within. Maybe it was a burn.
Anna bumped into a ravenous rage at Gordo for not listening to her sincere wishes.
"Why... you won't do me a favor!
On Gold's arm, Anna's nails diminish.
"I do, I want to die! Nobody protects me anymore because I don't have a brother! So I feel scared again. I don't like it anymore! Shivering, I'm scared! There's no hope of life! The only reason I lived was to be with your brother one day! So kill me already! You'd make it easy."
Pulling off her hugging arm forcefully, Anna moaned and screamed at Gold as she punched all of herself.
I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, put that thought on every one of those screams.
I thought it would be easy.
This neck, this head, this chest, with a great sword erected on its wall. Whatever it is, just let me finish it quickly, that's fine.
I didn't even think about Gold's feelings and other fine dust, I just wanted to die.
"Okay."
But you're right. Anna is right.
It was easy. Is there only one thing Gold has been able to do since the beginning?
"I will protect Anna."
Other than giving Anna what she really wants.
"I'll be the reason for Anna's life."
Other than fulfilling the wish that finally revealed to me.
"So don't tell me you want to die anymore. Everything Anna needs to live, I'll put it together and do something about it."
What do you mean, give a woman in love?
"Say anything. I'll do my best. I'll do my best to keep Anna alive."
Both hands stretched out to hold on to trembling hands.
The warmth of your hands, through your arms, is transmitted throughout your body. It came inside, shaking off her fears and pushing them out to bury what she had lost.
If I noticed, the tremor had stopped.
Gold's face in its moist eyes. I know he's going to be offering his utmost reliability, but it was his usual innocent grin.
But it looked very reliable and manly on Anna's face again.
It just accepts. No matter how bad it is, you can do something about it.
That's how I felt its cloudless tenderness from it.
"... well, console me"
So, she made a posh noise and leaned against Gold's chest.
Gold's heartbeat is heard from his ear. The sound was so comforting that Anna kept her body strong that she wanted to hear more and drew it by hand.
But it's not enough. I want to hear it better. Give me this soothing tone.
"Hold me tight... strong"
"Ugh... yeah"
My hand was turned around my back. It feels comfortable and reassuring.
And an even closer heartbeat melts fear and sorrow away like hot water. That was very comfortable.
Second, the heartbeat that reached my ear became stronger. Doku, doku, the sound of the chest that speeds up the interval little by little.
My hair was caressed softly. Slowly, slowly.
For some reason, a shaking hand stroked Anna's head...
─ ─
Anna with her face up hah. When I looked up, Gold was at the limit of things.
I don't know how to describe that mixed face with all its emotions, but one thing I can say is... I seemed happy.
Aware of her words and actions, Anna blushes like a car and instant boiler.
And if you notice, the red leaves as usual bloomed on Gold's face.
"Come on, let's do our best today!
Beat the bees and cheeks and put the mood back in.
Earlier, I went to see how Anna was sleeping for about 10 days. Even today, Gold held hands at her side in the morning, but that would be the end of the day. I heard that voice (...).
I left Anna's home for today's reconstruction district.
Along the way, we were supposed to fly down the main street, but the rubble was scattered and few people were there. Probably because the reconstruction hand hasn't reached this far yet. I just know how busy it used to be, and I feel extra lonely.
With that sentiment in my hands, I embarked on today's reconstruction.
The command of reconstruction is largely dominated by gilk. Prince even if it rots. Are you used to giving instructions, the work is going relatively smoothly.
But when I look at it as a rate of reconstruction, I feel slow. That's simply because I don't have enough hands.
But it's all a tough time mentally. I can't force you to help.
So, reconstruction is willingly attended by things like me that have sorted out my mind, but the current situation is that the number is not that high.
And if I were to give you another reason, that's the magnitude of the damage. I have been involved in rebuilding and building the city many times before, but the Wang Capital is not the same size as it is.
There is a huge amount of damage to buildings alone, whether to exclude ground breaks or a little damage. Fix it or not, I don't have a kiri.
Besides, I usually magically build a house with Baba... is that one of the reasons I'm in a situation where I can't do it right now?
As a matter of fact, I have no magic right now.
The reason is simple.
Too unscrupulous. My demon is in an untreatable state of total loss. Charstena says it's burned out.
Over and over again, he poured in more magic than he could tolerate, and even erupted once. If that's all it is, it seems that the perpetuation of the limit breakthrough has been overdone. At that time, I still think it was the first time, so I didn't regret it or anything, but to be honest, it's a hassle.
The demon loses everything. That doesn't mean that magic isn't new.
A demon is a container that stores magic. When that container is full, the magic leaks out of it. Actually, this isn't very good either. Magic acts on the flesh on its own, and if it's terrible, it gets sick like Saila.
I mean, I'm always in a state of magic right now. So as for the magic you feel, chanting magic has also become a few tough ones.
It's just that I have very competent skills at times like this.
Yes, it's a demonization skill.
Simply put, instead of a body that cannot store magic, it stores it as a magic vegetable.
But it's not very efficient. Because you can't keep converting to magic. To be honest, over the course of 10 days, three times the total magic power has finally been gathered. I can't spend it in vain.
Perhaps with the return of experience, it would not be impossible to clean up the reconstruction of the city of Wangdu once and for all. But I didn't do it because I was scared.
'Cause I can't believe the demon burned out, you say you've never even heard of Charstena, who lived in 5,000 years?
First of all, there is no doubt that this return of experience is the cause. What happens if I use it now...... let's wait until the challenge can evolve.
I don't want to carry any more weird handouts. Well, think I'll take this opportunity to build on the magic vegetarian skills I've only ever used for traps, and try to endure them. If I'm right, even magic vegetables should be able to be used in the same way as experience returns.
Well, for that reason, I'm taking the form of temperatures right now. But there's more to it than when we built the Coliseum in the Empire, so it offered.
If I had about the amount of stone corn at any rate, I would spare nothing because I could increase it to Haruki. Later, they're going to say something about stealing Empire technology, but let's just say it determines familiarity. Worst case scenario, it's a technology offer from Seatella that will make you jerk off.
That's how I scratched a good sweat with manual labor all day today and stopped by Anna's home again on my way home.
Anna's home is almost empty. There are many reasons for that, but if I were to raise one, it was because almost all the private soldiers that Anna's brother was leading had been wiped out.
While I was losing my mind, I heard the battlefield in Wang Capital was divided into three places. That would be the biggest factor, dare I say, that I tore it apart in order to disperse the power.
And the least damaging of those three places was the battle that took place at the Royal College. Twelve dead. All of them were Royal College teachers. There were a few people I taught.
Well, the death toll is overwhelmingly low compared to the rest. Is that the biggest factor that Dick rushed to?
I heard it when I went to visit Dr. Tris, who had been reinstated while I was traveling, but he said it was an instant kill.
Well, after seeing even that father go faster, I'm convinced. A fifth wouldn't have allowed him to resist.
The next major damage was the battle that took place under the clock to inform the King's Capital of the time it was there. Apparently, Anna and Gold, and then Lycood, participated in this fight. Others, the vast majority of adventurers gathered here. Some of them were basil, but everyone I knew was safe. He wasn't seriously ill...
So, the number of people who took part in the battle is a thousand times higher than the Royal College. Specifically, 150,000 people. Of which 30,000 are dead. Approximately a fifth became people who did not return. Half of them were new American adventurers. Among the dead was also Anna's brother's name.
... and the last battlefield, happened near the royal castle.
There, half the adventurers. I hear soldiers under the direct authority of nobles and princes were fighting in half. The number of participants was approximately 70,000. Almost all of them are dead.
Surviving, it seems, was a tragic battle of about 100 people.
... In that survival, there was no Mr. Gerk. He lost his life there.
The last time I exchanged words with him was on the Royal Castle stairs. Considering that was the last time, I have a little regret that I would have liked to have even told a brighter story.
... That was a dark topic. Let's get back to it.
To sum up the current story, the most devastating were the princes and aristocratic private soldiers. So now this country is protected by adventurers taking their place, and aggressively moving aristocrats are hiring adventurers.
It's just that basically all an adventurer with no learning can do is fight. For this reason, inevitably, the burden falls on the nobles and princes.
Hard will be the same as them, but when I think about it, I'm going to help rebuild as much as I can. Just as a person.
Anyway, for that reason, Anna's family, Sharstena's family, and the Gilks are very busy right now, and now every mansion is idle. Are you as good as a workaholic maid?
So I just said I'd be mildly rude to Anna's mansion, and I went inside. I'm not trespassing because I've been given proper clearance.
Proceed inside the idle mansion and climb the stairs. The corner up ahead is Anna's private room. There, walking slowly, the door to Anna's room suddenly blew away.
It was me who accidentally figured out what was going on, but I came out through the wall, rolled out. I look at Gordo's sunny cheeks, and I understand the situation.
"Ugh, it's terrible, Anna."
"Oh, I'm sorry! One, one!
Put your hands together with your pussy and apologize to Gordo, Anna. Its eyes were still red, leaving wet traces of unwiped tears.
However, the cheeks are red for what reason. I run over to Rolling Gold and see Anna trying to wake me up gently and I can't...
"Sounds like you were interrupting. Well... on my way."
I decided to go home with care. Then, finally realizing my presence, Anna makes her face even redder with my last words.
"Wait, you! Because it's not in the way or anything! Come on, stay here!
Anna has been trying so desperately to pull me off. So I had no choice but to stop.
"Really? But I don't want to interrupt."
I knew I'd decided to go home.
"Hey......! Don't try to get me wrong!
"Whoa!
Quickly bent my arm, and I decided to arthrop Anna. I got my spine pinned and held up by the wall.
Humiliation. I can't believe Anna has a day to hold me back......!
I was forced into Anna's room during that humiliation.
"... So, what can I do for you?
Posssly seated on a chair, before which Anna and Gold sit side by side.
... Niyaniya.
Guillot.
"Hmm! Cohon!... I don't have anything to do... but I'll talk to you again. It's your day."
"Yes? I'm sorry, tell me."
"I'm here to see you today, so I'm telling you I'm leaving already."
Anna tilted her neck to a brief explanation of how she looked calm for a few moments and hasn't been able to get back to her normal condition yet. I had no choice but to say the same thing again and put my hands on my knees to stand up. Then...
"Is it your fever or yours? Or did you hit him in the head? What do you mean you're worried about me?"
"You, Shinobi, I'll take you down."
I inadvertently threatened my assessment of Anna in a very unwillful way.
Don't, don't. It's too early for that.
"─ Kohon. Well, I'm just here to see your face for today, so I'm going home."
"Hey, are you serious?
Still say it, you bastard......!
I'm still thorough here once and for all...... no, why not! Today... yes, I only came to be nice today. Yes, only today!
I don't know from tomorrow! I don't feel like that anymore.
I hold on to my pimply, trembling temples and hide my face.
I'm a gentleman today.
"Creepy. Don't pull. Die."
I knew you did it, you son of a bitch! What do you mean, you're treating me gently and you're dying, you bastard!
And, holding down the hand pull.
"Just kidding. You have a good spot, too."
That's what Anna laughed at.
But a word of extra is this. Sometimes, pull it out.
If I'm not as character broken as they say occasionally, I think of myself that way.
And when Gilk fooled me at a later date, I was tilted in the neck. So I couldn't help but keep his neck bent to 90 degrees.
"... Bye."
Anna made fun of me like this, so I told her I was leaving again.
"Wait."
But once again, Anna stopped me.
What the hell is wrong with this guy today? Did you miss me?
Thinking of a mild joke like that, Anna exhaled her breath as small as she was frightened.
"You still don't get it? Don't worry about me, I'm telling you. It's so disgusting, you now."
... What, were you found out?
"Well, so, that's enough. I'm fine now. You can't go back to your usual me if you stay cared for like that, can you?
"... do you? Then I'll stop caring."
That's what he says. I thought you were a little more depressed, but it seems Gordo's arm was a big deal.
Well, I feel a lot easier because Charstena was on my side, too. Does this mean that it's still nice to have someone with you?
When I sat down again, I turned to Anna.
Honestly, I think it's too early to talk, but I just hope Anna doesn't mind.
Shall I be ready to get beaten up about one shot, too?
"Anna, I will kill the Demon King."
"... eh"
"Ray!"
Anna freaked out her whole body with the word Demon King. Next to that, Gold has put his anger on his face and stuck his fist out with a yell.
I had no intention of avoiding it. That's what I was prepared for.
Gold's fist hurries and captures my face. And...
"Gold!"
Gold stopped his fist in Anna's voice.
"Gold, I'm fine. Just a little surprised, huh? So sit down."
"Really?"
"You're persistent. I'm telling you it's okay."
As such, Anna turned to me as she relented to Gold and sat in her chair.
So, tell me, what do you want to do?
"... for me and you, that guy is a vendetta. So I just thought I'd tell you."
Because I don't want to give up revenge on people.
I didn't say why, but I could say what I wanted to say. Gold still seems angry, too, and we should really go home for today.
When I stood up without saying anything, I turned my back on both of them and started walking towards the door. And when I put my hand on the door.
"... wait"
Anna called me off again.
"I'm coming, too."
Looking back, Anna was standing up and resolutely mouthed her companion. Those eyes seemed to try me somewhere, and I felt like they were telling me not to exclude me.
"Eh ⁉ But Anna..."
"That's why. You calmed me down a little, but I didn't forgive the man who killed your brother."
I can't forgive you, Anna said bitterly, so small that she was going to scratch out, licking the bitter juice.
"Me too... add to your vengeance"
"... and I thought I'd say. Yeah, let's do it. Me and you two, we're gonna throw that son of a bitch in hell."
"Then so am I!
"Gold, you can't. This is what Ray and I have to settle for."
Anna said yes, strongly that it was just the two of us, but what about the truth?
Besides us, there will be others who have hatred for the Demon King. But most of them give up on something for a reason.
Because you can't win. Because there's something else I have to do. Because I don't want to die.
There will be different reasons, people will be different.
But I'm an adventurer.
Do what you want freely. So if you wanted to take revenge, you'd accomplish it.
That's the word my father left me.
"Well, if you want to do Gold too, you can do it. Do as you please. But I'm the one who's gonna kill him. That's all I won't give in. Even Anna."
"... I'll give you something for the last time. I'm happy with it if I take revenge."
I see, is that how you think about it? No, it's probably simply because I'm unconsciously thinking that this long lasting battle must end.
As far as feelings are concerned, as long as they are avenged, that's fine.
"Well, we'll be together again for a while. Well, I'm thinking about staying here until Lycood's graduation, so we'll talk again when that's over."
"Yeah. As it is now, they'll just kill you before you even fight. I'll get ready. Good to see you tomorrow, Gold, okay?
"Leave it to me! I'll comfort Anna!
"Not that way!
Gold had his red leaves strapped to his face again.
When I smiled as little as I ever did, it was now time to leave Anna's room behind.