Ultimate magic seems to be better if done quickly. Because that's how much less damage you do to the land. Now that the ultimate magic is complete, there's no need to hesitate.

I could have been anytime, but Grandpa Moran gave me respite in time. I kind of know why. Rather than that, that's all I have.

The decision came a week later.

When I think of the inhabitants who abandon the land of Helan and have a rough life now, I feel like executing it even now. I am also concerned about my parents who are evacuating to Wangdu.

Larser is glad to return to the King's Capital. Isn't Iris bothered by Prince Ark...... Doesn't Rail enjoy watching it in the distance......

How is Toto growing precious herbs in school? It's about him, so he'll be looking pale even if he's fine.

Vine, who traveled far away to other countries, would be around the time he was on his mission. I can imagine being clumsy and protecting my loved ones. And Crossi will be rebuilding the rough country from now on, protected by such a vine.

It reminds me of the friends I met at school. It was a short time, but I was allowed to spend a lot of intense time.

There will be no going back to that school. The territory will fall, but there will be no more pieces of former glory. It can be said that it is more than a fallen aristocrat. There will be no human being in such a position to study at all. First, we have to do what we have to do.

Rebuild this Helanese territory. I want to make it a better territory than the Helanese territory that once flourished in the hot springs. What kind of territory should I take next......

Craftsman's land, that might be a good idea. Let's spread out a lot of my blacksmith arms. That's not all, I'm going to raise more kinds of craftsmen in Helanese territory. This land is full of the best craftsmen in the country in the future, I want to make it such a territory.

The future blueprint I came up with lightly, but more and more interesting ideas come to mind as I lay down and think about it. Still, I should be able to contribute to Helanese territory... whatever.

But I know that's a dream I can't have anymore. And I accepted it.

I'm sure I'll follow him, too, like the day of the first Helanese realm, Lord Helan, when he exercised his ultimate magic to stop the curse.

Yes, I'm going to die.

You beat all this curse, so naturally the reward is huge. No, if this land is to be resurrected with only one life, it may be a cheap price. Yeah, it's a cheap price. Too cheap.

Yes, my job is not to rebuild Helanese territory. Resurrecting dead Helanese territory. It's brand new, but it's our mission to bring beautiful flowers back to that blooming land.

Then ahead...... It will be someone else's job again. Hopefully around Rozzon, who helped me the most and placed his trust in me, will take the lead...... but it's not a good idea to expect too much. That guy is so good. So there is also no need to bother to engage in the reconstruction of the difficult Helanese territory. The talent will be widely accepted even in blessed lands.

So, to whom should we entrust it? It's definitely going to be a tough job. Maybe you can get in the way. What the hell, that stuff, who likes to do it? Maybe it's not something I should think about, but I probably want to clear this place up and then go where I should go anyway.

While I was worried, time quickly passed.

As the day of the showdown approached, the passage of time was attacked by the feeling that it was even quicker.

Three days later, on a fine day, Grandpa Moran and Mr. Petal called me.

He had a dark look on his face, so I knew what he was trying to say.

"I'm sorry, Kurli boy"

Those words came out of Grandpa Moran's mouth.

"What? Thank you so much to Grandpa Moran. There's never gonna be an apology."

"No, not now, but we finally realized how stupid we were."

"Stupidity? As far as I know, you don't know anyone as smart as Grandpa Moran."

Grandpa Moran nodded, his head shook left and right.

"I'm not stupid. You're a big idiot. After all, I left my dream of saving the land to them...., I shouldn't have told Kurli about the ultimate magic..."

"Why? It's the only thing I can do. Then I should do it, and this is what I wanted."

"No! If they didn't teach us, we wouldn't have ended up with the ultimate magic, and we wouldn't have finished it."

"That way the ultimate magic will be lost forever...... The land of Helan will be cursed for ever, and those who fought for it will not be rewarded."

"Still... still. I wish the eagles could have replaced me...... But I can't do that. Then we just have to get Kurli boy to do it. That's what I thought. But I don't know if that's the right thing to do now"

... Why do you do that now? I don't see any reason why they're suddenly stopping and rethinking it now.

"Me, you're gonna die, aren't you? But I'm not afraid of that. If you can beat this curse, if it's all I can do, I'll gladly offer you this life. There's no lie or falsehood in this feeling."

"It's about Satiri Kurli. I knew I understood that at last. If you make up your mind, I'll see to it..."

Both Grandpa Moran and Mr. Petal had a depressed face and exchanged their gazes. Something, as if to confirm once and for all the troubles they have with Nine.

"Women's tears get hard..."

Mr. Petal told me to leak my voice.

Tears of a woman......

"You're right. Washi and the others thought Kurli was in the toughest position. You're the only one who would sacrifice to protect everything. But I can't stop you from being determined. Shut up and let me drop you off until the end."

Grandpa Moran exhaled loudly and continued.

"To Eliza, I didn't tell her that Kurli Boy was going to die. She was also satirical and, if you might have noticed, told the truth again last night. What will happen to Helanese territory and what will happen to Kurli boy...... She was in tears."

With all due respect, Grandpa Moran bowed his head. Were you asking me to do what I had to tell myself instead?

"Elizabeth loves Kurli. The woman's tears were good at the end because of the harp. Yes, it's not something I'd like to see... It will look just like the last tear Harp shed..."

Ms. Petal remembered the past and Eliza's tears last night at the same time, pushing one hand against her chest. The sadness they have is quite profound.

But...

"Still, I'll do it!

"... If you don't do it, the land of Helan will remain cursed. The inhabitants are forced to live a painful life elsewhere. I'll be held accountable forever. But still, Kurli boy can live. I can keep him next to Eliza. Besides, I think you're still the person this world needs."

"I don't think so. You don't do what you can......, you rot yourself. If I run out of here, I'll just be impotent. I'm sure he's just dying with his back finger rubbed off while he can't accomplish anything further. I'm sorry about that!

"But what happens to Eliza? Are you gonna leave her?

... you leave Eliza alone? She's having a rough time at home right now, and she's in a place like this by breaking up with her mother and father, too. Plus, if I'm gone, who the hell will protect her? I know I'm not just such a protected person. But you don't have to worry.

But I believe her. I'm sure she'll get back on her feet and return as a fine lady.

"I'll talk. My feelings, about what's ahead, about Eliza. So don't just publish it, Grandpa Moran or Mr. Petal. You two spent your lives doing this for me. It's not just the two of us, Mr. Harp, it's the first Helan, it's all packed with our thoughts. I'm sure I won't waste it. I won't even make you regret it. The future must be absolutely brilliant. That's why I'm here."

Eliza was not in the house.

I followed a course in the woods where she preferred to walk and found her in a place with a fountain. Looking at the beautiful water, she sat down. I'm not crying anymore.

She noticed me, but didn't show any particular reaction. I stopped by her side and sat next to her. The ground is just a little damp and I think I've got the wrong place to sit.

"There, it's a little damp."

"Looks like it. The buttocks on my pants got a little wet."

The two of us blew it out. My pants were just wet, but it was kind of hilarious. I laughed as funny as I could. This could be the last of them, right?

"What would a brave man do to save Helanese territory?"

"Yes. Excuse me."

"Okay? Lord, you must be fortitude at all times. Even if the buttocks part of your pants tries to get wet, no one should understand. Even if I'm enlightened, I'm not just saying wet is more stylish, but dignified!

"Yes. Copy that."

"You can understand. Master Kurli is just a little more arrogant."

A little more arrogant... I'll get it.

"Dear Kurli..."

"Yeah?"

"Until now, I have never clearly told you that I, Master Kurli, admire you. Did you know that?

"... Yes. Somehow."

"What does Master Kurli think of me?

And don't light it. When asked so frankly.

"Ko, I'm in love. We think you're a very important woman!

"Wow?"

"I am the most important woman!

Nice to meet you.

I was stroked with a pong in my head. I felt grumpy. But I'm happy.

"Me, since when do you think I cared about Master Kurli?

... Since when? Must be around after one stuffiness happened at school.

"Flowers, when you gave flowers?

"Bu, bu. No, it was more than that."

"More?

When will it be?... Mm-hmm, I don't know. When I presented the flowers, I wondered if that was the effect surface.

"The correct answer comes from the moment you see it at first sight. Passionate red hair, unaristocratic carefree attitude, and gentle atmosphere. From the moment I saw it, my heart was taken away."

Ugh, lie!?

Is that so!?

"Me too! When I saw Eliza at first sight, I doubted my own eyes that there was such a beautiful person in the world. Really, I remember clearly. Dazzling, brilliant, yet powerful,... a little scared"

"What?

"Yes, no, nothing"

Then I told him a lot of old stories.

That she didn't really hate Iris? You think I liked it more?

You knew about the Vine and Crossi combinations, and you were interested in Toto's unusual herbal cultivation? Prince Ark and Rayle and I are now back in a good relationship, and I could have known how much the official lady enjoyed school life. I just asked, so I don't know everything. Anyway, I wanted to keep watching you around.

"Eliza, do you have a minute?

"What is it? Because I was about to tell you how to grow fantastic potatoes."

"It's an important story. I want you to listen to me."

That's all, he guessed what I wanted. Until just now, her pleasant look disappeared.

"I will die in three days of ultimate magic. Probably. No, for sure, I guess. I'm sorry I'm late to tell you. I should have said it sooner."

……

Eliza says nothing. But I kept going.

"Even if I die, I want you to be happy. But I need to ask you something. Will you listen to me?

……

She doesn't say anything once in a while.

"When the Helanese realm is free from the curse, I want to entrust you with rebuilding this realm. Eliza's wisdom and ability will surely work. That's what I believe. But it'll be a hard job. But it's Eliza, so I can ask for it. No, I can only ask Eliza."

It's because I trust Eliza. She's the one, so I can trust her to do the hard work. Please, do me a favor after I'm gone.

"... the world without Kurli is as pointless as a stew without potatoes."

She hung away from the fountain.

I'm not sure. It was an example, but apparently my favor was turned down. I wanted to ask Eliza. Then I could have gone in peace.

But I also don't feel like it's going to be bad.

Larser, Iris, Toto, Prince Ark, Rail, and possibly Vine from another country, may protect this realm. They can be trusted. Eliza...... can't help but say no. Let's hope she has another way of happiness. Yeah, I'm sure, something gorgeous and happy will come to her.