--- Goggling, the ground shakes. Earthquake. How many times? At first, it was just the sound of the ground, but gradually the ground began to shake, and now there are many earthquakes day and night.
I wonder if the Brave One and the Demon King were facing each other right now. I have no special power to sense it. Therefore, when I was awake, I was merely putting my hands together in front of my chest and praying for the safety of a group of brave men.
May they come home safe and sound. I hope that's all.
"-Laura"
I suddenly felt like I was being called by a name and looked at Hah and Arnold. At that moment - I noticed the black oak oozing from behind him.
I stand up reflectively. And cried out the name of Akari.
"Laura...!"
The warmth bumped into me, and I fell into the spot. At this moment, the light begins to burst. - It's an explosion.
Even though I was exposed to the roaring tympanic membrane, there was no impact. I'm sure that's because of the acorns. If I open my eyes to the bright light somehow, I now have fluffy hair. Apparently, it was the chest of an acaricus, and I was pushed down by an acaricus in the form of a wolf.
Lady Laura, are you all right?!
Cielo's call came from overhead.
I looked around and noticed. There was a black mantle drifting around. Apparently, my body was protected by the barrier, and I never touched the black barrier.
I wonder if all the barrier that wrapped Arnold was broken by the explosion just now - a fluffy body of dosari and acorns is flying over me in a panic.
Akari!?
When I slipped, I crawled out from under the acarid's body. And when I woke up, I saw a scratched acorn in my eye. --It must be because the barrier was broken that he was wounded.
Grasping your neck as if to protect you,
Laura! Arnold!
Haha, Master Wentle's call raised his face. And look for Arnold.
Arnold, who had been sleeping calmly in the barrier earlier, was lying on the stone floor. The black turtle that could come in from his body was already trying to swallow him.
― ― The sealing magic was dissolving.
I thought so intuitively.
"Laura-chan!?"
Merzedes' voice resounded from behind the door. You must have heard the explosion earlier.
- I don't care. What should I do?
Instantly, Lukash's sad face came to my mind. And Elvira's ready smile. Arnold's figure was gradually buried in the black hole. We don't have time for this anymore. I have no choice but to make up my mind.
I gently lay on the floor looking ahead at the acorn I was holding. The constant gush of black beech quickly covered the floor around me, and except for a few meters around me, protected by the barrier, the stone floor was invisible. The barrier has been broken, and the acorns have been injured and have fallen. In this case, it is extremely difficult to contain it at the barrier again.
― ― Let's prescribe a prototype. Open the sanctuary, unlock the barrier, and unleash the power of the Demon King from Arnold's body.
I slapped my cheeks and raised my voice to the Merzedes at the other end of the door.
"I can't suppress the power of the Demon King!" I'll prescribe a prototype before it puts more strain on Arnold's body! ”
I take out a prototype that was in my bag and hold it in my right hand.
Okay, I saw two balls of light lined up on both sides because Merzedes answered in a stiff voice. From the color, it was Wentl and Cielo.
The Akari, Rykurrant, and Avr who had built the barrier might have been seriously injured by the explosion earlier.
If you give me a signal, I'll open the sanctuary door.
“Wait!”
I shouted unexpectedly at Master Wentle's words.
If I opened the door now, the power of the Demon King would be unleashed once and for all. I don't know if it's harmless or just a hoax. If Kuroko could be a means of attack, it would be the worst thing to do if it were unleashed here.
First, I had to deal damage to the Demon King's power. We must weaken that power a little.
“I'll prescribe the prototype first. We'll open the door right after that."
... I see.
I get up after hearing the response from Mr. Sierro. And before going to Arnold, I called on Merzedes and the others.
"After prescribing the prototype, we will open the door immediately! There is a possibility that the power of the Demon King will pop out with a great momentum, so please get in the battle position!"
If you prescribe a prototype and the Demon King's power runs out without even waving his eyes, or if it takes damage and it is sealed again, then the Black Tortoise may attack us and cause an explosion reaction - yes, I don't know what will happen. I don't know if Arnold or I will be safe. Still, we don't have time to get lost.
I take a few deep breaths. And one by one, they approached each other.
As he approached, Arnold's figure gradually became clearer. Unlike the calm sleeping face before, Arnold winked between his brows and moaned in agony. And his body was surrounded by black tarpaulins, and surprisingly, a part of his exposed skin was dyed black and cracked.
It was as if Arnold's body had been eroded by the power of the Demon King, and I lost my words.
"What is this..."
It was unmistakable fear that attacked me. My legs stop unexpectedly.
I bit my lower lip tightly and came closer with my feet than before. --When you get close enough to be touched,
”Lady Laura, the barrier...!”
Master Cielo screams. Well, when I thought, the barrier that protected me, it cracked with a paring sound.
Probably because of the power of the Demon King. I can't believe Arnold had such a mighty power on him.
The barrier broke, and the black barrier quickly entangled at my feet. At that moment, a severe pain ran through my fingertips.
Your body is broken by the pain, and nature and your gaze are at your feet. And I noticed. The tip of the shoe is dyed black. --is this being eroded by the power of the Demon King?
Laura!
In the distance, I could hear Master Wentle's voice. Because the barrier was broken, the spirits might have been unable to get close because of the power of the wicked.
Pain drifts your consciousness and slows your thinking. However, I was sure that this time the black beetle would harm the human body. Oh, I'm glad I didn't open the door. I muttered to myself while sweating.
(Arnold is also feeling this pain.)
I take a step by step, one step at a time. The pain spreads from your feet. The exposed knee was dyed black and cracked and the surface peeled off like plating.
The pain intensified, but naturally my legs were moving.
Hold the prototype in front of your chest with both arms after opening the container lid so that the prototype is not touched. However, Kuroko immediately eroded into my arm, and I hurriedly "hid" the prototype in my mouth.
By the time you came to Arnold's, your whole body would have been black. I didn't even feel pain anymore.
Squat down and reach for your black cracked cheeks. The fingertips were dyed black and crumbled, and the black dust that was on my fingertips fell down Arnold's cheek.
(Arnold...)
Will the collapsed fingertips be restored? If we don't get back together, we may not be able to continue with the Concoction. But that's good. Fear had already vanished.
Bend over and gently grab Arnold's hand, which is dyed black like my fingertips. And---and I dropped a kiss that might be the last one.
--As soon as I realized it, I was wandering around in the dark. There's nothing here. It's just that there's a deep darkness everywhere.
In my cloudy consciousness, I saw my parents' faces. It was a slightly strange sight to call a horse lantern.
They look into my face and laugh in tears. "Congratulations, good girl," said the distracted woman's voice.
Behind my parents' faces I saw the faces of an unknown woman. I can't see the expression on my long forehead. But I knew that she had a very calm smile on her face.
A woman drops a kiss on my forehead when she thinks she's approaching like a wind. Instantly, something warm spread across her body from where her lips touched her.
Looking at me with a sympathetic look on my child's face, the woman melted into the air and disappeared. It was so sad that a woman had disappeared from her sight, as if she had abandoned her, that I cried out. Then the parents laughed in distress and said in a bright voice, "You're well."
― ― It was the scene of the moment when "I" received life in this world as Laura Ampère.
My parents' faces suddenly turned away. And soon the darkness returned. I wonder what that woman was.
I don't know anything. Without being able to come up with an answer, I was shaking in the dark again - this time, listening to the voice of a man.
"This child is our treasure."
It was a very, very gentle voice. You can tell from the bottom of your heart that you have mercy on the other person, such a voice.
I want you to grow up to be such a sweet girl who spares no effort to protect your loved ones.
It was a deep desire from my father to my son. It's not directed at me, but I don't know who it's directed at, and my chest is full.
The voices of men and women turn away. It was a moment when I unexpectedly waited and tried to raise my voice.
Darkness is absorbed and light fills the area. My foot was floating around, and when I noticed it, I was stomping on the ground.
"... what is this place?"
I narrowed my eyes to the glare and looked around. But nothing. It's just that the darkness has turned into light.
In the meantime, I took a step forward to see if there was an exit somewhere, and my feet fluttered. It must have been because I had been floating in the air for so long. Don't step on it, just sit on the ground.
Where the hell is this place?
What happened after I prescribed a prototype for Arnold?
I don't even know if I'm alive or dead.
All I didn't know was what to do, and I sighed unexpectedly. ---and then.
"You've done a lot of nonsense, Ampere."
When I was called from behind, I opened my eyes. I couldn't look back immediately.
- It was called Ampere. There is only one person who calls me by that name.
Oh, no. Really?
I swallow my saliva and look back slowly. It seems that the caller is standing right behind me, and just looking back, he can only see near my feet and can't see my face.
Raise your gaze upwards. Her legs, waist, chest, neck, and legs in turn ─ ─ finally, her black eyes and eyes met.
Arnold was standing behind me. He looked down at me with a dazed expression.
"Ah, Arnold!? What is this place?!"
I wonder why he is here. I can't believe they're both dead.
I stood up in a hurry and asked to get an idea of the current situation before the moving reunion.
"It's in my consciousness." Perhaps Ampere got caught up in my sealing magic. "
The mysterious space is in Arnold's consciousness. I was caught up in sealing magic. - Honestly, I couldn't understand the meaning right away.
Arnold continued to explain his stupid face with his eyes closed.
"Thanks to the prototype, the Demon King's power was weakened, and I was able to seal it again." But at that time, Ampel was too close. My body collapsed due to the power of the demon king... I wonder what to say, maybe because the boundary between me and you was blurred. Ampere's consciousness was also caught in my sealing magic. "
Gradually understand the situation with a pale explanation.
It seems that the prescription of the prototype went well. And the Demon King's power was safely sealed again. It was a result that could not be achieved any more. But --- my consciousness, which was nearby, was also sealed by sealing magic.
It reminds me of the scenery just before I lost consciousness, and I think I can't help but get caught up in it. My body and Arnold's body were falling apart, and the dust that had fallen from each other's bodies must have mixed together. It was easy to predict that the line between me and Arnold would be rather blurry.
If the mysterious darkness that had drifted before was due to sealing magic, I would be convinced. --but then, what is the current situation like? The situation is that Arnold and I are having a conversation in a clear, light-filled space.
Um, what the hell is going on right now?
I'm working on the seal magic.
"Eh......"
I was working on my seal magic.
That is, I mean.
"The power of the Demon King no longer exists in me."... it looks like Lukash and the others have safely defeated the Demon King. "
Arnold laughed slightly.
The Demon King's power that had to be sealed disappeared. That means - victory for the brave!
Glad to hear it, my tears fell before I could speak of joy. If one grain falls, tears will pass down your cheeks from one to the next.
"Good, good... everyone...!"
Lukash, Diona, Vake, Malta, Julius, Elvira.
A group of brave faces floated in my head and disappeared. They will be in the middle of returning to the capital by now. Let us pray that no one is missing, that no one is seriously injured, and that they come back. And welcome them with great grandeur. Our hero.
I remembered the familiar face in my head. There was something Lukash had told me.
I wiped my tears with both hands. And despite his historic victory, he calls out to Arnold, who still has a cool expression on his face.
Lukash, I'm pretty mad at you, so please be prepared when you wake up.
"... ahhh"
It's time for Arnold to get along. The expression gave me a glimpse of the friendship between the two.
Unfolding his arm, Arnold looks at me.
"You saved me again."
"It is the fault of the Spirits and Lukash." I was just prescribing a prototype. ”
"It's not just for today."
Arnold shook his head in a small way, looking at him with a disgruntled expression. If you say that much, I'll joke.
If that's the case, please wake up and help me with all kinds of things.
I used a lot of vague expressions, but I wanted him to help me support the city's conciliators. Mainly in terms of persuading your boss.
Arnold nodded as if he remembered something called "Ahh."
"You said you would teach the city's concoctions."
"That's right. It's going to be hard to prepare, and I'm getting distracted." Please lend me your wisdom. "
"Okay, I got it."
I think it's fun. A warm feeling is constantly gushing out from the back of your chest. I thought it would be nice to stay close to Arnold like this - and suddenly I wondered if that modest wish would come true.
Arnold wanted to be a kingdom concoctor to cure his sister, Elvira, of her suicidal illness. Accompanying the hero on his journey was like an extension of his purpose, and now that the Demon King Seal had been fulfilled, his purpose was perfectly fulfilled. If so, what will Arnold do now? Will you quit your royal concoction and live your life? --Are you going to go away?
I'm sure you'll regret it if you don't ask here. Thinking so, I asked courageously.
"Um, what are you going to do when the post-processing settles down? Stop being a royal concoctionist....."
"I don't intend to do that at the moment. I owe Casper a few years' worth of money, so she won't be able to quit if she wants to."
"Ahahah, so am I."
I owe Mr Caspere a few years' worth. It may not be enough for a few years. Anyway, for a while, it was Mr. Caspere's hand and his foot, and he had to respond to any rashness.
I was relieved by Arnold's words that he was not going to quit as a king's concoctionist. I can work in the same job for a while now. Let's face it with the emotions that sprouted in the meantime. Whether I told you this or keep it in my heart, I needed a little more time.
"And--"
When Arnold tried to say something, a woman's voice came out of nowhere.
Laura-chan! Arnold!
The voice belonged to Mr. Merzedes. Next, I heard Acari, Inglés, and the Master's voice. They seemed to be waking me up.
In contrast to me, who panic, Arnold says calmly.
"It's time to completely dissolve the sealing magic." I'm sorry I got you into this. "
I see. The seal magic is unleashed, so I think I can hear the voice outside.
I shook my head wide as I turned away from the black eyes that were staring straight at me. No. I can't see my face like I used to. Maybe the cheeks are a little red.
I looked down and opened my mouth, worried as I thought it was weird.
"No. Well, I'll see you then."
Oh, and I heard a short reply overhead. In an instant, you're attacked by the feeling of being pulled up by a powerful force, and your consciousness becomes distant for a moment.
--The next time I opened my eyes, it was Merzedes's beautiful face that jumped into my sight.
"Mr. Merzedes...?"
Puffing and blinking repeatedly, then woke up the upper body. I wonder how much I slept. My body is heavy.
It looked like he was sleeping in one of Rustu's people's private houses. I could see Master and Inglés with a reassuring expression on Merzedes' shoulder. The warmth I was feeling on my feet earlier was probably from the acorns.
Oh, thank goodness!
Gyuuu, I was hugged by Mr. Merzedes. After hugging her back, she smiled as her eyes met the master's moist eyes over her shoulder. Yeah, I'm worried about you.
I heard a low roar from the side, and when I looked at you, Arnold slept in the bed next to him. No, at this moment, he opened his eyes. --At last, you're awake.
"Uu, no..."
Arnold!
Mr. Inglés hugs Arnold, who is the first to rise. The call was trembling with tears.
Hugged by his mother, Arnold looked somewhat uncomfortable, but hugged him back tight. I smile at the sight, and I think it's sad that you're such a beautiful parent and child.
After a few exchanges of words and after confirming that both Arnold and I were clearly conscious, Merzedes and the others left the room saying that we should rest for a while longer. I thought I'd go to sleep for a while, but before that - I haven't had a conversation with Arnold, who hasn't woken up yet. With that thought, I could see the black eyes that were staring at me.
I was staring at her for a few seconds, and my cheeks blushed unexpectedly. I probably have special feelings for this person.
Good morning, sir.
Yeah.
The wind stroked her cheeks as she exchanged greetings. It seems that the window is open.
I look out the window to be drawn to the wind. ― ― There was a blue sky with no clouds.
These skies were taken back by the Lukash. I suddenly forget to breathe and look at the blue sky.
"Wow... it's a nice day, isn't it?"
Oh, the blue sky you'll never forget.
Arnold murmured emotionally.
He is right, you won't forget the blue sky today. We will continue to live the peaceful days that our loved ones have brought back to us.
"Laura"
I was called and turned back in a reflexive manner. Of course, there's only Arnold there.
- Did you just call me Laura?
As soon as I realized it, my heart showed a strange movement. I felt uneasy, my eyes had never swam before, and I felt like running away from this place.
I can't see Arnold's face. I stared at the back of my hand, clutching my mattress.
"I like it."
"... hehe?"
I didn't know what he had said. My thoughts stop completely.
- Like what?
I raised my face unexpectedly. That way, Arnold and I could see each other. Very gentle eyes. How dare you look at me with such gentle eyes.
Arnold turned his back to lie down as he grinned at me when it completely stopped moving. Apparently, they're going to sleep like this.
"Let me hear your reply next time." Even if you are shaken now, it will hinder your recovery. "
Answer? Can you shake it?
- Did they tell you I like you now? Did Arnold confess to me?
"Hey, hey, Arnold!"
Call out to Arnold as he loudly tries to sleep. Even though he couldn't be asleep, Arnold never responded. It was so hateful that I almost cried out in confusion, and I stood up to smash my mixed emotions --- but at the same time, I was struck by drowsiness similar to dizziness.
As expected, you can't defy me, you're probably lying down. Then, the Sleeping Beast immediately swallowed my consciousness.
Arnold's back looks blurry. Just before falling asleep, Arnold's voice came back to the eardrum.
I like it.
--- Recently, the emotion that had just sprouted in my heart was about to blossom in a moment by Arnold, who was nobody.