Returning from the underground labyrinth, Matari made a stop at the Warrior's Guild to redeem the loot.
It costs money to live. Killing demons is the most efficient way to make money in this city. That's why Matari has been in the labyrinth for the past month.
"Thank you for this."
"Oh, that's quite a lot today.... Were you diving alone again?
"Yes, because my people are Mr. Brave and Mr. Edel. Is there a problem?
"It's full of problems, you idiot. If you fought like that..."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rob. Please redeem me. I'm tired, so I want to go home and rest."
Rob reluctantly takes the loot when Matari strongly urges it. When I called the appraiser, I handed it to him and exhaled a deep sigh.
"…… Is he not ready yet?
"... Yes. I haven't been conscious for a long time. But I make terrible shouts from time to time. A scream I can't hear as if it's also torture. If I think it stopped, I'd fall asleep again. … now Mr. Adele is on"
"Right. Let me show my face again soon. Because he's our earner, and I want him back soon. The light mouth is boring without tension."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Rob."
A month had already passed since the brave man lost consciousness in the abandoned tavern.
Immediately from the priesthood guild, a facial clamp rushed but could not be applied. - I can also say I didn't want to be treated.
There was no trauma to the brave man's body. There's not a scratch left, it's a healthy body.
According to Clamp's words, it was a matter of spirit, of heart, that the brave man's consciousness would not return. There's nothing I can do about all this. Clamp said he seemed sorry that it was best to stay at rest and wait for the "hour” to heal.
When Matari asked him to what extent, he said, 'Maybe tomorrow, maybe a week from now. Or maybe a year away. That's all this girl can tell'.
So Matari decided to wait. A week, but a year, but no problem. Because I owe it to the brave man to save my life.
The magic used by the brave then. I guess that's a lost resuscitation technique. Matari looks familiar. I remember being called back from the dark world. Definitely.
And most importantly, he's an important companion. I would never abandon my people. That's what Matari has sworn.
So to be stronger, and to make money, I began to challenge myself to the labyrinth. Shake off Adele.
He thought it would be quick to come to the dead place alone to develop his traits as a mad warrior. That was a hit. When he was pushed to death, he was able to grasp the trick of "freaking out" while remaining calm. Once you grab it, you only have practice after that. The days of single-handedly challenging a bunch of demons to build a heap of dead bodies, even though they are hurt. The money increased proportionately to that.
I don't have any hands on the money that the brave man deposited for me. The large sum of money that came in after the prize neck was taken care of. Even though I understood it as money, I didn't like it when bonds seemed to be lost. That's just the reason.
"... Matari. I was going to ask you someday. What the hell happened that day? A few hours after you guys changed your blood and left, a firehand went up from the slum warehouse and tavern. And he's in that state. I don't think it's irrelevant."
Rob turns his serious gaze toward me. Matari responds without distracting herself.
"Tell me. What happened in that place that day?... Isn't there an Excel guy over there?
"I wasn't there, Mr. Rob."
Matari smiled.
"There wasn't a single human being there."
After the Warrior Guild, Matari bought groceries and groceries at the opening of the Boulevard and returned to the Extreme Pavilion.
I greet the master and Limonsea with my hands, looking worried, and go up the stairs.
When I opened the door to my room, I saw Silka sitting faceless.
Matari decided to protect Silka, who had lost her place and company. This city is not tolerant enough for a wounded and exhausted girl to live alone.
Speaking of not sympathy makes me lie. But I thought I could do about Yatum's last wish. Because we were friends. It's cliché to put it into words, but Matari didn't want to forget the bond.
"I'm home, Silka. Yes, this souvenir."
"…………………… Thank you, sister."
Silca, with a blue and white expression, receives the sweets offered. I stroked Silka's head, thinking she was like a doll.
I was in a state of confusion when I brought him back, but now he seems to have settled down a little and begins to answer. My appetite is also returning. Sometimes I cry alone when I remember my people.
As Clamp said, will the hour heal someday? Matari doesn't know.
According to Silca's story, she was originally born as a daughter of the aristocratic class, but both her mothers have been evicted from their homes. You think my mother, who was a sideroom, was suspected of having an affair and banished by an angry mastermind? After coming to this city for a while, her mother died of illness, and Silka was thrown out by one person. And he said it was Cologne who reached out for salvation. It's a common story in this rotten city.
He said the brave guy was a fucking city, but I think he's right.
But it's still the birthplace for Matari.
"If anything happens, tell me. You don't have to shy away from your friends, do you?
".................. yeah"
Get your hands off Silka's head and head to the bedroom.
The bed had a brave man with his eyes closed and a slightly tired look on his face, Adele. Looks like Adele was reading a magic book. When I stared at it, I immediately closed it and began to feel nostalgic.
"Welcome back, Matari. Were you okay?
"Yes. I could kill a cup today. Instead of Mr. Brave."
"Don't ever push it. When you're gone, you'll be sad when the brave man wakes up."
"……… I know."
"That would be good. Then I'm sorry, but may I ask you a favor? I need to look into something. I did the magic just now, so it should be okay for a while."
"Okay, I'll do it later. I'm not going anywhere today."
Adele's magic is what forces the subject into sleep. Because it can only be used at close range, the technique is complicated and the magic consumption is intense, so it is not suitable for real combat at all.
The only thing I can do is rely on Adele, which is distressing to Matari. How long will she be one of the brave ones? There is no such thing as a guarantee that a talented mage will stay forever. It's not like you don't believe me, but you'll need to be prepared.
For this reason Matari must accumulate money. To hire a magician to stabilize the spirit of the brave.
"Well, I'll be there, brave boy."
When Edel said so and combed the brave man's hair, he smiled lonely.
"Nice to see you later. I'll be home by dinner. Like calling Limonsea as soon as something happens. I'll make arrangements."
Edel stands up. When I spoke to Silca, I quietly withdrew.
Matari sits down to replace him. While praying from the bottom of my heart to get better soon, I decided to strive to recover my health.
Maybe the next moment he jumps up and laughs at me as he always does, distorting his mouth. With such pale expectations.
◆
When Adele closes the door, she takes a big, deep breath and then starts walking.
Down the stairs, heading to the reception, Limonsea, who noticed Adele, calls out.
"Oh, Edel. What's wrong with you?
"I'm going out a little bit. If anything happens to Brave, will you call for a clamp right away? 'Cause Matari's here, but she seems a little overwhelmed."
"Of course I do. I'll be serious about that. Even me."
Limonsea stands aside and pointy his mouth.
"I know that."
Adele tried to have a loving laugh, but it didn't work. It seems more exhausting than consciousness.
"…… Are you okay? You look amazing under my eyes. I can't even hide it with makeup."
"I'm just a little sleepless. Nothing's wrong with that."
"Though it doesn't look like a problem. As soon as I can't, I get butterflies. Sometimes you need to rest."
"Yes, sir. You're right, Limonsea."
"I just wish I knew. It wouldn't be a joke if someone to see fell down."
Adele knows about that too. I try to get some sleep while I go to see a brave man. But I just can't live with that scream that the brave man gives me irregularly. Um, screaming enough to cut off your mental strength just to ask.
If you want to hear that one, it would be better if you continue to hang the sleep magic and fall down, whether it's lack of sleep or depletion of magic.
"By the way, haven't you heard any complaints from other customers? Sometimes you'll hear a loud voice."
"Uh, then you're perfectly fine. Look, our inn is basically just a rough drunk, right? Soundproofing is super perfect because you'll have trouble sleeping because you're loud. Both inside and out. Naturally, I don't need to shy away from anything because I can't even hear the lovely noise of the night."
"I really cared and lost it. See you later."
"Welcome -"
Dropped off by a deliberate voice, Adele goes outside the Extreme Pavilion. I can see the red sun setting. Hold the hat and look up at the sky once. The white clouds were mixed with red and black light, and it seemed as if blood had been scattered.
It reminds me of what happened earlier. When Adele, desperate for drowsiness, fell unconscious. A nightmare I had at that time.
The nightmare is the same scene where Adele fell asleep while she was nursing. I woke up in a hurry. Edel has eyes with a brave man who's supposed to be unconscious. It's supposed to be a pleasant situation for our people to recover. But the eyes of the brave man were terribly cloudy, and no matter what, they did not seem normal. His face is earthy and his cheeks are sluggish. It was very similar to the corpse used by Adele.
The brave man grabs Adele's arm hard and squeals in a cold voice. "Kill me," he said. Over and over again. I can't move at all. I keep moving my mouth toward Edel, like a broken doll, asking him to kill me. Eventually the brave man shuts his mouth and releases the hand he was grasping just saying that what he was trying to say was over. Edel stood up to be manipulated and looked down at the brave.
And the moment I slowly tried to move my arms, the nightmare suddenly ended.
Observe the brave as he roughly roughs his breath, but as always, his consciousness has not returned. I don't even have a gesture of movement. Those lips, which I had hoped to die earlier, remained dry on the crust.
Adele was so horrible. I wonder what the hell I was going to do in the nightmare. Move your arms, what were you going to do? What the hell were those arms trying to grab?
Adele starts walking with a chill running all over her body.
- By any means, it would be better to have more options. Should be good. If it's possible to save the brave from suffering, you should know.
So Adele decided to head over. Squeeze the “key” of a place into its hand.
◆
Star tower, during the meeting. Elena held a convocation of executives, mainly Nicarag and Icona. Except for a party of opposing Irgachev.
"…… I want to check first. What about the state of the girl who called herself a brave man who was supposed to cause disaster?"
"Ha, I'm still unconscious. Reports that I don't know when I'll wake up. I was wondering if early recovery would be more difficult than it has already been a month."
"Right. Then the matter of the prophecy shall be temporarily shelved. Keep watching."
"Got it!
When ordered by Icona, Elena meditates her eyes and exhales once. I don't believe in prophecies or anything, but I wanted to talk to that girl who names brave men. What the hell do you think and with what thoughts do you name a brave man? And what do you want to accomplish? I wanted to take a moment to talk to you.
However, it seems unlikely that the opportunity will come for the moment. Maybe it won't happen again.
When Elena opens her eyes, she tells the executives aligned left and right.
"Now let's get down to business. Recently, I held a confidential meeting with Irgachev. The agenda is about" Star Balls. "
"E, Master Elena, is that true!? What a dangerous thing! I thought you said to yourself!
Control your voice absurd Icona.
"It was a one-on-one promise. Ilgachev defended it, too. The“ last ”talks were over without your concern. [M]... In conclusion, the negotiations are broken. He wants to complete" Star Ball "only. He even said that if you can't really admit it, you'll start true stellarism with your own hands."
The completion of the star balls was not only Irgachev, but also the grief of the historical pope. If you stand in the way of it, you cannot obey even the words of the present Pope Elena. Therefore, when he set up the Church of True Stars, he uttered an euphemism.
Elena knew this was not a threat. An irresistible desire seeped out of an old man's body full of cardinals.
At this time, Elena finally understood. The star balls must never be completed. In case, we have to destroy it. The past power was poison - it was the man painted on the greed in front of him, the Cardinal Ilgachev, who embodied it.
"E, what a terrible thing to do to Master Elena! Even the Cardinals are not to be forgiven!
"Lord Icona, please calm down.... Dear Elena, I was told“ last ”earlier, but does that mean we won't negotiate anymore?"
Nicarag takes a step forward to get confirmation. Elena nodded deeply.
"That's right. He's already taken the star balls out to his own mansion. And he said he was resuming work on the injection of magic vegetables. This is a papal act against my will. It is synonymous with our rebellion against the gods of the stars we worship."
"Please wait a moment, Master Elena."
Nicarag rushes to the front of Elena. Icona stood up and threw it away.
"That's disrespectful, Nicarag! Refrain!"
"You only imitate it sooner. Harmony is the essence of the teachings of stellarism. Don't forget that! The kind of decision that bleeds naughty."
"Yes, harmony is the essence of astronomy. But whoever fails to do so shall be severely punished. Don't use the power of star balls to leave people thinking about satisfying their evil desires!!
Elena poked the floor with a star wand and stood up. And declare with resolute determination.
"Pope Elena commands! Cardinal Ilgachev and the party that follows him are broken doors! And whoever's in tune with him sees it as the same crime and breaks the door! It doesn't matter if it's" green clothes ". Seeing it as a heresy and inflicting an unforgiving divine punishment!!
"Dear Elena! The use of force is the last..."
Nicarag tries to speak, but the guards ordered by Icona will block him.
"Heterogeneous Inquisition Bureau, Icona!!
"Yes!"
"Lead all interrogators immediately and detain Ilgachev!! If you don't obey, life or death is fine! Always take back the star balls!!
"I'm in awe! This Icona will be executed by betting all the spirits!!
A glimpse of the most salutary Icona, plus Elena continues.
"La Florencia, Commander Timor!!
"- Your orders."
"Suppress the 'Green Clothes' and their party, which you think will be in tune with Ilgachev! Don't hesitate heretically if you want to defy them, use all means to crush them with all your might!! Leken, the master of the art family, restrains him and makes him throw up information about the art of junctions! With the descendants of the meritorious, you can't throw them away at the earliest!
"I'll take care of it. I won't let you get away with it alone. I will bet on the name of the most elite La Florencia and I will surely destroy it and crush it."
Timor understands without changing his expression.
"Nicarag, I'm at your disposal to contact the branches of each country. Try not to hide the Irgachev faction. Naturally, it's rooting for national leaders."
"... Dear Elena. The repression by force is bound to cause disaster. I want this Nicarag to have one last chance! Please, please reconsider!
"I understand your concern, but I think what would happen if we let him go wild like this. Your time for dialogue is over. Some bleeding on this has to stop. For a time like this, we are in possession of force - no?
The force possessed by the Star Church is only a deterrent for self-defense purposes. Originally to maintain complete neutrality without ambition such as to conquer the continent. But after a certain stage, it is not a deterrent, but a pure force to destroy the enemy.
Ilgachev went through that phase himself. Elena must therefore use force.
"... I understand."
Nicarag nods reluctantly with an uncomfortable expression. It was Nicarag who originally advised the destruction of the star balls. I guess he was also familiar with the dangers. Elena apologizes in her heart for her slow decision. If I had allowed his prophecy, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have happened so far. Irgachev's outburst may have been faster, of course.
Elena looks over together and says away in a harsh tone.
"From now on, let's be a battle against time. I can't imagine Ilgachev holding his hand like this. Converge things before anyone who follows him shows up. Never be alarmed!
'Ha!'
"- Guide us to the star god."
"Lead us to the star god!
An hour later, ready heretic interrogators, as well as Laflorencia, line up to march out. That march, undisturbed, frightens everything you see. The people who live in art are afraid to get involved, and they all rush to hide in the shadows.
Elena looked down at the sight forever through the window of the star tower.
This struggle for power by Pope Elena and Cardinal Ilgachev is communicated to future generations as' Star Church Civil Unrest ', with the result of leaving the greatest stain on the glorious history of the Star Church.