When Fialaat La Volgograd woke up, there was no one there.

　Lying in his familiar bed in his dormitory, Fialaat's eyelids fluttered a few times.

　It was the same old scene. There was no one in the room, just a pile of lab equipment and scattered books. My mind is foggy and unclear, and I feel a little light-headed.

　--I wondered if I had been dreaming.


　Such thoughts were born in Fialaat's mind without any context. The scene reflected in his dark eyes was so unchanging. A scene too universal. An unchanging morning. Yes, I know it's true. It can't be. There is no one who would risk his life for me. What a ridiculous dream I had. I should be strong, strong.

　Maybe I shouldn't have gone to the guild to make a request. I made the mistake of thinking it would open up the world to me.

　Fialat kept his dark eyes downcast and let out a breath to calm his thoughts. It was short-sighted. He wanted to go out into the world through the guild and look back at those who had mocked him. It was such a momentary feeling that led to her foolish short-sightedness.

　As she was not born in a city-state, she could not use the official Mage Guild. The Mage's Guild only serves the interests of the state by enriching the sorcerers of Garouamaria. Strangers like Fialaat are not part of that.

　Well, it's business as usual. It's business as usual today. Meet up with Held Stanley, take a course in witchcraft, work on your research. That's it. And yet, why? Why is there so much emptiness in my heart? It's no different than any other day. Why does my heart tremble with pain?

　He couldn't get to the academy, he couldn't get to the place where he was supposed to meet Heldt. For the first time that day, Fialaat missed her magic class. No one cared. No one was interested in such trivial matters.

"What are you doing, I'm ......

　The words involuntarily escaped Fialaat's lips as she turned her face down. He curled his toes and strolled aimlessly through the city. There's nothing here. There can't be anything. But some part of his mind is telling him it's missing.

　I don't want to go back, I don't want to go back to that routine, and my heart is tearing at my chest, wanting to go out and beat. Scorned, disrespected, never respected for their opinions. My heart is telling me that I don't want to go back to that kind of life.

　But I have nothing. A dream, everything is a dream, mutters Fialat in his mind. I'm sorry about Heldt. I think he was close to me right up until the moment I woke up. I'll have to apologize later and ask him to help me with my research again.

　--Because the only person who can do anything for me is Held Stanley.

　With a sigh and a shake of her black hair, she naturally turned her feet towards the main gate leading outside. As if taken by a daydream, Fialaert leaned against the stone gate and stared out.

　This is it, I think. This is where I met up with the man in my dream. And so...

　Fialat's big black eyes widen. A large, swinging barrel, dressed in new green clothing, and a figure walking toward the favela.

　The continuation of the dream was there.

　You are right.

"As you say, a secret meeting of rogues, this is--how can I hold my beloved Galuamaria in my arms?

　Fialaert's brain cleared as if from a deep haze, and she remembered the man.

　The man who rescued me. Lugis, the man who risked his life for his pride. No, it wasn't a dream. It's not some fantasy my brain concocted for daily comfort.

　He's real, and he's talking to me. And, oh, yes, he's spinning words like an unbelievable nightmare.

　His dark eyes stare at the people in the room, and his lips open as he collects his thoughts.

...... These are insane words. I don't think so. Are you some kind of spies from some country or something?

　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to always ask for help.

The saint I met today is crazy about Mary. I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

That means you're in league with the heraldry. That's even more insane. Everyone has done it before and no one has done it better. No, no. Even if we could pull it off.

　That doesn't make you an enemy of the world. The sound that escaped Fialaat's lips told him otherwise.



　The mere thought of it is frightening. Most of the countries around this area are ruled under the affiliation of the Great Holy Church. Of course, the degree of persecution and suppression of heraldry varies, but not if Galuamaria has fallen by its own hand.

　The Cathedral has the opportunity to issue a formal decree to destroy the heraldry, and no king would miss the interests of the city-state of Galuamaria if there is a cause.

　No doubt. Whether the attack on Garouamaria fails or succeeds, the heraldists will become enemies of the world. Fialat's legs cowered and stiffened as if something had grabbed them. His whole body was tense, and the blood flowing through his body was quickening as if in a rage.

You're kidding, right? It's a joke, Rougis. You're just being used, and you think the saints and these people care about you one bit?

　The man in the room and the girl. The man and the girl in the room. Fialaat could see that their eyes were a little more intense. They looked at her as if they were trying to hold her back, as if they were trying to warn her. But I don't know. It doesn't matter. In his mind's eye, Fialaat saw the scene in the underground temple. The image of Lugis, his whole body on fire, trying to save himself and then dying. Oh, no. I never want to see that again. I'm not going to lose him, Lugis. I'm not going to kill him for some crazy fantasy about taking back Garouamalia.

　The one that Fialaert returned to the gaze that was fixed on him was a pair of eyes that froze everything in its path. In those black eyes, there is a glimmer of will that bounces back anything. It is a solid light that will not be violated by anything else.

"You're an adventurer, after all. You're an adventurer, and you'll be stripped of your identity if you do anything. How can you be a part of something like this and walk around in the daylight again?

　Yes, an adventurer is a small, fly-by-night status. If it becomes known that you've joined the heraldists in their attack on Garou Amalia, you can no longer live a normal life. You can't be a nobleman or a member of the upper class, but you can't be a lowly commoner and be given the opportunity to redeem your honor or clear your name.

　Lugis's cheeks fluttered. I wonder if he's getting the message. Fialaat's eyes were now filled with tears of emotion. I hate it. I hate it. To lose you. No, no, no, no, no. I don't care about those pretenses anymore.

　--How can I allow the man who risked his life to save mine to die?

　How can I allow the person who saved my life to die? Her black hair hangs down over her slender shoulders. Her breath is ragged and her emotions are shaking her whole body. Her body is hot, and the blood that flows through her body is as hot as if it were poisoned.

　As if waiting for Fialaat's breathing to calm down, Lugis slowly tucked the chewing tobacco into his pocket and opened his mouth as if searching for words.

I was not born blessed, I was not given the gift, I was not favored by the gods.

　The words were dropped into the room, causing the other three to roll their eyes slightly. The words were not a response to Fialaert's passion, nor were they an attempt to appease him. It was more like a monologue.

"I've suffered a lot. Underestimated and despised by all. Oh, it can't be helped. It can't be helped. I'm the have-not.

　Fialaat had no reply to those words. Fialaat had no reply to those words, for he knew better than that the humiliation of being looked down upon and scorned. But he had no way of accepting it because, like him, he was a have-not.

The have-nots have no choice but to walk the path paved with thorns and wash their hands and feet in their own blood. I don't want to go down the same path that everyone else has gone down and spend my days in inertia and resignation.

　Those are very real words. It was as if he had already experienced it. It's as if he's already experienced it, and as if he's afraid of it from the bottom of his heart.

"So, I've decided. My heart has made its decision. If the saints want to use us, fine, I'll use them as much as I can. What about you, Fialat?

　How about you, Fialaat?" The question sent Fialaat's brain into a tizzy. What? What decision do you want me to make? I can't. I can't do that. I can't do that. Held has protected me this whole time. Even if I went off the rails, he was there to guide me. But he's not here now.

　Lugis is right in front of you. You're not the only one.

I'm assuming you don't have a religious aversion to exploring heraldic relics. You seemed pretty down in the dungeon. You must have memories of being underestimated. You've been belittled and humiliated. ...... Of course, if you want to say no, that's fine too. You can even run out of here and run to the Garouamaria guardhouse.



　I'm not going to stop you from doing that, said Lugis, in a different tone from his usual light-hearted tone.

　Oh, that's right. He wants me to make a decision, no matter what, he said. He respects my will, Lugis. Fialaert's dark eyes wavered, his throat tense and thirsty, his shoulders moving up and down.

But hopefully he will take my hand.

　And so the rugged hand was held out. A testament to a life spent wearing down the spirit and the soul.

　I don't care. I don't care. I don't care if I'm an enemy of the world, if I'm despised by all, I don't care. Just one. Yes, if I could only have one wish.

　After a pause, Fialat's fine-grained hand grasps the rugged hand. The haze in his head dissipates, and his thoughts become clearer. Oh, how refreshing. How refreshing.

"It's an honor, my employer... no, it's not. Welcome, my accomplice, Fialaat.

　--Yeah, no problem. As long as you're on my side forever.