"A surprise attack using the shadow of an ally as a shield, a decoy niece... Well, it's a good thing I'm human. I'm impressed.

　That's not sarcasm. It was not a sarcastic remark, but a genuine, heartfelt admiration. Ragias's voice was somehow relaxed, despite the fact that he was in a desperate situation.

　It was this attitude that made my heart ache and tingle deep inside.

"Thanks for that. I couldn't think of any other way to win. I'm jealous that you're so comfortable.

　I'm jealous that you're so comfortable. To tell the truth, Elddis's voice was not my idea. It was her spontaneous help.

　Of course, I'm grateful. Without that help, I'd be a corpse now, joining the floorboards of the tunnels.

If I need to struggle, I will. "If you need to struggle, struggle, but if you don't, don't you want to live to enjoy every last moment?

　Unlike me, who was somewhat uncomfortable, Largius spoke with an air of comfort. I don't know if it's really just resignation or if he has a trump card hidden somewhere.

"...... Uncle. Let me ask you one thing.

"It's been years since we've seen each other like this, niece. All right, I'm a loser now. If you have a question, I will answer it to the best of my ability.

　Erdis spat out a few words as if he had made up his mind, and Largias sat there and exchanged a few words. It was a very thin voice, and I couldn't hear what it said. And I didn't think it was anything to listen to.

　The conversation between my uncle and niece, which I hadn't seen in a long time, soon came to an end. When I looked at her to see if she was done, Elddis shook her head and replied.

There's no ....... There's nothing. There's nothing, Lugis.

　Elddis's voice echoed as she stood beside me in a vision.

　I blinked my eyes and listened to her words. It's as if she's telling herself to do it.

　There was no doubt in my mind that there was a complicated shadow in her heart. Her uncle, Ragias, the man who had murdered Elddis's father and taken his place as Finn. Elddis herself had been sealed in a tower for many years.

　I see, the expression on her face is somewhat calm, but I think she is a completely different person inside. Her guts were churning, and if it were possible, she would have strangled Largius.

　But Elddis said that she would not talk to Largius any more. If that's what she decides, then it's none of my business. Elddis' blue eyes narrowed and I could see her teeth biting her lip.

　She took a step forward and stood in front of the old elf.

"Finn Largius. Does this name mean anything to you, old man--

"No, sir. I'm ......, no, I'm Largius. No one else.

　I could see the old elf's wrinkles shifting and his cheeks lifting slightly. I could see the old elf's wrinkles waver and his cheeks lift slightly, his old but still bright eyes reflecting mine.

So, you are the one who took my niece, Elddis, out of the house, Lugis or something like that?

"Oh, nothing. I'm just a common rat. Sorry, old man. I'm sure if it wasn't me, some hero would've had a choice not to kill you.

　Deep down, I agree. It's a classic heroic tale to take a once mighty enemy as an ally and friend.

　A lowly being like me can't do such a thing. There is no such human generosity hanging over me.

　With these words out of his mouth, he raises the treasured sword he holds tightly in his left hand above his head. He targeted the old elf, who was now sitting on his haunches in front of the blade. I aimed a clear, deadly intent.

　Now I will kill him, this hero.

　Ragias muttered to himself in front of the scene. I saw his expression change from amused to grim.

"Don't be ridiculous, kid.

　His eyes fluttered involuntarily at the words. The tone of voice had changed considerably from the somewhat amused tossing and turning of words he had used earlier.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I don't mean to make fun of you, in fact I have a lot of respect for you.

　But I'm not going to argue with you anymore. Just swing this blade down and it will be over. The war in Gazaria, the fate of Erdis, the life of the old elf in front of me.

The fact that you are unaware of this makes you even worse, human, Lugis.

　The words of Rahgias echoed in the underground passage. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

You've cornered me, Lugis, and now you're even trying to dredge up my life with your blade. You, who in no uncertain terms despise yourself as a mere rat... let me say it again. Don't mock me, kid.

　It was a voice that contained an unmistakable, quiet indignation. Ragias's eyebrows rose and his gaze intensified in a clear display of anger.



　My eyes widened as I heard those words. I was prepared for any kind of verbal abuse that might come my way. I was prepared to be upset by swearing.

　But the words were so unexpected. I couldn't understand what the hell Lagias was talking about. The tip of the sword supported by his left hand trembled.

"Let me tell you, I've never thought of myself as an ordinary elf. I've never thought of myself as a common elf. Look at me now, the usurper of Gazalia, the villain who trampled on the tradition of the elves. Now you will surpass me. You will trample on my corpse and use it as a springboard to advance.

　His withered fingertips point to an Erdisian soldier lying dead on the trestle.

　Oh, I don't need to hear those words anymore. Nonsense. There's no need to listen to it. But...

"Neither do the men you shield. The same goes for the men you've defeated. You're here on the back of all of them. Listen, Lugis. My enemy. You are no longer in the position of being a rat in the mud.

　Beneath his wrinkled eyelids, there was a gleam in his eye. It's as if he's on the verge of death, but his will is still here.

　My heart wavered. A slight pain, as if pierced by a thorn. I felt something close to nervousness and excitement coursing through my body in the form of blood flow.

I've been bought off so badly. I don't know, what do you want me to do, old man?

　Ragias smiled, showing his teeth. It was like a real, big smile, full of that strange charm that the elves called Largias show.

Strangle the rat inside you to death. And go before me, hero. It's the duty of the victor. You'll end up the same.

　Hero. You call me that, Largias.

　A true hero, a great man, calls me a hero, a rat, a mediocre in every way.

　I can't help it, my cheeks are distorted. The feeling that arises in my heart is different from joy. It's not fear or astonishment. I don't know how to describe it, but all kinds of emotions melted together and filled my heart.

　However, in the midst of all the emotional turmoil, the words of Ragias lingered in my ears like a curse.

"I'll think about it. See you later. Finn Largius, King of the Elves. See you soon.

　This must have been the first time Rahgias and I had ever spoken to each other, not only in this age but in the past as well.

　And yet, there was a strange casualness about it. I don't know what it means, I don't know why. I don't know what it means, I don't know why, I just know that there was a strange sympathy between me and Lagias.

"Ah, Lugis. My bitter enemy, the great human hero.

　With that voice, my left arm was swept away from the old elf without any hesitation. It was as if it was a final courtesy.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The death of Finn Largius, usurper of Gazalia.

　There are surprisingly few things that came to an end with his death. Rather, his death was the starting point for history to blossom and accelerate its own pace.

　The civil war in Gazalia may have come to an end, but it was only a pause before the next war.

　There is still no peace here, and the end of one is only a stepping stone to the beginning of the next.

　If I may say so, Lagias, there was only one thing that was truly finished by his death.

　--Only one, the story of the rats, ended here. That's all.