--A fierce battle between Caria and the beast of flesh was raging in the darkness of the night.

　I was looking down at the battle between the two, blood and flesh flying everywhere, from the second floor of the lord's mansion, in the corridor that the monster had just destroyed. Thanks to the fact that most of the walls have been shattered, the view is much better. Every time the cold wind caressed my cheeks, I felt a chill in my body.

　My knees occasionally lost their strength, making my body wobble. My brain keeps telling my legs to hold on a little longer, but it doesn't work, I can't stand up straight and it's hard to walk anymore. Therefore, I had to run up the stairs while shaking my body unsteadily to get here.

　It's all a bit pathetic. That's just like me, I suppose.

　My throat lightens and my eyebrows raise. I'm not extravagant enough to hope for elegance. But I'd like to look good at least a little. I'm afraid the gods won't allow it.

　It would not be a good look if I had to go to such a place to stick my blade into that monster, that beast of flesh.

　I'm sure a good looking fight would be one where you face each other head on, make a name for yourself, and then go straight for the enemy. That's the way to fight.

　At the very least, I don't have the luxury of claiming to be a fair fighter in front of that monster. In fact, even if I were in perfect physical condition, I wouldn't.

　But still, there is something I can do. Yes, even I can do that now. Even though I can't wield a sword, even though my legs are no longer strong enough to fight. That's why I'm here.

　--Yeah, I should have. I was supposed to.

　I exhaled the cold air from my lungs and stepped outside the corridor, which was now a precipice. Then, with the wind on my cheeks, I looked down at the monster below and said.

So what's the reason I shouldn't help them?

　I called out to someone who was probably standing behind me. No, I already know who's there. I already know who's there, but I'm still not sure if it's true or not.

　The person behind me slowly let out a voice. It was a voice that seemed to gently caress the back of his ears, and yet it sounded strangely familiar.

"Of course they are, Lugis. They're rebels, infidels. They are rebels, infidels, the Unforgiven.

　When I turned my head slightly, I saw a pair of golden eyes that looked somewhat vacant, twinkling in the lightless corridor. Her hair, the same color as her eyes, swayed as if it were swaying in the wind.

　Her white skin and thin fingers, which seemed to crumble if touched, stood out even in the darkness. Her appearance seems to have grown finer and finer over the years.

　Yes, her appearance is unmistakable. There's no way you can mistake her. My childhood friend and love--Alueno's figure.

　The smile she shows with her cheeks crumpled is lovely and innocent to a fault. Her small, wavering lips spell out the words.

"Of course, they should be given salvation. But they must also be given trials. Only through those trials will salvation be meaningful. Yes, that's the way it is, Lugis.

　There was no pause in her words, they flowed as if she were saying them. It means that she believes in her words from the bottom of her heart. There is nothing wrong. She is convinced that what she says is the right thing. That's how Alueno looked. His eyebrows shot up unconsciously.

"......, but if that's a sin, then so am I. If Kalia, Fialat, and the others can be tested, why can't I be?

　The sound of sword fights echoing from downstairs hit my ears. The sound of sword fights echoing from downstairs hit my ears, and as I watched Kalia's silver hair shimmer, I naturally let out a sigh.

　It's a natural question. If they're guilty, then I must be guilty of something more. I deserve it. And yet, it would be unreasonable for them to be the only ones to be tested, and for me to just sit back and watch.

　I heard the sound of Alueno's feet hitting the hallway. Even the sound of his footsteps made me feel as if I hadn't changed at all.

"Yeah, right. You're right. You are also a very, very guilty sinner, Lugis.

　From the sound of footsteps and his voice, I could tell that the Alueno behind me was slowly approaching. I narrowed my eyes, but remained motionless with my feet on the edge of the hallway. My vision wavered slightly. The voices in my ears inevitably reminded me of that time.

　In my eyes, I could see the scene of me, Alueno, and Mr. Nines laughing together at the orphanage. I can feel it as vividly as if it were right in front of me.

　Alueno's voice sounded right next to my back.

But that's why you shouldn't go to help. Because you have your trials, and they have theirs.

　I can feel Alueno's arms wrapped around my neck. He could feel Alueno's presence close to his back.

　I wonder if that's true. Could it be that everything he said was true?

　Alueno's voice had a strange sound that made me think so. It sounded as if it were naturally drawing people's attention into its hands. My fingertips trembled slightly. My fingertips trembled slightly, and I almost stepped back from the edge of the pool. In front of me, I could see Alueno's thin, white fingers.



　Yeah, yeah, yeah. What's there to hesitate about? What's there to hesitate about?

　Didn't I want this hand more than anything? Didn't I want Alueno more than anything, and am I not here now to reach her? Then, what I should do now is already decided, it should be.

　My heart jumped slightly in my chest. I could feel Alueno's body closer to me.

And even if you help them, Lugis, it won't do any good. You can never win against that guardian beast. All your efforts to try and win will be in vain.

　Alueno's words were strange, cold, and so plainly penetrating my ears. In a flowing tone of voice, she continued.

It's a beast sent by the gods. There's no way humans can win. It's a futile effort for them to try to win it. All they really need to do is cling to God, pray, and beg for redemption.

　That's all. These words were whispered so close to me that I thought my lips would touch my ear. They sounded as if they were mocking me for standing up to that fearsome beast.

　Once again, my heart thumped strongly.