--I'll do everything in my power to make sure you reach for it.

　With that, he moved his lips and slowly took Philos' hand. I was expecting a strong rejection, but to my surprise, the hand was accepted without being shaken off.

　I don't know what kind of emotion he was feeling. I'd be happy if he agreed, but judging by the way he looked at me, I'd say he grabbed my hand reluctantly.

　Or perhaps he's trying to use me, just as I used her. After all, this is the man who, back in the day, played into the hands of nobles who were probably several steps above me. With his natural talent, he should be able to do that easily.

　But honestly speaking, I was prepared to be punched out for what I did this time. But he wouldn't even do that, how harsh. I feel guilt gripping my heart.

　I wonder if she even knows that. She...

　It was at that moment that I looked at Philos and tried to speak once more. Out of the corner of her eye, her silver hair swayed.

"Wait, Lugis. I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I saw Kalia's beautiful silver eyes dancing. Her pale cheeks were even blushing now. Her lips were pouting and her canine teeth were showing.

　Unmistakable. It's a sign that this person, Kalia, is more irritated than ever. I've never seen anything like it, not even in the past.

　I can see the extraordinary emotions behind those silver eyes.

　I felt the blood drain from my fingertips all at once.

　That's not good. This time, it's completely out of control. I may have gone a little overboard.

　Perhaps the fact that she had interrupted Kalia's voice earlier had also helped. Her words had a hint of irritation in them.

You throw yourself down so easily, but have you forgotten that you entrusted your back to me? You are not going to tell me now that you are the only one who can take care of yourself, are you?

　With the ferocity of a lion, Kalia bounced her long eyelashes. Her exhalation retains a feverish heat that seems to boil over the surroundings.

　No, I did say that I would put my back into it. But that's not quite the same thing, is it? And I only said I'd do everything I could. I didn't mean to throw my body away.

　At the same time that I was trying to get the words out somehow. It's not that I'm throwing my body away, but at the same time as I'm trying to formulate words, Kalia smiles in an almost seductive way and closes my lips with her fingertips.

What is it, Lugis? If you have an excuse, I'll listen. But be careful what you say, because if you break your blood oath - I don't know what I'll do to myself.

　He closed his lips once and raised his hands lightly as he faced Kalia. I could see her silver eyes welling up without a shred of room to spare.

　Her eyebrows lifted and her cheeks contorted.

　It's bad. As soon as I saw that silver eye, I knew that Kalia wasn't joking in the slightest. This is a woman who, when she says she will, does exactly what she says. I've known that for a long time.

　And so, apparently, she wasn't the only one who felt something approaching resentment towards me.

Well. Speaking of promises, Lugis. You're drawing a very large map, but I don't remember hearing about it.

　Fialaert spoke, her dark eyes and single strand of hair shaking. He seemed calmer than Kalia, but the heat in his voice was the same.

　In fact, I don't remember telling Fialaat, or anyone else, the details of this case.

　Because I wasn't sure how credible the story was, and I wasn't sure if I could handle it well. So I thought it wasn't worth putting into words until I was sure.

　Fialaert's lips drew a beautiful line across her cheek. A beautiful, almost bizarre smile.

"Hey, Lugis. What am I to you? I don't expect you to say that I'm just a friend, of course.

　The words are so soft that they even seem to envelop you. Even the way she touches my ear is gentle.

　But what is packed in the depths of those words is a strong will without a single scratch. His black eyes are wide open and staring at you as if to say that he will not allow any excuses.

　Give me a break. I'll never forget that Fialaat is your accomplice. At the same time, I felt a strange buildup of saliva in my mouth and a tingle on my skin.

It's funny, then, that an accomplice is just someone who reports to you after the fact, without consulting you. What do you think, Lugis?　I hope you choose your words carefully.

　His words gradually became more and more cold. The way he acted, as if he was trying to get you to leave one step at a time.

　Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry deeper than the depths of the earth. So don't push me any further. I'm starting to feel like I'm being held captive with no way out.

　Without being able to find the right words, I let my fingertips wander. Before I knew it, I found my gaze swimming through the air. And so, naturally, I head towards Philos.



　Not that I have anything to say. But if possible, I'd like to hear something to back me up or calm me down. That's what I'm looking for. I'm not sure what to say, but I'd like some support or words to calm the situation, if possible.

　In response, Philos gave a small nod and said. His white eyes narrowed slightly.

I take what you just said to mean that you're going to be my ally aside from all those contracts?

　Philos looked at him straight in the eye and said.

　I see. Apparently, he had misunderstood the meaning of my gaze. No, he may have been trying to get back at me, judging by the oddly lifted edge of his lips.

　Silver, black, and white eyes stared at me as if they were gouging out my flesh. I swallowed, spitting noisily. Even breathing out was strangely numb.

　No... None of the words that would normally come lightly to mind came. The marrow of my brain remained tightly shut up and did not respond in any way.

　I had a very bad feeling about this. A feeling that no matter what I said now, I would be stabbed in the back.

　A trickle of sweat ran down my spine, and my breath rushed down my throat.

　Perhaps taking the silence as some sort of response, Fialaat piled on more words. Each one seemed to pile up on my back.

"And she... And she's not the only one who's been hiding things from me," he said, "like Philos-Treit's blood relation and the hexenbiest disaster. Lugis, you're still hiding something from me, aren't you?

　My heart is beating. I felt my breathing become rapid and ragged.

　When Fialaert spoke, Kalia nodded her chin in agreement. Apparently, she still had a lot of things to say deep in her heart.

　And now, at least, they didn't have the slightest bit of hesitation in letting it out.

You've always been like that, haven't you? You've always been like that. You're strangely familiar with the new type of hexenbiest, you're familiar with the situation in each city, you're not from the common people. Is that true in the first place, you?

　Of course, it doesn't make any difference what happened in the background. I'd like you to clarify that part, Kalia said with a sharp smile on her face.

　No. Really, no.

　She sits down on the bed, her cheeks fluttering. She hung her head, palms out. I can't see any way out of this.

　I guess that's just the way they are. Or maybe I'm just shallow. Or maybe it's both.

...... I'm sorry, there's no excuse for that. I'll get what I want after this is over. So give me a break this time.

　He left the chewing tobacco in his pocket and moved his mouth. This was the last thing he could come up with. The only thing he was capable of was talking, but if he was not careful, he might have lost even that. I hope not.

　Putting his hand on his head, he continued to bounce his lips.

"So, that's where I come from. Fine. Right now, there's someone here who knows it best.

　In truth, I was too embarrassed to even face him. But apparently it was a path that could not be avoided.

　If that's the case, then let's at least say hello. To my parents, too.