"Agathos...... what?

　Leu's voice was devoid of emotion. With her back to the light, she was looking at the jewel. I've been with her for a while now, but I've never seen her.

　The crimson hair that never stopped shining, the eyes that never hid their nobility. Down to the tips of her fingers, she is perfect. There is not a single flaw. The incarnation of beauty is there.

　But Agathos, in the darkness, said. Even though she's right beside me, somehow I feel her presence is fading. It's as if she's really going to disappear.

"What's your face, boy? Come on, let's go. How can you afford to look back on a life too short to be human?　You'll always have to move on. It's the prerogative of us elders to dwell in the past. It's wonderful.

　It was obvious that Agathos was trying to divert the conversation. Even the inexperienced Leu could sense it.

　Perhaps it's only you or her who can get out of here. And yet, here she was, trying to stay.

　A searing chill runs down Leung's spine. That's impossible. What, that's... That can't be possible.

Agathos....... No. If you're here. I'll stay. I won't go!

　I don't even know if it's a cry or a plea anymore. Even though I knew it wouldn't solve anything, I couldn't help but squeeze it out.

　Because isn't that so? How could she, a perfect woman, take my place when I was such a failure? The emotions that leaked out of Leu's words made Agathos lower his eyes for a moment.

　In contrast to Léu's urgent expression, Agathos is as calm as a quiet snow.

　Agathos kept his voice even, and said as if to say.

"No. I'm letting you live. This is my choice. I will not tolerate rebellion. Besides, Leu, this was bound to happen sooner or later. Two souls in one body is a trick that won't work forever. Sooner or later one of us had to end it, you or me. In fact, it's been dragging on this whole time.

Then I'll disappear. I'll disappear for that, for someone else...!

　Leu," Agathos bit down on his words. I think he said it so strongly that he didn't want me to say anything else.

　They remained silent, their gazes intertwined. Normally, Leung would back off when this happened, but today he didn't feel that way. It's as if no matter how much he says, he won't leave.

　I knew that he was a stubborn man, but I never thought he would be like this. Agathos said, letting out a sigh. But somehow, there was a thin smile on his cheeks.

"I wished for you when we first met, didn't I? When we first met, you wished that you could die in your sleep.

　But that's not true, Agathos said, his lips rippling. He stroked Leu's cheek as if he were clinging to her, and continued.

You've got it all wrong--wanting to die means wanting to be happy. You want to be happy forever and ever.

"Aga, tos.......

　Leu couldn't stop the tears from falling from her eyes. The reason is unclear. It could be that he felt that the supreme jewel was about to be lost to him, or it could be that he was taken aback by her words.

　But I have one thought. I don't want to be separated from Agathos.

Maybe I do. I wanted to be happy. ...... The days I spent with you were much, much better. Agathos, please, from .......

"Leu, listen to me.

　When Agathos spoke, Leu closed her lips involuntarily. He had a hunch that if he didn't listen now, he would never hear that voice again.

　Listening to the sound of his heart and blood rupturing, Leu waited for Agathos' lips to move. It was the only thing he could do, but he was so nervous that he felt like his head was going to explode.

I've told you that if you take my body, I promise to be supremely selfish. Your body is mine. Whether I keep it or give it back to you is my choice. Live, Leu. This is what I want.

　Agathos smiled as if to show it to Leu. His eyes were bright, his cheeks were white, and most of all, his smile was beautiful and vibrant.



　Leu knew something was pouring inside him. Something hot, very hot. But he knew what it was in an instant. His eyes widened.

"Good, because next time--

　This is the original of Agathos. The meaning of the sorcerer's existence, Agathos itself, is flowing into you.

　And a being who loses the source can only disappear.

　There were many things he wanted to say, many things he wanted to shout out, but he said nothing. In order not to miss Agathos's voice, he stared desperately at his face while letting out large tears.

　Agathos opened his mouth wide and said.

"Live, live, live!　Make this world, which has been giving you so much misery, look back at you!　You're going to be happy for sure!

　With that, Agathos pushed Leu away. He heard Leu's scream, but pretended not to hear it.

　He thought that if he heard it, it would surely leave him hesitant. It seemed pointless when the last thing I saw was the girl's crying face.

　In the darkness of sleep, Agathos mocked himself.

　I've done something completely out of character. This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

　I'm not sure what to do with it. You can't be a supreme jewel, you say.

　But I had no choice, otherwise that body would not last any longer. The body with two souls in it is so worn out that it can only live as a demon. It was the only way to keep Leung alive. Besides, in this way, a part of me would live on in her. I might be able to watch over her a little.

　Agathos let out a big sigh in the midst of his fading soul and ego.

　It would be a lie if I said I had no regrets. If you ask me if I would have liked to have landed on the earth with my own legs once again, I would definitely say yes. That is what the supreme jewel would have wanted.

　But, Agathos thinks.

　I've learned the beauty of the rest of me. The beauty of those who live only a short life, and so struggle on.

　Then I can't help but recognize and respect that beauty. This is my selfishness.

　--This is what you call love.

　I loved them, I respected them, and at some point I wished they lived longer than I did. Even though I said it was silly to live for someone else, I entrusted her with everything.

　A gem that knew love and was willing to be lost for it. This was her supreme selfishness.

　What a weakness it is to know that you love someone. Agathos couldn't help but relax his cheeks.

　Will Léu hate me, or will he abuse me?

　This is the worst way to leave. And I forced him to be a demon. I'm sure he won't take it well.

　But I'm glad. It's not fitting for a jewel to serve someone else. I did what I did for love. That's all there is to it.

But... But it's a hell of a lot better than dying like you, Vriligant. You die robbed, and I die for my love.

　Agathos said with a giggle and a girlish laugh. He could see his own dying body in his vision.

　I will be lost to the world. She laughed even as the realization came over her.

Now, with regret, let us depart, Vriligant. The age of myths is over. Our time has come to an end. The world says their time is next. It's too ugly to linger in that place, don't you think?

　The world will always be arrogant and keep moving things around as it pleases. It doesn't care what is lost as a result.

　But for now, it was okay to be a little grateful. With a last smile, Agathos let his lips ripple.

"Goodbye, Leu. You are more beautiful than me, more beautiful than the world. This is a wonderful day to know that.

　The witch who had learned to love said this as if kissing him, and said nothing more. The supreme jewel kept its brilliance until the end.