It doesn't feel real.
　Elysia ran down the alleyway in a single-minded effort to hold back her nausea.

　--Twait was defeated.

　Seeing Toate bleeding profusely, Elysia thought, "I can't believe it.
　Elysia had been wielding a sword since she was a child and was confident in her own strength. However, she still thought that she was no match for Toate. After all, Toate had easily defeated her in the entrance exam. He thought that Toate was one level higher than him.

　And now Toate has lost.
　He was strong, mysterious, and yet strangely dependable. And now, ----, he's easily defeated.

　--No.

　Not just defeated.
　You can't just be "defeated" after being wounded so badly.

　You have to admit it.
　There's no way the Twights can help me anymore.
　There is no way that Toate can catch up with you as you keep running.

　Toate is .......

　Toate is death.



"Where are you going?

　As Elysia runs away, she hears a voice ahead of her.
　A man in a black cloak stands in front of her.

　--The second attacker.

　Another attacker appeared.
　Startled, Elysia paused.
　Meanwhile, the first attacker who had just stabbed Twight caught up with her.

You're too late.

　The first attacker tells the second attacker across from Elysia.

"Yeah. There were a couple of people in the way, so it took a while.

　The second attacker then puts his hands out in front of him.

　With a thud.
　Two large sphere-like objects fell at Elysia's feet.

　They were human heads.

　One was a girl's.
　The other a boy's.

"Woman. Do you recognize these two?

　The attacker says.
　The heads had faces Elysia knew well.

　Gran and Mize.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ............?

"So you know them. I knew you knew them. Hmph, you troublesome brat. You're not very strong, but you're very brave.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the website to see if you can find any useful information.

I'm not sure what to make of this.　So why did you do such a terrible thing ......?

　Elysia asked, tears streaming down her face.

"Hey. Why did you just ask me that?

　The man who attacked her said in frustration.
　The man clicks his tongue furiously and opens his cloak from side to side around his chest.
　Inside the cloak was a familiar piece of armor.

"Seirin, Knights of .......

"Yes. We are the Knights of Orthophosphorus.

　The man says.

Now we are knights, but ...... we were once orphans taken in by Master Roberto.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　But if you think about it calmly, it's not surprising. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

"Eight years ago now. The war had just begun. Our families and hometowns were taken away by demons, but the Shorin Knights saved our lives. The one who directed the Order at that time was Master Roberto. In order to return the favor to Roberto-sama, we trained and joined the Order.

　The man continued to speak in a voice filled with anger.

"We're still the lowest rank in the order. We haven't even taken part in the recent exercise. So, we were about to repay Roberto-sama with a steady stream of achievements. ...... but Master Roberto died before we could return the favor. By your hand.

　The man says with a murderous intent in his voice.

Do you understand?　--My gut is churning. Now we'll go to any length to kill you.

　A head hidden by a cloak.
　In the pitch-black darkness, eyes of hatred were floating.

"Ah, ah, .......

　It's the same.


　As soon as she understood the man, Elysia's body trembled with fear.

　--He's just like me.

　The man in front of her was the same as Elysia not long ago.
　Driven by hatred, consumed by vengeance, he fills his vessel with murderous intent.

　All he can think about is killing his hated enemy.
　He's willing to go to any extreme to do so.

What?

　Elysia ran out reflexively.

"Shit!

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　But Elysia's body, stained with fear, was as heavy as lead. She should have opened her eyes, but she couldn't see the scenery. She felt as if she was wandering in the endless darkness.

"Ah!

　Elysia stumbled over a hollow in the ground and fell over.
　The man caught up with Elysia and called out to her, scraping her face violently.

Why are you running away?

　Elysia's mind went blank at the man's question.

You knew this would happen. You were ready to throw away your future when you killed Roberto. Then why are you trying to escape now?

　The man was right.
　You killed Roberto with the intention of throwing away your future.
　And now you're trying to escape death.

Is your life now worthless?

What?

　As soon as Elysia heard those words, the power drained from her body.
　She had hit the nail on the head.
　She understood that this was her true intention.

　After the revenge.
　Elysia survived and had a conversation with Toate, Gran and Mize.
　Seeing their smiles, Elysia began to see the future again. --became.

　Today. For a moment, Elysia had hope for the future.

　For example, a future where she would join the Adventurer's Guild and become a top-notch adventurer with Mize. You might travel the world in the process. She might even meet new friends. By the time you become a sophomore, you may have more friends at the school and be enjoying your school life in harmony.

　At some point, you may be able to lead a free life without any coiled up feelings.
　I've seen such a future.

You should have taken your own life after you killed Master Robert. But you didn't. You tried to pick up the future you had abandoned, and as a result ...... three people died because of your fate.

Oh, ......, .......

This is your revenge. Don't think that someone who grants wishes in exchange for the future can get the future back without any risk. If you want to live ...... and have a future, you should have thought about how not to throw it away in the first place.

　The man was right about everything.
　It's my fault that Twight is dead, and that Gran and Mize are dead.

　I had abandoned the future and acted without thinking.
　Elysia had picked up the future that should have been thrown away, and the wrinkles had fallen on Toate and the others.

　When I killed Roberto, I was elated.
　But now, I can't remember any of those feelings.
　All that remained in Elysia's heart after one night was an odorless, tasteless emptiness.

　She remembered what Twight had said.
　Revenge is an act of regaining what has been lost, never an act of gaining something new.
　I certainly hadn't gained anything. This feeling of emptiness is proof.

　The end was not worth it.
　Did I let my three friends die just to feel this emptiness?

If it comes to this, ............

　Elysia's strength drained from her body when she saw the man thrusting his blade at her.
　I don't have the energy to resist anymore.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

I shouldn't have ...... taken revenge.








"Good. Don't forget that word.








　Elysia's eyes widened at the man's words.
　I don't know what the words mean. But before that, the voice sounded familiar.

　The man removes his cloak.
　Elysia was shocked when she saw the face that had been hidden from her.

"To, eight, ..................?

　The man who should have been stabbed in the stomach and coughed up blood.
　I'm not sure why, but he was standing there looking nonplussed.