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  He kept giving up on winning because he was just someone who couldn't

  sacrifice his own precious life to save someone else.

  To save two persons, one had to be kil ed, to save four persons, two had to be

  kil ed.

  Thinking that this was the only way, the form to disguise himself.

  ——repeatedly doing this kind of thing, how could he be recognized?

  Looking at how Riku was shamefully questioning himself, she continued.

  "This is what I want to know...Riku's [Heart], how...to answer...?"

  "——haha, its precisely because I don't know that I'm asking you...."

  Riku lowered his gaze while having a hollow laugh, but ShuVi continued.

  "No matter what the answer is....I wil ...Help...."

  "....Why..."

  ShuVi blankly answered the question in a natural manner.

  "I said once...Before I understand the [Heart]...I wil , accompany you..."

  ——haha....This is, really reliable....

  "Having said that..."

  *pata*, moving the pieces on the chessboard, ShuVi announced.

  ".....Checkmate."

  "ShuVi...In here, it should at least be a tie right, for the atmosphere."

  ".....?....Air conditions....? What's wrong....?" [4]. "

  With the similar answer as always, Riku looked out the window while revealing a

  smile.

  Not knowing when, the storm had stopped.

  Looking downwards from the window, they saw the blooming colorful flowers

  unaffected by the death storm, as if under protectiong from the [Forest God].

  Might as wel say, the scene where the petals were dancing in the room was

  uncomfortable, but——

  "....Beautiful...."

  Riku looked towards the person who stole his lines.

  The Ex-Machina girl that he felt to be more human than him, her eyes were

  chasing the petals dancing in the air.

  The shining pair of crimson clear eyes caught everything in sight.

  "——ShuVi."

  Facing the girl who slowly looked back, Riku asked a question he dismissed

  long ago——

  "——tell me. Tell me the purpose of this war and how to end it."

  Part 12

  Riku and ShuVi walked together in the garden of fluttering petals in the ruined

  city of the Elves.

  Although the black ash were blown away by the death storm, it was a matter of

  time before it got covered up again. Even though they couldn't stroll leisurely

  and enjoy the situation, Riku had to repeat it again for ShuVi to hear.

  "The sole God's throne——..[Star cup]....Eh."

  The title of [Sole God] bestowed unto the winner of the war every God's throne

  and Elemental Gallery.

  The device that had the concept of absolute control——[Star cup].

  This was the reason and purpose behind the Great war, the implementation

  method is.....Really——

  "Oi, ShuVi. Can you answer one of my question."

  ——bearing such a doubt, Riku asked.

  "That....Unless no one discovered that there was another method?"

  "....Other....Me,thod...?"

  Seeing ShuVi's widened eyes, Riku sighed in his heart.

  ——I see, even ShuVi had not discovered that method yet.

  No, because it was ShuVi, because she was the strong, so she didn't notice

  something as simple as this?

  "...Hey, ShuVi. Wil I be forgiven if I was alone?"

  "?.....Riku, isn't....Alone....Oh?"

  "No no...I always felt like a fool to brave through things——but."

  Riku smiled while wearing the dust mask.

  Riku's expression couldn't be seen at all the whole time. But ShuVi could clearly

  see the sparkling black eyes behind his googles.

  "But if I'm with ShuVi, I feel that I can do some interesting things in this world

  ——"

  "....Interesting? I don't know, joke...."

  Caressing ShuVi who lowered her head in an apologetic manner, Riku smiled.

  "Its because of this that it feels extremely interesting.....ShuVi, is it boring to be with me?"

  "No."

  ShuVi quickly answered in a serious manner.

  "Really? You're not lying? I'm a heartless guy oh, the bored feeling of being with me——"

  "If, not interested in Riku....I won't relieve myself of the link......And stay here."

  This time, his words were interrupted by ShuVi who answered seriously.

  Riku thought——

  How would he accomplish it? The [Heart] inside him that ShuVi was looking for.

  However, ShuVi was wil ing to help regardless of his answer...Maybe.

  What should he do——complying to his wishes was not a bad idea.

  "....Un, this is....Hmm..."

  With eyes watching Riku who was having a deep thought, ShuVi said.

  "...I, am....Interested....In this kind....of Riku's eyes..."

  "Really? The things I'm thinking now might even be too much for a kid's delusion oh."

  "..This is good...No——revision..."

  Repeating the thought several of times in her head, she came to a conclusion.

  Nodding deeply, ShuVi——successfully defined this feeling.

  Not knowing whether it was because she was feeling happy, ShuVi gave a

  radiant smile that made people forget that she is actually a machine——

  "...I guess——this is also....[Like]....?"

  ——in the end, even Riku didn't quite understand what she meant.

  "What an ambiguous way to say it!"

  ——in the end, how long has it passed since he did this. He couldn't remember.

  Riku hugged his stomach, laughed until his tears started streaming out.

  Part 13

  Then——shortly after. The destined moments finally arrived.

  "Riku!! This is bad, the telescope captured 6 Dragonias and several Dwarven

  fleets heading our direction!!"

  Watching Simon who ran down with his face pale, he said towards Coron.

  "Their direction of travel are North and East west respectively! If they collide, 9

  miles east of the colony would be the battlefield.

  ——the sound of screams resounding in the colony declared the end of the

  moment of peace.

  Riku instructed for the food and other luggage to be brought out, efficiently

  directing the works for a full retreat.

  Meanwhile, Riku, ShuVi and Coron delineated the effective range of the

  battlefield.

  They found 28 other places from an investigation 5 years ago, and determined

  the most appropriate location for a shelter.

  Completing the preparations to evacuate 8 hours before the fighting began, the

  began to move, then....

  ————......

  The colony of almost 2000 people witnessed their homes getting engulfed by

  light and then disappearing.

  The deceased numbered less than 200, who al died while commanding the last

  evacuating people.

  In the case where fighting ensued near the colony, their loss were considerably

  small in number.

  But seeing the colony and rock hil evaporated off, the people on the high

  platform started to cry.

  ——this was natural. Coron who thought of this clenched her trembling fists.

  If one lost his home, then rebuild it. Although the logic can be understood.

  The telescope they desperately repaired was gone. It couldn't be helped, they

  had to accept that everything happened precisely because of this moment.

  Information, map, measuring items and every other important things
were

  brought out——but.

  The important things were not always visible. The effort and sacrifice needed to

  maintain the colony, the memories of living there, as wel as their prayers and

  desires.

  ——all of these disappeared in a moment,

  And that was because of a stray bullet that held no malice nor meaning to

  destroy their homes.

  Someone who doesn't cry would be abnormal. The person who saw all of this is

  crazy.

  Indeed, their lives were saved. However, what could their lives do after this?

  Repeat this experience one more time?

  Paying for the miserable memories of tears, sacrifice and biting lips.

  And once again, disappear as if it was garbage?

  In the moment where Coron couldn't hold it in anymore and was about to start

  crying, Coron saw the back of the figure of her little brother.

  "Riku.....Ri, Riku!!"

  Coron ran towards the figure that was hugging his own knees and constantly

  trembling.

  "Riku, hold it in! With so many people alive, Riku had done his best!"

  ——he was at his limits.

  Stop making excuses, Coron warned herself while making up her mind.

  I can no longer rely on my little brother, letting him bear all the burden....Later on he——

  "Riku, stop it, okay? Just let Nee-chan to take over——"

  Right now.

  "——ShuVi, recorded it?"

  "...No...Problems..."

  Riku who cheerfully looked up, his face had a bright and degrading smile.

  "——ah, th, that? Ri, Riku..?"

  It was a women's sixth sense, seeing the drastic changes that Riku underwent,

  Coron reflectively wanted to step back.

  Won't let you escape! Caught on the wrist by Riku, Coron couldn't help but issue

  out an [Ah!].

  "Ju~st like that oh Coron, from now on the colony's [Elder] is you, so a pleasure to work with you❤ "

  "——ha, eh, EH?"

  Handing over the map with a his face full of smiles, Riku straightened his back

  and stood up.

  "This is the location of the new colony. Passing through the cave, the other side should be safe. Although it isn't immediately habitable, once it's arranged, it is

  livable. Because this place was chosen by the things we brought out."

  Saying so, Riku exchanged glances with ShuVi who stood at his side.

  Then with a cheery smile, they walked away in the opposite direction. Coron

  who finally had a peace of mind cried out.

  "Wa, wait a moment Riku! Without you, I——the colony wil ——"

  No matter what, if Riku——if her little brother isn't present, wanting to replace

  him is impossible.

  Coron cried out, but——

  "No, there won't be any problems if Coron is present——because from now on I

  won't let anyone die."

  "...Eh?"

  "Well, rest assured. I wil properly keep in touch with you. If it's Coron, I can safely hand everyone over to you."

  Coron stared blankly as Riku's figure started to fade away.

  "——hey, Riku..."

  She called his name——but, the person who turned back wasn't [Riku]

  anymore.

  ——no, incorrect. I know. This was the Riku she met the last time.

  His eyes had a bottomless enthusisam, but yet the boy chose to seal off his

  heart.

  Believing to pry open the [Lock] in his heart, was undoubtedly the young girl

  beside him.

  Coron spat out a big, yet gentle sigh.

  Although he already guessed that it would be an unbelievable answer, Coron

  stil asked——

  "Hey——what are you planning on doing——?"

  Expected answer, no, the answer was more than expected.

  The orginal Riku who is naive, bold and full of fiery answered.

  "——just a game. A simple——child's play that is about to begin oh!"

  References

  1. Jump up ↑ What can I say, a guy who loves little girls? I'm sure you guys know

  2. Jump up ↑ He switches to first person narrative.

  3. Jump up ↑ To participate in rape under the blue sky, specifically outdoor sex

  4. Jump up ↑ Atmosphere and Air are similar in Japanese Chapter 3 --- --- 1+1 = Deathless

  In a far away cave, after the land map of the new colony was handed out to

  Coron.

  The ones who simply constructed the hideout, received orders until the very

  end, and lost their lives----

  That is how it’s being made to be. The one hundred seventy-nine [ghosts],

  including Riku and ShuVi, gathered around a round table.

  After looking at each of their faces, Riku---- the [Head of the Ghosts] slowly

  talked.

  “The war’s end that may come one day---- I'm tired of waiting for this “future that

  won't come”.”

  Even though everyone there became stunned, Riku stil continued speaking

  lively.

  “While keeping fleeing and surviving in this shit smeared world, you wil pray for

  the war's end?---- To whom?”

  He said that, as if throwing out something that he always wanted to say but held

  back.

  “To the destroyers who call themselves God!!? To the heavens or to something

  else that couldn't stop those guys either!!? Live and survive in this shit-like world until the end of the war---- and then!? What about after that!?”

  Moving his hands in an exaggerated manner, Riku roared as if lashing out at his

  emotions.

  “It seems those guys are conflicting all around after the Throne of the Sole God,

  but those bunch of trash participating in this war, it doesn't matter which one of

  them end up with the victory! Do you think you can expect the shit after that to

  be better than the current one!?----- HUH!?”

  And in an instant, Riku lowered his voice, and said with a voice that lacked any

  warmth.

  “It's about time we recognize it. In this world---- something like hope---- doesn't

  exist.”

  -------

  If it's just noticing then they already had noticed, but their hearts would crumble

  if they recognized this fact. At his words, the [Ghosts] lowered their heads.

  That's why, it was said, while each of them let a painful expression show up in

  their faces----

  “We, have no choice but to “create it”---- with our own hands.”

  After hearing Riku's strong declaration, everyone there raised their gazes.

  “The method is only one. Certainly, it's a stupid, crazy and insane method, easily

  considered an absurd.”

  That idea made even Riku himself have no choice but to smile bitterly at it.

  “We are the [Ghosts] ----We are the ones that don't interest anyone, and the

  ones that doesn't stay in anyone's attention.”

  Riku looked at the girl standing at his side.

  “We are the [Ghosts]----but even if we aren't recognized by anyone, we are the

  ones that walk with the wil of relaying a legacy.”

  Towards the red eyes, that made him think that even so it was possible.

  “That's the proof that we are “stil ” existing... The proof that the world “stil ”

  haven't ended yet.”

  Riku once again made his mind, and tightened his face.

  “Let's stop pretending to be clever already. We, humans, are fools.”

  ---- And then he affirmed.

  “As such---- let's “fight”.”

  ---- Fight. Not run, but to fight.


  Certainly after Riku said that, one hundred seventy-seven gazes concentrated

  on him. But Riku laughed weakly.

  “That's right, let's fight. Al enemies that stand in our way, no matter who it may

  be, with our power---- in other words, with “foolishness”. Fool everyone;

  outsmart them, just like a [ghost]. Just like the weak. The kind of method doesn’t

  matter, do it without shame or pride. Be flattered with cowardice. Be praised with

  vulgarity. Be honored with inferiority-----!!”

  ---- And then,

  “Be victorious.”

  ---- That's right, what should be obtained is a single one victory.

  “The endlessly stacked and lined up defeat, shall be cancelled by changing it

  into a meaningful defeat, that one victory.”

  Riku thought about it too, amidst the silence, the thing that anyone envisioned.

  The one Riku said to fight against---- those without identification, the ones that

  reduced civilization to nothingness.

  The ones who can in a single whim, open a hole in a mountain, change the

  ocean into land, and pulverize the stars.

  What enveloped the room, was laughs. While everyone was amazed and letting

  out laughs, Riku too laughed.

  “That’s right, we’l challenge that---- and win. Before such absurdity, all we can

  do, is laugh like idiots right?”

  Yes that’s true. There’s no way we can stay without laughing right---- That’s

  exactly why.

  “That, is the proof that we are humans. The proof of foolishness. It’s the last

  fate---- of our existence.”

  After saying that, and looking around to the faces of the one hundred and

  seventy seven peoples, Riku said.

  “----[The End of the Great War]---- that’s the single victory we wil obtain.”

  .........

  With only a human body, they will end the eternal great war of the Gods.