When I finally stopped crying and calmed down, I said.

  "Sorry. For crying."

  "Fufu. It was very cute."

  I felt my cheeks heat up.

  "Don't tease me, Alice."

  "It's Yu's fault for constantly doing things that make me want to tease you. Your reactions are easy to read, so it's worth picking on you."

  "Indeed. Suitable for teasing beginners."

  "Ugh."

  I squirmed at Alice and Milia laughing happily, but pulled myself together.

  "Hey. There are still things I have to tell you."

  "There's more?"

  Alice was surprised.

  "The story about me personally is mostly over. This is more important."

  The main reason I brought Argus along, even though telling Alice and Milia would have been enough, was for the story I was about to tell. I thought it would be very reassuring if he became an ally.

  "From here on, it's a story even Sensei doesn't know."

  "Hoh."

  I switched gears. Getting to the main topic.

  "Yesterday, I met a man named Thomas Glaver. He is one of the FabLs."

  "Thomas... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere..."

  "Me too. Who was he again?"

  "He was the MC on the first day of the Magic Tournament."

  "Huh? Wasn't the MC Mole-sensei?"

  "That's right, wasn't it?"

  "Mole-sensei was supposed to be from the second day."

  "Eh?"

  "That can't be. I saw him."

  It didn't seem like the two were feigning ignorance. They really didn't remember. I see. Since he forcefully intruded using an ability to alter cognition, maybe memories were corrected or something after he left.

  "Well, never mind about that. So, he left behind a terrifying message—that Will is going around destroying the worlds he visits."

  "What!?"

  Sensei's face instantly became grim. The other three were dumbfounded, perhaps unable to keep up with the sudden change in the scale of the story.

  "Certainly, that guy might do it... But when he came to this world, the only thing he destroyed was Edel."

  "Yes. However—"

  "Wait a second!"

  Just as I tried to explain, Alice stopped me.

  "Edel is that lost magical empire, right!? Didn't it perish due to a failed magic experiment?"

  "What on earth, are you saying?"

  Alice and Milia had faces of disbelief.

  "It means exactly what I said. It was Will who erased Edel. And apparently, he did it alone, in a single night."

  "Oi oi... What kind of tall tale is that?"

  It seemed Argus was completely exasperated by the absurdity. He raised both hands and shrugged. But I, who knew his terror firsthand, was convinced it was the truth.

  "The depth of his ability called [Interference] is unfathomable. Sensei. Was it his [Megil] that destroyed Edel back then?"

  I hadn't heard the details of the fight with him from Sensei back then, but I asked relying on the description in a book I found by chance at the bazaar. What came back from Sensei were words of affirmation.

  "That's right. He [Interfered] with the trajectory of a meteorite, pulled it to this world, and dropped it."

  "I knew it. So that was it."

  It must be a bitter memory for Sensei, but she told us about that time.

  "—My master was desperate just to let me escape far away. In the end, Edel perished, and my master went missing. And the few survivors—well, maybe they couldn't accept it unless they thought so. They called him an incarnation of God and revered the meteorite attack as Celestial Magic [Megil]. Incarnation of God, my foot. He is a devil."

  Sensei concluded with obvious disgust toward Will. Argus crossed his arms with a difficult face.

  "I've heard of it. That Edel perished due to a meteorite collision. There was certainly someone who said that. But that theory can't explain the magic pollution of the Lasir Plains. That's why it should have been denied in academic theories."

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  To his calm pointing out, Sensei also retorted dignifiedly.

  "I don't know the cause of the magic pollution, but this is a fact I experienced. I swear I'm not lying."

  He fell silent for a while, keeping eye contact with Sensei. He glanced at my face, then returned his gaze to Sensei. Then, he opened his mouth heavily.

  "Is that so... Okay. It's hard to believe immediately, but I'll keep it in mind. Honestly, I'm confused with all these strange stories since a while ago."

  "Me too. What should I say... Yu's story is heavier than I imagined. Maybe I lacked the resolve to hear it."

  "It's like, listening to a fairy tale."

  To the three expressing confusion in unison, Sensei also showed sympathy and understanding.

  "I suppose so. If I hadn't met my master and seen him directly, I wouldn't lend an ear to such a story either."

  "Right. But the story is too exaggerated for a joke or a lie. At least you guys are speaking with the intention that it's the truth, right?"

  "Yeah. How nice it would be if it were a lie."

  "Geez, unbelievable."

  Argus dropped his shoulders. But he didn't look discouraged; he seemed to be using his genius brain.

  "Yu. Please continue."

  "Yes."

  Urged by Sensei, I nodded. Surrounded by the four watching me intently, I cut to the core of the story.

  "While he has overwhelming power to do something about the world himself, he rarely does it directly. Instead, he apparently leaves behind some kind of danger factor that could destroy the world."

  "Wow..."

  "Quite, in bad taste."

  "That's terrible."

  "He kills time watching it work due to some trigger and the world actually perish. He's the worst kind of guy."

  There, I took a breath. Everyone swallowed hard, waiting for the next words. I—told them the most important thing.

  "This world is also being targeted."

  Colors of shock appeared on the faces of the four. Perhaps each was pondering, they fell silent with serious faces. Eventually, Sensei opened her mouth bitterly.

  "I thought it was strange that his presence suddenly disappeared after destroying Edel. To think he was doing such a thing..."

  "Do you know Will's range of activity when he was here?"

  "Ah. Because I understood his unique Qi immediately. He was around Edel all the time. He shouldn't have gone anywhere else."

  "If so, I think there is a high possibility that the danger factor is... something related to Edel."

  I had been thinking about it ever since hearing this from Thomas yesterday. If Will were to leave a world destruction factor, where would it be? The most suspicious place is Edel, which he destroyed himself. It is fully conceivable that he set a trap around there.

  Moreover, because he destroyed Edel, the concept of lost heritage, including Lost Magic, was born. If camouflaged as that, any dangerous thing could be hidden. If someone got their hands on his 'legacy' without knowing it, or knowing it was so— It's a scenario that mean guy would likely think of.

  And as guessed, if Edel is involved—

  "Right. Then, the threat is—"

  "Tch. The Masked Group."

  Matching Argus saying irritably, I nodded.

  "They are desperate to dig up Edel's legacy. Dangerous folks whose thoughts are unknown. If they find that danger factor—"

  "Depending on the case, it means the world is over."

  "Yes. So, I think the ones we should actually watch out for are the Masked Group. I realized their terribleness with today's incident."

  Just thinking about it makes me sick.

  "Wait. Those guys were the Masked Group!?"

  Argus was surprised. True, they usually wear masks more blatantly. Before I could answer, Alice said it.

  "That's right. The ringleader slipped his tongue inadvertently. He said it was a smokescreen for the true objective."

  "Dammit! They went that far just for a disguise...! How many people do they think died!"

  Clenching his fist, he revealed fierce anger. I felt the same way. I felt indignation toward them.

  "So, what do you want to do? You have something you want to say, right?"

  The attention of the four turned to me again. That's right. As Sensei said, I told this story because I wanted to do something about this situation. I spoke my honest feelings as sincerely as possible. Choosing words slowly.

  "I am an outsider. But, I like this world. I like this world where everyone is."

  "Me too. I like this world. I love everyone."

  "Being told that, makes me blush. Me too."

  "Heh. Needless to say."

  "Umu. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lived this long."

  Receiving each person's thoughts, I continued.

  "So I. I absolutely cannot forgive that this world is being rolled in the palm of Will, a guy like that. I don't want to watch silently as this world might perish."

  I paused there. Looking around everyone's faces again, I solidified my own resolve.

  "But... his power is mighty. Compared to that, my power is... too tiny and unreliable. Alone, I cannot win against his demonic hand. I can't even oppose the Masked Group. But."

  What Thomas said. If I can fight together with the people of this world.

  "If we combine everyone's power. Still, it might be small. It might not be enough. But, I think we can do much more than me alone."

  I bowed my head with sincerity.

  "I'm asking you. Everyone. Won't you lend me your strength? I want to protect this world. I want to protect everyone."

  Borrowing everyone's strength to protect everyone. I might be exposing them to danger they don't need to be exposed to. I know it's contradictory, but if left alone, everything will end eventually. This was the conclusion I reached after thinking desperately in my own way.

  I don't know if they will cooperate. If refused, I intend to struggle even alone. If it's for everyone, I don't mind dying once.

  "Raise your head."

  Urged by Argus, when I looked up—there were the four looking at me warmly.

  "Asking or whatever. Originally, this world is the responsibility of us living here, right?"

  "That's right! There is nothing for Yu to shoulder alone."

  "We, have to do something."

  "I'll do my best too. I have a connection with him too."

  "Everyone. Thank you..."

  I... really have good friends.

  After that, we discussed the details of the attack incident and what to do from now on.

  "So, I said something on a grand scale but... for the time being, living normally and watching out for the Masked Group's movements is about all we can do."

  "Well, true. If we knew the identity of that danger factor or whatever, we could go crush it."

  "Difficult. Because we have, no information."

  "For me, it's simple and good."

  Argus raised the corner of his mouth in a grin.

  "Honestly, being told about the world doesn't really click, but then again, it's what I wanted to do anyway. Those guys completely pissed me off with this incident."

  Including being outsmarted, it seemed he had considerable thoughts on this incident.

  "I'll work on my family to suppress their movements as much as possible."

  "That really helps."

  Having a noble family backing us is very reassuring. It was something to be grateful for. Another person who got motivated was Sensei.

  "Then, I shall go around crushing them directly."

  "Sensei herself is finally moving out, huh."

  "You too, Yu. From now on, we'll also do training in practical combat format."

  "That means, in other words."

  "They'll be just the right opponents to cut, won't they?"

  "—Yes!"

  I realized painfully through this incident that I have to overcome my naivety. I must become able to face enemies resolutely. And if necessary, I must become able to cut properly. If I can't do that. There are things I can't win even if I could, and things I can't protect even if I could.

  While fighting the Masked Group from now on, let's strengthen both body and mind. I thought so.

  "Sorry. I can't think of anything I can do immediately."

  "Me too, a little..."

  "It's okay. I'm happy just with the feeling. If something happens, I'm counting on you."

  "Of course. Alriiight! I'll polish my magic more so I can be of help anytime!"

  "Lately, because I was dragged along by Yu, training, has become fun. How will you take responsibility?"

  "Ehh. I don't know about that."

  "Ahaha. Milia got influenced."

  "Geez. Fufu."

  "Hahaha."

  —Until now, I've kept running away. Turning my eyes away. From trauma. From fate. From the truth. But finally, I think I faced it a little. With renewed resolve.

  From here, I want to walk forward step by step.