<h4>Arc 5, Chapter 66: The Stage of Liliana Masquerade</h4>


    Liliana: “Gah! What a disaster! This fire is way too hot! Way too way too hot! Seven times hotter than normal fire! Being burnt by this will mean dying with seven times the agony!”


    The white wall of me erected before my eyes! Since it was a me that would not burn if touched, but seemingly only miraculously give heat waves, in truth being able to withstand the pain would mean that it was not impossible to breach.


    Thus, in order to keep the truth hidden from everyone who were too scared to rush forth, with desperation I pretended to be someone who suffered from having been suffered a fire st, which meant I conveyed everyone surrounding the waterway of the dangers of the me!


    Well, even with everyone’s mental state being a tad risky, it seemed that instinct had left them with the notion that the mes were dangerous. So my desperate act was perhaps not of much use, but even so not performing it was something I couldn’t justify.


    Liliana: “Although it was easy for Prisci-sama to say to sing and dance to snatch the peoples’ spirits back.”


    In all honesty, taking snatching spirits back raaaaaa! As a mood to sing with, would entirely serve as an obstacle, and from its basis goes against the principle of song.


    As a result of frantic singing, to say that something airy was left within the hearts of those who listened was a natural intent of the heavens. And to feel something in that intent of the heavens, and giving a tip because of that would be such a gentle world!


    To begin with the attitude of wanting to earn a tip, in that case such a desire would make its way into the song. But a song with such a desire contained within was not what I wanted.


    And so couldn’t this n be said to be a losing battle from the very start!


    Liliana: “Recalling back although this life was short-lived, but days filled with tumultuousness had been experienced. Father-sama and Mother-sama, although there had been resentment when being casted off into the cruel world at thirteen after dering independence, but now remaining is only gratefulness that I was born so cute. Although I have all along been quite the unfilial daughter, the gratitude and wrath I felt toward the two of you (respectful) was something integral to my every way… Gu! Aaaaa, hothothot, a neverending summer!”


    While speaking of gratitude toward parents and various other whims, I felt as if those on the opposite the wall of me were about to approach and once more put on an act of overheating. Really hoping you’ll react appropriately you bunch who can’t read the atmosphere!


    Butbut, now matter how realistic my performance was it would fall through sooner orter. And then if it were exposed, there would be no way to continue suppressing Prisci-sama’s extreme endurance tactics.


    And there we go it’s done! It’s over!


    Sirius: “Oh my oh my, do you have the leisure to see? That the child who you have expectations of, is wearing an expression as if there is no path forward. I can with rity feel the sorrow and exhaustion guing that child’s spirit. Aching back and forth, isn’t it rather pitiful?”


    Prisci: “Not in the slightest.”


    Without regard to the me who had begun to clutch my head and count down the seconds to the end, in the center of the courtyard surrounded by waterways that had been set alight, and exchange of dialogue between Prisci-sama and that freak Sirius was in progress.


    That said, the dialogue was entirelyposed of Prisci-sama mercilessly striking Sirius’s steady tone with a deaf ear! And setting aside Sirius’s manner of speech for now, that figure that rotated chains with both arms could not be called steady in the slightest.


    Air being shed, atmosphere being sliced, the path of metal chains being swung through the air meandered freely! Tumbling, prancing, front back left right it struck toward Prisci-sama as if a metal snake!


    The extending and retracting chain made an ear-piercing level of sound, continuous to the point that it seemed to me Prisci-sama had been enclosed in a cage of iron. To the point of bing a prison.


    The stone steps that took direct hits from the chain exploded mercilessly, caved in, the paring speaking volumes of that power. If direct contact with the skin were made, the result would be unsightliness caused as if by a snake’s fangs and tongue! If the recipient were someone like Prisci-sama whose skin was white and delicate, to call the torment the most extreme would not be enough!


    But but, Prisci-sama in fact ferociously attacked that metal chain—!


    Prisci: “Tumultuous and yet tasteless noise, heedlessly exerting every which way without the slightest trace of release, a base weapon from which even a hint of elegance cannot be felt, superficial and yet unseemly idle talk… how truly fortunate that such a number of measures to diminish mine anger were prepared that mercy may be shown. Toward this profanity, there in fact remains only admiration.”


    Liliana: “Prisci-sama is awesomeeeeeee!!”


    Prisci-sama yet wore an expression which spoke of listlessness, waving the Yang de to wee the chain that forced its way close from every direction. Forget front up down side, how could a blow from somewhere unseen like the back possibly be intercepted.


    In addition perhaps this power was unique to the Yang de, but whenever the Yang de deflected the chain, the point of contact would be scorched white, with firepower that seemed not negligible, and yet the chain would burn and be gradually shorter and shorter! If this were repeated the chain would certainly lose its volume!


    Liliana: “Heheheh—! Prisci-sama, please be rid of rid of rid of it—!”


    Prisci: “Regard thus, ‘tis what is known as candid thoughts which forget to cover eyes. Although exposure of this level for amoner is presumably difficult, it certainly inspires more pleasure than boring theory which ceaselessly contorts. Well, although merely one person in this world would be enough.”


    Liliana: “Eh!? Just now was a praise for me, a praise right!? To consider that praise would be fine right? I’m about to feel happy you know!! Amazing truly amazing. Yay!”


    Even if I were to be told that that hadn’t been praise, I’d already felt happy so it was toote!


    epting my support, Prisci-sama also ordingly raised her dignity. She continued to advance, ceaselessly burning the chain away. The imposing atmosphere seemed to overwhelm even the Sin Archbishop freak, and was now entirely just waiting! Was a yam on the oven!


    Liliana: “No wait a second, Prisci can’t solve this so effortlessly! If it’s done like this, we’re also be offed effortlessly eeeeeeh!?”


    Prisci: “Mmm, that’s indeed the case. Too fun a time was being had.”


    How dangerous! If just now I hadn’t stopped her, that person would have been offed so effortlessly! The overwhelmed Sirius took this chance of Prisci-sama stopping to leap far backward.


    Perhaps it was better to say, although Prisci-sama’s nopliant attitude was rather difficult, but the opponent who could match her was fortunately none other than a Sin Archbishop, perhaps it should be asked whether or not humans could move in such a way?


    Sirius: “Mouth clearly having been worked so hard, and yet a master so stubbornly refusing to open their heart is rare indeed. For what reason is your soul so tightly closed.”


    After gaining some distance, Sirius flickered her gaze to her two arms as she spoke thus. That chain had already been shornpletely short, but as the freak spoke she rotated her wrists to restore its length. It seemed that many chains were wound firmly on her arms, whether or not they were cutting off cirction was unknown.


    Sirius: “All hearts regardless of whose have a space. To live means to have feelings, yet no matter the color of the feeling that peeks out from there it’s something every person has… even to say a feeling you’ve staunchly bore all along, as long as its revealed it can be understood?”


    Prisci: “——”


    Sirius: “You too have a soul that can anguish, feelings that disorient, although unwaveringly keeping weaknesses hidden from others is a condition to living strongly… but that is not merely a destination to reach on one’s lonesome. What one person can achieve on their lonesome has a limit. After bing one with other people, there are urrences that can be discovered for the first time. In order to allow other people to see that ce, mutual understanding and shared feelings are necessary.”


    Sirius swayed her body, saying thus to the silent Prisci-sama.


    That voice was as if wanting bleed into the soul. That attitude was dear as if flesh and bone. That manner was tender as if dissolving the guards of others. The content of those words was as if enticing others.


    Clearly as if a sweet poison melting withnguor, yet even my extremities felt numb.


    Sirius: “Could you allow me to help you reach understanding with others? Truly your love is so deep, and loving of the world. Looking forward to being able to be loved. I can understand this. And hope that those other than me cane to understand. In order to keep you from spending a lonely night on your lonesome.”


    Prisci: “Truly a shame to rely only on delusion and conjecture and prattle on without rest. If no doubts are held toward your own words, you are precisely what is known as a lunatic.”


    Sirius: “Oh my, thank you very much. That is a titlemensurate with my husband’s. A criminal who cannotprehend in the slightest how outstanding that person is, toward that person spits wild words of admiration envy jealousy.”


    Prisci: “Not worth a mention. What belongs to mineself belongs to mineself. The narrative-like manner of your soliloquy are the wild words. For people like you, even the surface of mine enigma cannot be skimmed.”


    Prisci-sama with self-assurance rejected that sweet enticing proposal with rity. However, in terms of self-assurance Sirius did not lose. The freak’s head tilted as if having expected Prisci-sama’s rejection,


    Sirius: “To say that even the surface cannot be skimmed, this is the epitome of stubborness… isn’t it. In that case, how does such an significance sound? [Iris and the King of Thorns].”


    Prisci: “——”


    Sirius: “Or perhaps [The Rose Knight of Tieros]? [Maglitza’s Guillotine].”


    I didn’t understand the significance of Sirius’s words. Same with the intent behind the freak saying such words.


    However, it prompted an immediate effect.


    Prisci: “—Better off dead.”


    As I thought I’d heard a low murmur, Prisci-sama’s figure vanished from sight.


    As I expressed my confusion, the distance that had once existed between Prisci-sama and Sirius became zero. Prisci-sama swung the Yang de from above, arc mercilessly tracing toward Sirius’s neck. In an instant the world slowed to an extent that yielded incredulousness, and even I was able to see the path that Prisci-sama’s de followed.


    Just aiming it, would be as if caressing Sirius’s slender neck.


    If that were to happen, my neck, and the necks of everyone nearby would break in the same way.


    Could it be, that it was because I understood this that it seemed to happen so slowly? Say, if a life-threatening danger were to approach, humans would, with an intense focus slow their perception of the world down.


    Although, even with that, when the celestial scales of my own life were being tilted by others, what could I and the many people around me do about it.


    The crimson radiance of the Yang de, just like that with imposing manner which sliced through the atmosphere—


    Liliana: “—Eh?”


    Due to being unable to understand the sight before me, I couldn’t help but let out the voice of a dazed fool.


    The neck of I who had had made that noise was still firmly anchored upon this small body.


    That was a matter of course. My neck had not been severed. Whether my own, or Sirius’s.


    In substitution, Prisci-sama’s body which should have leapt at Sirius was flung backward forcefully.


    Enduring Sirius’s metal chains from the front whose attack had served as a wee, in a dangerous manner was flung backward.


    Liliana: “Prisci-sama!?”


    I let out a cry toward that figure which had obviously not leapt of its own will.


    If Prisci-sama were to be killed the the situation would be an irreparable wreck — I could scarcely even think of such a notion, crying out solely because a sense of disaster dawned. And yet, Prisci-sama from midair suddenly spun back, halting the impact by stabbing the Yang de into the cobblestones.


    Prisci: “Cease the racket, the true damage is yet toe.”


    Replying thus to my wail, with a resounding step Prisci-samanded. However, immediately following that Prisci-sama’s ne began to change. It had originally been a ne with three jewels of green, but one of the jewels had disintegrated into ash.


    Almost as if taking Prisci-sama’s stead in the attack from just before.


    Prisci: “The repayment of mine ne, has a rather high cost you know.”


    Sirius: “So that’s how it is. Is it that wounds you suffer transfer onto what is valuable to you. That is truly a manner befitting of [Pride]… nono, couldn’t be couldn’t possibly be.”


    Prisci: “A deliberately demeaning spection, is malicious to the extreme, a crime of ludicrosity reaching this extent cannot be redeemed with even ten thousand deaths. The manner of your death, is best fitting as a scorching heat that burns and burns yet never dies out.”


    Toward Sirius whose manner of ordance had not wavered in the slightest, Prisci-sama’s rage shone. Rather than to say that the Yang de in her hand had increased its radiance, perhaps it should be said that the heat was increasing? Prisci-sama’s regal attire even to me, appeared as if it swayed under the sweltering sunny day.


    Though gazing at it, there truly was no way to think that Prisci-sama could stand at a disadvantage… but there was also that iprehensible happening from just now.


    Sirius with her inexplicable words appeared as if meant to taunt Prisci-sama.


    Although Prisci-sama had seemed to rush forward as if falling for that provocation, since that movement had been so predictable it had been weed from the front — was not the case.


    Rather, this was the opinion of an outsider like me, in my regard Prisci-sama’s movements had appeared fast to the point of disappearing from sight, but perhaps to Sirius this was not the case. Although this possibility could not be denied, but that shouldn’t have been.


    Because when the Yang de had struck out, Prisci-sama’s movements had stopped.


    Appearing as if suspended, although such words did exist to convey the general idea, but this was on a different level of meaning from that, more precisely it was as if it had beenpletely frozen.


    Freezing in such an unnatural position, I did not assume to be Prisci-sama’s desire, nor that humans could consciously do as such. In that case, that stopping should have been connected to some kind of iprehensible ability, but what could it have been?


    Sirius: “Please do not rage like that. Although you appear as if constantly raising your temper over something, but such a thing yields exhaustion, and will only parch the soul? Something like [Wrath], is the tomb of the feeling that should be most shunned in this world… if that’s the case constantly welling in the heart should be feelings of ecstasy and joy.”


    Liliana: “C, clearly holding such a philosophy, everyone outside doesn’t look very happy do, do, do they?”


    Sirius: “Hmm?”


    Huh!? Just now, could it be a voice had been audible!?


    The freak Sirius looked directly at me, eyes that were visible from a gap in the bandages coiling tightly around my body. Uhiii, what a disaster, to have done to myself!


    Sirius: “Indeed, within the hearts of everyone who is outside, unease andment reigns. Although this too is something tragic, this is merely the result of human hearts overflowing with tenderness andpassion.”


    Liliana: “Wha, what are you saying?”


    Sirius: “Once within my sphere of influence, people be capable of opening their hearts to one another and resonating. And so, feelings that cannot be condensed into words cane to light. To be human is to be able to empathize, a precious existence which from which feelings cane to be. If tender love is felt for the hearts of others, when sorrow is witnessed, in one’s own heart sorrow will also bloom. And sorrow will also sprout in the hearts of those who witness that sorrow. As the cycle repeats, the drops of sorrow will be a pond, be ake, be a river.”


    This person began to speak of such heavy things.


    This was to say, the more people gathered, to be by this person’s side would yield increasingly disastrous results.


    Such a thing which could rile up and spread suffering to everyone in the city… and it didn’t stop at creating unrest.


    This person referred to it as a connection of the heart.


    Prisci: “If this seems a tragedy, by all means take the lead in saving everyone. Choosing not to do so and only sighing, is but an irritating noise for themoners you know.”


    Sirius: “Mm, I can understand those words. I’m merely a victim of a onesided attack on my helplessness. However, I possess a means to save all those enveloped by sorrow!”


    Sirius pped her palms together with a demeanor of going as far as to dere ‘what a wonderful idea!’.


    Although it was doubtful that the freak’s notion of a good idea could make the situation take a turn for the better, but neither I nor Prisci-sama spoke up. Although I didn’t know about Prisci-sama, rage boiled in my heart.


    A feeling that could not be described with words surging within my chest was – was igniting.


    Sirius: “A means to offer salvation to all those enveloped in sorrow… is to use delight, use joy to sweep away that sorrow. Which is to say that the I who is to be a conduit for such salvation must find happiness!”


    “——”


    Sirius: “My my my. Within this city is the husband whom I’ve been separated with for quite some time. To confirm that love with my husband, with that person, to have it returned. A happily married couple is the emblem of happiness. If my heart is filled to the brim with such joy, all those who cry out inment will be saved. By mutually enjoying happiness, the hearts of everyone will be saved—”


    Sirius spoke her discourse, Prisci-sama wore apletely disinterested expression, and I who flickered nces at her was thinking of a great number of things.


    I could understand that this was the one time, when I could not escape reality by wearing a pretense of a disconnect in understanding. Or rather it could be said, I understood. Thoroughly andpletely understood, the fact that this freak Sirius Romanee-Conti was our enemy.


    “——”


    I raised my head, gazed across the surrounding waterways engulfed in me.


    On the other side of the white tinged wall of me, were the figures of people who stood in ce without a means to cross the waterway. They had all fallen under a charm of feelings, lost their awareness of self.


    I could hear the sound of their corpse-like voices.


    Thanks to my peculiar ears, which as a bard, only sound and hearing were my specialties, to me those voices seem to echo without cease.


    — So terrifying, so sorrowful, save me, how painful, why, why, don’t.


    Resentment swept up as if in a vortex, wails drawn out as if for eternity, I could hear those kinds of voices.


    Was this to be the result of that so called empathy then. Was this to be the result of that so called bing one, then. That so called unity, was it something like this.


    Liliana: “Have to, free…”


    To be one, and to have everything of everything be identical couldn’t be the same.


    Men, women, adults, children, infants, elderly, humans, beastkin alike, were clearly all different.


    To condense all that together, whisk into disarray, and call it ‘like this everyone will understand each other and be one—’ such words, were certainly no joke.


    No joke at all!


    Prisci: “No need for you to be happy. Shut that pettily clever mouth of yours while you can, and die on your lonesome.”


    Sirius: “Don’t. Don’t insist on using the loneliness of disconnect tofort yourself. If you are one who cannot recognize the form of happiness, taking a look at my happiness and giving it a chance isn’t so bad, is it? Or perhaps if you understand the joy of connecting with the one in your heart, then you’lle to understand the joy of being a bride, isn’t that so.”


    Prisci: “Unfortunately, mineself has already walked the aisle seven times. And each was nowhere approaching something like happiness. Apply not your paltry standards to minself, ‘tis nauseating.”


    Sirius: “Seven times… heeeh…”


    Prisci-sama treated Sirius’s words as a jest, and brought the Yang de down from above. However, Sirius alsomenced her own ferocious attack with chains of steel. Sparks ignited and scattered, the severed chain flew away, and the figures of the two were pushed away from the center of the courtyard by the sh.


    Cleft in two, the chain. Tinged with white, the inextinguishable me. In a state of being unable to give voice, the people who wailed in agony.


    Within me, slowly it came together. Could it, be aplished.


    If the theorized situation was indeed reality, was correct, in that case, it shouldn’t be unachievable.


    Sirius: “Even though I’ve clearly expended so much time on this for only the sake of that reaching the heart of that one person… you had seven chances, and wasted all of them.”


    Prisci: “Don’t pin the me for your ownck of allure on mineself. In this situation, even that pitiful man who has been imprinted on by you, would refuse to meet you—”


    Sirius: “I am intimately connected with that person, and thus are deeply in love—!!”


    This was fury that inspired a jolt of terror.


    Immediately after, bisecting the courtyard was a snake of me which burned red! In the instant that Pricsi-sama blocked chains striking from Sirius’s arms, the mes followed the chains to race up Sirius’s arms, and the surging me swallowed Prisci-sama’s body.


    The snake of me reared open its maw, consuming Prisci-sama’s slim body headfirst. Without a means to counter that fiery tactic, Prisci-sama was swallowed, and tossed outside of the courtyard now seeped with me. Just as she was about to plummet, she suddenly breathtakingly stabilized herself with her sword. And yet, after being submerged in such mes Prisci-sama’s body remained —pletely unhurt.


    But with a sound, the ne’s jewel once again shattered. The two sps of the ne came undone simultaneously,nding on the ground with a resounding noise.


    Sirius: “I share a deep love with that person! That just and sincere person just can’t help that he hasn’t yet finished what he began! To misconstrue that person’s sincerity as pure love is just too obscene! Aaaah! Aaaaaaah! How irritating!”


    Prisci-sama had once again survived at the cost of the ne, but her demeanor toward facing Sirius had changedpletely. The freak opened her mouth as if baring fangs, spitting ugly words as she violently expressed her temper. Her arms had swept up a vortex of red me.


    Sirius: “Why is it that you so inconsiderately shake my heart to this degree! These violent shakes of the heart, another way of naming [Wrath] is passion! The trembles will give way to heat, scorching those who are sinners! Is this what you want for yourself as well, you pretentious lonely wench aaaaaaa!”


    Prisci: “With that mouth, with those eyes, such fabrication…”


    The seething [Wrath] was igniting herself, a vortex of me building overhead the Sirius who was slowly raising her arms. What had struck just now emanated from her arms, a pair of slim twin snakes. And as those arms crossed, the forms merged into one powerful snake.


    The arm struck vertically downward, and the enormous snake of me rushed at Prisci-sama. Rather than evade it, Prisci-sama took a stance of meeting the attack.


    The Yang de flew from down to up, tip lodging in the head of that giant snake.


    With a sound that was not one of chain meeting sword, the snake missed its target by a wide arc!


    However, Prisci-sama was sent flying by the impact and could not make a follow-up!


    After Sirius had summoned the snake in a fit of agitation, the flow of offense and defense had swerved sharply.


    Prisci-sama had been forced on the defensive, and the metal chain and me chased her retreating figure.


    Why was that? Although it was clear at a nce that Sirius’s abilities couldn’t be underestimated, but analyzing the fight would not point to Prisci-sama being at a disadvantage. She had said that the Yang de consumed mana quickly, but was it that which was pressing her so?


    Or could it be, that perhaps, merely as a spection.


    It wasn’t that Prisci-sama couldn’t attack—


    Liliana: “Is it me!”


    A quick end, not just for me but for everyone in the vicinity as well.


    In order to avoid such a result, was this a battle for buying time!?


    Wait no hang on how could it be, that the arrogant Prisci-sama who thought the highest of only herself would do something like that!?


    “You are to prepare your song. — Should a shadow fall across the Yang Sword, mineself will no matter what sever that abomination’s head. Before that happens, then.”


    At that time, something had shook in my brain!


    Right before the battlefield had truly opened, Prisci-sama had told me.


    Before the Yang de met its limit, I was to prepare a song. And she had added that if that time were to approach, Sirius’s head would be mercilessly severed and everyone else along with her.


    But that was to say, before that time had arrived, to just wait for it— indicated that there was more to it than was initially suspected.


    In that case, Prisci-sama was waiting. Waiting for me to ready a song.


    At the very least, to take responsibility for the time before those words.


    Liliana: “Guu, guuuu! Mmmm! Mmmmmmm!”


    How bothersome! That person, so damn bothersome! If there are feelings just confess to the feelings already! That person, absolutely has feelings for me. No, because I had been told I was liked, it had definitely been said before. Aaah what a pain, screw this, this was terrifying, was there no other way—!


    Liliana: “Prisci-sama—!”


    If the situation was as I suspected, then to be fighting at a bothersome disadvantage, she must have understood what I was thinking right now.


    I pointed toward the stone tower that had been ignited by Sirius’s mes.


    Prisci-sama turned her head at the sound of my voice, looked toward where I was pointing—


    “—Hoh”


    She wore that terrifying expression with terrifying gaze, but with such a terrifying mien it inspired a feeling of reliability, sheughed.


    Too wicked, an expression which left it difficult to figure out just who the archbishop was here!


    Sirius: “Stop looking away—!!”


    Prisci: “With the likes of you as an opponent, looking away is no distraction. Do not lecture mineself’s actions.”


    Prisci-sama leapt back, while at the same time parrying an approaching chain with her sword. Her body gathering momentum, with speed that seemed fast than one motion would allow, shended by the burning tower.


    Prisci-sama gazed up at the burning tower as she directed the tip of the Yang de at its base,


    Prisci: “Such an unsightly me. Truly beautiful lights, are dazzling like this.”


    Differences in aesthetic between the lights of me and such, were iprehensible to an outsider like me.


    Although iprehensible, even an outsider’s eye could clearly make out, a decidedly different sort of me now surrounded the control tower!


    The white-tinged mes that swayed there were of the same type that surrounded the waterways.


    Even though the snakes originating from Sirius’s chains also burned crimson and scorched with a bright staggering heat, the mes emitted from the Yang de held a sort of sanctity that gave the impression of being untouchable.


    Prisci: “The stage is prepared. —Ensure, that you perform your utmost.”


    Liliana: “Right right! Understood!”


    After smothering the burning control tower with anotheryer of me, Prisci-sama spoke one sentence. I replied with fervent confidence, rushing over to the control tower.


    With an air of being set off by anything that happened, Sirius who flickered her gaze toward this scene extended both her hands in our direction!


    Sirius: “The hell are you doing to the me that I lit as an emblem of my love for that person!”


    Liliana: “Something like setting an entire building on fire to flirt, I think it’s best you don’t say such oundish ridiculous things!”


    I said it said it said it! Wah ~hyahya!


    Rushing toward my back as I spoke while running, I felt that Sirius freak’s chain descending in one smooth motion! Burning chains! A heat wave, heat wave!


    In the instant of being attacked, I’d known from before the me had been ignited that my head could be sent flying, but heedless of what was behind me I ran! And the reason is!


    Prisci: “Whatever that one wille up with, this is a situation where mineself will not hold back until the very end.”


    Liliana: “Chiiiiiii!”


    As if taking the ce of my fleeing self, Prisci-samanded where the chain would strike. The Yang de sliced downward as if licking, deflecting the entire tongue of me!


    Hearing the intermittent sounds of Prisci-sama and that freak shing anew, I finally reached my destination of the burning tower of stone.


    Liliana: “Haah, haaaah…”


    Although the distance covered hadn’t been too long, drawing breath grewborious, and my body felt fatigued! In all honesty, right now nothing would feel better than a drink of ice water before copsing on a bed. Although this was something not meant for a travelling bard, but after spending so long in greenhouse-like surroundings, anything but a soft bed wouldn’t work!


    Liliana: “Aah, really… isn’t this all Kiritaka-san and everyone else’s fault—”


    Allowing me to reside in this city, offering me warm hospitality besides. Whether the [White Dragon’s Scales] or the citizens of the city, all expressed their love, and the likes of Kiritaka-san with such enthusiasm that even I was taken aback, it was all their fault! The fault of remaining in this city, that my ability to stay on the path of a travelling bard had been dispelled!


    Well then, just a bit of extra effort here — recall the ruthless determination of your waist and legs from before!


    Liliana: “Hi, iiiiiii!”


    Epiphany realized, teeth clenched, I held my steady lu-lyre in my arms, and rushed toward the ming tower! So hot, so hot, so hot, so damn hot—!


    Anticipation of the scorching pain sent a sharp jolt through me.


    However, although clearly enduring an overwhelming heat wave, between skin and hair and lu-lyre, none of them had been burnt by the scorching me. Although the heat of the me could be clearly felt, nothing had caught fire.


    As with the mes over the waterways, there was painful heat but no burning. And thus I recognized this me as the Yang de’s fake.


    However, it was different. Different indeed.


    The Yang de wielded by Prisci-sama had indeed burnt through the metal chains. A sword clearly using the same mes, but burning only select things.


    Prisci-sama’s me, could choose what to burn. Which meant, that it could also choose what not to burn.


    Liliana: “Oooh—!”


    Well then! The white me enveloping this control tower, would definitely not burn me!


    Even though it was so hot as to be disintegrating, so agonizing as to seem fatal, a pain that made whoever experienced it want to copse and roll on the ground, it would not burn, it would not injure, it would not be deadly!


    Eyeballs melting, tongue withering, hair alight, skin festering, lu-lyre scorched, bones cracking, flesh burnt, consciousness eroding to nothing, was all an illusion—!


    Not hot, so hot, so hot, so hot, not hot, not hot, so hot, craving death, not wanting to die, so hot, not hot, hothothot even though it was so hot—!


    Sprinting up the stairs of the control tower, first floor, second floor, just how many floors were there!? Where was the roof!? The fire crept outward and extended its reach, looking left and right yielded only the sight of white fire, sohotsohot, how could such agony be, so hot, heat beyond heat, I—.


    “——!”


    I wanted to wail about the intensity of the heat, wanted to shriek until my throat split right this instant.


    Absolutely not. If this agony were given voice to, it would desecrate my throat in one cry. This throat could absolutely not be spent. These fingers as well. Wanting to scratch, want to express the suffering no matter how. But no, absolutely not, if these fingers were to be spent, they could not strum a melody.


    Whether eyes, or skin, or hair, if they melted, it couldn’t be helped.


    But not this throat, not these fingers, and these ears as well, were not allowed, because they were all indispensable for what woulde next.


    Forcefully ascending the steps, mming open the incredibly heavy door with a kick, appearing now was the night sky — the wind howling in frenzy, heat continuing to flow from beneath my feet, but there were no more walls, and sprinting to the highest point to nce down.


    The wind rose and fell, and below were a red figure and white figure waving dangerous objects, white mes surrounded by a wailing crowd.


    Although I was so hot, so hot, I felt as if I would die at any instant.


    Right now, the heat had notpletely fled, the soles of my feet were still burning, and the white mes swaying in the wind were still slowly intensifying, sorrow suddenly rose in my heart, and tears threatened to flow—.


    Liliana: “Eek, eeep, alright, this is a once-in-a-lifetime stage!”


    Reaching the ce I had dashed for even through heat and agony that inspired a craving for death, from here everything was visible, sound could be heard from everywhere.


    Even feeling drained to a deathly point, before I died there was still something left to do, and so.


    Liliana: “Comee, gather around, everyone far away make sure you listen! Everyone close by make sure you watch the dance! For everyone even farther away I’ll be even louder so just listen!! Liliana Masquerade, is here to sing dance perform for you! So listen well! —Sky transcending the light of dawn!!”


    —Just gather all those scorching feelings, and spit them all out at once!