After we moved, we decided to interrogate the avatar of the key Tia knocked out.

It was about the time when I was tying the incarnation of the key to a chair with a rope, in case it might wake up and go wild in such an appropriate space.

“Hey. Why don’t you stop tying me down like that?”

Justitia looked at me as if she was tired of it and asked.

Oh, I guess I don’t know this person.

“What if he swung a knife at me as soon as I woke up?”

this guy is dangerous

Although I may have made mistakes, I am a guy who wields a sword without hesitation.

In a sense, it is said that he is much more dangerous than Eleanor.

“Noah, can you catch me here?”

“Do I really have to do this? It’s like tying yourself up, so it’s a little… … .”

“… … OK, that’s a valid opinion. So Marie? will you do it?”

“yes.”

That’s right.

Marie works steadily, following my instructions, such as tightening or cutting the rope.

“Hey, that… … . Umm… … . it’s nothing.”

Eleanor was looking at us with a blushing face for some reason, but seeing as there was no restraint, I guess it didn’t matter.

“But since you can disappear and reappear at will anyway, does that kind of restraint have any meaning?”

“… … Why are you saying that now?”

“You asked earlier?”

Justitia tilts her head as if to say something.

It would have been nice if you had asked me in detail, but I just strained myself.

“… … .”

as she said These actions may not be very helpful.

On the contrary, it might even make you angry.

“Marie, stop.”

“Okay, I’ll stop.”

I dissuade Marie from silently working on the project even though she must have been listening to what we were saying.

Such perseverance. It’s not bad.

Of course, I’d like to be too passive, but since she’s working hard in her own way, it’ll be okay.

“… … Should I loosen it again before I wake up?”

“You are more cowardly than I thought.”

“Because the opponent is a pretty crazy bitch. It is natural to be cautious.”

“Sorry for being crazy.”

“… … .”

While I was selling my eyes for a while. The incarnation of the key awoke and was looking at me with sullen eyes.

“It stemmed from a misunderstanding.”

“what.”

“Just putting it on the chair made me stumble, so I tried to fix it somehow… … .”

“Why don’t you put saliva on your lips and lie? Before the already low rating gets even lower.”

“… … sorry.”

I’ve felt it before, but it has a strange power. Even the hair is longer, but the face is the same as Eleanor’s, which is strangely more awkward.

Our Eleanor doesn’t make such a cold expression.

“huh.”

Hwashin spat out vicious words, then untied the rope and stood up.

It is the power of severance that I saw last time.

The rope itself seemed to be blurry, but it disappeared.

“This is so… … . What are the kids doing when they get together?”

“No, you knew what you were doing, didn’t you? You must be watching like a voyeur.”

“… … .”

“Ouch, excuse me.”

really.

This guy’s snout looks like this even if he’s off guard for a moment.

Oz’s body is like that. There are occasional errors in language selection.

“Should I explain from the beginning?”

“No, you don’t even have to listen. Is there any reason I should explain in the first place? That’s my freedom.”

“Yes.”

It was up to her after all. it’s her freedom

I didn’t even think that things would be easy in the first place.

“Once incarnated… … Let’s start with the name. Have you thought about anything? If not, Eleanor will build it for you… … .”

“It’s okay if it’s Ellie.”

“good. Ellie. It must have come from the first letter of Eleanor.”

Since he is someone who knows Eleanor’s emotions well, he is quick to make decisions.

I thought grunting from earlier would be annoying or disliked this time too, but I’m glad I did.

“What do you want to hear? How to use the key? You don’t think you can put it into words, do you?”

“Why would someone who knows do this? You are asking why Eleanor’s growth is being constrained.”

“Eleanor was a criminal from the beginning.”

“Then you’re saying there’s no point in trying.”

At my words, Ellie said with a slightly creepy expression.

“… … I didn’t say that. Don’t think of hurting Eleanor with strange assumptions.”

“You only know who is hurting you.”

This was the case with Justitia, who had been intensively teaching Eleanor for the past few days.

As long as you’re part of Heros’ family, you can’t be without talent.

In fact, Justitia said that she was able to find a bit of talent in Eleanor.

However, Eleanor’s growth is limited. When a certain level is exceeded, the forces that should be accumulated do not accumulate.

It feels as if the road that others can pass through is blocked by an invisible wall, pushing it away.

If it was the talent of the Heros clan that Justitia had mentioned, it would not be able to cross the turning point that it should have passed in the first place.

“It is better not to know.”

“You say so? Eleanor, what do you think? Do you want to live without knowing?”

“… … I don’t want to remain ignorant of the teacher’s tone. Because I didn’t know, I lost Decentra and everyone around me.”

“Yes.”

Ellie frowned.

She would have known too. If you don’t want to say it, you shouldn’t have given it space in the first place.

She shouldn’t have said that she had been watching Eleanor the whole time.

It was as if he had told her that he couldn’t refuse her because he cared so much for Eleanor.

“… … I made a promise with Lupinus. To protect Eleanor. That’s why I can’t say things that will obviously hurt him.”

I don’t know who it is, so I look around and check the atmosphere, and Justitia scratches her cheek and hints at me.

“I’m Eleanor’s mother.”

“okay.”

It must have been what the owner of the previous generation key had longed for.

I’m glad though

At least Eleanor’s mother must have loved her.

In the meantime, Ellie continued talking as if she was frustrated.

“Didn’t that woman say that we are born according to our skill level? that’s wrong We are born of hope.”

Eli glanced at Justitia, who was standing in a daze, and then said something dissatisfied.

“We are born with hope, and we live for it.”

“that’s… … .”

There was a problem that just flashed through my mind. If the incarnation of the key is to be born from a wish. If that’s the case, why does Janus hate me?

What on earth does he want to deny everything about me and then turn the world into chaos?

It has nothing to do with the current story, but… … . I couldn’t help but ask.

“If you wish. Are you living only for that wish? For example, if it’s a wish like “I want to eat food to my heart’s content”… … .”

“I will not respond to that wish, but I will probably live for it.”

“I’ll just live to fill my stomach.”

“I think it’s usually in the direction of trying to fill the stomach.”

Listening to Ellie’s words, I can guess the relationship between Janus and Oz to some extent.

What was Oz’s wish?

There are many things, but the one that comes to mind right now is… … .

“Then what about the ambition of a person who wants to become a god?”

Oz’s arrogant goal to challenge God.

That’s why it’s not a wish, but an ambition.

“Well, I don’t know if anyone will respond to such a crazy wish, but if there is one, I’ll do my best to become a god.”

Janus could be born with that ambition and do whatever it takes to become a god.

Things got more complicated than I imagined.

I didn’t think he was a persuasive opponent in the first place, but I really couldn’t guess how far he would go.

“Thank you for your kind explanation.”

“I just didn’t like the fact that you guys were mistaken about my existence?”

Even so, he talks about the irrelevant parts well.

“Unlike Eleanor, you are a tsundere.”

“Tsun… … What?”

“There is such a thing.”

Still, as much as I was born with Eleanor as my base, I don’t think I’m a bad guy at the root.

Of course, he had to fix his habit of swinging his sword randomly.

Honestly, I wanted to ask more questions related to Janus, but this is not the place to satisfy my greed.

“So you, who were born with the desire to protect Eleanor, won’t do anything to hurt Eleanor?”

“Yes, that is why I set foot in this world.”

Still, I’m glad it’s a clear wish. At least she won’t turn into an enemy like Janus.

Of course, if I ever hurt Eleanor again, I’d stop being cold and try to kill her… … .

“Then do you know what situation Eleanor is in right now?”

“… … .”

“It is a touch-and-go situation. There are more than one dangerous person expressing interest in her.”

From [Pyeongwang] to ‘outside beings’ to ＜Parade＞ to the empire. This caught the eye of a lot of people.

“… … So are you.”

Ellie looked at me and said.

“I am safe.”

I am a person of integrity and innocence enough to be called the apostle of dawn.

“… … .”

Ellie looked at me without saying anything. It was contempt.

“… … You are, without a doubt, one of the top five human scum I’ve ever seen.”

Ellie asserted.

I said it very seriously.

I felt a strong will that I could not resist or refute.

“Shall I list the things you did?”

“… … Let’s get the story back.”

I don’t have time for anything else like this.

Of course, I don’t have anything to do next, but it’s a rare opportunity.

We need to get as much information as possible before she disappears again.

“You cannot protect it alone. You know that.”

“What do you want to say?”

“You will do your best to protect Eleanor, and so will we. But would Eleanor want that? Do you think you would accept such a helpless self?”

Ellie glanced at Eleanor at my words, then let out a deep sigh and said,

“I don’t think so. This kid has a shallow mindset and an extremely simple behavioral principle, so he tends to overdo it.”

“… … There seems to be someone else who hurts me the most right now.”

If Ellie had been watching Eleanor all this time, there was no way she wouldn’t know.

I can see the answer just because she is talking to us like this in the first place. She is also looking for a way to overcome the current situation.

“Okay, let me tell you.”

Ellie let out a deep sigh and announced her intention to surrender.

But it can’t be that simple. If I had been persuaded by these few words, I would not have refused.

Obviously there will be conditions.

“But not in Eleanor’s place.”

“uh?! Am I the party?”

“Did you hear what we were talking about?”

“I don’t know!”

Eli frowned at Eleanor’s confident declaration and said,

“… … So it’s not okay.”

Getting angry and shouting was the natural flow, but… … .

Oddly enough, Ellie’s voice sounded bitter and sad.

* * *

After Eleanor said she was bored being alone and left with Marie.

In the place where only Justitia and Oz remained, Ellie, the incarnation of the key, looked out the window and floated her luck.

“As you all expected, it’s my fault that Eleanor’s growth was blocked.”

“how… … Before asking why, I should ask why. Is that why Eleanor will be hurt?”

“Yeah, right.”

Eli hesitated as if he still had some hesitation left.

“I erased Eleanor’s memories. To be precise, I kept pushing back the memories I was trying to recall. As a result, it seems that the skills I have acquired are also lost.”

“memory?”

“Yeah, remember. did i tell you earlier? They say that their thoughts are shallow and their principles of action are simple. that’s a side effect I didn’t expect that to happen either.”

“It’s a huge side effect… … .”

Oz was stunned by the fact that a cause beyond his imagination had emerged.

A chill ran down my spine when I thought of Eleanor, who had been screaming that she wanted to destroy the fire hydrant.

It was a problem that could not be laughed off if it was because of the side effects, not simply because it was a pipe.

“Eleanor never grows up. I made it that way over and over again.”

That’s why Ellie listens to that foolishness. He acted so that she could remain a child.

“Why so… … .”

Like Peter Pan in the fairy tale.

Eleanor is trapped in Neverland, where she cannot grow up alone.

“Because I thought it was for Eleanor. And even after learning about the side effects. It’s okay to do that now.”

Eli erased Eleanor’s memory. Cleared reality in front of her and manipulated her mindset.

As a result, Eleanor was unable to grow. It was no wonder that her constant efforts were not rewarded.

Because even that effort was erased together.

“Decentra died right in front of Eleanor.”

“What are you saying now… … .”

“What did you say?”

It was Justitia who shouted, interrupting Oz. She narrowed her eyes and urged Ellie to speak.

Seeing that, Ellie also let out a sigh as if it had been expected, and continued talking.

“Did you say that the name of the son of the King of Delaid was Lesis? Because he tried to kill Eleanor.”

“why?”

“How do you know what a madman is thinking? It was so sudden that I was surprised too.”

Ellie frowned as if she were remembering that time.

“One day he came along with a hideous monster and Lesis was talking nonsense and trying to kill Eleanor.”

Lesis von Chrysos.

The crown prince of the Kingdom of Chrysos had approached Eleanor in that way, which he had never had contact with before.

“Speaking of liberating Eleanor from the cramped reality or something. That’s not even funny.”

Lesis was dealing with monsters in her human state.

At that time, Eli, who was a group of people up to the present, had no choice but to watch the situation.

“Eleanor couldn’t do anything at the time. I couldn’t even scream. It was just that the situation was so embarrassing and sudden.”

Eleanor stared blankly at Lesis, who was approaching her with a spear in her hand.

Even though he has a monster, even though he has a spear.

Even though he is obviously trying to kill himself. I was just watching.

“And then. Decentra appeared. I was lucky. No, I thought it was good. I knew at least that she was hiding her powers.”

“… … Yeah, Decentra couldn’t have been beaten by a monster like that. Was it a surprise?”

“To be precise, it’s a tragedy that stems from an illusion.”

He misunderstood the relationship between the monster called Decent, which he had encountered by chance, and Lesis and Eleanor.

“She concluded that a monster was attacking Lesis and Eleanor through a piecemeal situation.”

The spear that Lesis was holding was reflected as an act of courage that she lifted to protect her sister from the monster.

In general, that’s right. However, Lesis was not common.

“I had Lesis and Eleanor behind me in front of the monster called Decent.”

“… … I was stabbed in the back by Lesis.”

It was Justitia with a serious expression who spoke as if to intercept Ellie’s backstory.

It would have been simple to correct all those misunderstandings.

but… … .

“Eleanor hadn’t said anything until then. She hadn’t been able to tell Decentra that Lesis had just tried to kill her, that she was an enemy.”

As a result.

Decentra allowed an ambush.

There was plenty of opportunity and plenty of time. Even so, Eleanor, who was just holding her breath, did nothing.

That’s how Decentra died.

“So you erased your memory?”

“no.”

Ellie shook her head.

She also did not intend to erase Eleanor’s memories from the beginning.

“Did Eleanor think she was doing nothing wrong, or did she think it was because of herself? I erased the memory of that day myself.”

The moment your savior dies because of your indecision.

she couldn’t handle it

“You erased the day as if nothing had happened.”

Blood gushing hot.

stretched limbs.

The only person who could open her heart to her, whom she could treat more like family than family.

That person was brutally murdered because Eleanor didn’t say a word.

Because of that one word, Eleanor fell into regret.

“It was what he wanted. So I helped with that.”

“… … You can’t run away forever, can you?”

“that’s right. So I’ve been waiting Grow until he can bear it.”

Eleanor continued to grow.

The speed was infinitely slow and I couldn’t get the reward for the effort shed, but I was moving on.

“He is preparing to accept. You are preparing to face the past you erased, the mistakes you made. So I’ll ask you.”

Ellie looked at Oz and Justitia with cold eyes and said.

“Do you guys think he’s ready now?”

Eleanor’s growth is slow.

Slowly, but surely, progress was being made. was preparing

Step by step. slowly.

I was ready to take the time to accept it.