Chapter 162: Salvation is in the Dream World

"I have no confidence in deceiving your eyes, so when he gave me a 'Hard', I was very impatient."

This was likely just an impression in the depths of my heart, but it sounded merely like sarcasm.

These words angered him; he suddenly had the urge to throw a straight punch at the handsome man's nose, but Sora's arms couldn't even lift his own Finger.

At the very least, he wanted to shake off the Finger the other party had wrapped around his right hand, but he couldn't even do that.

Even so, I still forced my eyelids open, though they were about to fall shut.

I couldn't do anything; I could only stare. Even just glaring was all I could manage.

Feeling frustrated by this, and using this frustration as fuel, he continued to force his eyelids open.

It was too attractive, so I couldn't resist this temptation. Because I knew I couldn't ride.

Sora instinctively felt for no reason that if he fell into the drowsiness created by this garden, it would be all over.

Gon could not stand up, could not even call out the name of the suddenly appearing Merlin, nor could he call out to Sora, who had collapsed at the same time Merlin appeared; he remained frozen in place.

For better or worse, Gon, who had strong emotional ties and lived by instinct, would not freeze up as long as Sora was there, no matter what accident occurred. When my head went blank and I couldn't think of anything, my instinct made my body move with all its might, and it moved more violently and appropriately than usual.

But this time, I couldn't move.

It wasn't that my intuition sounded an alarm that moving would be more dangerous. Even with instinct, I didn't give it up, because nothing I did was of any use.

Even if I wanted to move, I couldn't.

I didn't want to move.

It was precisely because of the unexpected appearance and the cruel words of thanks that his thoughts stopped, and within those stopped thoughts, the garden created by Merlin and the sweet temptations of the other world flooded into his mind.

Therefore, the unable-to-move Gon found a way to keep his naturally drooping eyelids open, not even thinking about resisting gravity, remaining motionless.

"!?"

However, the sound of something collapsing dispelled the mist of temptation in Gon's heart.

"Killua!? Biscuit!?"

Seeing the two of them collapsed under the flower bushes, Gon finally shouted, then glared at Merlin and said:

"What did you do!?"

Gon recognized Merlin as an "enemy" and shouted.

Even though Merlin still had no hostility whatsoever.

Even though he turned back to respond to his shout and smiled as gently as he did when he thanked Gon while teaching her the language of flowers.

Gon was afraid of the lack of Malice, and even the lack of hostility.

I couldn't help but fear a smile that expressed things we couldn't understand.

However, whether he didn't notice Gon's anger and fear, or didn't care, Merlin chuckled and narrowed his eyes, appearing further away than the moon.

"I knew it, but you were nearly finished after all; it's rare for a child to make it this far.

Well, conversely, it's also rare to see a child who can't move like Killua."

"... What are you talking about!?"

"! Killua!!"

Killua, who was lying on the ground with his head down as if buried in the flower bushes, propped up his upper body with his arms, glared at Merlin, and shouted.

However, the arms supporting his upper body were trembling like the legs of a newborn fawn, as if they would collapse at any moment.

Glaring at Merlin, the Burning anger in his eyes exceeded the confusion of not understanding the situation, but his eyelids were almost half-closed, masking the anger in those eyes.

Killua clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms, stinging himself in an attempt to dispel the terrible drowsiness that conflicted with his emotions. My mouth was the same, chewing until it was full of the taste of rust; I could barely suppress my consciousness, which was finally falling into the Dream World.

"Is this... abnormal sleepiness your fault!?"

Killua spat out the rusty saliva that had accumulated in his mouth and spoke to Merlin, who continued to hold Sora in his arms.

I didn't expect an answer. From the information that he appeared in Gon's Dream World and Sora said he was a "half-breed of Nightmares," it could be predicted that he would be able to hypnotize him so powerfully that sleeping pills would be useless against him...

That's why if I fell asleep here now, I knew it would be over, so I dug my nails into my palms, thinking it might reach my bone; the pain woke me up in my mind. Even screaming was nothing more than a difficult struggle to wake up from drowsiness.

However, the other party answered with a kind smile, as if he could be saved if he understood this point and spoke in a provocative tone.

"Yeah, it's completely different from the drowsiness caused by taking medicine, it feels pretty good, right? So sleep in peace, haven't you been sleeping well lately?"

Just as Merlin said, from the moment this guy appeared, from the gloomy forest turning into a flower field under the blue sky, the incoming drowsiness and the temptation to close my eyes and sleep were truly too alluring.

Especially as Merlin said, lately, Killua, who had been lost in a maze of self-loathing and regret, unable to find an answer no matter how much he thought, couldn't sleep well. Resistance.

Despite this, Killua resisted even blinking, opened his eyes, and shouted.

"No need... to take care of me! It's fine, take that idiot away!!"

"... By the way... that's it... what is your purpose?"

Like Killua, Biscuit, who had fallen face-down on his head, hadn't let go of her consciousness yet and turned over onto her back.

"This... super handsome... for my stupid apprentice... what's the use... ah, damn it... I'm really so handsome I want to worship... cough! Go away."

"Calm down, Biscuit! You haven't slept much!?"

"All your desires are impossible, you old ghost!! You'd better go to sleep!"

"... As expected... old ghost... too unshakable... isn't he?"

"Um, thanks?"

However, I knew that the effects on Gon and Sora varied from person to person, but perhaps because Biscuit was also the type for whom it worked well, what I said gradually turned from worrying about Sora and being wary of Merlin into desires. It turned into a runaway sleep-talker.

I'm begging you, so I hope you'll say it again at least after you've really fallen asleep. I told you.

Suddenly, the feeling of caution and tension was blown away by the chaos, but the impact of Biscuit's sleep-talking became an injury that blew away Killua's drowsiness, and he lifted his body completely and stood up.

"Hey, Incubus."

I don't know if it was because of his knowledge that "Nightmare = Succubus, Succubus = Incubus," or because he was holding Sora and wouldn't let go, but Merlin gave a bitter smile at Killua, who suddenly called him an Incubus. It was close to the truth, so I won't argue there.

"I know you're worried about Sora-kun, but this is really cruel."

"Fine. In that sense, I certainly want to get along with Sora, but that is just me hoping it would be nice if I could, not my goal."

"That is why I am sorry, but I cannot let go yet."

Killua only denied the misunderstanding, unsure if it was a serious misunderstanding or a provocative joke, but he did not deny being a "Succubus" at all, so it was meaningless. "Oh my god!!", he was even more terrified.

And completely passed by Biscuit who was supposedly "doing" it. I don't know if it was out of kindness, or a mindset of not wanting to touch God.

Gon ignored Biscuit's whispered inquiry, "Then what about me? Hey, me!?"

"... Mr. Merlin, how did you come here? Is this still a dream?"

"This is what I call 'Avalon', between dream and reality. No matter how I come, I will walk to your side, and I have been by your side since you woke up."

"Gon. The Belladonna you gave to Sora. This is not a metaphor, it is just me."

"Hmm?"

However, just like in a dream, Merlin answered calmly and happily, without Malice or hatred, so the sadness and anger of Gon being betrayed and deceived disappeared. Raising a truly strange voice.

Killua seemed to be irritated by Gon's reaction, clicked his Tongue, and while also exercising his Magic Aura, mocked him again with a hit.

"Is it not disguised as a flower! It is a carnivorous plant that eats flies!"

"That is a bit different. I am not disguised as a flower, I am hallucinating so that you can see me as a flower."

"... Anyway... isn't this a rather stupid fact?"

Sora laughed as if he didn't care about Killua's insults, weak but Hard in Merlin's arms, and Merlin generously revealed the details, inserting himself into his body without a body or cover.

"This is also true. Or rather, you met me in your world.

There was a cautious Kai who didn't come to see me directly. Well, as expected, being hated like this is a bit depressing."

Although it was a Parallel World in front of him, Merlin said he felt depressed about what others told him. Originally, he felt a little better than Hisoka because he roared with a refreshing smile, but just because the vector was different, Sora was equally annoyed, and while fighting sleepiness, he stuck out his Tongue.

While shocked, I also somewhat understood why he tried to contact himself with such wasteful means.

This guy is definitely Clairvoyance; he knew from the beginning that Sora suddenly appeared in this world. And because the four years Sora spent in this world really turned into a "fan", people with the same personality would not let him go, at least having had contact and acquaintance with him once. If this is a warning, because I can imagine it.

This outsider is too objective, not only hating humans but also himself, so if I met Sora in a Parallel World, I would definitely be hated and warned.

This is because he only has confidence and only does what he is sure to do. This person is really trash.

Because he didn't want to be wary of Sora, it was probably necessary to approach this zero distance, so Merlin approached Gon with an illusion that could even deceive Sora's "Instant Death Evil Eye", and gave Gon a "flower". The truth is, he led himself to Sora by making him think so, and Sora himself led him to pull Merlin's hand.

However, I still cannot see the meaning and intention of contacting Sora, let alone approaching Sora. Unable to think, imagine, or Predict his intentions, Sora clicked his Tongue again in frustration and depression.

I cannot help but feel pathetic and depressed for being too confident in my own eyes.

This is impossible because this man cannot die in his own world, but if he died and became a Heroic Spirit, although he knew he was a magician who should have obtained the "Crown" rank, acting as a deterrent on Alaya's side, I cannot stop regretting accepting the flower Gon gave me carelessly.

When the name "Merlin" came out, I should have raised my Magic Aura to the highest precision like now, instead of just checking if it was stuck.

I should not consider the personality of "Merlin" in the world I know, nor should I consider his trauma and regrets, but only his ability and the nature of the outside world.

I understand his foul play, but I am not vigilant. Knowing clearly that he is the one to be wary of, although he is the only one who knows he is that kind of opponent, he ignored it. Prying open, I glared, and then as if falling into a dream-like consciousness, I moved my left Finger tip that was not grabbed by Merlin and touched my leg.

"!... Sora, I know, but you are too bold."

However, Merlin sensed Sora's intention, grabbed Sora's left hand with the arm he had around his waist, held Sora's hands as if dancing, and smiled bitterly.

Sora's legs had no strength at all and almost sat on the spot, but he glared with his azure eyes through the slits of his eyelids, his eyelids about to fall due to sleepiness, but Merlin did not waver.

Knowing where the beauty in the sky is, he continued to smile bitterly, as if dealing with a complaining child.

"Sora!!"

Merlin grabbed Sora's hands and blocked his movements, so not only Gon and Killua, but even Biscuit jumped up from her sleepiness and stood up. However, she had not completely gotten rid of her sleepiness, so she could not stand up yet.

When Gon and Killua took a step forward, Sora shouted, "Don't come over!"

Gon and Killua thought about whether to listen to Sora's restraint or ignore it, but both were unable to move.

Because Merlin looked at Gon and Killua as if it were the usual spring Wind.

His smile was a bitter smile, but it was warm and kind from beginning to end.

However, his gaze was far away, although it was so harmonious with that gentle smile that it reminded us that humans just have this feeling, and the spring Wind itself has no will.

Although they knew they were not hiding their feelings, their gaze was too far away for them to understand their feelings.

It was so terrifying that it could not be compared to being expressionless and completely hiding one's emotions.

Hiding means you can imagine you have feelings you don't want others to know, so you can guess what you are feeling.

However, they only knew that they were obsessed with things that did not fit any emotions they knew, and they didn't even know if they could be called "emotions", which is "overwhelming emotion". With the identities of Hisoka, Illumi, and Chrollo, with the fear of the "unknown" that had never existed, and even the fear of the "strong", they hit the two, making them flinch and unable to take another step.

"I am in trouble.

This child wants to put his Finger into his own "line" to wake up, you know? It is a line, so it won't kill you, and it is not that there is no way to cure it, but in 8 or 9 cases out of 10, it prevents the necrosis of that part without cutting it off, so I really hope you give me some praise."

"!?"

Merlin must have guessed what people thought of him and explained his actions with a bitter smile.

Feeling the love from the three, he said: "Are you going to do something extraordinary again!?"

"... If you... you can cure it, right? I mean... if you are going to stop it, then... eliminate this inherent Obstacle or something... hurry up."

"Well, there is indeed a way to cure the injury of the 'line', if it were your opponent, I would cure them, but.... Or rather, I am looking forward to it, rather than from sleepiness.

Anyway, you are too good, aren't you?"

Merlin answered Sora's hateful words with a happy smile, which was nothing but a bluff.

In that smile, far from hostility, there was kindness. No matter how far away it is, it is a strong and pure kindness that you know is not a lie.

This is why this situation is even more difficult for anyone to understand.

It is not that he was particularly hurt, nor that he deceived and approached Sora, but that he only revealed his true identity at zero distance, which became a reason for the opponent to be vigilant.

However, although Gon had sufficient reasons, he couldn't help but think: "Why?"

Merlin claimed to be a "liar" and had confessed that he was a liar using Gon to approach Sora, but from the beginning, he understood that he and he could not understand each other, so although he refused in the dream, there is still one thing that Gon still cannot stop believing in Merlin.

"... Mr. Merlin, what is your true purpose?"

So he asked.

Even if we do not understand each other, at least I want to know the reason. I want to know the purpose.

Even if it is impossible to understand. Conversely, if that is the case, I can cast aside my current nostalgic hesitation.

However, Merlin is cruel because of a childlike innocence.

"Huh? Didn't I say that in a dream?... Oh, I didn't say it because you usually refuse, right?"

Facing Gon's question, he recalled himself with an expression of confusion from the bottom of his heart, smiled awkwardly, and then answered.

For the current Gon, the expected answer is that nothing can save him.

"I am here to save Sora's happiness."

Although I said it myself, I realized my assessment was too accurate, and Gon himself did not fully understand this assessment; knowing he shouldn't do this, he also anticipated it.

He wants the same thing as us, but he is too far away. Subjectively, it cannot be seen. Even if Gon trusts him, he does not trust Gon or anyone.

They know they want the same ending, but they do not understand what is important in the process.

Therefore, in order to deceive and betray human sentiment to reach a "happy ending," they will trample on things important to "people" without hesitation.

To him, the necessary process cherished by "people" is nothing more than a superfluous thing that might ruin the "happy ending" he pursues.

Gon finally understood from the bottom of his heart that the creature smiling before him is such an existence; even though he desperately wants the same ending, he is a helpless "enemy."

"... Then disappear immediately!!"

From the beginning, about seven years ago, Sora understood that the opponent was such a creature; even if he could not lift his head, even if his eyelids were about to lose consciousness, he still wanted to say to Merlin.

Reject those who want their own happiness.

Facing such a rejection, Merlin still smiled indifferently, his gaze cast into the distance.

Do not let go of the hand holding Sora. He said, his Finger tightly wrapped around his own hand.

"If you sleep, I will satisfy your request."

"... I like it, but... my sleeping face is not cheap enough to be shown to someone I don't trust!!"

Merlin gently refused Sora's request, but Sora tried to stop him from losing consciousness.

Gon, Killua, Biscuit, and Merlin are no longer opponents. Killua felt his guts boiling at this point, but regardless of Gon, Biscuit, and me, facing between Merlin and Sora, if we act improperly, we will be in the worst position, using Sora as a hostage.

So I told myself to calm down somehow and told Gon with eye contact, "You should move first to distract him."

I think using Gon as bait is not good.

However, since there is no other way to make a move, although Biscuit knew it was a bad move, she still regretted the situation of having to act now.

However, Merlin moved before Gon could move.

"Yeah... then it can't be helped. For me, this is a benefit, so it doesn't matter."

"!?"

Just as he whispered to himself, Merlin pulled the hands of Sora who was holding him, and hugged himself again.

Then, without hesitation, he gathered his strength; not only Sora, but also Gon who was about to start performing, and Biscuit who was biting her lip like Killua to drive away sleepiness, Killua's thoughts went completely blank.

... I pressed my lips against Sora's lips, the arm holding Sora's hand suddenly turned my left hand to my waist, turned my right hand to the back of his head, pressed them down, and kissed them deeply.

When the lips opened, what spilled out was not saliva, but small, exquisite flower petals.

Merlin loosened the hand supporting him, and several colorful flower petals spilled from his mouth.

Sora, like Merlin, fell backward, eyes tightly closed, petals scattering like blood.

That sleeping face, forced to be shown only to those he likes and trusts, was exposed without defense.

Behind his head, Killua heard some sudden sound.

If he were intentionally provoking or engaging in Harassment, one could calm down.

But Killua knows. Except for the voices of Gon and Sora, I could barely understand who the other party was, reminding me that he is a "non-human" who is difficult to understand.

Nevertheless, even if you don't know anything, you know this much.

Merlin only sees Sora and Gon. He knows he has no interest in Biscuit or me, including the reason.

For this kind of "happiness supremacy," foolish and painful people like Sora and Gon... those who strive for "happiness" are probably the most desirable, right?

Leaving Biscuit aside, he is a coward like me, putting on a skin of caution; that kind of attachment is a typical example of "the opposite of love is indifference."

Before liking and disliking, it is not in my eyes. It doesn't matter if you don't object.

Killua doesn't care what people think of him. It's annoying if you say it's annoying, but Killua has no interest in the creature Merlin, so it should be mutual.

However, Merlin angered Killua because of his indifference.

I have no interest in myself; it would be fine if I didn't appear in my eyes.

Killua probably doesn't believe more than anyone else in the world that he can be a happy ending maker, so if people expect him to do so, it would be a problem.

I don't want expectations. I don't think I can.

But even so, there are exceptions.

I want her life to end here. I want to reverse her cruel Fate. I want to give happiness that transcends harm, not just harm.

Even if I cannot be a happy ending maker for others for myself, I want to be her happy ending maker.

I just want to give it to Sora.

I don't see the "future," I am just a silly child addicted to the "present," I have been hurt, I have been injured, and even now I know I am just doing things far from a happy ending, but that kind of daily self-loathing makes me almost want to die... but this wish, this hope, this prayer is true.

So I absolutely cannot let go.

I don't deny that this is still a resentment that cannot be shaken off, a young and selfish desire for monopoly.

But more importantly, a surging passion wells up, wiping away such despicable anger.

Sora said "I want to save Sora" while crying and being hurt, but even so, he couldn't throw away the "dream" that should have been thrown away, while smiling and saying: "I chose you..." I cannot forgive the person who trampled on it.

I don't know what that means. I don't understand. No need.

I know this will never be Sora's "redemption," so I will never allow this to be enough.

Releasing the aura kneaded by explosive power. I do not consider the consequences.

At that moment, I remembered my brother's words: "Do not fight those you cannot beat." Killua did not remember if he had heard the voice of the Curse.

By then, only the thought "I cannot forgive" dominated my mind and body.

When Gon and Biscuit were shouting, I could not even hear my own name. A smile hung on Merlin's face, as if he were watching a child throwing a tantrum; even though he walked toward him, he did not notice at all how relaxed he was.

I cannot even say I had killing intent; I just wanted to erase it from my sight, and because I could not forgive him, I closed the distance and swung those claws that had become lethal weapons... it was like that.

Like a whip, its leg bent and struck.

"!? "

"Sticky stuff!!"

The toe of the Engineering Boots caught his side, and as expected, Merlin twisted his face in pain, groaning as he was blown to the side.

It was Sora who kicked him.

It was too calm to be called a faint; it should have been falling backward, revealing a face that could only be described as a sleeping face, but before Killua could enter Merlin's space, before he fell, he hugged his leg and leaned back several times... Killua was startled by a well-built person being kicked away in an unreasonable position, even though he might have let his guard down and was unarmed.

Moreover, although no one knew if it was lucky or unfortunate to be dyed with a thought of "unforgiveness," it was dyed with another thought, and while maintaining anger, it gave Killua a chance to regain his ability to think properly.

The trigger, the "other thoughts" of Killua, even overrode the "I will not forgive" statement.

"He," who returned to the original spot and prepared to move, shouted in a voice as angry as Killua's, one that even his half-brother, let alone Sora, had never heard.

"... You! Sky Master, what have you done!"

A high and unique male voice and tone. On the back of his right hand was a tattoo-like pattern depicting stars, the moon, the Sun, and things that make the sky shine.

And those blue and crimson eyes, which were contradictory yet had no sense of incongruity, seemed to be able to see through the trajectory of life, rather than dragging out "death."

"【Karna!?】"

"Eh, who!? I mean, what is the situation now!?"

Gon and Killua realized that Sora was a physical body and not Sora, and could not help but scream.

With a questioning voice, Gon and Killua remembered that Biscuit knew nothing about Karna. I have talked about one of the few occasions he appeared, Yorknew and Omokage, but as for Karna, even if I knew Sora came from another world, it was not easy to believe, and there was no better explanation. It was troublesome, so I did not talk about it, because this was content I could understand even if I brought out Karna.

So Biscuit was a bit flustered by the metamorphosis of his disciple, but of course, he had no time to explain the troublesome explanation, even if he had the time.

Gon and Killua just said: "We are allies, so it's fine!" and "We'll do it later!"

However, none of them could get the question out of their mouths.

"Ahhhhh... 'You' coming out was within my expectations, but kicking with this power from that posture is a foul..."

"——I have no time to ignore nonsense right now."

Kicked away and buried in the flowerbed, Merlin held his side, brushed the petals off his Mantle and robes, and stood up.

His face was numb with pain, but his smile was still like a spring breeze; until the end, he calmly did not let him speak. He spat.

Contrary to Merlin's appearance, he showed the same anger as Killua, who had just said "I will not forgive you."

Karna's anger instinctively felt that Gon and Killua, as well as Biscuit, who did not know who he was, should not interfere at all.

Gon and Killua understood that Karna would not be angry at them for doing extra things. Regardless of his intentions, even if you just get close to him, you will be burned by Fire.

The good news is that not only Biscuit, but Gon and Killua also did not know that this was the first time in Karna's life that he had been so angry at his opponent.

Karna did not like Hisoka or even Omokage, calling them "enemies of Sora" and "people who insult Sora and his companions," but Karna did not personally dislike them, let alone get angry at them.

They did not have any positive emotions at all, but simply put, they treated everyone equally, and they sincerely respected the spirit of fighting for a goal, no matter how difficult the road, and not giving up. He viewed and evaluated them.

Sora told him that Karna was worthy of being a "Saint," and Gon and the others were deeply convinced, but no matter how ugly a person's behavior was, even if he himself was hurt, there would be many people who feared him. Without knowing, even if things were lost, stolen, and all human dignity trampled, it was enough to respect and praise the other party instead of hating them.

If he knew, even if he knew that the target of his anger was not himself, his survival instinct would destroy all his pride as a human, and he would overreact to the anger of not only Karna but the whole world. This was originally the spirit of a loser, unable to compete with it.

However, facing such anger, Merlin's smile did not waver.

It is hard to say whether he had enough confidence to blow away the scorching fire of anger with a spring-breeze-like smile and voice, or if he did not notice Karna's heartfelt anger at all.

Either way, he could understand that he had no guilt or hesitation about what he had done.

Hisoka told him that his guess was the worst, laughing out loud, but at the same time, his insight, sublimated into a praised skill, "Poor Man's Insight," saw through it; he had already thinned his expression to make him look like an inorganic doll. Fixed to "No."

Unlike Merlin, he was expressionless, but his eyes were full of anger that was far from boiling, yet he barely stopped Sora's three companions from being intimidated by his anger. He held it down so it would not explode.

"... Merlin... is it?... I will ask again.

What did you do to Master? What is your purpose? For what purpose did you trap Master... Sora in the "Dream World"?"

"!? Karna! What is going on!?"

It was not Merlin, who was confronting Karna, who reacted to Karna's words, but Killua, who should have been unable to speak, let alone take action, because Karna's efforts were all in vain, and he felt awe at Karna's anger.

As if obsessed, I asked Karna about Sora's current situation with a scream that sounded like crying.

Merlin smiled and remained silent, and Karna answered without looking back.

"... I did not come out at the Master's command, nor can I use the Master's body by my own will.

Even if there is a danger of devouring Master's personality, if I do not use this body now, Master can only die, so I had to come out.

Master's mind, not his body, was put to sleep by his ability or something, and the 'Dream World' he manifested became a shell, trapped in the 'Dream World.'

Perhaps the Master himself does not realize he is seeing a 'dream.' Because I made you realize that the dream is real, you are trapped to the point where your consciousness only turns inward, you cannot even recognize it, let alone respond to my call, you cannot wake up on your own, and your consciousness is inside. Since I have been facing forward, I cannot even command my body to perform life activities...

The current Master is far from a vegetative state; if I do not actively enter the body, even life activities will stop unknowingly."

Karna's grumbling answer left Killua and the other two speechless, sounding like he was regretting his own helplessness.

But that was for a moment. Everyone's brain was not working properly. It is possible that he did not have an accurate understanding of Sora's current situation.

Even so, even Biscuit, who did not know Karna at all, knew that Sora's current situation was Merlin's fault, and that it was Merlin's fault that Sora was pushed directly to the place he was most afraid of escaping. Because they understood, they each turned to Merlin, shouted with faces as angry as Karna's.

"Hey, you scumbag!! What did you do to my stupid disciple!?"

"I will kill you! I will definitely kill you!!"

Biscuit expressed with bloodlust that even if he recognized the other party as a handsome guy who liked him, he had no intention of forgiving him; Killua once again turned his claws into useful cat claws, not yet reaching the actual stage. He took out his custom yoyo and set it.

Then, Gon asked again, as if clutching him tightly.

"What!? What Merlin-san said is a lie!? What do you mean you said you would make Sora happy and save her!?"

"Answer me! Merlin!!"

No matter how many times I am reminded, I still cannot shake off the honorifics, and I cannot understand the other party; this is the only way... Even if it is not the shape I wanted, it is precisely because I believe the place I want to go is the same, Gon. Ask again.

Facing this question, Merlin turned around and turned his face toward Gon.

"Of course I am not lying. Why would you think that?"

He did not even smile. Gon was genuinely puzzled from the bottom of his heart, not understanding why he would do such a thing.

It was as if a child had plucked off its wings and body, yet still watched those insects that were still moving.

"... Are you serious?"

Karna must have felt the same way. In his voice, there was not only anger and accusation, but also a kind of nearly rare, mysterious eeriness of a bastard.

However, in Merlin's view, it seemed somewhat unexpected that not only Karna, but even Killua and the others, who were about to rush toward Merlin in anger, were pulled back by the confirmed words.

"Am I not that persuasive? I am serious.

Or rather, in my view, it is Karna. I do not understand your actions."

"What do you mean?"

Incredulously, Merlin gave an affirmative answer to Karna's question, and finally said, "I do not understand," as if criticizing Karna.

Speaking of this, Karna arched his eyebrows in disgust for a moment, then asked a question in return. Merlin was like a child smaller than Gon, asking from the bottom of his heart why the sky was so blue. I asked about the reason for Karna's actions. I do not understand, with a straight face.

"Karna. Why entrust everything to Sora?"

If it were just this question, I would still understand.

The reason he insisted "I am here to save Sora" and this question were still not contradictory. Knowing that Karna's ability actually did not have much of a disadvantage, one would naturally question this.

However, the question that followed made me realize that even for someone like Merlin, who could not be called a pure human, Karna could never understand each other; he was too distant a creature.

"No, I can understand that it is of no help, because this is the only way so far, but I really do not understand why you are angry now.

Karna. Why are you now so a man of yours rank's food stomach crushed death hand death Devil Circle na stomach um is stomach?"

No one was offended by this question.

Karna opened his blue-injured eyes, as if saying "I cannot believe it," continued to stare at the dazed Merlin, put it in, and asked in a hoarse voice.

"... What are you talking about?"

This is what I can do. I beg you, so I asked him what he said was a provocation, and how he was going to save Sora was a blatant lie. Mother showed cruel sincerity everywhere.

"? Because now is the perfect opportunity, isn't it?... Ah, you are angry because you don't know what kind of 'dream' she is having!"

After Merlin asked with a puzzled face, he clapped his hands as if he had found the answer himself, and with a dreamy smile, as soft and happy as a flower, he spoke.

Restricting Sora, created by making full use of the characteristics of a nightmare. Cage Dream.

He described the content of the turning light with great joy, which was nothing more than an illusion, and then she merged into the Abyss that was pushed in.

"Sora-kun is the happy life I created for her... She is not a magician, she is just an ordinary girl who was not separated from her beloved sister after death. She is still friends with the magician she admires. Falling into '', escaping to this point, he was set as a resident of this world from the beginning. Life dream I am walking

Of course, I will also meet you. I met you all, grew up overcoming difficulties together with you, and then... fell in love, it came true. It will come true...

The 'dream' she sees is a 'dream' that has no peaks and no punchlines, it is so impossible yet so plain and ordinary; because it is flat, it is irreplaceable and happy."

He talked about a "dream," understood the absolutely impossible setting and the resulting huge contradiction, and despite the lack of consistency, he still moved forward unconsciously.

It is ridiculous, but this is definitely the "dream" Sora longs for.

Even if I know it is a dream, I want to keep watching it, to the point where I don't want to return to reality, a cruel and sweet dream.

"... What are you thinking? How serious are you? You... say you are that girl's 'fan,' but you seriously say that is her... Sora's happiness!?"

Biscuit asked.

In short, she is a person who hardly understands the various situations of the current situation, and because of this, she cannot even ask a question in the state of "I don't even know what I don't understand," but this is the only thing I can understand.

The dream Merlin showed Sora is, of course, the dream Sora wanted. Let us admit this is kindness and goodwill.

However, I cannot accept the argument that I should let him die while I am showing him that dream. For example, even if Biscuit herself thinks this statement is correct and happy, he cannot admit it.

Biscuit is the one who thinks the person who makes him happy, and Sora himself will never admit it.

Biscuit does not understand, even if it looks painful, he wants to stop him, Sora said he is happy to spend this reality while continuing to be hurt, so Biscuit knows. Although I cannot accept it honestly, since it is Biscuit's true feelings, I cannot accept Merlin's words either.

So, this time, I was completely frightened by the other party's handsome guy or something, and then I screamed.

It is not that I am asking back, but there is something that means "gone astray, bokeh!!"

Merlin looked at Biscuit and smiled.

Although Gon and the others said he was genuinely puzzled, Bisque's words... perhaps he also understood what Bisque was angry about, squinting his eyes as if looking at something dazzling. Responding to Bisque's words.

"... Biscuit, you really understand Sora-kun well.

Yes, that's right. Being satisfied with such an ending is to cancel her qualification as a fan."

Unexpectedly, little Biscuit threw a tantrum, wanting to finish the story, "Hmm? Ah, yes, I just want to understand," you old ghost!!

In an instant, as the atmosphere returned to normal, Merlin giggled happily, and Gon did not know whether to stop the fight between Biscuit and Killua or question Merlin's inexplicable motives.

However, Karna, who could not help but think he lacked the ability to read the atmosphere, genuinely felt that the exchange between Bisque and Killua looked "interesting," ignored it, and asked Merlin to continue seriously.

"... You at least know that the master does not want that kind of ending.

Why end your master's life here, even if you like the master's way of life?"

Karna's question was answered by Merlin, who was mocking the exchange between Biscuit and Killua.

"You ask this?"

That was a cold voice.

Everything that was like a spring breeze turned into a cold wave.

The flower-like smile was gone. However, there was no malice or hostility from the beginning.

It was not the inorganic expressionlessness of a doll, nor was it the expressionlessness of Karna, who was suppressing emotions about to erupt. As Merlin, he might express his emotions in an easy-to-understand and straightforward way, but Karna and Gon did not understand, they did not understand.

Even if you face an insect, you do not know its expression. I cannot even imagine what kind of emotion she is showing now.

Facing Karna, he said to Gon with a blank face.

"……Kun-kun, you said 'even if it doesn't exist, it can be found,' right? This answer is excellent. It can be said to be my favorite answer in my entire life so far."

First, I praised Gon's answer to the question, "Is there any concrete way to save Sora?"

For Merlin, even if it was just "a scene from his favorite novel," it was a heartfelt admiration.

"……It is a pity that your answer is wrong for Sora-kun."

I admire him from the bottom of my heart.

However, this answer cannot change the "result" he saw.

This is why Merlin does not want to change the "ending" he thought of and created.

Looking back at the past with an expressionless face, this time I will explain it to Gon in a simple way that is easy to understand, even for humans.

"Na-wei-wu-shi-world.

No matter how much life you spend, no matter who you seek help from, there is no way to save Sora-kun in the real world. You cannot find what you do not have."

It is too cruel to tell you a simple answer.

Gon could not say, "Don't make judgments on your own!"

"Living by intuition, intuition is good." Merlin marveled from the bottom of his heart, skipping the reasoning and finding the answer.

This is not a resignation that treats low possibilities as "no" without expecting them.

His "Clairvoyance" had already searched the ends of the earth for the "answer" Gon wanted and aimed for, but he still couldn't find it; Gon knelt on both knees on the spot, understanding that this was a certainty.

"Gon!?"

Killua, who was hit by the Binder thrown by Biscuit, pushed Biscuit away and shouted back what Gon wanted to say without realizing it.

However, Merlin's cold gaze was also cast toward Killua.

"In a sense, Killua, this might be a pleasure for you.

Killua. I can assure you that the most terrifying future Sora-kun told you about is impossible. It can be said that this is a groundless worry."

The ancestor replied to the previous question topic 'Na-wu-shi-world'.

Killua picked up the yo-yo that had fallen in the garden and put it back on his wrist, but he still couldn't pay attention to his words and asked back: "What do you mean?"

Merlin answered this question.

It was not Killua, Gon, or Biscuit, but his gaze toward Karna... because he truly thought the "happy ending" was beautiful, and he should become a "fan" because he was fascinated by her way of life, but he fell into the Abyss of her escape. I looked at the "body" that was the culprit and answered.

"Sora-kun's future can be guaranteed for a year and a half at most.

After that, in nine cases out of ten, Gaia and Alaya will treat you as a nuisance and kill you."

I have no confidence in Merlin's character, so if you could give me some pointers or Suggestion, such as "It's like this in FGO, so this part is strange," it would be very helpful.

However, as I wrote in the previous introduction, there are many parts that I changed after understanding them, and the reason for the changes is spoilers, so please understand that this is impossible.

If you are really interested, I have already told Kappo what the image of Merlin I am writing is like, so I would be grateful if you could take a look.

For the time being, I only write information that is also in the text, but I am writing things that I have not asserted at this stage, so please be careful if you are severely unreasonable about spoilers.