第３１９堀：本当の答えとの対峙 (Part1)
### Chapter 319: Confronting the True Answer
**Side: Comet Tail**
I don’t even know how to put it into words; the scene before my eyes is beyond description.
In this dream-like, peach-colored landscape, Taizo-san and Taiki-kun stand facing one another, relying solely on the bodies they have honed themselves.
I’ll be honest. I thought Taizo-san would side with them.
This whole situation is nothing more than Hifi’s selfishness. There’s no turning back now, but Taizo-san had no reason to go along with it. As Luna-san says, I know as well as anyone that the others have more skill and a better track record. Hifi knows it, too. But she’s already done this, she can’t just say she’s quitting now, and I don’t intend to push all the responsibility onto her alone.
This country is filled with her thoughts and her wishes. That’s why, even knowing we are inferior and that this is selfish, we cannot retreat.
I never thought he would have the resolve to stay with us, or that he would go this far. Yet, here is Taizo-san, literally using techniques that leave us in shock, trading blows with his own kin.
A complete nullification of skills through magical power. It’s an unprecedented technique. It was draining the internal mana from both Hifi and me so rapidly that it’s fair to call it a technique to negate magic itself. Levels and stats mean nothing here.
Truly, this battle is a place of tension where a single strike could be fatal. This is the world Taizo-san and his successors have lived in.
"Why go so far..."
The words I wanted to utter were spoken by Hifi, who was watching the fierce battle beside me. It seems she, too, doesn't understand why Taizo-san would side with us.
Well, there might be a small possibility that he fears his research results being stolen, but I think that’s only a tiny part of it. What’s truly important is that the researcher himself remains safe; locations, materials, and tools can always be replaced.
What is it that keeps Taizo-san standing in that spot?
Even as I think this, the head-on brawl continues. Neither gives the other an opening to reach for a weapon; they just grab hold and pummel each other without a thought for defense.
For a researcher, he certainly has a knack for this—he must have trained in some strange ways. If it were me, once someone got inside my guard, it would be over. No, if Taizo-san used that magic-nullification on me, I’d be completely helpless.
...In that sense, Hifi has summoned a terrifying trump card for this world. But it’s painful to watch her make such a man fight his own kin, even for the sake of her goals. Even I feel this way. I wonder what Hifi, the cause of all this, is feeling...
*Thud!!*
That sound pulls me from the sea of my thoughts back to reality. It’s the sound of something being struck with immense force.
Before me, cherry blossom petals scatter. Taizo-san stands tall, while Taiki-kun lies on the ground. Neither moves. I can see from here that they are breathing heavily, their faces and hands stained with blood.
They must have reached their limit.
*Scuff.*
That, too, was my mistake. They didn't stop moving. Their eyes weren't dead yet; they were still filled with fighting spirit. Their movements were agonizingly slow, but they hadn't stopped.
...But at this rate, won't this just continue until one of them actually dies?
"That’s enough. Taizo is clearly at an advantage. Any further and the damage will be too great to sustain life. Therefore, I declare this duel a victory for Taizo, and one win for Hifi’s side. Agreed?"
My worries were put to rest by Luna-san’s words. *Phew, thank goodness.*
However, since the rules are quite vague, it seems they were prepared to go all-out until Luna-san stepped in. Wow, I wonder if I could manage to fight without killing my opponent. If Yuki-kun were my opponent, I think I’d be fine, but I wouldn't know how much to hold back against someone I don't know.
While I was thinking this, Hifi rushed over to Taizo-san, and Yuki-kun walked over to Taiki-kun.
"Are you alright, Taizo-den?! Oh, to think you’ve been hurt like this..."
"Heh, I apologize for showing you such an unsightly fight that only causes worry. I didn't expect Taiki-kun to be this capable. Ouch..."
"I was worried, but it was by no means unsightly. The collision of resolve between you and Taiki-den touched my heart. It was not unsightly at all! Now, let me treat you..."
Hifi immediately began the healing process. Yeah, I didn't think it was unsightly either. I think it was a duel to be proud of. Taiki-kun, who lost, deserves praise as well.
And as for that Taiki-kun...
"Ouch... I’m sorry. I lost."
"Here, drink this potion."
"Whoa, it’s cold!? It stings!"
"Well, I had it chilled to the bone. I never expected it to turn into a bloody brawl full of external injuries. I chilled it thinking it would be a nice cool-down, but I never thought I’d end up dumping it over your head instead of having you drink it."
Yeah, I didn't think it would turn into a brawl either. But even if you chill it, a potion is just cold; I don't think it tastes as good as milk. After all, the ingredients are bitter herbs.
"Oh, come to think of it, I balanced it like a nutritional drink, so it’s probably very sticky."
"Ugh!? You’re right!? Then why did you dump it on me!!"
"Well, you’re supposed to apply potions to external wounds, aren't you? If you have internal injuries, drinking it is better, but... here. Just in case, drink this too. If you end up with a subarachnoid hemorrhage the next day, or if you burn out completely after all our matches are over, Airi-san is going to be furious with me."