Naoki had uttered the sentence the people there least wanted to hear.
Erasing their memories of him.
Aoko and the others did not doubt whether Naoki could do such a thing. He had delved into the field of Magecraft for two thousand four hundred years. No one knew what kind of Magecraft he could use, and it wouldn't be strange if among them was Magecraft capable of erasing memories.
However, they absolutely could not accept him using such Magecraft on them.
It meant he wanted to completely sever himself from them, discard all of the past, and wholeheartedly stay in this Lostbelt.
This was the action that chilled their hearts the most.
"Is there a reason, Master?"
Rei asked in a dissatisfied and confused tone.
"Is there a reason that forces you to erase our memories?"
"Only for your own good. I personally think it's the best for you." Naoki explained after a brief silence. "I voluntarily discarded my memories of you, and maintaining an empty shell of memories doesn't mean I still have any attachment to you. There might have been a little left at the moment of parting, but more than that, it was to be able to utilize you."
Two thousand four hundred years ago.
When all of Britain was destroyed, in order to obtain the Mana to revive the entirety of Britain, and as a symbol of his vow, Naoki discarded his memories and his Holy Sword.
That was his resolve.
But he also knew at that time that people from Proper Human History would surely arrive at this Lostbelt in the future. Although there was no clear evidence, just a hunch, Naoki knew that his past self must have strongly believed in that.
And at that time, he could use the power of those people to determine the distance and even the conceptual direction and coordinates between Proper Human History and the Lostbelt, thus confirming the destination for the Reverse Rayshift.
From that moment on, he had been planning to utilize the feelings Aoko and the others held for him.
"I utilized you based on trusting you. To you, I have become a hopeless traitor, a betrayer who betrayed your trust, betrayed the feelings between you and me. Rather than you continuing to remember me, wouldn't it be easier if I simply erased all memories related to me?"
"...."
Naoki's explanation left everyone silent.
Anger, confusion, suspicion, dissatisfaction.... Various emotions filled each person's heart.
And then—
"I'm really happy."
Rei suddenly uttered a sentence that left everyone slightly confused.
Happy?
Right now?
"Ah, indeed. It makes me both angry and happy. This man has always been like this since way back."
Aoko realized something and also gave a bitter smile.
Seeing Rei and Aoko behaving so unusually, the others also began to think. After repeating the words Naoki said a few times, just like the previous two, the others also couldn't help but smile bitterly twice, then showed expressions as if they were helpless.
Naoki frowned: "You all... find something funny?"
"Of course it's funny. Besides, I'm also a little happy. In your words, you say you've discarded all of us, but deep down, you never actually discarded us."
"What are you—"
"You trusted us." Ayaka interjected. "Those are your own words, Naoki. You trusted that we would come here, which is why you wanted to use us to achieve your goal. That means you actually always trusted us, trusted for two thousand four hundred years."
Ayaka pointed out the fact hidden within Naoki's words, even one he himself might not have been aware of.
He had always believed that someone from Proper Human History would come.
"It seems there are things that cannot be discarded, no matter how much one wishes to discard them." Touko laughed. "The memories of us, you thought you discarded them, but the most important part seems to have always remained in your heart, Brat."
"Two thousand four hundred years have passed, and you haven't changed at all. Always an unreliable Magus."
"Just leftover bodily instinct."
Naoki defended himself after a brief silence, but hearing him say that, Aoko laughed again: "Isn't that even better? It means even an extremely long time, two thousand four hundred years, couldn't erode your trust in us."
"..."
Naoki fell silent for a long time.
Standing to the side observing the silent Naoki and the seemingly relieved people from Proper Human History, Barghest gritted her teeth. Just as she was about to say something, a sharp gaze immediately came her way.
(My Queen?)
(Don't speak out of turn, Gawain.... Naoki's past is not something we have the right to interfere with.)
(Understood, as you command.)
"But—"
After a silence so long it felt excessive to everyone, Naoki slowly began to speak: "Even so, I will not retract my decision to erase your memories. This is for—"
"Can you stop making unilateral decisions about our feelings?" Atalanta frowned and pointed her fork at Naoki. "You think it's a good thing for us, but for us, it's not a good thing at all. We'd rather have been eliminated by you a week ago than to forget you. Dying by your hand is far easier to accept."
"I strongly agree."
"Me too."
"Dying in Master's embrace is also a kind of romance, though it's best to avoid such an end."
"Have you all been reading too much shoujo manga?"
Aoko sighed helplessly, then turned to Naoki: "Hey, Naoki. It's about time you told us what you actually plan to do. We asked before, but you wouldn't talk. We told you from the start, we are not enemies. If there's something you want to do, we can all help you. You don't need to completely sever ties with us and act recklessly alone like a fool."
"We are not just lovers, but also family and comrades."
"Lovers, family, comrades...?"
Naoki couldn't help but laugh: "The me now, when hearing these words, the first thing that comes to mind is Morgan and the others.... The things about you all, what remains in my heart is just emptiness."
"Fine, I'll tell you. But after hearing it, you will definitely try to stop me."