That's right! The demon is not gone yet. No, no, no. Far from it to be exact, as you just found it. No, it's here to stay, and it's sure to strike again. Not now, not soon, but it's definitely coming. And now, Ayu has to remain calm to only just slow its healing process. In all honesty, I wouldn't want to be in her shoes with trying to stay calm. In a world like shield hero, it's literally impossible to stay calm when the waves are always right around the corner. And, we can't forget the "gift," the demon left for Ayu. Kinda felt right to me to let her have those wings. We'll see how they impact her in the future. Now, let's get back into the story. Enjoy!

The next morning, nothing had really changed. My wings were still on me, meaning the encounter with the demon was not a dream at all. And they itched like crazy, it was driving me insane. And they would spread out and start flapping on their own. It kept me from sleeping much. And, on top of all that, my legs were still shot. I couldn't move them an inch. So, I was forced to move around in a wheelchair until my legs were fully healed. It felt embarrassing having to sit in this stupid chair. It made me feel useless. 

When I awoke, the nurses said I could remove the bandages over where my left eye used to be. But, I now had to where an eye patch over it. Great, another thing that's making me itchy. The nurses also helped me suit up into my new armor. Even though it was the exact same, it felt lighter than usual. Probably because Alex used a different material to craft it. But, what felt the most different was the slits in the back. My wings slipped through it and spread out again, flapping a lot and briefly lifting me off the ground. 

"Cut it out!" I shouted as they stopped and I landed on my butt. The nurses helped me stand since I didn't have the strength to and they put me in my wheelchair. One then handed me my axe and I placed it in the strap on my back. 

"How do you feel today, miss Ayuma?" Neela asked as she came into the room. 

"Better than yesterday. Wish I could walk though. And not have this stupid thing over my face." I said as I scratched at the eye patch. 

"I'm sure you'll get used to that. Now then, we must make our way to the throne room. The queen has ordered all five cardinal heroes to gather there." Neela said as I gave her a nod. 

"Please, if I may, allow me to take care of her." Neela said as the nurses backed away, letting her push me through the castle. Today was the day everyone found out the truth. Today.... me and Naofumi would be cleared of all the false accusations placed on us. 

"Where's Alex today, Neela? I thought he'd drop by like yesterday." I said. 

"I don't know where he is. My best guess would be with his sisters and the queen. I did overhear one of the nurses saying that he was going to do something today, though." Neela said as I just sighed. 

"Oh well. I'm sure we'll see him and everyone else very, very soon. Now, to the throne room! I jokingly commanded Neela as she stopped pushing me. I turned around and saw her giving me a glare. 

"Uh....... sorry! Being in this wheelchair is frustrating enough so i'm just trying to keep my spirits high." I explained as Neela sighed and nodded her head. 

"I see. Well, hopefully you regain your leg strength soon. I hope I won't have to push you around everywhere from now on." She jokingly said as we came around a corner to the entrance to the throne room. Standing at the entrance were Naofumi and his party, along with Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki. 

"Hello, boys....." I said to them as I gave Naofumi a smile and the other three an intimidating glare. 

"Glad to see you're finally awake. Right, guys?" Naofumi said as he looked to the other three. 

"Yeah.... whatever....." Ren said as he turned his head away. 

"It is indeed nice to see you awake but don't think that'll change anything. We still remember what you tried to do." Itsuki said as I just rolled my eyes and looked to Motoyasu, expecting him to say something next. But he had no words for me and turned his head away. 

"Yeah..... that's what I thought.... Now, let's get this over with." I said as we all entered the throne room at once. Guards stood at the walls on either side of the room, and, sitting in the two thrones were both the queen and Alex, with Melty standing next to her mother. The five of us gathered in the centre and stood in place, waiting for everything to begin. 

"Five cardinal heroes, together. I thank you all for coming." The queen said to us. 

"Huh? Myne's not here? And, neither is the king?" Motoyasu questioned as he looked around the room for them. 

"You can bring them in, now." The queen said as two guards went to the doors behind us and opened them, revealing both Myne and king Altcray in shackles. 

"Sir Motoyasu, help!" Myne cried as the king remained silent. 

"They've got them both in chains? What's going on?" Ren questioned. 

"That should be obvious. These two are criminals. Now, let's get started, shall we? The trial of the foolish king consort and the first princess." The queen explained as all the heroes, inclusing myself stepped off to one of the sides of the room. Myne and the king took our place as their trial finally began. 

"Mama, please! Why're you being so cruel!?" Myne questioned. 

"What is this!? My queen, what cause have you to do this to us!?" The king asked. 

"With the five cardinal heroes in attendance, this trial seeks to punish those responsible for shaking the country to its core. As queen, I shall serve as judge." She explained to them. 

"What!? Don't tell me the devil of the shield has brainwashed you!?" The king questioned as the queen struck him with a small bolt of her magic. 

"The shield hero has no such ability and you know it. I can't believe I even have to say that." The queen said as a servant brought a small platter to her, which held items i'd seen only once before. They were used to embed slave crests on people. 

"What's that!?" Myne questioned her. 

"To ensure a fair trial, you will be given a temporary slave crest." The queen explained as she began to ritual. Meanwhile, Myne was forced to her knees by two guards as a servant came over with the tools to mark her with the crest. They drew the symbol on her upper chest and it briefly glowed for a second, indicating it was active. The same was done for the king and the trial was officially underway. 

"How can you do that!? She's your daughter!?" Motoyasu questioned. 

"Because my daughter is a pathological liar. These crests will ensure they don't lie during this trial. Now, let us officially begin the trial. Be warned, your crimes are clear for all to see. You cannot worm your way out of this." The queen explained to them. 

"You can't convict them without any explanation! Besides, what so-called crimes are you saying they committed?" Motoyasu asked. 

"Let us begin with recent events. Using a fabricated holy weapon, the pope of the church tried to murder the cardinal heroes and frame the shield hero and axe hero. But he was killed in the attempt. We are rounding up the remnants of the church as we speak." Alex told us all. 

"What's that have to do with anything?" Motoyasu asked. 

"Appallingly, the king and first princess were colluding with the church all along. Any objections to this charge?" The queen asked. 

"What reason would I have to collude with the chur-" Myne tried to say as her slave crest began to shock her. It was a sign that she was lying. She screamed in pain as the crest shocked her for a few seconds. 

"It's appalling to think the first princess would try to overthrow the state." The queen said in disappointment. 

"No, I wouldn't! Forget about the shield and the axe, they tried to kill the other three heroes too! They even came after the royal family! I swear I would never involve myself in such a terrible scheme!" Myne declared as her slave crest did not go off this time. 

"There, you see? Myne didn't do anything wr-" Motoyasu tried to say but Alex cut him off. 

"Alright then, what about your plan to assassinate Melty and myself, the heirs to the throne and them frame the shield hero for our murders?" He asked Myne. 

"Wha!? I didn't do anyth-" Myne tried to plead as her slave crest shocked her again. Everything was finally falling into place. 

"No, Malty, tell me you didn't!?" The king questioned her which took me by surprise a bit. His slave crest didn't activate at that remark which meant he didn't know she was trying to kill her younger brother or sister.

"No papa, it's not true! I would nev-" Myne attempted to plead as she was shocked once again. 

"You conspired with the church and used them to try and kill Melty and myself so that you would become heir to the throne yourself. When that failed, you falsely accused the shield hero of abducting us and set fire to the forest we had escaped into. Do you deny it?" Alex questioned as he had one intimidating look in his eyes. I'd never seen him this serious before. 

"You and Melty are my own brother and sister, of course I deny it!" Myne declared as she was shocked once again. 

"It's true. It certainly looked like she was trying to kill the prince and second princess." Ren said as I gave a surprised look to him. I wasn't expecting him to agree with what Myne was being accused of. 

"Yeah, we were there, we saw the whole thing." Itsuki said as I became even more surprised. 

"Malty, how could you do something-" The king began to say but the queen cut him off.

"King Altcray, you conspired with the church as well. You worked with them to summon all five of the cardinal heroes while I was away." The queen stated. 

"I only did that because we needed the heroes in order to counter the impending waves of catastrophe! On their first night, the shield an unspeakable sin against our daughter!" The king pleaded. 7

"That's right! Naofumi assaulted Myne!" Motoyasu added in. 

"Then let's ask her herself. Tell us, Myne, were you really assaulted by Naofumi, the shield hero?" I asked her as she glanced me a quick glare. 

"Yes, I was! The devil of the shield nearly raped me and-" Myne tried to plead as she was shocked yet again. And this time, she collapsed from the pain. But now, everyone knew the truth, at least for the accusations against Naofumi. 

"No. No way. That can't be right." Motoyasu said. 

"Well then, spear hero, why don't you form a slave pact with Malty yourself and find out the truth? Alex suggested. 

"Fine. I'll prove that Myne is innocent." He said as he performed the ritual and drew his own slave crest on Myne's back. She was helped up so she could speak once again. 

"Okay, now Myne, that night you were assaulted by Naofumi. But, you escaped and came to me for help, isn't that right?" Motoyasu asked her. 

'Yes, that's right. I was so scared and knew you were the only person I could tu-" She tried to say as her knew slave crest shocked her. Motoyasu looked shocked that she would lie to him. 

"What about Ayuma!? Didn't she try to kill the king!?" Motoyasu asked. 

"Yes, she did! Isn't that right, papa!?" Myne questioned but her crest didn't activate. It was probably because she was the one who was told I tried to kill the king. 

"She, uh..... She..... *Sigh*..... No.... she did not. She only threatened me because of the threat I laid down first. I said I would hunt her and her companions down after the most recent wave, and I would have her suffer." The king admitted as he lowered his head in shame. Myne looked too stunned to speak, no doubt amazed her father would give up a secret like that so easily. 

"If we're going down that route now, then tell them what happened right after the wave ended." I said to the king. 

"After the wave was finished. The spear, sword, and bow heroes, along with Myne brought the unconscious axe hero to me. Myself and my daughter planned to punish the axe hero because of her choice to side with the shield, and her recent actions towards myself. We had her be taken away to a slave trader, where she was then sold to a nobleman and tortured. We had stated to the public that she lost her life in the wave, so that none of her allies would hope to come and find her. But, it seems they were able to free her regardless, even though we gave the shield hero her own axe as evidence of her fake death." The king explained as I clenched my fists in rage. But, I took some deep breaths to try and calm myself. 

"I see. And when me and my little sister encountered the spear hero recently, he claimed that the axe hero had died as well. Tell me, did you three choose to look away from your own actions as if they never happened?" Alex asked the three heroes as they all looked ashamed. 

"The king paid us to keep quiet and go along with the story that Ayuma died in the wave. We didn't know what happened to her when she was taken away though. Had we have, even I believe all three of us would've put a stop to it." Ren said as I looked to all three of them. 

"Ayuma, the axe hero, as hard as it may be for me to ask, can you please list off all the tortures that you endured during your time of imprisonment. Just so these fools can fell your pain." Alex demanded as I gladly agreed. 

"Whipping..... Stabbings..... Burns and brandings..... Drowning..... Rape..... Removal of my fingers..... Gouging.............. Should I continue?" I asked as Alex shook his head. The three heroes looked so sad and ashamed of themselves. But it felt good to me to see them like this. 

"All this was done to one of the cardinal heroes just because she made a choice to join the shield hero. I see no reason at all for these actions to have such a monstrous punishment!" Alex shouted as the king kept his head down in shame. 

"And tell me, why is it that you three heroes show so much hate towards the axe hero? Are you jealous of her strength? Or is it because of how she and the shield hero have grown so much stronger than you together, despite not have upgraded their classes?" Alex asked them. 

"We hate her because she tried to kill us! And, even after the wave ended, if she hadn't fainted, she probably would've tried to kill us then too! That's why we hate her so much!" Motoyasu explained. 

"But, during that state when Ayuma was consumed by hate, it was found that a demon residing within her was actually controlling her. However, after the acts of the shield hero slayed said demon, Ayuma was freed of its clutches. Therefore, she will not have control again. The being you all hate is not the puppet, Ayuma, but the puppet master, the demon. I see no reason for you to hate one of your own allies anymore." Alex said to them as I wanted to say so badly that the demon wasn't gone at all. But, it was like something was keeping my mouth shut and not letting me tell anyone. 

"Hopefully, you understand now. Despite their status as royalty, they resorted to dirty tricks, attempting to eliminate those who opposed them. Concerned only with obtaining more power for themselves. There was no consideration for the nation they served." The queen stated. 

"I admit, my actions were indeed unbecoming of royalty. But, I swear that I did it all for the sake of my beloved country and my family! That was the only reason I was trying to eliminate the shield and the axe! They are both devils, and they'll surely bring the calamities of the past to my family all over again! I simply cannot let that happen! Never!" The king announced as he clenched his fists with his pride. 

"He just threw away his last chance. Does he really hate me and Naofumi that much?" I thought to myself as the queen let out a heavy sigh. 

"It is time for my verdict. I hereby find Altcray Melromarc the 32nd, and Malty Melromarc guilty of high treason and conspiracy, and strip them of their status! I sentence them..... to death!" The queen announced. 

"No..... NOOOOOOOO!" Myne screamed as she fell to her knees. The king looked too stunned to even say a word. 

"Your majesty, that's too much!" Melty said to the queen. 

"From this point onward, my son, Alexander Melromarc the 3rd will rule over as king by my side." The queen stated as Alex nodded in agreement. I looked to him and still saw he had this serious look on his face. He had to act so stern, despite how hard this must be on him. 

"Please, mama, you can't do this to us!" Myne pleaded. 

"Your job was to protect the people, but instead you wasted your time on a power struggle. Even after the waves came, you did nothing to help your subjects. Who knows how many people were hurt or killed because of what you've done. That cannot be forgiven." The queen said as she looked to Alex and then to Melty. 

"You saw it. All that suffering and loss. All the pain that could've been avoided." The queen said as Alex took a glance over to me, no doubt thinking about what happened to me. 

"The execution will commence immediately! Send these sinners to their deaths in front of all people they have wronged!" The queen ordered as Myne and Altcray were taken away. We were all ordered to head to the execution grounds as well. We all were shaken up a bit but we obliged and headed there immediately. But, something in my heart was aching. Like it was telling me this was wrong, despite everything those two did to me, Naofumi, and our companions. 

"Is this really right? Do they have to die for these crimes? Altcray only did it because he was supporting his family... but Myne.... she did it all for herself. She deserves this more than Altcray, but still..... But, I can't exactly go against the words of the queen and the new king." I thought to myself. 

About a half an hour later, everyone who was at the trial, along with some of the towns people gathered at the execution grounds. It was a square shaped building with no roof and an execution platform in the centre. And, on the platform were two guillotines. Me and Neela stood at the entrance to the grounds, while Naofumi and the rest of the heroes climbed some stairs to get a better view. 

"These two criminals will now be beheaded! Those who turn against the country and its people deserve death! Especially is they happen to be royalty! We will prove that right here and now!" The queen stated as Myne and Altcray were brought onto the platform, their heads forced down into place on the guillotines. 

"My daughter died because of you! Give me back my home and family! Let them die for their crimes!" The people in the crowd shouted as Myne and Altcray's heads were locked into place so they couldn't escape. 

"Help me! Please! Sir Motoyasu!" Myne pleaded as she looked up to where he was standing. I could see he was with Ren and Itsuki and I watched as he turned his head away from her. Myne looked devastated that her most trusted companion had given up on her. 

"This is..... it's just too much. I..... I can't watch this....." I said as I turned my head away and closed my eyes. I just couldn't bare to see the sight of these two being beheaded. 

"....fumi..... Ayuma....." I heard a faint voice say as I turned back to look. Myne was looking up to Naofumi and then down to me. 

"Naofumi, Ayuma, please! I beg you! Help me! One of you, please! HELP ME!" She screamed as something struck me odd about this. Her slave crest, which was still on her, did not activate. This meant she wasn't lying about wanting us to save her. She was that desperate. And, I watched as the execution guards raised their swords up, preparing to cut the ropes so that the guillotines would drop.

"She's go so far as to beg her enemies, just to survive. This is all..... I just can't handle this!" I shouted as I put my hands to my head as it began to ache. But, it cleared when someone put their hand on my right shoulder. It was Naofumi. 

"You feel the same too, right? So, let's go make things the way they should be." He said as he took over pushing me instead of Neela. We both went out into the execution grounds. 

"STOP!" We both shouted as everyone went silent. The guards lowered their swords and the queen stopped her order to execute them, for the time being. 

"We think the death penalty is too good for these vermin!" Naofumi shouted to the crowd as I agreed with him. 

"Yeah, death is instant release for them! Do we really want to let them off as easily as that!?" I shouted as the crowd began to talk amongst themselves. 

"Her slave crest didn't activate just now! She's got such thick skin that she dares beg the two people she's trying to kill for her life, and actually mean it! When you think about that, I wonder if th guillotine could actually cut through!" Naofumi yelled as the crowd began to laugh. 

"So, we've got a better idea! From now on, Altcray's name will be "Trash,"....!" Naofumi said as I took over. 

"And the first princess will be called "Bitch!"" I declared. 

"Trash!?" Altcray questioned. 

"Wha!? My name's not bitch!" Myne shouted. 

"It is now, and it will be for the rest of your life! And, I think there's something else that should be done! The king was already embarrassed by having his title be removed from him, but the first princess, the mastermind of the two, should have more! I say, she should have her head shaved completely bald!" I stated as the crowd cheered, seemingly agreeing with me. 

"If you don't like any of this, then you can go ahead and die right now. It's up to you." Naofumi said. 

"By the way, Malty often uses the alternate name "Myne," when she's adventuring. How about that?" The queen asked. 

"Yeah, I guess Bitch needs an adventurer name. I know, how about "Slut!?" I suggested as the crowd began to laugh even more. They liked the ideas we had. 

"The shield and axe heroes are the one who've done the most to put things right here. And, they are granting their oppressors the greatest of mercy. Therefore, Altcray will henceforth be known as "Trash!" And Malty will be called "Bitch," her adventuring name will be "Slut," and have all her hair shaven off! Finally, the church which was the root of all of this will be abolished! Melromarc will adopt an entirely know church as its state religion! The Five Heroes Church!" The queen declared as Myne, er, Bitch and her father, Trash were released from their guillotines. 

"She just started a religion that no one will see as an enemy. She's a pretty smart lady." Naofumi said as I agreed with him.

"Yeah, she might just be the shrewdest politician in the world." I said as Naofumi pushed me back through the entrance. We were met by the other three heroes. 

"Look, Ayuma, we're..... we're truly sorry." Ren said as he laid his weapon down on the ground. 

"As am I. And, as proof of our apology, we've all agreed to do something, isn't that right, Motoyasu?" Itsuki asked as he did the same as Ren. Motoyasu looked unsure at first, but eventually, he sighed and placed his weapon on the ground. 

"Yes. We're all indeed sorry for our actions and behavior towards the both of you. And, as such, all three of us will remove our class upgrades, starting fresh, just like you two." Motoyasu said as we both looked surprised. 

"Wait, what.....? No, no, it's alright. You don't have to do something like that. Really, it's fine. Just heed that warning I told you all that time ago. Do that, and you'll stay on my good side from here on out." I explained to them as they nodded and picked their weapons back up. But someone else came to all of us. Or, more specifically, to me. 

"Excuse me gentlemen, but may I speak to the lady, privately?" Alex asked as they all stepped aside and allowed him to take me away. We went all the way to his room so we could speak in private. 

"So, Mr. King, how do you feel after everything that just went down?" I asked him as he chuckled a bit. 

"Honestly, my mother, the queen, only informed me of what would be happening shortly before the trial began. It was all staggering to me, and I am very glad that you and Naofumi stepped in to stop the execution. And, I like the added touch of having Myne, or um, Slut, endure some extra embarrassment." He said as I thanked him.

"Something inside me was telling me not to have them be killed. Even though I hated them both, I just couldn't bare to see them be executed like that." I explained as Alex walked over to a desk near his bed. On it.... was the king's crown. He put it on and showed it off to me. 

"What do you think? In my opinion, it looks a little too dorky for me...." He said with a small laugh as I laughed as well. 

"No, you look fine in it. I'm sure you'll make a great king. Especially since your mother is the queen, and Melty as next in line to rule the throne." I said as he agreed and took off his crown. 

"Ayuma..... there's something I've been meaning to ask you...." Alex began to say as I became curious. 

"And what's that?" I asked him.

"I.... Would you...... would you let me join your party?" He asked as the room became silent. I couldn't believe what he just asked. 

"Wait..... what did you just say?" I asked him. 

"Will you let me, king Alexander Melromarc the 3rd join your party as one of your faithful companions?" He asked as he kneeled down in front of me.

"Um..... but, you're the king..... Wouldn't you have, you know, kingly duties to fulfill? And wouldn't that make you too busy to travel with me?" I asked him. 

"Not at all, as a matter of fact. Mother has granted me permission, and has allowed me to ask you if I may join." He explained to me. 

"I don't know....." I began to say as he stood up, leaned over, put his hands down on my legs and looked me right in the eyes. 

"Please, Ayuma.... as the king..... as your friend..... as Alex...... may I accompany you on your journey?" Alex said as he leaned in farther and kissed me right on the lips. I was shocked at this but it didn't feel right to push him away. I let him have this moment. And..... I may have enjoyed it..... just a bit......

"Uh...... I guess since the queen says so, and, uh, you being the king and all..... I can let you become a member." I said as Alex bowed in front of me and kissed my right hand next. My status magic then activated and asked if I wanted to add Alex as the next member of my party. I said yes and he was added to the list. All his stats then appeared to me, his level bring maxed out at 40 and his specialty being metal magic. 

"Thank you, Ayuma. I promise I will do all in my power and show you that I deserve to be with you and Neela!" Alex said as he got up and gave me a smile. 

"I'm sure you will, too. And, i'm sure Neela will be excited to her that you-" I began to say as I suddenly saw the demon appear behind Alex, hovering its clawed hands by either sides of his cheeks. 

"Oh look, another pawn for me to use. I thank you, Ayuma. This one will become quite important to me very, very soon." The demon said to me as everything went black in the room. Alex seemed to freeze in place, almost like time had stopped. 

"What do you want now?" I asked the demon as it stroked Alex's left cheek. 

"Just stopping by. So, this little runt is the new king, eh? Well, I can say he'll do a better job keeping order than his dimwit of a father. If we don't end up killing him, that is." The demon said as it starting pointing one of its claws at Alex's right eye. 

"Stop it, now! I'm the one you want, remember!? Just stay away from him and focus on healing, why don't ya? If you need me so badly, then i'm sure that's what you're thinking too, right?" I said as the demon nodded in agreement. 

"As smart as always, I see. But, who ever said I still needed to heal?" The demon said as I became shocked. 

"What did you say?" I asked as it laughed and walked right up to me. 

"Thanks to the events of today, you went through so many negative emotions that I practically had a never ending feast! I especially loved the part where you talked about all those lovely tortures you endured. So tasty...." The demon said as it reached out and grabbed my face. 

"So..... you're saying your fully rejuvenated, already!?" I asked it as I tried to remove its hand from me. 

"Right again, Ayuma. But, i'm not ready for us to act just yet. We need to get much stronger if we're to defeat all the other heroes. Including that Naofumi and his damn curse shield. So, we're going on a little trip. An Island has appeared off the coast of this country, and with it, comes the means necessary to grow stronger much, much quicker. We'll become so powerful together that no one will even be able to lift a finger against us." The demon explained to me as it leaned its head against mine. 

"No! No, I will not let you control me again!" I shouted as I tried my best to struggle free. 

"Who said you have a say in the matter? Now, be a good girl..... and let's go fly....." The demon said as it ripped off my eye patch and then dissolved into a black liquid. I began to absorb it through the hole where my left eye used to be and I could only scream in pain and in anticipation of what this thing will do to me. I gave one last look to Alex before my vision went completely dark. He looked so happy, to finally be a part of my party. But now, it doesn't matter anymore. This demon is back and I have no power against it. It fully transformed me into itself, making my armor fall off of me as it reshaped my body into its own. Black scales covering my body, two black curled horns from the forehead, and the black wings, growing larger by the second as they spread out wide. 

"Finally..... We are complete!" The demon and I simultaneously shouted as we raised our demonic axe into the air and broke through a window in the room, taking flight and getting as far away from the castle as possible. 

"NOOOOOO! PLEASE, YOU CAN'T DO THIS! TAKE ME BACK! TAKE ME BACK!" I heard myself shout from within. I could feel my soul become trapped, like it was shackled to a wall with no escape. 

"Don't worry, my dear. I promise we'll come back here. When we're stronger that is, and so we can kill those damn heroes." The demon said as we flew off into the horizon, the sun setting as the sky became dark. 

I had fallen into the never ending abyss of darkness once again. This demon had been lying in wait for the moment it needed to strike me and take over. And now, it had total control, and was taking me to god knows where. And this time, there actually was no hope at all that anyone could find me. 

"Neela..... Alex...... Naofumi...... Everyone.............Goodbye......"