Diplakla is probably feeling it too.
Relaxing his body, which had lost its strength, he began to mock himself again.
“Fuh, fuhahaha…”
His fighting spirit was fading. Rather, with his deformed form and magic power gone, his eyes were finally settling. He no longer gazed into the sky but focused on me, slowly calling out.
“Sis. Unlike me, who gained nothing, you seem to have found new friends you can trust.”
He praised me, looking at *me*, not “God”. It seemed like the “narrowness” had finally cleared. However, if my prediction was correct, Diplakla could have broken it himself from the start and was merely clinging to it.
“You too. You must have had friends you could trust.”
“Friends I could trust? Fuh, fufuhahaha, hahaha!”
“Diplakla, what you truly want to protect is the *Kanami of a thousand years ago who strived to save the world with you*, right? Not some ‘God’ who will conveniently save the world all by himself!”
“……………Ah, that’s right. I know. Haha, whether we could trust each other or not is another matter.”
Diplakla resigned himself, acknowledging my words and continuing to laugh. Then, as if boasting, he continued.
“As you say, Kanami was my first friend… However, unlike you, I understood that by the time of a thousand years ago. I found a friend before the other Apostles. Before anyone else, I did…”
He spoke with a hint of looking down on the me of a thousand years ago, boasting. That humble choice of words, so characteristic of him, was no longer there.
However, I wanted to believe this was proof that he was shedding the “skin” of an envoy of an old sage and speaking his true feelings.
“…Yes. You and Kanami were very close from the start. I was often with Hitaki and Tiara, but you two were always hanging out together.”
“Ah, that’s right… I really miss it. To me back then, Kanami was like a grandson… and at the same time, like an older brother, and like a younger brother… like a father, and like a son… Without a doubt, Kanami was precious family to me.”
He recounted his memories with a distant look in his eyes. He was just like me earlier. I could deeply empathize with that nostalgia.
Seeing me listening quietly, Diplakla continued his old tale.
“A thousand years ago, I had the mission to save the world. But, just as important as that mission, Kanami had become precious to me… Therefore, a future where Kanami becomes ‘God’ and saves the world could be called an *Ideal* ending for me. So *Ideal* that I abandoned any further thought. Fuhahaha!”
However, it wasn’t just about reminiscing about the past. Diplakla of the “present”, lying beyond that past, was now also being revealed.
“Perhaps it was also due to the great defeat a thousand years ago. Being used by Hitaki, deceived by Tiara, I completely lost the will to resist the flow created by an overwhelmingly powerful being… Rather pathetic, for an Apostle… Haha, hahaha…”
“Those two are understandable. Even Noi-sama was afraid to even meet them.”
We shared beautiful memories. However, there were also hardships that overshadowed them. The memories of being tossed around by Hitaki and Tiara were truly bitter for an Apostle.
“In any case, I completely gave up on resisting the flow… After all, by cherishing the ‘memories with Kanami from a thousand years ago’ and blindly believing in ‘God’, I could be ‘happy’… However, now it’s clear. By being in such a pathetic state of defeat, I…”
Diplakla’s eyes began to water, and his words faltered. He must have reached the same conclusion as me. However, he expressed it more coldly than I did.
“…It’s not just Noi-sama. I have been abandoned by Kanami too.”
He declared this and let the tears he had held back spill. Diplakla, who had been the most patient and mature a thousand years ago, was now crying in front of me. After raging in despair, he was regretting things like a child.
“The moment I parted ways with Hitaki and Tiara, Kanami hasn’t looked at me even once… Kanami, who was once so friendly with me… who lived alongside me… his eyes, they are no longer… Haha, it’s ridiculous, isn’t it? You can laugh as much as you want.”
He urged me to laugh with him. I immediately shook my head, but Diplakla didn’t accept my refusal and continued to self-deprecate.
“A thousand years ago, abandoned by Noi-sama, abandoned by you, abandoned, abandoned, abandoned—I am Diplakla, a pitiable Apostle who has continued to be abandoned. No, I’m not even an Apostle anymore. I’ve become a mere ‘weak person’ with no other path but to believe in a false ‘God’.”
And then, Diplakla’s gaze turned to the sky. But I didn’t think he was conscious of the “break” anymore. Remembering only the ‘memories with Kanami from a thousand years ago’, cherishing them and crying, I, who had spent the same time with him, understood.
“Diplakla…”
I felt that he, who claimed to “believe in ‘God'”, was now belittling that ‘God’. I thought he was just sinking further into despair, but perhaps Diplakla was fine with being abandoned by ‘God’. It was sad, but as an Apostle, he was used to being abandoned by Noi-sama, who was like a god to him.
However, being abandoned by a “friend” who was close to him and with whom he had a good relationship was something he wasn’t used to. He was deeply afraid of it. That’s why he continued to treat Kanami as “God.” It was to avoid facing the reality that the “friend Kanami” he reunited with a thousand years later no longer even looked at him.
He wished to be abandoned by “God Kanami” rather than be abandoned by “Friend Kanami.” He himself placed the lid of “God” on the beautiful “memories with Kanami from a thousand years ago” and hid them away carefully.
Now, I finally felt like I understood the heart of my family, of the same origin, just a little. And I believe that heart values “friends” more than “God.”
I approached Diplakla, who continued to mock himself. I wanted to respond with all my might to that exposed heart.
“It’s true that Kanami is currently letting the Apostles fight on their own. But there’s a reason for that… You know very well that Kanami isn’t the type to abandon people.”
“Ah, I know very well. That’s why my incompetence in being abandoned stands out even more.”
“No. Kanami doesn’t have the capacity anymore… not even enough to look at someone.”
“…”
It wasn’t because she was disliked for it.
As she conveyed this, Diplakla’s self-deprecation intensified.
“…Even if Kanami lacks capacity, it’s us who stole it, isn’t it? We put our ‘World’ on Kanami’s back and crushed her. We are truly useless workers.”
“True. We made a mistake a thousand years ago. We bear the responsibility for that.”
“Responsibility…? The responsibility for summoning him? No, more than that—”
“The responsibility of ‘friends’. At times like this, friends rush to stop you with all their might, regardless of gain or loss… Like this.”
“…”
Approaching Diplakla, I reached out to the arm she had planted on the roof.
Despite being the one who had made her kneel, I offered my hand to help her up.
Perhaps my hand was the most uncharacteristic of me, more so than all the words we had exchanged up to this point.
Diplakla’s eyes widened in surprise, but I continued without stopping.
“Things like ‘gods’ and ‘the world’ are important, but first, we need to go see her as ‘friends.’ Kanami’s power isn’t even reaching the ground right now. Whether she’s been abandoned or not, we’ll meet her now, look her in the eyes, and talk… then we’ll decide, okay? Please, Diplakla. Come with me.”
Just as Dia had invited me, I invited Diplakla.
Diplakla listened and absorbed my words—then, narrowing her wide eyes, she offered a gentle smile that reminded me of a thousand years ago.
“Haha… ‘Friends,’ ‘friends,’ you keep saying. We’re like children. Despite our grand forms, we’re truly troubled by such trivial matters…”
“What can we do? Unlike the Legacy, we skipped our childhood. That’s why we fight like children, break up… but we can easily make up and hold hands again.”
“Hold hands… And you say that, but won’t you betray me at the last moment again? You have that side to you.”
“I-I won’t betray you! I’m sorry for what happened a thousand years ago! I’ll never do it again!!”
She still didn’t seem to fully trust me. It was unlikely she could completely accept someone she disliked so easily.
“I’m joking. I understand. Seeing that look on your face, I have no choice but to understand…”
Still, Diplakla genuinely took my hand now.
With my help, she got to her feet.
Good. Even though there are still parts we can’t concede on, we’ve at least secured her agreement to “go see Kanami together and talk again.” At the very least, I could feel through our clasped hands that the ‘god’ that had sealed Diplakla’s heart for so long had been released.
That made me happy, and I returned her smile.
“You’ve truly changed… Or rather, so have I. And if Kanami has, then we must ascertain it. If that’s the responsibility of ‘friends,’ then I can no longer escape.”
Her statement seemed to indicate she was still only thinking of Kanami, but I no longer saw it as blind devotion.
Deep within her determined eyes, I glimpsed a small flame of a different resolve beginning to ignite.
That brought me peace. Then, Dia, standing behind me, also let out a relieved sigh.
Dia had watched the entire scene unfold from a slight distance.
After confirming that we had clasped hands, she placed her prosthetic arm, a manifestation of her ‘Magic Power Limb,’ onto the roof and touched it.
“I’m glad you’ve made up, Sis. And Diplakla-san… but I apologize, we don’t have much time. I need to fulfill my role soon.”
After stating her intention, she let her prosthetic arm lose its form.
Like melting water seeping in, she began to infiltrate her own magic power into the roof.
I understood its meaning because I had learned and become proficient in ‘Magic Circles’ from Tiara.
Dia was infiltrating and permeating the ‘Magic Stone Line’ that was stretched across the Allied Nations’ territory, through the buildings of the affluent district.
Though Dia had already fought two battles against Apostles, her magic power remained immense.
If anything, it felt as if it was growing even more vibrant through our battles.
With that vast magic power surging in all at once, the Allied Nations’ ‘Magic Stone Line’ began to glow intensely and tremble.
It wasn’t an earthquake, not even close to a tremor. But it was undeniably vibrating. That peculiar vibration reminded me of the magic tool used for amplification in the ‘Dance Battle Tournament.’
“…Phew.”
Dia’s breathing echoed from all directions on the roof.
It was a sound like a gale without wind.
From the vibration that seemed to have swallowed the earth, I was certain.
Like the Snow Walker’s signature ‘Vibration,’ she had reproduced that amplification magic tool.
Today, I was constantly surprised by Dia.
I knew better than anyone that she was naturally talented in magic.
But she had become even more skillful from there.
Mimicking someone else’s magic was unimaginable when I was on the inside.
However, in these past few years, she must have learned the meticulousness of magic from Maria.
And from Kanami’s back, she must have learned not only swordsmanship but also how to imitate.
However, before Dia’s amplification magic could take effect, Diplakla posed a question.
“The vessel of Sis in modern times… no, Diablo, my friend’s friend. Do you intend to end the ‘Final Festival’ now?”
“Wh-Why the strange way of addressing me? …No, Diplakla-san. I don’t intend to end the ‘Final Festival.’ Maria told me it’s better to hype it up.”
“Hype it up? However, doing so will advance the ritual and gather the ‘Demonic Poison’ on Kanami.”
She pointed out that such an action would aid Kanami and push further away the new objective of “going to see her.”
I agreed with Diplakla.
But Dia nodded with a smile.
“That’s fine. If Kanami is only strengthened by the ‘Demonic Poison,’ then she can be dealt with in any way. So, regardless of the competition, Maria wanted to gather something else in the ‘Deepest Part’… that’s what she said.”
It seemed this was not Dia’s own intention.
It was the plan of the girl who had charged in alone before the ‘Final Festival.’
“I thought you were operating under the guidance of a Snow Walker, but that girl was the central figure… If that’s the case, I must inform you of some bad news. Right now, your leader is being ‘forgotten’ by Kanami’s hand and is sleeping in the ‘Deepest Part’.”
“No, Maria isn’t the leader, you know? Besides, she’s used to having her memory erased, so she’ll be fine. Rather, it’s good news that she’s safely in the ‘Deepest Part’.”
“U-used to it? No, that’s not what I mean, the ‘Curse’ has altered her memories—”
“Exactly, Maria is used to that ‘Curse’. However, she seems weak to sleep-inducing magic, so we need to get to the ‘Deepest Part’ quickly and wake her up. She wakes up grumpy, you know.”
Dia had just been told something shocking. However, the response she received showed little surprise or anxiety.
It seemed Dia trusted the girl named Maria heart and soul.
…I almost felt a little jealous.
But, it’s fine, I can just win her back from now on.
As I vowed to stay with Dia no matter what happens from here on out, her magic name resonated.
“—Vibration, Holy Voice.”
The vibration magic, which was attribute-less, had been augmented with a holy attribute.
It seemed the ‘Spell Formation’ of the sound-amplifying magic tool had been improved for the Apostle’s erratic magic power.
Then, just like before, using the ground as her throat, she called out once more.
Starting from the rooftops, the vibrations spread outwards.
“—Hello. Can everyone in the Cathedral hear me?”
Without being drowned out by the fireworks and clamor of the ‘Final Festival’ — rather, as if harmonizing with it — Dia’s announcement began to echo throughout the Allied Nations, cheerfully. The magical amplification was spreading to the largest range in history.
It was like a divine revelation from the heavens. However, Dia deliberately chose a casual, lighthearted tone.
“Diplakla has stopped, so there’s no need to worry anymore. It seems I got caught up in the festive mood and my feelings for Kanami just exploded a little. …Well, it’s the usual for me. Compared to Maria and Snow a year ago, this was a piece of cake. You can all rest assured.”
The vibrations echoed.
It was a strange melody.
It was certainly not the human throat’s natural sound. Nor was it just a clear voice.
My body felt the carefully crafted, relaxing vibrations, imbued with holy magic power into the vibration magic.
It seemed Dia had not only become skillful but could also offer this kind of consideration.
The anecdote about her own people was told as if Diplakla’s rampage was nothing significant.
However, there was one thing I wanted to point out.
I, within her, knew that Dia herself had a rampage comparable to her own people like Maria and Snow. Seeing the Allied Nations hear this typical deflection brought a slight smile to my lips.
“And now, I will be flying to the ‘Deepest Part’ of the Labyrinth with the Apostles. I don’t intend to waste the path that Maria and Snow forged. —We will follow that path.”
As Dia sent her voice through the ‘Magic Stone Line’, she simultaneously constructed another spell.
It was the same magic wings that I had constructed earlier.
Magic wings grew and extended up towards the sky.
They shone brightly and prominently, as if asserting their presence to everyone currently listening to ‘Vibration, Holy Voice’.
Unable to contain myself, I called out.
“Dia, that voice… and those wings…”
They were wings just like mine, but their level of completion was vastly different.
Not only in the external beauty of their light, but their precision was different. Their density was different. Their refinement was different.
Unlike me, who had relied on the Apostle’s power since birth, Dia’s handling of ‘Demonic Poison’ was honed to a completely different dimension.
—Is this Dia’s true magic right now?
Faced with overwhelming power, I felt a tremor rise from the depths of my body.
At the same time, a question arose.
With this voice and these wings, she should have had a significant advantage in our previous battle.
Why did she only use her sword within the Temple? If she had revealed these more divine voice and wings than me then, she could have gained the support of some of the knights and priests around her.
Dia understood my question with a glance, without needing words. She temporarily stopped ‘Vibration, Holy Voice’ and answered lightly.
“…Bringing out magic like this in a sword fight is a no-go, right? It’s kind of unfair.”
That was so like Dia.
Unlike me, who would do anything to win, she chose her methods. But that’s precisely why we complement each other. I touched her shoulder as if to cheer on my partner and responded to her quip.
“…Hehe. You really are like that sometimes. But from here on, you don’t need to hold back. Your next opponent is Kanami, who is more unfair and breaks more rules than anyone.”
Just in case anything happened, I shared my magic power and magic with Dia.
Dia nodded in response, and ‘Vibration, Holy Voice’ continued in a perfect state.
“It seems there was some commotion here and there… but there’s really no need to worry. Everyone in the Allied Nations, please enjoy the festival. —Because the ‘Final Festival’ is unchanged. The fact that we worked hard to rebuild the Allied Nations together is unchanged, and the fact that Kanami helped us with that is also unchanged. Even if someone was pulling ‘Threads’, what everyone has done won’t change because of it. …The reconstruction of the Allied Nations was undoubtedly due to everyone’s hard work. So, please enjoy yourselves with all your heart. Today, you can make noise, and you can do reckless things.”
Those words were directed at the people currently enjoying themselves in the Allied Nations. However, at the same time, they were also spoken to Kanami in the ‘Deepest Part’.
“However, just one thing. If you pray to the gods, don’t just rely on them… please look at the ‘someone’ beyond them. There isn’t a convenient god who will grant anything you ask for if you rely on them. There are only ‘someones’ working hard in secret. If you rely on them completely, like a ‘Curse’, you’ll eventually break.”
This was likely the main point. Dia implored the Allied Nations, as if protecting Kanami.
“Of course, I understand that some people may not believe what I say. But for those people especially, I want them to aim for the ‘Deepest Part’ and see for themselves what kind of person is there. …It’s best to see and judge with your own eyes. At that time, if you are unsatisfied with the truth of the ‘Deepest Part’, you can steal the miracles from the side. It is the freedom of all who reach the ‘Deepest Part’. Because this is the Labyrinth Allied Nations… and that’s the Rule from the beginning.”
And then, she invited them.
She urged all the Explorers in the Allied Nations that a chance still remained.
However, Diplakla, standing beside Dia, was astonished that Dia had recruited rivals to head for the ‘Deepest Part’ of the Labyrinth. It was clear from its expression that it had a lot it wanted to say, such as “No, not everything is free. There are conditions,” and “It’s not like you can reach it easily.”
But it swallows all of those common-sense opinions and slowly lets the “lingering desire” from a thousand years ago spill out.
“…I have regrets. That is, a thousand years ago, when Kanami lost Hitaki and became reckless, I did nothing. Thinking back, I might have been the one who abandoned him first. That’s why I won’t let it happen again.”
It seemed that the ones Dia invited were not just the explorers from the Allied Nations.
With the words just spoken, Diplakla was pushed to act and started walking with a resolute expression.
And then, as if invited, she reached out her hand. Placing her hand on Dia’s free shoulder, she cooperated with the amplification magic.
Dia accepted that.
The earth began to tremble, matching Diplakla’s proximity.
“…That’s right. As Dia says, the ‘Final Festival’ and the labyrinth’s rules will not change. They will remain as they are. It’s not a problem to have multiple people reach the ‘Deepest Part.’ We Apostles will welcome anyone who touches that miracle, as long as they are a hero who will save the world.”
Dia’s sudden proposal received the stamp of approval from the Apostles’ names.
It was a statement that overturned various assumptions. Those who believed the labyrinth’s legend that “the one who reaches the ‘Deepest Part’ will have their wish granted” would have thought that condition applied only to the very first person to reach it.
However, they were informed that subsequent reachers were also welcome.
Those who know the vibration of that announcement would know it’s Diplakla. A sense of great upheaval spread through the Allied Nations as a new rule was officially added by the “Senate.” It could be felt through the vibrations in the air.
Diplakla likely felt it too. She then declared with all her might, piling on the magic, “Vibration Holy Voice.”
“—Hereby, in the name of Apostle Diplakla and Sis, all entrances to the labyrinth will be opened. At the request of the Guilds ‘Supreme’ and ‘Epic Seeker,’ we have judged it unrefined to be unable to explore the labyrinth for this festival that concludes everything. Of course, even those outside the guilds are free to conduct their final exploration. The qualification is… yes, let’s make it the same as the ‘Dance Battle Tournament.’ It doesn’t matter if you are a wanted person or from a country not allied with the Allied Nations, as long as you are ‘a person born in this world.’ Furthermore, we will not question what you choose to do in the ‘Deepest Part.’ It’s fine to receive Kanami’s miracle up close. It’s fine to just watch. It’s fine to challenge Kanami to a duel and snatch the seat of the ‘Ruler of the World.’ It’s fine to steal the miracle. As Snow Walker and Dia Aleis say, it’s fine to become Kanami’s helper, rather than relying entirely on some convenient ‘someone.’ …I repeat, this is the Labyrinth Allied Nations. Let the explorers, not the gods, choose the ending of the labyrinth’s long history. That is the best way.”
From atop the roofs of this residential area, they could tell the Allied Nations had erupted in a roar at those new announcements.
The rule, which so closely resembled the current “Dance Battle Tournament,” likely made many people think of phrases like “sudden turn of fortune” and “getting rich quick.”
Above all, Diplakla, who seemed to be the organizer and was known for being serious and cautious, was saying that outright theft was also okay. Undoubtedly, many truly ill-intentioned individuals would be mixed in.
It was a risky statement, uncharacteristic of Diplakla. But Dia smiled gratefully at it. Maintaining the magic, she expressed her thanks.
“Hahaha. Thank you, Diplakla-san. …As you heard, it’s a competition from here on. However, please note that labyrinth exploration is usually done in parties. I’ve challenged the labyrinth many times, and it’s really not something you enter alone… Please don’t leave behind a level 1 country bumpkin at the end of this festival, okay? Let’s all have fun together at the end, shall we? …See ya then!”
With that slightly elaborate farewell, the “Vibration Holy Voice” was cut off. Simultaneously, the major luminous “Magic Stone Lines” throughout the Allied Nations also stopped.
Instead, festival fireworks suddenly exploded in the sky, illuminating it one after another.
Like falling jewel fragments, more magic snow began to descend.
Diplakla wasn’t the only one affected by the festive atmosphere. It seemed there were some enthusiastic citizens who, in line with the announcement, released a generous amount of ready fireworks.
Toward her partner, who was nostalgically bathing in the falling magic snow, I voiced a little anxiety.
“This… In the end, what will happen?”
“…I guess Maria’s aim is a strategy of overwhelming force. If even one person can stop Kanami, we win.”
The fact that the instigator herself didn’t quite understand further fueled my anxiety.
However, Diplakla, as if to compensate for Dia’s shortcomings, organized and explained her own thoughts.
“The aim is to change the nature of the ‘Final Festival.’ That in turn means changing the nature of the ‘Demonic Poison’ that gathers, leading to the disruption of the ritual. …Without a doubt, Kanami will be confused.”
Diplakla looked down, giving a wry smile.
Her gaze was not fixed on the “Constriction” but firmly on Kanami, who was likely in the “Deepest Part.” While chaos was spreading through the Allied Nations now, she probably thought that he was the one most troubled.
And then, Diplakla, who had explained this, walked away from us alone.
“You ‘Diablo Sis’ go ahead into the labyrinth. I still have things to do on the surface. First, whether those around me will follow my instructions after my previous mistake… and one major problem. If I don’t stop him, the story I just declared will be easily overturned.”
While I felt reassured if Diplakla accompanied me now, it seemed she wouldn’t enter the labyrinth with us.
However, as I was part of the same “Senate,” I understood the major problem Diplakla was referring to. There were still others remaining who, before the “Final Festival,” had made a “Plan” with Kanami in the “Senate Conference Room.”
Fedelt Charswas and Kunel Chronicle Shuls Regia Ingrid.
Especially Kunel, I thought, would laugh at the current insufficiently thorough declaration as a crude advertisement. There was a possibility that a more skillful adult advertisement could declare, “What you heard earlier was a fake, just a mimicked voice.”
To me, who envisioned that future, Diplakla nodded in return.
“The biggest problem is Kunel, who alone is capable of acting as the ‘Senate.’ According to our prior discussion, if things got dangerous, she was to flee to the sea from the port and restart the ‘Final Festival’ from another base… but why?”
It was during Diplakla’s explanation. A fourth person appeared on the rooftop.
The beastkin knight, who had leaped up from the street below, added to the explanation.
“Yes, Lord Diplakla. That is precisely why Elmiraud Sidd is already waiting at the port.”
It was Sera Radiant.
I had brought Dia this far, but she had likely been waiting before the barrier that dissolved anything other than Apostles. Sensing that the previous “Vibration – Sacred Voice” had settled things, she had come to meet us.
Diplakla nodded greatly once towards her, then bowed deeply.
“Is that so? That man is truly capable… And I am truly sorry, Sera Radiant. Thanks to you putting yourself on the line, I did not make an unforgivable mistake in the previous battle. You are not just strong; you are undoubtedly a hero worthy of being called the best knight in the Allied Nations.”
I thought I was merely one of the capable “Seven Knights of Heaven,” but Diplakla, who had fought me directly, gave me the highest praise.
Radiant bowed respectfully in return, but then immediately transformed into her beast form and urged us to hurry.
“Your words are too kind. However, we must hurry. I will escort you to the port—”
“Ah, please do. …And let us show with our actions, not just our words.”
Diplakla climbed onto the back of Radiant, who had transformed into a giant blue wolf, without hesitation.
It appeared we would split into two pairs here. After Dia acknowledged this, she tugged at the hem of my clothes.
“Sis and I are together. …Let’s go quickly. Otherwise, Fran, who’s definitely already ahead, might do something reckless in the labyrinth.”
Dia’s brilliant, massive wings were already fully formed and ready for flight.
She hurried me, who was about to explore the labyrinth with her, predicting the actions of our friend who hadn’t arrived yet.
However, I apologize, but I don’t have the same competitive spirit towards Helvishein as Dia does.
On the contrary, I want to thank Dia for helping me, so much so that I’m willing to let her take the lead. As I also formed my own radiant wings, I made a different suggestion.
“No, Dia. …Let’s not rush, but fly gently? It’s best to put on a graceful and beautiful display, like a festival. If the more we hype things up, the more it reaches Kanami, then here we should—”
As a special “Magical Lifeform,” I grow stronger by gathering faith. I wanted to recover the magic power I had lost in the recent battle by drawing attention.
I suggested we take our time and proceed carefully, anticipating another major battle awaiting us in the “Deepest Part.”
“That’s right. …We should imitate Snow more. Well then, goodbye, Lord Diplakla, Miss Sera!”
In sync with Dia’s greeting, I also told them, “I’ll be waiting in the ‘Deepest Part’,” and we parted ways.
Dia and I flapped our wings. However, unlike the flight of ordinary animals, we gained buoyancy through magic. We floated up gently, like downy feathers drifting in the sky.
Now, all we had to do was fly towards the labyrinth located in the center of the Allied Nations, making sure to be conspicuous.
We soared high into the sky, scattering particles of magic.
At the same time, another firework from the “Final Festival” exploded, adorning our spread, white, radiant wings.
Dia and I basked in the dazzling sunlight.
And we flew through the “Blue Sky” that everyone had longed for a thousand years ago.
…In retrospect, I feel like I’ve always flown alone.
Constantly, through dark clouds where the destination was unknown.
But it’s different now.
From the clear “Blue Sky,” I observe the state of our destination.
The “World Tree” that should have towered over the labyrinth had disappeared. It vanished cleanly, as if unnecessary for the dawn of a new era—and in its place, I saw a large hollow where the giant tree once stood, and a swirling mass of crimson blood.
—That is the path carved by Maria and Snow Walker.
Furthermore, I could see a crowd gathering around the giant hollow from a distance.
Explorers, centered around the “Supreme” and “Epic Seekers” I had seen earlier, were gathered. And Franryure Helvirshine, who had gone ahead, was giving instructions to the knights who had originally gathered to seal the labyrinth entrance.
Dia, spotting her friend who had gone ahead, smiled with relief.
I also felt relieved and looked away briefly.
In the opposite direction of what I was currently seeing. Confirming the southwest of the Allied Nations where Diplakla and the others were heading.
The maritime nation of Griad. There’s a port where numerous ships from other countries are docked.
Yesterday, we returned triumphant from the “Blood Land” there with Kanami and the others.
If Kuuneru were to escape, it would likely be from around here.
Elmiraud Sidd was apparently blocking her.
And heading there urgently below those two is one of my family members—
“….!?”
The moment I recognized Diplakla as family, I felt a vibration pass through my ears, other than the sound of the wind cutting through the air as we flew.
Was it a remnant of “Vibration – Sacred Voice”? Or some other true “Magic”? Or perhaps a “Connection” between Apostles—
Diplakla’s voice, muttering as he moved, reached me, soaring high in the sky.
“—…Kanami, can you hear me? All of this is a mistake caused by the immaturity of the Apostles. You are by no means, not at all, at fault. You have no responsibility whatsoever. …That’s impossible. …So, I want to meet you one more time and talk. Let us converse until dawn, just like a thousand years ago. I am in no position to say this, but do not despair. …Please, Kanami. After all, I— no, we— cannot simply make you disappear from history—”
He was presumably speaking towards the “rift” as he felt my gaze.
However, it was no longer due to “narrowness” but because he was a friend from a thousand years ago.
I felt that my family, born on the same day, finally shared the same purpose and feelings in their truest sense. I was happy and fulfilled by this—and precisely because of that, on this momentous day, I felt a slight sadness that the one other person, “he” who had obtained his childhood time before us, was missing—
I turned my attention back towards the labyrinth.
Without dwelling on the past, I tried to look ahead—
I had a premonition at the end of that path that one more person was waiting.
“—…!! …Hehehe.”
As if pulled by that strange premonition.
As if urged on by Diplakla’s voice. I soared even higher, as though connecting the two paths.
