"Are you really sure about this? Following someone like me, of all people..."
"Don't worry. I am certain both my father and mother will eventually understand."
Zenon had left Luminous Academy behind—a place now thick with the ulterior motives of far too many individuals—and set out on a journey to truly understand the world. As they walked, he posed that question to Claire, who had insisted on accompanying him.
Zenon couldn't help but feel anxious about how the heads of the prestigious House of Rouge would react to their daughter taking a leave of absence from school just to travel alone with a man. Claire, however, seemed remarkably composed.
In the game, Claire had always radiated an aura of refined, demure elegance. In person, she was surprisingly proactive—bold, even.
Zenon felt a small, wry smile tug at his lips. He was genuinely happy to have discovered this new side of her by actually interacting with her and treating her as a human being rather than a mere game character.
"So, where shall we head first? Do you have a specific destination in mind?"
"...First, I'm going to Mount Yumyum. I want to offer a proper apology to the people who lost their lives because of my actions."
It was Zenon's turn to answer Claire's question. In response to her inquiry about their goal, he spoke of the task he felt he had to complete first.
Because he had seen them as nothing more than game characters, mere "mobs," he had hurt them without a second thought. He had incited his allies, leading directly to the deaths of the villagers at Mount Yumyum. As Claire watched his profile while he confessed his desire to atone, she nodded quietly.
"Beyond that... I'll have to think. I lack far too much right now. I intend to do whatever I can to find what it is I'm missing."
"I understand. Then, I shall go with you. After all, I am much the same—I lack many things as well."
"...Thank you, Claire."
"Hehe...! There is no need for thanks. I am your fiancee, after all, Zenon-sama."
Zenon was once again struck by the kindness of Claire, who had not abandoned him even after his public fall from grace, choosing instead to support him. He felt a deep surge of gratitude.
Determined not to place any more of a burden on her as she smiled so brightly at him, and realizing he needed to grow for her sake, he began the long walk toward Mount Yumyum.
"Speaking of going on a journey... the academy will soon be entering the season for the school trip. Though our own travels are hardly such a leisurely affair."
"Ah, that's right...! Claire, didn't you want to go on the school trip with your friends?"
"It is fine. I am certain this journey will contribute more to my personal growth than any school trip could."
While they were away from the school, many events would surely unfold in their absence.
Having played through the events of what was known as the School Trip Arc in the game, Zenon knew exactly what kind of incidents were destined to occur.
Would Cyan and the others remaining at the academy be able to overcome those events and the powerful enemies that would appear?
If they were to be defeated, what would become of this world? As Zenon harbored these anxieties, Claire, looking straight ahead, murmured in a small voice.
"...I am sure more incidents will occur. However, it will be alright. For Yugo-sama and the others are at the academy...!"
"Yugo..."
Upon hearing that name, Zenon's expression darkened slightly.
Yugo Clay was one of the individuals whose life Zenon had derailed through his own selfish arrogance. Reflecting on everything he had done to the boy until now, Zenon felt a heavy weight of remorse.
In Yugo's case, it was a small mercy that his current situation was better than in the original scenario. If things had gone poorly, Zenon could have cornered him much sooner, potentially leading to Fee's death much earlier than scheduled.
Even as he felt ashamed of his past self for inciting the students and orchestrating Yugo's persecution, Zenon reflected on the sheer brilliance of Yugo—a man who had forged ahead on his Road of Justice, unyielding even in the face of such petty schemes. He nodded in agreement with Claire's words.
"You're right... If Yugo is there, it'll surely be fine."
At the very least, Yugo was the one who had saved Zenon when he was attacked by Rush.
He had changed Ryuga's heart when it was consumed by hatred, rescued Raiha when she was in peril, and, together with his comrades, defeated Zaraki.
If it was him, then surely... he would not lose to the enemies that would appear in the future scenarios.
Zenon smiled, imagining Yugo fighting through the developments that frequently deviated from the original game and the interference of the reincarnators who were likely causing them. Beside him, Claire let out a little giggle.
"Claire, what's the matter?"
"No, I was just thinking how interesting Yugo-sama's movements are when I recall them—"
Saying so, Claire broke into a light jog for a few steps and jumped out in front of Zenon.
She performed a strange set of movements before striking a final pose and speaking the words Yugo always uttered whenever he deployed his Blaster.
"Transform! ...That was the movement, wasn't it? It occurred to me how funny it was that he did that every single time, even though it's completely unnecessary for deploying the Blaster...!"
"Ah, you're right about that...!"
Zenon nodded several times, remembering those very motions.
Visualizing the pose his fiancee had just demonstrated, he looked at Claire.
"I wonder what that was all about? I don't understand it at all..."
"Perhaps it is something like a ritual to raise one's fighting spirit. Yugo-sama is quite an unusual person in many ways, after all..."
The two continued to walk, talking about the hero who had saved them.
Zenon continued his journey, unaware that they had just brushed against a profound truth—the very nature of the world.
The answer to the question that had arisen during this casual conversation was something he would not learn until a bit further down the road.