"It’s over, Porulu... Marcos avenged you!"
The evacuation of the islanders was complete, and the Sahagins and rioting Blue Ever members had been suppressed.
As the turmoil that had struck Shandia Island finally drew to a close, Yugo and the others watched Elena speak to the fallen Porulu.
"Everyone is safe, including me. It’s all thanks to how hard you fought. Thank you... thank you so much, Porulu!"
"Elena..."
Despite the scale of the chaos, the damage had been kept to a minimum.
For the most part, the residents of Shandia and the local monsters had escaped serious harm. The majority of the injured were the Blue Ever members who had been mauled by the Sahagins.
Yet, even amidst the relief, everyone mourned the sacrifice of Porulu, who had acted as a shield to protect Elena. They stood before his remains, heads bowed in prayer for his soul.
"I am sorry, Porulu. If only I had been more reliable..."
"Don't blame yourself, Marcos. You did everything you possibly could."
Marcos, consumed by responsibility for Porulu's death, clenched his fists as he whispered his apologies. He had taken his revenge, but it wouldn't bring Porulu back. Yugo tried to offer him encouragement as he watched his friend struggle with self-reproach in front of the grieving girl.
Between the sudden riot, the Sahagin invasion, and humans transforming into Magic Armor Beasts through mysterious Magic Items, the situation had been pure chaos.
The fact that the damage had been so limited was due to Marcos’s desperate struggle to protect the people and the monsters. Yugo tried to console him, pointing out that by defeating Geras—who had been on the verge of causing massive destruction—he had essentially saved the island. But Marcos wasn't convinced.
"It may be as you say. But even so, it was not enough. If I had possessed more strength, Porulu wouldn't have had to die. At the very least, I believe you or Ryuga would have handled this without any sacrifices."
"You’re overestimating us. Even if I had been the one here, I don't think the result would’ve been any different."
"He’s right," Melt added. "I know it’s frustrating and sad, but if you keep blaming yourself, Porulu won't be able to rest in peace."
"I don't know much about fighting, but... I think the fact that the damage was contained so well in the middle of all that panic was thanks to your hard work, Marcos-san," Fee said. "To do all this on your own is truly amazing."
"However—"
Despite the support from his companions, Marcos couldn't stop the spiral of guilt.
As he tried to argue further, Elena spoke up.
"Marcos... it’s okay. Neither I nor Porulu would ever blame you. In fact, we’re so, so grateful. Thank you for protecting me and for avenging Porulu. Truly, thank you!"
"Elena..."
She was forcing a smile, but Yugo and the others felt their hearts ache at her attempt to cheer Marcos up.
As if to encourage them all, she continued.
"Don't make faces like that! I'm sure Porulu is saying 'Thank you!' to everyone too!"
"Kani, kani!"
"See! You heard him, didn't you!?"
"Ah... yes, I suppose I did. We couldn't share words, but our hearts connected..."
"I heard it too," Yugo said. "Porulu was thanking you, Marcos."
"Porulu is worried about you," Melt said softly. "He’s saying that if you stay like this, he’ll never be able to rest easy."
"Ah...!? L-Look! Brother!!"
Fee’s startled voice rang out through the somber atmosphere.
Marcos looked up and gasped as he saw the figure of Porulu standing right beside him.
"Porulu...!?"
"Kani, ka~ni~!"
"...I see. You were worried about me and came back to see me..."
Bathed in the moonlight and glowing with a Golden Radiance, his form was mystical. To Marcos, he looked like a manifestation of a soul before its final ascent to heaven.
Believing that Porulu had returned for one last farewell because he couldn't bear to see Marcos suffering, Marcos wiped the tears from his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry. I’ll be fine now... so please, rest in peace."
"Kaniii..."
Marcos knew he couldn't keep his friend tethered here. If a soul remained with such lingering attachments, there was a risk it could become a Magic Armor Beast.
Determined to let him go, Marcos offered a smile. Porulu nodded back, spread his arms wide, and—
"KAAAAANIIIIIII!!"
"Eh? Whoa!?"
—Proceeded to give him a massive, bone-crushing hug.
"What!? Wait, what!? Porulu is actually touching Marcos!?"
"H-H-How is that possible!?"
"Brother! That’s why I told you to look! Look over there!!"
Following Fee’s pointing finger, Yugo saw a pile of shattered shells scattered exactly where Porulu’s remains had been lying just moments ago.
As the group glanced back and forth between the discarded Carapace and the very solid Porulu clinging to Marcos, a deep, calm voice reached them.
"You were lucky. It seems Porulu's wounds didn't reach his internal organs."
"Ah! Papa!!"
"Wait, you’re the man from this afternoon...!? More importantly, did you say Papa!? No, wait, more importantly, Porulu’s wounds are... Gaaah! Where do I even start with this!?"
"My apologies. I was busy dealing with the Sahagins and other scoundrels elsewhere, so I arrived late."
"Kani-kani~!!"
Marcos turned his head toward the voice while still pinned in Porulu’s embrace. There stood the man who had challenged him and Ryuga to a Weightlifting Game earlier that day.
He was stunned to hear Elena call him "Papa," but Carlos—Elena’s father—addressed the bewildered boy directly.
"Porulu didn't die. He took the hit, got startled, and fainted. Then, his body immediately began the process of Molting. That’s why he didn't move an inch."
"Then, the Porulu here now is—!?"
"He’s not a ghost or a soul. Porulu finished his Molting, and as you can see, he’s alive and well without a scratch. Still, this Golden Radiance... it’s truly magnificent. It’s still soft right now, but once it sets, it will be a top-tier Carapace in both hardness and beauty."
"Kani-kani! Kanini~!"
"P-Porulu...! Porulu!!"
"Uwaaaaa!?"
Porulu released Marcos and caught Elena as she came flying toward him.
Marcos tumbled to the ground, and Yugo and the others rushed over in concern.
"Are you alright, Marcos!?"
"I am fine. But... to think he was alive all along!? What a troublemaker!!"
"Porulu! Porulu! I’m so glad!!"
"Kani-kani! Kanni-kani!"
Though Marcos grumbled at the "troublemaker," his expression softened as he watched Elena hug her friend. She was shedding tears again, but they were the exact opposite of the ones she had cried before.
Scratching his head with a sigh, Marcos stood up and looked at Yugo.
"...Well, fine. In the end, things couldn't have turned out better. I suppose I can overlook the commotion he caused."
"Heh...! Look at you acting all cool!"
"Hmph!"
Marcos responded with a snort as Yugo playfully elbowed his side.
He maintained his curt attitude, but the knot of guilt in his chest had finally unraveled. His heart was now as clear and calm as the moonlight reflecting off the island's beautiful sea.