I went on a long, long journey.
Nana, who had gradually opened her heart to me, and the Hero, who had taken me along on his travels.
I had simply enjoyed the freedom of the road. It had been fun.
What happened after it ended?
That guy became a King, and I…
“…That’s right.”
The words spilled out, a mere whisper.
“…I am—”
Slowly, I opened my eyelids.
I saw a familiar ceiling.
No… that wasn't right.
“…”
I pushed myself up. My body felt heavy, but it wasn't a problem.
“Are you awake?” a voice asked from right beside me.
“…”
I turned my gaze. There stood a girl, smiling peacefully.
“Good morning, Minato,” she said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“…Yeah.” I narrowed my eyes slightly. “…It’s been a long time, Nana.”
“…Yes.”
Nanalicia continued to smile. Her expression seemed relieved, yet she looked as though she were on the verge of tears.
“…”
From outside the window, I could hear a faint commotion. Human voices. Shouting. A growing stir.
And then—
“…Is something coming?” I muttered softly.
“Yes. It will be here soon,” Nanalicia answered quietly.
“…”
I see. So Nana really is…
“I want to take it easy, but…” I climbed out of the bed. “I have to go.”
“…Why?”
Maybe—no, somehow, I understood everything.
“Nana, I’m sure the people here have nothing to do with it.”
“…Is that really true? I saw several familiar faces. Just like us, those guys also…”
I understood what kind of feelings Nana was harboring.
“But I’m still going. I’ll see you later.”
“…No, why would you—”
“Sorry.”
Leaving those words behind, I stepped out of the sickroom. Nana didn't follow me.
“…Hey,” I muttered softly as I walked. “…Licia.”
I spoke to the ring.
『…Did you remember? Everything?』
After a short delay, a voice came back.
“Not everything. If anything, the whole thing is hard to believe.” Even so, I continued, “But it’s even harder for me to believe that those days never happened.”
『…I’m sorry. It’s my fault.』
The apology was saturated with clear hesitation.
“It’s not something for you to apologize for, Licia.”
I was still confused myself, but right now, there was something I had to do.
“I have a favor to ask.”
『What is it?』 Her voice sounded slightly wary.
“Give me my power.”
『…!』
A moment of silence followed.
『…That is impossible.』
The rejection was flat and final.
“…” I lowered my eyes for a moment. “…I see. Is it because that is ‘my wish’?”
『…Eh?』
The voice from the ring wavered, but I didn't let it stop me.
“Then,” I said with a light laugh, “just a little is fine. Let me ‘use’ my power.”
『…That is…』
She was clearly hesitating. This request was different from the last one. It wasn't about her giving me something.
“Just one more time. I’m only borrowing it, right?”
『…』
Silence fell.
『…And the Compensation?』
“Compensation… Oh right, I forgot about that.”
Honestly, I didn't care what it was, as long as I didn't die. The ring—Licia—understood that immediately.
This was a way of wishing she recognized.
“Please, Licia. This is the last time.”
『…Fine. But only for ten minutes.』
“Yeah. Thanks.”
『I won't be able to keep us connected any longer than that.』
“That’s plenty.”
The corners of my mouth twisted into a slight smile. “…I’m counting on you.”
『…Understood.』
Licia responded quietly. In 그 moment—
“…!”
The world seemed to distort. Then, suddenly, my vision became incredibly clear.
“…Haha.” A dry laugh escaped me. “…Yeah, this is the feeling.”
It felt familiar. The power settled into my body, weaving through my veins.
“I’m coming, Yuka.”
I might have made too many precious people in this life.
“…No.”
I looked straight ahead.
“…I should probably get a bit serious.”
I could do it now. It was time to pay everyone back.
“The numbers… there are too many…!”
Yuka gritted her teeth. Her sword swung in a flash, severing the neck of a Magical Beast.
Even so, they didn't stop. One after another, they came overflowing from the shadows.
“Yuka, fall back!” a voice shouted from the rear.
“I can’t!” she replied immediately. “If they break through here, they’ll get into the City—!”
Before she could finish her sentence, a heavy thud shook the ground.
“…!?”
A section of the wall crumbled.
“An intrusion…!?”
It was impossible. The swarm they were supposed to be holding back outside was already inside the perimeter.
“…Why?”
Yuka’s mind raced, unable to keep up with the chaos.
“The numbers don't add up…!”
There were clearly more beasts than there had been moments ago.
“Yuka!”
She turned around. “Lady Elysia…! Lady Lene too…!”
The two of them were safe, but Elysia’s expression was grim.
“The situation is as bad as it gets,” Elysia informed her curtly. “The Outer Wall has been breached in three separate places.”
“No way…”
“This is more than we anticipated. It's almost as if—”
Elysia stopped mid-sentence.
“…Orchestrated?” Lene muttered. “…This isn't just a simple raid.”
At those words, a chill ran down Yuka’s spine. However, now was not the time for theory.
“…I will prioritize Lord Luka’s safety. I am returning to the Academy,” Yuka declared.
“I’ll stay and hold them back near the Outer Wall for a while longer,” Lene added. “I don't want Lord Luka to see a single Magical Beast the moment he wakes up.”
Both women shared the same goal: making his safety absolute.
The information Lady Nanalicia had shared with them was proving true. First, that a massive swarm of Magical Beasts was descending upon the Holy Theocracy. Second, that even the Hero Candidates would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
“…You're right. I’ll go with Yuka,” Elysia decided.
She would protect Lord Luka thoroughly, preparing for the worst-case scenario. It didn't matter what happened to this country. If necessary, she would take Lord Luka and flee.
“…Let’s go, Lady Elysia.”
“Right.”
The two of them turned toward the Academy, their steps heavy with resolve. Their backs were straight, their movements unwavering.
But the Magical Beasts cared nothing for their circumstances. Whether they were protectors or warriors, the monsters bared their fangs at them all the same.