I waited inside the Phoenix Shrine with Oliver, both of us anticipating Luna’s return.
"...Orun."
Our conversation had been sparse as we waited in silence. Suddenly, the space before us began to warp.
Luna stepped slowly from the shimmering, haze-like distortion of light. Her eyes held no tears, but rather a clear, resolute light.
"...Orun-san, Oliver-san, I have returned."
The heavy tension in the air evaporated the moment she spoke.
"I'm glad you're safe," Oliver muttered, his shoulders relaxing.
The aura surrounding Luna felt markedly more mature than before. While there were no obvious physical changes, she wore a different hair ornament than she had earlier.
"Welcome back, Luna. Were you able to speak with Titania?"
"...Yes. I was able to say a proper farewell. It is thanks to both of you that I could be here today. Thank you so much."
"Just seeing that expression on your face is enough for us. You have a wonderful light in your eyes," Oliver replied with a warm smile.
"Hehe, do you think so?" She gave a small laugh and rested a hand against her chest. "I received something very precious from Titania. It wasn't sorrow or regret—it was the power to reach for the future."
Her words resonated deep within me, as soft and gentle as moonlight. It was clear that, after a long night, she was finally ready to move forward.
"Well then, let’s head back."
Luna and Oliver both nodded in agreement.
"Yes."
"Yeah."
We departed the Phoenix Shrine. As we passed back through the Torii Gate and entered the Tenrei Shrine grounds, frantic footsteps echoed across the precincts.
"Orun-san!"
Nagisa shouted, rushing toward us. She was panting for air, her face etched with a look of severe tension. Kiryu-san followed close behind her, his expression equally grim. A dull sense of foreboding throbbed in my chest.
"What's wrong?"
"T-The truth is... just a moment ago, the Federation Fleet... they invaded Kyokutou waters!"
"—What!?" Oliver shouted, his voice laced with shock.
But Nagisa wasn't finished. "Moreover, one of the Demons, The Incinerator, is traveling with the fleet!"
The air grew cold instantly. A Demon—a being that served directly beneath the Evil God. They were, without a doubt, the Cult's ultimate military assets.
"Shion-san is currently holding off The Incinerator! Big Sis Fuuka and the Kyokutou forces are intercepting the Federation soldiers, but... the enemy is attacking from the north and south as well as the west. The situation is total chaos!"
"Damn it...!"
I wanted to rush to Shion's side that very second—but my rational mind held me back. With the battlefront expanding, my priority should be to establish a comprehensive information network using Mental Transmission to coordinate our forces. That was the path to saving the most lives. I understood the logic perfectly, but my heart refused to accept it.
It was then that Luna stepped forward. "Orun-san. I will go and support Shion-san."
"Luna...?"
Her gaze didn't waver. Her eyes were as clear and brilliant as if they were made of light itself.
"I have been granted the power to connect with the fairies. Handling Demons is where I excel."
Having said her piece, she called out to the heavens. "—Pixie, lend me your strength!"
Countless Particles of Light danced upon the wind in response to her voice.
『...Of course!』
"We're going in without a trial run—are you ready?"
『...What a silly question. I am the Daughter of the Fairy Queen, after all.』
"Hehehe, I suppose you are."
A voice like the chiming of silver bells echoed as a soft glow enveloped her. Luna reached up to gently touch her hair ornament, and the white gem began to shimmer.
"Titania... I will be borrowing your strength as well."
As she whispered the name, a dazzling light erupted. Her entire silhouette was bleached pure white; her hair, her clothing, and even her eyes became wreathed in radiance.
"—Moon Spirit Harmony: Lunania."
The air trembled. White light flooded the precincts, startling a small bird from its perch atop the Torii Gate. As the radiance dimmed, the figure remaining looked as if she had stepped out of the pages of a myth. Shimmering in pure white and radiating a holy aura, she was the very image of the White Chalk Saint.
Luna took a soft breath and turned to smile at me. "I'm going now."
"—Right. We're counting on you, Luna."
A streak of white light soared upward. Her body merged with the wind as she took flight into the heavens, leaving only a gentle breeze to brush against my cheek.
I tightened my fists and focused my mind. It was time to grasp the full extent of the battlefield—now, I had to fulfill my own role.