After wiping out the dragon swarm with Orun and the others, Shion regrouped with her attendant, Teruche—who had been operating separately—and set off toward the east.
Her steps were so light she looked ready to skip at any moment. She was clearly in a far better mood than anyone accustomed to the usual Shion would expect.
"Lady Shion, did something good happen?"
"Eh? Can you tell?"
"Of course. I have watched over you from up close since you were a child, Lady Shion. If I were to guess, I'd say it involves Master Orun?"
"As expected. To tell the truth, I was actually able to fight alongside Orun just now. And he even called me by my name, 'Shion'."
In response to Teruche’s question, Shion revealed the reason for her joy with a beaming smile.
"My goodness. That is truly wonderful news."
Hearing the reason, Teruche wore a happy expression as if it were her own success. However, Shion’s high spirits were short-lived as her composure gradually resurfaced.
"Yeah. Since I thought I’d never be able to stand beside Orun again, being able to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with him made me truly happy. If possible, I wanted to stay with him longer, but the situation has changed too much. I have to be satisfied with just fighting by his side for now. It would be selfish to ask for more than that..."
Shion muttered, an air of resignation clinging to her.
"...Lady Shion, as I thought, you really should tell Master Orun the truth—"
"I can't do that."
When Teruche, seeing her master's sorrowful expression, started to make a proposal, Shion rejected it before she could finish.
"...I spoke out of turn. My apologies."
"No. I know you're only thinking of me. Thank you, Teruche. But Orun tends to take everything on himself. If he found out everyone in The Village was killed, he would definitely blame himself. Besides, I don't think the Cult would overlook an opening like that."
While letting her thoughts wander toward the future, Shion wove her words to convey her perspective to Teruche.
"Besides, if he can break Uncle's seal on his own even while under [Perception Alteration], there's a high possibility he'll notice his original Ability. That's why we have to set the stage before 'The King' wakes up."
"I understand."
Seeing Teruche show understanding, Shion nodded once with satisfaction.
◇
Just as she was about to resume her journey, Shion's gaze sharpened.
A geometric pattern—distinct from a magic circle—appeared in her right eye. She spoke while staring into the empty void.
"Do you have business with me, little Fairy? What incredible mana... Ah, I see. You're the Fairy Queen, Titania."
『...I'm impressed. I suspected as much when I saw you intentionally manipulating the Ice Seirei, but you’ve actually assimilated your own right eye with a Seirei Eye.』
Titania, having been addressed by Shion, spoke in a tone of genuine shock.
Fairies are supernatural existences that humans cannot perceive. As an exception, humans possessing the [Seirei Command] Ability can perceive them, but Shion did not possess that power.
"Correct. Hehe, to think I could surprise the Fairy Queen herself. Wouldn't that make me the only human currently alive capable of such a feat?"
Speaking with a bold smile, Shion kept her focus firmly on the space where Titania stood. It was undeniable proof that she could see the fairy.
Just as a Magic Stone appears when a Magic Beast dies, a translucent crystal sometimes appears when a fairy dies. These are called Seirei Eyes—special Magic Stones, essentially. They earned their name because one can see spirits and fairies by peering through the crystal.
Shion had assimilated the mana contained within a Seirei Eye into her own right eye. There was a risk she would gain nothing or even end up in a vegetative state, but Shion had won the gamble.
As a result, she could not only perceive spirits and fairies, but by absorbing fairy mana, she could communicate with them and—though limited to ice—place spirits under her control to manipulate at will.
『Why would you do something so dangerous—』
"To catch up to Orun."
Shion, who had been exuding a playful atmosphere until now, spoke over Titania’s murmur with sudden gravity.
"Compared to that goal, this sort of thing isn't painful at all. To make sure Orun isn't left alone, I have to catch up to him."
As she spoke, an unfathomable determination radiated from her.
『...You're quite an interesting girl. I suppose that's to be expected of a [Time Rewind] Special Ability User.』
"It's fine if you overlap me or Orun with those people, but we are not them. Please don't mistake that."
『I know. I understand painfully well that my masters are long dead.』
"Good. Then, to return to the start—what business do you have with me?"
『I want you to lend me your strength. Humans who can perceive us are rare.』
Shion's eyes widened at Titania's unexpected request. However, she immediately recovered her aloof composure.
"It's an honor to be asked for help by a fairy who survived the wars of legend. But I have my own tasks to attend to, so I'm afraid I must decline."
『Even if I told you that searching for the [Seirei Command] user is no longer necessary? Would your answer still be the same?』
"...What do you mean? You should understand that time is running out. I need to get Orun and the [Seirei Command] user together as quickly as... Wait..."
Shion questioned Titania with a dubious expression, but she reached the conclusion on her own before the question was finished.
『It’s a relief you’re so sharp.』
"Orun and the [Seirei Command] user have already made contact...?" Shion muttered, looking completely rattled.
『Exactly. Orun Doura has already established a connection with the [Seirei Command] user. Unintentionally, I was the one who set the stage for it. Shion Nasturtium, the goal you were pursuing has already been achieved, regardless of the process. Therefore, give me the time you were planning to spend searching for that Special Ability User.』
"If that's the case, I suppose I wouldn't be opposed to cooperating, but..."
『There’s no need for such caution. I have resigned from being a bystander. You may consider me an ally.』
"I don't think you would join the Cult at this late stage, so I'll trust you on that. So, what is it you want me to do?"
『Simple thinning out. We must prepare for the battle that is about to intensify.』
"As I thought, the real fight starts now. Fine. In exchange, I'll be borrowing your power as well."
『As long as it's within my power to do so, I shall lend you my strength.』
"Mhm, then we have a deal. With Titania's help, it's like putting wings on a tiger."
『Wings on a tiger, hmph. Seeing that arrogant attitude—calling yourself a 'strong person'—really brings home the fact that you're that man's descendant.』
"Hehe, I am an 'Atavism,' after all. But like I said, I am me. I'm a different person entirely."
『Well, if you weren't at least that much of a handful, it would probably throw off my rhythm. I'll take it.』
And so, the secret maneuvers by the "White Demon" and the Fairy Queen began.