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After finishing my conversation with Chris and seeing everyone off, I quickly handled the tasks that required immediate attention, such as adjusting my storage magic tool.
With those out of the way, I spent the rest of my time wandering through Celest, the capital of the Hitia Duchy, in search of Shion.
True to its reputation as a magical powerhouse, the duchy’s capital hummed with the operation of massive magic tools rarely seen elsewhere. Each individual building towered over those found in other cities. Normally, such heights might have felt oppressive, but because the streets were laid out in such orderly, uniform blocks, the city didn't feel particularly cramped.
As a child, I had lived in the Village of Dawn, about two hours from here by carriage. Having visited Celest several times back then, the cityscape filled me with a poignant sense of nostalgia.
That said, I didn't exactly have a map of the place in my head, nor did I know Shion’s favorite haunts in the city. Consequently, my search for her was proving difficult.
An hour had passed since I started looking. I had hoped to find her on my own, but deciding I couldn't afford to waste any more time, I headed back to the Downing Trading Company's headquarters to ask Teruche-san for help. It was then that I sensed a heavy presence of ice Seirei.
I hadn't felt them when I first left the building, so it seemed we had missed each other by mere moments.
Following the trail of ice Seirei, I made my way to the rooftop.
Even in a city of towers like Celest, the Downing Trading Company’s headquarters was exceptionally tall, offering a panoramic view of the entire capital.
Shion was sitting on the edge of the roof, gazing down at the city below.
"I finally found you. So this is where you were."
"Hm? Orun? Didn't you have things to do?"
"I’ve already finished the adjustments on my storage magic tool. As for the other matter, Chris graciously accepted the task, so I decided to leave it to him. Still, I have to hand it to the Downing Trading Company. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but state-of-the-art equipment. I found myself wishing I had more time to really take it all in."
Just as I’d suspected, my storage magic tool lacked the special spell formula Grandpa had originally inscribed for me. However, after borrowing the company’s facilities to modify the formula, I could now continue using the same storage magic tool I’d relied on in the previous world without any issues.
"They don't call it one of the world's leading magic tool companies for show. Well, I spent all my time at the academy buried in magic theory, so I'm practically clueless when it comes to the tools themselves. I honestly don't even know what makes the equipment here so impressive," Shion said, laughing bashfully.
The Hitia Duchy is home to the Stroemeria Magic Academy, a facility dedicated to the study of magic and magic tools. Its existence is the primary reason the duchy's citizens possess a far greater understanding of magic than those of other nations, cementing its status as a magical powerhouse.
The most interesting aspect of the academy is its active recruitment of foreigners. While there is a screening process for non-citizens, the criteria are famously reasonable.
Shion had attended that academy since she was a young girl.
"The academy, huh? Come to think of it, I never got to hear your stories about your time there, even back in the Hidden World. How long were you a student?"
"Until I was fifteen. I started when I was seven, so I was there for about eight years. In the beginning, I only went because my family told me to—I didn't have a choice. But after that day... after I was told that you were dead, I went of my own will. I did it to fulfill the promise I made to you, Orun. The promise to go to the Outside World."
As she spoke, Shion’s eyes were filled with nostalgia, yet shadowed by a deep sense of guilt.
"That day" likely referred to the attack on the Village of Dawn by the Cyclamen Cult—the day Philly Carpenter, the user of Perception Alteration, had rewritten my memories.
In truth, Oliver and I had survived, but by the time Amunzaas and the Duchy learned that fact, we had already crossed the border into the Nohitant Kingdom. Given the devastation of the village and the lack of confirmed survivors, I had heard that everyone living in the Village of Dawn, myself and Oliver included, had been officially declared dead. Chris had mentioned something similar when we reunited in the previous timeline, so my guess was likely on the mark.
"After graduating from the academy, I joined Amunzaas. It was the only place where I could learn about the principles of magic and the Outside World. Joining the Cult was out of the question. ...And then, under the grand pretext of protecting the world, I took the lives of many Explorers."
I had already guessed her reasons for joining Amunzaas, but hearing it from her own lips struck a heavy chord in my heart. If I hadn't lost to the Cult that day—if my memories hadn't been stolen—she might never have felt forced to stain her hands with blood.
"...I see. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but Shion... do you regret it? Your past as a killer of Explorers?"
"I don't regret the choice. I thought it through until I was satisfied and decided on that path for myself. Besides, I've taken human lives. I don't deserve the luxury of regret. ...But I can't help but wonder."
Shion spoke her inner turmoil as if trying to hide her face from me.
"...I've spent my whole life using my promise to you as my support. Now that you've come back, I want to fight by your side. I want to go to the Outside World with you. But I wonder if I even have the right... Someone like me, who has walked such a blood-stained path..."
"Shion..."
As I opened my mouth to speak, her shoulders jumped.
"—I mean, why am I even venting like this? It’s embarrassing! Hearing this will only trouble you, Orun. Sorry, just forget what I said. ...Oh, right! I just remembered I have something I need to discuss with Teruche—"
Rattling off excuses in a forced, playful tone, Shion tried to hurry past me.
Those words she’d just whispered were her true feelings—a manifestation of the guilt she carried. I couldn't let them go unheard.
I reached out and caught Shion’s wrist as she tried to flee.
"—You don't need it."
"Eh?"
"A right... You don't need a 'right' to be with me."
I gently pulled her wrist, forcing her to turn and face me. I looked her straight in the eyes.
"I was so happy when you accepted me in the Hidden World, even when I was drowning in despair. You told me back then, didn't you? 'If you’re hurting, let it out.' 'I want to carry that burden with you.' I feel the same way. I want to share the weight of your sins, Shion."
Shion shook her head violently.
"You can't...! I did those things of my own free will! It’s a burden I have to carry alone!"
"If you did those things to fulfill our promise, then that sin is mine as much as yours. Besides, if I hadn't lost that day, things would be completely different now. In that sense, I'm responsible too."
"That’s... that’s just nonsensical logic..."
"Then let it be nonsensical. I don't care. If it lets me carry the burden you’re bearing, then that’s enough for me."
Ever since I was a child, I had yearned for the Outside World. I wanted to travel through the unknown lands where humanity hadn't stepped for centuries. While my drive to conquer the Great Labyrinth of the South as an Explorer might have been influenced by Perception Alteration, I believe that desire was always at my core.
"Returning to the Outside World" was the original founding principle of Amunzaas. However, as the centuries passed, their focus shifted toward "protecting the order of this world" and "eradicating the Cult," and the dream of leaving became heretical.
Having manifested a special ability the moment I was born, I had always been at the mercy of my powers. My father’s sealing magic had eventually allowed me to manage them, but my inherent high comprehension as a special ability user meant I realized early on that my way of thinking was atypical.
So, I hid my dream deep inside and told no one.
It wasn't until I saw the beautiful "Silver World" Shion created that I finally let it slip. I had been terrified of her rejection, bracing myself for a cold reaction. When I finally threw caution to the wind and invited her to the Outside World, she had beamed and told me she wanted to go together.
The people of my village had always been kind to me, but as someone who had always felt a lingering sense of isolation, that promise had been my salvation.
"...I don't want to see you suffering, Shion. I want you to be smiling at my side. Because to me, you are special."
"Saying it like that is unfair..."
Shion bowed her head, her shoulders trembling.
I pulled her into an embrace, gently drawing her face against my chest. I felt her tears begin to soak into my clothes. I stroked her hair softly, saying nothing more, simply letting her know through my presence that I was there.
Within that embrace, her sobbing gradually quieted—.
Thank you for reading to the end. I would be happy if you would read the next chapter as well. In addition, I will be taking a break from updates next week. The next post is scheduled for July 5th, so I would appreciate it if you could wait.