"Now then, I’ll be excusing myself for today."
Nagisa's voice rang out just as the rest of us had finished our meal and were settling into a post-breakfast lull.
"I need to check on the progress of the reconstruction efforts... and I’d like to introduce myself to the representatives of the various districts."
As Nagisa stood to leave, Haruto-san, Katina-san, and Huey-san naturally fell in line behind her.
"We’re coming too. This is about making face-to-face introductions, right?" Haruto-san asked, a smile playing on his lips.
"If we establish these connections now, it'll make everything much smoother for us later," Katina-san added with a slight shrug. Her expression was soft, but there was a sharp, calculated glint in her eyes.
"Fuuka-san can’t exactly afford to be seen moving about in public, after all," Huey-san followed up. His serious tone caused the atmosphere in the room to tighten for a moment.
"Thank you, all three of you."
Fuuka bowed her head quietly. Her voice carried a deep sense of gratitude that outweighed any trace of bashfulness.
"It’s only natural," Katina-san replied nonchalantly, her lips curling into a tiny smile.
"Exactly. This is our way of repaying you for saving us, Fuuka-san," Huey-san added, his gaze steady and sincere.
The reason Fuuka wasn't joining them was to avoid being thrust into a political position she didn't want. If she were to appear carelessly in public, people would undoubtedly emerge trying to champion her as the "Princess" of Kyokutou. Because she understood that risk, she was intentionally keeping her distance. Consequently, it was necessary for the three of them to handle the networking on her behalf, setting the stage so that Nagisa would naturally be the one standing at the forefront.
"Take care, Nagisa."
When I called out to her, she turned back slightly and gave me a gentle smile.
"I will. Please, everyone, take this time to relax."
With that, Nagisa and the three others left the ryokan. Watching them depart were myself, Shion, Fuuka, Luna, and Oliver. Fuuka pressed her lips together, staring intently at the silhouettes of her younger sister-figure and her retainers as they disappeared beyond the shoji doors.
"So, what’s the plan for the rest of us?" Oliver asked.
Shion rested her chin in her hand, thinking for a moment. "I... think I’ll go join up with Teruche."
"Teruche-san is currently in Tsuranami, right?"
"Yeah. She went to scout the western part of Kyokutou. She’s likely investigating the movements of the neighboring Ludain Federation across the sea and keeping an eye on the rest of the continent. She’s also searching for any Cult remnants still hiding within our borders, so I figured I’d go give her a hand."
Kyokutou’s geography was defined by the Sacred Mountain towering at its center, surrounded by four distinct districts. To the south lay the capital, Hanemiya—the heart of the nation's administration and culture. Tsuranami in the west was the maritime hub for foreign trade, where goods and overseas cultures converged. The country was further supported by Honae, the northern agricultural city that sustained the populace with its vast fields, and Shiohara, the eastern fishing city that enriched the land through its salt production and fisheries.
Teruche-san was currently gathering intelligence in Tsuranami, the primary point of contact with the outside world.
"Orun has his research into the Principles of Magic to deal with, but if the three of you have nothing to do, do you want to head to Tsuranami with me?"
At Shion's suggestion, Fuuka nodded. "That sounds like a good idea."
Luna and Oliver also seemed interested in the prospect. However, I shook my head.
"Wait a moment."
The three of them turned toward me simultaneously. I looked directly at Luna and spoke in a quiet, serious tone.
"Luna, I have something else I need you to do."
"...Me?" Luna blinked in surprise.
"Yeah. Luna—I want you to reach for the Outside Principles."
The air in the room turned brittle at my words.
"The Outside Principles... Does that mean you want Luna to become a Transcendent?" Oliver asked, his voice low.
"Exactly."
"...This is quite sudden," Luna murmured. "But I understand. Compared to everyone else, I still lack so much strength... So, you're saying this is necessary to bridge that gap, right?"
"No, that's not it at all," I replied immediately. "I don't think you're weak, Luna. In fact, on a global scale, your strength is already among the elite. My reason for wanting you to become a Transcendent is entirely different."
"...And what is that reason?"
"I just came back from the Phoenix Shrine, the foundation of the Principles of Magic. While I was there... I met Titania."
"............Eh?"
Luna’s eyes went wide.
"...? Hey, sorry, but... who’s Titania?"
Oliver tilted his head, his question cutting through the tension.
"Oliver, seriously? This isn't the time for jokes," Shion snapped.
However, Oliver’s gaze wasn't that of a man making a joke. He was genuinely confused. Seeing that expression on his face, a sharp pang of grief pricked my chest. Shion noticed it too, and her face wavered with sudden agitation.
"Shion, this is something I only realized yesterday," I explained quietly. "Aside from you and me, there isn't a single person left in this world who knows who Titania is. Just like with Grandpa... all traces of her existence have been erased from human memory."
"No way..." Shion’s voice trembled.
Beside her, Luna pressed her lips together and spoke up, her voice small and tentative.
"...Does that mean if I go to the Phoenix Shrine... I can actually meet her? I can meet Titania?"
"Yes. In that place, you can speak with her."
I nodded without a hint of doubt. Luna’s eyes wavered with a storm of emotions before she fixed me with a gaze of absolute clarity.
"...In that case, I will do it. I will become a Transcendent!"
Her words were anchored by a firm, unwavering resolve.
Fuuka was the one to break the heavy silence that followed.
"I’ll help Luna. She came all the way to this country for our sake. She lent us her strength when we needed it most. Now, it’s my turn to support her."
"I'm in, too," Shion added immediately. "She's our companion. Besides... if this is a way to repay Titania, there’s no reason for me to hesitate."
"Naturally, you can count on me as well," Oliver stated flatly. He crossed his arms and nodded firmly. "I’ve caused Luna more than enough trouble in the past. If there’s anything I can do to help her, I’ll do it."
Fuuka, Shion, and Oliver. Their voices overlapped, reaching Luna’s heart with perfect clarity. Her eyes misted over as she placed a hand against her chest and bowed deeply.
"Everyone... Thank you. Thank you so much."