After I finished lecturing Alice, we thoroughly enjoyed the special monster race track. True to the name "Champion Race," every participating monster carried the dignified aura of a veteran warrior.
The races were intense, featuring everything from nail-biting sprints to fierce direct combat. I didn't place any bets this time, but the races were flashy enough to be entertaining even without any skin in the game.
Fia-sensei and Noin-san had a great time as well. We lost track of time while fending off Alice, who kept interjecting with annoying comments despite her recent punishment. By the time we finished watching several races, the sky had begun to take on a deep madder-red hue.
"That was fun! Those were some intense races!"
"Indeed. It was my first time seeing a monster race, and those battles kept me on the edge of my seat."
"They certainly did... and it's already evening. What should we do next? It doesn't look like we have time for many more attractions."
We chatted as we walked away from the track. The festival stayed open until ten o'clock at night, but since I needed to return Bell and Rin to Lilia-san’s mansion, I couldn't stay out too late.
"Oh! In that case, there's one last attraction I'd like to visit... Would that be alright?"
"Sure, I don't mind. Noin-san, are you okay with that?"
"Yes."
With Fia-sensei leading the way, Noin-san and I set off for her chosen destination.
"By the way, what kind of attraction is it?"
"Ein-oneechan mentioned it yesterday. Apparently, there's something called the Wyvern Gondola."
"The Wyvern Gondola...?"
"Yeah. It's similar to the Wyvern Service, but adjusted specifically for sightseeing. It supposedly takes you on a full loop around this massive island."
That sounded interesting. Gazing at the scenery from the sky was always enjoyable, and the timing was perfect for the sunset.
"That sounds great. I've seen the view from above a few times now, and it really is spectacular."
"Right? I can fly on my own, of course, but there's a different kind of charm to doing it this way."
"I cannot fly, so I am looking forward to it. Kaito-kun, you mentioned having seen the view from above several times... Do you take the Wyvern Service often?"
"I've taken the Wyvern Service about three times. Then there were the times Kuro flew with me... and the one time I was launched into the air and traveled from the Central Demon Realm all the way to the Southern Region."
"That's just... strange, isn't it? I honestly can't fathom what kind of situation leads to such a bizarre experience."
"It was because of an idiot."
I never wanted to go through that again. Though, I supposed my visit to Shiro-san's Sanctuary also counted as seeing the world from the sky. Regardless, I felt like I was becoming something of a veteran when it came to aerial views.
After chatting for a bit, we reached the gondola Fia-sensei had mentioned. As expected, everyone seemed to have the same idea. An incredibly long queue stretched out from the Wyvern Gondola sign, with a staff member at the very back holding a placard that read: "Current Wait Time: 3 Hours."
While I stood there, stunned by the length of the wait, Fia-sensei marched right up to the staff member.
"This is the Black Rank, Miyama Kaito-kun!"
"Ah! My apologies! Just as a formality, I'll need to see your invitation... Yes, this is perfect. Please, right this way!"
"Thank you."
I had to hand it to the former Demon King—she was efficient. She used every advantage at her disposal. Thanks to her, we bypassed the massive crowd and boarded the Wyvern Gondola immediately.
To put it simply, the view was breathtaking. Because the wyvern flew at such a high altitude, a sight impossible from the ground spread out before us: we were looking down on Magnawell-san.
Even now, his scale was hard to wrap my head around. If he was five thousand meters tall, his total length—given his build as a land dragon—must have been several times that. He was easily tens of thousands of meters long.
"Wow... the sunset is gorgeous."
"Yes, it is a magnificent sight."
I'd been mesmerized by Magnawell-san's size, but the voices of Fia-sensei and Noin-san brought my attention back to the horizon. Below us, the city was bathed in madder-red light, and the sea shimmered under the dying sun. It was a view so beautiful it left me speechless.
The fourth day featured many large-scale facilities, and seeing them all from above was a treat. I really owed Fia-sensei and Ein-san for this; I likely would have missed the gondola entirely if I'd been exploring on my own.
"You really... never can tell, can you?"
"Hm? Noin-san?"
I'd been staring at the view, thinking it looked like a painting, when I heard Noin-san's soft murmur. Fia-sensei and I turned to look at her, and she gave us a gentle smile.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about the obvious truth that we never know what the future holds."
"Were you thinking about Japan?"
"Something like that. I was the daughter of a small swordsmanship dōjō. I assumed that one day I would marry someone my parents chose for the family's benefit, and that I would spend my life managing a household. I never once questioned it."
Arranged marriages must have been much more common in her era. She had clearly taken it for granted that her path was set: marriage to a stranger and a life of domesticity.
"But then, by some twist of fate, I was summoned to this world and sent on a journey to defeat the Demon King. Back then, I was certain that once he was defeated, it would all be over and I would return home."
"..."
"Life is truly unpredictable. In the end, I chose to stay. I took Chrome-sama's hand and made the conscious decision to cast aside my humanity and become a demon. And now, I'm watching this beautiful sunset with a former Demon King and with Kaito-kun, who came from my world but lived in a different time."
"Your life certainly has been a rollercoaster, Noin."
"Yes, it has."
She nodded at Fia-sensei's words, her gaze returning to the horizon.
"This moment... it's so different from the future I once imagined for myself. It's a 'present' far happier than anything I could have dreamed of. Fufu, I really am grateful to you and Fia."
"I feel the same way. The future never goes quite how you expect... but that's the beauty of it."
"I agree. I don't think I could have ever predicted I'd be standing here, either."
After that, the three of us fell into a comfortable silence, watching the sun dip lower. Though we didn't say it aloud, I felt like we were all sharing the same thought: a hope that we could continue to enjoy moments like this. I was sure of it.
Dear Mother, Father—
Hardships and pain, joy and laughter... there are some things you only truly appreciate when you look back on them.
I believe that memories wait in the past we've built, happiness waits in the present we share, and hope—hope waits in the future.