"Ren, if you're free tomorrow morning, could you spare some time? Sera was saying we should all go and pray together since we're here."
"To pray for a win in the semifinals?"
Vane nodded, and Sera picked up where he left off.
"Both Vane and I are facing representatives from Heroic Archduke families, so we're more nervous than ever."
"Especially Sera, since her opponent is Upperclassman Kaito."
The opponent Vane was slated to fight in the semifinals was the same—a member of a Heroic Archduke family. She was a second-year student who had taken quite a liking to Vane. As Kaito had mentioned before, she was also an expert archer.
"Honestly... I prepared myself for this, but I'm still a bundle of nerves. The semifinals don't start until after noon, so if you two don't mind, why don't you come to Roses Kaitas with us?"
Ren and Licia had assumed the group would be heading to the Imperial Capital Grand Temple. Hearing the name of a place they hadn't expected left them momentarily bewildered.
"But isn't Roses Kaitas sealed off?" Ren asked.
"It is," Sera replied. "But there are several prayer spots nearby. The Elfen Church set them up after the main site became inaccessible."
"Heh... I didn't know they had places like that..."
There had been no such event in The Legend of the Seven Heroes. However, Ren was well-accustomed to reality deviating from the game's plot.
"Why Roses Kaitas, though?" Licia asked. "The Imperial Capital Grand Temple is closer if you just want to pray."
"Licia, didn't you say you wanted to see the seal with your own eyes? They're running temporary transit services, so it’s the perfect chance. Besides, I heard the choir will be there tomorrow."
"Now that you mention it... I believe my father said something like that too."
Lezard had mentioned it on the first night of the festival.
Licia exchanged a wry smile with Ren. They had already seen the seal they were curious about from the window of the magic ship that night. Even so, they felt it would be wrong to dismiss Sera's thoughtful invitation, especially since she seemed so excited.
Setting aside the invitation, they were both genuinely interested in the choir. Both Licia and Ren wanted to hear their songs.
"Ren and I wanted to hear the choir anyway, so that works out perfectly," Licia said.
"Really? Then it's settled! We’ll meet at the Sky Garden tomorrow!"
As Sera beamed, Nemu didn't miss the secret glance exchanged between Ren and Licia.
"You two are so kind~"
"Nemu? What was that for?" Sera asked.
"Oh, nothing, just talking to myself. Unlike Sera-chan, Nemu is surprisingly sharp-eyed. I've already caught onto the things you two are hiding."
"What do you mean by that?"
Licia waved it off. "It's Nemu. She's just saying whatever pops into her head."
"Hey! Licia-chan, you’re making it sound like Nemu always talks nonsense! Nemu only talks nonsense once in a while! Once in a while!"
Everyone laughed as Nemu huffed with feigned indignation.
The reason Nemu was there in the first place was that she had been watching the tournament. She had simply tagged along when Sera and Vane went to report their victory.
After the three visitors departed, Ren and Licia returned to the Academy Headquarters. Radius noticed them and spoke up.
"Did something happen?"
"Just a bit of news from the tournament. It looks like the semifinals tomorrow will only consist of our students."
"That is good news. In that case, the three of you should go and watch. There's no need for you to be at headquarters on the final day, so enjoy yourselves without worry."
Ren, Licia, and Fiona all shared a smile at the suggestion.
"What about you, Radius? Won't you join us?"
"Sorry-nya~ His Highness has plans with me, so he's busy-nya~" Mirei chimed in.
"Oh, I see," Ren said, nodding with a hint of disappointment.
Despite the early hour, the area around Roses Kaitas was already teeming with people.
Many crumbled bricks lay scattered along the ancient, moss-covered road. The surrounding scenery was beautiful, defined by lush green grass where numerous merchants had set up their stalls.
Ren looked around as they disembarked from the magic ship.
So this is what it looks like.
He had heard the dock was a temporary structure, and since he had only seen it from the air at night, he hadn't been able to make out much detail. Now, he saw several temporary iron towers lining the dock area.
As they descended the mobile staircase, Licia pointed toward the mountain.
"Ren, look over there."
They gazed at the mist—the Time Cage—which was far more distinct now than it had been at night. As they had been told, a massive portion of the mountain was enveloped by the seal. A deep canyon separated the mountain from the plains, with a single bridge connecting the two. Beyond the bridge sat a staircase leading up the mountain path, but that area was already within the seal's boundaries. Usually, the bridge was strictly closed off.
However, likely because of the choir’s visit, the bridge was open today, guarded by Elfen Church Knights.
"We can see it much better today," Ren noted.
"We certainly can."
The area was bustling with Elfen followers from across the Empire and abroad, as well as curious tourists. It felt as though one might be swept away by the crowd if they weren't careful.
"What a crowd... We have to make sure we don't lose each other, Sera."
"Let's be careful. But first—should we grab some breakfast?"
"I second that! Nemu is just so hungry..."
Since they had started so early, the three students who had traveled from the capital were starving. Their morning had been far more frantic than Ren and Licia's.
"According to Nemu's intel, the stalls here have a great reputation!"
Apparently, there were famous shops selling grilled meat, as well as stalls specializing in sweets and tea.
"Oh! Vane-kun, do you want Nemu to hold your hand? He-he-he, it’ll be a disaster if you get lost~"
"I-I'm fine! I'll be okay!"
"Geez, no need to be shy... Unless you're just unhappy it's Nemu~?"
"That’s not it! Ren! Stop laughing and help me!"
"Sorry. I think finding those popular stalls is a higher priority."
Ren scanned the stalls, pointedly ignoring Sera’s jealous pouting. There were plenty of options to choose from. While watching Vane struggle under Nemu's teasing and Sera's glare, Ren turned to Licia.
"I wasn't that hungry, but the smell is making me want to eat."
"Me too. Shall we have a little something?"
"Yes. Fufu... I wonder what I should get. Maybe something from a shop I don't usually see in Erendil or the capital."
The group moved between several stalls to fill their stomachs. They walked in a tight formation, staying close to ensure no one was separated in the ever-growing throng.
The area became even more crowded a few dozen minutes later. Members of the Elfen Church choir appeared, draped in white robes. Surrounded by Elfen Church Knights, they began to process along the road.
Many of the surrounding followers clasped their hands in prayer at the sight. Leading the spectators, the choir headed toward the bridge.
"Shall we go too?" Ren asked.
"Yes, let's."
Following Ren and Licia's lead, the other three joined the flow.
It was a thirty-minute walk from the temporary dock to the bridge. To keep the crowd back, the knights stood in a defensive line around the choir members as they arrived. The choir stopped just before the seal on the other side of the bridge.
One individual stood apart, carrying a large staff. Holding it horizontally with both hands, they raised it as if offering it to the heavens. A giant gemstone at the tip began to glow, and on that signal, the choir began to sing in unison.
Ren listened intently, his eyes fixed on the choir members standing on the distant steps. He didn't know why, but a strange sensation washed over him—a feeling of being dazed, his mind drifting.
The song resonated everywhere, carrying far into the distance. Even though he didn't know the language and couldn't understand the lyrics, he couldn't look away.
"Ren, do you want me to translate?" Licia whispered. She was being careful not to disturb those around them.
"Wait, you understand it?"
"Yes. It's the language used for Sacred Crest Arts, so I know a bit of it."
"As expected of you, Licia-sama. But I want you to enjoy the song too, so don't worry about me."
"It's fine. I want to enjoy it with you."
They were standing closer than usual. At a distance where their cheeks almost touched, Licia began translating the lyrics into the Common Tongue.
"—Great Primary God. Child of the Creator God—I offer my song—Now, to His side. To the side of the Lord."
Licia continued to translate fragments of the hymn.
Eventually, the first song came to an end. Many of the Elfen followers nearby were weeping, and the three friends who had come with them were silent, clearly moved.
A second and then a third song for the repose of souls rang out.
Then, it happened.
"—Eh?"
Ren's vision suddenly blurred, and a sharp ringing filled his ears. He instinctively reached up to cover them, but something even more inexplicable occurred. Despite his hands being over his ears, a specific sound reached him with perfect clarity.
Ring-ring, ring-ring—
The sound of bells resonated through him, and his vision wavered like a mirage. The phenomenon subsided almost instantly, but his mind struggled to process what had just happened.
He looked around, but no one else seemed to have noticed anything. No one except Licia.
"Ren... just now..."
"You felt it too, Licia-sama."
As the seventh song ended, the silence was broken by Sera, who turned to Licia.
"I've just been so moved... Licia? Why are you staring at Ren? Were you that touched by the song?"
"...No. I was just startled because I heard a loud sound of bells."
"Bells? I don't think I heard any. What about you, Vane?"
"No, nothing like that."
Ren spoke up next. "Vane, did you see that mirage-like distortion just now?"
"I didn't see anything like that either. What's wrong? Are you two feeling sick?"
"...It’s nothing. Sorry, maybe it was just my imagination."
"Yes. Maybe Ren and I were just overthinking things."
They both offered quick excuses to gloss over the moment.
With the final song finished, the choir began to descend the stone steps. Surrounded by their knights, they walked quietly back toward the road.
Ren and Licia exchanged another look, their brows furrowed. They were now certain that whatever had happened had occurred only to the two of them.
"Shall we head back to the magic ship before the rush starts?" Ren suggested.
"Ah, yes! That’s a good idea!" Sera agreed.
Using the crowd as a plausible excuse, they prepared to leave. Even Nemu nodded in agreement. In reality, they were both driven by an instinctive, visceral urge to get away from that place as quickly as possible.
"True! If we’re late, we might not even be able to get on!"
"That would be bad. Vane and I have the semifinals this afternoon, so we need to hurry."
The five of them turned and began walking back toward the dock, cutting through the bustling crowd that was still moving toward the bridge.