As July drew closer, the representative selections for the various competitions neared their end.
With the Lion King Festival fast approaching, the students were more restless than ever. Even at this prestigious institution, private conversations during class had become common. When teenagers gathered, such excitement was unavoidable regardless of their noble status, and the professors largely turned a blind eye with an air of resignation.
...They look like they're having fun.
During the lunch break, Ren watched the scene from the corner of his eye as he walked down the hallway. Everywhere he looked, students were talking about nothing but the festival. Even those not participating in the competitions were busy making plans about which events to watch or which stalls to visit.
Suddenly, a memory flickered through his mind. The vision overlapped with the academy hallway he was currently walking through.
"Do your best, Wayne. I lost, after all."
"...But let's enter together next time. You made it to the end of the preliminaries, Ren. Next time, you'll definitely be a representative."
"Thanks. I guess I'll try again next year."
Ren Ashton and Wayne, exchanging words as they walked through the hallway during a lunch break. In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, the two had forged a friendship so deep they were practically brothers, frequently sharing moments like this.
"Hey, Wayne!"
"Oh, Kaito-senpai."
"I was looking for you. Jeez, I thought we could grab a bite together—oh? The one over there... you're Ashton, right? The guy I fought in the selections?"
Kaito spoke boisterously and threw an arm around Ren Ashton's shoulder. Unlike the current Ren, the Ren Ashton in that memory was quiet and unassuming, though not quite timid.
"You put up a hell of a fight! I've been looking forward to meeting you again! How about it? If you'd like, why don't you two join me for a meal!"
"Ren, what do you think?"
"I'm fine with that. Leonall-sama, if it's all right with you, then by all means."
"Ha-ha-ha! That's too stiff! Just 'senpai' is fine!"
"Th-then, Leonall-senpai!"
"That's more like it! All right, let's go, you two!"
The memory faded, returning Ren to his own reality. While he had built a friendship with Wayne, it hadn't reached the same depth as in the game. Ren hadn't participated in the festival’s representative selection, and there were differences in many other aspects of his life.
Someone suddenly tapped Ren on the shoulder from behind.
"Ren."
The one who spoke was Wayne, the very person Ren had been thinking about.
"What's up?"
"I saw you by chance, so I thought I'd say hello. If you haven't had lunch yet, do you want to go together?"
The two discussed the festival as they walked. They enjoyed the bustling excitement of the surrounding students, their conversation animated as they planned for the big day.
"Hey!"
A voice reached them from ahead. When they turned, they saw Kaito Leonall, a second-year student.
"I was looking for you. I thought I'd grab a meal with you two!"
"Wayne and I were just about to head to the cafeteria. Shall the three of us go together?"
"Yeah! All right, let's go!"
Sometimes, reality mirrored the game in unexpected ways. Ren found it amusing and suppressed a secret smile.
After arriving at the cafeteria, Kaito packed away a portion that would have fed Ren and Wayne twice over. Watching him eat so heartily was actually quite a pleasant sight. However, once he finished his meal, Kaito suddenly went still.
While the other two wondered what was wrong, Kaito slumped in his chair and stared up at the high ceiling. In that vast space—far too lavish for a mere academy cafeteria—he looked utterly defeated.
"What's the matter?" Wayne asked.
"I forgot about my afternoon class. I didn't finish the assignment."
"Oh, I see... That's rough."
"I don't understand Herbology at all... Things like why you need this exact amount, and why it's a disaster if it decreases... All those formulas are making my brain melt..."
Beside a wryly smiling Wayne, Ren thought back to the second-year Herbology curriculum. While the academy’s classes were certainly advanced, in Kaito's case, it was likely just because he wasn't much for studying to begin with.
"Leonall-senpai."
"Ngh—? What is it, Ashton? Did you want to laugh at my pathetic state?"
"No. There’s still about thirty minutes left in the break. Why don't you do as much as you can right now?"
Kaito let out a huff of defiance. "Haha! It's nothing to brag about, but Ren, are you underestimating how bad my grades are?"
"No, I'm well aware of—I mean, it's fine."
"Oh? Setting aside what you were about to say, what do you mean by 'it's fine'?"
"I'll help you."
"...Seriously?"
Kaito leaned over the table, his eyes wide. He blinked repeatedly as he stared at Ren. "...Seriously!?"
He shouted it again, his mouth wide open. Ren, unfazed by the volume, simply said, "So, let's hurry," and stood up.
He intended to return their dishes, but Kaito was faster.
"Meet me in front of the library! I'll take care of yours, so don't worry!"
Kaito gathered all three trays and ran off before Ren could even answer. Ren and Wayne exchanged a shrug.
"Sorry, I have plans with Sera, so I can't join you," Wayne said. "Besides, I don't really understand Herbology myself, so I wouldn't be much help anyway."
Ren told Wayne not to worry and headed for the library. Shortly after he started walking, Kaito dashed past him like the wind, shouting, "I'm coming right now!"
There was nothing to be done but sigh when he saw Kaito getting scolded by a passing professor for running in the hallway. Just before the break ended, Kaito successfully finished the assignment and left the library. Upon parting, he offered a quiet "Thanks" in a tone appropriate for the setting.
"It turned out all right, surprisingly."
Ren was pleased that he could handle the second-year assignment with his own knowledge. He was scheduled to work on Executive Committee duties in the afternoon, but since his body felt stiff after sitting for so long, he headed toward the academy garden for a stroll.
He saw Radius sitting at a terrace seat in a corner of the garden and spoke up. "Radius."
"Hmm? Ah, Ren."
Radius looked like he was deep in thought.
"Thinking about something?"
"Yeah. There's something a little bothersome on my mind."
Radius didn't seem inclined to explain what it was. For a moment, he looked at Ren and started to say something, but then he simply closed his mouth.
"I'll head over to the committee room after I meet up with Mirei. Sorry, but could you tell Lithia and Fiona to wait a bit?"
"Got it."
Ren left Radius behind and turned back toward the academy building. As for Radius, he stayed there for a while before walking toward a secluded spot surrounded by hedges.
"It's me, nya."
In response to the voice from behind the hedge, Radius replied, "I was waiting," and met up with Mirei. She handed him a piece of paper containing the information she had gathered.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Lithia and Fiona were already in the small room at the back of the library. As Ren was talking with them, the door opened, and Radius and Mirei appeared. Radius had Mirei place a thick bundle of papers on the table.
"Mirei-san, isn't this..."
"The work we were supposed to finish together today..."
When Fiona expressed her doubt, Mirei glanced at Radius.
"As everyone said, this is the work that was supposed to be done today," Radius explained.
Lithia and Fiona both looked at Ren, silently asking him to inquire further.
"Looking at it, I feel like it's already finished," Ren noted.
"I finished it at the castle. For now, pay attention to this."
Radius turned toward the blackboard and began writing out the upcoming schedule. He didn't check any notes; he had memorized everything.
"The Lion King Festival begins soon. Our work as the Executive Committee from here on is as follows. As you can see, troublesome tasks are packed in right up until the day of the festival. However—"
He began drawing X-marks on the schedule, indicating the days he expected to be absolutely swamped. It was clear there would be no leeway from today until the actual festival. However, he drew a circle around today's date. He then wrote "Merchant Guild Tour."
"For our representatives, the academy will prepare food, drinks, and other supplies. Naturally, the academy will conduct checks, but the Executive Committee will perform our own as well."
"Safety is ensured by double-checking, nya!" Mirei added.
"I'm curious—why did you schedule that for today?" Ren asked.
Radius turned to Ren and spoke with his usual confidence. "Today was the only day we could work leisurely. If we didn't do this today, even we wouldn't be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the castle town."
"Ah, I see."
Ren, who knew Radius best, was the first to realize his intent. He turned to Lithia and Fiona. "It seems he planned this so the committee members could enjoy some breathing room."
"We've been buried in work until now," Radius said. "It's fine to take a little breather. We'll have several tasks during the festival itself, regardless."
"So, as long as we get the job done today, we're allowed to enjoy ourselves a bit early," Ren summarized.
Radius nodded. "With the festival stalls opening this afternoon, students from all over will be heading into Erendir."
Radius began to walk away, taking Mirei with him. "Ren, leave the guiding to those two. I'll be off doing my own work. Everything is summarized in the documents there, so make sure to check them."
"Umm—hey..."
Ren watched them go, letting out a pathetic-sounding sigh. Once Radius was outside and alone with Mirei, he let out a short sigh of his own.
"We have work too. Not just Executive Committee duties, but that other task. I have no intention of overlooking what is being done behind my back."
"Understood, nya."
The two exchanged these private words and left the academy grounds.
Having no way of knowing what they were discussing, Ren turned to Lithia and Fiona. "What shall we do?"
According to Radius, the route for the merchant guild tour was left entirely to them. The two young ladies began to consult with each other.
"How about starting here? Then we can go this way... and then stop here..."
"Fiona-sama, this way will let us look around the shops on the main street more easily."
"Ah, you're right!"
It wasn't that they were neglecting their work. They made touring the guilds their top priority, and Lithia's proposal was the best plan to accomplish that while seeing the town.
"Is this okay with you, Ren-kun?"
"Ren, is this all right?"
In the end, before Ren could even interject, they had settled the route. The papers listed names of guilds and facilities Ren had never heard of, so he had intended to leave it to them from the start anyway.
Within the hour, they were out in the castle town. While touring the merchant guilds, they naturally stopped by the stalls. They were thirsty and a little hungry, so after taking the girls around several vendors, they sat down on a vacant bench. Lithia and Fiona bit into their sweets, letting out soft, delighted sighs.
"This is so sweet and delicious...!"
"This one is very delicious too!"
Ren watched them enjoy themselves while he looked out at the town. Erendil was bustling every day, but today there were even more people than usual. He could see students from other schools who had clearly skipped class to come to town early.
"The main street already feels like the festival has started," Ren said, holding his own snack.
"Yeah. It might be premature, but I feel a sense of accomplishment already," Lithia agreed.
"Me too. Knowing the actual festival is so close makes all the hard work feel worth it," Fiona added.
Ren felt the same. Now that he could finally relax, the feeling was even more pronounced, bolstered by the girls' excitement.
"—I'm glad."
Looking at them now, he thought once again that he was glad he had accepted the committee position. His murmur didn't reach them, but they noticed the gaze he directed their way.
"Geez, what's with you, staring at us like that?" Lithia asked.
"It's just that you two look like you're having so much fun."
"Fufu, are you not having fun, Ren-kun?" Fiona tilted her head.
Receiving their combined gaze, Ren stood up and smiled. "Of course I'm enjoying myself. That's why I was just thinking that I'd like to take a little detour before we head back."
Lithia and Fiona chuckled, and then spoke with excitement at almost the same time. "Me too!"
The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye, and the three returned to the academy shortly before evening. Just as Ren took his seat in the committee room, he found a document that required Chronoa's signature.
"I'm going to head over to Chronoa-san's for a bit."
"Yes, I understand," Lithia said.
"We'll finish up some of the paperwork here," Fiona added.
On his way to the Director's Office, Ren looked out at the campus. Most of the selections were over, replaced by students practicing diligently for their respective events. There were quite a few spectators, and the air was filled with lively voices.
Ren reached the office and knocked. An immediate "Come in—!" greeted him.
When he entered, Chronoa was sitting on the sofa, taking a break. Illuminated by the setting sun, she laughed brightly upon seeing him.
"Welcome, Ren-kun. What brings you here today?"
"I have something that needs your signature, Chronoa-san. Is now a good time?"
"Of course! I'll always work hard for Ren-kun!"
He handed her the document, and she began reviewing it. Her voice reached Ren while he waited.
"I won't be able to be on-site much during the Lion King Festival, so if you run into trouble, please ask the other teachers, okay?"
She spoke in an apologetic voice before returning to the document. Ren recalled that she had mentioned being busy during the festival period before.
"If it's work we can help with, the Executive Committee is here too," he offered.
"It's work involving meeting royalty and high-ranking nobles from other countries. Will you still help me?"
Ren quietly looked away. Chronoa moved into his line of sight and met his eyes playfully.
"Ahaha! Just kidding! It's okay! We adults have to work hard too, or it would be an insult to all of you who have worked so hard. Don't worry, just focus on enjoying the festival!"
"I'm sorry. But please tell me if there's anything I can do!"
Hearing that, Chronoa stood up. As she approached him, the crimson sunlight illuminated her face. Before her mystical beauty, Ren caught his breath as they met eyes.
"Nyufufu~"
Chronoa suddenly reached out and patted Ren's head.
"W-What is this all of a sudden!?"
"Just because. You looked so cute with that serious face, so I couldn't help myself."
"Just because...?"
"Tahaha! But Ren-kun, that's a no-no!" She poked the tip of his nose with her finger. "You worry too much about adults! Don't worry about my work. You shouldn't underestimate us, you know?"
"It's not that, I just thought if I could really help..."
"Wow... Ren-kun is really cute. Unlike when we first met, I'm already shorter than you, but maybe I really should have brought you back to the Imperial Capital after all..."
Ren gave a dry laugh. "I'm already living near the Imperial Capital, though."
After signing the document, Chronoa changed the subject. "Ren-kun, Ren-kun."
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
"How have your Strong Sword Arts been coming along?"
It wasn't going very well. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he was hitting a wall, so Ren hesitated to answer. His own unique Arts weren't showing much progress either.
Chronoa looked at him as if peering into his soul—a gentle gaze that seemed to see past his pupils and into his true essence.
"I see, I see. That hidden power of yours seems to be growing."
"!?—"
Chronoa had said something similar back in Clausel.
"Chronoa-san, what do you mean by 'hidden power'?" he asked, flustered.
"I mean the power you're hiding, Ren-kun," she replied nonchalantly. "It's okay. I haven't told anyone."
"...Um!"
"You're curious how I noticed? It's simple: I'm just prone to noticing these things. I don't know the exact details, though."
"...It's not that you can actually read minds, is it?"
"Ahaha, no way."
She was Chronoa Highland, one of the world's greatest mages. It wouldn't be strange if she could do things beyond Ren's understanding.
"Have you told Lithia-chan and Fiona-chan what kind of power it is?"
"No. It’s a strange power even to me, so it's hard to explain... I used it when we fought at the Great Clock Tower, but I haven't told anyone its true nature yet."
"Hmm... I figured as much." The beautiful woman sighed, her golden hair swaying. "Then why not just come clean?"
She said it so simply that it left Ren stunned.
"You've been keeping it a secret for your own reasons, right?"
"That's... yes."
Right after he was born, he was terrified of the power associated with that Ren Ashton, so he kept it hidden. Since he started living in Clausel, he had justified the secrecy by telling himself that revealing his skills would expose his weaknesses. This wasn't a lie, and it was a logic others could understand.
"It was the right choice for you to keep it a secret while you were figuring things out," Chronoa said. "But I think considering a change might be for the best in the future."
"...What do you mean?"
"Don't you think it's okay to talk about it if it's someone to whom you can expose your weaknesses?"
The question was simple and direct, and her words soaked into Ren's heart. "I think living from now on with a secret from the people you care about will surely be harder than you think, Ren-kun."
In the twilight sun, Chronoa looked truly mystical.
"How about thinking about it after the festival is over and things have settled down?"
"...I'll try that."
"Good. But come to me if you're ever lost. I'll listen to you anytime."
She smiled gently, then took out her staff and waved it in circles over Ren's head. He was enveloped in a sense of comfort that made his heart feel completely at peace.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
That same night, a white light illuminated the garden.
"How is it?"
Lithia emitted a white glow from her hand and looked at Ren for his reaction. The two were sitting across from each other at a terrace seat in the garden.
"I feel like it's become even more powerful than it was in the spring."
It was clearly different from the Holy Magic she possessed when they first met. Her power against Jelkku had been impressive, but this was on another level entirely.
"I'm happy to hear that... but I'm still not satisfied." Lithia pouted slightly as she stared at him. "You’re not just flattering me, are you?"
"Of course not. I have no reason to lie about it."
"Then it's even more frustrating." Lithia puffed out her cheeks. This natural, youthful expression was one she only ever showed around him. "Even with my Holy Magic, I still can't beat you, Ren."
"We haven't had a real spar in a while, have we?"
"Yeah. I've been focused on my Strong Sword Arts. Plus, with the committee work, I can't afford to get injured by being reckless."
If she used Holy Magic and Shroud together, her strength would skyrocket. Her speed and agility would reach heights far beyond her usual self. What she was dissatisfied with was the fact that she hadn't beaten him once since they were children.
She thought back to their first spar at the Ashton Manor, then their matches in Clausel, and finally their bouts here in Erendil. The result was always the same.
"............Hmph." She pouted again. She didn't look resentful so much as disappointed in herself. The fact that she was still adorable while sulking was a testament to her charm.
"Shall we try it for the first time in a while?"
"No. I'll resist the urge. The festival is too close, and it would be a disaster if I got hurt." She let out a light laugh.
Before they knew it, quite a bit of time had passed. Ren stood up first and held out his hand. She took it, her expression relaxing into a happy smile.
"I'm not going to lose next time, though."
"Me neither."
With that, they finished their nightly routine and returned to the manor. They spent the time before bed studying or resting in their respective rooms.
After a bath and a brief moment of relaxation, Yuno came to fetch them. Lezard had summoned them to his office.
Lithia followed Ren into the room. Lezard briefed them on protocol for handling guests during the festival and explained how Erendil would change during the festivities.
"Also," Lezard continued, "the preparations for the extra magic ship flights to Roses Kaitas are finally finished."
This was the topic that had come up when Lithia and Fiona had shown Ren their ethnic costumes.
"Most of Roses Kaitas is currently sealed off along with the mountain itself, but the base is an exception. If you try to climb it, you'll be stopped halfway by the seal, and the view beyond is obscured by mist. However, you can still get close to the perimeter."
There was no permanent landing near Roses Kaitas, so a temporary one would be set up on the nearby open terrain.
"The highway from Erendil is ancient and the paving stones are cracked. So, while we’re re-servicing it, a proposal has come up to set up a relay station between the city and the sanctuary."
"By relay station, do you mean building a town?" Ren asked.
"No, nothing on that scale."
It would be a outpost for knights to manage highway safety, with an attached inn. It was a significant project. Ren imagined a village slightly more developed than his hometown.
"With this project surfacing, a considerable number of civil officials and nobles will be heading there alongside the pilgrims. It's a convenient time, as many nobles and merchants who aren't usually in the capital will be here for the festival."
The extra flights were running more for these political reasons than for the pilgrims themselves.
"And regarding safety?" Ren asked.
"There's no problem," Lezard said decisively. "Because Roses Kaitas is managed by Leomel in cooperation with the Elfen Religion, there isn't a single monster in the surrounding forest. The seal surrounding the mountain has tremendous power, and it hasn't weakened a bit in hundreds of years."
Ren marveled at the strength of such an ancient seal.
On the way back to their rooms, Ren and Lithia discussed the sanctuary.
"I wonder what kind of place it is," Lithia mused. "Do you want to go, Ren?"
"I do, but I suppose it'll have to be after the festival is over."
"Shall we try going together then?"
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it."
Lithia nodded, her voice filled with excitement. They parted in front of her room, and the cloudless, star-studded sky stretched overhead, a silent witness to the peaceful night.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
"Back when the Demon King Army approached the capital, Leomel and the Elfen Religion joined forces to repel them. Since then, Roses Kaitas—which was the final battlefield—has been sealed," Sera explained during a break the next morning.
She was walking down the hallway with Lithia. "Because it involves the mysteries of the Elfen Religion, it's impossible to replicate that seal today. I've been near the perimeter before, and even from the outside, you can tell how powerful the magic is."
The purpose of the seal was to weather away the dark power the Demon King had granted his subordinates. Since they couldn't completely purify the corruption even with the Elfen Religion's power, they chose to seal it and let it purify slowly over centuries. At the time, if the Seven Heroes had been present, the story might have been different, but they were away fighting the Demon King himself.
"Why the sudden interest in Roses Kaitas? Did the Great Temple reach out to you?"
"No. It just came up in conversation with my father yesterday."
Lithia mentioned what she had heard the previous night. Sera nodded, having heard similar rumors.
"...I heard the magic ship flights would be increasing specifically for the festival."
"Right. I've never been, but I thought you might have seen it, Sera."
"Why don't you go then, Lithia?"
"I can't. My schedule is packed, and there's no need to rush there during such a busy time."
"Ah... I guess it would be tough with the committee work and your family duties."
Unlike in the past, House Clausel was no longer easily pushed around by higher-ranking nobles. They had gained enough political standing to hold their own, allowing them to focus on their work regardless of rank.
The two noticed Ren walking alone on the opposite side of the hallway. Sera watched as Lithia stared intently at him. Suddenly, Lithia spoke up, her voice uncharacteristically hesitant.
"Um—Sera? Has Wayne called you by just your name for a long time?"
"My name? What do you mean—" Sera looked from Lithia to Ren and immediately caught on. "Ah—I see, I see—"
Sera thought back to her own past. Without prying into the details, she answered based on what she knew of the relationship between Lithia and Ren.
"Wayne called me Riohard-sama at first, and his honorifics were clunky and formal."
"When did it change to how it is now!?"
"Do you remember me telling you about when Wayne helped me? It changed right after that."
Lithia was surprised it had happened so early in their relationship. "Did he just suddenly stop?"
"Not exactly. I told him to stop."
Lithia blinked in shock. Sera laughed at the expression on her friend's face; Lithia was usually so dignified that seeing her flustered was incredibly endearing.
"Was it really just that?" Lithia asked.
"Yes."
"...No way."
"I'm telling you the truth."
Sera knew she was oversimplifying, but that was the core of it. She could tell Lithia was genuinely seeking advice.
"Relationships are all different, Lithia. What worked for me doesn't necessarily apply to you. You should just be yourself."
"Is... that so?"
"Why not just ask him again? Maybe wait until after the festival is over so you can talk properly."
"...Yeah. I'll try—" Lithia realized what she had just admitted and turned red. "I-It's not like I said this was about Ren!"
"Then is it someone else?"
"...That's impossible, but..."
Sera smiled. Even if Lithia wasn't being entirely honest, she was adorable. Sera reached out and patted her head. "Anyway, the talk about Roses Kaitas was sudden, but so was this. Did something happen?"
Lithia explained what had happened during their trip to town, specifically her encounter with Nemu Altia. Sera sighed, putting a hand to her forehead. "Nemu is the same as ever."
"Hmm!? Did someone call me!?"
Nemu appeared out of nowhere, having approached them silently. Sera jumped in surprise, but Lithia had sensed her presence.
"When did you get here, Nemu!?" Sera asked.
"I've been here for a little while," Nemu chirped. "Bingo! Lithia-chan hit the nail on the head! So, what's up with Nemu?"
"I was just telling Sera that the magic tools you make are amazing," Lithia said smoothly.
"Hmph-hmph! I see! You were praising me! I'm so happy!" Nemu beamed, then skipped away as quickly as she had appeared. It seemed she had only stopped by because she saw them.
Once Nemu was gone, Sera turned back to Lithia. "Like I said, why not talk to Ren after the festival?"
It seemed like a simple enough thing, but both Ren and Lithia were incredibly busy right now. And for someone like Lithia, taking that step wouldn't be easy.
"Yeah, I'll do that," Lithia replied, thanking her friend.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Ren, Lithia, and Fiona were in the Director's Office. Chronoa had decided to treat the committee members to lunch, though Radius and Mirei were absent due to official business at the castle.
About thirty minutes into the meal, the conversation turned to what Lithia and Sera had discussed. Of course, she didn't mention the honorifics; she saved that for later.
"How strong is the seal on Roses Kaitas, exactly?" Lithia asked.
Chronoa looked like she had been expecting the question. Since Ren and Fiona also looked curious, she took out a staff from her robe. She waved it over the table, and several spheres of water merged into one. With another wave, the water transformed into a three-dimensional model of a mountain.
"Watch this," Chronoa said.
The mountain part of the model was hollowed out, creating a large open space filled with miniature statues. A path led up to the sanctuary. It was a perfect magical representation of the site.
"This area with the divine statues is the sanctuary pilgrims once aimed for. As you know, most of the statues were destroyed when the Demon King Army attacked."
In the model, the miniature statues began to crumble. Chronoa explained how the Leomel army and the Elfen Religion had struggled against the invading forces. Even the world's greatest military nation had been pushed to the brink of collapse. The conflict only ended when they sealed the entire site.
"Like this."
Chronoa waved her staff, and a wall of water—rippling like a thick mist—shrouded the model.
"The seal was led by the Elfen Religion using Sacred Relics imbued with the power of the Goddess of Time. It took an immense amount of time to prepare. Many lives were lost while setting up the magic circle, both from the priesthood and the knights protecting them. But in the end, they succeeded. Most of the enemy army was trapped inside."
"Does that mean they'll be resurrected if the seal is broken?" Fiona asked.
"I was wondering that too," Lithia added. "It seems dangerous if they're just waiting inside."
Chronoa shook her head. "The Elfen Religion says that's impossible. The seal is called the 'Cage of Time,' and its power is so absolute that nothing can survive inside it."
She explained that the seal isolated time itself. Inside the Cage, time was frozen, and the space was saturated with holy mana. Because it utilized the power of a goddess, the effect was devastating to dark creatures. Even though time was frozen, the holy mana continued to purify everything within.
"Without a doubt, not even a speck of dust remains of that army," Chronoa said. "Everything was purified long ago."
"I was curious about it myself," she continued, "so I tried to research it when I was at the Silver Sacred Palace last year."
"You were at the Holy Land until recently, weren't you?" Ren remembered.
Chronoa pouted slightly. "Yes! But even though I worked so hard, they wouldn't let me read a single book in their archives!"
"Because they're rare?"
"Partly. But mostly because I'm not part of their religion. I expected as much, so I didn't push it."
Chronoa spoke without any lingering resentment; she understood the necessity of their strict management. Ren looked at her, thinking of the expression she had worn when he saw her earlier. He realized how much pressure she must be under.
She noticed his gaze and looked perplexed. "Why are you looking at me with such kind eyes all of a sudden?"
"I just thought you must have a hard time every day, Chronoa-san."
"I do! That's why being able to talk with you all like this is so important to me!"
When he poured her a refill of tea, she smiled happily. With a final wave of her staff, the water model dissolved into mist and vanished.