aircannonsinc Page 175
Page 175
"This kind of atmosphere is definitely the best!"
"Even for the sake of children I don't know over there, I'm willing to keep fighting!"
So that's how it is. Everyone's happiness is the driving force that keeps you moving forward...
……
"Ryu! Hang in there! We'll defeat them together!"
"We cannot allow these bastards from the dark faction to destroy our homes and our happiness!!"
I will get back up, as long as you're here!
Looking at your back and following in your footsteps, I have no fear, Alexie!
"Great! Erebus has been defeated! We won, Ryu!!"
It's very impolite to call a deity by their name... but I'm also very happy...
"Finally, we can bring this city back into the sunlight."
"Although the turmoil is not over yet, as long as I can fight, I will uphold the justice in my heart to the end."
Why? Is it necessary to go to that extent for the sake of justice?
They fought tirelessly, and they didn't care if they were injured or even died.
What, then, is true justice?
"Well, I don't really know either, but Lady Astrea said that everyone's sense of justice is different."
"I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm actually quite afraid of dying, after all, I've never even been in a relationship!"
"It's such a shame that such a beautiful girl died without ever having been in a relationship!"
"So, in order not to have any regrets, I will try my best to live on."
"You're the same, Ryu!"
"Live on with a clear conscience!"
Do I have a clear conscience...?
……
“Liang…”
What's wrong? Why are you suddenly calling me that?
Alexie, what's with that expression?
"That monster has taken everyone's lives. In order to survive, we must get rid of it!"
"To destroy it, I need your magic."
"So you just stay here and sing your heart out."
No, don't do that!
I can still fight! A broken leg or something doesn't matter!
Don't leave me, Alexie!
"Do you remember what I told you?"
"You must live with a clear conscience and find your own path to justice."
"I believe in you, you can definitely do it."
No, Alexandra! The one who should live is you!
As long as you are here, the banner of the Astrea Familia will not fall, and our justice will continue!
It was me, the useless one, who should have rushed forward to block that monster!
"Okay, don't say any more."
"I believe you, Ryu."
Alexie!!
Alexie!!
Alexie!!
"Sing."
"For everyone who sacrificed themselves, for Lyra, for Kaguya."
"For my sake, and for the justice of all of us."
"Sing."
……
—The forest sky that has now vanished. An endless night sky studded with countless stars.
Responding to my foolish voice, grant me the protection of starlight once more.
I, who have abandoned you, am filled with light and compassion.
Come, wandering wind, drifting traveler.
Soaring through the sky, galloping across the wilderness, moving at a speed that surpasses all things.
Conquering enemies with the brilliance of stars
Goodbye, Ryu.
The Wind of Light!!!
The red-haired girl melted into a dazzling light.
Just like when she first appeared, she walked out of the light.
Now, she has returned to where she belongs.
The girl's name is Alexie Rofer.
She was once the reliance of the goddess of justice, her precious sword on earth.
She has extraordinary talent and a bright future.
She should have grown into a towering tree, providing shelter for people and inspiring countless people to look up to and admire her.
She is beautiful and strong, kind and resilient.
However, all of this vanished with that seemingly beautiful yet destructive light.
Alexandra is gone.
Ryu killed her friend who had rushed forward and fought desperately to save her life.
She watched helplessly as Alicia vanished along with the monster.
It was as if my dreams and past memories had also vanished with them.
Everyone has disappeared.
No one knows how Ryu managed to drag her broken body and soul back to the ground.
No one knows how many times she ventured alone into the dungeon to retrieve her companions' belongings...
No one knew that during this time, her soul was subjected to cruel, scorching heat, like being boiled in oil, every single time.
She spent several days turning the battlefield upside down, but still couldn't find a trace of Alexandra.
It was as if she had never existed.
Then, the memories of her seemed to have become illusions.
I'm sorry, Alexie.
I have not found "justice," nor can I be at peace with myself.
To sweep away all the shadows in the world, Ryu didn't hesitate to fall into darkness herself.
She did not stop until all evil was eradicated.
At that time, the last motivation that kept her alive was gone.
When the fire burns out, the light will disappear.
Fortunately, Ryu's fate did not end there.
She met Seele, and regardless of what Freya, in her true form, intended, she did inspire the despairing Ryu, making her temporarily abandon her will to die.
Then came Eugene.
He was like a raging fire, fierce and intense.
Without any scruples, free and unrestrained, doing whatever one pleases.
The world is so big, and there's so much darkness, how could it lack firewood?
Eugene's completely different kind of "justice" rekindled Ryu's heart.
That wasn't a story of being saved by a hero, but rather a story of a lost self finding its way.
Logically speaking, things should continue like this, which is fine.
However, fate is meant to be dramatic.
On that very day, Ryu went completely mad, digging until her hands bled, but to no avail.
But in the dark corners that she couldn't notice.
Countless fine tentacles, already carrying fragments of broken bodies, retreated into the darkest depths of the underground city.
...not long after.
Inside a warm room constructed of plants, similar to a uterine delivery room as described in section 4.1.
A woman opened her eyes.
On her chest was a magic stone that emitted a strange luster.
Her emerald green eyes, however, were dull and lifeless.