The Sea of the Planet held no sunlight.
That didn't mean it was dark—in fact, it was far more dreamlike and dazzling than Ryouma had imagined.
Even without the sun, radiance poured down upon the land.
In the heavens, white outlines stretched across the cosmos, like countless pure white flowers blooming without stain. They spread endlessly, beyond the reach of sight.
This was the scene Ryouma beheld upon awakening.
Here, he and Crimson Moon had met Gaia, the planetary Counter Force, and struck a simple bargain.
Crimson Moon would aid in protecting Earth, preventing disasters that endangered the planet itself.
In return, Earth would recognize Crimson Moon and Ryouma as its children, granting them a measure of protection.
It was a mutually beneficial deal.
"Gaia, the manifestation of the planet's functions—its logic is no different from a machine… I thought it might at least take on some humanoid form," Ryouma murmured with some wonder.
"It wanted to create a planetary mind-body, but apparently failed many times. Otherwise, it wouldn't have come to me. Truly… it's given me quite the opportunity."
Crimson Moon smiled meaningfully.
They had met Gaia face-to-face—though Gaia had no physical form, only something close to a spirit.
So too with the other Counter Force, Alaya.
Both were nothing more than machines ensuring survival—one to secure the future of the primate species, the other to preserve the future of the planet.
"Still, this scenery really is beautiful. Not something you'd ever see from the Moon."
Crimson Moon's mood was bright.
With the breeze, she twirled gracefully, her figure swaying in rhythm with the endless blossoms.
It was beauty worthy of a painting.
She expected praise.
Or rather—her dance was offered to him. Crimson Moon wasn't the kind of woman to waste effort.
But no praise came.
Turning, she discovered Ryouma squatting on the far side of the flower sea, not even watching her.
Her face fell into a pout.
"Little brother, what are you doing? To ignore me like this… your onee-san might get angry, you know."
When he still didn't answer, her curiosity only deepened.
What could possibly draw him in so much?
She approached—and found it wasn't amusing at all.
"A… seed? Is that really more important than watching me dance?"
"Don't put it like that. In a sense, it could be tied to our future. Crimson Moon, this is important."
Ryouma clapped the dust from his hands and stood.
Yes—it was a Fantasy Tree seed he had planted.
From the moment he arrived in the Sea of the Planet, he had felt it: the air was thick with True Ether.
The great magical source of the Age of Gods.
Nothing could be more suitable to nurture a Fantasy Tree.
Before maturity, a Fantasy Tree was nothing but immobile magical material. Anyone could exploit it.
For the sake of the future, it had to be guarded.
If it were lost, this world would inevitably be pruned away as an anomalous history.
To say it represented the future was no exaggeration.
"…Important, is it. In that case, let me help. It will also serve as a good test."
Raising her hands, Crimson Moon unleashed her power.
In an instant, a tide of magical energy burst forth like a flood, rolling outward from her in waves.
A roar like the end of the world split the air.
The sky trembled, the land bellowed.
From the earth, colossal roots like serpentine dragons tore free, weaving a cage around the sea of flowers.
Each tendril was the size of a skyscraper.
The air grew dense and heavy.
Before these titanic forces, humanity would be less than a grain of sand.
Even gods would be left only with powerless sighs.
The entire horizon was draped in a veil of green.
Oxygen alone here was so dense it could smother life.
With her power alone, Crimson Moon had reshaped the land into a forbidden forest, a graveyard of life—as if mocking civilization with nature itself.
Even tyrants paled beside her unrestrained might.
"Not bad. Simply by rolling the environment back to the planet's birth, this power manifests. It suits me well. With this, even if others come, they'll know whose domain this is."
She nodded in satisfaction.
Watching, Ryouma could barely breathe.
He hadn't misseen it: just to mark territory, Crimson Moon had turned a swath of land into a death zone.
Power enough to erase civilization with ease—used so casually.
Anyone else would have a headache.
But she only looked proud, expectant, waiting for his praise.
And then, in all seriousness, she said:
"Important things must be guarded by important power.
And besides, what's yours is mine. What's ours must not be defiled by anyone."
"…I could say a lot, but forget it. Having your help—I'm grateful."
Ryouma's expression was equal parts relief and resignation.
What else could he do but indulge her?
She had wielded planetary authority for his sake. How could he scold her?
Of course not. He himself couldn't bear it.
Besides, the Fantasy Tree was his lifeline. Having Crimson Moon guard it with such power wasn't wrong.
"I've heard there are still gods in this Sea of the Planet. If they discover it, won't they intrude?"
"You mean those things?
I don't know much, but I've left my mark here. If they dare come, I'll treat it as provocation.
And then—I'll smash open their doors myself."
A strange light flickered in her eyes.
The next instant, a sadistic smile curved her lips—like a blade unsheathed, yearning for blood.
Crimson Moon was the planet's guardian.
But she was also the Ultimate One of the Moon.
Only the mightiest chief gods could even hope to match her. The rest weren't worth her notice.
"No need to worry about them.
Instead, let's think about where to go next. That's what's important~!"
"All right, all right—we'll decide as we go."
Ryouma gave a wry smile as Crimson Moon leapt onto his back.
Together, laughing and bickering, the two vanished into the endless field.
Crimson Moon received resources from the planet.
Ryouma, from Gaia, gained memories and wisdom.
Just as he had once said to her on the Moon.
Through the planet's memory, he learned that the current world stood in the age when the gods were fading—
The era of gods receding, and humanity rising.
What he had gained from Gaia was limited. He still had to find ways to make himself stronger.
Planting the Fantasy Tree was only the first step.
[End of Chapter]
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