『I decided to remain a bystander… so why am I hesitating…?』
While murmuring in a voice too quiet for Luuko to hear, I watched the carriage carrying the exploration party that called itself Twilight Moonbow, along with this city's lord's son, depart from Roils—escorted by five soldiers.
Fairies are unbound by the laws of the human world.
Especially me—I am Titania, the fairy queen who stands at the very pinnacle among fairies.
I can see the future.
The clarity varies depending on how certain that future is—but if things continue as they are, a future awaits humanity that could fairly be called hell. That much is almost certain.
Yet I don't care what happens to this world.
If it's going to be destroyed, then let it be destroyed—I genuinely think that.
I intended only to watch silently as this world approached its final destination.
And yet—I've become involved with Luuko, repeatedly… averting her death.
Is it because she's the first human I've spoken with in so long that I've grown attached? Or is it something else—?
Lately, everything I do contradicts my past decision.
I decided to do nothing.
And yet…
『Heh… maybe this is exactly how my master imagined it would unfold.』
Before I realized it, I was murmuring something without an answer while recalling my master's final moments.
—『If you choose to remain a bystander, that's fine too. That's a decision you made. There's only one thing I can say to you now: remember the name "Orun Dura." Hundreds of years from now, it's the name of the human who will resolve to stand against them. Having been involved with Orun… will you still be able to remain a bystander?』
My master was ultimately defeated…
—『When the time comes to face death, I want to pass on satisfied with my life. To do that, I have to keep winning. If I die having lost, I will definitely regret it.』
Just the other day, Orun Dura said those words.
Hearing them shook my heart.
I too have experienced defeat and carry deep regret.
That's precisely why I chose to remain a bystander—to avoid losing anything more.
If I believe my master's words, then Orun Dura will soon face something so horrific it will make him wail in despair—yet he will not stop moving forward.
I know I'm being influenced by Orun Dura.
Even so—there's a part of me that strongly wants to see what that young man, who somehow carries echoes of my master, will accomplish.
—That's why, for the first time in hundreds of years, I will make a decision of my own free will.
『Luuko.』
I called out to Luuko, who had been conversing with Orun Dura's disciples inside the carriage.
『Titania? It's rare for you to speak to me first. What is it?』
『The labyrinth you were diving in until recently… is about to overflow…』
『That labyrinth!? Why…』
『I don't know the reason, but the scale isn't that large. It's something you alone should be able to handle. But with the territory's forces concentrated in the north right now, you're probably the only one who can deal with it.』
『For someone who claims to have no interest in humans, you sure are well-informed.』
『Well… I have a lot of free time. So what will you do?』
『I'll handle it, of course. I want Orun-san and the Eddington family to focus on dealing with the empire. Besides—this is a chance for Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky to earn even more favor with the Eddington family.』
Luuko told the others in the carriage, "Something urgent came up—I need to get off."
Orun Dura's disciples, probably sensing something was wrong, tried to follow her—but the lord's son, seeming to understand the situation, stopped them.
And so—guided by me—Luuko stepped out of the carriage and headed toward the labyrinth.
The die has been cast.
There's no turning back now.
From here on, she must overcome it on her own.
This is the touchstone. Prove your worth.
The one who will carry the future of Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky is you—Logan Hayward.
Overcome it safely.
With that wish in mind, I interfered with the crystal of the labyrinth Luuko was heading toward—causing it to overflow.
To pin Luuko in place right there—