The Spirit Dance Festival had ended, and the city had finally regained its quiet.
The lively sounds of drums and flutes that had filled the air were now gone, fading like distant memories.
Only the glow of streetlights floating in the darkness softly illuminated the remnants of the celebration.
While I sat on the veranda of the inn Nagisa had prepared for us, letting the night breeze cool my skin after a bath, I sensed someone approaching.
"What are you doing?"
Luna sat down beside me, drying her damp hair with a towel.
"Just getting some air. I wanted to calm my thoughts a bit."
"I see. It's been quite an intense time, after all."
Luna let out a quiet sigh.
Although things had unfolded very differently from what we had planned, we had achieved our goal of reclaiming Kyokuto.
However, remnants of the cult were still hiding within the country.
We would need to root them out.
At the same time, starting tomorrow, we could finally begin investigating the principles at the Phoenix Shrine.
Looking back, we had only made it this far thanks to everyone.
I never could have come this far alone.
"It felt both long and incredibly short to get here."
"Yes. Just a few months ago we were still working as explorers in Tsutrail, yet we've come so far."
"Especially this past year—it was incredibly dense. So many things happened. There were plenty of hardships, but I also encountered far more kindness from people."
"Same for me. Because you saved me, Orun, I'm able to be here now. Once again—thank you."
"…That came out of nowhere. If you're going to say that, then I should be the one thanking you. The reason Titania cooperated that day was because you had built a good relationship with her—"
The moment I said that, Luna's hand stopped moving.
Even in the moonlight, I could clearly see her fingers gripping the towel stiffen slightly.
"…Luna?"
When I turned to her in confusion, she was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
As if she did not understand the meaning of my words.
Or as if she had heard a name she did not know.
"Um, Orun…?"
"…What's wrong?"
My voice trembled without me realizing it.
Luna slowly tilted her head.
"—Who is Titania…?"
The instant I heard those words, I felt something slowly crumbling inside my head.
No way. That couldn't be.
But Luna was genuinely looking puzzled, as if she had spoken a name that meant nothing to her.
The summer wind suddenly felt terribly cold.
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