"Well then, I'll take my leave here."
Just as everyone had finished eating and was catching their breath, Nagisa's voice rang out.
"I need to check on the progress of the reconstruction work. …And I also want to speak with people in various places."
As Nagisa stood up, Hart, Katina, and Huey naturally lined up behind her.
"We'll go too. It's about making introductions, right?"
Hart smiled.
"It'll make things easier later if we connect faces now."
Katina shrugged lightly, her expression soft but her eyes carrying a clear, calculating sharpness.
"After all, Fuuka can't move around publicly."
Huey added in a serious tone, and the mood in the room tightened for a moment.
"Thank you, all three of you."
Fuuka quietly bowed her head.
Her voice carried more gratitude than embarrassment.
"It's only natural."
Katina replied smoothly, her lips curving up just a little.
"That's right. This is also our way of repaying Fuuka, who saved us."
Huey's gaze was straightforward as he added his words.
The reason Fuuka was not going with them was to avoid being pushed into an unwanted position.
If she showed herself carelessly, some people would likely try to elevate her as "the princess."
Knowing that, she was deliberately keeping her distance.
That was why the three of them would make the connections in her place and naturally position Nagisa to take the lead.
"Take care, Nagisa."
When I called out, she turned back slightly and smiled gently.
"Yes. Everyone, please take your time and relax."
With that, Nagisa and the three of them left the inn.
Watching their backs were me, Shion, Fuuka, Luna, and Oliver.
Fuuka's lips were pressed together slightly as she stared at the figures of her little sister and her retainers disappearing beyond the sliding door.
"So, what are we going to do from now on?"
When Oliver asked, Shion placed a hand on her chin.
"I… was thinking of joining up with Telsche."
"Telsche is in Tsuranami right now, right?"
"Yeah. She went to scout the western part of Kyokuto. She's gathering information on the neighboring Rudain Federation across the sea and movements on the continent, while also investigating the cult remnants still hiding inside the country. I thought I'd help her with that."
Kyokuto had the sacred mountain at its center, surrounded by four districts: east, west, south, and north.
The south was Hanemiya, the capital, serving as the center of politics and culture.
The west, Tsuranami, was a trade city handling foreign commerce—an important port where goods and overseas culture gathered.
The north, Honae, was an agricultural city with vast farmlands that supported the country.
The east, Shiohara, was a fishing city that enriched the nation through fishing and salt production.
Telsche was currently in Tsuranami, which had contact with foreign countries, gathering information.
"Orun has the investigation of the principles, but if the rest of you don't have anything to do, want to come with me to Telsche's place?"
At Shion's suggestion, Fuuka nodded with "Sounds good."
Luna and Oliver also looked interested.
But I shook my head.
"Wait."
All three turned their gazes toward me at once.
I looked at Luna and spoke quietly.
"There's something I want Luna to do separately."
"…Me?"
"Yeah. Luna—from now on, I want you to touch the laws of the outside."
The moment I said that, the air in the room grew tense.
"The laws of the outside… In other words, you want Luna to become a transcendent?"
Oliver asked.
"That's right."
"…That's sudden. But I suppose it makes sense. Compared to everyone else, I'm quite lacking in power… So this is to raise my strength, right?"
"No, that's not it."
I immediately denied it.
"I don't think you're weak, Luna. In fact, looking across the world, your ability is among the top tier. The reason I want you to become a transcendent is for a different reason."
"…And that reason is?"
"Earlier, I went to the Phoenix Shrine where the principles are. There… I met Titania."
"...Eh?"
Luna's eyes widened.
"…? Hey, who's Titania…?"
Oliver tilted his head, breaking the tension in the room.
"Oliver, now's not the time for that kind of joke."
Shion poked him.
But Oliver's eyes did not look like he was joking at all.
Seeing that, Shion's expression also filled with unease.
"Shion, I only learned this yesterday too, but aside from you and me, no one else knows about Titania. Just like with grandfather—Titania's footprints have been lost."
"No way…"
Shion's voice trembled.
Beside her, Luna pressed her lips together tightly and asked hesitantly.
"…Does that mean… if I go to the Phoenix Shrine… I can meet Titania?"
"Yes. In that place, you can speak with her."
I nodded without hesitation.
Luna's eyes shook greatly, and the next moment she looked straight at me.
"…In that case, I will become a transcendent!"
Her words carried clear resolve.
The tense silence in the room was broken by Fuuka.
"I'll help Luna. Luna came all the way to this country for our sake and lent us her strength. Now it's my turn to help her."
"I'll help too."
Shion immediately continued.
"Because we're comrades. And… if this can be my way of repaying Titania, then there's no reason to hesitate."
"Of course, I'm in too."
Oliver said shortly and nodded firmly with his arms crossed.
"I've caused Luna a lot of trouble. If there's anything I can do, I'll do it."
Fuuka, Shion, and Oliver—their words overlapped and reached straight into Luna's heart.
She teared up slightly, placed a hand on her chest, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you… everyone."
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