The elf named Ryuu Lion had originally left her forest home due to her disillusionment with her surroundings and arrived in Orario alone.
Not long after, she was nearly kidnapped by a group of thugs.
It was then that a red-haired girl, who claimed to "like meddling in other people's business," reached out to help her.
Alise Lovell.
She bore the title Scarlet Harnel, and at the time was the captain of the Astraea Familia.
In a shadowed rain-soaked alley, Alise guided the lost and frightened Ryuu to what would become her future sanctuary.
Yet…
Even companions who had survived the Seven Days of Death and crossed through hell were deceived by the dark familia, accidentally encountering the Destroyer, Zagnat.
Everyone except Ryuu was wiped out.
That day, the cunning little person Lyra had her eyes melted away.
The once-conflicting Yamato Rindou, Kaguya, lost limbs.
Though they had argued and been at odds, underestimated, and held clashing ideals… when the moment came, all had selflessly chosen to pave the way for her life.
In the end, even Alise herself disappeared in the flames, leaving no trace.
"Every page of tragedy is thrown away, burned out in the flame~♪"
Yes. The tragedy had occurred, and it was past.
Irretrievable.
So at that time, Ryuu abandoned all she had once held dear—the ideals of justice, even the god's heartfelt admonitions—none of it mattered anymore.
She began slaughtering the remnants of the dark familia responsible for stealing her sanctuary.
Poison, traps, fire, smoke—she spared nothing.
She even brutally killed a few of the masterminds.
Such seemingly indiscriminate attacks naturally drew the attention of the Guild.
Yet, because of her independent actions, she inadvertently destroyed the last major force of the dark familia, forcing them into hiding, too afraid to act openly.
Thus, the Guild granted her a special pardon. She was listed as wanted, but the warrant was never enforced.
So Ryuu began a life under a hidden identity.
On that rainy night, she was rescued by a girl named Syr Flova, and since then has worked at the Hostess of Fertility.
Her once-golden hair had been dyed jade-green.
It seemed to declare: the one who survived was no longer the naive elf who acted boldly in the name of justice.
She felt unworthy.
Even though she knew she should…
"A shoulder for the past, let out the cries imprisoned for so long~♪"
"A pair of wings for me at this moment, to soar above this world~♪"
…
More and more sky lanterns rose from the central plaza.
Though their flames were dim and their fragile structures nearly helpless, they still drifted upward, becoming the most captivating sights in the night sky.
Just like…
"Turn into a shooting star that briefly shines but warms up every heart~♪"
"May all the beauty be blessed~♪"
…
"Hnn~"
Suddenly, at the most crucial note of the song, a miracle appeared.
A harmless phantom fire, a flickering flame of hope, connecting with everyone's hearts, revealing…
"Bete, you're still so slow. Careful, or you'll never make friends~"
"I still love watching your rebellious side."
"Bete big brother, be happy~"
"Just as expected of our son."
…
Bete's eyes widened as he saw the beauty of the past.
"Newbie, stubborn as always… it's time to move forward after all these years."
"Hey, hey, our little sister still hasn't grown up?"
"Ryuu…"
The elf, eyes wet, truly heard them.
The red-haired senior smiled, saying:
"I told you, justice is a cycle… it should be passed on."
"The justice we entrusted to you mustn't end here~"
"Alise…"
"Kaguya…"
"Lyra…"
Ryuu instinctively wanted to reach out.
Yet she feared that if she did, all of this would vanish instantly.
And at that moment…
"I will never go~♪"
They were still there.
They approached her fragile self.
So close, as if whispering, gently admonishing the lost little sister…
"There's a way back home~♪"
You must…
"Brighter than tomorrow and yesterday~♪"
…
The phantom flames began to fade.
Countless people instinctively tried to chase them…
"You can't come yet."
The lingering thoughts of old friends gave a helpless smile:
"There are still people who need you 'over there,' aren't there?"
"Promise me~"
Do not stop moving forward…
"When hope and faith have grown so strong and sound~♪"
"Unfold this pair of wings for me again~♪"
"To soar above this world~♪"
…
The faintly glowing lanterns, accompanied by the remnants of phantom fire, hung high in the night sky.
The lingering sparks circled each lantern like fireflies reluctant to leave.
Perhaps they wanted to see the wishes of those they cared for, to see if their past efforts were worthwhile.
"My journey ends here…"
"Even if I'm not by your side, you must continue forward."
"Let us see… your story!"
======
"Cough~"
In the central plaza, Renjiro staggered, almost falling.
Clearly, he was nearing a state of mental exhaustion.
Fortunately, a slender figure caught him.
"You really act recklessly."
The gray-haired girl scolded gently, "I'm not here to be your human cane."
Taking a deep breath, Renjiro calmed himself and smiled:
"Sometimes, a little recklessness is necessary."
After all, he was called a Hero.
Even if he knew he wasn't a true hero, he could at least…
"Turned into a moon that always tells the warmth and brightness of the sun~♪"
"May all the beauty be blessed~♪"
Yes.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
140+ advance chapters available on P@treon(.)com/Veltoria