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The space within the Boundary did not obey the physical and magical rules of the world outside the circle. Daphne was floating and drifting within it. It wasn’t dark inside. An unknown light source illuminated her vision. Fortunately, her body moved as she willed it to: if she wanted to fly, she could fly; if she wanted to sit, she could sit. The floor and ceiling were one, and the walls were nonexistent. Daphne stared at the Meteor’s tail, clearly defined even through the spell.

“…Three years’ worth.”

Daphne calculated. That’s how much mana she could get from the giant crystal. She clenched and unclenched her fists. As it is, the wizards could hold the circle together until her life was over, but she probably wouldn’t last long.

And now that she’s closed the entrance to the cage, there’s no way for anyone from the outside to intervene. They wouldn’t know what’s happening inside, so even if Elroy finds a way to defeat the Meteor, he would have to wait for the spell to collapse.

“If I give everything I have here to strengthen the Binding Boundary….”

Life in the wizarding world is more expensive than you think. Magic comes with a price, and it costs lives. This time, it will take the life of a young Seventh Circle wizard. All the magic she’s built up to that point, the achievements gained through magical advancement, and all the potential for the future.

“…Hundreds of years, if not more.”

Hundreds of years, hundreds of years. Will the continent find an answer for the Meteor then? Daphne put her hands together. The process of giving one’s life is not so simple. Death and life are two sides of the same coin. Only when death is near does a person feel life.

“You’re not getting out.”

The Meteor flew into the distance as if trying to find a way out. Daphne shook her head gently and fumbled for the connection to the spell. It was right against her heart, still pumping mana like a pump. She let everything out.

“Stay here, trapped, until your death.”

Daphne gave everything she had, all to fuel her one desperate wish. It took everything and more, scraping every last drop from her deepest recesses. Daphne’s mouth quirked up at the corners as she felt the endless flow of mana.

“…More. Just a little more.”

The symptoms of magic exhaustion are setting in. Her head spun, and her hands and feet were losing strength. The last of the last. She must release every drop of mana lurking in the deepest recesses of her veins.

Her veins scream as they release too much mana. It stung; it hurt. Blood splattered across her body like a stain. The weaker Daphne is, the stronger the Boundary is. The space solidified

With each heartbeat came pain. An eternity of mindlessly draining mana. Her mana reserves, comparable to an ocean, were now depleted.

“…It’s pointless.”

She remembered Nella’s face, screaming at her. She’s right. Even if you sacrifice yourself to save people, there’s no way to know if they lived or died after you die. Part of the fear of death is not knowing what happens afterward. Daphne looked down at her trembling hands. They weren’t trembling from depleting magic.

Elroy had done this many times before.

She didn’t realize how safe she felt behind him; most of all, she didn’t know what it meant to be that shield. She didn’t know the weight of saving people’s lives or what it took to do it. Daphne finally stopped releasing her mana, leaving just enough to keep her alive. She had a handful of mana in her right hand, a tiny bit in her legs, and a drop circulating in her veins.

“…I’m scared.”

Daphne muttered, but she continued to release her mana. Willingly inviting death. Her body was pierced with magical tubes, each one a part of her body. An imaginary coffin of connections covered her body. Any remaining mana in her body has been siphoned into her heart.

“I’m scared.”

Daphne smiled weakly. She was a simple child from a small village, a scarred monster who had lived with the pain of being cast out and rejected by people. Elroy had rescued her from the pit and healed her wounds. Daphne followed in his footsteps.

But she also saw Elroy piling up scars on his body.

The Hero saved the wounded from their pain. The path he walked was covered with his blood. And when he looked back at those who followed, he always smiled.

“I miss you.”

Daphne felt a stabbing pain in her heart. She wanted to die. She wanted to give up her life to protect Elroy. And she wanted to do it without him knowing because if he did, he’d hurt himself again and try to save her.

…But she wanted him to know. She wants to see his face. She wants to tell him what she’s done, that she’s been brave. Daphne sank to her knees, her hands trembling. The pain was becoming unbearable.

“I want to see…”

She thought it would end with a few tears. Daphne gave a weak laugh, then collapsed in a heap. It hurt. Her body and his face pricked her heart. And his warmth, which she’d wanted to feel at least once more. Daphne arched her back, not wanting the tears to fall.

The truth is, I wanted to stop you from confronting the Giant.

The truth is, I hated the people who threw stones at you.

The truth is, I wanted to walk into the Mist to find you.

The truth is, I wanted to die by your side.

But she had resolved her will. Daphne stared at the golden strands of magic extending from her chest. They connected to the heart of the Boundary. There would be no turning back.

There was only one thing on her mind.

“Elroy.”

“You called me?”

Daphne froze. Then, very slowly, she raised her head. ‘Am I seeing things now?’ Her vision caught a flash of silver-white brilliance. Three pairs of glowing wings. Swords in each hand. A crown above overhead. And eyes of a brilliant turquoise color. His ash-colored hair fluttered in the windless void.

“This is a strange place. What a unique spell.”

Elroy smiled wryly. Daphne’s thoughts and actions came to a complete halt. Elroy looked at the golden coffin connected to Daphne and frowned slightly.

“What is this, and what do you think you’re doing, strapping something so dangerous to your body?”

Elroy bent down, and Daphne moved away.

“What the hell?! What the hell are you doing here!”

“I heard you didn’t listen to Nella and disappeared into nothingness, so I came looking for you.”

Elroy squatted and touched beneath his feet. Daphne stared at him in disbelief, then slowly approached him. She could feel it. She could feel his mana.

Daphne reached her hand to Elroy’s face. Her hand continued to caress his face. The marks of a fight. And the upturned corners of his mouth.

“Ah….”

It was Elroy.

Daphne’s arms dropped, and she cried again at the realization. Elroy didn’t move or say anything, just let her feel his presence fully. She looked him up and down in disbelief, then stuttered and opened her mouth.

“How the hell… how the….”

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

Daphne moved into Elroy’s chest. She sobbed as his arms patted her back.

“You did well.”

It was another half hour before Daphne stopped crying. She slumped down, completely exhausted. Elroy sat cross-legged across from her, the stars twinkling in the distance. Daphne pulled her knees together and sobbed.

“Now you can leave it to me.”

“…You’re going?”

He nodded. Daphne looked at him a little resentfully. ‘Why does he only show up when I’m at my wits end? He shows up when you’re in trouble, solves it casually, and comes back smiling.’ Daphne watched with sadness as he walked away.

“Thank you for hanging in there. You’ve already saved tens of millions and should be proud.”

“But… I can’t finish the job without you.”

“That goes for me too.”

Elroy gently lifted Daphne’s drooping chin.

“You bought me time. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to stop the world from ending.”

“You believed in me?”

“I did, so I waited until the last second.”

He’s reassuring me until the end. He tells me I can count on him and trust him. He smiles like it’s not so heavy, and he never collapses. He knows he’s carrying the people’s hopes, and he knows better than anyone that he’s a beacon for others.

“I’ll be back.”

Elroy stared at the Meteor. As it was, she would be alone again. She’d never accomplished what she’d hoped for before she died. Daphne grabbed the back of Elroy’s hand as he turned away.

“With you…”

Elroy’s eyes widened slightly. Daphne felt emboldened by his surprised reaction.

“I want to come with you.”

Elroy turned and looked at Daphne, then nodded and stepped closer. She held her hand to him as if to help her up, but what he did was beyond her expectations.

“Elroy?!?!”

“This is faster.”

Elroy sheathed her sword and gave Daphne a mischievous grin as he hugged her. She involuntarily flinched in his arms. Pure white wings spread out from his back. Elroy floated into the air. A completely different feeling than coasting on her own. Daphne struggled a little but had no strength left to resist this now.

“Well, here we go.”

Only a single flap of his wings made the stars become streaks of light as they swept past. There was no wind or sense of speed. It was as if space was shifting, carrying them to their destination. The expanse overhead was becoming more distinct. Elroy smirked and turned his gaze forward.

“There it is.”

They caught up.

The Meteor was flying fast, not knowing where it was going. Now they were the hunters. The ones who cast the net and brought the spears. Eloi flew out ahead of it and set Daphne down gently. She sat back down on the ground, and Elroy drew his sword.

“Stay there and watch.”

Daphne nodded, then used a handful of her recovered magic to cast a spell on Elroy. It was the same protective spell she’d cast on Elroy when they first entered the forest. His eyes widened, and he smiled brightly.

“Thank you. It’s comforting.”

“Do your best.”

“When have I didn’t?”

Daphne watched Elroy’s back as he walked away, feeling the magic that connected them. The Hero’s back seemed larger than ever.

***

“Let’s do this.”

I gripped both my swords tightly. Using the third stage was painful, but with Daphne’s magic surrounding me, it brought back memories of a simpler time. Memories had the power to make one smile. Thus, I could smile in the face of the Meteor’s enormous presence.

“Now it’s my turn.”

My heart was pounding, and it was hard to move my body. But I know what I must do. I cross the Holy Sword and Null. My muscles tense, and circles of magic form. A mixture of mana and aura enveloped the blades. The Holy Sword didn’t speak, allowing me to focus.

“I won’t waste the chance you’ve given me.”

I muttered and closed my eyes. Even through my closed eyes, the Meteor’s overpowering light filled the darkness was there. My head felt full and empty at the same time.

“A sword that cuts through the stars.”

I hadn’t reached the requirements set by the Holy Sword. Would I ever have the chance to achieve it? My mouth was bitter. I wanted to know. I wanted to sit there for as long as possible and reflect on the sword and myself.

“…It would be a luxury to wish for something so pure.”

I smirked and opened my eyes. It was closing in. Its surface glowed red, blue, white, yellow, and green. I took a giant step. My swords cried out in response to my gesture. The sound of Null was sharp and high, and the sound of the Holy Sword was low.

Slash.

And cut.

It’s nothing compared to the dummy.

The Meteor wanted to crush and kill me.

Nothing can exist wherever it passes.

I let a crooked smile curl on my lips.

Funny how it’ll happen to you instead.

Finally, my grip loosened around the swords. The Meteor was right before me. I stepped toward its brilliance.

All I had to do was simple.

Flowing down, I swung my sword down the path.

“…Slash.”

I looked at the Meteor, which had simply turned into a floating piece of ice.

[You cut it.]

The Holy Sword replied with sadness.

I coughed up blood. I wiped my face as my blood flowed into nothingness.

[Elroy…]

“I’m okay.”

I still have work to do.

Until then, this body will have to hold.