Chapter 1058 - ........................
To put it simply, it was like a lock and key.
She had to find the right weapon among the countless ones, read where it was meant to go, and deliver it to the Dragon without error.
Just as the one-handed axe had destroyed the rubble pinky toe...
"This one... I know, the wing! The root on the right side!"
A dagger.
"Now it's the face! The cheek! The left side of the face!"
A war hammer.
"The thigh! Which one? Ah, sorry, the left front thigh!"
A halberd.
"The base of the tail!"
A greatsword.
"Right eye!"
A chakram.
"Left eye!"
A rapier.
"The heart! Right in the center of the chest!"
Through the guidance of Nia, who leaped through the combat space, every slash, strike, and thrust hit its mark. Over and over, the correct answers piled up.
About an hour after the start of the battle, we had slowly shaved away the Dragon's rubble body.
"""""........................""""
We surrounded the tiny combat zone in a circle, crouching down. We watched what remained, which no longer felt like a threat.
...
Every time it lost a part, it would rebuild itself, shrinking until the [Sage]'s work was now the size of a palm.
"...There."
Ashe brought down a small hammer like a toy and crushed it. We watched silently.
A light flashed, though it was far more modest than before. Our Sword Queen's blunt weapon shattered into pieces, leaving nothing behind.
"...It's over..."
"...Finished?"
Nia murmured, and Sora followed. No matter how much I looked around, the rubble Dragon was gone.
Naturally, the words Trial Complete came to mind. Then, our attention turned to...
...
The small shadow that approached us.
Just like the [Hero] before him, the blackness that had covered his body withdrew, revealing a fresh green color. His hair was as soft and gentle as young leaves.
From behind his slightly long bangs, his eyes were heterochromatic. The right was indigo, and the left was blue. Now that his face was revealed, he had a mysterious aura that combined childishness and wisdom.
"..."
"...Thank you. Well done."
His mouth moved without a sound, and the recording from the far past played over it. His tone was blunt, but he gave a childish smile as if he were finally relieved, and then he vanished into phosphorus.
We were left in the present. As soon as [Sage Folkana]'s remnants vanished, the weapons on the stage disappeared as if they had never existed.
"What was that about? We don't even know the story."
I agreed with Tora-kichi's words in my heart, and for a while, we just basked in the confusion.
*
...A scene from the far past...
"Seriously, how much of an idiot and a child can you be..."
"That's rich coming from you, Revenant."
"Shut up, Folkana. You got all quiet as soon as the girl left, you little pipsqueak."
"Your insults haven't grown at all. It's boring to listen to."
"Ah, shut up, shut up. Arguing with you is useless."
"Agreed. ...We're both bad at dealing with women."
"Huh!? Who is..."
"Ah, to be more precise, you're bad at dealing with Alistia... no, even more precise, you're in love."
"Shut up, or I'll wrap you in a rug and throw you into Milfie's nest."
"...Hah."
"What? I thought you actually accepted my invitation for a drink for once, and you're just being annoying."
"........................"
"What is it? Stop it. Your silent staring is creepy."
"........................"
"Fine, I'll take back what I said about shutting up. Say something."
"........................"
"Come on, let's have a fun drink and talk, my dear friend..."
"The Wedge Ritual. The theory is complete."
"........................"
"You know me. I don't allow flaws in my work."
"...Yeah, I know. If a pathological perfectionist like you says it's complete."
"...Yes. There will be no shortage or accidents. It can be done anytime, immediately."
"........................"
"It should be done. ...Therefore..."
"Don't say it."
"Since we know it will end soon, we shouldn't leave any regrets. Don't you think?"
"I told you not to say it..."
"If you like her, you should say so. If you love her, you can say it."
"Aaaahhhh... seriously, you annoying little pipsqueak... are you drunk already? You're saying everything... hey!"
"I'm going home."
"What!? Hey, aren't we going to drink? You just said what you wanted and then..."
"I agreed to talk. I wasn't invited to drink."
"Huh!? You... hey, are you really leaving? Hey..."
"...Good grief, acting all smart, you stubborn little pipsqueak."
"...Look who's talking, the one who's bad at dealing with Milfie."
Past, present, and future. Stories are always with love.