ENDING / EPILOGUE

“Teacher, you did it! I knew you could!”

Even after the battle with the guardian in the deepest part of the dungeon, Torte was still clinging to me.

The slight tremble in her body told me how truly scared she had been. Yet, the fact that she said she believed in me until the very end made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

“I feel like you’ve shown us the difference in skill all over again… Your back is so far ahead,” Emmy murmured.

“Emmy.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m definitely not giving up. I’ll catch up to you someday, for sure. Well, you know? It’s just that… your back is worth chasing!”

Emmy averted her gaze, trying to hide her embarrassment as she spoke.

Her attitude was so endearing that I almost reached out to pat her head. But I refrained, knowing she’d probably get angry.

“…Teacher.”

“Ange.”

“Finally, one step forward, isn’t it? …First of all, thank you for all your hard work.”

Ange offered words of comfort, a gentle smile gracing her lips, as if truly relieved.

Her words made me finally realize that we had indeed moved closer to our goal.

My objective: the “Divine Mausoleum.” Successfully conquering a dungeon designated as a forbidden area, just like it, was a significant step.

I wanted to savor this joy, but we couldn’t afford to linger for too long.

“Everyone, let’s first celebrate achieving our objective safely. However, we can’t relax just yet, okay? The mission isn’t over until we return safely.”

“I know that!”

“I’ll keep my guard up.”

“Let’s go home quickly! I want to take a bath!”

“Indeed. Well then, since we’re here, why don’t you three try purifying the dungeon core? It’ll be a valuable experience.”

“We’re doing it? Is it okay if it’s not you, Teacher?”

“It’s fine if the three of you do it. Please, use this as an opportunity to truly realize what you’ve accomplished.”

I was the one who directly defeated the guardian, but their strength was indispensable in reaching this point. That’s why I wanted them to realize it – to understand the magnitude of what they had achieved together.

Following my instructions, the three of them stood in a circle around the dungeon core.

The dungeon core, hanging from the ceiling, only appeared to be within reach; in reality, it was intangible.

“It’s strange… it looks like it’s right there, but we can’t touch it,” Torte remarked.

“That’s because it’s the very center of the world’s distortion. Now, let’s begin. There are no special procedures. Just purify the core.”

The three of them followed my instructions, raising both hands towards the dungeon core.

『“Heed my will, manifest here. Distortion of the world, be purified.”』

Their voices overlapped, and white light emanated from their hands. The light, directed towards the dungeon core that had been emitting an eerie glow, began to soften the ominous aura.

The distorted scenery slowly shifted back to its correct form. Responding to this, the light of the dungeon core itself began to change.

It was a truly fantastical sight. I remembered the first time I saw it, I was so captivated by its beauty that I had held my breath.

But—perhaps it was due to the dungeon’s scale or quality—in terms of beauty, this dungeon was overwhelmingly more stunning.

I almost felt jealous of the three of them, who would have this as their first memory of purification.

They continued to purify without stopping, their eyes also glued to the mesmerizing spectacle.

Eventually, the core’s purification seemed to be complete, and the dungeon core, which had been hanging from the ceiling, slowly descended. The moment I received it, the light gradually faded away.

Before I knew it, the space that had felt endlessly vast had transformed back into a simple hall. It was as if we had been dreaming, but the dungeon core in my hand confirmed that it was reality.

“…Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ange murmured, awestruck.

It seemed the beauty of a dungeon core truly varied depending on the quality of the dungeon.

The jewels embedded in Emmy and the others’ weapons were also made from dungeon cores, but even at a glance, the difference in quality was obvious. This one was in a different league altogether.

“So, this is proof of just how incredible this dungeon really was,” Emmy mused.

“Can you make a weapon for yourself with this, Teacher?” Torte asked.

“…Does that mean Teacher will become even stronger?” Ange added.

Torte’s quiet question seemed to trigger something, and the three of them stopped, exchanging glances.

“Does that mean that nightmare will get even worse…” Emmy trailed off.

“The world… is still so vast, isn’t it?” Ange sighed.

“And maybe deep too, like bottomless…” Torte finished.

“Just whose impressions are you all sharing? And do you really think you can say that in front of your teacher?” I interjected, a hint of amusement in my voice.

You know, I thought, I’m always ready for individual consultations, anytime.

“Well then, now that we’ve retrieved the core, shall we head back?” I suggested, changing the subject.

“I wonder if the way back will be okay…” Emmy wondered aloud.

“It’ll be fine. Now that it’s completely purified, the monsters are probably scrambling to escape to other dungeons,” I reassured her.

“It’s also because I feel like we ran quite a distance…” Emmy added, slightly out of breath.

“That’s also part of your training,” I said, matter-of-factly.

“Training, huh… sounds unpleasant…” Emmy grumbled, her energy seemingly drained away.

Continuing our conversation in a relaxed tone, we began walking towards the dungeon exit. As predicted, no monsters appeared along the way.

The silent ruins felt as if they had fallen into a deep sleep.

“Do you think this ruin was really made by a goddess?” Emmy pondered.

“Information might be available if we research historical records…” Ange replied thoughtfully.

“Should we look into it sometime? Wouldn’t it be useful if we could somehow reproduce it?” Emmy suggested.

“Oh, Emmy, surprisingly interested, aren’t you? In that case, you should ask Moril-san about it,” I said, amused.

“Why would I want to deal with that grumpy old hag?!” Emmy retorted, her nose wrinkling in distaste.

“You shouldn’t speak of your relatives like that,” I gently chided.

“I say it because she’s family!” Emmy huffed.

Perhaps it was because no monsters were appearing, but everyone’s tension seemed to be easing.

We would need to be more vigilant once we left the ruins, but considering how tired they must be, I decided to let it slide for now.

Chatting casually, we finally reached the entrance.

“Emmy, Ange, Torte,” I called out.

“What is it?” Emmy responded.

“Is something the matter?” Ange asked.

“What is it, Teacher?” Torte chimed in.

“Once we step outside, you’ll probably understand what I wanted to say,” I hinted.

“…? What do you mean?” Emmy asked, puzzled.

“Words would only spoil the moment. Please, go ahead,” I said with a smile.

The three of them exchanged dubious glances but stepped outside nonetheless.

It was just around sunrise, and the sun was peeking over the horizon.

The world bathed in morning light, combined with the crisp air, was breathtakingly beautiful.

The world distorted by the “world’s distortion” had felt somewhat ominous. That was why the Doradot Great Spirit Mountain had emanated such an oppressive aura even from afar.

But that factor had been purified. The stagnant air had cleared, filled with a pure, refreshing presence. The scent of trees, carried by the breeze, tickled our noses and gently drifted away.

Ah, yes, the world truly is beautiful. This must be the Doradot Great Spirit Mountain in its original, pristine state.

I wondered what thoughts were flooding the hearts of the three girls, who were gazing at this undeniably memorable scenery. Lost in thought, I heard Emmy’s voice, breaking the silence.

“…Teacher,” she began softly.

“Yes, Emmy, what is it?” I replied.

“—Thank you… for bringing us this far.”

Emmy, unusually gentle, offered a shy, heartwarming smile.

I was mesmerized by her radiant expression.

“That’s right. It’s a view we wouldn’t have seen if we hadn’t met you, Teacher,” Ange added, her voice equally soft.

“Even Ange…” I murmured, surprised.

“Thank you so much. —I’m so glad you’re my teacher,” Torte said sincerely.

Ange, gazing at the distant scenery, blinked back slight tears – or so I pretended not to notice.

Suddenly, Torte grabbed Emmy and Ange’s hands. Overflowing with joy, Torte took a deep breath and shouted in a clear, resounding voice.

“Yahoooooooo!”

Torte’s voice echoed, reverberating into the distance. Emmy and Ange blinked in surprise at her sudden outburst.

“Come on, Emmy and Ange, let’s shout too! We probably won’t get to experience this many times!” Torte urged.

“Honestly… Torte, you’re so childish,” Emmy sighed, though a smile played on her lips.

“Indeed. But Torte is right. Shall we indulge her, Emmy?” Ange suggested, a hint of amusement in her tone.

“Oh, alright, alright, fine!” Emmy relented, a grin spreading across her face.

『Yahoooooooo!』

The three of them huddled together, laughing. And then, as if in unison, they shouted again.

Their voices carried far, echoing endlessly. Listening to their joyful laughter, I softly lowered my gaze.

(—Jessica. If you were here, would I have shouted along with them too?)

No answer returned. But if Jessica were here, she definitely would have joined in.

And surely, “that girl” would have been there too. I could vividly picture her stubbornly refusing, being forcibly dragged along by Jessica.

Thinking of them, I couldn’t help but feel a little concerned about “that girl.”

“That girl” who had sent me a letter and entrusted Emmy and Ange to me. She must have had some reason for leaving the two of them in my care.

It was possible that she couldn’t abandon Ange because she was close to Jessica, but I felt it was more than just that.

“Hey, what are you thinking about? —‘Reina’.”

—The Holy King’s Capital. Even in a city said to be overflowing with light, shadows inevitably form.

In a secret chamber hidden in such shadows, unseen by prying eyes, illuminated only by candlelight in a windowless room,

figures whispered in the darkness.

“—Princess Angelina’s matter… you’ve taken quite a bold step, Reina-dono,” one voice commented.

“…I merely utilized capable individuals who happened to be in the frontier. There are no ulterior motives like you’re imagining, so please, don’t misunderstand,” Reina Trail replied coolly.

“Reina is still so harsh towards Tia, isn’t she? Some things never change, do they?” another voice chimed in.

Reina, a stern-faced woman, one of the figures in the secret chamber, furrowed her brow. Though normally adorned in the robes of a Holy Woman, here she wore a black robe to conceal her identity.

“Shall we proceed with the discussion? We didn’t gather here to reminisce about old times,” Reina pressed, cutting to the chase.

“Ehh? Reina, you’re too stiff. It’s been a while since you met Tia, you could show a bit more reaction, you know?” a woman concealed by a hood and veil teased, shrugging playfully.

Reina glared at the woman with such intensity that it could kill.

“Do I have some obligation to react just because I met Tia? I don’t think so,” Reina retorted sharply.

“Coming from the person who used to bite Tia’s head off at every opportunity, secretly crying out of jealousy and inferiority… those words are quite something,” the veiled woman chuckled.

“—Oh? Are you perhaps implying you wish to be embraced by the Goddess right now?” Reina’s voice turned dangerously low.

“Whoa, those are some lethal words! You really get riled up when it comes to Tia!” the veiled woman exclaimed, seemingly unfazed.

“Cathy!” Reina’s voice rose in anger, but Cathy, as she was called, only laughed merrily.

“‘Harmony is a virtue,’ as they say, but raising your voice might attract unwanted attention, ladies,” a third voice interjected calmly.

“…My apologies, Lord Deril. I was being frivolous. This is not the time for games,” Reina said, regaining her composure.

“No need for such honorifics for an old bonehead stripped of his title. Well, we can’t afford to have this gathering discovered. Let’s keep it brief,” Deril, an elderly gentleman, responded with a nod to Reina’s words. Despite his age, his physique hinted at past training, even through his clothing.

“We still don’t have enough information, do we? We need to seize decisive evidence soon,” Cathy fretted.

“Cathy, patience is key. Our opponent has been lurking in the shadows for years, attempting to threaten the Holy Kingdom from within. A careless mistake could put us in danger,” Deril cautioned.

“Indeed, decisive evidence remains elusive, though circumstantial evidence is accumulating. Given our opponent’s cunning nature, excessive caution is no vice,” Reina agreed.

“Losing any of you would be a significant blow. Please, don’t take unnecessary risks,” Deril urged, concern lacing his voice.

“Whee-ey, look who’s talking – the one who’s stepping into the most dangerous territory!” Cathy retorted, rolling her eyes.

Reina merely shrugged at Cathy’s remark. “You, of all people, a Holy Woman who has abandoned the Church and is wandering the underworld. And when it comes to being in dangerous places… I can’t compare to Tia.”

“Ah—… well, comparing to Tia, yeah, I lose…” Cathy conceded with a sigh.

“She still seems to be quite the formidable person, your star of hope,” Deril mused.

“…I didn’t say that much,” Reina mumbled, trying to downplay it.

“Reina is just being tsundere. Personally, I have immense respect for her. If it weren’t for Tia, I’d probably be worm food in the ‘Divine Mausoleum’ right now,” Cathy declared.

“…That’s precisely why that lament remains unforgettable,” Deril murmured, his voice tinged with sadness.

Silence descended upon the three, heavy and laden with unspoken memories. It was Reina who broke the somber quiet.

“…Everyone, back then, thought it was unavoidable. Jessica’s death was inevitable. Fulfilling her last wish was deemed necessary for the kingdom’s survival,” Reina said, her voice low.

“It’s not like everyone thought abandoning her was right. But… there was no other choice,” Cathy added, her tone subdued.

“That’s why Tia-dono’s lament, as she tried to reach Jessica-dono until the very end, is so unforgettable…” Deril finished, his voice thick with emotion.

Until the very last moment, she had been restrained, desperately trying to crawl towards Jessica.

And the sight of Tia’s lament, her heart breaking when she finally understood all hope was lost, was etched in the memories of these three.

—Especially Reina, who had held Tia down until she lost consciousness, remembered it vividly.

“—I swore that day. That I would hunt down those who were pulling the strings behind the scenes, and expose their crimes, no matter what,” Reina declared, her voice firm with resolve.

—That was the atonement she, who had been with Tia and Jessica, had to fulfill.

It was a resolution she had decided not to tell Tia. Yet, Cathy and Deril, sensing Reina’s resolve, quietly sighed, their gazes filled with concern for her.

“Things are precarious on our end too. This is hardly a relaxing position to be in, it’s a real pain,” Cathy grumbled.

“Officially, we’ve lost our positions, so we can’t even offer help…” Deril lamented.

“I was hoping that reuniting with Tia might soften her stubborn attitude, but it’s not going to be that easy…” Cathy sighed again.

“For now, we observe and wait. This is a time for patience, after all,” Deril advised.

“Ugh, that’s my least favorite word…” Cathy groaned.

“What are you all whispering about over there?” Reina asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

Cathy and Deril jumped back as if startled.

“Oh, nothing. We were just… worried that Reina-dono is pushing herself too hard,” Deril stammered.

“Hey! Why’d you blab it out?! Deril-jiisan, you’re so mean!” Cathy whined, playfully accusing Deril.

“…Haaah, I’m not someone who needs to be worried about. You two should be more aware that your actions are walking a dangerous line,” Reina retorted, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

“Of course. We wouldn’t want to let Reina-dono down, who’s moving in the most dangerous position. However, it’s thanks to Reina-dono that we’ve gathered this much information. It’s safe to assume the key lies in the center, isn’t it?” Deril affirmed, turning serious again.

Reina nodded silently in response to Deril’s words.

They picked up the documents they had been reviewing and set them ablaze. The contents could not be left behind. If they had memorized them, they had to be erased.

“To overturn this situation, Princess Angelina must be protected at all costs. Making it look like she was exiled to the frontier, she was entrusted to Tia. This will allow us to conduct a more in-depth investigation,” Reina explained.

“Sending the Imperial Princess along was a masterstroke, it serves as a good distraction. Now, if only Tia-dono would cause some kind of commotion,” Deril mused, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

“If Tia causes a ruckus, we can use it as a smokescreen. I’m kinda hoping for it,” Cathy admitted, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“…We don’t need any commotion. Princess Angelina’s safety is the top priority. Dragging Tia into our recklessness is something I truly wish to avoid,” Reina countered, her tone firm.

“You’re such a tsundere. Reina, you know it too, right? That entrusting the Princess to Tia is better for the Princess to gain self-defense capabilities,” Cathy teased, playfully nudging Reina’s arm.

“…It’s a painful decision. Not a decision made out of desire,” Reina admitted, her voice softer now.

“You’re such a liar~ You’ve spent too long in this dark world, and you’ve lost your purity~” Cathy continued to tease, drawing out the words.

“Hah ha ha, enough with the jesting,” Deril chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

“But if I don’t joke around, I can’t keep going. No matter how you look at it, the situation is just bad. Every time, it’s just tightrope walking, it’s really depressing…” Cathy sighed, her playful demeanor fading slightly, revealing the underlying tension.

“—Even so, we cannot give up,” Reina declared, her voice ringing with renewed determination. Her gaze was sharp, as if she were glaring at an unseen enemy in the shadows.

“Four years ago, we lost many comrades. There’s no doubt that ‘someone’ pulling the strings behind that incident has infiltrated the ‘Royal Family.’ We cannot allow them to continue acting as they please. To protect this country, to repay those we’ve lost…” Reina’s voice trailed off, but her resolve remained unwavering.

Since that day four years ago, the Holy Kingdom had changed drastically.

And the world was progressing just as those who had been plotting in the shadows had desired.

The malicious presence that had taken the life of a dear friend and forced another friend to make a tragic decision.

Their aim, which they had managed to uncover through desperate investigation, was something that absolutely had to be stopped.

“—Those bastards are intentionally trying to accumulate the ‘world’s distortion’ in dungeons across the land.”

—It was nothing less than an ambition to destroy the world.