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—Near the entrance of the great southern labyrinth—
Around the same time that Stieg and Dimon arrived at the explorers guild, Luna had reached the entrance of the great southern labyrinth.
"...Pixie, we have arrived at the great labyrinth. What do you intend to do by bringing me here?"
Upon arriving near the entrance of the great labyrinth, Luna asked Pixie via telepathy.
This was the urgent matter she had mentioned.
Several months earlier, Sophia had been taken to Daruane by the former Count Claudel.
To find her, Luna had borrowed the power of the fairy Pixie in exchange for a condition.
That condition was to grant Pixie's request, "anything one thing."
And today, Pixie had exercised that right and brought Luna to the great southern labyrinth.
"Um... My goal was only to bring Luna here... What happens after that is up to Luna, I guess..."
"What do you mean by—"
"It has been a while, Ruu-ko."
Just as Luna was about to press Pixie for a clearer answer to her vague reply, another woman's voice interrupted their telepathy.
"...This voice... Titania?"
Luna realized from the way the voice had called her "Ruu-ko" that the one who had interrupted was the Fairy Queen, Titania.
"Correct. I am glad to see you look well."
"It really has been a while. The last time we spoke was when we went to the Reglif territory on Count Eddington's request, so that was already nine months ago. Time passes quickly."
"For me, it feels like only a short while ago."
"Fufu, for Titania who has lived for hundreds of years, a year must indeed pass in the blink of an eye."
Luna's expression softened as she exchanged words with Titania after such a long time.
"Was it you, Titania, who had Pixie bring me to the great labyrinth?"
After exchanging a few words with Titania, Luna asked her a question.
"...Yes, it was. I wanted you to witness everything that is about to happen from beginning to end. Spirit Domination is less affected by spell formulas than other abilities. So even if the memories do not carry over, at least the sensations should remain... I believe."
"What do you mean by that...?"
Upon hearing the meaningful statement, Luna tilted her head.
"I am sorry, but there is no time to explain."
Titania did not give a clear answer to Luna's question and instead severed the Spirit Resonance path that Selma had connected to Luna in order to issue the emergency declaration.
Immediately afterward, a man suddenly appeared in front of the great labyrinth.
Luna noticed the overwhelming pressure emanating from the man and turned around while trembling.
What entered her vision was a young man with his right eye covered by an eyepatch and missing one arm — Belia Sans.
"...How truly vexing. Only I cannot enter the great labyrinth... It is unfair, is it not? Do you not think so? Well, Titania..."
Belia directed his words not at the trembling Luna but at the fairy near her, Titania.
His behavior proved that he was perceiving the fairy, which humans should normally be unable to sense.
"That is only natural. Did you seriously think my master would allow someone who plots the destruction of this world to enter?"
Titania replied in a cold voice upon receiving Belia's words.
"Hahaha! Destruction of the world is quite an exaggeration. I am simply trying to correct it. After all, the very existence of this world is a mistake. You fairies... think the same, do you not?"
"...I have no intention of debating the meaning of this world's existence. It is true that in the past I did not care whether this world was destroyed or continued to exist. But now it is different. I will leave it to Orun Dura's choice. That is my opinion now."
"Orun, huh. Unfortunately, my subordinate will kill Orun. He has no tomorrow. Too bad."
"Wait a moment! Leave it to Orun-san's choice? Kill Orun-san? What on earth are you two talking about!?"
Luna, who had been overwhelmed by Belia, finally raised her voice.
"...Luna Flockhart, a mere puppet of Titania, do not interrupt my conversation with an old friend after hundreds of years."
For the first time, Belia turned his gaze toward Luna and spoke to her coldly.
"That is something I cannot let slide. I have never once manipulated Ruu-ko. Ruu-ko has walked her life so far with her own power and will."
"Heh. Are you saying that Luna Flockhart being chosen as the third member of the Golden Dawn was a coincidence...? That is quite a stretch."
"...Third member?"
Luna muttered, catching onto Belia's words.
"You really know nothing."
"What do you mean?"
"It means exactly what it sounds like. The Golden Dawn was originally a party meant to bind Orun and have Oliver conquer the great labyrinth. —You are the one who turned that into a mess."
Belia's gaze toward Luna grew sharp.
"Ruu-ko, you can take his words with a grain of salt. From his perspective, you were simply a nuisance. From my perspective, thanks to you, both Orun and Oliver were able to move in a better direction."
Belia relaxed his expression upon hearing Titania's words.
"...Indeed, this is nothing more than a complaint. It is within the range of error that can be corrected anyway. I am not that concerned about it. I simply wanted to voice one grievance."
"This... is within the range of error? That is too complacent. This is enough to cause you to lose your superiority. You will come to realize that with your own bodies from now on."
"Hahaha! You talk big, Titania. ...But as I said earlier, Orun will be killed here. Without fail. And you as well, Titania!"
Right after Belia declared that, a dazzling light illuminated the area so brightly that one might mistake it for a second sun appearing in the sky.
It was golden magic power so dense that it had become visible.
"Heavenly Flash!!"
The dazzling golden magic power swallowed Belia.
Oliver descended between Luna and Belia.