Inside the Phoenix Shrine, Oliver and I waited quietly for Luna's return.
"…Orun."
Our conversation was sparse as we waited in silence. Then, the space in front of us began to warp.
From within a shimmering heat-haze of light, Luna slowly stepped out. Her eyes held a clear, steady light — not tears.
"…Orun-san, Oliver-san, I've returned."
The moment we heard her voice, the heavy tension in the air melted away instantly.
Oliver muttered, "Thank goodness you're safe," and shrugged his shoulders.
Luna suddenly seemed much more mature. There were no major changes to her body, but she was now wearing a different hair ornament than before.
"Welcome back, Luna. Were you able to talk with Titania?"
"…Yes. I was able to say a proper goodbye. The reason I'm standing here today is thanks to both of you. Thank you so much."
"Just seeing that look on your face is enough for us. You've got some really good eyes now."
Oliver smiled happily.
"Fufu, does it look that way?"
She gave a small laugh and placed a hand over her chest.
"I received something precious from Titania. Not sadness or regret — but the power to connect to the future."
Each word sank gently into our hearts, soft like moonlight. I could tell she had finally overcome that long night and was ready to move forward.
"Alright then, shall we head back?"
At my words, Luna and Oliver both nodded.
"Yes." "Yeah."
◇
We left the Phoenix Shrine.
After passing through the torii gate and returning to the Tenrei Shrine, hurried footsteps echoed from the shrine grounds.
"Orun-san!"
It was Nagisa running toward us. She was breathing hard, her face tight with tension. Behind her, I saw Kiryu-san with a grim expression.
A bad feeling stirred dully in my chest.
"What's wrong?"
"Th-this is bad! Just now, a Federation fleet… has invaded the Kyokuto sea!"
"—What?!"
Oliver let out a shocked cry.
But Nagisa wasn't finished.
"And not just the fleet… one of the devils, Incinerator, has come with them!"
The air froze in an instant.
A devil — an existence that stands directly beneath the evil gods. It was no exaggeration to call them the cult's greatest fighting force.
"Right now, Shion-san is holding Incinerator back! The other Federation soldiers are being engaged by Fuuka-san and the Kyokuto troops, but… the enemy is attacking from the west, south, and north. The situation is chaotic!"
"Shit…!"
I wanted to rush to Shion's side immediately — but my head knew better. With the battlefield spread out like this, the best thing I could do was use [Spirit Link] to build an information network and coordinate our allies' movements. That was how I could save the most lives.
I understood the logic, but my heart wasn't keeping up.
That's when Luna stepped forward beside me.
"Orun-san. I'll go support Shion-san."
"Luna…?"
Her eyes weren't trembling. They were clear, as if filled with pure light.
"I've been granted the power to connect with the fairies. Fighting devils is my specialty."
With that, she called out toward the sky.
"—Pixie, lend me your strength!"
In response, countless particles of light rode the wind and danced upward.
『…Of course!』
"This will be a sudden real battle. Can you do it?"
『…What a foolish question. …I am the daughter of the Fairy Queen, you know?』
"Fufufu, that's right."
A clear, bell-like voice rang out, and a gentle light wrapped around her.
Luna then gently touched her hair ornament.
The white ornament glowed faintly.
"Titania… I'll be borrowing your power too."
The moment she whispered, a dazzling light burst forth.
Her entire silhouette turned pure white. Her hair, clothes, and eyes all became wrapped in light.
"—[Lunania, Moon Spirit Harmony]"
The air trembled.
White light filled the shrine grounds, and the small bird perched on the torii gate took flight.
When the light finally subsided, what stood there was a figure that looked like she had stepped out of myth itself.
Her whole body dyed in white ash, cloaked in holy energy — she truly was the White Ash Saintess.
Luna quietly exhaled, turned around, and smiled at me.
"I'll be going now."
"…Yeah. I'm counting on you, Luna."
White light danced upward.
Her body became one with the wind and soared into the sky.
The remaining breeze gently brushed my cheek.
I tightened my fist and focused my mind. It was time for me to fulfill my own role — to grasp the full picture of the battle.