『 "I agree with that point as well," Black Swan said with a nod.
"Regardless, it's better to be cautious. There is more than one path to Trailblaze. In a dark forest surrounded by prowling wolves, your priority must be ensuring you can escape with your life."
"As for the other questions…"
Black Swan crossed her arms, waiting for Stelle's inquiry.
"Do you think this has something to do with Acheron?"
Black Swan shook her head. "I'm afraid I cannot answer that. That Ranger is far too mysterious; I doubt anyone could give a definitive conclusion."
"But without a doubt… she is the most special guest at this banquet. As Aventurine said, you would be best served by keeping your distance from her." 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Take it from her—this is advice born from the personal experience of the 'plucked-feather lady.'
〘Black Swan〙: You needn't emphasize the 'plucked-feather' part, Fool.
....
『 Stelle then asked two more questions. After receiving Black Swan's answers, Stelle indicated she had no further questions.
Black Swan suggested leaving so that Stelle and her companions could talk things through and clear their heads.
With that, Black Swan led Stelle to the depths of the dream, stopping in front of an elevator. Black Swan turned to look at Stelle.
"Let's leave through here. And then, it will be time for us to part. All of this was like… a nightmare."
"Unfortunately, memories do not lie… what we just witnessed was a reality that actually occurred; it will not simply vanish from your mind upon waking."
"But do not be afraid. Follow the choices of your heart. That is how we all walk through this world, leaving behind shadows of varying lengths, and finally… leaving behind precious memories."
"…Ah, please wait a moment."
Black Swan stepped forward and lightly brushed the skin behind Stelle's ear, producing a card as if by magic and handing it to her. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Cool.
〘Black Swan〙: A simple trick. I can teach you once I board the Express.
〘March 7th〙: You're coming to the Express?
〘Black Swan〙: Soon, perhaps. And I likely won't be the only one.
....
『 "There we go—a small parting gift. Should you one day, unfortunately, sink into the deep sea of the Memory Zone without a Memokeeper to accompany you, this will guide you to the exit in my stead." 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: Mark this item as a key point. It sounds incredibly useful.
....
『 "I do value social graces… consider this an apology for the things I've kept hidden from you," Black Swan smiled.
"Thank you."
"Now… I have some private matters to attend to regarding that Galaxy Ranger. We shall part here."
"I wonder what kind of interesting memories you'll bring with you the next time we meet… I look forward to it." With a smile, Black Swan walked away.
The scene shifted, cutting to the battlefield where Sam and Acheron faced off.
After knocking Acheron's blade back, Sam looked at her and said, "You should draw that sword, Ranger."
Acheron took back the blade Sam had repelled and pointed it at him, asking, "Hunter, do you still dream?"
"Do you dream of those who died because of you?" 』
『 ....』
〘Pardofelis〙: These lines feel so familiar.
〘Cosmo〙: ….
〘Pardofelis〙: Ah, right! Cosmo, you're right! This is totally Kevin's style.
〘March 7th〙: How did you get that meaning out of a bunch of ellipses?
....
『 Sam paused for a moment, then crouched down to charge his attack. Acheron placed her hand on the hilt at her waist, preparing to draw.
The screen went black, and a line of white text appeared.
Several days ago, Ever-Flame Mansion. 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Here he comes! Our Grand Duke has arrived!
〘Stelle〙: Man!
....
『 The image slowly faded in.
The Ever-Flame Mansion looked identical to the previous short film, except now the Grand Duke was slumped in front of his throne, surrounded by raging flames. Opposite him, Acheron stood tall, pointing her blade down at the fallen Duke—matching the memory that first appeared during Black Swan's ball.
"…It seems the outcome was decided long ago," the Grand Duke said, looking up at Acheron. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Wait, he went down at light speed?
〘Hanabi〙: I'm out. He got one-shotted. What is there to say?
〘Giovanni〙: This is what they call 'fleeting.'
〘Sampo〙: My apologies for not being able to make Lady Acheron use her full strength.
〘Aha〙: Acheron, huh? She's super strong. I might never forget her for the rest of my life.
〘March 7th〙: You Masked Fools are way too OP in the chatroom.
....
『 "They are still alive, and so are you."
"You still have a choice. Leave the music box behind, and go." Acheron offered the Grand Duke a way out.
Hearing this, the Grand Duke sneered. "Choice? The blood-soaked path of Destruction has never had room for hesitation."
"Fetora's fire demon... Even if you offer your life to that Aeon, you will not earn His favor."
"Ranger, you walk the narrow path of The Hunt, so naturally, you cannot understand." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: In the end, the Duke never even figured out what Path Acheron is on…
〘Acheron〙: Not quite. In the end, I used the power of Nihility to send him on his way, if I recall correctly.
〘Boothill〙: For real? What do you mean by 'narrow Hunt'? Whatever, screw it, I ain't arguing with a dead Fire Demon.
....
『 "We come from the fire, born of the flame; we spread, burn, and destroy until the fuel is spent, leaving behind nothing but dead ash."
Though the Grand Duke's voice was weak, the will for Destruction remained steadfast.
"Burning is the life of a Fire Demon—the beginning and the end. We are born to die, solely to embody one reflection of the universal truth: all things are born for Destruction."
"Your companions don't seem to think so; they fought to give you a chance to live." Acheron glanced toward the stairs.
"They are my children, like I once was—flames that have not yet reached white heat. They are young; I will not blame them."
"But my flame has grown hoarse, and my time is running out. Can you see the Planet of Festivities in the distance? I plan to bring purgatory with me there — and before that, I must surpass you." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: The Grand Duke is definitely the villain, right…
〘March 7th〙: Right…
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: But why does he sound more and more like a protagonist the more I watch? Just with… goals that are a bit…
〘Hanabi〙: All I can say is your Lady Acheron is too OP, making the Grand Duke look like the good guy.
....
『 "Why?"
"Because on the path THEY have forged, you have traveled farther than I have..."
"…Emanator."
"…." Acheron took a deep breath.
"You cannot hide your identity. Draw that blade. We shall indeed remain here; we are destined to fight to the death, because I choose it to be so!"
"Destruction is a magnificent moment. If one chooses a cowardly survival… life becomes far too long."
"Even if the answer… is your own destruction?"
"The answer is not important; what matters is that it exists, just as you exist. Everything exists to be destroyed—even an Emanator."
"Even in the void, beautiful dreams can be born. What is called 'impossible' is simply something that has not yet arrived."
"…" Acheron exhaled.
"Very well, I accept."
"You shall witness the most brilliant and violent fire in this world. May this blaze illuminate your bottomless dream," the Grand Duke shouted with the last of his strength.
The Grand Duke ignited once more, the surrounding flames submitting to him. This self-destructive method of attack was clearly filled with the Grand Duke's aesthetic of Destruction. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: No, Grand Duke! You're under no obligation to face an enemy you can't possibly beat!
....
『 "A bottomless dream… indeed. But you have misunderstood one thing."
"This blade remains in its sheath, not out of mercy or contempt. It is a secret I prefer not to reveal, but in return…"
As she spoke, her hand rested lightly on the tsuba.
"…I will be honest with you."
"The Hunt… is not the path I walk."
The screen went black, then the sound of a blade being drawn followed.
"May death be the end of your boundless dream..."
"...guiding you back to the waking world." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Jokes aside, the Grand Duke is a real man.
〘Hanabi〙: Just so pathetic, really. Even after the Grand Duke went to such lengths, the Aeon he believed in didn't even spare him a glance~
....