Chapter 73

EPILOGUE While the battle raged on, Ceres and her crew tried following Arihito into the Simian Lord’s stronghold only to meet with some trouble. Arihito told them to sit tight and wait in place because they all played support roles—but despite that, he also knew that he could use all the strength he could get from those who’d joined him in the labyrinth. “Tch… It looks like we’ve all ended up charmed by Arihito. I’ve got to wonder just how far I’d have gone if I’d met him when I was still an active Seeker,” said Luca. The Simian Lord’s abilities prevented the Familiar Arrow from offering Luca and the rest a clear view of what was going on in the strongholds. All they had to go on was the clamor of battle. Amid the sounds and the screams, the four of them laid bare their own feelings from combat experiences long past. “Believe you me, I’m perfectly happy to support ’em as much as I can like this,” said Ceres. “When Arihito and crew first stumbled into my workshop, they couldn’t even manage a rough sketch of how they were gonna get this far. In spite of it all, I can’t help but think it was fate that brought ’em to me, and fate that brought us here… Defies belief, doesn’t it?” “Um… When Commander Seraphina introduced me to Mr. Atobe, we didn’t say much… I still haven’t been able to talk to him much, actually,” said Adeline. “But then the commander stepped away from the Guild Saviors and joined his party, and I followed along… It wasn’t an easy fight, but I was just so glad to be involved, even for a little bit. And I know it’ll keep up—I don’t doubt it for a second! I know that sounds silly, though, since I can’t really do much to help.” Ceres grinned back at Adeline. “I know exactly how you feel,” that grin seemed to say. There was no need to put it into words. “Compared to those who actually fight monsters, we supporters play a very small part,” Steiner added. “But when they need us, even playing a small part feels good. And then that happiness turns into a different feeling—like, motivation to do even better, or to make them even happier.” “In that case,” said Ceres, “it seems like all of us here, plus Falma and the other supporters, are wrapped up in a shared destiny.” “Look at me,” said Luca. “I never dreamed I’d end up working for one patron exclusively! I always thought I was master of my own domain when I was working freelance, but now? Why, I feel like an apprentice tailor all over again!” “Right… I wonder how Arihito and his crew are putting the stuff we made for ’em to use. It’s that feeling, that wait for results, that takes me back to how I felt when I first started practicing my craft— Hm?!” Ceres and the rest of the group all felt it: Someone was calling on their power. At that exact moment, Arihito had activated Complete Mutual Support, which used the effects of their support to reinforce the entire party. “…My Haute Couture skill augments the effects of armor… I never thought I’d see the day the skill itself would power up another person, but Arihito’s doing exactly that.” “Is that what’s going on here? I wonder if he’s making use of my Hunter skills, too…” “I think Mr. Atobe’s always been one of those people who like helping others. But that on its own doesn’t explain it… It feels like it’s written in the stars.” “That’s an awful romantic notion for a bucket of bolts, but I think you’re onto something.” The four of them turned toward the source of this new voice to see Lynée and Schwarz approaching. There was a third person with them, too: a woman with purple hair. “What in the world is a Guide doing in a place like this…?” asked Ceres. “I happened to run into Lynée on my way here. For some reason, I just had to see what Arihito was up to with my own eyes. Ah—please call me Yukari for now, by the way. That’s the name Arihito knows me by.” “A Guide…,” said Luca. “You’re not the one I met when I was a fresh face in the Labyrinth Country. I suppose they assigned you to Arihito, then?” “Let’s see… I can’t get into the details with you supporters, I’m afraid, but I’ve taken a special interest in Arihito’s doings. You might say I’m a fan of his.” Yukari’s mysterious air put Ceres and the others at a loss. They weren’t sure exactly how they were meant to feel about her. Was Yukari friend or foe? Ceres, at least, couldn’t say for sure. Either way, Yukari faced the stronghold, looking concerned for Arihito and his party. “Honestly, I wish they’d waited to fight the Simian Lord after they’d become a little bit stronger…but they rarely do things the way I’d wish. Then again, that’s what makes them so interesting.” “A Guide taking that kind of interest in a specific Seeker? Can’t say I expect that to end well,” said Ceres. “Hee-hee… Is it really any different from a jade working for one? At least for the time being, I don’t have any ill intent for Arihito and his party. Merely expectations.” “You do realize Arihito left us to wait here himself, right? So what’s all this about his doings? They’re off fighting for their friends right now. If you mean to butt in like it’s some sort of game, then we’re not going to let you do it—Guide or not.” “If you have any opinions to share with me, at least turn that vague form of yours back to normal before you spout them. Well, Ceres?” “…” Ceres looked to be somewhere in the vicinity of ten years old, but in truth, she was much, much older. Yukari had seen through the illusion with a glance. Ceres was instantly struck by the strangeness of this purple-haired woman and took a step back in surprise. “I’ll leave Arihito in your hands, then. I didn’t come here to threaten you. But I will tell you one thing: The White Night Brigade has made their way into this labyrinth.” “What…?!” Ceres cried. “They aren’t here in full force,” Yukari continued. “Only a few members. I do hope this doesn’t end up splintering the Brigade… It wouldn’t be any fun if Arihito’s party finally mustered enough fighting strength just for the Brigade to wind up weaker, now would it?” “It sounds like you’re trying to turn Seekers against each other… Can’t say that strikes me as a wholesome hobby,” said Ceres. “I agree,” Luca chimed in. “What is this to you, a test for Arihito’s party? They’re fighting for their lives in there. If you’re planning on getting in their way, then I’m afraid it’s no more Mr. Nice Tailor.” “Oh, Luca,” said Yukari, “and here I was, thinking so highly of your work after you made such a dashing suit for Arihito… That’s right, I know that much. I also know why little Chiara wears that armor and why Adeline here joined the Guild Saviors, too.” She looked each one of the four supporters in the face before turning back toward the stronghold; her eyes grew slightly wider. The ground itself shook. Adeline was the first to understand what that meant. “We couldn’t see into the central stronghold before, but we can now… The Simian Lord, it’s…!” “So you pulled it off, eh, Arihito? And Elitia…and all the rest.” “Well, I don’t want to intrude on the celebrations, so I’ll see myself out. Tell Arihito I was here, or don’t. That’s up to you to decide… Oh, right.” Yukari started to leave, but stopped and turned back toward to Ceres as if she’d just remembered something. “Isn’t it about time the party had a proper name? Considering that they’ve just felled the Simian Lord, they’re about to gain a reputation in District Five for outdoing the White Night Brigade.” “…I’ll give them the message. I’d prefer not to keep any secrets for now. Makes for a much more pleasant conversation,” said Ceres. “How amusing. I’ll be praying that the rest of you keep things interesting for me from now on, too.” “Treating people like your personal clowns is not exactly a good look, you know.” “Well, I’m certainly no match for you when it comes to good looks, Luca. There. Aren’t those such kind parting words? I’ll see you all later.” With that, Yukari walked off. Before she’d made it very far, Ceres blinked—and when she opened her eyes again, Yukari was completely gone. “It looks like Arihito and his friends have attracted some…potentially dangerous attention,” Luca commented. “You can say that again,” said Ceres, “but she won’t get her hands on them as long as I’m still around.” “That makes two of us,” agreed Lynée. Now you and I have something to talk about, and I still owe Arihito and the others anyway.” “Um…,” Adeline began. “S-speaking of Mr. Atobe, shouldn’t we be heading over to him now? Quickly, preferably…” “Will you be riding on my shoulder, Master?” “Mm-hmm, if you would, Steiner.” Ceres and the rest took off running. Their licenses verified that Arihito’s party had defeated the Simian King, the evolved form of the Simian Lord…and that Theresia, Rury, and the other Seekers who’d fallen under the monster’s control had been freed at last. “I wonder if Mr. Atobe’s party has any ideas for a name already…,” Steiner mused. “We’ll ask them about it later, seeing as whatever they pick, we’ll be working under that banner, too.” In all the years since the Simian Lord had appeared on the second floor of the Blazing Red Mansion, no parties had managed to defeat it. Seeker after Seeker had tried, but it had trounced them all. The news that someone had taken it down shook District Five. And not just any someone: a party led by the Suit Guy, and with the Death Sword herself among its members, had killed the Simian Lord. The news spread in whispers and rumors at first, but then the Guild itself made a direct announcement—in order to restore Elitia’s good name. Finally. Elitia Centrale was free from her curse and would no longer attack indiscriminately—and her new party had a name, too. Arihito and the rest made the formal proclamation. The party that had defeated the Simian King and freed the Seekers from its domination was now called the Arianrhod.