“Four of the greatest swordsmen in the world—Allen, Bacchus, Diehl Reinstad, and Von Mustang—just crossed blades; it won’t be long before the Holy Knights Association sends people to Cherin to investigate,” explained Shii. “There’s no way an organization working toward world peace would ignore a fight that had enough spirit power to rival a small country’s army. They might even restrict entry into the country.”
“Considering their traitor, Von, was there, the holy knights are gonna spend as much time as they can analyzing the spirit power residue. That uninhabited island could be closed off for a matter of years…,” Lia speculated.
“Yeah… We should move fast, then,” I said.
It wouldn’t be that big a deal if Cherin’s borders were closed temporarily, but it definitely would be if it went on for years. Knowing that, we all walked to Rose’s dorm, and I knocked on her door.
“Hey, Rose, it’s Allen,” I called out.
“…Allen?” Rose said, emerging from her room wearing casual clothes. “Why are you…? Oh, the rest of you are here, too.” Her eyes were a little red and swollen; she must have been crying. I almost asked her if she was okay, but I swallowed my words.
“What are you all doing here?” she asked, tilting her head in confusion.
I told her about our idea to build Bacchus a grave.
“…So yeah, that’s why we wanted to talk to you. What do you think?” I asked.
“Thank you… I appreciate the thought, but won’t that be risky? Diehl or Von or someone else just as dangerous could still be hiding in Cherin,” Rose said.
“That won’t be a problem,” I assured her. “Chairwoman Reia’s gonna come with us this time.”
We’d happened to run into Chairwoman Reia right before leaving campus. After giving her a simple rundown of the situation, she had immediately volunteered to accompany us. Reia Lasnote, also known as the Black Fist, was one of Liengard’s greatest weapons. She had her fair share of faults, but there was nobody more reliable in combat. We would be perfectly safe in Cherin with her by our side.
“Really…? Thank you. Gramps always loved a spectacle, so I want to give him a big, eye-catching grave. And…I know he’d be overjoyed if you all came to visit,” Rose said.
And so we set out once again for Cherin, the Land of Sakura.
The next day, Lia, Rose, Shii, Lilim, Tirith, Chairwoman Reia, Eighteen, and I all boarded the Arkstoria private jet and traveled to Cherin.
“Hmm… The people still seem pretty panicked,” Chairwoman Reia muttered as we walked down a noisy street.
“Who can blame them?” Eighteen responded. “Their national treasure, the Billion-Year Sakura, disappeared.”
…We’ll never get to see that beautiful cherry blossom tree again… The Billion-Year Sakura, which only days ago had been in full bloom, had vanished without a trace, likely due to Bacchus’s death.
“Gramps…,” Rose said sadly, putting a hand to her chest.
We remained vigilant of our surroundings as the chairwoman led us through the streets.
“Is that it?” she asked, looking back at the rest of the group. We nodded in response.
In front of us was the uninhabited island where we had gone up against Von Mustang, Diehl Reinstad, and their True Attires in a life-or-death battle. The island was completely isolated; a peculiar ocean current surrounded it, making it inaccessible by water, and no air route had been established there, either. We had flown to the island with gliders previously, but this time, to avoid standing out, I used Zeon’s darkness to create a simple bridge.
“Wow, a path of darkness… The versatility of your ability never ceases to amaze me,” Chairwoman Reia said, impressed.
I had gotten the idea for this trick after watching Bacchus make a bridge using the roots of the Billion-Year Sakura.
Once we’d reached the island, Chairwoman Reia turned to her servant. “Eighteen, watch the perimeter and contact me as soon as you see anyone suspicious.”
“What would you like me to do if I am engaged in combat?” Eighteen asked.
“I give you permission to summon your True Attire only if you are facing a True Attire wielder. However, I want you to make two portals in prominent spots, retreat if you can’t finish the fight quickly, and under no circumstances are you to get fired up and lose control. Follow those orders even if it means your death. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Eighteen nodded reverently and got straight to work.
Judging from that conversation, Chairwoman Reia and Eighteen were also True Attire wielders. I couldn’t say I was surprised, but it was reassuring all the same.
We parted ways with Eighteen and ventured deeper into the island. After walking in silence for a while, we started to see the traces of our battle through the trees. Zeon’s darkness had stained the ground, Diehl’s deadly poison had ravaged the forest, and Von’s sand had worn away the rock. The chairwoman couldn’t help but gulp, seeing the scars from our violent battle.
I feel traces of a repulsive spirit power, Reia thought, looking troubled. Did Zeon emerge into this world…?! No… I sense Allen’s powerful anger from this darkness…
She picked up some of the blackened soil in her fingers. Allen maintained his sense of self while drawing on this much of Zeon’s power…? Did he open the path…?! No, that’s impossible. If he had, he wouldn’t have chosen to retreat. He would’ve cut Von and Diehl to pieces within seconds.
Chairwoman Reia fell silent, unmoving as she examined the traces of spirit power.
Then what does this mean? How is Allen okay after using this much of Zeon’s spirit power? …Daria. Are you hiding something from me…?
“Umm, Chairwoman? Is something wrong?” I asked.
“…Sorry. I was just thinking,” she replied evasively. “Come on, let’s keep going.”
We continued mostly in silence. Before long, we reached the spot where Bacchus had performed his final attack—Mirror Sakura Slash, the secret technique of the Cherry Blossom Blade School of Swordcraft—and disappeared into particles of light. Shockingly, the most extravagant grave I’d ever seen in my life was already standing on that very spot.