The crimson-haired girl overlapping with the back of the senior Cecille had long since forgiven and come to respect. “Here I come. No…” Correcting herself, Lyu and she both crouched. “Here we go.” There was an explosion. To avoid catching Cecille by accident, she took two running steps forward. Then the inferno swelled and Lyu transformed into a red shooting star. She left the regular flow of time and hurtled at the spirit mare floating in the sky. “Haaaah!!!” “OOOOOOO?!” This time, it was Yufie’s barrier that shattered, and she was sent flying backward. Lyu’s sword, extended by flames, tore into the spirit’s body with tremendous force. Yufie screamed and blew it away with a blessing of wind while another lesser spirit healed the burn, but Lyu did not stop there. After giving the intermediate spirit a moment’s respite, she unleashed flaming slashes one after the other like so many red blooming petals. Even with Lyu’s senses out of alignment, Alize’s magic continued exploding over a wide area, scorching everything around her. “…Alize Lovell…Astrea Familia’s first captain…” Lyu pressed on, paying no heed to the supporting attacks of the lesser spirits. As Yufie’s shouts rang out, Cecille’s blue hair swayed as she muttered quietly. “Strong, righteous, precious…the one who held Lyu’s hand…!” From Astrea’s stories and Lyu’s reminiscences last night, Cecille knew exactly who she saw overlapping with Lyu now. And it wasn’t just her. “Justice will go on—Gokou!” The eastern swordswoman who unleashed five bright slashes. “Moose Mine!” The shrewd prum tactician who set traps. “Irivute!” The human mage who used balefire, the human attacker who rushed forward, the dwarf shielder with a steel wall enchantment, the werewolf warrior with claws of wind, the healer who could treat everything, the Amazon brawler who unleashed a two-stage punch, and the elf girl who summoned lightning. Cecille knew the identities of every disciple of justice who was lending Lyu strength. They were the Astrea Familia who had once guided Lyu and were still fighting beside her, even now. “Astrea Record…It’s a magic that Lyu alone can use to inherit everyone’s magic.” Astrea watched over her former followers with a gentle smile. Just like Cecille, her eyes glistened. “Their justice has been passed down through my ichor…Even if Lyu converts to another familia, her bond with them will never break.” The very first Falna engraved in Lyu with Astrea’s ichor would never disappear from her back, no matter what happened. Through Astrea’s blood, Lyu and her dear companions would continue to remain together. That was the true nature of Astrea Record. The miracle bringing together ten different justices etched into Lyu’s soul. “Don’t ever forget them, Lyu. Don’t push their voices out of your heart. If you do, the inheritance will lose its power.” That was the one thing that could be called a demerit. Astrea Record’s output relied almost entirely on Lyu’s mental state. If she became consumed by other matters or began to lose sight of her justice—like she had four days ago when she was filled with anxiety about Bell and Syr and felt pressured to do something about the powerful einherjar—then she would find it difficult if not impossible to use this magic. Astrea had grasped the nature of this inherited justice before it even manifested. That was why she made Lyu stay in Zolingam. That was why she had asked Iselina and the others to help with her adjustment, wanting them to have some contact with Lyu. She trusted that by interacting with them, and with Cecille, Lyu would be able to remember Alize and everyone. “Go, Lyu. Go with them…wherever your wings take you.” It was time for her to leave the nest. The fairy was leaving the goddess’s side and setting out again. She carried those eternal bonds within her now. “Alize, everyone…” Testing the magic over and over, calling to her comrades over and over, Lyu danced around the spirits and whispered, “You were always there, weren’t you?” Her lips quivered, and small tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. “Always fighting alongside me!” The wild flame roared in acknowledgment, flaring as Lyu smiled. The spirits had reached a point of desperation where they were simply trying to overwhelm Lyu with sheer numbers, and she met them with her own swelling emotions. “She’s…smiling…” Cecille murmured softly as she stood alone, watching. The fairy that had been so close just last night suddenly seemed so far away. Sadness ate into her heart. “…This is ridiculous…” And the next feeling that emerged was frustration. Because Lyu was smiling so much. She was so overjoyed by her bond with the Astrea Familia that didn’t include Cecille, with the power of her magic rather than her weapon. The weapon Cecille had made wasn’t giving Lyu any strength at all. No, it’s not that. Weapons existed to help those who fight. They had to understand their wielder better than anyone to become an extension of them. In which case Cecille wanted to become the other half of the noble, sublime Lyu she was watching now. She wanted to become part of that light, the gleam of justice that was supporting Lyu. “I want to be a star, too!” Cecille ran forward. It was like a hammer had struck her, propelling her body forward as she let her emotions take over. The lesser spirits were focused on supporting Yufie and did not notice Cecille. So she rushed to the fairy’s side with fiery determination. She wouldn’t let her senior ignore her and only have fun with all her old comrades. “OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” “Gah?!” Under pressure for the entire battle, Yufie struck back in a burst of rage. Lyu responded without issue, but suddenly, her knees buckled. It was a light case of Mind Down. She had gotten too excited at reuniting with her dear companions and her excessive use of Astrea Record had strained even her Level 6 reserves. In the distance, Astrea grimaced as the wind horn rapidly approached Lyu only for Cecille to come charging in. Raising her hammer in both hands, she swung it down at that annoying spirit! “Urrrrrrrrryaaaaaa!” “Wugh?!” “…! Cecille?!” Before the horn could reach Lyu, the hammer slammed into the spirit mare’s forehead. The spirit screamed and Lyu gasped. Ignoring them both, Cecille tossed the hammer aside and grabbed the teary-eyed horse by the face. “Listen here, Yufie! I have a dream now!” “…?!” “I’m gonna be this dummy’s blacksmith! I’m gonna become a star and support her, too!” The horse and the fairy were both stunned as she reverted back to the gruffer style of speech she had inherited from her father and brothers, before she corrected herself to behave more fittingly for a follower of Astrea. “Not ’cause I want recognition or praise! Not ’cause I can’t bear to have Lady Astrea stolen away from me! It’s ’cause I wanna make a weapon for the person I like!” Even Astrea gazed in wonder. Cecille leaned in, forehead to forehead, threatening the spirit that had never once acknowledged her. “A weapon made specifically for someone can possess a special power.” It made sense. If she used the flames burning in her chest and the starry gleam she felt when she thought of a certain fairy and poured that into a weapon, then it would be stronger and nobler than anything. “You’re a spirit, right?! You should understand! Wanting to lend your strength to a hero like in those legends! It’s the same as that!” The spirit who had laughed her off every other time before now listened to the girl’s every word with wide eyes. She was inspired by a resolve that was a match for even the spirits of old who lent their strength to true heroes in ancient times. “I’m sure this is what I was missing! I’m sure this is my justice! Protecting the people I care about with the weapons I make! Got anything to say about that?!” No matter how far she went, no matter how much time passed, it would always be a part of her just like the justice she had inherited. That would be her bond with the fairy. Cecille vowed on the sword and wings to become one of those stars. “If you get it, then gimme that tear! There’s no time! Let me have my justice! If you won’t hand it over, I’ll keep pounding you till you cry!” “C-Cecille, that’s a little…” Grabbing the horse by the jaw, she raised a threatening fist just like her father taught her as Lyu watched with an ashen face. The lesser spirits all around them faltered, unsure how to react to this sudden development. Yufie’s jaw creaked, closely studying the girl who practically looked like an enraged ogre. Not with the contemptuous eyes she had always used before, but with the gaze of someone facing a fellow traveler. “…Hmph…” Suddenly, she shook her head, as if breaking free from her restraints. Cecille stumbled as Yufie’s deep green eyes blinked…and a single bead of light fell. “Ah…” The light fell into the palm of Cecille’s hand. It seemed to float, as if encased in a small current of air. The crystal was the same color as the spirit’s eyes. A spirit’s tear. Proof to all in Zolingam that she was a first-rate blacksmith. “Yufie…are you sure?” “Bleeeeeeeeh!” Cecille had been prepared to descend into the depths of hell and do whatever it took to get it, and yet when one fell into the palm of her hand, all of her determination evaporated as she looked at it meekly. Meanwhile, Yufie stuck out her tongue and shook her body. It wasn’t the least bit cute, since it was a horse and not a little girl. Cecille raised her fist in annoyance at the spirit she seemed to never be able to escape, but then she lowered it with a smile. “Thank you, Yufie. I’m going to be an incredible blacksmith.” “……” The spirit gave no response. Instead, she turned around and ignored her. Cecille smiled again and turned to Lyu. “Sorry for getting in the way. I’m going now.” “…Okay.” “To make your weapon! This time, I won’t miss the deadline!” With a beaming smile on her face, she ran off. The spirits made no effort to interfere. As countless lights like starlight looked down on her from above, Cecille hurried to the clearing’s entrance. Just once, she glanced back at the goddess. When she saw Astrea watching her with an expression of joy, Cecille smiled like the sun. “It seems she’s overcome her own trial as well…” Astrea murmured as she walked over. Lyu’s eyes softened as she watched her junior leave. “She is stronger than me…a human worthy of respect.” “If she has your seal of approval, then she’ll be fine.” Giggling, the goddess walked over to the spirit mare, who was swinging her tail moodily. “It’s okay, Yufie. Cecille will come here to talk with you again. So there’s no need to worry that she won’t come by anymore now that you gave her the tear.” “Mmhmm…” Lyu was a little surprised to hear that, but she chose not to pry. Her own relationship with Cecille was complicated enough, so in a way, it was almost expected for there to be misunderstandings between a person and a spirit. A calm, soothing atmosphere had descended on the clearing. “Well then, shall we continue?” “Yes, let’s.” Lyu raised her sword and faced Yufie. Astrea smiled and handed Lyu a magic potion. Draining the flask, the Level 6 who had been on the verge of a Mind Down was back on her feet with the fighting spirit of a dragon. All the spirits froze. “I brought plenty of items. Don’t worry, Lyu. I promised them you would play with them lots.” “Thank you, Lady Astrea. I am sure I can push myself as much as I need here.” The goddess flashed a bright smile as she pulled out a bag. It was filled with potions. Meaning, no matter how hard Lyu pushed herself, she would be able to keep fighting until supplies ran out. Seeing the goddess and fairy raring to go, the lesser spirits that danced like fireflies started shuddering. Even Yufie, the green-eyed mare, seemed to turn pale. Lyu was an elf who always went overboard. And Astrea was a goddess who was skilled at working people hard. Alize and the others had always known that Lyu and Astrea were a bit similar in that regard. “All right, Yufie. Please tag along with my training. As before, there is no need to hold back.” “Don’t worry. I’ll share the items with you, too.” They were not going to let go of something that could compare with the Dungeon anytime soon. Lyu, shrouded again in fire, was terrifying, and Astrea, with her gentle, merciful smile, was even scarier. There was a whine as even the spirit mare let out a young child’s cry. “Haaah, haaah, haaah…!” She ran. Leaving the spirits’ domain, crossing the river, passing the familia home—through the woods and into the city. To familiar old Zolingam, already clanging with hammers in the rising sun. “Ceciiiille! Over here!” “I brought all the things you said, but is this what you wanted?!” “Is Lady Astrea with that thieving fairy again…?” Near the center of the town, right in front of Blackliza’s giant workshop, Schau was waving and Iselina was holding up an anvil and a bunch of other tools. And Uranda was there, too. Out of breath from running at the breakneck pace of a Level 2, Cecille slowed down, but she did not pause for a rest. While a bunch of smiths around them were glancing over in annoyance, she peeled off the top of her uniform and stripped down to a sweaty undershirt. Schau, Iselina, and even Uranda were taken aback as she strode over to her father and brothers, who had come out of the workshop. “Dad, let me use the spirit forge! Now!” “Wh-what? Dumbass, what’s a girl your age doing…?! Put something on already!” “Then lend me some work clothes! There’s no time!” The stubborn father from yesterday was nowhere to be seen as he panicked at his daughter’s state of undress. Cecille ignored him and ran off, catching the work clothes her eldest brother tossed to her before turning toward the spirit forge attached to the workshop. “W-wait! I didn’t say one word about letting her use the—” “I got a tear from Yufie! I’ve got the right to use it! That should be enough!” “!!!” Their shock redoubled. “Get out the materials,” Cecille shouted. Iselina and the others opened the carefully kept metal case. Inside was a neatly preserved branch of the sacred tree that had soaked in water drawn from the Star Cavern spring for four years and was embedded with magic stones ground into a fine powder. Undoing the metal pieces, she carefully, delicately, picked up the separate sword and grip pieces. They were the last of the materials she had specially prepared for Lyu’s custom order. This would be her absolute last chance. Then Cecille took out the wooden fragment and spirit tear with both hands. There was no room for hesitation. Clutching them tightly, she forcefully slipped her arms into the work clothes. “Cecille.” As her family murmured and gulped, her father took a step forward with pursed lips. He looked straight at Cecille when she turned around, as if he sensed something and was trying to judge her. “Did you find your center? What is… What’s your justice?” Cecille’s lips curled into a smile, just like her beloved mother’s. “I’m not saying! It’s embarrassing!” “What?!” The girl held her trusty hammer in one hand, standing before the gate to the spirit forge, and smiled, as if hammering away her old resentment.
Chapter 27
14 min read