The journey toward Lionia continued amid the noisy sound of footsteps.
Carrying a burden they had chosen themselves, as if following the orange afternoon light that slowly faded.
Replaced by deep blue, night finally arrived!!
There were no long conversations.
No discussion about anything during that journey.
They had already left the lawless territory far behind—the battlefield, the half-monster males, and everything that felt like an unfinished nightmare.
The forbidden forest had also vanished from sight.
Now they were in the outer region.
An area that was still harsh, surrounded by living creatures of their own kind—humans—each busy with their own affairs.
Hero Claire, who was cradling Anna, looked around. Her eyes finally softened, and she muttered.
This area…
An area that shouldn't be inhabited…
At least not as tense as the previous place.
Then, with eyes no longer sharp, Claire shifted her gaze to Rena, whose face was now focused on the path.
Rena…
If I'm not mistaken, this is where it all began between you and Anna.
Suddenly, Hero Claire's eyes grew slightly teary, and she looked at Tina's corpse in her arms.
At least, that's what you said, right??
Hero Anna?
Hiksss….
Wild grass swayed gently in the night wind, as if following the movement of Rena and Claire's footsteps.
Now, a few old trees stood scattered along the path passing through the settlement of the lawless territory.
Suddenly, Rena made the sound of her armored footsteps louder.
Ctakk!!! Ctakk!!! Ctakk!!! Ctakk!!!
Not to stand still, but to step forward.
Hearing that sound, Hero Claire was startled. Her hands suddenly lost control of the body she was cradling.
Huh!!
That was close…
Finally, Rena saw who had caused the sound and muttered.
Rena??
Step by step, Rena walked—her steps seemed heavy, but on the other hand, she looked certain of where she was going.
Finally, Rena arrived at a certain place, not far from the earlier settlement of the lawless territory, and stopped.
On the other side, Claire could only follow with slow steps—the complete opposite of Rena; every step she took seemed slow.
I can't speed up my pace. I have to respect Anna…
Then Rena stared at that place, muttering with trembling lips.
I have to bring her here!!
Then Rena looked around, her cheeks lifting happily.
That's right… this is the right place!! It should be this way!!!!!
In the middle of that joy, still cradling the body with both hands, Rena realized something was missing…
Suddenly, Rena turned her face toward Claire, still far behind. Seeing that, her face lowered again until shadows covered it, and she muttered.
Ahh…
I forgot…
A teardrop now fell to her chin and onto Tina's face.
Hikss!!
Hikss!!
Hikss!!
Damn!!! I forgot!!!
There's no way someone carrying a corpse should be running around!!!
Now Rena was no longer muttering. Her voice echoed clearly through the surroundings, making the night insects stop—even making the wind bite harder.
"Rena, you don't need to feel guilty."
That voice sounded close!!
Hearing that voice, Rena's eyes darted around as she tightened her hold.
Who is that??!!!
In the middle of all that, Rena muttered.
That voice??
It's not Anna's voice, let alone Tina's, who's unconscious!!
"Ouch!! That hurts!!"
Hearing that voice a second time, Rena finally realized where it was coming from. Now her eyes stopped moving and focused on one thing—Hero Tina.
Hero Tina was already awake.
And now, at least the two humans carrying the weight of their choices realized that everything was still moving as it was—not yet truly changed.