A Stir in the Ballroom
Take this!
Tch...! No matter how many we take down, more keep coming through!
We can't keep fighting like this. We'll exhaust ourselves before the rift does!
We have to come up with a plan.
There, one more down...!
Don't let your guard down! They're coming again!
I kept my eyes fixed on the rift, ready for another attack... yet an eerie silence settled over it.
Is it... over?
...No. It can't be.
We were almost at our limit. One more push and they could've overwhelmed us...
There's no way they'd stop now—
...!
Within the rift in space, a vertically slit red eye rolled open.
It gazed coldly down on the fallen Voidborns before staring at us.
Is that... the dangerous ancient entity Roberta was talking about?
...Captain. Do you think we can beat that thing if it gets out?
We need to deal with it before it crosses over.
Yeah... That's what I thought.
Still, if we give it everything we have, maybe we can—
Before she could finish, another shockwave rattled the ballroom.
...What was that? Something about it wasn't right...
Luna! Smile!
Asherah's voice echoed down the hallway, yet there was no response... or even a sign of movement.
Guys...?
She took a few steps toward the hallway before suddenly freezing.
...Captain. Come look at this.
There's something invisible blocking the way.
When I reached out, my hand met resistance as though an invisible wall stood before us.
I swung my blade with all my strength, but it showed no sign of breaking.
That last shockwave must've been what created this.
This is bad. We're cut off from everyone else!
Wait, there they are! Luna? Smile? Hey!
■■■■■■■! ■■■■■■■?!
■■■■, ■■■■ ■■■■.
■■■■■■■, ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■ ■■?
...■■■■ ■■!
...■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■'■ ■■■■ ■■.
What...? I can't make out anything they're saying!
Could this be some kind of barrier...?
The creature on the other side struggled furiously, widening the rift as it attempted to break through.
What do you mean we can't leave...?
I was assured that the main residence led to a secure escape route!
P-Please remain calm. There appears to be an invisible barrier of some sort across the way...
Fine! Then surely there's an exit on the other—
It's no use. I've already checked.
Lady Orlan...! What is happening?
...I'm afraid I haven't determined the full extent of what has occurred.
What I can confirm is that something akin to a Void Rift has formed a magical barrier around the entire estate.
In other words, it's an impassable barrier in both directions.
...Then it must be because of that rift in the ballroom.
Th-Then we're trapped here?!
B-But if the barrier blocks both directions...
...Then we should be safe as long as we remain here, correct?
For the moment, yes. There is no need to worry.
Whatever may come, I swear upon the name of House Orlan that everyone will be safe.
Th-Then that's a relief.
Yes. Assistance from Polaris should arrive before long, so please remain calm until then.
...Are you worried?
...Whatever are you referring to?
You have been staring rather fiercely in the ballroom's direction this entire time.
...
Since that barrier went up... we haven't heard a single sound from inside.
...I understand that your bond with Lady Stranis goes back many years.
One day, the responsibility of leading House Orlan will fall upon you.
You must act with clear judgment, not personal sentiment.
Bear in mind that your duty to House Orlan lies here, protecting the people entrusted to you.
...Am I truly defending my family's honor by hiding away and waiting for danger to find us?
The Falconet of Orlan should meet its enemies head-on. Surely that would be far more honorable—
However unexpected this incident may be, your responsibilities as host remain unchanged.
By overseeing the situation yourself and ensuring the guests' safety...
You will help silence any unreasonable accusations made against House Orlan afterward.
...That is reasonable. The relic remained under our care until this happened...
Our family must bear responsibility until the full circumstances come to light.
...Even so...
I don't know what path will get me there yet.
It just occurred to me... that maybe the first step toward my dream is simply trying to face things the way he would have.
What makes me happy is knowing that we challenged something that looked beyond us and made it through together.
Just like the Star Savior would have!
...Entrusting the greatest danger to someone else...
While I wait from the rear for matters to resolve themselves.
...That is not my way of doing things.
This is not about how you wish to act. It's about the will of House Orlan—
Lady Orlan...?!
It seems I can pass freely through the invisible barrier while carrying this relic.
If this relic is what binds the sealed entity...
Then the relic may also contain the power needed to suppress the entity within.
If there is even the slightest chance that's true... Lady Stranis and the Captain may be in danger without it.
But that is... nothing more than speculation!
Even the proudest falcon cannot fly forever against a relentless headwind.
That may be true. Yet if there is any chance I am right, I cannot stand aside while they confront it alone.
If I judge the path to be right, then I believe there are times when I must fly forward. ...Even into the heart of a hurricane.
...
Allow this old servant to offer one final word of counsel.
A falconet is meant to soar proudly and alone above the world.
Once its sight is clouded by sentiment, its proud flight can only end in a fall.
Do not let your concern for one person drive you to a decision you may regret.
...Indeed. A falconet must fly proudly on its own, with a clear view of all that lies ahead.
It cannot allow harsh winds to sway it. It must climb higher and judge the path for itself.
Then you understand. Therefore—
And that is why I must go.
Now step aside. This is not a request, it is an order.
Father is absent from this place. In other words...
I, Epindel de Orlan, stand here as the representative of our family's will.
My judgment now speaks for the entire house. This is the will of the falconet, and thus of House Orlan.
Can you truly be certain this is the right decision?
I may not be certain... but I know I will not regret it.
Should this end badly, the responsibility will be mine alone. I will hear no further objections to my decision.
The course a falconet takes is for the falconet alone to determine.
...Very well. I shall defer to your judgment.