The Path We Walk Becomes Light
The Heart of the Star that was kept in the Royal Mountain...
...If you use that, you can stop Executors like us.
I should know... since I have first-hand experience.
What...?
A long time ago... back when I was still faithful to my duty as an Executor... Hehe...
After the Age of Darkness ended... There was a time I tried to attack Monastir once again.
Back then, what struck me down was the Heart of the Star...
Mm, maybe there was some mistake in the document...?
But a Heart of the Star is stored here.
Maybe... there really was a weapon here that used the Heart of the Star as its power source.
...In any case, for now, it's all we have here.
...Captain, you've heard of something called [the Cycle], haven't you?
I don't know exactly what it means either, but...
I heard the Heart of the Star is like a massive conduit of power sustaining that Cycle.
If you use the power flowing through the Heart of the Star... it's possible to create a Divine Barrier like the one in NOA, even if only for a short time.
Once the Divine Barrier activates... beings of the Void like Gille and me... won't be able to endure inside it...
...What do I need to do?
...The [power of the stars] possessed by a [Savior]... Among them, the [power of the stars shining in the sky]...
You just need to channel that power into the Heart of the Star...
The [power of the stars shining in the sky]...
I'm not sure what that means...
...
...Er, forget that.
...You probably already know.
Tyria's cold hand took mine.
What I'm trying to tell you...
You already understand it.
Don't you?
...!
What lights up the night sky again is the light of countless Saviors who seek to protect this world, to protect life.
Even if a Savior has not yet reached the end, the blessing of the stars is always by their side.
You, me, us.
That is how it has always been.
Fragments of memory flashed through my mind like bursts from a camera flash.
Accompanied by a pounding headache, the fragments swirled around my head, becoming entangled with my mind, but there wasn't time to calmly sort them out.
...Well? Do you understand a little now?
...Thanks.
Leave the rest to me.
Hehe. I figured you'd say that...
But Captain, the place where the Heart of the Star is...
...Ah!
Even considering that we got lost along the way, the trip to the Royal Mountain and back still took a full day.
No matter how fast I hurried, it would still take several hours at least.
I'll go!
At full speed—without stopping!
That won't be necessary.
The Heart of the Star is currently in the royal palace.
What?!
When I turned around, Frey was standing there with a confident smile.
Beside her, Carmen was shaking her head with an expression that contrasted sharply with Frey's.
More precisely, it's inside my private storage within the royal warehouse.
I just sent the Knights, so they'll be bringing it here shortly.
How...?
...
...Lady Frey! You didn't—?!
...It seems like she did.
...Ahem.
A great entrepreneur is always prepared for every [possible scenario]!
A [wild card] for [negotiations] that could happen at any moment...
Such valuable cards should always be kept within reach.
That's unauthorized removal! When did you even bring it?!
Last night, while you and Carmen were busy training...
I thought it was the perfect opportunity, so I took a short trip with a few knights.
Aaaah... honestly, the moment we take our eyes off you—
Charlotte, the knights who transported the Heart of the Star only followed my orders, so please don't scold them too harshly.
And don't worry! I'll take full responsibility for removing it!
I-I'm going to say I knew nothing about this!
W-we're here, Quartermaster Frey! *Huff!* *Huff!*
*Huff!* *Huff!* Just as ordered! We ran without stopping even once!
Excellent work!
The knights who brought the Heart of the Star and set it down in front of us collapsed where they stood, breathing heavily.
Just like during the fight against Tyria, I didn't want to put everyone in a situation where they had put their lives on the line to fight Gille for a slim chance of victory.
As such, this was the only way left to overcome this crisis.
All right. Let's do this.
I closed my eyes and tried to recall the sensation I had felt earlier when Tyria held my hand.
Holding on to that sensation, I focused my mind on the Heart of the Star.
The anxiety that nothing might happen lasted only a moment.
Soon, through my fingertips, I felt a flow of power that felt like the pulsing of a beating heart.
Just as I began thinking about how to add a Savior's power to it...
A violent crash and tremor erupted from the direction where the Voyager Savior Party and Gille were fighting.
Through the thick dust and smoke, I could see the Voyager Savior Party in disarray.
Captain, it looks like the Voyager Savior Party won't be able to hold Gille any longer.
Carmen and Frey, support the Voyager Savior Party!
Will do! We'll hold the line no matter what!
Leave the recovery support to me!
Captain?! I can also help—
Defeating Gille in battle wasn't our goal.
It would be better to leave supporting the Voyager Savior Party—and holding Gille back—to Carmen and Frey.
Charlotte, help me.
Ngh...!
Understood, Captain!
Give me your orders on how I can help!
...I would like to check on her condition, but supporting the main force comes first.
I know... go...
Charlotte, help the Captain and lead us to victory.
Leave protecting the others to me. That's my role.
I need you to channel your power into this gem.
I took Charlotte's hand and placed it together with mine on the Heart of the Star.
Close your eyes and focus.
You'll feel the power being transferred to you.
N-nngh... I-I'll try...!
Ugh!
Kgh...!
I can't... hold on any longer...!
You've finally managed to keep up with the rhythm a little. The Captain must have trained you well.
But now... there's no longer any need for me to dance with you.
Stop getting in my way and disappear already...!
Ugh! Ngh!
It won't go the way you want.
Everyone, just hold on a little longer!
We'll show you the strength of the Monastir Knights!