Rhapsody of Unbroken Blades
Every blade, ours and the Western Liberators', turned toward Olberos at once.
Even so, it wasn't easy.
The swords floating behind Olberos moved like living arms. No, even more freely than that. They deflected every attack that came from every direction.
There are even fewer openings than before...! Even with this many of us attacking at once...!
The only saving grace was that our relentless assault left Olberos no chance to use Daystar.
No one here wanted that ending.
Kgh!
Olberos's gaze shifted toward the side where the Liberators' assault had weakened.
Watch out!
Just before Olberos's attack reached the Liberators, Besta shot in like a meteor with her shield.
The timing was perfect. But...
The shield didn't hold.
Olberos's attack pierced through Besta's shield and straight through her abdomen.
Kgh...!
Besta!
Crimson blood seeped into the red earth.
Ngh... *cough*!
No!
...Don't worry.
I got it.
Besta gripped the sword that had pierced her body with both hands, as if refusing to let it go.
Neither Commander Ceres nor the former Commander could have known.
Pain and suffering... *cough*...
Can be a joy... for some people!
Ugh, seriously!
But I thought you would understand, Ms. Lydia.
Gross!
Please, come!
[Kuku] surged out with tremendous force, no longer as mere tentacles but like a black wave, closing around Olberos's sword together with Besta.
Ahh...! I've always wanted to try this at least once...!
Fine! Enjoy it all you want! I'm never doing this for you again!
Krrrraaa!
Olberos tried to shake them off, but Besta, now one with Kuku, didn't budge, as if rooted to the ground.
In an instant, the black tentacles raced along the sword and coiled all the way up Olberos's arm, making her stagger for a moment.
Now!
Asherah's leaping strike knocked [Daystar] cleanly from Olberos's hand.
Captain!
Leave it to me!
I leapt toward [Daystar] as it flew through the air, reached out with all my might, and caught it.
Ceres!
Captain...!
Your turn now!
At the edge of my vision, Olberos seemed to shake Kuku off in slow motion.
The Liberators carried the wounded Besta to safety.
Only Asherah and a few Liberators were still fighting desperately to draw Olberos's attention.
Ceres was still slumped on the ground.
Just as she had been in any previous time loop, both hands stained red.
I pressed [Daystar] into one of her hands.
You didn't give up before either, did you?
Captain...
Remember that you're strong enough.
I placed my hand over Ceres's hand as she held [Daystar].
I pressed my forehead against Ceres's.
It wasn't something I consciously knew how to do. My body simply knew this was what had to be done.
Ceres already knows.
That strength isn't measured only by the [power] to destroy.
The desire to enjoy life's simple joys.
To share them with the people around her.
And to protect those people and the time she shares with them.
That wish is what makes Ceres stronger than anyone.
Because we'd walked that path together.
I know that Ceres is already ready.
[Daystar], it's...
[Daystar] in her hand gave off a violet glow and trembled.
It's your turn now, Commander.
...
Thanks, Captain.
The commander of the Western Liberators rose again, gripping a sword in each hand.
She raised the swords and leveled them at Olberos.
Today, we, the Western Liberators...!
We drive [Daystar] and [White Night] into [Olberos] and destroy the Void Core!
That alone is my...
No, the wish shared by [every one of us]!
Today will be the day we reclaim our homeland!
Ce...res...
...Venera.
I'll break the loop here.
I'll prove to you that your little sister has become strong enough to do that.
I'll show you, Venera!
Ceres charged at Olberos like a single streak of light.
What's good about being able to see the sky?
...You can see the stars.
And when you can see the stars, you can hold on to hope for tomorrow.
Will Mr. Whiskers smile if that happens?
Yes, I'm sure he will.
Even if we only lose things and gain nothing in return for now...
...Someone will finally be free to enjoy everything built on those sacrifices...!
You said you wanted to become a Western Liberator, didn't you?
Becoming a Liberator means enduring pain like this every single day from now on.
If holding back your tears is too hard, then let them all out.
That's far better than letting your emotions pin you in place.
When you take up a sword, keep your eyes on one thing only: the result waiting beyond everything you cut through!
Even if you hesitate, waver, and suffer along the way...
Once you're resolved to see it through, don't hesitate until you reach the end.
Don't forget, Ceres.
If you've made up your mind to follow in my footsteps...
You...
I...!
I will become a blade that never breaks!
Ceres planted one foot firmly into the ground.
The two branching streaks of magenta light...
Merged into one.
The air split with a sharp crack, and the impact followed a heartbeat later.
The earth buckled as sand erupted outward in a ring, whipping up a sandstorm.
By the time I could barely see ahead again...
[Daystar] and [White Night] were embedded in Olberos's body.
Its armor glowed brightly and began to peel away like a shed shell.
Ceres quietly walked up to Olberos and laid her hand on Olberos's body as it slowly vanished into light.
Venera...
Hehe... That's my little sister. You did wonderfully. Truly.
To me, you were still the little girl I remembered... but before I knew it, you had grown so much.
I... tried so hard...
I tried so, so hard to become a strong commander like you...
Hehe... You did. You've become a commander even stronger than I ever was.
And you've found good subordinates... no, plenty of good friends, too.
I suppose I don't need to worry about you being lonely anymore.
...Yeah.
...Now the Sword of Aldebaran will be released from the Void Core.
I don't know what kind of future it will bring, but...
...I'll put my faith in all of you.
For a new future.
...Okay.
Now... this really is goodbye.
...It is.
Oh dear... and here I thought you'd grown up...
You still cry just like you did when you were little.
Venera...
...It's time for me to go.
...Venera, former Commander of the Western Liberators.
As of this moment, I have completed all duties assigned to me...
And I hereby report that command of the Western Liberators has been formally transferred to Commander Ceres.
Venera...
*Sniffle...* *Sniffle...* *Sob!*
Goodbye. ...Farewell.
...Ceres, Commander of the Western Liberators.
I hereby acknowledge the former Commander's completion of duty...
And transfer of command.
...Thank you for your service, Commander Venera.
As of this moment, I hereby announce to all forces...
That Operation: Destroy the Void Core...
Has achieved its objective!
Hurrah!
In that instant, bright light spread from the far edge of the western sky.
The light enveloped us all, washing everything white.
As Olberos vanished, the time loop ended as well.
Just as it had brought us here, the white light carried us back to a timeline free from the loop.
I knew, without even a moment to savor our victory, that another battle would be waiting for us.
Because when we returned, the [Sword of Aldebaran] would be waiting for us.
...!
The Void Core...
...
If that is your choice...
Then perhaps it truly is time for this to end.
...May the blessings of the stars be upon you as you begin your final Journey.
I will watch this Journey to its very end.
Captain.
Even if it was only an imitation.
...Now that it has been destroyed by its maker's own will.
The Cycle shall never turn again.
There isn't much time left now.
...Captain.