Epilogue — A Sudden Turn for the Worse
Indian Lostbelt.
After several consecutive days of battle, Team A—following the main force aboard Storm Border—finally defeated the King of the Indian Lostbelt with the help of Karna, who had obtained the power of the Three Gods.
The pitch-black final god born from witnessing the tragedy of the Kurukshetra War, who chose to devour all deities:
Arjuna Alter.
At this very moment, Storm Border was carrying out the harvesting of the Fantasy Tree.
Using technology provided by Morgan, they compressed the Fantasy Tree's vast Mana and condensed it into a crystal in the shape of a Holy Grail.
As a super Mana crystal, it was an exceptionally efficient method.
"Good work."
Sakura and Caren handed out nutritional drinks to the members of Team A, who had returned to the deck to rest while staying alert for any sudden developments.
"Thanks."
Ophelia, standing closest, accepted hers first.
The others followed. Peperoncino even joked about whether there were any snacks to go with the drinks.
The answer was yes—but they would have to wait until the return trip. If something happened while they were halfway through eating, it would leave them scrambling.
"Today makes the fourth day. According to Arjuna's original setup, this Lostbelt resets and is reborn every ten days." Peperoncino's smile faded as his tone grew serious. "Even if I had stayed, I wouldn't have been able to sustain the Indian Lostbelt. Its destruction was inevitable."
"But thanks to the combined efforts of all the new Team A members, we were able to resolve this Lostbelt as quickly as possible. That's truly a good thing." Sakura smiled as she spoke.
Kirschtaria shook his head. "As the defeated side, it's only natural that we bear the responsibility we owe. And besides, I've always wanted to take part in a journey like this with all of you, instead of only experiencing it in dreams."
"Is there nothing else to do? You can just keep watch here, right? I'm heading back inside to rest." Hinako Akuta looked thoroughly impatient, like someone eager to clock out the moment her shift ended.
Since there was no need for everyone to remain on deck, Sakura immediately contacted the bridge to confirm the next arrangements.
After a brief discussion, it was decided that Kirschtaria, Peperoncino, and Ophelia would stay, along with the three Valkyries who had fought alongside them.
The others would return to the ship to rest. Only Sakura—who had not expended any energy in battle—remained on deck to oversee the situation.
"By the way, about Father's astrology—what exactly did he ask Mr. Kirschtaria?" Sakura asked.
Kirschtaria hesitated. "Even if you are the teacher's daughter, this still touches on his private affairs. Those of us who know have agreed not to speak of it until he returns."
"You're awfully rigid, Kirschtaria," Peperoncino teased. "Shiomi-sensei never said we weren't allowed to tell anyone."
"Mm…" Kirschtaria pondered for a moment before answering. "The teacher used astrology to decide whether to search for Koyanskaya first, or head to the Chinese Lostbelt and cut down the Fantasy Tree there before the Alien God."
Sakura frowned slightly. "Dad isn't the type to hesitate between options. The fact that he specifically sought astrology's guidance—and ultimately chose to pursue the Beast first…"
"Then there's probably something even more important than the Beast waiting for him," Peperoncino said. "He may not be trying to cultivate an air of mystery, but he carries far too many secrets."
Sakura suddenly recalled something from long ago, during the Sixth Singularity.
No origin. No past.
That was the kind of person her father was.
As his daughter, Sakura chose to trust her family without reservation, to believe in that love without the slightest doubt.
But perhaps Shiomi had never truly let go of that question from beginning to end.
After all, the person involved always struggles more than a mere bystander.
"We should be able to rendezvous with them soon," Sakura said. "The regular report from the Wandering Sea mentioned that on the surface of the Bleached World, the Anomaly Field in the Tunguska region has already disappeared."
"That fast?" Peperoncino exclaimed. "They only set out a little earlier than we did, right?"
"It's only natural," Kirschtaria replied calmly. "A human who has become a god is, in itself, the very definition of a miracle."
Hearing them praise her father so highly, Sakura couldn't help but feel a warm swell of pride.
And yet, at times, she also felt the distance between them had grown wider, as if she would never quite catch up to his stride.
"How enviable," Ophelia murmured. "What does it feel like to be with your parents without it ever being painful?"
"Ophelia…" Sakura hesitated, but found she had no answer.
The environment Magi grew up in was far harsher than that of ordinary people.
Whether it was Kirschtaria or Ophelia, their relationships with their families were both… complicated in their own ways.
Thankfully, the topic didn't continue. As they waited for the Fantasy Tree's removal to be completed, they began reviewing the earlier battle.
"Mash's shield is incredibly powerful," Ophelia said. "The White Wall City she manifested was able to withstand even Arjuna's Noble Phantasm. If I support Mash together with Ritsuka next time, we might be able to extend that defense across the entire Storm Border."
"Good grief, are you trying to turn this ship into a mobile fortress?" Peperoncino shot back theatrically. "The battleship is already protected by Goddess Skadi's Barrier, you know."
"It's a viable strategy," Kirschtaria said evenly. "Considering Daybit's position and his Servant, maintaining a strong defensive advantage is important."
Faced with the inevitable clash against their last companion who had yet to rejoin them, Kirschtaria found himself considering more careful approaches to the coming battle.
He cared about every one of them. Whether as a Master of Chaldea or as a Crypter, that much never changed.
"The Fantasy Tree removal is almost complete. We should prepare to return to the ship," Sakura reminded them.
A return order soon came from Olga Marie on the bridge.
Those who had remained on deck to guard against any sudden developments finally headed back into Storm Border.
As the Fantasy Tree vanished, the massive warship initiated its Imaginary Dive, setting course for the Bleached World's surface near the coordinates of the Chinese Lostbelt.
They needed to confirm whether entry into the Chinese Lostbelt was still possible, or whether they should wait outside for it to collapse on its own.
Given the strength of Shiomi's group, it was entirely possible that the interior of the Lostbelt had already become dangerously unstable.
The Imaginary Dive would take several minutes. During that time, Olga Marie remained deep in thought.
However, when Storm Border surfaced once more and returned to real space, the sensors captured a scene that left everyone in shock.
Across the endless white expanse, Shiomi and his group were locked in battle with the Alien God.
Volume Eleven serves as a transitional arc, and concludes here.
Next: Volume Twelve.