The night slowly shifted toward the early hours of dawn.
The sky began to pale on the eastern horizon, its darkness cracked by thin lines of light that would soon become the sun.
Anna still stood among them, having not left since the night had been dark.
Her eyes swept over them one by one, seeing the same thing repeatedly—heroes sitting while holding their wounds, lying down exhausted after running out of mana, still trying to stand… but wavering.
She saw them all.
Without rushing.
One by one.
Without comment.
Then
Hero Anna smiled.
Faintly.
Seeing that, Rena noticed that smile and simply smiled too—at least, that's what she would have done if she were truly there.
Hero Claire also jolted upon seeing it, falling silent for a moment about what she was looking for.
Hero Anna…
That smile…
That's right…
Not mocking.
Not belittling.
Rather—
admiration.
At least, that's what the heroes realized and saw when Hero Anna looked at them… and also what Hero Claire and Rena felt when they saw Hero Anna do it.
Hero Anna thought to herself.
…they really held on…
Amazing….
Suddenly, Hero Anna shifted her attention, then held her own shoulder with her cheeks lifted, and thought.
Even though it was chaotic.
Even though it wasn't perfect.
Even though it was full of flaws,
they still stood until the end.
Rena, noticing that, immediately said with teary eyes.
That shoulder…
Does Hero Anna not accept it??
Then, with sparkling eyes, Hero Anna muttered.
Ah… that
That attitude is so similar to my knight student…
I hope Rena can make good use of that great sword…
Hearing that, Rena was startled. This time, her tears flowed a little, as if she was actually there.
Suddenly, Rena felt something around her that she shouldn't be able to feel right now.
The morning wind blew gently across her entire body, the various smells of battle—but on the other hand, it was over—
bringing a calmness that felt similar after such a huge battle.
And of course, it felt like Hero Anna was feeling the same thing.
But before Rena could truly enjoy it—
suddenly,
Hero Anna's smile slowly faded.
Because something felt…
different.
Anna lifted her gaze
toward the dragon again,
toward the cut that had severed the dragon.
Then she thought, her eyes darting around.
What's happening around that dragon….
Instantly,
the wind stopped.
The surrounding sounds disappeared for a moment.
Too silent—even Hero Anna could now hear anything, even the smallest sounds.
Instantly, Hero Anna frowned, then thought.
Something's strange here..
I need to report this to the mage hero!!
Before Hero Anna could report, on another side, a smell of rotting mushrooms stung Hero Anna's nose…
Tch….
This smell….
Suddenly!!!!
One of the healers who was simultaneously treating the injured heroes shouted.
Aaaa!!!!!
*Why is this!!!!
Seeing that, both Rena and Hero Claire, coincidentally in sync, with their lips slightly parted, said.
It seems this is the moment…
Then calmly, Hero Claire continued.
Where everything began—the case we're looking for…
And now, Hero Anna's fate, standing there, was already known to Rena and Hero Claire.
Even so, Hero Anna's part wasn't over yet, and all her future choices would become the conclusion for the two people searching for answers—Rena and Hero Claire.