A Shooting Star

Edenia’s little pink head leaned over Lofiel’s shoulder, and their cheeks were now pressed together.

This inevitably made Lofiel focus only on the soft sensation of Edenia’s face against hers.

So much so that she didn’t catch a single word of what Edenia had just said.

“Mmhm ♪ What’s wrong, my dear Lofiel~?”

Seeing Lofiel dazed and motionless, Edenia asked curiously.

“Nothing…”

Pulling her gaze away from Edenia’s face, she quietly savored the wonderful feeling from her cheek, her heart gradually growing excited.

“Then~ let’s draw the bowstring together!”

Lofiel nodded. Their hands, both placed on the string, began to pull, the bluish light stretching back farther and farther.

As the curve deepened, a golden particle-formed arrow slowly appeared in their hands.

By the time the bow reached its full arc, the arrow had completely taken shape.

It shone with rainbow light, countless golden stars swirling around it.

Its arrowhead spun in a spiral, radiating light like a galaxy.

“Then~ let this arrow, born from our shared determination to save everyone, be the beginning that overturns everything ♪”

As Edenia’s words fell, Lofiel aimed the glowing arrow at the pitch-black sky.

“Shall we give this ceremonial arrow a name?”

Lofiel asked with a smile.

“That’s a wonderful idea ♪ Mmm~ Let this attack mark the start of clearing away misunderstandings, and finally ending this war of mutual harm.

The one who achieves such a great deed will naturally be a true hero.

In that case, no name could be more fitting~”

Lifting her gaze to the sky, Edenia couldn’t help but recall a familiar figure from her past world.

That person had sacrificed their own life, firing an arrow that ended a sixty-year war—undoubtedly a true hero.

“Is that so… then shout it out loud, Edenia.”

Releasing her grip on the tail of the arrow, the rainbow shaft shot forth from the pink-violet crystal bow.

Spinning in the air, surrounded by stars flashing ever brighter, its arrowhead wrapped in starlight, it ascended, leaving behind a tiny galaxy streak across the heavens.

At the same time, Edenia shouted the name from her heart.

“──── Meteor Trail (Stella)!!!”

The arrow instantly pierced the blackened sky.

Then, within the silence, faint lights began to bloom, growing more and more numerous, until the entire sky burst apart like a balloon.

All the darkness was completely wiped away, countless golden particles falling from above.

It was like a golden rain, slowly seeping into the earth.

The magic circle Edenia had created shone brighter and brighter as the golden particles descended.

When a rainbow arrow plunged straight down into the array, its radiance reached its peak.

“————&@％#————!!!”

That sickening voice once again filled their ears.

But this time, perhaps thanks to the magic circle, even Lofiel felt no discomfort.

The arrow sank entirely into the ground as the sound rang out.

Then, a black hole opened at the spot where the arrow had struck.

“Since those who fall in can never climb out~ then why don’t we just open it from the outside ♪”

Edenia, now separated from her cheek-to-cheek closeness with Lofiel, stepped gracefully toward the narrow black hole, speaking cheerfully.

“Is this… a passage into that creature’s body?”

Feeling Edenia’s warmth leave her back, Lofiel couldn’t help but feel a trace of loss.

She walked up beside her, gazing into the hole, and asked.

“That’s right ♪ The Abyss Worm is only a vessel. If we really want to end this, we have to resolve it from within~”

Hearing this, Lofiel guessed Edenia’s intention and asked,

“You mean to enter the worm’s body?”

“Of course ♪”

“Do you need me to go with you?”

“No~ Lofiel, your task is more important. While I go inside to save everyone, you must stay outside and protect this circle.

So, I’m entrusting my safety to you ♪”

Placing a pale finger to her lips, Edenia gave her a playful wink.

“Don’t worry. I may not be that strong yet, but with the power you’ve just given me flowing in my body, as long as another worm like that one doesn’t appear, I’ll be fine.”

Lofiel’s original strength was that of a Sixth-Rank Magician, but the bow’s power had instantly pushed her four levels higher, to the Tenth Rank.

Though that power was gradually leaking from her body…

Before long she would return to the Sixth Rank. Still, within that time, guarding the circle shouldn’t be a problem.

And even if something beyond her appeared, Lofiel still had plenty of hidden cards to play.

Edenia smiled, nodded, and then stepped lightly forward, leaping into the black hole.

…

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in pitch darkness.

Alice felt as if she were falling endlessly, icy winds cutting at her body like blades.

Her dazed eyes stared upward, seeing nothing but blackness, and her mind began recalling what had happened before she lost consciousness.

After Elia had spoken, Alice had looked up and seen an enormous, worm-like being hovering above them.

Everyone present had frozen in terror, barely able to breathe.

Then, an indescribably shrill noise pierced their ears. Those unable to withstand it bled from their noses and ears.

Alice’s mind went blank at the sight. Before she could recover, a gaping maw—like a black hole big enough to swallow the entire banquet hall—descended toward them.

At that moment, Alice had fainted.

Now, as her memories slowly pieced themselves back together, clarity returned to her eyes.

Turning her head, she saw Elia unconscious beside her, also falling. In a weak voice, she whispered,

“Wake up… Elia…”