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With their lunch break concluded, Fia came back and continued guiding them through the Fairy Village, reaching the northern edge of it.

“Are these the ruins thou mentioned before?”

They were standing in front of old crumbling ruins. The only thing that still preserved its shape was a part of the stone floor, with a magic ring carved on it. Crim tilted her head a bit as she turned to Fia.

*”Yes, these are the ruins… I hope they’re what you were looking for.”*
“Hmm, that remains to be seen. At least it does look a lot like the magic ring in that small shrine next to Castle Seyfert…”

Saying that, Crim walked to the center of that inactive magic circle, imbuing it with a small amount of mana to attempt accessing it.
A moment later…like a splash of water, a wave of green light spread across the magic circle, and a multitude of particles rose into the night sky like fireflies.

[The Warp Spot between Fairy Village and Foggy Lakeside Town of Nebel has been activated]

Everyone watched in a daze as that global notification appeared in the corner of Crim’s vision.

“…Yes, this pretty much confirms that the small shrine we found at home connects to this place.”
*”Really? I’m so happy for you!”*
“Mhm, this should make the return trip much easier too, thanks.”

Fia smiled relieved, and Crim thanked her.
This place had also likely been a splendid shrine in the past, but lay in ruins now.
At least the Warp Spot was intact, but Crim feared that continued exposure to the elements could interfere with its operations, so it needed some looking after.
And she could only stare blankly into the distance as she realized that meant increased reconstruction costs…

“Hm… Wait, are we missing one person..?”

As Crim surveyed her surroundings, she realized that one of their non-combatant members…Da’at Criferd was nowhere to be seen.

“That brat… I’ll have to go find her.”
“Alright, we’ll rest here for ten minutes, so no need to hurry.”

With that reminder, Suzaku gave a quick thumbs up as he went into the darkness to search.
For a moment Crim thought about joining the search for Da’at…but then decided it was best not to interfere for now, and instead went to sit down on a nearby rock.

“…You know, earlier during our previous break she also disappeared randomly for a bit.”
“Haru, art thou certain of that?”

Hearing Haru’s sudden comment, Crim’s ears perked up, and then someone else added something.

“I noticed she looked a bit odd ever since we entered the Fairy Village.”
“Thou noticed something too then, Rouge?”
“Yes, she seemed really happy in the cave, but as soon as we got out it was like she kept thinking of something else, just looking around all aloof…”

It was clear Rouge was also worried about Da’at, and Crim thought about it some more. After all, there had been reports that Belial had been seen around there too, and it was easy to see how she could be behind everything.

“I see… I’m sorry to impose on thee, but couldst thou keep looking after Da’at, Rouge?”
“Yes, anything you want, Sister!”

Crim asked for that just in case, and Rouge agreed instantly.

***

*…I feel like something big is about to happen.*
An eerie wind came from the west, but no matter how many times she looked there, there was nothing but darkness there, now that the sun had set in that direction.
But…for some reason whenever she looked there, that uncertainty grew stronger. Almost like something deep in her mind was yelling at her to stop and not go further.
But whenever she thought of telling the rest about it, she could not get the words out, like she was not supposed to get in their way or stop them from going.
Even if…an unimaginable end awaited them there.

“What the hell are you doing all the way here?”
“Ah…Suzaku?”

As she sat on the edge of a cliff, her legs dangling freely as she stared into the horizon…a voice suddenly called to her from behind, dragging her out from her brooding thoughts..

“You also disappeared like this during our previous break, didn’t you?”
“Ah…yes, I’m sorry.”
“I can’t with you sometimes… Just don’t wander off too far again, you’ll make everyone worry for nothing.”

He averted his gaze as he mumbled that, and she could feel herself grinning mischievously.

“Suzaku, does that mean you were worried for me too?”
“Yeah of course I was, who knows if you’re planning something behind everyone’s back again.”
“Ah, that’s so meaann!”
“All I’m saying is you should reflect on your actions a bit more, always acting so spoiled.”

It was their usual banter, and that alone made her worries feel much lighter.

“It looks like you’re feeling a bit better already.”
“…Huh?”
“Nothing. We’re leaving in ten minutes, don’t get lost or anything, you hear me?”
“Mhm… Thank you, Suzaku.”

He huffed loudly and turned around, and the girl… Da’at Criferd, hurried to get up to follow him, smiling faintly.

*He’s always so foul-mouthed, but somehow he always seemed to care for me since I woke up, even if I didn’t remember anything.*
*He always stops to help those in need, even if he acts like it all bothers him and he’s better off alone, he’s never honest with himself.*
*But lately he’s not alone as often, and has started hanging out with other girls, making me feel all weird and jealous…*

Despite all of those emotions, Da’at Criferd also realized that a part of her was glad that Suzaku was not always alone now.

And seeing him walk away a distance from her…

“Thank you…my hero.”

She muttered with a voice so low no one could hear it, and then trotted ahead to catch up with him.