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The shot passed right next to Ophelia, vanishing in the distant behind. It was easy to imagine that Natalia’s aim had been affected by having to deal with the explosions around her.

“Again, you’re nothing but predictable.”

Ophelia quickly turned around and shot magic bullets behind her. Then the background seemed to blur and distort before Natalia appeared there. She had concealed herself with Illusory Magic and masked her mana particles within Red Cassowary’s trail, reaching a spot behind.

Even when struck by the magic bullets, Natalia did not stop. She only created barriers to protect her vital spots as she pushed forward.

Parts of Celaeno were torn apart by the incoming magic bullets, but Natalia materialized mana to keep it all connected and functioning.

Natalia continued flying forward, holding her right arm forward. She was no longer holding Red Cassowary, as that one had run out of mana, but Blue Hound, which still had some power left in its magazine.

Considering Blue Hound’s usual shooting distance, that was like firing from point blank.

The bullets of pressurized mana whistled as they flew through the air, drilling a hole through the barrier. But just when they were about to strike their mark, Ophelia tilted her head to the side, and the bullets only passed through strands of hair.

Natalia then swung a magic blade as a follow-up attack, but Ophelia had already regenerated the barrier, catching the blade.

“I thought I taught you not to rush in so carelessly.”

Just like the previous day, she twirled her fingers within the barrier.

But this time, Natalia’s limbs glowed blue and nothing else happened, everything remained attached. Then she used the Steel Silk wrapped around her body to form a magic gauntlet, which allowed her to smash through the barrier.

“!”

Ophelia was skilled enough to reform a barrier like that in no time.

But even faster than that, Natalia pushed the Blue Hound’s muzzle through and pulled the trigger. That bullet was also dodged, but it also left a hole in the barrier. Before the hole could close up, Natalia grabbed the edges and tore it open, like she was opening a tightly locked door.

“I see you’ve found a way to resist that. But you’re still forgetting something important.”

Even as Ophelia tried to fly away, Natalia caught up to her. In response,Ophelia began to grin, her voice lowering into a sinister tone.

“It doesn’t matter if I die here.”

A multitude of magic circles opened all around them. They were even more numerous than before, and they belonged to more powerful spells as well. Just when they were about to activate…

“Open!”

Natalia used her favorite spell, magic storage, and opened it large enough to swallow all the magic circles.

“?!”

That was so unexpected that Ophelia turned around to look at what happened, and Natalia would not let that moment of distraction get away.

“RAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!”

With a terrifying scream, Natalia plunged her magic blade into Ophelia’s chest.

My body is so tattered that I can hardly keep myself in the aid, but I use blue mana to patch the broken parts and keep my wings moving. I also grab Ophelia’s arm and we both fall down.

Once we’re almost by the ground, I boost the output of Celaeno and adjust my stance to somehow pull out a safe landing. But that consumes the last of my current power, as all the mana holding the wings together fades away and the pieces fall loose.

But I barely pay attention to that.

“Ophelia!” When I call her name, she slowly turns to look at me.

“Heh…you finally said it…”

I knew it. I knew it the entire time.I never told my previous name to anyone else, not even Olivia or Ruri. Ophelia is the only one who knew it in this world. So the moment she called me by that name, I knew that she was Ophelia right away. And now, knowing that, I’ve..!

“You’ve really gotten stronger…”

No! This isn’t why I’ve been—

“Sorry it always ends like this…forcing you through hardships…”
“No…stop…Ophelia…”

Seeing her like this feels like a repeat of her last moments so long ago. Back then, it was Dominic’s curse that took her. And now I’ve done the same with my own hands…

“…It would seem this body has reached its end too… But thanks to you, I didn’t end up killing Olivia…”

She’s right. I can see her fingertips are starting to turn into specks of mana before vanishing.

I had to kill the resurrected Ophelia, otherwise Olivia would end up fighting her. I came here knowing that, ready to fulfill my duty, but seeing Ophelia like this really shows me how terrible of a burden this is. I had heavily underestimated the situation.

This is something I keep doing. I run my mouth all the time and act on impulse without really thinking things through, and then I regret my choices once it’s all done.

“…Don’t cry, Natalia…”
“I’m not…crying…”

Mana leaks through the cracks on my face, clouding my vision. But these aren’t tears. I’m a magic automaton, I’m not able to create tears.

Ophelia smiles as she caresses my cheek, and I clench her hand. But the pressure from my hands makes her fingers crumble, turning into mana particles that vanish with the wind.

“Ah…ahh…Ophelia…”

There’s so much I have to say, that I want to tell her, but I can’t find the right words.

“…Thank you, I’m really…glad, that it was your soul…that took root in the magic automaton I made…”
“Ahh…”

With those last words, the remainder of Ophelia’s body fades away, the mana particles twinkling once before disappearing. Life is always so frail when it reaches its end, leaving nothing behind but an emptiness in the hearts of others.

“Ophelia… I never wanted to…”

As I stare into the distance where the wind blew, I start to mutter in a daze. I can’t help but feel so worthless, knowing I couldn’t find a way out of having to kill the person I owe so much to.

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