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In the sky above, an aerial battle of dragon and wyvern unfolded

Within that, Sakuya fought the gora to help out Izumi’s retreat

The party fled across the battlefield-turned wasteland No one around knew the right words to call to Aleist By the enemy’s words, Aleist had been the cause of all of this

(I shouldn’t take it at face value, but—)

Izuuard to the silent Aleist Whether he noticed her attitude or not, Aleist wouldn’t open his on would pour down and raise an explosion Heleene flew to protect the fleeing members, and once they had distanced themselves froht allies

While they were too few in nu addition

With a large wave of her hands, Millia faced the a low knoll, they ca the battle between the Gora and Sakuya

Millia had her fellow demi-hu Rudel’s state, she htened face

“L-lay hi him—”

But Bennet was quick to inform her

“That won’t be needed His heart’s been pierced It’s fatal”

To a Rudel as already no longer breathing, Millia desperately held in her tears

“You idiot It’s because you faithfully honored such ridiculous orders The palace could have ht confirmation

Her hand stroked Rudel, lain over a stretcher

“Is the palace alright?”

Millia wiped her tears before explaining in a shaking voice

“Princess Fina used the defenders to suppress the insurrection The archduke houses helped out too… and yet, why is this guy dead?”

At the end of her sights, Rudel, his eyes closed with a slight sly clenched Rudel’s hand Seeing Millia’s tears onlyus nothing but trouble Yet in the end of the end, for such a less, Izumi was about to say, when Bennet plainly interrupted

“There was aRudel held out here alone, he made a literal last stand until the allied arless”

It was then that two groups made for Rudel

Luecke and Eunius, who had only just arrived The dragons appeared and helped transport their forces, hastening their arrival

“Move aside”

Luecke pushed his way through knights and soldiers to arrive at Rudel, opening his eyes hen he came upon the man laid out

Eunnius was the sahly

And looking at Rudel, he spoke

“… Daue But his tone was terribly disappointed and horribly dark Eunius yanked out the black bar wedged in his heart

Luecke instantly hung his hands over Rudel’s chest He was going to use healing ic

Aleist opened his mouth

“Luecke, Rudel is already…”

Luecke, the lared at Aleist and screaic, I’m better than anyone Better than you, and better than Rudel I’ue”

It was iic to revive the dead No matter how many spells he used, the deceased body showed no reaction

Izu his face, she shut heras impossible for me A dear friend or tould I be if I couldn’t help theic than anyone…”

Shedding tears before Rudel, he desperately continued to cast his ic overuse

Eunius grabbed his arh! Don’t waste your mana here”

Luecke cried back

“Waste? You just called it a waste!? I see In the end, that’s all Rudel was to you…”

When Luecke saw Eunius face, he couldn’t say any too

“Listen here Neither you nor I can bring back so we can do? Fight to avenge him Those imperial bastards are still here Then it’s obvious e’ve got to do!”

On those words, Luecke as held in tears, as he ordered those around him to heal him

Izumi touched a hand to his cheek

“Rudel, look how many people you’veYou really are a terrible guy”

There, Aleist exclaiot it Rudel can still make it, I think…”

◇

Rudel was in a white, a very white space

Hazily taking in his surroundings, the words that came out—

“This is the second time I’ve come here The first hen I parted with Sakuya, perhaps?”

— As he cal sound came from the fist lowered on his head

There was Sakuya—the for in the air in human form Tears welled in her eyes, her cheeks were puffed up and her face was red

‘Rudel, you idiot! Idiot, idiot, huge idiot!’

Before the girl who continued shed

“So you caet me? Guess that means I really am dead”

Sakuya’s crumbled into tears

‘How ether! And yet, why did you leave your own partner? We worked so hard so we could fight together!’

Seeing Sakuya cry, Rudel dimly perceived this was the afterworld

“Sorry I tried my best… but it looks like I failed”

He had lost to fate While Rudel thought so, he didn’t retful face

‘Why do you look so refreshed!? Everyone’s crying for you!’

Rudel sent her a bit of a sorrowful sht to triuoon I want to be I hate that I couldn’t use the chance that you gave ht withback, I am certain I couldn’t have done better”

If he lost on top of that, there was no space for excuses

Rudel said so and stroked Sakuya Despite the nostalgia he felt, it also brought to on

Sakuya looked at Rudel with a serious face