The sky above the sand dunes was white. Beyond the horizon, a cloud of sand rose up. Tempe Storm stood from behind the rocks and watched the dust. A flag. The Tempest flag. "[gentle]They've arrived" Benimar stood beside her. Her arms were covered in wounds, wrapped with makeshift bandages. Yet her stance remained steady. It was reinforcements. A unit of Lizardmen that Shuna had sent——eight of them came running with stretchers and supplies. The lead soldier caught sight of Tempe Storm's face and bowed deeply. "[serious]We're relieved to see you safe. Shuna has a message for you: please return to the capital as soon as possible" "Thank you. Let's depart quickly" They moved Souei onto the stretcher. Her consciousness flickered in and out, her eyes closed as she gripped the edge of the stretcher with one hand. Mirim tried to walk beside the stretcher, but her legs wavered and she grabbed onto Tempe Storm's arm. "[gentle]I can walk, you know" "[sarcastic]That's not what someone about to collapse says" "I'm not collapsing!" And so, toward the capital, Rimuls. --- The return journey took half a day. When the green of the Great Forest Jura came back into view, the air changed. From the dry smell of sand to the damp scent of leaves and earth. Mirim had fallen asleep on the edge of the stretcher partway through. Every time her small body swayed, the stretcher-bearers adjusted their stride to be gentler. Tempe Storm closed her eyes atop the horse. Great Sage. She called out. ——Silence. She called again. Fragmented numbers flowed. Not a response. Like a machine grinding to a halt, broken signals. (Just a little longer...) When Tempe Storm opened her eyes, Benimar was walking beside her. Noticing her gaze, Benimar spoke without turning her head. "[cold]It will return soon. As long as you don't think unnecessary things, Tempe Storm" "[surprised]Unnecessary things...? What do you mean?" "……" She fell silent. Tempe Storm tilted her head. --- Partway through, they took a break at a small inn village. While the soldiers were changing Souei's bandages, Tempe Storm caught Benimar. "[serious]Come here for a moment" "What is it?" "Sit down" "I'm fine, really——" "Sit down, please" When she lowered her voice a notch, Benimar silently sat in a wooden chair. Tempe Storm brought cloth and herbal medicine broth borrowed from the innkeeper, then knelt before Benimar. She unwrapped the makeshift bandages on Benimar's arm. Several wounds ran across it from the sandstorm. "[serious]...You didn't think it didn't hurt, did you?" "[cold]It doesn't hurt" "Don't lie" "……" "Just stay still for me" When she applied the herbal liquid to the wounds, Benimar's shoulders tensed slightly. She was in pain, but made no sound. That was the kind of person she was. Tempe Storm silently wrapped the bandages. A quiet time passed. Benimar spoke softly. "[whispers]...Did I worry you?" Tempe Storm's hands stopped. Her hands trembled as she tied the bandage. The moment Benimar had rushed into the sandstorm. When she'd caught Mirim as she was about to fall. How she'd stood there the whole time, covered in wounds. "[sad]...A little" That was all she said. She wasn't about to cry. But her voice came out a bit strained. Benimar froze for a moment. "[serious]I-I'm sorry. Next time I'll definitely protect you, Tempe Storm——" "I don't want to be protected" "Huh?" "I want to fight together. Not be the one being protected" "That's...but the danger——" "You're in danger too, Benimar" "I'm fine——" "You're not fine!!" Her voice got louder than intended. Benimar's eyes widened. Tempe Storm was a bit surprised herself. "...Come on, don't be angry" "Wasn't it you who got angry just now?" "...I'm not angry" "You were" Both of them fell silent for a moment. Then, from neither direction in particular, laughter began to mix in. Tempe Storm burst out first, and Benimar's mouth relaxed into a smile despite her exasperated expression. "[gentle]...Thank you for the bandages" "You're welcome" --- Evening, when the capital Rimuls came into view. The stone walls of the Storm Palace were dyed orange by the slanting sunlight. In front of the underground ruins entrance——behind the east side of the Storm Palace, where the stone pavement had sunk slightly——a figure stood. White hair. Bangs swept to one side, hiding one eye. Deep silver eyes. Tall. A body of 178 centimeters stood quietly before two people. "[cold]Welcome back" The voice was calm. Too calm. The eyes weren't smiling at all. At her feet, two people lay collapsed. Velde's companions——both unfamiliar faces——were sprawled on the stone pavement, unable to move. Their joints were sealed by magic. Shuna's doing. Tempe Storm looked at Shuna's face. Shuna's gaze drifted toward Benimar. "[gentle]...Benimar, are you safe?" "[cold]As you can see" "Well, I suppose it can't be helped. I'm glad you're safe" There was a brief pause. "...You were by Tempe Storm's side" "...Was that a problem?" "I didn't say it was a problem" "But you look like you want to say something" "[sarcastic]I'll hear the details of Benimar's exploits later" "There's nothing much to——" "[serious]Both of you" Tempe Storm cut in. "Where's Velde?" Shuna's expression tightened. "[serious]Deep in the underground ruins. She's already chanted three sections of the spell. One more section and——" Tempe Storm was already moving. "[serious]I'm going" "Tempe Storm, the Great Sage still——" "She'll finish chanting before I can stop her" She ran down the stone stairs to the underground. --- Fifteen meters below ground. The underground ruins of the Storm Palace——a stone structure from the ancient magical civilization era——was filled with magical essence so thick it was suffocating. More than ten times that of the surface. The moment she stepped inside, her skin prickled. She could see without a lamp. The stone walls glowed faintly. The inner chamber. She kicked the door open. "[cold]——I knew you would come" The Urakaeshi Pot sat on its pedestal. Forty centimeters tall. Made of a material like obsidian. Its surface rippled faintly. Velde stood before it. With the same calm expression she'd worn on the sand dunes. Still smiling. "[cold]The third section is complete. One more section remains" Tempe Storm stood in the doorway and called to the Great Sage. ——Silence. She called again. Called once more. Fragmented numbers. Partial combat deployment. Only half output. (I have no choice but to try) "[serious]What is the fourth section?" "[cold]You want to know? I'll tell you" Velde stepped back from the pot and faced Tempe Storm. "[cold]The fourth section is not recorded anywhere. The desire burning most strongly in the heart of the one who chants——that itself becomes the spell" Tempe Storm listened silently. "[cold]In my case...to reshape every living creature's body as I wish. That desire is my fourth section. If I speak it aloud, the pot becomes completely mine" "[serious]I won't let that happen" "[cold]Then try to stop me" Velde opened her mouth. The beginning of the spell—— That instant. Something burst inside Tempe Storm's chest. 《——Analysis complete》 A voice echoed in her mind. The Great Sage. 《The seal was not meant to be broken from outside. Your emotional surge was the key to the seal. The desire burning in this very moment——that is the trigger》 (Emotional surge...in this very moment...) Tempe Storm understood. The fourth section was within her. "[angry]Velde!!" She moved before Velde could. Crossing the chamber. Velde unleashed magic—— A roar from above. Shuna's magic from the surface pierced the floor, burning at Velde's feet. Benimar came crashing through the stone wall right after. Velde's attention wavered——Tempe Storm stood before the pot. The pot was close. First section. She breathed in and chanted. Second section. She heard Velde's scream. Heard Benimar blocking her. Third section. Her voice cracked. But she pushed it out. Fourth section. What should she say? (I know) Tempe Storm closed her eyes. Benimar kneeling on the sand dune, her hands covered in wounds. Souei on the stretcher, her consciousness flickering as she whispered. The weight of Mirim's small body sleeping on her lap. Shuna waiting in the capital, saying welcome home. She didn't know which was most important. She didn't know which was strongest. But all of it was real. "——It's all of you. Every single one of you matters!!" She screamed. The Urakaeshi Pot glowed white. Brighter. Brighter still. BOOM——!! The entire chamber shook. The pot vibrated on its pedestal, its light spreading like waves——then fell silent. The light faded. The pot sat on the pedestal as before. But that rippling sensation was gone. Just an old pot. Tempe Storm stood there. Breathing hard. Her knees were shaking. But she didn't fall. The chamber was silent. --- When she emerged above ground, the capital was in an uproar. "[surprised]Wait, something...my body feels different!?" "[excited]It's coming back! It's actually coming back!!" Cheers rose from Galatea Square. Residents looked at their hands, touched their faces, and cried out. The changes were beginning to reverse. 《It will take several days for everything to return completely》 The Great Sage spoke quietly. Her voice had fully returned. Tempe Storm felt relief bloom in her chest at hearing it. (Still going to be a silver-haired beauty for a while longer, huh...) As she climbed the stone stairs in a daze, Shuna and Benimar had the two intruders bound up. A little distance away—— Thud. Something fell from the stretcher. Everyone turned. Souei had tumbled off the stretcher and was on one knee against the stone pavement. She was supposed to be unable to move. Her left arm was on the ground, but her right hand gripped Velde's ankle. Velde froze, trying to escape. "[cold]...That's how it is" Her face was pale. But she didn't let go. Benimar immediately flew over and pinned Velde's arm. "[angry]Souei, don't push yourself!!" "[cold]I couldn't move was half true. Half was an act" "Which half?!" Velde gave up and sat down on the floor. Mirim came running over. She charged straight at Tempe Storm and clung to her waist. "[excited]Tempe Storm——!! That was amazing!! You glowed like that!! I saw it!!" "[laughing]Where were you watching from?" "[excited]Outside the chamber! Shuna wouldn't let me in so I watched through a hole!!" Shuna gave a light cough. The sunset dyed the capital's stone pavement orange. Long shadows stretched out. Four people——five people stood outside the Storm Palace. For a while, no one said anything. Then Shuna moved to stand beside Tempe Storm. "[gentle]You did well" "Thank you, Shuna. Sorry for making you wait" "Well, it can't be helped" Then she glanced at Benimar. Benimar said nothing. "[cold]...Tempe Storm" Souei, back on the stretcher, spoke quietly. "[cold]Was my name included in the fourth section?" Tempe Storm stopped. "[gentle]...All of you were" "[cold]...So that means I'm equal to the others?" The air grew still. Mirim clung to Tempe Storm's waist, staring up at her intently. Benimar crossed her arms and looked forward. Shuna turned her face slightly away. Tempe Storm looked at all four of them. (What should I say?) But she could only be honest. "[gentle]I think each of you is important. All of you matter to me" All four of them turned away simultaneously. No one said anything. 《——Supplementary analysis. Tempe Storm's statement has caused simultaneous elevation in heart rates across all four subjects. Significant correlation detected》 Tempe Storm held her head. "[sarcastic]Great Sage, that's not information I need right now!!" 《I have determined it to be useful information》 "It's not useful at all!!" Another cheer rose from the square. The joyful voices of residents whose bodies were beginning to return to normal. The Ura