Once upon a time, in a different world where laws and rules shaped every individual in unique ways, a grand concert was taking place. Well it's about to end actually.
"Heyyo everyone! You guys enjoyed the show?!!" (Cera)
At the Hearth Mansion, the headquarters of the Hestia Familia, darkness had already blanketed the once-bright sky. The sun had ceded its place to the moon, casting its soft glow as the new source of light.
Silence should have blanketed the mansion, yet on this particular night, it was anything but quiet. An event was unfolding—one so dazzling it seemed to challenge the brilliance of the stars themselves.
"Then, don't leave just yet! The show isn't over! Our special guests will be taking the stage for their final performance of the night! And they'll be singing together at that! Isn't that what you people want?!!" (Cera)
Her words were met with a thunderous roar—cheers filled with unyielding vigor, a passionate response from the adventurers of Orario, the townspeople, and merchants alike, all united as part of the concert's audience.
"OHHH!!!"
"That's what you'll fucking get!" (Cera)
The headquarters of the Hestia Familia—or more accurately, their home—was a grand yet inviting place. It resembled the lavish mansions of nobles often depicted in grand Fantasy tales.
Because of that, the vast open spaces and unused land surrounding it provided the perfect opportunity to be put to good use.
The open field, gardens, and empty spaces were spacious enough to accommodate a modified stage, various lighting instruments, and a designated standing area for at least fifty concertgoers.
That was what Cera initially estimated when organizing Operation Memori@dol. However, as she stood on the stage now, looking out at the sea of people before her, she quickly realized that the audience had far exceeded her expectations.
"Hmm, no… this should be normal. Since I went through a looot of trouble to invite so many performers for this grand concert. It'll be a mess if there're more of them though..." (Cera)
Standing before hundreds, microphone in hand, Cera whispered to herself.
The microphone she used was a clip-on headset, a device retrieved from her collection of salvaged treasures—a remnant of technology she possessed and utilized to make events like this more seamless.
Just like the culture she had introduced to this place.
"…You treat me like I'm an invader?" (Cera)
Cera looked slightly annoyed at a teasing remark that frustratingly enough, was somehow true. However, she quickly brushed it off as she turned to introduce the so-called special guests, one by one.
"...Okay! Now, before we move on to our final song, does anyone from our group have a message they'd like to share? Let's start with the Sword Princess, shall we?" (Cera)
The Sword Princess—a title no one in Orario could possibly be unfamiliar with. And yet, here she was, standing on stage, not in her usual armor, nor with a sword in hand, but dressed in a performance outfit, holding a microphone instead of a blade.
"(Whisper) Their presence was disguised under the label of a 'Special Concert,' so at first, no one knew they'd be performing. Then, right when the show hit its midpoint—bam! They appeared! Here comes the sun! That kind of dramatic entrance!" (Cera)
Thanks for the additional narration.
Their participation had been a complete surprise—an unexpected spectacle for the audience, who had initially arrived expecting nothing more than the usual event they were accustomed to.
"(Whisper) Oh, and by the way, Hylia opened the concert as always. She sang, she chatted with the crowd, and then—bam! These four made their grand entrance. As if anyone wouldn't notice~? Nyuhuhu~" (Cera)
Alright, enough with additional narration.
Their participation had been a complete surprise—an unexpected spectacle for the audience, who had arrived expecting nothing more than the usual event they were familiar with.
However, their reveal wasn't abrupt or rushed, it was a carefully orchestrated moment, building anticipation before finally taking center stage.
"(Whisper) Ugh, it's such a hassle, you know? Even if they're the norm in this world, I still had to drown in paperwork just to make this happen. Ah, but maybe I should save my complaints for later. Now then—presenting the Top Chart Heroine from Danmachi!" (Cera)
Standing on stage were several individuals dressed in frilly, adorably crafted outfits. There was no doubt—they were fully embracing the role of performers meant to dance and sing. In other words, idols.
Yet, at their core, they were still adventurers, citizens of Orario who had once braved dungeons and faced countless dangers. So perhaps… being an idol wasn't truly their calling.
"...Thank you for coming. I'm glad there are people willing to listen to my song. Please come again, and remember to follow the rules while the concert is ongoing. Did I say that correctly, Producer?"「Ainz Wallenstein」
"Don't ask me while we're on stage! And I already told you—the real Producer is Bell, over there!" Cera pointed toward a white-haired teenager nestled among the crowd of spectators. "Syr, Lion, you're up next!"
"You got it, Producer."「Ainz Wallenstein」
Cera let out a small grumble toward the blonde-haired woman before turning her attention to the next performer, giving them their turn to speak. "Ah, how's that Lil Mc doing?"
As she did, she glanced toward Bell Cranel, who was completely in fanboy mode, utterly captivated by Ainz Wallenstein standing on stage. "She's looking at me!?"
Beside him, another adventurer—Lefiya Viridis—was just as mesmerized, fangirling over the idolized swordswoman with equal enthusiasm. "No you dumbass! She's looking at me!"
"Everyone, nice to meet you! I'm a special guest invited by the Hostess of Fertility, Syr! Thanks to our wonderful producers over here and there, we have the opportunity to be here today. And next to me is..." 「Syr Flover」
"...The same... guest... Lion. Nice to meet... you."「Ryuu Lion」
"Don't forget to stay calm and enjoy the Live Concert peacefully! And also, if you're interested in our limited-edition merchandise, be sure to check out the booth over there!"「Syr Flover」
Following Syr's cue, the crowd's attention shifted toward a small booth set up nearby, displaying various idol-themed merchandise. Behind the counter, Liliruca Arde and a Guild representative were stationed, handling sales.
"Oh, and if you're looking to purchase tickets for the Handshaking Event, you can also find them at the booth! Make sure to line up properly—quantities are limited~"「Syr Flover」
"Please... do c-check. Can I... get down now?"「Ryuu Lion」
"That won't do, Ryuu. We still have one more song to sing together. Moreover, remember about Mama's deal with that red haired Producer girl? We need to won that bet so Mama won't kill us."「Syr Flover」
"...I really regretted being part of this."「Ryuu Lion」
Perhaps this was the moment where Ryuu Lion would experience a flashback, recalling how she ended up here in the first place. What do you think, Producer? Should we insert the flashback here?
Cera said nothing, simply staring off into the air.
All in all, a cheerful gray-haired human woman stood confidently on stage, fully embracing her role. Beside her, a blonde-haired elven woman followed suit—though far stiffer in her movements, even with the encouragement of her human companion.
It seemed that Cera had gone to great lengths—using all sorts of tricks and persuasion—to "borrow" them from their usual workplace. Whatever methods she had employed, they must have been quite the ordeal... considering even she looked like she had been through some trouble.
"(Whisper) Nothing much, I just called that owner shorty or something. We bet that if her girls' merchandise didn't got bout much, she'll becoming more shrunken than before. As for the other two..." (Cera)
"Why do I even need to do all of this?! That Hermes!"「Hestia」
"That's exactly what I'd like to know as well. Just where did you found that person, Hestia-sama?"「Eina Tulle」
"Heck if I know, she just appeared out of nowhere!"「Hestia」
And so, up next was the loli-oppai goddess, Hestia, fuming in irritation—clearly regretting the bet that had landed her in this predicament. Thanks to her loss, she now had no choice but to take the stage as both a singer and a dancer.
Beside her stood the ever-reliable receptionist, Eina Tulle—a one-woman army who practically kept the Adventurers' Guild running. Known for her strict yet capable nature, she was perhaps the last person anyone would expect to see in an idol concert.
Once again, whatever tricks Cera had used to trap all these heroines into performing remained a mystery. But in the end... somehow, it had worked like a charm.
"(Whisper) Just a simple mix of Aizen's and Reverse Flash's moves. You know who's been tripping you since you could barely walk? It was me, Barry! Combined with, Good… you've figured out my plan… but that was also part of my plan. That kind of thing." (Cera)
In no time at all, the audience's excitement had been reignited by the special guests' opening remarks. Now, it was finally time for the true center of attention to step into the spotlight.
"Let's leave it at that. Alright then, let's get right to it! Last song—Umapyoi Densetsu! Please don't sue us, Cy-san! And please, people with horse traits, don't take it personally! Now go, go, go!" (Cera)
The stage lights dimmed, shrouding the area in darkness as if drawing a curtain for a grand reveal. The cheers and chatter of the audience gradually faded into a hushed silence.
And then—within that enveloping darkness—a flicker of color emerged. The small figure now standing at its center. Her multicolored hair shimmered like a prism, catching the faint glow of the spotlights as the music began to play.
"...Ready on your mark." (Hylia)
She raised her fist high, the movement perfectly timed with the lighting cues Cera had meticulously arranged. At just the right moment, every beam of light converged on her, illuminating her in a dazzling brilliance, as if the entire stage had been waiting for her alone.
"Reaaally ready? GO!" Hylia's voice ignited the concert, and in an instant, the stage burst to life with energy. Another performance began—one where she could dance and sing her heart out.
...
....
.....
And just like that, the concert had come to an end.
"Fhuaaaah... I'm tired..." (Hylia)
"Good job, Hylia. Here, have some water." 「Liliruca Arde」
After hyping up the closing performance and doing her part during the farewell session, Hylia was now sitting on a wooden crate at the edge of the stage, catching her breath. Her gaze drifted toward the stage, still flickering with lights.
She also noticed a few groups of people lingering nearby.
For a moment, her eyes settled on Bell Cranel, a key figure in this world's story, before shifting to the gods and goddesses engaged in conversation. She also caught glimpses of several Adventurers still wandering around the audience podium.
As she observed the passing faces, she quietly gauged their satisfaction after watching her concert.
"Thanks Lili sis, did you enjoy the show?" (Hylia)
"Well... it'd be a lie if I said I didn't. Even though I've seen you perform countless times, I still get chills every time I hear you sing. Not out of fear of course," Liliruca Arde smiled.
"Ehehe, and... what about the handshake session? This was the first time I saw such a huge crowd. Was there any trouble? I heard Rabbell got into trouble again?" (Hylia)
The handshake event—a special session after the concert where fans could talk and shake hands with their favorite idol within a set time limit—was nothing new to Hylia. She had done it several times before and had even been taught the proper way to handle it by Cera.
Along with the usual chaos and problems that often accompanied it.
"Don't worry, everything went as usual... or at least, that's what I wish I could say! But hear me out—Bell-sama kept charming everyone left and right! I was exhausted just trying to break up another fight before it could start!" 「Liliruca Arde」
The little girl sat down, scooting closer to the other little girl who was attentively listening to her rant. Seeing how neither seemed to mind the lack of personal space, it seemed both of them and had shared a certain level of friendship that well established.
Which is a good thing.
As the two chatted like close friends, teasing each other and recounting the events from their own perspectives, a red-haired man approached them. He was also a member of the Hestia Familia and one of the staff responsible for handling the sound system after the concert.
His name was Welf—Welf Crozzo, to be precise.
"Two chibis having a deep conversation, I see," Welf Crozzo remarked with a smirk.
"Welluf! Thanks for the hard work!" Hylia chirped cheerfully.
"Thank you for your hard work! Hmph!" Liliruca Arde huffed, still clearly offended by his remark. "What are you doing here, Welf-sama...? By the way, where's Bell-sama? I thought you're with him."
The red-haired man paused, thinking of a good response, but in the end, he simply pointed toward the area where the guest idols were gathered. There, in the midst of a small crowd, was a familiar white-haired boy.
Completely surrounded by a group of young women.
"As you can see… our Captain is quite the busy man," Welf Crozzo sighed.
Various scenes unfolded before their eyes.
First, Goddess Hestia was desperately trying to pull Bell Cranel away from the Sword Princess. Then, he was seen chatting with two maids from the Hostess of Fertility. And not long after, he found himself receiving advice from a Guild advisor.
It was an enviable sight for a hero like him—but not for some of the adventurers nearby. Those who disapproved of Bell Cranel getting too close to their beloved idols immediately showed their hostility.
"Oi, Little Rookie, looks like you're quite the popular one, huh?"
"N-No! Wait, I mean—!" 「Bell Cranel」
"Don't let that womanizer taint our idol!"
"No! Really! I'm not—!" 「Bell Cranel」
"Our? How dare you claim them to be yours! Death to the sinner!"
"I'm not even saying that—!" 「Bell Cranel」
Without another word, Bell bolted, and the furious adventurers took off after him, their shouts echoing through the venue. Meanwhile, the three who were already used to this sight simply let out a sigh.
"Rabbell at it again..." (Hylia)
"Jeez, Bell-sama..." 「Liliruca Arde」
"Alright then, I'm heading off. You two, don't forget to rest! Since you're both still small, make sure to get enough sleep so you can grow up to be like the girls surrounding Bell over there." 「Welf Crozzo」
The stage crew was still busy cleaning up, which was probably why Welf Crozzo couldn't stick around for their little chat.
The red-haired man then walked away, carrying the equipment with him, leaving Liliruca Arde and Hylia behind—both visibly annoyed by his remark.
"...Does he still take your hair?" 「Liliruca Arde」
"Not as often as before. Ever since Cera forbade him from using my hair as material for his Magic Sword, he started asking for permission first if he needed a strand or two. But yeah, not as much as before." (Hylia)
Running her fingers through the back of her neck-length hair, Hylia couldn't help but recall the time she sneaked into Welf Crozzo's smithy.
Back then, she had been exploring the Hearth Mansion when she accidentally wandered into Welf's smithy where he was busy forging something. Before she knew it, a stray spark had singed her hair and melted together into his mold.
The red-haired blacksmith immediately noticed and scolded her, ordering her to leave at once.
However, an unexpected discovery followed—Welf Crozzo soon realized that the Magic Sword he had just forged had drastically increased in both effectiveness and amplification, far beyond his usual results.
It wasn't hard for him to recall how a single strand of Hylia's hair had accidentally fused into the mold he was using. From that moment on, Hylia's hair became a sought-after material for Welf's Magic Sword experiments.
But as time passed and his requests grew more frequent, the members of the Hestia Familia decided that someone needed to step in and put a limit on the blacksmith's ever-growing enthusiasm.
"Well, that's a relief. If Welf-sama kept taking your hair, you'd end up bald," 「Liliruca Arde」
"Ahaha! No way that's happening!" Hylia laughed, briefly imagining herself completely bald. The thought was so absurd that she couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Just when she's imagining it further, a furball—or rather, Fuwa—suddenly dropped onto her lap.
"Oh, Fuwa! Where have you been?" (Hylia)
"Fuwa..." It replied lazily.
"You're tired? What happened?" (Hylia)
Noticing that Fuwa was pointing to her right, Hylia turned her head in that direction. There, she spotted two people approaching—both the same members of Hestia Familia. They could have been on stage as idols as well, but it seemed that today wasn't their turn.
"As I suspected, it's with its master. Pardon my oversight, Lia-dono." 「Yamato Mikoto」
"Lia-chan, so you were here with Lili-san?" 「Sanjouno Haruhime」
"Mikoto! Haruharu! Ha-yyo! Why do you both look so panicked?" (Hylia)
"Is there a problem with the guest reception?" 「Liliruca Arde」
Yamato Mikoto and Sanjouno Haruhime could be considered the newest members to join the Hestia Familia. During the concert, both were assigned to welcome the more unique guests attending the event.
Typically, if the audience included important figures—whether gods, goddesses, or other distinguished individuals—it was their job to guide them to their designated seats.
Of course, if those guests preferred to join the regular audience, they were free to do so.
"There were no major issues with the distinguished guests. It's just that... they started suspecting Fuwa was a Monster from the Dungeon and ended up fighting over who got to hold it..." Yamato Mikoto said with a regretful expression.
"But well, since Fuwa didn't have the characteristics of a Dungeon Monster when it came out, they eventually believed it was just some kind of furry creature from outside the city," Sanjouno Haruhime added.
The animal-eared girl beside her gently tried to ease her guilt. For a moment, Mikoto's face reflected the weight of responsibility she bore. She was, after all, an uptight and stern girl.
"…Anyway, since no one else is trying now, may I hug you, Fuwa-dono!?" 「Yamato Mikoto」
Sanjouno Haruhime blinked in surprise.
"Fuwa," it replied, as if the answer was obvious.
Feeling that there was no difference staying there, Fuwa bid farewell to its friend.
After rubbing its small and round furry body against Hylia's hand, Fuwa immediately leaped away from one crowd—only to land in the midst of another.
"Hmm? What is this... creature?" 「Aiz Wallenstain」
"Fuwa!" it replied enthutiasly.
...
....
.....
After everything that had happened, it was already nearing midnight.
Hylia should have been in bed by now, resting. However, since she had insisted on staying up to talk more with everyone, she now found herself struggling to stay awake as she made her way to her room.
Fortunately, Bell Cranel—now finally free from his earlier chase—happily offered to carry the drowsy feasty haired little girl to her room.
"Hhaammm... Rabbel, aren't you sleepy? You don't mind carrying me?" (Hylia)
"Hahaha, I might be a little exhausted after all that running earlier... but don't worry, carrying you to your room isn't a big deal for me. By the way... what about your little friend?" 「Bell Cranel」
"Fuwa? Oh... I think she already fell asleep somewhere. Maybe on a tree or up on a rooftop. Lately, she's been sleeping wherever she finds comfortable." (Hylia)
There was a hint of disappointment hidden in her words. It seemed like Hylia felt a bit jealous, unhappy with how Fuwa's behavior made it seem like she was drifting further away from her.
Even though she understood that their roles and responsibilities were different, it still hurt her a little. Fuwa had always been by her side from the very beginning, and now, seeing her slowly grow distant left a small ache in her heart.
"I see... comfort, huh? I still remember the story Cera-san told me about the two of you. About how you lived outside Orario until you finally arrived and met me in this city." 「Bell Cranel」
"You still remember? I thought you had forgotten." (Hylia)
"Of course I do. That's why I understand how precious Fuwa is to you. There's no place more comfortable than being by the side of your friends... or family," Bell said with a warm smile.
"You really love Hestia and the others, don't you, Rabbel?" Hylia asked softly.
"That's absolutely true. That's why I feel so comfortable with them," Bell Cranel replied. "But at times... haven't there been plenty of times when I've been away from Kami-sama to do other things?"
"Now that I think about it... yeah. But why are you asking me that?" Hylia tilted her head.
"I used to rely on Kami-sama a lot, always troubling her and running to her with every little thing, but over time, I started doing that less and less without even realizing it. Ah... sorry, I've just been rambling. I hope I didn't wake you up too much?" 「Bell Cranel」
The faisty-haired little girl shook her head. Though her drowsy mind struggled to fully grasp what the young man meant, she still enjoyed moments like this—just talking with him.
"So... does that mean Fuwa doesn't want to trouble me anymore?" Hylia murmured. "But I don't want that. Let her be a hassle, cause trouble, and run to me whenever she wants. We're friends..."
"I understand. I'm not very good at putting it into words, but I'm sure Fuwa has her own reasons. Besides, doesn't she always run to you whenever she's in trouble?" 「Bell Cranel」
"...Yeah, she did that earlier too." (Hylia)
"Then that means you're still friends," Bell Cranel said with a confident nod.
"So, we're only friends when there's trouble? Is that what you mean?" (Hylia)
"Uhh... no, that's not what I meant..." Bell stammered, suddenly flustered.
Hylia chuckled softly at his hesitation and the way he mumbled to himself, amused by his reaction.
"Rabbel should try being Fuwa... we're friends too, after... all..." she murmured drowsily.
Resting her face against the young man's back, sleepiness gradually overwhelmed her once more. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had drifted off—just as Bell Cranel reached her door and knocked.
A moment later, someone from inside opened it.
"Oh? Lil' Bell, sorry for making you carry that lass all over the place." (Cera)
"I only brought her from the main hall, so it's no trouble. Are you heading to bed, Cera-san?" 「Bell Cranel」
"Yeah, that's right. I need to wake up early tomorrow for some guild work. Why do you ask? Oh, and let me put Hylia to bed," Cera said as she reached out.
As the "package" was passed from one set of hands to another, Bell and Cera exchanged a few words before parting ways to prepare for the night.
The young man had been hoping to ask the older woman for some guidance, especially about certain sword techniques that Cera often used. But he also understood that now wasn't the right time for it.
"Then, good night. See you tomorrow," Bell Cranel said with a small nod.
"See ya. Have a good rest too." (Cera)
The door closed once more, and Cera returned to her seat in front of the mirror.
She glanced at Hylia, thinking that the little girl had surely enjoyed her own share of fun with the people of this world. And from the snippets of the story she had glimpsed earlier, Cera was certain that the feasty-haired little girl was slowly but surely growing up the right way.
"Can't you get away already? You've been staying for quite a while." (Cera)
Must there be a reason, and must there be a story to be told?
She sat in thought, absentmindedly murmuring to herself as she pondered the ways she could guide Hylia—shaping her into someone worthy, someone who could truly grow into her own potential.
"I'm not doing that though?" (Cera)
Maybe because she had muttered too loudly, Hylia stirred awake and sat up in bed. Half-asleep and swaying slightly, the little girl mumbled towards her, as if convinced the woman had appeared in her dreams.
"Cera... in the end, did the ▀▀▀▀ visited?" (Hylia)
"Unfortunately, no." (Cera)
"...Hm." (Hylia)
The uncertainty and sadness radiating from the feisty-haired little girl only grew stronger, lingering in the quiet night.
"Cera... why didn't ▀▀▀▀ come?" (Hylia)
"I'm not so sure either," Cera admitted, gently resting a hand on Hylia's head.
"This whole Project Memori@dol... I set it up hoping you two would meet again. I'm sorry, Lia—for not being able to make that happen. But don't worry, I'll start planning something else so you can meet him." (Cera)
"Mmn... I'll always trust Cera..." Hylia mumbled, her exhaustion pulling her back toward sleep.
With her small arm draped around Cera's waist, Hylia spoke with drowsy energy.
Sensing that she was slipping deeper into her dream, the woman with twisted bun hair gently guided the little one back onto the bed, staying beside her—to comfort her, to let her rest, and, ultimately...
To make her embarrassed about her sleep-talking in the morning.
"...Why didn't you come?" Hylia murmured.
...
"I even made a cake for you... If I leave it too long, it'll go to waste." (Hylia)
...
"Please... don't leave me behind... ▀▀▀▀." (Hylia)
...
"What's with the triple dot? Just answer her already." (Cera)
No one heard her quiet plea—no one except the oxblood-haired woman holding her close. And as silent tears trickled down her cheeks, exhaustion finally overtook her. Drained of frustration and sadness, she slipped into a restless sleep.
Cera let out a long sigh, staring at the ceiling.
"Like I said... I'm not doing that. I'm not playing along with your scenario, idiot ▀▀▀▀." (Cera)
————————————————
「Planet 4546B」
Within the Void, there exist several Constructs known as His Feathers. These Feathers are based on the Divine Key Fenghuang Down—a Construct capable of storing, retrieving, and transferring memories through its medium.
Yet, after countless trials and modifications, the current Fenghuang Down is no longer the same as it once was. Thus, it can now be referred to as His Feather.
"...That Cera—just what is she thinking, going all the way out there? And to the Dead Zone of all places. Not that the inhabitants would be a threat to her, but still..." (Sakura Zeimachi)
Through His Feather, the man could relive the memories stored within it—just as he had done in the world of School Life (Gakkou Gurashi) before.
By utilizing the unique properties of the Void, these memories were no longer just fragments of the past. Instead, they transformed into living, breathing worlds, moving forward as if they were real.
And right now, they were inside one of those recreated worlds. Unlike the ones he had encountered before—tainted and corrupted—this world was pure, shaped solely by his unaltered memories.
As he absentmindedly took in the strange beauty of this realm, he lounged atop the massive body of his pet snake, which had grown to an impressive size.
"CH! OI! I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE MY BODY AS A PILLOW, YOU DAMN HATCHLING OF HUMANITY...!" Yjor hissed in irritation before pausing. "SO? WHEN WILL SHE RETURN? WHEN?"
"I have no idea... Anyway, where did those four go?" (Sakura Zeimachi)
"LOOK OVER THERE. THEY'RE HEADING TOWARD THAT WRECKED SPACESHIP. ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO STOP THEM?" Yjor hissed as a snake should be.
"Relax. As long as they stay within the Crater ecosystem and near the surface, they should be safe... I think," he replied casually.
The world they were currently in was from a game known as Subnautica—a world that struck fear into those wary of the deep sea.
He had chosen to visit this place to let the ship girls have some fun while also showing off his skills as someone from another world. Besides, the man hadn't forgotten the promise he made to U-101.
"I don't think the Reapers are a real threat to those four… but if they wander into the Dead Zone or get ambushed by a swarm of THEM, that's a different story," Sakura Zeimachi muttered.
When they first arrived in this world, Sakura Zeimachi had intended to have some fun with the four ship girls—just as previously mentioned.
However, that plan was abruptly halted when a telepathic message came through from Cera. The conversation, which transcended space and time, instantly soured his mood. Suddenly, he no longer felt like playing around.
"THE DEAD ZONE, HUH? COMPARED TO THIS WORLD… WHY WOULD MADAM GO TO A PLACE FILLED WITH ROTTING, DISGUSTING FOOD? WHAT DID SHE TELL YOU, FOOL?" (Yjor)
"She just asked to be picked up in a new world over there, but... something feels off. A new world can't be born from the remains of old ones—it would only create another horrifying imitation... and yet... she definitely said a new one..." the man clenched his fist.
There was a time when he longed for the birth of diverse worlds, shaped by human hopes and desires. But now, whenever it came to the concept of creation and destruction of worlds, all he could feel was the weight of responsibility—and guilt.
"Starting from the time difference, the vastness of dimensional space, the obstacles along the way... and then the speed of the Cosmic Juggernaut I sent there..." (Sakura Zeimachi)
"OI..." (Yjor)
"The Dead Zone... compared to Subnautica, that place is a nightmare, especially for many newbie Users or even some Veterans," Sakura Zeimachi continued, lost in thought.
He was so deep in concentration that he closed his eyes, completely unaware as his body began slipping off the still-moving scaly back of Yjor. The snake, however, managed to catch him just in time with its tail.
"But why would a new world emerge there? They should still be following the rules within the providence of rebirth and destruction... is this about that 'Cog' again?" (Sakura Zeimachi)
"IDIOT, OI..." (Yjor)
"Although it's still within the Outer Expanse... from the coordinates I received, she's nearly passing the Boundary Line. What exactly is she doing there..." Sakura Zeimachi's voice trailed off.
Fed up with his endless muttering, Yjor finally snapped.
"...ENOUGH. I DON'T WANT TO SHARE YOUR HEADACHE. A MAN LIKE YOU HAS TWO HEADS, AND ONLY ENOUGH BLOOD FOR ONE OF THEM. So..." (Yjor)
Unlike her master, Yjor never cared much for matters that didn't directly concern her. Different from the Fool, that sinister snake always put herself first.
And with those parting words, Yjor suddenly shrank back to her little and smaller snake form. This, of course, sent the one riding on her back plunging straight into the water.
"I'll return to my role as a watch-snake rather than your therapist. Let me know if you want to come back—you should be enjoying a five-some with those ship girls, after all," Yjor sneered again.
With a flick of its tail, Yjor the snake disappeared into The Void in its own way, leaving the foolish man behind.
Now alone, Sakura Zeimachi swam toward the surface, his gaze locking onto the wreckage of the massive spaceship that lay stranded above the ocean—Aurora, while his thoughts still lingered on her.
"Damn it... Cera, what are you really trying to do?" he muttered under his breath.
They had always shared a strange yet profound bond. Despite being harsh and often acting like a jerk to each other, they both carried feelings which simply can't be erased.
An unshakable tie woven from their shared past, stretching far beyond their first encounter.
His mind was so preoccupied with these thoughts that he failed to notice the incoming ship girls sailing toward him with their rigging-equipped feet.
"Commander! Get out of the water!!!" 「Javelin」
"There's a big bad fish down there... hurry and get up," Laffey mumbled sleepily, but with an urgency that couldn't be ignored.
The whirlwind of thoughts in his mind was abruptly pushed aside by the urgent voices of the four ship girls rushing toward him. Their concern managed to cut through his lingering anxiety—if only slightly.
"My scanner says it's a Reaper Leviathan! A ferocious kaiju, desu! Commander! How should we defeat it?!" Ayanami yelled.
"Huh? Wait—why did you even bring it here in the first place—" Sakura Zeimachi's eyes widened as the situation finally sank in. "Whoooaaaa?!!!"
But by then, it was already too late.
The four ship girls, whether intentionally or not, had led the massive creature straight toward him. What had once been their problem had now become his, and all he could do was desperately swim for safety.
"Commander~ Why are you just swimming away? Let's try and defeat it together, desu~!" Ayanami called out cheerfully.
"Chhou?!? Wheey! Stop asking the impossible! But then again, isn't this just like when Sandy was about to be eaten by a shaaarrk—" (Sakura Zeimachi)
But before he could finish, the Reaper Leviathan lunged, its massive, eel-like body slicing through the water with terrifying speed. Its monstrous form surged forward, jaws open wide, ready to swallow him whole.
And GULP, Sakura Zeimachis is no more.
"Ah... commander is gone." 「Laffey」
"...Should we help him?" 「Ayanami」
A delayed wave of panic finally crashed over the group.
"AHHH!! Commander!" Javelin shrieked.
"COMMANDER! We need to hurry and save him!" Z23 yelled.
———————————————————
A certain World of Danmachi
Several days had passed since their surprise-filled concert, slipping away as if in the blink of an eye. The people of this world had returned to their routines—whether following the story laid out for them or making choices influenced by those from beyond the narrative.
"You... you two are going home?! What do you mean by this?!"「Hestia」
"Indeed we are. I'm sorry to deliver such news so abruptly," Cera replied with a nod. "Though I may look like this, there's someone—and something—that requires my presence elsewhere."
"But this is so sudden... After all this time—despite your circumstances—you two have already become part of this familia! Am I right, Kami-sama? Isn't there anything we can do to help with your situation?!"「Bell Cranel」
"Well... uhh... I think so."「Hestia」
"Ahaha! As expected of Young Argonauts, but please understand—sometimes, it doesn't take a hero to get the job done. Sometimes, all you need is a capable manager... and her one and only freelancer," Cera grinned.
"...What do you mean, 'the freelancer'?" Hestia blinked in confusion.
After her telepathic conversation with Sakura Zeimachi, Cera knew the time had come.
She had to leave this world, return to the Void, and resume her role again.
For someone who had wandered across countless realms, farewells like this were nothing new—though they never stopped being unpleasant. But for Hylia, who cherished this world as her home, making the hardest choice required her the strongest will.
"We're going to meet Zei? But why?" Hylia asked, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"I'm really sorry, Lia," Cera sighed. "But to tell you the truth, this place isn't as safe as I initially thought. Maybe it's because ▀▀▀▀ is still watching over you, but it's better to be cautious than regretful."
"But why?! I don't want to leave! I want to stay here with Rabbel and everyone else! After ▀▀▀▀ sent me here, why do I have to go now!? If it's just danger, can't you handle it, Cera?" Hylia's voice wavered, desperation creeping in.
"...No. I can't always protect you like this. There will come a time when you'll face threats far worse than you can imagine, and when that happens... you have to be able to handle it yourself." (Cera)
Anger surged within Hylia, frustration crashing over the safe haven she had built in her heart.
"I don't want to... I don't wanna! I hate Cera!" (Hylia)
Even if it was the person who had cared for and guided her, Hylia couldn't accept anything that threatened to change the comfort of the home she had found.
Cera let out a weary sigh. "Sigh, is this how my grandpa feels when his sweet granddaughter rebels against him? Or am I just terrible at explaining things? Do tell me, what'll happen… no, that counts as spoilers. But what will happen to this world when Hylia leaves?"
A world requires a Wedge, an authority at play, and an anchor point—something that solidifies its presence within the flow of space and time to affirm its existence.
This world had all of those elements, as long as Hylia remained within it. If that feasty haired little girl were to leave… then the end of the world would be inevitable.
"So that's how it is… I had a feeling it would come to this, haha," Cera chuckled bitterly. "But hearing your words just now, I realize—you've already prepared an option where Lia doesn't have to leave this world, haven't you?" (Cera)
If that's how you think, perhaps indeed I have.
"We're both getting softer, ▀▀▀▀. You with Zei, and me with Lia. Is this what you were aiming for all along? Whatever it is, I'll talk to Lia about this. Don't worry—I won't let her story end in a place like this. There's still so much for her to see beyond this world." (Cera)
At that moment, she began contemplating the right words to say to Hylia. But the more she thought about it, the more certain she became—Bell Cranel was the perfect person to deliver those meaningful words.
Because to open that little girl's heart, it would take a hero—someone who could inspire her with a reason to move forward. And for now, Cera decided to keep the fate of this world a secret.
"I don't wanna hear anything from Cera!" (Hylia)
Just as she had expected. However, with Hylia stubbornly resisting and making escape attempts, Cera decided to hold onto those words and that moment for a few days longer.
"Are you sure about me doing this?" Bell Cranel asked hesitantly.
"Every child grows faster when they have a hero to look up to," Cera said with a knowing smile. "That's why... please, become her hero, Bell Cranel. I'm certain that within your tale of heroism, a fate like this is waiting for you.
She then turned slightly, her gaze sharp. "Isn't that right, my dear eavesdropper?"
She spoke with wisdom, maintaining a composed demeanor before the young adventurer—all while subtly delivering her message to the ever-watchful gods who continued to observe her from their divine abodes.
"And by that, I mean you," Cera's gaze sharpened.
"...What did I even do?" Hestia blinked in confusion.
"Not you, lolippai goddess." (Cera)
"Whaa?! Y-You dare?!"「Hestia」
As time passed, Hylia became more determined to distance herself from Cera—an act of defiance in hopes of canceling her departure. She avoided crossing paths with her, slept on the streets, and did whatever she could to resist.
Though everyone understood that the little girl didn't want to leave, her actions had begun to worry those who cared about her. So, when she once again tried to sneak out of the mansion, a few people had already prepared to intercept her.
Not that it did them much good though.
"Lia has run away from the mansion multiple times now, and she's even managed to stay away for days. Is she really okay? Has Cera-sama spoken to her yet?" Liliruca Arde asked, concern laced in her voice.
"It's not that I haven't tried, she hasn't given me the chance. Besides, I believe that rather than me convincing her, the words of that young man will reach her far better." (Cera)
The oxblood haired woman spoke as if she had seen such struggles many times before.
"...If I may ask, where exactly do you plan on taking Lia after this? Just saying 'out of town' is too vague for me. You're not planning to take her somewhere dangerous, are you?"「Liliruca Arde」
Cera let out a soft chuckle. "You've heard how that little girl made it to this city, haven't you? She traveled all the way here from outside with only Fuwa, facing countless dangers alone. She's much stronger than she realizes."
"I'm sure it's not just me—many people already know what Lia is capable of, whether in Orario or even inside the Dungeon! If she were to receive Falna, I'm certain her status would be... well, pretty high."「Liliruca Arde」
"For real, that's what I'm thinking too." (Cera)
And a few moments later just as she had anticipated, after letting Hylia carry on with her rebellion for a few days, the little girl finally returned one afternoon—with Bell Cranel by her side.
With the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows behind them, the two young souls arrived through the front gate. One wore an expression of exhaustion yet quiet satisfaction, while the other walked slowly, her gaze downcast and filled with gloom.
"This is as much as I can do," Bell said with a small sigh. "You need to talk to her about the rest."
"Hnm," Hylia murmured, her expression unreadable.
Little by little, step by step, Hylia approached her once more.
Her small hands clenched at her sides, her posture stiff as if bracing for something inevitable. The fiery defiance she once carried had dulled into something quieter—uncertainty, perhaps, or lingering reluctance.
But even so, she moved forward, closing the distance between them.
Cera watched in silence, letting the girl take each step on her own as she lightly tapped a slipper against her palm. "So… are we doing this the easy way or the hard way?"
Hylia stiffened. "What… what do you mean? Why are you holding a slipper? Cera?"
"Fuwa! Fuwa-fuwa-fuwa! Fuwa!" the little creature flailed desperately, clearly trying to prevent whatever was about to happen. "Fuwa?"
"Yeah… sorry, hard way it is." Cera crouched slightly, her expression unreadable. "Now give me your butt!"
What followed was a chaotic mess of squeals, protests, and the distinct sound of sandal meeting backside. It wasn't harsh—just enough to make its point.
By the time the "loving session" had reached its end, the once feasty haired little girl had completely melted, her earlier resistance crumbling into soft, hiccupping sobs.
Cera sat down and gently pulled Hylia into her arms, tracing slow, soothing circles along her back. The girl wept freely, no words needed—only warmth and quiet comfort.
After a while, their conversation shifted to the things Cera had been waiting to say—not just to Hylia, but to the people of that world, including Goddess Hestia and Bell Cranel.
And in the end, it was time to prepare. Every belonging, whether valuable or trivial, functional or merely decorative, was carefully sorted and packed by Cera and the others, ensuring everything was in order.
The moment to seek a new place to call home was fast approaching.
...
....
.....
On a bright morning, a small crowd gathered at Orario's city gate, exchanging their final farewells.
"Cera-san, Hylia-chan. Here, my farewell gift. Mikoto-chan helped me with it. Please, don't ever forget about us," Sanjouno Haruhime said with a warm smile.
"Yeah, and be sure to chew it well," Yamato Mikoto added.
"Thank you, Haruharu! Mikoto! I reaaally love you!" Hylia beamed, throwing herself into their arms.
The two returned her embrace gently, holding onto the little girl as if memorizing the moment. Meanwhile, Cera accepted the neatly packed homemade lunch and turned to the others, offering her own farewell.
"For me, you two are like my children. Even though you don't join my Familia until the end, your help and effort are the proof. That's why, if you ever miss or have nowhere to return, our home will always welcome you two."「Hestia」
"Ja." (Cera)
"That's all?!"「Hestia」
All the current members of Hestia Familia were present, each offering their own farewell message. However, a few other familiar faces—ones who weren't part of their Familia—had also gathered at the city gate.
"So sudden. Why leave the city?" Loki asked, her sharp gaze studying them.
"Pretty much the same thing everyone's been asking," Hermes added with a teasing lilt. "Hmm~ I suppose there won't be any more concerts like yours. The chaos you two leave behind is going to be quite the headache to clean up~"
"Sorry for not telling you all beforehand. Not that I regret keeping it a secret," Cera replied casually. "I'll leave the mess in this city to you old folks."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just get out of here and don't come back, you wild troublemaker."「Loki」
"You're telling me that?" (Cera)
Despite their departure being kept under wraps, it seemed that word had still reached certain ears—those who had formed a connection with the two and couldn't simply let them leave without a proper send-off.
Moreover, leaving Orario wasn't as simple as departing from an ordinary city.
The outside world held countless secrets, hidden powers, and mysteries—things that made formalities and proper documentation a necessity.
Fortunately, Cera had already taken care of all of that.
"Oi, redhead glasses. You said there's a ride waiting for you, right? Then where is it?" Hestia turned her head, scanning the surroundings. "I don't see any carriage or horses."
Cera chose not to answer immediately.
Instead, she closed her eyes for a moment, reaching out telepathically to a certain fool of a man who was busy dealing with a swarm of Reaper Leviathans in another world.
"It should be around... there? Or maybe here? Hmm... is it here?" she muttered.
"Where exactly?" Liliruca Arde asked, her uncertainty mirroring the expressions of those around her. "I don't see any carriages or horses at all. Are you planning to use a flying creature?"
Cera simply shook her head and took a few steps forward, stopping just behind a strange yellow line that had mysteriously appeared on the ground.
"Something's coming," Bell Cranel said, his instincts sharpening.
"Nothing in the sky, but that line... and this trembling..." Welf Crozzo frowned as the ground beneath them subtly quaked. "Feels like whatever's coming is something big."
Cera smiled faintly. "That's our ride.
A distortion in space was unfolding. The air itself seemed to warp, converging into a single point as if something were about to break through. Then, the space split apart, giving way to an object emerging from within the distortion.
A locomotive.
A black locomotive with an antique design, its frame exuding an air of both age and power.
"Cosmic Juggernaut... is it because he's in the Honkai-verse right now?" Cera murmured to herself.
"W-W-What is this??!!!!"「Bell Cranel」
"Let's go Lia." (Cera)
"I-Inside of there?!" (Hylia)
"Of course it is, you want to hanging out on its chimney? Only Zei allowed to do that." (Cera)
Cera paid little mind to the gods and goddesses still spying on them from Orario, letting their curiosity linger in the background. Instead, she listened as the gathered onlookers reacted—some in awe, others utterly stunned by the massive locomotive before them.
"W-Welf... W-What is that?! That looks so awesome!"「Bell Cranel」
"A-Ah... yeah, you're right, Bell," Welf Crozzo muttered, unable to tear his gaze away. "My craftsman spirit suddenly feels challenged by that huge monster."
Meanwhile, a certain golden-haired swordswoman had a different reaction.
"...It's tough," Aiz Wallenstein murmured, tapping a hand against the locomotive's frame. Then, with a hint of curiosity, she balled her fist. "Let's try harder—once more—huh?"
Fortunately, before she could escalate things, Hestia yanked her back with a horrified look.
"What are you doing, you Wallenwhatsit-kun?! Are you guys from Loki Familia going to take responsibility if something happens?! Just looking at it, I can already tell... that thing is expensive!"「Hestia」
As Cera inspected various parts of the locomotive, she made sure the train was in perfect condition. There was no filth, no unwanted pests clinging to its surface, which made her sigh in relief.
It would've been a disaster if even one "Leviathan" had managed to latch onto the train and slip into this world. Creatures like them thrived in places touched by life, using its remnants to sustain themselves.
"(Whisper) Though they're much like wild animals or beasts in the wasteland, way back then, they thrived so much that they became a problem. And the most dangerous of them… are the ones that evolved into a [World Eater], the Nameless Devourer." (Cera)
Allowing them to cross over would invite untold chaos.
"Now then, bye-bye, everyone! Hope you have a great life!" Cera waved, her usual carefree grin in place.
"W-Wait, Cera! Are you sure it's not mad? It's fuming over there..." (Hylia)
"Just steam, Lia. Now hurry up and get in! We're gonna be left behind at this rate," Cera said, grabbing the girl's hand and pulling her along.
Without further delay, she stepped onto the train and pushed the lever forward.
With a powerful hiss and a deep, resonant hum, the locomotive began to move, cutting through reality itself as it entered the distortion leading to their next destination—「The Void」.
The doors shut automatically, sealing their path.
Through the window, Hylia caught one last glimpse of the world they were leaving behind. Faces she had come to know, their expressions a mix of admiration, surprise, and shock, all blending into one.
"See you later, alligator!" Hylia called out, pressing her hands against the glass as the train carried them away. "Let's meet again... someday, or somewhere. Definitely."
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