Non-Administered World #97, Star Rail Universe…
As the Alliance organized its assault force, Elysia watched the preparations through Hyperion's communication feeds while making her way toward the hangar. Several groups were already assembling near the entrance of Hachiman's barrier, and judging by the number of people volunteering to accompany her, she certainly would not be making the journey toward the World Tree alone.
"My, my~. I seem to have gathered quite the wonderful group of escorts," she remarked with a delighted giggle.
[It's called delegating responsibilities, Little Pink,] Herta replied dryly from her screen. [You have your own job to do, so focus on that and let the others protect you and clear the way.]
[Although you are strong, Ellie-san, we don't want to take unnecessary risks with your safety,] Gabriel added with a gentle smile. [Please let us do our part as well.]
"Hii, Gabby… you two…" Elysia looked at them with a fond smile, but before she could finish speaking, another familiar voice joined their conversation.
[And it won't be just them, Ellie!] Kiana announced as her face appeared on the communication screen beside Noah and the others. [Me, my sister, Nonon, and Fii are joining the assault force too!]
[Hmph. As if I'd let those things get anywhere near Ellie,] Sirin declared, crossing her arms with a confident expression.
[Please rest assured, Ellie. We'll protect you with everything we have,] Fate added with a reassuring smile. [You can concentrate on your task without worrying about the enemies around you.]
[With Hayate-chan and Rein finished analyzing the corruption, they can take over looking after our Noah,] Nanoha explained. [That means the rest of us can focus on making sure you reach the World Tree safely.]
[To be honest, I'd like to join the assault force too,] Hayate admitted with a small sigh. [But my spells are more useful from a strategic position. So I'll stay beside Noah-kun for now, help protect him, and provide support to everyone advancing toward the World Tree.]
[And I'll help Hayate-chan protect Noah-san while supporting everyone too, desu~!] Reinforce Zwei added cheerfully, raising both hands with enthusiasm.
"Fufufu~. My, my. If all of you keep treating me like this, I might start feeling like a princess being escorted to her castle." Elysia giggled at their enthusiasm, clearly enjoying the attention.
[Well, you are one of our princesses, Ellie!] Kiana replied without hesitation.
"Oh? How sweet of you, Kii~."
[Just don't start expecting everyone to carry you there,] Herta interrupted.
"Eh? But wouldn't that be romantic?"
[Little Pink.]
"Fufufu~. I'm joking, Hii."
[Somehow, I doubt that.]
Elysia laughed again before looking toward the images of her companions. Her expression softened as she watched Kiana, Sirin, Nanoha, and Fate preparing to leave Noah's side and join the operation. Even after everything that had happened during the previous future, they were still willing to throw themselves into danger for one another, although this time they intended to make sure everyone returned together.
"Still… thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it."
[There's no need to thank us, Ellie-san,] Fate answered with a gentle smile. [We're all trying to save the same world, aren't we?]
"Mhm! That's true." Elysia nodded happily before giving them another affectionate smile. "Then I'll be counting on all of you~."
While the ladies of Team Star Pulse prepared for their mission, another discussion was taking place on the ground below, where Hajime remained surrounded by the ladies of Team Reason.
"Hajime-sama, I would also like to join the assault force," Euphyllia announced as she turned toward him.
"Euphy?" Hajime raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her request.
Euphyllia met his questioning stare with determination. "My magic would be more useful accompanying Ellie-san's group. From what we've seen, those creatures will continue attacking anyone who approaches the World Tree. Having another capable mage with the assault force should help them deal with the enemies without causing unnecessary damage to the surrounding ley lines."
Hajime studied her for a moment before glancing toward the enormous corrupted region in the distance.
"You do realize there are thousands upon thousands of those things waiting inside, right? And their numbers are still increasing."
"I know, Hajime-sama." Euphyllia smiled at him. "But that is precisely why I want to help. We cannot leave everything to the others when there's something we can contribute."
Hajime sighed and scratched the back of his head. He was about to answer when Rossweisse stepped forward as well.
"Hajime-dono, I would also like to accompany Lady Euphyllia."
"Rossweisse? You too?"
"Yes." The silver-haired Valkyrie nodded. "My abilities should prove useful in supporting the assault force. I can establish defensive barriers around the escort group and use my runic spells to suppress enemy movements."
She glanced toward the corrupted World Tree before continuing. "Furthermore, since we cannot afford to destroy the affected ley lines, additional mages capable of controlling the area and strength of their attacks would be beneficial."
"Exactly," Euphyllia agreed. "We can coordinate our spells to prevent the enemies from overwhelming the escort while minimizing damage to the surrounding environment."
"And with Lord Welt participating in the operation, his gravitational abilities should allow us to concentrate enemy forces in areas where our magic can be used more effectively," Rossweisse added.
Hajime considered their reasoning. It was a sensible proposal, and he knew both women were accomplished mages. Their abilities would undoubtedly be valuable in an operation where indiscriminate destruction could cause more harm than good.
Unfortunately, understanding their reasoning did not mean he liked the idea of sending them into a region filled with countless enemies.
"…You two aren't going to take no for an answer, are you?"
Euphyllia and Rossweisse exchanged a glance before looking back toward him.
"Fufufu, you know me really well, Hajime-sama," Euphyllia admitted with a sweet smile.
"Apologies, Hajime-dono," Rossweisse added. "After what happened in the previous future, knowing there were things I could have done to help but never getting the chance… I don't want to experience that helplessness again. Not when I can do something now."
Hajime stared at her for a moment. He understood what she meant better than he wanted to, especially after learning how close they had come to losing Noah and the others permanently.
"…I see."
A soft giggle came from beside him.
"Hajime-kun, I think it's fine to let them go."
"Ingvild?" Hajime turned toward her.
"Euphy-san and Rossweisse-san are both capable of helping the assault force. And with so many enemies guarding the World Tree, Ellie-san will need everyone who can help her reach it." Ingvild smiled gently, then turned toward the corrupted region, her expression becoming a little more serious. "Besides, your work here isn't finished yet, is it?"
Hajime glanced toward the ground. Although Blessing of Terra had successfully isolated the corrupted ley lines from the rest of the normal ley lines, maintaining that separation still required his attention. The affected sections remained connected to the World Tree, and Dormammu's influence continued pressing against the boundaries he had established. As long as the corruption remained active, Hajime needed to make sure those connections did not force their way back into the unaffected leylines.
"If the corrupted leylines reconnect with the healthy ones, we'll be right back where we started," Hajime explained. "I need to keep maintaining the isolation until Ellie can restore the affected area."
"Which is precisely why Milady and I shall remain here with you, Your Majesty," Villhaze declared as she stepped forward. "Someone must ensure that Your Majesty can concentrate on his important work without being disturbed by any unwanted guests."
"Villhaze?" Hajime raised an eyebrow at her. "You're making it sound like I'm doing my regular work."
"Would you prefer that I bring you some tea while you work?"
"…That's not what I meant."
"Perhaps a chair, then?"
"Villhaze."
The maid merely gave him a beautiful smile, looking entirely pleased with herself. Euphyllia covered her mouth to hide a small laugh, while Rossweisse sighed at Villhaze's antics.
"Vill-chan and I will watch over you, Hajime-kun," Ingvild said, gently taking his hand.
"And what about you? Aren't you interested in joining the assault too?" Hajime asked.
"Of course I want to help everyone." Ingvild squeezed his hand affectionately. "But protecting you while you protect the planet is just as important, isn't it?"
Hajime looked at her for a moment before releasing a small sigh.
"…You really know how to make it difficult for me to argue, don't you?"
"Hehe. I've learned from the best," Ingvild replied with an innocent smile.
"…Seriously?" Hajime shook his head helplessly before turning back toward Euphyllia and Rossweisse. "Fine. Since you've already made up your minds and I clearly can't stop either of you, go ahead and do what you want."
"Thank you, Hajime-sama!" Euphyllia replied happily.
"We won't disappoint you," Rossweisse assured him.
"But please be careful out there." Hajime's expression became more serious as his concern returned. "Your job is to help Elysia reach the World Tree safely. You don't need to defeat every monster you encounter, and you definitely don't need to take unnecessary risks."
He looked between them to make sure they were listening.
"If the enemy formation becomes too dangerous, fall back and regroup with the others. Understood?"
"Understood, Hajime-sama." Euphyllia nodded warmly.
"We'll prioritize the escort's safety and coordinate with the Alliance commanders," Rossweisse promised.
"Please do." Hajime sighed in relief. "And don't forget that Kiana, Nanoha, Fate, and Sirin are joining the assault too. Work with them instead of trying to handle everything yourselves."
"Of course," Euphyllia answered. "I've already contacted them about our participation."
Hajime blinked at her. "You really did plan everything already."
"Only the important parts."
"…Right."
Her answer earned a few chuckles from the others, and even Hajime found himself smiling despite his worries. Euphyllia then turned toward Ingvild and Villhaze.
"Then we'll leave Hajime-sama in your care."
"Don't worry, Euphy-san," Ingvild replied with a gentle smile. "We'll look after him."
"Rest assured, Lady Euphy. No one shall interfere with His Majesty while I remain here." Villhaze gave a graceful bow.
Hajime's cheek twitched. "…Why does that sound like I need supervision?"
"My, would you like a full report explaining why, Hajime-sama?" Euphyllia asked sweetly.
"I could even prepare a detailed list with the time, date, and cause of every incident," Villhaze added with a rather smug grin.
"Ahem… there's no need for that." Hajime cleared his throat, deciding that arguing any further would only make things worse. He looked toward Euphyllia and Rossweisse instead. "Euphy, Rossweisse-san, please take care."
Euphyllia laughed softly before stepping closer and resting one hand against his arm.
"Please take care of yourself too."
"…I'll be waiting for you." Hajime looked at her for a moment before placing his hand over hers. He then turned toward Rossweisse. "And you, don't push yourself trying to protect everyone at once."
"I won't, Hajime-dono," Rossweisse answered with a small smile. "Please leave the assault force's support to us."
Hajime gave both women a final smile and nod, which they returned. Euphyllia then withdrew her hand and joined Rossweisse as they headed toward the gathering forces, leaving Hajime under the watchful eyes of Ingvild and Villhaze.
—------
Near the entrance of Hachiman's barrier, the Alliance assault force had begun gathering in earnest. Kiana, Sirin, Nanoha, and Fate had already joined the assembled troops, while Elysia was making her way down from Hyperion to meet them. Euphyllia and Rossweisse were also approaching the designated assembly point, where the participating units were receiving their final instructions.
Meanwhile, another discussion was taking place across the Alliance communication network. Noah, Hachiman, Hayate, Reinforce Zwei, Chrono, Chaldea, and Mahora's remaining defenders were listening as Herta explained the next part of her proposed solution.
[Now that everyone has decided who will participate in the assault, let's discuss what actually needs to happen once Little Pink reaches the World Tree,] Herta began.
Several diagrams appeared across the shared displays, showing the corrupted region surrounding the World Tree, the ten percent of planetary leylines Hajime had successfully isolated, and the six enormous Geo pillars maintaining Hachiman's barrier.
[First, we need to establish a safe route through the corrupted zone. The creatures gathering inside the barrier will obviously try to prevent anyone from approaching the World Tree, which means the assault force needs to clear a path for Little Pink.]
Chrono nodded as he examined the projected battlefield. [We've already begun organizing our forces for that purpose. The assault units will concentrate on opening and maintaining a route rather than attempting to eliminate every enemy within the barrier.]
[Good, because wasting time trying to exterminate every creature inside that place would be utterly pointless,] Herta replied. [As long as Dormammu's influence remains active, more will simply appear to replace them.]
[So our objective is to reach the World Tree, not conquer the entire corrupted zone,] Kirschtaria summarized.
[Precisely. Once Little Pink reaches the World Tree, we can proceed to the second part of the operation.]
Herta enlarged the projection of the corrupted tree. Its enormous roots stretched deep into the affected leylines, while a concentrated mass of dark-purple energy pulsated near its center.
[We need to remove Dormammu's shard from the World Tree before the restoration begins.]
Hayate raised her head from the Tome of the Night Sky. "Because it's the source of the corruption?"
[Exactly, Little Commander. The shard is the foreign element responsible for overwriting the planet's natural information. Even if Little Pink successfully restores every corrupted leyline, leaving that thing embedded within the World Tree would accomplish nothing in the long run.]
Herta tapped the projection, causing the dark-purple mass to pulse once more.
[The moment the restoration finishes, the shard would simply begin corrupting everything again. We'd end up right back where we started.]
"I see…" Hayate frowned thoughtfully as she examined the projection. "So Ellie's Authority alone won't be enough. We have to remove whatever is continuously introducing Dormammu's information into the planetary network."
[Correct. The shard must be completely separated from the World Tree. Only then can Little Pink restore the affected area without worrying about another assimilation beginning immediately afterward.]
Marisbury studied the model before nodding. [That would explain why simply suppressing the corruption has never been a permanent solution.]
[Which is why we shouldn't waste any more time merely suppressing it once the source has been exposed,] Herta answered.
Noah had been listening to the discussion while continuing to hold back the wall of corruption with the Force. However, the moment Herta mentioned removing the shard, his expression gradually became more serious.
"Hii, there's something else we need to consider."
[Hmm?]
"What are we going to do with the shard after removing it?" Noah asked. "During the previous timeline, I had to contain Dormammu's remaining influence within myself before bringing him into Finality. Even with my Force, Trailblaze, and Transcend working together, preventing him from spreading any farther took almost everything I had."
The smile on Herta's face slowly disappeared as she looked toward his communication window.
"I know we're only dealing with a shard this time, but that doesn't mean it's harmless. Whoever attempts to remove it will have to make direct contact with Dormammu's influence, and there's a very high chance they'll be corrupted in the process."
His explanation left everyone thinking about what had happened during the previous future. They all remembered the overwhelming pressure Noah had endured while trying to save the planet, and none of them wanted to see someone else suffer through the same thing. Reinforce Zwei unconsciously moved a little closer to Hayate, while Hachiman glanced down toward the corrupted World Tree beneath his barrier.
[Then whoever extracts the shard would require protection capable of preventing Dormammu from infecting them,] Kirschtaria concluded.
[Even if we remove it, we still need a way to contain the foreign energy,] Marisbury added. [Otherwise, the shard could simply begin contaminating whatever environment it's transferred into.]
Chrono frowned. [We could prepare a specialized containment field, but without understanding the shard's full nature, I can't guarantee it would hold.]
"That's what worries me," Noah admitted. "I don't want anyone repeating what I did last time. If somebody has to carry that thing somewhere, we're just creating another opportunity for the same tragedy to happen."
Across the communication channel, several members of the crew exchanged uneasy looks. Alice Louise, Anisphia, and the others watching from Deviluke appeared particularly troubled, while on the Astral Express, Gabriel lowered her head as Herta remained silent.
Then Herta spoke.
[Who said anything about containing it?]
"…Hii?" Noah blinked.
[Why are you all making this more complicated than it needs to be?] Herta pointed toward the dark-purple mass displayed within the World Tree. [Once the shard has been removed, destroy it.]
Everyone stared at her in surprise, but Herta did not seem particularly interested in their reactions.
[We already know it's responsible for the assimilation. We know it can corrupt anything it comes into contact with, and we know leaving it intact will only create another problem. So why bother preserving something that has absolutely no reason to exist?]
Her expression remained cold as she looked directly at the projected shard.
[The moment it's separated from the World Tree, erase it. Don't give it another second to exist.]
Noah fell silent. It was not the suggestion itself that surprised him, since destroying the shard was obviously preferable to preserving it. Rather, it was the way Herta had said those words, without the slightest hesitation or consideration for what could be learned from the object.
Normally, Herta would be the first person interested in examining a mysterious artifact, especially one connected to a cosmic entity capable of altering a planet's natural information. She would have been delighted at the opportunity to study something so unusual, regardless of how dangerous it might be.
But this time, there was not even a trace of curiosity in her expression. Instead, Noah could see just how much anger she had been holding back since learning what happened during the previous future.
"Hii…" Noah murmured. "You're really angry at Dormammu, aren't you?"
[Of course I am.] Herta's eyes narrowed, and she answered without the slightest hesitation.
[That thing nearly destroyed an entire world, killed people I care about, and forced YOU to make a decision that none of us should ever have had to accept.]
She looked directly at Noah, no longer bothering to conceal her emotions behind her usual intellectual detachment.
[Do you honestly expect me to be interested in studying the very thing that almost took you away from us?]
Noah's expression softened as he watched her.
[Even a genius knows when something isn't worth keeping, Dear.]
Nobody spoke for a moment. On the Astral Express, Gabriel looked toward Herta with a gentle, understanding smile. Alice Louise's expression softened as well, while Anisphia stopped whatever she had been about to say and simply watched the screen.
They all understood what Herta meant. She had seen what happened during the previous future, heard Noah's farewell, and experienced the helplessness of knowing that even the rescue team had arrived too late to save him. Unlike the Herta who approached almost everything through curiosity, the woman speaking now had absolutely no interest in allowing that tragedy another chance to repeat itself.
"…Thank you, Hii," Noah said softly.
[Don't thank me yet. We haven't solved anything.] Herta turned her attention away from his screen.
"Right." A small smile appeared on Noah's face, and although Herta was already pretending to concentrate on her calculations again, he knew she had heard him.
"Alright. Destroying the shard after extracting it makes sense. But there's still one rather important problem," Hachiman said, bringing their attention back to the operation.
He released a tired sigh before glancing toward the projection of the World Tree.
"How exactly are we supposed to remove it without corrupting whoever performs the extraction?"
The question immediately brought everyone's attention back to the practical problem in front of them.
"We can't just send someone inside and tell them to pull it out," Hachiman continued. "Noah already explained what happens when someone comes into direct contact with Dormammu's influence. Unless we have a way around that, we're basically asking someone to volunteer for the same suffering he went through."
"And attempting to force the shard out without understanding how it's attached to the World Tree could damage the very structure we're trying to restore," Hayate added with a thoughtful frown.
"Exactly." Hachiman nodded. "We need someone who can separate it without dragging half the tree and the planet's remaining leylines along with it."
[Tch. I'm aware of that,] Herta answered, clicking her tongue in irritation.
She enlarged the diagrams again and began examining the connections between the shard and the World Tree's natural information. Several possible methods appeared across her screens, but each came with its own complications.
[The extraction itself is the most troublesome part. We have more than enough power to destroy the shard once it's removed, but separating it from the World Tree without exposing someone to its corruption requires a considerably more delicate approach.]
"Could we use a remote extraction spell?" Hayate suggested.
[Possibly, but that wouldn't eliminate the risk of the shard corrupting the magical connection to its caster,] Herta replied. [And I'd rather not gamble someone's life on an untested method.]
Kirschtaria considered the problem before speaking. [Then we need a method of separating the shard from the World Tree's information without establishing a conventional connection between the operator and Dormammu's influence.]
[That's the problem, yes.]
The discussion continued as several alternatives were proposed, but none provided an entirely satisfactory answer. Some methods risked damaging the World Tree, while others would leave the person performing the extraction vulnerable to corruption. Even those watching from the Chronicle Universe began growing worried again as they realized how difficult the operation might become.
[Herta-san…] Gabriel called gently.
[I know, Little Angel. I'm working on it.]
From Deviluke, Alice Louise leaned closer to her communication screen. [Is there truly no way to remove it safely?]
[There will be. I simply haven't decided which method is most efficient yet.]
[But if we have to rely on someone directly touching that thing…] Anisphia began, her expression troubled.
[We won't,] Herta interrupted firmly. [I'm not sending anyone in there to become another sacrifice.]
More suggestions followed as the Alliance continued searching for a safe extraction method. Hayate examined the Tome of the Night Sky again, while Kirschtaria and the Chaldean staff compared their calculations with Herta's findings.
Then a familiar voice suddenly entered the discussion.
[Everyone, you don't need to worry about that part.]
"…Kii?!" Noah's eyes widened as he recognized the voice immediately.
It was unmistakably Kiana's voice, but it had not come from the communication window belonging to the Kiana currently preparing for the assault. Instead, a completely new window had appeared within the shared channel.
Another Kiana Kaslana greeted them from the screen.
Unlike the Kiana everyone was familiar with, this one had long white hair tied into a ponytail, with the ends fading into purple. Her bluish-purple eyes carried the distinctive star-shaped symbols of Finality, and her appearance reflected a version of Kiana who had experienced far more than the girl currently fighting beside Noah.
Yet despite those differences, the confident expression and affectionate smile on her face were still undeniably Kiana Kaslana.
Her unexpected appearance caught everyone by surprise.
[Yahoo, Captain!] Finality Kiana greeted him cheerfully. [The Trailblaze connection you made between us is really convenient! I finally get to use that terminal that's been gathering dust all this time!]
Noah blinked before a wide smile appeared on his face.
"Ahahahahaha! That's great, Kii! We can talk whenever you want now!"
[Hehehehe~! That's right!] Kiana replied happily, raising one hand in a playful peace sign.
Their exchange came so naturally that neither of them seemed to notice the growing number of bewildered expressions appearing across the other communication windows.
Herta had stopped examining her calculations. Gabriel blinked several times before looking between Noah and the unfamiliar Kiana, while even Hayate, who had spent most of the discussion concentrating on the Tome of the Night Sky, slowly lowered the book.
"Huh…?" Reinforce Zwei tilted her head in confusion. "Another Kiana-san, desu?"
On the Astral Express, Herta narrowed her eyes toward the new display, her curiosity immediately returning.
[Interesting.]
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Hachiman muttered as he looked toward the screen and rubbed his forehead. Apparently, returning from the conceptual end of existence had not been enough for his troublesome brother. Now another version of Kiana had somehow joined the conversation as well.
Meanwhile, Noah was still happily talking to Finality Kiana, seemingly oblivious to everyone else's reactions.
"So, Kii, did something happen? I thought you weren't planning to show yourself to everyone while you're still in Finality."
[Well, that was actually my plan,] she admitted with a giggle. [But I heard about your current dilemma, and I thought I should help.]
She placed one hand against her chest and smiled proudly.
[Soooo, being the ever-helpful, beautiful lady that I am, I couldn't just leave everyone struggling like this, right?]
Noah's eyes widened in realization.
"Huh?! Does that mean you…!"
Before he could finish, however, a particularly loud voice exploded through the communication channel.
[CAPTAAAAAAIN!!!]
"WHOA!" Noah leaned back in surprise.
The shout had come from Kiana, or rather, the present-day Kiana, who was staring at the woman wearing her own face with her mouth hanging open in disbelief.
Her eyes moved between the new display and Noah several times before she pointed accusingly toward the screen.
[WHO IS THAT?!]
"…Huh?" Noah blinked.
[WHY IS THERE ANOTHER ME?!]
Several people instinctively leaned away from their communication windows as Kiana's voice became even louder.
[AND WHY ARE YOU TWO FLIRTING LIKE THAT?!]
Noah stared at her before turning toward Finality Kiana. The older Kiana blinked as well, finally noticing just how many people were watching their conversation. Both appeared genuinely surprised by the sudden outburst.
[Captain…] Finality Kiana stared at her present-day self for a moment before slowly turning back toward Noah. […Was I always this boisterous before?]
Noah looked at her with a completely dumbfounded expression. Then his shoulders began trembling as he tried desperately to hold back his laughter.
"Pfft…!"
[HEY! WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!] Present-day Kiana demanded, her eyebrow twitching.
That was the final straw. Noah burst into laughter so loudly that he nearly forgot to regulate the Force for a moment. Fortunately, Hachiman's Geo barrier absorbed the brief pressure fluctuation before Noah recovered.
"PUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Kii! You… you seriously asked that?!"
[Was it a strange question?] Finality Kiana blinked innocently.
"Ahahahaha! No! Not at all! It's just… PUAHAHAHA!"
[CAPTAIN!!!] Present-day Kiana shouted, her cheeks puffing up like a balloon. [STOP LAUGHING!]
Unfortunately, her reaction only made things worse. Sirin, who had been watching the entire exchange with an increasingly delighted grin, finally burst into laughter herself.
"PUAHAHAHAHA! SIS! THERE ARE TWO OF YOU NOW!"
[THIS ISN'T FUNNY, SII!]
"Oh, it's hilarious!" Sirin replied, clearly enjoying every second of her sister's embarrassment.
Nanoha covered her mouth while Fate desperately tried to hide her own smile. Elysia, meanwhile, looked positively delighted by the unexpected development, her eyes sparkling with interest as she examined the older Kiana.
"My, my~. Two Kii? How wonderful! And this one is so beautiful and mature too!"
[ELLIE! NOT YOU TOO!]
Elysia giggled, looking entirely unapologetic, while Noah finally managed to suppress his laughter long enough to speak.
"Ahahaha… Alright, alright! Calm down, Kii."
[I AM CALM!]
"Yeah, right," Hachiman murmured.
[HACHI!]
"Why am I getting yelled at now?" Hachiman sighed.
Noah chuckled again before deciding that perhaps it was time to explain what was happening before present-day Kiana decided to come over and personally strangle him.
"Well… you see, Kii, she's you. Or rather, she's a Kiana from a much later point in time who eventually became the Herrscher of Finality."
[…Huh?]
Present-day Kiana stared at her older self, momentarily forgetting her embarrassment.
"She's the one who helped me return from Finality and gave us another chance to change what happened," Noah continued, his expression softening as he looked toward the older Kiana. "And she is the one who sent back Hyperion, AI-chan, and VA back in time."
Several expressions across the communication channel immediately changed. Hayate looked toward Finality Kiana with surprise, while Reinforce Zwei raised both hands toward her mouth.
"So she's the one who brought us back…?" Hayate murmured.
Finality Kiana nodded gently.
[That's right. I'm glad to see all of you alive this time.]
Her eyes moved toward Hayate, Reinforce, and Sirin before returning to Noah. The playful expression on her face softened as she looked at the people who had been lost during the previous future.
[And I'm especially glad that Captain isn't facing this alone anymore.]
The humor surrounding the unexpected meeting faded as everyone understood what those words meant. Had Finality Kiana not intervened, none of them would have been standing here together, and the tragedy they all remembered would have remained the conclusion of their journey.
"It's all thanks to you, Kii," Noah said, smiling at her with genuine affection.
[You're welcome, Captain.] Finality Kiana returned his smile.
Watching their exchange, present-day Kiana narrowed her eyes again. This time, however, something entirely different seemed to be bothering her.
[Wait a minute.]
"…What now?" Noah turned toward her.
[If she's me from the future… why are you calling her Kii too?!]
Finality Kiana tilted her head in confusion. [Because that's what he calls me?]
[THAT'S MY NICKNAME!]
[Technically, it's mine too.]
[THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS!]
"Ahahahahaha!" Noah immediately started laughing again.
[CAPTAIN! STOP ENJOYING THIS!]
Even Finality Kiana joined in this time, clearly finding her younger self far more entertaining than she had expected. Present-day Kiana could only stare between them in disbelief, apparently unable to understand how she had somehow ended up being teased by both her Captain and her own future self.
Unfortunately, one particular person had finally reached the limits of his patience.
"…Are you two finished?" Hachiman's tired voice interrupted their argument. "Because I'd like to remind everyone that we're currently holding back an entity trying to eat an entire planet."
"Ahahaha… right." Noah scratched his cheek awkwardly as he remembered the enormous wall he was still restraining with the Force.
"And while I'm happy you've apparently reunited with yet another Kiana, I'd appreciate it if we could return to the problem of removing the cosmic parasite from the World Tree before my arms fall off."
[Little Shadow has a point,] Herta added, although her eyes remained fixed on Finality Kiana with considerable interest.
"Thank you." Hachiman sighed, sounding almost relieved that someone was finally taking his side.
[Don't get used to it, Little Shadow.]
"…Of course."
A few chuckles spread across the channel as everyone finally returned their attention to the crisis. Noah adjusted his Force around the wall while Hachiman reinforced the Geo barrier, and the Alliance commanders waited for the mysterious older Kiana to explain why she had joined their discussion.
Finality Kiana looked across the communication windows before giving everyone her familiar, confident Kaslana grin.
[Now then, about extracting Dormammu's shard…]
She folded her arms and smiled proudly.
[How about leaving that part to me?]
For a moment, nobody seemed to know how to respond. Noah blinked in surprise, Herta stared at her with renewed interest, and even present-day Kiana forgot her earlier complaints as she tried to process what her future self had just volunteered to do.
Then, almost everyone across the communication channel shouted in disbelief.
"HUUUUUUUUUUUH????????!!!!!!!!!!!"
====== Chapter 249 END ======