"Finally—tomorrow."
I muttered while gazing up at the full moon from my room.
"Tomorrow—big sis and the others are going to the 92nd floor, right?"
Sophie asked—dressed in cute pajamas.
My little sister really is adorable.
Just looking at her heals me.
"Yeah—that's right."
"Are you nervous?"
At her words—I first noticed my own hands trembling.
"No way. This is warrior's excitement. One year's worth of revenge—finally here."
I pushed down inner anxiety—acted strong.
Can't show weakness in front of Sophie.
I have to be the strong big sister.
Otherwise—she'll worry.
I forcibly took her from home—I have a duty to protect her.
"...If you're scared—it's okay to say so."
"...Huh?"
Sophie hugged me tight.
"I don't want you to go. What if big sis dies tomorrow? I want you here always. But—you're going anyway, right? Then—this is all I can do... I'll give you my courage! Lately—I feel like I've gotten close with Carol and Log. I'm handling party command now—a little, but courage is building. So—small as it is—take my courage! Big sis can beat the black dragon too! Do your best!"
Sophie had grown strong.
Until recently—timid, always reading faces.
Did Orun trigger the change?
The crybaby Sophie had become this strong.
I can't cower here.
"Thanks, Sophie. Your courage is flowing into me. We—"
◇
In my room—I stared at my tattered *Silver Rabbit* jacket.
"Albert-san—tomorrow we're challenging the 92nd floor—the black dragon."
After Albert-san left—I became eldest.
Only then—realized his greatness.
Am I being a proper big sister?
Not as old as Albert-san—so I decided to become everyone's big sis.
Tried my best—how's it going?
"...Tomorrow—we catch up to Albert-san. To the former Hero Party member Albert-san. Then overtake the current Hero—and become the next. Tomorrow's first step. Hope you're watching from heaven. We—"
◇
"Pretty moon~"
From *Silver Rabbit* HQ rooftop—gazing at the full moon.
"Hehe~ Perfect night before *Silver Rabbit*'s big battle!"
I always come here when anxious.
Yeah—I'm anxious.
This year—we trained harder than anyone. Confident in that.
But still—unsure if enough.
If Albert-san saw this weakness—he'd laugh...
Maybe laughing his head off in heaven right now.
...Huh? Thinking that pissed me off?
"...This time—no one's lost. Sick of that pain. Studied recovery magic like crazy this year—made original spells too. I hold everyone's life and death. No more deaths. We—"
◇
"Here—maintenance done."
"Thanks, Pops."
In open space—I lightly swung my twinblade—fresh from Pops' care.
"Still perfect work. Fits my hand so well it's scary."
"Good. ...Will—you've gotten strong."
"...Huh? Sudden much?"
"You're stronger. Explorer skill too—but especially your heart. Still flashy—but the old you would've run by now. You're fighting instead. You've grown stronger."
"...Haha—what's that. ...I showed pathetic weakness—let someone Albert-san respected die. I should've died there. But I lived. So I have no choice...! Scared or scorned—I'll inherit his dream—conquer the Great Labyrinth...! For that—"
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
"""Tomorrow—we defeat the black dragon—and step on the 93rd floor!!!!"""