“…The Knight Order will also be ready by tomorrow.”

Here, Kanan brings the conversation back.

“Lord Ruon, Garuku. The War with the Demon Lord… I’m counting on you.”

“Yes.”

“Indeed.”

After Garuku replied, he suddenly looked at Sofia. She nodded back slightly.

After that, I left the room and headed towards the Fortress Entrance. Preparations should be in full swing now—

“Oh, is the discussion over?”

When I went outside, Alto was the first to call out to me.

“Yeah, it looks like we’ll finally be deploying tomorrow.”

“Is that so… But you know, it’s a bit of a regret.”

“What is?”

“According to Ruon’s Story, there was a possibility that I would obtain the Sage’s Power, right?”

“Yeah. But things didn’t go that smoothly.”}]}“`</body></html>

Alto gave a wry smile at my words.

“Yeah, well, I’ll do what I can.”

“I’m counting on you.”

After speaking to him, I spotted Sylvie and walked towards her.

Besides the Knights, there were also a few Spirits around. Perhaps they weren’t contracted with anyone, but were liaisons. A final battle where Humans and Spirits cooperated so closely like this wasn’t in the game. This was a situation I hadn’t imagined.

“Sylvie.”

When I called out to her, Radi and Nestor were by her side. They seemed to have been deep in conversation.

“Oh, Ruon. I’ve heard from the General. It’s tomorrow, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Are you ready?”

“No problem. I’ll make sure you witness my Sword Technique clearly.”

I nodded at her declaration and turned my gaze to Radi.

“How about you?”

“I’m fine.”

His voice, tinged with a smile, held a hint of excitement.

“The Final Battle… and Warriors possessing Sage’s Power… I’m exhilarated.”

For Radi, the current sight of Knights and Spirits gathered might be exciting.

“Radi is the only Magic-user among the Humans with Sage’s Power. His role might be very significant.”

“I welcome it.”

“You seem alright… Survive.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t worry about Radi.”

Nestor spoke up here.

“I’ve kept his rampage in check until now. Leave him to me.”

“That sounds like you’re quite used to it.”

“It was a lot of trouble.”

Nestor sighed at those words. Then Sylvie gave a wry smile.

“With that attitude, it’s a wonder you’ve been a team until now.”

“Well, it was fun hanging out with him.”

“What will you do after the battle?”

“I’ll think about it then.”

I listened to their conversation while shifting my gaze. I found Richard in another spot.

“Oh, sorry. I’m off. Radi, I’m counting on you.”

After raising my hand and calling out, I started walking. On my way to Richard, he seemed to notice me too.

“…Mr. Ruon.”

“Are you ready?”

“No problem. Anytime.”

Richard nodded. He also seemed to be exhilarated by the high morale.

At that point, I became curious about him. His existence through many Rewind Times… so I decided to ask.

“Mr. Richard, what will you do after the battle?”

“…There is an identical person in this world. Their safety has already been confirmed. When the War with the Demon Lord ends, my role will also end.”

He shrugged, a self-deprecating smile on his face.

“No matter what the outcome, my existence is fundamentally unnecessary… I’ll just seclude myself somewhere suitable and devote myself to research alone.”

“I see…”

“Are you interested in me?”

“Well, yeah.”

—Here, I spoke what I had thought of.

“What if—”

“Hm?”

“If you’re going to do research, there’s something I’d like to ask you to do.”

“…I never thought Lord Ruon would bring up something like that. What kind of content is it?”

“Oh, but the content is Magic Analysis. I mean, I’d like to know the details… but if it’s outside your field, it’s fine.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then… in this Underground of the Continent, there exists a very special Magic Power.”

“Special?”

“If even the Spirit God doesn’t know the details, would that pique your interest?”

Richard seemed to bite at my question.

“Oh, that sounds interesting.”

“Only if you’re interested.”

“I don’t mind. But I won’t know what kind of Magic Power it is unless I investigate it directly.”

“If you accept the job, I’ll guide you.”

“—Lord Ruon, is there a reason you’re asking him?”

Suddenly, Garuku appeared on my shoulder.

“Considering his skill in being able to use Forbidden Arts, I think he’s quite good as a Researcher.”

“It’s a great honor to be told that by the Spirit God.”

Richard said, even with a smile.

“So, I’d like to hear the reason Lord Ruon is making this request.”

“It’s not a very complicated reason. I thought it would be better to rely on someone who knows my circumstances. Besides, he’s of the Sage’s Bloodline.”

“I see. Well, I’ll take it as an endorsement from Lord Ruon.”

Richard raised his voice. He seemed to be somewhat convinced.

“If it’s a request, I’ll give it a try. However, now is the War with the Demon Lord.”

“Yes. I’m counting on you.”

“Of course.”

I parted ways with Richard. Then, my eyes went to Phili and I was about to go over there, but—

“Oh, Ruon.”

It was Kyarun’s voice. I turned my gaze sideways and saw her approaching.

“I heard the situation from Alto.”

“I see.”

“Since I’ve come this far, I’ll stay with you until the end, so please take care of me.”

…Somehow, it was a chance encounter with her, but I feel like that connection led us to fight together like this until the end.

If I had met different companions during my journey to train Sofia… would they have fought alongside me like her?

“I see. But don’t overdo it.”

“I know. By the way, did I fight until the end in the Story?”

…I merely shrugged. I think few players continued to use her until the end because her performance was weak.

“Kyarun, what will you do after the battle is over?”

“Hmm, I’m quite comfortable working with Alto, so I guess I’ll be a wanderer with him for a while.”

“I see… Kyarun, I’m counting on you.”

“Of course.”

Kyarun waved goodbye and left… But I never imagined she would participate in this Final Battle. You never know what’s going to happen in this world.

Here, I went back to Phili. She was talking to Kori, and when she saw me, Phili bowed her head.

“Hello, Ruon.”

“Ah. We’re deploying tomorrow, are you alright?”

“My condition is perfect.”

“That’s good then.”

I glanced at Phili and Kori here.

“…When we met in Fiinto Village, I never imagined that I would be going to the final battle with the Demon King alongside so many different people like this.”

“Me neither. Kori?”

“There’s no way I could have imagined it.”

Kori shrugged and then suddenly said to me as if she had just remembered something.

“Speaking of Fiinto Village, it seems like the reconstruction is progressing little by little.”

“I see… Oh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Kati was quite suspicious about me. She said she wanted me to tell her the circumstances someday… but in the end, I never got to see her.”

Maybe I’ll go say hello after the battle is over. I’m also curious about the progress of the village’s reconstruction.

“By the way, what are you two going to do after the battle is over?”

“I’m going to continue my journey for a while.”

Phili said with determination. Even if the Demon Lord’s Threat is gone, the Monsters haven’t completely disappeared. I suppose she means she will fight to defeat them.

“What about you, Kori?”

“I’ll… go with you too.”

She answered with a sigh of resignation… It seems that a strong sense of trust has developed between the two of them through their journey with the Leader.

The two of them have been together since Feint. They must have their own thoughts as comrades-in-arms… but I won’t pry too deeply.

“Both of you, the War with the Demon Lord will be an even fiercer battle than before. Give it your all.”

Leaving those words, I left the two of them. The next person I saw… I approached them.