Published: January 24, 2026
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― Great Southern Labyrinth: Near the Entrance ―
Around the same time Stig and Demon arrived at the Seeker's Guild, Luna had reached the entrance of the Great Southern Labyrinth.
"…Pixie, we've arrived at the dungeon. Why did you bring me here?" Luna asked Pixie telepathically as they arrived near the dungeon entrance.
This was the urgent matter that had brought her here.
Several months ago, Sophia had been taken away to Darane by Former Count Claudel.
To find her, Luna had borrowed the power of Pixie, a fairy, in exchange for a condition.
The condition was that Pixie could have any one wish fulfilled.
And today, Pixie exercised that right by sending Luna to the Great Southern Labyrinth.
"Well… my goal was just to bring Luna here… What happens next is up to Luna, I guess…"
"That means, what exactly—"
"It's been a while, Ruuko."
Before Luna could ask further about Pixie’s vague answer, another female voice interrupted their telepathic conversation.
"...Is that voice Titania?"
Judging by the fact that the voice called her "Ruuko," Luna guessed that the interrupter was the Fairy Queen, Titania.
"Correct. Glad to see you’re doing well."
"It really has been a while. The last time we spoke was when Count Edington tasked us to go to Reglyph Territory—has it been nine months already? Time sure flies."
"For me, it feels like just a little while ago."
"Heh, for someone like Titania who’s lived hundreds of years, a year must pass in an instant."
Luna’s expression softened as she exchanged words with Titania after a long time.
"Did you bring me to the dungeon through Pixie, Titania?"
After a brief reunion, Luna asked Titania directly.
"...Yes. I want Ruuko to witness everything that’s about to happen. Spirit domination is less affected by the principles of techniques than other supernatural abilities. So even if the memories can’t be passed on, the feelings should remain."
"What do you mean by that…?"
Luna tilted her head, puzzled by the cryptic remark.
"Sorry, there’s no time to explain."
Without giving a clear answer to Luna’s question, Titania cut off the telepathic connection that Selma had set up to issue an emergency declaration.
Suddenly, a man appeared before the dungeon.
Luna noticed the overwhelming pressure radiating from him and shuddered as she turned around.
In her sight stood a young man with one arm and his right eye covered by an eyepatch—Belia Sans.
"…This is truly infuriating. That only I can’t enter the dungeon… Isn’t that unreasonable? Don’t you think so, Titania?"
Belia’s voice was not directed at Luna, who trembled, but at the fairy Titania nearby.
His behavior was proof that he could perceive the fairy, which he normally shouldn’t be able to.
"Of course. Do you seriously think the master would let you in, when you’re plotting to destroy this world?"
Titania replied coldly to Belia’s words.
"Hahaha! Destroying the world is an exaggeration. I’m just trying to correct things. After all, the existence of this world itself is a mistake. You fairies feel the same, right?"
"...I have no intention of debating the purpose of this world’s existence. Admittedly, before, I didn’t care whether this world perished or endured. But not anymore. Now, I leave it up to Orun Dura’s choice. That is my current view."
"Orun, huh. Unfortunately, my men will kill Orun. There's no tomorrow for him. Too bad."
"Wait a moment! You leave it up to Orun? You’re going to kill him? What exactly are you saying!?"
Luna finally found her voice, intimidated by Belia.
"…Luna Flockheart, don’t ruin this reunion between old friends after hundreds of years, you puppet of Titania."
Belia finally looked at Luna for the first time and coldly snapped at her.
"That’s unforgivable. I never controlled Ruuko. Ruuko has walked her life by her own power and will."
"Oh? Do you really think it was a coincidence that Luna Flockheart was chosen as the third of the Golden Dawn? That’s a stretch."
"...The third?"
Luna murmured, troubled by Belia’s words.