Published: March 21, 2026
By the time we arrived at the airship a little later than Kazuki and the others, "that moment" was already imminent.
The instant Lattice Nail and I leaped onto the airship, the ship, as if already prepared, rose from its hovering state and slowly pulled away from Demon Clan territory. For some reason, the earthen wall that had towered beside the airship followed along, continuing to shield the ship. I wanted to ask how that worked, but there was no time.
"Lady Amelia! Lady Amelia, please! I'll do anything! If I have anything to offer, I'll give it! Please use revival magic on Lord Crow!!"
Ria's desperate words, as if her throat would bleed from the pain, rang out across the deck — where everyone who could move, including Sonora and the others, had gathered — but no one answered. Amelia flinched at Ria's pleading, then quietly averted her gaze.
Everyone here, probably including Ria, understood. Crow had been mortally wounded by Mahiro — a hole in his chest — but that wasn't the only reason he was dying. Ria knew it in her head, but her emotions couldn't catch up.
"...Ria, even with my revival magic, it's impossible to overturn the lifespan ordained by Divine Aitel."
"Li-ifespan... No! Lord Crow!"
I held Amelia's small, trembling shoulders as she clenched her lips and squeezed out the words in frustration. Yoru, perched on my shoulder, nuzzled Amelia's head as if to comfort her.
Crow had been Amelia's first mentor. If it had been possible, she would have used the revival magic before Ria even asked. But it was no longer possible. Even before we went to the Demon King's Castle, Crow's aging had already advanced to its final stage. Lilis's medicine had only kept him able to move outwardly; his body had already reached its limit. On top of that, fighting had drained his magical power and life force and left him fatally wounded.
No one can overturn the end of a life. Not even the god of this world.
"...Alright. Amelia, don't trouble yourself. This is my choice."
"Lord Crow!!"
Crow's weakening pulse thinned further as he tried to speak, wheezing as he opened his mouth.
Crow's blue eyes met Amelia's red ones.
"Amelia. My longing. My final... disciple. I'm glad I met you."
"I am too, Crow. My only mentor. Thank you — I'm glad I met you. Really, really glad."
Tears slipped from Amelia's eyes.
Crow's gaze then moved to me.
"Akira, I'm sorry for making you carry my vengeance, my sin."
"I don't mind. It was only a matter of sooner or later."
Even if I hadn't killed Gram, I would've taken lives among Morte's people. The sin I chose to shoulder is mine alone.
His eyes turned to Yoru.
"Yoru, I do not hate you. I pray that the curse on your body is lifted."
"...Yeah. Thank you."
Yoru lowered his eyes gently.
Crow coughed and spat up a clump of blood, then summoned his remaining strength to call out Noa's name. Noa hurried to his side, apparently not expecting to be called.
"Mother... thank you for giving birth to me."
"...You are my prideful son. I have always loved you and Aria."
Noa said, voice trembling, as he stroked Crow's head.
Crow blinked in surprise, but accepted the touch with a pleased expression. Maybe as a child he had been stroked like this.
"Ria."
"Y-yes! Lord Crow, Ria is here."
Ria grasped the slowly extended hand tightly.
Crow smiled quietly, as though without regret, and left his final words for Ria.
"My most beloved. Be happy. Please, be happy."
"Lord Crow...!"
Crow looked kindly at the sobbing Ria, then, as if burden lifted, glanced up at the annoyingly clear sky and wore a smile as if a weight had been removed.
"Ah, finally... it reached."
Those hands that had failed to reach his sister's and his friend's deaths had at last reached someone. The human hand that once said the scariest thing was not being able to reach in Beastmen territory had, at the moment his life ended, finally reached.
At that moment, without waiting for Ria's reply, the light left Crow's eyes. The grip on Ria's hand loosened. Ria widened her eyes and clung to the slackened hand.
"No, noooooooo! Lord Crow, Lord Crow!!"