Epilogue: The Return of the Sky

At the forefront of the battle against the ice phantoms in White Town.

“The blizzard…”

“…has stopped?”

Francine and Colette, who had been fighting tirelessly through the night, noticed the anomaly.

Then, the horde of ice phantoms surging from the mountain’s base suddenly halted their movements.

Soon after, those phantoms began to crumble with a clatter.

From the shards of their icy bones, orbs of light resembling souls were released, floating gently upward into the sky.

In the dim twilight before dawn, countless rising light orbs faintly illuminated the surroundings.

It was—a beautiful sight, one that couldn’t help but inspire a sense of relief.

“Haa… looks like it’s finally over. I’m exhausted.”

Ginny tossed her dagger aside and collapsed spread-eagled onto the snow.

Gradually, the stunned guards and vigilantes began to realize their victory and the resolution of the crisis… and they erupted into joyous celebration.

“W-We did it!”

“Hell yeah! It’s our victory!”

Francine, Colette, and the students of St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy embraced each other, reveling in their triumph.

The guards, too, let out sighs of relief, praising each other’s valiant efforts through the night.

Snowria—had been saved. They had survived.

Amid the jubilant victory mood of the group,

Mayor John and Millia watched from a short distance away.

“Mayor… what will become of us now…?”

Contrary to the festive atmosphere, Millia’s expression and voice were somber.

“With such an unprecedented disaster having struck… it’s bound to have a devastating impact on Snowria’s tourism industry. Just when things were starting to take off…”

From Millia’s lips spilled irrepressible anxiety and regret.

“This town… what will happen to us? Is Snowria doomed to perish after all? Mayor… I…”

But then, Millia’s shoulder—

“We’re alive. As long as we’re alive, as long as we don’t give up, we can move forward. …Yes, the impact of this disaster may be severe. It’s the worst trial we could face.”

Then, he gave Millia a calm smile.

“But… someday, we’ll surely overcome it.”

For a moment, Millia gazed at John’s face, blinking in surprise.

“…Yes, you’re right. …That’s how it is.”

Eventually, with a look of resolve, she softened her expression and returned a gentle smile.

“Millia, things are going to get busy from here on out. …I’ll be counting on you for a lot.”

“Yes, Mayor. Anything I can do, just say the word.”

And so, the two began walking toward the heroes who had defended White Town, to commend their efforts—

—The blizzard had stopped, as if it were a lie.

The end of that apocalyptic battle.

In its lingering aftermath, Glenn, Sistine, and the others could only stand dazed in place.

“…”

In the stillness, without even a whisper of wind,

Celica began walking silently, crunching through the snow.

Her destination was the area where the dragon had fallen earlier.

The dragon’s massive form had shattered into mana particles and dissipated into mist.

But—Celica, as if certain of something, approached the spot.

“…”

There, a single girl lay.

Celica recognized the naked, young girl’s form.

It was the illusory girl she had seen within her inner world, in the ruins of Avesta’s mountain peak.

No longer a mere illusion, that girl now asserted her existence in this world as a tangible being.

On this cold snowfield, the girl slept, naked, as if dead.

“Huh? W-What the—!? Where’d this kid come from!?”

“H-Hey! Sensei, don’t look! You lolicon pervert!”

“That’s a harsh way to put it!”

Glenn and the others, who had followed Celica, immediately began making a fuss.

“…”

Silently, Celica knelt beside the girl and gazed at her.

On the girl’s smooth chest—directly above her heart—lay a single broken “key.”

Celica gently brushed the broken “key” away with her hand.

The key fell onto the snow, naturally crumbling into weathered fragments… and vanished.

Then, Celica examined the girl’s condition closely.

Her body was utterly exhausted, chillingly cold—but Celica could indeed feel the pulse of life.

“…She’s alive.”

“Huh!? For real!? No way!”

“Yes. …Whether she’ll regain consciousness… I don’t know.”

And then,

Celica removed her overcoat, wrapped it around the girl’s body, and lifted her in a side carry.

“…Celica?”

“Hey, Glenn. I’m thinking of taking this girl with us.”

“!”

When Glenn looked at Celica, her expression was utterly serious.

It didn’t seem to be a whim or a passing fancy.

“…Is that okay?”

“Doesn’t bother me. If that’s what you want, go for it. That’s how you saved me, after all.”

Then, Celica gazed silently at Glenn for a moment…

and eventually said softly,

“…Thank you.”

Celica simply smiled gently.

—.

In a corner of White Town’s central plaza, now devoid of people,

“And so,” the boy said, manipulating his puppet.

He was a boy draped in a robe and hood, embroidered with ethnic patterns.

The deeply pulled hood and peeking silver hair obscured more than half his face, making his features hard to discern… but somehow, his aura suggested he was an otherworldly beauty.

“The cursed witch once again defeated《The Gatekeeper》, and now, the《Gate》to the Sky Castle, leading to great wisdom, has been opened.”

It was Felord. The traveling puppeteer, Felord Belif.

On the back of Felord’s left hand, visible from the sleeve of his robe, was a pattern—a “caricatured emblem of twin angels facing each other.”

Few in this world would recognize that emblem. It was none other than the secret seal of《The Celestial Taum》, a closely guarded mystery of The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom.

Only one person in this world could bear such a mark on their body—

“…So you were here, Grandmaster-sama.”

Emerging from the darkness of the alley, Eleanor addressed Felord as such.

With an expression filled with joy and reverence, she respectfully called him so.

The Grandmaster.

Throughout the long history of the empire, their true identity remained a mystery. Rumored to be a giant man, a beautiful woman, or even a young child, their very existence was questioned as legendary.

The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom,

“But for you to reveal yourself on such a public stage so soon…”

Eleanor murmured, her eyes slightly downcast with a tinge of sorrow.

“Was I, after all, inadequate for such a grand role?”

“No, not at all.”

Felord, the Grandmaster, gently rebuked Eleanor’s self-deprecation.

“Eleanor, I have complete trust in you. More so than even those of the higher-ranked《Adeptus Order》.”

“…Your words honor me.”

“I came here because… I wanted to see her (Rumia) after so long. And because I wanted to witness this newly opened performance from the best seat in the house.”

Felord’s lips curved into a delighted smile.

“No, that’s not quite right. The performance began long, long ago. On the stage of this Alzano Empire, the play has been continuously woven, with actors dancing without end.

Countless threads have been laid throughout the flow of history, and now, they are finally converging toward the finale, being resolved.

This incident marks the first act toward that finale. As the scriptwriter and director, don’t I deserve to watch from the best spot?”

Felord chuckled brightly.

“As a mere actor, I often fail to grasp the full depth of your intentions, Grandmaster-sama… but if it is your wish, I will follow any path.”

“Heh, thank you, Eleanor.”

The leader of a vast organization and their subordinate.

Yet, between them was an ease, as if they were old friends.

“But still… to think she would take the stage in this first act.”

“Her… you mean Celica-sama?”

“Yes, Celica.”

To Eleanor’s question, Felord nodded calmly.

“For Celica to be present at the opening of this first act… what a coincidence, or perhaps inevitability. Perhaps there truly is a predetermined ‘fate’ in this world, beyond even my control.

And so—the《Gate》sealed deep within the earth has been unlocked, the dragon《Gatekeeper》guarding it has been slain by the witch, and the path is open. This first act has surpassed even my wildest expectations, making it truly magnificent.”

To the delighted Grandmaster, Eleanor tightened her expression slightly and said,

“If you wish, Grandmaster-sama… I can remove Celica-sama from the stage.”

“Heh, if you fought seriously, that might indeed be possible.”

But the Grandmaster shook his head gently.

“No, that won’t do, Eleanor. Celica is already a crucial thread in this story. Removing her would unravel the narrative. It would be a shame to lose the climax’s grandeur. Everything must flow naturally… as I’ve always done.”

“My apologies… I spoke out of turn.”

“No, it’s fine, Eleanor. I said no, but in the end, you should act according to your heart. You can choose to observe quietly, as I intend. Or, you can go against my will and move to eliminate Celica—either is fine.”

The Grandmaster smiled gently.

Always, so gently, he continued to smile.

“The free will of people will surely weave the beginning of my story. That’s why… I can now write my own tale.”

Declaring so with serene calm, the Grandmaster continued to smile, like the spring breeze after winter’s end.

—.

“Man, what a ridiculous vacation this turned out to be…”

While trudging down Avesta’s mountain peak through the snow,

Glenn grumbled with a sigh.

“I thought I’d come here for some fun, and bam—what a shock. We ended up saving Snowria from the brink of destruction… I deserve overtime pay for this, damn it!”

“Heh… well, one way or another, it made for some good memories, didn’t it?”

Celica, carrying the sleeping girl on her back, laughed cheerfully beside Glenn.

When Glenn glanced back, Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L were chatting animatedly. The excitement of defeating the dragon hadn’t yet faded… or so it seemed.

Looking back, what a wild, intense night it had been.

In the heat of the moment, they hadn’t had time to process it, but now, having all survived unscathed, they realized they’d gained the experience of battling a dragon at such a young age.

An experience like that was bound to be unforgettable for a lifetime.

Sure, it was a bit tactless and irreverent to say, but in terms of making memories and broadening horizons—the original goal of the trip—this vacation was a resounding success… in a way.

“…All’s well that ends well, huh… no, screw that, this was awful!”

Glenn kicked the snow, exhaling a sigh.

Their bodies should have been utterly exhausted. But the exhilaration and thrill of defeating a dragon kept Glenn and the others from feeling tired at all.

Most likely, once they got back and calmed down, they’d sleep like the dead.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

The sound of their steps through the snow echoed slowly and steadily.

Then,

as Glenn was thinking about how hungry he was,

“Hey, Glenn.”

Celica suddenly whispered to him from beside.

“What’s up?”

“If… just hypothetically speaking.”

“?”

“If I ever became an enemy of the world… what would you do?”

Glenn couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Celica’s words.

She merely gazed into the distance, her eyes narrowed… her clear, enlightened expression gave no hint of her emotions or intentions.

Caught off guard and at a loss, Glenn fell silent.

“If that ever happened… would you stop me?”

Celica said this to Glenn.

“…Celica?”

“If it’s you… I wouldn’t mind being defeated by you.”

It made no sense.

Why would she suddenly say something like that? It was utterly incomprehensible.

But surely, Celica was earnestly seeking some kind of answer from Glenn right now… even someone as tactless as Glenn could feel that acutely.

So, he let the words spill naturally from his heart, answering honestly.

“Guess I’ve got no choice. If it comes to that, I’ll take care of it. Cleaning up after my idiot master’s messes… well, that’s a disciple’s job, isn’t it?”

“…Glenn.”

“Yeah, leave it to me. If you start acting like a fool, I’ll knock you out, tie you up, and drag you back. …Happy now?”

Then,

“…Pfft.”

Celica burst into soft giggles.

“What’s that for?”

“Nothing, just…”

Turning to face Glenn, Celica looked straight into his eyes.

“I’m really, truly glad I met you… from the bottom of my heart.”

Smiling like the spring breeze after the snow melts, she murmured so.

That smile was more beautiful, and more fleeting, than anything in this world.

And so, the blizzard that had struck Snowria came to an end.

When Glenn looked up, he saw the morning sun peeking over the ridge of the distant mountains.

The dawn’s light, heralding the end of a long night.

Its dazzling rays seemed to bless Glenn and the others, and Snowria itself, for surviving this terrifying night.

With the quiet pride of having defeated a fearsome dragon as their modest reward, Glenn and the others silently descended the radiant silver world.

Suddenly, as if called by something, Glenn glanced back.

He looked up at the distant, snow-capped peak of Avesta, still cloaked in the remnants of twilight.

Among the endless Silvasno mountain range, its majestic form, closest to the heavens, refracted the brilliant light of dawn, shimmering white and cruelly beautiful—