-1209- The innocent girl

Basically, Altera is a proud and rational warrior. Whether it's the giant Altera or the heroic Altera, although their personalities differ, that's just an external expression. In terms of values, inner self, and spirit, Altera is still Altera, whether as a giant or a hero.

Therefore, although Altera has excellent intuition and can remain calm in the face of any situation, she feels empty in other aspects. Like in battle, Altera becomes a killing machine, eliminating obstacles without mercy, and showing no hesitation. But personally, she doesn't particularly enjoy fighting and is not accustomed to things outside of war and battle.

This aspect is perfectly reflected in the giant Altera, making her seem like a pure and innocent girl, ignorant of the ways of the world.

So, as the heroic spirit Altera, she magnifies her role as the war goddess. Although she usually faces Rozen and others with a calm and cold attitude, it's because she knows her limitations and recognizes that she's only good at combat.

Therefore, she sees herself as a killing machine on the battlefield and leaves everything else, such as thinking, decision-making, and judgment, to others, namely Rozen.

That's Altera, seemingly cold but actually an inexperienced girl.

If it were the giant Altera, she might not be able to resist talking to Rozen all the time out of loneliness and would be happy to have someone accompany her. But as the heroic spirit Altera, she would silently follow Rozen, embodying her spirit form, like a cold and proud sword, using it to soothe her loneliness.

Seeing someone like Natsuki, who is similar to herself, Altera can't help but intervene and care about her, even though she doesn't know why.

Perhaps...

"Maybe, I just want to see a resolution from that witch," Altera said, as if telling Rozen and herself at the same time.

Altera, like Natsuki before, has always slept in a cage, experiencing everything through her dreams. And now, Natsuki has been liberated.

Next, what kind of ending will Natsuki have?

Will she succumb to fate and continue to sleep?

Or will she find a way to break free and embrace a new life?

Altera seems unconsciously pursuing this resolution.

Yes, Altera has overlapped her fate with Natsuki's, hoping to see her own future through Natsuki's experiences.

She doesn't realize this, hence her silence, which is actually just confusion.

Looking at Altera like this, who would have thought that this girl was once the destructive king who ravaged the entire Europe?

And who would have thought that this girl is truly, as Solomon and others said, an enemy of the world, civilization, and humanity?

Rozen couldn't help but smile.

From Altera's current demeanor, he indeed sees shades of the giant Altera, pure and without guile.

Such a person...

(I can't imagine she would be such a terrifying existence.)

Rozen thought again of the dreams he often had.

The terrifying dream where a white giant laid waste to the land, plunging the world into flames.

That white giant...

(Is it really Altera?)

Rozen couldn't find the answer.

But he believed...

(As long as I continue to traverse different worlds, showing Altera civilizations from various worlds, eventually, Altera will be willing to open up and confide in me.)

Rozen was mentally prepared for a long battle with Altera.

Intervening in someone else's fate, this level of effort is hardly a price to pay.

And then...

"Actually, I've already made plans with Natsuki-nee," Rozen said to Altera.

"We've agreed to have a good chat tomorrow night."

Because of this, Rozen returned home leisurely, lying on his bed, spending the festive day.

"...Is that so?" Altera closed her eyes like rubies and silently dematerialized, entering a spiritual state.

This girl should be listening to Rozen and Natsuki's conversation tomorrow night from the best position, silently following him like a cold and proud sword, just to alleviate her loneliness.

And as for Natsuki's future, Rozen had already guessed to some extent and was prepared.

"Now, we just have to wait until tomorrow night."

Thinking so, Rozen slowly closed his eyes.

After a while, Rozen began to fall asleep.

After all, last night, Rozen hadn't slept at all.

...

Soon, the Harurouin Festival entered its second day.

After the lively opening of the Harurouin Festival yesterday, today, Itogami Island was still in a festive mood, with laughter never ceasing for a moment, as if the recent events had become a distant past, forgotten by everyone.

Although the Harurouin Festival lasts for three days, there are only a few scattered activities left for the last day tomorrow.

So, today is considered the last day before the climax of the Harurouin Festival.

As the final climax of the Harurouin Festival, there will be a fireworks display tonight.

It's a very grand fireworks display.

With a total of eight thousand fireworks, it is a special fireworks display made with the essence of alchemy, unique to the Demon Sanctuary, attracting great attention both domestically and internationally.

As for the venue of the fireworks display, it is in the harbor area of Itogami Island.

So, tonight, at the dock in the harbor area, many young people who have dressed up meticulously are gradually gathering here, and there are also vendors bustling around like a festival.

Naturally, Rozen also came with the rest of the family.

"Even if I couldn't enjoy the Harurouin Festival properly, I absolutely can't miss the fireworks display!"

Nagisa declared with astonishing momentum at home, causing Avrora, Kanon, and Astarte to nod frequently in agreement.

"Well, Asagi and Yaze also said that they would at least come to see the fireworks, so they'll be here later."

Kojou expressed the same sentiment.

With that in mind, everyone came out together from home, along with Yukina, who has a precise sense of timing and is able to join Rozen and the others, and arrived at the dock.

Then, Rozen took advantage of the lively conversation among the crowd and, as if being pushed away by the crowd, separated from everyone.

"Senpai...!"

Before Rozen left the crowd, he seemed to hear such a call, but he ignored it.

Rozen walked towards the remote area of the harbor.

This place is a bit far from the viewing spots listed in the guidebook for the fireworks display, and only has the minimum amount of street lights. It's a place where ordinary people wouldn't approach.

"Is it here?"

Rozen looked somewhat uncertainly at the location marked on his phone email, passing through the gaps between stacked cargo containers.

This seems to be a berth for cargo ships, but there are very few cargo ships coming to Itogami Island at this time. Taking advantage of this, the field of vision is quite broad, and the surrounding sea can be seen at a glance.

It is here that someone is waiting for Rozen.