What is a hero?
Is it a person whose strength is so immense that they can lead others with nothing but sheer, unrelenting force?
Is it someone whose sense of justice and fairness shields the weak while striking down the strong, a figure who balances might with righteousness?
Is it someone who stands courageous, unyielding even when the winds of adversity threaten to tear them down, whose resolve never falters?
Or perhaps, is it someone with the cold clarity to cut through any obstacle, to strike down whatever dares oppose them, without hesitation or remorse?
Here I stand, watching, thinking, my gaze fixed upon those who move others with purpose, who carry the weight of guidance with such ease that it almost seems effortless.
And yet, in the stillness of this moment—
In truth, all I have ever wanted, all I have ever needed, is to be your hero. That alone, that singular wish, would have been enough.
Intel: Ugh... haa... haa...
Intel: U... Uwaaaaah!!!
Est: This is... what in the world did you do to him!?
Lucia: I implanted the power of a dark fairy within him. Just as I did with that beast tamer boy, not long ago.
And before you begin to argue, to protest, don’t. He asked for this. He wished for it himself.
Est: ...!
Lucia: “I want to be strong.” Isn’t that—so achingly, beautifully simple?
A desire so pure in its clarity, almost naive in its ambition.
I hope, from the depths of my being, that it comes true.
Est: Oh light, become a drop of healing. Descend gently, softly, and pour down upon him, wash over him, mend what has been broken.
Intel: T... ah... haa... haa...
Lucia: How kind. But you know as well as I do—this relief will only be fleeting.
Est: ...I know.
To purge the miasma completely, Emma’s gift of purification is required.
The power of dreams, the power of cleansing—those are not magic. They’re beyond my reach.
Lucia: That Passion Doctor of yours... he’s extraordinary. His grasp of Black Dream Disease, his insight into the nature of dreams—it’s remarkable.
Est: I’ve said it before: Kai is brilliant. He just doesn’t see it himself.
Even Sion and Gui—
Lucia: And yet, did you want my research so desperately that you’d cast aside such promising students?
Est: ...!
Lucia: Hahaha... don’t look so shaken. It’s fine—I understand.
Do one task for me, and in return, I’ll give you all of my research. After all, those who do not work shall not eat.
Est: A task...?
Lucia: Yes. It’s about time the young lady came to me.
Corona, Land of Crown Craftsmen. Town Inn.
Liebe: Yes, Emma, it’s an apple. Say “aah~,” won’t you?
Emma: ...Liebe, thank you, but I’m fine now.
Liebe: Don’t say that—let me spoil you a little longer. Whether it’s an arm pillow, a lap pillow, lying beside you, or holding you close—I’ll do anything.
Think of it as my apology... for making you sad.
Emma: Hehe, that’s enough. You already spoiled me plenty.
Emma: By the way, where are the fairies?
Liebe: Training with Crow and the others—for your sake.
The dark fairies have been working hard, holding back so they wouldn’t harm me. They even tried to sacrifice themselves, draining their own power away.
But now that the crisis has passed, all of us share the same heart—walking forward together, side by side.
Emma: That makes me so happy.
Liebe: Me too. To be able to hold something like... hope.
Emma: Yeah!
Liebe: Ah, such a bright face. So cute. Emma’s smile is the best. Show me more of it... more and more, here by my side.
Emma: H-hey, Liebe, you’re too close!
Crow: I’m home~! Lunchtime—wait, what’s this?
Itsuki: Huh?
Grandflair: Oh?
Liebe: Ah, the pests arrive.
Evan: Liebe... just what do you think you’re doing with the master?
Liebe: Can’t you tell? I was healing her.
Himmel: The master looks very troubled, though. Extremely so...
Liebe: That’s only shyness. Adorable, isn’t it?
Emma: Welcome back! Were you all training?
Itsuki: Yeah, steady growth day by day. Right, Navi?
Navi: I only went because I thought I’d be a nuisance to Itsuki~
Crow: Funny, you looked pretty serious to me.
Grandflair: Why not admit it—you want to be stronger for Emma?
Navi: N-no, that’s not—!
Itsuki: Don’t worry, Navi. I’ll encourage you. Let’s keep working hard together!
Navi: That’s why I said, no—!
Itsuki: Eh!? Did I say something wrong...?
Navi: ...Ahhh, fine! It’s not wrong, okay!?
After the World Summit, I was able to receive the Dream King’s power of dreams without incident. But afterwards, I fell ill and had to spend time recovering.
Emma: Everyone, don’t push yourselves too hard. You’ve been training from morning until night, every single day.
Crow: I know... or at least, I’d like to say that. But until you’ve taken in the Dream King’s power, it’s unlikely our enemies will leave us in peace.
We need to become stronger—so we can protect you properly when the time comes.
Grandflair: I don’t want to make you anxious, but Emma, you must take care too.
Emma: Mm...
-FLASHBACK-
Emma: Does Testament want revenge?
Intel: Since the fairies want to create a world without humans, wouldn’t that be the case?
Plato: ...Foolish. Even if anomalies like us replaced humans, the world would only collapse into ruin.
Intel: Ah, that’s right. Dark fairies who can only rampage... they need a leader.
Right, Emma?
-END FLASHBACK-
Whether that is truly his aim, or if Intel is simply being deceived, I can’t say.
But one thing is certain—my power of purification is deeply involved.
Emma (thinking): What is he really after? Revenge on humans? If it were Testament, I’d understand... but Lucia...?
(And besides—)
As question after question gnawed at me...
Sion: The crowd is thick today...
Gui: Hehe. Emma is always so popular.
Emma: Sion, Gui-kun... did you find anything about Est?
Gui: No... nothing yet, unfortunately.
Emma: I see...
Sion: I tried contacting Kai about meeting Est, but he hasn’t replied.
Gui: He’s supposed to be with Rouge and Noah in Gray City. I wonder how that’s going.
Grandflair: Speaking of Rouge, we haven’t heard from him either. But knowing him, I wasn’t too worried.
Emma: Don’t tell me something happened...
Crow: It’s fine. Rouge is probably just busy. We haven’t been able to reach him either.
Itsuki: With Rouge, no contact is... well, normal.
Sion: Kai’s probably buried in his research again. He never notices his messages—he’s simple like that.
Gui: Don’t worry, Emma. Kai and Rouge are dependable. Even if something happens, they’ll manage.
Evan: But what about that pink-haired man? Can’t we do something?
Grandflair: He might look eccentric, but he’s broad-minded. It’s nothing to worry about.
Emma: As Gui-kun and Gran say… for now, I’ll focus on what I must do.
If I can gain the Dream King’s power, I can resist Testament’s plan to turn me into a fairy… and still reach the ends of the world as a human.
There, I’ll find a way to save all the dark fairies—
???: Kyaaah~~!!!
All: !!
Sion: That scream—!?
Crow: Don’t tell me, an attack!?
Gui: I-I heard it outside…!
Everyone rushed to the window and looked down.
Townspeople: Kyaaah~~~♡♡♡ Lord Alex, you’re wonderful~!
Below, at the inn’s entrance, a long line of young men and women had gathered.
Townsman: That noble face beneath the mask… just imagining it makes my nose bleed…
Old Man: Lord Hero! My grandson is joining the Royal Knights! He’ll be a knight like you!
Alex: Everyone, thank you for your cheers. But please, allow me to pass.
Emma: Alex-san!?
Alex: Oh, Emma-kun.
He looked up, waved cheerfully—
And another loud cheer erupted.
