With this attack...I'm going to freeze you!

Hah! Take this!

You're no match for the great Kafka!

We're all here together. You're no challenge for us now!

No matter what happens, we won't lose!

It certainly looks like you had a lot of fun with my students while I was away.

But...it's time for...this battle to end!

Wha...the sky... It cracked?!

That's...a gate.

A gate?!

But it's totally different from the one we used when we came to Ishgria...

The gate we used then was in a relatively stable condition.

Going by the look of this one, it formed spontaneously from the aftershocks of our battle.

Since it's not stable, it's probably gonna close soon.

...!

Look! Through the opening... That's...

...!

Is that...? Yes, it's definitely the Randall Empire!

......

Even if we jump into it, there's no absolute guarantee that we'll get back to Elgaia safely.

That said, we probably won't get a second chance...

Everyone, are you ready?

Yes! We have a mission to get information on Ishgria back to the Summoners' Hall!

Exactly. There's no reason to stick around in a rough place like this.

I agree. If there's even a slight chance of going home, I'm willing to take it!

He he. I always have good luck with gambling. We'll be fine!

I can't think of a reason to oppose it. We can't just wait around in a place like this, either.

I'm sure it'll be okay.

Even if we end up in a different world...

...if we're all together, I'm sure we can make it!

Heh.

Then let's go!

Griff, Krantz, Libera, Rhoa, Kafka, Iris...

I wish you all the best...

And the me of this time...please don't end up like I did.

It seems you've accomplished your goals.

Yes...as have you.

For the moment, I haven't vanished or anything.

Your objective was to observe what happened to me at this instant, wasn't it?

You wanted to see what would happen when I had returned to the past and altered my life's course with my own hands.

Ah ha ha! So you figured it out. Well, you're exactly right.

I wasn't about to test it on myself, so you were the perfect subject to use.

Thanks to you, I've learned more of the mysteries of time, and the world itself.

Well, from your point of view, you might have preferred to vanish once your past changed.

I wouldn't say that.

Even if my own past doesn't change...

...just knowing that I was able to save them...that's enough to leave me content.

Oh? I'm afraid that's a feeling I don't understand.

More importantly, what were you hoping to achieve with that stunt at the end?

You mean when I resurrected to demonic beast?

Don't get the wrong idea.

I helped you temporarily, but I am a demon of Ishgria. An enemy of humanity.

No, you're the one who shouldn't get the wrong idea.

That's not what I was asking.

I was asking why a demon like you would help Griff and the others return to Elgaia.

......

I know that you could have endowed the demonic beast with enough power to defeat Griff and everyone instantly.

It was thanks to your "adjustments"...

...that everyone's powers clashed with the demonic beast and opened the gate. Am I wrong?

Well... There's no use hiding it now, if you've figured it out.

If they had remained in Ishgria...

...there was still a chance of that Mirfah turning into you.

So I gave the situation one last push in the right direction. It was just a bit of a...violent push, that's all.

Apparently there are innumerable gates placed all over Ishgria...

...but crossing between dimensions isn't my specialty. So I don't know where they are.

And besides, well, I kind of liked them, so consider it a favor.

You...kind of liked them?! You're a demon, yet you'll admit you like humans?

Oh, come on. From my point of view, demons and humans aren't that different.

Differences in power levels, or in lifespans...

These are no more than minor random fluctuations in the flow of time, as I see it.

You truly are a terrifying demon.

Ah ha ha! I'll take that as a compliment.

Huh, what's this?

Now don't you worry about that.

It's just something I worked up, in order to let you return to your original time after things were done.

If you remain in this time, it'll just cause more trouble down the line.

I see...

......

I should at least say this.

I am grateful to you, for giving me the chance to save Griff, Krantz, and everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you...huh.

It has been centuries since anyone thanked me. It's not a bad feeling.

Now then, since the flow of time won't change significantly even after those Summoners return home...

...it's going to be a little while longer before things get lively in Ishgria again.

But the next ruckus won't stop at just Ishgria...

...it will also make a mess of my own destiny. I can't wait!

I see, so that was your plan this time.

That's pretty bold of you, using a demon.

It seems that Amu Yunos did actually observe Ishgria's Recon Squad, after all.

So I wondered, what would've happened if she had really gotten involved?

But since she's a demon with far too many uncertain aspects, even I couldn't predict her actions...

...and it was honestly a bit chilling to see how things progressed.

Speaking of which, one of your relatives was involved. What were your impressions?

There's not a lot to say.

Even if we're blood relatives...

...we never met, and I can't really say I feel anything for someone from the distant past.

But you did meet, right here and now.

......

Well, I have respect for the individual who created the foundations for Mock Unit technologies.

But I can't say I care for his attitude or his fashion sense.