*Huff* *huff...* It looks like we got it.

Yeah, I can't sense any trace of it now.

Grh... The disturbance in Summoning has vanished, too. Looks like that thing was the cause after all.

What in the world was that demon, anyway?

It wasn't like the Grand Gaian gods at all, or the Ishgrian demons either.

It seemed like an entirely different being.

......

The demon... We finally beat it.

That thing...that destroyed our home.

Yeah.

Still...it wasn't a big deal or anything.

You were a kid when you first saw it...

...so maybe you imagined it was a lot stronger than it really was.

Of course, it's also possible that I'm just impossibly strong.

Lugina...

......

No, never mind.

Anyway...the demon...it's really gone now.

......

Hey, Hans, Tilith, the old man gave you two something, didn't he?

Give it to Bertz.

Oh, that's right! Elder Grah wanted us to give you this letter!

A letter?

Now that he's come to his senses, now's probably the best time to give it to him.

...?

...... This is...

Hey, Hans, what do you think the letter says?

Heh... So that's how it is.

The Summoners of Old really are soft-hearted, aren't they? They knew that this would happen.

...?

Hans and Goddess Tilith, please tell the Summoners of Old, Grahdens and Owen...

...that I also agree with the message contained here.

And please, also tell them that I will, without fail, attend the conference they are planning.

Huh?

O-Okay. We'll tell them!

Thank you. Please do.

As for Mel, I will be taking her back with me.

......

You mean...?

Please don't be alarmed. Rest assured, I would never turn her over to the Federation's leaders.

I'll draft up a false report that should fully conceal her existence from the ranking officers, and keep her somewhere safe.

After all, I definitely have the skills to do so.

Okay! Isn't that great, Mel?

But I...

You heard me. I said I'll build a future for you.

You may have a unique physiology, but with enough research and technological advances...

Huh?

I don't...understand.

How do I live...in a world without Lord Rahnas?

Mel...

......

I can't tell you how to live.

Just a moment ago, I didn't know how to go on living, either.

......

That's why...I want you to figure it out yourself.

Figure it out...myself?

Exactly.

I can help you...

...but I can't decide how you should live, for your own future.

Only you can decide that.

My...future...

If you think on it and end up deciding that you still want to carry on Rahnas's ideals...

...even that would be fine, so long as it's not in a warped way, like Garrett.

And of course, any other path you choose to take is fine.

Lord Rahnas's ideals...or another path...

......

That's so selfish...

Huh?

You say you will build a future for me, then demand I decide it myself...

Well, yes... I suppose I did do that.

Mel...

But, I understand.

This is new to me...and I may not be good at it...

...but I will try. I will think for myself...

Good to hear.

Hmph...

Regardless, with this you haven't just been restored to your role as a diplomat...

...you're now the commander of a new organization.

You're still less important than me, but you got a sudden promotion to a pretty respectable life.

Hahaha! I had absolutely no interest in that...

...but for her and I... for our futures, I'll need it.

I happily accept it.

......

Lugina? In regards to that, I do have one favor to ask.

What is it? You want some kind of present?

A present? Well, it's something like that.

...?

This organization I may well lead in the future...

...will probably work primarily at investigating other worlds and items gathered there, just like the Abel Faction.

However, it will be a newly-founded institution.

In order to advance research on Mel's physiology as quickly as possible...

...I would like to form a research-sharing relationship with your organization, if possible. I wonder if I could ask that of you.

A research-sharing agreement? How would that benefit us?

Good question. How about if I offer to share all of the otherworldly technology research notes from the Abel Faction?

Well, now... That's a generous offer.

Considering that Rahnas and company were unable to find a solution for Mel's problem...

...it seems unlikely that their notes include what I am looking for. They're pearls before swine to me, now.

......

Hmph. But the Abel Faction data is probably classified as top secret as they can make it in the Federation.

Even if you're the leader of this new organization, those notes will be under tight security.

I would imagine getting them out of the country would be a challenge. Can you really do it?

Who do you think you're speaking to, Lugina? Of course I can do it.

Tsch... Well, you sound pretty confident. I guess you're serious.

I am. I no longer have time to stay stuck in the past. You taught me that.

All right, then. I accept your offer.

Hehe, Hans, it looks like that's one issue settled.

That takes care of Elder Grah's mission. Although, that reminds me...

...I hope Elder Grah will be okay...

...since we completely ignored what that Warlon guy wanted.

Grahdens, I never would have imagined that you would simply pretend to convey my orders...

...to Hans, then assign the exact opposite mission.

......

And what's more, Owen...

...I am told that you took the sacred blade Ex Deus Gladius from our vaults, and gave it to Hans.

Hmph...

Now I must ask you both, why would you do such things?

Why, you ask?

If you spent all those years acting as our contact with the Federation in the interest of hope for Elgaia's future...

...then we have spent those same years fighting for the people who live in Elgaia.

We simply worked for the sake of all Elgaia, just the same as you. You have nothing to complain about!

Wh--

What he said. But I apologize for the deception.

That said, I'm sure you are still satisfied with the outcome. Am I wrong?

You two... There's no helping the both of you.

Gramps, we're all here.

Ho! So I see.

Everyone, thank you for coming today.

I believe you all understand why I called you here?

Yes, of course.

We're here to discuss the future of Elgaia.

When all of us have respectively risen to lead the Empire, the Federation, and the Summoners' Hall...

...we will need a structure for cooperation, in order to protect Elgaia.

I agree completely.

I do, too.

No issues here.

Although, since it's gonna happen eventually, you could just go ahead and hand over leadership of the Summoners' Hall to me now.

Yeah, sure, like that's going to happen.

I haven't yet achieved my goal of changing the Randall Empire.

As such, it's still difficult to say when I might attain the status Lord Grahdens anticipates for me.

However, if and when I do, I will most certainly cooperate.

Likewise, I will not hesitate to help when I am in a position to lead the Federation.

In order to prevent more incidents like the one at St. Creek...

...unity will be vital for Elgaia's future.

I never imagined in the slightest that a jerk like you might end up this cooperative...

I've been through quite a bit.

But I am definitely honored, if I have pleased you, my dear Seria.

......

Ho ho ho! Very well, then.

Until the day comes that you can transcend the boundaries of Federation, Empire, and Summoners' Hall to work together...

...I will pray for your success in your respective organizations.

Really, though, Paris and Bertz aside...

...for the rest of us, you old guys are still going strong, Grahdens. Some might even say too strong.

So it's hard to imagine... A day when we'll lead the Summoners' Hall, I mean.

It really is.

What are you talking about? Owen and I are old men.

We could fall over dead at any moment!

......

......

Speak for yourself...

Ho!

...!

Everyone, it's about time.

Oh! Already?!

......

It's time for Hans and Tilith to be leaving, already, is it...?

Yeah, they said they wanted to have some time to themselves, and tour a number of different worlds for a while.

To be honest, I had hoped to have them both here for this conference.

......

Some paths are meant to be unique.

Hans has too much talent to keep limited to just Elgaia...

...even you know that, old man.

Good point...

Let's all see them off with a smile!

Hans...finally...

Finally...

Finally! We get to visit all kinds of worlds together!

This time we won't do any fighting. It'll just be a nice, relaxed vacation together.

Of course, we have to go to the beach again, too!

Last time, we got a message and didn't get any time to enjoy it.

I even bought a new bathing suit, wait until you see it!

Oh, here's Karl and the others!

Hey, Hans and Tilith! We came to see you off.

Good, we made it in time.

Tsch, why do I have to see these losers off?

No one forced you to come. You can leave right now if you want. I wouldn't mind if you did.

Why, you...

Lugina... I must say, it's easy to see where you stand with everyone here.

Shut up!

Anyway, Tilith, I'm amazed you found a place like this.

Yeah, I just happened on it. Since we might not be back for a bit...

...I want us to set off on our trip from here, where we have a view of the whole city.

Hans...you're really leaving, aren't you?

Of course, I'm not stopping you. You have your own path to follow.

But...you're welcome to come back any time...here in our Elgaia.

I'll be happy to hear all the stories from your trip.

Come back soon. And take care.

Seria...

H-Hey, Tilith!

We're trying to send you off with a smile, here!

I know... Seria, we'll...we'll see each other again, okay!

Tilith...

Of course we will! And no matter where we are, we'll always be friends!

Yeah...

Thank you, Seria!

Hey, Hans!

I hope you're looking forward to seeing how important I am by the time you get back.

You'll probably have learned a few things of your own by then...

...so I'll be happy to welcome you as my elite lieutenant.

You really never change. In a way, it's impressive.

Hans, do you think that I've grown a little bit?

I promised you that someday, you'd see me when I had.

You may have grown a bit more than me, though...

Let me know as soon as you get back. I want to hear all your stories, too.

Summoner Hans, I have a great many things to thank you for.

I'm only here now thanks to you. You have my gratitude.

That reminds me, how is Mel doing?

Mel is currently in a laboratory that only Lugina and I know of.

There are many riddles to her physiology, but by investigating the remaining facilities in Rakshult...

...I believe it should be possible to find a way to extend her life.

Oh...I'm so glad to hear that!

Lin!

*Huff* *huff...* Phew, we made it...

I heard you two were leaving, so I came to see you off!

Feel free to count on me if you have any problems!

I'll always be on your side!

Hans...

We won't be seeing each other again for a while, but please, don't forget about me.

Hey there, Hans.

If you're going on a trip, be sure to bring back lots of research specimens for me.

I'll have all kinds of new projects for you to help me with by then.

Hans, I just wanted to say goodbye, for now.

This might be an odd way of putting it...

...but I enjoyed our journey, traveling through other worlds together to restore the Sealed Gods.

If you find any interesting places on your travels, take me there with you next time.

P-Please take me, too!

In that case, me too...

Ho ho ho! It looks like you're as popular as ever.

I'm green with envy!

Elder Grah! And little Owen, too!

Grahdens, I told you there was no need for me to come.

Come now, just say your goodbye to them before they go.

Then you can vanish off to wherever you like.

(Lord Grahdens...I wondered why I lost sight of you. You were getting Lord Owen.)

Hmph... Hans, I have nothing to say to you.

Make sure you don't neglect your training.

And there he goes... Well, I hope you can forgive him.

So, Hans and Tilith...

...I will miss you while you are away. But more than anything, I look forward to your return...

...after you have visited many worlds, expanded your view, grown, and arrived at the next stage in your lives.

Until then, I bid you farewell.

Thanks! We'll see you when we get back, Elder Grah!

And, all of you, too...we'll be back to see you, no matter what!

Of course. Even if we've all chosen different paths for ourselves...

...so long as we continue our adventures, we'll meet again, out there on the frontier.

Yeah!

So, shall we go, Hans?