In the Sanctuary where many people gathered, Kuromueina spoke with
a frustrated expression on her face.
[…The connection's completely severed. I can't interfere anymore.]
[It really would be hard to outplay Shallow Vernal-sama from the
outside huh…]
Kuromueina kept on calling out to Kaito, and just when she thought that
her voice had finally reached him… Shallow Vernal cut her off, only
being able to convey the bare minimum of information that Kaito needs.
It would be difficult to interfere with the match from the outside when
Shallow Vernal herself was inside this world.
[…Can we… not do… anything?]
[I don't think we're completely helpless. There's got to be a way…
Shallow Vernal-sama had apparently told Kaito-san to "weave many
bonds and turn them into his own wings". That's why, I think there must
be some way that we who are gathered here can help Kaito-san in this
ordeal.]
[Unnn. Shiro doesn't lie… If she had said that, the bonds Kaito-kun
made would be important in his ordeal.]
As expected, even Alice had too little information at the moment to
know the particulars in this detail. Even so, she was sure that there
must still be something they could do.
Excluding the decisive battle between the Gods and the Human-Demon
Allied Forces, which is a battle held outside of Kaito's ordeal, it doesn't
feel that the bonds that Kaito has weaved have clearly helped him in the
ordeal so far.
However, they don't know what they could do. Many of the people who
had gathered were also thinking about it, but they couldn't find any
factors that could help interfere with Kaito's ordeal.
Filled with frustration that seemed to sear her skin, Kuromueina
touched the cradle… and softly calling out Kaito's name, she prayed for
his safe return.
[…Kaito-kun.]
At that moment… a change—— appeared. As soon as Kuromueina
called out Kaito's name, filled with her strong emotions, the cradle
emitted a strong light, and an intricate emblem, different from the
emblems in a magic circle, appeared on the part that Kuromueina was
touching… which was then sucked into the cradle.
[…Just now…]
[!? Everyone! Please touch the cradle! Then, while thinking strongly
about Kaito-san, please call out his name!!!]
Immediately reacting to the clear change that had appeared, Alice
called for the people who had gathered there and had them touch the
cradle one after another.
However, only a few of them had caused a change as much as
Kuromueina did… Alice, Isis, Lilia, Sieglinde, and Fate.
Yes, the change only occurred when Kaito's lovers touched the cradle.
And…
[Kaito-kun… Do your best.]
[…I see, so that's how it is.]
[…Unnn… I also… understand.]
[However, I don't know how much this can help Kai-chan…]
Fragments of the ordeal that Kaito was currently going through were
flowing into the minds of those who had caused something to change,
and even though it was just a bit, they were able to grasp the situation.
[All that's left for us to do is to wait huh… This is frustrating.]
[Yes, I also feel that way, Lili… But for now, let's just believe in him.
Believe that Kaito-san can do it——]
Even as those who had weaved a strong bond with Kaito had uneasy
looks on their faces… but still filled with hope, they explained the
situation to the others…
The virtual world had moved to its second stage, and black humanoid
monsters were everywhere. All the inhabitants except for Kaito had
been turned into monsters, and he doesn't have anyone on his side.
Even in Yumegaoka University, where Kaito attends college in the
virtual world… there were a large number of those as well.
However, one of those monsters… was suddenly struck by a light from
the sky. And after being struck by that light, its black body cracked…
and as soon as its shell-like skin shattered, a person emerged from the
monster.
[…"Real me"… I have received your feelings and wishes. If you can't
come to this world… I'll fight for you!]
Flipping her white labcoat behind her back, the girl…"Kurosu Erina"
broke into a run. To help Kaito who is fighting the world alone… She
had to meet up with "her 5 remaining friends"…
On the rooftop of a skyscraper in the virtual world, looking down at the
mass of monsters squirming below… Shallow Vernal quietly muttered.
[…So they've noticed it huh. The beings I've prepared to help Kaitosan… I guess this is where I should say "The stage is set".]
After muttering this, Shallow Vernal lightly waved her finger, and
gathering the black monsters together in one place, she mixed them
together, turning them into one big black sphere.
[However, we don't have much time, do we? Both sides have their cards
lined up on the table, but the situation is still in my favor. Will he be
able to reach his destination before "that" is completed?]
Muttering words heard by no one but herself, Shallow Vernal turned
her all-seeing eyes towards Kaito.
[…The first is Dream. The second is Escape… There are still two ordeals
left…"Farewell and Eternity"… Now, Kaito-san. My beloved singularity.
Please show me more of the possibilities of your existence…]