It seemed it would take a while until the banquet began.
We tried to offer our help, but they firmly refused, saying they couldn’t let us do such things.
So, in the meantime, we decided to take a walk to kill time.
"What a beautiful place."
I wandered through the beastkin village alone.
Everyone else had something going on and was off doing their own thing.
"What’s this plant, I wonder?"
The village was surrounded by greenery, and the sounds of animals and birds echoed from all around.
It was proof that they lived in harmony with plants and other creatures.
It wasn’t just beautiful—it was full of life.
I’d like to live in a place like this someday.
With Sofia beside me.
Aisha smiling.
Licorice and Snow there with us.
Yeah...
Just imagining that kind of future made me grin.
"Yoo-hoo!"
At that moment,
a carefree voice rang out.
The owner of that voice was...
"Lena…?"
"Yup, that’s right! Fate’s destined partner—Lena, at your service♪"
Lena appeared out of nowhere.
She wore a bright smile and didn’t seem hostile at all.
Even after everything she’d done up until now, did she really not think I’d attack her on sight?
"Fate, you’re not the type to attack without question just because it’s logical, right?"
"Huh? H-How did you…?"
"You’re easy to read."
She chuckled mischievously.
Ugh…
She got me.
Whenever I’m with Lena, she always throws me off my rhythm.
"So, what do you want today?"
"Huh?"
"You made it really obvious—going out of your way to be alone in a place like this… you were inviting me, right?"
"…So you saw right through it."
"Of course. We’re talking about my beloved Fate, after all."
Despite that, the fact that she still chose to show herself meant she was confident she could handle whatever happened.
Or maybe… she realized we didn’t want to fight and chose this place to avoid involving the village.
Probably both.
"There’s something I want to ask you."
"About what’s happening right now?"
"That too. And also…"
"Our goal as the Dawn Alliance?"
"Yeah."
Lena looked at me with a somewhat mysterious gaze.
There was a glossy allure to her—somehow seductive…
But at the same time, she had a sharpness that made it feel like if I reached out, I’d be sliced clean through.
There was a strange pressure about her that made me want to avert my gaze, but I resisted.
I stared back at her.
"Sure."
"…Huh? Really?"
"Yeah, it’s fine."
Lena smiled brightly.
"I’m in a really good mood right now. So, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Ah—wait, scratch that. Not anything, but I’ll tell you most things."
"That’s more than I could hope for, but… why are you in such a good mood?"
"Because of you, Fate."
"Me?"
I asked curiously, and Lena spoke with a blissful expression.
"Remember when we fought on Blue Island? You damaged my cursed sword, right? I never imagined Fate could do something like that—it totally caught me off guard. I didn’t see it coming at all."
"You seem happy about your sword getting damaged."
"Of course I’m happy! The person I love did something amazing… As a woman, isn’t that the kind of thing you should be thrilled about?"
"Hmm."
It felt a little off to me.
But I didn’t want to derail the conversation, so I chose not to contradict her.
"That’s why I’m in such a good mood. So I’ll answer your questions—a little reward for last time."
"Then..."
"However."
Lena gave a sly grin and held up two fingers.
"Only two questions. No more than that."
"…"
"Now then, Fate—what will you ask me?"
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