Once we returned to Centoria, we immediately reported to Bercouli. Hersyrian became public enemy number one. And despite the vast progression of his plans, Medina reports that Hersyrian is still missing one piece, and Fanatio deduces Eastavarieth is the next location to be brimming with Clamps. And like clockwork, news from Eastavarieth comes.

"First, there have been reports of numerous gards and sentries disappearing lately. The second report is still unconfirmed."

"That's fine," Bercouli tells the masked Lesser Integrity Knight. "Let me hear it."

"There have supposedly been sightings of a knight in jet-black armor in Eastavarieth."

Black armored knights? Eastavarieth...where the Eastern Gate lies. No, that can't be. Not right now, right? Yet Bercouli confirms exactly what I'm thinking. "A Dark Knight."

"But Commander, the Dark Knights were…"

"The Clamps already resurrected giants. It's within the realm of possibility they brought back other denizens of darkness."

I sigh in relief. "That's better than the alternative. It confirms what Fanatio says about Hersyrian."

"Commander," Eydis says, "we'll take on this mission. As guardian of some ruins in the east, I know the area well. The last thing we need is a quasi-invasion of the Dark Territory right now."

"Very well. Medina, can you enlist the help of the wayfarers?"

Medina nods. "That's certainly possible. However, I cannot do so as I did before. Alice was right. I forced them to act against their will, disguised as 'asking'. But I lost the right to stand above them when I gave into Hersyrian's temptations. For now on, I shall truly respect their will and not give them orders. It's up to them if they choose to fight with me."


Medina

"This is all of them," Medina nervously says as she gazes to the sea of wayfarers gathered beneath the stage. "What am I supposed to say?"

Alice takes hold of her shoulder and smiles warmly. "Just say what's in your heart."

Sortiliena nods. "But don't be like a boy we know. Jaymes is not the type to speak well in this situation, which is probably why he isn't here. Or Eydis, for that matter."

Medina sighs. "Well, now we just have to trust Cardinal's part in this works." Medina steps out and walks to the center of the stage and looks down to her soldiers. Say what's in her heart, huh? Easier said than done...but the only way to do this. "Friends… I've done something. I've been… I… I need to apologize to everyone here. I have a power that I've been keeping secret from you. By touching someone, I can make them unconsciously idolize me, and as such, I am not truly your 'savior'. I've taken advantage of this power to make you act for me against your will. But I realize how wrong that was. That I had no right to ignore your wishes. And for that, I sincerely apologize. I have no right to act as your commander."

"Is this true," a wayfarer asks.

"Every word of it."

"So you're saying we've all been under your control, our savior?"

"Correct."

"I don't feel manipulated, though. From the day I woke up in this world, I had no idea what my purpose was. I knew I must fight, but there was no answer to WHY in my listful of memories. And I hurt people in the process, not knowing if what I was doing was right. And that was when I met you, my savior. You gave a REASON to my fighting, whether that was against my will. You gave us all a purpose in this world!"

"Y-Yeah, me too! I was lost and uncertain, but you got through to me."

"Yeah! You didn't force nothin'! I's just loved seein' ye so happy!"

Medina is overwhelmed by the sudden praise from the otherworld soldiers. She doesn't know if this is their true feelings or a side effect of their devotion, but as more and more display their feelings, Medina slowly accepts it must be the former. "I never realized you felt that way… I would like to thank all of you for your devotion to me… System Call: Ungroup Array Members!" A bright light emits from Medina. When the team returned to the capital, Medina sought Cardinal's help, and the acting Pontifex provided.

"I just cast an art to dispel the devotion I implanted in you. Now, you are able to act of your own free will. I'm no longer your savior. Choose your own purpose, your own reason to fight. And with that in mind, as one person to another, I would like to ask for your help." Medina leans forward, bowing to the wayfarers. "Clamps are appearing in the eastern kingdom, and the man who slayed our brothers and sisters is responsible. As your former leader, it is my duty to avenge them. Please, lend me your strength. I cannot do this on my own. This isn't a command. You can walk away right now and I won't stop you. But if… If any of you have a desire to help me, please… I humbly accept all of your anger and ridicule. And still, I beg for your aid."

"Of course, my savior… No, Medina."

"The art you cast. It worked. I don't feel any overwhelming devotion to you now. But that doesn't change where my heart lies. You gave my life meaning, Medina, showed me an adventure like no other. And for that, I consider you a friend."

"A friend… Thank you...so, so very much…" As the wayfarers display their true loyalty, Medina looks far from the stage, seeing a smiling Jaymes and Eydis behind the wayfarers. Far to his left side is Cardinal, and between them, Kirito. One last amend… Medina drops off the stage and walks through the wayfarers, meeting Jaymes halfway. between the two groups. "Can you come with me?"

"Where are we going?"

"To my favorite place in the world."


Uetra Valley, Jaymes

After fast-traveling to Zakkaria, Medina leads me towards Uetra Valley in Norlangarth, a place we didn't visit two weeks back. I have no clue what's coming up, but I don't question it the entire time. Eventually we do come to a stop, and what I see is indeed a beautiful sight. "Wow."

"It seems they took care of it in my absence. I'm glad everyone's doing well."

This is… Orthinanos land? I knew she was from the north, and this place is kinda...bad for living. But the sea of lycoris flowers in front of me seems to prove otherwise. "Did you plant this garden, Medina?"

"The lycoris garden has been passed down through generations in our family."

"I don't think I've seen such a sight in my own world. So much red."

"Says you… This whole region is House Orthinanos' land, and my home is not far from here. Aside from this one patch, all our land is dead. Hardly befitting of nobles, right?"

"Perfect for defects, I would say."

"Hmm." Medina starts walking further into the lycoris patch, stopping somewhere in the center and kneeling down to pick one. Nervously she turns around and holds the flower before holding it out to me. "I'm sorry."

"What… What for?"

"If I were to go over everything, it would take me several hours." Several hours? Seriously? "So I'll just cut right to the chase… Jaymes, I'm deeply sorry for betraying you and all the things I did at Hersyrian's behest."

"Oh. I think you've apologized enough for it. It's fine--"

"Will you stop saying that! It's NOT 'fine'! The things I did… I can never fully atone for them." Medina starts to weep and tries to wipe her eyes. "I've wanted to truly apologize to you for so long, but not as Medina, your friend, but as Medina, a representative of House Orthinanos and its proginitor, Matthew. So please just…"

I walk up and take Medina in my arms, careful to not damage the lycoris in any way. "Like I said, you've already apologized."

"Only for my misunderstanding. never properly apologized for my actual actions. I was able to apologize to Eydis and Alice and all the other girls, but I missed you. I've never been good at apologizing, so I asked them for advice on how to do it. And they said to just say exactly how I felt, though you likely weren't upset anymore."

I let go of Medina but our close distance remains. "Really? Well, I don't blame you for what happened in Wesdarath. We were all duped by Hersyrian. He had us hook, line, and sinker. And it doesn't matter now, the past is the past. You're back with us now, and that's all I care about. So stop apologizing, you don't need to feel bad anymore. But if you do, apologizing with your sword, not your words."

Medina bursts into a new set of tears as she plants the flower on my chest. "However you feel, I would still like you to accept this flower in apology."

I take the flower and, with a little bit of magic, fixate it on my tunic, "Not in apology, though. I take it as a gift from you to me, just as my sword is a gift from your ancestor to me. Thank you, Medina."

"No, thank you."

I smile and turn to the field. "'Like the lycoris flower my family represents, my resolve to defeat you in combat, or better yet, be your equal is unwavering.' Your ancestor told me that once when we dueled each other. I didn't understand it then, but seeing these flowers grow in a land where no life can be supported… I get it now."

"The lycoris is my favorite type of flower. Like it was a symbol of strength in my ancestor's day, It is now the symbol of hope for our house. After offending the empire and being exiled from the capital, House Orthinanos was granted this barren plot of land unfit for crops. But amidst the lamentation of the lord and his subjects, the lycoris grew unwavering. It was the wish of the hed that they would continue growing to give us hope. And so, he tended to the flowers with great love and care which became tradition in the Orthinanos family. And, as if in response to our prayers, they bloomed strong even through droughts."

"So this garden is like the wishes your ancestors passed down to you?" Must be due to the Incarnation of the family. For all the strife they gained from the Pontifex, the emperor, and the nobility, the family has not lost their strength. It is evident in the field my feet stand in that House Orthinanos is as powerful as they were 300 years ago.

"It's strange…"

"What is?"

"For some reason, I see the lycoris as somewhat similar to you and Kirito. More you than him, though."

"Is it because I wear red?"

Medina chuckles. "Hell if I know… Our business here is finished. Back to base."

"You sure you don't want to see your home?"

"Not yet. I swore the next time I see my mother and my family, it will be as the head of a restored House Orthinanos. And now, that promise is in reach. Besides, that's all the time we have for sentimentality. Come, or I'm leaving you."

"But I'm the quick way back."

"Well, get out of my garden first before you do that." Medina turns back to me with a bright smile that, for some reason, melts my heart. I smile back and follow her out the lycoris patch. Before I cast the art to return back to Centoria, I take a final look at the garden. When all this is over, I'd like to return with Medina's house restored to their former glory.

"You resemble the lycoris because you have given me hope."