A.N. It's a bit shorter than usual, as this is just the tail end of Crossbell arc and was supposed to be with the previous one, but it got too long if I made them one chapter. Instead, have a double update of this chapter and the interlude for the next one.

"So that's how it is."

We just finished explaining to Instructor Rean what went down on our side.

Instructor Rean sighs, "I'm half tempted to admonish you guys for being reckless, again. But…I did ask all of you to investigate that area, and you did bring Celine and Crow with you...So I'll let it slide, this time."

"Wow, that's new," Juna remarked.

"At this point, I think I just have to accept these sorts of things will just happen to you guys and do my best to prepare you instead," Instructor Rean answered resignedly.

He then turns to me, "Besides, I am sure Jessica will just point out something we did in old Class VII," he said sarcastically.

"All of those things I pointed out did happen. Surely you are not saying that is not the case, Instructor?" I replied with amusement.

Instructor Rean lets out another sigh, "They did…but…"

Machias pats Instructor Rean on the shoulder, "She got us there, Rean. Thinking back, we were pretty reckless in retrospect."

Emma giggles, "Heehee, you mean like that one time we broke you out of prison, Machias?"

"Oh yeah. That happened to you guys in Bareahard, huh? I was with group B in Saint-Arkh for that field study," Alisa remarked.

Ash turns to Machias, "YOU got jailed? A nerdy goody-two-shoes four eyes like you? What'd you do?"

"I am more concerned for the fact that old Class VII had to break their classmate out of prison during a field study," Kurt added.

Machias pushes his glasses up slightly in exasperation, "I-It was a false accusation, all right? I never did anything illegal."

Ah yes, the falsely got arrested by the corrupt government storyline. Classic.

"Teehee, well either way it sounds like that old Class VII field studies were no less fantastical than our field exercises," Musse said.

Altina nods, "And that is without taking into account their actions during the civil war."

Instructor Rean rubs the back of his head, "R-Regardless, I don't want you guys to use what we did as a license to act recklessly, okay? As I said during our last field exercise, that was that, and this is this."

A gentle laugh interrupts our conversation as we turn to Prince Olivert, who is looking after his brother.

He smiles, "Oh my apologies. It simply gladdens my heart as the founder of Class VII that the spirit of the class has been passed on and is truly alive and well."

"Your Highness, how is Prince Cedric?" Kurt asked.

Prince Olivert replies, "Oh, you don't have to worry about him. He's still out cold, but he's not in danger."

He then continues, looking a bit apologetic, "I would worry more about him finding out about you being an Awakener, Kurt. Cedric has been…trying to regain his status as Testa-Rossa's Awakener, but to no avail thus far. News of your success might…let's just say that he might not take it well."

Yeah. Prince Cedric has a bit of an inferiority complex toward Kurt, and Kurt has…an inferiority complex toward Mueller…and Instructor Rean, now.

God, what a mess.

Instructor Rean turns to Kurt, "Ah, about you holding off from piloting El-Prado…if that's your decision, that's your decision, and El-Prado did agree. But, while I did tell you that you should be free to wander, I also said—"

"—that wandering is fine as long as you have fellow wanderers by your side, I remember," Kurt said, finishing the sentence.

Instructor Rean nods, "Right. So don't think you have to carry the burden alone. There are people around you that will help, of course, that include me too."

Well, well…Look at these two. Nice one, Instructor Rean, although…

"That's wonderful and all, but you really should take your own advice, Rean," Alisa chimed in, saying what I was thinking.

Emma nods and turns to us, new Class VII plus Musse and Ash, "Oh yes, he really should. All of you better hope that Kurt doesn't take after Rean too much on that front."

Celine grumbles, "Well, he's already more stubborn than Rean."

"I-I'm not quite that bad. I accepted help during the trial earlier, didn't I?" Kurt replied, flustered.

Juna nods, "Yep. And that's why you better not start doing things on your own just because you're an Awakener now. We can help too, like what we did earlier against that giant shadow."

Kurt turns to Juna, "Of course, I couldn't do it without all of you. And especially you, Juna. You pilot the Drakkhen magnificently. Your effort and training clearly shine through."

Oh. Smooth. Too bad he probably just said it without many thoughts.

"I—uh…Thanks. B-But it's because of everyone's contribution, t-that's right."

Enough to fluster Juna, though evidently.

"Heehee, oh my, is that a blush, I see?" Musse teased.

I nod, "It most certainly is."

"What?! No!" Juna shouted, denying it vehemently, resorting to tsun mode.

"I read that this reaction can be taken as implicit confirmation," Altina said dryly.

Ash smirks, "If even Black Bunny over there figures it out, you're screwed."

"Shut up!" Juna shouted in embarrassment. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Alisa cringing a bit…probably from the second-hand embarrassment of how she used to be.

Instructor Rean laughs, "Haha, well…I'm sure that each and every one of you did a spectacular job."

He then turns to Musse and Ash, "You two especially, I would like to thank you for assisting Class VII."

Ash clicks his tongue, "Tch, yeah, yeah. Whatever…I was just doing it because it seemed interesting."

And here, ladies and gentlemen is a rare appearance of male tsundere in the wild.

Musse meanwhile winks flirtily, "Anytime…Instructor Rean."

I feel two people grabbing my arms and dragging me away for a bit.

"Jessica…what is the deal with this girl…?" Alisa asked me with a scary smile.

Emma nods, "She seems…dangerous, I-I mean for Rean's position as a teacher. It would be easy for people to misinterpret things, after all."

Sure, Emma, sure. Let's go with that.

"Yes. A-And as the Student Council President you won't allow any improper behavior, right?" Alisa added.

…Damn it, Musse. What did you get me into?

Thankfully, I have something I want to ask these two that can steer the conversation away from being involved in Instructor Rean's love life shenanigans because I am not involved and is not looking to be involved.

"I-I'll certainly do my best. That aside, though…I have something I would like to ask the two of you."

I turn to Alisa, "Alisa, when that voice came out of the floating metallic eyeball and talked with Crow…did you perhaps recognize the voice?"

Alisa looks surprised for a moment before she shakes her head, "No…I think I did, but I must be mistaken."

"May I ask who exactly you think it was?"

"It doesn't matter. He…he's dead."

…With how shaken she is, he definitely matters.

I press on, "As we have established, Awakeners seem to be able to come back from the dead, so—"

Alisa cuts me off aggressively, "He's not an Awakener! I'm sure of it!"

"A-Alisa? Are you all right?" Emma asked

Alisa takes a deep breath, "I'm fine…sorry, Jessica, I didn't mean to yell at you. But…I'm sure that he's not involved."

I nod, "…I see. Very well."

I don't think she'll tell me even if I press her further. I just have to discreetly try to look this up, then. Also, I have to ask Altina about if she recognized the voice too, at some point.

I then turn to Emma, "I also have a question for you, Emma. I had been meaning to ask you ever since last night, but I haven't had the chance…The Divine Knights said themselves that they are fragments of Great Power. This 'Great Power'…is it a Sept-Terrion?"

"That's…" Emma trailed off, seemingly thinking about it.

"It's possible, I guess," Celine chimes in, as she walks in our direction.

"Celine?" Emma asked turning to her.

Celine nods, "The details of the Divine Knights are a well-kept secret. They're even kept from the witches of our clan…I don't know much about it either, only Rose knows the full truth. Still, I suppose it would make sense if a Sept-Terrion is involved in the creation of the Divine Knights, given that our clan took responsibility for them."

"Rose is…?" Alisa asked.

"My Grandmother. She's…really old and knows many of Zemuria's secrets, and a lot of them are kept from Vita and me." Emma answered.

"Pardon me, but when Celine said that it would make sense if a Sept-Terrion is involved given that the Hexen Clan is responsible for the Divine Knights…what does that mean?" I asked.

Emma turns to me, "The Hexen Clan is also known as the Kin of Flame. We were in charge of Ark Rouge, the Sept-Terrion of flame before it disappeared around the Great Collapse. If the Divine Knights are indeed fragments of a Sept-Terrion then the fact the Hexen Clan considers them our responsibility would make sense."

"Emma, earlier you said that the Gnomes, alongside the Hexen Clan, created the Divine Knights. If the Hexen Clan's role in the creation was as the caretaker of Ark Rouge, what role did the Gnome play?" I asked further.

Emma shakes her head, "Sorry, about that…I really don't know much about the Gnomes other than they are supposed to be our counterparts."

Counterpart…to the Hexen Clan, who is the caretaker of the Sept-Terrion of Flame…the narrative trope would be them being the caretaker of the Water Sept-Terrion, but when I hear the word Gnomes, I don't think of water…then again the Hexen Clan also doesn't seem to have much to do with flames, does it?

"Well…in any case, only Rose knows the real answer to any of this," Celine chimed in.

Emma nods, "Yes. I suppose I have to ask Grandmother the next time I see her. If we bring up the fact that we know the origin of the Divine Knights being related to Ark Rouge, she might be willing to talk more."

I turn to Emma, "Is that all right? I thought that she kept knowledge such as those a secret from you on purpose."

Alisa nods, "I remember you mentioning that your Grandmother was angry that Vita broke a taboo."

Emma shakes her head, "The situation is a bit different, besides I think deep down Grandmother regrets how things ended up with Vita."

I nod, "I don't know your Grandmother, so will defer to you on that matter. If it is not too much trouble, can you inform me if you learn of anything new?"

Emma nods back, "Of course, let's exchange ARCUS number. Please inform me too if you have more insights."

"So it's settled, Elise and I will visit the day before your free day next month, on the 10th of June," Princess Alfin said, looking delighted.

I nod, "Yes, it seems that Principal Le Guin has given her permission to stay the night."

It's the next morning and we are about to depart with Princess Alfin and the rest seeing us off. Once the official ceremony was over we naturally dispersed and just talk in smaller groups until the time for departure. With me currently in a group with Elise, Princess Alfin, and Kurt.

Elise chimes in, "I will send you the proposal for our collaboration event in a few days."

"Please do, I will look it over and add my own ideas before sending it back," I answered.

On another note, Elise and I had agreed to make a collaboration event between St. Astraia students and Thors Branch Campus on that very day they are visiting.

Princess Alfin sighs, "Honestly, you two are such a workaholic. I still could not understand why either of you actually enjoy being a Student Council President."

I turn to her, "There is something fulfilling to being given a responsibility and then fulfilling it to the best of your ability...It also provides interesting challenges."

Elise nods in agreement, "Yes, I think you put it aptly, Jessica. It is also a nice feeling when you are able to help fellow students as the President."

Ah. My fellow cultured Student Council enjoyer, I know you'd understand.

Princess Alfin just looks at us blankly as if we're a lunatic. Come on, you don't have to look at us that way, it's not that weird, right?

Elise, probably noticing the look Princess Alfin has given us turns to her, "Haha, I suppose to put it another way…it's like that sense of satisfaction you have when you successfully keep up with a diet regiment when you're trying to lose weight?"

"But people usually don't like being on a diet, we just do it because we felt we have to," Princess Alfin retorts.

Kurt who had been silently observing us chimes in, "I think I do understand it, though, somewhat…It's like swordsmanship, not every process is enjoyable but as a whole the pursuit is worthwhile."

He then proceeds to nod sagely, as if he didn't just expose himself as a swordbrain that relates everything to swords.

Princess Alfin giggles, "Heehee, you know what Kurt? You might want to refrain from bringing up swords all the time. Many girls would find it dull topics of discussion. Well, unless they're someone like Jessica."

I sigh, "It's not merely about talking with girls, it's the fact that you might rub people the wrong way. People who do not know you well might think you are trying to show off by redirecting the conversation to something you are very skilled at. Furthermore, it does not hurt to have diverse interests, it makes you a more rounded person, and allows you to have an engaging conversation with various people."

The three give me an amused look.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked.

Elise replies, "No…but you might have been around Rean a bit too much, that reminds me of when Rean lectures me."

Princess Alfin giggles, "Heehee, it can't be helped, Jessica is everyone's elder sister, after all. Oh, but maybe Kurt would rather that Jessica doesn't consider him as just a sibling?"

Kurt replies, with confusion as expected, "Huh? Uh…rather than not wanting that, it is more that Jessica reminds me more of my mother than Mueller."

I mean…after Mother died, Lady Aurier was pretty much the adult woman who was around me the most.

Princess Alfin meanwhile, simply gasps in mock surprise, "Oh my! Mother? This a much more advanced play than I had expected. Do you—"

"That's enough, Your Highness."

"Please cease with this improper line of inquiry."

Elise and I said at the same time, renewing our pact of sane people against the crawling chaos that is Alfin Reise Arnor.

Princess Alfin pouts, "Aw…you two are no fun."

She then turns to Kurt, "Anyway…regarding what Jessica said earlier about showing off. I'm sure you won't do it on purpose, but please be mindful when Cedric next talks to you, if you would. The Governor General visited him last night, and he…well, I'm afraid he doesn't seem to take the news of you being an Awakener well."

Ah. Prince Olivert did say something of that nature yesterday.

I glance at Prince Cedric who is currently accompanying Prince Olivert as they talk with Tio, Instructor Randy, and Instructor Rean…and unfortunately catch his eyes while he is observing us…which apparently prompts him to start heading in our direction.

He then stops in front of Kurt. The tension coming from him is palpable.

Princess Alfin immediately tries to smooth things over, "Oh, Cedric! You came at just the perfect time, did you know that Kurt just—"

Prince Cedric cuts her off, speaking directly to Kurt, "Is it true that you rejected the Divine Knight?"

Kurt nods, "Yes, I—"

Prince Cedric didn't let him finish, "Why?! You—I tried my best to be accepted once more as the Vermillion Awakener, and didn't manage to. You did, and yet…"

I chime in, "Your Highness, while I do understand, but—"

"This does not concern you," He said coldly.

He then turns to me, slightly apologetic, "My apologies, I…should not have said that. However…"

"I wish to—No, I need to hear this from Kurt directly. Why did you refuse the Auric Knight?" He finished as he turns back to Kurt.

Kurt looks at him firmly, "Because, Your Highness…I do not feel I am adequate as I am now. I do not think I am ready to be trusted with such power…and responsibility."

Prince Cedric starts laughing, it's the sort of bitter laugh that reveals the frustration lying beneath.

"Of course, of course…you would say that. You would never understand!" He said bitterly.

"Your Highness, I—"

Prince Cedric seems to no longer care about what Kurt had to say as he ignores him and continues, "You, who had been deemed worthy by a Divine Knight—even above Lord Rufus—would never understand me, who had struggled to be worthy of my station and yet…to simply be utterly useless and ended being a burden to my brother and Rean."

He glares at Kurt, "You have been acknowledged by a Divine Knight and yet you refused that power, while I…had tried to fulfill my obligations as a Crown Prince to help protect Crossbell from the Society, only to end up being protected at every turn instead…You would never understand me!"

"C-Cedric…No that is not how it is. I—"

It seems not even Princess Alfin manages to get through as Prince Cedric starts walking away.

I pushes Kurt who had been stunned in shock to go after him.

Kurt nods and chases after him, "Your Highness, please wait, I—"

Prince Cedric stops but doesn't give Kurt a chance to finish, "Enough."

Without even looking back, he continues, "You may languish all you like in your conceited self-pity, rejecting being an Awakener. But I WILL become an Awakener myself…and finally surpasses you."

He then walks away.

Kurt was about to chase after him again, before being stopped by Prince Olivert and Instructor Rean as they step in front of him.

Prince Olivert shakes his head, "I'll try talking to him. At this point, sad as I am to say it…talking with you, Kurt, will only agitate him further."

Instructor Rean, meanwhile, gives us an apologetic smile, "Sorry, we probably should have stepped in sooner."

I turn to him, "How far back were you listening in, Instructor?"

He replies, "We were worried once His Highness started to walk in your direction with an unpleasant expression but…we didn't expect he would react that badly."

Prince Olivert nods, "Yes. It shames me to say this, but I underestimated how shaken his confidence was after yesterday…and after hearing about Kurt's achievement."

Besides me, Princess Alfin sighs, "Governor Rufus must have said something that does not sit well with him last night."

So the Governor General…exploited Prince Cedric's inferiority complex towards Kurt to get back at Kurt? That's…how twisted can one person be?!

"Jessica?" Elise asked me, some of my disdain must have shown on my face.

I shake my head, "It's nothing…I am simply appalled that one can be petty to the point of taking advantage of His Highness's inner turmoil merely to get even with Kurt."

Prince Olivert nods, "Yes, it is very unbecoming of the man."

He then turns to Kurt, "In any case, I am sure that Cedric does not hate you deep down. As I said, I'll try talking to him."

Princess Afin adds, "I will try to talk to him too, it might be a bit hard due to the Chancellor's people trying to isolate him from us, but I think if Olivert and I work together we can manage. Not to mention…there is still the trip back to Heimdallr."

Kurt nods, "I see…thank you."

Prince Olivert nods, "Leave Cedric to us for the time being. I am sure that all of you have other things to worry about."

"…And the others? Cedric aligning himself with the Chancellor and potentially being an antagonist? Maybe HE was supposed to be the true protagonist and you messed things ups. It'd fit, wouldn't it? The Crown Prince who is kind yet lacking in confidence and talent, representing the underdog hero archetype. Such a shame that you prevented him from being one, and instead be a villain."

No. There is no way to verify that, no use in thinking about it, I repeat my mantra.

"So, have had any further thoughts about my offer?"

I turn to look at Musse who had sat down in front of me, "Are you sure you want to talk about this here?"

I gestured at the interior of the Derfflinger with the rest of the Branch Campus—and Celine who had decided to tag along to the Branch Campus—inside.

Musse smiles, "Oh, as long as we don't make a huge fuss, they won't notice. A little trick I learn from…well, I'm sure you know who by now. Of course, I'm nowhere as good as she is."

So she is learning magic from Vita. Confirmed, I guess. Seriously, can this girl be more BS than she already is?

"You still have not told me what your plan is, exactly," I asked her.

"I'm not willing to divulge any more than I already have unless you commit but..." Musse started.

"I suppose you need to know that either my plan will result in many people dying," She completed with a somber look.

She then continues, "Well, provided we have a Divine Knight, then…the casualties can be minimized, but since we don't, I'm afraid that I have to go through with my original plan."

"It is not as if Kurt completely rejected it. That was only for now, and there is Instructor Rean," I pointed out.

She shakes her head, "By the time Kurt would be able to, it would be too late, by my estimation. Do you know? Each Divine Knight has unique powers whose potency depends on their Awakeners. Valimar, as you know, has the power to utilize the bonds between his Awakener and their comrades, of course, the stronger those bonds are the more potent Valimar's power becomes. As for El-Prado…apparently, its golden shield is impenetrable, as long as his Awakener's resolve does not falter, that is."

"…And both Kurt, as well as El-Prado, stated that Kurt still lacks resolve," I remarked.

Musse nods, "Yes, as long as he cannot use that shield effectively, he won't be able to do what I needed him to do."

She then continues, "As for Instructor Rean…he's not a viable candidate for my plan from the start."

"How do you mean?"

"His unique position in this will prevent him to do so."

"And this unique position is…"

"Is not something I am willing to tell you," Musse answered.

I slightly glare at her in annoyance, "You are not running an effective recruitment pitch here."

Musse shrugs, "Too much is riding on this, I cannot risk more breach of information until you agree to help. I have already divulged far too much, to be honest. The plan will go on with or without you. Your assistance will simply…allow me to be more certain of the course of actions I should take, but I doubt that the overarching plan would change much."

Well…now what, do I go with Musse's plan or not? To be honest, I still don't feel comfortable without knowing what her actual plan is, especially with that 'many people will die' part.

Thinking narratively, it is very rare—especially in a JRPG—that utilitarianism is what would work, rather than something that is more in line with deontology ethics. More often than not, the antagonist's plot would be set up so that the utilitarianist would just end up making things worse.

Still…she seems to be correct that the Chancellor is leading Erebonia towards a war with Calvard, and that…will also result in many people's deaths. And I don't see anyone else seemingly doing anything about it.

Prince Olivert has been trying to pave the way for a third path since a few years back, but it seems to be a failure after the civil war, and with his position currently…it will be an uphill battle for him to even try to do something about the situation.

So maybe…?

I turn to Musse

"Your answer?" Musse presses me.

"I—"

"Juna, Randy, Rean!" Instructor Towa suddenly exclaimed as she points to something at the hills that can be seen from the windows.

Musse and I both turn to look at what Instructor Towa is pointing and…

A man with long navy blue-colored hair in a green shirt and red and brown coat, a young girl with wavy green hair in a purple jacket, and a brunette man wearing an open blue and white jacket, revealing a red shirt underneath.

These people are…

"Oh!" Juna exclaimed in excitement.

"Haha, the Divine Blade of Wind, too," Instructor Rean remarked.

"Guess they were able to break out from the 'bird cage'" Instructor Randy added proudly.

Musse remarks beside me, "Very impressive. I know they have the Divine Blade of Wind and the assassin, Yin with them, but given how much they are outnumbered by the RMP under Major Claire…Well, they certainly beat the odds."

So you're telling me not only did they break out, but they also manage to be here just in time to see us off? What a coincidence…well no.

That's right. This is how things go, huh? Vita said that she failed to change the ending to the 'fairy tale' that tells of the end of the world. But…

The brunette in the jacket smiles, clench his fist, and holds it forward, in Instructor Rean's direction. Instructor Rean responds in kind as they make an…well, air fistbump, I suppose.

A bit cheesy, but…yes. This is how things are supposed to be. Sure there are plenty of messed up things here in Zemuria, but the 'fairy tale' seems to be brimming with hope right in the end. So…

"I would like you to take a message to the Chancellor and Rufus from me," Prince Olivert said.

He then continues, "Though my wings have been stolen and my sword lost…I yet have the gun and rose, tucked safely in my heart."

"If you lost your way and take this nation in a poor direction…"

He makes a shooting gesture with his finger gun, "I will send you…another 'message'"

I turn to Musse, "My apologies, but I have to decline, after all. In the end…I still wish to believe in Prince Olivert's third way."

Musse looks disappointed but otherwise not surprised, "I see…Well, who am I to argue against someone exempt from Aidios's law."

She continues, "However…I will still continue my plan. Because I cannot see any other way out of this situation. I hope you understand."

I nod, "Of course, I understand. Although…I do not think it will come to that. I confess that I do not know how it would all go down, but I believe that dreadful scenario you plan would not come to pass."

"And I would be glad to be proven wrong. Well, we have to see now, won't we?" Musse replied.

"I suppose we would."

I look at the three figures on top of the hills who are starting to disappear in the distance. Arios McLaine, and Lloyd as well as KeA Bannings…

Yes. This is how things are going to be.

They will end on a happy note. Right?