The funeral service took place quickly. Once Mr. Bell's body was sent for an autopsy, it was soon completed and three days later his body was in a coffin. 

　All dressed in mourning attire and appearing in church. 

　Mr. Bell's funeral was quite a large gathering of people. Mainly it was a counter-magician, but it seems that there were quite a few people who were indebted to Mr. Bell. 

　I was reminded of the fact that Ms. Bell had been involved with many antimagicians, even though I didn't know it. 

　And when I entered the church, the senior citizen was just in sight there. 

''Julia, aren't you tired?'' 

No, I'm especially.... thank you, sir, for dealing with the aftermath, etc. 

'It's fine. But as for Julia and Sherry it's been hard on you. You saw it ... right in front of you, didn't you? 

''....Yes. Because by the time I saw her, Belle-san had already been pierced by her opponent's sword. But if I had only arrived a little earlier........ 

You know that there's no point in making that kind of assumption, don't you? 

... yes. Of course. Everyone did their best. That's why humans were able to reclaim the land of the twilight like this. 

　That's right. Our plan was a success. Now we've hunted down all the remaining monsters, and we can claim part of the Dusk Dangerous Area as our territory. 

　The good news is going to be spread all over the Boundary City, and a big ceremony will be held. 

　Of course, the special-grade antimagicians who played a leading role in this event will naturally attend, but before that, we went to Belle's funeral. 

　The air is heavy. 

　There were tears and sniffles everywhere. 

　He was loved by so many people. Though she was not a great talker, she was a caring person. It's easy to see this in her relationship with Shelley and her relationship with Princess Liane. 

　Looking back, I met Shelly when she was struggling with her fighting style. That's when I met Belle-san, and Shelly ended up becoming a special class anti-magician. 

　He passed on the secret sword to Shelly, and in doing so, left many things to us as well, and Belle-san departed. 

''Yulia-san........'' 

Princess Liane... 

　The one who appeared dressed in pitch black mourning clothes was Princess Liane. She was probably the one who was saddened by Belle's death more than anyone else. It's no secret that Belle and Princess Liane have a bond that's stronger than family. 

　But even though her eyes are still red and swollen, she has a clear and cheerful expression. 

I'd like to thank you very, very much for yesterday. Julia-san. 

No I'm very sorry for my rude behavior. 

No problem. I didn't know I needed to do that much at the time. 

That's very kind of you to say. 

　Me and Princess Liane exchange those words with each other. And the older man next to me also looks away a bit. What happened yesterday? It takes me back in time a bit. 

　◇ 

.... 

　After returning to the Kekkai City, the antimagicians who participated in this operation were given a few days off. It is said that the other antagonists will take care of the maintenance of the various bases and the reclaimed land. Well, the special class anti-magician is responsible for conducting the battle. Now that it's over, it's also part of their job to rest their bodies well like this. 

　In the midst of all this, I was in my room. 

　Night. A time when there is no twilight light, and pitch-black darkness reigns. 

　It has been two days since Mr. Bell died. Yes, two days have already passed. 

　My tears had dried up when I had shed them with Sherry. I will no longer shed them in mourning for Belle's death. But I still remember the days I spent with him. The days I spent with Mr. Bell. We didn't know each other for very long, but the memories of our time together remain in my heart. 

　I owe a lot to Mr. Bell. I will always remember that fact in my heart. We were in the same unit on this mission, and we were on the same front lines together. 

　There are so many things I'm thinking about. There are so many. But we have to get over her death. That's what it means to bear death. 

　You can't get caught up in other people's deaths. Moving forward is the best thing we can do for humanity. 

"...which reminds me... 

　I murmured as I lay on my back in bed with Bosori. 

　I wonder how Princess Riane is doing. 

　At that time, when she clearly recognized Belle-san's body, she was crying. That's exactly what she did, distraught in a way that she would never normally show it. 

　I know that, but I left it alone. 

　It's not because I cared, but because I didn't know what to say to her. 

　Just as I was thinking about that, I heard a knock on the door. 

　A bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, and a slightly reserved sound. 

　I'm not sure if this is the case........so I opened the door and found Princess Liane there. But that's not what you normally see. I'm surprised to hear the voice of the unbelievable outfit. 

''.........!　What's the matter with you?　That outfit! 

.... 

　I was startled, and he pushed me down, dragging me to the bed as it was. 

　Above me was Princess Liane in a negligee. 

　Her underwear was fully visible, her ample breasts, her bewitching legs, her hips, everything was visible. 

　Judging from her appearance, it was easy to guess what she was going to do in the future. 

'Yulia ... now shut up ... and ... put your body on top of mine ... with me ... right?　You know what I mean...? 

　There is no life in those eyes. There is no life in those words either. 

　Just a ghost of her, she scrubs her completely untied hair and places her body on top of mine in that serene state. 

　Her large breasts, and then her soft body, are pressed against me. 

　What kind of man can resist being subjected to this? I'm one of the men, too. I have that kind of desire. I don't think there is any man out there who wouldn't take pleasure in being invited to do this by such an attractive woman. I don't think so, but I was different. 

　I was just sad. I felt sorry for Princess Liane, who was willing to give her innocence to the man closest to her to make up for her sadness at the loss of Miss Belle. 

　Is the best thing for her to do in such a corner is to fulfill that request, to comfort each other and devour the pleasure of each other? 

　No, no. That's definitely not it. It would surely produce only ephemeral pleasures. The wounds that remain in each other's hearts continue to remain, in a different way. It is not the pain of thinking about someone's death continuously. It is only self-loathing for our own shameful selves. 

　Beyond that, all that is left is the result of chronic pain, like a deep lingering poison, that is forever etched into the body. 

　I don't want that for me, and I don't want it for her. 

　Belle-san's death shouldn't be treated like that. 

''Julia........'' 

.... 

　The looming lips were already on the verge of making contact. 

　But I firmly reject it. 

　I'm not going to be able to get rid of them. You may think that she's going to attack me. But it's not. This is what I'm doing to dissuade her from doing so. 

　It's a little rough, but it can't be helped. 

''........Kyah! 

"Princess Liane no, Liane. I apologize in advance, I'm sorry. 

...What? 

　The sound of a smack on her cheek with a thump echoed in the room. She put a lot of force into it, so her cheeks were dyed bright red. Just like her eyesight, they were bright red. 

　She looked stunned and had an incredulous expression on her face. 

　I don't want to do this either. Violence against people is the worst thing you can do. I'm not sure how to justify this act. I am the worst. But I still want to tell you something. I have to tell her when she's heartbroken. 

"Do you think this is going to be enough? 

"...because...because...because!　I don't have any more ... bells!　He's... gone!　So don't be afraid to cling to it!　I don't mind being swept away with you!　Don't we want to lick each other's wounds and forget about the pleasure we're going to get from each other!　I can't stand it!　I can't stand a world without Belle! 

That's right. I can't stand it. It's why we flee from reality. "I know, I understand. But I'm going to say, "You know what? "I dare you to be harsh. 

"...Oh no, no, no, stop it, Yulia. Hey, aren't you a nice person? 

　Without pity for the tears that spill out, I confront Princess Liane with my frozen eyes with reality. 

'Kind?　I'm not trying to be nice. I will not be merciful to you. Stand up, Leanne. You've got those magnificent legs. Keep going, we can go ahead. No matter how much grief we have to go through, we have to go on. You and I are not just people anymore. It's too much responsibility on our shoulders. We are not in a position to stand still for the deaths of a mere one, a few, a few hundred, or even an antimagician. 

Just one person?　That's how you feel about Belle's death! 

"...yes. She's only one of the humans who have ever died. 

No!　No!　Because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because ... because .... 

　I try to argue with her, but her voice gets quieter and her tears flow down endlessly. 

　Seeing this, I feel my heart tighten. 

　I don't want to say anything about it either. I don't want to be forced to confront the cruel reality of the situation. 

　The same way I did with Shelly. And I want to say something nice. I want us to mourn Mr. Bell's death and mourn each other. I can't allow that. 

　We have to move forward with a firm hand. 

　We can't let anyone else see us like this. 

　Because that's what we've become. 

"Liane. We'll stand together. Mr. Bell is gone. But I'm here. The old man, Shelly, they're all your friends. You're my friend. We'll fight, and we always will. Until we reach the blue sky at the end of the twilight. 

'Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no...' 

"...I believe in you, Mr. Bell. I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion. 

'Oh no, I'm not ... I'm not ...' 

　I pull out a letter from my pocket. I found it when I was helping Belle sort out her things. You will be able to find a letter to each of the special class mages, as well as a suicide note to Princess Liane that was acknowledged. 

　Of course I didn't look through them. But in my will, it was written to me, asking me to take care of Princess Liane, and that she would need the support of those around her to help her stand up. 

　I obeyed. Mr. Bell probably didn't leave a suicide note with the expectation that he would die in this battle. But he left it just in case, and it will certainly be engraved in our hearts. 

'....What is this? 

'Well it's a suicide note from Mr. Bell. I was wondering when I was going to give it to you, but you can look at it now. And know. Her last thoughts. 

.... 

　Taking it, he opens the letter and begins to read it. Along the way, she puts her hand over her mouth and tries not to sob, but to no avail. 

　Princess Riane bursts into more tears and sobs. 

　Still, she read through it, until the end. Then she folded it up as if it were important and held the letter to her chest as if she were embracing it. 

'Belle said ... that she believed ...' 

Yes, sir. 

"........that even if Belle is gone, I will still be able to stand up. So ... he believes it. And that I will wait. Out of the blue sky ... waiting, he said. 

Yes. 

Ha ha ha....Belle is so overrated. You know all my weaknesses ... all of them ... how can you say such ... reckless things? 

You know what I mean. ─ You know that, because he has always believed that you can grow up and get back up again. I think that even in death, he still believes that you will be able to move on. I'm sure that Liane will be able to move on. 

Can I move on? 

Yes, sir. 

Can you do it right without Bell? 

I can do it. 

'Yes ... yes ...' 

Yes, sir. Absolutely, you'll be fine. You are a strong person. You can recognize that weakness and move on. I will be there for you. So ... let's move forward together. 

'Yeah ... yeah ...' 

　Princess Leanne slowly hugs me. 

　But it's not desperation like before. 

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.  

　Ah. Weak. I was weak, and so was Princess Liane. 

　I think it's time to embrace that weakness and move on. You have to admit that you are weak and be strong. That's exactly what I've learned from Belle. 

"...and... 

　After hugging each other for a while, Princess Liane gently unclasps it and comes to me directly in front of me. 

　She smiles at me, but her smile is no longer fading. 

　I'm sure that grief will last forever. But for now, she has eyes that are convinced that she can swallow that sadness and move on........ 

''........Eh?'' 

.... 

　I couldn't respond to that kiss. I wasn't in love with him. Just dumbfounded, our lips met each other's as they entered my consciousness. 

'Yulia. I'm going to be ... strong, like Belle. 

...I see. I'm sure you will become one. 

　Was that kiss her vow? But seeing her will to stand up like this, I know. The will of Ms. Bell is indeed being carried on in everyone's hearts. 

　◇ 

　Princess Riane left and I sensed that someone was at the door again. 

''........Senpai, is it?'' 

Julia was Liane okay? 

Did you see that? 

I mean, it was on, exactly, but.... Well, I didn't get a look inside. I heard the conversation. 

Well.... 

　It's fortunate that I'm not being watched, but how can I say it, many emotions were swirling inside me. Just then, my senior suggests something. 

'Hey Yulia, why don't we go and cool off a bit?' 

Okay. 

　We both stood side by side and walked out. That's how we arrived at the observatory of this city. It was midnight now and no one was there, but it was very beautiful with the light of the stars shining lazily. 

　It was the only view left in a world dominated by twilight, a view that hadn't changed in the past. That's what this night is all about. Gazing at the stars that shine with ease, I realize once again how beautiful this world is... but that's only one side of it. 

　The world is still ruled by the twilight.  

　I'm sure Belle is watching us. I'm sure that somewhere on this planet, she's following our path from this glorious sky. That's what I wanted to believe. 

　While I was lost in thought like that, the two of us walked forward together, and we stopped. I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about. 

　--I'm sure that's what Senpai is talking about..... 

　I had a premonition that this was the case. And so, after being silent for a while, he slowly begins to spin his words. 

''........Julia, I told you. I said that I'll talk to you when I come back. 

Yes, sir. 

　I expected him to say that. 

　When this mission was over, he said, we'd have to talk.  

''Well that's the story, I'll extend it. 

Extension...? 

Yeah. "Yeah, not when we come back. When the blue sky comes back into the world, then I'll tell you. 

　The older woman stands in front of me. She holds my hand and brings it to her cheek, tears streaming down her face. I allow her to do the same and stare at her eyes as her tears flow out. I've never seen her cry before, and I've never seen her cry before. This is the first time I've seen her cry. 

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us. 

　But now, like this, she continues to shed those tears while holding my hand. Belle-san and Eira-senpai were good friends. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us. She had seen such a scene many times. She must have been a very, very important person to him. 

　I scoop up the tears that flow from my fingertips. 

　I scoop up the tears that are flowing out of my fingertips, thinking of Belle. She has left us so, so many things. She didn't do this because she thought it would stay in people's hearts. She cared for the younger generation and continued to show us her magnificent back. 

　Who doesn't admire that back? 

　Many of us have tried to become as noble as Mr. Bell, and we have fought to become that kind of wizard, thinking that we too would become that kind of wizard. Of course, that's not the only motivation for fighting, but there's no doubt that Belle-san is still in our hearts. 

　I firmly engraved that will in my heart, grabbed both of my seniors' hands firmly and replied, "....... 

''........I understand. 

I'll keep fighting for Belle, too. 

Yes let's fight. To reach the blue sky at the end of this twilight. 

'Yeah...' 

　We squeezed her hand tightly. And so we mourn Belle's death under the fullness of heaven. 

　But we couldn't shed any more tears for each other........ 

　◇ 

　Funeral. We place flowers on top of Ms. Bell in her coffin. Her face looked like she was sleeping peacefully. That's what it looked like, as if she was going to get up soon.... But it never does. Belle-san was dead.  

''Belle-san........please be at peace. 

　I say those words. Then many anti-magicians came and added flowers one after another. Of course, all of the special class antimaginists were there as well. Some were in tears, while others seemed to be trying to hold back something. Among them, there was only one person who lit up with a burning will. 

''Sensei I will make sure that my revenge is accomplished. So watch me. At the end of the blue sky........ 

　It was Sherry. The tears must have long since dried up. Shelly's eyes have a definite will in them but there was an eye patch in her right eye. 

　The wound was inflicted by that demon, whose name is said to be Alfred, and that guy. The wound she received as a result of becoming emotional and rushing forward. It was one that completely severed the eye vertically, but apparently it will be completely restored to its original state. That's because Shelly has the blood of the demon race in her body. 

'For once, I have to thank you, this body...' she said. 

　And so Belle's body is buried. It was carried out of the church, and while it was in the midst of numerous human tears, it was done in a rigorous manner. In the middle of my gaze, Shelly comes up to me and speaks to me. 

'Julia.' 

Shelly, how are you feeling? 

''It's ... okay. More importantly, that demon, if you meet him, I want you to give him to me. 

You're going to get your revenge. 

Yes. I'm taking over everything from you. 

All right. 

Thanks. 

Hey, Shelly. 

What? 

I wonder where Mr. Bell is now. 

I'm sure he's waiting for you out in the blue. That's what the doctor said in his last days. 

''Well yes. It must be so. 

　I look up at the sky. There is only a purple-black sky reflected in it. No matter how many people are sacrificed, this much will never change. But even so, we will continue to fight until this twilight sky is changed into an endlessly clear blue sky. 

　Even after death, let someone else take over that will. 

　For the sake of our friends who died believing that someone else will accomplish this, I, for the sake of our friends who died, we will continue to move forward. 

　And that someone else........will be us now. 

　I hoped so--.