When you go out of the dungeon, you will find all of them together.
　Charlotte and her friends, Natalia's brother, Neil's men ......, and Allen's adoptive father, Harvey, were all there.
　They all looked at each other anxiously, but when they saw Allen and the others, sighs of relief could be heard from everywhere.

"Natalia, ......!

　Charlotte came running out from the middle of the crowd as if she had been shot.
　She crouched down in front of Natalia with a blue face and touched her shoulder and cheek to make sure she was okay.

You're okay!　Are you hurt ...... anywhere?
I'm fine. ...... But...

　Natalia responded with a slight roll of her eyes.
　Charlotte's dismay was more than she expected.
　In the meantime, Neil, who came out with her, walked up to Harvey and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry, sir. This is all my fault. I'll accept any punishment!
"Well, it looks like you've come out of your shell.

　Harvey laughed, his eyes widening. The minions seemed confused by Neil's sudden change, but were relieved that he was safe. Natalia's prefects reacted in a similar way.

　But even as the air became softer, Charlotte's face remained blue. Finally, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and she began to sob.

"I'm glad ...... you're so ...... sure ...... if anything happens to you, I ...... I ......
"I'm sorry, Mr. Shallow. I'm sorry, Mr. Sharo. I'm sorry you're worried ......, but it's really okay.

　Natalia cringed and comforted her.
　It was a smiling scene. Then Allen patted Charlotte on the shoulder.

You're right. Calm down a little, Charlotte.
"But Allen, ............ what?
"...... Charlotte?

　Charlotte froze and Natalia furrowed her brow questioningly.
　The two sisters' contrasting reactions caused Allen to grin and laugh.

There, you've met your match.
"Oh, ......!
"......?

　He quickly took away Charlotte's glasses.
　Both sisters gasped at the same time.

　In Natalia's eyes, it was as if her sister - the sister she had been chasing with regret for so long - had suddenly appeared in front of her.
　The prefects who had been watching began to buzz. Goussetsu and Lu also rolled their eyes, but ...... they chose to remain calm.

　Charlotte paled even more as Natalia held her breath and froze in front of her. You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"Oh, Mr. Allen!　What are you doing all of a sudden, ......?
It's okay. Come on.

　Allen pulled her hand and made her stand in front of him again.
　He patted her tense shoulder and whispered in her ear.

Your words will reach her now. I guarantee it. ...... Be brave.
"Mr. Allen, .......

　Charlotte compared Allen's and Natalia's faces stiffly and gulped.
　She stepped forward of her own volition and faced her sister squarely.

"Oh, um, ...... Natalia. The .......

　Clenching her fists tightly, Charlotte continued without looking away from her sister.

I know I've caused you a lot of trouble. I've been wanting to apologize for that.
"Really ......!

　Charlotte's words were interrupted by Natalia clinging to her arm. Her voice trembled as she looked up at her sister with eyes opened to the limit.

I'm sure you're not the only one.　You know what I mean.
You know it when you see it.

　Allen smiles softly at her.

If you still have doubts, ask her what only she knows. With my magic, it's impossible to answer.
"Well, then, ......, what's in the picture book you used to read to me, ......?
It's about a zoo, isn't it?
......!

　Natalia's shoulders jumped as if struck by lightning. Charlotte chuckled and answered slowly.

"A children's book about going to the zoo. When her mother was alive, she used to read it to me ...... and I used to take it to the duke's house, but before I knew it, it was gone. They must have thrown it away. ...... Hey, Natalia?
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ......!

　Natalia broke down in tears. She did not cover her face or wipe away her tears.
　With trembling fingertips, she unlocked the travel bag that lay at her feet.
　Inside, she found something wrapped in layers of fine cloth. Natalia untied the cloth with a faltering hand.



Hey, that's ....... Hey, that's ......!
That's ......!

　After the cloth fell down, a faded picture book appeared.
　There were some minor scratches on the spine and the edges of the book, but there were no other noticeable damages, indicating that the book had been treated with great care. On the cover are several children playing with deformed demons.
　Natalia held out the book to Charlotte with great reluctance.

It was about to be thrown away, but I picked it up and hid it. ...... I knew it was a precious memento of your mother. ......

　Natalia cried, stumbled, and scrunched up her face as she struggled to get her thoughts out.

"I've been wanting to give this back to you for a long, long time,......!　So, just one more ...... time, just one more time, I want you to read this, this picture book to me. ......!
"Natalia, ......!

　Charlotte hugged her sister tightly with the book. Burying her face in her sister's chest, Natalia rolled her eyes. The next moment, she clung to her sister's body and screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I'm sorry, sister ......!　I'm sorry I couldn't save you ......!　I'm sorry!
"Natalia, ......!　I'm sorry, too, for leaving you alone ......!

　They hugged each other and cried out loudly. Allen put his hand on both of their shoulders and just watched quietly.