"You can choose. Save the world or destroy the world.

　Master Noah's smile even felt cruel.
　I let my gaze wander.
　I was expecting the 'RPG Player' skill option to appear for the first time, but.....
　Nothing came up.
　Instead, I checked the expressions of my companions with 'Viewpoint Switching'.

　Lucy, who is looking grumpy.
　Sa-san, who is in tears.
　Princess Sophia, who has a calm face, as if she's enduring something.
　Friae-san with a face like an abandoned cat........

　My resolve wavered.
　I was about to say something and stopped.
　If I was kept back, I'd be swept away.
　I turned to face Noah-sama.

"Master Noah.
What is it, Makoto?
"...I'm going to go before the millennium. I'm going to help Abel, our savior.
　As I replied, I heard everyone in the cathedral sigh.
　When I looked at them, Altena-sama also had a relieved look on her face.

'Are you sure?　You're never going to see your friends again, are you?
Don't put water in people's mouths.
　I chuckled and turned back to my friends and walked down the podium.

'Sorry, guys. I'm out of here.
"Takatsuki-kun... no...
　Sa-san grabbed my arm and buried her face in my chest.

'I'm going with you........ Goddess, I want to go with Takatsuki-kun too........
''Aya Sasaki, you are too strong......... If I send you off a thousand years ago, the evil gods will notice you........ I can't go with Takatsuki Makoto........
Ugh ... no way...
　All I could do was hug Sa-san's shoulder as she cried.
　Someone approached from behind them.

"Brave Mako........ You have the honor of helping the Savior. I wish you martial fortune........
"Sophia...
　Princess Sophia's words were choked up in the middle.

''I'm sorry, it's supposed to be you who's having a hard time...''
....
　Princess Sophia looked down.
　What should I say........

''Oh my God, she's taking it too far. This girl.
''Master Eil!''　
　Suddenly, Lady Ail appeared and hugged Princess Sophia from behind.

''When did you descend?''
Hmmm, I was in the underwater temple and I was summoned with Noah.
Is it that easy?
　Oh, come on, it's okay.
　When I look at Altena-sama, she scratches her cheek.
　Ah, I guess Altena-sama didn't intend to do that either.

''Yes, Sophia-chan. It's okay to cry when you're sad!''
Yes.
　Princess Sophia seems to be fine, leaving Ail-sama in charge.

　My eyes met with Friae-san who was behind her.
　Her usual dignified expression disappeared, and she was languishing.

''Ah ... um ... my knight.''
"Princess, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't be there for you, even though I'm your guardian knight.
'It's not about me!　Are you sure you're okay with this...?　I can't believe I have to go back a thousand years by myself. That's too much........
　Mr. Furiae ran over and took my hand.
　I shivered a little.

'I don't seem to have any other choice.
But ... you just came back from the dead ... why is this happening to you?
Well, it's all right.
You always say it so lightly...
Good luck with your nation-building, Princess.
Yes.
　I guess she could tell that I was firm in my decision, and Huriae-san let go of my hand without force.

　Finally, I turned my head towards the red-haired elf girl who had been silent since earlier.

''Lucy, you know...''
　My words of "Sorry, we can't have another adventure together" were interrupted.
'Mako!'
　Lucy's glaring eyes and folded her arms.

　The first companion I made when I came to this world.　
　The girl I've known the longest in this world.
　You can't keep your promise to challenge the Undersea Temple together........

Promise me.
"Promise?
Come back here!　After you save Abel the Brave and defeat the Great Demon King, come back to us!
　He pointed at me and said emphatically.

"Lucy.....
　As much as I'd like to come back, it was just explained to me earlier that Master Ila couldn't come back.

"Lucy J. Walker.... As I've said many times, there's no way for Takatsuki Makoto to return to the present day...
Shut up!　Shut up, clunking goddess!
''What?''
　Lucy kicked off Ila-sama's words.

'Mako!　Come back to the end versus...　Promise me!
　As if in response to Lucy's words, a letter appeared in front of me.
　Hmm?



"Do you want to make an appointment with Lucy?

　Yes, sir.
　No.



Here's your choice.
　I didn't respond to the question from Noah-sama, though.
　Not whether to go back a thousand years ago, but whether to go back or not........

''Wow, my knight........''
　Furiae is backing away as if she's scared.

'Takatsuki Makoto?　That's.................Mugu.
Yes, Ila. You sure you don't want to interrupt a tearful goodbye to your friends?
　Ila-sama was about to say something, but Noah-sama covered her mouth.

　These two people seem to be able to see their options.
　But first I have to answer to Lucy.

"Lucy.
　I stared into Lucy's fiery red eyes as we stared at each other.
　Then I glanced at the options presented by the 'RPG Player' skill.

　Come to think of it, how many times did Lucy's options come up when she became a companion, even though she refused once?
　You couldn't choose 'no' then, after all.
　It was the forced companion route.
　I remembered that and laughed a little.
　I'm sure I won't be able to choose 'no' this time either.

'What?'
　He stared at me suspiciously as I laughed.
　I took a step closer to Lucy.

'I promise. I'll come back to you,
I chose 'yes' to the 'RPG player' skill question.　

'Hmm, absolutely. I won't forgive you if you break it!
　Phew, Lucy turned away with her arms folded.
　I made a promise and I have to keep it.

　Well, the greeting with my friends is over.
　The rest.........

''Mako-sama........''
Takatsuki-kun....
　Princess Noel with a sad face and Sakurai-kun with a tearful face called my name.
　........Hey, hey, hey, you're the brave man of light who will defeat the Great Demon King, right?　
　A thousand years ago, I'll do my best, so I'll leave the present day to you, Sakurai-kun.

I'm off. Take care of Sakurai-kun, Princess Noel.
　I smiled awkwardly and said goodbye.

''Well.........''
　Near Sakurai-kun, there was a small figure staring at me intently - Daishonin-sama.
　That's right, I have to say hello.

''I'm sorry, Grand Sage-sama. I just became a guardian knight.
I don't mind.
　The Great Sage Master's voice was coldly the same as usual.
　A bit sad.

'Take care of Abel for me.'
Yes, sir.
　The words were brief, coming from a hero who had once saved the world.
　Brief, but it had weight.
　The Great Sage-sama was staring at me with a blank expression, without the usual smirk on his face.

''By the way.......Grand Sage-sama hasn't met me, right?　A thousand years ago.
　This is a very curious point.
　After all, the Great Sage is the only person here who has been here for a thousand years.

"....................
　No answer.

"Great Sage?
I haven't seen you, spirit user.
Well.....
　It's a shame.
　If I had known that I could work with the Great Sage Master, I would have been quite reassured.
　I'm a thousand years old, and apparently I won't be able to see the Great Sage Master again.

　Looking around the inside of the sanctuary, I saw that everyone else's gazes were also looking at us.

(.........I'd like to go around and greet each and every one of you, but I don't have time.
　I went back to the podium.
　Then I knelt before Master Noah.

"Then we are going to the thousand years ahead, Master Noah.
'Well..... You're very determined. I understand, Mako.
　Master Noah put his hand on my head.
　Will you be able to say a few words of reverence?



　--In the name of the goddess Noah, I exclude(s) you from(s) believers.



What?
　He said a hell of a lot of things to me.

''W-what are you doing!''
　I shouted out, but Lady Noah looked cool.
　I hurriedly checked my soul book and found that the words "Messenger of the Goddess Noah-sama" were missing.
　What is this goddess (human) doing to me!

"A thousand years ago, I had another apostle. Anyway, if you go over there, you won't be my follower anymore. I have only one follower at a time.
Huh, huh...
　But still, you can at least explain it to me.

''Altena. Mako is heading alone to a thousand years ago, so give her some kind of blessing.
''M.......but his low physical ability (status) doesn't give him strong skills, but.......''
Just do it. It's better than nothing.
Well, all right.
　Althena-sama stuck out her hand towards me.



　--In the name of the Sun Goddess (Althena), I give you my blessing.



　Pop, a small light covered my body.
　Altena-sama told me, "We've given you the 'Sun Magic, Elementary' skill with this.
　Oh...................A new skill here?

''Wow, me too!
　Ila-sama hugged me.
　Hey!
　She hugged me tightly with her petite body, Esther.

'Takatsuki Makoto........ I'm sorry, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.... I give you the blessing of the Goddess of Destiny. I wish you a safe journey. I give you the 'Destiny Magic, Elementary'.
　A warm light streamed in from Ila-sama's body.
　As it was, Ila-sama hugged me for a while.

'Thank you, Ila-sama, thank you.
I share my memories of the past and the present, so I can give you advice.... I can only give you advice, though.
All right. I'll look for Ila-sama. So we can find a thousand year old maiden?
'Yes. As long as the priestesses weren't killed...
　Ila-sama spoke in a small voice as she held me in her arms.
　Um..................Is it okay if I leave soon?

"..........
　I feel a cold stare from behind me.

'See, Ila. Get away from me!
　Master Noah pulled Master Ila.

'You need to get on with preparing your time transfer magic.
I know...
　Ila-sama began chanting a spell.
　
　As expected of a time transfer to a thousand years ago.
　It must be a great magic.

'Makoto. I have a few things to tell you....
　Master Noah told me a few things about the situation a thousand years ago.
　The story of the Great Demon King.
　The story of the nine demon kings.
　In particular, the story of the apostles who preceded Master Noah.
　And that I wasn't a follower of Master Noah a thousand years ago.
　I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well.

I'll tell you again, Takatsuki Makoto.
　The Sun Goddess interrupted me and Noah-sama's conversation.

"Your mission is to head back a thousand years and save the life of the brave Abel. You don't have to worry about anything else.
Or else...?
　It was a curious way to say it.

'Althena, you're a bit of a stickler. You know what?　Makoto. In short, it means 'as long as Abel the Brave is saved, I can do anything I want'. For example, you can make a big change to your past history, for example, you can make a big change to your past history.
What?
Hey, Noah. I didn't say that much.
　Altena-sama corrected Lady Noah's words.
　Can I change the past when I go a thousand years back to keep the past unchanged?
　I mean, isn't it an ironclad rule of thumb to not mess with history in time transitions?

No. You won't survive a thousand years with that kind of an idea. You know what?　The job of normalizing history is a job that the Goddess of Destiny (Ila) is willing to work overtime to die for, so Mako should only focus on 'saving Abel the Brave'.
'Noah's words are wild, but he's right. You don't need to worry about history. You can just focus on 'Abel the Brave' and that's it. Even if your actions change history, Ila will adjust that.
Uh ... I'll do my best.
　Noa-sama, Ila-sama replied to Altena-sama's voice with a tearful voice.
　.........Is it okay, Ila-sama?

　Well, but I understand.
　Ila-sama can handle a little history alteration.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to do that.

　But what on earth was going on a thousand years ago....

''Brave Mako!
　I saw someone come running to me.
　It was Princess Sophia.

"You can have it, sir.
This is....
　What was handed to me was a small picture book.
　On the cover, it says 'The Legend of Abel the Brave'.　

If you read it, you'll know where to find the brave Abel from a thousand years ago!
Okay. Thank you, Sofia. Lady Eil.
　I nodded at Eil-sama's words.
　Certainly, literature is important to understand the original history.

　What else is needed........
　There are various things I want to bring with me, but there doesn't seem to be time to prepare.

''Takatsuki Makoto, I'm ready to go.
　The Goddess of Destiny (Ila) called me to her.
　On the podium, a huge rainbow-colored gate made of magic had been created.

If you pass through the space-time transference gate, you will be sent back a thousand years. I can't say where you will be transported to, but it will usually be a place that is closely related to you. I think you'll probably be transmigrated to somewhere in the current Water Country (Roses).
I understand.
　I nodded.

　I looked back at my companions once more before passing through the gate.
　Lucy, Sa-san, Princess Sophia, Friae.....................and Lady Noah.

I'm going.
　With that, I stepped into the space-time transfer gate created by the goddess of fate, Ila.



　--I'm not going to be the only one who can do this.