I do beg your pardon. She's the Sword of Death and she's trying to get back her former comrades who were trapped in that labyrinth.
'You know about Elitia?'
Yes. We can't just leave this labyrinth as it is. It has been left abandoned for more than ten years because the Stampede doesn't happen... If you check the records, you can see how many searchers have not returned here. After the fifth year, the number of people taking on this labyrinth itself has already dropped dramatically.

　We can't leave this labyrinth unattended. There are other parties besides us who think so--''

''........Let me tell you one thing. Elitia is called the 'Sword of Death', but that's not what she wanted. She has helped us, many times before. She's the opposite of what we call the 'Sword of Death', she's a dependable companion.
'Yes, I know ... no, I think I know. Still, it's not right to say a name that can be feared. I'm sorry.
''It's okay, it's okay, it's not... I've done enough to be called...''
'No, if that is not what you want, then the misconception must be corrected. Otherwise, you will be bound to a name that is different from your nature.

　At Ivril's words, Elitia looked flabbergasted. But without replying to anything, she turned over.

'Lift your face, Elitia-Sentrail. What you are trying to do is simply the right thing to do. If you yourself do not believe that, other than that, you will remain wielded by that sword all the time.
'Mr. Ivril, that's...'

　Igarashi-san cares for Elitia. Ivril didn't remove her gaze from Elitia the whole time.

''........You know about that sword as well, don't you?''
'Yes. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm being rude again but I still have to say it now. She entered this labyrinth because she thought she could come back alone. But what was the result?　If you don't have the help of Lady Aricht and the others, you're not....
...to be strong.

　If you say any more, I'll have to stop Ivril-san. At the moment I thought that, Elitia said with a trembling voice.

''I want to be stronger.......never again, not like that.......''
"...You want to be strong because you're afraid of it?
''What's wrong with that?　What's wrong with coming to this labyrinthine country, finding something important and fighting for it, wanting to be strong...?

　Ivril looks straight back at Elitia, as if taking in her emotions.

　--and Ivril spills a single tear from her eyes.

'And yet, if you act in such a way that you have to lay down your life, then your heart is still trapped in that sword. Weapons only live when the person who has them tries to live. Unless, above all, you yourself want to live.

　Elitia didn't care about herself if she could save Loury.

　What that means is that in Elitia's mind, redemption is more important than the future that goes on with us - that's what I've felt all along.

''........Ivril-sama.
But I believe that you can become stronger, Elitia-san. You will then be called by another name that is not 'Sword of Death' ... a name that is more appropriate for you.
"...Mr. Ivril, you are....

　What are you? When I asked her that, she put her index finger to her lips and laughed.

'I also heard that Alihito-sama and the others are gathering collaborators. If you would like to participate, would you allow me and Viola to join you?　I'm sure you have the strength to work in the Fifth Ward labyrinth, so I won't drag my feet.
"...Really?　We're not there yet....
'We've only just met, but I could tell as we talked. There was no calculation or sympathy on your face as you were concerned for Elitia-san, you were simply sincere. And you agreed to shake my hand which made me very happy.

　I just didn't want to doubt anyone I met - I even thought I was weak.

　Even now, I'm still wondering if I can trust them 100 percent. If the girls behaved in a way that they weren't expecting when they carried out their mission to defeat the Marquis de l'Ape - but.

　She told me that I had to want to live for Elitia. I wouldn't believe myself if I dismissed that as a superficial statement.

''It will be a very dangerous battle. Will you still help me?
'Yes. I can't teach you all the skills I possess, but I can fulfill the role you've asked of me, and I'll explain to you what I can do to help you do so. Blocking the attacks of manipulated seekers, neutralizing them so that they can't be killed... me and Viola can fulfill both of those skills. The more people in the party the better, though.

　Then why are you two working alone - it's not something that should be the first time you've met to go into that.

''Well then ... it's nice to meet you here. Alihito-sama, I'll give you your license information so that you can contact me.
'Thank you I'm afraid it's already dark on the road, so take care on your way home.
Yes. I have a guard that I can rely on to keep you safe.

　Ivril bowed and walked out of the square. Before following, Viola also bowed to us.

''What a very graceful girl she was... I wonder if she has an occupation called 'lady'...'''
''It's definitely an unusual profession. I can't even imagine what kind of a fight it would be...''

　Assuming they are not reincarnated from Earth, they also look different from 'Jade People (Jade)' like Celes-san - there is a lot of mystery, but it would be very helpful if the searchers who are able to fight in the fifth district could help us.

　If possible, I'm hoping that we can capture the fortress of the 'Monkey Prince' with three or more parties, but we still don't have enough people, and it may not be possible for all parties to form an eight-person team. But the key is to spread out the enemy and make sure we have enough forces to fight the 'Marquis de Saroo' at the same time.

''I'm sure they'll use that umbrella as a weapon.
Elitia....

　I was worried because my emotions were running high at Ivril's words, but - Elitia looked at me like that and blushed.

''Oh, don't be too overprotective I'm saying I want to be strong.
Yeah, well I'd like to keep it that way, but I'm sorry.
'I want to live with you guys. I don't think anymore that I can change anything on my own. I couldn't do that, and that's why I've come this far with everyone else's help, but I'm not....

　Since she said she wanted to be strong, I still thought that Elitia's feelings were not going to change anytime soon - but that was not the case.

''Weapons depend on the feelings of the person using them. If that's the case, then I can't remain wielded by this sword. I want to use this sword in the true sense of the word, to live together with everyone else.

　From now on, something will surely change from now on. Her consciousness has changed greatly within her and is about to head in a good direction - the strong will light that has returned to Elitia's eyes makes me believe that.

''........That's right. Elitia will be able to do that, I'm sure.
'I believe in you, and we all believe in you. We are who we are because of you, Ellie. This whole thing has made me want to be stronger too ... not give up on the idea that I can't catch up and get as close to you as I can.
Kyouka.

　Igarashi-san takes Elitia's hand. Then Elitia said while looking away from Igarashi-san.

I'm glad you all came.......so.......

　Seraphina-san and Theresia both looked at Elitia. Elitia turned to Igarashi-san, who was still holding her hand as her face turned red, and said.

''Thank you. For not giving up on me like this.''
'I wouldn't do that, would I?　That's right, Rearward. If Ellie-san wasn't there, I'd change my blood...
''Well, well, that's the thing... I was worried about Elitia too, but I thought I should have been overprotective after all and not let her go alone...''

　I denied it earlier, but I'll have to admit it no longer - this is where I'm going to reopen it.

You have to discard the preconceived notions that it's your discretion as an adult, or that you won't enter beyond a certain point, even if you're part of the party. If you're worried, you have to say you're worried.
'....Yeah. I'd be very happy to hear that from Aricht.
'You'll probably say it's heavy, but still... what?'

　Elitia is laughing - both Igarashi-san and Seraphina-san. Even Murakumo, who was carrying it on his back, had a hint of laughter.

''I judge that the master is already qualified to enter that much. Human subtlety is something I cannot understand, though.''

　I wonder if Murakumo is aware that she's laughing at herself - or is she not laughing just because it sounds that way to me?

　Theresia is patting me on the shoulder. I don't know what it means, but I can't help but feel like I'm being loved.

　If I could take that mask off, would she also smile at times like this?

　Further on than this ward, the great temple in the fourth ward. One more thing to go - but that one is still a long way from us.

　Even so, that day will surely come. If only all of us could think that living together is more important than anything else.