“……I’m not entirely sure, but there is still one remaining method.”

At this point, when Sylvia, who had been enduring the witch’s magic, collapsed and everyone lost hope, Eve’s voice reached someone nearby, sounding almost petulant as if they had given up.

“……Are you saying there’s another way? If so, why didn’t you use that method before this disaster happened?”

Given the situation, such defiance against authority was even more forbidden during wartime.

However, Eve merely chuckled at his attitude without holding it against him.

She knew that the person who spoke was a man who had fought fiercely until he was on the verge of magical exhaustion just moments ago.

Understanding everyone’s feelings, she replied with a bitter smile, acknowledging the helplessness of the situation.

“I told you. It’s an uncertain method. I didn’t want to mention it until it was an absolute last resort. I’m sorry.”

“……That’s fine. You didn’t need to apologize.”

Feeling guilty about how he had treated Eve, the man grumbled with a twisted expression in response to her words.

He must have realized he had acted foolishly.

They were bound by a fate that clearly stated if they do not defeat the witch, they will all die.

In such circumstances, no one would fail to do their best.

Still, he couldn’t muster any positive thoughts and asked Eve with a gloomy expression.

“……But is there really a way to bring that down? After facing it directly, I can’t believe we ever won against that thing before. How did we beat that monster back then…?”

His question echoed the sentiments felt by everyone else.

Having faced the gluttonous witch in person, they realized how absurd it was to think that they had ever emerged victorious against her.

In response to their question, Eve spoke.

“Back then, we were able to use sacred artifacts.”

“……Sacred artifacts?”

“It’s mentioned in the textbooks; you’ve probably seen it at least once. It’s the story of how we won the battle against the gluttonous witch using the powers of sacred artifacts.”

Sacred artifacts, items imbued with special powers, like the World Tree of the Elves.

Recalling the past when they had defeated the gluttonous witch using those artifacts, Eve continued.

“Using the power contained in those artifacts amplifies our abilities severalfold. If used as consumables, they can grant us greater power for a brief time. We amplified the magic intended to eliminate the original source of the barrier and completely suppressed the witch’s magic. Even then, the accumulated strength was vast, allowing us to barely seal her away after fighting for a full six days and nights.”

At those words from Eve, Sylvia, who was nearby recovering with healing magic, spoke with great effort.

“……Then, if we were to use the World Tree as a consumable, how—”

“Unfortunately, that’s impossible.”

She knew they had a sacred artifact too.

With it, they could try to find a way to make it work.

Even if it was the World Tree revived after hundreds of years, it wouldn’t matter if they couldn’t stop the gluttonous witch; it would all be for naught, so using it as a consumable wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Sylvia spoke as the representative of the Elves with that thought in mind, but Eve shook her head and responded immediately.

“The Illusion Mirror of the Fairy Race.”

Momentarily taken aback by the sudden mention of an unknown name, Sylvia was thrown off.

“The Beast King’s hide from the Beastkin race, the Dragonstone from the Dragon clan, the Great Spirit of the Orcs, the Giant’s club that crushed the mountains, the halfling’s scroll containing a little world.”

Following that, Eve spat out names that seemed to be various races’ sacred artifacts, and Sylvia’s expression gradually hardened.

She understood why Eve had deemed it impossible.

With a despairing voice, Sylvia asked Eve.

“……You can’t be serious; that’s everything?”

“Exactly. Those are the sacred artifacts used to defeat the gluttonous witch. All six artifacts I just mentioned have been used up. Even if we were to use them as consumables, a single World Tree wouldn’t be remotely enough. If she’s currently at that level of power, we would need at least three.”

“Is there any remaining sacred artifact…?”

Asking with a hint of hope, Sylvia’s question was met with a quick shake of Eve’s head.

It meant there were none left.

“There’s that zoo in the city, right? All the animals there were created using the sacred artifacts that Aegis and Viola discovered during that time. Those were extremely rare and hard to find, so regrettably, there are no remaining sacred artifacts now.”

At Eve’s words, Sylvia’s expression darkened.

It implied that there was no longer any hope or method to defeat the gluttonous witch.

However, Eve had certainly said something earlier.

There was still one method remaining.

Yet, since she had no idea how to defeat the witch, Sylvia pleaded with Eve to reveal the method.

“……Then what exactly is that remaining method? If we can’t even use the methods we used before, how can we possibly defeat that witch?”

“It’s not about defeating her. Right now, we don’t have a method to bring down that witch.”

“Then what…?”

Eve’s answer, that it was not about defeating her, returned with a question.

But instead of immediately answering the question posed to her, Eve briefly closed her eyes, reminiscing about a conversation held long ago.

.

.

.

“……What is it, Eve? It seems you’ve been coming around more often lately.”

“……Not really. By the way, Aegis, do you have any worries? It’s written all over your face.”

“……Haha, I suppose knowing each other for so long has made it easy to read. Well, it’s nothing major, but I’m worried about what will happen if that monster awakens again. I think I’ve prepared well enough, but who knows about the future.”

“……Oh dear, you too? Until Viola left, she kept worrying about that too. I suppose as one gets older, unnecessary worries become common.”

“……Is that so? I didn’t know that Viola had such worries as well. I just thought she was too busy enjoying her magic research until the end.”

“Well, you two didn’t talk about any of your worries because of a meaningless pride contest. I ended up being the one to listen to all your worries. Do you know how surprised I was when Viola sought relationship advice?”

“Ha ha, I was also surprised to hear that the girl who seemed to know nothing other than magic had a romantic interest. It’s a pity she’s not here now. She would have quietly listened and then gotten all worked up, using magic in a fit of anger.”

“Ah ha ha, indeed.”

“……You know, Eve.”

“What is it, Aegis?”

“I might not have long to live like Viola, but you will live a long time after I’m gone, right? Even after all this time, you look just the same as when we first met.”

“……Yeah, I suppose so?”

“……Then, could you do me a favor before the old man passes on?”

“……Are you worried about the gluttonous witch? Is that what you’re concerned about?”

“……Of course I am. How can I not be? If she awakens again, who knows what will happen to the world?”

“So if she does awaken, what are you asking me to do about it? How can I handle that?”

“Ha ha, I’m not asking you to completely solve it, but if such a thing happens, can you give some assistance to the future generations? That’s what I mean. If you were to help, I’d feel a bit more relieved leaving things behind.”

“……So you want a contract like that?”

“A contract? No, it’s just a small favor from an old friend.”

“……That’s really sneaky. How can I refuse when you put it that way? Alright, I understand. I wouldn’t stand by idly if she were to resurrect anyway.”

“Ha ha, then I can relax.”

“I can’t stand to see you with that worried face all the time.”

“Haha, that’s quite a bit to absorb.”

“Ho ho.”

“……You know, Eve.”

“……What?”

“……I’m sorry. Leaving you behind like this.”

“……If you’re sorry, then until you go, talk to me a lot. I regretted not being able to talk much with Viola before she left.”

“Ha ha, alright. Since there’s no one left for our wives to get jealous about, shall we talk about the times Viola was dating?”

.

.

A brief moment of nostalgia concluded, and Eve opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings.

Her precious students were looking at her with anxious eyes.

Eve gazed at them and softly murmured.

You see, Aegis, even without your request, I would never abandon these children.

But since you asked, I’ll do my very best.

With that, Eve took a deep breath.

“……Teacher?”

At that moment, Scarlet, who was next to Sylvia, felt it.

The faint magic aura emanating from Eve was becoming clearer and more distinct.

And looking on in surprise at the change, Eve spoke to Scarlet.

“……You asked what I’m going to do if I’m not bringing her down?”

With the strength she had been consciously holding back now restored.

“I’m going to seal her away. By using my powers.”

Eve possessed the ability to send someone into a created illusion.

However, in order to send someone into the illusion…

“However, to use that power, I need to get close to that witch.”

She had to approach the target closely.

Yes, she needed to approach.

To get near that witch, who was spreading the dangerous magic around her.

“W-What, Teacher, that—!”

“It’s fine. I will. Plus, it’s impossible to seal her unless I die anyway.”

Those who realized that this method involved necessary sacrifices were taken aback and yelled out.

But Eve didn’t care about that sacrifice at all.

Her sacrifice was an essential course of action.

The illusion created could only be escaped if the one trapped inside expressed a strong desire to leave.

However, there was only one way to eliminate that escape route.

That was the death of the one who created the illusion, Eve herself.

The illusionary seal would only be completed by her death.

And Eve was ready to accept that death.

In order to fulfill her old friend’s request.

In order to protect her beloved students.