Act 0. Exiles Beneath the Moonlight (Complete)

After the battle ended, the witches returned to the Moon Temple.

"Hooray! We're free!"

On the way back, I had no choice but to endure the witches hoisting me up on their shoulders in celebration. For some reason, Hera and the other knights didn't pursue us as we left.

"Ahaha... that's enough now..!"

I finally managed to wriggle free from them; any more and I'd really start feeling dizzy.

"You worked so hard."

Priscilla approached me with a smile as I caught my breath.

"How many casualties did we end up with on our side?"

"...Two. Only two."

It seemed a war without any casualties was nearly impossible.

"...If I'd done better."

"If you'd focused on them, casualties would have piled up elsewhere. You performed your role more than sufficiently—overdid it, even."

"Is that so..."

She was right. Still, I couldn't shake the lingering unease in my heart.

"...Are you heading back now?"

"I suppose so. There are people waiting for me in the present, after all."

"What a shame."

"Asella might get jealous if she heard that."

"Hehe, no need to worry. I'm already taking care of her two or three times better than you could."

A brief silence passed between Priscilla and me before she turned away.

"...At least say goodbye to Asella and Selia before you go."

"...Yes."

Priscilla's retreating figure looked a little lonely. If I returned to the present, she'd already be dead—so this was probably our last meeting.

"...Priscilla!"

"What is it?"

"...Th-thank you."

Priscilla chuckled softly and came back to gently stroke my head.

"...I'll be cheering for your journey ahead. You'll manage just fine."

"Mm... Th-thank you..."

I felt my cheeks flush at the unfamiliar warmth of her touch.

...

As I entered the largest building in the Moon Temple, Selia came running toward me.

"Sisssster!!"

"Selia, you survived!"

I scooped up the charging Selia, and she nuzzled into my chest.

'Acting like this, she really is just a kid...'

I lavished affection on Selia as she acted all spoiled in my arms, when I heard Asella approaching.

"...Noel."

"Asella."

"I heard from Priscilla. You're leaving now?"

"...Yeah. I have to."

"...Sis? Where are you going?"

Selia looked up at me from my arms, clutching my clothes.

"...Your sis actually came from far away to help us out."

"Huh...? From far away..?"

Sensing the parting moment approaching, Selia gripped my hem tighter.

"Can't you stay..? Or maybe I could come with you..."

Selia had come to rely on me more than she'd realized. I couldn't meet her pleading, teary eyes.

This was probably the last time I'd see her too. In the present, she'd already died back then.

"...Sorry. Your sis has to go back—it's something she must do."

Partings come to everyone. Whether in reality or anywhere else, they always bring sadness and regret.

"...We'll see each other again someday."

"Really..?"

No chance of that. It was a white lie to soothe the child a bit.

Returning from Arkteera repeatedly had hurt less than this.'Damn you, Lost World devs...'

Then Asella took Selia from my arms.

"Selia, don't make it hard on your sis, okay?"

"B-but..."

"Come on, over here."

Selia reluctantly left my embrace and stood by Asella, holding her hand.

"...Goodbye. Thanks."

"...Thank you too, Asella."

"Wait, sis..."

Selia stepped forward again and unwrapped the cloth over her eyes. Revealing red eyes just like Asella's.

"Selia!"

"Ow..."

As soon as the cloth came off, Selia winced in pain but kept staring at me. Her eyes took in Noel's purple irises, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sharp nose, and red lips.

"Hehe... So this is what sis looks like..."

"Cover your eyes quick!"

"I memorized it, sis. You're so pretty..."

I hurriedly rewrapped the cloth around her eyes. Selia wiped her nosebleed with a smile.

"Sis, when I get strong, I'll come find you."

She'd never find me anyway—should I tell her the truth now? As I hesitated, my body began turning into particles of light.

Time in the past had run out.

"...Take care."

"Bye, sis. See you next time."

"...Goodbye."

Noel smiled brightly, bid them farewell, and her body vanished completely.

"...Asella sis, I'll get super strong. Strong enough to find Noel sis for sure."

"...Yeah. Let's do that."

Selia resolved firmly, and Asella simply nodded in silence.

...

When my vision cleared, Celestia and her sanctuary lay before me.

Yes—I was back in reality.

"Haa..."

"You really... never fail to exceed expectations."

"...Thank you."

"Then, time for your rewards."

"...Aren't these two a bit too different?"

The two options had sharply opposing natures.

Job titles differed from regular ones. They could drastically alter playstyles—turning a supporter into a dealer, for instance. This was a crucial choice.

'No need to agonize over this one.'

"Yes."

"Hm. Nice."

The raw stat boosts were 20% higher for Witch of Salvation, but its effects were situational, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and "evil deeds" seemed vaguely defined. So I went with Witch of Wicked Destruction.

"Now, two more choices."

The Goddess of Light, Celestia, conjured illusions in each hand.

"First option: If chosen, one of Priscilla's relics immediately."

"...And the second?"

"Second: Overwrite the present history with the past you just experienced."

"...Pardon?"

"Exactly as stated. Revive those who died in the past by overlaying it onto the present."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"..."

Anyone would pick the first. But.

"Is that relic impossible to find here otherwise?"

"No, it's in the Empire—but extremely hard to obtain."

"Well, then. Second option."

"...You're serious?"

"Yes."

If it were unobtainable, I'd have taken first. But since it's findable later, no issue. Above all, reuniting with Selia was huge.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Imagining pinching those cheeks again already made me grin.

Celestia giggled at my smile.

"As expected, you exceed expectations. You'll get both rewards."

"...Huh?"

"It was a test. I'd have given the relic anyway, but not the history overwrite."

'What is this, the gold axe silver axe fable?'

"You qualify for both. Take them."

Celestia first offered a necklace.