EpilogueDecember, 2106 AD——.
Six years ago, a demon called the Black Beast appeared all of a sudden. Because of it, the world collapsed, losing its order and balance. It also lost its usual climate along with seasons.
It was also true for today. Despite that December was about to end, the coolness of the weather was as if it was autumn. Presently, it was unlikely for thick clothes to soon become the fashion.
It was a fine early afternoon with many clouds, but they didn"t obstruct the sunlight. Among a forest in mountain, a girl was wandering around.
White tunic, black pleated skirt, and a long mantle to match the skirt. Her long tawny hair was tied in a high position, making a ponytail. The eyes that had the color of wet soil didn"t show any confusion as they were gazed ever forward. She advanced further and further, walking unhesitatingly. But where she was walking was a path without any traces of animals. It was a completely trackless path.
The girl"s name was Celica A. Mercury.
She had secretly rushed away from the island where she lived together with her sister, heading to a country called j.a.pan which was ruined six years ago.
If she went there, she might meet her long lost father. While embracing such an expectation, she was currently aiming to go to a harbor where the only boat which would head to j.a.pan existed.
But the road to the harbor was unexpectedly steep. From what she had heard at the hotel last night, no one ever said about climbing a mountain.
"I"m sure when I get out of this forest, I should be able to see a large road. Okay, I"ll do my best."
While making her way up to cross the root of a thick tree, Celica continued on and on without getting discouraged by the forest"s scenery and cheered her bright self on.
It was as if her feelings had reached the forest as the field of vision on the path gradually opened up. Celica noticed it immediately and her smile bloomed like a flower.
Delighted, she spontaneously made her pace faster. After getting out, she would first search for a place to sit and rest.
But after she put a single step out of the forest, Celica stopped.
It was a white-haired young man wearing a stunning bright red jacket.
His age was a little older than Celica"s. Judging from his tall appearance, he had a well-proportioned figure. Besides that, something might have happened as there were serious injuries all over him.
"Oh no...!"
Fl.u.s.tered, Celica went around the young man so as to block the sunlight.
There was movement in his chest. His complexion wasn"t so pale that he might lose his life. However, that was because the young man had quite a lot of physical strength. If it was exhausted...
It might be that he had noticed Celica"s shadow since the young man"s eyelids moved slightly, opening his eye weakly. It was a green eye. A stern but also gentle color.
Thank G.o.d, it"s faint but he"s conscious. First of all I"ll heal the big wounds, and then he should take a good rest.
Celica smiled and spoke to give encouragement.
"Umm, hang on please. ...Are you all right?"
In the dark times with an uncertain tomorrow.
In the days with unstable climates where winter didn"t seem to appear.
In that moment the wheel of fate began to turn suddenly.
Celica met him.