Chapter 340: Empress and Sophien (1)
The Floating Island’s time froze, so not even the smallest mana current, the tiniest dust particle in the air, or the stunned expressions of the astonished mages held any time, as all were stuck in a single moment because Epherene brought it about.
Click, clack— Click, clack—
Walking directly into the heart of the frozen scene, Epherene gathered into her hand all the research materials on Deculein and the lighthouse that the Floating Island's mages had compiled.
"... It is not far off," Epherene muttered, reading through the documents before setting them ablaze. "But I do not believe that is the end."
That grand cause was what the Professor desired most—presumably Deculein's death, the final end of a villain who embraced everything before vanishing. But Epherene could not, would not, accept that conclusion.
"... I will make certain it is not merely the end."
Epherene was aware of that specific day—the day her future, more mature self, would meet her past self and Deculein.
Although that particular memory for Epherene remained indistinct, as if submerged, the melancholic expression of her face from that moment persisted like an afterimage.
"Without the Professor, I, too, would know no happiness."
To become her complete self, Epherene had to be honest about her desires, and therefore, she wanted a life alongside Deculein—or, more precisely, that very time with him...
***
Bzzzt— Bzzzzzzzzt— Bzzzzzzzzt—