Well, saying it was rare to get a chance to relax had completely turned into a raised flag.
"When?"
Supporting her exposed, rosy shoulder, Ash had no choice but to grow serious for reasons other than the "sage time."
"I can only sense it. I can't predict their actual movements, so I don't know when, but it probably won't be too soon or too late. Their target is very clear—it's here!"
As she spoke, that holy, ethereal face unexpectedly revealed a trace of bitterness.
"I can sense that they are far more powerful than the Desert King Dune! I can't see any possibility of victory."
Since even she, the collection of Heart Flowers and the will of Earth, said so, it had to be fact rather than exaggeration.
"So I want to ask you to join forces with us again and face this enemy. And if we are defeated then, I would like you to use your castle to take as many living beings from this Earth as possible to another world."
That way, even if I, the will of Earth, die, there will at least be a slight possibility of life spreading elsewhere. This may be the last thing I can do then.
"I can't agree to that promise."
Hearing the deep regret in the man's voice as he held her, the Heart Tree, wearing Erika's face, let out a profound sigh.
"You really... have become a coward."
"Yes, I've become a coward. So cowardly that I'm afraid of any one of you leaving my side. That's why I can only agree to half of that promise."
Huh? Even as the Heart Tree, she could not understand his sudden words for a moment.
"The latter half, taking living beings away as the final seeds of escape—that won't happen."
After