It was already noon on the third day. Claire had reached the highest mountain in the Thunderclap Mountains, and she was nearly at the summit.
"..."
And she had seen it: a stretch of ruined buildings lay ahead, and before those crumbling walls, who knew how many years old, stood a female Warrior with long golden hair, dressed exactly like her and holding an identical greatsword.
"..."
Staring at the other woman's increasingly familiar face, Claire walked toward her step by step. Before long, she stopped ten meters away, then unconsciously called the other woman's name in a soft voice.
"Elena..."
Yes, she had recognized her from a distance. It really was Elena, who had entered the Organization at the same time as her and had been a trainee in the 150th generation...
After joining the Organization, the training and the procedures they underwent had both been agonizing. During their most painful and difficult days, the two of them had comforted and encouraged each other. No matter how much pain they endured inside, as long as they could hold each other, they could fall asleep in peace.
Because they knew they weren't alone. They had each other to lean on...
And yet...
Today, Claire had come here carrying Elena's black letter. What she had to do was the most heartbreaking, bewildering, and helpless thing in the world.
"It's been a long time..."
"Claire..."
Elena spoke. The wind swept through her long hair, revealing her equally lovely face. She gave Claire a rare smile, just like the ones they had shared when they held each other close in that room that had been like a prison cell.
"Elena..."
Looking at the friend she hadn't seen in so long, the most important companion in her life, who hadn't changed a bit, Claire