It was clearly an extremely cold Lostbelt.
Yet all anyone could feel now was scorching heat.
Although Norla stood at the very front and barely blocked the most intense heatwave, the residual heat was still beyond what humans could endure.
"We need to find a chance to strike back! Anyway, get Fou back to the Shadow Border first!"
Looking at Fou's fluffy white fur, Fujimaru Ritsuka feared that the little white creature who had accompanied them all this way would be burned to a crisp. He hurriedly brought Fou to the Shadow Border's entrance and let him run inside on his own.
Though they did not know the exact situation with Ophelia and Ortlinde, they seemed to have lost their hostility.
The Shadow Border took the opportunity to move closer, giving Fujimaru Ritsuka enough time to send Fou back inside.
"You are... getting in the way."
Surtr spoke.
His voice still rang directly within their minds.
Then—
Flames and light fell from the sky.
Mash paled in shock and hurriedly resumed her full defensive stance, bringing everyone within the scope of her protection.
Norla's expression also turned more serious. His flames burned even fiercer as he used his own fire to hold back Surtr's.
And so—
I saw it.
The man lying on the ground seemed to open his eyes, and this was the sight that greeted him.
He froze there in astonishment, his mouth slightly open, as though he had witnessed the most awe-inspiring sight in the world.
Weapons made to face gods, standing against them in human form.
Even though that attack far exceeded the limits of what they could bear, they still stood there with proud, unyielding postures, without retreating even a single step.
"Ah... how beautiful."
Beautiful beyond belief.
In that case—
I had no choice