[You have a man you love—don't you?]
Because they were communicating telepathically, Surtr's voice did not sound deafening.
Yet it still struck Ophelia's heart like a sledgehammer.
It was the truth.
A truth she had denied to herself countless times.
But.
"So what."
Ophelia's face remained expressionless.
"I had already decided to pledge my loyalty to him. It's just that..."
She raised her head and looked at this Lostbelt—at this place that had been "entrusted" to her from his hands.
Betrayal.
The word crossed her mind, making her frail body tremble for an instant.
[You can't do anything, Ophelia.]
Surtr seemed to be mocking Ophelia, or perhaps he was simply stating certain facts.
[You have a man you love, and loyal friends—but you can't do anything.]
[It may be impossible now, but if you can—try it. Even if you possess the Holy Grail, you can't do anything.]
As Surtr spoke, he actually let out a sigh.
[Longing, fate—whatever it may be, as long as it exists in this world, it cannot come true.]
[So—]
[Burn.]
[Ophelia.]
[I need you.]
The towering giant king, whose height reached the clouds, spoke to the girl standing upon his shoulder.
[With me, let us burn the entire world to ashes.]
Ophelia's body swayed.
She no longer wanted to think.
At this point, even the act of thinking made her head ache unbearably.
Ah...
Sunday, huh.
I can no longer do anything.
I had long since become powerless, hadn't I?
"That's true."
Her eyes lowered slightly, and she let out a laugh that she did not know was self-mocking or not.
"It seems this is the only thing I can do."
Things like wishes... seemed impossible to fulfill now.
And as for fate... my longing could no longer reach my friend.
Did I truly still