"Yes. All of history has been an accident. From the birth of civilization until today, no major upheaval has occurred. We were fortunate, but since it was fortune, there would always come a day when it ended. Now I'm telling you: it has ended. Prepare yourselves."
Hoshino's voice seemed to come from an endless starry sky.
Vast.
She had come from boundless history, reciting those words. History was a dull, flavorless curve, one end connected to the infinite past and the other to the future. Between them were only irregular rises and falls, peaks and valleys scattered like grains of sand of varying sizes—desolate, lonely, unbearable.
Doctor Kal'tsit had come seeking answers.
But the answer was merely luck?
It had nothing to do with history, nothing to do with anyone's efforts. It was merely luck?
What kind of joke was that?
"When I first heard those words, I wore the same expression." Hoshino suddenly leaned closer, as though she wanted to imprint Kal'tsit's expression in her heart. "Just like a child seeing the stars for the first time. Her description was cautious and precise."
A child seeing the stars for the first time?
The shrine maiden was not the original speaker, but merely someone relaying the words?
Kal'tsit pondered.
"It is perfectly normal to feel fear when faced with such sudden vastness. Please adapt to it as soon as possible."
Hoshino continued battering the little cat.
"Next, you'll feel angry, but don't worry. Anger is rooted in fear, and fearlessness comes from ignorance. I believe in your ability to accept reality. You'll probably adjust soon enough. For now, focus on something more practical."
"Fine."
Kal'tsit recovered quickly, though it would take time to absorb and process everything.
"Raiden Mei."
"She is a god living upon this land, but she differs