Ignoring everything else, Schwarz endured the pain, scrambled to her feet, and sprinted with all her strength toward Ceylon by the sea.
The volcano erupted, giant waves surged in, meteors fell...
None of that mattered to Schwarz right now. Her only thought was to get there—faster! Faster! Faster! To get to Ceylon's side.
Even if it meant death.
Hearing the call, Ceylon, who had been stunned by the sight of the Catastrophe erupting, snapped out of her daze.
She turned around and saw Schwarz.
Schwarz, who had been with her from childhood to adulthood, always stern-faced yet endlessly considerate toward her, always appearing whenever she needed her most—like an older sister.
She had lost that composure. Her eyes were red, her face filled with anxiety and despair as she ran toward her recklessly, heedless of her own life.
Ceylon saw Schwarz.
Schwarz saw Ceylon too.
Their gazes met, and they both seemed to understand something. Ceylon's eyes became gentle and sorrowful, while tears streamed down Schwarz's face.
Time seemed to stop right there.
"Y-you... who are you?"
"Schwarz. I am Schwarz. By the master's orders, I have come to protect you, Miss. From now on, I will defend your safety with my life."
"So boring, Schwarz. Let's go out and play?"
"Please do not do that. It is dangerous outside, Miss. You should stay at home."
"But I've finished all my books. It's so boring staying at home... Come on, let's go play. Let's go to the beach. Schwarz can protect me, can't she?"
"...Yes. Then please remember, Miss—you absolutely, absolutely must not leave my sight."
"Schwarz, we're friends, right?"
"Miss, I am merely a servant."
"You're not allowed to say that! Schwarz is my friend, my best friend. Schwarz, am I not your friend?"
"...Of course