When the egg cracked open, the universe suddenly expanded.
"Ehh!?"
"Oyoyo?"
"...This again."
In an instant, the space between our souls became outer space.
"Um, let me see..."
"Allow me to explain. This egg is a soul egg. It can express the vessel of the soul of whoever touches it. When it cracks, water comes out."
"Water?"
"It's not real water. The amount of illusory water that fills the room measures the capacity of the soul's vessel."
"Water..."
It was unmistakably the universe.
"Oyoyo. It's not water."
It was thoroughly the universe.
"In all my years serving in the space between souls, I've never seen anything like this..."
"So, um, how much do I—"
"I'm sorry. I can't tell."
"Ehh..."
She said it flat-out.
The Nyoshi clergywoman said with a guilty look.
"With a soul egg of this type, there's no way to know the capacity. If you absolutely must find out, the only option is to travel to Juto. The Royal Soul Egg kept there should be able to tell you."
"...Juto, you say?"
"All soul eggs are born from the Royal Soul Egg in Juto."
Hmm.
I didn't want to know that badly, honestly.
"Oh my~. Still, it's beautiful. Look at all those stars!"
"It really is."
Nothing but space.
Then the cosmic expanse vanished, and both the egg and the Chamber of Souls returned to normal.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."
The Nyoshi clergywoman immediately bowed her head.
"N-no, don't apologize. I'm the one who put you through all this trouble."
I bowed my head too.
While we were both bowing, the Sister tilted her head.
"Huh? What are you two doing? Haha. That's funny."
"..."
"..."
We both fell silent.
The Nyoshi clergywoman gave a small cough.
"As promised, I won't breathe a word about what happened here, so please rest easy."
"Nuhuh. I won't."
"Y-yes. Please take care of me."
The sister's words felt a little off, but I stepped out of the Soul Chamber.
I sighed. To think I'd come back unmeasurable.
That was a bit unexpected.
"Wait, which way was I supposed to go again?"
I got lost.
Nothing but identical, sterile corridors stretching in every direction. Um—this way?
"Huh?"
What even is this corridor? This door? Where are the stairs going down?
Lost. Completely lost.
"Oh my. A lost little bread-bean."
Pink hair. Orange eyes.
A beautiful girl, but a weird sister.
"Ah, Sister. Um, well… I'm lost."
"Oh dear. You really are a lost little bread-bean."
"Y-yes, that's right."
I felt my face turning red.
Frustrating and embarrassing.
The sister grinned.
"There we are. Very good. Follow me."
"Y-yes."
I followed behind the Sister.
"Oh ho ho. It's built in a similar way, so it's only natural to get lost."
"Is that so?"
"Hmm hmm hmm. That's exactly why you need a guide."
"Why would anyone make it so hard to navigate?"
"Ah ha ha. That's on you. It's a defense measure, you see. If attackers can't find their way either, that buys you time."
"Is that really the reason?"
"Ho ho ho. In the old days, yes. Now it's to preserve the sanctity of the place. Was that enlightening?"
"Er, sure."
We descended the curving staircase.
We reached the entrance hall, where a great number of worshippers had gathered.
Once you make it this far, you're fine.
"Heh heh heh. I have rescued the lost little bread-bean from its confusion."
"Thank you very much."
"Ha ha ha. You're such a polite young man."
"Am I?"
"Ho ho ho. Honoring courtesy is a path that leads to faith."
The Sister smiled, and I bowed before leaving the cathedral behind.
She really was a weird Sister despite being a beautiful girl.
"Well, if it isn't Wof."
"Huh?"
When I turned around, there was a man.
A Fawn man with a scar on his face. A large, well-built body. A greatsword strapped to his back.
Oh!
"Long time no see."
"Garad?"
"Yeah."
Garad Jinryu.
The second son of the Jinryu family, once one of the three great houses of Hyzen.
The man who'd turned his back on the Jinryu family and cast them aside.
"...It's been a while. So you've been staying in Hydrangea?"
"Just recently, actually. So, how about it? Wanna grab some food? My treat."
"Then let's go to Cider Inn."
"Oh? Then let's head over."
"Sure. This way."
I led the way to Cider Inn.
Cider Inn was on the second floor, as usual.
Somehow, it had already become such a familiar spot that I was used to it.
I ordered food and a drink. I was a little surprised he didn't order any alcohol.
Maybe I'm being poisoned or something.
"Oh. This is good."
Galad, savoring the regular croquette instead of the simmered kind.
He's in a good mood. Now, what should I do?
"Galad. The Jinryuu family has been completely wiped out."
"...I see."
"I won't push you, but do you want to hear the details?"
"...Tell me. I bear that much responsibility, at least."
I told him about the remnants and the phantom unit as well.
"That strange helmet..."
Galad set down his lemonade, startled.
"With this, the Jinryuu are completely gone."
"...I'm sorry."
"No, it was just how things turned out."
"I ran away..."
Galad muttered bitterly, drinking his lemonade.
That's right. He ran away. I don't need anyone to tell me that.
But I can understand that he wanted to say it out loud.
"Galad."
"I know. If I had stayed in Hydrangea, none of this would have happened."
"Would it, though?"
"Maybe there would have been some waves. But the blood spilled would have been far less."
"That's..."
He was right. I didn't say it out loud, but Galad's regret was spot on.
At the same time, I understood something.
Even though Galad had run away, he had still struggled with it.
I could relate to the urge to flee. But there had to have been another way.
Even now, I believed he should have taken a moment to think calmly instead of bolting outright.
"...I'm sorry."
"Please say that to Seiran and the Poor Man's Club."
"Yeah... but I still haven't gone back to Hydrangea—"
"I think you should go back when you want to. It'd be awkward if someone suddenly told you to return, wouldn't it?"
"My apologies."
I knew there was a way to get him back to Hydrangea right now, but I decided not to suggest it.
Reaching Hydrangea at the end of a long and arduous journey.
Somehow, I felt that would count as a more fitting act of atonement for Galad.
Also, today's extra-large serving of butter rice.
It tasted just a little bit salty.