The power of the demonic blades she had summoned slowly coalesced into a cold, gleaming longsword, which she held firmly in her grasp.
Beside her, Zane raised his hand and placed it over hers, their fingers closing together around the hilt.
"Miyabi."
"Strike."
Zane spoke those words once more.
This time, Hoshimi Miyabi didn't hesitate. With Zane standing beside her, there was nothing left to doubt.
In the next instant, the two of them lifted the blade together and brought it down toward the core before them with a decisive slash.
The blade sank into the core almost without resistance, swallowed by the radiance within. But there was no way Hoshimi Miyabi and Zane would let the sword stop there.
They pushed harder—together. A heartbeat later, the blade, forged from the power of the Tail-less, cleaved the entire core clean in two.
As it split apart, countless streams of light burst outward, scattering into the air like a breathtaking meteor shower.
And in that instant, Hoshimi Miyabi and Zane stood within that storm of falling light.
Hoshimi Miyabi stared blankly at the dazzling sight, dazed and lost in the beauty of it. But she didn't have long to linger—before she knew it, the vision began to blur, and she slowly opened her eyes upon the ice once more.
The moment her eyes opened, she turned to Zane, concern flashing in her gaze.
He was still leaning against her, the demon blade still embedded in his chest. Behind him, a vast crimson mist hung suspended in the air, gradually dispersing.
Within that mist, Miyabi could make out a twisted, demonic face—its mouth contorted in a silent, furious scream.
Soon, the mist dissolved completely into the falling snow. Only then did Miyabi exhale, her shoulders easing as her gaze returned to Zane.
But just as she did, she suddenly felt his weight grow heavier in her arms—Zane no longer even had the strength to lift himself.
Seeing this, panic welled up in her chest.
"Sir... what's wrong with you?"
"The problem's been resolved, and we have the Ether. Shouldn't you heal your injuries first? Or—turn into that other form again?"
Flustered, Miyabi barely noticed her slip of address, her eyes locked on Zane with deepening worry. Instinctively, her arms tightened around him.
"Miyabi, don't panic."
Zane's voice had grown faint. He tried to lift a hand, but his body refused to obey. Miyabi quickly freed one of her own hands to clasp his.
"That thing just now... was my 'heart' in my other form. So this state... isn't unexpected."
They were still far from completely defeating Him. This was only the first step in a much larger plan—but at least, it had gone smoothly.
What came next would decide everything.
Hollow Zero...
That was where the true final battle awaited.
Zane's words echoed softly in her ears. At first, Miyabi didn't quite understand what he meant by "this state"—but then the hand she was holding suddenly slipped away.
Her eyes widened in shock as she turned to look.
Zane's right hand was gone. His arm, and the right side of his body, were dissolving into particles of light.
"Wait! What's happening? You bastard, you lied to me again! What is this?!"
Miyabi's voice trembled as she struggled to process what she was seeing.
"How is this lying? I never said anything, did I...?"
Zane's voice carried a trace of helplessness, but Miyabi refused to accept it. He had told her not to worry about him—how could she not worry when he was disappearing right before her eyes?
"It's really fine..."
"Idiot! You're vanishing and you still say it's fine!"
"Really, it's fine... Miyabi, this is important. Until everything is settled, you must keep this a secret for me."
"You're the one who killed me. They'll spread the rumor, and the ones in the shadows will enjoy the spectacle. But... that deception is necessary to mislead them."
"I'm counting on you."
Zane looked at her gently, his gaze filled with quiet apology. The burden that followed—he was entrusting entirely to her.
Miyabi knelt there silently, her teeth clenched. Then she pulled him a little closer, holding him tightly in her arms.
"Let me tell you a secret," Zane said softly, his breath faint. "I've started to understand a little of time's mysteries..."
He knew Miyabi's nature too well—and even now, he wanted her to understand.
"I can feel it... our story isn't over yet."
"So... don't worry."
A small smile curved on his lips, calm and gentle, as if the one about to disappear wasn't him.
Miyabi's heart trembled at his words, and she understood.
Yes... their story wasn't over.
So right now—
"You bastard... you're such a jerk!"
Miyabi raised her hand and punched him hard in the shoulder. The movement tugged at his wound, and he hissed through his teeth in pain.
Disappearing or not—
That still hurt!
But just as Zane winced, Miyabi leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, her long hair falling over his chest.
Whispering beside his ear, she said softly,
"Sir... whatever it is, just do it."
"I won't let you down."
Zane froze for a moment, then smiled faintly.
This girl—just as he thought—she could bear the weight of it all...
But still... Sir?
And "won't let him down"? What was that supposed to mean?
A moment later, Zane's form scattered into countless motes of light, vanishing into the falling snow.
Clang—
The long sword slipped from Miyabi's hands and fell onto the ice.
As its echo faded, silence enveloped the frozen world.
Then, faint footsteps broke through the quiet.
Miyabi lifted her head, looking toward the distance.
That figure... was it Ellen from Victoria Housekeeping?