After the men had left, Elfaria maintained a serious expression for a while. The expression she had with Koutarou and Clan had vanished somewhere. That expression remained on her face even after they returned to 'Bertorion's special territory', and for the rest of the day.
“... I'm starting to understand how it's all fitting together...”
Clan looked at Elfaria's back as she was leaving and sadly muttered. Clan had understood how Elfaria felt.
“...That person knows the pain of living in accordance to his fate...”
That's why Elfaria had said about Koutarou back in Fornorn. But looking at it from the other end, it meant that she did as well.
Elfaria-san has been after a life that's different from the life of an empress all this time, but fate won't allow it. If she didn't become empress, a princess not in favor of the military disarmament would become empress and the military would continue to run wild. She is trapped between two different lives. So with Bertorion appearing, it is only obvious that she would fall for him...
If Elfaria didn't become empress, the military might cause something irreparable. But at the same time, that meant giving up the life she wanted. What Elfaria needed to do and what she wanted to do were complete opposites.
“Elle is in a tough spot... Just like empress Alaia...”
Koutarou also understood that Elfaria held contradicting emotions. Alaia had been the same. Alaia wanted to avenge her parents, but at the same time she was trying to give up on that for the sake of her people. It was because Koutarou had seen Alaia like that up close that he was able to understand how Elfaria felt.
“What's the matter?”
“Let's have Elle do what she wants. She probably...”
“... You're right...”
Elfaria was moving further and further away from Koutarou and Clan. After waving at them one last time, she left the cave.
“... Hey, Bertorion.”
“Hm?”
“After seeing her, I've made up my mind as well.”
Clan turned to Koutarou and clasped her hands in front of her chest. A strong determination shone in her eyes. Clan had reached a decision as a princess.
“I will leave grandmother be.”
Clan said with firm determination.
“Are you fine with that?”
“Yes. I think saving people who have reached the end of their life is going too far. She is certainly someone I want to meet, but...”
Clan's voice gradually grew quieter as she looked down on the ground. As a relative of hers, it wasn't something easy for her. But she soon looked back up, the will behind her eyes still present.