amgoat

Inevitably, I started to think of my mom and dad. At that moment, I suddenly thought, was I seeing the same volcano they had seen?

And all the scholars who came before us, was this what they had seen as well? Even after hundreds of years— even if the locations were completely different, it could be the same boiling lava flowing in front of all of us.

Even if I never got sick, even if the accident never happened, even if I spent my entire life dedicated to studying it... How much could I possibly have figured out the secrets of the eternal behemoth in front of me?

'Why did mom and dad choose this path?' 'Why did mom and dad have to die?'

In front of an eternal, inscrutable question... My questions suddenly seemed so insignificant.

I don't have nearly enough time left here. I don't have any more excuses to shy away, or to keep wallowing in grief and fear.

Eyjafjalla...

I'm sure... mom and dad felt the same way.

I've taken the data they left behind and continued in their footsteps. Now, it's as if they never left this world. They continue to live on in front of me, guiding me forward.

If... one day, I also have to leave this world, there will be someone after me who continues my work where I left off, right?

Incredible... This way, your work will continue to be passed down again and again, it's a kind of immortality.

Hmm... immortality? I've never looked at it that way... *cough* *cough*...

Damn it, did the wind pick up again?

Have a seat here, Eyjafjalla. Being exposed to the wind isn't good for you.

*cough* *cough*... Thanks. Yes, I'm already much better now.

After yakking on all this time, you might've gotten the wrong idea about me, Barty... Really, I'm not that brave.

I just... can't help but think back to an expedition I went on a few years ago.

I was in much better shape back then than I am now. Though I still wasn't very strong, at least I wouldn't bump into things left and right and drag everyone else down.

Nonsense, you haven't been dragging any of us down at all. If anything, you've been looking after us more than anything else.

So cold... Th-The wind's so strong...

Ugh... Even through all these layers, my hands and feet are still shaking...

Hm, now that I think about it, you always struggle with the cold, but every time we get close to you, you seem to run really hot.

That'd be my Arts... It might be something I subconsciously do because I always feel too cold.

Sorry, Barty. You should keep your distance from me if you don't want to risk getting burned.

No need to worry about me. As long as you feel a bit more comfortable, I don't care how hot it gets.

It doesn't actually help. It's just a subconscious reaction anyway, all it gives me is a tiny bit of psychological comfort. In the end, I just go right back to making a fool of myself, shivering all over the place.

Barty, don't you think that with my Originium Arts, and as a Caprinae, the cold shouldn't bother me so much?

Truthfully... I wasn't always like this.

*Sigh*...

Don't worry about it. N-Next time, just make sure to bring even more layers!

Hmm... Some extra clothes, huh...

I should also get my hearing aids adjusted. I'm always mishearing things halfway through, and that's been a bit of a headache for you, hasn't it?

Say... Eyjafjalla... Y-Your leg...

Hm? What's wrong with my leg?

Oh... It seems to be moving on its own...

Haha, are you moving to a beat? I bet it's probably because of that guy, sitting in a faraway place, always singing to himself.

Huh?

♪ The snow continues to fall

♪ Everything becomes silent, gradually, quietly

♪ With love for this dance, and even more for the distant mountains

♪ All my hopes and desires

♪ Spread across this great, free land

♪ Where nobody can stop me

I seem to hear it... but also not hear it...

Hmm... This song is something I heard when I was young. Before I realized it, it kept echoing in my head.

You've also started to hum along...

You know, I gotta say, I'm relieved to see you like that.

Kahn, about that thing you asked me to do—

You were worried she could be in danger, caught up in something bad. You were worried she could get hurt, so you asked me to look after Miss Naumann— Eyjafjalla.

I understand your concern, but I have to say—

You really don't need to worry about her.

The magma melted her heart and now it's growing back. It's the purest, most resolute thing in the world.

The way I see it, the dark clouds above her cast no shadows on her light.