One-way traffic

Fortunately, all of this vanished like a dream.

Accelerator stared ahead at the illusory and gradually fading shadow.

"This time, it can be considered a complete end to the story."

No one needs to say anything more; both Accelerator and DO Apis understand what this means.

The battle that spanned two worlds has finally come to an end.

The two looked at each other, but neither took the final step to end it.

Is it because they were enemies who had faced life and death together twice that they understood each other's thoughts?

Regardless, Accelerator knew very well that the enemy before him was beyond saving.

It will inevitably disappear, not simply die.

"Burning the Seas, Dawn on the Horizon"—that was Tartarus's strongest, deadly strike.

By transforming all demonic power into the power of purgatory and concentrating it on the blade, all traces of the target—past, present, and future—at the intersection of the timelines and possibilities of all worlds, will vanish.

Only one person will remember that the other person ever existed.

"...It's quite different from what I expected."

"Even after things have come to this, you still dare to talk to others like that?"

"I am ultimately a demon, and I will never change my way of speaking, even until death... Unlike humans like you, you should know that, right?"

"Tsk." The first person clicked their tongue in displeasure.

"After all this fuss, the reason you finally decided to fight me is just this ridiculous point. Don't you find it laughable?"

“It’s not funny at all; I even think it’s worth it.”

"...I think you've never had any intelligence from the start, you devilish bastard."

"No...you don't understand why I say that at all."

The gradually dissipating demon of the abyss laughed.

“Accelerator, you’ve done very well, extremely well. You’ve now gained power that even I can easily surpass, which means that the path will eventually come.”

"say what…?"

"Don't worry, you'll soon be facing that future."

"Stop spouting nonsense like a riddle teller. Just say what you have to say, understand?"

He tried to grab the other person by the neck to threaten them, but found that his arm passed right through.

Even Accelerator was taken aback.

"That's truly—quite—powerful—"

The sound was choppy.

The shadow of the demon has completely transformed into tiny celestial bodies.

"When you—for the sake of the innocent—and your beloved—you will—understand—"

"I'll definitely see him."

"Shut up."

Bang.

Before it could finish speaking, a hand pierced through DO Apis's body.

It was an incredibly white hand, exactly like Accelerator's.

"—?!"

He quickly looked ahead, but by the time he came to his senses, it was all over.

There are no demons from the abyss here, nor are there any other people here.

In this vast universe, I am all alone.

——————————————————————————————————————————

No one would have guessed that this place is a beautiful and pure land.

The moonlight shone on that pristine land at night.

"Pew wow! This is such delicious sake!"

"Hey, Cui Xiang! That's the brewery I finally found!"

"Reimu, you're such a little kid, why don't you just go and drink your rice wine quietly..."

"What are you saying, you idiot!"

A grand banquet was held at the Hakurei Shrine.

All the girls from Gensokyo have gathered here, both those who have appeared before and those who haven't, to celebrate today and everything to come.

This is a peaceful and beautiful fantasy world, free from worldly troubles and common sense.

It is a secluded paradise, a haven from the world, for both humans and monsters.

"Speaking of which... Reimu."

After taking a sip of her drink and letting out a deep breath, Marisa couldn't help but look at her.

"You must have invited almost everyone in Gensokyo to this banquet, right?"

"Huh? What's wrong now...?"

"I can't find that guy anywhere!! And Alice too! Where did those two go?!"

"Oh dear...? Could it be that even the puppeteer is starting to have some feelings for men—Pfft!"

Just as Cirno was about to say something, she was punched away by Reimu Hakurei.

She blushed slightly and muttered a few words of annoyance.

"Alright, forget about those idiots! Suika! Give me another sip of your sake—!"

"No way! You have your own if you want some!"

"What's the big deal... Besides, you drank all my wine! Where am I supposed to find more?!"

The two then began to wrestle, creating all sorts of farcical situations.

"Being a shrine maiden at Hakurei Shrine is really tough."

Remilia sipped her black tea with elegance, a stark contrast to her surroundings.

"...I really envy them for being able to have so much fun."

"Pfft—!! Who, who just said that?!"

The vampire girl glared around and saw a pink-haired, expressionless girl sitting to one side.

She immediately realized all of this.

"You! You're Jue, aren't you! You were definitely reading my mind just now!!"

"It was just an accident... Ah, 'I never thought that guy would actually be related to the fate of Gensokyo,' is that what you're thinking too?"

So don't try to read other people's minds!

Remilia was unilaterally arguing with the girl in front of her, while the other girl just sat there indifferently.

The other girls on the other side also couldn't stay idle.

"Um, Second Miss..."

"What do you mean, 'love'? You've never seen how strong Fran is!"

"Oh dear...? Miss Fran talks a good game, but she hasn't actually done anything."

"You...then let's have a contest! Let's see who can hold their liquor better!"

"Just like my love!"

Izayoi Sakuya shook her head helplessly. Before her eyes, the two young ladies from the Earth Spirit Palace and the Scarlet Devil Mansion were still arguing.

hum.

Beside Saigyouji Yuyuko, cherry blossoms and a crack appeared.

"That's incredible."

"Oh, what do you mean?"

Yukari Yakumo smiled and came to her side.

However, just as she raised her glass, she discovered that it had been snatched away by someone else.

After glancing at Kazami Yuuka, who was leaving with a confident smile, Yakumo Yukari could only smile helplessly.

"This Gensokyo, the twists and turns of fate are truly quite ironic."

Gazing at the cherry blossoms filling the sky, Yuyuko couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Like being alive and dead, having survived the danger of annihilation, yet rising again from the ashes... Don't you think that's amazing for this place?"

I don't think so.

Yakumo Yukari shook her head slightly.

She looked calmly at the moon in the sky, as if she could see the people singing and dancing in the Moon City.

She glanced back at Kaguya Houraisan, Eirin Yagokoro, and the various people and youkai of Gensokyo behind her.

The sage of the monsters laughed from the bottom of his heart.

"For Gensokyo, these unusual things are simply common sense for us."

"But what's truly amazing is that it protected those of us who lack common sense, right...?"

then.

Tonight, Gensokyo has entered its most peaceful night.

————————————————————————————————————————

That's good.

Accelerator looked ahead, then turned around.

In the future, these girls will surely live their own lives and adventures.

The people of this fantasy world still have their own paths to walk.

But all of that was irrelevant to him.

He was merely a passerby in this land of fantasy, not someone who was meant to stay.

then.

He recalled the words the demon girl had spoken in the final moments.

"Master...you don't need to worry, you will definitely see me in the future, in the very near future!"

"I don't need to be sad."

"Ugh—!! This is too much of a blow to the devil's heart! It's broken my heart instead! Even if you don't recognize me now, you should at least try to understand what it's like to be a girl!"

"We will definitely meet again... someday in the near future!"

Having uttered those words, the demon girl disintegrated from herself at the final moment and left this world.

She returned to the time that she was meant to belong to.

Accelerator stood there alone, looking up at the moon.

He heard a voice behind him.

"There's no need to hide anymore."

"—!"

"I already noticed you. Or do you think you can go unnoticed?"

A figure emerged from the bushes.