It was the latter half of the <> and even later, so we may call it the <>.

The last stage was a period of turmoil.

People were repeatedly evacuated.

There were nobles who lost their houses and possessions.

Some families lost their beloved sons and heirs.

There were children who were separated from their families.

They all had one thought in common.

.

But it came true with an unexpected tragedy. .......

The = was smiling to himself.

He had completed the magic of , which he had been working on for some time.

Now all that remained was how to make them use it.

He thought that it would be best to let the , which was at a disadvantage in the war, use it. .......

<>.

When did those who obtained it think of using it? .......

* * * *

<> came in contact with <> due to lack of data.

"Hmmm, that's right."

We did not have any such information.

<<

"Yes, that may be so."

I couldn't put speculation based on a certain amount of data on the same level as complete imagination.

What I am trying to compile on this day is a record that should be preserved as .

"But I'm curious about it, aren't I?

"Yes, I agree with Jin.

"As for me, I'm interested in what happened to the world right after the Aether Stampede.

"Oh, Vivien, I heard what you said, didn't I?

"Really?　I'd love to hear about it, Lorona-san.

I understand.

I understand.

On September 29, 3155 of the continental calendar, an "Aether Stampede" occurred.

The scale of the event was so great that it enveloped almost all of Ars.

A reaction that slowly converts the free magical element (ether) existing in space into <>. This is the Aether Stampede.

<slow, the time required is less than a second.

The light produced at that time was like a supernova.

Perhaps, if it had been seen from <, Ars, which was supposed to be a planet, would have shone as brightly as a fixed star.

At the same time, mana is decomposed back into free magic element (ether), and that free magic element (ether) is transformed into <.

This phenomenon is fatal to mages and wizards, who without exception convert free magical elements (ether) into magical elements (mana) in their cells and use part of the energy to maintain their life activities.

In fact, it is said that more than 50% of the population died immediately.

Including the victims of the war, 60% of the population before the <> were no longer of this world.

The world population at that time was about 2 million. That number has been reduced to 800,000.

< was even worse: from 180,000 to 20,000.

Neither side could continue the war, and the ended in a "draw".

However, <> are said to have been able to mend their meager pride ...... by claiming that they had <>.

Now, what was the world like immediately after the <>?

In a word, the world was in a state of <> and <>.

The moment the world seemed to be enveloped in light, people were falling down in a flurry.

The borderline that survived was less than 30% dependence on magic power.

Those who were more than that,...... finally, the best mages,......, died in an instant.

The proportion was slightly higher among the nobility, but many civilians were also killed.

<, the home of the , the victims were buried, funerals were held, and clans were reorganized.

The food crisis, ironically, was temporarily resolved due to the drastic decrease in population, and for the time being, the idea of an did not gain momentum.

* * * *

"...... and, well, that's about it."

"Thank you very much, Rorona-san."

Jin thanked Rorona.

Vivian closed her eyes and thought about the past,

"Such a tragedy has happened. We must definitely tell the story of this. Of course, we must record it.

Of course, we must record it," he said with determination.

"But, it must have been confusing at first, right?

Jin asked, and Lorona nodded sadly.

"Yes. < clan survived."

"That was tragic. ......"

But I'm sure it was the same on the human side.

I'm sure that's true. ......

At this point, Turles speaks up.

"Well, I, too, though I did not die, I was bedridden and under the care of Neige, because I had lost all strength in my body. ...... until Jin-dono came."

"If so, was <> all right?"

"Probably, they had prepared something like the <> that Jin-dono had prepared for us before."

"I see."

"I see." ......This is how the world declined and gradually recovered over the next 300 years. And then in 3456, Jin-kun appears."

Vivian muttered emotionally.

"And you were able to fix me too.

"Me too."

Anne and Lol said.

"So that's how it's going to be. <

No, it's still there.

What?"

Jin, have you forgotten?　The Bororon Wilderness and other lands contaminated with heavy metals.

Yes, that's right.

< is one of the most noteworthy acts of folly in the history of Ars.

Mankind must take it as a warning and never forget it.

I would like to think about what we can do now for that purpose.

I agree with Jin.

Thank you, Arnold.

I also want to think about what we can do for the Nordic Federation.

Theon, too, has renewed his commitment to a better future.

The road ahead for Ars humanity will not be smooth, but as long as they keep trying, it will continue far into the future.