"—In other words, even if this weren't a gold coin but rather a full-force blow from Garf, since Lady Emilia already knows what Garf is going to do, she can easily dodge Garf's obvious attack and counter, making him cry like a baby."

"I see, that's how it is... But wait! Making Garfiel cry like a baby is a bit cruel. I'd like to find a way to get along with Garfiel without that."

"In that case, there's no need to counterattack. If Lady Emilia calmly dodges all of Garf's attacks with a cool demeanor, eventually Garf's spirit will break, and it should end peacefully."

"That's reassuring... Reassuring? Really? Even though his spirit would be broken?"

Receiving the gold coin from Rem, Emilia voiced her thoughts, a large question mark forming in her mind. Right now, in her head, Garfiel seemed busy crying like a child or collapsing in despair, but for the time being, Rem, who had taken over the explanation from Ram, felt relieved that she had managed to explain the outline of Aldebaran's authority—'Time Reversal.'

"As expected of you, Rem. You've managed to convince Lady Emilia well."

"I'm glad if I could be of help to you, sister. Garf had to be the sacrifice, though..."

"If all it takes is for him to cry or sulk to move things forward, Garf would be satisfied with that. Since he's sleeping soundly, I'll visit him later."

"Yes, that's right. Garf would be overjoyed if you visited him, sister..."

With a shrug of her slender shoulders, Ram's attitude brought a complex bitterness to Rem's heart. Remembering her regained memories, she recalled that she and Garfiel originally had a contentious relationship over Ram. Since childhood, she had disliked Garfiel for his unrequited feelings for Ram and had often argued with him. However, thinking back on Garfiel's efforts in the Empire and the conversations they had on the way back, she felt guilty for treating him the same as before. Moreover, the current Garfiel had failed to fulfill his role of protecting Subaru and Beatrice. When he wakes up, he will likely be deeply depressed and blame himself.

"To further push such a Garf would be too pitiful... I understand. I'll concede here. We need Garf to recover quickly and become a force to rescue that person."

"Indeed. But being bound by Rem's possessiveness doesn't feel bad either. If Rem dislikes it, we can put Garf aside for now."

"You know I won't say 'don't go,' sister."

"Do I?"

With a thin smile, Ram's dignified response dazzled Rem, causing her to sigh. How much of Ram's kindness and consideration had she wasted during the time she was asleep and without memories? Of course, Ram wasn't the only one Rem had worried. She had troubled everyone in the camp and even those outside it. —Fortunately, or perhaps not, Rem originally had zero social connections outside of those involved, so the damage in that sense was minimal.

"Rather, it feels like I was able to properly interact with Katya and Mizelda while I had lost my memories, more so than before my memories returned..."

Reflecting on the journey back to her own life, Rem holds such sentiments. Despite being thrust into the Vollachia Empire by circumstance and forced to survive, it's ironic that Rem, who had no place to belong, was more adept at forming human connections. In the end, she repeatedly pushed away Subaru, who tried to stay devotedly by her side despite her complete lack of trust, making her want to strangle herself.

"If only Subaru-kun had looked me in the eye and talked to me directly... Ah, but it was me who rejected that, ugh..."

Rem wants to defend herself by saying she had no memories, but there's also a part of her that believes if she had faced Subaru directly, her sincerity would have been conveyed. Regardless, the fact remains that Rem caused significant trouble for those around her, especially Subaru, so she must make amends with all her might from here on.

"First, I'll resolve this situation safely. After that, to show Subaru-kun my gratitude, I will break my own fingers... that's it."

"...Even if you do that, Subaru won't be happy; he might be so shocked he'd die, so absolutely don't do it."

"Ah, Petra-san..."

When Rem turned around, having been overheard in her secret resolve, she found Petra with a troubled expression. Thinking she shouldn't have been overheard, Rem raised her palm to Petra and said, "No, please don't stop me. I feel so guilty towards Subaru-kun. If I don't punish myself for my inadequacy, I can't face him..."

"So, you're saying that instead of wanting to apologize to Subaru, you want to punish yourself to feel better?"

"That's not my intention..."

"Even if it's not your intention, that's how it will end up. Listen, what Subaru wants from you isn't punishment, but for you to receive the happiness you missed while you were asleep."

"――――"

Petra, with her eyes gently softened, said those words, and Rem couldn't help but gasp. It was a gentle and indulgent lecture, reminiscent of the words Subaru had said to Rem on the morning after the threat of the beasts in Arlam Village was resolved, when she was blaming herself. For some reason, Subaru from that time and the Petra in front of her overlapped just a little.

"...Surely, it's proof that everyone is influenced by that person."

"Hmm? What is it, Rem-neesama?"

"No, Petra-san's words brought back a very nostalgic and important feeling. Do you remember? When the beasts attacked Arlam Village."

"...Um, yes, I remember."

At Rem's question, Petra's cheeks stiffened slightly. Her gaze flickered towards a girl named Meili in the corner of the room. Apparently, this girl joined the camp while Rem was asleep and played a role in the kingdom while Emilia and the others were struggling in the empire. Rem feels she might have seen her somewhere before, but she wonders why Petra is concerned about her now.

"Ahem. Anyway, please stop doing things that hurt yourself, Rem-neesama. The world would fall into darkness if your precious, delicate fingers were harmed."

"Petra-san..."

"If you insist on not stopping, then I'll take joint responsibility and break my fingers too!"

"Petra-san!?"

Petra clenched her small hand into a fist, causing Rem's voice to unintentionally rise. In response to Rem's reaction, Petra gave a mischievous smile and continued, "That's why you shouldn't do such things."

"――. Yes... I understand."

With Petra's insistence, Rem timidly nodded in agreement. It was partly due to Petra's enthusiasm, but more accurately, Rem was silenced by the Subaru-like impression she received from Petra. Earlier, Petra had reminded her of Subaru, and now, the way Rem was being stopped—Petra counterbalancing Rem's rashness with her own extreme—was remarkably similar.

――――

Feeling the significant influence of Subaru through Petra, Rem fell silent. In a way, Petra's current demeanor was proof that she understood Subaru even more than Rem did, which could easily evoke feelings of jealousy or envy. Yet, strangely, Rem felt not a shred of such emotions towards Petra. She didn't know why, but as she thought of Subaru, another thorn was pricking at her heart.

That was――,

"Aldebaran's authority."

Just now, she had finished explaining the authority of 'Time Reversal' to Emilia using a gold coin. Thanks to Ram's patient explanation, Rem understood its terrifying nature, but as she broke it down for Emilia, a bubbling doubt arose within her. The authority to observe the future and avoid unwanted outcomes by turning back time――,

"――Could he be, too?"

The faint spark of doubt that had emerged within Rem quickly grew, spreading like wildfire across the plains of her thoughts. Among the remnants left by the blaze, several embers that had ignited and intensified the fire lay scattered.

For instance, Subaru always exuded a dense miasma. For instance, that miasma often grew more intense, almost enveloping Subaru. For instance, Subaru detected situations with inexplicable insight and derived solutions. For instance, thanks to Subaru, many deaths were avoided, and Rem was among those saved.

Each of these elements, if considered individually, might seem like nitpicking or trivial complaints, but when centered around the singular rule-breaking authority, they fit astonishingly well. However, if by any chance Rem's intuition was correct, then Natsuki Subaru, possessing unparalleled power――,

"Only uses it for someone else's sake. ...What a selfless person."

If he could redo any moment and adjust it to his liking, he could act selfishly and reshape the world as he pleased. Yet, Subaru doesn't do that, nor does he use it in such a way. ――Rem, who was not swayed by Subaru's will, understands this best.

If Subaru had used his power to make someone's heart align with his desires, the incident where Rem broke Subaru's fingers wouldn't have happened. In other words, the fact that his fingers were broken is proof of Subaru's sincerity.

"After all, Rem should break her fingers to match Subaru-kun...!"

"I just convinced you not to do that!"

"No, Petra. It's not a backward reason of being unable to face him, but a forward reason of wanting to share the same pain as Subaru-kun..."

"Whether forward, backward, upward, or downward, it's a no-go!"

Rem's enthusiasm went unheard, ending in disappointment.

Regardless, setting aside the matter of counting on fingers, Rem's conviction that Subaru possesses a power similar to Aldebaran's has only deepened. However, even after hearing about 'time travel,' it seems that neither Ram nor Emilia have reached the same conclusion as Rem.

This is not because Rem understands Subaru more deeply than they do.

"…Rather, it's the opposite."

Unlike Rem, the reason Emilia and the others haven't arrived at this idea is that, while Rem was asleep, they witnessed Subaru's continuous efforts over the past days. From what Rem has heard, Subaru, during the more than a year she was asleep, made a contract with Beatrice and worked tirelessly to become worthy of being Emilia's knight. Knowing Subaru's efforts, they do not doubt the results he has achieved are due to other factors.

Rem, unfortunately, is unaware of those efforts, which is deeply frustrating to the point of heartbreak. Thus, there is a significant gap in understanding what Subaru is capable of between Rem and the others.

But this does not diminish Subaru's heroism in any way. Above all, even now, in this predicament, the fact remains that Subaru, even if he possesses powers, is not omnipotent. Therefore, he has had to muster wisdom and courage, taking someone's hand to move forward.

Even now, there are ways Rem can be of help to Subaru.

"Now that I understand… Sister!"

Subaru, who is captive, is seeking help. With this conviction in her thoughts, Rem hurriedly decided to share this idea with Ram and the others to increase the material for discussion. Although it might be difficult to convince them, as it is based on intuitive parts and the demon tribe's ability to sense miasma, the intelligent Ram and the broad-minded Emilia should listen seriously.

Thinking this, Rem was about to speak to Ram and the others, who turned to her with "What's wrong?"—

"—I have just returned. Apologies for the delay."

It was at that moment. In the grand hall of the manor where Rem and the others gathered, two men appeared as if in a blink. One was Crusch, a handsome man with a monocle and a sharp impression. And the one Crusch brought along was a long-known, greatly indebted master to Rem—

"Roswaal! You've come!"

"Yes, yes, I heard the situation from Crusch. Hearing about Subaru and Beatrice's predicament, and the foundation of the royal selection being shaken, I cannot afford to speak of being tired from my travels in the empire."

"That's very reassuring. Let's join the discussion right away… but before that."

"—?"

Emilia, who welcomed the tall figure of Roswaal, suddenly pointed with her hand to Rem, who was standing just behind him. As Roswaal turned to Emilia's gesture, his heterochromatic eyes focused on Rem. In response, Rem pinched her skirt and curtsied,

"Lord Roswaal, I have been on leave for a long time. Thank you for welcoming me to the empire. —Rem has returned."

"——"

At Rem's expression of gratitude and her return, Roswaal's throat made a faint sound. In the next moment, his tall figure swayed as if overcome by dizziness.

"Lord Roswaal!"

"Oh, no, it's fine, it's fine. …I was just overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information."

Ram quickly supported Roswaal as he responded with a wry smile. It seemed that the 'memory' of Rem's 'name' being spoken had triggered a resurgence. Although it was unfortunate that this resurgence wasn't due to the bond with Subaru, who had been diligently polishing the morning star, witnessing the void in his place being filled again wasn't a bad feeling. Some might call it inappropriate, though.

In any case――,

"――Welcome back, Rem. Once things settle down, let's talk about the mansion during your absence... especially about Ram."

"Yes. I'm genuinely looking forward to it."

With his usual understanding, Roswaal managed to absorb the shock of rapidly remembering Rem. Impressed by his master's mental fortitude, Rem attempted to restart the conversation. However, Rem's sleeve was gently tugged from behind――,

"Master, wasn't Frederica with you?"

"Oh, I left Frederica in the Barielle Territory. It was something she had already taken on. It would have been hard to leave Schult alone, and Crusch insisted on fulfilling the role expected of Frederica."

"Isn't it impossible for Crusch to take on Frederica's role?"

"Harsh. I must strive to dispel that doubt. Endeavor."

As Petra furrowed her brows, confirming Frederica's absence with Roswaal and the others, Crusch calmly vowed to rise to the challenge. Beside this exchange, Rem looked at Petra, who had tugged her sleeve, and couldn't help but tilt her head in confusion, "Petra?"

Petra had clearly interrupted Rem's words and introduced a different topic. Of course, Frederica's whereabouts were also a matter of concern, but her actions were meaningful. While Rem pondered this, Emilia was introducing Roswaal to Old Man Rom and discussing the need for cross-faction strategies. Petra watched this but then turned to Rem and beckoned her over.

And then――,

"…Could it be that you also noticed something about Subaru, Rem?"

"――! The way you say that, Petra, you also know about Subaru's ability…"

"Don't say anything more. …The 'Witch' might hear us."

"――――"

Petra put a finger to her lips, and Rem instinctively fell silent. Although Petra didn't explicitly state it, her words and demeanor perfectly matched Rem's inner thoughts—Petra also believed that Subaru possessed the ability to 'travel back in time.' From her subsequent words, it could be inferred that Petra had even more information than Rem.

The expression about the 'Witch' hearing them was somewhat startling, but――,

"Given that Reinhard is said to be holding back the 'Witch of Envy' at the Augria Sand Dunes, it's not something to laugh off as an exaggeration."

"Yes, it's related to that. I'm not absolutely certain, but I think it's better not to speak of it. ――I don't want to experience that again."

Petra's earnest whisper carried a weight as if she had personally experienced the consequences of uttering that forbidden phrase. Naturally, Rem swallowed her words in response to Petra's quiet plea. However, this meant missing the opportunity to reveal Subaru's true achievements thus far――,

"…That sort of thing doesn't concern him, does it?"

Before losing her memory and after, Rem had two opportunities to get to know Subaru. What she realized during those two chances was Subaru's heartwarming sincerity, which moved her deeply. It wasn't about being evaluated without pretense or having everything laid bare. Her wish for Subaru's actions and thoughts to be praised and rewarded was purely from Rem's perspective.

"Sister Rem, may I ask you just one thing?"

Petra spoke to Rem, who was swallowing her own prayers and lingering in the sentimentality of her emotions. Although Petra's voice wasn't particularly hushed, it seemed to Rem that Petra was asking with the utmost care, so that only she could hear it, and no one else. Feeling a similarity to Subaru's seriousness once again, Rem nodded slightly.

"Sister Rem, if it's to help Subaru, can you do anything?"

Behind that question, Rem sensed that Petra was saying, "I can do it." It wasn't out of a sense of rivalry. However, her contemplation lasted less than a second.

"Yes, of course. ――Because I am Rem, Subaru's Rem."

Answering in that way required no hesitation from Rem.

△▼△▼△▼△

――Aldebaran was acutely aware of the mounting exhaustion with each passing moment.

"Food is sourced locally, and for water, licking ice made from chilled air is fine... but losing sleep is truly tough."

The relentless sabotage continued to torment Aldebaran's group endlessly. The damages from these disruptions were not catastrophic enough to cause injuries or force them out of the battle line, but rather they were designed to wear them down, which was particularly insidious. Occasionally, they would mix in more severe threats like the rockslide at the quarry, ensuring they could never let their guard down, highlighting the maliciousness of their tactics. The biggest problem at present is that there is no perfect way to prevent this.

"A martial arts bureaucrat... a martial arts bureaucrat, huh. The rough sound isn't just for show."

Otto Suwen, the administrator of Emilia's camp, was often seen as a gentle and soft-spoken man. His role in the camp was that of a buffer and someone who was indispensable in everyday life, but not someone who needed to be watched out for in a crisis. ――That perception was completely wrong. Aldebaran had underestimated the fact that Otto could communicate with any living creature. The price for this oversight was being paid in an unbelievable surge of force and resources.

"Moreover, the problem isn't just the insidious bureaucrat... there's also the matter of the old man and Felt."

In addition to the sabotage, Aldebaran was further troubled by the discord within the group and the emergence of issues that couldn't be ignored. Felt, who was not initially part of Aldebaran's planned members, became a significant burden due to her necessary involvement related to 'Aldebaran.' This led to Felt inadvertently touching on a core issue that disturbed Heinkel's emotions.

Apparently, Felt had touched on something Heinkel desperately wanted to avoid. While his son, Reinhard, held the 'Witch of Envy' at bay in the Augria Sand Dunes, Heinkel had stabbed his own father, Wilhelm, who stood as an obstacle. Felt's careless interaction with Heinkel's fragile mental state nearly cost her life. ――In fact, it did cost her life several times.

If Aldebaran hadn't used the 'domain' to reset, Felt's death would have been certain. This would have provoked 'Aldebaran's' anger and cornered Heinkel's position. It's already an unnatural state where Aldebaran has overwritten the consciousness of the 'Divine Dragon'. If something were to significantly stimulate the 'dragon's' instincts, the magic of the 'Book of the Dead' might unravel. Therefore, Aldebaran forcibly cut off the conversation between Heinkel and Felt, but――,

"It's just a temporary measure. If I carelessly leave the old man and Felt-chan alone, it's obvious another incident will occur. But it's impossible to leave Roy's restraint to anyone other than Yae... Damn, this isn't a quiz about transporting wolves and goats across a river. And I'm not good at those."

It's a so-called logic puzzle, but the situation is similar. The current state of being forced to use brainpower on unnecessary mental games is undesirable, but even so――,

"――Whether it's Heinkel-sama or Felt-sama, wouldn't it be easier if you just cut them off?"

"――. I told you, I'm not doing that, no matter how many times you say it."

Suddenly, a light voice interrupts his thoughts, and Aldebaran clicks his tongue in response. With her hands clasped behind her back and a dancing gait, Yae approaches. Seeing her alone, Aldebaran narrows his eyes inside his helmet.

"Hey, why are you alone? You should be with someone..."

"Felt-sama is with Bor-sama, the Sin Archbishop is hanging, and Heinkel-sama is tied up. For now, things are calm."

"…That doesn't mean there aren't any holes."

"True. But, but, the biggest hole likely to open right now is with Al-sama, isn't it?"

Saying this, Yae squats in front of Aldebaran, who is hugging a raised knee. Her cat-like crimson eyes peer into his, making Aldebaran feel uncomfortable. No matter how bluntly he responds, her assessment is correct. ――Without a doubt, Aldebaran is the most visibly worn out among the members.

"But that's only natural. I have the biggest and most goals I want to achieve. So, it's only natural for me to bear the burden…"

"And if as a result, Al-sama collapses halfway, wouldn't that be a disaster?"

"…What are you trying to say?"

"So~ what Yae-chan has been trying to say all along is, let's lower the victory conditions before Al-sama gets crushed."

"But that's…"

"――Why does Al-sama have to stick to clean methods?"

Resting her chin on her folded knee, Yae sharply interjects. Her eyes, narrowed to threads, slightly open, and the playfulness in her voice disappears, leaving Aldebaran momentarily speechless. Taking advantage of Aldebaran's silence, Yae continues.

"The opponent doesn't care about appearances. Of course not. They've had their allies taken by Al-sama, been hurt, and on top of that, the fate of the world is at stake. Of course, they'll fight desperately. They'll face you head-on, not hesitating to use means that deviate from the righteous path."

"…I understand I'm causing you trouble. Not just the endless harassment, but also the encounters with the 'Sword Demon' in the royal capital."

"No, it's not that I want to complain. …Well, in a way, it might be correct to say it's a complaint~"

"What are you――"

The words he intended to say did not follow.

Suddenly, unable to dodge the hand that Yae extended straight towards him, Aldebaran was pushed on the forehead and toppled backward. As he blinked in surprise, Yae, who had pushed him down, slid over him.

"――――"

At close range, Aldebaran and Yae's gazes intersected. In that instant, Aldebaran immediately nudged the capsule hidden in his molar with his tongue, intending to end his life and redo this moment――,

"――Your wife has passed away, Ald-sama."

"――ッ"

"She has passed away. You've said it yourself many times, haven't you?"

Just before he could swallow the poison, Yae, who was close enough to feel her breath, spoke, and Aldebaran's throat made a sound. There was no need for her to say it. Priscilla Barielle was dead. That was the premise of everything. It was the reason, the cause, and the final shackle for Aldebaran to make this decision.

Because she was gone, Aldebaran released all the chains that bound him, knowing full well that he would turn all existence against him and plunge the world into chaos, he began this.

"Really?"

"Huh...?"

"Is that really so? Your wife is nowhere to be found. So nothing matters anymore. It doesn't matter who you betray, what you destroy, or how you're perceived. ――Really?"

Faced with the repeated questioning, Aldebaran couldn't move. Even now, with just a flick of his tongue, he could erase this moment. That was his insurance――no, even if that insurance didn't exist, Aldebaran might not have moved.

That's how much power Yae's words and gaze had, binding him more than steel threads.

She asks, "Really?" What kind of answer is she seeking? She asks, "Really?" Of course, it's true. What else can be said? She asks, "Really?" questioning the validity of Aldebaran's resolve.

"The outcome might be insane. The damage caused might be outrageous. But I also think this. ――Your methods are always so beautiful."

"Beautiful...?"

"Facing opponents head-on, surpassing their strategies, exploiting their weaknesses in lacking battle situations but not letting anyone die. Ald-sama's resolve is beautiful. That's why you've ended up so terribly cornered like this."

"――――"

"――Ald-sama, let's stop yearning for the sun?"

Yae's hands smoothly reached out, clasping Aldebaran's helmet from both sides. Not to remove it, but to prevent him from averting his gaze. Her touch and whispered words bound Aldebaran's soul, immobilizing him.

――To stop yearning for the sun.

"Crawling in the dirt, smeared with mud, let's stop looking up at the sky and bathe in blood. It's okay. I am already tainted, I don't mind bathing in mud and blood together."

"――. No matter what you say, I..."

"You don't have to give up what you can't yield. But if you wish for it, don't try to stay beautiful. If you could even let go of that――"

There, she paused, and Yae's lips curved into a gentle crescent. Her smile, tinged with a blood-like hue, seemed so ephemeral, overlapping with someone else's smile.

"――No one can defeat my Ald-sama."

――It was the smile of someone engraved in Aldebaran's soul, who shaped him.

"――――"

With a blood-colored smile, Yae spoke to Aldebaran as if clinging desperately, cherishing, lamenting, pleading, threatening, and mourning all at once. Aldebaran let out a long breath.

And then—

"—Domain Expansion, Matrix Redefinition."

He thought, even if he had to be covered in blood and mud, he wouldn't let go of what was truly irreplaceable.

△▼△▼△▼△

"—Ugh."

With a sharp, intense headache piercing his brain, Otto let out a faint groan. It had already been over twenty hours since he continued to keep the 'Divine Protection of the Spirit of Language' open. During that time, although he wasn't constantly checking the open channel, he couldn't afford to miss even a single piece of information that came through, even without initiating conversation himself. As a result, Otto maintained a state of semi-opening the protection, relentlessly continuing his solitary battle, sacrificing sleep and meals.

"…It seems Lady Emilia has joined up with the margraves."

Though incomparable to the pursuit of Aldebaran and his group, Otto was also deploying animals to scout around him to confirm the movements of their allies. He wasn't actively contacting Emilia and the others, partly because he didn't want his concentration disturbed, but mainly to avoid being stopped from his reckless actions. No matter how you looked at it, if Emilia and the others knew Otto had already bled more than a cupful from his nose, they would never allow him to continue.

"But it's necessary."

Soon, Aldebaran and his group would arrive at the Mogoredo Great Vent in the Kararagi city-state and attempt to achieve some objective there. That was likely the limit. It was only Otto's intuition, but he was convinced that allowing them to accomplish that would mean their defeat, and it was the last chance to reclaim Natsuki Subaru and Beatrice. Therefore, it must be stopped. However, Otto didn't have the decisive blow.

The decisive blow always belonged to someone other than Otto. What Otto Suwen could do was only provide covering fire for that someone. —So, even if it meant squeezing out all the blood from his body, he would pour his all into that covering fire.

'Young master, don't die on me.'

"…You're not telling me not to be reckless, are you?"

'Isn't being reckless like a hobby for you, young master? I won't tell you to stop doing something you can't stop even if told to. So, don't die on me.'

With that understanding attitude from his beloved dragon, Furufu, Otto smiled wryly. Although Otto was acting separately from everyone else in the camp, he was moving together with Furufu as a means of transportation and as someone to talk to in case he got too absorbed in the words and thoughts of other creatures through the 'Divine Protection of the Spirit of Language' and couldn't return. As expected, Furufu, who had been with him since childhood, seemed to see through Otto's thoughts and actions, and his reliability was often a source of salvation. Especially when acting in the mountains away from human settlements like this.

'I don't know if it'll help, but how about taking a little nap? From what you said earlier, the other side is also on a break… Now might be a good time to rest without worrying about losing track of them.'

"What are you saying? If they're on a break, that's when we should interfere. In fact, now is the prime time."

'Treating this situation as prime time is a bad habit of yours, young master.'

Furufu shook his thick neck in exasperation. His leisurely tone and demeanor might seem overly relaxed given the situation, but knowing it was a deliberate attempt to keep Otto from panicking, it didn't bother him. In fact, while talking with Furufu, Otto's spirits gradually recovered. Thanks to this, he felt ready to make another push.

『That's not my intention, you know.』

"Even if it's not intentional, you're helping me. My Furufu is the best partner."

『You're such a smooth talker, young master!』

Furufu grumbled in dissatisfaction, but Otto smiled and took a deep breath. Then, he refocused on the channel, resuming his communication with the birds, insects, and fish tasked with tracking Aldebaran and his group, trying to gather as much information as possible about their movements.

Of course, since communicating with animals required exchanging words, Otto's tracking was slightly delayed, with some lag from real-time. Even so, he managed to keep track of Aldebaran without losing them, largely thanks to the Zodda Bug. Most animals were intimidated by the presence of the 'Divine Dragon' and wouldn't go beyond a certain point, no matter how earnestly he pleaded.

However, the Zodda Bug was different. Prioritizing the survival and future of the swarm over the individual, they approached without fear of the 'Divine Dragon' and brought back valuable information. Once this matter was resolved, Otto knew he had to reward them generously, including the promised safe haven.

『If you side with the Zodda Bug too much, Miss Frederica and Miss Petra will give you even more disapproving looks.』

"I understand why women often dislike the Zodda Bug. But once they learn of its achievements this time, maybe their perspective will change."

Still, Otto understood that this hope was slim. Not only the women, but even Garfiel, due to his past battles with Otto in the 'Sanctuary,' seemed to have some resistance to the Zodda Bug. Subaru and Beatrice, once safely freed, would also hear of the Zodda Bug's contributions and react—,

"At the very least, I should let the swarm's representative receive direct gratitude—"

"—I think that might be a bit difficult, though?"

"――――"

Suddenly, a voice that wasn't from the insects, small animals, or Furufu brushed against Otto's ear. He gasped, and the next moment, his body was abruptly lifted into the air.

『Young master!!』

Without the dragon carriage, Otto's weight, which had been directly on Furufu's back, vanished, prompting Furufu to cry out desperately. But Furufu's shout was in vain, as Otto found himself suspended from a thin tree in the mountains, his hands and neck entangled in thin cords, kicking his feet in the air.

Barely managing to wedge his fingers between the cords around his neck to avoid immediate suffocation—,

"Ka, ku...!"

"You're not a combatant, yet your immediate reaction was impressive. Is this what they call the mindset of constant readiness for battle? You might have excelled as a shinobi, you know?"

Dangling and swaying, Otto saw a slender figure emerge beneath him. A girl with crimson hair and a servant's uniform with elements of Wazoo—her features matched perfectly. She was one of Aldebaran's crew, an enemy Otto had to eliminate—,

"See, I told you, Al-sama. —No one can defeat you."

The crimson shinobi, Yae Tenzen, blushed as she looked up at the suspended Otto.