XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As expected, he came knowing everything.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The Oracle was certain.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan had orchestrated this entire situation.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The heretic remnant, Bishop Dexter.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The moment she saw him, she knew.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Their fate was sealed for destruction.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
At the end of their ruin was Arthur.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A pitiful knight who dedicated his sword to the moon for revenge and his younger sibling.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But he wasn’t whole.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The red thread of fate tied to him was tangled.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As if some impurity had intervened.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Probably Evan.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He must have drawn her in this way too.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Just seeing how he found her location and came directly confirmed it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He could deal with the remnants while he was at it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He might have even anticipated I’d be misunderstood.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
If he used the power of his family, it made sense.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The Alkart family.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The true power ruling the underworld.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Could they not uncover information in a kingdom inferior in every way except martial prowess?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
She didn’t know what he was planning.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But she had a sense of one thing.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
One of the things he sought.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
That beast.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The Oracle’s eyes turned to the whimpering beast at Evan’s feet.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A bizarre appearance with two heads.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It didn’t look like a chimera.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Two fates were fully intertwined, two beings merged into one.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A wolf that walks the skies, chasing the sun and moon.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Born solely to slay gods, a fate of defiance.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Yet, that defiance would not come to pass.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Because the stars beyond the sky were still watching.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Even so, it was defiance.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Ordinary people would feel their souls twist in agony just by touching it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
That was divine punishment.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Especially for the virtuous, watched periodically by the stars.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Only those who rejected fate, believed in evil gods, or were born with a doomed fate could touch it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hmm.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Rustle—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan lifted the puppy without a change in expression.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Pain?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He didn’t feel it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No sign of burning either.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Was Evan evil, then?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Even evil beings would be affected by defiance.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
They’d instinctively feel repulsion and an odd sensation.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
An urge to destroy this fate.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Normally, one would crush it rather than hold it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan showed no such signs.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hmm.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Stumble.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan, slightly swaying, asked Lapis.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Lapis, can you support me a bit?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Sure! Evan, your arms are shaking too much! You need to exercise!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“If I exercise, I might cough up blood and die.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Oh! No way! I’ll handle the heavy lifting for you!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Thank you.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
With Lapis’s help, he adjusted his hold skillfully.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He definitely came for this puppy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Perhaps—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan might be a defier too.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
His frail body could be the price of defiance.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan had coughed up blood from a sandstorm.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No matter how weak, that was absurd.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Unless he was ill or his lifespan was nearly gone.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
In other words.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The absence of lifespan.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He was already living on borrowed time.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Probably because of the cost of defiance…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As all the pieces fell into place, a thrilling rush of dopamine flooded her brain.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Her eyes welled with emotion.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Osera, you knew this and sent me that letter.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was elation.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What Evan was trying to do was surely…!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
THUD!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The ground suddenly shook violently.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Looking down, her eyes sparkled like a night sky filled with countless stars.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The fate of this area was observed in an instant.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A vision of the future unfolded before her.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A moment tied to her own death, shown by the constellation of the future.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A centipede, buried below, offered scales as tribute through countless sacrifices, awoke.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It surged like a dragon, shattering everything.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
***
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Before the Oracle saw the future.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Heavier than I thought.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Sniff, Evan looked down at the puppy, barely held up with Lapis’s support.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What do I do with this puppy now?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Its life force and mana were faint.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It would die like this.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Maybe a day at most?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Thanks to the beast’s natural regeneration.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Healing it won’t kill it, right?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
His Living Armor twitched faintly, as if reassuring him.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As if it would protect him if it attacked.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Right.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Even if he didn’t trust it, he trusted himself for making it!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Subspace open.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Swish—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He pulled out a high-grade healing potion from his subspace and poured it into the puppy’s mouth.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Pant, pant, lick, gulp, the puppy swallowed the potion.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Its breathing gradually stabilized.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Its mana remained faint.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Maybe equivalent to a low-grade potion?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
This shouldn’t be too dangerous. Safe to touch, right?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Trusting his Living Armor, Evan stroked the puppy’s head.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The puppy twitched, as if unused to it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Fearing it might seize and break his arm, he quickly soothed it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Shh… good boy.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Whine…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The puppy twisted awkwardly at first, then found a comfortable position and relaxed.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It seemed oddly at ease.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Still, the missing leg was a pity.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Meanwhile, Lapis, having finished restraining Dexter, looked up at Evan.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Evan, can’t you soothe me like that too?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan looked down at Lapis.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
She wasn’t fully grown yet.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Like a little sister to an older brother.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Maybe a cousin?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Saying “Shh, good girl” to her?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Wouldn’t that be weird?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“No. It’s different because they’re animals.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Animals? They are?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“It’s one creature.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Oh, oops.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Did the two heads confuse her?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was kind of intriguing.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
There were fire-breathing dragons, so an extra head wasn’t a big deal.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Anyway, this puppy is an animal.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hmm… the category of animals is broad…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
When Evan spoke firmly, Lapis nodded.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Phew, survived.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Almost died socially.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“So, what are you going to do with it?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
…I was thinking of freeing it with the other beasts.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“It’ll die if you do that. Why not keep it? Didn’t you heal it to raise it?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
That wasn’t the plan.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Wouldn’t a Bicon be better?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
This one’s not cool.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A Bicon’s broken horn could be fixed.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It had more flair… though the golem might rebelliously disagree.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“By the way, Evan.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“?!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“It’s not a puppy, it’s a wolf.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Oh.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A wolf?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
If it grows up…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Wouldn’t it become cool?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He’d seen it on YouTube before possessing this body.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Cool wolves protecting their owners!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Huskies were like that too, right?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
If it was only tame with him…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Tch, it won’t treat me like emergency rations, will it?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Nah, probably not.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He could ask the Duke about taming beasts.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
His black steed was a beast too.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Plus, it’s cute.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
True men go crazy for cute things.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Alright.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Decided.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I’ll take this one.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
If it has parents…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Find them and take them too.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Evan, what’ll you name it?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“A name…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“They say names carry great meaning!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan paused.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Did names have such deep meaning?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
When I named Lapis…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was just a whim.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It’s a pretty name and a gemstone.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It should be fine, right?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Please let it be fine.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hmm.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Should he name each head separately?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Thinking it over, two names came to mind for a wolf.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Mythological names should be good enough.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hati. Skol.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Skol came from the scorpions common in the desert, and Hati just popped into his head.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
That should work, right?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
‘Hati’ and ‘Skol’ growled softly.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
They seemed satisfied.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The names must have pleased them.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Now the leg’s the issue.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“I don’t think even Refinement Arts can fix that.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“I happen to be in contact with the Saintess. I’ll ask her later.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“What, the Sun Saintess? That crazy woman?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Huh?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“N-Nothing.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aegis quickly backtracked.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Seems they didn’t get along.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan pretended not to hear.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
For now, a temporary fix.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Rustle—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Using [Alchemy], he [Decomposed] and [Reconstructed] nearby materials.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A leg made of iron.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was just for support now, but later he could make a full artificial limb.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Whine…?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Feeling the new leg, the puppy reacted.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Hati and Skol both looked at Evan, eyes sparkling, tongues out.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Pant, pant. Lick.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Oh…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Is this what healing feels like?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
All his accumulated stress melted away.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan adjusted his hold on the puppy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Hmm, calling them separately is a hassle.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“The dark red head is Skol, the dark blue is Hati. I’ll call them Shu for short from now on. Like it?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Grr…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Don’t like it? Should I call them separately?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Woof! Woof!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Skol and Hati, together Shu, rubbed their heads against him, clearly pleased.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Alright… I’ll call them separately.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Just then—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
RUMBLEEEEE!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A sudden vibration shook the ground.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan’s body swayed, but Shadow’s hand shot out from the darkness, and Lapis steadied him.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aegis quickly waved her hands.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“It’s not me!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Evan.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The Oracle, looking down, spoke.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“This Colosseum is fated to collapse.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“What?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Collapse?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It wasn’t supposed to collapse for a while.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“When will it collapse?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“50…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“50 days?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“49…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
RUMBLEEEEE!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Another vibration.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No, no!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Now?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“An ancient beast buried underground has awakened.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Damn it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Seriously?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan had a rough guess.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
An ancient beast sleeping underground.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Don Quixote had kept it asleep with sacrifices, harvesting its scales.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Maybe they missed a sacrifice, or it noticed its feeding ground was gone.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Why now, of all times!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Let’s escape now!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Wait.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan spoke to Aegis, who was about to use alchemy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“We need to grab the rewards.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Oh.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aegis hurriedly adjusted her alchemy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Even amidst this, the countdown continued.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“39…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
They’d grabbed most of what they could.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
All that remained were the people in the Colosseum.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“No. 5.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The moment he called, he felt the connection to the golem.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No. 5, waiting for orders!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Evan pointed upward with his finger.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Destroy.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
***
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
In the Colosseum, brimming with fervor.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
—WAAAAAHHHH!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Urgh!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix rolled across the ground.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Arena sand clung to his body.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The leather armor he’d worn was long torn.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix raised his creaking head.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
His eyes were filled with shock.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
—WOOOOOHHH!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What kind of monster did he create?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Overwhelming.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
From strength to size to skill.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A golem made purely for combat.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
To think such a thing came from human hands?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Talent, sure.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He could accept that.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A gift from the gods—how could a human comprehend it?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But a creation was different.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Raising its heavy arms to incite cheers.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Didn’t it have a will of its own?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What am I…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The path he needed to walk wasn’t clearer—it felt darker.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What was the Pilgrimage Path?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Was he even on the right path?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Just then—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“No. 5.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I surrender—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A faint voice came from No. 5.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was Evan’s voice.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Destroy.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The sand around No. 5 twitched, forming facial features.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A grinning face.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
W-What?!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix instinctively threw himself aside.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Part of the sand forming No. 5’s body gathered into one arm, elongating.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Then BOOM!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
—Kyaaaahhh!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
—W-What’s happening?!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
—WOOOOOHHH!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
—D-Dead Bear’s suddenly going berserk!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The Colosseum began to crumble.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As if its previous strength was a fraction, the building shattered indiscriminately.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Spectators screamed and fled.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix’s mind raced.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Why’s it suddenly going wild?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A malfunction?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Should I stop it?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Just then—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
RUMBLEEEEE!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The ground shook.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A knight’s instincts sensed an immense presence.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
This was…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A beast!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
An enormous one!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Bigger than a sandworm.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
His body tingled.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Danger instinct!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix turned to run.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Fighting it was reckless.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
To survive, he had to escape!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix slowed down.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
His father’s words suddenly echoed.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
They held him back.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“A knight doesn’t flee from danger.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Though I became a wandering knight… my son, I never avoided a crisis.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Son, you said you wanted to be a hero. A knight is the same. You mustn’t flee from danger.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Don’t flee.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Hadn’t he been fleeing all this time?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Making excuses?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He’d seen countless walls and avoided them instead of fighting.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
That’s why he’d wandered so often.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Straying onto strange paths instead of the right one.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
To walk the Pilgrimage Path—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I mustn’t flee.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix slowly turned.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Did he go underground to teach me this?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Now he knew what to do.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He felt like he stood at a crossroads of the Pilgrimage Path.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix gripped his sword and turned.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He’d fight.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
This time, he wouldn’t back down!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No matter how strong the enemy—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
RUMBLEEEEE!
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A red-scaled centipede burst through the arena floor, surging like a dragon.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Its size dwarfed any beast he’d ever seen.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Was that a dragon?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Felix froze instinctively.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
…Isn’t that a bit too big?
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When countless misunderstandings pile up into a mountain…
uhm, I guess that turns into a grand misunderstanding?