――The morning of departure has arrived.

　After a day of rest and preliminary groundwork and information gathering, here we are on the day after that.

　At the entrance of the town of Milura, Subaru and the others, fully prepared to cross the dunes, were gathered, each adjusting their gear. Among them, Subaru let out a gasp at the sight of the dragon cart.

「Whoa, this is…」

「This is the Earth Dragon specialized for crossing the sand dunes—a Galilas breed. It’s a species that’s strong in sandy terrain, adapted to sandstorms and dryness, generally large, and known for its gentle temperament. It’s a native species around here.」

As Subaru gazed excitedly at the Earth Dragon hitched to the dragon cart, Julius added his explanation.

In order to reach the Pleiades Watchtower, they needed to cross the Augria Sand Dunes. With a regular Earth Dragon, it would be difficult to traverse the challenging areas of the vast sandy road ahead.

Thus, they would switch to the Galilas breed, currently being used, to aid in their journey forward.

「Native species, huh. I see. Just like the Water Dragon of Pristella, the world is vast.」

With his arms crossed, Subaru admired the yellow-skinned Earth Dragon connected to the cart in front of him.

Having spent more than a year in this world, the astonishment he felt towards the Earth Dragon had significantly faded; the thrill he once experienced was something he thought he might not feel again. He had underestimated the situation.

「――――」

The flat-headed yellow Earth Dragon, covered in spiky scales, resembled Otto’s beloved dragon, Furfu. Furfu was a breed known for its exceptional stamina, claimed by its owner to have the ability to run for three days and nights without stopping. In Subaru’s mind, Furfu closely resembled a Triceratops.

However, the Earth Dragon before him, if he were to make a comparison, would be more akin to an Ankylosaurus.

Its tail was shorter than one would expect, and unlike the original, it could not be used as a weapon. What stood out more than its skin or face were its legs. The thick, short limbs ended in rounded tips, with sharp claws serving a spiked purpose to anchor the massive body to the ground.

「If I were to accidentally get stomped by those feet, it’d mean curtains for me.」

「The sand in the Augria Dunes consists of fine particles. Without such legs, one could easily slip down the slope. The changes in the Galilas breed’s legs are said to be adaptations for such conditions.」

「So it’s an adaptation to desert territories. And as for alternatives to horses, camels, and Water Dragons… it’s interesting how animals are made to pull boats, things you wouldn’t see back in the real world.」

While Subaru pictured a swan boat, which merely looked like a swan but was actually powered by human effort, the idea of crocodiles or hippos pulling boats felt bizarre, and he couldn’t fathom a replacement for Water Dragons.

More importantly—

「Is it really okay to take my Patrasche to a place suited for these sand-adapted creatures? I can’t push my lady too hard.」

「Your beloved dragon is the Diana breed, regarded as the ancestor of all Earth Dragons. Once, it held dominion over land, sea, and sky—the very first ancestral dragon. Regardless of the environment, it possesses a considerable adaptability. Unfortunately, my Shakunaar has to wait back in town.」

As Julius responded, he looked towards the inn with a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

Shakunaar, Julius’s beloved dragon, had azure skin and exuded a beauty befitting a noble beast.

Though a beloved dragon, Shakunaar had forgotten about Julius, who had his name devoured by “Gluttony.” However, a well-trained dragon was one that exhibited decorum towards any rider. Since their one-sided reunion in Pristella, it had taken to Julius from the start, forming a close bond over the course of their month and a half journey.

That only made leaving his beloved dragon behind in town all the more painful for him.

「However, treating one’s beloved dragon like the most esteemed lady around… Should I praise you for understanding how to handle Earth Dragons, or criticize your standards regarding the women around you? I can’t decide.」

「…Well, my Patrasche’s level of femininity is nothing to scoff at, you know.」

In the brief moment of sentimentality, Julius quickly covered his true feelings with a teasing remark. Sensing this, Subaru casually played along.

As he witnessed Julius’s response, Subaru turned to the dragon cart and stepped forward, knocking on the door.

「The dragon cart only had its wheels replaced, while the interior remains the same.」

Before hearing a response to his knock, Subaru quickly inspected the modified dragon cart.

The visible changes appeared to be mainly around the undercarriage and window frames, where sand guards had been installed for sandstorm prevention.

The dragon cart, modified for long-distance travel, boasted versatile functions akin to a camper van. At the front of the interior was a section lined with seats, while the space from the center to the back contained a simple area for living.

Designed for comfort, it could accommodate up to ten passengers. To be honest, when Subaru first laid eyes on such a dragon cart, it far exceeded his imagination.

「Even without electricity or electrical appliances, there are tools that can substitute thanks to processed magic stones. Humans are truly creatures that seek convenience wherever they are.」

「—I don’t know what profound insights you’re trying to share, but have you finished your preparations, Balus?」

As he pondered the exterior, a cold voice descended just as the dragon cart’s door swung open.

Turning around, he found Ram standing up in the seat closest to the door, looking down at him.

「The preliminary preparations were finished yesterday. The items are all set, and as for mental and physical readiness, I’m good on that front. How about you?」

「Well, considering we’ll be spending several days in the cart, no matter how careful I am, I can’t say I’ll feel fully at ease. Being a delicate lady like me, I won’t be able to call for help if attacked right in the middle of the dunes.」

「—You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.」

With an enigmatic smile, Ram narrowed her eyes, prompting Emilia to appear from behind, having apparently been tidying up the back of the dragon cart. She walked over to Ram and patted her shoulder.

「No matter what attacks us, I’ll protect everyone here. With Subaru and Julius also around, we’re golden!」

「Very reassuring. See, Ram? Emilia says so, so you can relax.」

「Indeed, Emilia-sama. Ram also feels very reassured. But it’s not just malicious beings that can attack. Some may have wicked ulterior motives…」

As she spoke, Ram’s meaningful gaze turned towards Subaru.

At that moment, the implication in Ram’s expression and words resonated with Subaru, and he twisted his lips.

「What? You’ve been peacefully spending almost a month and still have such doubts!? I’ve never done anything inappropriate in front of you, I assure you! I don’t have the guts for that!」

「To speak so brazenly about it is a sad tale, but given the beauty ratio of this cart, it wouldn’t be surprising to lose one’s head over it. Ram is always wary. Can’t you sense a maiden’s heart?」

「Wary? More like intimidating, no?」

Subaru trembled at Ram’s assertion that boys and girls shouldn’t sit together at such a young age. Meanwhile, Emilia remained puzzled, tilting her head at Ram’s words.

As always, their banter was full of their classic E.M.T antics and Ram’s unapologetic attitude. However, Subaru became slightly distracted and yawned as he scratched his head.

「Sister, are you okay?」

「…That’s unlike you. What brings this up?」

「Your concern is unwarranted, but what I want is to see if my worries are unwarranted as well.」

「For you to worry about me, that’s kind of cheeky.」

Ram showed no signs of being sick nor any labored breathing. She seemed no different from her usual self; however, she didn’t deny Subaru’s words.

She wasn’t feigning strength, nor trying to conceal anything, revealing a surprisingly serious side to her.

「Her wit seems dull for once. If her health were serious…」

「After coming all this way in twenty days, you want me to stop here now that we’re close to our goal? Just like always, I can’t afford to laugh today.」

「Ram, don’t speak like that.」

Interrupting Subaru, Ram pulled her eyes into a sharp glare. Emilia, who stood next to her, raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips in a mock-angry manner.

While she was close to Ram, her hand pointed towards Subaru as she spoke up.

「Subaru is worried about Ram too! Not to mention, I worry about her as well. I do take care of her daily, following Roswaal’s advice…」

「The treatment and naming convention aren’t set in stone. But it’s clear I’m not a professional. Even if Emilia or Beatrice were doing it, it wouldn’t compare to Roswaal.」

「…That’s not a reason for concern. I intend to avoid being a burden.」

「You’ve been a burden, mind you?」

「I may be enduring just fine, but under normal circumstances, Subaru wouldn’t have noticed.」

「It’s not that I don’t notice, it’s just hard to pretend I don’t!」

The exchange continued back and forth without real offense meant. A quiet conflict of words led to Ram biting her lip in dissatisfaction. Although she glared at Subaru, her eyes lacked the usual vigor.

It seemed she was aware. With a sigh, Ram glanced over the cart. Next to her seat, there was a specially designed wheelchair accommodating a single girl.

This space had been modified to detach the seats from the dragon cart so a wheelchair could be installed. The slumbering girl remained oblivious to the ongoing conversation of those involved, lost in her dreams.

「I won’t allow you to leave her behind. Even if you were to leave her, it wouldn’t improve Ram’s suffering. In fact, detach her from Emilia-sama, and it would be a matter of life or death for Ram. Are you trying to kill me?」

「Don’t jump to conclusions. I’ve never said I would abandon her in the first place. If it comes to leaving you behind, of course, Emilia would be left behind too.」

「Not a chance! I absolutely hate that!」

「So I’m saying, there’s no need to worry! I just want to make sure Ram is okay!」

「You want to confirm something?」

「I literally just said that…」

Forgetful as he was, Subaru chuckled at his hasty misunderstanding. Upon seeing Emilia and Ram exchange glances, their expressions morphed into sheer confusion.

「Ram. I’m fully aware you’re not well usually, so if something’s wrong, don’t hesitate to speak up. Don’t hide anything or try to mislead me. I’ll forcefully drag you out if it comes to that.」

「――――」

「Hehe.」

As he pointed at her and decisively made his declaration, Ram displayed a rare expression of embarrassment.

Next to her, Emilia placed a hand over her mouth, unable to hide a chuckle. Eventually, avoiding the initial laughter, Emilia spoke with a cheeriness in her voice.

「I think that side of Subaru is really wonderful!」

「…Huh!? Does that mean you’ve fallen for me again!?」

「Stop that kind of talk in front of sleeping Rem! You’re a woman’s worst enemy!」

「Not a worst enemy, an enemy of the people!?」

Subaru’s voice rose dramatically as Ram snorted with a “Huff”.

Following that, she stretched her slender legs, attempting to roughly kick Subaru, who was standing on the dragon cart’s step.

「Wait, hey! What are you doing? I’m gonna fall!」

「You might fall, but Balus’s rightful place is outside, not inside. Ride on your proud Earth Dragon and keep watch for the safety of our dragon cart, got it? Go on, hurry up!」

「I didn’t mean to get away from you! You need to talk seriously about what I just said…」

「—I’ve listened, so go already.」

With a firm voice, Ram’s kicks became sharper.

Kicked at the thigh, Subaru begrudgingly stepped back, offering a sidelong glance at Emilia just before he stepped away. She seemed to say “I understand” with a nod of her chin.

「Then whether it’s alright for now… But, you need to—ah!」

「Go already!」

With an unexpected kick to his midriff, Subaru staggered backward and fell outside the dragon cart. After swiftly shutting the passenger car door with a sigh, Ram looked over at Emilia with an expression of realization.

「…Emilia-sama, what is that look on your face?」

「Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking Ram looks really cute right now.」

「That’s an unexpected assessment. That’s quite cheeky for you, Emilia-sama.」

「Hmm.」

Teased into a lingering smile, Ram seemed caught off guard, trying to hold back her expression. In response to such a change in her demeanor, Emilia’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

「Is that a face you usually show Subaru? Are you starting to show me a similar one too?」

「…I lost my guard for a moment. Please forgive my rudeness.」

「I’m not angry. I’m actually quite happy. It feels like Ram is opening her heart to me. I was just a bit envious of Subaru.」

Innocently, Emilia’s reply cast Ram into silence for just a moment. However, she promptly resumed doing something with her hair, wearing a face free of hostility.

「You’ve changed, Emilia-sama. When I first met you, you seemed like someone with a hard, fragile resolve like glass.」

「Do I seem stronger now?」

「One could say you’ve morphed from glasswork into something like candy.」

「Wow, Ram can be pretty harsh.」

Ram’s playful jab stirred laughter from Emilia, who couldn’t hold it in any longer.

From that point, for a little while longer, the girls exchanged words inside the dragon cart.

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

　――The assault on the Augria Dunes began several hours later.

Further east from the town of Milura, about ten kilometers away, the sandy terrain commenced after about an hour’s journey by dragon cart. The dry sand and the noxious winds intensified, turning the grassy area beneath their feet into a sandy wasteland, seamlessly ushering them into the Augria Sand Dunes ahead.

「――――」

　This time, the party consisted of one dragon cart, pulled by a single Earth Dragon of the Galilas type. Riding alongside was Subaru on Patrasche, traversing the sandy land.

The not-so-fast Earth Dragon moved with a steady, heavy gait. Initially, Patrasche had been on the alert, but after a few hours of running together, he seemed to have found his footing. With his noble demeanor intact, he showed no signs of discontent.

「If anything, this Earth Dragon is probably a bit annoyed at Betty.」

That was Beatrice, snugly nestled in Subaru’s arms. Managing the reins while holding the round little girl close, Subaru shook his head.

「That’s quite an exaggeration. Patrasche isn’t that petty of a dragon.」

「…Subaru should develop a better understanding of his surroundings.」

As Beatrice, sitting sideways on the black Earth Dragon, said that while clinging to her skirt, Subaru acknowledged that his riding skills had seen significant improvement.

In the past, he had only relied on Patrasche’s intuitiveness. Now, he was at a level where he could handle it himself.

Seated in the saddle, gripping the reins. With Beatrice resting in front, the two riding side by side looked quite practiced.

Of course, Subaru only rode on Patrasche, and this was hardly the first time he had Beatrice tag along like this. Hence, he thought that Beatrice’s musings were quite a stretch. Perhaps he wanted to say that.

「Prideful Earth Dragons are reluctant to bear riders other than their masters. Among them, Subaru’s Earth Dragon is most likely exceptional. It wouldn’t have allowed someone like Betty to ride alongside in the first place.」

「That’s simply because you’ve had a hard time riding on other dragons, right?」

「If that was the case, then my getting along with this dragon wouldn’t make sense at all.」

Fair point.

If a dragon’s preference genuinely depended on the rider’s skills, then Subaru would have failed the initial test long ago. If it weren’t so, there must be a valid reason why this lady held Subaru in such high regard.

In fact, Patrasche’s attitude towards others was often quite harsh.

「I don’t really get why I would be popular with such a dragon.」

「It’s true. Your looks are hardly what you’d call striking, Subaru.」

「So, does that mean you love me for a solid reason, huh?」

「Of course. Betty just… w-wait, what are you trying to make me say!?」

The tension in the close proximity made it impossible for Beatrice to escape the flustered attack launched by Subaru. In response to her gentle swatting, Subaru tried to soothe Beatrice.

As a reaction, maybe Patrasche was unhappy about the racket on his back and lifted his body, shaking the two of them.

「Whoa, hey!」

Subaru instinctively clutched Beatrice tighter in an effort to maintain his balance.

基本的には『風除けの加護』の力で騎竜の揺れや風を感じないことだが、さすがにこうした大袈裟な動きや急旋回した際の角度変化などの影響は受ける。

It was deliberate harassment, taking advantage of that knowledge.

When Subaru glared at Patrasche’s nape, the Earth Dragon shot a brief glance over at them before narrowing its eyes with a look akin to, “Don’t blame me.”

「The pride in that posture resembles Ram. You two might actually get along well.」

「Or it might end up clashing, and they’d never understand each other at all.」

With their gazes exchanging thoughtful nods, Subaru and Beatrice shared a moment of mutual understanding.

Then—

「—Subaru, Beatrice. It’s very sweet to see your bond grow stronger, but it’s time to get serious.」

This nonchalant air was abruptly interrupted by a voice from the side.

Seated at the driver’s seat of the parallel-running dragon cart was Julius. He didn’t ride the Earth Dragon directly but rather took on the role of coachman, which felt somewhat uncharacteristic of him; yet Julius gave no outward sign of discomfort.

Perhaps he simply had no time to spare for such insights. After all, next to him sat—

「It’s nice that my brother and Beatrice are close, but if you leave me all alone, I’ll throw a fit, you know?」

With that remark, Meily, who looked far too young for her tone, was seated beside him.

For the expedition against the Augria Dunes, Meily had to always be on standby as a combat countermeasure against magical beasts. Thus, in preparation for the beasts inhabiting the dunes, she took up position in the driver’s area where she could easily assess the front of the dragon cart.

And so, it was Julius who had been under the burden of keeping her entertained.

「Your escort over there is doing a splendid job, isn’t he? He’s certainly far more sophisticated, stylish, and elegant than I am.」

「I can’t fathom half of what you just said. Besides, I’m not dissatisfied with the knight. It’s you I have a problem with.」

「Me?」

While fiddling with her braided hair, Meily glared at Subaru and puffed out her cheeks.

「The one who dragged me here is you, so you inherently have an obligation to keep me entertained.」

「Don’t you dare start acting like such a spoiled child. As you can see, your slot is already filled by Beatrice. Huh?」

Beatrice shrugged at Subaru’s impulsive retort, and he fixed his gaze back onto Meily.

Even if her behavior was age-appropriate, the fate of the expedition could hinge on her mood. Keeping Meily off-centered would require quite a bit of nerve.

However, if that conversation began, things would gradually spiral out of control.

「You’ve got a point. But first off, before speaking of rights and obligations, let’s focus on your responsibilities.」

「My responsibilities, huh.」

「We’re about to deeply enter the heart of the dunes. While I don’t think beasts will attack directly, should that scenario occur, it’s your job to calm them down. You do understand that, don’t you?」

「…Sure. While you spoil Beatrice, you’re being a jerk to me.」

Though Subaru hadn’t done anything cruel intentionally, the outcome was quite understandable.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Beatrice looking rather satisfied. Raising a hand in acknowledgment towards Julius, he could only hope for a smooth interaction with the little lady.

Beyond that—

「Subaru.」

「Ah, I can see it!」

The calm call from Beatrice and Patrasche’s little whinny brought Subaru back to the present.

Before their eyes lay the unmistakably grand outline of the long, towering structure that stretched endlessly from Milura—surrounded by a desert landscape.

This was an impressive arrival at the sand labyrinth surrounding the Pleiades Watchtower.

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

　—The infamous ‘sand winds’ unique to the Augria Dunes involve periods of heightened winds known as ‘Sands Time.’

Three times throughout the day—morning, afternoon, and midnight—these sand winds blow, carrying sand and poisonous miasma from east to west, slowly creeping disaster.

The strongest gusts occur during the midnight period, lasting for several hours.

During the time when sand winds rage, movement becomes incredibly difficult.

Thus, the strategy for navigating the Augria Dunes takes place during daylight, with short breaks during morning and afternoon intervals of ‘Sands Time.’

The ground, blanketed in fine grains, often stumbles those who tread upon it in the supposedly soft sand. The pace of the march was slow, aggravation mounting among the ranks along the way.

However, amid it all, Subaru would occasionally feel surprised.

This was because—

「The hassle of the sand wind and the difficulty of walking are present alright, but… it’s not nearly as bad as I imagined.」

Turning his face away from the gusts flowing down from above, he pulled up his mouth covering to secure his breath. A faint sensation of sand brushing against his teeth existed, but this was hardly any different from the experiences he’d had in Milura.

His vision was painted yellow with sand, and there was a slight itch from grains slipping inside his clothes, but the concrete issues amounted to just that—the horror of the dunes was minimal.

「When I heard ‘dunes,’ I prepared myself for absolute hellish heat.」

「It’s not that this region lacks greenery due to natural circumstances. The miasma lingering above everything simply chokes the life out of it, resulting in the scenery you see now. That’s why the sands here can even see rain, and it doesn’t get overly extreme in temperature.」

In Subaru’s mind, he mostly conjured visions of the desert as a searing hell.

In the real world, he had never ventured into a real desert, yet through games and manga, the desert was often infused with fiery imagery.

Therefore, the severity of the Augria Sand Dunes felt surprisingly comfortable when compared to burdensome expectations.

「Given that the nearest town wasn’t overly hot or cold, assuming the dunes are bathed in unbearable heat seems odd. So I guess this means threats come from winds and magical beasts.」

「And also making sure we don’t get lost, right?」

As one concern dissipated, Beatrice reinvigorated Subaru’s outlook on his surroundings. He refocused on the horizon while minding the winds behind.

Before him, the imposing sight of the tower continued to loom prominently.

「While it’s said we might get lost, I find it quite unnatural to overlook that thing up there.」

「Betty feels the same way. But anything could happen; we have no idea just how shrewd that ‘Sage’ is. Indeed, it’s evident that no one has reached it.」

「――――」

Naturally, Subaru had no plans to take things lightly.

From a rational standpoint, it’d be unreasonable to lose track of one’s way with a structure of such monumental nature as a guideline. However, anyone who had dared to challenge the tower must’ve felt confident but still failed to reach it.

Realizing that meant something serious must be happening was intuitive.

Anything could potentially happen.

Just as Beatrice pointed out, this was the kind of mystical dominion they found themselves in.

「That said, it’s probably about time to ensure our next safety precaution.」

Holding his breath, Subaru looked back on the path they’d taken thus far.

Traces of their journey remained scattered in the sand: the footfalls of Patrasche bearing Subaru and others. Still, only the recent prints remained, easily covered and obscured by the flowing sand.

Nature prepared this trap, a deadly ambush.

The tower before them was merely one concern; losing track of their trail would be detrimental.

「I feel like I’m gonna lose sight of the other party soon. Alright, it’s time.」

Manipulating the reins, Subaru sought to draw closer to the parallel-running dragon cart.

The dragon cart left behind traces of spikes from the Earth Dragon and wheel marks, but it shared the same circumstances as Patrasche. Therefore, they needed smarter identifiers to guide them back.

「Emilia! I need your help!」

「—Okay, got it!」

When he knocked from the outside, Emilia appeared at the door in response.

Wrapped in a white robe for sand protection, Emilia cast a glance back toward the horizon with Subaru while barely spotting a blurry ‘something’ from afar, pointing it out.

「I apologize for having you work so much, but teacher, please!」

「I’m relying on you to observe the surrounding area, so no big deal! …Teacher? What do you mean by that?」

「A catchphrase for requests. Now, hurry!」

「Alright, here goes. —Eureka!」

Having exchanged some light banter, Emilia turned her gaze in the direction Subaru indicated.

With undeniably adorable eyes, she released her magical aura with a whimsical chant.

Moments later, a massive swirl of mana unfurled from Emilia’s palm, catapulting through the air as the sound of explosions echoed nearby.

—And a few seconds later, a colossal ice tower rose rigidly from the sandy expanse.

「Yup, that’s perfectly fine.」

Confirming the completion of her spell, Emilia’s expression gleamed with satisfaction.

While it didn’t quite measure up to the Pleiades Watchtower, it still stood strikingly, especially amidst the dunes. The crystalline spire would serve as markers along the path they had traversed through the Augria Sand Dunes to prevent them from losing their way.

「If tracks don’t suffice for navigation, then we’ll mark the way in a more prominent fashion—this is the application of magic.」

「Still, I am always impressed by your crafty ideas, Subaru. You really come up with some clever stuff.」

「Now that it’s not too hot in the dunes, a plan like this felt quite doable.」

Emilia’s ice could not escape nature’s laws, being vulnerable to heat.

Had this been a true desert, such a tactic wouldn’t have been viable. However, within the regions of the dune, they wandered into, this method proved effective.

The towering ice constructed by Emilia served as an effective landmark. Should some disaster strike, they could easily trace their way back if necessary.

「This tower should… yeah, the base seems secure. However, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s simply too loose and might topple over.」

「I believe it’s anchored well enough; that shouldn’t be a concern, but are you worried?」

「You hardly hear phrases like ‘not a concern’ these days. …Well, okay!」

Shaking off the uncertainty with a playful tease, Subaru raised his gaze. Emilia, though slightly dissatisfied with his response, met his humor with a chuckle.

Glancing back over her shoulder at Emilia, Subaru directed his attention towards the interior of the dragon cart. While everything inside should remain unchanged, it was crucial that someone there was not flat and pale.

「Where’s Anastasia?」

「What’s up, Natsuki-kun? Were you looking for me?」

Shortly after, a familiar voice called to Subaru, causing his shoulders to jump in surprise.

Anastasia peeked out from beside Emilia, her ashen hair framing her shallow azure eyes while offering a slight smile.

「You don’t have to be so shocked. I knew exactly I’d be here!」

「I knew you were inside; I just wasn’t expecting you to sprout out from under Emilia’s armpit like that. It took me off guard.」

「…You know, Subaru. That wording made me feel very uncomfortable just now.」

「I too found that alarming. It’s quite peculiar, isn’t it?」

Both Emilia and Anastasia chided him at once, prompting Subaru to adjust himself. Meanwhile, Beatrice let out a small sigh.

「This expedition through the dunes relies heavily on your knowledge. Guide us properly, would you?」

「Natsuki-kun worries too much. Once we’ve set forth on this journey together, it means we’re in it together through thick and thin… there’s no way I’d hold back! Rest easy.」

「…To think I’d need to place faith in a fox so easily…」

At Anastasia’s words, Beatrice leaned towards Subaru, speaking exclusively to him. While he felt her sentiment was valid, blaming her wasn’t quite fair given their choice to embark on the watchtower expedition in the first place. Now was the time for each to throw themselves into their respective roles.

「Right, Anastasia?」

「Of course, Natsuki-kun. If anything comes up, I’ll inform Julius, and when we approach the area mentioned by Echidna, I’ll let you know too. Just relax.」

Anastasia’s nonchalance did not reveal any signs of distress.

After all, it appeared their journey could continue without issues.

「The winds seem stronger now. If nothing’s an issue, I’ll close the door…」

「…Ah, no worries. Emilia, please take care of everyone inside.」

「Mm, leave it to me. And Subaru, stay close to Beatrice.」

「That’s something you don’t need to worry about. I’m having a fantastic time already!」

As Emilia placed her hand on the door to close it while turning inside, Subaru shared some parting words. The last teasing remark from Emilia elicited lighthearted banter from Beatrice, fading into her expression as the door swung shut.

From there, Subaru now paced toward the front of the dragon cart, approaching the driver’s seat.

「It looks like Emilia’s landmarks are working perfectly. I must say, your cleverness truly stands out.」

「Even if you say that, it’s merely clever thinking on my end.」

「Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. I envy your imaginative flexibility, something most can’t achieve. I can’t think of such unconventional methods at all.」

「I would gladly accept ‘bad wisdom’ instead of that horrible label!」

Julius, sitting at the driver’s seat, turned subtly to reveal a barely discernible smile upon his face.

The delicate features of his face were now obscured behind a white cloth, making it hard to read, yet his tone suggested the playful banter had grown considerably comfortable after their time together over the past month.

「How’s it looking over there, Meily? Are you keeping yourself busy?」

「You talking to me? You and this dragon cart haven’t once encountered any mischievous little creatures, have ya? That proves I’m doing my job right, doesn’t it?」

Peering behind the driver’s seat, he found Meily puffing her cheeks in annoyance while also cloaked for sandstorm protection.

With her reaction, Subaru brushed the sand off his head while gazing ahead.

「That may be true, but your hard work doesn’t exactly show right now. I can’t tell whether magical beasts are staying away thanks to your efforts or if simply none are around to begin with…」

「…Hmm, saying something like that might’ve made it worse.」

Having encountered nothing aside from sand and wind so far, feel free to recall Subaru’s earlier bravado; he unwittingly muttered those words, prompting Meily to respond with a condescending tone, seemingly lost in thought with her hands cupping her cheeks.

This behavior sent an unsettling vibe through Subaru.

「Subaru, apologize to her. That comment was clearly a big misstep on your part.」

「I-I know that without needing to be told! Uh, uh—Meily? I shouldn’t have said that. Not just a little, I completely messed up. Don’t lose your temper, it wasn’t meant harshly!」

「…It’s alright. I’m not angry. I just think your words have a point.」

「R-Really? Thank goodness. You’re much more mature than you seem, thank you…」

「So, I’ll show you how my presence makes sense.」

Before Subaru could finish his phrase of denial and apology, Meily shot back with a bizarrely disconcerting idea.

That unsettling tone echoed across the space, prompting Subaru and Julius to exchange worried glances, each hastily seeking means to calm the situation. Moments later—

「――――」

Patrasche and the Earth Dragon abruptly stomped their feet hard to abruptly stop.

The Earth Dragon’s instincts detected some approaching thing, urging its rider to remain cautious. In unison, both Subaru and Julius’s eyes widened in realization as they witnessed it.

「――――」

Right before them, the sandy ground unexpectedly began to quiver as if it had a mind of its own, and something monstrous emerged from beneath the grains. Coated in sand, it opened its colossal mouth and let out a horrifyingly loud screech.

The thing lacked legs, moving with a long, thick body that twisted something like a snake. However, the texture of its sandy skin bore a slippery sheen, and the pungent stench wafting from its marked sides reminded one of decay. As its head inclined lower, Subaru quickly recognized its true identity.

It was not a snake. —It was an earthworm.

The thickness of its body surpassed the grip of Subaru’s arms; its head and mouth were massive enough to swallow four or five humans whole. The surrounding toxic scent mimicked rotten flesh, and the fine teeth inside its gaping maw dripped with slime, evaporating sand as they dripped.

「――――」

The head, devoid of eyes, turned towards them, behaving as if it were sniffing the air.

In that moment, Subaru completely forgot how to breathe. Thoughts came through the reins, conveyed by Patrasche, while Beatrice clung tightly to Subaru’s clothing.

Recalling his own accursed witch scent the moment he recalled his sense of smell, if an encounter with beasts had been provoked, this party would—

「あ, no, it’s so stinky! Hurry and leave already! Just go away!」

「――――」

In front the horror-stricken Subaru and others, Meily casually called out.

Caught off guard by her words, the gigantic earthworm turned to face Meily, then, in accordance with the tiny girl’s indication, receded into the hole it had just dug.

Seconds passed, and the hole the creature had made became entirely buried in sand, leaving nothing but silence surrounding the area.

「…That was likely a sand earthworm. A magical beast that prefers to burrow beneath sandy grounds, but it was significantly larger than the ones I know.」

「Just how much bigger?」

「From what I know, it should have been the size of an adult man’s arm.」

Should an earthworm that size appear, it’d be a grotesque threat indeed. But the sand earthworm just now dwarfed all of Julius’s estimates by hundreds or even thousands of times over.

There had been rumors that magical beasts in the Augria Sand Dunes tended to grow violent—could this size disparity indicate that disparity in character?

In any case—

「W-What was that loud noise just now…?」

As the small window of the dragon cart slid open, Emilia’s anxious expression peeked through, linked to the driver’s seat.

Though she couldn’t see the sand earthworm, she must’ve at least heard the roar it had let out. Emilia now appeared visibly worried, yet Subaru couldn’t find the words right away to voice his thoughts.

As silence clung to the atmosphere, Meily turned back to Emilia, speaking cheerfully.

「You don’t have to worry. You know how blessed you are to ignore what you just saw? I simply wanted to make sure they understand that.」

「I owe my gratitude to you, Meily!」

As Mailey’s words broke the paralysis Subaru felt, gratitude overflowed from his heart, unable to hold back his praise.

Emilia seemed taken aback by this sudden change while Meily gleamed with satisfaction.

「Really? Honestly? Did you come around and see me differently?」

「Of course! Without you here, I would’ve deeply experienced the harshness of this place. Augria Sand Dunes? Terrifying! Terrifying—!!」

Many reckless adventurers who ventured to conquer this place had never returned, and now Subaru could feel a piece of their reckless nature.

The sweet illusion of the dunes’ welcome was nothing but a farce, and perhaps he had accepted that too easily.

「You sounded awfully chipper there. This feels a bit ridiculous.」

「Shut it! You were startled too! Ugh, that was terrifying!」

「Betty wasn’t freaked out! I simply accompanied Subaru being tense! Don’t get it twisted!」

「Don’t overact! You totally got shaken up too! I know that, okay!?」

Their bickering ignited a frantic exchange, though for now, no one waged any complaints.

While creating a ruckus might attract the attention of nearby magical creatures, the power of the opposing force had been aptly displayed. Therefore, even Julius held no desire to quell the tumult.

However, this was a sharp reminder that they were walking on thin ice.

This realization soon cemented itself as an undeniable truth on the day they began their expedition of the dunes.

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Suddenly, light pierced through the sky, tearing through the wind.

「――――」

With a deafening din, a shockwave struck, demolishing the ice tower midway and sending it crumbling down.

The shattered ice immediately returned as mana, devoured by the land beneath, swiftly consumed remnants without a trace.

Light surged in the air once more, rapidly hitting again.

The number of strikes coincidentally matched the amount of towering ice created by the silver-haired girl.

No one could ascertain what this all meant at that moment.

What remained certain was that navigating the sand labyrinth presented far from an easy venture.

That much was fact.

“`

 

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