“At first, I thought the filthy place had some charm to it amidst its clutter, but once you’re used to it, there’s nothing that catches the eye. It doesn’t even serve to relieve my boredom.”

The orange-haired girl muttered this, her arms raised and her dress fluttering as she maintained a bored gaze.

“You’ve made such a definitive statement after just a few minutes in this alleyway. The designer who created the Royal Capital probably never thought their cityscape would be deemed dull.”

“The world exists for my enjoyment, so everything in this realm should be here to entertain me. I can’t comprehend why anyone would choose such a tedious cityscape. The royalty, too, have surprisingly poor judgment. Apparently, that’s why they went extinct recently.”

“W-what a brazen thing to say right under the king’s nose… you…”

Just listening to the girl’s remarks made Subaru anxious, even though he knew there was no one around to hear it, he found himself shrinking and glancing around.

The girl snorted at Subaru’s cautious—or rather, timid— demeanor and remarked, “What a trivial response; you’re worried over something so foolish. To be frightened by such matters means you’re just another mediocre soul.”

“I’m fully aware that I’m an overly common, ordinary citizen, so that’s fine by me. After all, I’ve already been caught up in trouble today, and I don’t want to get mixed up in any more of your thoughtless comments.”

“That’s just trivial. You should take pride in being part of my extravagant journey, even as a mere extra. To find fault in that is as unreasonable as it gets.”

“I don’t want to waste any more time and inconvenience my companions! I’m already completely out of time, and the longer this drags on, the worse my standing gets! I’ll be totally out of the picture!”

The thought of being met with a cold gaze from Emilia sent chills down Subaru’s spine. And there was also that odd, thrilling sensation. Though he couldn’t identify the nature of that mysterious feeling, he somehow knew it was the kind he’d best avoid exploring.

Thus, he wanted to steer clear of engaging further with this girl with such a strong sense of self.

Feeling a sense of crisis, Subaru nonetheless found the girl chuckling as she responded to his appeal.

“Ridiculous. While I’m with you, splitting your focus on anyone else would be quite rude. I may have companions myself, but I’m indifferent to being separated from them.”

“You should at least consider that. I feel sorry for your companions.”

She’s accompanied by a girl who seems perpetually troubled by this arrogant, haughty princess. Surely, this thin, unfortunate beauty is being dragged around by her inexplicably unreasonable demeanor. As Subaru had a soft spot for more demure characters, he felt an urge to keep an eye on this one.

“Unfortunately, meeting that girl is a condition for interacting with you.”

“Referring to me as ‘that girl’ certainly shows your audacity, doesn’t it? If you offend my mood any further, it may cost you your life.”

“Oh, I’ve had my fill of those kinds of threats! Do you have any idea how carefully I’ve been trying to avoid stepping on unnecessary flags? Good little girl, calm down, okay?”

Subaru playfully waved his hands in front of the girl, but she frowned as if contemplating something, then broke into a slight chuckle.

“Well, that’s fine. A clown must acknowledge his role as a clown. A foolish creature who can’t even determine where to place themselves isn’t worth dirtying my hands over.”

“Are you trying to belittle me with your overly intellectual remarks?”

“If you affirm that you’re a fool in your mind, then you’ve walked right into my trap. It matters not whether it is conscious or unconscious.”

She spoke with an air of enlightenment and directed a mocking gaze at Subaru, who clearly felt a mismatch in their compatibility.

“Well, fine then,” he replied, while the two of them, initially strangers, continued to walk side by side through the streets.

It was significant that Old Man Rom, who could have smoothed things over, was nowhere to be found. He had expressed disdain for stepping into the Main Street and had resolutely rejected accompanying the two.

Having met him after some time, he still maintained his nonchalant demeanor, but Subaru could easily sense that his situation wasn’t too bright either.

Subaru, with limited understanding of how valuable the Thieves’ Repository was to the residents of the Poor District or the Royal Capital, nonetheless perceived the general awareness surrounding Old Man Rom’s status, especially from the earlier discussions with some thugs.

Given that they had lost the Repository, it was evident that he had fallen toward a rather bleak position.

“It’s disheartening to feel helpless, but…”

Despite realizing Rom’s precarious circumstances, there was little Subaru could do for him. After all, he was partly responsible for the incident that led to the closing of the Repository.

For Rom, Subaru must have been one of the detestable figures responsible for the destruction of his workspace. Despite him being justified in unleashing some verbal assaults on Subaru, the fact that he refrained from doing so only highlighted Rom’s rationality.

It was precisely because Subaru liked that demeanor that he wished to somehow fulfill Rom’s wish.

At the very least, he needed to ascertain Felt’s whereabouts to repay that favor.

Following the route Rom had described earlier, it would take some time to detour, but he was assured it would lead safely to the Main Street. With the first encounter with those thugs firmly avoided, there should be no real complaints—aside from the futile banter with the girl along the way.

“—And just like that, we finally arrive at the exit.”

Emerging from the winding alley, across the dark space, he finally caught sight of a sunny street. The shadows of people passing by appeared to flow incessantly, suggesting that he would emerge in a rather lively business district.

Finally, as he thought this torturous time was ending, Subaru turned to the girl.

“Once we step out, we are complete strangers. I have to search for my cute little companion, and I want to avoid any further troubles with you. You’re probably desperate to reunite with your own companion, so don’t wander aimlessly; go get found.”

Ready to be called cold-hearted and heartless, Subaru firmly pushed the girl away. Part of him was motivated by the urge to reclaim control after being thoroughly led around, but he also believed it was crucial to convey this message clearly enough for the girl.

Perhaps because Subaru’s assertion was so definitive, the girl didn’t seem to interpret it to her advantage, but she still smiled confidently.

“It goes without saying that our relationship holds no bearing. You’re just one of countless stepping stones for me. I have no need to concern myself with the stones on the roadside; for I am beloved by the world…—not that I care, mind you.”

As she emphasized her ample chest by crossing her arms, she shot quick glances at Subaru.

That gesture revealed emotions lurking beneath her words and actions, so clear that even the emotionally oblivious Subaru could sense it.

“Is being so haughty and still not being disliked scary for you? This is such a hassle!”

“I am loved by all creation; that’s a universal truth. To go against that is unheard of from reason. Really, I am shocked by your sheer absurdity.”

“I have confidence in my absurdity, but not to your level!”

The air, which had been tense until now, suddenly lightened, and Subaru exclaimed loudly in response.

If only the mere annoyance would make them part ways, he could erase them from his mind altogether, but the girl’s undeniable beauty made it hard for Subaru to dismiss her completely.

Though she discussed with reckless disregard for others’ feelings, it appeared she feared being disliked.

It felt like watching someone experience a heart-wrenching kind of itch—one that thrummed with an emotional pull.

“Okay, okay, I get it. I won’t dislike you. Just stop whining about it.”

For some reason, Subaru found himself disarmed, offering a wry smile in response. The girl, seemingly dissatisfied, furrowed her brow and said, “What?”

“You’re a girl who is accustomed to being adored, right? So don’t go stating the obvious.”

“Ah, yes yes, I understand. Such a spoiled little child I must seem to you! It’s only natural for all to love me! Aba aba aba!”

His exaggerated silly face, a well-known hit among the neighbor’s children, had recently caused quite a stir among the local moms who couldn’t help but burst out laughing every time they saw him. The fact that it wasn’t while joking around made the moment feel even more absurdly empty.

With that bittersweet memory surfacing, Subaru was fully prepared for applause. However, the reaction from the girl was

“Hmm, I feel a bit sorry for you.”

Instead of laughing, she sighed and shook her head, keeping her eyes closed while rolling her forehead with her fingers. Not bothering to look at the ice-cold Subaru, she continued.

“Whether consciously or unconsciously, you’ve ingrained that behavior. That’s not a virtue; it’s merely a thin shell hiding your weaknesses. It’s painfully unbearable, just like your face.”

“That’s quite the compliment for someone who just got serious for a second and then casually belittled my appearance?!”

“As long as you insist on carrying on like that, it’s barely my concern.”

She concluded the conversation without further addressing Subaru’s attitude, who remained frozen in place with a contorted expression, tilting his head in confusion over what she meant.

What she was trying to convey was still lost on Subaru.

As her actions and demeanor suggested, she lacked consideration for others’ understanding in her speech.

Even after diving deeper, Subaru questioned if he could obtain a clear answer from her. That thought led him to give up on speaking further.

Perhaps by labeling her an unfathomable existence, Subaru could sidestep facing those words directed him.

Although, in this particular situation, it was likely that no matter how Subaru responded, he wouldn’t have gained any more insight than he had so far.

For suddenly—

“I finally found you!”

The instant they stepped onto the street, such a voice greeted the two.

In stark contrast to the darkness of the alley, the Main Street was flooded with high sunlight. Stepping out from the shadows, Subaru squinted as the bright light burned his eyes.

Amidst this brightness, a girl in a white robe was gazing at Subaru.

With furrowed brows that hinted at both tiredness and concern, her silver hair, hidden under her hood, danced lightly. Her finely structured face wore a relieved smile, while her deep violet eyes shimmered with emotions difficult to articulate.

At just the first glance of that troubled beauty, Subaru instantly understood how concerned she must have been about his whereabouts.

Feeling regret over causing such worry mixed with the happiness of being cared for swelled up inside him. Romantic feelings are complex, spanning gender barriers.

“Ah, Emilia…”

Just as he stepped into the Main Street, the person he longed to see made her appearance.

The rapid reunion exceeded his expectations, brightening Subaru’s face as he called her name, but he was caught off guard by the awkwardness of the situation.

Standing next to the gentle girl who breathed out a soft sigh of relief was a shadowy figure.

From his sturdy build, the man was undoubtedly male. The phrase “nightmare” instantly flashed in Subaru’s mind.

“Hey, hold on a second! Who’s that guy to Emilia?!”

He sprang forward, interposing himself right between Emilia and the man. Protectively backing up Emilia, he pointed a finger at the man and glared at him—only for his expression to stiffen upon seeing the man more closely.

“Whoa! Whoa! Little girl, what’s up? Is your companion perhaps a bit off balance, huh?”

The heavily armored man casually shrugged as he playfully addressed Emilia, his voice slightly muffled.

Naturally, his head was encased in a pitch-black full-face helmet.

While a helmet covering the entire face is not particularly striking, the fact that they were in the Royal Capital meant that a myriad of appearances crossed paths in the streets.

People in armor and mage outfits were common, including knights patrolling the streets. So Subaru wouldn’t have been shocked by just anyone in full armor.

Yet the reason Subaru found himself so stupefied by this man’s appearance was that, rather than wearing full armor, he was decked out in oddly mismatched light attire.

The light garb looked cheap, almost resembling a sackcloth material rather than any distinctive design. Not only was the upper garment made of this fabric, but even the lower garment matched, and his footwear? Thongs!

A combination that made absolutely no sense.

While Subaru’s sports attire was odd here, the eccentricity of the figure before him was on a whole different level.

Maybe it was the standard of this world.

“That can’t possibly be true, right Emilia?!”

“Don’t worry, Subaru. I was just as shocked as you when I saw what he was wearing.”

“Exactly! It’s as ridiculous as it is adorable! But then he says he’s here to help me find my lost companion?! What a shocker!”

The man laughed jovially, spinning tales about his encounter with Emilia.

Hearing that, Subaru shot a dubious look toward Emilia.

“Emilia, your kindness is an amazing virtue, but you really should choose your company wisely. You know, keep in mind how sometimes poisonous mushrooms have such toxic-looking colors? They warn others, saying, ‘I’m dangerous! Don’t eat me!’”

“Whoa now, that sounds like you think I’m a suspicious person! That’s not great!”

“Anyone who looks as shady as you would get reported immediately in my hometown, where the kids are overly coddled. They’d be calling for a special assembly at the local school!”

In fact, one might even find themselves being questioned for merely walking across the street on a weekday.

While Subaru’s overprotective tendencies might not actually help the kids, he couldn’t shake that somewhat derisive feeling of sentiment.

As such unwanted thoughts arose, Subaru turned back to Emilia.

“Anyway, I’ve always warned Emilia to watch out for cars and men. Especially men, who are like wolves, you shouldn’t just smile at them so carelessly… Are you mad?”

“I’m just wondering if you’re actually listening to what I say in your words, or if you’re just considering my words as well. I’m really not coming from any kind of ulterior motive.”

Subaru regretted the slip of his tongue, wishing he could retract his thought that had just dug up some tricky issues.

Fortunately, that train of thought was interrupted, not by the three of them already conversing, but by—

“Well, it seems my path had been waiting here; quite the watchful disposition, I see, Al.”

“Honestly, I have to say it feels like fluke luck, but saying that would probably annoy the princess, so I’ll just nod along. Yup, that’s right!”

With a firm step forward, the girl proclaimed her statement in a grand manner, and Al, the boy next to her, laughed. He then roughly ruffled the orange-haired girl’s hair, pulling her beside him.

“What a bizarre twist of fate, but it seems the one you were looking for happens to be the one I was searching for too. There might be some kind of connection here.”

“I believe the red thread connecting me and Emilia is merely that, but I refuse to trust there’s any bond between our pair!”

“You just won’t stop talking, will you?”

Al chuckled at Subaru’s response, waving his hand at the girl he was petting.

He had only one arm available, but the way they interacted seemed like something you could expect from older friends.

Because his alarming appearance contrasted sharply with his breezy demeanor, the overall impression he left was more likable than menacing.

“I can’t believe it, is that kid really with you? So how does the reliable, innocent girl deal with this troublesome guy?”

“It’s not that convenient, just put up with me being the ‘old man’.”

Al, who couldn’t hide his dissatisfaction in the change of direction, turned to the girl, addressing Emilia with a curious expression.

Finally realizing Subaru was attentive to Emilia’s changes, Subaru noticed that she was unusually quiet this entire time.

She had been gently tugging the hem of her hood down, attempting to shield her face while trying to hide behind Subaru.

The only one she was seeking to hide from had to be none other than the person standing before her. Without even needing to try and discern her position, it became obvious.

“What’s this? You stare at me with that gaze. I assure you, parting with a beauty like me will truly break your heart. I can certainly confirm I have divine allure, but staring at me without a word is quite rude.”

“Sorry, but if it’s just for eye candy, we’ve got our fair share of beauties around here too…Anyway, it looks like both of us found who we were looking for, so it’s about time we parted ways.”

Responding curtly to the speech directed toward her, Subaru lent his focus back to Al rather than the challenging girl.

Uncertain why, but Emilia was hesitating to put herself out there any further in this space. Rather than pry deeper, Subaru read the air around her, and opted to engage Al—a guy who seemed more reasonable than the girl anyway.

Whether or not Al grasped Subaru’s intent is anyone’s guess, but he didn’t immediately refute his words.

“That’s probably for the best. It’s tiring when you have to keep up with a princess.”

“I can’t feel sorry for you enough, no lie.”

“As long as you can handle things with a certain adult grace, it isn’t too tiresome. I wouldn’t expect the same from brats your age, though.”

Al shrugged with a genuinely sympathetic attitude for Subaru, glancing down toward the orange-haired girl. Although his eyes behind the helmet remained hidden, his demeanor came across like that of a father gently observing his daughter.

It felt vaguely reassuring.

“Alright, we’ll head over this way…what about you?”

“In that case, we’ll go this way as well.”

“Then we’ll choose to go in the opposite direction—”

“That would mean we’ll also go the other way—”

“Quit being a pain! Are you in love with me or something? Just a bit clingy, huh?!”

“A mere jest, but are you ever annoying! Such an unamusing man will meet an unamusing end.”

She stated it with an air of boredom as though challenging him to misunderstand, as the girl walked by with her companion in tow. There was no hesitation in her back as she left, and Subaru felt somewhat dissatisfied after contemplating the situation.

Thus, just as she departed, Subaru shouted one last bit of payback toward her.

“Hey, catch this, you arrogant lady!”

“You dare to speak to me so disrespectfully? Al, make sure to—”

The girl began to speak of something ominous as she turned around, her crimson eyes slightly widening.

What flew through the air in an arcing trajectory was a ringer, clumsily tossed by Subaru. The two ringers followed a smooth path toward the girl, landing squarely in her hands.

Satisfied that she caught them, Subaru chuckled.

“Here you go—a symbol of our bond. From now on, even if some bad adult dangles a ringer in front of you, don’t get distracted and follow them!”

“I wasn’t drawn to the alley but due to such a childish reason.”

“You’re permanently fixed in my position! Just take it, will you?”

Without argument, Subaru forced the ringer into her hands and turned to pull Emilia along with him. For a moment, he considered pulling her into an embrace, realizing she probably wouldn’t resist; afterward, he rationalized with himself that being able to hold hands was sufficient for now.

As he quickly departed with Emilia, a shout of gratitude rang out from across the street.

“Thanks for helping me with my search, little lady!”

その決意を込めた声は、感謝の意を織り交ぜたものであった。

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Having parted ways with the arrogant girl and her oddly mismatched guardian, Subaru stopped walking down the street for a moment.

“Hey, Emilia. Those two are gone now; can we talk?”

Glancing around with hesitance, Subaru called out to Emilia, who had also paused. Having maintained her silence until now, she pulled her hood down deeper, hiding her expression from Subaru.

Revisiting their earlier interactions, Subaru wondered if he had said something to upset her during their time with the girls. At that, Emilia suddenly blinked, seemingly snapping back to reality.

“…Um, I’m sorry, Subaru. I was just a little lost in thought.”

Subaru felt relieved that she had finally spoken, concealing the sense of relief within him while attempting to brighten the mood.

“Hey, you can zone out as much as you want in front of me! While you’re daydreaming, I might get a chance to do things with you that I can’t say out loud… Uh-oh, is my hair standing up or is it just me?!”

“That’s probably not just you.”

A low chill grazed Subaru’s neck as a faint sense of dread brushed against him, reminiscent of the clear feeling of anger from Emilia’s mysterious guardian that he had just experienced an hour earlier.

Recognizing the discomforting presence he had sensed, Subaru attempted to gesture wildly to diffuse the tension.

“But still, I’m no wolf in sheep’s clothing; I’ll not act immorally without your consent. We both know our nice sweet getaway awaits at the romantic view restaurant, where we’ll express our feelings to each other openly, right?”

Subaru’s thoughts wandered into realms of an ideal romantic escapade while sensing a heavy sigh from an unseen entity.

“He seems to handle the urge to punish me quite well under the current circumstances,” he realized with relief, relieved that he was spared from that certain punishment for now.

In contrast, Emilia pursued her train of thought, shifting to what had been waiting for a moment to surface.

“Subaru. —About that girl from earlier…”

“Eh? What’s this? Are you jealous, Emilia? Are you feeling a hint of jealousy over what transpired? Is it really happening? After two long weeks of toil—my efforts are finally bearing fruit!”

“—Subaru.”

Emilia interrupted Subaru as he leaped into fantasy. When he caught that powerful tone with her name, he finally recognized her serious expression, with an intensity that prompted him to quiet down and excise his usual quirkiness.

“W-what’s this? Emilia, what’s got you so serious all of a sudden?”

“Please don’t tease me. You… had some sort of relationship with that girl, didn’t you?”

Emilia was probing for answers and catching Subaru off guard. Though he was rattled, he knew he had to offer some reasonable response in return for her earnest question.

Subaru’s rare sense of sincerity was quickly drowned out, however.

“I finally found you! You really made me go through a lot of trouble!”

The loud, rough voice abruptly overpowered their conversation completely.

Startled, Subaru scanned the area and froze in horror.

It seemed the calm street, which had earlier held a few passersby, was now encircled by a group of rugged-looking men.

At the forefront was a familiar boisterous face—Ton. While Chin and Kan were nowhere to be found, he sneered down at Subaru and Emilia.

“You really thought you could mock me and walk away scot-free, huh? I was just about to repay that little favor of yours. Turns out, I was searching for you two.”

“Look, if you’re gonna retaliate with a bunch of friends over a playful argument, I’m honestly disappointed in you. A man must wipe his own behind regardless of being mocked. No matter how much someone mocks you or riles you up, you have to settle the scores yourself. All this time… I believed you were that kind of man…!”

“Don’t throw a pity party for me! What do you know about me?!”

As Subaru bore witness to Ton’s harangue, he quietly scrutinized the area.

Roughly around fifteen or sixteen thugs surrounded them on either side, all equipped with simple weapons like short clubs and knives, clearly having cleared the area of any casual observers.

He was well aware that someone—perhaps the guards—might eventually show up due to an alarm raised, yet with heroes like Reinhardt, any hope they might arrive in time felt more like wishing upon a star.

It would be difficult to escape, and realistically waiting for someone to aid him wasn’t an option.

Consequently, the most effective plan to extract himself from the situation was—

“It’s shameful to admit, but it seems my best bet is to rely on Emilia and Pack!”

“I find it refreshing how you so boldly admit your own shortcomings without any shame, however!”

Applauding Subaru’s openly dependent demeanor, Pack’s voice echoed in his mind.

Hearing heartfelt praise from Pack renewed his determination. Flipping toward Emilia, readying himself to preemptively warn the two about the situation, Subaru stood his ground.

“If I decide to let myself rely on anyone, it’ll be all in! So listen closely, Emilia! You’ll need to clean this up effortlessly. Maybe even turn those thugs into snow statues for a grand Rugnica snow festival!”

“I can’t even believe you think that will be necessary…”

Just then, a voice suddenly echoed from above.

“—I’ve been following Subaru-kun’s scent. What’s all this commotion?”

As the blue-haired maid descended from the sky, she spun gracefully in the air, landing with a bang that demanded attention while brushing off the dust.

“So, what’s going on with Subaru-kun? Anything for me to assist with?”

“Rem! You truly are a remarkable maid who can reach for all the right spots! I could fall for you all over again!”

“Such praise backfires; I find myself in quite the pinch afterward.”

Surrounded by flabbergasted thugs, the encounter between Subaru and Rem followed its usual merry path.

Blushing at Subaru’s compliment, while their interactions played out, the thugs began growing restless.

“Hey, maid! We’re in the middle of something important with those kids, and—”

The thug’s bravado evaporated, leaving his bravado without completion as fear struck him.

After having his front collar grabbed by Rem, the thug faced reality and plunged headfirst into the ground.

“Hey! This guy is pretty reckless, but I’m guessing he won’t be treated gently.”

As he lay face down in the next instant, the motionless figure of the thug twitched—a flicker of consciousness remaining.

“I’ve determined you pose a danger to Subaru-kun and Emilia-sama,” Rem said in a firm, low voice, her expression returning to business mode.

Uncharacteristically, she still managed to prioritize Subaru before anything else.

Subaru’s empathy emerged for the visibly frightened ruffians who had foolishly decided to antagonize them. It was time for a brief mental prayer.

“Rem.”

“Yes?”

“We can’t kill them, okay?”

“Okay, three-quarters of the way to death it is.”

Having determined that they were about to experience 75% fatal makeovers, Rem began to set her actions into motion.

A few attempted to flee, while others stunted their movements entirely in shock.

All of them would face her equivalently unfriendly treatment.

“Wha—Whoa!”

Surprised, Subaru could hardly believe the sight of people flying through the air.

His focus had been entirely on waiting for the chaos to resolve when suddenly, the calm air around him bristled with excitement.

“Subaru—”

The poignant call from Emilia wrapped around his mind as he unknowingly missed their tender moment.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Meanwhile, the commotion had erupted for the girl and Al, further extending their struggle.

Having walked a bit away from the others, they found themselves amidst a more deserted area before settling into a trap set by the thugs—working all too similarly to what had happened earlier.

Here, one of the two Subaru had dubbed Chin and Kan had appeared, with their numbers slightly edging out the girl’s current company, though closured behind Al.

They must have drawn their interest due to the girl’s appearance, or perhaps they were simply taking out their frustration as more aggression fell upon her.

“We’ll have some fun playing rough with you. Just a little bit of pain to enjoy.”

Chin leered, his eyes peering sensually at the girl as the thugs leered at her, aggression unwavering.

She, however, seemed unfazed, speaking calmly as she nibbled on her ringer while gazing at her captors.

“Sweet and sour, it appears the contents are indeed a ringer. This proves the clown opted to spice their fruits in red, thus eliminating the chances of prior notions. I’m rather surprised—it was indeed red in color!”

“Oh look, princess, is reality finally dawned upon you?”

The girl was hardly listening and continued munching away.

Suddenly anger flared among the thugs seeing this complete lack of concern when Al decided to interject with frustration.

“Tell me what you mean.”

“Speak clearly. It seems your ringer is not just for you.”

“What? It’s foolish not to see that there’s a ringer meant for me as well!”

“That’s beyond ridiculous! If I accepted that your side could choose first, I might just be entrapped by that conundrum you’re spouting!”

“Of course, I spoke no mere jest! These two ringers belong solely to me.”

As the girl firmly denied, Al let out a tired breath and shrugged his shoulders, seeking a semblance of agreement from the surrounding thugs.

Yet again, any such expected response landed flat as they ignited their aggression.

“Well, well, aren’t you all just fuming? Can none of you take a light joke? What a pathetic bunch!”

“I’m afraid I won’t be sharing a ringer; they’re both mine.”

Seeing her naturally stubborn nature led Al to smile ironically.

If that had been the breaking point, it seemed a straw had broken the camel’s back for the surrounding thugs.

In clear hostility, each began to close in on their prey, metaphorically painting a target on those two.

Although they’d surely realized Al’s unusual nature, they were adamant that a mere single-armed man would fail against them.

Thinking themselves seasoned in team assaults, they grouped around in an unflattering manner.

Al was keenly aware of their movements, he impacted their actions with his nonchalant demeanor.

“So, princess, what’s the choice that aligns with your desires?”

“My choice will reflect the world’s desire. It’s as if you’ve come to understand that, Al.”

“I suppose.”

With Al’s content nod, the girl nibbled on her ringer once more, cherishing its sweet and sour distinction.

Then, with a beaming smile, she declared, “I’m in a pleasant mood. Therefore, I will let you live.”

With the innocence and purity of an angel plucking the wings off of a fly, she announced it without a care.

As those words left her lips, Al turned back toward the thugs. One hand slipped behind his waist, gripping the hilt of an imposing blade.

Slowly, the sound of steel grating against its sheath echoed ominously.

“—All right, then,” Al said, the hue of joyous blood-red grinning from behind black armor with his cheerful demeanor.

The stage was set, and thus a tempest brewed in preparation for the unfolding chaos.

 

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