“Wow. Thanks.”

I’m so grateful I could cry. Camilla clicked her tongue lightly.

In the meantime, unknown words began pouring nonstop from the mouths of the people he’d summoned.

Then something black welled up around them, and it wobbled grotesquely—like it was alive—as it rapidly surrounded Camilla.

[What is that? That black stuff? I can feel a whole damn flood of something twisted.]

[Be careful.]

The writhing black liquid looked bad at a glance.

When Arena said she could feel something twisted, Camilla decided to try Arena’s holy power first.

“Arena...!”

[BARK!]

But at that moment, something darted in front of Camilla with a massive roar. It was an enormous white creature.

...A tiger?

At the ear-splitting roar, the black liquid that had been creeping toward Camilla hesitated and recoiled.

The ones chanting the spell also seemed to feel instinctive fear at the sight of the white tiger, their bodies trembling violently.

[AAARGH!]

The white tiger charged straight at the black liquid.

With a swipe of its paw, the unknown liquid let out a bizarre screech—“Kiiieeeek—!”—and tore apart helplessly.

“You...”

Camilla stared at it blankly. What was this feeling—unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar?

“King?”

At her call, the White Tiger that had been ripping the black liquid to shreds immediately turned around.

Was she imagining it? It looked like the corners of its mouth lifted, just slightly.

“W-what is this?!”

Daniel, too, looked completely flustered—like he’d never expected the White Tiger to appear.

“What are you doing?! Grab her!”

[WUUUUNG—]

“Ghk!”

“Guhhk!”

But at the White Tiger’s massive roar, everyone rushing at Camilla collapsed to the floor, clutching themselves in agony. Some even vomited blood.

“King... King...”

He got big?

Camilla couldn’t hide her dazed expression either. That was definitely King, wasn’t it?

No—was it? Why did he suddenly get that huge?

“...Where did my little King go?”

[.......]

As the enemy fell into panic, the White Tiger padded over to Camilla. Then it circled her, rubbing its face against her again and again.

This soft fur... that was absolutely King.

“You really are King...”

Still in a daze, Camilla fidgeted with his tail—then before long, the White Tiger suddenly went limp and sprawled out.

“Huh?”

FWOOSH!

In an instant, the White /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Tiger was wrapped in light, and its shape began to change.

“King!”

The huge White Tiger vanished, and in its place lay a familiar little guy.

King.

“But why?”

Why did he get small again?

Like when he’d collapsed after charging the video bead in the storeroom, King lay slack, letting out weak little groans as Camilla scooped him up right away.

[GYUU.......]

My King... did you grow again?

Oh, you precious thing.

You’re growing up so well, all on your own.

Praising him, telling him it was okay now and to rest, Camilla gently stroked his head.

But what is this?

From the looks of it, just like back in the Gracia Empire, he came looking for her on his own again. Did he tell Father before he came?

“Like I thought. You still can’t maintain your adult form for long.”

Then a voice she knew all too well rang out. Camilla whipped her head around, eyes going wide.

“Father.”

It was the Duke of Sorpel.

“Your Guardian’s still lacking.”

“He’s not lacking. He’s young.”

What shocked her even more was the Duke of Jevillan and the Duke of Sephra appearing right behind him.

[He really is undergrown. He’s been asleep for so long—he’s still got a long way to go before he’s fully grown like me.]

And then Guardian Jeti—chocolate-flavored—no, Guardian Jeti—fluttered in and perched on Camilla’s shoulder, chiming in.

[GRRRR.]

As if he didn’t like Jeti approaching Camilla, even limp and weak, King bared what teeth he had and growled.

[Bad-tempered brat.]

“But even if he grows up, can’t he talk?”

He saw me earlier and didn’t say a word.

[Not every Guardian likes talking. Luna can talk too, but she almost never opens her mouth.]

...In other words, you’re the only chatterbox.

[GRR......]

As if telling him to get lost, King growled viciously. Jeti shot King a displeased look.

But as if he didn’t intend to fight, Jeti flew back to the Duke of Jevillan.

“How did all of you end up here...?”

“Let’s talk later.”

The three dukes’ gazes shifted to Daniel, who was using the chaos to quietly prepare to flee.

“After we deal with those first.”

FWOOSH!

The overwhelming pressure pouring off the three of them made even Camilla swallow hard.

*****

To skip to the conclusion, Daniel died.

The moment he realized the plan had failed with the three dukes’ arrival, he pulled a dagger from his chest—

“H-hey! That—Jeti!”

[He’s dead.]

[GYUU!]

As if he planned to discard his own body and take someone else’s without a second of hesitation, he slit his own throat.

Vicious bastard.

Of course he’s Eva Faith.

As she clicked her tongue under her breath, the three dukes came rushing over in alarm.

“Don’t look at that.”

“Cover it properly! Camilla, are you hurt anywhere?”

There was no need to describe how stunned Daniel must have been once he became a soul.

[I swear I’ll—!]

Grinding his teeth nonstop, he tried to run before the Duke of Sephra could annihilate him or a reaper could seize him.

But there was something he didn’t know.

[AAARGH!]

There was no need to order Zeno or Arena to catch him. There were others who moved faster than them.

Countless black hands swarming around him.

[N-noooo—!]

He boarded a one-way train to hell and disappeared just like that.

If anything, the subordinates he’d brought were more persistent in resisting.

Some resumed chanting, summoning that bizarre liquid again, and a few drew swords and tried to attack.

FWOOSH!

But every attack became meaningless in the flames Guardian Jeti spewed. Literally—everyone burned to death.

“Um... aren’t you going to capture them for interrogation or something?”

“They aren’t the type to talk.”

“And there’s nothing to interrogate.”

Nothing to interrogate?

Their complete lack of hesitation actually made Camilla flustered, and she tried to stop them.

“Still, just in case, wouldn’t it be better to leave a few alive? Interrogate them—”

But all three simply shook their heads lightly, like the thought of capturing anyone never even crossed their minds.

“A child shouldn’t be seeing things like that. Go over there.”

“I’m not a child—”

“Go play with King over there.”

[GYUUU!]

“...Okay.”

After everything was settled and they returned home, Camilla sat neatly in her seat.

Like a child waiting to be punished.

“Camilla.”

“Y-yes!”

At the Duke of Sorpel’s quiet call, Camilla answered with brisk, almost comical speed, forcing an awkward smile.

“.......”

Even after calling her name, the Duke of Sorpel stayed silent for a long while. It looked like he was truly furious—his brow twitching repeatedly.

Unable to bring himself to speak, Camilla carefully tested the waters first.

“Um, but... why were the three of you there...?”

“That’s not what matters right now.”

“Yes!”

I should probably just shut up.

But once the Duke of Sorpel finally opened his mouth, the words he’d been holding back poured out.

“Why did you go there?”

“Well—”

“Did you know who that bastard was?! Did you know where you were?! How could you follow him so recklessly! I told you—didn’t I? I told you never to get involved in dangerous things again!”

Seeing the Duke of Sorpel genuinely angry, Camilla quickly scanned the room for help.

Father is terrifying when he’s like this.

Excuses didn’t work at all.

But the Duke of Sephra and the Duke of Jevillan had both folded their arms, watching like it was only natural she’d get scolded.

So she looked at Jainer, who did share a little responsibility for this—

“Wow, you really—!”

“Camilla Sorpel!”

“Y-yes...”

But the moment their eyes met, he only shrugged, like he couldn’t handle the Duke of Sorpel’s anger either.

Worse, he looked like he thought she had it coming, and heat flared in her chest. Ugh, that infuriating bastard.

This all happened because of who...! Wait—was it because of me?

It was because of my commission.

No, no! Still, you were wrong for not telling me properly!

If you found something, you should’ve reported it immediately!

Why did you hide it? If you’d told me earlier, it wouldn’t have gone this far!

Just you wait.

And those two never expected anything in the first place.

Ludville and Ravi, who were now in the room as well, were the last people she could count on.

Ravi’s eyes were practically screaming, She needs to get scolded more!—like he regretted he couldn’t do it himself.

And Ludville, with a hardened expression, kept shooting her a sharp glare.

And finally—

...No, no! That’s not it!

When Camilla’s eyes met Arsian’s, she shook her head frantically.

Because at her pitiful look, he immediately began pulling up his energy—

Like he was about to attack the three dukes on the spot.

Stop! That’s not what I meant!

“I’m sorry.”

In the end, Camilla let out a short sigh and bowed her head deeply. At her apology, the Duke of Sorpel also released a long sigh.

“Camilla.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you forget us every time?”

Camilla’s gaze slowly rose to the Duke of Sorpel. Forget them? Her?

“I haven’t really forgotten—”

“Why do you keep trying to handle everything alone?”

“Well, that’s...”

The atmosphere was so brutal she’d apologized first, but honestly, she didn’t really understand why everyone was this angry.

When King came to find her. When the matter with Professor Jeiv—whatever that was. And now this.

Was this really something she deserved to get chewed out for?

“Isn’t it normal?”

“What?”

“If it’s something I can do alone, then I should do it alone.”

If she could do it alone, why drag others in and cause them trouble?

Why? She didn’t really know.

“I’m not that shameless...”

“...Shameless?”

“It feels wrong to bother people for no reason, and my own problems are mine to deal with—”

Camilla couldn’t finish.

Why...

Why did everyone look like that?

A heavy silence fell over the room.

They all stared at her with stiff expressions. Even Arsian looked at her like she’d done something wrong.

No, I don’t think they understand what I’m saying.

“You’d be annoyed.”

“What?”

Damn it! I have to clean up after you too?!

If you can do it alone, handle it yourself!

She can’t even feed herself! Then don’t eat!

“If someone keeps asking you to do things for them, even if you’re family, of course you’d get annoyed.”

Just like that man always said.