[Libra!]

The man in question merely replied with a smile. He was unarmed, and didnt show any sign that he wanted to fight us.

But the magic power that overflowed from him gave me a heavy pressure.

I need to be careful.

[Yo, Fate. Its been a while or has it?]

[What did you do?]

[As you can see. I slayed the monster lurking in this land. Ive warned the town residents in advance to minimize casualties. I took necessary precautions, okay?]

[There are still some people left around here. And it would take more than hundreds of years before that monster posed any danger. Why all of a sudden?]

[Its not something for them to decide. It was my own decision.]

What are you talking about? Yours to decide?

[Your face tells me that you dont get it. Fine, let me tell you. Suppose the monster is left alive for hundreds of years, who will the townspeople ask for help by then? Let me tell you. If its allowed to grow up to that point, the monster will easily be at Area E level.]

This land happened to not be under the Kingdoms management. Furthermore, since its also not a Holy Knights territory, there wouldnt be any powerful warrior to help at any time. In addition to that, apparently leaving the monster alive would only make the situation even worse.

[You seem to get it now. Who will defeat it then? Mortal Sin skill holder like you? No, itll only be human like me. Think that through. Im actually busier than it seems. I cant afford to conform with peoples foolish ego with the limited time I have. Itll only be too convenient for them if I did.]

[Then, why now?]

[I did say that Ive given them plenty of time to evacuate. And it wasnt on an urgent notice as well. Let me say this again. It was my own decision. On the contrary, let me ask you this. How will Fate deal with this monster?]

Libra trampled over the remnant of the monster as he approached us.

It was an unfeeling step. As though he was trampling over something that got in his way.

[You have no reply for that? I suppose youve already heard about this monster before, yes? You came here, but after knowing about this problem you simply left because you couldnt find a solution. Correct? What I want to say is, dont complain if you cant even do anything about it.]

He said, before walking passed me.

[Libra, wait.]

[Ho you finally speak. I thought that youll just stand there like a figurine.]

Despite her trembling, Eris stared dagger at Libra.

[Hee, so you can actually make that kind of face. Have you become a bit stronger? I wonder if playing king has made you any better?]

[I Im not the same as before!]

Eris raised the black bayonet. The muzzle was pointed on Libra. On the other hand, Libra still looked calm.

[Shoot, if you really want to shoot. However, can you really do that? With the door to his land about to open, do you understand how foolish it is to try to fight me? You of all people should know me better.]

[Kuh]

Libra smiled when Eris finally lowered the black bayonet.

[Good girl. You shouldve acted more obedient like in the past.]

When Libra turned his head back to me, someone suddenly stood in between us.

[Oh, Snow. No way To think that youll be forced to take that form.]

[Gigigigigigiiii.]

Snow, who shouldve been with Mimir, stood between me and Libra, spreading her little arms as if to protect me. She growled intimidatingly at Libra.

[Dont be so angry. Good grief its not like Im the bad guy here.]

[Scram! I hate you!]

[Even though you lost your memory, you can still act like that, huh? Well, whatever. I actually came here to fetch Snow, but I guess Ill just leave her in Fates care for now.]

Libra smiled as he said so.

[Its not good to get sidetracked like this, you know? Go to Hauzen immediately.]

[I dont need you to tell me that.]

[Good boy. But no matter what, be sure to stop the door to His land from opening. Alright? For sure, okay?]

[I know that already.]

[Good then. Just know that, if you fail, Im afraid Hauzen will end up being destroyed completely.]

Libra just had to say that threat. I was about to chase after him, but Snow prevented me to.

[No, its dangerous!]

[Snow actually knows better. Okay, stop wasting time talking with me. Head to Hauzen at once.]

And with that, Libra took his leave.

He left a whisper as he passed by me.

[Be even stronger, Fate. For me.]

Libra truly left after saying that cryptic message.

Leaving us alone in the middle of what essentially a dead town.

Eris made her way to me slowly, and snuggled herself into my arm.

[After everything I guess there is still a long way to go.]

I could sense her body shivered almost feverishly. Personally, I thought she did pretty well for someone with a trauma. Regular person normally wouldnt even be able to utter a word in front of something they fear the most.

[Eris already did your best.]

[..thanks.]

Alright then. What I can do right now is not to fight Libra.

The town had been severely damaged, but the remaining residents were fortunately still alive.

After regrouping with Roxy and Mimir, we proceeded to meet the residents once more to explain what had become of the monster, and convinced them that its impossible to stay in this town anymore.

Roxy spoke up before boarding the magic bike again.

[Thank goodness. We managed to convince them to move out.]

[Yeah Ironically, the monster starting to emerge from the ground below was the decisive factor.]

[Even if their mouth insists to say all that, they cannot turn away from the reality before them.]

[When utter danger is right before our eyes, will we also change like them?]

One thing that people always seek for is happiness.

But these people shared a history with this place. They had nowhere to go, wandering around aimlessly before finding this oasis.

Now that theyd found their paradise, its only normal that theyd be unwilling to leave.

However, faced with overwhelming fear, they decided to leave.

[Humans sometimes can be so feeble. Even a Holy Knight like me. But, Fate, you are strong!]

[Is that so I never thought it that way.]

[But when Fate fought the Tenryu, you were so amazing. Even when you were cornered and losing, you did not give up. The same was also true when you fought at the capital.]

[Ahahah, I just felt like Ill regret it if I gave up.]

I laughed in return, but Roxy wasnt going to let me off so easily.

[Always acting like that, really now]

[Enough talking about me. Fortunately the townspeople are willing to move out to Lishuas territory. Thats a relief. Although itll be only temporary, so I guess theyll have to move again in future, this time to Hauzen.]

[I guess so. Then, first!]

[Yeah, look for Mynes whereabouts in Hauzen. Then well stop the Door to His Land from opening. Only then Hauzen will be safe.]

I started the magic bike and began speeding on the road again. After a while, I could hear Snows excited voice.

[So fast! Its fun!]

[If you dont hold on, youll fall.]

[Dont worry!]

Un, certainly, theres no need to worry. As someone belonging to Area E, falling from the speeding bike wouldnt hurt her.

[Then Ill speed up some more.]

[Ya~ay!]

[Hey, Fai! I am getting nauseous here! Eris-sama too, please say something.]

Eris and Mimir ran their bike parallel to ours. This time Eris was at the helm.

She simply smiled without saying anything.

[Eris-sama! What is wrong?]

[Now now, Im in a good mood today. Therefore, Ill just turn a blind eye to Fates childishness this time.]

[What do you mean by childish!]

Eris didnt reply and just smiled. Perhaps it had something to do with Libras appearance earlier today.

Despite fearing him so, Eris who hadnt been able to utter a word before was actually able to speak up this time. It could be considered a huge step up for her.

Libra said that should I fail in preventing the door to his land from opening, he wont hesitate to wipe the entirety of Hauzen out.

There might be some rules of his own that dictates him to not act right away. I guess its the same with the city-eating monster case; hes giving me time to handle it myself.

When the deadline has been reached, if the situation hasnt been resolved yet, then hell take things into his own hands, regardless if there are still people nearby.

That guy, hes prioritizing his goals over human life.

[Hey, Eris. Can I ask a few things regarding Libra?]

[Sure. You dont have to make a worried face like that.]

[I see Alright then. Can you tell me, just what power Libra used to kill the city-eating monster?]

[That guys power Im not really sure about the details, but it seems that he can manipulate lifeforce.]

Lifeforce!? Now that I think about it That monster withered and died as if something had sucked the life out of it.

But being able to control that kind of power, shouldnt that make him nigh-invincible?

As I thought about all that, Eris broke my reverie with her laugh.

[Are you scared?]

[Thats not what Im thinking about. Rather, I was trying to think up a way to fight someone who could control lifeforce.]

[Ahahahaha, just you being yourself.]

Its a bit annoying to be laughed at like this, but if it can make Eris feel a bit better, then I guess its fine.

[If you want to laugh, then just laugh.]

[Ahahahahahahaha!]

[Thats a bit too much of a laugh!]

In the end it was still too much, so I had to complain. Meanwhile, our destination had finally come into view.

An old castle built on a small hill, with a high wall surrounding it.

The city which was abandoned for many years and eroded by nature, now had been rebuilt completely.

Its the new Hauzen.

[Hee, that looks more beautiful than I thought it will be.]

[Uaaa It has gotten even more beautiful than my last visit.]

[So thats the Barbatos Territory! I heard that its still under construction, but it looks perfect already.]

[We made it a priority to fix the wall since we need it to repel monsters. The castle has also been renovated. I mean, every town has to have a landmark, right?]

The town itself began right from behind the wall. Many houses and shops were still in construction.

[Fate! Quick!]

It seemed that Snow was looking forward to this visit.

As someone who was involved in the reconstruction, it made me happy.

We took the magic bikes closer to the entrance. When we got close enough, a loud noise rang out and the gate slowly opened.

Perhaps the soldiers saw us coming from the distance.

A man waved at me from beyond the gate, along with him were soldiers guarding the wall.

[Fate! Everyone! Welcome to Hauzen.]

[Seto! Its been a while. Hows it going!]

[Because we received the support from the capital, as you can see, were doing fine.]

Seto spoke with such confidence. We met up some time after we took our separate ways back in our hometown, and since then hes been helping with Hauzens reconstruction.

We might not have been on good terms in the past. But weve since reconciled and become good friends.

After exchanging handshakes with him, I introduced him to my travelling companions.

Seto was surprised when he saw Roxy. But not as much as when he saw Mimir dressed in her maid uniform. I supposed the former knight turned maid was indeed a rare beauty.

Then he promptly knelt down on the ground upon seeing Eris.

[Eris-sama! It is an honor to have Your Majesty to visit this humble and dirty place.]

[Oi! You! Dont describe Hauzen like that]

[What are you saying, Fate! This THE Queen herself. Its too early to show the town to someone of Her stature!]

[Calm down, its alright. Eris might look noble and charismatic, but the content? Not so much.]

[Fate! Youre horrible.]

Owowow! Eris pinched my ear in response to my mocking her.

[Fate always has such a bad mouth, dont listen to him. Anyway, Im here to see if Hauzen needs more assistance from the capital.]

[That will really help, thank you.]

Seto seemed to be relieved upon hearing that from Eris.

And lastly, his eyes darted to Snow. His gaze alternated between me and Snow repeatedly, until he came to his own conclusion.

[No way! Is she your kid, Fate!? Who is the mother?]

He then threw her gaze to Roxy, Mimir, and Eris one after another.

[Eh!?]

[Well!]

[Ooh!]

You girlswhy did you all reacted like that? And you Seto, how come you arrived at such a ridiculous conclusion You girls could at least correct him?

Seto then nodded and gave us a knowing look.

[Un un, I see]

[Enough already. This little girls name is Snow. We found her back at Lishuas territory, and had to take care of her since then. I cant tell you the reason yet.]

[Excuses, huh? Anyways, its better if we talk inside the castle. I was in the middle of cleaning up the interior when everybody told me to greet Fate outside.]

First of all Im the legal owner of this Barbatos territory.

Well, I did ask Seto and several other people to watch over the territory while Im away. And I knew that hes just messing with me.

[Alright then, over here. And Fate, Ive been informed about the matter regarding Myne. Can we talk about that after this?]

[Yeah, no problem.]

Nodding to me, Seto began walking ahead of us. He guided our group through the outer gate into Hauzen.

Its said that Myne had been spotted here. Was there something in here that is required to fully open the door to His land?

I had a feeling that to stop her, fighting would inevitably break out.