“We’ve successfully seized the Second Technology Development Department!”

In the now massive underground city that rivals the capital, a man clad in a black robe kneels in the strategic conference room.

His voice trembles.
Respect and awe shimmer in his eyes.

His legs shake under the intense pressure.

It’s the third claw of the Black Fangs.
The temporary leader standing in for that person.
Being in the same position as ‘Rubia Ainsworth’ is truly mind-boggling, making it impossible for him to steady himself.

“The enemies attempted to besiege us while waiting for reinforcements, but with neither support nor supplies arriving, they ultimately succumbed to hunger and surrendered to us!”

Not only is that position outstanding.
It’s blatantly obvious that the Technology Development Department is a crucial facility that must never fall into enemy hands.

But the enemies didn’t send even basic supplies, let alone reinforcements.
Such a thing couldn’t have just happened by coincidence.
That person undoubtedly wielded some tremendous power to lead them to such an incredible victory.

Even a kid with nonsense powers like future sight merely holds the title of overall commander.
What kind of ridiculous strength does the fourth-ranking member of such a monstrous organization keep hidden? His eyes sparkle again with admiration and awe.

What could that person possibly be thinking?
He wonders if there will ever come a day when he understands the mysterious plans swirling in that head.

“Why are they acting like this…?”

But the real joke is that Rubia, the one who should be making those crazy plans, is trembling internally instead.

The third claw of the Black Fangs?
Those words should never have left his mouth. If only he could slap himself back then!
It was a thoughtlessly blurted comment when training kids rescued from the black market, and somehow it morphed into an official title.

In order of joining, Siel and Lien are the first and second claws, and Lucy is the fourth.
This girl, who can barely manage the stairs, is somehow regarded as the third strongest in the Black Fangs.

The entire operation to seize the development department was just a plan made in connivance with the prince. Words like mind control and reality manipulation circulate within the organization’s ranks.
How vexing these misunderstandings are.
If I were to list them, I’d be talking non-stop until my jaw ached.

When I said I wanted to take a break because I was tired, they treated it as a joke.

I just couldn’t sense the killing intent.
I was being chased desperately by an assassin who freaked out, thinking I was a threat—even though I’m clearly no danger!

To escape a sparring invitation from an overly enthusiastic newbie, I even had to say, “Sorry, but controlling my strength isn’t my specialty. I might… kill you accidentally.”

The more I think back, the more the injustice swells within me.
I’ve never bragged about being strong, so why the heck am I stuck in this mess?

But… Rubia let out a long sigh, shaking off the burden of injustice.
After all, no one would believe her even if she tried to explain. She’s well aware from past experiences.

‘…Is there something special about my position as leader?’

Since taking on the role of temporary leader, all these bizarre events have been happening. She seriously starts to suspect whether there’s some curse on it.

“Currently, Director Rob is leading the dwarves to that location. The work should be wrap-up in a day or two.”

As she drifts into thought, the report is finished.
Aside from the fact that this strange misunderstanding will escalate, she could breathe a sigh of relief at the satisfactory outcome.

With hundreds of dwarves at their disposal, the Black Fangs’ technological prowess is superior or at least on par with the Empire’s.
But relying solely on technology doesn’t solve everything.

With a bounty on her head from the Empire, she has no time to leisurely search for scarce materials. In such a situation, the Technology Development Department is akin to a treasure trove.
From rare materials to top-notch equipment, dismantling and utilizing them would undoubtedly ramp up their power.

Moreover, the emperor makes no moves against a traitor boldly holding a knife to the allies’ throats.
Perhaps they could seek even more radical cooperation in the future, which feels like a long-awaited piece of good news.

However, good news can’t be the only thing, right?

“Is there any change in the state near the Cartennon Plains?”

Yet again, the man before her shakes his head just like last time. The meaning of that gesture is painfully clear.
A space turned from mountain to plain by a single girl.

Lien’s hometown remains a demon realm—an area where not a single creature can set foot, precisely because she made it that way.
The priest is desperately trying to persuade her, but since communication is utterly blocked, it’s impossible.

If they aren’t careful, it could escalate into a serious crisis, and they can’t just leave their companion in such a state. They must somehow put a stop to her, but there’s no solution in sight.

Or rather, there is one clear answer, but it’s entirely unusable.
Only one person can resolve this issue, and that person is no longer in this world.

“……What’s the status of Siel?”

No sooner than she speaks, her subordinate’s face goes pale as a ghost. Without needing to hear anything, the expression alone answers her question.

Seeing Ian leave, she expected Siel to snap just like Lien did, but somehow, she managed to keep it together. At first, she thought, “Thank goodness,” but now?

It’s quite another story.
Fearing it’s all her fault, she’d been emotionally collapsing, saying she couldn’t fill the shoes Ian left behind.

The normally unstable girl’s condition has become even more precarious.
She’s completely ignoring her own well-being and rampaging through the Empire. The degree of her deterioration escalates day by day.

It’s like she’s punishing herself by repeatedly doing things that could be seen as self-harm.
At this rate, she might actually die. Rubia thought to act directly to stop her but eventually realized it wouldn’t help.

‘…No need to worry about Lucy, I guess.’

Though perhaps slightly better than the two before, this girl too has something broken within her.
There’s no one left to tell her what’s right or wrong. She has no idea what she should pursue or where she should go. But she does know what she has to do.

So she throws herself recklessly at the Imperial Army,
Since if left unchecked, Siel would charge right into the palace, jumping into an unwinnable fight against the Emperor of the Empire.

Perhaps it’s her that Rubia worries about the most.
If she keeps charging into the palace seeking revenge, it might just push the still-silent Emperor too far… which could lead to irreversible consequences.

Until they can come up with a countermeasure, she can’t afford to engage in combat. Even though she’d like to take vengeance just as fiercely as Siel does…

There’s a clear difference between seeking revenge and totally giving up all hope.
Recklessly throwing herself into danger without considering consequences is an irresponsible act that sacrifices everyone for a moment’s peace.

Ian would never have wanted everyone driven to their graves like that.
She needs to keep her wits about her, at least for her own sake.

“Can you step aside for a moment?”

At her request, the man in the black robe jumps up and vacates his position.
The look in his eyes radiates admiration and awe, perhaps thinking she’s concocting some brilliant strategy alone. Honestly, she doesn’t care.

“Haah…”

Finally alone, Rubia lets out a long sigh, disregarding the gazes of others.
Her comrades have all lost their minds.
Even without those four who are the worst off, far too many have crumbled due to Ian’s absence.

Handling everything on her own is proving overwhelming. She feels like she might snap from stress at any moment.
Yet, she can’t even vocalize her grievances about the situation. No one in the world understands it better than her.

Just how enormous Ian’s presence was.
No matter how hard she looks, there’s no way to fill that void.

Rubia gazes up at the sky for a moment.
She must be solid.
She needs to hold everything together to prevent it all from crumbling. So she can’t show any weakness in front of others.

But, in truth…

“I miss you too.”

A lot.
Probably more than you could ever imagine.