Fiore looked at me with wide eyes.

Was it really that surprising that I’d called her by her name?

Maybe it was because I’d ignored their feelings and dragged things out for so long. Guilt weighed on my conscience.

As Fiore hesitated, her face flushing, she looked as if she wanted to say something.

“Aaahh!”

Suddenly, a shriek pierced the air.

I looked around and saw the Foreign Entities from the meeting room had gathered around us.

Could it have been one of them who pushed me earlier?

“Did you all see that?!”

“Oh my god, how did it happen! Hey, check my teeth! Are they rotting?”

“What in the world are you doing?!”

Seriously?

They sounded like a group of ladies watching a soap opera, and the embarrassment only grew as Fiore suddenly grabbed my wrist and started running somewhere.

“W-Wait!”

I nearly tripped but managed to regain my balance as she led me off to another spot.

“Who was the genius that pushed him?”

“Seriously, you deserve a blessing!”

Watching the Foreign Entities fuss amongst themselves, Nutrièce looked on with a disapproving expression, sighing heavily as she observed them leaving.

“…How disappointing. I thought it was something only I could enjoy.”

Feeling a bit sentimental, she watched them go, when suddenly the Glass-Bead Entity burst out, looking shocked.

“What’s wrong with you, coming out only now?!”

“That was a classic moment, really!”

“You idiots! Didn’t you notice anything strange?”

A collective confusion spread across the Foreign Entities’ faces as the Glass-Bead Entity, frustrated, pointed toward the path Tanton had disappeared down.

“How could a mere human recognize the Host’s name?!”

“…!!”

The Entities suddenly went into a frenzy as if a realization had struck them.

The ability to perceive a Foreign Entity’s name was something only other Entities or rare humans with mental strength equal to an Entity’s could achieve.

And those rare humans were powerful enough to sweep through Entities like them with ease.

“Oh no.”

“C-Could he have come to survey us?!”

“If that were the case, would he have confessed to the Host like that?”

“Well, yeah, that’s true.”

Watching the others sink into an ominous mood, Nutrièce sighed.

It was hard to believe that these simple-minded beings were her friends.

If they knew anything about Tanton, they’d realize he wasn’t as intimidating as they imagined.

The scene of Tanton calling Fiore’s name replayed in Nutrièce’s mind. To lighten her gloomy mood, she decided she’d mess with him next time he appeared in her subconscious.

“…Just you wait.”

The place Fiore led me to was even farther than where we’d been before.

Unlike Fiore, I had a human body, so I was panting for breath the moment we stopped.

The real Foreign Entities needed to consider that humans don’t have the same physical endurance. I’d nearly thrown out a hip midway.

“…About what you said earlier.”

Once she saw that I’d caught my breath, Fiore spoke quietly.

“So, I can take it that way…?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

She let out a soft “Ugh” sound, then smiled slightly.

“Well… thanks for accepting. That… yeah.”

Since Fiore was the one who confessed first, I guess that made this my answer.

Haha, dating a Foreign Entity. The people of Londan would have a field day if they knew.

They’d probably cause an uproar, saying I had a peculiar taste.

Come to think of it, this makes me wonder.

Back when Asti took on the Inquisitor’s body, her appearance slowly reverted, and people saw her exactly as I did the Inquisitor.

So, if the Foreign Entity’s power disappears, maybe they look the same as what I see now.

Could it be that Fiore’s true appearance is exactly as I see her, and it’s just the others who view her strangely?

…A little happy thought, maybe.

Well, who cares? As long as she’s beautiful to me.

I approached Fiore, who was fidgeting nervously, and wrapped my arms around her, feeling her flinch at the contact.

“I’m sorry I didn’t acknowledge your feelings sooner, Fiore.”

“…Now you say that?”

When I let go of her, she looked away, clearly flustered. Seeing her like this, after always appearing so bold, made me smile.

“By the way, where are we?”

“…My garden. That’s why I called myself a landscaper, you see.”

So this was a realm like the one the chef had created, her own personal domain?

If we came here by dandelion, this was a space purely Fiore’s. Not an artificial place, but a primeval one.

Which meant that, to others, it would look like nothing short of a hellscape.

“It’s far more beautiful than the garden in front of Londan.”

“…You’re not just saying that out of pity?”

“Not at all. I’m always honest in places like this.”

Fiore gave a cryptic smile, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry a sense of relief.

“Hm?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just finished a task with an unknown outcome.”

A task with an unknown outcome, huh? I could see why she’d feel that way.

I sat next to her and gently brushed her hair.

“Hey, don’t treat me like a kid.”

“Really? I think it’s fine to dote on someone if they’re cute, even if they’re an adult.”

“…That mouth of yours, seriously!”

Whether it was a placebo effect or her hidden feelings coming through, Fiore only looked more charming to me now.

“Oh, right. What about the meeting?”

“It was pretty much over. It’s about time everyone heads back to their own places.”

“Guess that means I should go, too.”

“…Yes. You have things to do.”

Watching Fiore mutter, “If only you could stay longer…” under her breath, I smiled warmly.

Well, that’s right.

There was still a lot I had to accomplish, so I couldn’t afford to waste a single day.

“…If you brush the dandelion, you can come here anytime.”

“Oh, so that’s…”

So it was a gift meant to let me come to her whenever I wanted to see her?

She gave it to me for her own benefit, didn’t she!

Well, it’s not like it isn’t useful. I guess I’ve got a safe space to retreat to if needed.

No random entity would dare intrude here. Though with Entities, you could never be entirely sure.

Then, suddenly remembering something, I felt a chill run down my spine.

Didn’t they say Bell was a higher-ranking Entity than Fiore?

Which meant Bell’s powers could reach here too.

…Then, does that mean Bell saw everything that happened earlier?

I was dreading the inevitable consequences.

Crunch.

A disturbing sound echoed.

It wasn’t the shattering of glass—it was something far more ominous.

I turned to where the sound was coming from, spotting a crack.

I wanted to dismiss it as just the wall, but I couldn’t deny what I was seeing.

This place was collapsing!

But it’s a Foreign Entity’s realm! How could it be falling apart so easily…?

Suddenly, a memory resurfaced—how the Dragonslayer had shattered the Record Keeper’s script with sheer brute force.

Which could only mean that the one capable of this was none other than her.

Boom!

With a resounding impact, a pale fist and the purple collar of a robe became visible through the crack.

Her fist retreated, and through the broken space, I caught sight of something.

“Eek!”

The Dragonslayer’s dead eyes were fixed directly on me.

“Dear—husband.”

The Dragonslayer finally broke through the rift, fully revealing herself, her voice drawing out my name ominously.

“T-That… that woman…!”

Fiore stepped in front of me, seemingly trying to shield me from her.

Three more figures walked in behind the Dragonslayer.

She hadn’t come alone.

Bell, the chef, and the Record Keeper.

Each one wore a chilling expression as they approached.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Silence, weed. I have no interest in you.”

The Dragonslayer’s gaze fixed back on me, sending a cold chill down my spine.

“I granted my dear husband freedom. But it seems my choice was mistaken.”

The three figures behind her nodded in unison, as if they had rehearsed this.

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll just have to solidify our relationship myself.”

But the Dragonslayer’s next words seemed to catch even her allies off guard. They looked at her with astonished expressions.

Fiore, horrified, stepped in front of the advancing Dragonslayer.

“Are you insane?! What are you saying right now?!”

“Out of the way, you thief of a weed! How dare you try to take my husband away from me! I can’t tolerate this any longer!”

“What do you think you’re doing? Tanton’s terrified!”

“What?! Are you rubbing salt in the wound now? How dare you speak his name so recklessly in front of me!”

The Dragonslayer was causing such a commotion that even the other Entities rushed to hold her back.

“C-Calm down, woof! The human is irritating, but forcing things is wrong!”

“Y-Yeah! That kind of thing makes feelings fade!”

“Raydan Tanton, run away! Quickly!”

Where was I supposed to run to?!

As I stood there, completely bewildered, the Dragonslayer fixed her eyes on me, raising both arms.

“Let me go! I said, let go of me!”

…It was yet another chaotic day.