Certainly, someone with such extraordinary abilities wouldn't just start calling Hui "Father" out of nowhere. He must be the child of the previous King of Humans, Tir thought, as his misunderstanding drifted further into unforeseen territory.

At this point, I could no longer just stand by and watch, reading his thoughts in amusement. This misunderstanding was spiraling out of control, and if I didn’t clear it up soon, it would become nearly impossible to untangle.

That strange ability to take on the appearance of another human... There are differences, but doesn't it resemble Hui’s powers? When Hui restored my heart, he… became me. He didn’t transform outwardly, but I could feel it, Tir continued, his thoughts leading him further down a perplexing path.

I paused, struck by a sudden realization. Hmm… hold on a minute.

I can read people’s thoughts, but I can’t predict what they’ll do. Human thoughts collide and react in unexpected ways, creating all sorts of unforeseen possibilities.

That’s why I can’t be a prophet. I’m just an observer, watching the possibilities they bring into existence. And the possibility that Tir has latched onto… it might be worth observing.

Fine. Let’s just let the misunderstanding sit, for now.

“Alright, alright. Let’s stop this age debate. What does it matter if he’s young or old? Shay here runs around talking informally to everyone like he’s some kid without any sense of respect,” I said, trying to steer the conversation.

“What did you just say, you brat?”

“See? Honestly, isn’t it better to call me ‘Father’ rather than something like ‘brat’ or ‘kid’? At least it shows some respect.”

“Exactly! I call him Father out of deep respect and reverence!” Hilde chimed in.

The Regressor looked exhausted, a weary expression settling on his face.

“We’ve barely known each other, and you’re already talking about respect and reverence…. Whatever. If you two want to play like that, be my guest. It’s none of my business.”

“If you feel like joining in, just let us know, Shay. I don’t mind having two kids,” I said with a smirk.

“I’ll even call you big brother!” Hilde added with a mischievous grin.

“Shut up! Don’t drag me into your little game!”

As we teased the Regressor, I caught a stray thought from Tir.

If Shay is the son and Hilde is the daughter… then there’s only one role left.

With a small cough, Tir interjected, reprimanding the Regressor.

“Shay, don’t be so standoffish. We’ve been together for quite some time now. We should get along.”

“I’d rather live without ever seeing them again than get along with them like that!”

“…Is that so? A shame.”

“It’s not a shame at all!”

Suddenly, the Cataphract came to a jarring stop. Azi, who was perched on the roof, barked in surprise. Since the view from inside was limited, I called toward the driver’s seat.

“Dizzy?”

There was no response. The golem that served as the driver—well, a structure roughly shaped like a golem—continued driving without reacting. Maintaining my patience, I called out again.

“Communications Officer Captain Dizzy.”

After a few taps, a crackling voice finally responded through the rough speaker.

[This is… crackle… Military Communications Officer Dizzy… Did you call for me…?]

“Why did we stop?”

[Confirming. The vehicle is currently stopped… We are awaiting a bridge to cross the Meta Conveyor Belt….]

“Ah, so that means we’ve finally exited the Inner Circle.”

The Meta Conveyor Belt, a flowing river of land encircling the military nation, provided immense benefits if you moved with its flow, but crossing it or going against the flow was a challenge. Vehicles that tried to cross it without aid often ended up flipped over.

The specialized golem at the wheel replied in a dying tone.

[Indeed… We arrived two minutes earlier than expected and had no choice but to stop… Please bear with us for a moment….]

“Got it. Let’s take a look outside in the meantime.”

I tried to open the Cataphract’s hatch, but something heavy was blocking it. Azi had parked himself on top of the hatch. I tapped it and called out.

“Azi! Move aside!”

“Woof?”

The weight lifted, and I swung the hatch open, poking my head out to survey the surroundings. In front of me stretched the Meta Conveyor Belt, a vast stream of moving land, with large containers floating like debris.

The sight of the ground flowing like water was as breathtaking as ever. Enormous containers drifted across the dirt-colored river. Even though the Cataphract was sturdy, it didn’t look like it would survive a collision with one of those speeding containers. Though, as long as we didn’t veer directly into their path, there was little risk of that.

As I sat on the edge, taking in the scenery, a dark parasol suddenly popped up along the passage. I scooted over to make room for Tir, who took a seat beside me, also gazing out at the flowing river.

“Hm. It certainly looks difficult to cross with this cumbersome carriage. Shall I carry it over?”

The idea of him lifting a multi-ton Cataphract as if it were nothing reminded me of just how absurdly strong he was. But as powerful as he was, tactics and tools often made such brute strength unnecessary.

I pointed to the distance. “No need. The bridge is arriving.”

“A bridge… arriving? You mean to say the bridge moves?”

Seeing is believing. I directed his gaze to a cluster of five containers approaching in tandem, a steel platform laid across them. Tir watched with curiosity as the bridge assembly drew nearer.

At first, the containers were merely square objects drifting closer. But as they neared us, a change occurred.

Several golems emerged, and the containers’ structure began to shift. With metallic clanks, the sides opened and reconfigured into an arch-shaped metal bridge. The end of the container detached from the conveyor belt, anchoring itself to the stationary ground.

With a rumble, the bridge unfolded across the Meta Conveyor Belt like a metal bird spreading its wings.

One of the golems on the bridge saluted.

[Captain Fidget in charge of the Meta Conveyor Belt! Bridge installation complete, sir!]

[This is Communications Officer Dizzy. Bridge installation confirmed! All aboard, hold on tight! We’re departing!]

With a roar, the Cataphract began to move again. The enormous vehicle glided across the bridge, which held its weight effortlessly, despite having been assembled in moments.

[Mission accomplished! Dizzy, over to you!]

[Understood! Moving out!]

The Cataphract sped across the bridge, rumbling fiercely as it advanced over the flowing ground below. Metal plates rattled and shook.

Tir looked at the hastily built bridge with fascination.

“How intricate. When I heard ‘bridge,’ I thought of a simple pontoon bridge. I never imagined they would construct it like this. Was this the work of those dolls?”

“Yep!” Hilde, who had slipped into the seat on my left, muttered, “This is a rare privilege, you know? To have multiple communication officers support just one person like this. Even I haven’t received such luxuries! If I’d known, I would’ve made an effort to recruit a communications officer for myself!”

“But why go through the trouble of building a temporary bridge? Wouldn’t it be easier to have a permanent one?” Tir asked.

“Guess why!” Hilde responded, a playful glint in her eye.

“Oh?” Tir looked intrigued and adjusted his posture, ready to engage in her quiz.

“There must be a problem with leaving a bridge in place, right? You don’t want just anyone crossing whenever they please?”

“That’s half correct. The Meta Conveyor Belt may flow like a river, but it’s still land. If someone really wants to cross, they still can.”

“Ah, and perhaps there’s a risk that something large passing below might collide with the bridge?”

“That’s another half-correct answer. Most containers are standardized, so there’s little risk of collision. You see containers passing under the bridge even now, don’t you?”

“Hm, quite particular, aren’t you? Two half-correct answers should make a full answer, shouldn’t they?”

“This is a quiz, not a puzzle! I need the most important reason, not side benefits, for it to be a correct answer!” Hilde said, her tone teasingly strict.

Tir let out a frustrated hum, apparently stumped. It seemed unlikely he’d come up with the answer quickly. Tir isn’t one to be rushed; he could ponder over a single question for ten days if necessary, possibly without even sleeping.

If that happened, I’d have to read his endless musings with my mind-reading abilities all day. That wouldn’t be good for my sanity.

“Would you like a hint?” I offered.

“Gladly. I’ll accept your kindness, not because I couldn’t solve it, but because it would be rude to refuse,” Tir replied with a smile.

“The Meta Conveyor Belt flows like a river, but since it’s land, everyone gets confused. It’s more akin to a moat, circling the military nation. Think about that.”

The pause was short. Tir already knew the answer.

“…A moat?”

“Correct. And why does a castle have a moat?”

“To prevent attackers from approaching.”

By "attackers," he likely meant vampires. I understood why he chose that wording.

Vampires have a unique vulnerability to flowing water. They may remain unscathed by swords or bullets, but because their boundaries with the outside world are thin, they sometimes confuse river water with their own blood. This can create a dreadful sensation of their bodies melting away, and for some, it doesn’t end with mere discomfort.

So, vampires instinctively avoid flowing water.

“Of course, it’s not just for vampires. Even ordinary humans find moats difficult to cross.”

“So, the purpose of the Meta Conveyor Belt is to keep enemies out?”

“Yes. While enemies could build a bridge, we could just flood them with massive containers to break it down.”

“That explains why you said both were ‘half correct,’” Tir admitted, impressed.

Though Tir was pleased with the riddle, Hilde seemed less than thrilled.

“Hey! I was the one who gave the quiz! How could you just give away the answer, Father? That’s cheating!”

“Whoever knows the answer first wins. We’ve had our fun; it’s time to end it.”

“A life lesson… I’ll remember that,” Hilde muttered, slightly deflated.

As Hilde sulked, something suddenly dawned on Tir.

“The moat is meant to deter vampires.”

“Not necessarily. That sounds a bit like a persecution complex, don’t you think?”

“In any case, a moat is only useful if you have enemies. So, who are the military nation’s ‘enemies’? Who would require a flowing earth barrier that can’t be easily bridged?”

Ah, that’s an easy one.

Tir might not know, given how long he’s been asleep, but… if there’s ever a war, it’s bound to happen here.

“That would be—”

Before I could finish my sentence, an urgent voice crackled from within the Cataphract.

[Attention! Communications Officer Captain Dizzy warning all Cataphract occupants!]

A golem’s voice came through with an alert.

[Hostile forces detected! Prepare for an attack!]

“Tsk. Not even enough time to explain. How boring.”

As I muttered, Dizzy’s voice filled the air.

[Enemies from the Alchemical Nations! The Wolves are here!]