So, in the end, I ended up calling the Slayer by her name.

Zmiya.

It felt like I might have crossed a bridge I couldn’t return from, but honestly… maybe it was fine now.

The Scribe was practically omnipotent.
Nutricha was basically my friend.
The Cook was like a mom.
And Bell… well, Bell was just a dog.

I’d already gone beyond acceptable limits with two or more Outer Gods, so crossing further boundaries didn’t seem like it would change much.

But at the same time, it felt like this was the final line. If I went further… it’d really be over.

“Husband.”

Zmiya still called me the same thing.

Given the special meaning behind the word “husband,” it was unlikely she’d come up with anything more intimate than that.

“Husband, you still don’t seem to understand why everyone wants to be close to you.”

“Why they want to stay near me?”

Wasn’t it just… pure possessiveness?

According to the Saint’s explanations, that seemed like the simplest answer.

As I thought that, Zmiya gave me a knowing smile, as if she had expected my response.

“Although we quarrel around you, we all share the same purpose.”

“What purpose?”

“To befriend humans who misunderstand Outer Gods.”

Zmiya said this with a faint, sorrowful smile.

To befriend humans, huh?

I remembered how Zmiya had descended to this world, curious about humanity and eager to form connections.

Of course, her nature as an Outer God had made that impossible.

“So, you want to use me to get closer to other humans?”

“Well… if you put it that way, the result might be similar, but that’s not the core reason,” she replied, shaking her head in slight disappointment.

“Since you’ll learn soon enough, I’ll just summarize. Each of us oversees a domain, or in terms humans might use, a ‘concept,’ as that mystic researcher once described it.”

And with that, Zmiya began to delve into a deeper explanation.

It felt odd hearing such an intellectual discussion from someone who usually schemed ways to kidnap me. The cognitive dissonance was real.

“…What is that expression?!”

“No, no, keep going. I’m listening.”

“It was a very unpleasant look, husband.”

“Really, it wasn’t anything like that.”

Outer Gods and their sharp senses…

To smooth things over, I exaggeratedly focused on her appearance, pretending to look at her with admiration. That seemed to fluster her enough to make her continue.

“Ahem. In any case, think of it this way: forming a deep bond with another being is akin to ‘fusion.’”

“Fusion?”

Did she mean two Outer Gods merging into one?

I suddenly imagined Bell and Fiore combining into some kind of monstrous patchwork creature.

“Whatever you’re imagining, it’s not like that,” she said, reading my mind.

“Ah. Good.”

Right.

Fiore’s dignified demeanor and Bell’s hyperactive personality combined? That was a terrifying thought.

“To put it simply, consider how the weed worked with that flower brat to completely seal off their space. In such cases, their powers can mix, creating strange phenomena in their surroundings—or in their domains. That’s what we call fusion.”

Hmm.

It was an abstract concept, but I was starting to get it.

“So, if their abilities are similar, the effect amplifies, and if they’re completely different, they mix to create something unique?”

“Exactly!”

Zmiya smiled brightly, making an “okay” gesture with her fingers.

I see.

So the closer two beings are, the stronger this effect becomes, leading to the manifestation of unique abilities.

“And how does this relate to people wanting to be close to me?”

“Hmm? That’s because you’re the singularity, husband.”

A singularity?

Was she referring to Coward Mode?

…Wait, how did Zmiya know about that?

I gave her a bewildered look, and she quickly covered her mouth.

“Ah! I almost broke my promise to the Scribe!”

“What promise?”

“T-that’s classified! For now, just know this: we’re pooling our powers through you to stop that loner!”

What the…?

Why was everyone hiding things from me?

Not just Fiore—now Zmiya, too?

I let out a deep sigh.

Still, I got the gist of what she meant.

They wanted to grow stronger through me, defeat the Snowy Mountain Giant, and break down the barriers between Outer Gods and humans.

But could defeating the Giant really accomplish that?

The real issue was mental contamination. As long as humans couldn’t interact with Outer Gods without losing their sanity, cooperation was impossible.

I didn’t know anymore.

The complexity of the topic was starting to give me a headache.

“Anyway, I’ve said all I wanted to say. Now that my business is done, I’ll return you to your world, husband.”

As Zmiya stood, I followed suit.

Looking around her empty domain, I realized why it was so barren—she hated creating things like her Young Dragons, only for them to vanish later. It was easier to leave the space empty.

She was the complete opposite of Fiore in that sense.

As Zmiya’s hand began to glow, signaling my return, I gave her a small smile.

“Zmiya, you know, in the human world, some people redecorate their homes every year.”

“…?”

“The Young Dragons are living beings, so it’s a bit different. But even if something disappears like a fleeting bubble, if it leaves behind good memories, isn’t that enough?”

Staying in such a void could drive anyone mad.

Even Outer Gods, for all their divinity, weren’t immune to that kind of emptiness.

Zmiya seemed surprised by my words, her lips pursed slightly, before she gave me a warm smile.

“You’re truly a good man, husband. No wonder I’ve fallen for you.”

“Uh… right.”

“Thanks to you, I feel encouraged. Perhaps I’ll try redecorating my space.”

Zmiya laughed, her voice bright.

“Just as you said—like redecorating for fun.”

With those words, a light enveloped me.

When I came to, I was back at the branch.

“So, I’ve returned.”

My relationship with Zmiya had been mended.

…Now it was time to get back to work.

+++

 

Since I was preparing for a long journey, I was at the headquarters of the Knights Order, filling out a set of official documents.

The Commander explained that since I’d be absent for an extended period, this was part of the process to ensure a smooth handover.

In essence, the conclusion was clear: the Commander would officially take over as the leader of the headquarters.

For some reason, the Deputy Commander’s office had been relocated to a space within the Commander’s chambers, but Marenne, the Deputy Commander, was nowhere to be seen.

“Uh, Commander?”

“What is it?”

“Where is the Deputy Commander?”

“Who knows.”

I noticed it then—something peculiar in the Commander’s eyes.

A sticky, lingering emotion.

“She’s probably exhausted from all the work she’s been doing.”

“Uh-huh.”

I stopped myself from habitually asking what kind of work.

…Somehow, I got the sense that knowing wouldn’t do me any good.

Still, judging by how my romantic radar was blaring in my head, the situation seemed… favorable.

I struggled to suppress the smile creeping onto my face.

Meanwhile, I was having a bit of trouble filling out the paperwork.

Specifically, the section requiring me to state my reason for the journey.

If I wrote, “I’m going to investigate the Observer,” in a system that didn’t even acknowledge the Observer’s existence, the request would be rejected immediately.

A knight’s absence was a critical matter for Londan at the moment.

Ugh.

I hadn’t expected my role as a knight to hold me back like this.

Noticing my struggle, the Commander rubbed their chin thoughtfully before letting out a small snort and speaking.

“So, you’re planning to go to the capital of the Empire. It’s going to be a dangerous journey.”

“…Yes, but I have a compelling reason to go.”

“And one you can’t explain?”

“…That’s correct.”

“Hmm. Normally, without a proper reason, I wouldn’t grant permission.”

Despite those words, the Commander snatched the paper from my hands and hastily scrawled something in the reason section before tossing it onto the pile of approved documents.

I glanced over and saw the reason they’d written: “Commander’s discretion.”

That phrase meant the Commander was taking full responsibility for whatever happened.

“Commander…?”

“The pursuit of truth is commendable. To block the steps of one walking the shining path of chivalry with mere bureaucracy would be laughable, wouldn’t it?”

The Commander chuckled softly as they spoke.

These romantic fools, I thought, blinking back sudden tears.

“Thank you, Commander!”

“Go on now.”

Just as I was about to leave, the door slammed open with a loud bang.

Someone stormed in, walking right up to the Commander and placing a piece of paper in front of them.

“I’m going to the Empire’s capital. I’d appreciate your permission.”

The voice was familiar.

I turned to look and found myself face-to-face with someone I knew.

“Oh?”

“…”

While I was startled, the other person seemed entirely unfazed, merely glancing at me briefly before redirecting their attention to the Commander.

They pointed at me and spoke.

“Can I bring this one along?”

The hunter said this with a distinctly mischievous smile, her gaze locking onto me with an almost predatory intent.