Finally, I had called Pawra's name, completing the list of every deity who had shown a fixation on me.

As the words left my mouth, my heart pounded so violently that I couldn’t help but wonder if this was really the right thing to do.

The worry about how I’d handle everything moving forward was overwhelming.

“…Raydan, you look worried,” Pawra said, smiling at me.

A moment ago, her expression had been pitiful, but now it was brimming with calm and composure—a welcome change.

“…To be honest… I am a little," I admitted.

“It’s understandable. Knowing your situation, I didn’t want to be selfish either, but… well, here I am.”

Despite her words, Pawra couldn’t stop smiling.

It wasn’t the expression of simple joy—it felt layered, as though she knew something I didn’t.

Given that Pawra had successfully mediated during the meal where everyone had gathered before, I found myself inexplicably trusting her.

“Pawra?”

“…Hehe, the truth is, I’ve already planned for things to turn out favorably for me,” she said with a knowing smile, motioning for me to come closer.

I leaned in, letting her whisper into my ear.

What she said sounded rational at first, but by the time she finished, my entire body stiffened as if I were having a seizure.

“W-What are you talking about?!”

Her suggestion was so outrageous I couldn’t comprehend it. It felt wrong on so many levels.

Pawra, seeing my reaction, gave a slight, understanding smirk.

“I don’t care about the order, Raydan. As long as I can be with you, that’s enough. What made me anxious was wondering how you felt about me. But now, after hearing what you said, I’m confident in this plan.”

“B-But that’s…”

“Do you have a better way to make everyone happy, Raydan?”

I wanted desperately to argue, but I bit my lip and stayed silent.

As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn’t think of a more efficient solution.

No matter how hard I tried, someone would inevitably get hurt.

And I couldn’t bear for even one person to suffer because of me.

“…As a method for creating a world without pain, it’s flawless, but I’m not sure if it’s right.”

“If everyone can find happiness, isn’t that the very essence of what’s right?”

Pawra’s bright smile felt disarmingly persuasive, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

Could this really be the right way to resolve things?

I glanced at Belle, hoping for some sort of reassurance. She wagged her tail happily, panting as if in agreement with Pawra’s suggestion.

Her cheerful demeanor brought a small smile to my face, and I reached out to pat her head. She tilted her head up to me, her expression full of innocent curiosity.

“Woof?”

“Belle, don’t you have a real name? If you tell me, I’ll call you by it.”

At my question, Belle tilted her head in confusion before shaking it.

“Belle is fine!”

“Huh?”

“It’s the name my friend gave me, so it doesn’t matter!”

Doesn’t matter?

A name given by a friend should hold immense value.

“You should treasure the name your friend gave you.”

“I like Belle better!”

Belle said this with a beaming smile, clearly delighted.

“And I learned that Belle means ‘beautiful!’”

“…?”

What? Did she have a language tutor or something?

I’d joked before that I was discovering new things about Belle, but now I was genuinely baffled.

There was only one being who might have taught her something like that.

Afta.

Told to maintain balance in the world, and now even teaching a dog language skills.

It was hard not to marvel at how such a lazy deity managed to keep the world in order.

“Well, I’m curious now. What name did your friend give you?”

“Shenok Geroaa!”

Shenok Geroaa.

As I mulled over the meaning of those words, a sigh escaped me.

The names otherworldly beings chose were often linked to their domain or concept—a lesson I’d picked up from the Saint.

But those two words didn’t match at all with the title of ‘Watcher.’

“Belle.”

“Woof?”

“Was the friend who gave you that name… Afta?”

“Woof!”

I felt a sudden, distinct flinch within my consciousness—Afta must have sensed my realization.

So, that was why Belle had seemed so happy to see Afta the first time they met.

…I had no idea how far back this plan had been laid, but at the very least, it was clear that calling Belle by that name—"Shenok Geroaa"—wasn’t a good idea.

No matter how much she acted like a dog, blatantly referring to her as one would be strange.

Wait. Hold on.

Does that mean I’d been calling Belle by her “real” name from the beginning?

Belle treated the name I gave her as if it were her true identity.

If that’s the case…

A chill ran down my spine as I looked at Belle.

She was happily rubbing her cheek against my hand, purring softly.

It was just a fleeting thought, but…

While the other deities were desperate for me to call their names, what had Belle been thinking all this time?

What if she had been acting like a dog deliberately?

What if this whole act was to guide me into giving her a name because she couldn’t hear her true one?

What if this innocent, clueless behavior was all a façade, carefully crafted as part of a grand design?

And now, while she playfully nuzzled me like a puppy, she was secretly wearing a sinister smirk inside?

"Woof?"

Noticing my intense gaze, Belle blinked and looked up at me, puzzled.

…No.

That’s too far-fetched.

If that were true, something would have felt unnatural long ago. But Belle had been consistent in her behavior, always acting like a cheerful dog.

Besides, the other deities would’ve noticed something if it were a ploy.

Look at Pawra—she was smiling warmly, clearly amused by Belle’s antics.

Instead of entertaining strange thoughts, I should focus on figuring out how to defeat the Giant of the Snowy Mountain.

 

Before Pawra returned to her realm, I hugged her one last time.

It seemed like she was holding back all this time, as she wrapped her arms around me tightly, pouring all her strength into the embrace.

If this had been the old me, I might have blurted out something ridiculous like, “Heuuuung, mommy,” in delight.

Not that it made the, uh, substantial weight pressing against me any less awkward.

"Haaah. There, that’s enough. Raydan energy fully charged!"

"…Ahem."

Hearing her say something so oddly affectionate in such a warm tone made me a little embarrassed.

Raydan energy? Really? What am I, some kind of battery?

“Well, I’ll be going now. …Sorry for all the trouble I caused you today, Raydan.”

“Trouble? I barely did anything except move my mouth,” I said lightly.

Pawra chuckled at my response, clearly entertained.

“Belle, take care as well.”

“Woof woof! But no walkies today!”

“Belle,” Pawra said, stroking her head gently.

“Woof?”

“Let’s let Raydan rest for today, okay? He’s been through a lot.”

“Hrrngh, but no walkies…”

“Just wait a bit, and next time, he’ll take you for double the walkies, okay?”

“Really?! Double walkies? I can wait for that!”

Belle happily bounded around me, wagging her tail.

Double walkies, huh?

Hmm. Maybe I could bring her along when I deal with the bandits next time.

“Belle, go stomp on them one by one!”—something like that should do.

“Well, I’m off, Raydan. See you next time.”

“Bye-bye, human!”

And with that, the two of them vanished from the human realm.

I let out a heavy sigh.

It felt like a storm had just passed.

With them gone, the weight of what I’d just done hit me fully.

Now, how am I supposed to handle the aftermath of all this?

Maybe when Oko revives, I’ll ask if I can hide away with him.

…No, that’s something only cowards would do.

My head throbbed.

For now, I should head back to the Knight Order headquarters and file a report.

 

When I arrived at the headquarters, I found the Knight Commander and the Vice Commander deeply engrossed in a serious discussion, their brows furrowed.

Usually, I’d catch them in some embarrassing situation when I walked in, but this was a first.

“Commander, Vice Commander.”

“Oh, Tantan, you’re here.”

The Vice Commander noticed me first, while the Knight Commander focused intently on a document.

“Vice Commander? What’s going on?”

“Oh, Tantan. Perfect timing—you’ll be part of the operation.”

As she said this, the Knight Commander snapped his fingers and nodded at her.

“That’s a good idea, Vice Commander. It’ll eliminate a lot of variables.”

“Wait, what operation?”

“I’ll explain,” the Vice Commander said, her tone grave.

What she shared next was anything but ordinary.

“The Hunter’s followers have begun collaborating actively with Candle.”