The forces from Claudia were unlike the typical Confederation. In other words, they were organized and well-disciplined. A substantial army, large enough to be called such, marched in formation across the plains before Claudia.

The only thing that stood out was the automaton carriage leading the charge. Its body, several times larger than the others, housed a thunderwheel that spun violently, its grooves moving too fast to be seen.

Atop that automaton carriage stood a figure who stared directly at us.

What was most striking was her bright yellow hair. Flowing down to her waist, it was tied in a single strand. Normally, gravity would pull hair like that straight down, but hers floated loosely, carried by the wind as if defying the laws of nature.

If it were just long hair, it wouldn’t have been particularly memorable. What was truly fascinating lay at the ends of her hair—tiny sparks of electricity flickered as her hair danced in the wind.

As the distance closed, she suddenly leaped from the carriage.

In this world, everything that leaves the ground moves in a parabolic arc under the pull of gravity. Unless aided by wind or magic, that trajectory cannot change.

But the movement of the Thunder Overseer was different.

As she soared through the air, she gave a sharp pull with her arms. It was as if an invisible thread linked her to the golden ark, and with that pull, her body shot forward, nearly in a straight line. In an instant, she landed on the ark’s deck.

Thud! The deck reverberated under her feet. Static electricity crackled between the soles of her boots and the deck. She brushed her floating hair lightly before addressing the only human on the deck.

"This vessel belongs to the Verdant Overseer. Are you a guest of the Verdant Overseer?"

That human was me.

Facing Claudia’s ruler and the Confederation’s strongest Overseer, I swallowed hard before answering.

"Yes. He’s resting in the cabin."
"I received a message from the Suppression Overseer’s envoy that the Golden Mirror is heading toward Claudia. Where is the Golden Mirror?"
"It’s here."
"What do you mean?"

At the Thunder Overseer’s question, I pointed below the deck and replied.

"It’s a long story, but the Verdant Overseer stopped the Golden Mirror. In the process, the Suppression Overseer died, and some issues arose regarding the peace treaty. We’re on our way to Claudia to resolve them."
"Is that true?"
"If I were lying, wouldn’t you already be dealing with the Golden Mirror instead of us?"

‘The expected arrival time has passed, and there’s no sign of the Golden Mirror nearby. The terrain remains untouched. If so, it must be true.’

As a ruler of a city, the Thunder Overseer demonstrated her sharp judgment. After quickly surveying the surroundings, she made her decision and spoke.

"Good riddance to that wraith."
"…What?"
"What kind of god of alchemy? It wasn’t even properly dead, just a wandering wraith clinging to its kingdom. Hmph. Now that it’s gone, perhaps this land can finally resemble a proper nation."

With no sign of the Golden Mirror’s attack, the Thunder Overseer relaxed, allowing her true thoughts to surface. While I stood there, unsure how to respond, she raised her right hand. With her thumb and index finger pressed together, she murmured.

"Thunder Snatcher."

Snap!

At the snap of her fingers, Boom! Lightning erupted in her hand, as if massive flints had struck together. It was as though she had captured thunder itself, with bolts branching upward from her palm.

"Woof! Woof woof!"
"Whoa, whoa!"

As two creatures panicked and scrambled about, the Thunder Overseer shook off the lightning from her hand and explained.

"Don’t be alarmed. It’s just a signal for my subordinates."
"It’s not the signal that’s scary—it’s the fact that it’s lightning!"
"Well, there’s nothing I can do about that. You’ll just have to endure it. I can’t not use my power, can I?"

Below the deck, her soldiers spread out, switching from battle stances to search mode in response to her signal. It was an impressive display of coordination, unusual for the Confederation.

After issuing her orders, the Thunder Overseer extended her hand. Without even touching it, the iron door leading to the cabin swung open as if repelled by her gesture. Turning, she strode confidently into the cabin.

"Aji, let’s go down too."

But Aji didn’t follow. Turning to check, I saw its fur standing on end, puffed up by static electricity. Though normally scruffy, it now looked utterly ridiculous, its hair sticking out in all directions.

"Woof woof! My fur! My fur!"
"It’s just static electricity. Wash it off later."
"Woof! No time! Let’s go now!"
"You hate washing so much; are you sure you’re not a cat?"

I smoothed Aji’s fur down with my hands and followed the Thunder Overseer into the cabin.

The Thunder Overseer approached the Verdant Overseer, examined his face, and woke him up. Though Peru hadn’t fully recovered, she deemed it more important to hear the truth directly from him.

Peru, despite his pain, did his best to explain everything he knew.

"With their help, we were able to stop the Golden Mirror’s rampage."

After listening to his account, the Thunder Overseer nodded.

"You’ve done well, Verdant Overseer—or should I call you the next Golden Overseer? The citizens of Claudia will revere your courage. Even with the Thunderwheel at full power, we had no chance of victory. Thanks to you, we haven’t lost our homeland."
"…And."
"The armistice agreement? Well, that’s not my concern. The Plains of the Abyss, on the opposite side of Claudia, aren’t my responsibility. I’ll follow the Golden Overseer’s judgment. However…"

The Thunder Overseer turned her sharp gaze to the Regressor and Hilde, her tone firm.

"If the military state makes excessive demands during the process, I’ll stop them immediately. The Confederation hasn’t been defeated, and even if it were, Claudia will never be attacked. No matter what you’re after, as long as I’m here, you won’t take it so easily."

As if to emphasize her point, lightning surged faintly around her arms and legs, spreading out in all directions. The residual sparks of lightning displayed the power she wielded.

This was Elkid, the greatest Overseer and ruler of Claudia.

Elkid, the heir of the first Thunder Overseer, who had returned the stolen thunder to the heavens.

Standing before her, the Regressor said…

"It’s a misunderstanding! I’m not on the military state’s side, and I don’t want to fight you either! In fact, I even brought you a gift!"

He spoke with an unusually friendly tone, almost as if he wanted to make friends.

This left the Thunder Overseer somewhat disarmed, her earlier assertiveness gradually fading.

‘What is this? I projected strength to avoid being underestimated, but if he were a military state envoy, he’d have tried to match my bravado.’

Lowering her guard slightly, the Thunder Overseer asked with suspicion.

"…A gift? Claudia doesn’t lack for anything. Whatever you propose, it’s unlikely to be necessary."

Despite her lingering wariness, the Regressor, known for his caution, seemed entirely open with her. It was strange—his usual charm, the confidence that carried him through countless encounters, seemed focused entirely on Elkid.

‘Elkid. This is the earliest I’ve ever met you. Usually, I’d come after acquiring Jizan to imbue it with the Thunder God. You’re quite different a few years younger.’

"Whatever it is, it will be useful," the Regressor said confidently.
"And what do you want in return?"
"Nothing much. Just a sign of goodwill. At most, I’d like the armistice agreement to go smoothly."
"Unconditional gifts are the most suspicious. What could you possibly offer with such certainty?"

Still skeptical, Elkid continued to probe. But in a timeline where she had often been his ally, the Regressor already knew how to win her trust.

"I have no ulterior motives. This is something Claudia, specifically, needs. And since the Golden Mirror is dealt with, if I take care of the Thunder God, you’ll have no choice but to be my ally in this round as well."

Though the memories belonged to a future yet to come, the Regressor sought to reestablish their bond.

"Claudia is a city that hides the thunder stolen by a lightning thief, right?"
"I don’t need an outsider reciting Claudia’s history to me."
"Just hear me out. The first Thunder Overseer returned the thunder to the heavens, but the Thunder God, nearly erased, still rides the clouds down to vent its rage on Claudia. Am I wrong?"
"Indeed, that’s a troublesome issue, but…"

Elkid trailed off, unwilling to state the obvious—that asking someone to deal with the Thunder God was pointless.

But she didn’t need to.

"I’ll kill the Thunder God," the Regressor said warmly, delivering the most terrifying words of all.