Quiet, you!
He's very important to me!
Right now, I'm ready to take the bait willingly for him.
"Then, what should we do?"
"Just like before, wreck his plans straight up."
"... Ah, right."
If Orsted comes along, it should be easy.
Just like what happened with Ariel.
It doesn't matter if there's a trap.
Even if I'm drawn in like a moth to a flame, I can always just say [Please mister.]
Like the light on an angler-fish, he can rush to my aid and easily strike down my enemies.
Recently I've been called [Dragon's Underling] or [Dragon's Claw], but truth be told I'm really [Dragon's Lantern.]
"But, it's possible too that Hitogami isn't involved."
"... Explain?"
"Since this was supposed to happen."
Ah.
This was supposed to happen.
"What we talked about so far, truthfully are mere guesses. The diary never did mention what happened around this time. Maybe Zanoba Shirone did go home, then returned safely."
Without Hitogami's interference, it happened anyways.
Zanoba like the previous was recalled to Shirone Kingdom, did his job, and returned home safely.
Is... this... possible?
".... Em."
"Zanoba in the diary had a bounty on his head due to Milis. Considering that, Shirone would likely bar him from return. Or maybe Zanoba himself rejected the draft notice, or maybe Ginger discarded it for him..."
That makes sense.
If I calm down and think about it, the diary situation is already different than now.
Even if Pax succeeded in his coup in the future diary, Zanoba still had a bounty on his head.
Ignoring the existence of a person wanted by the Holy Kingdom of Milis makes a lot of sense too.
Holy Kingdom of Milis has mercenary knights.
If Zanoba returned, those knights would likely consider Shirone an enemy state.
The possibilities are basically endless.
"But didn't Hitogami already use me to change the history of Shirone Kingdom? Will Shirone still become a Republic in this situation?"
"He wants to change it but failed. That possibility exists. Your fate might be strong, but even you aren't strong enough to change everything."
Oh, even I can't change history as I please.
"Oh..."
Just now, Orsted realized something.
He's in his thinking pose, with his hand on his chin.
"W-what is it?"
"Wait... Pax was originally in Kingdom of Dragon King before, correct?"
"Right."
"In that case, the possibility that the King there led the coup is high."
"Ah, that's right."
Ah, that's the case.
Pax was in Kingdom of Dragon King.
In other words, the possibility exists that Pax was manipulated by another apostle there.
Thus the possibility exists that Pax isn't an apostle.
Rather, someone else at Kingdom of Dragon King is Hitogami's apostle.
This person is the actual person manipulating from the shadows this time.
"Alright, I shall head to Kingdom of Dragon King and check for apostles there."
Eh?
You're not coming with me?
"B-but, if Shirone Kingdom really is Hitogami's trap... then what should I do?"
"... If you're scared, then don't go."
In other words, leave Zanoba to die this time?
Well, as Orsted mentioned, maybe Zanoba won't be asked to do anything important.
Orsted promised to protect my family, even though Zanoba is my dear friend, he isn't family.
Ah, then I should just make him family.
Ask one of my family members to marry him...
Wait, no, that's not right.
If it's Zanoba, I won't mind leaving one of my sisters in his care, but that's not right.
"Zanoba has helped me. In the diary, even till the end, he always helped me."
"..."
"I won't leave him to die."
Question is, will I alone be enough to help Zanoba?
No, I don't have to go alone.
Who can I send to help Zanoba?
Eris has contacts with Holy Land of Swords, knows some Sword Saints, maybe I can arrange Zanoba a bodyguard army or something.
No, I can't let outsiders know about the magic teleport circles.
My mercenary army isn't ready to mobilize yet...
"Then you go to Shirone, I to Kingdom of Dragon King, and we will destroy Hitogami's plans. That's that."
"Okay."
Thinking about it, all sorts of possibilities exist.
We definitely need to look for clues and investigate.
"Say, I forgot to mention, when you head to Shirone, promise me one thing."
"Oh."
A promise?
Definitely don't die on me, something like that?
If he said that, I might get nervous...
"Don't kill Pax Shirone, even if he's an apostle."
"... Eh?"
"Don't kill Pax Shirone."
It's that important? That you have to tell me twice?
Ah no, it's because I didn't react the first time.
Don't kill Pax...
Why.... Oh, I get it.
Because if Pax is killed, Shirone can't become a Republic.
OK BOSS.
Even if Pax considers us an enemy, I will let him know beforehand that I won't kill him.
"Got it."
But the difficulty has been raised.
If Pax wants us killed, but we can't kill him.
In that case... all I can do is try to avoid getting killed.
And bring Zanoba back with me.