Anything else?"
"That's all."
Perugius asks; I shake my head.
It has only been a few minutes, but I'm already exhausted.
Rather, it feels like I have been in conversation for hours instead.
There's more I want to ask.
About summoning magic, about the Laplace campaign, about the Metastasis event.
But right now, with so much on my mind, I feel like my head's going to explode at any moment.
That's it for now.
"Anyone else? Anyone have a request for me?"
"In that case, I have an inquiry. May I?"
A man stands up after Perugius asks.
It's Zanoba.
"You are?"
"Sorry. Third prince of Shirone Kingdom, Zanoba Shirone."
"A prince? Don't tell me you want my backing for the throne too?"
"No. I don't care the slightest about that."
With that said, Zanoba produces a small notebook.
Illustrated on it is a crest.
A crest I know of.
That's the crest we discovered with the doll blueprint in my basement...
Ah!
"This crest. It looks very similar to that of Dark Dragon King Maxwell-sama and Armor Dragon King Perugius-sama. More so, it looks the same as that crest on the wall there. Are you familiar with this?"
I follow Zanoba's vision to the crest hanging from the wall.
I do recognize some of the crests hanging there.
A crest I once saw carved in the power stone. The Dragon God's crest.
Another on the magic tools inside the hidden teleport ruins. Based on the incantation I recited, that should be Holy Dragon Emperor Shilard's?
Then next to that, the same crest as the one on Zanoba.
"I am aware. The one you hold belongs to Mad Dragon King Chaos."
"Ohh!"
Ohh!
That's why. Is that what Zanoba saw carved in the arch?
No, that's Maxwell's.
He probably noticed the crest there, and saw the similarity.
Then realizing the connection between all of them.
As expected of Zanoba!
Oops, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell Zanoba about the crest on the teleportation ruin.
"T-then, where is Mad Dragon King Chaos-sama presently?"
Stepping forth, Zanoba couldn't contain his excitement.
However, Perugius can only shake his head.
"Dead. Died several dozen years ago. No clue if he has a successor."
The notebook slips from Zanoba's palm.
His arms hang powerlessly on their sides.
"So he's gone..."
Instantly, Zanoba looks 5 years older.
Well, he always did look rather old.
"Say, how did you find this crest?"
Seeing Zanoba like this, Perugius asks considerately.
Zanoba answers, still downcast.
"At my Shisho's house. Drawn on an autonomous doll in an abandoned house at Magic City Sharia."
"I see. An autonomous doll."
Zanoba nods; Perugius continues.
"That doll, is it something wonderful?"
"Of course it is! Such intricate craftsmanship, utterly mesmerizing, it fully conveys the maker's love for dolls. As a fellow doll enthusiast, I truly admire his philosophy!"
Hearing those words, Perugius squints his eyes, laughing happily.
"You look like someone who appreciates art. Good. In this castle's treasure room I also have plenty of Chaos's fine work. We shall check them out later."
Unbelievably gentle words coming from the same person that was talking to me earlier.
Why? What's up with the difference in treatment here.
Well, it can't be helped.
"It will be a great honor."
Hearing Perugius's answer, Zanoba smiles brilliantly.
The other side looks happy as well.
I guess Perugius really took a liking to Zanoba.
How nice.
I want to be liked too.