“How much time is needed from here until completion?”

Nefmeiza and the Researcher continued their conversation calmly near me, hidden by my magic. From the looks of it, their work was done, and they had come to check on the situation in the Basement.

“Yes, it will take at least… several months to half a year.”

“Can it be shortened if we increase the staff?”

“Increase the staff, you say?”

“What if we double the personnel?”

–He’s quite impatient.

“Double, you say?”

“Doesn’t simply doubling the number of people halve the time?”

“Ah, no… the most crucial parts of the work are already finished, and the rest is mostly the injection of Magic Power. It’s true that having more people will increase efficiency.”

“In that case, how much?”

In response to the question, the Researcher thought for a moment,

“If we double it… we can probably halve it–“

“Then make it three times. Finish it in two months.”

Those words seemed to catch the Researcher completely off guard.

“T-two months!?”

“Your Majesty is in a hurry for this Weaponry to be completed. If you say half a year, who knows what kind of punishment awaits you.”

The Researcher’s face twitched. It seemed the Dragon Weapon was under the Emperor’s direct orders. This was to be expected.

“I-I understand. If we increase the staff, the work itself will be shortened, and in two months…”

“I’m counting on you.”

The Researcher bowed and left the scene. But Nefmeiza didn’t move.

He stared at the Weaponry, pondering something. What could it be–

“For now, it seems we’ll be able to unveil it during the battle.”

A voice came from where the Weaponry was. It was a voice similar to Nefmeiza’s.

Surprised, I peered down, making sure not to make a sound. What I saw was–

“It would be troublesome if the Researcher saw you. Be careful.”

“I know.”

–Another Nefmeiza. Other than wearing a white robe, his physique and facial features were identical.

However, there was one major difference. The Nefmeiza below was clearly older.

Here, I stared at him. The original Nefmeiza’s age was around forty. Among them, the hidden Nefmeiza below was clearly much older.

That meant he had used Time-Space Magic to advance his age.

–Come to think of it, Richard said that I appeared after he had repeated many cycles. If Nefmeiza is also repeating, did I eventually start appearing…? The mystery only deepens, but since I have to question Nefmeiza directly about this, it might be impossible to solve it.

“It seems he has performed Time Reversal quite a number of times.”

Garuku, who seemed to have thought the same thing, murmured. I nodded slightly and listened to their conversation.

“I’m following your instructions… but in this world, I am the original. I have no intention of giving up my position.”

“I know that. I only have one goal. As long as that is achieved, I need nothing else.”

–Upon closer inspection, the Nefmeiza below clearly had higher Magic Power compared to the Nefmeiza above. This meant that the one below had absorbed Dragon Magic Stone Power.

Perhaps as a result of replenishing his depleted Magic Power… he would indeed be able to rewind time more often. Also, the duration of the ‘Eden of Dragons’ battle in the game was supposed to be only a few months. If he’s been repeating it for years… how many times has he experienced it?

“So, he’s a more troublesome enemy than expected…?”

“Then, I shall return. Be careful.”

The Nefmeiza above announced unilaterally and left. The other Nefmeiza, left behind, muttered “Good grief” and then entered the room, disappearing from sight.

“What do we do next?”

Garuku asks. I’d like to observe Nefmeiza, who used a bit of Space-Time Magic, but… I probably won’t get any information, will I?

No, wait. If he’s hiding like this, then defeating the Nefmeiza using magic would be the end of it. Since the original Nefmeiza is in the Castle, defeating him shouldn’t have any effect.

Defeating the original him in this world would be bad because it would throw the Empire into chaos. But if it’s a Rewinding Time slave who hasn’t been made public, would it be okay to defeat him?

Or, should I destroy the Artificial Dragon in front of me… While thinking about various things, I was about to head down. But,

“Wait, Lord Ruon.”

Garuku called out.

“I have a pretty good idea of what you’re planning, but it seems difficult.”

“Difficult? Why?”

“There’s a room Nefmeiza went into, right? I can feel the Dragon Demon Stone’s Magic Power from that door.”

…Does that mean? Could it be that I can’t even destroy the door right now?

“However, if you make a big scene, there’s a chance he’ll come out. What will you do?”

–Even if I cause a ruckus here, it probably won’t have much impact on my comrades. In fact, Exon has already rebelled anyway.

“…No, there’s a risk too.”

If I were to act recklessly here, the Castle’s likely judgment would be something like “terrorist activity by a Rebel Organization.” It wouldn’t be difficult for Nefmeiza to fabricate how many heinous acts were committed… No matter how fed up the populace is with the Emperor, few might agree with this method.

First, the target is the Research Institute—meaning Nefmeiza, who has many supporters, is the target. Could Abel and the others lose support if we mess this up?

“Even in the game, they said we should talk to Nefmeiza, who is the Emperor’s Vassal… If he’s targeted, things could get bad.”

“Then, are you just going to leave without doing anything?”

“I’ve got the information, so maybe I should call it a day…?”

Targeting Nefmeiza itself is risky… we must maintain our stance of “trying to overthrow the Emperor.” Considering Abel and the others, should we avoid this for now? And besides—

“…There’s also the possibility that Nefmeiza is prepared for a counter-strategy.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

Garuku nodded at my words.

“Even if Time-Space Magic can’t be used for some reason, he probably has a means of escape. It’s safe to assume he has preparations to survive if he feels his life is in danger. Especially if he understands Lord Ruon’s power.”

“…If I were to mess up the room with Magic, Nefmeiza would probably escape at that point.”

I don’t want him to escape…

“But, I wonder if I should at least interfere.”

If I just take some documents—it was at that moment.

A report from my familiar. They finally found someone who looks like the girl—Romilda.

“Garuku, I found Romilda.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s a report from my familiar. Ah, but I can’t say for certain. There’s a chance it’s a mistaken identity, but… we should confirm it quickly.”

I gave up on acquiring the documents and left the Research Institute. The gate was still open, so I passed through it.

“Once you find her, protect her and take her to the Marquis?”

“That’s the plan. But, I’ll have to persuade her, or she won’t come along quietly.”

What should I do… As I thought, I finally approached the girl.

But,

“—Hey, wait a minute.”

I muttered involuntarily. Another report from my familiar. Knights are approaching her.

“Was she found… no, perhaps they were apprehending her?”

Either way, it would be bad if I didn’t help.

I quickened my pace and reached the alley. It was very difficult to see in the darkness, but Romilda was definitely there.

She was small, reaching my chest. Her red hair was semi-long and somewhat matted, perhaps due to its natural curl. She looked to be about thirteen or fourteen.

And two Knights confronted her. I couldn’t tell who they were as their backs were to me… but then,

“We’ve come to protect you. Please don’t resist.”

A man’s voice. I continued to conceal my presence, slipped past them, circled around—and caught sight of the person.

At the same time, I was astonished. Was this fate—one of the Knights was Yusuka, the Game Protagonist.