Night… In the end, all the men ended up camping outdoors. Well, it couldn’t be helped since they physically couldn’t stay in the hut, but Shasta said something that made me want to give her a thump, like “Good luck,” and then went into the hut.

Honestly… But it’s not like there’s no support. It’s a bit cold due to the altitude, but Shasta’s Magic adjusted the temperature to make it easier to sleep. Still, sleeping wrapped in a blanket on rough rocks probably won’t let me recover much from fatigue. I’m fine, but I’ll complain tomorrow.

However, even in this situation, Yusuka and Richard had fallen asleep, probably from the daytime battle, leaving only me awake. It’s not that I’m wide awake, but I was vaguely gazing at the beautiful starry sky.

“Oh, you’re still awake.”

Shasta’s voice. I sat up, and she came over to me.

“Since I riled them up so much during the day, everyone fell asleep easily.”

“That can’t be helped. I’m fine, though.”

“You were commanding so much and thinking so hard, yet you’re surprisingly relaxed.”

“I have stamina too… though there are a lot of things I want to say.”

She stuck out her tongue. Seeing that, I sighed.

“Alright… make sure to keep a close eye on Yusuka and Katora.”

“I promise.”

At this point, she changed the subject.

“…Dragon Spirits, like me, often lived in isolated places. In future battles, such individuals will emerge… which I find interesting.”

“It would be great if we could defeat her with this… but I have a question. What do you think about Nefmeiza trying to overrun the Continent?”

“Most Dragon Spirits probably think it’s none of their business. However, she’s the kind of person who manipulates the Emperor and schemes. If she wins the war, the possibility of her doing something cannot be denied, and thinking about that makes me feel troubled.”

Saying that, she shrugged her shoulders.

“What I mean is, if someone tries to disturb the peace, I will oppose them. I don’t know what Anastasia, who brought this matter to us, thinks, though.”

“…You don’t trust the Marquis?”

“I trust her, but I also have doubts. She often acts provocatively. Honestly, I think that personality harms her.”

I somehow wanted to retort that Shasta was probably the same… but I decided against it.

“She’ll team up with anyone if it helps her get what she wants.”

“So, if siding with Nefmeiza has more benefits, she’ll do it, right?”

“That possibility is quite low, even Nefmeiza hasn’t interfered much due to Anastasia’s difficulty to handle… Besides, considering Nefmeiza’s methods, even if Anastasia sides with the Imperial Side, she’d ultimately be killed, and the perceptive Anastasia would realize that. Either way, she has no choice.”

After saying all that, Shasta gave a wry smile.

“Lord Ruon seems shrewd, so you must have observed Anastasia to some extent, haven’t you?”

“To a degree, yes.”

Currently, there are no problems. However, we should prepare for any situation.

Then, Shasta showed an expression as if worrying about a friend.

“I don’t know what Anastasia is thinking, but I want to help my friend. I intend to cooperate until the end.”

“Thank you… please get along with ExonMarquis.”

“Of course. Oh, by the way, Lord Ruon. I have a question for you at this opportunity.”

“What is it?”

“Lord Ruon’s background is astounding, including the fact that this world is a story… And you seem to be a Wind who is not satisfied with your current strength.”

She showed the childlike smile she had when they first met.

“How far do you ultimately intend to go?”

“How far, you ask… probably enough to defeat the opponent I might eventually have to fight.”

I recalled the entity I encountered in the Underground.

“Simply training myself isn’t enough, I think. I also need to develop devices that can enhance my Magic Power and techniques that can counter them.”

“Aren’t the things you have on hand enough?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. But I think I should develop them if possible.”

“Personally, I think that’s a bigger challenge than this battle.”

“Perhaps so.”

At this point, the cabin door opened. I looked closely and saw Sofia inside.

She still seems to be able to move quite a bit.

I ask her as she approaches.

What’s wrong?

Oh, nothing. My eyes just opened, so I came outside. What were you talking about?

We were talking about how strong Lord Ruon should become.

Sofia, too, seemed interested in the topic and turned her gaze towards us.

Strong, you say?

Are you interested?

I don’t think I have anything to say about Lord Ruon…

It was I who taught her various things, so it’s understandable that she thinks that.

If you have any ideas, please tell me.

When I said that, Sofia suddenly trembled.

Ah, um, yes, that’s right.

Why are you so nervous?

No, I just wonder if I should be the one talking…

It’s fine.

After my words, Sofia hesitated for a moment, then…

To fight against a mighty being, I think we should gather as much power as possible. Like in this battle.

Yes.

So I thought, what should we do? It might be far-fetched, but I think we should fuse powers like spirits and dragons. By doing so, there’s a possibility of achieving a synergistic effect. However, I can’t think of a method…

Fusion, huh? I recall the game.

In the story, there was a battle against someone who existed underground.

Oh, since it’s a story, it must have had a happy ending, right?

The protagonist won. However, it was a difficult journey to get there, and they had to acquire a lot of power.

What kind of power did they obtain?

Various weaponry that existed in the world—things like Angel Armor and Spirit Weapons. They gathered them and defeated the final enemy.

Is that similar to what I said?

I shook my head at Sofia’s question.

It wasn’t a fusion of powers. It’s more accurate to say that they gathered and utilized spirits and angel’s armaments.

So, that’s not enough?

This time, Shasta asks. I think for a moment, and then…

I wonder… but after fighting once, it does seem insufficient.

Then what will you do?

Sofia’s fusion might be an effective method. However, there are several obstacles to doing it.

Mixing powers will be difficult, won’t it…

I agreed with Sofia’s words, then continued.

As for the method, we’ll figure that out after this battle. But if we’re going to do it, it won’t be a half-hearted method. We’ll have to fuse even opposing forces.

Opposing forces, you say?

The story’s protagonist even utilized demonic power.

Sofia gasps at my words.

That’s what I mean by all kinds of power. Humans, spirits, dragons, angels, and demon races… the fusion of every power that exists in the world.

That’s an incredibly high wall.

That was Shasta’s opinion. I agreed with him, but still smiled.

But it seems like a worthwhile challenge… though, first, I need to stop Nefmeiza’s ambition.

Yes, about that… what will you do from tomorrow onwards?

If you can look after Yusuka and Katora, I intend to head to the Labyrinth.

I see… A Dragon Spirit mixed with Angel’s Power. Perhaps it could be a clue to Lord Ruon’s goal.

Perhaps.

I look up at the night sky. Many stars are visible in the clear sky, and they are quite moving.

I will also help as much as I can.

Finally, Sofia said. I exchanged words of “Thank you”… and eventually went to sleep.