After sending Anomalocaris back, a silver key was lying on the ground.
It had a simple shape but was formed as a single piece.
What was this? An overwhelming simplicity born from the pursuit of pure function.
I could sense advanced craftsmanship.
"So this is it."
The silver key was giving off a blue glow. I wondered what door it opened.
Well, whatever. I'd take it as my inconvenience fee.
"Still, it's got me curious."
What exactly was a Relic's [Transformation]?
Had it become Anomalocaris because it underwent [Transformation]?
Or had it undergone [Transformation] because it was Anomalocaris?
"...Come to think of it, there was one that turned into a Caucasus beetle, wasn't there."
It was bugging me. Maybe I'd ask the witch about it later.
"Well then, I wonder if things over there have wrapped up."
Not the slightest bit worried, I headed back at a leisurely pace.
"Still, there should be a cooldown period..."
It hadn't been a week yet.
So I couldn't take on the combined form of [Generous] and [Rave Form].
"Actually, I should probably settle on a name for this too. Hmm. [Rave Generous] or [Generous Rave]... [Rave Generous] sounds fine."
Alright. [Rave Generous] it is.
Was that [Deep Space Generous] a true Ascended God?
Something about it doesn't feel right.
And it just casually recites incomprehensible poetry like it's nothing.
It's overwhelmingly powerful, and it transcends dimensions.
"Well, whatever."
Sure enough, it was over when I got back.
The merged white-robes had their [Fusion] released, splitting back into the original pair, and they were captured.
A few of the black-robes had been taken captive too. The rest were nowhere to be seen.
"Wof. Is it done on your end?"
"Yes. It's completely finished."
"Hmm?"
"Wof pulled it off too, huh. What a cheater."
Narcissus was looking all smug and proud of herself.
That's Narcissus for you, though she was a little worse for wear.
"It turned into an Anomalocaris and returned to the Sea of Souls."
I said, handing over a small vial of elixir.
"Anomalo—???"
Narcissus tilted her head in confusion, took the vial of elixir, and drained it in one gulp.
I looked over at Ryuzu Gyal, who was carrying Anemos in a princess hold.
Hm? Ambrosius was supposed to be handling this, but I don't see him anywhere.
"Where's Ambrosius?"
"He went to notify the place that'll be taking these guys in."
"So I'm looking after them for now."
Anemos was still asleep.
This is probably… I looked at Pakira, who was unconsciously cradling the white cat—or rather, the Wind King of Life.
"What is it?"
Pakira tilted her head at me, puzzled.
"Ah, um, I was wondering if the Wind King of Life has a name."
"Oh, right. Apparently it's called Leaf."
"Nice to meet you, Leaf."
"Meow."
Leaf raised one paw in reply. Adorable… I gave Leaf's head a little pet.
"Nnu!?"
"Ah, sorry."
Without thinking, I'd ended up petting Pakira's head too.
Pakira's face turned red and she looked down.
"W-Well, if it was an honest mistake, then I suppose there's no helping it…"
"You two and one furball. It's about time we got going."
"What about these guys?"
"Ken-no-Ken will keep watch until they come to pick them up."
"Wof?"
Ken-no-Ken's expression said he'd never heard that name before.
Actually, that cry just now was... well, whatever. He sat down with a resigned air.
By the way, his apprentice Celest was probably scouring the royal capital right about now.
She probably wouldn't think he'd gone missing from the royal capital.
He'd apologize later together with Narcissus.
"H-Hey. Witch's disciple."
Two voices at once!? The pair in white robes.
"I'm Wof."
"Is the Prophet... dead? Was he defeated? That man..."
"He became an Anomalocaris and returned to the Sea of Souls."
"Anomalo... the form of [Transfiguration]. H-He was defeated in that form...!?"
"Rather, becoming an Anomalocaris is what sealed his defeat."
"Impossible... that form which brought down a Pseudo-Divine vessel..."
Heh, an Anomaloris.
Also, not that it matters, but isn't it hard to sync up their dialogue like that?
Or maybe there's a Relic like [Telepathy].
Well, anyway. He'd at least say this much.
"You're finished."
"......"
The white-robed pair fell silent.
I'd leave the rest to the Sword of Swords, Ambrosius, and Leold, who'd been called.
We finally made it to the log house "At Wind's Whim."
"This is nice, isn't it?"
"Right?"
"Hm-hmm~!"
Ryuzgyal made her smug face.
The log house "At Wind's Whim" was in the middle of the forest.
A big house in the heart of the woods, built entirely from logs.
A real log house. Nice. I love this kind of outdoorsy building.
And as expected of the master of this dungeon — Ryuzgyal got us a room just by showing her face.
We laid Anemos on a bed, and Ryuzgyal stepped out, saying she had something to do.
Once I finally caught my breath, Narcissus and Pakira asked me for an explanation.
Now then, how much should I tell them?
I made sure to avoid spoiling the fact that Lord Yomido was Pakira's 2P color variant.
As for everything else related to the Death King, I told them as much as I knew.
"So that plain one is the Dark Death King?"
Narcissus murmured with deep feeling.
Um, please don't call Ambrosius plain.
Sure, it was plain this time, I'll admit.
Pakira crossed her arms and let out a troubled groan.
"Hmm. Then it would seem they are laboring under a tremendous misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
"Most likely, yes. That one — Anemos doesn't believe they're becoming the real Death King of Wind."
"Huh?"
"Then what do they think it is?"
"Meow."
"A stage play, it would seem."
"...Ah."
I caught on. I understood.
Narcissus furrowed her brows.
"A play?"
"They must have thought it was just a role in a play."
"..."
"More to the point, anyone would normally think so, would they not? Who in their right mind believes the real Death King of Wind would be decided by some audition like that? Mark my words — when one speaks of a Death King, one speaks of the Dungeon Lord of the Death Dungeon. The legendary king of the undead, no less. Their monster rank is unquestionably mid-tier gem rank. Perhaps even upper-tier. That such a being would be decided at a street-corner audition? Not in one's wildest dreams."
"............"
"Now then. Wof. You may be that fox woman's apprentice, but to be this lacking in common sense — even I must say it's rather much."
I was pinned by a truly ferocious glare from those pale-green cat eyes.
"S-sorry..."
"Everyone around you is the problem. Every single one of them is completely off their rocker."
Pakira sighed deeply.
"Well, that's just how it is. It's already done."
"You're right..."
Even now, I could hardly believe the ridiculous thing I'd done.
Pakira gazed at me and sighed.
"Once something's happened, there's nothing to be done about it."
"Meow."
I see. Yeah, that makes sense.
Most people would think it was a play, wouldn't they?
That's why most of the first-round interviews were useless.
Everyone assumed they were playing some kind of role in a production.
Why hadn't I figured that out?
Probably because I have zero interest in theater.
This world has drastically less entertainment compared to my memories from my past life.
People are too busy just trying to survive to have the time or leisure to enjoy entertainment.
Still, there are card and board games, and while scrolls are the main medium, books exist too.
Plays, operas, dramas — theater of all kinds is popular.
Hydrangea has quite a few theaters, large and small combined.
The first floor of the Shiidorutei has a small stage where people occasionally sing or dance. Thanks to the influence of the Hiyaan Trading Company's idol, theater is all the rage right now.
But I'm not interested in those kinds of things.
That's why it never occurred to me.
"I'll apologize to Anemos."
"You should. It's the least you can do."
And then Anemos woke up.