Ex-Machina on a Dimensional Journey

Da Vinci said this. Though phrased as a question, her tone was entirely declarative.

So far, they had never encountered anyone capable of interfering with the doll's unpredictable spatial transfer ability.

Even if this Singularity was an EX-ranked "unknown," the Lion King had never stopped Xiu Er before.

If she had possessed such an ability, she should have done so long ago.

In response to Da Vinci's question, the doll nodded, confirming her statement.

"So, Xiu Er, what do you plan to do next?"

She lowered her head slightly and stood where she was. Her beautiful golden eyes glimmered once more as though she were pondering something.

"Question: will you participate?"

A few seconds later, the doll raised her head. Her gaze swept swiftly over Da Vinci, Mashu, and Fujimaru Ritsuka before finally settling on the boy.

"Huh, you want me to answer?"

Noticing her gaze, the boy immediately raised a hand and pointed at himself.

Naturally, he understood what Xiu Er meant. She was clearly asking whether he wanted to join this subjugation of the Lion King.

If the question was whether he wanted to, then of course Fujimaru Ritsuka did. Otherwise, he would have stayed in the mountain village and waited for Xiu Er's good news instead of coming along.

But just like Mashu, he did not want to become a mere "mascot."

Even if he could not influence much, he should at least contribute something.

"Strictly speaking, Fujimaru-kun, you were originally the captain of this team."

Da Vinci chimed in from the side.

Just as she had said, even after Xiu Er joined them, Fujimaru Ritsuka remained the team's actual captain.

Da Vinci and Xiu Er were, in truth, more like the strategist and the muscle.

"Yes. I will always follow Senpai's lead."

At that moment, even