City of Dawn

Only then did Alice realize that bringing Derrick along had not actually been a good choice, because whenever she opened her mouth to make things up, she also had to consider Derrick's feelings.

—Mainly because this child's expressions gave him away far too easily.

In the end, Alice had no choice but to give up on all those messy rumors and choose a more normal method and reason.

She and Derrick found the City of Dawn's Exploration Team. After displaying a miracle before them—namely purification and healing—she smiled and told the Exploration Team:

"I want to see your leader."

Thus, they were taken back. Alice stopped at the city gates and refused to enter. Derrick said nothing and simply followed behind her, leaving the City of Dawn Exploration Team members with no choice but to seek out their leader.

A few minutes later, a female wrapped in animal hides emerged from within and bowed deeply.

"Greetings, Your Excellency.

"I am Ann, Chief of the City of Dawn."

Chief? Alice gave her a couple of looks. She was far shorter than the City of Silver's Chief, and her face bore the traces of accumulated corruption. Alice sighed softly and called out:

"Derrick."

This was what she had agreed upon with Derrick. Hearing the call, Derrick stepped out from behind her with a taut face. Alice had wanted him to look compassionate, but Derrick could not act. He could not display the necessary expression when needed, so Alice could only have him keep a straight face.

That was much easier than changing expressions. After a brief period of practice, Derrick had set off with a taut face. He still maintained that expression now, as though he were a robot that could do nothing but purify—except even the purification was not done by