"You were wise not to throw away this clone of mine.∈," Jiu Ming said as he caught Evangeline, who had fallen from beside the bridge toward the river. "Or did you see this outcome coming from the start?"
"...I underestimated his potential." Evangeline said gravely. "That's true. If he weren't capable of this much, he wouldn't deserve to be that man's son."
As she spoke, her gaze abruptly turned sharp. "And you! Why did the electricity come back on ahead of time?!"
"Well... an accident." Jiu Ming shrugged, offering no further explanation. There was no need to explain much now. He had no interest in rubbing salt in the wounds of an Evangeline who was clearly in a foul mood. Normally, perhaps—but not now.
"Tch! Hurry up and get me out of here." Curling her lips, Evangeline unexpectedly did not use the opportunity to say anything else. Yet Jiu Ming felt that rather than being disappointed, she seemed almost relieved?
...Was it because of the person she had mentioned?
Shaking his head, Jiu Ming slightly raised his chin. "What about him? Want me to help?"
Negi, who had jumped down from the bridge, was now on the verge of tears as he looked at the four Gaps pinning down his hands and feet. The closed Gaps were like clamps, holding him so tightly that he could not move at all. And something inside those Gaps seemed to be gripping his arms and legs.
Judging from the feeling, they seemed to be... sk-sk-sk-skeletons?!
"Is he an idiot? Why did he come here?"
"Looks like he wanted to lend you a hand?"
"...Forget it. Let's go. This time, I miscalculated." Evangeline curled one corner of her lips and tilted her head back. "Little brother, look after yourself."
"Fine." Jiu Ming shrugged and