"I don't know what you're talking about—but you know Acheron, that Galaxy Ranger, don't you? I have something to ask you." Black Swan smiled faintly.
"Haha, you want me to write your will? Sure, go ahead!" came the reply from the other end of the line.
Black Swan smiled softly.
"It isn't a will. I just wanted to ask how exactly she... 'became' a Galaxy Ranger?"
"...Huh?" The person on the other end sounded surprised.
Black Swan continued.
"She isn't a Pathwalker of [The Hunt] at all. You are, aren't you?"
"Tell me, just who is Acheron?"
Hearing this, a crude laugh came from the other end of the line.
"...Hahahahaha!"
"Not bad. Didn't expect you to be an ally."
"Hell, looks like I really hit the jackpot!"
"I'll be in Penacony soon, Memokeeper. Buy a bottle of [Asdana White Oak], warm it up, and I'll drink a toast to you!"
"That woman's past? Nobody knows. But if all you want is a simple answer, sure!"
"You'd better get a chair to sit on, because that woman called Acheron—"
"Is an Emanator who 'shouldn't exist.'"
Elsewhere.
It was a barren world.
The young girl saw the little boy run back, both worried and afraid.
"Kakavasha, where did you go...? You're hurt?!"
"I got it back, Sister." The boy was filthy from head to toe, yet his face brimmed with irrepressible joy.
"What? You went to find them?!"
The girl grew even more distressed.
"That was too dangerous...!"
"It's only a necklace. We can't eat it, and it isn't water. We can survive without it."
"But I can't live without you, little brother... Don't go near those Katikati people again, okay?"
The boy was exhausted, but he still grinned brightly.
"Sister, don't be afraid."
"The Katikati people are stupid, but