An intelligence network...
Hilde understood at once.
Perugius's intelligence network covered the entire world.
Of course he knew what had happened in the Asura Kingdom.
Ariel, Dilik, and the others had frequently visited the Floating Fortress. Though Perugius had refused to help them, the matter concerned the Asura Kingdom's next ruler. He was bound to have paid it some attention.
"I hear you played a major part in putting Ariel on the throne. In fact, you could say she owes much of it to you," Perugius said.
"That's true, but it wasn't my intention," Hilde said.
Perugius did not press her. He merely waved a hand.
"I have no intention of prying into your affairs. You know your own motives and whether you're satisfied with the outcome. That's enough."
"Yes."
"Also..."
Perugius looked toward Nanahoshi.
After a moment of silence, Nanahoshi rose and walked over to Hilde.
Hilde thought Nanahoshi was about to say something. Instead, she opened her arms and gently embraced her.
"Welcome back, Hilde," Nanahoshi said.
"Yeah. I'm back."
Hilde patted Nanahoshi on the shoulder.
Nanahoshi had hardly changed since Hilde left. Her body did not grow in this world, after all. Living in the Floating Fortress kept her from contact with the outside world, and Soka Grass took care of her physical needs.
Even so...
Hilde sensed that something about Nanahoshi was different.
She just could not say what it was.
After leaving Perugius, Hilde had planned to check on Nanahoshi's research.
After all, Nanahoshi had stayed at the Floating Fortress to study Otherworld Transfer Magic.
Before Hilde left, Nanahoshi had said she would have results soon. So much time had passed that she ought to have made some progress. Hilde wanted to know how she was getting on.
Nanahoshi, however, seemed to have