Tingyun raised her head, her Kohaku eyes looking at him.
"It's settled?"
"It's a promise, no backing out."
Tingyun revealed a smile with a hint of childlike innocence.
"Sir, you are so kind."
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.
The fox ears trembled slightly between his fingers, and the fluffy touch made him want to rub them a few more times.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"Your ears are so soft."
"My lord, you've come again!"
That's the truth.
Tingyun remained silent.
She simply leaned against him, her fox tail gently wrapped around his wrist, and closed her eyes.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery-white glow.
That was another night for Novas Etier.
Calm, peaceful, warm.
This is unlike any other night before.
Because tonight, there's a fox around.
On the morning of the eighth day, Muninn returned.
Higashino Makoto was lying on the bed, with Tingyun leaning against him, her fox tail wrapped around his wrist.
A raven flew in through the open window, landed on the bedside table, and cawed.
Its feathers gleamed black in the morning light, and its golden eyes looked at Higashino Makoto, his face reflected in its pupils.
"Higashino."
Muninn spoke, her voice hoarse yet calm.
"Urgent message."
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at the raven.
"Explain."
"The massive Tatsumaki in the Dolor Desert has occurred ahead of schedule."
Higashino Makoto's fingers paused for a moment.
"It's already started?"
"Yes, sir."
Higashino Makoto sat up, his long black hair slipping down his shoulders.
Tingyun opened her eyes, her Kohaku eyes looking at him, and the fox tail loosened from his wrist.
"Grown ups?"
"Fine."
Higashino Makoto reached out and patted her head, then looked at Muninn.
"What's the reason?"
"Uncertain, but it might be related to the ruins you explored earlier."
Higashino Makoto's brows furrowed slightly.
"The remnants of the Seed of the World Tree?"
"Yes. After you destroyed the guardian of that ruin, the magical balance within the ruin was disrupted. This imbalance affected the flow of the ley lines, which in turn affected the Tatsumaki cycle of the Dolor Desert."
Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.
He leaned back against the headboard, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Wow, this is so much earlier than expected...!"
He said in a low voice.
"But it doesn't matter, I've already made preparations anyway."
Tingyun looked at him, her Kohaku eyes flashing with complex emotions.
"Sir, are you going?"
"Certainly."
Higashino Makoto's answer was concise and to the point.
"The World Item, the Sand Scepter, is very likely located at the center of the Tatsumaki."
He paused.
We cannot break our promise.
Tingyun lowered her head, her long, dark green hair falling down and obscuring her face.
"May I come along, young lady?"
"Can."
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.
"But you can only wait outside. The center of the Tatsumaki is too dangerous."
Tingyun raised her head, her Kohaku eyes looking at him.
"This young lady is not afraid of danger."
"I know, but I'm afraid."
Tingyun was stunned.
"Grown ups--"
I'm afraid you'll get hurt, I'm afraid something will happen to you, I'm afraid of losing you.
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm, but every word was like a stone thrown into her heart, stirring up ripples.
Tears welled up in Tingyun's eyes.
She didn't wipe them away; she just sat there, looking at Higashino Makoto, tears streaming down her cheeks and dripping onto her light green nightgown.
"Grown ups..."
Her voice was hoarse.
"If you put it that way, this humble woman will—"
"What can you do?"
"I'd be even less inclined to let you go."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"It's alright, my survival skills are unmatched, I will definitely return safely."
Tingyun sniffed and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.
"It's settled?"
"It's a deal."
Tingyun took a deep breath and then nodded.
"Okay. I'll be waiting for you."
Higashino Makoto picked up the communication crystal from the bedside table and infused it with magic.
Ainz's face emerged from inside the crystal.
No, it's Ainz's skull.
His scarlet eyes gleamed in the darkness, and his jaw was slightly agape.
"Higashino."
Ainz's voice came from the crystal, deep and calm.
You found out?
"Understood, the giant Tatsumaki arrived ahead of schedule."
"I just received the news myself. Demiurge analyzed the cause and believes it may be related to fluctuations in the earth's veins."
Higashino Makoto did not explain that it was his own doing.
"Then see you in the Dolor Desert."
"Good."
Ainz nodded.
What do you need me to prepare?
"Bring at least one World- World Item, just enough to ensure you won't be affected by its special abilities. Also, prepare some life-saving items. There might be something unexpected at the center of that Tatsumaki."
"Clear."
Ainz was silent for a moment.
"Higashino."
"Um."
"I'd like to talk to you after this expedition."
What should we talk about?
Let's talk about the human race.
Higashino Makoto's brows furrowed slightly.
"What's there to talk about? Isn't Nazarick uninterested in humans?"
"But you're interested. I've heard about everything you've done in the Holy Kingdom, the Slane Theocracy, the Dragon Kingdom, the Re-Estize Kingdom, and the Baharuth Empire."
Ainz's voice was calm.
"You say the human race is your Garden. I'd like to know, what is Nazarick in your Garden?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Neighbor."
"Neighbor?"
"Yes, neighbor. You have your home, and I have mine. We respect each other and don't infringe on each other's space. We can occasionally visit each other, chat, and have a cup of tea together."
He paused.
"If you wish."
Ainz stared at him for a long time.
"Okay. Let's have a good talk when we get back."
The communication has ended.
Higashino Makoto put down the crystal, leaned back against the headboard, and stared at the ceiling with his dark eyes.
"Neighbor..."
He repeated the word in a low voice, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Ainz, will you agree?
No one answered.
Only the wind outside the window rustled the curtains, making a soft whisper.
In the time that followed, Higashino Makoto did not continue down this path of decadence.
He needs to prepare for this expedition.
He has many World Item.
Seventeen items.
No, eighteen pieces.
Including the Seed of the World Tree, that makes nineteen items.
But he doesn't plan to bring too much on this expedition.
That's enough; the rest can stay with Novas Etier.
He selected a few items--
"Fugin and Wuni", intelligence.
The Holy Grail has been restored.
"Brionac", attack.
"The Creator" and "The Solomon's Key," the trump cards.
And the "Seed of the World Tree".
Safety should be the top priority, regardless of the circumstances.
Because the center of the giant Tatsumaki may lead to another world.
If that world contains races, powers, and knowledge he doesn't know.
The Seed of the World Tree can help him adapt quickly.
"Grown ups."
Tingyun's voice came from behind.
What are you thinking about?