But they were no pushovers either. He had to let them experience the treacherousness of the adult world.
Let him think... how was he supposed to sow discord again?
Create a gap and divide them?
Or make a few harmless jokes, then drag them aside for some slow cooking?
He slowly raised his hand. In an instant, a spatial gateway burst open in midair. He grabbed Stelle and leaped through it, with March 7th following close behind.
Then, the skies of Jarilo appeared once more.
A thin layer of frost clung to every building in the city, glimmering pale blue beneath the sunlight like a vast crystal palace. Vendors walked the streets, the city inspectors looked thoroughly miserable, and the manager seemed to still be sending elderly-style memes to encourage the young people...
Of course, plenty of people who clearly were not locals were standing there as well. They had gathered together, and when Russell passed through with his group, they all called out.
"Hello, Brother Russell."
"Old pal, why did you come out? Aren't you joining the event?"
"Don't we still have several projects to finish? If we leave the site like this, won't they dock our project payments?"
Looking up, he saw a group of Merlins in red caps, along with Naruto, Sasuke, Valmont, and others in white caps. Some greeted him, while others worried over construction projects and unpaid wages.
"Hello."
Russell waved back at the guys, carrying himself with the bold air of a contractor inspecting his worksite.
But the next second, his expression changed.
"Fuck, why are you all so fat now?"
He stared at Valmont, who had long since swollen into a golden lump, and Naruto, whose face had puffed out. He was utterly stunned. Then he looked at Naruto beside Sasuke and saw