This was an almost perfect Noble Phantasm.
In the hands of someone with enough resolve, it could even withstand Goetia's Human Order Cannon.
Its only flaw was that it could only be used to protect others, not its wielder.
In this age where Beasts ran rampant, possessing such a Noble Phantasm made it rather easy to die protecting one's companions.
In that case, Fufufu, who was close to Mash, could only sacrifice all its power to revive her, then be replaced as the Fourth Beast by some rabbit that looked like a fox due to its weakened state.
This plan sounded insidious. In truth, it was indeed insidious.
But the result was actually quite good.
Mash was an artificial human whose life was nearly at its end. After receiving the Fourth Beast's sacrifice, she could live out a full human lifespan.
After sacrificing all its power, Fufufu would temporarily degrade into an ordinary beast. However, that degradation was not permanent. With proper rest, it could recover its original mind in a year or two.
Russell could also use the opportunity to put together a seven-Beast stew without any psychological burden, then go home and sleep.
Everything was wonderful.
If not for...
Russell wore a long face as he looked at the girl clutching his arm.
Perhaps because he himself was a textbook dog-type boy, he had thought that since he had nothing better to do, he might as well turn up the pressure on Gudao. So he had harassed Doctor Romani and Kadoc a little.
He had merely been waiting for Fujimaru Ritsuka to return and experience what it meant to have her reputation ruined and be caught between two men.
And then—
"Ritsuka, come with me so we can straighten you out, okay?"
Miss Gudako had clearly reached the