"Hi~ hi~!"
"Sampo told me something huge was about to happen here!"
"I heard you're planning to overthrow this planet's ruler?"
"Something this fun—how could I not be involved?"
Evan calmly reconstructed a mechanical claw.
The kind used in claw machines—just significantly larger.
With a smooth motion, he grabbed Sparkle straight out from behind Clara.
Like lifting a chick by the scruff of its neck.
Sparkle didn't resist at all.
Evan dropped her unceremoniously onto the frozen ground.
She landed on her rear, sat there for a moment, then stood up and brushed the snow off her clothes, sighing.
"Honestly… why are people on the Path of Erudition always so unromantic?"
"Hey—hey you! Yes, you!"
"Put the scythe down!"
Seele had already drawn her weapon.
The blade gleamed coldly in the frigid air, radiating danger.
Meanwhile, Evan stared at Sparkle like a hawk watching prey.
Finally, Sparkle couldn't help but pout.
"Hey!"
"You shouldn't treat Miss Sparkle like this, you know?"
"I'm serious—you'd be perfect for the Tavern."
"How about it? Want to join us?"
"I can personally sneak over to the Mourning Actors and steal you a mask."
"What kind do you want?"
"Xianzhou opera style? A fox mask like mine? Even a frog mask works!"
[Moonlight Throne—Target locked. Charging.]
"…So unromantic. Completely unromantic!"
"I just said you were fun, and now you're not fun at all!"
"Hmph!"
Seeing the fully charged Moonlight Throne aimed directly at her face, Sparkle instantly backed down.
This guy had Herrscher authority and walked a Path.
His actual combat potential probably wasn't even lower than hers—he just hadn't fully unlocked it yet.
"Tch… I really don't know what Sampo sees in you."
"You're way too cold for someone with this much chaos potential."
"Fine, fine. I'll tell you the truth."
"When I arrived here, I took a good look at this planet."
"It's dying, right?"
"So I prepared a grand funeral for it!"
"Hehehe~ Isn't that exciting? Aren't you happy?"
"…?"
Seeing Evan's blank expression, Sparkle grew even more animated.
"You don't get it?"
"I planted a lot of bombs throughout a city called Belobog."
"You have seventy-two hours~"
"If you can't solve the problem in time…"
"I'll gift Belobog the most beautiful fireworks."
"Aha be praised!"
"What is Elation?"
"Hahahahahaha—I am Elation!"
Evan's heart sank.
He didn't doubt her for even a second.
Because this wasn't Sampo.
This was Sparkle.
Sparkle never lied about things like this.
If the Trailblazer hadn't found the bombs in time back in Penacony—
If Aventurine and the others hadn't uncovered the truth—
She would have flipped the entire dream world without hesitation.
That was Sparkle.
That was Elation.
She was the punchline.
[Assessment: Confirmed.]
[Conclusion: Belobog contains a large number of explosive devices.]
[If not dismantled, Belobog will enter a countdown state.]
As Svarog's data analysis appeared—
Clara, who had barely been involved up to this point, finally reached her limit.
She was still too young.
She opened her mouth to speak—
But before she could say anything—
The twin-tailed woman suddenly turned into a cute plush doll.
And dropped straight into Clara's hands.
At the same time, a red button shaped like a cherry blossom appeared.
Bright. Eye-catching. Tempting.
The kind that made you want to press it.
Evan sighed deeply.
He gently took the button, patted Clara on the head, and spoke in a heavy tone.
"Enjoy the next seventy-two hours."
"You just happened to run into her."
"I'm leaving."
"Leaving this place that makes me sad."
"Leaving this planet that makes me sad…"
Clara stared blankly at Evan.
She nodded slowly, still processing everything.
Even though she had always been well protected—
Someone like Sparkle was far beyond her understanding.
"Um… Sister Seele?"
"Are you leaving too?"
"No. She's staying with you."
"But… aren't Sister Seele and Big Brother Evan a couple?"
"…What? Since when?"
Clara smiled as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're so close!"
"Mr. Svarog said that means you're family!"
"C-cough… we're not family—"
"Hey! Seele, let go! Let go!"
"I was just humoring Clara!"
"We're going up! We're going up right now!"
Clara giggled as she watched Sister Seele drag the flustered Big Brother Evan—
Straight toward the passage leading to the Upper City.
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