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“Momo? Hey, Momo! Have you finally kicked the bucket?”

It had been over an hour since the idiot disciple stopped responding, and no matter how long I waited, that obnoxious voice didn’t come back.

As for the dragon, it showed no signs of weakening. Even now, it continued its advance toward the city, spewing decay and curses with every step.

“…No, this doesn’t add up.” If she were dead, it would’ve been earlier—back when she was absorbed by Claxton. Momo had no personal resistance to curses. Her survival within the dragon’s body had to have been due to someone’s intervention.

Even when I tried sending a voice wrapped in the wind inside a few times, it felt as if it was being suppressed.

“…The dragon, huh? How cunning of it.”

This wasn’t like the ghost ship’s schemes. That thing had no remnants of human thought or will. If someone or something had protected Momo in that extreme environment, there was only one possibility.

The dragon’s body might be dead, but its spirit was still alive. Its vitality and sheer scale were otherworldly, as always.

“In that case, Momo can’t handle this alone. How should I get in there?”
“Heeey, Lady Laika! Are you safeee?”
“Hm? Oh, the Saint’s attendant golem. Perfect timing.”

As I hesitated against the onslaught of curses, the perfect pawn showed up. A golem with proven effectiveness against the ghost ship’s curses—it was the ideal choice to send in my stead.

“Hey, hey, did you come to help? Sorry to trouble you, but I’d like you to get started on a little job right away.”
“Hmm, an ominous aura indeed… But this is not the time for lengthy discussions.”
“What? …Ah, I see. The city’s already this close.”

Turning to look, Aldebaran was now visible on the horizon.

Considering the effective range of the assault teams, we were almost out of time. If we stayed here, we’d be caught in the crossfire. If retreat was an option, now was the moment to decide.

“What’s the evacuation status in Aldebaran?”
“It has been successfully completed, Lady Laika. You should also prepare to retreat.”
“No, there’s still something I need to finish. I need your help.”
“…Pushing further will risk your life. Is it truly necessary?”
“It’s non-negotiable. Sorry, but I can’t afford to waste time—I’m dragging you into this if I have to.”

Momo was still trapped inside the dragon’s body. On top of that, there were too many loose ends to simply retreat. If I wanted to end this disaster without any further casualties, one last push was essential.

“Ah, it appears that it is as Lady Roche predicted, after all….”
“…What was that?”
“Oh, just talking to myself. Of course, this Koutei was dispatched to assist you, Lady Laika.”

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“Ma———Master!?”
“What is it? Stop shouting now. You didn’t bother to answer me earlier no matter how much I called for you.”

It wasn’t an illusion or some magecraft-projected voice—it was real. My master stood right behind me, solid and unmistakable. Her entire body was covered in cuts and soaked in blood.

“Y-You’re bleeding…! Don’t die on me, Master!”
“Quiet down. Who said I was dying? Don’t jump to conclusions. These are just scratches. Instead of fussing over my injuries, reflect a hundred times on your own recklessness! There’s a talent in being this foolhardy, I swear!”
“This sharp tongue—it’s really you, Master! I’ve missed hearing this so much!”
“Stop shouting! Don’t cling to me! You’re opening my wounds! Assess—the—situation—first!!”
“Oh! Right! Master, listen to me!!”
“Hold on. Rather than listen to you, I’d be better off asking him.”
“…Who are you, interloper?”

Right. I was so relieved by my master’s sudden arrival that I forgot we were still in a dire situation. But the old man, who had been emanating a menacing aura moments ago, now only glared at her from afar, not making a move.

“Ah, judging from your aura, you must be Claxton. This won’t do. Dead bodies should stay dead, you know?”
“This smell… You, are you from the Heavenly Prison?”
“And what if I am? I’m here to retrieve this fool and to ask you to stop your assault on the city.”
“That is not something I can grant. This body is no longer under my full control. However, the means to stop it lie here.”
“T-The baby!”

In the old man’s hands was the dark baby. It must have been taken during the moment I lost sight of it in the vision I was shown earlier.

“…A baby who survived within the ghost ship, huh? I see. I’ve pieced most of this together now.”
“If you wish to stop the ghost ship’s rampage, then use this infant. Kill it and strike back at the curse with a curse.”
“Master, you can’t!”
“Ah, so mutual annihilation of similar kinds. I see. Using this as material could indeed yield something effective against the ghost ship.”
“Master!!”
“I hear you, Momo.”

It was only after the second time I called out that my master finally shifted her gaze toward me.

“Why oppose this? Sacrificing one infant could save countless lives. It stings the conscience, but some sacrifices are necessary.”
“But I… I can’t accept that method!”
“Then what will you do? Platitudes without substance are no better than rubbish.”
“I’ll defeat it myself. Please help me, Master!”
“Do you have a plan? This isn’t an opponent you can defeat with recklessness.”
“——How did you even get in here, Master?”

I responded to her question with one of my own. Master’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, but then she smiled, faintly and with a touch of amusement.

“…Heh, not bad. For once, you’ve noticed something good. Fine, you pass.”
“What nonsense are you spouting…? You think you two can stop the ghost ship?!”
“Sorry, Claxton, but negotiations are over. Momo’s silly idealism sounds better to me than your nonsense. I’ll be taking the baby off your hands as well.”
“What…!?”

Before anyone could react, the infant—previously held in the old man’s hands—was suddenly nestled securely in my master’s arms.

Even Claxton himself hadn’t noticed the moment it was taken. My master’s speed was beyond comprehension.

“Now then. It’s been a while since I’ve picked a fight with a dragon. Your schemes are about to be crushed by two mere humans.”
“You fools… Do you think you’ll leave here alive!?”

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