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Because we mostly matched the children’s pace, we headed toward the village at a leisurely speed.

One kid was still dangling from my tail and having a blast, and maybe because their guard dropped along the way, other kids started to cling to me, saying, “Carry me, carry me.”

With a sigh, I let a few ride on my shoulders, and the little punks immediately got cocky.

One of them put his hands on the knobby parts of my back and started to climb.

Taking advantage of my leaning forward, the boy who reached the “summit” thrust a finger at the sky and basked in applause.

What, did he think he was a mountaineer now?

Anyway, I snagged the overexcited brat with my tail and swung him lazily left and right, and soon a little line had formed.

I was forced to admit I had underestimated children’s adaptability.

By the time we reached the village, the kids had grown awfully fond of me.

(No—was it more like as a “piece of playground equipment”? Or did they just add me to their favorites list as a “toy”?)

Parting from the children, who called out “We want to play more,” I let Number Six guide me through the village.

When the children were finally out of sight, she stopped and stared at me.

“To be honest, I’m surprised. I thought you would keep more distance from the children.”

Now that she said it, that certainly would have been easier.

That said, thanks to that I got to see Number Six’s smile like this, so as payment for my labor it was not bad.

I took the memo pad from the strap on my arm and let the pen glide.

“I just let them do as they pleased.”

Playing it off as if I were hiding embarrassment at being seen from an unexpected angle, I drew a chuckle from Number Six.

Just the reaction I wanted.

If so, the gift offensive should go smoothly too.

Thinking that, we walked under startled stares for ten minutes—and arrived, presumably, at her house.

Any thought like “Whoa, I’m getting a little nervous” vanished in an instant.

Because her home was enormous.

(I knew she came from a fairly influential family, but did it really have to be this big?)

It was a two-story wooden building, old but with a garden, a storehouse, and what looked like three separate annexes.

And there was one more—a large building that looked like a training hall, which seemed to be where we were headed.

My huge body certainly could not fit inside a house.

So I was shown into that building; ignoring the elves inside who gaped at me, I sat down wherever.

The floorboards creaked and groaned, and the ceiling did not have much clearance either, so it could not be helped.

Still, sitting on the ground after being invited in felt a bit off.

Told to wait there for a while, I lounged around under the stares of the men training.

I checked my gifts, took the water tank from my pack, and drank.

No one thought to bring me a drink—clearly I wasn’t exactly welcome.

In fact, the mere fact Number Six could invite such a vicious-looking monster reminded me of her standing.

After a short wait, Number Six returned, having changed clothes.

It was the usual elf outfit, but with her figure it looked like something else entirely.

Behind her, Dame Oppai—gaunt but with a body that made clothes look even more like something else—peeked out.

Perfect, I thought with a grin inside.

The moment Dame Oppai spotted me, she pointed and tried to shout something, but a woman behind her poked her in the side, and she emitted an impermissible “geh-boh!” sound.

“Glad to see you’re lively.”

When I flashed the quickly written words, she raised a fist, only for an elbow to jab her ribs again; she collapsed, groaning, and stayed down.

“Anyway, I’m sure you have things you want to ask, but let me give you a present first.”

I showed the prepared note and first handed over the case with the pocket watch.

Number Six opened it, checked the contents, and frowned.

“Is this… a relic of the old Empire?”

I nodded to her clouded expression and realized I had chosen poorly.

“I thought it would make a good conversation piece.”

“We would prefer not to have such items brought in.”

After reading my note, Number Six replied; then the woman behind her briefly explained the situation.

“In the war with the Empire, we suffered no small number of casualties. So there’s a tendency to shun items that use that technology.”

I already knew this.

In short, I had forgotten that this world effectively rejected science.

I could not help but give a wry smile.

This made the underwear gift a little shaky too.

I almost regretted not bringing the jewelry—things felt perilous.

“I understand these items aren’t welcome.”

Showing that note, I beckoned Dame Oppai.

I hadn’t been able to seize the advantage, but I was not the sort to back down over that.

She approached with a dubious look; I gently held out the box I had prepared, but she was too wary to check inside.

Prompted by Number Six, she finally opened it, tilted her head at the contents, and looked confused.

When I pointed at the book inside, she carefully picked it up and flipped it open while still keeping an eye on me.

I waited until then, drew out the prepared note, and placed it gently atop the open page.

“I got these for you since you said you wanted to be a model. Take as many as you like.”

After reading the note, Dame Oppai flipped through the book and then pulled a black set of underwear from the box.

Starting with black—decent taste.

I wanted to praise her, but that would go to her head.

Best to keep quiet and watch; she stood, clenched the black set, and strode toward me.

Then, with a shriek of “Kii-eee!” she punched me in the face as I sat.

Naturally she clutched her hand and rolled on the floor in pain.

I swallowed the line “That’s why you’re Dame Oppai,” and only tilted my head as if to say, “Why punch me?”

“You’re up to something again, aren’t you!”

Her impossible perceptiveness made me question whether she was really “Dame Oppai,” but then I glanced at the women behind her and decided it was the fruit of their training.

“I simply wanted to see how far you, as you are, could go.”

Of course I meant it in the “bad” sense, but Dame Oppai, frowning, was already on the verge of being fooled.

Yes, “Dame Oppai” suited her just fine.

“Could you stop playing with Ashiru?”

Uh-oh—rebuked by Number Six.

True, the problem child seemed improved with a measure of discipline.

Perhaps she didn’t want her undone.

(Well, fine. There’s no way training alone makes her decent. One day I’ll have her posing in underwear before me.)

I casually suggested,

“There are plenty—would you care for some as well?”

But Number Six made an X with her arms and, with a smile, answered coolly,

“No, thank you.”

For the record, the men in the training hall sagged visibly at that line.

So, there were those who got it.

This even opened the option of subtle pressure from them—perhaps there were still chances?

Just as I seriously began considering that possibility, Number Six cleared her throat to reset the mood and spoke up.

“I’ll be blunt. Do you know what’s under that underground site?”

It was more direct than I expected, but within my assumptions.

So my pen moved without hesitation over the memo.

When I handed it to her, she read it aloud.

“‘I can’t enter the depths, so I haven’t seen it with my own eyes. But I have a fair idea what’s there,’ is it…”

Likely the answer she expected. Her voice grew a little flat, and the atmosphere in the hall seemed to shift.

A brief hush—then Number Six broke it.

“Then, do you know what that thing is?”

Silently, I shook my head.

I knew—but I could not tell.

As I stayed quiet, I heard words from Number Six I could not ignore, spoken with a grave expression.

“What was there amounted to an affront to life—it is no exaggeration to call it that. We have judged that it must be erased from this world. Not ‘toying with’ life, but remaking it—no, it was an abominable act to create a new life, a new species. We cannot overlook it. Since a taboo lies there, we must act. Will you help us?”