"So, that was the False Sovereign?"
Hunter's Den.
Ray looked toward Luno, who was receiving treatment.
It was more like a check-up than actual treatment just making sure the Dark Tide hadn't eroded her body.
Luno furrowed her brow, hesitated for a moment, and spoke with a trace of uncertainty. "I don't know how to explain it. The False Sovereign... is the Dark Tide itself. Unless it deliberately reveals itself, under normal circumstances, we can't find it at all. We can't even attack it."
"And that Kelpie..."
"Rather than being the False Sovereign itself, it's more like an incarnation of its will."
"An incarnation of its will?" Ray frowned upon hearing this. "You mean... something like an avatar? But why would it do that?"
Luno shook her head. "I'm not sure. This has never happened before. The whole operation was strange from start to finish. Its attack came hastily and ended just as recklessly. It was almost like it was just going through the motions, completing a task. Even that trap... seemed designed to lure someone specific."
'But who?'
The young woman lifted her eyes, quietly gazing at Ray standing before her.
In a daze, she recalled Grandmother Lillibet's words.
...Blank fate.
Could it be... the False Sovereign's true target was Ray?
But why would it do that?
Shouldn't it be focusing all its energy on absorbing every shred of power it had consumed?
Why would it willingly separate so much frequency outside the tidal period just to hunt specifically?
And die so carelessly as if it was deliberately seeking death.
"Ray." The young woman called softly. "Have you... felt anything strange in your body?"
"Me? I'm fine." Ray shook his head, looking confused. "Why do you ask?"
"You mentioned that Anby and you are in a symbiotic state. And it just devoured a fragment of the False Sovereign's frequency... I suspect that frequency might have affected you both somehow."
Hearing Luno's speculation, Ray nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, I'll call Anby out and ask."
"Anby."
The moment the words left his mouth, the Tacet Mark on the back of his hand flashed gold. Anby instantly leaped out, shaking itself with full energy.
"What's up? Calling me out suddenly, is it meal time already?"
"Didn't you just eat? Hungry again?"
"Huh? That counted as a meal?" Anby protested indignantly. "I want pizza! The kind with Tropical Queen topping!"
"Alright, alright, once we're back in Ragunna, I promise you can have all you want." Ray pressed his forehead helplessly and shook his head. "Serious question, Anby. After you devoured that thing, have you felt anything wrong with your body?"
Anby scratched its little head with a tiny paw, thought seriously for a moment, then shook its head firmly. "Nothing feels wrong! It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but now I'm totally fine."
"Really? No abnormalities at all?" Luno leaned in closer and gently poked Anby's round little belly.
"I'm really fine!" Anby raised its little face proudly and gave a hmph. "I'm the strongest Echo in all of Solaris-3! What's a False Sovereign? Even if the real god showed up, it'd have to bow its head to me!"
Luno still looked at Anby with a trace of doubt, but finally spread her hands and sighed softly. "Alright, maybe I really am overthinking it. Anyway, I'll report this situation to Augusta. You all rest well here at the camp today. Oh, by the way—"
Her tone suddenly brightened. "Tonight's dinner is prepared by the Otter Otters themselves! You have to try it!"
"Really? Then I won't hold back!" Anby's eyes sparkled.
...
...
As evening approached, a bonfire was lit in the center of the Hunter's Den.
This wasn't a celebratory feast, but a memorial ceremony for the departed.
The hunters beat war drums, gathered around the dancing flames, and softly chanted ancient ballads.
The singing was somber and desolate, drifting with the curling smoke into the darkening sky.
Ray didn't join the gathered crowd.
He stood alone not far away, holding a cup of crimson fruit wine, a brew made from some local wild fruit, low in alcohol, tasting more like sweet, mellow juice.
He quietly watched the faces illuminated by the firelight. Those scarred yet still determined profiles, flickering between light and shadow, seemed to merge with the wavering silhouettes.
Luno and the Second Young Miss had disappeared somewhere, probably at the Tetragon Temple.
Lupa was raising her fruit wine cup boisterously, loudly recounting the day's perilous adventures with the gladiators at her table. She occasionally shot Ray a radiant smile, as if the gloom of the day had never lingered in her heart.
Just as he was lost in thought, Ray suddenly felt a gentle tug at his pants leg.
Looking down, a group of Otter Otters were jointly carrying a plate piled high with roasted meat, gathered around his feet making soft little cries, their dark, round eyes full of expectation.
Ray paused briefly, then understood. He took a piece of the fragrant roasted meat and smiled warmly at the little creatures. "Thank you."
Before the words faded, Anby had already eagerly popped out of the Tacet Mark, grabbed a piece of meat bigger than itself, and started devouring it, its mouth glistening with grease. "Tastes really good. But... you seem a bit distracted, don't you?"
Anby chewed on the roasted meat as it asked, voice muffled.
"Me?" Ray took a bite of the roasted meat. The rich, savory flavor blossomed on his tongue, easing his tense nerves slightly. He lifted his head and gazed at the bright moon on the horizon. "Do you still remember that voice we heard in that illusion today?"
Anby nodded vigorously, cheeks still bulging. "Of course I remember! I thought you might actually believe all that nonsense."
"How could I?" Ray smiled faintly, his gaze still fixed on the night sky. "It's just... some of those words bothered me."
"Huh?"
"That voice didn't feel like the False Sovereign's will. More like... someone else, watching us from the shadows." Ray spoke softly. "The Dark Tide affects a person's mind. Maybe that's when he invaded my consciousness."
"But you didn't believe his nonsense, right?"
"Who takes that kind of cryptic riddle seriously?" Ray's focus gradually blurred. "But some of what he said... I can't ignore. That Scar guy said similar things before. Like... they'd heard of me a long time ago."
Anby continued munching on its roasted meat. Though it didn't quite understand what Ray was saying, it still made affirmative "mm-hmm" sounds in response, its big ears unconsciously swaying gently.
"But I have no memory of any of that." His gaze slowly dropped, landing on Anby. "I don't even know why we ended up in a symbiotic relationship. Anby, I'm curious... what exactly are you? Is it possible I really have lost some important memories?"
The night breeze passed by, lifting a few sparks from the bonfire's embers, flickering on and off in his deep pupils.
"Huh? Are you doubting me?" Anby suddenly lifted its head, forgetting to chew the meat in its mouth.
"Not at all." Ray spread his hands, showing his usual warm, gentle smile. "I remember every contribution you've made. It's just... aren't you curious?"
"Curious about what?"
"Like... maybe we were once sworn enemies?"
Anby's movements completely stopped. Its round eyes widened slightly. It didn't even notice the roasted meat slipping from its claws.
"Ah, my meat—" When Anby finally reacted, the meat had already fallen to the ground, covered in dust. A pained expression immediately appeared on its face. "Don't suddenly say such scary things."
"Alright, just teasing you." Ray stretched lazily. "Why so scared? Come on, there's more good stuff over there. Let's go try some together."