"Oh, there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Shin seemed to recall something, her expression turning slightly more serious as she looked at Zane.
"What is it?"
"We've discovered something unusual regarding the Phaethon siblings. They're currently working with your friends to handle it. I don't know the specifics, but after that Belle mentioned it to me, she asked me to pass along a few words to you."
Zane looked at Shin curiously.
"Just focus on your own tasks. Don't worry too much. Leave matters concerning New Eridu and beyond to them. You're not fighting alone."
Shin's tone was calm yet firm, as if she were deliberately imitating the composure Belle had shown before her not long ago.
"I know."
Zane paused for a few seconds before smiling softly and replying in a low voice.
Seeing this, Shin only smiled faintly in return. She then picked up the tea Qingyi had just pushed over, took a sip, and said softly,
"Shall we play a game?"
"Heh."
Zane chuckled twice, reaching toward the seat opposite him. Qingyi had already shifted aside, now seated quietly beside Zane.
"With storm clouds gathering and tension mounting, you still find time for a match? How refined of you."
"A few more moments won't make a difference."
Shin moved to a different spot as she replied, her gaze flickering between the two of them. Her lips curved slightly as she picked up a chess piece and smiled.
"With you two sitting opposite me, it almost feels like I'm playing against both of you."
Before Zane could respond, Shin spoke again.
"In that case, for fairness' sake, I'll take the first move."
Hearing that, Zane could only nod. Qingyi, however, frowned slightly, sensing something unusual. Her gaze toward Shin carried a trace of curiosity and doubt.
Clack.
Shin made her move, the chess piece landing cleanly on the board. Seeing her decisiveness, Zane didn't hesitate either, raising his hand to place his own piece.
Clack—
Clack, clack, clack...
Across an endless sea of golden sand, a few small black dots scattered across the horizon, like ink drops on a blank canvas.
Clack, clack, clack...
The hands of a pocket watch turned with crisp, rhythmic clicks. Lycaon's eyes were calm as he closed the watch after a few breaths and turned toward the distant hollow.
"It's about time."
"According to the Proxy, this was the first hollow they set up. By now, it should be fully evacuated. Our task now is to break through this hollow, wipe out everything inside, and let the Proxy hack into the devices they installed. Like the head of the Ouroboros serpent, we'll devour every one of these installations beyond New Eridu, piece by piece..."
With a soft whir, the Shark Scissors on Ellen's back began to rotate. She stepped forward, gazing curiously toward the hollow in the distance.
"This hollow looks pretty compact. Clearing it out shouldn't be too hard, though when it comes to fighting..."
Her voice trailed off as she stretched lazily.
"Don't let your guard down. This hollow was prepared by them—we know very little about it. Besides, this operation is crucial. We can't afford any mistakes."
Head Maid Rina floated beside Ellen, while the two little Bangboos chirped repeatedly, "Careful! Careful!"
"Relax, I was just saying. When it comes to an actual fight, I'm not the careless type."
Ellen waved her hand lightly. She knew Rina didn't mean to doubt her; it was simply her natural concern, something she'd shown many times before.
After all, Ellen wasn't that old. To Rina, she was still practically a child...
"Belobog Heavy Industries is still acting as our lookout. The Cunning Hares and the Proxy should be able to get us data on the next hollow soon. We move fast and finish this before anything unexpected happens."
Lycaon spoke calmly, then took the lead, striding swiftly toward the distant hollow.
As his voice faded, the rest of Victoria Housekeeping followed close behind.
...
"You bastard..."
Back in the room, Shin's brow was deeply furrowed, clearly lost in thought. Across from her, Zane looked calm and composed.
"Your desire to win is too strong. That's your fatal weakness."
Zane's gaze rested on her steadily. He had played against Shin before, but this was the first time he had seen her so impatient to win.
"No one likes losing."
Shin's tone was cold as her eyes flicked briefly toward the person beside Zane before sinking back into contemplation.
"I never said you'll lose. I'm saying you need to control your emotions."
Zane shook his head slightly, his tone even.
"Don't wait until you've lost something before you understand what you've gained."
As his words fell, he glanced at Qingyi beside him. She happened to look up at that moment, their eyes meeting briefly before turning away.
Qingyi truly was a worthy master.
From the beginning until now, he had learned so much from her—not just in martial arts.
The things he'd gained without any cost were truly priceless.
Thinking of it that way, even the days when she'd scolded him and tugged at his ear felt almost nostalgic now.