"So, is it really okay that we snuck out like this?"
In the courtyard of a park in New Eridu, Qingyi stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her long white dress fluttering slightly in the breeze. Her expression was bright, almost childlike in its excitement.
"It's stressful staying cooped up inside all the time," Zane replied casually. "Besides, we can always go back whenever we want."
He stretched lazily. Under the dark night sky, the pale moonlight spilled across his face, making his eyes gleam faintly.
Those who had once hidden in the shadows had now entered Hollow Zero, ready to carry out the final operation.
In contrast to the tension and noise within Hollow Zero, the park at this late hour was silent. Aside from the two of them, only the soft chorus of insects broke the stillness.
Zane had opened a spatial rift in the core area and brought Qingyi here. The passage was stable now—ready for them to return at any time.
And as for why they had come here... naturally, it was because this district, lying on the city's outskirts, had almost no tall buildings—perfect for watching the moon.
According to New Eridu's official conversion of the old world calendar, today was...
Mid-Autumn Festival.
A holiday that had long since faded into obscurity.
"Long before New Eridu was founded, the moon was already like this," Qingyi said softly. "The Mid-Autumn Festival has gradually become nothing more than a name..."
She sat down gracefully on a bench inside the pavilion, tilting her head slightly as her gaze drifted up toward the uniquely round moon in the sky.
But the moon now... wasn't all that beautiful.
After all, that pitch-black, bone-like shadow clinging to it was anything but auspicious.
As a law officer, even the mere thought of the Hollow brought back unpleasant memories.
Clouds gathered and drifted across the sky, obscuring the full moon and swallowing the last traces of its silver light.
"Everything will be alright," Zane said with a faint smile, an unreadable emotion flickering in his eyes.
"What, feeling homesick?"
Qingyi turned to look at him, a teasing smile playing at her lips as she spoke softly.
Zane had always carried a quiet loneliness about him.
At first, he said he came from the Outer Ring—no family, no companions, nothing at all. He and New Eridu had felt like they belonged to two different worlds.
But things were different now. He'd made many friends, found a home at the Tanuki House, and had her—his Master.
Barely... it could be called a home, right?
"No," Zane said with a small shake of his head. "Just feeling a bit sentimental."
The world he once knew no longer held anything he cherished. Though much time had passed, he still found himself more attached to this one.
With the great battle looming, even with his confidence, a quiet heaviness settled in his chest.
Confidence was fine—but arrogance was not.
This was a high-stakes gamble, an all-or-nothing wager. Even with the odds heavily in their favor, it was still a gamble.
Because the cost... was far too great.
"You fool..."
Qingyi walked up behind Zane, her delicate hands gently resting at the sides of his forehead. She rubbed his temples softly, smoothing out the faint frown that had formed there.
"With your Master here, what's there to be afraid of?"
"No matter the outcome, I'll be with you."
Her lips curved into a soft smile, her tone light and calm.
Zane nodded, raising his hand to take Qingyi's hand in his and gently lower it.
"That," he said quietly, "I've always known."
Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "Has Master already handled everything with Professor Muse?"
"The official backups are done," Qingyi replied. "I even made that guy prepare several extra copies."
That was the reason Zane dared to bring Qingyi with him. Otherwise, even with flawless preparations, he wouldn't have risked her safety.
The image of a woman in a wheelchair flashed through his mind. As a participant in the plan, she would never refuse to help.
Zane didn't know much about her. As the real power behind Titan Technologies, she was shrouded in mystery—he didn't even know her name.
But one thing was certain: she was an ally.
Not only did she provide most of the Falkenhayn Mercenary's technological capabilities, but she also gave strong support to Professor Muse.
Still, Zane couldn't shake the feeling that she harbored a certain "unconventional intent" toward him.
Not in a romantic way, but more like an overwhelming zeal—someone driven by the kind of passion that could say, "If I could glimpse truth in the morning, I'd die content by evening."
And precisely because of that, even without fully understanding her, Zane still chose to trust her.
Qingyi's gaze fell to where Zane still held her hand. Hearing his words, her eyes flickered slightly. After a brief pause, she said,
"Mm. Everything's already prepared."
"Don't worry—your Master wouldn't gamble with her own life."
"Even as an Advanced Automaton, I still value my life, you know."
She tapped him lightly on the head with a smile.
She knew that after hearing this, Zane wouldn't ask any further questions—because asking would only expose the truth.
He had always trusted her without hesitation.
This was the first time she hadn't told him the truth.
Qingyi didn't want to dwell on the subject. Whether or not she could become a "true human" was something deeply important to her—and because of that, it was something Zane would care about, too.
As his Master, Qingyi knew just how sharp and perceptive Zane was. A few more words, and she might not be able to keep up the lie...
Just as she was about to change the topic, a voice suddenly rang out from nearby.
"Boss!!!"