I arrived at the first floor of Ourolith as the light of teleportation slowly faded away. My boots had barely touched the black marble when I noticed three figures already waiting for me.
"Welcome, Sovereign."
The voice belonged to a pale-haired woman clad in fractured armor, golden cracks glowing faintly across its surface, spilling streams of radiant sand. Every movement she made left behind a delayed shadow that lagged seconds behind. She was Lia My Oshi, the Hourglass Knight.
Beside her stood a tall man with bronze skin, his body marked by concentric circles as if carved into his flesh. An obsidian spear hovered silently behind him, untouched by his hands. I could even hear his heartbeat before it actually happened. He was DariDariDari, the Sundial Spear.
But my eyes were drawn most of all to the third figure—an archer with white hair, robed in flowing cosmic silk. Her eyes swirled like galaxies, and even her lips seemed to ripple with starlight. Orion Amber Four.
"…Orion?" I asked, slightly startled. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Astraea?"
She lowered her head lightly, smiling. "Just visiting, Sovereign. I wished to speak with Lia for a while."
A quiet breath escaped me. So… they could act on their own initiative? There was no sign of threats against the Tower, after all. Perhaps it was natural for them to wander. Kurumi really had created guardians that felt… alive.
Lia stepped forward. "Does the Sovereign intend to conquer a dungeon? If so, we will prepare at once."
I waved my hand. "No. I only… wish to step outside."
Please don't forbid me, I thought silently. I only want to see the outside world, not lead another campaign of war.
Of course, the three of them exchanged glances immediately. DariDariDari gave a stiff nod. "We have already received word from our superiors. Seraphelum and Astraea commanded us to escort the Sovereign should you ever wish to leave."
Of course they reported it. Of course the news spread faster than I could move. I was a prisoner in the very Tower I was supposed to rule.
My gaze lingered on each of them. Lia—fragile like a broken hourglass leaking glowing sand. DariDariDari—unable to conceal the obsidian spear that pulsed behind him. And Orion… at least from afar, she still looked human, though anyone who met her eyes might drown in the whirlpool of galaxies within them.
If I brought Lia or DariDariDari outside, only the gods knew how humanity would react. Panic? Hysteria? A holy crusade to hunt us down? No. That wasn't an option.
"Orion." I pointed at her. "You will accompany me."
Lia bowed her head. "Is one guardian truly enough, Sovereign?"
DariDariDari's low voice followed. "It feels unworthy of your honor. Your safety is absolute above all else."
I cleared my throat, forcing composure. "Enough. A large escort will only breed suspicion and fear among humans. Orion is sufficient."
Inside, I screamed. If I went with a full guard, humans would think I came to invade. No, I only wanted to see the streets of a city, maybe catch the scent of a marketplace… breathe air that wasn't recycled within the Tower. Was that really so much to ask of a Sovereign?
Orion dipped her head gracefully. "I will protect the Sovereign with all I am."
"Good." I nodded with what little authority I could muster. "Remember, this is not a dungeon conquest. Just… a small observation."
Lia knelt low, glowing sand spilling gently from her cracked armor. "We understand. May your steps beyond these walls be blessed."
DariDariDari struck his chest with a fist, his heartbeat echoing ahead of his motion. "We will remain here, guarding until your return, Sovereign."
I turned away quickly, hiding the awkward smile on my face. To them, every step I took was some cosmic decree shaping the fate of the world. But in truth, I only wanted… to take a walk.
Gods. Even as the Sovereign, I couldn't honestly say, "I just want some fresh air." If they heard that, they'd probably interpret it as a world-ending ritual.
"In that case," I said, closing the conversation, "Orion, prepare yourself. We leave at once."
She moved to my side, galaxies spinning in her eyes, lips curving in a soft smile. "As destiny has already etched it, I shall walk with the Sovereign."
I nearly groaned. Must every line they spoke sound like divine poetry? Couldn't someone just say, 'All right, let's go'?
Taking a long breath to steady myself, I spoke firmly. "Let's depart."
Orion followed half a step behind me. Lia and DariDariDari bowed low until their foreheads nearly touched the marble, as if I were marching toward a battlefield that would decide the fate of mankind.
But all I wanted was to touch the outside world, to see a sky not reflected in crystal walls… and maybe—just maybe—find a shred of peace.
I was just about to step out of the first floor when a single name flashed in my mind.
Kurumi.
If I left without telling her, I'd be facing a disaster far greater than any monster.
Raising my hand, I opened the system's communication screen. A few seconds passed before the image flickered to life, revealing Kurumi's face. As always, she clung to Mila, smiling brightly—an expression that belied the dread of the creations she had created. Beside them sat Luna, quiet as ever.
"Oh? Nii-san?" Kurumi tilted her head. "What's with the sudden call?"
Leaning an arm against the projection table, I spoke flatly. "I'm stepping out for a bit."
"Eh?" Her smile faltered into surprise. "Stepping out? Where to?"
"To the nearest city. Domeralith," I answered casually, as if it were the most trivial thing in the world.
"For what? Don't tell me this is about diplomacy, or something troublesome like that?"
I nodded. "Something like that. At the very least… an observation."
Kurumi held my gaze for a moment before letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. "Eeeeehhhhh… sounds like such a hassle. In that case, I'll leave it to you, Nii-san."
She immediately lowered her eyes to Mila, who was still in her arms. "See, Mila? The troublesome things are always better left to Nii-san."
Mila stayed silent, of course. The girl didn't even dare look at me through the screen.
I rubbed my face. "Figures. Someone as introverted as you wouldn't want to go anywhere near a crowd."
Kurumi chuckled, cheerful as always. "If Nii-san's around, why would I need to bother?"
I could only sigh louder. "Fine. I'll leave Ourolith in your care for now."
But just as I was about to end the call, I noticed her gaze shift—not at me, but at the figure beside me.
"Ah? Orion?" Kurumi waved playfully. "Hey, Orion~!"
Orion immediately bowed deeply, her voice full of respect. "Good Afternoon, Sovereign DollMaker."
Kurumi narrowed her eyes, and with that sly, sing-song tone she always used, said, "Isn't it strange? Nii-san going out with only Orion… How suspicious."
A cold sweat ran down my back. "W-wait. What do you mean by that?"
"If you dare do anything strange to my child… hmm, what should I do? I'll make sure every guardian hears of it. I'll shame you in front of them all."
"Stop spouting nonsense!" I swiped at the air before the screen. "I'm not doing anything! I— I'm ending this call now!"
"Wait, Nii-sa—"
Click. The screen went black.
I stood frozen for several seconds, gasping as if I'd just escaped a lethal trap. Then, slowly, I turned to the side.
Orion was looking at me… with a faint smile.
I quickly averted my gaze. No, that wasn't it. I chose Orion only because she looked the most human. Lia or DariDariDari would cause chaos the moment they stepped outside. Orion, at least, could pass under human eyes.
Still… her eyes. Those galaxy-filled eyes. Anyone who stared too long would feel themselves being pulled in. And her mouth—spiraling like a vortex of stars. No, even she would terrify humans.
I sighed and opened my system screen again, this time accessing my inventory. An item appeared in my hand: a simple black cloth, an old decorative prize from a past event.
"With this, maybe…" I muttered as I folded it.
Approaching Orion, I saw her stiffen, her body locking up. "S-Sovereign…?"
I reached for her head without answering.
"W-what are you—" Her voice trembled.
"Quiet." I pulled the cloth over, gently tying it across her eyes.
She jolted. "Eh… Sovereign?!"
"Stay still." I tightened the knot, covering the galaxies in her gaze, hiding the whirlpools of light that would unsettle anyone who saw them.
Stepping back, I examined my work. "Hmm. At least now you look more… normal. As long as you don't open your mouth too much."
Orion froze, hands twitching as if to touch the blindfold, but she stopped herself. Her face flushed a deep red.
I leaned closer. "Can you still see?"
She bit her lip, then answered softly, "I can… perfectly… Sovereign."
Good. The first problem was solved. With this, most humans would likely think she was just a blindfolded girl. Far easier to accept than a maiden with galaxies spilling from her face.
I let out a breath of relief. "All right then. Let's go."
Orion still stood stiffly, as though her body hadn't caught up with the fact that I had touched her. I turned away quickly, afraid I might misinterpret that expression if I looked any longer.