Several hours had passed.
In the end, Gabriel and Cid managed to free themselves from Claire's "detention" and were now free to do as they pleased.
In a forest slowly entering autumn, yellowing and withered leaves were scattered across the ground, drifting gently as a cold wind slipped between the trees.
At the moment, Gabriel was walking among the trees alongside Gamma.
Their objective was simple: to hunt animals and gather food supplies in preparation for the winter drawing ever closer.
Gamma moved carefully, occasionally parting fallen leaves with her small staff to avoid slipping.
She wore a beautiful purple dress with black straps, layered beneath a warm fur-lined jacket and a black fur scarf that fluttered softly in the wind.
Gamma's long, flowing hair swayed as well, following the cold autumn breeze.
Beside her, Gabriel wore a simple white shirt, layered with a black trench coat adorned with silver accents, paired with black trousers.
The cold wind occasionally toyed with the hem of his trench coat, as well as strands of his hair, yet his expression remained calm and unchanged.
"Autumn always makes me a little… anxious," Gamma said softly. "Winter means more calculations and more risks. If something goes wrong—"
"You'll calculate it again," Gabriel replied evenly, his gaze still fixed ahead. "And everything will keep moving forward."
Gamma gave a small smile and glanced at Gabriel from the side. "You're really calm, Gabriel-sama. Even in situations like this."
"Just used to it," he answered shortly.
Gamma fell silent for a moment, then let out a small laugh. "If I slipped and injured my leg, would Gabriel-sama leave me here?"
Gabriel stopped walking and turned toward her. His expression was as flat as ever.
"No."
The answer came too quickly, too decisively.
"I would carry you home," he continued. "With magic."
Gamma blinked. "Not… carrying me in your arms?"
Gabriel looked at Gamma's figure—then glanced down at his own. "…If that happened," he said honestly, "it would look more like I was drowning in your embrace."
Gamma laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. "Ah—that's quite an interesting sight."
"No," Gabriel replied flatly. "It's dangerous for my dignity."
"But safe for me," Gamma shot back lightly.
The wind blew again, stirring the dry leaves around them. Gabriel kept walking without haste, while Gamma followed beside him, a warm smile lingering on her face.
In the quiet heart of the forest, the hunt had yet to begin—but that small exchange alone was enough to warm the autumn air.
Then, along the leaf-covered path, something happened—something that felt almost like an awkward greeting between neighbors on a quiet afternoon.
The path itself was nearly perfect—no stones, no exposed roots—carefully chosen by Gabriel so Gamma could walk safely.
And yet, somehow, Gamma still stumbled… over the air itself.
Her body pitched forward.
At the same moment, from behind the bangs that hid his eyes, Gigan turned its gaze toward Gamma.
From his perspective, the world seemed to shatter into frame after frame.
Gabriel let out a quiet sigh.
A fraction of a second later, his right hand lifted slightly.
Dark matter was manipulated, forming a gentle vortex of wind—just enough to support Gamma's body and keep her from crashing into the ground. She floated for a brief moment above the carpet of fallen leaves.
Gamma's skirt swayed softly, played with by the cold breeze and the current of dark matter, as Gabriel shifted his position and sat down first, ensuring Gamma landed safely atop the bed of leaves.
"Ah—" Gamma gasped softly, blinking a few times. "I… fell?"
"Almost," Gabriel replied flatly. "And technically, you tripped over the concept of 'air.'"
Gamma fell silent for a moment… then let out a quiet laugh, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Forgive me," Gamma said. "It seems I really am careless today."
"It's fine," Gabriel replied as he stood back up and brushed the leaves from his clothes. "Your leg isn't injured. That's what matters."
Gamma looked at him for a moment, then smiled more warmly than before.
"Gabriel-sama… you're truly considerate. Not just toward me, but toward all of Shadow Garden."
Gabriel turned to her.
His expression remained calm, but his voice was low and unwavering.
"Of course." He paused for a moment, then continued, "You are like my family."
For an instant, the autumn wind felt warmer than before.
Gabriel's words were not without reason.
As a child raised in an orphanage, he knew exactly what it felt like to be discarded by society.
Some people turned their faces away. Others looked on with nothing but pity—and Gabriel had never truly minded either. He was used to it.
On the other hand, the existence of Gigan deepened his understanding of others' suffering.
Those eyes could peer into the past of any existence that possessed eyes—unsealing memories, wounds, and regrets as clearly as a menu laid out before him.
Suffering was no longer something abstract to him, but something he could see and comprehend without needing to ask.
That was why Gabriel understood.
He understood loss. He understood loneliness. He understood what it felt like to have no place to return to.
Even so, beneath that seriousness, Gabriel was still Gabriel.
In certain moments, he was not so different from Cid—treating Shadow Garden in an intensely personal way.
Not merely as a secret organization, but as "playmates" within his own chuunibyou world; a world filled with exaggerated symbolism, theatrical gestures, and small, deliberate dramas.
At least, that was how Shadow Garden appeared through Gabriel's eyes.
Especially at this stage—when Shadow Garden was still dominated by the Seven Shades—their existence was not merely that of shadows behind the flow of history.
They were companions walking the same path. And, naturally, the hands that would help him accomplish his mission in this world.
Moments later, from the ground around them, several green vines suddenly burst forth, shooting out wildly.
Without chanting a single spell, Gabriel merely focused for an instant.
Through pure manipulation of Dark Matter–attributed mana and two simple Laws, a rotating current of wind was born—sharp, silent, and precise—severing the vines before they could reach them.
"It seems we have company," Gabriel said calmly. "Gamma, prepare yourself."
Gamma gave a brief nod and rose to her feet, her expression instantly turning serious.
Gabriel stood as well, drawing the sword strapped at his waist from its sheath.
At the same time, a slime weapon spread across Gamma's clothing. Part of it condensed and elongated, taking form as her signature weapon when she fought in earnest—a black odachi that gleamed faintly.
Not far from them, the ground trembled once more.
One by one, five carnivorous plant monsters emerged from the earth.
Their bodies resembled gigantic pitcher plants, supported by thick, root-like limbs that served as legs, gripping the soil with wet, squelching sounds.
Without hesitation, Gabriel stepped forward, moving to face all five monsters alone.
Gamma remained still. All this time, she—and the others—had felt it clearly: the flow of Mana emanating from Gabriel was cold and oppressive.
Like a creeping dark mist, it slowly crawled outward, locking down the space around him. Even without killing intent, his mere presence was enough to make living beings feel small.
Yet for some reason, Gamma's gaze lingered—not on the monsters, but on Gabriel's back.
His body was not large. His shoulders were narrow—smaller, more slight compared to Cid.
The black trench coat fluttered softly in the wind, and his steps remained calm as he advanced to face the monsters.
Gamma whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the rustling breeze.
"…Gabriel-sama's Mana feels very cold… and frightening."
Her fingers curled slightly beneath the sleeve of her fur-lined jacket.
"But… your back doesn't feel like that."
Gamma smiled faintly, warmly.
"For some reason… looking at Gabriel-sama's back feels calming."
She lowered her gaze a little, then continued in a soft but honest tone.
"Ash-sama is different from Shadow-sama."
"Shadow-sama's back… always feels lonely. As if he is walking alone, even when all of us are right behind him."
Gamma lifted her eyes to Gabriel once more.
"But Gabriel-sama…"
"…your back feels warm. Like someone who is walking together with us."
Without needing Gamma's help, Gabriel's battle against the five plant monsters ended swiftly.
A single slash was enough to take each of their lives; the green bodies collapsed and dried out on the forest floor.
"Gamma," Gabriel called, glancing back at the girl behind him. "Let's go."
"Plant monsters can't be used as food," he added flatly. "They taste bad."
Gamma blinked once, then tilted her head slightly.
"Gabriel-sama…" she asked, "…have you ever tried eating them?"
Gabriel paused for a fraction of a second.
"Only for research purposes," he replied shortly, without the slightest hesitation. "Not for regular consumption."
Gamma nodded gently, as if the answer made perfect sense. "Understood. Then let us continue the hunt for more suitable targets."
Without another word, the two of them resumed walking into the forest, leaving the remains of the plant monsters behind as they continued their hunt.
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Author's Note:
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