An Extra’s POV

"NO!"

Both Ater and Esme said this at the same time, and the expressions on their faces showed just how much they meant every word.

"Master, it's too dangerous for you to go there on your own! You need guidance of the terrain and might require my assistance!"

"Isn't that why you're going to tell me every single thing you found out in that place?" Rey asked with a smile on his face.

"Besides… I can't allow you to leave the Capital while I'm away. It'll be too vulnerable, and there's no one I trust more than you to handle things.

Ater seemed to slightly blush once Rey said this. However, his eyes still displayed concern for his Master. It wasn't really that he was worried for him, but because he didn't want to leave his side.

"No fair. Why don't I get to have my own adventures with Master…" He mumbled, almost sulking at this point.

When Ater looked through his history with Rey, he didn't see a single moment where they both went to an important event or mission together.

He was always apart from him.

'Why do things always end up like this? It sucks!' Perhaps this was his competence coming back to bite him.

Right as he was thinking this, a voice echoed in the air.

~Don't worry, Ater! I'll take care of our Master really well!~

It came from a mouth that had formed from Rey's current attire. A portion of it was stretched out, like dark slime, and the mouth that formed from it was smiling in an overly confident—slightly mocking—manner.

"Y-you…" Ater narrowed his eyes in bottled rage, his eyes now glowing a fierce crimson as he frowned at the Symbiote Slime's sneer.

"I should have destroyed you while I had the chance!"

~Should have? Stop acting like you could, even if you wanted to.~

"Oh? Why not come and find out?"

~Pfft! Please! I don't need to do any—!~

"Emil!" Rey slightly raised his voice. "You shouldn't pop out like that unless I give you permission to."

~B-but Master…~

It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil

you

gone, almost as if it never existed to begin

just joking. Please take none

than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil. He could also sense the animosity that the latter felt towards

He held

me, Ater. You know the terrain

no ally or subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one he could count on to protect

It was non-negotiable.

made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would

bowing his

~Hihihihihi!~

to ignore it. At the very least, she

air, both of her hands tightly

"What?"

also understood just how problematic it would be for everyone if she tagged along

sure? The Elves don't take too well

sit this one out. I want to help you however I can, and if

her intentions, but he considered it to be a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He

turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would help her

idea, Esme. I am in full

controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something like that, and with a bright smile no

on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing

one, grants her some form of connection to The

in confusion, so Ater went

said that the Oracle is connected to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a

to convince both

was too

an Elf and try to tap into

"And? Did it work?"

Elves in that land, which is what makes Esme

made sense, but Rey still felt uncomfortable with the

to course through his body, and he searched for

wanted to be with her—as a friend,

didn't want her to