An Extra’s POV

"W-what do you mean all wrong?"

For a moment, Ater remained quiet after Rey's question. Instead, he took time to observe the boy's appearance once more, his gaze scrutinizing even the littlest detail. It even almost felt like he was undressing him with his eyes.

"Your appearance… it feels odd—almost like you are cosplaying as a Dragon—if you know what I mean…"

"Wait…" Rey knew this wasn't an important thing to bring up at the moment, but he just had to satisfy his curiosity. "How do you know about cosplaying?"

"Belle told me about it."

"O-ohh…" It all made perfect sense once he knew who the knowledge came from.

'I guess the two of them really talk a lot, huh?'

"In any case, it doesn't feel very authentic. I believe it also does very little to hide your human-like features, and doesn't blend the two together. For example, you need slightly bigger eyes and more defined jaws. Your ears should also…"

By the time Ater was done with explanations, Rey realized just how off he was when it came to disguising as a Dragon. It wasn't that he wasn't that he didn't know what a Dragon looked like, but it was simply that he didn't know how to incorporate it into his own custom appearance.

The only thing he really got right was the number of horns. Even the age of his disguise was slightly off, but that was only because Rey had only encountered adult Dragons. In conclusion, he needed to rework his design from scratch—and that was exactly what he did.

Under Ater's supervision, he was finally able to get the design right. ************

"Thanks. I finally figured it out." Rey sighed, collapsing on his bed for a moment, mostly due to mental exhaustion.

He wasn't tired in the true sense of the word, but he definitely felt like he was.

"This is nothing, Master. You can always rely on me."

Ater bowed his head after saying this, and the sincere manner by which he said this caused Rey to feel a slight pang of guilt within him. It genuinely seemed like Ater was doing his best for the sake of his Master, yet Rey was viewing everything through the lens of suspicion.

At that point, Rey had two options—remain the way he was, or address the ever-growing gap of trust between the two of them.

He chose the former.

"Hm. Thank you."

I will resort to as little violence as possible, and also ensure they become our cooperative allies no matter what.

look forward to

was really surprised and impressed by how much Ater had changed over the

tact and understanding as time went on. In fact, he rarely ever

due to the conditions that Rey had set

act in accordance with them.'

made it all the more difficult to view Ater in a

I should remind you that you still owe me a reward for my most recent accomplishment of protecting the Capital and resolving the

he

"Ah, yes…"

occupied with their other plans, it skipped his mind. Considering the

him I was able to get this strong as well. The plan he concocted with Emil was

deny Ater's assistance, even though he no longer trusted

him what he wants.' And

contemplation upon being asked to mention what he wanted most as

if I was

Ater chose as his

looking at Ater with pleading eyes while the

to receive some praise from you, but… I believe there is one thing

mean… what is it that you desire most?" Rey smiled, relieved it wasn't what he feared, but also fearing what was about

Silence.

then

no longer trust

hit Rey like a sledgehammer, cousin yet another pang to swell from within

that Ater was merely

return from the Land of the Elves, and especially after. After watching you and thinking for quite a while, I have come to the conclusion that you

could not deny those allegations,

said them out loud, it made the whole matter quite serious, and the fact that the usually smiling figure in the room was completely

trust me. That is my

fell to his knees and made a subservient bow that

"Ater, I—"

you, but I intend to make things easier for you to make your decision."

as the Cursed Box that belonged

have no means to alter a curse, or I would have done something to help Alicia. Since that is the case, it appears this Item is most optimal in