[Yume Nasai] is bigger than I thought. I figured the expansive victorian style mansion was all it had going for it, but there is also a small quaint village. Mountains. I'm not sure what would happen if I traveled in one direction, I might as well call it a second isekai. If that would count, since it's a world made by Anime Girl's spell.

She and I rode a coach into town, driven a butler who gave me a smug look as we entered the carriage. I knew the character, but I didn't know why the demon butler would be skulking around here.

Anime Girl was kicking my foot half of the way there. She's bitter about the fight. Is she mad about me getting a point on her? She copied me anyways. It's not like we were playing with rules in the first place. And, she was the one who pulled the gun! I hit her back, and it turned into a scuffle.

We both made it to the village without killing each other. An achievement in its own right.

Anime Girl led me to a blacksmith. As expected, a pink haired loli with a hammer and lots of weapons across the walls. All the weapons had a glass sheen to them, foggy, almost like condensed mist. There wasn't a single iron looking thing in the place. No leather handgrips either, shaped material and that was it. How mysterious.

"Hail," a gruff call came. "Katana?" She asked.

"Katana." Need it be said?

"Not a hammer?"

"Too big."

"Hammers are fun though."

"But I like katanas."

The weapons behind the little girl were all in different shapes. The material was the same. If I wanted a sickle, or a hoe, I'd say so. This is clearly, no, I am clearly the type who desires a weapon that represents my hopes and dreams of being a cool japanese warrior with a code of honor fighting for the common people and not- well, me.

Though, I interceded on my own behalf. It's not like I'm very, "me" anymore. It's taking a long time to admit it, despite the mounting evidence. This is why I need a katana.

The loli blacksmith offerred me what was clearly a long straight sword.

"Where's the curve?"

"A katana is a two-handed weapon. You can't handle a single handed weapon well, use that, and come back when you are ready."

She has her arms crossed despite her head nearing my waist.

"Katana or nothing."

Anime Girl backed me up on this, I think, with a nod. The pink hair bobbed below me, turning and heading back to pick up a long curved blade behind a shelf.

The size felt wrong, but, close enough. It's not like I obey the standard laws of physics anymore. I've yet to test the upper limit of my strength. I took the katana from the loli, giving her a snide look, and swung the blade. Yup, feels sword-like. Wait, isn't this way too light?

"What is this made of? Air?"

"Mana." The loli grumbled. "Codename [Yumicite]. Since you've got such high density mana, Wizard, it's cheaper and more effective to use mana on top of mana instead of metal. [Yumicite] can also be summoned and dismissed as you like. Inside or outside of here makes no difference. Try it."

I thought about dismissing the katana, and my hand felt the urge to shake it from side to side. Reminded me of a smartphone tutorial the first time you boot it up. I shook it, and the sword vanished. Clenching and unclenching my hand, I realized how not-there the sword was. I thought to summon it, and another prompt came to flick my wrist forward. As I did, like casting out a fishing pole, the sword sprang out.

A long strand of foggy grey-white. Similar color to Yarko's hair. The comparison made me want to dye it somehow, change the color, but as I looked down at my black leggings, plaid skirt, and beige blazer, it didn't really feel like there would be a color that would fit. I've never cared much for my appearance anyways...

That can't fly! I need higher standards these days! I furrowed my brows, intent on changing the color to black as I had no other good ideas!

"Ah." Slipped out of my mouth as I saw a big circle with a line through it appear in my head. "What's this? I can't change the color?"

The loli sighed, tapping the side of the katana. "There's a lock. It's pure mana, and it's your mana, so without a lock it would spill all over the place. Don't undo the lock, okay? It will explode." The loli peered up into my eyes, widening her eyes and fanning out her fingers. "Big. Big explosion. Break lock, bad."

It felt like the pink-haired loli blacksmith is trying to convey that were I to violate this lock that there would be a massive explosion. I believe that is what I heard. Now, I plan to never ever undo this lock, because, when would an explosion be useful? In combat. And when will I use this katana? In combat.

The loli turned her head to Anime Girl. "Wizard's going to undo the lock. Keep an eye out."

How dare you read my mind. Even though it the thought likely scrawled itself all over my face. It's an exploding katana. What did you expect me to do?

Anime Girl came to my side, placing her hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at her, and her bright smile filled my heart with bliss before the punch obscured my vision.

I woke up floundering on Hohemi's floor. Above, I caught sight of Stehy and Hohemi drinking tea at a low table. Seems like they didn't want to disturb my rest. Kind of them. I wonder how long I was inside [Yume Nasai]? Pulling myself into a crouch, I searched the room for Anime Girl. She's not here. Guess she wanted some space.

I shrugged. Flicking my wrist forward, I checked out my new katana. Long. It's too long for this tiny room, so I shook my hand and dismissed it. The color was much prettier and bold outside of [Yume Nasai]. That must be the difference between a dream-katana and a real katana. I guess. Oh, and before I forgot, I searched around my blazer pocket. I put the card the kendo ref gave me in there, sliding it out, I checked the brown and yellow card. Sliding it back into my breast pocket, I patted the outside to make sure it was there. The chances I'll use this the moment I get into the slightest of pinches is high. I wish I was the kind of person would wouldn't run for help at the first sign of danger, but since it's an anime girl I already have the desire to summon it even if there is no danger. It's like a gun, no good if it isn't fired. Or a katana that can explode, but won't explode.

I looked up through the small window. The future must be an interesting place. Ha ha. A crooked smile slipped across my lips. This isn't going to be fun, is it? There is a chinese proverb. "May you live in interesting times." I don't need any help getting interesting, it's being uninteresting I have trouble with. If I wanted peace, I should have stayed in Heaven(Pillow Rat Tree).

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

I joined Stehy and Hohemi at the table. Both had sober looks and tea. There was no movement to pour any drink for me. I sort of expected that the culture is different in Errera, but still, what a culture shock.

「Should I kill Wizard once。」

"It's best to deal with this type of person through indirect means. You seem like a level-headed little girl, strategy and nuance are key. Above all, smile, look pretty, and use as much violence is necessary— don't make my mistake and kill more than you have to."

「It would be wise to correct you on the 'little girl' part in Wizard's presence, but my respect for my so-called 'nakama' is waning。Perhaps I should take up the title of little girl。Despite the risks to Wizard's sanity。」

They are talking like I'm made of air. It's okay. I don't feel like I matter anyways. I looked down. I'll pretend like I'm a ghost.

「It's like Wizard to avoid the conversation。All your efforts at the meeting of the Clothing Council came to naught。」

"There wasn't much room to step in. I can see how much work you have cut out for you."

Stehy sipped her tea. 「There is nothing which acceptance cannot overcome。」

"There's always killing."

「Murder is a crime, in my book。What is difficult is to maintain order, chaos is easy。Yarko's way of living is easy, same for our short haired friend, but futile。」

And Stehy sipped her cup again. I don't like the look of this. What is this, an ambush? No, these two, they wouldn't plan an ambush together, surely? Stehy wouldn't go for that. But, what Hohemi said, dealing with me through indirect means, they are being indirect here.

I'm trapped. My head sank further. This is a small room, my katana is large, there's two girls here, wait three, and the window is very small. The sense that I'm being pulled into responsibility began to itch. Like falling into sinking sand. Oh, this is it. This is a combo between the two of them. Hohemi's good at sneaky, Stehy's good at bringing the guilt- er rules. Rules. Yes. Rules matter. I remember those. I looked to the side, checked out the room, considered a Tentacle Beam.

Stehy lowered her cup.「Wizard。May I ask you a question?」

"Sure." I said. Let's just let it happen. Let it all happen. I have a katana now. These are small things to me.

「Sending out Niji and Yarko, was that a choice on your part?」

"Yep." I said. Of course, I didn't send out Niji and Yarko under Stehy's watch, I waited until Stehy left with Hohemi. Then, I shoved them both in scarf and loafer form through the small window and urged them to genocide.

「And their orders?」

"Well." I began. And I left the silence to fill the gap.

"This isn't a game. I'm not sure how much Wizard values sentient life, but I'm trying my best to keep the underbelly of this city alive, so it would really help me out to know if Wizard unleashed those two. It wouldn't be the first time I've faced death, well, after seeing enough death it's more like I began to yearn to get closer to it, explains most of my life, now that I think about it, but still, more than anything, I'm curious." Hohemi's smile hid her intent.

What a worrisome and burdensome statement. I'm not sure what she's concerned about at all, or even if she has the will to continue living. Her life is very difficult after all, for very little reward, if I were in the same place I would cave. No, I'm already caving. If there is something to cave to, I think I caved already.

「Wizard did proclaim something silly about killing all homunculi。Of course, no one took Wizard seriously and the conversation moved on to brighter and more idealistic topics...」

It did? Did my memory go bad again? Don't tell me I cast [Uiharu] when I wasn't paying attention to keep coffee warm or something. Wait, I don't drink coffee. I think.

「If Wizard did indeed send Yarko and Niji on the quest to eliminate all homunculi, what do you believe the results would be, Hohemi?」

Your tone is flat, Stehy. I'm here. I exist. Anime Girl loves me. I know she does. That punch was proof. These aren't tears.

"Well Wizard knows little of Nephilz so I assume it would end up with a bland command telling them to go kill. The war is in earnest, now, and there's been a lot of destruction. Most of which, is, yeah."

Hohemi? HOHEMI?

「The look on the face of the third person in this room would be amusing, if the situation were not what it was。」Stehy's face broke into a grin. A small, gentle chuckle escaped as she covered her mouth with her hand, her shiny brown hair swaying a little as her tiny body shook.

Okay. Okay. This is— it's not a repeat of before, alright? I already know what I'm thinking about this, that, after knocking out Yarko and Niji, I then held an unsuccessful peace summit with them, and then, I, because I was worried about the homunculi being my fault, sent both of them out to go handle it— it was their fault anyways! They followed my order too strictly! How could they take me seriously, wanting to conquer Nephilz! Just because I was serious at the time doesn't mean that the seriousness will last!

My hand, my hand is clawing my head.

"I give. I'll do something. What happened?"

Hohemi's smile warped to a smirk. Isn't your entire operation, life, and city in danger? Maybe that's why. Stehy stood up, draining her cup as she did, she placed it back with the other cups, properly washing it herself first.

「It hasn't been long。Which is why what little news we've heard is worrying。Dwarves seeking refuge with Hohemi are pouring in regularly, and their tales of the two have grown wilder with time。It's not even sunset, yet, and I believe Yarko and Niji are already the equivalent of Demon Kings。」

"Don't you mean Demon Kings(Female)?"

「Let's not complicate things。」

It's too late.

「The matter at hand is, you are the only leash we have on those two。I believe I tried, before, to remind you of your righteous morals—」

I have morals?

「but it seems my effort was in vain。I told you they were dangerous。Perhaps I should have insisted, but I was afraid that you might see me as too strict and get frustrated with me。」

It's too late for that as well. When you can summon the U.S.S Enterprise like it says on your adventurer's card I will forgive you. Or, lighten up. Alternatives.

「Either way, I'm not sure there was a way to know they were like this, before say, I told you so。Which I remember doing。」

"The manifestations of chaos and evil. Right?"

「The manifestations of the concept of chaos, Yarko, and evil, Niji。Yes。I am repeating it because it seems you weren't listening the first time。」

"Eh," I groaned. Look, even if you know the right answer, it's not easy to act on it. People spend their entire lives avoiding what they don't like to do! It's hard to do painful things, so a person might spend all their time doing work that feels-productive and satisfies them but, actually, they've gotten nothing of worth done! It was all a waste of time, and they did it to avoid pain!

I didn't want to say all that. "okay, so what now?" Is what came out.

"What now? You're asking me what to do about this?" Hohemi said.

"I wasn't but okay go ahead and offer your thoughts." I mumbled.

Hohemi looked at Stehy. The two of them appeared to have a moment of battle, there. Like a challenge or something. I thought the two were allied, seems this is not the case. Duly noted.

"I'm not concerned. If I was in your place, well... I don't think this city would be intact."

Is she implying that she'd obliterate it? Then why is she trying so hard? 'Survival,' she said, but maybe she's just lacking direction herself. I guess one way of living is to throw yourself into what looks like the important work. If she had my power, she felt she wouldn't have to do that. But, she's not me. I have my power. And, even if there were plenty of times I felt like blowing up the world and/or variations of dying, I was never once that serious. The chaos and evil are a part of me, my shoe and scarf, at least, but, not all of me.

「I wonder if I'll live to see the morning。」

Stehy's peering out through the window. This is a strategy to evoke my pity, I can tell. She knows I am against bad things happening to lolis, and as a loli she is using her own life as leverage to get me to act. Let's go with it.

"You'll be fine. They're, I'm sure the two of them are," and my voice trailed off because I already had a good idea. I stood up.

"I'm going. Stehy, wait here."

Stehy swirled on the spot. 「What?」 Her face, it's like she can't believe I moved. I have legs.「Where are you going? This doesn't fit the 'you' I know, Wizard...」

I reached the door, turning. "I already healed Negi and knocked those two out. I'll bring them back. We'll reevaluate. No big deal. I'm just doing what I already did." I am not prepared for what's beyond this door, but I don't like the thought of staying here either!

I left. Closing the door to Hohemi's place, I knew. I patted my chest pocket, feeling the card through the fabric. 'Nana Daiba.' I've already won against Yarko and Niji, I have [Spectal Strike]. There's probably corpses. I did tell them homunculi corpses. So, if I see any other corpses, I'll tell them off. It's no big deal. I'll wrangle them in. They just, followed my orders. Is all. Again.

I think it's probably best in the future to keep them under closer watch. That I didn't consider that this morning felt like a huge miss. I'm an idiot. An idiot, yes, but, an idiot still has to act. I flicked my wrist, patted my chest pocket again, and crawled up to the top of the building like a cockroach. Ungainly, but, I wanted a vantage point.

It took well into the night before I found the two of them. There are homunculi corpses. So, yeah. They got it right. Some of it.