[https://i.imgur.com/t7YBAa1.jpg]

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- Is he... dead?

The Kemonos had stopped fighting at the sight of the colossal Longer who had just fallen backwards, crashing into the ground and sending tons of sand flying. The Longers themselves had stopped, although some were still fighting. Nano had just reached the northern walls, where all the Kemonos were frozen, immobilized... impressed. Na, too, had no words for what had just happened. From where they stood, they couldn't see exactly what had happened, but they had all seen the lightning bolt that had fallen on the level 9 Longer before being wiped out seconds later. Nano had missed the fight, but she was sure of one thing, given the thunderous noise she had heard: Asus had fought against that gigantic Longer.

- …

Except for the sound of some fighting that was going on, the desert and the Federation were completely deserted. While a few minutes before, everyone's hearts had felt fear and despair, the source of their worries had just been eradicated.

A level 9 Longer, the worst species humanity and the Kemonos had ever known.

The only two that had been seen in history had destroyed entire cities in the space of ten minutes, and this time the Longer hadn't even gotten close enough to the Federation before it was killed.

- ... O... We... WE KILLED IT !!!!

A Kemono screamed with joy, hope returning to his eyes, covering his heart. His cry was followed by another, then six more, then thirty more.

The shouts of the Kemonos covered the Justice Desert.

The Longers began to fight again, but now the Kemonos were all confident. They all felt great and had even more energy than before. Slashing, killing, exterminating, punching, banging, blazing, freezing; they would not let any Longer survive.

These monsters had sought to destroy the Kemonos and the Federation, but they had something to say about it.

The Kemonos would never let anyone exterminate them.

Nano had not been able to convince the 5 Galaxies to move, as the Federation had not been directly attacked, so she had returned with concerns and questions in mind. However, now that she had returned, she could only see hope.

The sky itself had cleared.

- Are we... that strong?” she wondered aloud.

- It seems so.

Nano blinked and looked to her side. It was Ambre, a Kemono she only knew by name. She smiled and her two fox tails began to wag in all directions.

- We're powerful enough to overcome the obstacles in our way…” Ambre said.

- …

Nano knew that the Kemonos were powerful and that underestimating them would be more than foolish, but to defeat a level 9 so quickly... Sure Asus was part of the fight, but that didn't change the fact that beating him so quickly was borderline impossible.

It was more than incredible.

Nano noticed that Na was on the wall as well and hesitated to speak to him, but seeing how he was watching the scene with such big and bright eyes, she preferred not to say anything. She sighed and squinted weakly, admiring the horizon.

- ... Maybe we can really win, then…

She spoke so softly that only Ambre heard the Kemono's words. Panthera was behind her, looking at the clear blue sky.

And then everyone felt the chills again.

Nivea turned around and instinctively got into a fighting stance. Salida and Asus grabbed their weapons and frowned.

The level 9 Longer was defeated, dead. That much was certain. So the chills they felt-

- ... What...??!

The ocean began to shake violently, three new giant heads emerging from the water.

Three new level 9s.

- It can't be?!!!” shouted Nano as she saw the sight.

Already one had been terrifying, but now there were three more. If the first level 9 had been defeated a little later, it was likely that they would never have been able to win. Na took a step back in fright and Hushimao held him, even though she was shaking.

- ... I don't believe it…” she said, her eyes riveted on the horizon.

Little by little, the colossal Longers were coming out of the ocean, new Longers coming in beside them. Nivea bit her lower lip.

- We can't win, now..." he said.

Asus, still in a crazy mood, took a step back with a frown.

Even she could tell when danger was really knocking at her door.

- ... Can we beat one, you think?

Salida gritted her teeth.

- I'm getting tired and I don't have as much energy... she admitted.

- Even if we were still at our best, against three at the same time, we won't win! By the time we fight one, we'll be killed by one of the other two. We need everyone to fight them... But…

It was impossible. Despite Asus' Power, even she couldn't do anything. Besides, it was impossible to ask every Kemonos to fight: there would be far too many deaths and the low-level Longers were not going to be challenged, which meant that the Federation would not be protected or the Kemonos would be attacked while they were fighting, which would not be okay. Nivea took a step back, followed by the two women.

- ... We have to call the 5 galaxies now," Salida said.

- …

Nivea agreed, but would they act? Nivea, too, knew that Maslow was not in the Federation right now. Without her, the 5 Galaxies would only move if the Federation was attacked directly or if Maslow forced them to move. However, with the Constable out of the way, only the former was possible.

But by the time one of these gigantic monsters would hit the Federation, it would probably already be exterminated. Especially since there were three of them.

- ... Shit!" shouted Asus.

She felt frustrated. When they had just won against such a high level Longer, there had to be three more. Plus, that meant that in this attack alone, there were twice as many level nine Longers as in all of human history combined. Asus waved his blade in his hands and frowned.

- What's next, a level 10 Longer?!” she shouted.

She was ready to fight, but she knew she would never win. If she had to fight a single level 9 again, she was sure she could do it again, but against three, she could prepare her grave already now! Going after the other members of her "Faction" would be impossible and wouldn't necessarily help, so she saw no solution before her. Against these three gigantic Longers and all the weaker and smaller ones beside them, victory seemed to have left the scene.

Despite their victory over the old Longer, hope left their hearts. Even from the trio's.

- So what do we do?" asked Salida, sweat dripping from her forehead.

Asus disappeared in a flash, arcs of lightning visible in his path. Salida shouted the Kemono's name, but she was not heard. Asus's ponytail was wagging in all directions behind her back as she charged towards the huge Longers that were emerging from the water. She wasn't going to fight them: she wouldn't stand a chance.

So she would help in her own way.

She waved her katana in her hands and cut the heads off the lower level Longers. Dozens upon dozens, she killed many in less than a short second. She stopped by sticking her blade into the wing of a winged Longer and teleported over it.

- Go to hell, you bastards!” she shouted.

The Longer let out a sound that sounded like a cry of pain and Asus, annoyed by the monster's reaction, sliced its body in half. She rolled as she landed and noticed the Longer charging at her, which pleased her. She charged her katana with lightning bolts and slashed ahead. The purple blood of the Longers spurted everywhere and Asus smiled. She ran and kept killing them on the way, not wanting to let any of them survive.

She was so fast that no Longer could reach her or even see her coming.

Her katana was painted with the blood of her enemies, but with every move too fast for the human eye, the purple liquid flew off her blade. She braced herself on her right foot and ran in a long straight line before braking by turning around.

And the Longers had their bodies sliced off, strewn with lightning.

Asus noticed that the Longers were still running at her and she smiled as she put her blade in front of her, ready to kill any monster that came her way.

But her instincts told her to get away as quickly as possible.

Her whole body shuddered and she started to run, but she tripped over one of the organs that belonged to a Longer she had killed seconds before. She rolled on the ground and tried to throw her blade to get away, but a Longer who had jumped in the process caught it and stopped the trajectory of her katana, killing him instantly.

- !!!

Asus didn't immediately understand why her instinct was to run away, but when she saw a gigantic shadow on the ground below her, the Kemono quickly understood.

One of the three level 9 Longers was going to crush her with his foot.

- !!!!

Asus got up as fast as she could, but she certainly didn't have time to run away. By grabbing her katana and using her Power, maybe she could survive, but that was if she was lucky...!

Asus wasn't allowed to fight the Longers or go out unsupervised, so she had lost some natural instincts on the battlefield. This was going to cost her her life.

- Aaah!!!

If Nivea hadn't reacted in time.

Asus had barely grabbed her katana when the gigantic Longer's foot had landed on the sandy ground— well, almost.

- Hmm...!

Nivea had run over the moment he noticed Asus fighting alone and wanted to help her, but seeing the gigantic Longer ready to step on her and Asus stumbling in her run, he knew he had to save her. Using his giant fist which was also his Power, he had stopped the gigantic foot of the Longer, which was actually impressive. If he hadn't trusted his Power, then he too would have been crushed under the force of that hard-skinned foot.

Asus threw her katana farther and noticed that Nivea was sinking into the ground because of the Longer stepping on him. She quickly ran towards him and grabbed his arm before teleporting on her katana with him. The Longer's foot landed on the ground and hundreds of smaller and lower level Longers were crushed or flew into the air with the desert sand. Salida joined Asus and Nivea and looked at them with relief.

- What are you doing, Asus?!” she shouted.

- ... I acted out of emotion. Tsk.

The Kemono had no excuse to give and to have almost died like that shortly after such a victory had been stupid of her. She was so frustrated that she had forgotten to think straight. She struck her head with her own fist and then waved her katana in her other hand.

- I want to eliminate all the weaker Longers so we can deal with these bigger... problems together," Asus said.

- By the time we beat them all, it'll be too late," Nivea said.

- ... I know…

— But there's nothing else to do," Asus wanted to say. She was familiar with the 5 Galaxies and knew that they would never act without Maslow's orders, so relying on them was impossible; Asus also knew that the Constable was not in the Federation. However, it was by simple deduction: not seeing her on the battlefield when the lives of so many Kemonos were at stake told her that she just wasn't there.

Maslow was a Kemono that Asus liked very much and she knew that she cared very much for her people, so it was certain that she would come and kill all the level 9 Longers on her own; or at least, order the 5 Galaxies to come and exterminate them. Maybe they wouldn't be enough to kill all 3 of them quickly enough, but he was sure they would win; here, victory was uncertain.

Or rather, impossible.

The Kemonos were powerful and there was no denying it; but to defeat so many Longers, three of them level 9, was asking too much.

Yes, they had defeated such a Longer with three. Still, one colossal monster or three, it was much, much different.

Nivea took a step back and the two women followed suit. The much smaller and lower level Longers came dangerously close; wave 2 was here.

- We have to kill as many as we can!

- Salida, would you fight again?" Nivea asked.

Without giving an answer out loud, Salida nodded before spinning her trident in her hands. She threw it fiercely at the new horde and killed several Longers before gritting her teeth. Asus smiled and, with his mind clear again, moved into an offensive stance.

Their fight wasn't over yet.

- I... I'll take cover!

Na turned around when he heard Hushimao scream and watched her return to the Federation. He could understand her: the sight was terrifying. The three gigantic Longers that had just emerged from the hand began to advance with dangerous steps towards them, as if they were... unstoppable. Na turned his head to Nano and she sighed.

- I don't know," she said.

- ??

Na didn't understand her strange comment. He hadn't said anything and there was no context to his sentence. Watching her face, Na wondered what she was thinking. Nano stared at the horizon; or rather, at the gigantic Longers.

- ... This is all too strange," she said.

She frowned and her face showed the anger she felt.

- Why now?!” she shouted.

Na said nothing; what did he have to say, even? He would have liked to, but he had no answer to give her; no explanation, nor any words that could comfort her. He, too, felt frustrated, though he didn't quite understand what he was feeling, honestly. He was curious, but at the same time, he was terrified. If these Longers continued their march and came across the Federation…

What exactly was going to happen?

Nano couldn't stop staring at those Longers, but there wasn't much to look at. It was like facing death itself, just waiting for the moment it would wave its scythe and kill her.

- Why now?!!” she repeated, this time screaming loud.

She wanted an answer.

Longers weren't such a silly species, on the highest levels, but to attack them when Maslow wasn't at the Federation…

That meant a lack of help from the 5 Galaxies. That the Constable of the Kemonos was not here. That she couldn't help them in the least.

In short, the perfect time to attack the Kemono Federation.

- There's no way this is a coincidence…” Nano said.

The storm that came without any sign and its sudden disappearance. The gigantic horde of Longers, bigger than they had ever seen before. The four level 9 Longers. Their timing, which was too perfect. Salida's calculations that were wrong.

None of it was right. Not only could it not be a coincidence, but—

- Is this attack really done by the Longers...?” she thought aloud.

It was a frightening question, but it seemed logical: it all seemed far too perfect. There was no point in wondering about the purpose of the Longers present: they were there to exterminate the Kemonos, it was not rocket science. Even if their reasons were unknown, it was common knowledge that the Longers wanted to exterminate the human and Kemono race, including some who opposed them. Yet they did nothing to the Morris, who were not even on the side of the Longers.

Honestly, Nano didn't understand the Longers.

They had no reason to want to destroy all of them without wanting to kill all the races. It was as if their goal—

— Genocide.

Na heard the word, but he didn't know what it meant. He wasn't sure what she was thinking exactly, but he could tell she was really upset. Nano bit her right hand.

- Can we beat them...?” she wondered. Even if we can, we're going to have far too many casualties... Damn it!

She couldn't see a way out. Not only did winning against so many Longers, including her three gigantic monsters, seem to be borderline impossible, but if they did, the number of dead and seriously injured would be far too great; she didn't even want to think about that. She didn't even pay attention to Na, who was right next to her.

- I don't know... what to do…” she said.

- This is a really impressive sight, hihi~!

Nano blinked and turned her face, but she saw no one. Looking down a little, she noticed who the source of that cute voice was.

Between Na and Nano was now a young Kemono.

Long ears raised to the sky with recognizable markings, a sweet and young face where a heart was delicately placed under the left eye and bright red hair, Nano recognized this Kemono directly.

A long fennec tail that moved from left to right in her back, her long white cloak around her body prevented her from seeing the clothes she was wearing underneath.

Seeing her here amazed Nano who watched her carefully before saying softly:

- M-Minilow...?!

The young Kemono turned her head towards Nano and gave her a big smile.

- Hewwwoooo, Nano!!!” she said.

- W-What are you doing here, Minilow?!” asked Nano.

Normally, she would speak to him with much more politeness, but given the situation, she forgot her etiquette. She was the leader of the Protection Team, but she was still a Kemono with her own emotions. She could not always fulfill her role in every situation.

- Hmmm, what do you meaaan?" the young Kemono asked.

Her beautiful eyes watched Nano's; she seemed far too calm, considering the current situation.

- W-What do you mean, what do you mean?!" Nano blurted out. Y-You don't see—

- Hm, hm. I can see the Longers are here.

Minilow turned his gaze back to the gigantic Longers and kept smiling. It wasn't malicious, or amused.

She was just happy, as always.

- Levels 9... Woaaah~!

Minilow hadn't moved her arms since then. She looked at Na and nodded at him before taking a step forward.

- I'm sorry we were so late~!" Minilow apologized.

The other Kemonos on the north walls had started to look at the girl, especially since they all knew her.

She was extremely well known in the Federation. She wasn't just anyone; in fact, she was one of the most important Kemonos that could ever exist.

- Let's leave it to Mom, shall we~?” she smiled.

Minilow, Maslow's only daughter, current Constable of the Federation.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Normally, when an Aura was very powerful, other living beings next to it could feel chills; whether it was from anxiety, fear, dread or whatever, this feeling was anything but rare. The stronger a person was, the less he would feel the Aura of others. Determination, the urge to kill, bloodlust, the emotions hidden in one's heart; all of these could also help make one's own more imposing, even for a short time.

Yes, emotions could influence a person's abilities. This was well known on Arcave.

The Aura of the most powerful people, worthy of surpassing the Gods, always came to give such chills that some even died. Heart attack was often the cause.

And yet, HER arrival was unthinkably calm.

- Forgive meee~!

A footstep fell on the desert floor. The fighting stopped; the Longers all turned toward the voice, except for the three level 9s who continued to walk. The Kemonos did not make a single move either, looking toward the source of the voice.

The "Forgive me" had been said calmly and serenely, without shouting, and yet everyone even inside the Federation had heard it.

Another step was taken.

- I'm late, I'm sorry.

Her voice was like caramel that slowly, delicately and calmly settled on a chocolate fudge. Like honey dripping on the lips; like a feeling we all wanted to feel, but couldn't.

A feminine voice and yet so powerful, so recognizable.

- I'm terribly sorry about this, but…

She moved forward without hurrying. As if nothing important was happening, the Kemono walked one step at a time. Her fennec tail was even longer than Minilow's, and her ears as well. Beautiful, bewitching eyes of two different colors; juicy lips that anyone would want to kiss; long hair flying in the wind; an Aura that was restful for the Kemonos…

And yet deadly for the Longers.

She was her. She was THE Kemono. Or rather, THE Kemono. The most famous of all, the one whose presence surpassed even the stars. Flaming red hair that went every which way, clothes that showed who she was.

Maslow, Constable of the Kemono Federation.

- Longers, I never accepted you in the desert-or even on this continent, really.

The way she walked was mesmerizing; calm to the Kemonos, a sign of impending death to the Longers. One step at a time, there was no time pressure for Maslow. Quickly observing the landscape before her, she smiled.

- Then…

She raised her hand; she, the one who surpassed your expectations. O Maslow, Constable of the Federation, guide of all Kemonos. The one with the most impressive aura, the one whose very presence made the gods tremble. Her hand was soft, her nails freshly cut and her skin smooth. She was groomed, washed, well-groomed. She was beautiful, gorgeous, sublime, magnificent. She was strong, imposing, powerful, threatening, invincible.

She was none other than Maslow, the Kemono who would dominate anyone who came near her.

- Die.

Maslow snapped her fingers. Only her right hand was raised, her other hand hanging quietly down her body. She blinked softly and let out that one word with a violence that could stab anyone who heard it many times; yet to the ears of the Kemono, it was only a quiet melody, one that soothed hearts and minds.

Maslow was a Kemono, to be sure.

But not to consider her a Goddess would be a foolish mistake.

- 53/100; Constellation of Forgotten Gods.

As she said this, the sky began to shine brighter and brighter. Everyone looked up and the clouds disappeared under the golden glow.

Before the day turned to night.

The stars were shining brightly. One would have thought that catching them was a matter of a wave of the hand, and yet the stars were floating in the distance.

The night was as clear as day, but the view was much more pleasant.

One star shone brighter than the others. It was not Arasol, but one with an unknown name; or rather, forgotten. She let her glow grow stronger, again and again.

Let her take your worries and fears…

Because Maslow was there now. This fight... was over just by her presence.

The stars all began to shine as brightly as the one with the forgotten name. The night was so bright that all the Kemonos had to close their eyes to avoid having their retinas totally destroyed. The night was day, but the day was night. It was no longer possible to know the current time and suddenly—

— Everything faded away.

Night came again and the stars had all disappeared — almost all of them. Na blinked and looked up at the sky before his irises fell on one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.

A butterfly-shaped constellation with magical wings.

There were no words that could describe what he felt; and there never would be. Only watching it could give this feeling; and the hearts of all the Kemonos were in harmony.

One would think that all this was going on for minutes, but since Maslow's arrival, not even a minute had passed. Not even a full ten seconds had passed since her power was activated. She stopped and looked at the constellation in the sky and gave a beautiful smile.

- Whoever ordered you to attack us while I was out of the Federation, give them a message from me.

The constellation began to glow with a rainbow glow. Maslow touched his hair and showed his teeth to the world.

- The Kemonos or the humans will never be killed while I am still alive. I, the brightest star in the sky.

She pointed at the ground and the butterfly-shaped constellation shattered into several pieces in the sky. As if the sky was a mirror, it shattered and the constellation could no longer be seen. Daylight returned, but that just meant that the fight was over.

Because shooting stars shot through every Longer of the battlefield.

Level 9s screamed in pain as hundreds of shooting stars pierced them from every direction. Their very existence was erased in a few short seconds, no trace of their visit visible; except perhaps that which they had left in the minds of all. The lower level Longers tried to flee, but all were exterminated by the shooting stars.

With their calm, spacey sounds, they got rid of all the Longers.

All of them. Every last one of them.

A few seconds passed and Maslow resumed his walk. Daylight had returned and the Justice desert was visible again. A few seconds before, it had been a battlefield that would have declared the Longers victorious…

Now there was not even one. The Kemonos had won.

Maslow stopped in front of three Kemonos and looked at the one with the horse-like attributes.

- Oh? Asus, I didn't think you had my permission to go out?” the Constable smiled.

- ... Maslow.

- That's me.

- .........

Asus couldn't answer. Her usual energy was gone from her body, and facing Maslow like this gave her a tranquility like cinnamon tea. Maslow looked at the other two.

- Nivea. Salida. Thank you for your best effort.

- ... W-Whatever..." Salida said, unable to tell what had just happened.

- Constable, it's an honor," Nivea said, stooping down.

She told him to get up and looked around.

- I didn't think the Longers would make such an attack while I was away... Besides, my trip was completely unnecessary.

The Constable scratched her hair with a bored look.

- Level 10 Longer, they had said; it was nothing but a scam! He wasn't even a real Longer, but some kind of... art project! Really, what!

She sighed and touched Nivea's shoulder. With her beautiful smile, she thanked him again. The Kemono blinked, but finally shook his head.

- If I could fight, it was mostly thanks to Asus, Constable," he said.

- Oooh?

- With Salida and Asus, we defeated a level 9 Longer. A little easier than expected, but it's—

- Thanks to Asus, right?

Maslow finished Nivea's sentence before stroking the Kemono's hair with eyes she could never forget. Asus put away his katana and snapped it away. She shrugged her shoulders.

- I guess I did help, but I apologize for going out without permission, aah…” Asus let go.

- You took advantage of the general chaos to get out without my little Galaxies seeing you, didn't you?

- I’m cauuught~!

Maslow chuckled before looking at the Federation buildings. They weren't damaged, which reassured her.

- Nivea. Salida. Asus. I want you to come to my office in two hours and get all the details you can.

An order from the Constable, addressed to the three of them. They all nodded and bowed respectfully and in harmony.

- W-Wait!

Maslow stopped and turned around.

- Hmm?

Salida took a step forward, her heart beating rapidly.

- D-Did you come back sensing danger, or...?

After all, Maslow had arrived at the perfect moment; a coincidence would have to be put aside. The Constable nodded with a big smile.

- Unfortunately, although I had expected someone to try to attack the Federation while I was away, I had not expected such an attack, so I had not been paying attention.

Her long fennec tail wagged behind her back.

- The reason I'm here now with my daughter, who must already be at the Federation, is because... Where is she?

Maslow scratched his hair, noticing that she was no longer at his side. She shrugged and finished answering Salida's question.

- I was just warned.

Na had seen the show with his own eyes, but honestly, he still couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.

It had been unreal.

- …

He had lost his voice so much the show that had been offered to him had been... so... so…

- …

He didn't have the words; even thinking was complicated, at the moment. The day which had become night; the night which had become of an unequalled brilliance; this brilliance returning to the night; this same night letting see the most beautiful of the constellations; this night breaking into day and finally, the shooting stars which had exterminated all the Longers. Na didn't know what to make of it, but he knew one thing.

It had all been real.

- Mommy is too strong!" shouted Minilow.

She jumped into the air with a big smile on her face, her arms raised to the sky. As always, her enthusiasm could be found in any situation. Even if the world went up in flames, she would find a way to smile, laugh, and spread her cheer to everyone.

She was indeed Maslow's daughter.

- ... Unbelievable…” Na let go.

Nano slowly turned her head towards the man. She could understand how he felt, and she was sure that all Kemonos must feel the same way.

Maslow's Power was far too impressive not to be starry-eyed.

Nano had rarely seen Maslow in action and deep down, because of the way the Constable's Power worked, she had never seen this particular Power.

Because Maslow's Power is currently 100 Powers.

She had only used one of her 100 alongside Nano and the Protection Team, but this one had never been seen before; not by them, anyway. Maslow almost never used her Power, but if she did, victory was directly assured.

She was the star of them all. Their Goddess. The one who would end this endless war.

Nano sometimes wondered why Maslow hadn't already eradicated the Longers from this planet, but she never had a convincing answer. She had once dared to ask Maslow, but she had only answered this:

- Because I cannot do such a thing.

This was so vague that Nano had just given up trying to learn the truth. She loved Maslow, but she would like to understand her better.

She who was full of mysteries.

- ... Is that Maslow's Power?" asked Na while looking at Nano.

He was slowly coming to his senses, but the image of the butterfly constellation remained in his head. Nano nodded.

- Mrs. Maslow is just…

She didn't know how to finish her sentence, because only her heart could make out what she was thinking. Na waited for an answer, but it was not Nano who gave her the end of her sentence.

- Mommy is just the best!

Minilow stepped in between them again and showed her beautiful smile. Na blinked and tilted her head.

- Mommy…?" he asked.

The Kemono nodded.

- I'm mama Maslow's daughter! I love her very much! My name is Minilow, you must be the human Na, right?

Na was surprised that she knew him, but as he had told himself before, he had to get used to being known within the Federation. He finally nodded, even though he was slow: his brain still hadn't processed what he had observed. Minilow quickly waved the human's hand with a smile.

- Nice to meet you!!!

- N-Nice to meet you…

Nano took a step closer.

- Say, Miss Minilow.

The Kemono turned around, hands behind her back.

- Hmmm?

- How did you know we were being attacked...?" asked Nano. Weren't you far from here...?

- Hm, hm! We didn't feel anything at all! We were just warned!

Nano squinted.

- You were... warned?

No Kemono would have had time to contact them, and as far as Nano knew, no Kemono could speak with the Constable or even her daughter by thought. Minilow nodded several times.

- Yes, yes! By a cute girl! Oh, here she comes!!!

Minilow turned toward the desert and hopped over to greet a figure running quickly through the sand. Nano and Na looked too, but from here it was impossible to tell who it was. However, they saw something else:

The Kemonos were celebrating their victory, down below.

Maslow's attack had been so impressive that they had almost forgotten that they had just won against a gigantic horde of Longers. Plus, four level 9s had been in the mix!!! Without Maslow, who knows how the fight would have turned out...? Nano smiled as he saw all the Kemonos shouting with joy, hugging each other and even crying. From the walls, it was impossible to tell exactly what they were all doing, but it was clear that they were celebrating their victory.

- I hope there aren't too many dead or injured…” Nano thought.

She preferred not to think about that now and remembered Kin. He was not in danger of death, but after talking with Maslow, she would go see him. Perhaps he had regained consciousness already?

- There she is, there she is!

The figure stopped in front of the walls and seemed to make a move before disappearing in a flash.

Or rather, it was so fast that it came right behind them.

Na and Nano quickly turned around and Minilow made big hand gestures.

- Hewwooo again!

The Kemonos on the walls were watching the girl who had just arrived, including Na. He watched this person starting with—

— — — —

— !!!!!!!!!!

- !!!!!!

Na took a step back, his eyes wide open. Minilow held his back so he wouldn't fall off the wall and smiled.

- She's soooo cute, isn't she?

- ?!!!!

Na had completely lost his voice. The girl in front of him was only looking at Na, her eyes fixed in his. Her gaze was intense, but at the same time, it had a certain... coldness.

Her hair, her face, her eyes, her clothes, her body, her hairstyle…

- You are Na, aren't you?" the girl said.

- W-What...?

The man was the new center of attention. Nano also turned to him, wondering if they knew each other. In any case, Nano had never seen this girl before. Even her aura didn't tell her anything. The girl took a step closer.

- I know you're Na. I think I owe you an explanation, though.

She touched her hair and finally sighed with a laugh. Her laughter rang loudly in Na's ears... while tears formed in the man’s eyes.

- Sorry, sorry! Seriously, I really owe you an explanation, but first…

The girl touched her chest with her right hand, fingers spread.

- Let's be clear, we don't know each other.

Na was certain: this girl…

This girl was Bibi.