Hizen did not speak or move again for a very long time. For the rest of that night, no matter what I said to him, he wouldn’t respond, and it seemed that my fears about his brain being overburdened had actually come to pass. As the sun rose, a heavyset stranger heard my sobs, and approached.

“...Why do you cry, Servant?”

“...Huh?”

“Why do you cry?”

“...Who are you…?”

“I am called Talavera. And you are 1654–01662S010005: Meissen. I have come to collect you.”

“You...what??”

“His Eminence does not wish for you to be fed to the Worm. He has asked me to rescue you from this fate, and to deliver you safely to his residence.”

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“…I...I can’t really...move around right now, so...”

“I see that this Worm Feeder has locked its arm to your frame. If need be, I can remove it by force.”

“No!! Please don’t hurt Hizen...h-he needs help!”

“Help?”

“I know this’ll probably sound weird to you, but he’s not just a Worm Feeder! I mean, he is, but he’s also my friend, and now there’s something else wrong with him! His face display isn’t even on anymore…!”

“...So that is why you cry.”

“…”

“If it means so much to you, he may come along with us. All can be of use to the POOL.”

“...Are you going to carry him?”

“He may still be able to walk. A Worm Feeder will usually respond to simple stimulation...if I stand him up like so, and pull him forward— you see.”

“Oh, wow...even though he’s not awake…”

“It is good that he is unconscious; this will make things easier for us all. Let us hurry back to the East Crown, before he reawakens.”

“…”