Finally, the Bunny spoke in a deep, formal voice.

“The Claw of the Head has provided our guests with what we normally consume on a daily basis. She believed that it was unnecessary to be extravagant when most of our guests are being tried. Guilt comes before innocence.”

“The Claw of the Head? I’ve heard of that name before. Is that a Moon?” Mary asked.

Then, the next words caused Mary to immediately shut her mouth.

“A Moon above a lowly Moon such as myself. Do remember that all acts committed against a Moon is an act committed against the Amalgam.”

A Moon. This woman is… A Moon of the Nexus? I… I couldn’t even tell. Why –?

“I see. I have not turned off the CognitO Suppressor.”

She reached for the clip that held her mantle together, and immediately, a wave of terror caused Mary’s eyes to become glued to the floor. It was as if she was a fawn in the presence of a bear.

The shadow of the Rabbit woman loomed over them as did her presence. Mary and her entourage were suffocated by merely standing in the vicinity of this person.

“Instincts play a vital role in how we inherently interact with the world. It seems that your status has caused you to forget about your place. Rabbits are lonely things. But there are some who prefer to be left in their lonesome.”

“My… My apologies… I… I did not… Ugk…”

Anything she said could get her killed now. If she had known that they were a Moon, then she never would have approached the banquet table.

Suddenly, the ankles of a girl who smelt like sunshine entered her vision.

“Are these people ok?”

A sweet voice asked. Mary could already picture the type of face she had, and she trembled with envy.

“You must not touch them. They are filthy.” The Moon urged.

“If you say so. Wait, that’s not language a Lunar Haruspex uses! Hora Therapeutics is about helping people!” The girl cried.

Now that the pressure had reduced, Mary was able to spot the same insignia of a clock with only the hour hand on the girl’s back. It was a Healer, and they wore a white, thick coat rather than their usual defenseless mantle and robes. Knowing how cloth worked, it was likely that it could deflect a blade.

The Healer smiled at them briefly before turning back to the Moon.

“So – Um – who can I see then? I was called over to take a look at someone that was hurt. Unless I’m being tricked? You wouldn’t trick me, would you?”

“The Chlam Empire has good standing with the Nexus. As for the Kingdom of Slimia… We will require a specialist to communicate with them. There is nothing of concern regarding them. Regular Healing Serums may work on them, but there is little information known about their kind.”

“They’re cute! Oh yeah! Ignis can totally see them!”

“I see. Come forth, my Luna.”

The Moon snapped her fingers, and at once, another Bunny girl appeared right beside her.

She was hiding in plain sight!?

“Yes?” The Bunny girl was how one expected them to look – cute, young, and with an amicable personality.

Her suit had blue whisps and she did not wear a mantle. But like the Moon, she possessed an incredible pocket watch.

“Relay a message to the young Doctor. And… take care of these ones for me.”

“On it! It’s done!”

… They were able to communicate just like that?

There were no such thing as long-range communication methods for the Kingdoms, outside of purchasing CogitO’s technology. But that required them to be constantly monitored. As a result, magic, birds, and specialized couriers were the preferred methods of long-range communication.

Although, the [Telepathy – Message] magic did exist. However, this magic was flawed. It depended on far too many factors to be reliable, and more often than not the message would arrive completely different from what was originally intended.

Its last historical use resulted in regicide by none other than the Stormweaver Continuity.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Then, with another snap of the Moon’s finger, she disappeared. The cute bunny girl was left behind to take her place as the Healer scurried off to the Crystal Paladins.

But the pressure… it’s still too much. She must be observing us in secret. What a powerful tool…

“Hm? You’re from the Larin Empire~ Hah.” The Bunny girl hummed. “Sorry if my Master seemed uptight. Then again, you’re not exactly here with good intentions so I can’t blame her.”

Bitch. To say this so brazenly in front of our faces…

“Master…? A Moon has a disciple?” Yanarin questioned.

“Yep! A disciple of a Moon! I mean, I pretty much am a Moon already. But I’m not quite there yet either. What’s with the shocked faces? Oh. I see! Not many people outside of the Nexus knows it yet, but – there’s a looooot of Moons being brought up from scratch!”

“An army… Of Moons…? For – For what reason…?” Mary turned pale.

Everyone knew that there were a limited number of Moons. There were Kingdoms whose future plans hinged on the eventual deaths of all Moons. If they were to hear that there were even more Moons now – then how would they react?

“You’ll find out eventually.” The Bunny girl smirked. “It depends on how carefully you tread. Aren’t you grateful that we haven’t resorted to violence? You’re treated like guests. You know what to do to make it stay that way.”

No. It’s beyond just that. How will the world react? I… I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it until it’s proven. But if that were even slightly true…

“I believe we haven’t introduced ourselves. Mary. Mary D’ Grace.” Her demeanor completely changed. “I’m humbled to be in the presence of a Moon, and even more grateful for you to waste your words on lowly things like us.”

It was not about survival anymore.

It was for the sake of existing.

If the Nexus truly had more Moons than ever before, then who would be able to oppose them?

Mary no longer cared that their treatment was vastly different compared to the likes of the Chlam Empire. She reminded herself that neither the Larin Empire, the Kingdom of Slimia nor the Stormweaver Continuity received any help aside from a Black Wing that followed them wherever they went.

They stood behind them exactly 10 meters away, ready to point their weapons and eliminate them should they show a hint of hostility. Even if they were to survive, there were Stars and Moons present.

Then, the room fell silent as door opened somewhere in the distance. A figure emerged from the door and entered their hall. At once, Mary’s face blanched completely as she, her ensemble, and nearly everyone in the room who could sense the presence of this person dropped to their knees.

“Batch six. The food has hardly been touched. I didn’t make all of this so you can just stand and talk amongst yourself. Oh well. We’ll do something about the waste later.”

A dignified voice belonging to a wolf woman caused Mary to tremble.

A mere Demi-Human caused her – a Third Generation Vampire to grovel like an insect begging for its life.

“Ah, she’s here. The Claw of the Head.” The Bunny girl deeply bowed in the presence of their superior.

It was a woman in an astonishing black lace dress. Nothing more was worn on her body. But the quality of that cloth alone was priceless, and as to be expected, it was worn by easily the strongest being Mary had evern laid witness to.

The Claw of the Head.

If this is the Claw… Then just what will the Amalgam be like? I need to hold it together. My Empire’s life is at stake.

A small voice in the back of her mind urged her to consider abandoning her Empire if it meant surviving. But her pride would not allow that. She’d rather die for her Empire. But she considered the possibility.

The Claw of the Head walked from one side of the room to the other, passing through them as she walked with a princess-like elegance. She moved as if skating on ice. If it were not for her terrifying presence, then Mary would have instantly fallen in love.

Most of her married Dukes were lovestruck themselves.

Suddenly, the Claw of the Head stopped in front of the Warrior Princess.

… It can’t be. How… does that Warrior Princess know these people!?

“Perla?” The Claw of the Head spoke in a hushed tone. “Is that you?”

Finally, the Warrior Princess removed her helmet.

And Mary chewed off the tip of her tongue when she saw the radiant face beneath that helmet.

“Forgive me if this comes across as rude, but I don’t recall meeting you.”

She shook her head; her blonde hair flicking like a whip as she stared into the crimson eyes of the wolfwoman with her enchanting blue eyes. Then, her face slowly morphed into one of realization.

* * *

“You’re –!?”

“Awwuuu. It’s been a long time, hah!” The pressure that kept them captive disappeared entirely as the Claw of the Head rejoiced.

She suddenly embraced Perla, much to the woman and her Crystal Paladins' surprise.

“You’re…”

Perla was at a loss for words.

This was Ber.

As in, the stoic Ber who had to fight her handless doppelganger. The same Ber she travelled through the Derma Layer with alone.

The same Ber who never used to smile.

Only one person can turn a Moon like Ber for the better. I didn’t know wolves could grow this big. But she’s a Moon. So I guess that’s an excuse.

“It has indeed been a while. I see you’re doing much better now. She took good care of you. I can tell.”

“She did! I didn’t know you were a princess!”

“I was working as an Adventurer to get away from the turmoil at home. But I realized after our journey in the Derma Layer that I can’t keep running away. You… have changed a lot. You’re no longer tiny.”

“Not anymore.” Ber smirked.

Then, she assumed a professional attitude.

“Perla, it’s a pleasure to meet you again. Have you always been this pretty?”

“Eh?”

“Nothing. As for Perla’s Crystal Paladins – You have a wonderful leader. I’m sure she trusts you for a good reason. Our Healers will take care of you during your stay. You have my word and guarantee as the Claw of the Head.”

Perla’s face paled as her Crystal Paladins froze. Ber walked away without saying another word, leaving them to digest just who this person was. She left so casually too.

“Princess… So it was true. You really are affiliated with them.” One of the Crystal Paladins uttered. “I thought you were using it as an excuse to run away again.”

“With the Claw of the Head too!?” Another exploded.

Soon, all of her Crystal Paladins were upon her. The Healer who tried to treat them shouted: “Aaaah~~ Please don’t move so much! You’re going to bleed again!”

“Frost ended up appointing the Triplets to be her closest aides.” Perla muttered to herself, still in shock.

More than half of that shock, however, came from the fact that Ber had called her pretty. She clasped her face, wondering if Ber had seen her right. But those thoughts left as quickly as they entered, and she was left wondering if Frost would remember her with the same enthusiasm.

The fact that they were given a Healer whilst the others were given a Black Wing was already a good sign.