[To Sleep, and Dream Sweet Dreams]

Robot Mark II… That was Sora's anchor point, and Sora was Natasha Cioara's—Raven's—anchor point. This wasn't Nagazora, but if Otto could appear there, why not Raven here?

Perhaps in this world, Raven wasn't a mercenary but a white-collar worker at Heliopolis Life Sciences Pharmaceutical.

The old man stared at them longer than ever before.

"Huh…?" He uttered, a note of suspicion in his voice.

Shu's eyes flickered. "Miss Natasha is on Fire Moth's recruitment list. You don't need to worry."

"?" Kiana nodded, then her eyes widened as she turned to Shu. A recruitment list? We have one of those?! she thought. Am I on it? Am I? Of course I am!

Unlike Kiana, who was always a step behind, Mei and Bronya readily accepted their roles as the Fire Moth First Exploration Team, playing along with Shu's fabrication. As for this "recruitment list"...

Shu was a natural at this sort of thing. His seamless transition into official-speak wasn't something they could easily replicate. It's all a lie, they knew. That list is probably just a 'Target Characters From the Original Story' list.

The old man seemed even more confused.

"Huh…"

"Fire Moth was established by the government…" Shu smoothly launched into the same spiel he'd used at the shelter, quickly briefing the old man.

"Huh?!" The old man straightened slightly in surprise.

Shu nodded firmly. "Yes, we're with the government."

Kiana, Mei, and Bronya: "..."

"Mei, does Shu know some secret language we don't? How is he communicating so smoothly with this old man?" Kiana asked, thoroughly bewildered. Wait, aren't you supposed to be the one who doesn't even know English, Shu? The ultimate academic underachiever?

"Perhaps… this is another one of Shu's… special talents?" Mei replied. She was certain the old man wasn't speaking any recognizable language. As he spoke more, she could pick out a few Chinese syllables, but it was still unintelligible.

Shu continued his exchange with the old man, the girls watching in bemusement. When there was a lull in the conversation, Shu suddenly realized he hadn't used any [Prayers] to aid his understanding. Wait, how am I understanding him?

Well, being able to understand is a good thing, so why question it? I'll leave that for Otto to figure out.

"Sir, can you take us to Miss Natasha?" Shu asked formally.

The old man looked down at the drawing in the dust, then shook his head.

Shu was taken aback. Why not? It's right there on the tip of his tongue…

"Then… could you tell us where Miss Natasha is?" Shu rephrased his request. This time, the old man didn't refuse. He pointed in a direction, then quickly withdrew his trembling hand.

Shu followed the direction indicated, his ever-active reconnaissance [Prayer] immediately extending in that direction. This [Prayer] was more than just radar; it was a map when zoomed out, a close-up observation tool when zoomed in.

From the moment he'd seen the old man, Shu had used this ability to examine him thoroughly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so startled by his condition.

After learning that the old man's state wasn't congenital, Kiana had offered a "restoration" [Prayer]. Shu had glanced at the energy cost and nearly had a heart attack.

It would consume 20% of his [Prayers]! And it couldn't be done in stages. To restore the old man completely, he would have to do it all at once. Restoring just his speech or straightening his back wasn't an option.

Moreover… the old man would die. Shu didn't know why, but he had a gut feeling. Even a partial restoration would be fatal. A full restoration would likely cost double the energy, or even more.

After careful consideration, Shu decided to forgo the restoration. It was a difficult choice, but he had his reasons. This was also why he had been so solicitous towards the old man.

It didn't take long for Shu to locate the place the old man had indicated. It was a makeshift settlement, and at first glance, Shu saw only children. Among them, he recognized a familiar figure…

Sora… She was there, her right eye bandaged, her left arm in a cast. She sat at the edge of the settlement, chin resting on her hand, lost in thought.

Recalling his reconnaissance, Shu took a deep breath and turned back to the old man, only to find him already walking away, his hunched figure slowly receding in the opposite direction.

"Shu…" Kiana started to say something, but Shu shook his head and turned to follow the old man's path, away from the settlement.

Kiana fell silent, following Shu with her head down. His meaning was clear… and she understood.

Shu, the one who struggled most with choices, had already made his. She had no choice but to follow.

Mei and Bronya exchanged a look, then a last glance at the old man's receding figure, before following Shu. There was no need for questions. Explanations would only deepen the wound.

But… could they really do nothing?

"Tch…" Shu clicked his tongue, then abruptly turned back to Kiana.

At that exact moment, Kiana also turned, her expression resolute.

Their eyes met, and in that instant, they reached an unspoken agreement.

"Sir!" Shu shouted towards the old man, who had almost reached the corner. "Do you have any wishes?"

The old man turned at the corner, his deep-set eyes locking onto Shu's across the distance.

He didn't answer, didn't utter a sound. He simply stood there for a moment, then disappeared around the corner.

But Shu had received his [Prayers].

Looking at the two wishes, Shu fell silent.

[From the old man: Find Robot Mark II and return it to Sora.]

That was the wish he had expressed earlier. But the second one…

[From the old man: To sleep, and dream sweet dreams.]

Shu clenched his fists, a wave of helplessness, and then anger, washing over him.