Chapter 50

Chapter: The Call for Help

This is how an eternity works.

If you fold a paper once, you get two sheets. Fold it twice, and you get four. Then eight, sixteen, thirty-two, and so on. If you fold a paper a hundred times, you'd end up with a stack so tall that counting the sheets would take you ages. That's the kind of "time" we call eternity.

Considering I have lived through several eternities, the dinosaurs' age are mere spec of dust to me.

I thought about it proudly. If it's my world's math, I'm still good at that! Sure, I misjudged how numbers worked in this world, but that's because I assumed a million would come right after a thousand. Turns out there's ten thousand, then a hundred thousand, and then a million.

Pouting, I tried to justify myself. It really is hard to juggle two different maths at once!

But my gaze wandered back to the dinosaur skeleton. To me, it still looked like a wingless, magicless dragon—a relic of a time when creatures survived without the aid of magic.

How did they do it?

The thought of reanimating it buzzed in my head. My hands twitched, and my mind screamed at me to bring it to life.

No, Aleena! Doing that would cause chaos!

I clenched my fists, forcing my curiosity to subside. Stay calm, stay calm.

My thoughts, thankfully, shifted to something else. I noticed something strange in the atmosphere—a faint tension that felt out of place in the otherwise serene museum.

Looking around, I saw several people glancing at Mama and me. At first, I thought they were just admiring Mama's beauty or curious about us, but then I noticed some of them were carrying concealed weapons.

Oh no… My instincts flared up. Their intentions were clear.

I nuzzled into Mama's arms, hiding my face. "Mama! Wash-woom!" I muttered, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

"Hm? Does Aleena wanna go to the washroom?" she asked, smiling softly.

"Yesh!" I said, nodding fervently.

Mama didn't hesitate and led us toward the washroom. As we walked, I could feel their gazes following us.

Yup, we're the targets here. But what can I do? I can't use my powers near Mama—it would only put her in more danger.

We entered the women's washroom, but the unease didn't fade. I could still sense their presence lingering nearby.

Here too?! Seriously?! This is a woman's washroom, you perverts!

I racked my brain for ideas. My first thought was to reanimate one of the skeletons, but I quickly discarded it. Next! No way am I causing a stampede in a museum.

Then, another idea came to mind. Ah, yes. That could work.

---

Hero Association Training Grounds

Zoth was in the middle of training the heroes, pouring mana at a tremendous rate to help them recover their own. His sweat dripped onto the ground as he muttered, "Man, this is hard!"

Maria, standing nearby, looked at him in astonishment. "How the hell are you even doing this? And don't tell me it's because your goddess taught you."

"I was born with this ability," Zoth said, grinning.

"Seriously?" Maria asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No, my goddess taught me. You told me not to say that, so I tried to come up with a convincing enough lie."

Maria chuckled softly. "You really should've stuck with the lie."

At that moment, Zoth froze, sensing something. "Huh?"

His eyes widened as he suddenly heard my voice in his head.

Zoth? Can you hear me? I shouted telepathically.

Zoth almost lost his balance from the unexpected connection. Maria caught him before he fell.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"Shh," Zoth said, raising a hand to signal her to be quiet. He focused on my voice.

Yes, my liege! he responded telepathically.

Can you come and help me? I asked urgently. I'm with Mama, so I don't want to use my powers, but some assassins are after us.

Zoth muttered awkwardly, I'm not quite in the best shape right now, my liege—

Before he could finish, another surge of mana rushed through him, almost making him collapse again.

Zoth? Are you okay? I asked, concerned. It's fine, I can call someone else. Just don't overexert yourself, okay?

Zoth gritted his teeth. Wait, my liege! I may not be able to come…

His gaze shifted to Maria, who was still trying to understand what was happening. …but I might be able to send help.

Maria tilted her head, confused. "What's going on with you?"

Zoth smirked faintly, a plan forming in his mind.