An Idol Daughter's Group Chat

The Veteran's Ambition (2)

"Spread out! Search for them—don't let anyone escape!" Kujou Sara's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. At her order, the shogunate soldiers scattered, each moving swiftly to carry out her command.

One soldier, his face tight with anxiety, prepared to join the search. But before he could take more than a few steps, Sara's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Wait, you!" she barked, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

The soldier froze, turning to face her. Sara's piercing gaze shifted, and she pointed firmly at the unconscious figure of Thoma lying nearby. "Carry him," she ordered, her voice steady and unyielding.

Without a word of protest, the soldier nodded and moved to obey, hoisting Thoma over his shoulder as Sara turned her attention back to the search.

Sara's eyes drifted once more to the spot where the group of four (and dog) had vanished. The image of the girl with amethyst eyes refused to leave her thoughts. Destroying a Vision like that... is such a thing even possible?

That unsettling smile, twisted and unnerving, was seared into her memory. No matter how she tried, she couldn't shake its grip on her mind.

.

.

.

"Woof~~" came a peculiar bark from a certain dog, which roughly translated to, "Phew... almost died again~~." He lay sprawled on the ground, completely exhausted from everything he'd just been through.

Not far from the place he was fooling around was me.

Ding

[• Follow-up Sequence: The Time Keeper quest is complete, but the transmigrator has changed the original timeline. Over time, the timeline will try to repair itself, but extra rewards await if you can fix it again. (1/1) (Completed)]

[*note: The current sequence is optional and will not affect the current progress.]

[Rewards:]

• Awakening Feature

• Inventory Feature

"Are you really okay?" Kakashi asked, his tone steady but carrying a weight that wasn't easy to miss. Meanwhile, the rest of us were glued to our phones, scrolling through notifications.

"Yes," I replied, keeping my voice calm. "I never needed the Vision in the first place."

"...That's not what I'm talking about," he said, his gaze unwavering. "I meant what Rimuru-san mentioned earlier."

Kakashi looked... worried? Maybe? I wasn't sure. My overreliance on mind-reading had dulled my ability to interpret people's tones or expressions without second-guessing everything. Frustrated, I turned inward. Great Sage, what do you think?

«Answer: All three members are deeply concerned.»

So that's how it was. Even so...

"Rimuru-san, may I have a word with you?" Kakashi said suddenly, stepping closer to the humanoid slime. The Vessel's eyes followed them closely, clearly intent on the conversation.

What was this? It was obvious now—something they didn't want me to hear. Was Kakashi making his move? Had his earlier words about being content with the situation I placed him in been a lie?

The path I'd set him on wasn't one just anyone could walk. To be branded a traitor to the village he cherished, forced to bear that weight... If he chose to stage a coup, to demand that I reveal everything I know, I wouldn't be able to resist.