After Vilskapa and Valhugr finished patting themselves down and checking to see whether any of their bones had been broken from being catapulted, Trigger had already appeared before them. In his hands was an absurdly large, ominous firearm, one that radiated golden light in steady pulses that carried an eerie, unnatural cadence. At first glance, it appeared as though he intended to obliterate them completely, blasting them into nothingness. Instead of devastation, however, a sudden burst of pink mist erupted from the weapon, engulfing the area in a brief haze. When the haze cleared, the deadly firearm had transformed into something far less menacing. Trigger now stood holding a placard with the words, "Welcome to my Domain," boldly written across it. Vilskapa and Valhugr nearly collapsed again, this time from the shock of having been fooled by such a ridiculous performance. "Hello, Trigger," I said, waving as I landed atop the building. "Ah, Lady Levina," he replied with an elegant bow, stepping forward to take my hand. He pressed his lips to the back of it with exaggerated grace. "It is an honor beyond measure that you have deigned to grace my domain with your magnificent presence. I am, in truth, the most fortunate of men." "Haha," I chuckled, reaching out to ruffle his wild black hair, "you and your endless theatrics. Why do you not come out more often?" It was not just his dramatics that caught my attention. His strength also seemed to have grown by leaps and bounds compared to only a few days ago. "I prefer to avoid the endless struggle with the higher-ups for the affection of the Supreme Lord," Trigger explained smoothly. "If ever he were to require me, I would be at his side before even the blink of an eye." "No, I do not like that attitude," I said sharply, reaching out to pinch his cheek. "Regardless of how much the rest of us vie for Master Raven’s favor, you should be putting in more effort as well. I want his life to be so delightfully chaotic, so overflowing with noise and attention, that he forgets entirely he was ever alone in the past." Trigger simply nodded at my words, stating that he would take my advice to heart without question. Then, clapping his hands once, he caused the very realm around us to begin shifting. Like brittle dried leaves being crumpled in a giant’s palm, the enormous estate collapsed inward on itself. From the settling rubble rose something entirely different—a modest wooden cottage, small in size, yet striking in its quiet presence. "So this is your true domain?" I asked, letting my eyes sweep over the humble structure. It was not extravagant in the least, yet it carried a certain significance. There was something almost nostalgic about it, though I could not say why. I turned my attention back to him. "Are you here alone, then? Even Tamayō, with her insufferable personality, has eight children constantly clinging to her." "That damned fox," Trigger snorted in disdain. "She has been waging war against other domains within the Shadow Realm, stirring up confusion with those mischievous brats of hers. What makes it unbearable is that the Empress herself permits it." Ah, so they were the "enemy" the kitsunes were referring to? And the Empress...? Ah. He must be referring to Platform. "And yes," he continued, his voice steady, "I have no interest in meddling with the rest of the Specter Wolves, so I simply told them to do as they pleased." This wolf... I am most certainly reporting him to Master Raven. None of his subordinates could afford to be an island. Each of us needed to forge a close connection with one another if we were ever to bring out the full extent of our potential. Take me, for example—I had gone so far as to enter the Shadow Realm itself simply for the chance to speak with Jorō. Nevertheless, I had already seen enough. Trigger’s domain was a reflection of his own heart: wide and vast, seemingly open and welcoming, yet in truth empty, hollow, and completely devoid of warmth. "I will be leaving now," I told him as I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. "I do not know what happened to you in your past life, but I want you to understand that you are living a new one now—a good one. All of us are here for you, so please, do not shut us out." "Hahaha," he laughed, returning my embrace with surprising warmth. "Of course, I hear you. But I will still need some time. I will come along eventually." "We are waiting," I assured him. Afterward, I had him point me toward the domains of Hachiman and Shizuka. Apparently, the twins did not live together. They may have looked identical, but they did not even consider themselves true siblings. How horrendous. I would certainly give them an earful once I found them. With a single flick of his finger, Trigger opened a dark hole in the air before us. It appeared like a tunnel of warped space, a spiraling corridor of shadows twisting endlessly. Once Vilskapa and Valhugr had finished bidding their goodbyes, we stepped into the passage. It seemed Trigger had no desire to subject me to another uncomfortable ride, because only a few steps into the darkness, the world began to reconstruct itself around us in a way that felt almost tailored to our comfort. It was far gentler than the dizzying free fall we had experienced upon our first arrival here. Within moments, the shadows peeled away, and we found ourselves standing in the middle of a forest. The sun above was bright, and the weather felt splendid, the colors vivid and almost too lively. A stream of clear water flowed beside us, while trees with soft pink leaves swayed gently in the breeze. Hills rose in the distance, and upon a high point above them stood a structure. From somewhere nearby came the sharp rhythm of clashing metal, a steady cadence that echoed through the woods. Training, perhaps. "It gives off the feeling of a... dojo," Vilskapa muttered, resting a hand on his waist as he studied the building. "What is a dojo?" I asked him curiously.