ground beneath the milky-white sky. Then, suddenly, he got caught on something and came to a stop. "Hmm? What's that?" Kaito squinted. It felt as though he'd been caught by countless pairs of transparent hands. He then reached out and checked to see what it was that had actually stopped him. It turned out to be a fat bundle of wire-thin plants. Each one of the snow-white vines was covered in fuzzy, bur-shaped blossoms. Narrowing his eyes once more, Kaito surveyed his surroundings. The ivy stretched out around the entire environs. He tried giving the vine a tug. The more he pulled it back, though, the more it stretched. It didn't look like it was going to snap, nor was there any end to it in sight. It was far longer and sturdier than he'd expected. What's a plant doing here, though? I thought stuff wasn't supposed to be able to live here. What's going on, then? And did Bandersnatch manage to avoid this stuff? Faced with the plant's contradictory existence, he cocked his head to the side and double-checked the shaving in the ice. Bandersnatch's tracks stopped just before the ivy, then reappeared on the other side with deep holes at the very beginning. It must have noticed the ivy just before running into it, then jumped to avoid it. Kaito, on the other hand, hadn't had such luck. Crossing his arms again, he tilted his head back to the side. "What's up with this ivy, then? I mean, there are definitely things that come to mind when I think plants, but..." "I came to see who was caught, but this? To think that a human would make it to the World's End. It would appear we were not the only ones invited... Who are you? State your name!" "Huh?" Suddenly, he heard a deep voice addressing him. Kaito's eyes went wide. But the animosity present in the other party's voice wasn't what he was reacting to. The expression flooding his face wasn't one of tension and alertness but one of shocked familiarity. "...No way." He knew that voice. Flustered, he cast a glance at his surroundings. It was then that he realized there was a group behind him leveling swords at his back. The approaching soldiers were all clad in vermilion armor. Its scale-and-leather aesthetic gave the same unique impression as always. In addition to their breastplates, though, they were also wearing thick winter coats. The coats had likely been made from the fur of their comrades, as that was their people's custom. Just as Kaito had expected, masculine, inhuman faces peeked out from within their heavy hoods. At the front of the group was a beastman with copper fur and a wolf's head. And the subordinates standing behind him looked familiar as well. Kaito somehow managed to avoid slipping as he stood up. Then, making no efforts to defend himself, he called out to the wolf-headed beastman. "Lute!" "Hmm? Why do you know my...? Wait, you'reâ€”!" Lute, the commanding officer of the first squad of Vyade Ula Forstlast's private army, stopped dead in his tracks. At that point, Kaito finally came to a realization. The reason the plants hadn't withered away in this frozen world was because the beastfolk had brought them there. They must have been using them in place of a fence to keep out intruders. What beastfolk lacked in magical prowess they made up for in their peculiar brand of engineering. Armor and magical tools made from the corpses of their comrades and plants that could grow inside buildings without any soil were just a few examples. It made total sense for them to have developed breeds of plants that were resilient to the cold. At any rate, Kaito found it a great relief that the beastfolk he'd run into had been people he knew. He opened his mouth, about to casually ask them how they were doing. At the last moment, though, he swallowed his words. No, no, no, no, no... This isn't some situation where I can just stroll up and say, long time no see. This was the first time Lute had seen him after Jeanne had forcibly taken him away. And ever since then, the situation had gone completely pear-shaped. The relationship diagram of the people Kaito was involved with had grown more tangled by the minute. And above all else, they were currently standing at the World's End. Under normal circumstances, people couldn't even reach it without being told its precise location. And I don't have any idea what Lute and his men are doing here. Depending on what their objective was, they could very well perceive Kaito as an enemy. And even if they didn't, the way he'd just suddenly appeared was suspicious in the extreme. Having their reunion take place due to him getting caught in their guard netting could hardly be regarded as desirable. Kaito clutched his head. He could feel a headache coming on. Man, why couldn't we have reunited under some easier-to-explain circumstances? â€”Wait, hwah! "Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Sir Kaito, you're alive!" All Kaito's concerns were blown away in an instant. A hearty smile spread across Lute's face as he unhesitatingly wrapped Kaito up in an embrace, his thick, burly arms holding Kaito firmly in place. Perhaps getting slightly carried away, Lute swung Kaito from side to side as he spoke in a tone full of heartfelt delight. "You're alive, you're alive, thank goodness you're alive! Oh, could there even be a more joyous reunion?! How wonderful it is that you survived! Look, everyone, it's Sir Kaito! He's alive!" Lute set Kaito down and gave him an affectionate thump on the back. Feeling woozy, Kaito pitched forward, nearly toppling to the ground. As he did, Lute's subordinates surged toward him. One after another, they thrust their oafish, gloved hands into his and shook. "We missed you! Captain Lute is right; it's wonderful to see you alive." "You look well. That's good to see." "We were all so worried about you." "Oh, uh, thanks, you too, nice to see you all." Thoroughly flummoxed, Kaito did his best to respond to his overly enthusiastic welcome. While he did, though, another part of his brain coldly analyzed each beastperson's reaction. However, much to his surprise, not a single one of them cast so much as a doubtful glance his way. Wait, seriously? Should they really be welcoming me so openly? Kaito was taken somewhat aback. At the same time, however, he felt a strong feeling wash over him. Lute had once told him that beastfolk took much more pride in repaying debts than humans did. It would seem that he hadn't been lying. The words of celebration eventually died down, and all the hands were successfully shaken. The mood was amiable and calm. "Very good, very good." Lute nodded in satisfaction. At long last, though, he cocked his head in puzzlement. "Hmm? But, Sir Kaito, whatever are you doing at the World's End?" "Wait, don't tell me you only just started wondering that." "And for that matter, whatever became of you after you were taken away by that eerie golden girl?" Lute's questions were starting to come out in force. Kaito nodded. In the midst of the storm of greetings and handshakes, he'd been hard at work trying to straighten out all the information in his head. He opened his mouth, prepared to begin explaining the particulars. "Okay, Lute. You gotta promise not to get too freaked out. Right after that, Iâ€”" It was at that moment that the crunching sound of ice being shaved away began growing audible from afar. The timing was atrocious. Oh, shit, thought Kaito as he spun to look behind himself. But he was already too late. New colors were visible atop the snow-white hill. The silver, black, and gold were especially eye-catching. Leading the group was a twisted silver machine. Right behind it was a young woman wearing a risquÃ© bondage dress running alongside a maid, and floating a ways behind them was a man dressed like an aristocrat. And dashing along calmly directly beside him was a young lady wearing a white bondage dress comprised of little more than just belts. When you see them from a distance, they look kinda weird, don't they? "Kaitoooooo! Are you okaaaaaaaaaay? I was a bit careless back thereâ€”I'll admit to that! Having you die on me like this would haunt not just my dreams but my waking hours as well!" "Master Kaitooooooooooooo, are you all riiiiiiiiiight? You're okay, riiiiiiight?! If you aren't, I'll be sure to follow right afterrrrrrrrrrrrr!" "Good heavens, what a troublesome man he is. Sheesh, it's a miracle he managed to get himself a wife." "I find myself agreeing, but hold on a minute... A wife? Now that I think about it, did my dear successor swear an eternal oath with that automaton I made? Boasting of loving a doll is an absurdity among absurdities, but I suppose the same could be said of a human partner as well. Love is pleasant enough as a temporary indulgence, but it's far too insubstantial a delusion to spend one's whole life bound to. Human or doll, that fact remains unchanged. But that's not the important part. That doll is a creation of mine, which means...that in a sense, he's become my son-in-law both in name and in substance?" The group's ramblings were just as self-indulgent as always. There was no background noise to interrupt them, so their voices traveled well. Kaito especially wanted to declare his staunch objection to Vlad's assertion. But now wasn't the time for that. Oh, shit. The beastman's eyes had come to a stop on the girl in the questionable white bondage dressâ€”the golden Torture Princess with honey-blond locks and sparkling gold adornments, Jeanne de Rais. Their tails were jutting out from their coats, and they all puffed up in unison. The beastfolk grabbed for their weapons and went on high alert. Elisabeth noticed their change in demeanor and came to an abrupt stop. Her expression turned grave, and she reached out and snagged Hina by the collar. Hina responded by kicking and squirming, wanting nothing more than to dash over to Kaito's side. "What are you doing, Lady Elisabeth? Master Kaito is right there in front of us, Lady Elisabeth. All I have to do to be with my beloved husband is walk straight forward, Lady Elisabeth!" "Calm yourself. Look around him. He's surrounded by beastfolk, but... I see. He must have gotten himself caught on the guard netting they're wont to place around their campsites. Little matter, that, though... Although it seems we arrived a tad too early to join up with them and a tad too late." With only a glance, Elisabeth had read the situation like a book. Back in the underground tomb, Kaito had told Elisabeth all about what had happened when he was on the run. In other words, she knew about the grave injuries the golden Torture Princess had inflicted on Lute and his men when she'd whisked Kaito away from the beastfolk lands. Jeanne herself, on the other hand, seemed utterly nonchalant about the whole situation. Jeanne de Rais is the oppressor of slaves, the saint, the whore...and the self-proclaimed maiden of salvation. According to Jeanne, salvation could be obtained only by human deeds. And she was haughtier than both God and Diablo. She probably didn't even harbor a shred of guilt toward those she'd sacrificed with noble intentions. As though to provide proof of that, Jeanne turned to the beastfolk and began casually tossing cruelties their way. "Oh, why, it's been some time. You seem to be in better health than I expected. How nice. Y'all are a bunch of sturdy old pups." "Positions!" Lute shouted, his voice tinged with rage. The sounds of swords being drawn could be heard, one after another in succession. Bows stretched to their limits. Dammit, they're practically at each other's throats already. If a fight