After parting ways with Flare and the others, I, Lycia, and Iris hurriedly evacuated the area.

If possible, I wanted to send Iris back to the Grace household, even if just her.

As that thought pushed me forward, it appeared before us...

“—No way...”

A lifeform with a sinister, jet-black body that didn’t seem human.

I spat out its identity in disbelief.

“A Lesser Demon...”

To think a third one would appear here.

This was completely outside of my expectations.

At this point, there was only one option left.

“Lycia! Take Iris and get out of here!”

“But, Master, if I do that—!”

“I can buy you a few minutes! Go now!”

“—Understood!”

Lycia nodded with a pained expression and took Iris by the hand.

“No way! You’re leaving big brother behind!?”

“It’s necessary! We cannot betray his wishes!”

Hearing Lycia’s words, Iris hesitated briefly but then followed her away.

Once I confirmed they had gone, I turned back to face the Lesser Demon.

I had to find a way to buy some time.

“...Target. Not. You.”

“What?”

But just as I steeled myself, the Lesser Demon muttered something incomprehensible.

Its sharp gaze then turned toward Lycia and Iris.

“The scent. Stronger over there. Targeting them.”

“Not a chance! Decoy!”

I activated a decoy to divert its attention back to me.

But for some reason, the Lesser Demon ignored the effect and headed straight for Lycia and Iris.

“Damn it—!”

This was completely unexpected.

While I could fend off incoming attacks with precise calculations,
I stood no chance in a simple chase.

The physical capabilities of a Lesser Demon far outstripped mine.

“Lycia! Iris!”

All I could do was call out their names.

Noticing the demon’s focus had shifted to them, both stopped in their tracks.

“Eek!”

“I won’t allow this! Flame Of Envy!”

A jet-black flame surged toward the Lesser Demon.

“Pointless!”

“What? It’s ignoring the damage!?”

The attack had definitely hit its mark, but the demon pushed through, undeterred.

Its claws swiped toward Lycia and Iris—

“RAAAGH!”

“—?! Gah!”

Right before impact, something intervened.

A person? No, that wasn’t it.

A massive wolf, over two meters tall with a coat of brilliant white fur, slammed into the Lesser Demon, knocking it away.

Wait... that wolf—

I turned my gaze to Iris, who stood behind the wolf.

In her arms, the familiar stuffed animal was no longer there.

Instead, Iris stared into the void, her voice trembling in disbelief.

“A Puppeteer evolving into a Puppet Master... What does that even mean?”

“This is—!”

It was the moment a new Puppet Master was born into the world.