It was as if time had just stopped. Aiartelle froze with her mouth wide open. Then, after belatedly closing her mouth, she began to silently consider Eugene’s words.

Hamel — although it was unexpected for this name to have come up, Ariartelle was immediately able to recall whose name it was.

“...The Stupid Hamel?” Ariartelle said hesitantly.

Eugene sighed, “Why not just leave out the Stupid part?”

“Eugene Lionheart, you, a descendant of Vermouth Lionheart, are claiming that you’re the Stupid Hamel?”

“I told you to leave out the Stupid part.”

“...Human, are you seriously trying to make fun of me?” Ariartelle demanded as she stared at Eugene with slightly furrowed eyes.

Although she didn’t release any of that ruthless Dragon Fear, even without that, Eugene could clearly tell that Ariartelle was highly displeased.

After wondering what he could do to make her believe him, Eugene thought of a simple method. He immediately stuck his hand inside his cloak. Ariartelle was slightly startled by this sudden move, but she soon resumed watching Eugene with a calm gaze.

Eugene couldn’t retrieve his hand from inside his cloak right away. This was because Mer had grabbed onto his hand. She was curled up into a ball and trembling inside the cloak. Eugene frowned as he felt Mer’s trembling conveyed through her grip on his hand. But, instead of frowning because of Mer’s resistance, Eugene glared at Ariartelle, who was responsible for attacking them with her Dragon Fear in the first place.

“Hey, she’s terrified because of you,” Eugene complained.

“...What?” Ariartelle asked in a puzzled tone, but instead of answering, Eugene just stroked Mer’s head with his hand that was inside the cloak.

However, her trembling refused to abate. Dragon Fear was spread by scattering mana. Thus, as a familiar, Mer was more sensitive to Dragon Fear than a human, especially because she had a sense of self-awareness that allowed her to be scared of being destroyed.

Eventually, Eugene managed to pull Mer out of the cloak.

“...I’m perfectly fine,” Mer insisted in a shaky voice, even though her body continued to tremble.

“Alright, alright,” Eugene mumbled in comfort as he hugged Mer with one arm. Mer sniffed as she buried her face into Eugene’s chest and handed over Wynnyd, which she had carried out of the cloak with her.

“...I’m not here because I’m afraid,” Mer claimed. “Since you are looking for Wynnyd, I decided to bring it to you myself, Sir Eugene.

“Alright, alright,” Eugene continued to murmur in comfort.

“Since I'd be bored staying...