The sharp sting of antiseptic burned against Rie’s wound, but the pain was secondary to the shock coursing through her veins. The battle with the magic wolves had left her breathless, but what truly unsettled her was the man in silver armor crouched beside her. His every move was precise, methodical, his glowing visor flickering with faint blue light as he assessed her injuries.

  Lieutenant Gamma—that was the name he had given them.

  His hands were steady as he treated her wound, his armored fingers surprisingly gentle as they worked through unfamiliar yet efficient techniques. Rie had never seen medicine like this before—the strange liquid he applied had a cooling sensation, and within moments, the pain dulled to a mere ache.

  “The disinfectant will keep the infection away,” Gamma said. His voice was calm, but there was a trace of something else—disinterest? Detachment? It was difficult to tell. “You took a nasty bite, but you should be fine. Can you walk?”

  Rie’s lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, a small, involuntary hum escaped her throat—more a sound of discomfort than an actual response.

  Gamma tilted his head slightly, as if processing the noise. Then, without another word, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

  “W-Wait, what are you—”

  Before she could protest, she found herself cradled in his arms, carried with an ease that made it seem like she weighed nothing at all.

  It wasn’t that Rie disliked being carried—it was the fact that this stranger had done so without hesitation, as if it were a natural response. And worse, it was in the bridal style, which—by human customs—was far too intimate.

  “P-Put me down!” she stammered, her cheeks burning.

  Gamma didn’t react. “You’re injured. This is the most efficient way to transport you.”

  Yumi, who had been watching the whole exchange, burst into laughter. “Oh, wow. Rie, I never thought you’d be the type to get princess-carried by a man from the stars.”

  “I am NOT being princess-carried!”

  “I don’t know... sure looks like it.”

  “YUMI!”

  Gamma ignored their banter, his visor flickering briefly as he adjusted his grip to ensure Rie wouldn’t fall. “This is how injured individuals are transported on my world,” he explained flatly. “Is there an issue?”

  “Yes!” Rie squirmed. “You didn’t even ask!”

  Gamma seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. “Understood. I will request permission next time.”

  “Next time?! That’s not the—just put me down already!”

  “Negative. Your body is still recovering from trauma.”

  Rie groaned in frustration, but she could already tell it was a losing battle.

  Yumi, meanwhile, was nearly doubling over in laughter. “Oh, Rie, you’ve officially met someone more stubborn than you!”

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  By the time they reached Hanamura Village, the festival had wound down, leaving only the soft glow of lanterns and the distant hum of laughter in the night air.

  But as Gamma stepped through the village gates—carrying Rie no less—all eyes turned to them.

  Murmurs spread like wildfire.

  “Who is that?”

  “His armor... that’s not from any kingdom I’ve seen.”

  “Is that Rie? What happened to her?”

  Rie felt heat creep up her neck. She was used to drawing attention because of her demon heritage, but this was on a completely different level. She could already imagine the rumors: The Lone Demon Girl, saved and carried home by a Mysterious Warrior.

  Yumi, utterly unbothered, waved at the villagers with a grin. “Hey, everyone! We kinda got attacked by magic wolves, but it’s fine now! This guy saved us!”

  More whispers.

  Gamma, however, did not react at all to the stares and whispers. He simply strode forward, stopping only when an elderly man approached them—the village elder.

  His aged eyes narrowed at Gamma, then flickered to Rie. “You’re hurt.”

  “I’m fine,” Rie mumbled. “He helped.”

  The elder turned back to Gamma. “Stranger... who are you?”

  A pause.

  Then, Gamma replied with a practiced tone. “I am Gamma. I am here on a temporary mission.”

  It was vague—intentionally so.

  “Are you a knight from the capital?” someone asked.

  “No.”

  “A mercenary?”

  “No.”

  “Are you a hero?” a child asked innocently.

  Gamma’s visor turned slightly toward the small girl. “No.”

  At his constant refusals, the villagers exchanged glances.

  “Then what are you?”

  Gamma paused before answering, his voice steady.

  “A traveler.”

  It was neither a lie nor the full truth.

  The elder studied him for a long moment before nodding. “If you have no ill intentions, you are welcome in Hanamura.”

  “Understood,” Gamma replied simply.

  “Then, at least join us for a meal,” the elder offered. “It is the least we can do to thank you for saving our own.”

  Later that night, as the village feasted, Gamma sat away from the festivities, his visor glowing faintly as a transmission crackled through his helmet.

  MOTHERSHIP:Evacuation unit dispatched. Your request for extraction has been approved.

  PERSEUS (Gamma):Affirmative.

  MOTHERSHIP:New mission request: Emergency Priority Code 774-ECHO activated.

  PERSEUS:What’s the objective?

  MOTHERSHIP:Use the code to access your PDA. It will display the locations of scattered cargo units across the planet.

  Your mission is to secure these units immediately.

  Further instructions: Use the provided encryption code to lock the cargo units.

  This ensures that neither locals nor our crew can access or use the technology inside.

  PERSEUS:Understood.

  MOTHERSHIP:Per Codex Protocol: You are authorized to adopt a local identity. Integrate as needed to avoid unnecessary interference with planetary development.

  PERSEUS:Affirmative.

  Gamma cut off the transmission, his mind racing.

  He had landed on this world with one goal—to return home. But now, the mission had changed.

  The scattered cargo across the planet meant that his technology was here, mixed within this medieval society. If the wrong people found it—if it fell into the hands of kings, warlords, or even the strange empire that worshiped a goddess—the consequences could be catastrophic.

  For now, there was only one path forward.

  He had to blend in. He had to find the cargo. And most importantly—he had to keep it out of the wrong hands.

  And that meant staying in this world.

  Gamma’s visor flickered as he looked toward the village, where Rie—the demon girl he had saved—was watching the night sky.

  Perhaps… a friend would make a useful cover.

  For now.