When Keqing, Xiao, Hoshimi Miyabi, and Tsukishiro Yanagi headed for Hollow Zero, the commander of H.A.N.D. Headquarters also relayed news of Keqing and Hoshimi Miyabi to the Defense Force Headquarters, the Public Security Bureau Headquarters, the Hollow Investigation Bureau Headquarters, and other departments.
For New Eridu right now, these two people were extremely important.
If they could secure the support of the cities behind them—combined with New Eridu's own strength—there might truly be a chance to deal with the Hollow Zero crisis.
At the same time, the commander of H.A.N.D. Headquarters ordered Asaba Harumasa to personally go to Hare's House and, at Keqing's request, inform Sam Li, the Traveler, and the others about their departure for Hollow Zero.
Asaba Harumasa had originally planned to accompany Hoshimi Miyabi to Hollow Zero.
But after receiving the commander's order, he had no choice but to give up the idea and immediately set out for Hare's House.
...
Half an hour later, Asaba Harumasa pulled up in front of Hare's House in a vehicle marked with the emblem of the Hollow Special Operations Unit and stepped out.
The moment he walked inside, he spotted a cat-like person and a girl eating a hamburger.
He had seen them before in the Hollows—the cat girl was Nekomata, and the girl with the hamburger was Anby.
Before he could speak, Nekomata hopped down from the sofa and spoke first.
"Meow, it's you people from the Hollow Special Operations Unit 6 again. Didn't you already take Keqing and Xiao away? What are you back for?"
Asaba Harumasa replied evenly, "I'm here at Miss Keqing's request… May I ask if Mr. Sam Li, Ms. Traveler, and Ms. Hu Tao are here? I have a message for them."
Glancing around the Hare's House, he saw that none of the people he was looking for were present—not even the owner, Nicole.
Nekomata answered, "Sam Li, the Traveler, Hu Tao, and Arataki Itto went with Billy to the video game store on Sixth Street."
Hearing this, Asaba Harumasa let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, thank you."
He was about to leave for the Sixth Street game store when Nekomata quickly called after him.
"What's the message? Just tell me, and I'll pass it along when they get back."
Asaba Harumasa shook his head. "It's not only at Miss Keqing's request—this is also an order from the chief. I must deliver the message to them personally."
With that, he headed out, got into his vehicle, and drove toward Sixth Street.
...
Meanwhile, in the Sixth Street game store, Billy, Arataki Itto, Kazuha, Hu Tao, the Traveler, and Sam Li were gathered around a console playing the latest hit game, Strange Traveling Companions.
As Arataki Itto refreshed the in-game shop again, Paimon quickly shouted, "Stop, stop, Itto—don't refresh! There's a princess, buy her now!"
Itto snapped out of it and purchased the princess companion immediately.
"Alright, I'll listen to you this time…"
Paimon grinned. "Relax, I've got the hang of this game now."
"I don't believe you…" Itto muttered.
Last time he'd followed Paimon's advice, he'd bought a sour orange from the Card King—only for the Card King to refuse to attack. His companions didn't attack either, and they all ended up getting beaten to death by surrounding monsters. Itto had nearly blown a gasket.
Still, the princess companion seemed pretty good this time—especially since she had a bond with the prince. The two together should be a strong pair.
After buying the princess, Itto jumped straight into battle.
Sure enough, the princess and prince companions tore through the monsters, winning the round with ease.
Billy chuckled. "Nice work, Itto."
"Hah! I am a video game genius! This game was made for me!" Itto boasted.
Paimon huffed. "Yeah, and you only won so easily because I told you to buy the princess."
But the game wasn't over yet.
When the battle ended, an altar appeared on-screen selling various items.
Spotting a crying baby among them, Itto frowned. "What's this?"
Billy explained, "That's the child of the princess and the prince…"
Paimon's eyes lit up. "They're already so strong—just imagine their baby! Itto, what are you waiting for? Buy it!"
Agreeing with Paimon, Itto purchased the baby immediately.
However, Billy quickly tried to intervene. "Hold up—that kid's unstable. Not as good as the parents. You'll regret it if you buy—"
Paimon cut him off. "Already bought it."
"…" Itto stared blankly.
Billy covered his face with a sigh. "Forget it… let's hope the kid turns out okay."
The next battle began, and—just as Billy warned—the kid did absolutely nothing, standing there like a lump. He only fired a few bullets when kicked, and was far weaker than the princess and prince before the synthesis.
Itto quickly lost. "Two powerful companions and they give me a weakling son? I could've won that!"
"I told you to think it over," Billy said helplessly. "The kid's unstable—no one can predict how he'll grow."
Paimon scratched her head awkwardly. "…"
As Itto's defeat flashed on the screen, Hu Tao smirked. "My turn. Let me show you how to play."
Paimon warned, "Just don't merge the princess and prince into that kid again—it's useless."
But before they could restart, a figure stepped through the door.
It was Asaba Harumasa, sent by Keqing to find Sam Li and the others.
"I finally found you…" he said, walking quickly toward them.
He had only met them once before in the Hollows, but their faces had stuck in his memory. He instantly recognized the Traveler, Hu Tao, and the others—especially the flying Bangboo hovering nearby.
Paimon eyed him suspiciously. "Who are you? Do we know you?"
"I'm Asaba Harumasa from Hollow Special Operations Unit 6," he said seriously. "We met in the Hollows. Miss Keqing asked me to tell you—she, Mr. Xiao, Section Chief Ya, and Deputy Section Chief Tsukishiro Yanagi have entered the Hollows. They may not return today, so please don't worry."