After Stelle used the Clockwork Trick, the Bloodhound suddenly felt inexplicably irritated.
Looking at Stelle and Firefly in front of him, an unexplainable anger rose in his heart.
'Why?'
'Why do you two get to happily spend time together while I have to squat here alone on guard during such a wonderful time?'
'Damn it!'
Looking at Stelle standing before him, he said angrily, "How many times have I said it? Construction area, no entry without permission!"
"You two! Do you have to show off right in front of me? Then don't blame me for getting rough!"
Although Stelle knew his behavior was caused by her Clockwork Trick, since he'd already said that much, how could she back down?
Besides, someone was watching from behind.
So the little raccoon raised her chin and copied the disdainful attitude Nero usually had toward enemies.
"Come on. Let's see what you've got."
She tilted her head up slightly, putting on a lofty pose. She stretched out one hand, palm facing upward, pointed a finger at the Bloodhound, curled it toward herself, and shouted,
"Come over here!"
Seeing how arrogant Stelle was, how could the Bloodhound put up with it?
He immediately stamped his foot in anger.
"Ha, you brought this on yourself! But don't get too cocky. I've seen plenty of people like you!"
"You rely on your youth and energy, afraid of neither heaven nor earth. You loaf around every day, stir up trouble, think only of yourselves, and contribute nothing to society!"
"For little brats like you who ignore the rules, I'll set you straight. Come on, Dreamjolt Troupe! Teach them a good lesson!"
With that, the Bloodhound waved his hand and called over a whole group of helpers, including televisions, Soda Dogs, and the like.
Stelle naturally didn't hesitate at all. She pulled out her baseball bat and declared, "Rules are made to be broken."
The two sides instantly clashed.
Firefly hesitated for a moment behind her before calling out, "I... I'll help you!"
Then she rushed in as well. But whether it was using SAM or her light sword, both were a bit too dangerous, so she only threw in some punches and kicks from the side, leaving the main damage to Stelle.
It didn't take long before the Bloodhound was defeated.
His back hurt badly from being hit by the baseball bat.
But at this moment, his chest hurt even more, because the white-haired girl had punched him there.
The Bloodhound clutched his chest, finding it a little hard to breathe, his face full of pain.
"Damn it... I actually lost... Is this... the power of youth...?"
Even while suffering, he also felt a little relieved.
Fortunately, these two incredibly strong girls hadn't aimed for his stomach. If they accidentally beat the crap out of him, that would have been unbelievably embarrassing.
Though this was a dream, so that probably wouldn't happen.
Then again, you couldn't be completely sure. After all, people could still wet the bed or soil it in their sleep.
Standing slightly behind Stelle, Firefly timidly withdrew her hand. She secretly glanced at Stelle, and seeing that she didn't seem to notice anything unusual, she let out a sigh of relief.
Then she looked at the Bloodhound again.
He suddenly seemed to remember something. His eyes filled with remembrance and sadness. Then, in a tone much like Argenti's, delivering his lines like an actor in a stage play, he said, "If I'd had this kind of strength back then, Miya... would we have had a different ending?"
The Bloodhound took a deep breath, then spoke to the two girls in a dejected voice that sounded as if he had aged decades in an instant.
"You may go. Enjoy the victor's privilege to your heart's content..."
Firefly blinked, looking a little embarrassed. She looked at the Bloodhound as if he were crazy.
"...Th-thank you..."
Then she quickly pulled Stelle past the Bloodhound and headed deeper inside.
At the same time, she said to Stelle, "Did he get a little too into character? But at least we got through... Let's hurry. I didn't expect we'd get in this easily. The Clockwork Trick is amazing."
After the two girls left, the Bloodhound clutched his chest and knelt on one knee. Gritting his teeth, his face was filled with stubbornness as two streams of tears slowly ran down his cheeks.
"Damn it... I'm just someone following orders to guard the gate. Why do I have to suffer like this..."