Re:Zero -Starting Life in Zero

"Haha, no problem."

Green looked at Betty with affection, took her little hand, and slowly strolled towards the edge of the camp.

"But why are you spying on that guy? Didn't he volunteer to keep watch?"

"But after everyone fell asleep, Wotox went and ate the beluga whale's soul." Betty shook her head, her golden curly hair swaying.

"This... is still normal, right? He also consumed the soul of Volgam when he was in Mezas territory." Green frowned, somewhat puzzled.

"They're different."

Betty emphasized her words, tightening her grip on Green's small hand. "Last time, to make it easier to digest the soul, he tore it apart before swallowing it. Now, faced with the enormous white whale soul, he's chosen to swallow it whole."

That damned hand mirror better not try to hurt Green, or Betty will definitely crush it into crystals and banish it to the darkest alternate dimension.

Green pondered the meaning behind Betty's words, and a sense of unease began to creep into his heart.

"Swallow it whole...? The soul of the beluga whale..."

As he was pondering, a thought suddenly struck him, and he quickly summoned the pitch-black dark fairy tale book.

The pages were flipped open with a rustling sound, and just as Green had expected, the contents of the book had changed.

[Snow White (Core Character), Unlock Condition: Kill seven demons, 1/7.]

"What exactly is this guy trying to do by preserving the beluga whale's soul?"

It seems we need to conduct a thorough investigation at some point.

Before Green could think any further, a series of orderly footsteps suddenly came from the edge of the camp, mixed with deep animal roars, rustling on the grass and breaking the morning's tranquility.

Turning around, I saw dust rising on the forest path bathed in the morning light, and more than thirty mercenaries riding lion-tiger beasts were heading towards the camp.

At the very front of the group was a figure with purple hair, who was also the only one riding an earth dragon.

His pure white knight's uniform, embroidered with iris emblems, was spotless, and his handsome face wore a gentle yet dignified smile.

Green and the man exchanged a smile and waved from afar.

Only after the group approached did he speak:

"Long time no see, Julius."

"It's good to see you safe and sound, Lord Green, but I regret to inform you that I am not the Julius you speak of, but merely a wanderer known as Yuri."

Julius smiled with lowered eyes, his relaxed tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

He was crowned the kingdom's best knight, but he couldn't accept being reduced to a mercenary, which could be seen as a kind of pride on a spiritual level.

Actually, this guy was adopted by his uncle after his parents died, and went from being a commoner to becoming the heir of a knightly family.

However, this "unorthodox" background, along with the heavy family responsibilities on his shoulders, had long planted a deep anxiety about his self-worth in his heart.

This made him always think about doing his best in order to be worthy of the praise of "the best knight".

Phyllis had spotted Julius's group long ago and happily approached, teasing him familiarly:

"You're only now slowly coming to meet me, Julius, you've got quite the airs."

Julius's face showed an apology, and he responded humbly.

"That puts me in a difficult position, but as arranged by Miss Anna, everyone is inevitably a bit tired after defeating the white whale. At this time, we need a fresh and energetic force to lead the charge."

The moment he finished speaking, he abruptly changed the subject, turned to Green again with a solemn expression, straightened his back, and bowed deeply.

"I sincerely thank Lord Grin for his contributions to the kingdom. To make up for the regret of not being able to fight the White Whale with you, I will do my utmost in the upcoming campaign to eradicate the Witch Cult."

Green reached out and helped Julius up, his face showing gratitude: "The best knight's words are truly reassuring."

Julius was silent for a few seconds, then earnestly repeated his previous words.

"You two seem to have forgotten that there are no knights here. Just call me Yuri."

Phyllis shrugged helplessly and explained to Green, "He's always been like this, you'll get used to it. But it just so happens that Green's plan requires the use of a pseudonym, doesn't it?"

The methods of those madmen in the Witch Cult are far more insidious and difficult to deal with than one might imagine.

The Archbishop of Gluttony, Rae Badenkathos, possesses the power to devour the names and memories of his targets.

However, this power has some limitations. First, you need to know the target's real name. Second, you need to touch the target with your palm and then lick your palm. Only then can you successfully activate the power.

Those whose memories are eaten will lose all memories except common sense; those whose names are eaten will be forgotten by the world.

This information was mentioned in the intelligence provided by Green, who also suggested a plan to fight using aliases.

Julius nodded in understanding, raised his hand and pointed to the mercenaries standing in formation behind him, his voice steady and powerful.

"We've already familiarized ourselves with each other's aliases beforehand, so we can react quickly during battle."

Upon hearing this, Phyllis tapped her chin lightly with her fingertips, her golden eyes darting around as if she had suddenly remembered something.

"Speaking of which, Green-kun hasn't told us yet what your pseudonym will be?"

Upon hearing this, Green paused for a moment, then scratched his head in slight distress.

"I hadn't thought of that. Do you have any recommendations?"

Phyllis blurted out, "Just use their nickname, it's that simple."

"A nickname?"

"It's the name you used when you were drinking milk."

"Oh~" Green suddenly realized, clapped his hands and said, "Then should I call myself Baby Green?"

Phyllis's lips twitched.

"You... still include your real name in it. Change it."

"Then I should call myself Big Bad Guy? Or Dead Ghost or something, it sounds pretty intimidating." Green pondered seriously.

"Phyllis refers to your name when you were a baby and drinking milk! Not what you were called back then!"

The cross-dressing knight couldn't keep up with Green's speed and quickly protested loudly.

Betty was also slightly more lenient, and quietly tugged at Green's sleeve.

"Betty thinks you can call him Prince, like in Beauty and the Beast."

"You are...?"

Julius's gaze fell on Betty, his brows furrowing slowly, his previously relaxed expression instantly turning serious.

He subconsciously took a half step forward and knelt down in front of Betty, his voice filled with undisguised surprise and a sense of pilgrimage.

"I am so rude. I never expected to have a high elf like you here."

Betty turned her head away haughtily, lightly punched Green's waist with her little fist, and crossed her arms in a very smug pose.

"Hmph, you see? Betty is like a treasure, respected wherever she goes. If you don't cherish Betty, she'll... she'll ignore you all day."