The Truth of the World of 85

Though the deal had been struck, Kurama had no intention of pursuing what Roy would do with the Philosopher’s Stone he’d received—whom he’d given it to for research, or how that research was progressing. In fact, since the agreement, Kurama had barely seen Roy at all. During the time the Major was feigning illness in the hospital, Kurama had taken the opportunity to grant himself a proper holiday, wandering all through Central City with Mokona at his side, savoring delicacies from every street and alley, and at the same time keeping an eye out for his next objective—a young girl named Mei, newly arrived from Xing, who possessed the wondrous art of alkahestry, a practice related to but fundamentally different from alchemy.

The girl’s distinct hairstyle and attire made her instantly recognizable, not to mention the tiny panda she carried everywhere—a national treasure that no one from the East could fail to recognize even in miniature. These traits made Kurama’s search considerably more efficient.

Of course, with the Demon World dandelions at his disposal, Kurama hardly needed to conduct the search himself. Still, the upper echelons of Central’s military had been increasing their surveillance of Roy and his trusted team, and Kurama felt that unless he made himself conspicuously active—appearing “frequently in motion”—it would seem far more suspicious, as if he were silently proclaiming, “I have secrets! I’m deeply embedded! I know everything!” That would only raise his threat level in their eyes.

The fox spirit saw no reason to let himself fall prey to such a predicament, so he simply followed the example of Riza and Roy’s other subordinates, always presenting himself as busy and preoccupied. What he was really doing, and whether he was truly acting under Roy’s orders, was a secret known only to Kurama.

After all, the military’s intelligence network was nothing compared to the reach of his dandelions, which could gather information both great and small at any time. Yet as this thought crossed his mind, Kurama recalled that there was, in fact, an artificial being in Central City whose surveillance abilities could, to some extent, rival those of his little dandelions. The name… was it Pride? Or perhaps something similar?

In any case, it had been so long—and the character was such a minor one (or was he?)—that Kurama couldn’t quite recall the name. But as long as he remembered the identity, everything could be dealt with.

Selim Bradley, adopted son of President King Bradley, and the first homunculus ever created.

Although Kurama had remembered this figure somewhat late, the fox’s natural caution had always prevailed: whenever conducting secret talks with Roy’s group, he would deploy his protective barriers, and the illusion spores were always in effect, their functions shifting as required. Thus, even if that “Pride” had been monitoring Roy’s group all along, he would have found nothing out of the ordinary.

This realization allowed Kurama to relax a little, but also made him more serious. He began to recall every plot detail he could remember. It was then that he firmly decided on his next target: Mei. Not for her mastery of alkahestry, but for—

Yes, for that tiny panda named Xiao Mei.

Kurama thought that little creature and his own Mokona were likely to share a kindred spirit. After all the worlds they’d traversed together, he’d never seriously tried to find Mokona a true companion. Mokona always adapted to him; the fox felt a pang of guilt for his little friend.

So, while Roy’s plans unfolded, Kurama wanted to take Mokona out to explore, and perhaps, for a few days, find a small, adorable companion to keep Mokona company—even if only briefly, it would make the white bun happy, so he wouldn’t always be forced to revolve his world around Kurama.

It had to be said, Kurama and Mokona’s concern for each other was truly the same. One, only days ago, had been considering whether to introduce Mokona to a humanoid companion—not just himself; the other was now thinking of finding a creature of similar size to accompany his treasured friend.

Neither had confessed these thoughts to the other; it was simply their own private contemplation.

Thus, when Kurama took Mokona out to wander Central City in recent days, Mokona never suspected any deeper motive, believing it was no different from their usual adventures across the worlds.

It wasn’t until one day, after a winding walk through a remote slum alley, they stumbled upon Mei and her miniature panda. Kurama greeted the girl with unusual warmth, and after considerable effort, finally earned her trust and favor. Only then did he, a little embarrassed, confess, “I hope Mokona and your Xiao Mei can get along well,” and in that moment, Mokona finally realized Kurama’s intention.

The white bun’s mouth quivered, and he nearly burst into tears, wanting to leap into Kurama’s arms.

He finally understood why, despite the dandelions’ surveillance, Kurama had insisted on touring every corner of Central, from the bustling districts to the abandoned slums. It was all for him—Kurama had been thinking of him all along!

Mokona clung tightly to Kurama’s neck with his tiny paws, refusing to lift his head from the fox’s embrace.

Kurama was both touched and helpless.

In the end, he spent a long while gently rubbing the little one’s soft belly, coaxing him with kind words until Mokona finally showed his face and greeted the miniature panda named Xiao Mei.

Once the ice was broken, the two little creatures quickly became playmates. Xiao Mei, though fierce in appearance, was truly just a naive, silly thing, and soon she and Mokona were off in a corner, engaged in some private conversation. Seeing their happiness, Mei trusted and liked Kurama all the more.

This little girl had crossed the desert alone, seeking the secret of immortality in a foreign land, bearing the hopes of her entire clan. So young, yet so sensible and well-behaved, it was almost unnatural. Kurama, at first, had only approached her to find a playmate for Mokona, but as their conversation deepened, he couldn’t help but sincerely admire and grow fond of this resilient child. The fox began to consider, stroking his chin thoughtfully, the possibility of lending her a hand.

As for the Philosopher’s Stone, he truly was indifferent. Otherwise, he would never have handed over the one he’d obtained to Roy without complaint, letting him do as he pleased with it.

Though it was part of their bargain, Kurama’s attitude toward the Philosopher’s Stone was nothing like his previous worlds’ treasures—he didn’t regard it with particular seriousness or desire. After all, the ingredients for its creation left a knot in his heart; he was content with the idea of collecting one if possible, and not minding if he couldn’t. In this world, his goal was mostly to wait until Mokona had recharged enough energy for them to leave, rather than to seek a set number of Philosopher’s Stones.

Helping Mei a little was certainly within his means, though the method required further thought.

However, before he could settle on a plan, Roy made his move.

“We’ve decided to report a grave secret to the high command—the fact that the President is a homunculus.”

After Edward returned to Central and battled Scar, the infamous State Alchemist Killer, in the city center—exposing the existence of homunculi and confirming the horrifying truth that the President himself was one—Roy, after much struggle and debate, made this decision.

Kurama offered no opinion.

He knew full well that Roy’s action would not only fail to alert the military’s upper ranks, but would in fact—

In fact, it would place Roy and everyone he cared about in grave danger.

The reason was simple: the upper echelons had long since rotted away. Every high-ranking officer of at least brigadier general rank who held any real power had already been seduced by the promise of immortality offered by the homunculi and their “Father.” They were all complicit, fully aware of the ongoing experiments—using the nation’s entire population as materials for a vast nationwide transmutation circle to manufacture Philosopher’s Stones, as well as the secret human experimentation since the country’s founding. They believed this was just a necessary “small pain” on the path to revolution.

The nation’s core leadership was utterly decayed, and this was something Roy did not yet know—

One of the world’s many truths.

Kurama had no intention of stopping Roy. Some things could only be judged by those about to experience them firsthand; no one else is qualified to decide for them—this is their own life.

There were matters Kurama could intervene in, and others he could not. The fox’s reason always kept him mindful of the boundaries between what should and should not be done.

“Kurama always claims he’s selfish, but Mokona thinks he’s really very gentle and never truly does anything that would harm others.”

This was Mokona’s assessment after learning of Kurama’s decision.

“That’s why Yuuko said Kurama is a remarkable person.”

“…Huh? Miss Yuuko said that about me?”

“Yes, when Watanuki carried me and Larg from the storeroom, she said so on the way.”

“Is that so… So that’s why Miss Yuuko was willing to let me have Mokona? I know you’re her precious treasure, not something she’d entrust lightly.”

“Hehe~ Mokona is priceless~~”

“Of course, of course~ Mokona is the cutest of all! Mwah~”

…Well then.

Though their conversation had somehow devolved into this rather saccharine display of affection, the witch of dimensions’ praise for Kurama was genuine.

On the day Roy set his plan in motion, Kurama prepared a triggered protective plant for every member of the close-knit team, ensuring they’d have a chance to survive in a crisis. After leaving a letter on Roy’s desk, he turned smartly and… made his escape.

He knew that once Roy’s whistle-blowing ended with both him and the Elric brothers under the thumb of the military and the homunculi, Roy’s subordinates would be scattered to various command posts across the country.

Kurama had stayed with Roy for convenience’s sake, but now, with danger of arbitrary reassignment or even being targeted, there was no reason to linger.

As for how to explain his “disappearance”…

He trusted that Roy would come up with a perfect excuse.

Without a care, Kurama tossed that burden onto the Major’s shoulders, and with Mokona in tow, set off in a leisurely fashion to find Mei and her panda.

＊＊＊

Several days had passed since he’d last seen the girl and her panda, so Kurama had no idea that Xiao Mei was actually missing.

Therefore, when the fox followed the dandelions’ directions and found the girl, she was tracking someone with Scar, the avenger of the Ishvalan people.

Kurama barely had time to speak before Mei pulled him along to join their “pursuing army.”

Just as he was worrying about an excuse to stay with them, the fox feigned confusion and quickly fell in step, running beside them.

But as they continued, Kurama began to sense something was off…

“Mei, are we… heading underground? And where’s Xiao Mei?”

“Xiao Mei is missing—we’re following those two ahead of us to find her, but I have no idea where this path leads…”

The girl shook her head; clearly, she was tense. She described the place as “strange, as if there are things crawling beneath our feet.”

Kurama shivered at her words.

He had the nagging sense he’d forgotten something important—until, after they fought off a horde of chimeras, he remembered exactly what it was—

That arc! The one where the Elric brothers and Scar first encountered their “Father” in the homunculi’s underground headquarters!

Kurama silently covered his face.

He wasn’t ready to confront this world’s final boss so soon! Now was truly not the time!

Yet, seeing the valiant Mei by his side, Kurama had no choice but to stay.

So, after battling their way through the chimeras, they burst into the homunculi’s underground lair—and in the instant their eyes met, Kurama and Edward both pointed at each other and shouted (one out of genuine surprise, the other feigning it):

“Edward Elric?!”

“The Major’s new adjutant?!”

“What are you doing here?!” x2

They stared wide-eyed at each other, and for a moment, the entire vast underground chamber fell silent at their cries…