Within the grand entrance hall of Roswaal's mansion, sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting patterns of light onto the polished floor. Subaru leaned casually against one of the ornate pillars near the main doors, his arms crossed with practiced nonchalance.

From the corner of his eye, he spotted Garfiel sauntering down the corridor, his golden ears flicking lazily as he strolled.

"Hey, Garfiel, can I ask you for a favor?" Subaru leaned forward, clapping his hands together in an exaggerated plea.

Garfiel stopped mid-step, his sharp green eyes darting toward Subaru. "Yeah, Cap'n? Somethin' ya need?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest with an arched brow. "The mood's been a bit stiff here, huh? 'Bout time I loosened it up!"

"You're a real lifesaver!" Subaru rushed forward, wrapping the blond in a sudden, exuberant hug.

Garfiel flinched, turning pink as he scratched his cheek with one clawed finger. "Captain, you're killin' me. So touchy!"

Subaru grinned and stepped back, his face lighting with mock innocence. "Ah, don't act like you don't love it. Anyway, there's something only you can help with!"

The relationship between the Emilia and Anastasia camps had started to flourish—not due to a newfound admiration for Emilia's heroic deeds, but thanks to the discovery of a remarkable new ore within the half-elf's territory. Dubbed "zein," this groundbreaking fuel source boasted unparalleled efficiency, with just a handful capable of powering an entire building for days. Its discovery had sparked a flurry of interest.

Garfiel tilted his head, frowning. "If it's somethin' I can punch, I'm all ears. Otherwise..." He trailed off, crossing his arms. "Shouldn't Otto be handling all this technical, think-y stuff?"

Subaru rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, letting out a nervous laugh. "Well, Garfiel, here's the thing—uh..." Garfiel stared at Subaru expectantly."Everyone's busy right now, so you're—uh—"

"Oh, so I'm yer last resort. Gotcha." Garfiel huffed, looking away. His golden ears twitched, signaling his irritation. "Come to me after exhaustin' every other option. Real touchin', Cap'n."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Subaru stumbled forward, throwing an arm over the teen's shoulders."That's not it at all! I didn't pick you because I had to—I picked you because you're the only one who can do this!"

Garfiel peeked at him out of the corner of his eye, skepticism clear on his face. "That so?" he drawled. "What's the job?"

Subaru straightened, taking a deep breath. "Escort mission," he said simply. "Anastasia's sending a merchant to pick up a shipment of zein—that new ore we just found—and they specifically requested someone strong and capable to see it through. Someone reliable. Someone POWERFUL." He emphasized the last word with dramatic flair.

Garfiel's gaze shifted, his expression softening under the praise. He raised a hand to rub under his nose, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Well, when ya put it that way... guess I really am the best man for the job!"

Subaru sighed in relief, hiding a triumphant grin. "Exactly. I knew you'd be perfect for this. Let me go arrange—"

"Hold up," Garfiel interrupted, holding up a hand. "No need to call for a wagon or one'a those lazy lizards. I can handle it on foot. Fast 'n clean." He flexed his arms for emphasis.

Subaru blinked. "But Garfiel, it's—"

"No buts, Captain." Garfiel gave Subaru a firm pat on the back that nearly sent him stumbling. "Ya just gotta trust me on this one!"

Before Subaru could argue, Garfiel turned on his heel and stormed out, his confidence radiating off him as he disappeared through the door.

As Garfiel's footsteps faded, Subaru slumped forward, letting out a deep breath. "Whew," he muttered. "That was nerve-wracking."

"Good work, Subaru!" a familiar voice chirped.

He looked up to see Emilia peeking out from behind a door, her silver hair shimmering as it caught the light. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she clasped her hands together, unable to hide her enthusiasm. "You did it, Subaru! Garfiel agreed to take the mission—just as we planned!"

Behind her, Ram leaned casually against the doorframe, her expression a mix of disapproval and weariness. She exhaled audibly, shaking her head. "Barely. You almost ruined everything, Barusu." Her sharp gaze turned toward him, cutting like a knife. "Good thing that overgrown housecat is even dumber than you."

Subaru winced, his grin faltering for a moment. "Come on, Ram, give me some credit! That was top-tier acting." He gestured grandly, as if bowing after a performance.

Ram merely rolled her eyes, looking unimpressed. "If you call flailing around and sweating bullets 'acting,' then I suppose you're right. Impressive, indeed."

Subaru raised a thumb, flashing his usual confident smile. "Step one, complete," he declared. "Now it's up to them to handle the rest."

"So let me get this straight... you're helping another camp?" Ricardo raised a brow, one claw scratching idly at the fur on his head as he leaned against the wall.

Anastasia laughed delicately behind her gloved hand, her violet eyes gleaming with a mischievous sparkle. "Helping? Don't make it sound so noble, Ricardo. It's just a mutually beneficial agreement." Her grin grew wider as she continued, her voice dripping with amusement. "Mimi spends a couple of days with Garfiel, and we secure a 100-year reduction on taxes. A win-win, wouldn't you say?"

Ricardo's ear twitched, his tail flicking in subtle irritation. "A hundred years..." he echoed, his tone half-impressed, half-embarrassed. "A deal that long ain't exactly… subtle, Boss."

"Oh, please," Anastasia replied breezily, examining her nails as though the entire situation bored her. "If the half-elf didn't bother to read the contract properly, is it really our fault? I was more than willing to adjust it if she'd asked."

Ricardo sighed, shaking his head. He could vividly remember how Emilia had enthusiastically signed her name, practically skipping back to show Subaru what she'd accomplished. She'd hardly even glanced at the terms. Ricardo grunted. "Using someone's kindness against 'em... Ain't that a little—"

"BOSS!" Mimi's voice burst through the door as she flung it open, nearly toppling over in her excitement. Her wide grin stretched from ear to ear, her orange tail whipping back and forth like a blur. "Is it true?! Is Mimi gonna help Garf out?"

Before Anastasia could answer, Mimi launched herself forward, wrapping tightly around her leader's waist and gazing up at her with stars sparkling in her eyes.

Anastasia crouched slightly, running a hand through Mimi's soft fur in a calming motion. "That's right, Mimi-chan," she said sweetly, her tone playful. "I made sure you'll have him all to yourself. You're welcome." Her smile widened into something sly.

"WAHH! THANK YOU, BOSS!" Mimi squealed, her arms squeezing Anastasia in a hug so tight it made Ricardo wince just watching.

Ricardo pinched the bridge of his nose with an exasperated sigh, stepping closer. "You better make somethin' outta this, you little ball of fur," he muttered, planting his large hand firmly on her head.

Mimi leaped away from Anastasia and saluted Ricardo with all the vigor her tiny body could muster. "Don't worry, Mimi's gonna catch Gar Gar with her fangs! He won't escape me this time!" Her grin was almost feral, though still infused with her signature charm.

Ricardo barked a laugh. "Now that's the spirit!" he said, ruffling her hair as Anastasia looked on, clearly entertained by the exchange.

A knock at the door interrupted the moment. Ricardo's ears swiveled toward the sound, while Anastasia gracefully straightened her posture.

"Come in," she called.

A messenger entered, bowing deeply before speaking. "My lady, Garfiel has arrived to escort the merchant."

Perfect timing. Anastasia's lips curled upward in anticipation.

Moments later, Garfiel strode into the room with his usual confidence, head held high and a self-assured grin on his face. "Right, I'm here for the mission!" he announced loudly. But as his eyes swept over the room, they landed on a certain ball of energy.

Mimi.

His grin faltered almost instantly. "Oh no..."

Mimi's ears perked up at the sight of him. With a gleeful cry, she sprinted toward him, her tail wagging behind her like a banner. "GARF!"

Garfiel reacted fast, holding out his hand to stop her before she could launch herself into him. She collided with his palm and pouted, her ears flattening in playful protest. "Hey, no fair!"

"I ain't here to deal with you, short-stuff," Garfiel growled, his golden tail flicking behind him in agitation. "This is official business! Serious stuff. No room for games." He adjusted his stance, trying to regain his sense of superiority.

"That's where you're wrong!" Anastasia interjected, her voice teasing. "Mimi will actually be accompanying you on this mission."

His entire posture stiffened as his eyes darted between Anastasia, Ricardo, and Mimi, all of whom looked far too pleased with themselves. "This ain't a joke, right?"

Mimi beamed up at him, standing proudly. "No joke! Mimi's your partner for this mission!"

Ricardo clapped Garfiel on the back, his heavy paw nearly sending the younger man stumbling. "Good luck, tiger. You're gonna need it with this little whirlwind tagging along."

"Whirlwind?!" Mimi huffed, puffing out her cheeks in exaggerated indignation. "Mimi's fun! Isn't it better with me around, Gar Gar?"

Garfiel turned his head, avoiding her hopeful gaze. "Yeah, right," he muttered.

Mimi's tail lashed in outrage. "GAR! You!" She lunged at his leg, clamping her tiny teeth around him.

"OW! Hey! Cut it out!" Garfiel shouted, shaking his leg to no avail. When shaking didn't work, he crouched and tried pulling her off with his hands—only for her claws to dig into his boot for extra grip.

"Say Mimi can come!" she demanded, her voice muffled by his pants.

Garfiel groaned, throwing up his hands in defeat. "FINE! You can come! Now let go already!"

With a triumphant cry, Mimi released his leg and stood tall, her ears perked high with glee.

"Alright, you two," Anastasia said smoothly, stepping forward to address them. "The wagon is ready and waiting at the gate. Head there and get moving. Oh, and one more thing..."

She leaned in close to Garfiel, her voice lowering to a sharp whisper that sent a chill down his spine. "Make sure nothing happens to Mimi. If she comes back with so much as a scratch, someone's paying—and it won't be me."

Garfiel swallowed hard, standing straighter as Ricardo chuckled behind Anastasia. "You heard her, tiger. No scratches."

With Mimi gripping his hand and practically dragging him toward the door in her excitement, Garfiel barely managed a wave at Ricardo before stumbling forward. "Ugh, slow down, will ya?!"

Mimi ignored him entirely, bouncing forward with unstoppable energy. "Let's go, Gar Gar! We're gonna have so much fun!"

Watching the pair leave, Ricardo smirked and folded his arms. "Think this deal's worth a century's taxes, Boss?"

Anastasia smiled, her gaze following their retreating forms. "Absolutely. The show alone is priceless."

The sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange as the beastly pair approached the carriage. Standing beside it was a young man who looked to be in his twenties, dressed in a crisp, elegant suit. His merchant's smile was warm, but Garfiel caught the faint twitch of nervousness in his expression as they drew closer.

"Evenin', mate. Name's Garfiel Tinsel, and I'm yer escort for this trip," the blond feline announced, stepping forward with a sharp grin and reaching out a hand for a handshake. His tone was firm, confident.

The merchant extended his hand cautiously, but before they could make contact—

"We're your escorts, thank you very much!" Mimi darted between them, bouncing on her toes like an overexcited puppy. She planted her fists on her hips, puffing out her chest in exaggerated pride.

Garfiel groaned, dragging a hand down his face while the merchant chuckled politely. "Right, yeah, I guess it's the two of us," Garfiel muttered, already regretting his decision.

"My name is Tusk," the man introduced himself with a short bow. "I'll be relying on you two to ensure the trip goes smoothly, Mr. Garfiel and Miss...?" He hesitated, glancing at Mimi with curiosity.

"Mimi!" she chirped, beaming. Then, with a sudden dramatic pose, she added, "Don't worry, Mr. Tusk! With me and Gar-Gar on the job, you've got the ultimate dream team!"

"Gar-Gar?" Tusk asked, his brow lifting in faint confusion.

"Don't call me that!" Garfiel barked, his voice bordering on a growl.

But Mimi wasn't listening. She spun toward him, waggling a teasing finger. "Oh, don't be shy, Garfiel~ You love it when I use nicknames!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she clasped her hands to her cheeks like an adoring fangirl. "So cute when you're all flustered, Gar-Gar!"

Garfiel's ears flattened as his cheeks lit up pink. "I'M NOT CUTE!" he snapped, taking a half-step forward.

"Eek, scary!" Mimi gasped theatrically before darting around the carriage with a giggle. "Betcha can't catch me!"

Tusk raised a hand to his temple, his polite smile faltering as Garfiel bolted after her, stomping loudly and barking protests about how he definitely wasn't enjoying this.

The merchant sighed heavily, glancing at the lizards tied to the wagon. Their tails twitched, equally unimpressed with the noisy exchange. "This is going to be a long trip," he muttered to himself.

Finally, the pair returned, with Garfiel scowling and Mimi looking far too pleased with herself. She gripped the edge of the wagon, bouncing on her toes again. "Ready, Tusk? This is gonna be so fun!"

Tusk hesitated, watching Garfiel bristle in irritation. He took a breath, pasted his practiced merchant's smile back on, and nodded. "Right. I'm... sure it will be."