The golem was made of metal like Jaxt and Minnie. It was completely smooth on the outside and was very slender too, but what I found most striking was its face. It was just a blank mask with a lightly glowing green jade gem in the centre.

"Oh... it's still cruel though, whoever you are!" Radio said.

It laughed in the same raspy way it did earlier.

"They're still alive, just unconscious. Well, they won't be for long if wild beasts come, but that's none of my concern."

Radio seemed relieved somehow.

So was this guy be one of those golems from Unbound?

"Are you one of those Unbound guys?" Radio asked for me.

"Hmm? Yes. By the way, I saw your antics with the other golem earlier. You've got a very interesting friend, huh?"

"Haha... yeah, he is very 'interesting'. Mind digging me out?"

To my relief, the golem agreed and started digging a ramp for me out. I was concerned someone would spot us because of how long it took, but luckily, things turned out fine. Soon, I was back on grass again, but covering in dirt. Could be worse, I guess. Some of it had spilt into the hole Minnie left on my cargo compartment, landing beside the snoring sheep.

"Hah, that took a bit of work. Well, let's get going to the camp now."

"What? What about Minnie?"

"He has been captured. We-"

"Ehhhh? Then shouldn't we save him?"

That sounds a bit too risky.

"Save him?" the golem laughed. "He was caught because he got too close to security. If we went, we'd be captured too?"

"But-"

"Your best bet is to follow us to the camp. You might even be able to recruit a team to try to save your friend."

"Oh."

Radio seemed convinced, but to be honest, I felt like something was off. If it actually saw Minnie getting caught looking for them and saw us when we came, why did it not show itself to Minnie?

And if they could fight a city of dwarves head-on, why wouldn't they have done so? That had to mean they weren't strong enough!

[Not true. It's possible they didn't see a reason to raid this city or are planning to in the future.]

Dammit!

Well, it still sounds fishy in any case!

[Obviously.]

Urgh, if you figured it out or whatever, why don't you tell me?

Tablet didn't answer. Radio seemed somewhat distressed. A few hours ago that it was trying to kill me and now my friend was getting concerned about the assailant...

"You're really suspicious, you know?"

Radio listed a few of its doubts.

The golem laughed.

I didn't understand why it had to keep laughing. Kind of annoying actually, especially with the raspy tone.

"You're not as gullible as most young golems, I see. But in the end, you don't have a chance to save him unless you follow me back."

"Are you getting some benefits from this or something?"

"Mhmm, recruitment rewards."

"Ah!" Radio said. "Then, then can you help us 'recruit' another person?"

"If you're talking about Minni-"

"No, no! We know someone else you can save and the security is low! Please..."

Radio explained about the situation with Jaxt.

"You don't seem to be lying. Alright, you head back with my buddies first while I take a look."

"Buddies? Wait, we- I should come along with you!"

"Urgh, annoying."

It pointed a strange device towards me-

...

Urgh... where was I? Somewhat groggily, I looked around and saw metal walls around me and dangling lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. It was very cramped too.

I felt so disorientated. Wracking my 'head', I finally recalled the strange device. Somehow, it must have forcefully shut me down.

That was a scary thought. The machines or golems here had close enough workings that one of their disabling devices worked on me?

"Oh, you're awake." Radio sounded tired.

Were you knocked out by the device too?

"No, I was awake, but I kept quiet after I realised you were off. I was so worried you were dead or something! They hauled you into some kind of blimp thing. We're still on board."

Sure enough, I could feel slight shaking as it flew.

"I hope Jaxt will be fine... The ship took off without that raspy golem. Maybe there's another flight?"

I don't know.

Was it night or day anyway? I checked the time on Tablet.

[9:02 AM]

Holy crap, I had been out for so long! Whatever that device was, it's no joke. Sheepy was somehow still sleeping.

A little bunny was crying.

"Yes! You will die long before your so-called 'mommy' does and she will forget you by the time she grows up!"

"Nooooo!" the bunny cried. "Sniff sniff... can you really make me live as long as her?"

Finally, he had convinced the silly little bunny! He'd never thought he would find deceiving a little rat so satisfying.

"Yes and you can live even longer than her, so long you'll forget her!"

"Nooo! Then I don't want it!"

Why didn't the bunny like that? He couldn't understand its logic.

"I can make her live longer too, as long as you follow along."

Right now they were being carried around by the little elf girl in a pet carrier made of wooden vines.

"Pipi, don't be sad! The vet is a nice person, he won't hurt you!"

She assumed Pipi's tears were because it was being taken to the vet.

"Pip! Pi pi pi!"

"Aww, you're so cute! I'll let you have a carrot later, okay?"

"Pip!"

Soon, they were there. Pipi was put into a waiting room filled with random animals, including other rabbits, though most of different breeds. From its past experience, it learnt that most of the bunnies couldn't 'talk' for some reason. It had always assumed the worst, imagining things like the vet doing experiments on them that ruined their voice.

But in truth, it was just a particularly vocal breed, known as a 'Pipping Rabbit'.

As the caretaker who was keeping watch got distracted by a strange device, the rabbit who was lying on a table hurriedly hopped out of the window, landing on the soft grass below.