Zero returned to the capital before Earth Zero's presence had completely disappeared.
He didn't understand what he was supposed to do.
That was the problem.
Earth Zero had given him an order.
Watch Hiro.
Don't let him disappear from the center.
But he had never explained what that actually meant.
Zero couldn't force people to talk about Hiro.
He couldn't control newspapers.
He couldn't stand beside Hiro during every major event and announce his importance to the world.
And even if he could—
wouldn't that simply be another interference?
Another attempt to force reality in a particular direction?
Zero slowed as he entered the capital.
People moved normally through the streets.
Merchants called to customers.
Adventurers discussed requests.
Carriages passed through the main road.
Nothing appeared different.
Yet Zero could still feel it.
That strange pressure.
The sensation that something had shifted.
Somewhere.
Somehow.
He looked toward the center of the city.
