Episode 210: The Sinister Trap of Restlessness
Joyful times pass quickly.
Before we knew it, the town of Kroma was dyed in the hues of the setting sun.
“Thank you very much today. Well then.”
“Thank you very much… Older Brother Kei, goodbye.”
With a slightly shy wave from Sougo, the older sister date concluded.
Watching Sougo return home happily with Hinami made me feel hopeful for the bright future of this planet.
I’m counting on you, young man.
You are destined to be the hero of the next generation and show me beautiful girls yet unseen.
‘Your reasons seem too personal.’
I simply live my life prioritizing the brilliance of beautiful girls.
If I could sacrifice my life to save a beautiful girl, I would gladly do so.
‘I can sense your sincere passion… Is this the unconditional love that humans possess?’
‘Not quite.’
It is! It’s unconditional love! BIG LOVE!
“Well, I should be going soon. If I neglect my duties any longer, Teacher Kogare might get angry.”
In the end, Lady Nei, who had guided us all day despite being tipsy, said this.
Incidentally, she had finished off several bottles along the way.
Why does she drink so much? It’s bad for her health…
“Ryuko, escort me back?”
“I don’t have to but… nah, I don’t want to because you smell like alcohol.”
“Don’t say such things! Come on, aren’t we eternal mentor and disciple? Aren’t we soulmates?”
“…Yeah… haha, that’s right.”
Ryuko looked away and gave an awkward response.
Seeing this, Lady Nei quickly continued speaking.
“The production of life-sized Baltius plushies you mentioned—I’ll help you get it approved on my side.”
“We’re the best mentor and disciple duo.”
Isn’t it because you produce goods without planning that you end up with mountains of inventory?
“Please board, oh my master.”
“Hehe, as always, I like how straightforward you are… though, before that?”
Lady Nei turned around before boarding Baltius.
Her gaze landed on Miuye.
“Thank you today. I’m glad I met you.”
“…I also enjoyed myself today.”
An indescribable, serene atmosphere dominated the scene.
Everyone instinctively remained silent, reading the mood.
All we can do is watch over the two of them.
“I’ll see you again soon. I think I’m finally finding some kind of answer.”
With a melancholy yet gentle smile, Lady Nei spoke these words.
Miuye quietly nodded in response.
“Alright! Enough with the sentimental stuff—it’s exhausting. Let’s say goodbye happily. See ya, Miuye. Maybe I’ll visit your place next time!”
“Yes! I’ll be waiting! And I’ll be the guide! I might even create a whole new district for that!”
“Hahaha, you sure say funny things!”
She’s not joking; she means it.
Because she has full control over regional development at Factom General Academy.
If she wanted, she could turn Factom General Academy into a beach tomorrow!
‘Such longing… water-wearing Solciera…!’
‘1-1 solciera’
Was there ever a chance to talk about preferences?
It feels like they forced their way into the conversation when I wasn’t letting my guard down.
“See ya, Miuye. Everyone!”
“Goodbye!”
“Thank you for everything!”
We bowed our heads.
Next to us, Miuye and Hikari were waving energetically.
Hmm, a peaceful moment.
But it feels too calm before the storm.
‘The matter with Fake Siera still isn’t resolved.’
As long as we don’t know its purpose, we’re stuck reacting after the fact, which is frustrating.
“See ya! Mizuki, let’s work hard together on security on the day!”
With that, Ryuko disappeared from the scene with Baltius.
Apparently, they’re using Invisibility to hide Lady Nei’s drunken state from Kogare.
This shows how properly cautious she can be, which is reassuring.
“Then, let’s head back to the hotel! There’s supposed to be a buffet!”
“Are you still eating…? I’m already pretty full…”
“Me too…”
Mizuki Senpai and I found it hard to keep up.
If only Toa were here, she’d excel as the frontline diner…
“I still have room! I’ll eat a lot!”
“Sure! Let’s eat!”
Saying this, the hungry ones held hands.
At that moment, Miuye’s dive gear sounded a notification.
Instantly, Miuye froze and sighed.
We could tell something was wrong from her tone of disappointment and fatigue.
“Yes, it’s Miuye. …Ah, yes. There’s a malfunction… Yes.”
Miuye seemed disheartened.
And beside her, Hikari drooped her shoulders as if it were her own issue.
“Miuye, sorry… I’m really dumb and probably won’t be much help…”
“Just the thought is enough. Alright! Let’s push through!”
Miuye changed her mindset and shouted enthusiastically.
Her determination was evident.
“Sorry! We’ll need to split up again temporarily! I’ll try to be back by night!”
“Yeah, that spirit! Sorry, I’m dumb too and can’t do much about it…”
“Why are both of you making such sad self-assessments?”
Hikari and Mizuki Senpai were hurting themselves emotionally with their sad expressions.
But we mustn’t forget:
Hikari can do decently well in studies…
Mizuki Senpai… well… yeah.
She’s strong and has a good face!
Right?
“Anyway, I’m heading out! See you!”
“Okay, be careful!”
For some reason, I was the only one who stayed calm and waved Miuye goodbye.
Miuye briefly turned back to look at us with a lingering expression before speeding off with incredible speed the next moment.
Is it true she hasn’t used magic to enhance her physical abilities?
Does Kanon’s little sister push herself too hard?
‘But if you could create it, wouldn’t you pour all your technical expertise into it?’
Of course.
“Alright, let’s go just the two of us.”
“Yeah.”
“Yes… Let’s eat for Miuye too!”
To Hikari’s words, Mizuki Senpai and I just smiled without saying yes or no.
Sorry.
We’ve reached our limits…
■
It was late at night, and Miuye was racing through the streets of Kroma.
Her face was filled with relief.
“That took quite a bit of effort… But now there’s nothing to worry about! Tomorrow will be fun!”
Hours had passed since parting ways with Kei and the others.
Miuye had been called upon to fix the exhibition items but managed to complete the task within the day thanks to her brilliant mind and keen eyesight.
Thanks to this, the students of Kroma praised her as a goddess for securing their sleep time.
(Tomorrow’s the pre-festival! I’ll eat a lot and have lots of fun! …Oh, but I need to adjust to Mizuki’s security route. That fake Solciera is truly bothersome.)
Instead of her original part-time job schedule, Mizuki was hired as an S Rank to provide security for five days with a substantial reward.
Though, it’s not like she’s completely tied down to security duties.
She’s allowed to enjoy the festival while patrolling.
(Anyway, why is there a fake Solciera!? Pretending to be someone’s benefactor is unforgivable!)
If I ever meet her, I’ll beat her up.
Miuye felt a burning anger towards the imposter.
At that moment,
Miuye’s superhuman hearing caught someone screaming in the dark.
“!? I’m coming!”
She abruptly changed direction towards the sound.
Summoning a white crocodile and jumping onto it,
“Loron, straight to the target location!”
Following her command, Loron moved like gliding on water, heading directly to where the scream originated.
They arrived in less than ten seconds.
(No one else has come yet. Guess I’m the first one here.)
Besides the Kroma discipline committee, S Ranks were currently providing security.
Still, it seems Miuye was the first to reach the scene.
And right before her eyes stood the figure of the fake Solciera.
“…Is that you?”
Miuye made a thoroughly unpleasant face.
She activated her ability.
A geometric pattern appeared in her glowing blue eyes.
Its name is Truth.
One of the strongest magical eyes capable of analyzing and replicating anything.
“Divided Death”
A butterfly appearing behind Miuye approached the imposter.
Realizing this, the fake leaped away just as Miuye rushed to the aid of the screaming woman.
“Are you alright!?”
“A-ah, yes. Thank you!”
“Stay back. I’ll handle this! Act 1”
Guns materialized in her hands, and white flames erupted.
On the other hand, the fake coldly unleashed a converging artillery attack similar to Solciera’s.
An inescapable silver light.
However, that was a thing of the past.
“Divided Death absorbing magical artillery attacks… The real one wouldn’t do that.”
Divided Death absorbed the incoming converging attack head-on and supplied its power to Miuye.
“The imitation of that person is unpleasant. Time to finish you off.”
Unlike her usual cheerfulness, Miuye spat these words out.
Pure white wings sprouted from her back.
“Act 4”
Propelled by high-density magical energy, Miuye shot forward like a jet.
Triggering her guns, she soared through the artillery fire.
In an instant, her gun was pressed against the imposter’s forehead.
“It’s over.”
Without hesitation, she pulled the trigger.
Simultaneously, the flame that burns concepts incinerated the imposter along with its interference barrier.
“…Too weak.”
As the fake crumbled into sand, Miuye muttered.
Compared to the real Solciera, this was far too weak, filling Miuye with frustration.
(Creation is wasteful… If you’re going to make it, do it better!)
Apparently, from Miuye’s perspective, this Solciera was riddled with issues.
“Thank you so much! You saved me!”
“Not at all, I’m glad you’re safe!”
To the woman who ran up, Miuye responded somewhat bashfully.
Behind her, a new teleportation magic circle appeared—
“!?”
Reflexively, Miuye pulled the trigger.
The circle was incinerated, and the fake dissolved into sand.
However, the fakes weren’t alone.
“…Indeed, it makes sense that mass production is necessary if they’re this weak.”
Solciera figures appeared everywhere visible.
Each of them stared at Miuye.
(The truth eye consumes too much power. Here, I’ll lower its output and switch to defense.)
One-on-one, the truth eye is unparalleled.
But with unknown enemy resources, continuing recklessly wasn’t wise.
(Surely, someone among the S Ranks will arrive once they detect the battle.)
Miuye summoned Divided Death and assumed a defensive stance against the multitude of fakes.
“Eek! So many Solcieras!? Someone, help me!”
“Hide behind me!”
Miuye shielded the screaming woman.
Just as she was about to fight…
“—This is easy. Lady Nei wouldn’t fall for this.”
“Eh? —!”
Suddenly, a light shock and numbness spread through her back.
By the time she realized it was poison, it was too late.
(I’ve been lured in!? Was this woman bait all along?)
Understanding this, Miuye tried to direct Divided Death towards the woman behind her.
But as if on cue, the Solcieras unleashed their converging artillery attacks.
“Tch—”
Unable to move, Miuye had no choice but to defend, allowing the poison to flow through her body.
“Guh…”
“It’s futile. No matter how long you wait, help won’t come. The other S Ranks are being detained.”
The mocking voice came from behind.
Gradually, her vision blurred, and her legs grew unsteady.
“This…is bad…”
“It’s an angel-derived poison, so it’s painful, isn’t it? …Don’t worry, Lady Nei will save you this time.”
Miuye immediately understood the meaning of the woman’s words.
And what they intended to do.
“Miss Nei… run…away… ”
With her fading consciousness, Miuye’s wish went unheard as she slipped into darkness.
Divided Death disappeared, and silence returned.
The woman—the conductor—watched by countless Solcieras, nodded contentedly as she cradled Miuye.
“Clearly, only Lady Nei will do. Falling for such a simple trap… Shall we go?”
Slipping through the newly created transfer magic circle, the conductor departed.
One by one, the fakes vanished from the scene.
Only a small amount of sand and quiet remained.
