This scenario had been foreseen a long time ago.I would use the emergency escape system.
The external escape mechanism that Yuna operated worked, in a way, like a straw that could absorb large quantities of data instantly. The moment Yuna pulled from her end, I’d feel myself being swiftly lifted and taken outside.
The system’s primary design was to extract my consciousness in emergencies to protect my life, but I had also prepared another feature. It could use the propulsion of Yuna’s pull itself like an elevator.
Once this body was disassembled into data and compactly bundled, the system would activate with calculated force. I would be launched upward, breaking free from Yuri’s mental barrier, then re-enter once I was clear.
In short, it was a respawn.
This chance existed because of the Queen’s negligence in guarding against exits, or maybe it was her confidence that no one could escape once they entered.
I tugged on the line linking me to Yuna, signaling her. Once the casting was completed, I told her to only pull me halfway.
-Okay, got it. I’ll contact you as soon as the process is done⋯!”_
Seu seu seu seu.
Click click click. As my body’s transmission began, I felt the Queen urgently reaching out to stop me. Yuna was pulling me upward, while the Queen was trying to drag me down—a literal tug-of-war where I was the rope.
I assisted in blocking off the Queen’s interference. With Yuna’s strength combining with my own skills, even the formidable Queen could only try and grab us at our ankles.
For now, my task was simple⋯⋯ buy time until the casting completed.
I pressed my ear to the door, listening closely. Soon, I heard footsteps approaching. Judging by the steady rhythm, it was Yuri. She was here.
“Excuse me, I’ve come to gather information⋯⋯.”
I licked my lower lips. It was time for my mouth to work its magic.
Just before Yuri opened the door. I faked an obscene moan. One dripping with lewdness.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?!”
Huat, she gasped, clearly flustered.
I alternated between moans, switching between a man’s and a woman’s voice, giving Yuri the impression of something scandalous happening inside. As I expected, Yuri hesitated outside, unsure of how to react⋯⋯.
But then, she froze, sensing something strange.
She must have realized that the moans never overlapped simultaneously. Despite her quick deduction, this wasn’t just about buying time—it was meant to rattle her mind.
In a strained voice, Yuri asked,
“Who’s⋯⋯ in there?”
“Me⋯ It’s me.”
I replied casually, using my normal voice. Yuri was so visibly startled that her voice quivered as she asked more questions.
“Why⋯ why are you here⋯⋯? More importantly⋯ how?”
“Why do you think I’m here?”
“This is the base of the Extermination Squad. No matter how high your rank is in the Defense Bureau⋯⋯ I believe you lack respect. Where’s the assigned officer? They should be here.”
“I haven’t seen him. Maybe he left for the day—it’s late, after all⋯⋯.”
I replied in a way that anybody would think I’m suspicious.
From here on, the Queen would certainly suspect me, directing her accusations at me like arrows. So I laid the groundwork, and aimed to come across as someone attempting to frame another person.
That was why I had started the conversation with the ridiculous moaning sounds.
I was creating the impression that there might be someone who could mimic multiple voices behind that door.
In case she actually understood what was happening and said, “Oh, it was you? I’m coming in,” I needed to keep her wary.
I moved my hand to create a faint breeze, allowing the scent of blood to drift under the door. Yuri caught a hint of the ominous smell, and, as intended, her wariness spiked.
“Who are you, you⋯⋯.”
“It’s me. Your neighbor. Remember we met earlier today? We played chess, didn’t we?”
“Chess was two days ago.”
“Ah, right, right. Two days ago. Memory starts slipping as you get older, you know?”
That should be convincing enough.
-It’s ready! I’ll pull you up as soon as you signal!
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The respawn sequence was complete. Just as I was about to make a parting remark and escape, Yuri speaks again.
Her voice was filled with hesitation and doubt.
“⋯⋯Hey, please. Tell me. Are you⋯ him? No, right⋯⋯?”
There was a slight pause before she said “him.”
In that moment, it seemed she realized she didn’t even know my name. That small realization seemed to heighten her anxiety, and her voice began to tremble.
She was still young.
Yuri, on the other side of the door, was young. She couldn’t control her emotions, and was asking with almost childlike honesty about the identity of someone who might be a monster. Even though she knew the answer wouldn’t be the truth.
She wanted to believe it wasn’t true. She didn’t want her funny next-door neighbor to turn out to be someone she might have to confront. She wanted to deny it, since he was a friend she had unintentionally made in her loneliness.
In a life filled with succubi driven by their need fulfill their sexual desires, Yuri had thought she’d finally found someone she could connect with⋯⋯ maybe even more.
So⋯ now, I had to give her an answer.
All I had to do was what I’d always done: deceive her.
I’d lied before, and I could lie now. I needed to plant the idea that someone was impersonating me to frame me for their crimes.
I would have to concoct a plausible story, act a bit, and fool Yuri. It was a very simple task. I just needed to respond in a mysterious way.
But my tongue froze.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
What was happening? Was the Queen attacking me or something? No, she was too preoccupied, still battling with Yuna.
Pinching myself, a thought hit me.
⋯⋯Was it really okay to do this?
What, the lying? Get a grip. This was all to save Yuri. If I could get through this, I’d earn her trust and secure the key.
⋯⋯But did saving Yuri make it right to toy with her feelings like this?
No, this was different. It was to protect her. Besides, this Yuri—she was just a fragment of her consciousness from her childhood, not even the real Yuri. Everything was proceeding according to plan, and there was no need to create variables when everything was under control.
I shook my head, brushing away the young boy’s voice ringing in my mind. Don’t let doubt take hold; these thoughts are just distractions.
Even then, I found myself unable to answer Yuri’s question. Instead, I tugged on the wire and remained silent as I felt my body lift, watching as the ground got further and further away.
“Wait, answer m⋯⋯!!”
Yuri bursted through the door, but no one was there.
Only a corpse, shredded documents, and the traces of blood remained.
===============================================================
Since that day, things between the Queen and me have been relatively quiet.
She still threw a few jabs my way, but nothing as elaborate as before. It seemed as if she was testing the waters.
By now, she must have realized that devouring me was impossible without first neutralizing the emergency escape system.
To keep her guessing, I made frequent reentries.
I moved from one end of the map to the other—even venturing into a room where I couldn’t leave until she “caught” me a few times. The Queen’s irritation was clear; I could hear her clicks growing sharper and more irritable.
I could sense her hunger now. The more I displayed my abilities, the more her desperation to consume me intensified.
I’d had to push myself hard to keep up this performance, but it seemed my act was still convincing⋯⋯ no cracks in the facade just yet.
Everything was flowing smoothly.
All was going according to plan. Except for one thing.
⋯⋯I couldn’t quite understand my feelings. Stray thoughts kept crossing my mind. Had I been too hard on Bennett’s trio? Should I write a handwritten letter to Irid to make up for it?
Maybe it was time to seriously consider proposing to Yuna so I wouldn’t be too late? Thoughts like these kept surfacing.
And then there was the guilt I felt about Yuri.
I understood what was behind these sudden shifts in my thoughts. I was a separated consciousness, currently inside Yuri’s mental world. This had created a gap—both physically and magically—between me and some things in my head.
In theory, I should have been less influenced by “it” at the moment.
Consequently, my conscience, which had been somewhat suppressed, seemed to have awakened suddenly. And now, I was wasting time on needless worries, even in the midst of such an important situation⋯⋯.
I forced myself to shake off these intrusive thoughts clouding my mind.
Stick to the plan. If I just stayed on track, I could do this. Don’t do anything I would regret. I need to save her, right? Let’s get back to the task. Focus.
I suspected that the Queen had a purpose for staging events in the year 440 and that the group called 『Red Regeneration』 was a key part of it.
Since I knew that Queen couldn’t create narratives from scratch, it was likely that future events would be based on actual history, but with some modifications.
This meant that if I could decipher what had actually happened back then, I would basically have the power to see the future.
I needed someone who was familiar with Yuri Lanster and knew her circumstances during the year 440⋯⋯ and there was someone at the Academy who fit the bill: Irid’s special agent, Kirby.
I send a signal by tugging on the wire.
–So you want me to investigate⋯⋯? Eung, I know where she is. I’ll send a butterfly to ask her, then I’ll report back.
“Thanks. I’ll stay close to Yuri in the meantime.”
-Eueung, so. Cheer up⋯⋯!
“We’re nearly there—let’s both give it our best.”
And with that, the communication ended.
===============================================================
“Here, the command order.”
I handed Yuri the imperial command document, recreating the paperwork I’d used to cover up the magic sword incident when I first arrived at the academy.
The document authorized me to join the Extermination Squad as a supporter specifically assigned to Yuri.
I figured that staying close to her and minimizing any time apart would work to my advantage.
Yuri carefully reviewed the document, then gave a small nod.
“⋯⋯There are no issues here. So, does this mean we’ll be working together?”
“Exaaactly. I may not be a field agent, so I’m a bit clumsy, but I’m pretty confident with my sharp eyes so⋯⋯ I might be helpful.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you will be. But⋯⋯ what were you doing last night?”
“I had a deep sleep. Why?”
When I returned her question, Yuri shook her head.
“It’s nothing. Just⋯⋯ nothing.”
Though she seemed suspicious about last night’s events, there was also a lot of confusion. It was human nature to feel skeptical when things seem too easy to believe.
If I were the culprit, there was no way I would have confessed outright like that⋯⋯ at least, that’s what she’d be thinking.
But above all, she probably didn’t want to believe I was involved.
Yuri kept probing, hoping for an answer that would clear her doubts. She seemed to be searching for a solid alibi from me, something that would set her mind at ease.
If I had been able to leave concrete evidence of my whereabouts, I would’ve. But using teleportation to leave a trace on a nearby NPC? That would be pointless since the Queen could erase such evidence with a wave of her hand.
Yuri hesitated for a moment.
“⋯⋯ Now that I think about it, I don’t think I know your name.”
She was clearly asking, but I hesitated. Giving her my real name wasn’t an option, and even a fake name could land me in trouble.
“Why not just call me ‘you’?”
“Well, is it⋯⋯ classified information or something?”
“Nothing like that, but.”
If my name got out, Queen would have a new tool to use against me. She could just slap my name on suspicious documents, which would be risky enough on its own. It was safer to keep my name hidden.
So, I was about to brush off the question, but then she spoke again.
“Uh, there’s⋯⋯ a small party coming up for the Extermination Squad. I heard it’s for celebrating the act of communion. Do you know about it? Ah, of course you would. You’re also a Defense Bureau agent too so⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯And?”
“Uhm, if you are free, I was wondering if you’d go with me. Together⋯⋯.”
I studied Yuri’s eyes closely. This wasn’t a date invitation. Nor was it some expression of love or affection. There was no reason for her to ask this so intensely.
Her eyes carried a loneliness she couldn’t fully mask.
Ah. The reason behind it was easy to guess.
Despite her role in the Extermination Squad, she lived in isolation, as if she were locked away in some distant mansion. The thorny attitude I’d encountered when we first met. And her timid demeanor right now.
⋯⋯Was she being bullied?
The leader of the Extermination Squad, Black Lesbian⋯⋯ she always acted as if she admired Yuri. I thought that meant Yuri was doing well. But maybe things were different in the past, or perhaps the Extermination Squad itself wasn’t as I had imagined.
Right now, she looked like a kid who’d been left out of her class, nervously inviting the only friend she had from another class to a party.
Maybe she just wanted to feel a little less alone.
My heart grew somber.
Quickly, I came up with a reason to attend this Extermination Squad’s party.
It was obvious that the story would revolve around the Extermination Squad. I needed to learn more about its members and their dynamics.
So far, I had kept some distance from her. But I’ve already played the card to join the Extermination Squad, haven’t I? So I nodded confidently.
“It just so happens I’m free that day.”
“⋯⋯I haven’t even told you the date yet.”
Oops. I scratched my head awkwardly as I avoided her gaze. Yuri chuckled softly, like a flower bud blooming in spring.
Then, she asked one more thing.
“⋯⋯You’ll have to write your name in the party’s guestbook.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
That was when it struck me that this could all be part of Queen’s trap. How convenient was it that this party just happened to be at this moment? Should I hold off until I could hear from Yuna and⋯⋯ confirm whether the party was even real…?
Answering after verifying its safety would make sense. I could tell Yuri I wasn’t sure about my schedule and promise to let her know.
But that would undoubtedly disappoint her. I had already said I would go. If I took it back now, her face would likely darken with sadness.
Besides, this was the past. Even if I could make young Yuri smile here and now, it wouldn’t change anything in her future. It was like building a sandcastle only to watch it being washed away by the waves.
So, I should probably take it back and⋯⋯.
“Would you call me Mima1 ?”
“⋯⋯Mima?”
“Yes. Someone who looked just like you once called me ‘Crazy Wizard.’ I shortened it to two letters.”
I’m surely insane.
Yuri repeated the name softly, trying it out. It felt strange, hearing her call me by any name at all.
Even if it was a fake, it was the first time she’d called me by my name.
And, in truth, it had been so long since anyone had called me anything that I couldn’t even recall the last time I heard it. If my life were only what I could remember, this might be the first time I’d ever had a name.
Yuri smiled as she spoke.
“I see. You, so⋯⋯ Mima, you’re quite the eccentric and unpredictable person. So this person you said looked like me… she must’ve had a hard time putting up with you.”
“It was actually the opposite. I was the one taking care of her.”
“⋯⋯ Did she beat you up? What kind of person is she?”
“First of all, her chest was big.”
Yuri glared at me for a moment, as if she was saying that I was not gay. And so, with that, I became young Yuri’s promised partner for the party.