Chapter 121

Alright. We threw the topic out there.

I’m curious how my friends and others will react. And wow, I’ve never moved this many Violets around before!

Right now, the number of Violets mobilized in the barracks is equivalent to two companies. Once I pulled out the hibernating bodies I had stored nearby, that’s how many we’ve ballooned to.

“It feels like I just broke open a piggy bank!”

The increasing numbers amplify emotions that are beyond compare. The excited Violets chant slogans.

“Revolution! Revolution! Revolution!”

“Smash! Destroy! Kill! Waaaah!”

The inside of the building was filled with the voices of the Violets. The sound resonated so strongly that I could feel it against my skin.

The reason I spread out the clones is simple. It’s to show that we are always ready for action. Seeing the Violets filled with the will for righteous violence will likely change the minds of those who were skeptical about our terror—no, revolution plan.

“If we show our strength, everyone will feel reassured, right?”

Numbers are power. Power breeds trust. Trust leads to a successful revolution plan!

Unit 1 gestured to the Violets. The noisy Violets fell silent as if they had been told not to make a sound. The previously raucous factory building grew quiet.

I waited with anticipation to see how my friends would react. What would they say?

“…Could you move that army away first?”

“Huh?”

Irene spoke in a slightly deflated tone.

“Why?”

“Why? Are you really asking that? Other people are scared! Look over there!”

She pointed behind her, annoyed. Unlike her usual calm demeanor, this rare display startled me.

Looking back, I realized why Irene was mad. A black-clad squad of Violets loomed like a yoke, pressing down the air. And the people looking on, frozen in place.

I now realized that the atmosphere was darker than when we revealed the Death List.

“Oh no! I messed up!”

“This looks like a threat!”

While our intent was grandiose, it seemed others perceived it as a show of force.

– Violets! No intimidation allowed!

On the laptop screen, Daphne, beyond the video chat program, pleaded with Unit 1 with teary eyes. It seemed she was talking to me because a Violet in the dorm had been harassing her and had since fled. What a naughty little thing.

“Hehe…”

I scratched my head. Thinking about it, it was scary. Holding machine guns and rocket launchers would look intimidating to anyone.

“Go back!”

“Guess we have to wait on the Network again. Ugh…”

I sent back a company-sized force to the storage they originally came from and put them into hibernation. The remaining personnel stored their weapons in the inventory and changed into more girl-like attire.

The once black-uniformed Violets blinked and transformed into cute girls in skirts and dresses in the blink of an eye. They should look less threatening now. I need to prove that Violets are harmless girls somehow. I should apologize first.

“…Sorry for scaring you. I had no intention of threatening anyone!”

“Yeah, it sure looks that way.”

Kalia quipped, leaving me speechless. I lowered my head.

“That plan with the Witch’s Hammer or whatever… what happens if I don’t participate?”

Lucian interlocked his fingers, eyeing Unit 1. Noticing his gloved fingers twitching, he seemed nervous. It appeared he had grown wary and fearful after witnessing our pseudo-military parade earlier.

“As I said before, there won’t be any disadvantages for not aiding the plan. However, for security reasons, one of our Violets will accompany you. Just for your safety, don’t worry.”

“Our…?”

He questioned the wording, and it hit me that this entire fiasco began with the discovery of the hibernating bodies. I’d also need to explain our unique abilities soon.

“Don’t stress about the wording. I’ll explain later. Don’t want to be here? I can arrange a smuggling out for you. I’ve looked into it.”

With some previous research and the presence of our jack-of-all-trades info broker, Manager Leslie, sneaking out a person or two wouldn’t be tough. It might even be safer to get them out than to hide them at home.

“So, what do you want to do? You don’t have to join. We pay a salary and offer benefits. See Uncle Yurik over there? That doctor looks like he’s been captured after seeing our faces, but he’s providing the best benefits he can.”

I asked Dr. Yurik, who was sweating profusely.

“To make sure everyone can hear, confess how things have been so far. Anything you’re unhappy with, I can fix right away.”

Yurik looked around, hesitated for a moment as if recalling memories, then finally responded.

“Well… to be honest, it hasn’t been bad. There were some restrictions on movement and communication, but they did let me call my family as much as possible and provided me with entertainment. Now that I think about it, the issue was mostly the food being mostly fast food.”

“That’s just because that’s what you demanded. Forget that I got you steak last time you helped me ace the math exam?”

“Haha…”

Hearing my words, he chuckled awkwardly. During his weeks of confinement, he had adapted and became engrossed in streaming and video games, almost becoming a recluse. His body was even fuller than when he had first been brought in. We fed him too well.

I’m not worried about food costs. From now on, I’ll make sure to put him to work for what he’s been fed.

“Let’s get him to interpret the papers we give him and find out what they’re researching.”

“Could we get some tech support? You’re a scientist after all. Let’s ask him to make some equipment.”

I was just mulling over these thoughts when Irene tilted her head.

“Exam… proxy…?”

I snapped back to reality. I felt like if this kept up, our proxy exam scheme would be revealed, so I quickly changed the topic.

“So, isn’t there anyone willing to help with our plan?”

I glanced at my friends. Irene was the first to raise her hand.

“…Why would you even need to ask? I planned to help from the start. Your idea is radical, but considering your unique abilities, it’s not impossible.”

“Thanks for the compliment!”

“But if you leave it alone, you’ll charge recklessly. I can provide tactical and operational advice, you know?”

I nodded. If Irene is helping, I’m not worried. With the best buffer and tank by my side, I feel secure.

Then Daphne chimed in. I could hear her audibly sigh through the speakers.

“To be honest, I want to talk you out of this, but what can I do? You’re going to ignore me even if I try, right?”

“You could opt out. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Opt out? No way. I can’t watch my friend get hurt. I’ll do my best to help.”

Finally, Kalia.

“Sigh… I should have realized something weird was up when you started doing strange things at the lab. You’re the craziest person I’ve ever seen!”

She frowned as if feeling dizzy and disheveled her hair. Pink strands peeked out between her fingers.

“I’ve got Brotherhood matters and issues with the academy, so I can’t help too much. But I’m scared of what trouble you’ll get into next! Even if you say no, I’ll be by your side. Understand?”

“Thanks, Kalia!”

Hearing my three friends from the academy city actively support me made me happy.

I turned to see how the others would react.

“What about you guys?”

If I were to grade relationships, my three friends would be top-tier, while Lucian’s group and Dr. Yurik would be second tier. I knew them to a certain extent, but they were less significant than the other friends.

The three appeared to be contemplating. Honestly, I didn’t expect much. Lucian’s a rude brat who picks fights no matter what I say, Levi’s timid and skittish, and Granite is a boy whose size doesn’t match his worth.

Well, if they don’t participate, it can’t be helped.

And then the blue-haired guy spoke up.

“Hey, Violet. Got a question.”

“What is it? You need me to arrange some smuggling?”

Upon hearing my question, he looked puzzled, as if he had heard something strange.

“What nonsense? Anyway, I just saw the Student Council President’s name on the Death List a moment ago. Explain that. I can’t be mistaken, right?”

“You saw correctly. That guy is definitely a target for assassination.”

The council’s executives aren’t particularly relevant. Of course, the treasurer is the prime target. The vice president isn’t in consideration yet since I don’t have information on him.

“Awesome. I’ll participate in your plan. Just let me have a go at that bastard later.”

“Wait, really? Why?”

His unexpected choice surprised us. When I asked for a reason, Lucian gritted his teeth.

“A reason? It’s about Chloris Forest. Isn’t that natural?”

“That’s it?”

“Of course. I’ve run into that punk a couple of times before. I’ve never liked him since the first time we met. If I can get a hit in on that bastard, I’ll do anything.”

We were surprised by his unexpected choice. Still, it doesn’t seem bad for now. We’ve gained a useful mage.

Now, only two people were left. Granite hesitated but slowly opened his mouth.

“Um, so if I join your plan, does that mean… I have to do things like murder?”

“No? Not at all! You want to?”

Granite quickly shook his head. Was he worried we’d force him into killing or something? In any case, we intend to handle the killings and bombing ourselves. That’s what we’re used to.

“There’s plenty of other stuff to do. Like funding or hunting monsters. You’ll be compensated as you work. What do you think?”

“…I’m a runaway, so I don’t have anywhere lower to fall to. Sure. I’ll join.”

Now, only Levi remained. The timid girl, who had been watching the situation, spoke in a quivering voice.

“I-I’ll do it too… I’m a runaway from the academy anyway…”

Hearing that two people were joining made me feel elated. A smile crept across my face.

“Great! Let’s get hunting!”

I was about to move on to more explanations when Yurik suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, Violet? What about me? Can I just stay here in my room without participating?”

Unit 1’s expression briefly turned neutral before reverting back to a smile.

“Sorry, but you’re an exception.”

“What?!”

“You have to do research now. Your vacation is over!”

“…Aah!”

He’s been lazing around for too long; where does he think he’s going?

*

The story continued from there. There were many discussions to be had about explaining the Violets’ unique abilities, our future plans, and what to do about the academy records.

Making them understand our unique abilities was an enormous hurdle.

“Ultimately, I’m just glad everyone gets it.”

A Violet shivered. It’s tough to respond to questions about why a person is a single unit. Without my friends’ support, we wouldn’t have wrapped it up before dinner.

Amid it all, Violet 32 began to grumble.

“I’m starting to dislike that Yurik guy a little!”

As expected of a former graduate student, Yurik couldn’t contain his excitement after hearing our explanation of unique abilities and the Violet Network and rushed over to pester us with questions.

“—Amazing! How did you replicate bodies that function almost identically to a human body just with Ether? What’s the method for interaction and communication between brains? This is similar to what Professor Sturgis was working on, right?”

“I dunno. It’s too hard!”

“This is a revolution! I can’t open your heads, but what about doing an MRI scan later?”

“What?? Open my head? No way! Get away!”

That was the first time I saw him so enraptured. Bad memories of the mischievous researchers from back in the lab briefly flashed before my eyes, making me a bit scared. The energy drained from me.

After that whirlwind of a discussion, I paused to consider what to do next.

We have a secret operation named but not yet launched. Coming up with plans for the Witch’s Hammer is a priority. We need to gather more materials and sort through everything. The sabotage in the laboratory is proceeding steadily. Thanks to that, their research is somewhat delayed, giving us a bit of leeway.

“I still have time until dealing with Armas.”

“Then, I need to secure more military funds.”

As the awakened personnel I can mobilize increased, it was about time we ventured into dungeons that are riskier than before. The benefits could be greater; we might even snag some 5-star gear if lucky.

The reason we hadn’t gone until now is simple. The place is tricky for sheer numbers to tackle. We need powerful attackers. Luckily, a competent mage and two friends fit for hunting large monsters just joined our ranks.

“Let’s really put them to work!”

“We’ve got artillery and close-range dealers now!”

Firearms are useful, but that’s we can’t rely solely on them. We have numbers and a strong will, but we can’t do it all with just one tool. I have no worries if I team up with awakened individuals who possess diverse characteristics.

However, before stirring up trouble, I still had a few things to deal with—my friends’ personal issues. Daphne said she’d take a leave of absence and come over, Kalia’s uncle hasn’t awakened yet, and the incident with Irene is still unresolved.

“So, are you planning to go?”

“She said she left some of her gear there. She’s going personally since she hasn’t been able to contact them.”

So, the Violet prepared to escort her friend. The destination is the Helios Clan office.