Chapter 56

Episode 56: Roles and Affirmation

It appears as a young girl with emerald green hair.

Slender limbs and porcelain-white skin.

One might say it looks more like an artwork crafted to resemble a human rather than an actual person.

The mechanical, inorganic movements that belie its youthful appearance make it immediately clear that this is not human.

Demon’s Gear Success Model No. Two – Ciel.

It was supposed to be resting deep within Factom General Academy.

“Today, I shall speak again.”

Ciel said this in a monotone voice. The disparity between the adorable tone one would expect from such a delicate figure and her flat manner of speaking still felt slightly off to Miroku even on the third day.

However, thanks to her youthful appearance, Miroku had managed to interact with her as if she were just a younger girl.

“I look forward to working with you, Nana-chan.”

“…My name is Ciel. You’ve made a mistake.”

“Yes, didn’t you say yourself? Version Seven?”

“Yes. I have been updated multiple times. I am now the most advanced among all my sisters.”

With a haughty sniff, Ciel puffed out her chest. Though her expression remained unchanged, the action was undeniably that of a young girl.

“Then, let us begin. Please extend your hand.”

“Yes.”

Miroku extended her hand as instructed by Ciel.

“…Is something wrong?”

“Until now, by the second day, every subject has shown me fear, terror, or violence—negative emotions. Your willingness to offer your hand so naturally is unprecedented.”

“Do I not inspire fear?”

At Ciel’s words, Miroku paused for a moment in contemplation before smiling faintly and replying, “No, I feel none.”

“It’s simply that I’m bored being here, and I want to talk. Besides, failing to fulfill my role here would be far more terrifying.”

“I see. Then allow me to proceed.”

Ciel then took Miroku’s hand.

Instantly, an overwhelming wave of discomfort seized Miroku’s body.

“Ugh… Ahh…!”

A sensation akin to boiling blood, coupled with a chilling cold rising from within. Despite only holding hands, an unimaginable agony overwhelmed her. Most of all, the sharp pain piercing her mind rendered coherent thought impossible, stretching endlessly as if it would never end.

“…!”

In the midst of her hazy consciousness, Miroku quickly retrieved a syringe with her free left hand and injected it into her neck without hesitation. By the time the contents of the syringe had fully entered her system, the discomfort had subsided to a tolerable level if she focused hard enough.

“With this, I’ll be fine.”

“Good. Then, we shall converse.”

Still holding hands, Ciel sat down beside her in a small, precise movement. Seeing this posture, Miroku felt the discomfort ease somewhat.

“What should we talk about today? Nana-chan, is there anything you’d like to discuss?”

“My introduction on the first day. Yesterday, we talked about the academy. Therefore, it is logical for me to speak about myself today.”

“Nana-chan herself? Do tell.”

When Miroku smiled and said this, Ciel nodded and began to speak.

“I am Demon’s Gear Success Model No. Two, Ciel. My role is computational processing for the Bright Star Project, and the termination of completed Star Readers.”

“Wow, impressive… Is this correct?? There were quite a few unfamiliar terms, so I’m unsure how to respond.”

“It is correct. Among Demon’s Gears, I possess unmatched computational abilities.”

Once again, Ciel puffed out her chest proudly. Silence enveloped the room momentarily.

After a while, Miroku cautiously asked,

“Um… Is that all? Don’t you have any likes or hobbies?”

“No.”

“Ah, I see… So, that’s it?”

“Yes.”

“…I see.”

Why did Ciel bring up talking about herself? Miroku considered asking but decided against it. She had dealt with people like this before.

(It feels like dealing with Mizuki from back then. In her case, it was due to caution.)

“Is there nothing you wish to try?”

“No.”

The definitive answer caused Miroku to frown. For a young girl, these words seemed somewhat disheartening.

“Unlike me, Nana-chan will eventually leave here. It would be good to think about what you want to do while you still can. It will surely be enjoyable.”

At Miroku’s words, Ciel quietly shook her head.

“I am a tool given a role. A tool merely functions as a tool.”

“…I see.”

Miroku understood that further discussion would be futile. Perhaps, even worse, her words wouldn’t resonate with someone destined to die soon.

“…Did I say something that offended you? I cannot compute human emotions.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Making an effort to smile, Miroku looked at Ciel.

“To be honest, I’m glad it’s you among the Demon’s Gears I’ve spoken with.”

Ciel tilted her head, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning behind the words.

“I share the same sentiment as Nana-chan. A role must absolutely be fulfilled.”

Everyone has a role.

This was one of the truths about the world that Miroku had come to understand in her life. There are no people without roles.

Then, what is the role of Aoi Hoshi Miroku?

“Does the subject also have a role?”

“Yes. My role is to sacrifice myself to save the academy. It’s something extraordinary only I can achieve.”

Self-sacrifice beyond mere devotion.

Through this, Miroku’s role would reach completion.

Miroku had assigned this role to herself.

(Considering my lack of power, this is all I can do.)

In this Academy City, where strength dominates nearly everything, this could be said to be the only way Miroku could find value in herself.

“So, please stay with me until the end, Nana-chan.”

“Naturally. That is my role.”

Ciel nodded impassively. At that moment, the coldness felt oddly comforting.

“Then, next, let’s talk about my teacher—ahh, gah…!?”

Her vision flipped suddenly.

By the time she realized she had fallen, Miroku was already lying face-down on the floor.

The effects of the medication had worn off.

“Ahh, aaahh… Gahh…!”

With trembling hands, she desperately searched the area where the attaché case had been. However, she couldn’t think clearly, nor could she freely move one of her own hands.

“Ugh… Aaah…!”

Even breathing was a struggle, yet Miroku continued reaching out. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her neck.

Not long after, the abnormal sensations gradually subsided from her body.

First, she steadied her breathing, then looked down at the tiny feet standing nearby.

“Are you alright?”

“—Yes. Thank you very much…”

“Gratitude is unnecessary. This too is part of my role.”

While discarding the empty syringe, Ciel once again took Miroku’s hand. With surprising strength for her petite frame, she lifted Miroku and helped her sit back down in the chair.

“How are you feeling? If you’re unwell, I will inform the professor and request a break.”

“No, let’s continue.”

If she didn’t demonstrate her usefulness, another student remaining in Factom General Academy might become the target. Thus, Miroku had resolved to exhaust herself completely.

“Yes. Then, let’s continue.”

Just as Ciel nodded, a voice came through the speakers in each corner of the room.

“Sorry, but we need to pause temporarily. We’ve encountered an accident.”

On the other side of the glass, the professor looked troubled.

“It seems someone has infiltrated this building. Are they an assassin from another academy trying to steal Demon’s Gear, or a fool attempting to retrieve you? Either way, you’ll have to wait while we deal with them.”

“…I see.”

Upon hearing that someone had come to rescue her, Miroku immediately dismissed the notion. Factom General Academy had left no trace of such information.

Even if someone tried, it would be impossible to locate her in three days.

Thus, it was highly likely that this was a student from another academy seeking to capture Ciel.

“What should we do?”

“Ciel, return to the capsule. If necessary, activate Orthros and use your energy source.”

“Understood.”

Ciel nodded and returned to the capsule she had previously occupied. Soon after, connectors protruding from the wall connected to Ciel’s capsule base. Once filled with liquid, Ciel stopped speaking and curled up silently, as if sleeping once more.

“What should I do?”

“As we don’t know our opponent’s intentions, staying near Orthros and Ciel is the safest option. I’ll issue instructions to the security guards from here. Just remain where you are. After all, waiting is something we’ve done plenty of these past three days, isn’t it?”

“…Understood.”

Miroku adjusted her position in the chair. Out of boredom, perhaps, she idly played with the syringe in her hand.

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