Episode 68: Resolution and the Young Girl
There wasn’t any talk of war… was there?
Hey, didn’t someone mention war just now?
“Yes, we did.”
Eh? Are Mikage Academy and Kisou Academy really going to war?
Isn’t this skipping ahead in the story a bit?
Rokuhara is still over there, but are they really going to go to war?
“Are you worried about them, Kei?”
“…No.”
I’m more concerned about the original story than Tourak and his group.
Is this going to be alright?
Well, I stole some data for this very reason.
But does it balance out at that level?
…Meh, whatever!
After all, we saved a beautiful girl, and there’s no greater joy than that!
“You’re quite resigned. Well, I think you should just consider the mysterious beautiful girl running through the battlefield as something poetic.”
That’s true!
Even so, this so-called “war” will only lead to disputes over dungeon clearance rights in special zones or outright fights.
There’s no need to panic about it!
Perhaps it was due to the fatigue from Super Mysterious Beautiful Girl Time, but it seemed like my thoughts had turned slightly negative.
Let’s switch gears.
Since we’ve already saved Miroku Senpai, this can be considered the end credits for our tale of beautiful girls.
All that’s left is returning to Factom General Academy for a happy ending!
“We’re almost at the Factom gate.”
“There don’t seem to be any students from Kisou Academy following us…”
That’s because Tourak and the others have taken care of everything.
They don’t have time to deal with small fry since they’re preparing for war against Mikage Academy.
“That’s great! We’ve been saved!”
Toa said this while going limp.
You’ve done well…
We hurriedly slipped through the gate.
Once we’re here, we can relax.
“I’ll temporarily halt the gate operation.”
As soon as Mizuki Senpai passed through, she closed the gate.
This means no students can enter Factom’s autonomous zone anymore.
Of course, if transfer magic were used, things would change, but there’s no point in chasing us that far right now.
“Are you alright, Nana?”
“There’s no problem. I only bit my tongue three times, after all.”
“H-Hey, are you okay?”
That’s right, something about Demon’s Gear followed us…
Will we send anyone to retrieve it?
Ah, well, let’s worry about that when the time comes.
We already have an incredibly strong Mizuki Senpai on our side! Hahaha!
“…Um, may I sincerely apologize to everyone again?”
In the midst of our relief, Miroku Senpai spoke up.
We stopped in our tracks and turned around.
“I’ve always been worried that I might be holding you all back. I mistakenly thought I could help you all by doing such things… I’m sorry. I couldn’t see anything clearly!”
“Miroku Senpai…”
“Miroku-chan…”
So… Miroku Senpai has been troubled.
Indeed, realizing the inherent value of being a beautiful girl isn’t easy.
It’s like asking a flower to objectively view itself as beautiful.
For me, Miroku Senpai being Miroku Senpai is meaningful enough, but it seems she’s been tormented by feelings of powerlessness.
“…If it were me, I could make her Ciel’s contractor, you know…?”
There’s no way I’d let that happen. Don’t joke around.
Just saying “I could” isn’t acceptable.
What are you trying to do, pretending to be helpful while pushing something dangerous onto her?
“But wouldn’t the combination of an older sister and a young girl be nice?”
…No, it’s simply unacceptable.
Absolutely forbidden! If you try, I won’t forgive you.
We mustn’t involve Miroku Senpai in harsh battles.
She needs to remain a place of solace for everyone.
Look, it seems everyone feels the same way.
Right, Mizuki Senpai?
“Miroku, grit your teeth.”
“Mizuki Senpai!?”
“Mizuki-chan!?”
Oh yeah, didn’t this person say something about hitting someone upon meeting?
Wait, was that metaphorical?
Was it a serious declaration of intent to punch someone?
“…I’m always fine. Come on.”
“Got it, let’s go.”
The sound of a slap echoed through the night near the school building.
Stunned by the reality of her genuine slap, Toa and I watched as Mizuki Senpai turned back to us.
“So, you guys also have the right.”
“Absolutely not!”
We shook our heads in unison.
This isn’t right. It’s wrong.
Slapping a beautiful girl transcends the concept of sin.
“I-I’ll pass.”
“I firmly refuse. That’s enough.”
“…Y-Yes, I’ll call it even with this. Let’s consider this matter resolved.”
With that, Mizuki Senpai smiled.
Ah, this person fundamentally embodies shonen manga tropes…
The type who becomes friends after a brawl by the riverbank.
You’d probably get along well with Rokuhara-san, wouldn’t you?
“Mizuki… Alright, thank you all very much from here on out!”
Miroku Senpai said this and smiled gently as usual.
This marks the resolution of the issue, doesn’t it?
Relieved, Toa clung to Miroku Senpai, tears welling in her eyes.
Yeah, it’s a heartwarming scene…
This is the ending still.
Alright, the problems at Factom General Academy are resolved!
…Or so we thought.
“Then, let’s reintroduce Nana properly.”
“I am Ciel: Version 7, the second successful model of Demon’s Gear.”
“This is Demon’s Gear… Looking at it again, it’s truly indistinguishable from a human.”
“Shouldn’t we refrain from touching it?”
Toa cautiously asked, to which Miroku Senpai nodded.
“For now, only I can touch it. And that’s only as long as I have this injection.”
She showed us the attaché case and said this.
See, this Ciel is the problem.
The news that a minor academy possesses Demon’s Gear will quickly spread throughout Academy City.
Once that happens, various academies will start causing trouble.
Even Mizuki Senpai and I might not be able to handle it all.
Before that happens, we need to seek protection under a larger academy.
“Could it be… you’re using experimental records for that?”
Exactly.
While it partially serves to correct the original storyline, it’s primarily negotiation material to bring Factom General Academy under Mikage Academy’s wing.
Preferably as a sister school…
“Hmm… We also need to consider the matter of Demon’s Gear. However, I don’t want to think about difficult things tonight. I’m tired; let’s have dinner instead.”
It seems Mizuki Senpai noticed but gave up out of laziness.
Miroku Senpai and Toa nodded in agreement with her words.
Then, shall we eat?
“I’ll cook today. To make up for my absence, I’ll prepare some delicious stir-fried bean sprouts!”
Yay, a beautiful girl’s home cooking!
■
Everyone fell asleep quickly due to the day’s events.
“…Alright.”
I got up, slapping my cheeks to shake off the sleepiness.
There’s work to do!
Negotiations with Mikage Academy!
“Let’s go!”
We’re going!
Quietly leaving the dormitory, I arrived near the gate and realized…
Ah, the gate’s closed.
Oops!
“Such a playful one. Are you still half-asleep?”
I’m sleepy from the backlash of Super Mysterious Beautiful Girl Time.
I should’ve just used transfer magic in my room.
Star Reader’s Staff, please prepare the transfer spell.
“Shall we transfer then…? Hmm? What is this presence?”
Upon hearing Star Reader’s Staff, I immediately sensed it too.
A young girl with emerald hair is watching us.
Eh? She’s wearing fluffy pajamas!? So cute!
Maybe they’re hand-me-downs? How adorable!
“It’s been a while, Sister.”
Ciel bowed her head.
Ah, so it’s Nana now.
“This time, it doesn’t seem to be about eliminating my sisters. Why have you activated? I don’t understand the situation since your infiltration hasn’t progressed yet, Sister.”
“…That’s right.”
I quickly switched my mindset to Mysterious Beautiful Girl.
And transformed into my usual Gothic Lolita outfit.
“You are still human, aren’t you? The infiltration of the Sister hasn’t advanced enough for me to sense your self-awareness.”
“It seems she wishes to speak with me. Would you relay my exact words?”
Ah, yes.
Let’s use the Zero Mode we used before.
“—Indeed, that’s correct. Currently, she and I coexist.”
I declared this while leaking immense magical power.
Look at the amount of magic—doesn’t it feel like Star Reader’s Staff is actually manifesting?
The fuel efficiency is terrible in this mode though.
“Coexistence?”
“Aye. This time, I awakened to counter a certain calamity. To fulfill my original purpose as the Queen’s Coffin.”
Eh? Is there really such a thing?
“No, I have no idea.”
Stop making things up!
“Which mouth is saying that?”
“The calamity, you say. Thus, it seems the erosion of the Mirror Realm has finally begun in earnest. Demon’s Gear exists to counteract that phenomenon.”
“So, that’s right. As expected, Ciel, your calculations are unmatched among my sisters.”
“Hmph! …However, why Sister as well? Our plan was for the six of us alone to suffice.”
What should we do, Star Reader’s Staff?
Your sister is tough at pointing out facts…
“…Actually, the erosion of the Mirror Realm is progressing faster than anticipated. There’s a high possibility of irregularities occurring. Hence, I woke up beforehand.”
Did that work?
“If she doesn’t accept it, it would be troublesome. I can’t exactly tell her I was awakened by a pervert transforming into a Mysterious Beautiful Girl…”
“I understand now.”
Is this child’s mind somewhat loose?
“Please consider her pure. Even so, she’s equal to or better than me in cyber warfare.”
“Wow, really.”
Nana seems to have accepted it. All that’s left is to wrap things up conveniently.
“Currently, I’m lying low at Factom General Academy to keep watch in case irregularities occur anywhere. The disguise of a regular student makes movement easier. Therefore, I act as Na Takikai. It would be helpful if you interacted with me as Na Takikai.”
“I understand. You are Na Takikai.”
“Ahh, Na Takikai is recognized as male, so please remember that.”
“Why? Wouldn’t it be fine to infiltrate as a female student?”
“……It’s to leave no trace of information, even gender, when eventually leaving this academy. Understand?”
After thinking for a moment, Nana nodded.
“Indeed, according to the calculations, it’s harder to be pursued that way. Impressive, Sister.”
“Yep, yep. Do you have any other questions? None? Then, let me become your master.”
Star Reader’s Staff, you pushed this onto me, didn’t you?
“Until now, you’ve been speaking as me, so nothing changes. From here on, rely on Na Takikai.”
Taking Star Reader’s Staff’s place, I smoothly changed my expression and opened my mouth.
“Have we reached an understanding?”
“Yes. Um, is it Na Takikai now?”
“That’s right. But in this form, Solciera might be more appropriate.”
“I see. Understood. I’ll address you as such moving forward.”
Nana politely nodded.
Then, she tilted her head looking at me.
“Where are you heading now?”
“I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
“May I assist? I can support with calculations or combat.”
“It’s alright, thank you.”
I gently patted Nana’s head.
Confused, Nana let it happen.
“…Why are you patting my head?”
“Because I want to. Besides, you’re part of the Factom General Academy family now, aren’t you? So, let’s get along, alright?”
Hearing my words, Nana tilted her head again.
“Family?”
“That’s right. Even if you don’t understand now, you will eventually. That place is warm… too warm for someone like me.”
Adding a hint of mystery, I softly lowered my gaze and smiled.
Then, before Nana could respond, I turned my back and stepped towards the transfer magic circle.
“Well, I’m off. Remember, you absolutely mustn’t tell anyone.”
“Yes. Understood.”
With Nana’s response, I blew big sister vibes as I dived into the magic circle, saying “Good girl.”
Alright, let’s head to Mikage Academy!
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ni hyōi tensei shita ore wa TS o akiramenai, かませ役
