Ch.140140. Our Paradise

A throne shining in the darkness.

The Boss was sitting there.

And below that.

Down there, I was bound in handcuffs, sealed so that I couldn’t move my arms and legs.

What kind of situation is this?

Why… why did the Boss tie me up…?

“Are you awake, Vine?”

“What…? Boss…?”

“Yes… I see you’re definitely awake.”

“Boss…?”

“I believe you already know why you’re tied up without me having to explain.”

“Boss, what do you mean…?”

“In the end, you were just another failure among the many test subjects. I thought you would last longer. It’s troublesome when you act like this even in this world series.”

“Boss…?”

“Sigh… I should have completely killed the Demon King in that fairy world before leaving. Doctor, what’s happening in that world now?”

In response to the Boss’s question, the doctor who was standing by answers.

“Ah, are you referring to that world? Unfortunately, after the contractor from this world defeated the Demon King with their power, they’re now advancing into the Demon King’s territory… though things have reached a stalemate for now.”

“…I shouldn’t have put a proxy in my place. How different is it compared to when I was directly in command?”

“Yes. It’s only about 3.48% of the power from when you were there…”

“A ragtag bunch.”

“It’s because you were extraordinary, Boss.”

“No need for flattery. I already know.”

“Khaha… I see. So, what are your plans going forward?”

“…I’ve invested too much in this planet. Vine… the time and resources spent raising that thing.”

“I see… Then shall we recycle it?”

“What’s the current status?”

“I’ve simply induced an accident, sealed and manipulated the memories. Any further tampering would cause significant loss in combat ability.”

“I see… Since I’ve returned anyway, wouldn’t it be better to make it more obedient to face the great threat of magical girls?”

“Ah, of course. How would you like to proceed?”

“Well… It’s because of free will that this happened. Those magical girls who threaten my life will actually be quite helpful in consuming this world. They’re excellent energy sources. We can directly extract magical power using negative emotions. Develop equipment for modifications using the energy from those we capture.”

“Indeed, since magical girls are female, we should target their sexual aspects. Shall we add violation-type or tentacle monsters?”

“That would be good. But we must maintain combat effectiveness. Research how to make such things useful internally for now.”

“Yes.”

I can’t understand their conversation at all.

Violation…?

Why…?

Boss…?

Failure…?

What does that mean…?

“Boss…? What do you mean by failure…? W-what are you saying…? Induced accident…? Memory sealing…?”

“Well, since it’s a consciousness that will disappear anyway, I might as well answer.”

The Boss came down and approached me.

Then, grabbing my chin.

“Something so weak-looking wandering around. I wasn’t worried… but unfortunately, you put me in danger. And to magical girls, no less.”

“T-that’s…”

“I was pleased with your lack of mistakes, but it’s unfortunate. Moreover… according to the doctor, you’ve already developed feelings for the magical girls?”

“F-feelings…! H-how could I…! I only have the Boss!”

“How would that strange affection not become poison and interfere again? To prevent that, I have no choice but to seal all the memories in your head. Ah. And your consciousness too. It’s regrettable, but this is farewell.”

“T-that can’t be…! Boss, you’re misunderstanding…!”

“By the way… to a consciousness that’s about to disappear, it’s not much, but yes, we deliberately created the dimensional rift. Didn’t you already know? We simply manipulated and erased your memories. It’s easier to handle you that way. And now we’re erasing them again. Pray that the new Vine will be more successful. That’s the last way you can be of help to me.”

“Boss…!”

“World conquest. Literally. Creating a world to be used as an energy source under my command. That’s it. Puhaha! Did you think that made sense? Well, I didn’t lie. Isn’t it enough to brainwash people like you to make them eternally happy? Isn’t it enough if dopamine is secreted in the brain? Having your energy eternally exploited so I can reach a new level, and then becoming material for new humans, khaha!”

“Bo…ss…”

“Well. You were quite good. How amusing it was to see you depend on someone who nearly killed you. I laughed a lot at first. Even though returning from the dimensional rift was the primary goal. You’re the only one who came close to the next goal. Well, the magical girls did interfere. But the new you will take care of that in the future. Farewell.”

Then, after giving some instruction to the doctor.

BZZZZT!!!

“AAAAARGH!??!!?!!!”

With that, my consciousness sank into the deep darkness.

The Boss I believed in.

The Boss…

Was actually the real culprit who put me in this state…

Not saving the world.

Because of his own desires.

His desire for evolution…?

T-then… the ideal he kept explaining.

The ideal that person spoke of.

It was all just to satisfy himself.

Really, to raise humans like livestock, to use them as batteries.

What does that make me, who followed him because I thought his ideals were good?

What does that make me, who followed him because I thought the future he showed was good?

He’s going to let us enjoy a fake paradise called Eden, then suck our blood dry and move on to another world.

Then, ah…

I was… deceived…?

For all that time…?

Why, why…?

Boss, I believed in you…

Boss, I believed…

With that thought, it ended.

* * *

“Avalon… are you sure about this? That’s just an Eden knockoff.”

“It means our true paradise. Not that delusional, self-centered, selfish paradise. A paradise of our own, achieved by human hands, with human power.”

“Well… I keep proving that it’s all pointless. A life where everyone can be equal and happy under a superhuman is better.”

“…Ellie. Quiet.”

“Yes.”

I can hear the other magical girls murmuring.

“Is that Eden’s… Ellie…?”

“No, Yun… Blanc said she had her well restrained.”

“Didn’t she break free and betray us?”

“No, she was captured again.”

“How?”

The commotion in the room intensifies.

“Alright, quiet everyone! How doesn’t matter. She’s definitely mine now.”

“…Eh? Yours…? M-meow?!”

“Why are you acting like a cat… It’s true, isn’t it.”

When I said this, the commotion in the room grew even louder.

“Gasp…? Did she just say ‘mine’…?”

“No way…? Yunsul unnie?”

“The partner of THE Yunsul unnie…?”

“Hey, hey! Blanc! What are you going to do about this! Take responsibility! I demand responsibility! How could someone as noble and precious as me be with a mere magical girl like you…!”

The room gets increasingly noisy.

…If I leave it like this, it’s going to boil over…

“EVERYONE!!!! BE QUIET!!!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO HERE!!!”

“Unnie…!?”

I shouted so loudly that Arin, who was sitting next to me, was startled.

Yes. Now finally everyone’s attention is on me.

“Good… that’s a bit better. I’ll explain, so wait a bit. Don’t create strange fake news.”

“But…”

“Hyewon, you be quiet too.”

“Yes.”

I explained to the kids in detail about Ellie.

What kind of relationship she has with me now.

And why she can’t betray us. And the meaning behind my earlier statement about her being mine. Everything.

Only then did they understand and the commotion subsided a bit.

Ah.

“Hey! Take responsibility! I demand responsibility! My honor and body and… anyway! Take responsibility!!!!”

“Shut up, Ellie. Close your mouth.”

“Mmph!! Mmph?!?!”

For some reason, Ellie can’t open her mouth.

She seems flustered, her face turning red.

For now, I need to proceed with the meeting.

I show everyone the specific Avalon plan.

How to infiltrate, how to capture the Boss.

Countermeasures for Vine and the enhanced combat units.

It’s all thanks to Ellie.

It’s because Ellie allowed herself to be captured that we could somehow extract information.

“So… the success rate is 80%.”

“Isn’t that too ambiguous?”

“…Well, what can we do. We’re working to make it 100%.”

“…By the way, Ellie doesn’t look so good.”

“Huh…?”

Her face, which was red earlier, has now turned pale blue.

Could it be…?

“Ellie…? You can open your mouth now…!”

Only then does she open her mouth.

“Puhaaa…! I-I thought I was going to die…! Even though I’m a monster…! Even though I’m a monster…!”

“W-why didn’t you say something…”

“Hey! You prevented me from speaking…! How could I speak!”

“Ah…”

I learned the true effect of the contract magic in an unexpected way.

…It was a more dangerous spell than I thought.

“Sorry…?”

“Sorry…? SORRY?!?!? You think that’s enough to be forgiven?”

“B-but… I had to conduct the meeting…”

“Hey! My honor and bodily freedom didn’t matter!? Oh my!! Neighbors!! The owner here is abusing her slave!! Oh my! This is modern Kore- mmph?!?”

“Ellie…! Please…!”

“Mmph…!? Puhaa… Oppose oppression…! What is this…!”

“Ellie.”

This time I speak to her firmly.

Speaking a bit more seriously seems to have brought her to her senses.

“…Tch. I’m going to put it all on your tab. Be prepared.”

“It’s your fault.”

“What about your fault? The danger to my life?”

“…Alright. Tell me what you want later. It’s not appropriate here.”

“Really? Really? Alright! Then hehehe…”

I felt happy that we seemed to have regained some of our original daily life, even without Vine.

Every time I feel that way, a very strong sense of regret remains.

By the way, on this day.

I think I lost about 30 chickens to Ellie.

* * *

Somewhere in the mountains of southern Korean Peninsula.

The waist of the peninsula where the Sobaek and Taebaek mountain ranges cross.

Even among such mountains, a place with no trace of people.

Disguised as an abandoned military facility, a place where no one can enter.

Many people were heading toward that place.

“…This is more nerve-wracking than Ragnarok.”

“Back then… Hah. Never mind.”

“…What’s wrong, unnie?”

“Seohyun… you participated too, back then. How do you feel now?”

“Me…? I actually feel lighter.”

“Really? Aren’t you afraid?”

“We all trained, didn’t we? It’s the same as during Operation Ragnarok.”

“…”

“30 minutes until we’re over the operation area. Preparing to enter soon. Good luck, everyone.”

“Girls, are you all ready? It’s about to begin. Everyone remembers their team assignments, right? Remember all the characteristics of the artificial monsters too. Trust in me. And my weapons. And your comrades.”

“…What about me?”

“Ellie, you… for now, me.”

“…Hmph. That’ll change soon. Whatever.”

* * *

“We’re going in. Magic explosive placement?”

“Complete.”

“Jane. Detonate it.”

“Yes!”

BOOM—!!!

CRASH—!!!

“Everyone enter at once! Memorize the internal positions! Keep your magic sight on!”

“Alpha team! Head straight for the boss room! Bravo and Charlie teams split to both sides and eliminate the remaining forces! Each centered around the key personnel!”

“Yes!”

* * *

“Haa, haa, haa, haa…”

“This place is ridiculously deep… damn Eden bastards…”

“Hey… I’m from Eden too, you know…?”

“How is this even possible… how is the condition worse than the previous hideout…”

“Of course! They need to strengthen security!”

“This is driving me crazy… really.”

“That’s far enough, magical girls.”

“This voice… Vine…?”

“How dare you, with those filthy feet, enter where you don’t belong.”

Purple eyes without focus were staring at us menacingly.