Ch.144144. Future Plans

After returning to the Association, I examined Bine.

I think it was like this last time too.

This time it’s exactly the same.

Since Bine might not have broken free from the brainwashing yet, I had her restrained.

Of course, Ellis said she would watch over her every day.

The others were so worried.

Naturally, I was concerned too. I brought my belongings to stay here for a while.

The examination results showed only minor bruising, nothing serious.

As expected of Bine.

Bine was Bine.

Even after taking a direct hit from my sword.

Not only is she perfectly alive, but she only suffered bruise-level damage.

…Even if her mind wasn’t Bine, her body still is Bine, I guess.

If it had been an ordinary S-class monster or mutant…

To be honest, I would have cut a monster in half.

And for a mutant, I could have sliced deep enough to expose the core.

…Yeah.

That’s Bine for you.

While I was watching over her,

Ellis returned with the Association Director from outside.

“…I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

“Director…?”

“Just choose. You’ll have to hear both anyway. Which one first?”

“…The good news, please.”

“The good news is that Bine might wake up soon. She’s showing different wavelengths compared to when she lost consciousness before. Both her magical energy and physical condition are completely normal.”

“That is good news. It would be better if she wakes up soon… Don’t tell me the bad news is that the brainwashing hasn’t been undone…”

“We’ll only know that when she wakes up. We haven’t been able to determine that specifically yet. In severe cases… we might need help from that other world.”

“You mean Jibril’s world?”

“Yes. They’ve developed differently from us, more focused on magic. It might be good to make a quick trip over there.”

“…But that’s not easy, is it?”

“Aren’t you desperate enough?”

“…Yes. I am desperate.”

“Then we have no choice but to consider that option.”

Travel between dimensions requires significant risk and energy.

Energy equivalent to what they use to cross over, and… enormous magical power.

To prepare for that…

And since more than one person needs to go.

Mascots like them, who have adapted to that world, can cross over relatively easily, they say.

Even I don’t go there often unless it’s absolutely necessary.

And that’s while using large amounts of my magical power.

…It will require a lot of effort.

“As for the magical power… I can handle it somehow.”

While I was pondering this,

Ellis provided an answer.

“…I can use negative energy as magical power. I found some when we raided their headquarters last time.”

“Ellis…?”

“…It’s for Bine’s sake! Oh, I’m still not on your side, you know?”

“Ellis…!”

I ran to Ellis and gave her a hug.

She struggled, saying it was uncomfortable.

But even that was so cute.

…I hugged her because she was cute.

Hehehe…

While I was doing that,

The Association Director cleared his throat,

as if to remind us that he was still there.

“Ahem…”

“Ah… right.”

“I haven’t told you the bad news yet, have I?”

“…No.”

“Well… it’s nothing major. Just that… the media seems to have caught wind of Marina’s attack.”

“…What?”

“Negligence in Bine’s management, inadequate supervision of Ellis. And… there have been some leaks from inside the Association.”

“W-wait a minute…! What?!”

“…It means that if you take Bine out, there might not be as much goodwill as before. Who can guarantee that someone who betrayed once won’t do it again and again?”

“…B-but…!”

“Yes… this case was quite unusual. Still.”

“…That’s right. I browsed through some community forums too. It’s quiet for now since there’s no official statement, but it feels like it could explode with just a little provocation. And… Association insiders use those forums too. There’s no guarantee that the truth won’t spread outside.”

Ellis, who had been struggling in my arms, answered with a gloomy voice.

…If this news spreads to the media.

We’ll certainly face criticism.

Even if that’s to be expected.

For Bine and Ellis…

They could face real threats.

People saying we can’t risk the villain group Eden coming back to life.

People love peace.

They’re beings who would do anything for peace.

…If this situation escalates even a little bit more.

“We need to capture the boss quickly, deal with the doctor somehow, and then eliminate the remaining fugitives.”

“And then show that nothing happened, confirm that Marina is properly in place, and identify the internal leakers.”

“…Yes. I don’t know much about politics. I’ll leave that part to you, Director.”

“For that to happen, Bine needs to wake up first. People will only believe if they know she’s here and hasn’t run away.”

“Yes… after she recovers… we could go on a date or something.”

Going out together to some crowded place might help calm public opinion.

“What did you tell the media?”

“That no such incident exists. Bine is already under the Association’s protective supervision, and her power-sealing device is functioning properly. If Bine doesn’t commit any crimes, there should be no sanctions imposed, nor should there be. Ellis is under the Association’s protection, wearing a sealing device just like Bine, and is cooperating with the Association. She’s actually helping to eliminate Eden’s remnants.”

At the Director’s words, Ellis shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s why I’m being cooperative, isn’t it?”

“…You were quite uncooperative before seeing Bine, though.”

“Now I’m actively giving instructions to the Association research staff. Director, don’t you think those kids are too clueless? They should at least have studied basic magic theory.”

“How could they have seen magic in their lives? At most, they’ve watched videos of magical girls… Most of them are engineering students, and even among us…”

“Oh, forget it. We need to save our Bine somehow, even with those incompetent researchers. I’ve been putting in a lot of effort, you know? Isn’t that cooperative enough?”

“Yes… well, let’s say it is. So, will the media believe that at face value?”

“Hmm… when I offered them photos of Ellis and Bine, they shut up and left.”

“Ugh. That old man takes terrible photos. Shouldn’t anyone look good next to such a scruffy old man?”

“He wasn’t a photographer, Ellis.”

“Director, couldn’t you have looked even scruffier for my sake?”

“That’s… impossible. How much of a nuisance would I be to the people working here if I looked like that?”

“Well… I guess if you smelled like a bachelor, no one would want to approach you.”

I’m not sure what they’re talking about, but anyway.

“So in the end… we just need to wake Bine up quickly, right, Director?”

“Yes… that’s the first step to calming the media. You wouldn’t want to see Bine getting egged when she goes outside, would you? Neither you nor Ellis.”

“…Yes. When she fell into the lake last time, I was so shocked…”

In that case… we have no choice but to wait for her to wake up.

I let go of Ellis and approached Bine’s side.

She looked peaceful in her sleep.

…Sigh.

Here we go again.

I wish she would open her eyes.

* * *

The boss, actually.

The boss.

Treating everyone as tools for self-preservation.

As such tools.

As if they weren’t even living beings.

Then what he showed me all this time.

What he showed me.

Everything.

False words, false actions, he said.

The ideal that he envisioned.

The path that he walked…

Even though he showed me what it would look like when that ideal was fully realized.

How could a simulation create such a detailed and realistic vision of everyone’s happiness?

He showed me a peaceful world without conflict.

And it was all…

For his self-preservation… self-preservation.

…If that’s the case.

If that’s the case.

I must stop it.

No, first I need to wake up.

And then go ask him.

Ask him directly.

Whether the ideal he showed me was really a lie.

Whether the future he spoke of was just an illusion.

I need to know.

First… this dark something.

I need to break out of this warm cocoon.

This cocoon is not where I belong.

This comfortable place is not where I should be yet.

I shouldn’t be here.

I need to break out, go,

Confront him.

And if confrontation doesn’t end it.

Is there only one option left?

* * *

“…Huh?!”

“Ellis?”

“She, she opened her eyes…! Bine, can you see me? Bine?”

Ellis suddenly jumped up in surprise.

And I woke up at the sound.

It was late at night.

All the lights were turned on.

“Bine, Bine…!”

“…Ugh.”

“Bine, do you recognize me…?”

“My arms…? …! Traitor…! What is this?! And… a magical girl?! You…! So you sold me out to this place after all…! How, how…! Not only a failure but also a betrayer…!”

“Bine…!”

Bine thrashed about in a fit upon seeing Ellis.

I dare say this is the worst possible situation.

“…So the brainwashing hasn’t been undone yet. Ellis… step back for now.”

“No…! Bine, Bine…! Bine, look at me! Don’t you know who I am?”

“What are you saying, you vile traitor, Ellis? Didn’t you betray Eden and end up siding with the magical girl? How dare you… How dare you. How could you betray the immense grace that the boss bestowed upon you with such treachery…!”

“Bine…!”

I decided to move Ellis away from Bine.

Who knows what might happen if we leave things as they are.

“…Jibril.”

And I called my mascot.

It would be better to call in an expert in this field.

A white cat appeared behind me and settled on top of my head.

“…She’s been severely affected.”

“Huh…?”

“The seal… or should I say barrier, is thick inside her.”

“…How do you know?”

“I’m your mascot, aren’t I?”

“…Right. I understand. So?”

“Hmm… we’ll have to go.”

“…The magical power required. It’s for two people.”

“That mutant over there said she has a way.”

“…She did mention something. Ellis?”

“…What’s with that creepy cat?”

Ellis frowned at Jibril.

It looked like she had been crying, tears still visible.

“That energy… can you help with that?”

“…If it’s for Bine.”

“What are you talking about, you mur…?! Mmph…! Puh… Kuh…”

Thinking it was pointless to keep Bine awake any longer,

Ellis administered a prepared sedative.

“…Let’s go quickly. I can’t bear to see her like this anymore.”

Then, she handed Jibril two small battery-sized devices.

“Those. Convert them to magical power and use them. You know how to use them. They’re similar to what the Demon King’s army used in your world.”

“…They certainly look like it.”

“Just get ready to go.”