Ch.218218. Aftermath

“What about the core, will you manage it as it is?”

“For now, I think so. There’s the option of putting it back in Marina, or there were plans to truly dispose of it in the Mariana Trench or some magma chamber, but with a core like that, we don’t know what it might do with that energy. If possible, I’d like to banish it to another world.”

“Eden has the ability to open dimensional rifts. You could easily extract that information by interrogating the doctor. Or I could.”

Since Eden used dimensional rifts to summon monsters.

If they decide to isolate Baal in another dimension, of course I should help.

Because I bear responsibility for everything related to Baal.

If I can help… if I can resolve this.

I’d give my life to fix everything.

“You?”

“Well, you might not trust me. But if I go to Eden, I at least know where things are located. There are probably countless spaces you haven’t explored yet. Like my room from when I was there last time, or Ellie’s room. You didn’t know about those places, did you?”

“That’s true, but…”

“If you don’t trust me… well, I can’t help that. Should I wear another collar?”

“Oh. Want a piercing?”

Blanc, seizing the opportunity, doesn’t hide her desires again.

“The Association President is right there, what are you saying?”

“She’s far away, so she won’t hear. She’s probably talking with the researcher, so she wouldn’t have heard our conversation well anyway.”

“What are you—”

“Where would you like it? Top? Bottom? The top needs two, but the bottom only needs one.”

“What… have you lost your mind?”

“Vine, you made me this way, so take responsibility.”

Looking at Blanc speaking to me with that excited voice.

I’m dumbfounded, but at the same time, I can’t get angry.

How should I put this?

…I even feel a slight desire to do it for her.

Really, has my brain been damaged too?

When I broke the contract with Baal, did I accidentally transfer the connection to Blanc?

If not, I shouldn’t be enjoying this.

At least as a human, no one should enjoy hearing about getting painful piercings.

…Right?

Knowing what those piercings would be for.

As these thoughts invade my mind, blood rushes to my head, making my face flush.

“Ah, Vine. Could it be you’re looking forward to it?”

“L-looking forward? No way!! W-who would like something like that…!”

“Hmm… I’ll gift you a pretty one later.”

“I don’t want it!”

“Hehe…”

That Blanc, just laughing carelessly.

What’s really going on in that head…

Sigh, I used to understand everything, but now.

Especially regarding matters related to me, I can’t grasp or predict how she’ll move…

Phew.

I suppose I should analyze her more closely.

T-that’s… the same whether we’re lovers or enemies.

S-so I should stay closer to her, right?

…Though I do have quite a few lovers.

That means less time to devote to Blanc.

Still, if I increase the intensity…

“Ah, here’s the room where the doctor is.”

A small room not far from Baal’s core.

“I thought it would be in the underground prison below.”

“This is easier to manage.”

“What if she escapes and steals Baal’s core?”

“She’s restrained at all limbs, fingers, and toes, plus she’s wearing a seal that prevents her from using magic.”

“…That seal was analyzed by the doctor herself, so I’m a bit skeptical.”

“Ah. It’s different from before. This one’s newly developed.”

…The fact that it’s newly developed makes me even more skeptical.

How is it different from the collar around my neck right now?

Of course, my collar is slightly different with the pendant Blanc attached.

The magic restriction function currently operating.

That kind of thing, couldn’t it be unlocked just by hacking a single phone?

“Isn’t it the same as what I’m wearing?”

“No. That one requires physical restraint too… it doesn’t have the same ‘considerations.'”

“‘Considerations’…?”

“A collar made from metal brought from that world… though it’s a bit large to call it a collar. Her entire body is wrapped in that metal.”

“Could it be a metal that renders monsters powerless just by touching them?”

“…Something like that.”

A collar made of metal that sounds like something out of a superhero setting.

“What about… my collar?”

“Didn’t use it.”

“…Why?”

“Why bother?”

“But I’m a villain, right? On the same level as that doctor…?”

“Exactly. Why bother…?”

“…Seriously.”

“What? Do you want to break the collar with force?”

“That’s not it, but…”

“Then there’s no need, right?”

“How much does it restrict one’s power?”

“To the point where you can’t move your muscles at all. Ah, of course you can still speak. But you can’t move your limbs. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a metal. If we had it earlier…”

As Blanc was about to complain, a white figure appeared behind her.

“Since they invaded our world, you should at least know what it is. Not this little one, but the other one. It would be better to ask her.”

“What?”

“You’re noisy, Vine. Can’t you be a little quieter? This is the Association.”

“N-no… the noisy cat here is you!”

“See? You’re the one making noise.”

“Annoying cat.”

“My elegance might cause irritation.”

The annoying cat, Gabriel, who gracefully perched on Blanc’s head.

“So where’s Ellie? If she sees this, she’ll understand.”

“Understand what…?”

“That this metal is extremely rare. Without your help, we couldn’t have reclaimed the mine, right? That’s why we were able to export this much to Earth.”

“What are you talking about, Gabriel…?”

Blanc asked Gabriel with genuine confusion in her voice.

“You complained about sending so little. The reason is that it’s rare. Since monsters appear in our world too, there’s a certain amount that needs to be used there. The amount attached to that monster is exceptionally large. It’s absolutely impossible to break through that. Even if Baal had transcended, that much would have sealed it completely.”

“Why are you only telling me this now…”

“Like I said, without your help, we couldn’t have reclaimed the mine. That means…”

“You’ve barely produced any.”

“Right. Well, we were lucky to find a large vein, so discovering that much is rare. The more I look at it, the more precious it seems. That amount could instantly seal and dismantle several giant monsters.”

“That powerful…?”

“Yes. That powerful. Our world was invaded by those Eden people first, so we know well. Weapons made of that material are most effective against the Demon King’s army.”

“Ah…”

“The cleanup of remnants has been somewhat resolved. Now I’m going to eat and play at Blanc’s house. The Queen said it’s okay to rest.”

“A vacation?”

“Well, something like that.”

Why did this cat have to return now, of all times?

Wait.

What if this cat finds out about what happens around me every night…?

Ha.

This can’t be happening.

Ah?

Aah?

“Hey. Go back!”

“H-huh…? Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

“Go back! Go back to your world! Ugh… Ellie! Ellie!! Isn’t there a way to cause trouble in that world? Right now, a way to make that cat go back…!”

I look for Ellie, who was playing with Yuri in the distance.

But Ellie, who should have been behind me, is nowhere to be seen.

“No, why are you suddenly acting like this…? Vine…?”

“Blanc! P-please, can’t you make this noisy cat go back…? Please, yes…?”

“What’s going on with you…?”

“There is, a very important matter…! So hurry. Ugh… this absolutely can’t happen…”

“What absolutely can’t happ— Ah.”

Blanc seemed to understand what I was trying to say with my flushed face.

“She probably already knows.”

“What…?”

She delivers shocking news.

“What on earth is wrong with you…! What did I do wrong!”

“No, cat. Be quiet for a moment. Wait, what did you say…?”

“Well… Gabriel and I are in a kind of contract relationship…? A mascot and magical girl are inseparable, right? So naturally…”

Thud—

My legs give out on their own.

Kneeling before Blanc, I could only taste despair.

All those things, known by this noisy, gossip-loving, ill-tempered cat…?

“…Do you know a painless way to die?”

“What are you saying…”

“This is already the second time today… This morning I was caught by Hyewon, and now without my knowledge, by a noisy, ill-tempered cat like Gabriel…”

“How am I ill-tempered?!”

“Be quiet, Gabriel. Blanc… I think this is the end for me…”

“What are you saying, Vine…”

“Please don’t record that your final archenemy’s cause of death was dying of shame…”

“No… if you put it that way, I also showed such behavior in front of Gabriel…”

“…Huh?”

“Yet I’m just standing here like this. It’s not like Gabriel saw it with her own eyes, she just knows the situation. It’s fine. And she probably won’t care when we’re at home either.”

“What…?”

“Gabriel is secretly quite perverted too, so she might secretly watch from behind… but unless she’s going to cross over to that world, she’s just a cat after all.”

“…Considering this morning and such.”

“Come on. It’s fine, it’s fine.”

“…Ugh.”

“If you’re really worried… should I make a separate room for Gabriel?”

As Blanc offered an alternative to my concerns, Gabriel, who had been listening to this embarrassing conversation from behind:

“Eh…? You’re making me a room…?”

“I’ll fill it with cat towers.”

“…High-end?”

“With scratchers and cat wheels too.”

“Deal.”

She smiled and took what she could get.

Huh…?

“That settles it, right? I thought… Well, let’s go quickly.”

“Wha…?”

Unable to overcome my confusion, I had no choice but to be led elsewhere by Blanc’s hand.

“Now we need to go for your examination, Vine.”

“Whaaat!?”