Ch.6767. A Familiar Feeling.

My office.

Yes, I think I spent more time here than in my living quarters.

Basically, when I first regained consciousness in Eden, there was that slight euphoria accompanied by a sense of weakness.

After being chosen by the Boss and promptly passing out.

This was the first place I woke up.

My tattered clothes had already been replaced with clean ones.

The one who first extended a hand to me when I knew nothing.

The fact that they waited for me in this small room until I woke up.

No one else helped me.

In the mountains, whenever I approached anyone, they just ran away in fear.

Wandering through those treacherous mountains with an unfamiliar body that barely moved properly…

What I received in return wasn’t a warm word, but piles of dirt and stones thrown directly at me.

Even when I was hit with rocks near that ridge and tumbled down, despite asking for help through tremendous pain…

Along with being called a monster.

The purple monster.

Yes, that’s right.

Why had I forgotten?

That treatment.

Those days.

For at least a month, I survived by stripping bark from trees in the mountains.

No, there were times I ate grass and got stomach pains.

What would a mere student like me know about edible plants?

It’s not like I had any way to cook them either.

The mountains were cold at night, and to survive that cold, I dug into the frozen ground until my fingernails were completely gone.

And yet, I had to stay near where that dimensional rift was. I remained there, hoping that I might figure out how to return, but…

In the end, no one came. Yes.

The only one who came was the Boss.

Well, enough reminiscing about forgotten memories.

This place. Back then, it was just a room with a single bed.

Actually, before the living quarters were built.

In the early days of Eden’s establishment, this was the norm.

The conference room, well.

Back then, it was just a room where we gathered to chat. Without any formalities.

We’d relax until the Boss arrived.

When it was time for the Boss to enter, that’s when the meeting would begin.

I was probably the youngest among them. I got all the affection.

Why are these memories suddenly coming back to me?

That feeling of elation and happiness I felt back then. Really.

Is this what they call nostalgia for the good old days?

Something hazy seems to be interfering with my reason.

Hmm, what could it be?

I should stop thinking about this.

Right now, it’s probably best to focus on the task at hand.

Before the living quarters were built, I used to sleep here too.

After Eden expanded, the Boss made me an executive and told me to use this room as my office.

And then, told me to furnish it however I wanted.

Even though we had no prior acquaintance. Yes.

This place still feels like it holds the Boss’s warmth.

Even with its futuristic feel, this office shows a calm and dignified presence.

The furniture I insisted on taking because I wanted to use the same as the Boss.

Furniture that suited the Boss.

Furniture tailored for the Boss.

Still holding the Boss’s warmth…

Indeed. Even without the Boss here, I can feel their kindness.

Seeing me lost in such an enraptured expression, Blanc said:

“You seem happy to be back here after so long? Said you had something to collect?”

“A dull and ignorant magical girl like you wouldn’t understand why I’m enraptured.”

“Dull? Really.”

“It’s just a habit. Ignore it.”

“Yeah, I know. So what do we need to collect?”

As Blanc asked, I sat down at my desk in the office and continued my response.

With a bit of that feeling from back then.

Yes, somewhat proudly.

No, with that dignified and formal demeanor from those days.

“It’s simple. All my documents here. Data analyzing you magical girls. I’m sure it will be useful.”

“And?”

“Would you mind placing your hand on the wall where Crybaby is standing?”

“No way.”

“It’s my armory.”

“But I heard the Association searched this place… There are still weapons left?”

“Don’t you remember visiting the confiscated goods warehouse back then?”

“I did, yes?”

“Did you really think those weapons there were all I had?”

“Ah…”

“Why are you suddenly acting so unintelligent? Pull yourself together. This is Eden, after all.”

“Right. Yeah. I guess I was a bit overwhelmed by all the strange things here.”

“Well, that’s just like you. Now, go ahead and open it. You’ll be truly surprised.”

“Come on, I already know what kind of weapons you use.”

“Just open it.”

Hearing my words, Blanc, perhaps doubting my confident tone, went to the wall beside Crybaby with a slightly disgruntled expression.

Well, such subtle changes in expression are only visible if you’re very close.

Maybe I’m being too much, but sitting here just naturally makes me that way.

The chair made specifically for the Boss didn’t fit my height, so this office chair was custom-made for me.

Still, made to match my status.

A comfortable chair.

Anyone in the world would naturally act the same way sitting here, I’m sure.

Oh, wait.

I wonder if what I hid here is still around.

It doesn’t seem like they properly searched this room.

Eden’s security systems must still be functioning well.

Facilities that operate automatically even without people or maintenance.

As expected…

Oh, that means the Association couldn’t properly investigate this place.

So they probably only went to places that were visible or accessible.

No, that would mean the magical defense system in the walls was working.

Since they couldn’t just destroy the walls recklessly, they would have used space-type magical girls.

They would have discovered that teleportation doesn’t work well here.

If they only entered places they could forcibly open…

That means they couldn’t access areas protected by these double and triple security measures.

And based on what Blanc told me.

It seems even Blanc has hardly been here since Ragnarok.

She said she came in briefly during Ragnarok to assess damage and eliminate remnants, but afterward, she didn’t come out for detailed investigations, claiming it was too troublesome.

Well, if that’s the case… my weapons should still be intact.

Something doesn’t add up.

Why would Blanc…

I don’t understand.

Well, right now, I do want to see Blanc’s surprised face.

“There’s nothing special, but I do hope you’ll be surprised.”

“It can’t be that impressive… Huh…?”

The door Blanc opened revealed my armory, containing all the weapons I owned, including spares, according to my memory.

The ones I used diligently.

Weapons that became extensions of my hand, piled high.

There should even be some still in their packaging.

Neatly stacked in a warehouse the size of this room.

Three stories high.

Ah, this is why underground spaces are the best.

“I told you you’d be surprised.”

“Wow…”

“They’re all my personal weapons. Most are duplicates or spares.”

“This… why didn’t the Association know about this…? If remnants had invaded here… Oh…”

“Well, they couldn’t even get in, could they? Seems like there was no problem.”

“I guess so? But this is really… wow…”

“The weapons I’ve used are on this side, and the unused ones are up there, harder to access.”

“This is enough to equip an entire legion. And considering the technology of your weapons…”

“It’s not that impressive. Besides, degraded versions of my weapons were already equipped to combat personnel. These weapons can’t be used without knowing how to manipulate magical power.”

“Sigh… But isn’t this too much…? Will we have room for them?”

“We’ll only take a few. And it’s not just weapons, but various things that helped me… Oh.”

“What?”

“I remember the doctor gave me medicine that helps recover magical power slightly. I never felt particularly low on magical power, so I had forgotten about it… but yes, that exists.”

“Wait, you can recover magical power? Just with medicine…?”

“Yes, he said it was extremely difficult to develop, called it a masterpiece when he gave it to me. It didn’t taste good and didn’t seem that beneficial, so I just stored it away.”

“How is that… magical power recovery pills take mascots a month to make…”

“I don’t know much about it. I just didn’t use them, so I put them away…”

“Sigh… I’m getting a headache. To this extent…”

“Eden was established based on superior technology and grand vision, after all.”

“Yes, yes. I’m sure it was. The technology is really something…”

“Indeed. Now let’s collect what we need. Ah, I should go check what else I need to take. Crybaby and Ellie, please go organize Ellie’s room.”

“My room…? W-wait! Let me check first!”

Crybaby just stares helplessly at Ellie, who rushes into her room and locks the door.

What can I say, the way she pounds on the door with that dumbfounded expression is quite amusing.

“Blanc, let’s forget about them for now and go in.”

“Okay. But will Ellie actually open the door?”

“Ellie’s room is very… well, it’s hard to explain. Let’s just go in.”

Let’s just ignore that situation.

It might be a bit difficult for me to protect her.

It’s only temporary, but I hope she cleans up quickly.

It’s her fault for not keeping it tidy in the first place.