This Isn’t the First Time, Is It? 3

A silent stillness and rain permeated the Enchantment of the Fallen layer.

The drizzling rain, incessantly soaking the city, was faintly luminous, stained black by the remnants of polluted mana and mental parasites.

Buildings soared skyward, interconnected by aerial bridges and tube-like passages that twisted like serpents. Within these serpentine arteries, a motley assortment of humans, machines, and those who belonged to neither mingled and moved.

Even after the deaths of countless false gods on the Enchantment of the Fallen layer, after hell had undergone fusion with someone, after a certain girl was liberated from her suffering, and after a newly arrived hero endured the agony of being unable to die, the neon signs continued their frantic dance in the rain.

And from eyes that sent a chill down one’s spine—more precisely, from Theresa’s eyes, which now occupied Alice’s body—Oriana caught a fleeting glimpse of pity.

【Dare I say, I pity you.】

“……”

【Whether I am qualified to pity you, or whether you are worthy of pity, is another matter entirely.】

The meaning behind Theresa’s words was not to forgive Amelia, who had killed the Demon King.

You humans betrayed the savior of the world, so you must pay the price.

How could I ever forgive you?

Even if Alice forgives you, I can never forgive you.

However, apart from that, she would pity the suffering Oriana had endured.

If it had been an act committed out of personal, selfish desires, there would have been no room for pity, no need for contemplation.

If Oriana had been consumed by a lust for power, seeking to usurp Demon King Alice’s position, Amelia would not have felt such profound and terrible regret for her betrayal and foolish choices, nor would she have suffered so much for that foolish decision.

Behold her pathetic state, still alive after her foolish choice, groveling and vowing to atone by establishing the Ark.

For a long time, she had been unable to die, and now she couldn’t even properly ask for forgiveness.

Yet Alice, upon their reunion, had forgiven Oriana for everything.

So easily that it felt almost absurd.

Or perhaps it shouldn’t even be called forgiveness in the first place.

It was nonsensical to so easily forgive someone who had killed her, and it was questionable whether she had even fully grasped the situation…

But Alice simply did it.

Perhaps neither in her past life nor in her current one would Oriana, Theresa, or anyone else ever truly understand Alice’s true intentions.

Alice would simply brush it off, saying, “What’s so difficult about it? It’s all in the past!”

“I shouldn’t be forgiven so easily…”

Oriana, wearing a self-deprecating expression as if disgusted with herself, looked utterly deflated.

If Alice had been enraged and tried to kill Oriana, or even just torture her by cutting off her limbs, Oriana would have welcomed it.

Oriana had even considered offering the entire Ark, the vessel containing humanity, to Alice in order to be forgiven, so this emptiness was all the more profound.

【In the past, you were young but possessed a vague sense of conviction. Because you had conviction, you chose the path you believed to be right. That path involved plunging a knife into the heart of the one who saved humanity and the world, a fact that cannot conceal the wretchedness, but you seem to have suffered quite a bit.】

Theresa saw Oriana as the epitome of ambiguity and half-measures, belonging nowhere.

It would have been far easier to deal with the leaders of the human nations who had urged, threatened, and persuaded Oriana to betray Alice back then.

They were simply driven by self-interest, a lust for power, and, at best, a desire for humanity to become the dominant species in the world.

They had acted selfishly for their own happiness, and even if the outcome was bleak, they would not have suffered the mental anguish of regret and guilt like Oriana.

Foolish, yet with a vague sense of conviction, she had chosen what she thought was right.

She should have at least not felt regret.

After betraying Alice, the hero would be tormented by terrible guilt, spending countless sleepless nights.

She should have at least not felt guilty and instead seized the Demon King’s position and wielded power.

The child called hero had been caught between irresponsible adults and power-hungry individuals, living without ambition, and had ended up in this miserable state.

Those who had been ambitious were probably dead and at peace, but Oriana and Rilstia were still alive, unable to die.

【Your choice cannot be forgiven, but I cannot help but pity you.】

“…Should I say thank you?”

【I have no desire to hear you say thank you or sorry, so just shut up.】

“How heartless. Well, I deserve it, I guess.”

【I have merely realized that no matter how much I rage, it is futile, since Alice has already forgiven you. However, that does not mean I intend to be friendly with you, so I hope that all contact, including conversation, will be avoided as much as possible in the future.】

“…Yeah, okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Theresa manipulated her tentacles, reading the layer’s logistics report as she continued.

【And, let me make one thing clear.】

“Yeah, say it.”

【Alice’s original body, which is in the central administration.】

Alice’s original body in the center.

The strong individuals in the center, including those who had undergone Code Liberation, and the Overseers were all connected to Alice’s Demon King body, receiving additional ability enhancements, formula calculations, mana provision, and various other powers.

Oriana had been using the dual connection of Code Liberation to analyze the cellular structure and physical makeup needed for Alice’s resurrection, but now that Alice could be considered properly resurrected, it was only right that her original body in the center should also be used for Alice’s sake.

【I understand that the Ark Overseers are using that body to exercise various authorities and abilities, including Code Liberation, but I cannot bear to see my Alice being used like a public resource. Regardless of what Alice herself says, I believe it is right to reclaim it.】

“Yeah, I suppose so. I’ll figure out a way soon.”

With those words, Theresa fell silent.

It was time for her to handle Alice’s affairs, and she had no more time to spare for Oriana, effectively issuing an order for her to leave.

Oriana seemed to understand Theresa’s intention, quietly turning to leave.

“But I suddenly have a question.”

Oriana stared intently at Theresa, who occupied Alice’s body.

“I was a foolish hero who betrayed her benefactor… but who are you?”

【….】

“I used every means to revive Alice.”

“But you never appeared anywhere. This is the first time. Alice’s artificial body activating on its own, a auxiliary personality arising on its own without anyone’s intervention? There’s no way that could happen.”

Only then did Theresa shift her gaze from the documents to Oriana.

【What are you trying to say?】

“It’s natural for you to resent me. Especially if you were one of Alice’s close aides or someone who knew her. But I… don’t know you at all. Where did you come from?”

Oriana could be considered one of Alice’s close aides during her time as the Demon King.

Alice had created the Hero System, so naturally, she knew Oriana, and after Oriana had grown to a certain extent, she would casually discuss world affairs with Alice. They had also worked together to defeat dangerous monsters that appeared from the rifts.

In the process, Oriana had come to know Beelzebub and other high-ranking demons and devils, so she couldn’t possibly fathom Theresa’s existence or its origins.

However, Theresa merely glared at Oriana for a moment before answering with a short sigh.

【I don’t see any reason why I should tell you.】

“…Yeah, that’s right. There’s no reason to tell me.”

Oriana paused, as if choosing her words carefully.

Noticing Theresa glaring at her with displeasure, Oriana nodded and stepped back.

“You’re showing me such hatred. Such anger… so it’s certain that you were one of Alice’s close aides back in her Demon King days.”

Otherwise, there was no way she could harbor such anger towards her.

【The Enchantment of the Fallen layer will conclude its mission as of tomorrow, and Alice will then take Sira, who served as the priestess of the Enchantment of the Fallen layer, and move to the lower layer. What will you do?】

Oriana reviewed the list of tasks assigned to her as a First-Class Overseer.

Well, now that Alice had been resurrected, there was no need to continue her role as a First-Class Overseer, but Alice wanted to maintain this relationship for the time being, so she intended to comply for now.

“I have a few miscellaneous tasks to take care of. Actually, coming here was also a task, and I abandoned everything to come.”

【How irresponsible. Go and take care of your tasks.】

“Yeah, I know. So… what should I call you now? Can I call you Theresa too?”

【Don’t be ridiculous and get out.】

“Oh, I was wondering… why did you modify the executioners like that?”

【Ah, that? It was simply because of Alice’s orders.】

“No, I know that… but did they really have to look like that?”

【They look good, so what’s the problem?】

Oriana thought of the fifty or so executioners sleeping demurely in the next room.

The skilled and blood-soaked cyborg middle-aged men had become young girls who were not even 150 cm tall, so it was… quite something to behold.

Moreover, according to Theresa, while it was Alice’s order, Theresa was in charge of the girls’ skin texture and softness, height, Marlang touch, and overall shape, appearance, and detailed details.

In other words, Theresa had diligently sculpted the middle-aged men into the forms of young girls according to her personal tastes.

Oriana had been so preoccupied with the fact that she had met Alice that she hadn’t paid attention, but the sight of the precious executioners suddenly becoming a girl squad looked quite bizarre.

‘Come to think of it, Alice keeps attracting girls along her path.’

In Satellite City Zain, there was the immortal girl Marlang.

At Mega Corp Ernest Rail, there were 50 doll girls.

On the Ruincrest layer, there were 3,000 combat homunculus.

And here, even the executioners.

‘Should I take this opportunity to modify my body into Rilstia’s appearance?’

Alice’s attitude towards Rilstia was strangely favorable, and… perhaps Alice liked young things more than big ones.

Her other self, Rilstia, had called Saya Guild’s Sohi a sneaky bitch, but if Alice liked that appearance, she would gladly become a young girl.

Of course, Alice would be horrified if she heard Oriana’s thoughts.

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“Haaa…”

Sohi had been spending busy days lately.

One might ask what could be so busy about living a cozy, organic life as the owner of a Satellite City with the immortal girl, but the incident of Ernest Rail and Mega Corps Dawn being expelled all at once had given considerable alarm to other mega corps and forces.

The hegemony of Satellite City Zain had passed to Sohi, but now Sohi had to protect this city from other mega corps and guild forces. As a result, various guild spies, industrial spies, and even terrorist mercenaries and assassins had appeared in Zain, starting to harass Sohi.

“Guild Leader! Are you okay?”

“Ah, uh-huh. I’m okay. Don’t worry.”

At the immortal girl’s words, Sohi stretched the child’s soft, Marlang cheeks.

It was cute how they stretched like mochi.

Tonight, she would have to do it with this child.

“Haa, the security costs have tripled this month…”

Anyway, Sohi had more and more to worry about.

There were even rumors circulating in the mercenary and hunter circles that the Saya Guild in the Satellite City possessed an immortal creature.

If the opponent was an individual, Sohi could just quietly slit their throat, but if the opponent was an unknown organization or a mega corp, it was difficult to deal with them, no matter how strong she was.

“Haaa… 3,589 external mercenaries have infiltrated the city. Of these, 1,194 are suspected of having connections to mega corps… When will I ever deal with them all…?”

Sohi was truly sad and angry.

She had only dreamed of playing happily with the Marlang immortal girls in nature and the city… but for some reason, strange parasites kept crawling in, eager to sink their teeth into the Marlang children’s skin and suck their blood.

In fact, from the perspective of corporations and guilds, the value of the immortal girl was astronomical, even terrifying.

In the Ark, immortal life forms were considered taboo, so it was impossible to obtain proper samples, and they had to be burned before they were even conceived as life, but the immortal girls Sohi possessed were fully grown as complete, sentient beings. If they were studied, mega corps could generate enormous added value.

“Ah, I hate it. I really hate it.”

No matter how strong Sohi and the immortal girls were, there were those who barged in while they were drinking coffee.

Terrorist mercenaries who suddenly invaded while they were sleeping peacefully, nestled among the girls’ soft skin.

Mega corp legions that openly started invasions disguised as looters.

With these things coming one after another, Sohi felt like her head was about to explode from stress.

“I escaped to the outer edges beyond the barrier because I couldn’t have a happy life with the children even as a First-Class Overseer in the Ark… There’s no point if it’s like this here too…”

However, if she openly antagonized the mega corps again, the Ark Central Administration would inevitably make a fuss.

Then, Sohi received unexpected news.

“Hmm? Marlang?”

Marlang, whom she had sent to Alice, had sent Sohi an emergency communication.

In fact, even though it was called an emergency communication, it wasn’t a signal sent through a radio or electronic device, but a kind of biological consciousness connection that came from using the same body and cells as Sohi, so no one but Sohi could hear the voice.

“Hmm, I see. Our Alice is a Demon King. Hmm, our Marlang has a very rich imagination?”

All the immortal girls’ senses were extremely sensitive, even to the point of being crazy, and of course, Marlang’s hearing was also very sensitive, so she was able to secretly listen to the conversation between Alice, Theresa, and Oriana.

However, Sohi simply brushed off the stories about the Demon King and the hero.

The immortal girls were literally young girls, and their mental age was that of children with rich imaginations.

It was not unreasonable for Sohi to occasionally recognize that they were spouting nonsense again.

However, in the midst of all that, there was information that Sohi could not possibly overlook.

“What? First-Class Overseer Oriana is the same person as Rilstia and the founder who built the Ark?!”

Moreover, that Oriana-Rilstia- was bowing her head to Alice, declaring her sincere submission and obedience?

Of course, the nuances were different from the truth, but the gist was similar, so Sohi couldn’t help but be shocked.

“…This is it!”

“Guild Leader? What is?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing. Agae, shall we play together tonight?”

“Really? Yay!!”

A new lifeline called Alice had appeared for Sohi, who loved peace and girls.