episode_0189

When Doctor Sturges suddenly committed suicide, we were momentarily thrown into confusion.

He was such a bad guy that we should have inflicted terrible pain on him, but he ran off to the afterlife.

“Ugh! He escaped! He ran off to hell!”

“We should have cut him into tiny pieces!”

We had failed to torment the student council president endlessly because we had killed him too quickly.

Grumbling, we contacted Yurik at headquarters again.

It seemed as though what he said must have triggered the doctor’s trauma.

“Mister! What are you going to do! Because you got angry, the doctor committed suicide!”

As soon as I answered the phone, I voiced my dissatisfaction. From beyond the phone, a short sigh could be heard.

“…My goodness, really…?”

A long while later, a trembling voice was heard. I grumbled, protesting his mistake.

“We should have tortured him, but because of you, Mister, we couldn’t punish him. That’s so unfair!”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

We grumbled. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Mister replied in a gloomy tone.

“That was something I didn’t expect either. I just blurted it out in anger, but I didn’t realize he’d be so shocked… He was a good person, but he was very confident in his field of research. I didn’t consider that point.”

Yurik’s voice was tinged with a bitter emotion.

“I… I killed the professor.”

Because he suddenly started blaming himself, I comforted Mister.

“Don’t be so gloomy! You killed him, Mister? He decided it himself. And he was going to die by our hands anyway. Don’t worry too much about it.”

“For saying that… Thank you.”

What was the conversation like just before the doctor died?

It seemed Mister Yurik was indebted to Doctor Sturges during his graduate student days. His feelings must have been quite complicated.

“It would be terrible if a respected teacher turned out like that.”

I imagined a hypothetical situation where Professor Albert and Instructor Frederick became evil villains. It sent shivers down my spine.

“Ugh…”

“I can understand Yurik’s feelings now.”

Only our innocent researcher, Mister, became depressed. The fault lies with the guy who committed suicide, after all!

“By the way, what about the two professors?”

“The Instructor-nim is being brought to our base now. The Professor-nim… let’s see. They say he’s out of the hospital room? It seems he’s planning to walk directly to our house. It’s a good thing I told him the address.”

There’s a lot to talk about and quite a few things to ask regarding blowing up the academy. One way or another, it’s going to be a noisy day.

As we Violets discussed various things, we got a bad feeling. Something was left out, something important I had forgotten, but I couldn’t recall it.

“What was it? I definitely remembered something!”

“It won’t come to mind!”

Even if I realized I had left the gas stove on after going on a long business trip, it would have been less eerie than this. I felt uneasy.

The cause of the uneasiness was immediately revealed.

“That’s right, what about our friends…?”

“Ah. Ugh…”

The Violets fell into great distress. I don’t know how to explain to our friends that we left them on the island and acted alone.

This is a big problem, we already did it, but…

I checked the messenger. What I saw before even clicking was the messenger window displaying a red number of unread messages.

“[…I saw the declaration. Let’s talk when you get back. :<]"

"[You jerk! How could you leave without a word!!!! And what's with the mushroom cloud!!! You crazy girl, seriously-]"

"[Where are you, Violet?! Please answer your calls! Please check your messages! You must have left at least one clone, please-]"

"[You must be disappointed in me, I'm sorry ㅠㅠ I'm confident I can fight well, you know, I practiced sniping so hard ㅠ-]"

Oh, what do I do? I'm scared to click them. Each and every message was chilling.

"First, contact them…!"

One Violet hurriedly called Irene. A long ringing tone, then a message saying she couldn't be reached. I was flustered.

"What? Why?"

I called my other friends one by one. They absolutely wouldn't answer. Why is that?

A terrifying possibility came to mind. Could those Magnabyss guys have harmed our friends?

"If you look at the time the texts were sent, it wasn't long ago. If they were in danger, they would have called us!"

"But why aren't they answering the phone now? Those guys might have retaliated!"

The Violets hurriedly roused the drum barrel buried on Cascadian Island. Unit 1120 struggled and dug its way out of the ground, then ran towards the villa.

"There's no one! It feels like they packed everything and left? Surely they didn't leave the island?"

As Unit 1120 reported, the Violet at headquarters responded.

"It's impossible to leave the island! Why? Look at this!"

The Violet pointed at the news screen. With the collapsed Magnabyss headquarters and the mushroom cloud from Polaris Academy in the background, an announcer was excitedly chattering.

"—To prevent further damage, the Inspection Bureau, in cooperation with the Federation, has temporarily suspended all ship and aircraft operations near Rustroom. Currently, all academies have begun a temporary suspension of classes…"

"Then are they inside the island?"

"They might have gotten out before operations were suspended. That would be fortunate, but…"

While I was worrying about my friends' whereabouts, my cellphone suddenly rang. Wait, this was my work phone, but…

"It's Adela Unnie! Why suddenly?"

As soon as I hurriedly answered the phone, a fresh and soft voice poured out without even waiting for a greeting.

"Violet! I saw everything. You've worked hard! I contacted you to tell you that the Mid-to-Small Clan Alliance's preparations are complete. The plan will be executed soon. The elders of the family have also decided to step forward actively."

"Gasp! Really?"

"At the very least, from this afternoon, and seriously from tomorrow, an all-out pressure and offensive will begin. Everyone was surprised, you know? Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this much. But perhaps because of the results you achieved, Violet, everyone united with one heart for the success of this plan. Truly… to push that giant clan this far…"

I felt pleased for a moment at Adela Unnie's praise. However, separate from the praise, we Violets had a serious concern. I immediately posed a question.

"Uh, Unnie… but by any chance, do you know where our friends are?"

As soon as Adela heard my words, she replied as if she had been waiting.

"Are you talking about your friends?… Coincidentally, I received a call from them. They earnestly requested if there was any way to return quickly. So, I lent them a family-owned helicopter. Considering the takeoff time, speed, and distance, I think they might have arrived by now."

As soon as I heard those words, I felt relieved. My friends were safe. However, the next moment, Adela, in a rather serious tone, lectured me.

"Violet. It's fortunate that this operation succeeded, but I think you'll need to have a deep conversation with your friends for a while. They must all be greatly disappointed. I don't think you did it with bad intentions, but leaving your friends without a word was wrong. You understand, right?"

"Yes…"

"Well then, as for the detailed matters about the future plan, I'll go and talk to you directly later. Then…"

The call ended. Adela Unnie was right. What should I do now?

My friends must definitely be greatly disappointed. However…

—Bang!

A loud noise occurred. Someone kicked open the factory door and entered. Beyond the ceiling, a tearing noise splitting the air circled around.

The Violets at the command center stood up in surprise.

"…What in the world is this?"

"It must be those Magnabyss guys!"

The Violets drew their weapons. To launch a surprise attack, taking advantage of the main base being empty!

Going up, I looked out the window. Armed people in black attire were positioned at the entrance.

"Let's protect our home!"

The Violets at the command center aimed at the factory door. With a booming sound, the door was torn off. The Violets fired warning shots.

"Stop! Don't move! If you move, I'll shoot—"

The Violet who was aiming her gun and approaching the front was sent sprawling in an instant. The Violet, who had dropped her gun, raised her head. What came into her sight was a familiar face.

"…Violet Dunhind Ruzilin."

It was the face I saw on the night Aegis Academy was attacked. It's the inspector!

"…Gasp!"

If so, the vehicles and people outside must belong to the Inspection Bureau, right?

"I've come to investigate regarding the Polaris Comprehensive Academy bombing incident. You are—"

My head was confused. I was already worried about how to talk to my friends, and now even the inspector? It was too dizzying.

Oh, I don't know. In times like this, the first thing is to retreat!

The Violets fled without looking back.

"Run!"

"It's the Inspection Bureau!"

**

Seijis was flustered, watching the Violets fleeing outside the factory.

"…Why?"

"Argh! Let go of me! Hiyah!"

The captured Violet struggled, then quickly gave up and went limp. As the girl scattered into red particles and disappeared, the inspector went outside.

"Kyaa! Run away!"

"Let's bolt!"

Girls with yellow hair poured out through the factory windows and the back door. Indeed, it was the clone-user Violet he remembered.

"Surround them! Not a single one must escape!"

While giving orders to the Inspection Bureau agents, the inspector inwardly felt doubt about his own words. Anyway, it's obvious they'll be scattered across the whole area. It's even questionable if the main body is here. Is this even meaningful?

Still, he had to ask. Why they committed such an act. He needed to know why their actions had changed.

One Violet running towards the back door collided with someone. The girl fell backward.

"Are you Violet?"

"Ouch…"

The Violet raised her head. Standing before her was a black-haired woman with an intelligent appearance, similar to the inspector. Memories from before the possession came to mind.

Familiar hair, familiar attire. Sophieel, the female inspector!

"Kyaa!"

The Violet saw the sword in Sophieel's hand. She stepped back and fell again. It was because she had collided with another Violet running towards the back door. Seijis, who had followed, turned his gaze towards the girls.

'…Why are the clones moving like this?'

Deciding to put aside his confusing thoughts, the inspector took out a black handgun and aimed it at the Violet's head. The smooth black surface gleamed.

"Surrender. You're a clone anyway, but. Violet Dunhind Ruzilin, I have something to investigate regarding the academy bombing incident. Come with me."

"Hmph! No!"

The Violet, in a panic, picked up a sword and charged forward. Seijis lowered his gun and raised his left hand. A magic circle flashed, and a shockwave erupted. The charging Violets were sent flying back.

"Kyaa!"

"Aah!"

"I have no intention of killing you. Just answer a few questions…"

The moment Seijis approached, a loud noise from the sky swallowed the surroundings. It was the noise from a helicopter's rotor blades.

"Nuna, did the Inspection Bureau request support?"

"No, how could that be? That's…"

Even while feeling something was strange, Seijis tried to approach the Violet.

"Kyaa! No!"

And a light green shield appeared, blocking the space between him and the Violets. The inspector's eyes trembled violently as if an earthquake had occurred. As soon as the barrier deployed, three people descended from the helicopter.

"…"

—Bang! Bang!

Bullets flew directly in front of Seijis. The ground shattered, and stone dust flew.

A light pink-haired girl with a sharp impression glared at Seijis with fierce eyes, like a lioness protecting her cub.

"You bastard! Get out of here right now! If you lay even a finger on my friend, I'll kill you!"

"Ka-Kalia…"

The Violet quickly hid behind the girls who had landed. A relatively small, purple-haired girl holding a spear stood in front of the Violet, then recognized the man's face and was startled.

"Inspector-nim…? Why are you here…?"

"Irene…"

While the two looked at each other, not understanding what was happening, the Violets hid behind the silver-haired girl.

"I don't know who you are, but step back."

The girl, shielding the Violet with a resolute attitude. Seijis's face contorted.

"Daphne, th-this, what in the world…"

In shock, the inspector wore a blank expression.

"Kyaa! They hit me!"

"Wow! We're saved!"

As the commotion grew, people started appearing one by one near the Violet barracks.

"Uncle!"

Osprey appeared with the Brotherhood members.

"You all. What are you doing here? Is it alright to do this just because you're the Inspection Bureau?"

While the Brotherhood members engaged in an unexpected standoff, two older, experienced men walked up to the inspector. Violet, happy, waved her hand.

"Professor-nim! Instructor-nim!"

"Hey, you said you're an inspector from the Inspection Bureau, right? It seems you've come because of our incompetent student. There are reasons for everything…"

As these unfamiliar people suddenly appeared, Seijis felt new questions arising in his mind.

'Who are these people now?'

Sophieel approached to help Seijis. She suddenly looked back. What she saw was the yellow-haired girl squawking, hiding behind her friends.

She recalled what her twin brother had said.

'So, that kid… blew up Magnabyss and the large Awakener academy under its command. Furthermore, in five years, she's a terrorist who will commit massacres throughout Rustroom?'

Sophieel couldn't understand. How could such a trivial-looking girl…?