Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Fixer vs. Charismatic Phantom Thief vs. Just Yuria (7)
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The incident surrounding the Mermaid's Crystal, also known as Purplian, concluded with the arrest of Lord Robert, whose abuse of his daughter had been exposed.
Lord Robert was a world-famous tycoon, a magnate connected to all sorts of politicians.
However, once the truth about Purplian—that forcing one to regurgitate the gems was akin to torture—spread uncontrollably across the internet, his guilt became undeniable.
Furthermore, with his colorful past of various illegal activities coming to light, the police, backed by public opinion, seemed unwilling to miss the chance to score a decisive victory.
And so, Raven terminated the contract on the grounds that his client was involved in a crime.
The daughter, who had been abused by her own father, was now guaranteed safety through the Fixer.
Even Silver Cat had achieved a result close to success after announcing a heist that had seemed incredibly difficult.
In effect, aside from Lord Robert, who would be rotting in prison for years as he paid for all his past karma, it was a happy ending for everyone.
*Hmm, and the misunderstanding I had about Silver Cat was cleared up, too. That's a relief.*
After all, Silver Cat was, in many ways, an innocent high school girl around Alice's age.
I didn't want to be on bad terms with her, especially not over a misunderstanding.
If things had gone wrong, I might have ended up fighting the real Silver Cat by mistake.
Thinking how fortunate it was that no trouble arose, I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, perhaps because not all the problems had been solved yet…
The frustrating feeling, like something was caught in my throat, still hadn't gone away.
If I had to describe this feeling… yes, it was like waiting to be disciplined back in my school days.
“…”
“…”
The reception room of the Fixer Agency.
This was a place for receiving clients who came with requests, for when the agency was crowded.
Or a place Raven loved to use for lazing around and watching TV alone on weekends.
In here were a plush, comfortable sofa and a table perfect for placing things on.
And on the table, a strange, crescent-shaped object was resting, a handkerchief draped over it like a blanket.
Its true identity was an object imbued with the power of Invaders, possessing special abilities, much like a Tesseract or an Echo.
It was the item I’d obtained during our trip to the St. Maria Hotel, the one I’d been struggling to awaken for the past few weeks.
And now, Raven and I were sitting across from each other with the table between us.
The air was so thick I could barely breathe, and I had no idea where to even look.
*He didn't say anything last night, so I thought he might just pretend not to know and let it slide… but was that just because he was busy wrapping up the Purplian case?*
I suppose, even though he’d covered up the commotion by framing it as a fight with the bodyguards while resolving the incident…
When you got down to it, it was an incident related to the Invaders, a threat lurking beneath the surface.
Raven was my guardian, looking after me on behalf of the Association, but he was also a Fixer.
He probably needed to investigate the exact circumstances of the case. As an adult, that was something I could understand.
*But what's with him just sitting there in front of me, his lips sealed shut…*
However, a silence that stretched on for too long was bound to make a person anxious.
Having been suddenly called out and told to sit on the sofa, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
If you have something to say, just say it! Are you trying to kill me with suspense?
I suppressed the urge to shout and waited patiently for him to speak.
How long did I endure that silence that made my heart shrink to the size of a pea?
At last, as if he had decided what to say, Raven looked at me with a rather serious expression.
“About what happened yesterday. It could have turned into a huge disturbance. A monster that can change its appearance at will—and on top of that, it mimicked my movements perfectly. That would mean it copies not just appearance, but memories and even minor habits… I’ve never even heard of magic like that.”
“…”
“And this thing that came out when we defeated that monster… This is the thing you were always secretly fiddling with inside the closet, right?”
“…Yes.”
No wonder he gave me such a strange look when this thing clattered to the floor.
He already knew I had it hidden away in the closet.
A clumsy lie would be seen through immediately, and I would only lose his trust.
Therefore, feeling my heart pound in my chest, I cautiously nodded at Raven.
Perhaps he had already anticipated that answer.
He showed no great surprise and simply glanced back and forth between me and the object before asking.
“You didn't happen to know this thing was that monster, did you?”
“…”
*Shake, shake, shake.*
I shook my head vigorously from side to side, as if to strongly insist that was absolutely not the case.
I shook it so hard I started to feel dizzy.
Raven, who had been watching my frantic movements, gave a small nod as if to say he understood.
Then, he once again threw a question that cut straight to the core.
“In that case, is this perhaps similar to that necklace you always wear around your neck?”
“…!”
“Hmm, I see. So this was related to Psychic Powers after all. Now things are starting to make sense.”
*Thump, thump, thump!*
My heart pounded violently against my will.
And though I hadn't moved much, my fingertips trembled as if I’d just finished a strenuous workout.
Sure, anyone with sharp eyes would notice I wore a necklace under my clothes every day, but…
For him to dig this deep, I felt like my mind was going blank.
*Raven, he knew about the Tesseract…*
Of course, it wasn't like I'd done anything wrong.
He just hadn't asked, so I hadn't seen the need to bring it up myself.
Raven already knew I could change my appearance.
I just… hadn't told him the means was a Tesseract.
Now that I was admitting it, I grew incredibly nervous, worried he might confiscate the Tesseract.
*What will I do if he takes it? I won't be able to defeat the enemies I'll face in the future.* I unconsciously swallowed hard.
However, it seemed Raven had no intention of doing anything to the Tesseract I possessed.
He spoke, his expression suggesting the complicated thoughts in his head had finally settled.
“Let me ask you one more time. You really didn't do it on purpose, right?”
“Right!”
To be honest, I had an excuse.
I thought it would behave itself like the Tesseract or the Echo. How was I supposed to know it would cause such a ruckus?
If I had known, I would have carried it in my arms every single day to prevent this from happening.
…But in the end, the responsibility for awakening the object by feeding it rift energy was mine.
Even if you don't intend for it to happen, mistakes are a common part of life.
Thus, despite feeling wronged, I looked at Raven cautiously, apologetically.
If any problems arise, I’ll take responsibility, somehow!
Did the resolute determination in my gaze reach him?
His blank expression, which made my stomach churn just by looking at it, softened as he let out a deep sigh.
“Hah… whatever. Seeing that wronged look on your face, it seems you didn't intend for things to turn out this way. For now… come sit next to me.”
“…?”
“Hurry.”
Why is he suddenly telling me to sit next to him?
Puzzled by Raven’s unexpected words, I trotted over and carefully sat down beside him.
Just as I was close enough to reach out and touch him.
Raven glanced at me, then shot out his hands… and grabbed both my cheeks!
“Hwuh! Mmmph, hmph!”
“Hey, you… I told you not to use your Psychic Powers recklessly outside, didn't I?! Your existence is a top, top secret at the Association. Including me, only five people know about you!”
“Agh! Mphh!”
“And yet you go around the city openly using your powers? Are you out of your mind?! If you get caught on camera even once, there’s no getting rid of it!”
“Gyaack!”
It hurts, it hurts!
I flailed my arms and legs, a scream escaping my lips from the pain.
It felt like my cheeks were about to be torn off, and I could hardly keep my wits about me.
But perhaps due to the overwhelming difference in physical strength between us…
Escaping from him as he stretched my cheeks was impossible.
No matter how much I tapped his arm, begging him to let go, his merciless cheek-kneading wouldn't stop.
All I could do was tap my feet against the floor and scream.
“Waaah…”
How long did that cheek torture, which felt like an eternity, last?
By the time I no longer had the energy to scream, I was finally able to break free from his grasp.
I collapsed sideways onto the sofa, completely drained. Just in case, I brought a hand to my cheek.
There, I felt only my soft cheek, which was now numb beyond just tingling.
*Thank goodness. It's still attached. I really thought my cheek had been torn off.*
I cupped my cheek with my hand and looked up at Raven as if to say he was being too mean.
But he just glanced down at me pouting, as if to say even this was lenient, and said with a smirk.
“What are you looking at? Who told you to go around causing trouble?”
“…”
“But still… it seems you were running around because you wanted to fix the mess you made, somehow. So I’ll let it slide this time. Be careful. Next time… I might not be able to cover for you like nothing happened.”
“…Huh?”
Cover for me like nothing happened?
I blinked, dumbfounded by his words.
Raven looked at my slightly dazed expression, then slowly reached a hand toward me.
*N-no, is he going to pinch my cheeks again…*
I reflexively flinched and tried to pull back, but then I calmly placed my hands on my knees.
A part of me wanted to run, but I needed to understand exactly what he meant.
Go on, hurt me again. I’m prepared this time, I can take it!
As I grit my teeth and steeled my resolve, Raven’s hand, which had been slowly approaching my face, suddenly moved to the top of my head.
“Myaah…!”
*Don't shaaake me…*
My tiny head was shaken back and forth in Raven’s hand.
My long hair naturally swayed with the movement, each swing feeling heavy.
I-I don't even have the energy to scream anymore…
When the shaking finally stopped, I collapsed onto the sofa as if melting into it.
How long did I lie there, feeling the world spin around me?
Raven, who was sitting next to me on the same sofa, suddenly brought up a completely baffling topic.
“You’re coming with me to meet someone.”
“Hwuh…?”
M-meet someone?
I blinked repeatedly at Raven's question.
It was such a sudden statement that it took me a moment to process it.