Chapter 224
Chapter 224
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: The Mayoral Election and Round House (2)
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For a moment, I was lost in a strange feeling, staring into the void, but I quickly snapped back to reality.
For one, I didn't think it was a good idea to pry into other people's private lives.
And for another, when I looked ahead, Crescent was standing there with a thoroughly dejected look on her face.
Had she taken my conversation with Jellin about her mimicry ability to heart?
She seemed completely disheartened by the assessment that it was difficult to use in many ways.
*Hmm, Crescent has a timid personality... I didn't mean to make her worry so much.*
I guess I have no choice. I'll have to comfort her.
With a small smile, I gestured for her to come closer.
Crescent blinked listlessly and tilted her head as if to ask what was wrong.
But even if she didn't understand, she seemed willing to listen, trotting over to me.
She's not a cat, so why are her movements so dainty?
Couldn't she walk over swinging her arms like a grown-up? It bothered me for some reason.
"...?"
"Heeheehee..."
"M-eek!"
Anyway, Crescent came close enough for me to reach out and touch her.
I pulled her into a sudden, tight hug, smelling the faint, sweet scent of milk on her.
Gotcha!
Feeling Crescent's warmth, I pressed my soft cheek against her neck.
Of course, this wasn't harassment using my authority, but merely unavoidable physical contact.
I need to be in physical contact to talk to an Object, after all.
I had no intention of making Crescent uncomfortable and flustered. Not in the slightest. Really.
In any case, holding her tight so she couldn't escape, I closed my eyes and spoke to her in my mind.
*Why the long face? Are you thinking about something sad?*
[ I-I... I just wanted to be more helpful to you, Lady Yuria.... ]
*It's okay. I'll never abandon you, no matter what. So don't be so down.*
[ U-Uuh... Hwaaaah! Lady Yuria! ]
She swayed. Hearing my words, Crescent started sobbing and leaned her full weight against me.
My mental words don't just convey intent; they also convey how sincere that intent is.
My declaration that I would truly never abandon her must have felt more real than anything else.
Of course, my body wasn't very sturdy, so I nearly fell backward...
But thanks to the psychokinesis I deployed just in time, I avoided an accident. My output is pretty strong.
Hmm, from what I could gather, Crescent seemed worried that I would be disappointed and abandon her.
She was neglected for years while stuck in her orb, after all. Maybe she developed some trauma from it.
For my part, I'm just happy to have someone else to talk to, so I don't really care about her ability itself.
Not being able to speak is more frustrating than you'd think. Though I'm slowly getting used to it.
"I see... Looking at this, the possibility of Crescent going berserk seems extremely low."
"Yep! ...Hm?"
"I-I must decline..."
I nodded at Jellin, who had been watching from the side and muttering to herself.
Then, while still supporting Crescent's back, I opened one arm wide as if to ask if she wanted a hug too.
But perhaps she felt it wasn't right to get too close to me so carelessly.
The usually cool and composed woman rejected my offer with a somewhat flustered air.
Hmm, I thought I'd built up some favor with her lately, but her guard is still up...
It seemed I'd have to put in more effort to get her to let her guard down.
***
After returning Crescent to her original crescent moon shape.
I quietly left the Black Area with Jellin.
Our purpose today was simply to check on Crescent's condition.
I felt like I had a lot more time to spare than when I was doing all sorts of things with my psychokinesis.
After taking the private elevator and passing through a few secret passages.
When we reached the crowded first-floor lobby, I, now wearing my mask again, saw several familiar faces.
*Oh, isn't that... Victor?*
A muscular man with spiky blond hair that looked like it was plated in gold, practically radiating his presence.
He was so conspicuous that I could recognize him immediately, even from a distance.
The last time I saw him was at the Saint Maria Hotel, wasn't it?
It had been almost half a year, but he looked perfectly healthy, not missing an arm or anything.
And across from him was a brown-skinned beauty with an eyepatch.
It was Lexi, whom I'd fought once before David joined our fixer group.
Both of them had ties to Raven.
As fellow enhanced humans who had been through life and death together, they shared a special bond with him among the Fixers.
*...It's not just Victor and Lexi. There are other Fixers here and there.*
Moreover, they weren't the only ones in the lobby.
I could spot Triple-Number Fixers scattered around the lobby, and occasionally even a Double-Number Fixer.
The one thing they had in common was that they were Fixers who primarily operated outside of Nighthaven!
On the streets, this would have been a scene that would quickly turn into a commotion as people recognized them...
But perhaps because the lobby was currently occupied mostly by Fixers and their associates.
The atmosphere inside was unexpectedly calm.
Why are so many people gathered here...?
As I glanced around, taking in the atmosphere of the lobby, the voices of Victor and Lexi, deep in conversation, reached my ears.
"Hahaha! Well, I've always worked out! I've been feeling a lack of strength lately, so I doubled my workout load! See this? The presence of my even thicker muscles!"
"Honestly, it's gross, you muscle-head. But... you're not taking any weird drugs, are you? I'd be too sad to even show my face if my friend collapsed from a heart attack after suffering from erectile dysfunction."
"No need to worry about that! I didn't resort to methods that wear down the body, like anabolic steroids. I had the help of magic!"
"Hmm... Magic, you say."
...Indeed, Victor's muscles had grown to the point where I could notice it immediately from a distance.
He was always muscular, but now he was at the level of a professional strongman.
Though, to be honest, his even bigger muscles were a bit much.
Like a superhero from some comic book. It looked like I could probably ride on his shoulders.
And Lexi, across from Victor, had also changed a bit.
Her eyepatch, bikini top, and the bracelet on her waist were the same as ever.
But the compass-like object on her wrist gave off the distinct feeling of an artifact.
Could it be that Victor and Lexi... both went through some kind of power-up event?
The unusual aura emanating from them made me gulp.
*...Right, I should just keep going. It looks like they have their own business to attend to.*
With that thought in mind, I tugged on Jellin's hand, which I was holding.
Fortunately, Victor, busy with his conversation, didn't seem to have noticed me.
We were able to leave without any interruptions.
If they'd caught me, they would've asked all sorts of questions. I was glad we didn't get entangled.
Especially Lexi. This was the first time I'd seen her since we fought, so it would have been painfully awkward.
*Outside... it's humid and hot.*
Stepping out of the cool building, I was greeted by hot, humid air.
It hadn't rained heavily recently, so the humidity was probably blowing in from the sea.
Real summer hadn't started yet, so it wasn't unbearably hot.
But it was definitely the kind of weather where a walk in the sun would leave you drenched in sweat.
Still, the good thing was that Jellin had a proper car.
I wouldn't have to walk for ages in this weather! I was so grateful I could have cried.
I went to a nearby parking lot with Jellin and immediately got into her car.
Thanks to the technology of this era, the inside of the car wasn't hot despite being in the sun, which was a huge relief.
"You're welcome to sit in the back..."
"...!"
I shook my head vigorously as I got into the passenger seat and pulled on the seatbelt.
When there were only two of us, sitting in the back felt too impolite.
Of course, Jellin seemed like she genuinely wouldn't have minded if I sat in the back...
But she didn't seem to dislike me sitting next to her either. I must have earned some favor points.
With our seatbelts fastened, we glided smoothly onto the roads of Nighthaven.
It was a comfortable ride, with no jolting, sudden braking, or acceleration.
The car itself was probably a high-quality model provided by the Association.
But when I recalled Raven's reckless driving... I could really appreciate Jellin's incredible skill.
"Lady Yuria, we've arrived. This is the Fixer Agency."
"Yep... Th'nks."
"Hmph, it's nothing."
Having arrived at the agency in no time, I gave Jellin a thumbs-up.
At that, she, who was always so stoic, covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.
I wonder if there was a punchline in my short words. She tried to act like there wasn't, but it was obvious.
Hmph, Jellin may be a cool beauty who looks great in a suit... but she looks better when she smiles.
It was nice to see her becoming more positive. Though I was a little disappointed she refused my hug earlier.
I got out of her car and gave a small wave to say goodbye.
Jellin bowed very politely and then disappeared in an instant.
I suppose I won't see her again for a few days.
I kept waving at Jellin's car as it disappeared down the road.
Then I turned on my heel and entered the agency building with a light step.
"...Huh?"
"..."
But my steps toward the agency came to a halt.
A boy was crumpled on the stairs leading up to the next floor.
He was a dirty boy with short hair that was mostly gray with streaks of red.
The whole atmosphere was suspicious no matter how you looked at it... and my brain froze for a moment.