Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Marigold's Facade
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"I had no choice either. If I could've, I would've turned into a tall, busty beauty, but there were no options."
Even in a place full of total weirdos, this was the kind of thing that made everyone think, "That's a bit..." and fall into an awkward silence.
A few even forgot their dignity and rubbed their eyes with the backs of their hands.
Every time this happened, it hit me anew just how unhinged Dancing Butterfly really was.
She'd pulled stunts like this from the very first time we met.
To cut to the chase, it was all because of jealousy. Which was the real problem.
Not that it bothered me much, honestly. Maybe because the Commander was the protagonist, it felt like watching a vivid game play out right in front of me.
Marlboro stroked his chin, looking amused.
"You haven't even shown off your performance yet, and you've already whipped up this kind of atmosphere."
I couldn't tell if it was praise or mockery for a second there.
Marlboro usually leaned toward compliments.
Just the kind that danced right on the edge.
"Looks like you're still as popular as ever, sis."
Popularity, huh.
Better than being ignored, at least.
At least I wasn't being treated like I was invisible.
More importantly, Esira was watching.
I couldn't let the kid leave this place with nothing but bad memories.
If I wavered, she'd waver too.
"...This is my first time with something like this."
Reina's already pale face had gone even whiter, practically like a blank sheet of paper. She kept clenching and unclenching the hem of her skirt, trying to hide her trembling hands.
It made sense. She was one of the more normal ones here.
The Commander was the most ordinary of all, but his actions made you question if he was really the protagonist. Right now, he was waving his arms in the air like he was searching for a status window or something.
If I hadn't seen his command skills firsthand at our first meeting, I'd have blurted out, "Him, the protagonist?"
Unfortunately, the Commander didn't have anything like a status window. No such convenient system existed in the first place.
The way he was acting, he must be scared.
I wasn't afraid, though.
Maybe because I was in Asrania's body—I didn't feel a shred of fear.
That was when it happened.
"Wow..."
Esira, who was holding my hand, let out a gasp of admiration.
It wasn't just the dazzling spectacle she'd never seen before—the whole place was crawling with Axioms.
For a curious kid like her, how could she not stare?
They probably just looked like special grown-ups to her.
In Esira's eyes, this was like a fairy-tale ballroom.
"Asrania, look over there."
I turned my gaze to where Esira was pointing.
A single-seater sofa sat by itself. A girl was lounging on it.
She looked about Esira's age at first glance. Dressed in a yukata like something out of a Japanese hot spring, her legs didn't reach the floor and swung idly in the air.
Just looking at her, she seemed like the type who'd hug a teddy bear and drift off to dreamland.
But in her hand was a wine glass.
Bright yellow-orange.
Juice?
"..."
She looked so innocently cheerful it was almost embarrassing to call her an Axiom.
A face that seemed utterly incapable of harming anyone.
Reina sidled up cautiously beside me.
She'd been on high alert just moments ago, but now she seemed a little more relaxed.
"Is that girl an Axiom too? She's way too young..."
She whispered so Esira wouldn't hear.
"Don't trust appearances. The poison that seeps in through tiny cracks lingers the longest."
This time, the Commander chimed in.
"So, how many times has that kid died?"
"Number 30."
"Lower number than Marlboro."
Marlboro was #44. Marigold was #30.
Honestly, judging by looks alone, Marlboro seemed like the one who'd been through the most in this organization.
His face had that weathered, world-beaten look.
The girl raised the corners of her eyes slightly and set her glass down on the table with a clink.
She shot to her feet.
Her upper body lunged forward before her feet even hit the ground—like a kid charging over yelling, "I'm right here!"
"First time seeing me, right? I'm Marigold!"
Marigold.
Her voice was bubbly, dripping with cuteness.
That's what made her so dangerous. Nothing disarms people faster, especially if it's a cute little girl.
Marigold stared at Esira's face, then her eyes sparkled.
"You really look just like Number 4 sis! Identical!"
"Number 4?"
"Your mom!"
"Uh, my mom?"
Esira froze solid. My brow furrowed for a split second too.
We did look alike, but mom?
Marigold clapped her hands together, clearly delighted by the flustered reaction.
"Now I get why you've been hiding her all this time. She's too pretty!"
"...Really?"
"Yeah! I'm so happy. There hasn't been anyone my age in this building. Finally, a friend!"
Marigold beamed with the purest, most innocent smile. Even Esira awkwardly lifted the corners of her mouth in response.
The Commander and Reina standing behind us had gone stiff-faced.
Neither said a word.
Could a kid that young really be an Axiom?
The doubt was written all over their faces.
"Friends?"
"Yeah! Friends!"
Marigold giggled merrily.
That's when Marlboro, who'd been watching from the side, clicked his tongue.
"Hey, kid. Don't get so clingy with strangers. Keep some distance."
"Who are you to lecture me, you chain-smoking hack?"
The bubbly smile vanished from Marigold's face in an instant.
"I didn't smoke on the way here."
"Your breath stinks."
"..."
The gap was so jarring that Esira flinched and grabbed my sleeve.
Esira spoke up hesitantly.
"Um, didn't you put out your cigarette before coming here?"
"Oh? Yeah, this was just a habit—I didn't light it."
Marigold shook her head at that.
"Showing a cigarette to a minor is an educational fail all on its own! You know that, right?!"
"Ahem."
Marlboro cleared his throat awkwardly at the pure logic. He turned his head away slightly. Guess he couldn't argue with that.
"I'll squeeze you dry and turn you into juice."
Already ditching the kid act?
I was planning to play along with your rhythm.
As the mood turned hostile, Dancing Butterfly gracefully stepped between them with a wave of her hand.
"My, my, everyone calm down. It's a good day—do we really need blood spilling already?"
"Number 54 sis, this guy's always interrupting me. It's annoying."
"Ease up too, Marigold. Lady Asrania is watching."
Marigold glanced up at me.
Her face flipped back to a sunny smile, as if the frown had never happened.
That was talent-level stuff.
"Number 4 sis, they're always getting in the way. I wanna play with my friend."
I had no idea what she really wanted.
For me to kill the nuisances?
Sorry, but right now I'm in good-girl Asrania mode—pointless killing is off-limits.
Marigold didn't even wait for my answer before turning back to Esira.
"Oh, I didn't catch your name. What's it gonna be~?"
"Esira..."
"Ooh, pretty name! You must be thirsty after the long trip. Orange juice?"
Marigold grabbed a fresh wine glass from the table.
"Here, drink this. It's my favorite."
Esira reached out hesitantly.
I was about to stop her—it didn't seem safe.
But Dancing Butterfly swiftly grabbed Marigold's wrist.
"Don't shove that at Asrania's kid."
"It's just juice! Wow, treating me like a criminal? That's mean!"
Marigold stomped her feet like she was about to die of injustice.
"It's really good, though. I don't give bad stuff to others."
"That's not the point."
Marlboro piled on.
"From her perspective, anything you hand over is suspect. Who knows what you've spiked your juice with."
"100% fresh-squeezed orange! What would a dumb #44 know?"
"Tch, unbelievable."
Watching them snarl at each other was hopeless.
'Why are they suddenly at each other's throats? Such nasty tempers.'
I fixed Marigold with a hard stare.
"...?"
Marigold tilted her head.
"Why're you looking at me like that? Something on my face?"
That innocent expression as she asked.
Too bad—I knew.
What this girl's true identity really was.
It was one of the big twists in the original story.
"Commander. Watch her for a sec."
"Watch who?"
"I need to talk to Marigold alone. Keep an eye on my kid for a bit."
Esira tugged lightly at my sleeve.
"Ah, but I wanna go with you..."
Her voice dripped with disappointment.
She clearly hated being left behind with strangers. It showed.
But not this time.
This was adult business.
"Sorry, Esira. This is grown-up talk."
"But Marigold's the same age as me?"
"...It's Axiom business."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. I'll be right back."
Esira pouted but nodded in the end.
"Okay. Then I won't go anywhere—I'll wait right here."
"Good girl."
I gently stroked her hair.
"If anything happens, tell me. Or just slash 'em yourself."
"Got it. Have a safe trip."
Leaving her brave reply behind, I seized Marigold's wrist.
"Let's go."
"Huh? Wha—sis, wait! I need to drink my juice! My 100% fresh-squeezed juice!"
She looked thoroughly flustered.
I dragged her along to a secluded corner with no one around.
I pinned her in the shadows and finally let go.
"Wh-what is it?"
Marigold drooped the corners of her eyes and sniffled dramatically. Her tone was still childish.
"Number 4 sis is so mean. You gonna kill me? I didn't do anything!"
"Not killing you. Just need to talk."
"Talk? About what?"
"You'll see."
I bent my knees slightly to meet the pint-sized Marigold's eyes.
I called her real name.
"Long time no see. Calendula."
In an instant, Marigold's whining mouth snapped shut. Her pupils shook like there was an earthquake, then she let out a deep, resigned sigh.
"Haa..."
Her shoulders slumped. At the same time, her childish high-pitched voice shifted to a calm tone.
"How'd you know?"
Marigold—no, Calendula—tilted her head defiantly. Now I could see her real eyes.
"You should've gone for a full transformation into a different face. This one feels too similar to your old look."
I added,
"Right? Number 3."
Axiom #3, Calendula.
Considering I was #4, she predated me in the organization.
"Your eyesight is creepy good."
"Thanks for the compliment. So, what's with the kid getup? New hobby?"
"I had no choice either. If I could've, I would've turned into a tall, busty beauty, but there were no options."
I shook my head.
"I thought you'd gone back to your innocent days on purpose. Craving childhood that bad, huh?"