125 – In the Battle Where Victory Was Promised and Sealed #2
The grand palace where the chairman of Soul Society resided. In a room where a three-headed dog growled softly in its sleep before the roaring fireplace, a man neatly stored the buttons from his shirt as he took it off with a rustle and clink.
"I know you're there."
As the man muttered, from the shadowed corner of the room untouched by the firelight, someone who had been suppressing their presence slithered into view. It was Zagreus.
"Father, why did you have to play the villain yourself?"
"Villain? What nonsense is that."
"What you did to Melinoë. Everyone must be puzzled. Like, it didn't seem like something worth getting that angry about—and surely some are finding it suspicious."
"So what? The stage was too soon for your sister. I figured it would take at least a few centuries. But as expected of her, she's got real talent."
A deep worry mingled with unmistakable pride on the chairman's face, the one who had issued the stern decree. But the worry was far thicker.
"Zagreus, isn't your handling of things a bit sloppy? I strictly ordered you to recover and dispose of all the experience scrolls. That's the only reason Melinoë would recall the Entertainment Department, isn't it!"
"How can any affair in this world be handled perfectly? Even gods can't achieve perfection—words you told me yourself, Father."
"You always hear only what you want to. I clearly told you to pursue perfection precisely because of that?"
"So, are you really planning to lock Melly up in her room?"
"Yes. It's the best option right now."
"If it were me, I wouldn't unjustly imprison the blood of Cronus. Haven't you experienced that 'result' firsthand, Father?"
Zagreus glanced around. All that Chairman Hades had built was the 'result' of his rebellion against his father Cronus, who had oppressed him.
Hades replied curtly.
"...It's only ten years."
"Ten years is a long time. Long enough for a newborn to become an elementary schooler with years to spare."
"Spending time with mortals on Earth has made you think like one of them."
"I got an update."
"That overconfidence and recklessness of yours will cause big problems. Look at Tartarus's remnants. As your sister said, their rise is a side effect of the reforms your 'updated' methods pursued."
"Father, where's the perfection in anything? That's why we must pursue it—words from some great one, right?"
"......"
Chairman Hades couldn't refute his son's words. How had that little boy grown so much? For a man, a son a head taller than himself was success in itself. Just looking at him filled his belly without a bite of food.
But what about a daughter a head shorter? As a father rather than chairman, Melinoë always looked fragile as a little nymph to him. No fence seemed secure enough. Even a spring sprout's tender leaf appeared like a thorn that could prick a finger.
"Zagreus, remember this. Your sister was born a 'perfect goddess' from the start."
A perfect goddess born into a world where even gods couldn't be complete. How contradictory.
—Kyang...!
Something was making a huge racket, jolting me awake. A fox was slobbering all over my cheek.
"What the—it's you, Hell Puppy?"
It was the pup I'd final-approved as a new hire at Pandora Market. Now Melinoë's secretary, right? It looked like a fluffy, plump fox, but it was an elite with over five certifications. How does a fox even do secretarial work or get certs? Ridiculous.
Thinking of the trouble it'd caused, I wanted to turn it into a scarf on the spot.
"Why are you here? Did Lady Melinoë come too?"
The pup was Melinoë's pet—and scarf. Its presence here meant a high chance she'd come too.
Looking closely, a scroll hung around its neck. Curious, I unrolled it. Words were written there.
"Take. Good. Care. Of. It. For. Now."
This merciless use of periods. Lady Melinoë's handwriting.
"She asked you to look after the pup?"
What the hell happened? Curious about last night, I checked my terminal and nearly passed out.
+999 Unread Messages
What flood of contacts came overnight? I checked the newspaper by the door. The headline explained the night's developments.
Princess Melinoë had been thoroughly crushed by Prince Zagreus at last night's shareholders' meeting. And not just that—she'd been slapped with a 'ten-year' house arrest by the chairman himself.
"Ooooh?"
What the hell happened? Given how my life had been going, Lady Melinoë should've dominated the meeting. Then she'd say, "Jo, thanks to you. I'll make you an executive!"—the kind of offer that'd give me stress baldness.
But no.
"Yeah, life's not always predictable. So, this fight's my win by just sitting it out and surviving."
Jo's victory declaration! How many years had it been? Pure emotion.
But no complacency. This was a win handed on a platter. To be the total victor, I needed to grasp the situation, not get drunk on momentary joy.
Why did Lady Melinoë lose at the meeting?
"Prince Zagreus's achievements since the business renewal were too solid. Not easy for Princess Melinoë to breach that wall."
Whatever ace she'd gained from the Entertainment Department, it wasn't enough to crack Zagreus's fortress.
"House arrest on top?"
That daughter-spoiling chairman locking her up for ten years? Had to be something huge.
"Pup, you know anything?"
—Kyang...!
Woofwoofwoofwoof...!
This thing! It seemed to know plenty, but I didn't speak fox. So who would know about the meeting? Something triggered the chairman's max rage to confine his precious princess. If I could uncover and exploit that?
Getting demoted and fired would be a breeze. Oh, shit—brilliant plan.
Couldn't just sit. After a quick breakfast and dressing, the pup wagged its tail.
Food? Unsure what to give, I mixed my cereal with milk.
Chomp chomp chomp! It ate well. Kinda cute. Fluffy fur—must be why foxes enchant people.
"Stay home quietly while I head to work."
Ghost carpet to commute!
"Nymph confinement violates Article 11, Clause 12 of the Nymph Rights Act...!"
"Attacks on Princess Melly are attacks on our Nymph Association...!"
"This Carnoy doesn't get it, but we should all band together, shout loud, and smash stuff...!"
Hordes of nymphs picketed in protest. Every nymph in Soul Society seemed gathered.
"The princess is too pitiful-dat...!"
"She should've been CEO at least once...!"
"Soul Society executives, release Princess Melinoë...!"
"Uwaaak! Form a defensive line!"
"Block them! Block! Don't let them into HQ!"
Total chaos. Who knew Soul Society's Nymph Association was such staunch support for Lady Melinoë?
Wondering at it, orange-haired nymph Paranoy spotted me.
"Aaah—it's Honorary Nymph Joinoi-dat...!"
"Taxi! Taxi! Here! I'm taking a sick day today!"
I frantically raised my hand. Bad vibes—had to bail fast.
But waving wildly, the nymphs swarmed quicker, surrounding me.
"The legendary nymph of liberation, Joinoi, who freed us from oppression and gave us freedom...! Only Joinoi can free Princess Melinoë-dat...!"
"Even agreeable nymph Agreeyol agrees...!"
They wanted me to fix her confinement somehow. Reason? Welfare for nymphs skyrocketed since her NEO appointment. No wonder they awaited her quick return.
"But aren't you Prince Zagreus's closest aide, Paranoy?"
She was his chief secretary. Her gain if Melinoë fell.
She scowled, furious.
"Safety team's comrades are one thing, but all nymph sisters are one body-dat...! Valuing yourself more is natural-dat...!"
"This Agreeyol agrees...!"
"Hoaaah...! This Hoanoi thinks we must dispatch a special envoy to the Heavenly Council about this underground nymph rights oppression...!"
Listening to their chatter would never end. Quick think: give the answer they craved.
"I too deeply regret the chairman's decision. I'll find a way to resolve this soon, so keep fighting without backing down!"
Bad for Lady Melinoë, but huge chance for me. Time to plot escape while she's sidelined. Plus, feigning rebellion could earn the chairman's ire.
Win no matter what—cheat mode route. This is my royal road...!
Fan the flames, agitate? Jo wins big.
"We can trust Joinoi-dat...!"
"If the nymph of liberation handles it, no need for tough protests...! Everyone, head home...!"
"Hoaaaah...! Let's dance the nymph joy dance...!"
Thump thump.
Contrary to expectation, the fired-up protesters dispersed like ants done foraging. Faster than flipping a palm.
"Th-the protesters are scattering!"
"Now's our chance! Hurry to work!"
"Thanks to you, Section Chief Jo, no tardiness!"
What the—?! Guards blocking the nymph wave marveled.
"Dissolving a nymph protest—scarier than raging munchies—with one word!!!"
"Jo, what kind of man are you!!!!"
"Averted the worst civil war since business renewal—a nymph riot!"
"You're a true liberation warrior!!!"
Total madness. Had to escape this vibe. Decided: skip work, take a day off. Destination set.
Who knows this mess best? The person herself, obviously. Off to see Lady Melinoë.
A no-go spot. A hate-magnet. Pure promised, assured victory—royal road straight.