Chapter 83 - Infiltration

"Young Master, did everything go well?"

As I emerged from the dark underground and stepped out of the Information Guild, Kania was waiting demurely inside the carriage.

"Yeah. I took care of it."

"I see."

I gave a curt reply as I climbed into the carriage, and Kania nodded quietly.

I watched her for a moment before frowning slightly and asking, "Kania, what's this on my collar?"

At my words, Kania subtly averted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her gaze.

"...Kania?"

I leaned toward where she was looking, frowning even more, and she began staring at my face intently.

"Tell me quickly. What did you do?"

"I merely cast a simple spell to prevent anyone from touching you carelessly, Young Master."

"If that were all, I wouldn't have sensed black magic when it activated."

"It must have been your imagination."

I grabbed her face as she turned to look out the window again and turned it back toward me, puffing out my cheeks in a pout. Kania let out a soft chuckle.

"It's all for your sake, so there's no need to worry."

"...Should I trust you?"

A bit suspicious but deciding to trust Kania's high benevolence stat, I started the carriage moving as I said, "Then... could you give me the reports from the past week?"

"Understood. First, I suppose we should discuss the Moonlight family and your... friends."

Since it was such a secretive matter, Kania had even used black magic to soundproof the carriage. She pulled out a notebook from her bosom and began.

"To cut to the chase, the council has collapsed, and the secret leader has fled."

"Damn, so they couldn't catch or kill the secret leader."

"Yes. But with this operation, Miss Serena has risen from being the family's puppet to the true leader, so it's not a bad outcome."

I let out a sigh at her words, then said darkly, "Well, that's certainly good, but... the Subjugation Curse on Serena is the problem."

Kania's expression darkened as well. "Is there truly no way to lift the Subjugation Curse?"

"Who knows. Even my ancestor, who knew nearly everything after dissecting the 'game,' couldn't find a solution for two things—one being the Subjugation Curse."

"What's the other?"

"Ah, that's my..."

I almost answered Kania without thinking but caught myself and clamped my mouth shut.

"Young Master? Why stop mid-sentence?"

"It's nothing. The other isn't in the Prophecy Book either."

With that, I closed my eyes tightly and began recalling the contents of the Prophecy Book.

My ancestor's complaints continued for a long while after that, ending like this.

I haven't experienced my ancestor's world, so I don't fully understand, but I get the gist.

In short, I currently have no way to extend my lifespan or vitality.

Though for some reason, I've been finding inaccuracies in the Prophecy Book lately, so maybe there's hope...

"Young Master, what are you thinking so deeply about?"

"...Nothing."

I snapped out of my reverie only when I saw Kania's worried expression after being lost in thought for so long.

Yeah, better to focus on immediate issues than cling to vague hope without a method.

"Next report. About tracking the scroll shop..."

"Couldn't catch them, right?"

"...Yes."

Kania bowed her head as she spoke, and I sighed before replying, "It's fine. No intention of scolding you."

"But..."

"That person might not be someone we can catch in the first place."

If the one who sold the scroll the Demon King had in the final scene of the second trial is who we're after...

We might have been chasing a hopeless lead from the start.

Having Kania pursue someone whose identity we don't know, who even deceived the Demon King, alone.

"Shall we... cancel the search?"

"No, increase the search team. Even if it gets a bit dangerous, even if it costs more money."

But we can't just let it go.

Victory and success don't come to the lazy.

"Understood. Then the final report."

Kania cleared her throat and began. "Recently, the church canceled the order for you to volunteer at the orphanage."

"Huh? Why... Ah."

I was puzzled at first, then remembered ordering Drimirkan, the Demon King's second-in-command, to pressure the Pope.

"That was my doing. Volunteering was rewarding and fun, but... it risked exposing my villainy too much."

"A wise choice. The orphanage is fully staffed now anyway, so no issues if you don't volunteer."

I smiled warmly at that, glanced at Kania cautiously, then asked carefully, "Hey, let's start a charity foundation later."

"...A charity foundation?"

Kania frowned sharply, so I broke into a cold sweat. "No, I mean... I planned to stop at the orphanage, but seeing the kids' smiling faces every time ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠made me feel so good. And there are other reasons..."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, so if circumstances allow, a foundation..."

"...Do you have the funds?"

At Kania's question, I replied confidently. "Father's secret funds are still plentiful, and if short, I can take from the Demon King's army vault."

"...What does the Demon King's army say?"

"Lately, they're trying to offer me money. It's probably dirty, so I'm hesitant, but maybe for good causes..."

"Sigh..."

Kania sighed and began. "I understand your intent, Young Master. But a foundation requires far more time and manpower than an orphanage."

"I know. Rushing could backfire. So I'd like to proceed slowly with the foundation."

"Understood."

As Kania noted it in her notebook, I said worriedly, "Don't push too hard if it's tough, Kania. I can handle the foundation setup somehow, so focus on the orphanage..."

"If I left it to a foolish Young Master who finds healing in creating a charity foundation instead of spending on himself, disaster would strike. So I'll handle it."

Kania smiled as she spoke.

"Thanks, Kania. I'll do my utmost for the aftermath and admin."

"No need to thank me. Isn't that what your butler and confidante is for?"

She bowed politely, then asked sharply, "By the way, what is that 'other reason'?"

"...Ah, that?"

I hesitated, then averted my gaze. "It's nothing, so..."

"Tell me, Young Master. To serve you, I need to know everything."

"...Setting up a charity foundation will make future main scenarios much easier."

Kania looked puzzled. "Why not say that from the start?"

"Just... didn't want to burden you when you're already busy."

Blushing slightly, I spoke, and Kania suddenly bowed her head deeply.

"...Thank you for always thinking of me, Young Master."

Silence filled the carriage for a moment.

"By the way, Irina was talking about Lulu earlier."

In the quiet, I casually brought it up, and Kania, who had her head down, looked up at me subtly.

"Kania, can you take me into Lulu's unconscious mind?"

She frowned. "It's possible, but I don't recommend it."

"Why?"

"The unconscious is a highly dangerous space. Unless you're an exception like Young Master, it's full of threats."

Kania cleared her throat, then continued seriously. "Even in an ordinary person's unconscious, you must never let your guard down. But infiltrating someone unstable like Miss Lulu... I can't guarantee safety."

"Hm..."

I pondered her serious expression, then sighed. "So, you'd be in danger too?"

"...I'm fine. I've infiltrated far worse."

"Good, then let's infiltrate her unconscious."

Kania stared at me in disbelief. "Did you even hear me?"

"Yeah, you said you're safe."

"Haa..."

I looked at her like what’s the problem, and she sighed deeply.

"Please take care of yourself, Young Master."

I was about to retort when the carriage jolted. I scratched my head and looked out the window.

"Already home. Let's go to Lulu."

".....Yes."

I stepped out with Kania, who wore a dissatisfied expression, and headed to the mansion.

.

.

.

.

.

"...Still sleeping."

Despite the time spent at the Information Guild, Lulu remained asleep.

Well, more like knocked out, really.

Did I hit the back of her neck too hard? Need to control my strength next time.

"Are you prepared?"

"Yeah, ready."

"Once more... don't touch anything or anyone in the unconscious recklessly, and if the administrator appears..."

Though I said I was ready, this was Kania's fifth warning.

She must be really worried about me.

"Kania, enough. Let's go before Lulu wakes."

"...Understood."

Only after interrupting and urging her did Kania begin preparing to enter the unconscious.

- Shoooo...

The black energy Kania summoned enveloped me, her, and Lulu.

"Remember. You must be wary of the administrator above all."

Her words were the last thing I heard as my consciousness blurred, and I was sucked into the unconscious mind of the fainted Lulu.

"My god..."

"Worse than I imagined."

Upon entering Lulu's unconscious, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what filled my view were all sorts of lethal weapons.

"Why is the unconscious space filled with things for self-harm or suicide?"

"It seems her strongest current desire is manifesting."

"Suicidal impulses, huh?"

Kania nodded grimly at my words.

Even for her, who's entered countless unconscious minds, Lulu's space felt threatening.

"This is quite dangerous."

As expected, after surveying for a while, Kania said tensely, "There are far more bizarre and terrifying places, but these weapons everywhere are concerning. If something happens, we may need an emergency exit, even if it strains us."

I nodded tensely and looked around.

"...Hey, is that someone over there?"

"Pardon?"

Spotting what was clearly a child Lulu crouched down, I pointed, and Kania's eyes widened.

"That's odd. Unconscious administrators usually hide themselves, not wanting to be seen."

"Maybe due to affection deprivation?"

"That seems most logical. And if so..."

Looking at the crouched Lulu, Kania murmured lowly, "...She's craving 'affection' more than we imagined."

I swallowed hard and slowly approached Lulu.

"Young Master, you're really going to talk without subduing the administrator?"

"Yeah, you said subduing it could make her uncooperative despite gaining control. So let's try talking first."

"Be careful, Young Master."

Kania summoned black chains aimed at Lulu, ready anytime. Feeling reassured, I proceeded.

"Hey, Lulu?"

Reaching right in front of the crouched Lulu, I spoke carefully. "Want to talk?"

Words and actions toward the unconscious administrator aren't remembered by the real Lulu, so I spoke as kindly as possible, but she remained silent.

"Lulu, come on, talk to me..."

I crouched beside her and gently lifted her head, only to freeze in shock.

"Haha, ha..."

"Lu, Lulu."

"Hahahahaha."

Her face was a wreck.

Dozens of knife scars on her arms, red marks around her neck, face covered in scars and bruises, dark circles under her eyes.

Nails bitten ragged, body full of wounds and bruises, legs limply dangling.

From my experience with such sights, if she weren't the unconscious administrator, she'd have gone into shock from the pain.

"Frey... Frey, right? Hello."

As I thought that, she greeted me with hollow eyes.

"Ah, hello..."

"Sorry."

As I responded, she began in a soulless voice.

"I'm going to use you. Get your attention and affection to lift my curse. Even if it's twisted affection treating me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like a pet."

"I see."

"You'll become unhappy. Because everyone who loves or cares for me gets caught in my curse."

Unaffected by her curse—being more unfortunate than her—I stayed calm, so she darkened further.

"Why? Scared of becoming unhappy? Afraid?"

"No, not really..."

"You're a villain. Deserve to die, trash. Using you is no problem. It even helps society."

"Hey, Lulu? Can you hear me?"

"Anyway, I'm innocent. Inno... ugh..."

Ignoring my waving hand, she rambled, then looked confused.

"I'm innocent...? No, I have sins."

"Sins?"

"The whole school got dragged into my misfortune... The recent attack was because of me... Everyone nearly died because of my misfortune..."

As she finished, deep wounds appeared on her body.

"My fault... Because of me... I should disappear. I'm trash. Because of me, innocent kids..."

"It's not your fault. Let me explain from now on, so just listen for a bit..."

"It's all my fault!!!"

I tried to talk, but nothing got through.

"Lulu, please hear me out... Hng!"

- Crunch... Cruuunch...

"All... all my fault... hehe..."

Clinging to faint hope, as I spoke again, an unknown force crushed me.

"I must die... Yes, if I don't, the world is in danger... So, as soon as possible..."

- Shraaaash!!!

I dangled in the air flailing when Kania's chains engulfed Lulu.

"...Puha!"

Lulu was bound and suspended midair; I fell freed from the force.

"Young Master! Are you okay!?"

- Slash! Slaaash!

"It hurts, hurts hurts... hurts..."

With Kania's pale-faced support, I stood. Suspended Lulu was bleeding from invisible blades.

- Whoooosh...

"...My god."

Then, all weapons in the space floated, aiming at us.

"Better to die than live suffering..."

"Young Master, steel yourself."

Gloomy words from Lulu's mouth; Kania, watching anxiously, whispered lowly.

"We may need an emergency exit."

- Shoooosh!!

Weapons flew at us as she spoke.

- Crackle! Crrackle!

Kania emitted black energy, space warping endlessly.

"Aaaagh..."

"Just endure a bit, Young Master."

Grinding my teeth against horrific pain, Kania whispered softly.

- Zap! Crrackle!

In her arms, as consciousness faded, I looked at suspended Lulu.

"Must... die..."

The weapons she summoned toward us and herself halted right before her.

"Haaa... haa..."

Next moment, I was sprawled on the mansion floor, gasping.

"Young Master! Are you alright!?"

"...Not really."

Normally I'd reassure her, but not this time.

Felt like my body was torn apart forcibly.

"Kania, you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Regaining senses late, I asked; she looked worried.

"Emergency exit was designed for me alone... Of course it's taxing with you."

"...I see."

Nodding blankly, I stared at Lulu, dead asleep on the bed, deep in thought.

"So, what will you do?"

Kania asked softly after a while.

"From the unconscious, Lulu's mental state is very poor. You know that too?"

"Yes."

"And the reason is the Misfortune Mark on her. You know that well?"

"Yes, but why keep asking..."

I sighed at Kania tilting her head.

"...Then there's only one solution."

She frowned deeply. "But that would incur a penalty on you..."

"I'll adjust it properly."

Calmly replying, as she looked exasperated, I added lowly, "...It'll work out somehow."

.

.

.

.

.

"Ugh..."

Lulu, dead asleep on the bed, painfully opened her eyes.

"Wanna die..."

Muttering her usual upon waking, she groaned and sat up.

"Awake now?"

"...Kyaa!?"

Realizing I was beside her, she recoiled in shock.

"Whoa, don't. You'll hurt yourself again."

"Pardon?"

But at my gentle tone instead of usual scolding, she looked baffled.

"Arm any better? Treated it myself since it was hurt."

"Uh..."

Looking at her arm, she saw fine bandages and asked tremblingly, "Why... be nice to me...?"

"Huh?"

I stroked her head, expression like why ask that? "...If my pet gets hurt, the value drops."

The time to save her had come.