Chapter 198

There was a plushie in the form of a bunny-like creature sitting beside her. After exchanging glances with the stuffed animal for a while, she nodded. “Uh-huh.” She turned to look at Tremolo again, a naughty grin on her face. “Poor you! She wants you dead!” “I shall clear my name.” “…Tsk. You’re no fun.” Faint, dusky sunlight seeped into the office. Bored, Nefty sighed before hugging the bunny plush. She fiddled with it with one hand, pulling its ear and kneading its belly, as she called to Tremolo. “What about the Dark Core?” “A new one hasn’t been found yet. By the way, Spica La Gemini took the one we lent the Arukan army.” “You saved the worst news for last?!” Nefty threw the plushie at Tremolo. She gracefully caught it, and her lips curved up in a sneer. “Not like you have any good news to speak of. You’ve been mining Star Cave for eight years now and have nothing to show for it.” “That’s a totally different thing! Besides, I was always against it! It was never a good idea to hand the Dark Core to the Arukan army, no matter how strong it made them!” “You’re questioning Yusei’s judgment?” “Ugh… You have a point…” “In any case, the plan has entered its next phase. You seem to think I came here crying for help, but the truth is I already have a scheme of my own cooked up.” Tremolo threw the plushie back. Nefty caught it sloppily. “…Then why are you here?” “Because Neoplus’s Star Cave is the perfect stage for the decisive battle. With the Varmints’ power, nobody can stand in our way. In return, I’ll help you look for the Dark Core.” “Spica’s coming here?” “The Wicked God Slayer let me go, which means she’s ready to come. And she and Terakomari won’t be alone. She’s come to reap the seeds of tragedy she sowed eight years ago.” “I don’t get what you’re saying.” Cloing. A bending sound. Tremolo turned around as she put her fingers on the strings. “There is one more reason I came back here: I wanted to see your face.” “What? You’re creeping me out.” “You’re a comrade in our mission to fulfill our wish. I wanted to make sure you were doing well.” “…” “Hee-hee… After we’ve dealt with our enemy, let’s go to the Foreworld to rescue Lady Nerzanpi. It seems she hasn’t been killed yet.” “I’m not so sure about that. Knowing how weak she is, I think she might’ve offed herself already.” “That can’t be… Now then, I’ll be on my way.” Cloing, cloing. The bard sounded her biwa. Nefty hugged the plushie and looked up at the ceiling. Countless coffins decorated her surroundings. People could live a second life so long as their body remained—such was the belief of Nefty’s homeland. Every member of Star Citadel had their own special view of death. Even if humanity perished, there was a way to salvation. “Yusei, we are going down the right path, yes?” Nefty’s whisper echoed vainly in the quiet darkness. She was talking to the plushie, but no answer came back.