Chapter 171: Cooperation (2)

「…Will you cooperate with them? 」

I spoke with Seiya inside a murky room surrounded by white walls. Seiya, Celseus and I were now in a newly created hidden room near the invisible room with the number 666 where Colt lived. Seiya installed simple lighting on the ceiling for the time being. Thanks to that light, I could clearly see Seiya’s profile. By the way, Seiya didn’t release the Daunting Pose yet, so Celseus was still steel-colored whether he was exposed to the light or not.

「It seems that Colt is a decent person, even in Twisted Exfolia. No doubt about it.」

「But, he is a terrorist, you know. Anyway, is it possible to do an assassination or a revolution with such a small number of people?」

「It’s not wise to do it with a large number of people. When the number of people increases, the percentage of traitors and whistleblowers will also increase. A small number of elite people is enough for an undercover job.」

It looked like Seiya was on Colt’s side. Normally, one would easily say with conviction “You’re right!”, but this time, Celseus and I felt anxious about it. Celseus expressed his thoughts as well.

「But, Seiya! Maybe they’re just trying to use us for their terrorism? 」

「Our goal is to restore the original world. If this act will help us achieve that, then Colt’s real intentions won’t pose a problem to us.」

「Seiya, are you sure this is the right thing to do?」

「Lista. They were all laughing when you suggested Artema Menace’s destruction, which has not been resurrected yet, am I right?」

「Do…Don’t remind me of that scene!! It’s so embarrassing!! 」

「Hmm. Your view was not that wrong. Our ultimate goal this time is the destruction of Artema Menace.」

「Eh? 」

「Based on Enzo’s information, the cause of the distortion corrupting the Twisted Exfolia is the Artema Menace, which is the Demon King Artemaeus, but transformed into a magical weapon. I have confirmed this information with Hades back in the Underworld.」

「I…I knew it!! I wasn’t totally wrong!! So it can be done!! 」

「Colt said that Artema Menace cannot be destroyed. However, if I, the hero, can obtain the four types of Artema used for sealing, then it will be possible to destroy it.」

「Ah, did Hades say that too? 」

「Hmm. I don’t take all the words I’ve been told as the truth. I make my own truths.」

After saying that, Seiya sharpened his eyes.

「I’m going to briefly describe my plan at the moment. “All four types of Artema owned by the great powers of the Twisted Exfolia will be in my hands.”…That’s all.」

「You…You just said something amazing…!! But, wait a second, each country is shedding blood to fight for the Artema, right!?」

「Dunno. But, I don’t care. I will make them all mine. 」

「…!? Are you a Kid General*!? Oh…Oh well, we don’t have another choice but to do it, right…? We have to restore the original Exfolia…」

I didn’t know what else to say. But, if we didn’t do anything, then there was no way that we could dissolve this twisted world.

…Besides, if it were Seiya, then we could avoid some internal conflict between the nations…Well, if that was the case. Just a wishful thinking, I guess…

「No matter what we do, we’ll have to start from somewhere in order to create a baseline. At first, I was thinking about conquering this town. But, if the Colt and his companions are trying to assassinate the mayor in order to take power, then that’s fine with me. The mayor’s assassination and the overthrow of the Principality of Galvano are beneficial to us, although our goals are different.」

「Then, Seiya. Does that mean you’re going to cooperate with Colt?」

「For the time being, yes. But I don’t want to get too involved with them.」

「Eh? Why? Is it because they are terrorists? 」

Seiya sighed. Then, he shook his head lightly.

「Lista. Did you forget what happened to Colt during the first saving quest of Exfolia?」

「Ah, yes… 」

That’s right. The Demon King Artemaeus murdered Colt in the past of the original Exfolia. Dissolving the twisted world and restoring the original world, which was our purpose, meant that we would return to a world where Colt would no longer exists…I felt upset when Seiya reminded me of the harsh truth.

「I…I see. Seiya. Is that the reason why you didn’t cooperate with them immediately…?」

「I’m okay with that outcome. But, I’m worried about you. I fear that you’ll get emotional if we become too friendly with Colt.」

「I see…Hmm, yes…Okay, I understand… 」

To be prepared mentally was something difficult to do, as I didn’t know what was in store for us in the future. But, Seiya understood my character, and he made his point clear. I agreed for the time being.

…Restoring the original world would mean robbing Colt from Eich, right…? No, I mustn’t have these thoughts! If I dwelled too much on it, then I could get stuck in the depths of my sorrows!

I shook my head. I couldn’t say anything about it anymore, but my heart was full of unpleasant feelings. It seemed that Seiya wrinkled between his eyebrows too.

The steel-colored god spoke amidst the heavy atmosphere.

「Ah…Excuse me, Seiya…But, can you undo the Daunting Pose…?」

When Seiya silently snapped his finger, Celseus returned to his usual appearance.

「YAY!! Thank you very much!! 」

「…Anyway, I have to think a little more about my plans. Let’s take a rest today.」

Celseus had a big smile on his face. But, when Seiya walked away after taking a blanket and other items from his luggage bag…

「Tchiii! Bullshit! 」

He muttered so hatefully. On this very moment, Seiya looked back.

「Hey, Celseus. What do you mean by bullshit? 」

「Eh!? I was wondering if this room has a toilet!! Ahahahah!!」

「I don’t need you to tell me that. Of course, I made one. 」

After seeing Seiya go to the corner of the room with his items, Celseus made a strong pose while wiping his cold sweat.

「Okay! Nice! 」

「…Ahh. You’re always so carefree, aren’t you. 」

After seeing such an unconcerned Celseus, I felt increasingly exhausted.

—

Next morning.

We went to Colt’s room. Seiya held his hand against the wall and did something. He probably asked Eich how to do it yesterday. Eventually, the wall moved and the hidden door appeared.

「Excuse us. 」

Upon entering the room, all members were awake and stared at us with a serious look.

「…Mister Seiya. Will you listen to me before I hear your reply?」

Colt sat on a chair close to the table. The scent of black tea and its steam were rising from the teacup. After taking a sip from the cup, Colt began to speak.

「I want to save this town and I want to change this world. These are my true intentions. But I forgot to mention another important thing.」

「What’s the other important thing?」

「“I have to do this or I can’t keep being myself.” That kind of frustration is always in my heart. Maybe I want to change the rotten system to keep my sanity in this distorted world.」

I was amazed when the words “distorted world” came out of Colt’s mouth.

「I don’t know why I feel this way. But sometimes I think about it. I feel like my true self belongs somewhere in the past…And it feels like as if I left it behind one day…」

「Bro…Brother? 」

Eich, Caron, and the Father were mysteriously staring at Colt. But…I understood what Colt was saying. Perhaps, Colt’s soul was aware that this Exfolia was not the Exfolia it should be.

「I don’t care if other people call me a terrorist. I want to get everything back. Both the order of the world and my true self.」

「…Even if you disappear as a result? 」

「Se…Seiya!? 」

I shouted upon hearing Seiya’s sudden statement. I noticed that Seiya stared at Colt with a stern look. Colt also changed his usual gentle face and asked Seiya the following question.

「Do you mean my death? 」

Seiya said nothing. Colt thought for a little moment, and then, he put his hand on Eich’s tiny head.

「Even if I die, I hope this world will be all right. A world where Eich can live happily…If the cornerstone to achieve that dream means my death, then that’s fine with me.」

「Bro…Brother, I won’t let you die!! Absolutely not!! 」

While watching the deep love between Colt and his sister, I felt like I was going to cry. Even in this world distorted by the power of violence, Colt and his sister still cared for each other.

「Then I’ll ask you again. Mister Seiya. Will you cooperate with us? 」

「Okay. I shall accept your suggestion. 」

「Hey you, why do you always act so bossy…! 」

Eich sharpened her lips, but the Father, Caron, and Colt all smiled with relief.

「Let’s do our best from now on! 」

Seiya didn’t hold Colt’s extended hand for a handshake, so I forcibly took Seiya’s hand and grabbed it with Colt’s hand. After forcibly shaking hands, I told Seiya.

「Seiya! Let’s forget the difficult topic for the time being! Let’s rejoice now for making new comrades!」

And I looked at my new comrade, Eich. I saw that Eich and Caron seemed happy as well.

「Awesome!! Let’s join forces to kill the mayor!! 」

「You’re right!! After that, let’s blow up the Principality of Galvano!! 」

Yeah, yeah, it was great to have new comrades after all…Eh, what…? Tho…Those remarks…Was this cooperation really that great…?

Suddenly, Eich slapped my butt.

「Hiyah!? 」

「Let’s work together! You and your fellas are terrorists now! 」

「Terrorists…I…I don’t feel it’s great after all… 」

「Ha, ha, ha! We now have a goddess in our official organization! I feel like I won’t go to hell no matter how many people I kill!」

Caron spoke to me while he smoke happily. The impressed Father took my hands in tears.

「Ahh…I can’t describe how much joyous this occasion is since the Goddess Lady Lista is also joining our terrorist organization…!!」

The Father that held my hands began to worship me.

「I feel so grateful!! Lady Terrorista!! 」

「Terrorista!? Did you just match that name with that entity!?」

「Isn’t that nice, Goddess of Terrorism. 」

「You sound as if I’m a completely evil goddess!! Eich!! I am the Goddess of Healing!」

They gave me a strange nickname, but it was now clear that we were going to cooperate with Colt and his companions from now on.

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*Meaning ガキ大将 (Gakitaishou), which is a leader of the pack (of a group of kids), a neighborhood bully.

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