"I see... I understand the general situation now. The badge truly cannot be lost. Fortunately, it's been found."
Reinhard rested his chin on his hand as he spoke.
"So then, how do you plan to deal with these two?"
Emilia gestured toward Felt and Old Man Rom across from them.
"Hmm—although it was theft... considering she's still young, I'll reduce the severity of the charge a little. If necessary, I can take them back with me for now. None of the houses here are suitable for living in anyway. It will count as temporary detention. But that old man won't be treated so lightly."
Reinhard replied.
"Alright..."
Emilia did not press further.
"As for Subaru—"
"Ah... what about me?"
Natsuki Subaru asked, puzzled.
"—How will you handle his identity? If you don't mind, you could let him come with me as well. I can host him as a guest at my residence."
"Well—"
Just as Emilia felt there was no issue and was about to agree, the Shogun interrupted her.
"There is no need. He will return to the mansion with us afterward."
The Shogun stepped forward and spoke first.
"Eh? Shogun?"
Emilia did not understand why the Shogun wanted to bring along this strange boy. Her violet eyes, slightly confused, turned toward the equally violet-eyed woman beside her.
"..." (a subtle glance)
The Shogun gave her a faint signal with her eyes. Emilia froze for a moment, then nodded in understanding.
"Then... it's fine if he comes with us. We have plenty of rooms there anyway. There's more than enough space for him."
She changed her tone and said to Reinhard.
"Is that so? What a pity."
He shook his head helplessly.
You're a grown man—what exactly are you disappointed about?!
The Shogun complained inwardly.
"Natsuki... uh, I'll just call you Subaru. That's okay, right? Subaru?"
Emilia looked toward the somewhat dazed boy and asked.
"Yes!! Of course it is!! Emilia-tan is an angel~!! Miss Raiden is an angel too!!"
He continued shouting foolishly.
"..."
She suddenly felt like changing her mind.
"Don't cause trouble. If you run around recklessly, I'll throw you straight onto the road."
Emilia placed her hands lightly on her hips and warned him.
"Okaaay~!"
He struck another exaggerated, flamboyant pose.
"Hehe... Then we shall part ways here. Perhaps we'll meet again. Until next time."
Leading Felt and the still somewhat staggering Old Man Rom, Reinhard waved at the three of them before leaving.
"Wait... where are you taking us?!"
Felt struggled the entire time, but it was useless. Her voice gradually faded into the distance.
"Haa... I didn't expect retrieving a badge would take this long."
Emilia brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, then looked up at the pitch-black night sky with mild distress. The desolate moonlight made her silver-white hair appear even more radiant.
"Shall we head back, Shogun?"
She looked toward the woman beside her.
"Mm..."
The Shogun nodded slightly. Just as she was about to raise her hand, she paused. Her eyes narrowed faintly, and a subtly mischievous smile curled at her lips.
"Emilia-tan, Miss Raiden, how are we going ba—"
Crackle!
"AAAAAH!!!!"
Just as Natsuki Subaru eagerly tried to finish his question, a shocking current surged through his entire body, striking straight into his soul. His eyes rolled back instantly as his body jerked wildly like he was breakdancing in the street before collapsing with a loud thud onto the ground.
Crackle~
Smoke rose from him, though he was still alive—only unconscious.
Humm~
The Shogun summoned her puppet arm. The arm emerging from the void grasped Subaru's "delicate body" and lifted him effortlessly.
"Emilia—"
Tap~
Before she could finish speaking, the girl opposite her suddenly reached out and took her hand, flashing her a sweet smile.
"Shall we go~? Shogun?"
"Haa... you really are~"
She gently tapped Emilia's nose and smiled indulgently. Since it was nighttime—and they were bringing two people along—for safety reasons, they did not fly. Instead, they obediently went to the main road, hailed a dragon carriage, and rode away toward Roswaal's mansion.
Inside the house they had just left, a faint rustling sound suddenly echoed—like a body being dragged across the floor. Because Emilia had dispelled her ice crystals, the ice spikes piercing through the body had vanished as well, leaving behind only mangled flesh and crimson blood.
Rustle~
The sound came again... It was none other than the "corpse" lying in the corner.
"Eh? Big sister... why are you in such a miserable state?"
A childish girl's voice filled the space. Immediately afterward, a massive carnivorous beast revealed itself. The voice did not belong to the monster but to the little girl riding atop its head. Her outfit was similar to Elsa's—entirely black. Clearly, they were fellow assassins.
"I ran into a bit of trouble, Meili."
Elsa—who had become a corpse... no, who still retained a trace of life—spoke calmly, as though the one injured was not herself.
"Heh~? That serious? So... what about those legs you were so proud of?"
Meili showed no surprise, as if accustomed to such scenes. She casually went around lighting lamps and searching.
"They were severed. Over there."
Elsa pointed toward a black-stockinged leg in the distance.
"Pfft, what is this... That's ridiculous. Here~ couldn't find anything tasty. This one stinks all over, but you'll just have to make do, big sister."
Splurt!
The next second, the monster spat out a man from the slums. He was already dead, mouth hanging open, his entire body covered in corrosive saliva. Even his clothes were gone.
Looking closely, he was the very man who had been frightened off by the Shogun earlier. In the end, he still had not escaped death.
"It's fine. A few bites will suffice."
Rip!
Elsa suddenly sat upright. Her sharp fangs sank into the man's neck as she tore it open in one motion, devouring flesh and blood. Then came the organs—the heart swallowed in a single bite.
Drip~
The wounds across her body began healing rapidly. Even her leg regrew, though it resembled that of a newborn at first. The recovery cycle was short—it was simply small in the beginning.
"Let's go, big sister..."
"Mm. This mission can be considered... successful."
Fully restored, Elsa stood and smiled, licking her lips once more.
"Eh? This counts as a success?"
Meili asked.
"Mm... hehe. After all, that 'person' gave those instructions. Let's go, Meili."
"Okay~"
...
The time was around nine in the evening—
The mansion had already fallen into silence. Then again, it was usually quiet, considering how few people actually lived there.
Crackle~
"...!"
Sitting on the edge of the bed in a daze, the Shogun suddenly felt something like interference within her mind. She narrowed her eyes slightly, lowering her head as she pressed her fingers against her temple, discomfort written across her face.
Crackle~
It came again... that sensation.
It was as if something were slowly sprouting... continuously spreading through her programming—even her mind—like tiny insects burrowing back and forth, eroding and expanding. Exactly the same as that time in the Tenshukaku chamber... and the moment when she poured water for Sara... identical. Only this time, the pain seemed even stronger than before.
"...Shogun?"
Sensing her abnormal state, Ei manifested her true form, dressed in a gentian-patterned kimono. She sat beside her and gently stroked her face.
"Mm... Ei."
She felt extremely uncomfortable, her mind slightly hazy. Weakly, she called out to her mother. That single word—"Ei"—made the woman beside her tremble slightly.
"Shogun... what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Her thumb brushed back and forth across her daughter's cheek as she asked with concern.
"Haa..." (shakes head)
She hesitated for a moment before ultimately shaking her head.
"Shogun..."
Seeing her daughter sweating while clutching her head made Ei even more worried. She wiped away the cold sweat with her palm, her eyes filled with anxious moisture.
"What's happening? Tell Mother... it's alright. Don't be afraid."
She continued soothing her, hoping she would open up.
"It's nothing... just a bit of... a headache."
The discomfort had eased slightly now, so she offered a reassuring smile.
"A headache? Is your program malfunctioning?"
Ei considered the possibility.
"I'm not sure... but it's much better now. It doesn't hurt anymore."
She smiled weakly, though her complexion remained pale.
"..."
Seeing her like this, Ei gently pulled her into an embrace, pressing their cheeks together with affectionate worry.
"...Ei?"
Feeling her mother's embrace, warmth filled her heart. Her violet eyes shimmered faintly as she closed them halfway, quietly enjoying this maternal affection.
"...Are you really alright?"
Ei asked again near her ear, emphasizing the question.
"I'm fine..."
She answered softly.
"It doesn't hurt anymore?"
"Mm..."
She shook her head, nuzzling against Ei's neck like a child seeking comfort.
"..."
Ei did not reply, simply continuing to hold her.
"It's okay, Ei... maybe it's just a small system bug. A bit of sleep should fix it."
She continued reassuring her worried mother.
Still unconvinced, Ei gently lifted the back of her collar, revealing the smooth fair skin at her nape along with the purple electro-shaped birthmark.
"...Ei///?"
Feeling the movement, she flushed slightly and weakly called out to her mother.
"Shogun... let me enter the system and check. I won't feel at ease otherwise."
Ei spoke softly, as if asking for permission.
"...G-go ahead///"
Blushing deeply, she buried her face against her mother's chest, feeling a faint tingling sensation as fingertips brushed against her administrator switch.
Crackle~
The birthmark glowed faintly purple. Within Ei's violet eyes appeared streams of code-like light as she connected to the system of the person in her arms.
"Mm~"
The girl in her embrace couldn't help releasing a soft, alluring sound. Matching purple light flickered within her own eyes as well, mysterious electronic patterns shifting across her pupils.
"...///"
Face flushed, she tightly shut her eyes, enduring her embarrassment as her mother searched through her body—her program—as though every private secret had been laid bare before her.