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Lanpeach skipped through the moon base, strolling as though it were his domain. To onlookers, he appeared every bit the archetypal minor villain gloating over a successful heist, the kind who’d end up in police custody sooner rather than later.
“Fire! Don’t let the enemy advance any fur—”
“It’s useless. None of you can even scratch me anymore. I suggest surrendering or retreating, though it seems neither is an option for you.” (Lanpeach)
Enemies unleashed volleys of gunfire and magic as he advanced, but they were completely ineffective. Lanpeach’s defense vastly outclassed their attacks.
Not even a single hair on Lanpeach’s body could be harmed, no matter how powerful the armor-piercing bullets or how devastating the flames. The enemy seemed aware of this, yet they kept attacking, likely compelled by some demonic power beyond their control.
“Pla-san, these people are beyond saving. They are full-fledged demons, unlike the half-demons. Their bodies have entirely transformed.” (Mira)
Mira warned him while slashing through enemies with her sword. All the foes were monstrous demons, not merely fused humans. Once Mira struck them down, their forms didn’t revert to human: they simply became lifeless corpses.
“I see. That’s just how it is, then. They staked their lives on Harkein’s domination of the world. Now they’re paying the price for losing the bet.” (Lanpeach)
Lanpeach muttered with a trace of pity, raising his fist lightly. Though it appeared weak, the compressed air from the blow turned into a weapon, slicing through the corridor with incredible force. The air crushed walls, ceilings, and enemies alike, leaving nothing but obliterated remains. The demon soldiers couldn’t even cry out in their final moments.
“Well then, time to claim the treasure in the depths.” (Lanpeach)
[Just hearing that makes you sound like a villain breaking into a hero’s base, Soldier.] (Libra)
“Fits my role perfectly, doesn’t it?” (Lanpeach)
Lanpeach grinned a villainous smile at the telepathic jab from Libra. He stopped at the end of the hallway, in front of the sealed room housing the Lunatic Library… The likely location of Mira’s original body.
[Teleportation Portal Room]
Before him lay the path to the final confrontation.
◇◇
The Teleportation Portal Room was heavily fortified, as expected of a military base. Its thick door, crafted from magic metal, was sealed with multiple powerful magical arrays emitting immense energy. The room was massive, likely 50 meters tall.
“Be cautious, Pla-san. My original body should be sealed beyond this door. Long ago, I infiltrated this base alone to prevent further conflict and tried to arrest Harkein’s CEO. But the mission failed, and I was sealed away. The world fell apart after that.” (Mira)
Mira stared at the massive door with a sorrowful expression. I could only guess what emotions swirled within her after 1,200 years. What would her original body feel upon awakening? A sentimental thought crept in, but I shook it off with a wry smile. Such feelings didn’t suit me.
Clearing my mind, I exhaled deeply, regaining my composure. Whatever Mira felt was her burden, not mine. If she struggled, I would just offer her a treat like a baumkuchen to cheer her up.
“Pla-san, my original body might have lost its sanity. But you mustn’t kill her for the fusion to succeed. Subdue her without causing any harm. However, this will be a tough battle even with your current strength.” (Mira)
Her serious tone and expression left no room for jokes. It was a side of Mira I haven’t seen before, and it made me tense.
“…Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan. I’ll subdue her without a scratch.” (Lanpeach)
[Soldier, if you deliberately touch her chest or something, I won’t forgive you. I’m officially the Chairwoman of the Anti-Lucky Perv Brigade starting today!] (Libra)
“…Relax. Mira’s chest isn’t like Libra’s, so even if I touch the—ow!” (Lanpeach)
Mira’s swift low kick lashed out like a whip before I could finish. The pain was sharp. A little restraint wouldn’t hurt, would it?
“Alright, Pla-san. I’m counting on your plan. I’ll unlock the seal now. Let’s go!” (Mira)
Mira placed her hand on the door, and the magical arrays shattered into shards of light. The seal dissipated, and the door opened with a deep rumble, revealing the interior. In the center was a glowing red magical circle…which led to Mira’s original body.
No hesitation remained. Mira and I stepped into the circle, activating the teleportation spell.
—And then, the sight that we were greeted with was beyond belief.
“This is… You were sealed away in such a place?” (Lanpeach)
The crimson sky despite there being no sun and resembling spilled blood, seemed ready to pour a rain of despair. Yet even that ominous weather paled in comparison to the sight below.
It was unclear whether this land had once been a grassland or a wasteland. Stretching to the horizon, the ground was endlessly littered with the corpses of demons. Their blood had pooled into a swamp-like mire, and atop a mound formed from the piled-up remains stood a solitary girl.
She was clad in streamlined armor adorned with elegant engravings reminiscent of what a valkyrie might wear. In one hand, she held a knight’s lance, and in the other, she carried a round shield. Angelic wings sprouted from her back, exuding an aura of divinity. Under normal circumstances, her beauty would have been captivating.
However, in this scene, akin to a painting of hell itself, the girl’s presence was unnervingly ominous, evoking the image of a grim reaper. Her entire body was stained with blood; crimson droplets fell steadily from the tip of her lance, and even her angelic wings were sullied by the gore.
[Eek! I’m so glad I’m fused with you right now! If I weren’t, I’d be trembling so much I couldn’t even move. What is this…? Hell?] (Libra)
A carefree voice echoed in my mind. I couldn’t deny it. This was indeed hell. My body trembled at the sight that was far worse than I had anticipated.
“She’s been fighting here all this time? Without pause? For 1,200 years?” (Lanpeach)
The memory of that world came back to me -a realm where demons spawned infinitely, a place I had barely escaped. But the girl, with no means of escape, kept fighting all along.
Now I understood why Mira looked so serious earlier. It wouldn’t be surprising if the girl’s mind already shattered. In fact, it was more likely than not. If it were me, I am sure I’d have broken long ago.
“And I have to subdue her without a scratch? That’s insane. The power she’s emanating is terrifying.” (Lanpeach)
Her energy rivaled mine…or perhaps even surpassed it.
“That’s correct. We must subdue her and create an opening so that I can fuse with her. It’s the only way.” (Mira)
“Classic video game scenario. Like, ‘reduce her HP to 20%, then you can recruit her.’ But why? Can’t you just fuse with her while her health is full?” (Lanpeach)
“My mental defenses are impenetrable when I’m not in my right mind. If I tried to fuse with her now, she’d reject me outright. That’s why we need to incapacitate her first.” (Mira)
Mira stood to my right, her expression grave, her voice serious. It was an inconvenient and dangerous strategy. In games, you could retry after failing and reload saves. But this is reality… There’s no do-overs.
And yet, I have to hold back while fighting her? Is this some kind of joke?
—But I have a secret weapon!
“If she regains her sanity, we won’t need to fight, right? Then it’s fine. Behold the secret weapon I prepared!” (Lanpeach)
The girl turned her face toward us, her movements creaky, like a rusted robot. I reached into my Dimension Pouch and triumphantly retrieved my trump card, holding it aloft like a holy relic.
“Behold! Freshly made souffle, frozen in time! A real souffle, unlike the cheap imitations, deflates as soon as the air inside escapes. But by unfreezing this one, you can enjoy it at its peak perfection. And of course, I’ve got all the toppings: maple syrup, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, orange sauce, even ice cream! There are 12 precious souffles in this box!” (Lanpeach)
I presented the box of souffles with a flourish.
“One bite, and the fluffy texture will melt in your mouth, spreading sweetness all around. It’s a unique experience, unlike bread or cake. How about it? If you regain your sanity, you can have some!” (Lanpeach)
I turned to Mira’s original body while laughing confidently, certain this plan couldn’t fail. Since it is Mira we are talking about here!
—But the original Mira, whom I decided to nickname Orimira for convenience, began walking toward us with a slow, deliberate stride, radiating an aura of menace.
“Huh? I thought she’d come running like a puppy wagging its tail for a treat. Isn’t her reaction… off?” (Lanpeach)
Something’s wrong.
“There’s no way she would regain her sanity with something like that. Was that your entire secret weapon?” (Mira)
“Ah, yes, that’s…all I’ve got. Fresh souffle is really delicious, though…” (Lanpeach)
I looked away, unable to endure Mira-san’s accusing gaze. I honestly thought it would work.
“Then proceed with the original plan and fight her. I’ll take care of these souffles for you. Geez, you are one hopeless guy indeed.” (Mira)
Mira-san pulled me by my left hand, glaring at me with a mix of exasperation and reproach. What? Isn’t this the part where someone like Libra shows up to sarcastically ask if I really think I can solve the problem with souffles?
I awkwardly handed over the box of souffles to Mira, who stood to my left with her arms crossed and an exasperated expression. I learned that this plan is embarrassingly humiliating if it fails.
“Ta-daa! I’ve acquired a box of souffles! I knew it: if you persevere, you get rare items like this. Now, go ahead and give it your all in the fight.” (Mira)
Mira skipped away with a spring in her steps, leaving me to sigh and prepare myself.
“Guess it’s time for some warm-up exercises before the final battle.” (Lanpeach)
“Aaaarghhh!”
Orimira, now resembling a soulless husk, let out a ghastly scream. She aimed her knight’s lance at me sensing my fighting spirit. A small orb of light formed at its tip, swelling in an instant into a massive beam capable of consuming even giants.
The air roared with turbulence as the brilliant beam ripped through the space, erasing everything in its path. I sidestepped to the right, narrowly avoiding it as it obliterated the corpses of demons, creating a massive explosion.
My shoulder was slightly singed… Proof that I couldn’t fully dodge the attack.
“That’s some insane power.” (Lanpeach)
Sighing deeply, I steeled myself as I prepared to confront Orimira’s might.
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