Chapter 146: Decorations

“The alert level really is at its highest. I almost got caught, but I was able to confirm a few things first—like that Argos is up and running again.”

“Hmm… I see. It seems this kingdom has extra ‘Eyes of Argos,’ or maybe they used one from another city. After all, this is the second most important city in this kingdom.”

Together with my doppelganger, we reviewed what we know about the situation in Delphia.

The doppelganger who went to scout—this time wearing a bracelet made by Iris—discovered that Argos was operational, even though we still had the statues.

Based on the information obtained from that organization, I assume the statues are what power Argos in this city.

There are two possibilities: either the statues weren’t actually what kept Argos running, or they quickly found a replacement.

In any case, it seems it was no longer urgent or necessary to return the statues, and now that the city was on high alert, it was for the best, since we didn’t have to take any unnecessary risks.

In any case, that was the most important thing for now, and it had already been resolved. I’d like to see what happened to the girls, but when the doppelganger checked the area, they were already gone, and he couldn’t investigate further because some guards started questioning him—this time actually asking for ID, which he didn’t have—so he had to make a run for it.

I just hope nothing bad happened to them and that they made it back safely to the academy.

“Well, anyway, there’s no point in arguing any further. It’s already daytime in the Beast Kingdom, and I can’t stay hidden for too long.”

“Okay.”

The doppelganger had already done what he had to do, so he left.

“Honey, so, after all, I can keep the statue for myself, right?”

I heard Iris’s voice. By this point, the synchronization had obviously ended.

Even so, looking back on everything that happened, I’m not sure if I regret having started it.

“눈_눈, how much did you want that statue that you ended up stealing it?”

“Honey! Why does it seem like this is all on me? You were involved too. It was a group effort. Besides, I just wanted a tiny piece! But we had to steal it from those guys who were stealing it.”

“Yeah… I guess that was kind of unavoidable. Haaa… And yeah, you can keep it, but that’s conditional until we figure out if the kingdom is really okay without these. If not, we’ll give them back.”

“Yeah! I’ll use them as decorations in the…!”

“눈_눈, put them in your storage.”

“But, honey, what’s the point of keeping them there? Besides, now that I’ve put them in my storage, it feels fuller. Hmm… I think it used to be 20% full, and now it’s almost 70% full.”

“How much have you stuffed in there!? Or, more importantly, can you estimate that?”

“Yeah, that’s how it feels to me, so that must be it. It’s like when I eat…. Ah! Yeah, I’ll use them as…!”

“Put it in the third room! Those things are almost four meters long—they won’t fit standing up anywhere!”

“But, honey, if I cut it into pieces, they’ll serve as decorations.”

“눈_눈, they’ll serve as evidence of a national-level crime.”

“At least let me cut off one of the heads to put in the bathroom as…”

“No (ㆆ_ㆆ).”

“Honey, you’re not being cooperative. What was the point of getting it if we can’t use it?”

“We should never have gotten that or gotten ourselves involved in all this… aaahh~ Anyway, go upstairs. I’ve got some things to think about, besides sorting out the situation with that girl.”

I said as I pointed toward the door, where Olivia was standing.

In fact, both Iris and the doppelganger pushed her to her limit, and she passed out at some point.

I don’t like that my standards are so skewed, but, considering past situations, both of them were very restrained and stopped when that happened.

Even so, when I came out and desynchronized, I realized that many hours had actually passed. It was already afternoon, just a few hours before dusk.

Considering that we started in the morning and that the days here are longer, it really was a long stretch of time—and perhaps one of the longest so far.

“Hmm… Honey, you’re not planning on curling up into a ball like last time with Sister Rose, are you? 눈_눈”

“…No (¬_¬).”

Well, it’s true that I have mixed thoughts and feelings, and I want to think it over a bit more deeply in a comfortable position, since technically—even though the only ones involved were Iris and the doppelganger—after finishing the synchronization and receiving the memories, it’s not much different from having done it myself. That’s just how this works.

But maybe, since it was already the second time, I don’t feel the same way as I did last time.

At least right now, it wasn’t a priority.

“눈_눈 Hmm… You’re not going to curl up into a ball over something else I don’t understand, are you?”

“No, I won’t do that. I just want to think in peace.”

“No negative thoughts, right? Don’t even think that you’re a slug or any other creature you consider a simple, insignificant existence.”

“Sometimes I think slugs have a better existence than someone like me /_ “.

“Honey!”

“Ugh! Don’t shake me so hard! Ugh! It was just a comment—a realization from the past.”

“Oh, right! You said the exact same thing when I stuck a finger in your…”

“Stop it! Ahem! Anyway, besides thinking, I want to stay here alone, just in case Olivia wakes up.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, and keep in mind that once she wakes up, you mustn’t show up. I’ll say you’re asleep or something like that. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Why? … We’ve already won her over, honey.”

“We definitely haven’t ‘won her over’ the way you say. This situation is a bit complicated and needs to be handled with care.”

“Hmm… I don’t really understand why, but you know what you’re doing. Hmm, fine! I’ll stay upstairs. You go finish winning over cute Livvy.”

“I’m just saying this because you’re probably going to be watching, but no matter what happens or what I say —like calling you a pain in the ass—, don’t come downstairs or talk in my head. With this sharp girl, I need to stay fully focused.”

“Oh, that brings back a lot of memories: I remember that, during your most “tsundere” phase, you used to call me “a pain in the ass.”

“Don’t get sidetracked—you get my point, right?”

“Yep, you’re going to lie again. Okay, honey, I get it.”

“Well, I think it’s actually the opposite, and I’m going to be completely honest—just like in the example I just gave(ㆆ_ㆆ)”

I” get what you’re doing, honey—it’s your trick to fool your allies and yourself, to deceive the enemies… even though Livvy isn’t the enemy…Hmm, whatever. You know better than I do what to do, honey,…. Well, I’ll go play with Goldy… oh! I can also practice my new move on her.”

“￣へ￣”

..

.

I just wanted a brief moment to gather my thoughts.

This girl, Olivia—unlike other clients who came on their own or under someone else’s influence—was literally dragged here by us.

So did she meet the criteria for a client?

I don’t know.

Maybe, without us, she would have come eventually, or perhaps on this very day—when I assume Lys was coming to our salon—she would have followed her and become a client.

It’s really a fact I can no longer verify.

But there’s one thing I noticed, even though we brought her here on our own, just like all clients, she triggered the system to give us a mission.

____________

“A Heart Against Reason”

Objective:

Raise Olivia Lethariel’s Rational above 50% before the massage session ends.

Rewards:

+10 free attribute points

Sacrifice Card

1,000 Myrr

Penalty for failure:

+2 Corruption

____________

And in fact, it was already completed, which isn’t surprising considering how things unfolded.

Anyway, I’m still not sure, but the question is: was it important that she be a client?

The answer is simple: It—

“?”

Just as I was thinking about that, I noticed the door to the room where Olivia was opening.

It was really timely that I’d sent Iris upstairs a little while ago.

I didn’t have as much time to think as I’d like, but, anyway, I already know what I have to do.

When our eyes met, I pretended to pull a tea set from behind the reception desk and, holding it in my hands, stepped forward and sat down at the table that was still in this foyer.

I looked at Olivia, who was peeking shyly and uncertainly through the doorway, as if searching for someone with her eyes.

She had already seen me, so it was obvious who she was looking for.

Anyway, when our eyes met again, I motioned for her to come closer.

..

.

“S-so Iris is asleep, right?”

“Yes (ㆆ_ㆆ).”

I replied curtly and without emotion, as I handed her the cup of tea I’d just poured.

She seemed more focused on me and my reactions than on the cup, and it didn’t look like she was going to drink it, but it didn’t matter. I, on the other hand, sat down calmly and drank my cup.

Silence reigned in the room, and although I was simply drinking my tea, she seemed to feel increasingly pressured, until she was the first to break the silence.

“I-I… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing, Miss Olivia?”

“I-Iris and I, hmm… Well…”

“Yes, I know what happened between the two of you—or rather, I clearly saw her go into that room with you, and when she came out, she told me everything that happened… in great detail.”

“I-I see. Y-you’re not upset, are you?”

“No, and you don’t need to be so nervous around me, though I suppose telling you that won’t change anything, will it?”

“…I-I’ll try to speak as clearly as possible… T-there are a few things I wanted to ask. Your wife… Iris—do you happen to have a twin sister?”

Honestly, I don’t know why Iris’s side is so influential that it leads to silly mistakes like this one that I now have to fix.

But, seeing as she asked with more doubt than certainty, it’s obvious she isn’t entirely sure if she’s remembering correctly.

So, obviously, my answer would be:

“(ㆆ_ㆆ), no, she doesn’t have a sister, let alone a twin. If by any chance you saw something like two Irises, it’s probably just a mix-up. Are you sure you saw that?”

“N-no, but I felt like… Ah! No, it’s nothing. It must have been because I wasn’t wearing my glasses at the time… and I got confused… Yeah.”

“That’s probably it. I mean, if you saw something like two identical people, you’d react right away and try to figure out what was going on, wouldn’t you? You don’t seem like the type to let something as obvious as that slip by, only to ask about it after it’s all over.”

“Y-yes, that’s true. In fact, I even think I saw Lys too… Ah! Iris, did she tell you about… her idea?”

“Yes, you mean that silly, mediocre, and questionable idea she used to get you into bed. Yes, she told me all about it in great detail.”

I spoke harshly to her and bluntly voiced my thoughts before taking another sip of my tea.