This is a bonus chapter to celebrate a new milestone! đ
I've just uploaded chapters all the way up to Chapter 160 + special bonus chapters on my Patreon.
If you'd like early access to new chapters at the start of every month, feel free to visit patreon.com/Matsuo4 â I'd love to have you there!
_____________________________________________________________
"Your spirit... is very unstable..."
"...Hmph. You certainly have the leisure to care about others."
Mobius replied coldly to Aponia. At this moment, she was still in Aponia room in the Deep End.
It had been over a day since Lin fell into a coma. Since Aponia had the deepest understanding of consciousness, MEI and the others decided for the time being that Aponia should look after Lin and report any emergencies immediately.
Mobius, however, didn't trust Aponia. The danger this woman posed was beyond imagination; she even wondered if Kevin consciousness could withstand an attack from Aponia if she wished it.
Of course, there were other reasons, but they weren't important.
"Can you determine when he will return?"
Aponia head shake left Mobius with a bit of regret.
She increasingly felt the thorniness of consciousness issues, to the point where it gave rise to a terrifying conjecture.
If an enemyâor even a Herrscherâspecializing in attacking consciousness appeared in the future, wouldn't they be helpless without any countermeasures?
"Dr. Mobius... are you and Lin on good terms...?"
"..." Mobius stroked the earring on her lobe, calming herself down. "At most, we're Researcher and Lab Rat... no, Creditor and Deadbeat... no, Owner and Pet."
Yes, that should be the relationship. Everything he had belonged to herâdidn't that make them owner and pet?
"I see... Lin never told me... about you..." Aponia finger gently brushed past Lin fingertip. This casual little movement made the sharp-eyed Mobius a bit annoyed.
This nunâwhy was she always sneakily touching Lin? And with such a serene face, it made Mobius feel she'd be in the wrong if she pointed it out.
She gave a fake smile. "After all, his mouth isn't very good at talking. Who knows if he'd say some unpleasant truths? It wouldn't be good if he made someone he already has a poor relationship with unhappy."
There was no scent of gunpowder in Mobius tone, but her words were actually a barb suggesting Lin wouldn't tell Aponia the truthâthat they were just in a distant relationship where they couldn't speak candidly.
"But... I think... Lin is very interesting to talk to... He tells me many things I didn't know, gives me answers to questions, gives me views on life..." Aponia smile unknowingly surfaced on her cheeks, shining like starlight. "He doesn't initiate conversation with others, but he is actually very talkative."
Annoying.
A feeling was expanding without reason in her heart. Mobius knuckles turned white from clenching them as she watched Aponia smile.
She truly did not get along with this nun.
Moreover, this feeling showed signs of transferring onto Lin.
This guyâwhy does he show a completely different side specifically to this nun?
...
"It's rare to see you with such an ugly expression."
Raiden Mei sneered at Mobius as she walked out of the Elysian Realm, making no effort to hide her mockery.
"...Lab rat, are you so happy to see me?" Mobius swept a cold look over her, twitching her lip.
"I think Kalpas would share my thoughts." Mei stood her ground against Mobius. She only showed such a nasty attitude toward Mobius and Kalpas; after all, these two were the ones she got along with least in the Elysian Realm.
"Heh, Herrscher lab rat..." Mobius narrowed her eyes, a dangerous light flashing in the gaps. "Don't think just because Lin protected you once, I won't move against you again."
"Move against me? Do you think I'd fear a defeated opponent?"
"..."
The stalemate only ended with the arrival of another person.
Kevin bypassed Mobius. His bone-chilling cold air made the surrounding temperature plummet the moment he appeared.
Mobius glanced at Kevin. Ignoring Mei, she followed him into the lounge, with Mei following close behind.
"Lin is currently fine." Kevin crossed his arms and stated the first result of his investigation.
He had essentially walked through the entire Elysian Realm and found some information left by Lin, transmitting intelligence that he was fine.
Mei already knew this; Aponia had told her.
Mobius furrowed brow did not relax. She had clearly investigated thoroughly as well, meaning this news wasn't enough to make her feel the situation was normal.
"Changes have occurred in the Elysian Realm, indicating 'things' from outside have entered, causing changes in some spaces. It's currently unknown if this is related to the person who attacked Raiden Mei and Lin." Kevin spoke more than usual. "Also... Elysia movements are bizarre."
"..."
"After Lin disappeared, she hasn't appeared in the Elysian Realm."
"What about the Deep End?" Mei asked.
"...I didn't go looking for her. I'm just stating she hasn't appeared of her own accord."
Mei was stunned. Kevin meant... he didn't suspect Elysia at all?
Not just Kevinâeven Mobius had no objection to Kevin statement.
Kevin looked at Mei and continued: "Lin entrusted Pardo with finding him for the time being. As for Raiden Mei... I have something to say to you."
"What?" Mei gazed at this man who was still alive outside the Realm.
"Visitors need to pass through trials to be recognized. Earlier, Kalpas was designated as the 'Final Trial,' but that led to some unnecessary things happening. Since then, Lin considered taking over the Final Trial, and the venue for it was set within the Realm."
"You mean you want me to pass the Final Trial now?"
Mei was full of disbelief, but quickly reacted. "No."
She hadn't come to the Realm just to pass some trial and become a core operative of World Serpent. She came here for her partners, and for the truth she sought.
How could she let Kevin dismiss her like he was issuing an eviction notice?
"Lin entrusted me beforehand: if he and Elysia were both missing, then I would take his place in questioning you, and then let you go there."
"There...?"
"Are you prepared to accept the test as a human, rather than as a Herrscher?"
Kevin was like a judge, announcing from on high.
"Raiden Mei."