Memoirs of the Returnee

Chapter 310: Milky Way (4)

—Please save me…

Still, Akane occasionally recalls the Theia of that day. Its part of the myriad dreams dreamt by countless dolls.

—Please save me…!

A black beast gasping, stuck to the melting asphalt. Young Theia, perhaps about seven years old.

She had been hiding under the corpse of a monster, crawling on the ground begging for help, but at that time, I was excessively rational and just stared blankly.

—Save me, please!!!

Unable to bear it any Longer, Theia screamed desperately. Only then did Akane help her to stand.

She clung to herself like a wild animal.

—Help, please help.

—I did just help you.

—Not just me, there are more kids inside!

Since then, Theia had always been greedy. Akane found it quite bothersome but tried to detach herself.

—Akane. Compassion is one of the most basic human emotions, her mentor intervened.

—If you want to handle dolls, you need to understand human emotions.

—Is that so?

Akane just accepted it.

Again, at that time, she was quite excessively rational.

—Here, this way!

Theia led Akane. Guided by her hand, Akane entered the village.

The streets were a horror show of human entrails and flesh strewn about, with blood and debris forming rivulets that trickled down.

Akane lit a cigarette against the burning wall of a house, puffing out acrid smoke as she followed Theia.

—Hey guys! Guys!

Theia called out. She didn't Look for her mom and dad. She knew they were already dead.

—Hey! Guys!

Theia ran around desperately. Akane followed her, and attracted by the noise, killed a few monsters that attacked.

—Here, here it is!

Finally, Theia achieved her goal. She had found the children.

—Here, here!

About half a dozen bloodied children were hiding in an underground bunker at the playground. Most were unconscious with pale complexions.

—Here, here!

Theia looked back at Akane, whimpering like a puppy asking for help.

—Alright, I got it.

Akane checked on the children.

—Nobody's dead. They'll survive.

Just exhaustion and fatigue. No serious injuries.

-Ah… Ahhh.

At Akane's words, Theia cried. After crying, the tension released, and she Lay down and fell asleep.

Akane watched her with a bit of disbelief.

—Lets go now, said the mentor.

Akane snuffed out her cigarette and shook her head.

—Should we take this one with us?

—Hmm?

The mentor Looked surprised.

—You said compassion was necessary. She seems to have potential too.

Talent often reveals itself in extreme situations.

Theia had been hiding under the corpse of a monster. But who had killed that monster? It was probably Theia herself.

“…Yes.”

The mentor smiled faintly.

“Then, lets wait here.”

He constructed a barrier. It was a considerate barrier that separated them from the external flames, ash, and the smell of blood.

That was the beginning of a fateful connection.

From that day, Theia became the disciple of the Holy Knight 'Athan； and the three of them spent a long time together, sharing both hardships and joys.

Akane learned about emotions thanks to Theia. Despite her severe injuries, Theia's emotional expressions were vivid, and since she was so different from herself, Akane somewhat felt as if she had gained a younger sister.

Thats why Akane was angry.

When she herself had become a monster, when she had 'chosen' to become a monster so she could Live.

Akane was angry at Theia's anger.

“I saved your life, I took you in under the mentor's guidance, and you can't even overlook the fact that I implanted a monster's arm on the right side?”

“No, isn't that how it should be?”

This ungratefuL…

“…Fucking bitch.”

Akane cursed as she opened her eyes.

Suddenly, she Looked at her collarbone. There was no mark indicating it was fake, but the 'real' certainty Shion had testified about Last night was fleeting.

Because her Memory was the same for all dolls.

What everyone knows cannot be proof.

Theia woke up on the small bed in the workshop office. It seemed she had fallen asleep without realizing it.

“…Yawn.”

She woke up and shuffled outside.

Even in the early morning, there were many disciples in the lab, but most of them were napping on sofas or chairs. It was because of the [Derek Artificial Intelligence Data] that Theia had obtained.

They were pouring all day into analyzing the data.

However, one guy was wide awake.

Gerkhen.

“…”

He was a guy brimming with talent. He was a perfect knight with exceptional skills.

He had mastered sword strength as a swordsman and acquired an excellent Magic Body as a knight.

He had the potential to surpass her someday.

However, Theia was worried.

This act of hers was almost Like declaring war on Derek and Libra. An enraged Derek would surely make her and those around her suffer.

“Gerkhen.”

Theia called him. Gerkhen turned to look at her.

Theia moved and sat next to him.

“…You said your dream was to be a Senator, right?”

He was puzzled by the sudden question but soon nodded.

“Yes, that's right.”

“But why are you still here?”

“…I don't understand what you mean.”

“Don't you know? You can't become a Senator by my side.”

Theia's tone was friendly. At this moment, she was free from any fSwitches].

fSwitchesJ is her Spectrum, likely the most powerful form of 'self-suggestion' and 'restriction' on the continent.

She sets conditions and circumstances to change her own self, as if turning a switch on and off.

During work hours, when she steps up to the Lectern, she focuses as a FProfessor], and in [Combat situationsj , she invests all her physical resources into combat.

This isn't just a simple suggestion. Its a real change, a dramatic upgrade.

For instance, when the 「Combat situationsj switch is activated, Theia's strength increases more than thirtyfold.

This is based on data derived from direct tests, so it can be trusted.

“…T'm quite far from being a Senator.”

Now, with no FSwitches] were activated, Theia was in her natural state—simpler and more emotional than one might expect.

“I never planned to seek your help to become a Senator.”

“…What?”

Theia furrowed her brow without realizing it at Gerkhen's response.

“No, this is ridiculous. Even if you can't get help, you shouldnl be at a disadvantage. You can step back from this matter.”

“No.”

Gerkhen shook his head. He was stubborn as ever.

“Why?”

“lts the right thing to do.”

“…”

It was a valid point. All the disciples were outraged, angry, and saddened by the artificial intelligence created from captured human souls and bleached.

Derek deserved to die.

“…Right.”

Theia responded softly.

“But still, I'll make sure of this.”

She looked at Gerkhen with a somewhat relaxed expression and continued.

“lf, just in case, something goes wrong and I end up in the worst situation possible…”

A simple smile appeared on her Lips.

“Then you'll be able to become a Senator.”

And precisely at four in the morning.

Her expression turned stern. The time-triggered fSwitchesJ had been activated.

“Wake everyone up.”

“Yes.”

Though it seemed like a multiple personality trait, Gerkhen, now accustomed to it, woke the disciples.

I planned a double operation while waiting for the Ortus Symposium. First, I manipulated certain documents from the Intelligence Agency, and next, I uploaded the files to Derek.

“The content was good.”

Specifically, it was a business proposal.

The topic was about 'autonomous driving/ a technology soon to emerge in the near future.

“Autonomous driving using a degraded version of artificial intelligence, huh? Not bad.”

Derek called me immediately after receiving this report.

These days, he often allows private meetings, which means he's in a good mood.

“I heard you recommended a cafe to Jade. You seem to have a knack for business.”

“That's an overstatement.”

“So, who do you recommend as the manager?”

The Intelligence Agency has an advantage in personnel recommendations. Although there is a separate HR department, they don't scrutinize as meticulously as the Intelligence Agency does.

“I recommend Dr. Killian for the manager.”

“Dr. Killian, huh? He has a good reputation in the Intelligence Agency, I see?”

“Yes, that's correct.”

Derek chuckled at my response.

“Then tell Vito…”

He paused as he was about to discuss Vito.

I smiled inwardly.

There's no need to provoke or stimulate Derek unnecessarily. He's inherently suspicious.

“No.”

Derek pointed his finger at me.

“You propose directly to Dr. Killian yourself. Say it's my directive.”

“Yes.”

This was a ploy to create discord between Vito and Derek.

Vito cooperates with Derek but is fundamentally aligned with Sherlock.

Derek knows this and, being a narcissist who wants to possess all ingenious traits, he doesn't genuinely like Vito.

And since Vito is a person whose pride is second to none, the two are inherently incompatible.

“I will convey it to Dr. Killian as 'Derek's idea.'”

Thats not my style.

I can offer Derek any business item he desires.

“Good, good. Oh, and on your way.”

Derek wrote a check with a satisfied smile.

“Deliver a bonus too. That doctor seems to have many things he wants to buy. Haha.”

I looked at the check.

It was a Libra gift voucher again.

“Yes.”

It's somewhat annoying.

After earning so much, it might be time to start issuing cash checks.

…

The next day, in the lab. Disguised as Killian, I presented a document on Vito's table. It was a review of a formula developed by Vito.

“Hmm… I've checked it.”

He nodded in satisfaction as he took it.

“Yes.”

“Ah, wait. Dr. Killian?”

As I was about to turn away, he handed me a key card.

“Take this. Its for the Hanja Hotel at Ortus.”

The Ortus Symposium is held in Edsilla's Ortus, a district famous for its affluent scholarly community and dotted with luxury hotels.

Among them, the Hanja Hotel is renowned across the continent for its luxury.

“Presidential suite. It seems like you're running low on funds.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

Surprisingly, Vito was treating Killian far better than I had anticipated.

Was this part of his suspicion, or did Vito secretly Long for someone who understood him?

I couldn't be sure, but dealing with these people taught me one thing for certain.

If you're prepared to dirty your soul, you can even befriend a devil.

“Thank you…”

I slipped the key card into my pocket and shuffled awkwardly in front of Vito.

Vito, scrutinizing my expression, asked,

“Do you have something else to say?”

“Well… Doctor.”

I glanced around cautiously before presenting Derek's proposal.

“Mr. Derek wants to entrust me with a new business.”

“…A new business?”

Vito skimmed through the document and frowned.

“Why are you telling me this?”

His voice was sharp, almost as if he felt betrayed.

“…Because.”

I whispered into Vito's ear.

“My reason for being here isn't because of Libra.”

His expression darkened. To him, I spoke as if confessing, as if reciting a poem.

“I wanted to work with Dr. Vito, to Learn under you… and to collaborate with you. My reason for being here is the intellect named Vito.”

Vito snorted with Laughter.

“…Don't say such things elsewhere. Its embarrassing.”

He pushed the business plan back to me.

“This is probably because I'm one of Mr. Sherlock's people. Derek must want to fill the company with his own people too.”

I awkwardly took back the proposal.

“Don't refuse it. That would only anger him.”

“But, I”

“Listen to me. Derek is a man of strong pride. Rather, act as if you are becoming one of Derek's people.”

“…Yes. I'll try.”

“Good.”

Vito nodded and clicked his mouse.

Click- Click-

Fiddling with the innocent computer desktop, he left a meaningful comment.

“Lately, Mr. Riley has been staying close to you.”

“Ah, that”

“Be careful. That person, she's suspicious.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Vito had noticed.

Was there a leak of information from within [Vancheon]? Or had he simply done some background checks?

Either way, it was unexpected.

“…Yes, I'll be careful.”

Riley's time was running out.

One week before the Ortus Symposium.

While driving, Riley received a telegram from [Vancheon]. It was a radio code that meant 'danger, step back: Moreover, for the past few days, all the warnings had been directed at —the owl, meaning herself.

It implied that something was Lurking in Ortus.

“Ha…”

Just when the traffic Light stopped him, Riley sighed deeply and pondered.

Today, he was heading to Ortus. As a Libra employee, she was to participate, preparing a proper presentation and promoting their products.

This meant she had to stay there for at least ten days. Whether she Liked it or not, the moment she attended as Libra's secretary, she couldn't Leave.

It meant Ortus could become her graveyard.

“…”

Riley agonized intensely but eventually turned off the radio.

It's not enough yet.

The information he had passed to Theia wasn't enough to definitively bring down Derek. There were too many plausible excuses that could be made.

Derek was still committing inhuman acts.

She couldn't let the same old disasters happen again.

The burning village. Her dying mother and father. She remembers the many adults who tried to save her even as they were chased by the monster. All those people still flickered before her eyes.

For their sake, Riley must take revenge.

She must bring Derek to ruin…

Meanwhile, she arrived at the meeting place.

She stopped on the sidewalk of Edsilla Square.

Not far away, a doctor fond of Luxury was standing.

“…H e re!”

Riley rolled down the window and flashed a bright smile. Dr. Killian approached with a smile.

His clothes were all designer brands. Probably more expensive than her car.

“lts nerve-wracking.”

He said as he climbed into the passenger seat.

“Yes, indeed. It really is nerve-wracking.”

Riley nodded as if she truly felt the same.