Chapter 339 - What do you think?

My apologies, Ive been unable to update for a while

I think that the next chapter can be updated without making you wait as long as the wait for this chapter (I hope to be able to update it by next week, around April 28th)

That feeling I had before, being that she somewhat resembles me.

Perhaps, thats what it had been feeling.

[..]

Similar but different huh.

[By the way, Mimori-kun, may I ask you a question too?]

[Yeah.]

[Ill dare ask this now- but do you think you can win this battle?]

[As far as Im concerned, Ive already laid out a road map for victory.]

[Ohh, how reliable~~ Reliable guys are always great nya~~ Fufufu Even so, you sure look like a different person now than when you were in the previous world, arent you? I mean, I can tell, ya know? That was the result of monster-like acting skills, right? But if thats the case, wouldnt it be possible that even now, youre still acting your way to deluding us]

[Asagi-san.]

But just as she was about to press further Kas.h.i.+ma interrupted.

[Hmm?]

[I- I think I think Mimori-kun can be trusted!]

[Whats with you, all of a sudden? Errr Saying he can be trusted, you in love with Mimori-kun or what?]

[A- As for whether I love him or not I think youre being too emotional to judge that.]

[Hohou Well, arent you chirping some more clever stuff there, Poppo-chan?]

[T- Think about it, Asagi-san It was just as we talked on the way here. Things arent going well at all]

[.]

[It seems that G.o.ddess-sama was trying to do various things but those various things are failing a lot because of Mimori-kun and the members of the Fly King Squadron. The G.o.ddess speculations are completely not going well at all In other words, thats why]

[Mimori-kun is better than G.o.ddess-chin Thats what Poppo-chan wanna say, right? Alright. Alright already. Ive alreaaaaaady heard a lot about Fly King-sans activities on the way here. Hahhh Annoying.]

Asagi put her hands on the back of her head.

And then, closing one of her eyes, she looked at me with the other.

[Mimori-kun Did you plant Poppo-chan in our group? Youre having her as your messenger?]

[..]

[First, you told Poppo-chan that you had destroyed many of G.o.ddess-chins plans In order to make it persuasive, did you mix information that only the person who crushed the others plan would know? And making me hear about all this from Poppo-chan, youre trying to make me think that the Fly King might be the winning horse. This would give me a stronger impression that the Fly King is superior to the G.o.ddess In short, you antic.i.p.ated my future possible actions and were trying to prevent me from defection Thats about it, yes?]

[Well, thats pretty much about it.]

[But well, I think its great that you actually got results, you know? If you wanna persuade someone, persuade them with results, not with aspirations. Aspirations without results are no different from lies after all.]

[However]

I spoke.

[The preparations you just mentioned were only possible because Kas.h.i.+ma believed in me.

Hearing my words, Kas.h.i.+ma muttered my name a little happily.

Seeing her reacting like that

[Oh, please, Im already in tears here, Mimori-kun. Good grief, Kobato-chan Arent you being led by the nose there? Are you that close with Prez that people also take advantage of you? Well, I guess thats just like you, Poppo-chan.]

[T- Thats fine]

[Hmm?]

[Being used by someone means I have value being used That Im valuable, right? That means Mimori-kun thinks Im someone of value- Ouch!? Wai, Eh? Asagi -san?]

Just now

Asagi kicked Kas.h.i.+mas foot her Achilles heel with her toe.

[Arehh? Ahaha, sorry, Kobato-chan. I dont mean anything bad at all.]

What was that?

Asagi just now

For a moment Just for a little bit

Without any hidden meaning behind it It seemed like she was surprised by her own actions.

[Also, Kobato-chan? Cant you listen to hear what people have to say until the end? You aint in some debate program back in the Heisei era. Its not like I was trying to say that Mimori-kun is untrustworthy, okay? Even if hes trying to delude us into something, Ill gladly become someones p.a.w.n if it increases the chances of a Mission Clear- and by saying that, you should already know already, right? What I said just now arent lies at all, right, Princess Knight-san?]

An ambiguous expression appears on Seras face in response to Asagis call.

As I thought, she really had seen through Seras ability to judge whether someone is lying or not huh.

Im not wearing my mask now after all, so she can follow my gaze.

If that many signals had been exchanged, Asagi would have noticed.

Thats why

[Asagi You originally planned to have your lie seen through, right?]

[This is why I like you, Fly King-san. As expected, one shouldnt just enjoy the Mission Clears, but also the playthrough itself. Now, now, lets continue, shall we?]

[You daringly took advantage of Seras ability to tell truths from lies to prove that your words were true.]

[Yep. Fufufu It really is interesting, exchanges with Mimori-kun like this. It just feels so worthwhile, so much so that I dont mind being exploited. Ahh, but I do feel jealous of that though. That ability to judge when someones lying, I mean. I wish I had that kind of ability too.]

[.]

[Well, look, if I were to sum it up in a few words, I cant help but think that continuing to probe each other at this stage is just a waste of time and energy. If we dont settle our doubts here, no matter how much time you skip forward, we wont be able to go to the next chapter. If Im the cause of concern here, putting unnecessary overhead on Mimori-kuns CPU will only lower its performance. I mean, look, I seem like the not trustable type, yes? Well, that cant be helped. My nature being like that of my preferred Trickster-type characters, Im gonna reflect on it, yep.]

Thats why she arrived here, intent on proving her innocence were words that were left unspoken.

[Zine-chin too, are you fine with this?]

Asagi asked.

The Mad Emperor and Munin had been silently watching the process until now.

[As for me Even after listening to the exchange just now, my evaluation and perception of both of you will not change much. If I were to speak about what changed though, its actually more about the fact that youve been acquainted with Touka for a long time. From your earlier exchange, the possibility of Asagi being a spy sent by Vysis can also be denied Thats how I see it. Also, rest a.s.sured. Even if such a thing happens, I still plan to return you to your original world with the Forbidden Curse of Repatriation as promised. ]

Why, thank you, Asagi said, before turning towards me.

[And so, starting meover from the beginning What happened to Sogou Ayaka-chan? Anything I missed? That was quite crazy, wasnt it? Her mental state, I mean.]

I could see Kas.h.i.+mas nervousness and anxiety gaining momentum again.

[She got persuaded and we managed to stop her.]

[Heh? While shes in that state, you convinced Ayaka-paisen Well, isnt that quite amazing? Even though Poppo-chan, who should have high Bond Points with her, couldnt do it.]

[At her current state, I cant really say that I was able to completely make her an ally. Its more like, for the time being, shes no longer in a hostile state. Besides, Sogou She certainly is too strong, but shes quite weak against her cla.s.smates.]

[Even with the Cla.s.smate Debuff under effect, that would have still been tough for us. Hmm Ayaka listens not to Poppo, but to Mimori-kun huh? Hmm, well, whatever. Mimori-kun might have been able to persuade her normally. Even this Teasing Master Asagi-san got deceived with your skills after all. However you do it doesnt matter- So, wheres Ayaka-chan now?]

At those words, Kas.h.i.+ma gulped.

From what was spread to the public, it was decided that she would be treated as missing.

But perhaps

Asagi had doubts about that story that I was able to convince Sogou.

Lying carelessly might be risky.

If her doubts pointlessly increase, Asagis thoughts may lead her to thinking about Takao Hijiri.

[Sogou is sleeping in the back- Wait a moment.]

I pulled back the cloth curtain on the part.i.tion and entered the barracks s.p.a.ce in the back.

The Takao Sisters werent in sight.

They seemed to have hidden themselves in the direction of the carriage.

I went to the carriage through the cover on the left side, and when I got in, I found the Takao Sisters, where I exchanged eye contact with Hijiri.

Thereupon, I picked up the sleeping Sogou.

I returned to the barracks and laid her on the cot provided here.

I then invited Kas.h.i.+ma and Asagi inside.

[Ah- Ayaka-chan!]

Kas.h.i.+ma was the first to rush over to Sogou.

[Ever since she lost consciousness after being persuaded, she had been in that state. I think its because shes completely exhausted but its also possible that she was like this from the mental shock.]

Hearing my description of Sogous current state, Asagi stood beside me while watching over Kas.h.i.+ma.

[Its that Sleeping Beauty pattern huh. Nursing someone when theyre like that is rough. I wonder if shed wake up from a love-filled kiss from Poppo-chan?]

[A- Asagi-san, what are you Doing such a thing is I dont think that would wake her up! That wont wake anyone up!]

[Oh my, thats quite the blush you got there Even though I was just kidding~~ Youre seriously getting all yuri there. Nyahaha.]

[Asagi-san! Like I said, d- dont say strange things]

Disregarding the two joking around, I spoke.

[I dont know what kind of mental state Sogou will be in when she wakes up. Even you might be shocked seeing what shed be like when she wakes up, Kas.h.i.+ma. Thats why You mind if shes left here for the time being? If I think shes alright, of course, Ill let you meet her.]

[U- Unnn If thats what Mimori-kun says]

A few moments of silence pa.s.sed.

Thereupon, with her back still turned towards us, Kas.h.i.+ma apologized.

[Im sorry, Mimori-kun. If only I could have persuaded her back then Sogou-san wouldnt have]

[Its not Kas.h.i.+mas fault.]

Upon my words, Kas.h.i.+ma lowered her head.

[Even when my persuasion didnt work, Mimori-kun was still thinking about what to do but thats why thats why I felt so powerless]

[Thats right. As expected, Poppo-chan is just so powerless Sending likes and prayers.]

[Just as Asagi mentioned earlier, Kas.h.i.+ma acted as the messenger between us. I think thats already enough.]

[Well, I see that Im also being added as an ingredient to Mimori-kuns ikemen soup huh. ..Arehh? Mimori-kun That cloth over there on the ground]

[Thats Kirihara.]

[I- Is he dead]

[If youre curious, you can take a look.]

At my words, Asagi peeled off the cloth

[Pfft.]

and burst out laughing.

[Hahahahaha!]

[]

[Kirihara-kyun seemed to be chilling out here, isnt he? Whoa, this is amazing. Hes like a bug stuck in resin. Hahahahaha!]

Asagi- looks amused.

In any case, I summarized and explained about

.

[Hou, thats very convenient. However I see. With an ability like this, even Prez would compromise and accept huh. This would be the best skill for dealing with people she wouldnt want to kill, but wants to incapacitate. Fumu fumu. Putting Kiri-chan in some sort of suspended state, this would avoid confrontation with Ayaka. Putting aside whether Kiri-chan would still be alive after being frozen or not, this makes the situation better. Speaking of which]

[Is there anything else?]

[There are two S-Rank Heroes with equal strengths here now but theres still one other S-Rank, right? You know, Im talking about Takao Onee-tama. You kneow what happened to her? I think Zine-chin mentioned something about trying to scout her? Even if we disregard the other Heroes, if we can draw that person into this side, it will definitely be a Power Up Conversely, if those sisters got brainwashed by G.o.ddess-chin like she did to Ayaka, they would be really troublesome. You decided on any future plans for that?]

The Mad Emperor, who had been listening to the conversation from a distance, approached.

He had already met those sisters.

The plan is for the two of them to hide their existence while wearing Fly Knight outfits.

The exchange we had earlier just before I asked them to hide

What Hijiri said was that she was leaving the decision of whether or not to reveal themselves to her.

If they dont come out, it seems that they have chosen to hide their presence.

As we had discussed, the Mad Emperor began to explain.

[The Takao Sisters-]

But no matter how I look at it

Hiding the existence of the sisters to Asagi is hard to do.

To be honest, just as how Asagi described it before, doing that would just eat up the CPU resources in my brain.

Moreover, when it comes to Asagi, a lot of resources would be needed for that.

Well, it cant be helped.

To move forward while keeping their ident.i.ty hidden, I should establish a solid plan for the future-

[Wow.]

when I suddenly heard Asagis voice

[Eh? Why are you]

And Kas.h.i.+mas voice followed suit.

[..]

Behind me.

[Its been a while, Asagi-san.]

[Ara~~ Youre here, Hijiri Onee-tama~~]

Appearing behind the cover that hid the carriage were

The Takao Sisters.

[Imouto-chan is here too~~]

Ikusaba Asagi greeted them with an aloof smile.

Not bothering to turn around, I asked.

[You think its alright, Hijiri?]

[Ive been listening to the exchange between the two of you and I decided that if Asagi-san had such a sharp mind, it would be difficult for us to move forward. Constantly worrying about whether Asagi-san would be suspicious is a waste of time and effort. She also knows some of our Unique Skills, so the situation where we can use them may be limited. Besides As expected, even Mimori-kun seems to have difficulty doing things when it comes with her.]

The sisters could hear all my exchanges with Asagi.

Hijiri herself can also judge when someones lying or not.

On top of that, from my conversation with Asagi

[I decided that the advantages of revealing our existence outweighed the disadvantages.]

By daring to show up, it seemed to imply that Asagi would also be under Takao Hijiris watch.

Or perhaps

They were thinking that by revealing the Takao sisters presence here, this side would be seen as the winning horse.

Such speculations can certainly be possible.

[Hmmm As expected, having not met for a while, it seems like Hijirin had also become quite the beauty.]

[At this stage, further probing is useless I agree with that opinion of yours, Asagi-san. However, this is a judgment situation that was established because of Seras-sans ability to judge when people are lying.]

Seras ability huh.

Seems like she wont reveal that she also had that kind of ability.

Perhaps, her revealing their existence here doesnt mean she completely trusts Asagi.

[Kas.h.i.+ma-san too, its been a while.]

[Heyya, Kas.h.i.+ma.]

[Hijiri-san Itsuki-san]

Hijiris voice softened slightly.

[It seems like you also had it rough. Good work. For the time being, Im glad that youre safe.]

After glancing at Asagi, Itsuki spoke.

[Kas.h.i.+ma Isnt it great? For the time being, that situation with Prez, it was dealt with safely.]

[U- Unnn I was really worried but Hehe]

Kas.h.i.+ma was slightly in tears.

[However, Itsuki-san Sogou-san is safe Ive safely met her again Itsuki-san and Hijiri-san too]

Thereupon, as if to cover up Kas.h.i.+mas words

[I knew it.]

The one who said that was Asagi.

[In other words The one who actually persuaded Ayaka-san is Hijirin.]

[Thats right. Formally speaking, that was indeed the case.]

[Unnn, unnn His acting is so good that I almost fell for it again but theres just no way Mimori-kun can stop her while shes like that. He shouldnt have the time to bond with Ayaka-san since he came here. Him covering for her in the bus back then is just so weak of a reason. Moreover, the atmosphere around Mimori-kun had been like that of a different person. In that case If its not on the level of Hijirin, who protected Ayaka-san back when teachers were being placed in each group and made a suggestion to G.o.ddess-chin, I couldnt be convinced. Ah, but speaking of I guess he isnt necessarily lying Mimori-kun only said that Ayaka-san was persuaded not that he persuaded her. Haahhh Not letting yourself get caught even from that, youre so good at this, Mimori-kun. That was informative.]

So, Hijiri spoke.

[You are on our side, right, Asagi-san?]

[Unnn, I swear to the G.o.ds.]

Thereupon, Asagi stretched out her body, seemingly to make a break in the conversation.

[Well, lets stop the talk for now. If we still have a few more stuff to talk about, lets fill them in later. As you know, we dont have that much fighting power. Compared to Ayaka and Takao, were just sh*tty one-trick Heroes~~ We basically do whatever we want, but if you ask us for cooperation, of course well lend you our strength.]

Saying this, Asagi turned towards the exit.

[Ahh Mimori-kun, your existence got exposed to the members of my group because of Poppo-chan, so you mind showing up a bit later? Thinking of the stuff that happened in the past, I understand that there are some faces that you dont like to see, but I think its better to show your face in antic.i.p.ation of the future. As for Takaos presence here Well, I think its better to just keep it between me and Poppo-chan for the time being.]

[Alright.]

With her back turned towards us, Asagi waved her hands and started walking outside.

[Princes Knight-chan and Big b.o.o.bed Silver-haired Sister-san too, if we have the chance, lets deepen our friends.h.i.+p again. Ahh If only I could use my phone, I would have liked a selfie session with you two]

There was silence for three seconds.

Immediately after

[Eh? The one who isnt the Princess Knight, could that be referring to me?]

Munin reacted so.

Well, how should I say this

Asagis choice of words Would it be better if shes occasionally reprimanded for them?

Thereupon, Asagi suddenly stopped and spoke.

[Those are huge, Mimori-kun.]

[..]

[The fact that you scratched and clawed your way out and trampled down more and more of the G.o.ddess expectations until now The fact that Kirihara-kun and Ayaka were forced into this settlement Thats right, it can be said that the response to the changing battlefield is also splendid. Well Most of all, that I wasnt able to see through your ident.i.ty until Poppo revealed it Those are huge.]

Asagi turned around once, looking back at me.

Then, she brought her right hand near her cheek and put up three fingers.

[Its because of these results that I now recognize this camp as the winning horse once again.]

Asagi turns towards the outside again and walks away.

[For this race I really want to keep my hold on to this camp. Ill be expecting much from you Fly King-sama.]

With these words, Asagi walked out of the barracks, disappearing under the bright sunlight outside.

After Asagi left the barracks, Hijiri came up to me and secretly asked.

[What do you think?]