Thursday, April 18, 2024

[LN] PAS : Volume 2 Chapter 6.2


Volume 2 Chapter 6.2

Inverted Reality, Nightmares Always Have Beautiful Faces Part 2



Translator : PolterGlast



One Day Prior

 

"......I won't hesitate any longer."

 

With a somber determination, she put on her mask again and turned back the way she had just fled from.

The reason why the earlier attack failed was because the other party was fully prepared. And no matter how much special training she has had, it would have been foolish to go head-to-head with Nina Stingray, a monster beyond human comprehension.

Jin Kirihara should be the one to be eliminated first.

And the only possible time to do so would be when he is all alone.

He would probably be heading back to the men's dormitory after parting ways with Nina, so an ambush during that time would be the optimal time.

 

Jin Kirihara walked down the path at night, lined only with unreliable streetlights.

Of course, Nina was not in the vicinity. The man with an air of strategist was walking with his hands in his pockets, naively thinking that she had already let him off the hook for today.

Hiding in the bushes by the side of the road, she clutched two knives.

Kill your heart. Let go of your doubts. Remember your mission.

She repeated what she needed to do over and over in her mind before she attacked Jin from behind.

First, she severed the tendons in both of his legs, causing him to fall over, and then she strangled his neck, knocking him out and carrying him to an abandoned place. Then gently interrogate him to find out how much he knows.

She closed in on him at a speed far beyond that of a normal person, but Jin reacted in a way she could not believe.

An intense light obscured her vision.

It must be from a powerful military flashlight. By the time she regained her vision, Jin had already disappeared from her sight.

Don't tell me, he predicted my pursuit ......?

Although she was stunned by the other party's preparedness, she was in no hurry.

Even in this darkness, she could clearly see the back of Jin's figure as he fled frantically. Her target had veered off the street and was now running through a wooded area with no streetlights.

 

"...... He underestimated me."

 

She put away her knife and lunged at her distant prey in a nocturnal beast-like stance.

The two were about twelve meters apart, but only five steps were enough for her to catch up to her prey.

Her psychic ability of <Ferocious Sweetener>, which allows her to double her physical abilities only while holding a lollipop in her mouth, hides two lies.

The first is that the increase in physical ability is not necessarily double.

Not only are sensory organs such as eyesight and hearing, or simple arm strength, but leg strength, nerve transmission speed, and joint strength, which are directly related to [movement speed], are also increased by an average of about 136%. The only reason she can achieve inhuman movements is because her original physical abilities far exceed those of ordinary people.

And the other lie is probably not important to Jin.

Because this man would run out of strength before he could find out about it.

 

"Your physical ability is too weak. Are you really a man?"

 

She pounced on Jin from behind, entangling her right leg between both of his flailing legs and causing him to fall over.

She then mounted on top of Jin, who had rolled flat on his back, and held his shoulders with both knees to stop him from resisting. After pulling a knife out of her pocket and holding it to his throat, she would be able to mow down any resistance he might have had.

 

"You are finished, Jin Kirihara. If you don't want to die, tell me everything you know."

"Wait, you're hurrying things too fast! Have people ever told you that you lack a sense of courtesy?"

 

To make light talk at this point is just like a death wish.

 

"You have a fatal lack of imagination. Don't you understand your current situation?"

"Alright, calm down, Emma."

"............."

 

This guy knows who I am.

Where on earth did this leak from?

The [Emma] who usually interacts with Jin is a completely different persona from the one she has now. They don't even share the same memories. No matter how observant one might be, it would be impossible to discern her true identity.

What kind of information did Jin manage to extract that led him to this conclusion?

 

"...... You know too much. Are you ready to be purged?"

"Sorry, but I guess not at the moment."

 

She jumped away from the top of Jin, noticing several stares directed at her.

Men armed with knives and pistols surrounded her.

A bearded man in work clothes, a young man in the same military uniform as the instructor, a large muscular man, a man with a scar on his face, five adults, each with a hint of backstory──.

How did he gather all these people?

Since when had this man been preparing for this ambush?

Who the hell is he ......?

 

"You saved me there, Gasta-san. Perfect timing."

"I'm getting a lot of extra money for this, so leave it to me. ...... By the way, Jin, is this the <Shepherd's Dog>?"

 

Instead of answering, Jin stood up with a victor's smile on his face.

A man who would truly enjoy such a situation would be insane.

 

"The tables are turned, I guess. Drop the knife for now, Emma."

 

Just as Jin said, the board was completely turned upside down.

The armed men were slowly closing the distance between them, and with each passing second, Emma could see her escape route disappearing.

And, so what?

 

"...... You guys are too naive."

 

She knew from the start that they were hiding in the perimeter. No matter how hard they tried to hide in the dark, they could not fool her eyes.

Fully aware of all this, she dared to take Jin's bait.

 

"I don't see a single person here with military experience. ......Ah, don't be surprised. It's easy to tell from their posture that they have no formal training. And none of them have ever killed someone before. It's obvious that they're holding the weapon in fear. They're not even good at fighting, are they?"

 

She twirls the knife in her palm.

An obvious provocation. But when she saw that the men did not move, she strengthened her conviction.

 

"Ten seconds."

 

The night wind suddenly blew and danced around her.

 

"I can sever all your carotid arteries in ten seconds. It's no use trying to escape. Amateurs like you will go into a panic once one of you is dead."

 

 

What she was saying was neither a threat nor wishful thinking.

Surely everyone here understood that she was talking about mere objective facts.

And yet, why?

Why is this guy the only one who seems to be smiling happily?

 

"You've been mistaken from the very beginning," Unable to predict what he would do next, she couldn't take a single step forward. "I didn't bring my friends here to wage a war against you."

"......Then what's it all for?"

"I just think we'd make good business partners."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"No, I'm dead serious. I've never been joking in my entire life."

 

His eyes, darker than the night, fixed squarely on her.

 

"Let's make a deal, Emma. ...... or should I call you the spy of the Republic?"

 

What?

What is this guy talking about?

I was sure I left no evidence behind.

 

"Haha, I can't read your expression at all because of the mask. But, I can tell that you are getting stiff, am I right?

Ah, of course, I'm not saying anything untrue.

If you doubt me, I'll tell you. How did I know who you were?

First, I thought about the meaning of the [Nice to meet you] message that was left in Bennett's room. It was a note you put on the back of Bennett's table just before he was expelled, because you knew I was going to investigate his room. Of course you remember that, don't you?

When I found the message, I was a bit flustered.

At first, I thought it was a declaration of war.

A <Shepherd's Dog> knew that his presence was being tracked, and he was making the first move. I thought he knew that we were trying to catch him off guard by deliberately making a suspicious move.

Well, it's normal to be paranoid when one gets such a love letter.

In fear of having my true identity exposed, I became unable to trust anyone.

I will be forced to act recklessly in order to track down the <Shepherd's Dog> as soon as possible.

Then, one day, everything will collapse and I'll be among those being purged.

.......But, you know what?

When I think about it calmly, isn't such an action very risky for the <Shepherd's Dog> as well?

According to my information, there is one <Shepherd's Dog> in each grade who is assigned by the headmaster to weed out those who pose a threat to the school. They have to remain in the shadows for three years without even letting anyone know there is a spy in the school.

That's why it made me wonder. Would such a person go out of his way to make us feel rushed and make us engage in a desperate battle?

Is it because of his belligerent nature? Was he bored with his mundane life?

No, it's hard to believe that the headmaster, who is so secretive that he doesn't even show his face at the entrance ceremony, would appoint such a person as a spy. At the very least, it would be unnatural for the <Shepher's Dog> to make a flashy move without any solid evidence.

If so, what was that message all about?

One who would benefit from making us impatient and forcing us to search for the <Shepherd's Dog>In other words, it can't be anyone other than someone who is looking for a common target with us, right?

I don't think there's anything sweeter than being able to achieve your goals while sitting comfortably in your chair and not taking any risks. I'm not dumb enough to be manipulated with a mere piece of paper, though.

...... Well, let's move on to the next question.

Why is he looking for the <Shepherd's Dog>?

Personal reasons? Simple curiosity?

No, none of the above.

There is no way any ordinary person could have known about the existence of the <Shepherd's Dog>. Even the country's best-informed detective, Mr. Heath, knew nothing about it until he found that man's diary.

...... Since that's the case, the answers are naturally limited, no?

A person who is willing to put his life on the line to uncover the secrets that this school is hiding.

A force that is hostile to the school - or rather, to the empire itself.

In other words, the only possible answer is a spy from an enemy country.

Could the purpose be to find out the secret of the psychic abilities that the Empire has a monopoly on? I never thought that there would be such a crazy country that would send their children to Heiberg Academy.

Aa~, you don't have to be so speechless.

It's not like I came up with this answer right off the bat either. So it doesn't mean you weren't careful.

In fact, when I found the message, I had no basis for linking Emma to a spy. Emma was just a good, surprisingly easygoing girl after all.

And there was no sign that she was pretending at all. It was hard to believe that there were so many acting geniuses in the world, so much so that I would normally have left Emma off the mark.

Well, of course, there was nothing wrong with that.

Even if she had the ability to double her physical abilities, Emma's physical performance was far too skilled for an ordinary student. I thought it would be strange if she had not received special training in the military or something.

Also, the extent of her friendships was also strange.

In my professional life, I always assume that people who have a lot of friends are either scammers or spies. I thought it was not surprising that Emma was expanding her network for some purpose.

However, I didn't find anything strange when I had a detective check her background, and she didn't even notice it until the next day when I planted a bug in her uniform.

......Huh? Are you mad at me?

Well, do forgive me. It's only natural to investigate if you find someone even slightly suspicious.

Anyway, no matter how much time went by, Emma didn't show her tail. So I decided to conclude that Emma was just a good-natured girl.

Until, at the very last moment, I learned the results of the analysis of the candy I secretly stole from you.

...... Ah, looks like you're shocked now. This time I can tell even if you're wearing a mask.

But, well, I was genuinely surprised, too. When I heard the results of the analysis from a vendor I know, I honestly thought there must be some kind of mistake.

Who would have thought that candy was a cutting-edge doping item?

You're even more of a liar than me, you know that?

I don't have the slightest clue about chemical ingredients, but here's what I'm trying to say.

Emma, you are not a psychic.

Your <Ferocious Sweetener> was just a scam to forcibly increase your muscle strength with drugs.

...... Oh, and by the way, now we know about where you come from.

Magical science and technology, a few steps ahead of the Empire - none other than the Republic, which is in the midst of a raging cold war with the Empire.

Right, and when did I steal it?

Sorry, I'm a skeptical person after all. About a month ago, when I had a little tiff with Bennett, I was able to snatch a piece of candy out of your hand. Well, I didn't suspect you of being a spy at the time. It took me so long to analyze it that I forgot about it until I got the results a week ago.

As for the rest, well, it's just as you've imagined, Emma.

I had been diligently spraying a slow-acting poison to force you into a reckless attack.

I spread rumors throughout the school that enemy spies had infiltrated the empire, I made you impatient by stealing your paper bag of candy, and to top it all off, I wrote scribbles on the classroom blackboard announcing the existence of <rats> .......

At that time, you must have been thinking like this:

These people know my true identity.

If I don't erase them as soon as possible, the truth will get in the headmaster's ear.

If I'm going to do it, I'll do it today. I'll ambush them after school when they're alone.

Looking at our situation right now, it looks like everything I said was right on the money.

So, Emma. What are you going to do now?

For now, if you have any rebuttals, let's hear them first."

 

She took off her mask and stared at the man in front of her with her dark green eyes.

The deductions he had told her were generally correct.

Indeed, she is a Republic spy who infiltrated the academy to find out the secrets of the psychics whose powers are monopolized by the empire. It seems that he doesn't even know her true background, that she faked her identity when she was nine years old and started living with a collaborator, but that is meaningless since a more fatal truth has been exposed.

However, it was completely unexpected that the Jin would also use the strategy of [pushing the other party into committing a reckless act].

How shall I get rid of them?

Thinking so, she clenched her knives in both hands.

She does not know what kind of deal this guy is offering, but she can't let him live as long as her secret is known.

Even if he is willing to keep his mouth shut, the <White Knights> can easily force him to spill everything he knows. She had seen too many of her comrades betray their own country because they could not bear the suffering, and then they were cruelly killed.

 

"Look, I have no intention of making a deal."

"You want to kill us all instead? Aren't you being a little too aggressive?"

"You're after the <Shepherd's Dogs>, too, aren't you? You don't even understand that it's not something that mere civilians are allowed to venture into. ......There's a limit to how stupid one can be. Why don't you realize that it's the kindest thing I could do for you to let you die before you are subjected to Empire-style torture?"

"Whoa~, sounds like you don't trust us at all."

"Of course. How did you guys get this information about the <Shepherd's Dog> in the first place?"

"The informant's name is Rusty. Rusty Yellowkid Wale.

"............Wha!?"

 

Why does that name come up here?

Rusty is so well-known in the Empire that he is known as the <Legendary Fraudster>. There is no way anyone would have expected that Rusty would have a connection with a young boy like him.

 

"The truth is, Rusty is like a foster parent to me. I was living on the streets when my real parents abandoned me, and he took me in."

"Don't give me that bullshit! Because you're-......"

"Son of a railroad worker? Haha, everything you've investigated about my background is all lies. Well, we both are on the same page about that, aren't we?"

 

Her brain froze in shock at the shocking turn of events.

She was stunned with her mouth agape, and Jin gave her an ambiguous smile.

 

"Rusty always told me, that a big job requires a strong group of people to match it. So I gathered up some of that man's old associates, and I also formed an accomplice relationship with Nina. ...... So, Emma, now it's your turn."

 

Jin slowly walked toward her, not caring about the sharp blade pointed at him.

Completely unarmed.

There was no hint of hostility, let alone any hint of trickery.

 

"In the journal Rusty left behind, he wrote that he had entrusted the school's secrets and information about the <Shepherd's Dogs> to a friend in a foreign country. Emma, since you're here ...... it looks like that friend was a spy of the Republic."

 

She almost dropped the knife.

The Republic obtained the information about the <Shepherd's Dogs> when Rusty Yellowkid Wale suddenly contacted a Republic agent and leaked the information to them. Of course, she was not informed of the name of the agent who received the information, but she at least knew that the Central Intelligence Agency counted Rusty as one of their heroes.

The boy who was raised by him appeared before her.

She never thought there would be such a coincidence.

 

"...... No, it wasn't."

 

This is not a coincidence.

Perhaps Jin had suspected from the beginning that an agent of the Republic might be hiding among the students.

The reason he was so noticeable in his grand standoff with Bennett early in the school year was not just to attract the <Shepherd's Dog>'s attention.

He might have been aiming to recruit enemy spies into his ranks all along.

 

"...... I see, I've been lured out, huh?"

"Now, now, why do you look so frustrated?"

 

Jin said with a confident smile.

 

"Shouldn't we be celebrating our alliance?"

 

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