“...What would have happened if we were ambushed by Ada?” Lilith questioned. “I don’t know what your plans are…but what would you have done if your game characters died?”
“Hehe, that’s a fun thing to ponder on, huh? But it wouldn’t have been my fault if you guys were to meet your end,” The developer replied. “You already know I’ve been communicating with Ada. You should have thought that your location might have been exposed because of me.”
“...So you gave us up, huh?”
“Meh, maybe, maybe not,” The developer remarked as he shrugged his shoulders. “But now that you know, why don’t you go put Nathan down. You must be tired after carrying all that weight.”
Lilith had seethed silently in rage as she gazed at the developer for several seconds, the NPCs had looked away and even traded glances with each other while this happened. Of course, the developer matched her gaze with a cheeky grin.
“...Can you show me where to put Nathan, blacksmith?” Lilith questioned as she turned her attention. “Sorry for the trouble.”
“O-Oh, sure,” The blacksmith replied as she jumped out of her seat. “Come, there’s a free room up ahead!”
Lilith had not said another word as she followed the blacksmith. Olivia followed close behind.
“...Heh, I can see you looking at me with confusion, even through that mask of yours,” The NPC remarked as he shifted his gaze to the NPC. “Don’t forget I’m doing this to make Lilith stronger. You can’t become better if you don’t go through trials.”
“That’s true, but how many trials are enough for her to become better in your eyes?” The NPC replied.
“Sigh, you really need to get rid of that soft spot for Nathan and Lilith,” The developer said. “But this reminds me of how you were back then.”
- * * *
“Here you go,” The blacksmith remarked as they entered a room. It was a standard one, consisting of a single bed here, a wooden closet there…it was like renting a motel room. “You can rest him there.
“Thank you,” Lilith replied as the blacksmith departed, leaving the two women inside. Wasting no time, Lilith had placed the unconscious Nathan on the bed“Sigh…what time even is it?”
“Uhm, it’s two thirty am,” Olivia remarked as she gazed at her smartphone.
“It really is late, huh? Sigh…” In a soft tone, Lilith muttered as she slowly sunk to the side of Nathan’s bed. “To think the developer knew about all this.”
“Y-Yeah, why does he…like Ada so much?”
“I have no idea who he even likes in the first place to be honest, but I don’t care anymore,” Lilith replied as she covered her face. “There’s no limit to what he’ll do to make us, in his words, stronger.”
This really is a curse on our lives, Nathan.
“We’ll always be in trouble as long as Ada’s alive,” Lilith continued. “We probably won’t even be safe here…don’t you think?”
“...You’re right.”
“Don’t be afraid of Ada…that’s what you said to me,” Lilith said as she removed her hand from her face, revealing a contented smile. “I think…I am about to do something reckless…will you help me?”
“I-I have an idea of what you might do,” Olivia responded. “And to be honest…I would love to.”
- * * *
With the chirping of the birds and the lights which shone through the cottage’s windows, dawn had come over the land.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“I made up my mind…I am going to slaughter Ada,” Not a good morning or a simple hi, these were Lilith’s first words as she spoke to the developer in the living room. “I don’t care if you don’t want this to happen. I’m not going to sit here and be put through any more of your games.”
Initially, the developer gazed at the resolved Lilith with surprise, but a grin appeared on his face after hearing her declaration.
“Well, damn! It’s about time! This is exactly what I wanted to hear!” The developer replied, slightly shocking Lilith. “But, are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“...No need for your fake concern,” Lilith replied. “It makes me really angry.”
“No, really. It’s great that you want to murder Ada, but that’s easier said than done, no? Soldiers, super soldiers, artillery…she’s got quite a lot on her side,” The developer continued. “Not to mention, she most likely has blessed and even peak blessed humans.”
“...Peak blessed humans?”
“Oh, I never told ya, huh? Well, it’s just the absolute maximum a blessed human can push their physical and mental abilities…save becoming enlightened,” The developer explained. “Think of people like Charles and Jack. As you’d guess…Ada would have someone capable of giving those guys trouble.”
“...Hmm.”
“Well, Jack was kind of an anomaly with his two blessings, and his ability to improve himself by killing,” The developer said. “But you can’t destroy multiple city blocks or towns, and you can’t travel thousands of miles in a few seconds.”
Lilith simply gazed at the developer, and listened as he spoke.
“You’ve gotten stronger…a lot stronger, but fighting an entire army is quite difficult, you know?” The developer continued. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“...Why are you even trying to steer me away from my decision after everything you’ve done? I already told you to stop that,” Lilith remarked. “I don’t care about any of that.”
“Hehe, oh?”
“Am I just going to keep being passive and train, and let you people torment us for your pleasure?” Lilith asked. “I can’t bear the thought of losing Nathan…and I’m sure Nathan feels the same way. I’m doing something reckless…but I’ve truly had enough.”
“Wow…you’ve come so far. From abandoning Nathan when he had no choice to kill people,” The developer said. “But now you’re plotting a potential massacre.”
“Do not. Talk. about that.”
“Hehe, don’t misunderstand. I’m just so impressed by your growth! It’s a compliment,” The developer responded. “Even though chances are heavily against you!”
“...For all the talk about caring for all your game characters, you’re so happy when I say I’m going to kill one of them,” Lilith muttered. “Nothing you’ve done has made any sense.”
“It might not make sense, but in the grand scheme of things…it’s all necessary.”
“...I’ve heard enough. I will prepare,” Lilith stated as she took her phone from her pocket.
“Hmm? Who are you going to call?” The developer questioned.
“Well, I may be reckless, but I’m not completely crazy. I know my limitations,” Lilith answered. “A little help won’t hurt.”
“...Hehe, I see.”
- * * *
“I’ve heard everything. So we’re finally attacking Ada, huh!?” Stepping inside of the cottage was Charles, ear to ear grinning like a maniac. “Finally! I’ve been getting so bored!”
“...I knew you’d be excited,” Lilith replied with a sincere smile. “You always do enjoy fighting, after all.”
Charles gazed at Lilith, and his smile had enlarged.
“Well, well…Looks like Ada’s group won’t be the only people fun to fight,” Charles remarked. “You’ve become far better than the last time I saw ya.”
“Yeah, I’ve been hearing that a lot. It’s nothing impressive,” Lilith responded. “But anyways…Zack should be here soon, so let’s just wait for him.”
“Heh, sure!” Charles agreed as he dropped into a couch.
“...You don't intend to inform Ada of their plans, right?” The NPC questioned. “I can’t really tell anymore.”
“...No, NPC. I’m not going to do that,” Rolling his eyes, the developer remarked. “I’m an impartial game developer.”
“Uh huh.”
- * * *
To pass the time they had waited, the game characters had simply sat around and browsed channels on the television. Well, Charles and Olivia did, but Lilith was far removed from any leisurely activities. She had sat there, blocking out the world, and staring at her jet black katana.
“I’m here, guys! Sorry I’m late!” Grabbing the attention of the criminals, Zack remarked as he stepped inside. “I had…some things I had to take care of.”
“...Great, you’ve come,” Lilith coldly remarked as she stood up. “I’m sure you know what we are planning…so will you lend us your help, Zack?”
“You heard of all the stuff that happened to me over the news, right? All the shit…that happened,” Zack remarked. “It’s like my head has a ticking time bomb, and every time Ada does shit, I get closer and closer to exploding.”
“Oh ho ho! Doesn’t that sound exciting?” Charles remarked.
“...Yeah, I’d love to help you guys kill that damn woman.”
“...Great, because for the plan I’m thinking, all of you are necessary,” Lilith remarked. “And to kick things off, you are the core, Zack.”