Chapter 99. A Mortal Embarking on a Journey
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"Boom—"
A petite girl clad in armor was calmly dismantling equipment with a shield far disproportionate to her size. Watching her skillful movements, Cyd couldn't help but be impressed.
"She's... pretty cute," Cyd muttered as he stroked his chin.
"Did it fail again?" one of the researchers sighed. "Why won't that hero cooperate with us?"
The surrounding researchers shook their heads in disappointment. The girl's survival seemed of no concern to them.
"Possession succeeded, but he refuses to cooperate," Roman sighed. "And so, we're left with this result."
"Isn't that to be expected?" Cyd glanced around and sighed as well. "These people don't understand what it means to be a hero."
The girl was being treated as a mere experiment. The researchers observed her with eyes that said, "You're nothing but a disposable tool." No true hero would tolerate this kind of treatment. The fact that he merely dismantled the equipment around him was a sign of restraint.
But there's no helping it—she's just a familiar, and that's the common understanding of familiars among magi.
"Everyone, disperse."
No one cared about the girl who had collapsed on the ground; there were designated people for that. The researchers were only interested in their data, so they left with their files, leaving only Cyd and Roman behind.
"Magi, huh?" Cyd patted Roman's shoulder before jumping into the experiment area. "Without changing your attitude towards that child, that hero will never assist you."
"As far as they're concerned..." Roman glanced at the folder in his hands and sighed, "it doesn't matter."
Cyd frowned as he stepped over the rubble and approached the girl.
"May I ask... who you are?" the girl asked weakly, struggling to lift her head to look at the man kneeling beside her.
"Does it hurt?" Cyd gently brushed the girl's messy hair aside.
The hero had clearly been displeased with the girl's situation, but he had softened the blow when the connection was severed.
The girl tilted her head, seemingly confused by Cyd's gesture, but she still nodded honestly. "It hurts."
"Of course it does," Cyd sighed and picked her up.
"Um... I can walk by myself," the girl said earnestly, though she didn't resist.
"It's no trouble; I'm just doing my job," Cyd chuckled. "Isn't that right, Roman?"
"Yeah, Mash, this is... his job," Roman said, waving the folder in his hand. "Mash's... room is this way."
"Thank you," Mash said softly, lowering her head obediently.
What a good child, Cyd thought, glancing at Roman.
You people... have no conscience.
Roman awkwardly looked away.
"By the way, how should I address you?" Mash asked, tilting her head.
"You can call me..." Cyd smiled gently, "Cyd."
"Huh! The Pure White Hero of Greece?" Mash's eyes widened.
"No, it's just a coincidence of names. The Pure White Hero would definitely save you," Cyd shook his head. "I'm just an ordinary janitor."
"I'm doing fine now, and being a janitor is a noble job. Please believe in the significance of your existence!"
She's such a good kid!
…
"That hero really does have a good temper." Cyd placed Mash on the bed and glanced around the room.
It wasn't so much a room as it was an observation chamber: a bed, two chairs, a table, and glass walls. Above, some researchers observed Mash with reports in hand.
Their eyes didn't see her as a human.
How does someone live with that kind of mindset in such an environment?
And yet, despite this, Mash's gaze remained so pure. To her, this world probably didn't even contain malice. No, she probably simply refused to assume ill intent in others.
If everyone in the world were like Mash, it would be so beautiful that it might seem like a dream.
But that's impossible.
Cyd reached out and gently patted Mash's head. Even he couldn't help but smile when he saw her eyes, but the researchers' expressions didn't change. They didn't care about Mash's gaze; they only cared about data. And despite this, Mash could maintain her demeanor. It's truly remarkable...
"You're not entirely slacking off," Cyd remarked, casting a sideways glance at Roman.
"No, I've done nothing. I've just chatted with Mash," Roman sighed. "That's all I can do."
"The doctor's stories are interesting," Mash said seriously.
Is that all it takes to satisfy her?
Cyd wanted to ask her that.
Trapped in this space with no privacy, treated as an experiment, observed 24/7, with no freedom.
Is that really okay?
"I'm content with just that."
Cyd imagined that Mash would cheerfully respond that way.
"What is Chaldea trying to do?" Cyd crossed his arms and stared out at the blizzard. "In this almost isolated place, doing the same things as any other magus—what's the point?"
"To save... this world," Roman murmured.
"Save the world, huh?" Cyd uncrossed his arms and leaned against the glass. "This world really is tragic if it requires sacrificing a girl like her to save it."
"I can't argue with that," Roman turned away, gripping the folder tightly. "But that's the reality of this world. Everyone has their struggles."
"That's why I think it's tragic," Cyd closed his eyes. "Does that child know what lies ahead for her?"
"Mash... has always known," Roman sighed, forcing a pained smile.
"That girl... Mash, she's so sweet. I'd really like to lift her up high if I could," Cyd said, opening his eyes.
"Yes, she is... wait, what?!" Roman blinked in surprise, as if he'd missed a chunk of time.
"Such a sweet child is trying her best to save the world," Cyd spread his hands. "I feel a bit guilty for slacking off here."
"Y-yeah," Roman stammered, looking around nervously.
"So, even if it's just a little, we people like us need to do something, no matter how small," Cyd sighed. "I'm not a hero, but I can still do what I can."
"What are you planning?"
"I did some digging before I came," Cyd stretched. "Chaldea's ambitious idea—if it actually succeeds, no one will believe it. After all, disbelief would be proof of its success."
"True," Roman nodded. "But they're not here to be celebrated, just to save the world."
"It would be perfect if we could reduce the sacrifices," Cyd sighed. "Even if it's just making things a little easier for that girl, that's something anyone can do, even if they're not a hero."
"What are you planning?"
"You guys... like experiments, don't you?" Cyd placed a hand on Roman's shoulder. "That transfer hasn't been tested on humans yet, has it?"
"You..." Roman's mouth dropped open. "Even you wouldn't come out unscathed."
"It'll work. I've done harder things before. Besides, I have my own reasons," Cyd smiled slightly. "So I'll need your help, doctor."
"That's asking a lot," Roman scratched the back of his head. "But since we're cake buddies, make sure you come back!"
"Of course. I still have some little ones who need looking after." Cyd raised his right index finger. "That tablet is in your possession, right?"
"It is, but it's failed many times," Roman pointed at Cyd. "Because you're here."
"Once I leave, switch Mash's relic with that tablet. Even though it's just a projection, the blessing's power will help her," Cyd chuckled. "You can handle that, right? After all, you also got in through connections."
"Ahahaha..." Roman laughed awkwardly.
"Don't worry. It'll work, because the Hero of Pure White will save that child."
For he was about to embark on another journey.
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Arc 2 End.
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