Chapter 185: Repayment and Trade

"Counter Force's lapdog?" Shinji was bewildered.

Why would Araya Souren think that I am Counter Force's lapdog?

How could I possibly be Counter Force's lapdog?

If anything, as a time transmigrator like myself, I should be an unstable factor in the world lines, a target of Counter Force, especially Gaia's opposition.

"Uh, I'm not—"

"No need to deny," Araya Souren, covered in blood, glanced at Shinji indifferently. "I've seen guardians like you before."

"Let me finish my words," Shinji disengaged the magical blade of his Divine Gunblade, repositioned and secured the slingshot on his left arm. "I am not sent by Counter Force—seriously, have you been obstructed by Alaya too many times and developed persecution delusions?"

"Arala?" This time, Araya Souren was stunned. Wasn't that his surname? [Note: letter R = L in Japan]

"Ah, not your surname," Shinji smirked sarcastically. "It's a term used by Counter Force. Let me think, I remember you were once a monk of the Tendai sect, so you should be familiar with the theory of Alaya. The deepest layer of human consciousness, the common lake where all consciousness connects, Counter Force of the Anti-Gaia theory—the unanimous opinion beneath the unconsciousness of primates. And the name of this Counter Force is Alaya."

"What...?" A gasp escaped his lips.

Ignoring Araya Souren's dazed state, Shinji ruthlessly revealed the provocative truth: "Isn't it strange, Araya Souren? Your surname is the same as what you consider the greatest enemy. But you don't know it, and no one around you has told you. Fate sure played a huge joke on you."

A cough, and blood sprayed from Araya Souren's mouth. The powdery blood didn't touch the ground or anything else; it simply vanished into the air.

Was it anger at being toyed with by fate?

Or was it sadness over such a contradiction?

Or simply the impact of the truth?

Shinji didn't know Araya Souren's state of mind. Even after reading "The Garden of Sinners," he never truly understood this man's thoughts.

Sighing, just as Shinji was about to say something, he heard a series of faint footsteps.

Judging by the sound of the shoes hitting the ground, it seemed to be a nurse on the nightly rounds. It seemed like he couldn't stay here.

With that thought in mind, Shinji grabbed the dazed Araya and jumped out of the window.

...

In the small courtyard of the hospital where patients could rest and bask in the sun, Shinji threw Araya Souren onto a bench and turned to leave.

"Aren't you going to kill me?" Araya Souren, who had snapped back to his senses, stopped this boy who was completely unpredictable to him.

"No, I won't." Shinji halted his steps.

"To prove that you have nothing to do with Counter Force?"

"No, it's to repay a debt." Shinji shook his head. "Regardless of your intentions toward Kirie Fujou, she has survived until today thanks to your support. It's a debt she owes you. She probably can't repay it, so I'm here to repay it on her behalf."

"That's just hypocrisy." Araya Souren's voice carried indescribable sadness.

This is the essence of the ugliness of humanity, the hypocrisy that arises to conceal selfishness and self-interest.

"You can say that, I don't care."

"I can't understand."

"I'm not counting on you to understand."

Shinji sat down on the bench next to Araya.

As Araya Souren said, there was no doubt that Shinji's actions were hypocritical. The so-called repayment was both hypocritical and an excuse.

Araya Souren's most troublesome aspect is not his strength but his eternal nature, similar to Scáthach. After awakening the Origin of "Stillness," Araya has transformed his life into a concept, which is why the blood he spits out disappears directly. Under the protection of "Stillness," even if he is blasted into pieces, he will "revive" after a certain period. It is because of this reason that he can survive the attacks of the guardians sent by "Alaya."

In addition, he possesses exceptional puppet-making skills and is capable of creating spare bodies. Shinji doesn't know if he has prepared a spare body. Although, in the novel "The Garden of Sinners," he did not have one, the current storyline has been completely altered by Shinji, so it wouldn't be surprising if something unexpected happens.

Considering this characteristic, Shinji didn't directly kill Araya Souren. Rather than letting him die and resurrect in some unknown corner to continue causing trouble in the shadows, it would be better to keep him alive, as it would be easier to be on guard against him.

"By the way, the entity you mentioned earlier, similar to Kirie, is it the girl who stays in the same ward as her and has been hospitalized for a consecutive period, second only to Kirie?"

"Yes."

Whether it was conceding defeat or feeling no need to hide, Araya Souren nodded in acknowledgment.

"She is indeed a purer and more mysterious existence than Kirie. Let me offer you some advice; it's better not to have any intentions towards her. I have a feeling that you might meet your downfall at her hands."

Araya Souren remained noncommittal, silent.

Shinji didn't dwell on it. "I'm just saying. Whether you listen or not is up to you. But you don't strike me as someone who easily wavers... How about we make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

"Don't target Kirie anymore. If your goal is to awaken that girl through Kirie, let me handle it."

"You?" Araya Souren's already troubled face became even more grim.

"I have a better method. Although I can't guarantee 100% success, it will be more effective than Kirie's stimulation."

"What method?"

"If I tell you, it won't work." Shinji teased. "Give me some time, and you will see the results. Anyway, you've waited for two hundred years, so waiting a few more months shouldn't be a problem—of course, assuming that the girl can awaken."

"She will awaken in the next few days."

Shinji wasn't surprised by Araya Souren's answer. Araya had always been secretly observing Shiki, as he was determined to obtain the Mystic Eyes. If he remembered correctly, Araya had worked at this hospital for a long time, and he knew Shiki's condition better than anyone else.

"In that case, I need to prepare as soon as possible. So, is the deal established?"

"I have no reason to refuse, although I don't know what you have in mind."

"There's one more thing. I'm interested in your bounded field technique. If you're willing, we can have a technical exchange." Shinji wanted a bounded field capable of withstanding Noble Phantasms.

"No need. I probably won't be able to learn your techniques. As long as you can achieve your goal, you can have the bounded field technique." Araya Souren was clear-headed and rational. He knew his limitations and never coveted too much.

"Well then, I won't hold back." Shinji chuckled.

"I haven't asked for your name yet."

"Matou Shinji, a heretic who is more of a magecraft user than a magus."

Although in the mysterious world, anyone who possesses magic circuits and can use them is considered a magus, the Magic Association internally makes more subtle distinctions based on the nature of the individuals practicing magecraft.

Magus are those who delve into magecraft and seek the truth, while magecraft users are simply people who use magecraft as a tool, looked down upon by orthodox magus.

Deep down, Shinji has always seen magecraft as a tool, much like those convenient creations of technology.

PS: Annoying guys who can't be killed. Shinji needs King Hassan to toll the bell for Araya.

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