Chapter 182: 182 - Dark counterpart's lament 9
*
"... Now that I think about it, with your illusion powers you could have escaped at any time. Why did you fight for me in that battle against Vehegian?" (Gerald)
"... Are you seriously feigning ignorance?"
"..." (Gerald)
Exasperated, I didn't have the energy to explain nor did I feel it was right to spoonfeed her the answer... A tinge of pain shot through my heart since she didn't share my feelings, but a large part of me believed that she'll learn in time. Well, small moments like this are also part of what I enjoy.
"Yo, we became executives. Let's go get some better food."
".... Are we allowed to free the test subjects?" (Gerald)
"... If I said no, will you still listen to me and stay still?"
It seemed that the freedom of everyone else was still a burning priority in her heart. Even though she had resolved to abandon everyone when she chose to only take me with her, since I had value as a magical girl. But if I was only brought along for my value, wouldn't I just be a tool that she could discard to raise her chance of success? I could be used as a decoy in an emergency and she knew I felt grateful towards her for taking me, so she was planning on using that gratefulness for her own gain.
I realised this when I questioned why Gerald didn't try to escape earlier before she found me. She happened to question me why I didn't run away with my illusion magic, and that line of thought brought me here. Well, I in turn was using her combat ability. Without either of us there, we would have lost to Vehegian. The actual boss, Marianne was out of the question. We didn't even have the chance to fight her.
In the end, was she feeling guilty for the others? The word executives had already given a lot of clues, we would now live way better lives than before. We fought for it after all. While our freedom was still limited to an extent, it is now no different than a traditional office job. We can go to the surface in our free time and see the sun again. Ironically, we only had free time in the evening when the sun had set.
"Well... I can't just do nothing." (Gerald)
"Even though you were ready to do so before?"
"Before, we couldn't help it. We were weak... Can't you understand the urgency? Another second we stay here talking is another second they won't be able to have a glimpse of freedom..." (Gerald)
Her fervour dyed her face face, her breathing picked up in pace to follow suit. She grabs the sides of my arms and shakes me in desperation. She hadn't undone her transformation, so her strength was still amplified. My face contorted in the pain and my eyes squeezed tightly together to keep my voice in. There's no need to scream here... She's just confused...
" Ughh!!!"
Realising her fingers were gripping my arms too tightly she quickly let go, at a lost for words. Her eyes swam around in a panic, it was an odd time where her emotions were very transparent. Usually she bottles up her feelings like a cold mannequin. I suppose she was feeling really distraught. Putting my own arms over one another, I tried to soothe the aching area. While she hadn't broke my bones, it felt like she was going too.
Turning around, she looked for an exit to escape. Perhaps she decided to move on her own.
"Are you going to leave me too? Well, maybe that's for another time. Anyway, I want you to at least know... If you feel a sense of responsibility due to how much power you hold, then you're a slave to your own power."
I was different from her... I had truly given up on helping others, from the start I only thought about myself. I suppose when compared to a saint like Gerald who could feel responsible over other people, I really am just a selfish bastard. But in this facility could anyone blame me? I for one couldn't... After all, it was a part of adapting to this environment.
While I do indeed hate myself for getting used to this place... I don't blame myself for it. My will is weak, so there is only enough to care for myself... Perhaps I was lashing out at her now as an extension of my hate... I only realised this after... So it was too late to take back my words no matter how hurtful... Even if it seemed like I was trying to look out for her, my feelings were contradictory. I'd hate for her to change because of me... I don't want to take away someone else's freedom in adapting to me...
"... I'm sorry if I hurt you. Don't worry... I'm just need sometime to think things through. Even if we can't free them, we can still find ways to make their lives better right? " (Gerald)
"... Yeah. The reason why there were so many elementary books and picture books catered towards toddlers... Was that a large portion of these girls are orphans with nowhere to return to... So even if you free them it wouldn't necessarily make their lives better... "
" I see... Thanks for making me feel better. "(Gerald)
With that, she quickly left. Despite taking out Vehegian, it was a complete defeat. It wasn't as if we didn't take into account Marianne's existence, we knew the people at the top were plenty powerful, but we foolishly hoped that we wouldn't happen to meet any of them.
I stared down at my palms, sitting up on the head of my bed. I began to think, what could I really do in this situation? If I tried to make the lives of the subjects better... How would I go about it? Would I still continue to treat them as expendable tools like the previous manager? Or do I move it more into the direction of an orphanage...
It would lose the entire purpose of the experiment if I did that. I didn't really care about the experiment, even if it was to create more magical girls to defend the country or whatever, it doesn't excuse the things that have been done. But what took precedent before all of this... Before even my thoughts... Was the boss's. Would they allow me to improve the living conditions of these girls?
Their basis for such crude amenities and cutting corners is well and obvious, it's about the cost to maintain the place and run the experiments. As this is supposed to be a huge organisation, I could expect a central authority at the highest level of the organisation giving the actual details of the budget and distribution of their experimental funds. They give a set amount and its all we have to work with, regardless of how many subjects we have... That kind of thing...
And the easiest way to cut corners would be to cut the funds for food by giving smaller portions... In the first place, these are kidnapped children or lost orphans. As far as society is concerned, they died. In such a time of peace... What was the rush in trying to produce as many magic girls as possible? To the point that they didn't hesitate to discard Vehegian for me and Gerald. By cutting their loses and offering Vehegian's head as tribute, they might have expected us to work hard for them.
Then... What could I really do. I'll need funds to procure what I need, and if I don't have funds I'd need to find someway to produce the things I need. Perhaps I could use my magical powers to manufacture something... Though it seems highly unlikely. I mean, was there really anything made out of light? After a couple more minutes, I concluded that I needed some rest to think properly. So I laid on the bed for the next few hours. When I woke up... Gerald was back in the bed next to mine, sleeping soundly once more.
"Mhmm... 5 more minutes..." (Gerald)
Shifting around in the blanket, I took a couple more minutes to muster the will and energy for pulling myself back up into a sitting position. By the time I got up, Gerald had woken up herself. Pulling myself together, I wanted to give her the truthful answer that I arrived at...
"... There is no way out unless we absolve the subjects from the experiment... This would run contrary to Marianne's objectives, so it's likely impossible. All we can do is try to improve the facility and lives of the subjects with all of our power."
".... When I thought about it, I also realised it too. We can't go against Marianne, we physically and logically can't. She didn't even had to fight or lift a finger to subdue us. I was pent up, angry at my own powerlessness. Sorry if it seemed like I lashed out at you earlier. " (Gerald)
Getting off the bed with springing steps, I stretched my half asleep muscles around, releasing the soreness stored in my fatigue. I spun my torso over my waist, stretching my tendons and joints. I needed to be warmed up for what was coming next.
"Do you know what I was thinking?"
I flash a grin at her, colour seemed to fill her eyes as her own gaze shifted to a more positive expression. Her lips curved back and her cheeks swelled, a smug grin adorning her lips and eyes beautifully. It felt like my heart had skipped a beat, but maybe it was just my imagination.
"... Yeah! The first thing we needed to do... To get approval from boss Marianne. Let's go!" (Gerald)
It seemed her energy had returned, and her stature emanated a light bouncing mood. After finding our way out of the infirmary, we walked through a long hallway and bumped into a few other magical girls along the way. They shot weird looks at us as they some kind of unidentified creature. Gerald walked in front of me, protecting me from anyone who walked by and was about to hit me by accident.
After getting hit once, the atmosphere tensed up as the she stared down at the stranger. While the stranger cursed our ignorance, Gerald seemed to be in the mood to fight.
"Oi, what are you looking at?" (Gerald)
She growled at the stranger who happened to have a similar disposition.
"Ahhhh? You have a problem there? Want me to fix you up!?" (?)
She wore a large grey coat and her arms were tucked into the pockets on her sleeve. Under the coat was a white button shirt and jett black skirt, it reminded me of a school uniform despite a conspicuous brown strap that wrapped around her shoulder and waist.
"Tch! We don't have time for this Gerald, let's. Go."
For some reason, the both of them stared at me wide eyed before Gerald quickly picked up her marbles and continued walking once again. We quickly strode to the end where a decorated door stood. Opening the door, my footsteps felt heavier as I confronted the girl with platinum bangs. Even though she was sat calmly at her expensive looking treated wooden desk, it feels like she could snap my neck at any moment. This the difference between those in a hierarchy, between a C grade and an A(?) grade.
"I want to ask why you're here, but seeing your faces it's very easy to guess." (Marianne)
"Just in case though, can you let the subjects free?" (Gerald)
Marianne's amicable face held the aura of a fierce warrior, but in that moment her face turned deadly serious as well. Finally a befitting face had showed its colours. She exhaled deeply before closing her eyes in thought. After opening them, she spoke once more.
"Haa~... What do you think? I'm only the top of this branch... An A grade. How many do you think still stand above me?" (Marianne)
"... Above an A grade?"
My fingers trembled under such a revelation. Then she's saying that there other others who are stronger than her... Never mind an A grade, what is stronger than A?
"... The magical girl's of legends... S grades... They exist in the organisation?" (Gerald)
Marianne donned a look of pity before answering the next question.
"... I don't know... Do you want to find out on your own?" (Marianne)
"..." (Gerald)
It shut her up pretty effectively, and that was the end of the conversation about the subjects' freedom.
"... Do you have anyway we could earn fund... To make the lives of the experimentees better?"
".... Better huh.... Yeah, there are some missions you can help me do. In return I'll pay you some money. You can save to upgrade the facilities or whatever. " (Marianne)
Perhaps unconvinced, Gerald doubted her words and decided to test her.
" Are you serious? " (Gerald)
"... It's the entire point of you guys becoming my subordinates. I needed you guys to help out in some work. In exchange I'll pay you some wages." (Marianne)
Damn, did she anticipate this after all?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone