Episode 6: The World Crisis is Close At Hand – Part 8
“You’re saying that turning everyone into lolis is serious…?”
“You have to understand, Chuunibyo sufferers are always firmly convinced of their own viewpoints.”
Like Nana, she directly called ability users Chuunibyo. It seems these guys have left quite an impression.
“Could it be that men would also turn into lolis if injected?”
“That’s unlikely. Based on the information we have now, this drug is almost useless on men; it only affects women. If it even had the side effect of gender transformation to turn men into lolis, then this drug would truly be divine.”
Hmm? Something feels off…
“Wait, that’s not right. Then why does Eden only target women? Isn’t that strange?”
“Yes, we were also puzzled at first. But if you factor in their goal, it leads to a simple explanation.”
Factor in their goal?
Eden’s goal is to return more people to their childhood and awaken them as ability users. Of course, the most important thing is to find the Son of God, whether he’s real or a fabrication. Hmm?
“Are you saying… the Son of God is entirely female?”
“Yes. After analyzing the information, this is the only reasonable explanation we could come up with.”
The Son of God is entirely female…
It’s almost like the F.
Speaking of which, both Saint and Lily were originally F, and after coming to this world, their Destiny Power abilities disappeared, and they gained abilities instead. In simpler terms, it’s just a weakened Destined Ability. Could there be some connection? Xiao An was also an F, which is why she’s the Son of God?
F = Ability User.
It makes so much more sense when thought of this way. After all, it’s too strange that abilities can only be awakened during childhood. And to achieve this goal, they’re willing to turn all the women in the world into lolis. This ruthless Action Plan, without even considering the consequences, is also very strange. It’s like religious fanatics…
“They’re completely insane.”
Although, I don’t have the right to criticize them.
SF Light Novel
Rather, I’m practically their “senior” in terms of ending the world.
“It would be one thing if there were just this one group of lunatics, but the current situation is that *both sides* are abnormal.”
“Both sides? Are you saying your Salvation Army also has problems?”
Perhaps tired from standing, Zhao Zili had a maid bring a chair. She sat down before continuing.
“Although I’m currently affiliated with the Salvation Army, this organization isn’t exactly normal either.”
“Why? Are you planning to do something crazy too?”
“Yes. When I investigated your identity before, I thought one of the ‘higher-ups’ had already completed a plan, but it seems that’s not the case. And…”
Zhao Zili sighed, looking utterly exhausted. Although she didn’t finish her sentence, I could roughly guess what she meant with a little thought. She was likely referring to my immortality, the only ‘secret’ of mine she’s aware of. Connecting that to the ‘higher-ups’ plan… does that mean someone in the Salvation Army is researching eternal life?
I can’t just speculate; it’s better to hear it directly.
“It seems you’ve realized some things? Never mind… I’ll just tell you directly. I mentioned before that the Salvation Army advocates for pan-humanism, but that doesn’t include ability users.”
“Huh?”
“They stubbornly believe that ability users are no longer human, merely non-humans in human skin.”
As she said this, Zhao Zili glanced at Saint with cold eyes, causing Saint to instinctively shrink back. Since she investigated me, she must have investigated Saint as well. Zhao Zili surely knew Saint had abilities. I reached out a hand to shield Saint.
“The aura you just emitted didn’t seem fake.”
Zhao Zili shrugged, not denying my words.
“There’s a reason for the Salvation Army’s stance. When the Salvation Army wasn’t called the Salvation Army, it wasn’t a righteous organization. Most of the people who established this organization had personal grudges against ability users. Some lost their families because of ability users, others lost parts of their bodies… In short, their lives were thrown into chaos by a bunch of inexplicable individuals. And what was left for people who lost everything was…”
“Revenge…”
“Yes, revenge. The prototype of the Salvation Army was a league of avengers. Hmm, that sounds a bit repetitive. Let’s call it the Avengers Alliance. In any case, the current high-ranking members of the Salvation Army are still from the original group. The leader determines the nature of an organization, which is why the entire Salvation Army is so hostile towards ability users.”
“So that’s why they want to eliminate Eden?”
“Yes, but not just that. The Salvation Army wants to eliminate ability users.”
“But isn’t that contradictory? Because according to your explanation, any child has the potential to awaken as an ability user, so it’s impossible to completely…”
“Yes, there will definitely be new ability users. So, what if we think more extremely?”
“…”.
Could it be? No, but…
The answer is too absurd. I can’t even bring myself to say it. Zhao Zili sighed again and said.
“Ha… It’s speechless, isn’t it? But this is the current situation. Yes, this is also why the Salvation Army, despite knowing that those lunatics at Eden are making a loli drug, hasn’t made much of a move. Only lunatics can fight lunatics.”
“‘As long as there are no children, no new ability users will be born.’ And lolis cannot get pregnant. If all women in the world become lolis, there will be no new ability users.”
“Severely ill. But the Salvation Army is still operating under the banner of ‘salvation’. Depriving humanity of the ability to reproduce cannot be called salvation. Therefore, the Salvation Army is also researching other methods internally. Breaking the lifespan limit of humans is one of them.”
“Eternal life…”
“That’s right. By the way, you’ve already been targeted, Juncheng An. At least the Salvation Army noticed you a long time ago, someone who spans both human…”
I wasn’t surprised. If even Zhao Zili knew, it wasn’t strange for others to know as well. While I’ve been somewhat more aware of things now, moving from place to place every few years or decades, I haven’t deliberately hidden myself, so it’s not strange to be noticed. But if it were just me, it would be fine. What if it implicates…
“Besides eternal life, there’s also human mechanization, cloning with brain transplants, digitizing human consciousness, and so on. They’re seriously researching ways for ‘what comes after losing reproductive ability,’ which is what frightens me more… Regardless of what the two organizations’ goals are, all of humanity will be dragged into it.”
“So selfish…”
Humans are truly like this no matter the time… The previous world was like this, and this world is the same. Centuries, millennia, tens of thousands of years have passed, and there’s still no progress. I’m the same… It’s pathetic and sad at the same time. This is the inherent weakness and flaws of humanity.
“And what about you? You’ve said so much, but you haven’t told me your own thoughts. Do you also want revenge on Eden for making you like this?”
Zhao Zili didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, tilted her head back, and took a deep breath, likely to compose herself. Then she spoke.
“Honestly, I’m the same as you. I have no interest in the grievances or struggles between these two organizations, and I’m too lazy to get involved.” The blonde girl stood up from the chair and looked at her own tender hands. “Initially, I joined the Salvation Army simply because I heard they had a drug that could restore me to normal…”
“I just want to return to normal, and maybe give that blind lolicon a good beating to vent my anger, and that would be enough.”
A strange sense of familiarity.
“I just want to reclaim my daily life.”
Ever since I was hit by the Yata no Kagami, my life’s trajectory has drastically shifted. Zhao Zili is the same. From inexplicably getting caught in the crossfire, being mistaken for Xiao An and injected with a growth-stopping agent, her life deviated from its normal course. Then, while striving to reclaim her daily life, she gradually drifted further from her original goal. I am living proof of this. However, that desire itself is not wrong.
Seeing my long silence, Zhao Zili raised an eyebrow and asked with apparent displeasure.
“What’s wrong? Do you think I’m naive? Well, I’m sorry then. I haven’t thought of any complex issues. The world crisis, the ridiculous plans, what do they have to do with me? I just want to get rid of this flat-chested body, is that not allowed?”
“It is. That’s a perfectly good reason. Never mind all that, let’s get your own thoughts in order first.”
“Then, are you decided to help me?”
“…However, while I agree with your viewpoint, you can’t expect me to help you for free, can you? What’s in it for me? Your situation is very similar to mine. We’re both unlucky people caught in danger. I sympathize with you, but back then, I earned my stability by working hard for the organization. So, what price are you willing to pay to return to normal?”
“Whoa, what do you want? How about my hidden collection of Maid outfits?”
Damn, I’m a little tempted. All sorts of Maid outfits…
However, as I hesitated, Zhao Zili said.
“Alright, it was just a joke. If you can really help me return to normal… I can’t think of anything to promise you right now. You name your price.”
“Including yourself?”
But Zhao Zili’s smile remained unchanged.
Heh, if you want me…
“Just kidding. We’ll discuss specifics later. At least we can start cooperating now. Um… Speaking of which, can you give me the Maid outfits?”
“…So you just like Maid outfits?”
“People who like maids are never bad people.”
Seeing me casually extend my hand, Zhao Zili laughed, holding her forehead. Muttering, “I can’t believe you,” she shook my hand. In the end, it wasn’t about saving the world, nor the common people. It was solely for ourselves.
“Deal!”
Two Maid outfit enthusiasts thus formed an alliance.
