Rozaliya ran off. Sin Mal immediately turned to look at Liliya, her eyes holding the same dangerous, child-eating glint.
Liliya stood her ground expressionlessly, meeting Sin Mal's gaze for two seconds before sniffing hard.
"Rozaliya's right. Sin Mal is a big idiot." Liliya's eyes were also a little red. She left this parting shot in a small voice before turning and running toward the other children.
"Waaaah... everyone... sniff... everyone follow me... sob... follow me... waaaah—!" In the distance, Rozaliya was wiping away tears, sniffing, crying, and directing everyone all at the same time.
The corner of Sin Mal's eye twitched several times. In the past, she really couldn't have imagined someone could manage to have two states simultaneously.
"She stays," Sin Mal said, pointing at Sirin. The few who were about to help Sirin up froze, then obediently retracted their hands, standing there at a loss.
Sirin was also taken aback. Suddenly, she seemed to realize something and waved at the other children. "Go on, don't worry about me."
After Rozaliya had tearfully led everyone away, Sin Mal finally turned to Sirin and said, "Shu sent me to find you."
So it's true... Shu already knows what's happening here, but he still hasn't shown up. Something must have happened on his end, right?
"Is he in some kind of trouble?" Sirin forced herself to stand up. The two nearly exhausted individuals faced each other, neither wanting the other to see their weakness.
"Him? I guess you could say he's in big trouble," Sin Mal said casually. Then she noticed the pale-faced Sirin suddenly become agitated.
"Is he in danger?"
After seeing Sin Mal's strange look, Sirin stammered and turned her head away. "I... I'm not worried about that guy! He's super strong!"
So that's it... Seeing Sirin act like this made Sin Mal's heart sink a little.
When Cocolia was explaining the plan to her, she had repeatedly emphasized that no one else could know of their existence.
Cocolia had explained the Herrscher's ability in detail. It decided what would happen on the scene based on the perceptions of a third party.
Sin Mal could see Sirin's trust in Shu. But even someone like her would subconsciously wonder if Shu was in trouble, if he had encountered some difficulty...
This was clearly a good thing, a concern born of good intentions. But this very concern could be exploited by the enemy, turning your fears into reality.
At first, Sin Mal was still a little confused by this consciousness-based ability. It was like she knew what the ability was, and rationally understood it was powerful, but she just couldn't take it to heart.
But at this moment, hearing that subconscious, casual concern from Sirin's mouth, Sin Mal suddenly understood what kind of ability this was.
People make associations. No matter how poor their imagination, the thought will always be there—
What if?
Shu was very strong. He could defeat many opponents with one hand, or even just a glance.
But what if?
That "what if" was exactly what it wanted.
It could become the "what if" in your mind.
This was a [Script]! All sorts of cheesy dramas and over-the-top shows were everywhere. They say reality is cheesier than these shows, but reality follows logic. No matter how incredible something is, it happens step by step, with logic always present.
But a "script" was different. It was shooting the arrow first and then drawing the target.
It was the mindset of mathematicians. First, you get the result, and then you fill in the details, the process, until the ending doesn't seem abrupt...
This script could even be a "bad script," needing no reason, no convincing details.
Just give me a result, and I'll give you the plot you "want to see."
This ability was practically cheating! Were all Herrschers like this?!
No, I can't think like that either. What if that guy can really make the Herrscher stronger than him?
Herrschers are trash, Herrschers are trash, Herrschers are trash...
After repeating this to herself several times, Sin Mal's mood still hadn't improved.
She knew she already had that thought... trying to make up for it now would just be deceiving herself.
"He's fine. The problem right now is you all," Sin Mal said, steadying herself and preparing to change the subject to stop herself from overthinking.
"That thing in the sky has trapped us inside. If he comes in, your teammates will die. Right now, we need to rely on ourselves to break that canopy so he can come in and save you." Sin Mal pointed to the sky, explaining to Sirin.
"You should have the same kind of power as those Divine Keys, right? Just use that."
It's a Herrscher's power, you know?
Sirin looked at Sin Mal, speechless. You're the Divine Key. Your whole family are Divine Keys.
"Fine, I get it," Sirin said, tilting her head back with a smug huff.
Looks like it's up to the great Lady Sirin to make an appearance!
"So, what do I do?"
"Kiana, Bronya, and Frélle all have threads controlling them. We just need to cut the threads on all three of them at the same time."
"We'll determine the time. When the time comes, we'll act simultaneously. Kiana and Bronya are already taken care of. We'll be responsible for Frélle." Sin Mal had figured out what kind of personality Sirin had, so she patiently explained the plan to her.
Now was not the time for conflict. And... is this tsundere?
Is this how Rozaliya and the others see me?!
You've got to be kidding me! Those two must have something wrong with their eyes! How could I possibly be like this?!
"Waaaah... Sin Mal is a... achoo—!" Rozaliya, who was leading everyone with a face full of snot and tears to open the shelter door, sneezed violently, then started crying even louder. "Waaaaah—!"
Sin Mal pouted unhappily. She glanced at the pale-faced Sirin, her previous patience gone. "You should get some rest! That Frélle person will attack. Don't come crying to me when you get knocked down. I won't save you!"
"Who asked you to save me! If anyone's doing the saving, it'll be me saving you!" Sirin immediately took offense. The two glared at each other, then turned away in sync.
"Hmph!" / "Tch."
The two of them, mutually disgusted, helped each other up and prepared to head back to the secret base Sin Mal had mentioned.
---||---
Meanwhile, on the other side...
"'Other me'... didn't you say that Mama Cocolia and the others were right here?" Seele asked in her mind, crouching in the bushes at the cave entrance, peeking in.
"'Shut up! This... this cave is so dark, who knows what's inside?!'" the voice responded, its anger sounding forced.