Story Reader / Extra Hidden / EX05 Inscription of Labyrinth / Story
EX05-12 Undecided Middlegame
I can give you what you want.
Another agent. How interesting.
But Roland isn't surprised at all.
This gold-masked agent wouldn't spend so much time and effort to invite him for a coffee.
Still, the offer was very cliche. "What is this, a villain in some cult B-rated superhero movie"? Roland thinks.
But this man named Vonnegut... is looking at him.
You don't look too satisfied.
You either think I'm a fool, or... you prefer to seize the thing you want with your own hands.
Is there a difference?
No. Or, should I say, they are equally interesting.
I'll go with the former if you can't give me a reason in your next five sentences.
"Miss Luna". Is that enough?
Eureka, Roland thinks.
The question now is how to get the information from him.
Right now, you are probably thinking about how to get that information from me.
Isn't that the standard procedure?
You know it yourself.
Are you going to let me do that?
It depends on whether you accept my offer or not.
The man named Vonnegut gives Roland a meaningful look.
He does not seem to be in a rush for answers, but Roland cannot rule out the possibility that he won't be able to leave alive without a concrete answer.
Roland is pretty sure that if they want to keep him here, they are most likely able to.
That Cinderelik girl's power alone shocks him. Roland has never thought the power of Ascendants can be used in that way.
Think about it. I know what you are pursuing. Even though I may not agree with you... but I will help you find it.
"Find" is probably not a good word... But one day, you will get to see it.
As long as you provide reasonable assistance to what I want to do. Of course, I promise I will put your talent to good use.
Really?
My former "colleague" might have a different opinion.
Too bad he cannot express this himself, so I'll do this on his behalf.
What do you think? Mr. "Vonnegut"?
...
He's gone silent. This is good.
As long as...
What do you think of this former colleague of yours?
Dammit, he throws the question back.
Gabriel... Roland had no comment for him ever since the Polyphage incident.
He only brought him up to make the guy in front embarrassed.
If that's the case...
He's a useless piece of junk.
I know he died. A well-deserved death, I would say?
That was as far as he could ever reach.
Oh?
If you know what I want, you shouldn't be surprised at what I said.
So?
In that case, you should already have an answer.
What if I say no?
Are you turning Mr. Vonnegut down?
Before Roland realizes, Cinderelik is already standing behind him.
She is playing with a Jitterbomb. Her fingers are gently rubbing its belly, making its antennae tremble.
What? Are you all too scared to say no to him?
Not really.
But those who did all ended up proving that Mister was right when they lay six feet underground.
They only chose the future they deserved.
And I had no right to stop them from doing that.
The same applies to you, Roland.
Roland did not reply. He just stares at Vonnegut, waiting for him to continue.
Just like what he has been doing all this time.
Roland has no need to disclose his real purpose, or to worry about Vonnegut's true intention.
If this agent throws him an offer, all he has to do is to repeat what he did before.
"What exactly do you want?" Roland is waiting for Vonnegut to tell him what he wants from him.
To make it simple, I'd like to watch you pursue your own future.
I will therefore make your wishes come true, provided that you give me something of equal value in return.
Then you only need to choose between "my future" and "your future."
A very good deal, don't you think?
Right, a very good deal. Too good to be true.
Even now, this man has not revealed what Roland wants to know most.
People have their desires. So do Ascendants.
Just like Luna, this guy has extremely strong desires.
Roland knows it very well, and he begins to fear the desire that Vonnegut is yet to reveal.
—Perhaps this is exactly what Vonnegut wants him to feel.
Is that so? Keeping your card to make me fear?
Very good. But what do you want from me?
I don't think you are a philanthropist. I mean, you are keeping such a formidable sidekick.
Roland tilts his head at Cinderelik, who is standing behind him.
Mister is not a philanthropist.
We had a very fair deal.
So, what did he ask from you?
I need knowledge.
Mister will take away the by-products from my experiments.
A very reasonable deal.
Exactly.
That's enough business talk.
I'm not in the mood to appreciate your teacher-student relationship.
I'm sorry.
Anyway, it's time to make up your mind.
I sent Cinderelik to pick you up because of what you said to Voodoo.
I trust you have seen enough now.
...
Make your choice.
Then accept all the things you deserve.
...
What shall I do?
Roland isn't in fear or lost. He is not going with the flow, nor is he struggling.
This man in front of him is definitely offering him an opportunity.
But he does not know whether this gift box will bring him light or maggot when opened.
All he knows is the gift of destiny awaits.
I...
What is it? What's behind this gift?
Does it matter? Or not?
Enlighten me, hermano. It's been quite some time since you last showed up.
Why are you not showing up? Do you think I am capable of making decisions now? Or have you given up on me?
Roland feels his invisible nerves are getting tense. His eyes are getting dry.
The Construct body no longer has the function, but he feels like he is sweating at the back of his neck.
But—
Use your brain and think—who on earth are you?
An actor? A knight? A stray dog? An Ascendant? Luna's loyal servant?
Stop lying to yourself.
You are just who you are.
You aren't anyone else. You aren't an item. You are just yourself, the one and only you in this world.
Go onward, and one day you will be able to answer me—who are you?
Your ideals, your recognition, your violence, your cunning.
Maybe you need someone to rely on, some belief to follow, or a mission to give you a reason to live on.
But you are unique. There's no one else like you in this world.
Go, my puppy. Use them, get what you want, and tear them apart—
Hmph. I see.
It's actually... very simple.
Hmm?
Alright. I'm going to be frank and list my price.
You probably can't say no, can you?
Roland feels he can finally smile.
Of course.
There is no such thing as destiny in this world. Heaven or hell does not exist either.
The so-called "destiny" is one's own choice. It is their own path taken, the blood spilled on their own hands, the words they acknowledge.
Well, amaze me. Show me what's inside Santa's chocolate box—
Roland looks at the gold-masked man. He no longer hates the pressure from him.
From now on, everything will be his token. He will play them, use them, and sacrifice them.
Well then, tell me what you want—
Of course, stronger tokens are more desirable.
These people in front of him make perfect tokens. Roland can send them to hell without hesitation.
How will the world become when Luna returns?
I want power. Yours, and mine.
Of course I will give you your power. What about mine?
There is no need to think.
Roland feels the familiar yet strange world disappear around him. He sees a tight rope connecting him and fate.
Too easy. The choice is too easy.
I hope you can lend me a hand when I'm in need, Sir.
You won't lose anything.
Roland sees a trace of surprise in Vonnegut's eyes. He didn't expect such a request.
Out of the corner of his eye, Roland sees Cinderelik open her mouth, but Vonnegut dismisses her attempt.
An interesting request. I cannot give you a guarantee, but you can look forward to it.
Luna's initial wish was to create a "paradise she could live together with her sister."
But as long as the Ascnet has a leash on her, Luna will never get what she really wants.
I'll take it as a yes.
Too easy. Way too easy. Roland knows he will still be walking the tightrope in the days to come, but he will never say no to it.
Who cares about how much fate will ask for what it bestows?
Roland finally understands what "result" means. He can now think beyond the orders and requests given to him.
When the price he asks is significantly higher than his value, his life no longer matters compared with the possibility of finding an "answer."
Well then, welcome.
With an everlasting indecipherable look, the man named Vonnegut reaches out a hand.
With a smirk of an epiphany, Roland goes to his unknown destiny.
