Thanks to Mossima’s efforts, the crisis at the resort was finally resolved.
Mossima’s fungus could even infect the brains of the Moon Rabbits, manipulating them to act like zombies.
The hive mind stood no chance and passively chose to compromise, ordering the Moon Rabbits to withdraw. The Rainforest Resort was temporarily safe.
Everyone took a short break, even managed to take a shower, before reconvening in the Service Center’s main hall to discuss the aftermath they needed to handle.
Of course, this also included the Sigma Heroes and others who were still under brainwashing. Although it was past midnight, it wasn’t time to sleep yet.
“It wants us to cede this station.”
Mossima conveyed the hive mind’s intentions in her gender-ambiguous voice.
“In exchange, it guarantees that the Moon Rabbit colony will live here for generations, will not expand outward, and will strive to maintain the ecological stability of this area.”
“No! Absolutely not, no matter how nice it sounds!”
The first to veto was President Qiexiya, sitting next to Clara.
“This station is… well, why should we just give it to them?! Do you have any idea how much it costs to build just one station?”
“Those rabbits don’t actually think they have the right to negotiate terms with me, do they? If I wanted to, wiping them out wouldn’t be much trouble.”
While threatening the Moon Rabbits, Qiexiya took a couple of bites of Jeanne, who had been cleaned up. It was ironic, considering Jeanne was also a Moon Rabbit…
Although it wasn’t a formal setting, this behavior was somewhat inappropriate. But Clara didn’t dare say anything, afraid that speaking up would make her the next target.
If it weren’t for Jeanne, she would definitely be the one being coveted right now. Jeanne wriggled and struggled a bit, but couldn’t escape Qiexiya’s grasp at all.
Clara understood her young president’s nature. If all the rabbit soldiers were bunny girls like Jeanne, Qiexiya would be singing a completely different tune.
This was a resort operated by Naitemel. Losing it would be hard to explain to the Supreme Leader and the board of directors. Besides, those muscular rabbits weren’t to Qiexiya’s taste.
After speaking, Mossima sat down on Clara’s other side. She always liked to be close to Clara.
Observing from the side, Clara was surprised to find that Minister Mossima, who once had a slender, wraith-like figure, now had considerable curves gathered on her chest, and her whole body had become much fuller.
Was this the result of her self-perception becoming more feminine?
Mossima didn’t mind Clara’s undisguised gaze and continued, “Actually, we have another solution, but it requires the approval and cooperation of the resort’s parent company.”
The resort’s parent company was Naitemel.
Therefore, Qiexiya propped herself up using Clara’s leg and leaned over to Mossima. “Wait, tell me about it first.”
Understanding her meaning, Mossima very naturally picked Clara up and placed her on her own lap so she could lean closer to Qiexiya to whisper.
“Huh?!”
Clara’s head was also cushioned against the chest made of mycelium. Although it was artificial, the softness was real.
The two whispered in low voices. Qiexiya rubbed her chin and sat up straight again, continuing, “Oh, that’s a good idea.”
“Then, Mossima, you continue negotiating with that hive mind. If it doesn’t accept your proposal, then kill all the individuals in the colony who refuse. That way, only the hive mind willing to accept will remain.”
“…Kill them?”
Mossima was still hesitant, but Qiexiya spoke as if lecturing:
“Mossima, only when you truly intend to destroy them will they obediently listen and try to find ways to negotiate terms with you. Once the disobedient Moon Rabbits are eliminated, the hive mind’s thinking will also change accordingly.”
Although Qiexiya’s approach was crude, it was straightforward and sometimes the optimal solution. The hive mind represented the collective thoughts of all Moon Rabbits. By eliminating the disobedient part, the whole would tend to become uniform.
“Especially when you have the upper hand in power, as long as the other side has a complete brain, they will reason with you and behave very politely. Go tell those Moon Rabbits: learn to obey if they want to live, otherwise, they can die.”
After finishing, Qiexiya leaned back in her chair with a smile. It was then that Producer S raised his hand to speak:
“Ahem, President Qiexiya, let’s set aside the disposition of the Moon Rabbits for a moment. When can our heroes have their brainwashing removed? You see, I’m quite anxious on my end too…”
He appeared exceptionally polite at this moment.
The Sigma Heroes currently needed the dream witch’s help; one could even say she held the power of life and death over them. Blue Cavalier and the others were still brainwashed.
To salvage their reputation, they at least needed to regain their senses, and removing the brainwashing required relying on Fran or Clara’s power.
“Heh, so even you, Mr. Gentleman, can get anxious?”
Qiexiya looked at S’s expression, seeming somewhat pleased, but still turned to ask, “Fran, how’s the analysis of Labi’s ability coming along? Figured it out?”
Fran, who had been sitting in the corner of the meeting room reading documents, looked up when called.
“…I’ve barely grasped the principle.”
“Using Moon Rabbits for experiments, is that okay?”
“Brainwashing is delicate work. For safety’s sake, I suggest conducting experiments first.”
Since it was for safety reasons, Producer S couldn’t refuse.
“We will prepare a remedial plan on our end. Please proceed with the experiments as soon as possible.”
As Fran spoke, she also crooked a finger at Clara. “So, Clara dear, come with me to the lab first? Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”
“Now?”
“Mhm~”
Clara thought she could sleep after the meeting adjourned, but she didn’t expect to have to work overtime.
The temporary infirmary-slash-laboratory was converted from an empty guest room.
“Actually, there’s already a way to remove the brainwashing.”
Only when alone with Clara did Fran tell the truth.
“So you deliberately hid it from that producer? Why?”
“Clara dear, that was President Qiexiya’s intention.”
“The Sigma Heroes are, after all, a competing company. We don’t have to tell them everything. And the more difficult it seems, the more valuable the favor we sell them becomes.”
Even this was a calculated move?
“Then why did you call me here? Do you want me to turn into Labi?”
“…No, with the data Nyx provided, I can handle it on my end.”
Fran mimicked a mouth shape by her head. “You don’t want two big mouths on your head, do you?”
Clara nodded. Labi’s Mutant form was indeed not what one would call attractive, and she was well aware of it. That’s precisely why she held a certain fondness for Lucia, who sincerely praised her.
“Then why did you ask me to come?”
“I think we should reinsure these Moon Rabbits.”
Fran’s answer was straightforward.
“Nyx and I found a way to restore the control tower’s permissions.”
The hive mind had finally managed to remove the leash called ‘permissions.’ Trying to put it back on now would likely earn their complete hostility.
But as a rational scientist, Fran didn’t trust the hive mind.
Clara hesitated but still asked, “Then who should the permissions be given to? Me?”
“No, you don’t want to stay at the resort, do you? Among the staff here, who do you think is suitable and trustworthy?”
Clara thought for a moment and answered, “Give it to Jeanne.”
This answer clearly didn’t satisfy Fran.
Letting a Moon Rabbit manage Moon Rabbits seemed like a terrible idea no matter how you looked at it.
“I knew you’d say that. Here.”
She smiled wryly and tossed Clara a vial of reagent with an unclear purpose.
“Sometimes I really don’t know who’s the girl and who’s the uncle…”
Clara scratched her slightly flushed cheek.