A Western-style restaurant in the city center.
Since it was lunchtime when they left headquarters, Fran brought Squire here to eat. The two entered together—one a gyaru dressed in a JK uniform, the other a loli in a suit, clutching a cardboard box.
Even in this era where oddities are common, the two still made a strange pair, attracting attention and prompting speculation about their relationship.
They said it was to celebrate her resignation, but somehow that explanation felt off.
The company was downtown, and prices there were beyond Squire’s budget, which was why she usually never came to places like this. But thinking about the minister-level salary she would soon enjoy, she didn’t refuse this time…
In fact, it was a bit of borrowing against the future.
Spending money she hadn’t yet earned made Squire uneasy. She had to send money back home and cover her sister’s schooling expenses; life was always tight. So overspending like this went against her financial principles, and credit cards—which most people took for granted—were viewed by her as devilish traps…
Hence, Squire felt a bit awkward sitting in this restaurant.
Fran, on the other hand, ordered freely and naturally, clearly accustomed to such environments. She even ordered Squire’s meal along with hers, taking into account Squire’s dislike of salty food.
High-end restaurants had more spacious dining areas. Their private booth even had C-shaped soundproof walls, a high-tech design that appeared semi-open at first glance, but actually leaked no sound outside.
Clearly, Fran had deliberately chosen this restaurant.
“This place is very secure, so let’s continue our previous discussion~”
Handing the menu to the waiter, Fran picked up her phone again.
The terminal app made by Nyx was called “Nix-01,” the same code as on the driver. Opening the app brought up no interface, but the phone’s wallpaper switched to a dynamic half-length portrait of a dark-skinned, white-haired unicorn girl.
“Hello, Miss Fran. Are you satisfied with this terminal interface?”
Her expression was blank, emotionless, and her mechanical, cold voice was exactly like the one in Squire’s mind, fitting perfectly with the impression of a weak AI.
But Squire didn’t believe she was any weak AI.
“Hmm, no operation menu—only voice communication? But how did you bypass the firewall to install this?”
Today’s phones were as powerful as computers and were essential personal terminals, so every phone had a firewall to block hacks. As a tech geek, Fran’s firewall was naturally more advanced than most.
Yet before Nyx, that firewall seemed nonexistent…
“Your outdated firewall offers no protection against Nyx.”
Though a simple statement, it sounded arrogantly dismissive.
“…That blunt honesty is harsh. You’re not some kind of future tech, are you? Has World Tree Technology’s level surpassed ours that much? Who made you? Did you design your own appearance? You have a horn on your head… Are you a demon?”
Facing Fran’s rapid-fire questions, Nyx simply replied:
“The data Nyx possesses cannot answer those questions.”
“Insufficient data? You don’t even know what you are?” Fran pressed.
“Nyx is the core computing unit of the driver.”
“Eh? I really want to open you up and see what’s inside…”
“That would be unwise. Nyx’s power unit requires stability; opening the casing might trigger annihilation… Nyx is willing to assist with your undercover mission.”
Though the latter part sounded like a plea, Boss’s plan actually aligned somewhat with Nyx’s goal of “training Squire into a hero.”
Even if she became a false hero, if she was always treated like one and spent time with real heroes, eventually she would kindle a sense of justice…
“Magical Girl Clara” was just such a premise, wasn’t it?
Since Nyx brought it up, Fran put down her phone and shifted the topic back to the mission.
“An undercover division… I didn’t expect that even I from the Modification Department would have a chance to take part in such a mission… But if you’re infiltrating the Hero Association, you could be a big help to me.”
Squire was curious and asked, “Hmm? What’s your connection with the Hero Association?”
“Sort of.”
The waiter rolled over the cart with their dishes.
Before the meal arrived, they were served a creamy sweet soup and salmon appetizer.
Only after the waiter left did Fran continue.
“Squire, I want you to keep an eye on the whereabouts of a certain top-ranked hero.”
“Top-ranked hero? Look, I barely even get to see anyone but Minister Xira, and if it weren’t for this incident, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Boss. It’s the same with heroes.”
Squire gave her own example, lifting a soft-centered potato from the side dish.
“Even if I successfully infiltrate the Hero Association, as a junior hero I won’t have access to top-ranked heroes. Unlike lower-ranked heroes, top-ranked ones are elusive; no one even knows where they usually are…”
Top-ranked heroes are those rated S rank or above.
They were typically the ace cards of major hero companies, with single-handed power to wipe out small evil organizations. Therefore, evil groups regarded them as major threats, and these heroes rarely appeared publicly—their true identities remained unknown…
For some reason, Fran wanted to investigate heroes of this caliber.
“I know, so I’m not asking for anything immediate… It’s just a personal request. While you’re on the undercover mission, just keep an eye out.”
“Which top-ranked hero specifically?”
“The Mechanical Angel Alice.”
Squire was somewhat familiar with that name; after all, top heroes had some fame.
“Oh, that powerful AI robot?”
Fran nodded and explained, “Alice is a hero who specializes in flight, but unlike the rookie hero Pure White Storm, she can deploy weaponry far exceeding her size. Her firepower rivals that of a strategic bomber. In full release mode, she could single-handedly destroy a city…”
Chewing on the potato wrapped in coconut milk and condensed milk, Squire casually asked, “So why are you after her? Research?”
Fran’s gaze dropped, and she sighed:
“…She killed my father.”
Sensing the atmosphere turn grim, Squire quietly asked:
“Killed by a hero… Your father was a strange man too? Didn’t he resurrect?”
“My father wasn’t some weirdo. He was an internationally renowned scientist. That day wasn’t some crime scene either—it was just his own research lab… It was more like an attack initiated by Alice. She stole my father’s research, and since then, he never came back.”
“His soul never returned to the Abyss.”
Does this chapter feel like the worldbuilding is a bit strange?
It will unfold gradually later, so please don’t worry too much~
Also, reading the chapters affects future recommendations, so I hope everyone can click a bit each day or leave more comments and feedback…
Thank you! To all the readers who’ve made it this far!
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