A Certain Encounter (Touhou Project AU)

[Hhh12@Merc]

Note: Hi there! I've posted this story on AO3, Wattpad and Fanfiction.Net, but am posting this here as well. This is a Touhou Project fanfiction, and credits go to ZUN. Do leave comments, suggestions and constructive feedback on this story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.

With that said...allow me to raise the Grand Guinol.
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Prologue: The Tale of the Amnesiac Shrine Maiden

"Looks like I always get myself into trouble, even though I'd rather be reading light novels or manga right now…"

Kochiya Sanae was donned in a white coat, white dress shirt, green necktie, black pants and black shoes. Her hair lacked the frog and snake ornaments she used to wear as the Moriya shrine maiden.

She stood and gazed at the dark sky, her face revealing an expression of someone completely worn out.

It was Illious 17th.

That date was probably ominous enough for her. Because it was a weekend, she was in such high spirits that she went to purchase the latest release of her favorite light novel 'Gate of Pandora' under Kotohime's urging, only to find the novel completely sold out. She then continued walking to her usual coffee shop, only to see it closed as the barista/owner was out for personal matters.

As Sanae walked along the streets disappointed with the continuous series of misfortune befalling her, she came across a certain light-blue haired woman being hassled by a drunk delinquent and decided that it was overtime for her.

As a prosecutor of the Confederation of Tyrador, she was one of those responsible to uphold the law and enforce order in the world of science and technology. But, she had not expected that two more of the delinquent's comrades would appear from the corner of the alley.

"I am supposed to be lying on my bed, reading the latest volume of Gate of Pandora! So why am I doing overtime work right now?!"

"What's wrong…little miss? Are you lost?"

One of the delinquents asked, as his eyes began moving up and down…scanning through every inch of Kochiya Sanae's body.

"She's pretty hot, don't you think?" another delinquent replied. The other delinquents began staring at her with the looks of male animals desperate to release their pent-up instincts to reproduce.

"Why don't you join us, miss? We promise to send you and this little miss home after…a passionate night! It'll feel really good, you would be asking for more! Though…we can't promise to take responsibility for anything that happens afterwards!!"

The delinquents laughed loudly. Kochiya Sanae, disgusted with the words muttered by the delinquents, clicked her tongue.

"Are you really that hopeless in your love life, that you can only resort to sexual harrassment?" Sanae asked. She was truly exasperated from the long list of misfortunes sticking onto her, so much that even Kagiyama Hina could not absorb the misfortunes befalling Kochiya Sana for the day.

"I like you," one of the delinquents, donned in a red T-shirt and brown pants, spoke with a grin on his face. Kochiya Sanae's apparent boldness had piqued his interest. "I really want to break that arrogance of yours. I really do."

"Well, I don't. Right now, I feel like punching that annoying face of yours."

The delinquent chuckled. His right arm slowly reached for a pocket, before slowly taking out an empty, black hilt.

"Mommy's not here to help you, miss…" he continued, as dense energy began shooting out from the black hilt, forming a blade that could cut through the hardest materials in the world with ease.

"Psi-blades, huh?" Sanae muttered in a low, disinterested voice.

Blades made of pure, concentrated psionic energy channeled by a psychic, it could easily slice through the hardest materials in the university as if it was slicing through molten butter. It was potent enough to slice through magical shields as if they were nothing more than pieces of papers.

Despite that, Kochiya Sanae did not flinch. Such was the calmness of a veteran prosecutor used to battle. Rather, a black hilt slowly materialized in the palm of her right hand.

"Honestly…" Sanae muttered weakly, "I had an extremely long, bad and tiring day. So…don't expect me to play nice."

With that, bursts of energy began shooting from the tilt of her blade, before stabilizing into a powerful blade in its own right.

"That's more like it!" the delinquent in the red shirt shouted in exhilaration. He charged towards Kochiya Sanae. Even the surrounding air felt as if it was being torn apart whenever he swung the blade.

Still, his movements were that of a complete amateur. Had Konpaku Youmu watched the man's frantic moves, she would probably start shaking her head..

His legs tripped, losing his balance as he charged towards Sanae frantically.

"Had Kotohime seen this…" Sanae muttered, disappointment seeping out from her mouth, "She would hit you mercilessly while complaining about your terrible swordsmanship."

The man continued to swing his blade hastily, to which Sanae evaded with relative ease. After three missed attacks, she immediately swung her right leg towards the assailant's stomach, taking advantage of the delinquent losing his balance as he tripped.

GUAHH!

He coughed crimson red liquid, as his body bore the brunt of the attack.

Sanae swiftly moved her leg away. The man quickly collapsed onto the ground, succumbing to gravity without Sanae's leg stopping him from falling.

"That can't be all…right?" Sanae asked, as she slowly walked towards the man with the gaze of a victor. She swirled the hilt of the blade in her right hand, demonstrating her familiarity with the weapon.

"You bitch!" the man roared, as he mustered enough courage and strength to stand up once again. "You'll pay for this!"

Kochiya Sanae's lips curled upwards, as if she was waiting for the man's bold declaration.

"That's more like it," she replied, waving her blade in a playful manner. "I'd be disappointed if you have fallen so easily. After all, I still need a punching bag to vent out my stress!"

"Don't you dare mock me, bitch!!"

The man straightened his body, his eyes locked onto Sanae's green eyes.

How dare you insult me, sow?!!

Determined to return the favor, he would overpower the woman and teach her a lesson she would never forget.

"What's with those eyes of yours? Do you want me to stab them with this blade of mine?"

The man took his first step, and finally charged towards Sanae. He swung his blade, aiming to slice her torso.

Likewise, Kochiya Sanae charged towards the man and casually parried his attack.

The two blades clashed.
"!!!"

The man's expression changed, as Sanae had easily parried his relentless attack.

Another swing. Parried. Yet another swing. Parried.

It was as if Kochiya Sanae possessed a pair of specially-powered eyes capable of tracking his moves. In this world where supernatural powers could be explained without needing faith, religion or magic, it was not unusual for someone possessing such abilities to be found walking down the road.

He hastily retreated his right hand. He needed to find an opening in Sanae's moves.

Seeing that her enemy retreated, Sanae took a step forward and swiftly swung her leg, aiming for the man's palm where the tilt of his blade was firmly held onto.

The man attempted to react, but he was too slow.

Kochiya Sanae's leg delivered enough force to cause the hilt of the psi-blade to slip, escaping the man's grip.

"Shit!!!"

The man's eyes widened in bewilderment.

He immediately extended his arm to grab the hilt, only to sense a dense concentration of energy hovering nearby the jugular vein of his neck.

"Go ahead and move," Sanae spoke, imploring the man to follow her instruction as her blade slowly touched the delinquent's skin. "I won't stop you. But you might end up losing your head afterwards."

He could feel it. Pure, concentrated psionic energy touching his skin. Had the blade moved any further, blood would surely flow out from his jugular vein.

"Just…" the man stuttered as he realized the situation he was in. He was entirely under Sanae's mercy. "...Who the hell are you?"

His eyes were fixated on the blade, fearing that it might truly sever his neck from the rest of his body.

"BRO!!" another delinquent shouted, rushing to save the man under Sanae's mercy.

"Stay put, will you?" the light-blue haired woman finally interrupted. She had been watching the entire exchange between Sanae and the delinquent with pure disinterest.

"You stay put, or I'll put you in a world of hurt!"

"Will you?"

As soon as the woman with light blue hair finished her sentence, the delinquent rushing towards Sanae instantly collapsed onto the ground. He felt…an odd sensation. His head was dizzy, the rhythm of his heartbeats becoming irregular, and he gasped desperately, struggling to breathe properly.

The only delinquent remaining froze, cold sweat slowly dripping from his forehead despite it being summer.

"What…" he asked, as his gaze slowly shifted towards the light blue haired monster, "...Did you do?"

"Ah?"

It sounded like a stupid question one should not ask.

"Blood flow manipulation…" she answered readily, her tone cold and condescending. "A weakling like you would probably not understand, but it's a really convenient ability."

As dumb as the delinquents may appear, this was the Confederation of Tyrador, where even schoolchildren learned knowledge that the likes of Yagokoro Eirin would deem as the latest breakthroughs in science.

He immediately understood the implications behind her words. It was evident from his expression, which slowly turned pale.

"Power down your psi-blades and put them on the ground, where I can see them!" Sanae finally barked.

The delinquent in red T-shirt signaled his eyes to his fellow delinquents. Obeying their leader, they slowly deactivated their blades and placed the hilt on the ground.

"Excellent. The three of you are under arrest."

"Under arrest?!" The delinquents stuttered in shock.

"Yes. I am Prosecutor Kochiya Sanae, and the three of you are being arrested for sexual harassment and attempted assault on a prosecutor of the Confederation."

"You…are a prosecutor?!" the man in the red T-shirt muttered. He slowly raised his hands, while Sanae's psi-blade remained close to his neck. Any misstep would certainly result in his head falling onto the ground, with crimson red liquid staining the Pure Land of science.

"That's more like it," Sanae spoke confidently, as a pair of handcuffs materialized in her left hand. She swirled it, mimicking a certain prosecutor who was both her superior and family figure dear to her.

The man in the red T-shirt slowly extended his arms, trembling in fear.

"Miss Prosecutor, please spare us! We promise to change and be righteous men useful to society! We will never harass anyone again!"

He pleaded in desperation, begging for Sanae's mercy. Still, Sanae ignored his cries and read his rights as his hands were being cuffed.

"Did you hear yourself?" Sanae muttered, her tone both furious and worn out. "You harassed the person I love most, made suggestive remarks and ganged-up on me with psi-blades. Do I need any further reason to arrest and prosecute you under Tyradorian law?"

The man looked at the cuffs on his wrists. It may appear similar to the handcuffs used by police officers of the Outside World, but they were no way 'ordinary'.

The prosecutorial handcuffs were a piece of Tyradorian technology used to restrain criminals - particularly psychics and at times, magicians. Devoid of any form of impurity, the handcuffs were made using a special material whose strength increased in proportion to the force applied onto it. It also sealed any psychic or magical ability, rendering those arrested truly powerless.

In a way, one might find similarities between the Lunarians' femtoropes and the cuffs…although the latter were superior as a restraining tool compared to the former.

"You are late," the light blue haired woman finally opened her mouth, her gaze focused onto Sanae. "These guys almost had their way with me."

"These insects?" Sanae replied, as she finished cuffing the three delinquents and tapped her palm onto their shoulders. The delinquents instantly vanished, as if they never existed. "Had I not intervened, you'd erase them on the spot, Nitori."

"Maybe," the light blue haired woman named Kawashiro Nitori openly admitted. "They should just drop dead."

Part 2

The Crimes Investigation Department of the Prosecutors Office Headquarters were dimly lit, with few people working on their desks.

The Prosecutors Office.

Built after the inquisitorial prosecutorial model, it was legally empowered by the constitution as the sole law enforcement and prosecutorial authority within the multi-galactic confederation of human worlds spanning the Virgo supercluster of galaxies. In other words, a prosecutor of the Confederation could be said to play the roles of the police officer and the prosecutor simultaneously.

And the Crimes Investigation Department, as its name suggested, was responsible for investigating crimes taking place on Confederate soil and prosecuting said criminals.

A particular woman with red irises and hair stood out amongst the few working in the office. She was wearing a purple-colored coat with a white dress shirt and loosened red necktie underneath.

Her name? Kotohime.

A section head with the rank of Major, she was seen as an authority in the Crimes Investigation Department. Only the head of the department and the deputy head, a Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel assuming overall command of the department, stood above her.

She herself had a reputation for being an easy-to-approach, helpful and cheerful prosecutor with some weird quirks and tendencies. Still, she was popular and well-respected among the rank-and-file.

Kotohime slowly scanned the room with her eyes, observing the prosecutors working in the office. She tilted her head, as a certain subordinate of hers caught her attention.

"Sanae?" Kotohime muttered, her voice hinting a tinge of confusion as she recalled the schedules of her subordinates. It was Sanae's day off. She was the one who approved her schedule and indulged her to buy the latest volume of Gate of Pandora. "What is she doing here?"

She then narrowed her eyes, as another presence caught her attention.

"Nitori? What is she doing here?" Kotohime pondered, as she saw Nitori seated beside Sanae.

Driven by curiosity, she walked towards Sanae's cubicle.

Meanwhile…

"UGHH…"

Kochiya Sanae moaned in frustration, her fingers frantically dancing on the keyboard. Her eyes were completely locked on the screen, as she clerked the arrested delinquents efficiently.

"Such misfortune…" she whispered to herself.

Illious 17th. Sanae was unfortunate enough to be working on her day off, when she should be enjoying the comfort of her cushy bed while reading the stacked collection of light novels in her room yet to be finished.

Kawashiro Nitori, seated next to Sanae, observed the screen which showed her statement as the victim lodging a report.

The arrested delinquents lowered their heads and bodies, shriveling like shrimps before the prosecutor Kochiya Sanae. None dared to lift their heads, fearing that the grumpy prosecutor might do something onto them.

"Sanae," Kotohime, now standing behind the delinquents, called out for her.

Sanae's eyes remained fixated on the monitor, as she continued venting her frustrations. Nitori poked her and pointed towards Kotohime.

Sanae slowly turned her gaze towards her superior officer, Kotohime.

"Kotohime!!!!" Sanae let out a frantic shout, shocking even the arrested delinquents. "This is all your fault! You were the one who told me about the latest volume of Gate of Pandora coming out today!"

Kotohime tilted her head. She was uncertain as to why Sanae had frantically shouted at her.

"I went out to the bookstore to buy it myself, but it was sold out by the time I arrived!" Sanae pressed further.

"Wait…today's the release date of the new volume of Gate of Pandora?" one of the delinquents asked, seemingly shocked by Sanae's words. It was an overwhelmingly popular series in the Confederation of Tyrador and other alien worlds. Even criminals, delinquents, corporate figures, high-ranking bureaucrats and people in power enjoyed it.

"Well…I tried buying it as well," Nitori admitted openly, "But all copies have been sold out."

"How is that my fault?" Kotohime asked. "And unlike you…I successfully bought the new volume of Gate of Pandora!"

Everyone's faces were shocked from Kotohime's proud announcement, as a light novel materialized into her right hand.

"WHAT?!!" Sanae blurted as she saw the copy in Kotohime's hand.

Kotohime's lips curled upwards.

"Yes. I managed to buy a copy."

"That's unfair!!!"

"I'll let you borrow my copy once I'm done reading it," Kotohime replied, as the light novel vanished from her hand. She then extended her arm and gently tapped Sanae's right shoulder with the gaze of an understanding parent.

Kotohime then shifted her gaze towards the three delinquents, observing them with a cold, clinical stare.

"What happened?" she asked, as her voice slowly changed from that of a friendly fellow otaku to a serious prosecutor. "Why are they here?"

Kochiya Sanae, a prosecutor with the rank of First Lieutenant, immediately replied with a serious undertone befitting her position as Kotohime's subordinate: "Sexual harassment and attempted assault."

"Sexual harassment?"

Sanae nodded, as Nitori raised her hand in the manner of a primary schooler raising her hand to answer a question posed by the classroom teacher.

"They harassed you, Nitori?" Kotohime asked further.

Her eyes slowly burned with fury, as she reached for a thick, hard-cover file on Sanae's desk. After knocking the file with her knuckles thrice, she slammed it onto the delinquent wearing the red T-shirt.

"Ouch!" the delinquent shouted.

Kotohime lifted her hand once again, before slamming it against the remaining delinquents with equal strength.

"That hurts!" one of the delinquents screamed in protest. "This is against the law! We're being assaulted by a prosecutor during an investigation."

"Don't you dare talk about the law before me, you filthy lawbreakers!" Kotohime rebuked, followed by another hit onto the head of the rebutting delinquent. "How dare you try to harass my Nitori!"

Nitori chuckled, as she was amused by the entire incident unraveling before her eyes. Kotohime has always looked after her ever since she woke up in the hospital bed in this world, with zero recollections of her past.

"Hurry up and process them," Kotohime barked an order before Sanae. "They should be charged with the maximum sentence accorded under the law."

Sanae nodded, acknowledging the direct order received by her superior.

Part 3

Kawashiro Nitori and Kochiya Sanae walked side-by-side, heading in the same direction.

"I'm sleepy," Sanae spoke, as she stretched her stiff arms and yawned.

Nitori revealed a faint smile as she observed Sanae. Flashbacks of the past began playing in her mind…until that fateful day appeared in her mind.

"It's been over a hundred years since then…right, Sanae?" Nitori spoke in a melancholic tone. Her eyes were somewhat sad, yet grateful. It was an expression she had never shown to anyone back in Gensokyo.

Sanae's gaze slowly shifted towards Nitori. She instantly understood what Nitori was referring to.

"Yeah…" Sanae replied, her tone similarly melancholic.

Flashbacks of the past began playing in her mind. She recalled the furthest extent she could reach from the deepest recesses of her mind; the fateful moment when she woke up on a hospital bed, trembling and panicking over the alien sight surrounding her.

She remembered waking up on a hospital bed with no recollections of who she was.

Next to her, Kawashiro Nitori stood straight on an adjacent bed. Similar to her, Nitori too, had no recollection of her past.

Standing in the ward were Kotohime and a woman in a laboratory coat; Asakura Rikako. They both wore expressions of sympathy and confusion, and had since taken the role of guardians for the pair of amnesiac women.

That was the extent of their memories. Had one mentioned the word Gensokyo to them, they would simply reply with the stare of someone hearing an unfamiliar word.

Kochiya Sanae would simply tilt her head if someone mentioned the names Yasaka Kanako and Moriya Suwako before her, or that she was the Moriya shrine maiden.

Kawashiro Nitori would blink her eyes in confusion if someone told her that she lived near the Genbu ravine at the Youkai Mountain.

To the pair of amnesiac women, Tyrador had always been their home. They knew not of any family or home outside it.

"Aren't you curious?" Nitori followed-up with a question, "About your past?"

Sanae's expression softened. The question posed by Nitori was something she had pondered multiple times.

"Well…" Sanae answered, her eyes directly locked onto Nitori's, "Frankly, I am absolutely curious about my past…"

She then revealed a smile of acceptance.

"Well…I'd be interested to know who I was, but I figured that chasing after a phantom would just hinder myself from moving forward."

Her smile slowly became more radiant.

"Besides, you're here with me…" Sanae added further, as she slowly reached out for Nitori's hand. "My beloved Nitori."

Sanae paused for a few seconds.

Not to mention the people in our circle that love us as if we're family, despite having no familial ties. And honestly, I'm content with that."

Nitori nodded. That was a sentiment she shared as well.

"I don't remember everything that I've lost…" Nitori spoke, her eyes gazing up at the dark sky, "I kept asking, who am I, really? But ultimately…I guess, it's fine, as long as I have you by my side."

"Memories can be fleeting. Which is why I've decided to cherish the present moment with the people I love. Especially you…"

Nitori chuckled, her cheek slowly reddening over Sanae's words.

"But again…you can always try to retrieve our long-lost memories…" Nitori replied playfully.

Sanae tilted her head.

"How? The loss of our memories aren't due to misconfiguration in our neural network or brain damage," Sanae explained, "The information within our physical bodies and souls were completely gone, as if we went through a hard reset."

When scientists of the Confederation attempted to retrieve their memories, they were baffled to learn that there was no information in both Kochiya Sanae's and Kawashiro Nitori's bodies and souls.

Under normal circumstances, memory restoration was possible through extracting information contained within the particles or souls of one who suffered from amnesia.

This was the principle from which Tyradorian technology, as well as the Crystal Cleansing Mirror of the Yama worked. In other words, had Shiki Eiki peered through Kochiya Sanae's soul using the mirror, she would only see as far as the moment the latter woke up on a hospital bed.

"I'm not talking about that," Nitori replied curtly. "I'm talking about your psychic ability."

This was the Confederation of Tyrador.

In this world, the strongest wasn't always the one with better physical strength. That may be the natural order of things in the Outside World, but this was a world where the strongest meant those with the greatest psychic ability.

Psychic abilities in this world weren't reliant on the occult or magical methods.

Rather, they were developed through careful modifications of the soul and the physical vessel through pharmaceuticals, tampering of the soul and precise modifications of the human biological structure.

"Nitori…" Sanae replied, "If you're suggesting that I use my psychic ability, forget about it. You know exactly what that means."

She glanced down at her hand. The psychic ability residing within her would be of no help.

"Is that…so?" Nitori replied, as she halted her steps. They now stood above a large bridge spanning on top of a river, about 200 meters across. Despite that, nothing besides the two could be seen on it. Not lit up, the plain bridge was wrapped in an eerie darkness much like a midnight sea.

Despite that, Kawashiro Nitori and Kochiya Sanae could see each clearly. This was a side-effect of the Psychic Development Curriculum that Confederate citizens underwent. Their physical abilities, strength and stamina were boosted to a level surpassing youkai and Lunarians through gene editing, cellular manipulation and psionic enhancements applied to the physical body.

It could be said that they were far stronger than their distant relatives roaming the Earth.

"You really are unfortunate…" Nitori lamented, as she pointed her index finger towards the sky. A gust of wind began forming above her index finger.

"Fluid manipulation," Sanae said clearly, as she observed the gust of wind. "That is a truly convenient ability…"

As a kappa, Kawashiro Nitori was capable of manipulating water exceptionally well. But undergoing the Psychic Development Curriculum unlocked a latent ability within her soul, limited by her nature as a kappa - fluid manipulation.

She could now manipulate anything that behaved as fluids, whether they be liquids, gases and plasma. That was how she was able to manipulate one's blood flow to her whims, or create gusts of winds - other than manipulating water.

Still, there was a price she paid for obtaining that great power: her identity as a kappa.

The Kawashiro Nitori that stood by Kochiya Sanae's side was no longer a kappa.

Biologically and spiritually speaking, Kawashiro Nitori was a pure human free from impurity dreaded by the Lunarians. The same was true for Kochiya Sanae.

"Sanae, your ability to manipulate probability is far greater than my own power," Nitori admitted openly.

Sanae did not brag about it. Rather, she remained silent.

Back in Gensokyo, Kochiya Sanae was able to invoke miracles, which was just a fantastic expression of manipulating probabilities. Still, her ability was pathetically weak - an observation pointed out even by Hieda no Akyuu.

She required tedious preparations and chants to prepare a miniscule, irrelevant miracle and was mostly reliant on the power of the goddesses she served; Yasaka Kanako and Moriya Suwako.

But in the Confederation of Tyrador, she did not require those tedious preparations or long chants. Theoretically speaking, there was no limit to the nature of probability she could manipulate.

She could possibly do anything and everything, going as far as invoking the miracles and authorities reserved for the omnipotent God. It could be said that she wielded the power of the omnipotent God.

But reality was often disappointing.

She might wield the power of God, but the omnipotent power came with setbacks: her own well-being.

So great was the power she possessed, that her body would feel the burden simply from activating it. In the past, there were instances where she collapsed as soon as she forced her will into existence, and in other times, she suffered from internal hemorrhages and required emergency treatment.

After all, a mere human could not possibly calculate the powers of the omnipotent God.

"It is true that I have a great power," Sanae finally spoke after giving some thoughts to the nature behind her ability. "But…a great power that I can't use freely is as good as me being powerless, don't you think?"

Such was the paradox of Kochiya Sanae's psychic ability.

"Is that…so?" Nitori pondered. "Y'know…the ultimate goal of the Psychic Development Curriculum…is to find something that can comprehend the will of the heavens…what was it again? The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens, was it?"

After saying that, Nitori suddenly stopped. She slowly took a few steps back and observed the river flowing beneath the river.

To Sanae however, it felt as if the quality of the air was changing as the river beneath began to make an unsettling amount of noise.

A sudden weight dropped into the pit of Sanae's stomach, as an unnatural phenomenon unraveled before her eyes. Under the command of the one who rules over water, the water beneath the bridge shot up to the heavens, forming a massive pillar.

"Are you seriously going to slam that entire mass of river onto this bridge?!!!" Sanae shrieked, her face paled as she observed the towering pillar of water.

"Oh, come on…this bridge is constructed with Tyradorian technology. This? It won't even cause a scratch, let alone damage this bridge."

The pillar of water slowly swirled, forming a tip that appeared like a massive drill.

"Show me…the power of the omnipotent God residing within you, Sanae," Nitori whispered, as the massive drill-like pillar accelerated towards a single target.

"NITORI!!!!"

Kochiya Sanae rushed towards Kawashiro Nitori, as the pillar continued chasing after her like a homing missile locked onto its target.

"I won't hold back…"

The pillar of water became increasingly faster, and was slowly catching up to Sanae.

"Wha-?!"

At this rate, the pillar of water would catch up to her before she could reach Nitori.

Then…there was no option left.

Kochiya Sanae tapped into the territory of the omnipotent being. Complex probabilistic calculations began appearing in her mind, as she forced her will onto the world.

As soon as that happened, Sanae felt a strong throbbing sensation from within her body.

"GHH-!!!"

Still, Nitori carefully observed the phenomenon unraveling before her mind and smiled.

Her authority over fluids had been easily overpowered by a far greater power. The massive pillar of water was no longer obeying her, even as her mind continued running complex fluid dynamics equations defining the behavior and motion of the water pillar.

Such was Kochiya Sanae's true power.

The massive pillar, now obeying the one who invoked the miracles of the omnipotent being, quickly slammed itself onto the riverbed. The powerful torrent rampaged on the ground, with massive splashes hitting both Sanae and Nitori. The entire bridge was wet, as if it was hit by a heavy downpour.

Sanae was fortunate enough that her clothes were waterproof, thus was spared from the need to dry her clothes. Still, she could feel river water flowing coursing through her hair and body.

Sanae's right hand slowly reached for the forehead, massaging the throbbing temples. She could feel the side effects of activating her power slowly eating her physical body. Her eyes then slowly shifted towards the naughty troublemaker responsible for the entire mess.

Kawashiro Nitori.

"You-!!"

Nitori revealed a grin, as she looked at the woman standing before her.

"Are you refreshed now?"

Sanae lunged towards the troublemaker, throwing her entire weight onto Nitori.

"You almost killed me!"

The bodies of the two women collapsed onto the concrete bridge, with Sanae's arms wrapping Nitori's torso tightly. After a playful struggle between the two, Sanae finally let out a loud, hearty laughter…as if everything that happened was nothing more than a playful banter between them.

And that was how they brought Illious 17th came to an end.

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Note: Hello everyone! If you're still following this story closely, thank you! As usual, feel free to leave constructive criticisms, feedbacks and comments. Would love to read your thoughts on this story. There are further notes at the end of the story.
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Eieintei, Gensokyo...

"She never told me about something as interesting as this…"

Houraisan Kaguya, the princess of eternity, continued flipping through the pages of a book titled Atlantis: The Lost History. Her eyes remained fixated on each word written in the ancient book.

The blue planet ravaged by the impurity of life and death…was not always the impure land it used to be.

Contrary to the stories relayed by the foolish historians of Earth blinded from the truth, Earth boasted an ancient history far beyond our understanding.

Once upon a time, in an era so distant that even Heaven and Hell have yet to exist…there existed an ancient civilization named Atlantis.

It was a civilization whose technological prowess was said to surpass even our Lunar Capital. It could create eternally untainted Pure Lands with ease.

Even Heaven, the gigantic keystone that was once a part of Earth, had been nothing more than another byproduct of Atlantic anti-earthquake technology. Today, Heaven remained a perfect Pure Land despite repeated exposure to impurity, a testament to Atlantic technological supremacy over the Lunar Capital.

Had the Lunar Capital obtained the technology of the ancient ones, we need not worry of impurity coming from the cycle of life and death.

It was said that denizens of the ancient world possessed physical strengths, agility and stamina far beyond us Lunarians. They also possessed supernatural abilities developed through means unknown to Lunarian science and magic.

Yet, they lacked spiritual wealth. In a world blessed with infinite wealth, power and knowledge, they grew arrogant and saw themselves as masters of the world.

They rejected and insulted god.

They spread spiritual corruption in the land, unbefitting of their status as beings devoid of the concept named life and death.

Enraged, the All-Father, Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami and his loyal servants decided to teach a lesson to the arrogant people of Atlantis by pulling the gigantic keystone erasing earthquakes from the entire world.

With that…the people of Atlantis finally understood the power of god.

Atlantis perished - and alongside it, almost all that existed on the surface of the world.

The keystone eventually became what we knew today as 'Heaven'.

Life restarted, and new worlds - including Hell and the myriad worlds began to sprung to existence.

This was the truth of the world, buried deep into obscurity.

"Princess?" Yagokoro Eirin spoke in a soft manner, as she noticed Houraisan Kaguya flipping through pages of the history book that even she had forgotten about.

Kaguya turned her attention towards Eirin. It was one of the extremely rare moments when she found herself truly interested in history. Without wasting any moment, she hastily rushed towards the ancient sage Eirin with a single question: "Is Atlantis real?"

Hearing Kaguya's question, Eirin's first response was not to affirm or deny the existence of the ancient republic.

There were plenty of stories over the lost kingdom of Atlantis. The most popular one would be the story told by Plato. Yet…had it been a mere superstitious story, why had it not appeared in Gensokyo?

Did Gensokyo lack the capacity to host the mystiques of a great republic of the past, forgotten even by history?

Instead, Eirin replied with a kind smile, before affirming the existence of the ancient world without the slightest hesitation.

Kaguya's eyes widened, excited as she listened to Eirin's answer.

"Then…shouldn't we be looking for remnants of the ancient civilization, said to possess technologies beyond our comprehension?"

Eirin slowly touched her chin, as she thought of a way to explain the circumstances behind Atlantis without disappointing the excited princess.

"About that…" Eirin slowly muttered, "The All-Father destroyed all remnants of Atlantic technology he deemed 'heretical'."

Kaguya let out a heavy, disappointed sigh upon hearing Eirin's explanation.

Still, neither dared question the judgement of the ancient one who stood even above the juggernauts of the Lunar Capital and the great Shinto gods. Questioning his judgement was out of the question.

"Is that so…" Kaguya muttered weakly, her voice revealing the disappointment in her heart. "I was about to have an adventure to discover ancient Atlantic technology."

Still, Eirin believed Kaguya would not last a day in a proper adventure.

"Well…that's a pity," Eirin replied.

It was not long before another question popped up in Kaguya's mind.

Something had bothered her. If everything that was stated in the book was real…then…

"The ancient people of Atlantis were superior to the Lunarians in every aspect," Kaguya muttered.

Eirin nodded.

"Then, is there any possibility…that some of those ancient people survived the destruction of the world when the All-Father pulled the keystone and created Heaven?"

Kaguya frantically moved her fingers, expressing her inner thoughts like a child.

"Like, couldn't they just leave Earth like how you went for the Moon with the founders of the Capital?"

Eirin was honestly surprised by Kaguya's question. It was one of the rare moments where the shut-in princess actually gave a thought to something on her own.

Thus, she could not disappoint her by giving half-baked answers or half-truths.

"I'm not really sure," Eirin answered. It was rare for her to acknowledge her lack of knowledge, or in this instance, lack of certainty in the knowledge she possessed. "They might have fled somewhere…but we have no proof for that."

Yagokoro Eirin froze, as recollections of the past began playing in her mind.

She recalled spearheading expeditionary programmes in search of alien existences when she was still a sage that served the Lunar Capital.

The people of the Moon, while obsessed with the concept of purity, were also curious about the prospects of encountering beings other than those on the Earth and the Otherworlds.

Satellites and probes were launched. Magical and non-magical communication signals were sent to deep space. Capsules were shot and left to traverse deep space.

Despite all the efforts, the results were nothing but disappointment. No aliens made contact with them, nor did they discover alien existences.

Nor did they encounter anything that remotely hinted the existence of those who might be descended from the ancient republic. Perhaps…the people of Atlantis truly perished when facing the wrath of Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami.

Part 2

Yagokoro Eirin was mistaken. There were many who survived the downfall of Atlantis…who left Earth and settled in the depths of the cosmos, far from Earth. They eventually rebuilt civilization and formed the Confederation of Tyrador, with the world Tyrador becoming their political and administrative capital.

The planet Tyrador itself was 3.4 million light years away from Earth, a far distance from their relatives roaming the blue planet brimming with life.

Yet, one would be disappointed if he or she had boarded a rocket or spacecraft and landed on Tyrador. He or she would only find a desolate, lifeless world suited to host a Pure Land. That was because…the Confederation of Tyrador's relationship to the planet Tyrador was similar to that of Gensokyo and the Outside World, or the Lunar Capital and the Moon.

One would need to traverse the advanced psionic barrier of sense to reach the ancient scientific metropolis from the desolate, dull world. Still, it was impossible to board a rocket directly from Gensokyo to Tyrador, unlike traveling to the Lunar Capital which Remilia Scarlet had once done.

More importantly…something was brewing in the advanced scientific metropolis.

Inside a certain coffee shop, one could smell the pleasant aroma of grounded coffee.

And…Kochiya Sanae restlessly tapped her finger on the waiting desk next to the counter, waiting for her order to arrive.

"Your coffee is ready, Prosecutor Sanae!"

"Finally!" Kochiya Sanae muttered excitedly after cracking her neck. The wait felt like an eternity, despite having ordered it slightly over two minutes ago. "Nothing beats a cup of espresso from Omnia Coffee!"

The barista Celine, also the owner of the boutique establishment Omnia Coffee, revealed a casual smile as she observed one of her loyal customers, Kochiya Sanae.

"Your words flatter me, Prosecutor Sanae~!"

Omnia Coffee. The boutique coffee shop had operated for over three millennia with Celine working as its primary barista since its humble beginnings. Over time, the coffee shop grew in popularity before being acknowledged as one of the best coffee shops in the world of Tyrador.

"As usual, thank you for your support and patronage of our humble coffee shop, Prosecutor Sanae…" Celine continued further in a gentle and friendly manner. "Please come again! I hope you enjoy the coffee."

Sanae replied with a smile, as she slowly brought the cup of espresso towards her nose.

This is it! She whispered to herself. The refreshing aroma of newly grounded, high quality beans!

Deep in the recesses of Sanae's mind, she imagined herself sitting in something that resembled a luxurious room typically found in the estates of European nobilities while sipping the coffee in bliss.

She slowly brought the cup closer to her lips, lured by the enticing aroma that signaled her brain to sip the hot, black liquid. As the black liquid finally entered her mouth…she closed her eyes.

Aaaah…

Kochiya Sanae's mind knew only bliss after a sip of her favorite espresso. No matter what, she believed that a cup of espresso from Omnia Coffee was enough for her to face any hardship, misfortune and adversary.

She slowly walked through the automated doors of the establishment with the cup in her hand. After a few steps, her eyes gazed upon the silhouette of a man she was extremely familiar with.

Likewise, the man paused. His distinctive, miniature sunglasses made him stand out among the crowd of people. Beneath the pair of glasses were eyes with red irises, that were slanted akin to the eyes of a snake.

Sanae halted her steps in front of the man and revealed a friendly smile.

"Raeder! I didn't expect to come across you early in the morning. What brings you here?"

The man named Raeder Lapislazuli adjusted his sunglasses and revealed a casual smile.

"Oh, Sanae?" he muttered, and slowly lowered his gaze to observe the cup of espresso in her hands. "Out for a cup of espresso, as usual?"

"Well…nothing beats a cup of espresso to start the day."

Had the Moriya shrine maiden saw the prosecutor Kochiya Sanae, the former might be surprised to learn that her future self ended up becoming a coffee lover.

"Sanae…did you not buy a cup of coffee for me?" Raeder Lapislazuli revealed a naughty grin, as he slowly pointed at Sanae's cup of espresso. "That espresso of yours smelled amazing. Now…you made me feel like drinking coffee too!"

Sanae chuckled.

"Well…Omnia Coffee is just right there!" Sanae replied in the manner of a person guiding a tourist asking for directions.

"I thought you were going to treat me to a cup of coffee!"

"Haaaa…? Me, treating you? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Sanae replied. She then pointed her index finger towards the man while revealing a bright smile. "You are Raeder Lapislazuli. Lapislazuli."

Sanae intentionally stressed the surname 'Lapislazuli'.

"You have enough money to buy coffee chains," Sanae continued. "While this poor subordinate of yours lives from paycheck to paycheck."

"Sanae. Don't blame your salary for your reckless spending habits."

"I assure you, I am a financially responsible person! The Prosecutors Office pays me peanuts for the cases I have to investigate and prosecute!"

"Let's see…you keep piling those action figures, fumos and novels you'd never touch in your life. Isn't that where the bulk of your money goes?"

"GEH-!" Sanae reacted, with the coffee in her mouth almost spilling out. She quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment. "That's entertainment, alright! Because working as a prosecutor is extremely stressful!"

"No, don't blame the job for your obsessive otaku tendencies."

"What's wrong with being an otaku?" Sanae defended herself, "Kotohime is an otaku too!"

"She doesn't grumble and complain about her salary, unlike you."

"She's a senior prosecutor! Her salary is bigger than mine!"

"She didn't join the force as a senior prosecutor. She started from the bottom and rose up through the ranks. If you want to be like her, I suggest you stop complaining and start putting more effort."

"Ugh…A trust fund kid hailing from the ancient and powerful Lapislazuli clan won't understand the pleas of plebs like me…"

"What does my clan have to do with your poor financial planning?" Raeder asked. "Almost everything is either free or heavily subsidized in the Confederation of Tyrador. What are you complaining about?"

Sanae sighed.

In the Confederation of Tyrador, many items deemed basic necessities were accessible with no charge.

Water. Electricity. Healthcare. Education. Psychic power development. Transportation. Citizens unable to buy their dream homes were even assigned government-owned apartments for them to live in.

To those coming from inferior civilizations, some might raise their eyebrows suspiciously over the sheer amount of 'freebies' provided by the government. That was to be expected in worlds where scarcity was a real problem.

Yet, scarcity was a foreign concept in the Confederation of Tyrador.

The rightful successor to the ancient republic of Atlantis had long learned abundance and rejected scarcity in the same manner it had rejected the impurity of life and death.

"Besides…I might give you better marks on your annual evaluation scores at the end of the year," Raeder continued further, "If you buy me coffee."

"Did you just ask me for a bribe?" Sanae replied with a deadpan expression.

"I was giving some…suggestions," Raeder answered after shaking his head. "Suggestions as to why you should treat me to a cup of coffee."

"Section 12(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act states that any official that solicits any form of favor, material or otherwise, that may influence the ordinary course of action…"

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Raeder immediately interjected. "Are you seriously reciting Section 12(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act to a fellow prosecutor, who also happens to be your superior?!"

"Exactly! As my direct commanding officer, you should be an example to subordinates like myself!" Sanae replied with a grin on her face. "Right, Captain Raeder Lapislazuli?"

Raeder Lapislazuli let out a long sigh.

"I was just joking. I am not one to take bribes…besides, I'm a Lapislazuli. Not even those capitalists and corporations could afford me."

"I know. Still, teasing you is fun, Captain…"

"Anyway," Raeder finally opened his mouth again, "I've read your investigation paper on Nitori's case. Kotohime ordered you to prosecute them with maximum charges under the law, didn't she?"

Sanae slowly nodded.

"Well…those idiots deserve it," Raeder answered, concurring with his commanding officer, Kotohime. "They tried to touch our Nitori."

He paused for a few seconds, his right hand reaching out for the right pocket of his black pants. After a moment, he took out a well-wrapped lollipop, slowly removed the wrapping, and placed it in his mouth.

"Anyway," he continued, "They're lucky that a prosecutor came in their way. If Nitori had been left to handle those idiots, I'm pretty sure they'd be goners by now."

"That'd be a problem…if they became goners, then we'd need to investigate her. And that's something neither of us wants to do."

"Nitori has the looks of an adorable kid, which is why people love picking on her. But seriously…people should stop judging a book from its cover. She's lethal, despite her child-like face."

Sanae nodded in agreement.

"Speaking about Nitori…I can't help but wonder about her latest engineering project. What was it again?"

Sanae lowered her head, her expression changing as she fell into deep thought.

"Hmm…the psi-amplifier prototype? It's currently in the pilot testing stage, and we've run several tests. Although…in the latest test run, the device overheated and broke down."

"Broke down?"

"I suspect…it might have something to do with the capacitors used inside the prototype device."

Raeder Lapislazuli nodded his head ever so slightly.

Unlike Kawashiro Nitori and Kochiya Sanae who were specialists in their respective scientific fields, he was someone whose knowledge of science was simply up to pre-university standards. He would defer to the duo in the matters of science and technology.

"Speaking about this…there's something we need to discuss," Raeder whispered, his eyes gradually turning serious.

Sanae slowly approached her superior. The smile on her face disappeared, as it was slowly being replaced with a stern expression; the expression of a prosecutor who had just received crucial information.

"What is this about?" Sanae asked.

"Hmm…a new file just arrived on my desk. Kotohime assigned them to us."

Raeder's irises moved, scanning was occupied with passerby and strangers coming in and out of Omnia Coffee. "It's a big one, Sanae. Not in terms of magnitude, but severity."

"In that case…we should be discussing this in the office."

Raeder Lapislazuli nodded in agreement to Kochiya Sanae's suggestion.

Part 3

If there was a word that could aptly describe the environment in the Prosecutors Office Headquarters, it would be 'lively'.

Several prosecutors wore robes, preparing to attend court hearings related to their cases. Other prosecutors could be seen interviewing witnesses in their cubicles or preparing reports on the progress of cases under their investigations.

Kotohime herself was walking alongside Colonel Zhao Junjie, the Director of the Crimes Investigation Department, her superior and the head of the department. The former carried a file in her hand, as she briefed several cases that the teams under her supervision as Section Head were investigating.

"How are our investigations on the Helken case going?" Zhao Junjie asked, his eyes fixated on Kotohime's file. "That's a high-profile case with lots of attention."

"Helken…preliminary findings suggest that the incident was an accident, although the prosecutor-in-charge, Lieutenant Hakuren, is digging deeper on the chemicals being administered by the psychic power developer."

"Very well. I want a thorough investigation…if there are elements of crime, the culprits must be apprehended and prosecuted. Else, we must be clear that it was an unfortunate accident."

The two prosecutors walked alongside a prosecutor dragging an alien, arrested for causing ruckus in the streets under the influence of alcohol. The alien lowered its head in embarrassment, as she recalled the actions she did while drunk.

And…they walked outside a transparent-walled meeting room. Inside the room was a white round table and four ergonomic chairs, with Kochiya Sanae and Raeder Lapislazuli seated opposite to each other.

Director Zhao waved his right hand before signalling them to continue with their discussion.

Inside the meeting room, Kochiya Sanae tilted her head in confusion.

"Director Zhao seems to be in a good mood," Sanae muttered.

"Isn't that good? I'd rather see a jovial Director Zhao than a grumpy one…" Raeder Lapislazuli answered, with a lollipop in his mouth. "Nothing good comes whenever he's in a bad mood."

"You have a point."

"Anyway…" Raeder continued, his fingers tapping on a file placed on the table, "We have a new case on our table."

He then gently pushed the file over to Sanae.

"I've also sent a softcopy to your email."

Sanae slowly reached for the file and flipped the front cover. She carefully glanced over the papers and read them carefully. On the piece of paper, there were images of a man shaking hands with an alien named Geroln, a notorious trafficker known to kidnap and sell aliens to the highest bidder for huge sums of money.

She then touched a picture and slowly moved her fingers, as if zooming into an image on the touchscreen of a smartphone.

"Hmm…"

It was an unconscious Nagae Iku, her body limp in the hands of a magenta-haired researcher. She paused for a few seconds, her eyes fixated on the image.

Afterwards, her eyes continued scanning for key information in the documents.

Another image appeared. This time, it showed an unconscious Kishin Sagume being dragged by a man into a psychic power development laboratory.

The amnesiac shrine maiden merely observed the images with the eyes of a prosecutor. There was not a single hint of recognition in her eyes, despite knowing the victims when she was the Moriya shrine maiden. To the prosecutor Kochiya Sanae, they were nothing more than unfortunate victims that had to be rescued.

"So, we have an illegal alien trafficking and experimentation syndicate to crack on…" Sanae muttered, her tone lacking the usual warmth and friendliness.

"That's right," Raeder answered in a cold, mechanical tone. "We have a serious case on our hands. Honestly, I'd like to pass this to another team…but Kotohime said that other teams are currently overwhelmed with court cases."

"Since we've been assigned this case, we'll just have to bring these people to justice."

Sanae leaned against the chair. She had investigated numerous crimes, but this was the first time she has ever dealt with alien trafficking and illegal experimentation.

"The higher-ups think that you're most suited to take this case."

Sanae slowly muttered the name of the institution suspected of conducting illegal alien experimentation in the report: Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research. Spearheaded by the eccentric genius Miryem Adelsonn, it was a renowned psionics research institute which stood at the forefront of psychic power development techniques and technologies.

"So…our internal intelligence suggests that Miryem is likely connected with the illicit experimentations?" Sanae asked further.

"Precisely," Raeder replied, his eyes locked onto Sanae's. "The higher-ups wanted you to obtain more information about Miryem's involvement and the scale of their operations."

Sanae let out a sigh.

So this is what it is about, she whispered to herself, understanding the task she would be assigned to.

An undercover agent.

Kochiya Sanae of Gensokyo was perhaps the worst person to take the role of an undercover agent. But having worked for the Prosecutors Office, she had grown accustomed to a life with a false identity to investigate criminal activities taking place in the world she now calls 'home'.

"So, what's my cover?"

"Hmm…there's none."

"What?" Sanae muttered, her eyes widened and her mouth opened as if she had heard something unbelievable.

"We sent your CV to Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research as Kochiya Sanae. You have an impeccable CV that suits their profile."

Raeder flicked his fingers. As if following his command, a holographic projection showing Sanae's CV appeared in the center of the round table.

"Graduated top of the class for ETH Tyrador's Natural Sciences and Psionics programme. Getting enrolled in the most competitive programme for the Confederation's best university in the sciences is an astonishing feat in itself, but you graduated top of your class."

"That was just…luck," Sanae muttered, recalling her past as a student at ETH Tyrador. "You know just how much I played around during my university days."

"Besides…your mentors in psychic power development practice are Professors Asakura Rikako and Iaera Lapislazuli, both giants in the field."

"Professor Rikako is my legal guardian, and Professor Iaera is your aunt!"

"Nobody knows that. At least, Miryem doesn't know."

The holographic projection moved ever so slightly, showing different sections of Sanae's CV.

"Sanae, you also hold a license to do psychic power development procedures. Honestly, I used to wonder why you'd religiously renew your license despite working as a prosecutor, but the time for you to use those qualifications has finally arrived."

Psychic power development activities were highly regulated, and one required a license to become a practitioner.

Granted after assessment on one's competencies in human biology, medicine and power development theories, those holding power development licenses could work as a psychic power developer or a medical specialist in treating all human diseases.

However, they were prohibited from being medical officers for non-humans.

"Are you mocking me, Raeder? Do you want me to inject tritine directly into your brain?"

"As expected from the mad scientist…"

"I'm really going to inject tritine into your brain, Raeder!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a metallic suitcase materialized on the table. Raeder's eyes widened in shock and reflexively jerked away from the table.

"Oi, oi, oi!!! Don't inject tritine into my brain! Somebody help me!"

"When was your last routine power development checkup, Raeder? I heard that you skipped your previous appointment. So, as a good friend and a loyal subordinate, I'd like to perform the checkup for free!"

"Stay away from me!"

"Oh, but I'm trying to get in the knack of working in an illicit alien experimentation institute."

"Do it elsewhere! Not with me!"

Raeder Lapislazuli stood up and began moving his legs hastily, fleeing the meeting room as Sanae began chasing after him as if she was chasing a criminal fleeing a crime scene. Other prosecutors merely observed, as if this was an ordinary occurrence in the office.

Part 4

Kawashiro Nitori stared at the date shown in her device: Illious 18th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent.

A Confederate year was made up of 360 days, divided equally into 12 months. It was not based on the planet's revolution, rather, it was assigned arbitrarily for ease of calculation. After all, the desolate planet was not revolving around a star, nor was it a part of any planetary system.

The calendar itself was denoted through era names, marking the period of years during which the President and Chancellor of the Confederation assumed power. Unlike the era names of ancient China and modern-day Japan, the naming convention for Confederate eras were taken from the first names of the President and Chancellor currently in office.

She then stared at the time on the clock. It was 20:00, three hours past the typical working hours for those working behind a desk.

Nitori herself had left office some time ago. At that moment, she was inside a one-storey building that could not be described in a single word. The building itself appeared like a typical shoplot from the outside, but its interior was unusually large due to space-manipulation technology at work.

The building had one moniker: the Laboratory. In short, the Lab.

Nitori slowly turned her body towards the entrance.

Kochiya Sanae and Raeder Lapislazuli slowly walked through the entrance, holding bags of pudding, instant noodles, cookies, fresh vegetables and takeaway food.

Before Nitori could speak any further, a silver-haired woman with golden irises greeted the newcomers with a genuine smile.

"You're finally here!" she spoke excitedly, rushing to take a plastic bag containing takeaway from Sanae's right hand. "Ooooh, noodles! Good choice!"

Likewise, Sanae smiled at the silver-haired woman.

"Ohohoho…seems like our Super Hacker has returned from her work trip. When did you arrive in Tyrador, Jade?"

Jade let out a worn-out sigh.

"About…two hours ago?" she replied, her sound weak and tired. "You know…this idiotic client of mine was overreacting over a virus that could be removed using Melwerebits. I thought it was a serious cybersecurity issue, since they were so adamant to have me in their office."

"Well…as expected from the Super Hacker, everyone looks for you whenever they have issues with their computers."

"I have to teleport myself all the way to the Leo I galaxy, just to solve an issue that could've been a DIY, 30-minute fix. They wasted my time."

"Hmm…" Raeder finally interjected, "Did they cover your travel expenses? Did you charge them extra?"

"Of course they covered my travel expenses! I was thinking of charging them twice the usual cost for wasting my time…but I thought, maybe next time."

Raeder and Sanae slowly walked along the living room inside the Lab.

It contained a large TV monitor capable of projecting realistic, interactive and tangible visuals. There were five gaming consoles arranged neatly on the right side of the TV monitor. An indoor plant was placed at the left side of the monitor.

Located a meter away from the TV monitor was a convertible sofa bed that could fit six human adults with a four-legged table in between them.

At the edge of the living room was a bookshelf with light novels, comics and academic references such as university-level mathematics, science, engineering, computer science and legal textbooks arranged neatly.

Jade placed the takeaway food on the table while Sanae and Raeder went for the kitchen, storing the puddings in the fridge and cookies in the shelves.

"Anyway…" Jade continued further, her voice sounding like a curious child, "Sanae…I heard that you're going to be away for a mission for a while."

Nitori, who had been observing Sanae and Raeder, revealed a curious look. Beside her, a man whose eyes were locked onto a design schematics slowly raised his face.

"Did Kotohime tell you?"

Jade nodded.

"Eh, Sanae…" the man sitting beside Nitori reacted, "Are you going away?"

"Unfortunately, that is correct," Sanae replied in a flat, uninterested tone. "This is a mission, so there's nothing to look forward to."

"Yes…this is a mission, so don't get carried away and think that you're a mad scientist, Sanae!" Raeder added further.

Having arranged the puddings neatly, Sanae swiftly made a hilarious pose eerily similar to the pose made by the main character of the Gate of Pandora.

"How rude~" Sanae shouted with a dramatic flare, "I am Lab Member 001, the mad scientist and founder of the Lab…Ko~chiya…Sanae! I am the one who will change the foundation of the world!"

"Here it comes…" Nitori muttered to herself in a low voice. "The chuunibyou has finally appeared."

"Silence, Lab Member 003, the Super Genius Warhead…Kawashiro Nitori!"

"At least you got the 'Genius' part right."

"And before I forget…" Sanae continued further, "The Explosion Engineer."

"What do you mean by 'Explosion Engineer', huh?!!"

"Hmm…" Raeder quipped, his finger placed on his chin, "Sometimes, explosions happen when you work. That nickname suits you, Nitori."

"Zip it, Raeder Lapislazuli!" Nitori shouted in response, her face reddening out of embarrassment. "Do you want me to reverse the circulation of blood in your body, or deprive you of oxygen?"

Jade let out a chuckle.

"Well, well, well…it appears that you are on a mission to take down the Organization, Sanae."

"Indeed, Lab Member 002, Super Hacker Jade! Together with your mother Kotohime and Lab Member 004, Raeder…we stand against the evil that is the Organization!"

Sanae then flipped her white coat.

Raeder slowly shook his head, observing the quirks of his subordinate and best friend. He had known her for almost a century, and found her to be a unique character. A die-hard otaku, her otaku tendencies were amplified in the presence of Kotohime and Jade. Despite her quirks and idiosyncrasies, he cared for Sanae as if she was his younger sister.

"Good luck on your mission, Sanae!" the blond-haired man sitting beside Nitori finally spoke again. He wore a dark maroon suit with a white colored shirt revealing a blue v-neck underneath. "So, where exactly are you headed to?"

Sanae, still in her 'mad scientist' persona, slowly spoke, "Lab Member 005, The Immortal Aristocrat Engineer, Harold von Moltke. Nitori's rival, the engineering genius hailing from the great von Moltke clan. Don't tell me…are you keen to join me as I fight the Organization?"

"Well…I am interested," Harold replied with an earnest look. The five Lab members were unusually close to one another, to the extent that they had frequent sleepovers if not spending most of their time together in the Lab.

They also frequently assisted Raeder and Sanae in their investigations, and likewise Sanae and Jade often lended a hand whenever Harold and Nitori were facing stumbling blocks in their engineering projects.

Raeder turned his gaze towards Sanae and nodded, giving his approval for the latter to disclose their upcoming investigation.

Part 5

Yuiman Asama folded her arms in disbelief, as she saw Yasaka Kanako sweeping the grounds of the Moriya shrine. It was typically done by a shrine maiden, not a goddess.

"You really should find a new shrine maiden…" Asama muttered in a low voice.

Kanako moved her eyes ever so slightly, although her mouth remained locked.

The suggestion itself was harmless. The Moriya shrine was without a shrine maiden for more than a century. It made little sense not to find a replacement for Kochiya Sanae.

"It's been more than a century, and no one has ever seen your shrine maiden. She's definitely dead by now," Asama added. "Humans aren't that long-lived, to begin with."

Kochiya Sanae may have been an arahitogami, but she was first and foremost, a human. A mortal with flesh, blood and a limited lifespan unlike youkai and gods. Even if she had continued living after her disappearance, she had probably succumbed to old age and met her end. Such was Yuiman Asama's reasoning.

But, Kanako was reluctant to accept the seemingly logical conclusion that Sanae was no longer alive. She clung to the hope that her shrine maiden was still alive.

Yuiman Asama observed Kanako's expression, seemingly lost in thought and somewhat melancholic.

"Do you still think she's out there, somewhere?"

"It's hard for me to explain…but…"

Yuiman Asama immediately understood her friend. Regardless of what she said, Yasaka Kanako would never let go of the possibility that Kochiya Sanae, her shrine maiden, was still out there.

There were no words left to be said. All Asama had to do was support her friend. That was all there is to it.
_________________________________________
Chapter Note:

1. In SWR's Reisen ending, Eirin said that Heaven was originally a massive keystone installed on Earth itself. When it was pulled away, all life perished. The background setting for the Confederation of Tyrador is 'descendants of a world that preceded Heaven'. So, the Confederation's existed predated the Lunar Capital by a long time.

2. The idea of Sanae straight out shooting legal excerpts is actually inspired from a WaHH scene in Chapter 19, when Sanae straight up speaks about peer pressure when Reimu asked her to drink sake.

3. Melwerebits, yeah sure...we all know where that comes from, Jade.

4. Super Genius Warhead, is just a play of Nitori's real epithet, Super Youkai Warhead. Although...in this story's setting, Nitori is no longer a youkai as a result of undergoing the Psychic Development Curriculum

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's note:

Thanks to Krein for liking my story! I truly appreciate the support. As usual, feel free to leave comments, constructive criticisms or feedback to my story. And I hope you enjoy reading the story, as much as I enjoy writing it.

Anyway, this chapter depicted Sanae's first day as a researcher/undercover agent in Koln Institute for Advanced Psionics Research, where Nagae Iku and Kishin Sagume were held and experimented on.
_________________________________________________________

Avgustus 4th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

Koln Institute for Advanced Psionics Research, the Confederation of Tyrador

The vessel housing the Koln Institute for Advanced Psionics Research was originally an out-of-commission battlecruiser, purchased and retrofitted into a psychic power research and development laboratory hovering in deep space.

Retrofitting a war machine into a research facility was costlier than buying a piece of land and building a laboratory. Yet, Miryem Adelsonn refused to take a single cent from the government or rich philanthropists.

Instead, she turned to donations from fellow disgruntled scientists, believing in the ideal of an independent research facility meant to discover the truth of the world.

Holding the ideal as the core foundation of the institute, researchers of Koln Institute for Advanced Psionics Research were free to pursue their research interests. In fact, researchers were too free; some began dabbling in illegal experiments.

Kochiya Sanae's eyes scanned the passageway as she walked towards the front counter. She noticed hidden weaponries ranging from anti-matter bullets, plasma cannons, miniature purifying beams that could decompose anything to the Planck scale, psi-jammers and magic disrupters.

They're armed to the teeth, Sanae pondered. It was rather odd for a civilian facility to be heavily armed as if it was a military installation. Even the Prosecutors Office, a branch of the Tyradorian military with a gendarmerie role, was not as heavily armed.

Accessing the research institute was almost impossible. Only those possessing a unique teleportation device could freely travel into and out of the institute. In short, the institute took security very seriously.

As Sanae stood at the front counter, a female adjutant - a robot that truly resembled a human, greeted her warmly. After exchanging pleasantries, Sanae whispered: "I am Kochiya Sanae. This is my first day."

After ten seconds, the machine affirmed the existence of Kochiya Sanae's records in the employees database. It then fired a beam, scanning Sanae's body, psionic energy signature and soul.

"Welcome to the institute," the adjutant replied, having confirmed Sanae's identity. "Please wait inside. Professor Miryem will attend to you shortly."

Sanae slowly walked into the waiting room, an orange-themed room with cushy sofa, a water dispenser, and a small table with free-flow cookies served on top of it.

Part 2

"Kochiya Sanae?"

Sanae, having waited for half an hour, was munching a cookie out of boredom. She slowly raised her head and saw a woman with wavy, orange hair which was gathered in a ponytail. Despite the woman calling Sanae's name in a soft manner, her voice exuded elegance and authority.

Sanae recognized the woman almost instantly. She was Miryem Adelsonn, the head of the research institute and her investigation target.

"Yes, that's me," Sanae replied, wearing a practiced professional smile as Miryem extended her hand for a handshake. "It's an honor to be working with you, Director Miryem."

Kochiya Sanae barely withheld her urge to immediately lunge on the woman, throw a few punches and interrogate her on the spot. Such brash methods might work if she was still the Moriya shrine maiden, but she was an undercover agent on an assignment.

Miryem shook her head.

"The honor is ours, Sanae," Miryem spoke, her voice genuinely delighted. "To be honest, I'm impressed with your credentials! So were my fellow colleagues. You'd be a great addition to our research team."

Miryem Adelsonn herself decided to have Kochiya Sanae onboarded when she received the latter's curriculum vitae, not knowing that it was a bait from the Prosecutors Office to lure her.

Still, many of Sanae's contemporaries would have envied her for joining Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research. This institute was well-reputed among aspiring scientists, and having its name in one's CV would open doors to future research opportunities..

"Why don't I show you around, since this is your first day…" Miryem continued, extending her arm politely before Sanae. "Before we continue any further, I'd like to apologize earnestly."

Sanae tilted her head in confusion.

"Why?" Sanae asked.

"Our facilities are probably behind the state-of-the-art facilities you were used to when working alongside Professor Asakura Rikako."

The two women began walking, with Sanae intentionally walking closely behind Miryem.

"So…" Miryem continued, "I saw your CV and learned that you were a research assistant for Professor Asakura Rikako. I called her, and she told me that you were amazing."

Sanae's heartbeat became more rapid, her face slowly reddening upon learning that her beloved mentor had openly praised her before another researcher.

"Say, how is Rikako as a person? I've only ever met her in conferences, and she appears to me…as a socially reserved person."

"Eh?" Sanae blurted, "How is…Professor Rikako, as a person?"

Miryem Adelsonn nodded ever so slowly.

Among the circles of the Confederate scientific community, Asakura Rikako was seen as a giant in psychic power development, soul research and human physiology. She was a genius who was the youngest recipient of the Hessent prize in the sciences - the Nobel prize equivalent for modern civilizations. Still, not much was known about her personal life.

"As a person…huh?" Sanae muttered, as she reflected on the question. The question was indeed personal to her.

Asakura Rikako was not a mere 'mentor' or 'teacher'. She played an instrumental role in both Sanae's and Nitori's lives since they woke up on their hospital beds, with no recollection of their past. She had no obligation to nurture and care for them, but she took them under her wing, showing them what it meant to be loved and cherished alongside Kotohime and Jade.

As recollections of those cherished moments played in Sanae's mind, her lips unconsciously curled upwards.

"Professor Rikako…" Sanae muttered, her voice filled with gratitude and love, "Is the best gift one could ask for."

"Best gift? What does that mean?"

Sanae slowly tightened the grip of her fist as she tried to suppress the emotions within her.

"Ah…I mean, she's just that great as a mentor. Patient, kind-hearted and overall fun to work with."

"Is that…so? Professor Rikako always seemed distant to me. Her eyes seemed as if she was searching for an answer, even when she presented her research findings or spoke to us fellow researchers."

"She is quite reserved around people she isn't familiar with."

Sanae vividly recalled her earliest days interacting with Rikako. At that moment, her weak heart would tremble whenever she saw Rikako's cold, guarded eyes piercing through her. Although, those iced-cold eyes gradually turned to one filled with love and compassion.

"That's just how she is. She might appear distant to those outside her circle, but she has her own quirks and eccentricities shown only to a select few."

"I see. I suppose…you'd know her better as one who worked as her research assistant, Sanae. Although…" Miryem's voice gradually became weaker, as she revealed the expression of disappointment and dejection. "It's a pity for someone of her calibre to remain in ETH Tyrador."

"What do you mean, Director?"

"Rikako is brilliant. She could eloquently explain complex theories in a manner that a complete layman could easily understand. Which is precisely why it is frustrating that someone like her chooses to be strangled by the strings of bureaucracy."

"Chooses to be strangled by the strings of bureaucracy?"

"I asked Rikako to join me as a senior researcher in this very institute you step on. I was willing to make her a senior researcher with full independence over her research direction…"

Miryem then let out a long sigh.

"But she rejected my offer almost immediately, without any hesitation. Where did I go wrong, Sanae?"

I'm glad she rejected your offer…Sanae pondered to herself. I don't want her to be entangled in this mess of yours. Besides, I'm pretty sure that she asked Kotohime to dig some dirt about you and discover your crimes.

Still, Sanae kept her thoughts to herself, not verbalizing any of it.

"Hmm…if you had to ask me, she probably believed it to be in her best interest to remain with ETH Tyrador," Sanae replied with a sufficiently vague answer to cut the topic short.

Miryem folded her hands, her expression seemingly troubled with Sanae's answer.

"Is it funding? Or perhaps…equipment? Her name has enough pull that we'd be swimming in cash and new equipment.."

"Probably. Although…she doesn't strike me as someone concerned about research equipment…"

"Then why? Why would she surrender herself to bureaucratic hassles?! I don't get it…she's certainly passionate about science. So am I. Bureaucracy is the enemy of progress, yet…"

"Bureaucracy is the enemy of progress?" Sanae parroted.

"Das ist korrekt! Bureaucracy hinders scientific progress in many ways. First of all…we have to obtain approval and secure funding to begin a research project. Not to mention the rules and regulations that tie our hands."

Sanae bit her lips. She knew this script very well.

In fact, she had grown sick of listening to people complain and talk about bureaucracy to justify their crimes in the interrogation room. Bureaucracy has simply turned into a punching bag to justify their desires and inability to control their impulses for breaking the law.

Kochiya Sanae wasn't exactly a fan of red-tapes. She absolutely loathed the lengthy procedures she had to face simply to claim reimbursements from the Prosecutors Office. Still, she recognized the need for bureaucracy in certain matters.

"The sheer amount of red tapes and restrictions will restrict scientific progress. If that happens, the Meringians will get ahead of us in discovering the truth of the world."

Sanae's mind froze as Miryem muttered the word Meringians.

An alien species hailing from the planet Mering located three billion light years from the world of Tyrador, it was the true originators of magic. The Lunarians arrogantly believed themselves to be progenitors of magic, but Meringians had long mastered the art of magic before the likes of Yagokoro Eirin were born.

Having expanded beyond their native world of Mering, the Meringians possessed a multi-galactic empire across the Einasto supercluster of galaxies governed by a theological institution, the Meringian Cathedral.

"The moment those Deoh-worshipping aliens get ahead of us, it's game over for humanity. We'll be absorbed into their empire, and spend our miserable lives praying to Deoh. We absolutely cannot allow that to happen, right?"

Sanae narrowed her eyes as she listened to Miryem's geopolitical rhetoric. It was true that the Confederation of Tyrador and the Meringian Cathedral was in a cold war of sorts akin to the United States and the Soviet Union. Both sides actively tried to win allies and further their mastery of science/magic to gain the upper hand over the other.

Still, Miryem Adelsonn possessed no authority to conduct illicit alien experimentation, and her geopolitical rhetoric could not excuse her actions.

I'll take you down, Miryem…Sanae resolved deep in her heart. That was her current responsibility as a prosecutor of the Confederation.

Part 3

Kawashiro Nitori reached out for her communication device, a seemingly ordinary dark-blue colored smartphone. However, the device possessed functionalities absent to devices of the Animal Realm, Lunar Capital and the Outside World.

One main function of the smartphone was to connect to KosmosNet; the internet-equivalent for modern civilizations accessible from any dimension, realm or universe. One could access KosmosNet despite residing in Makai, Senkai or the deepest layers of Hell, as long as he or she possessed a device that could connect to KosmosNet.

More importantly, connectivity to KosmosNet became the yardstick for a civilization to be deemed 'sufficiently advanced' to join modern society. Any civilization that could not detect and access KosmosNet through scientific or magical means was deemed primitive. Still, KosmosNet communication technology itself was ancient, with the current iteration existing ten million years ago.

Nitori began scrolling her smartphone, searching for the application QGram, an encrypted instant messaging application typically used by Tyradorian prosecutors, criminals and operatives of foreign worlds.

She had only learned to use the application as three of her best friends: Jade, Raeder and Sanae, were avid users.

Nitori searched for a certain contact: Kochiya Sanae. Once found, she tapped on the name and began typing her first message of the day: How is your first day as an undercover agent/Mad Scientist going?

The application showed a notification: Kochiya Sanae is typing…

That was quick…Nitori pondered. Is she on her phone?

[Sanae] Not that bad…although, Miryem does have the vibes of a final boss.

Nitori shook her head with a smile carved on her face, as her fingers danced on the touchscreen.

[Nitori] Sanae. Aren't you a mad scientist? Fellow mad scientists should get along, don't you think?

[Sanae] NEEEEIIINNNN, FRAULEINE NITORI!!! Preposterous! I am Mad Scientist, not Bad Scientist.

[Nitori] I see no difference between the two.

[Sanae] I am the mad scientist who will change the ruling structure of the world! Miryem is a run-off-the-mill antagonist that I will stop!!!

[Nitori] Frankly, I don't care about that. So, did you discover anything about Miryem?

[Sanae] Not yet. It's my first day, so there's nothing much to be done over here. She dragged me all over the place and asked me lots of questions. It feels as if I'm the one being investigated.

[Nitori] Isn't that something to be expected?

[Sanae] Well…I know that. But it wears me out, honestly.

[Nitori] Unfortunately, that's part of the job.

[Sanae] I get it. Besides, I need to gain her trust. Only then can I dig into her secrets...

[Nitori] Let's see how quickly that will happen. I hope it doesn't take ten years for you to be in her inner circle.

[Sanae] Don't underestimate me, Nitori! Just watch me. I'll solve this case within 6 months.

[Nitori] Aren't you being too overconfident, otaku?

[Sanae] I'll show you the power of an unbridled otaku! MUAHAHAHAHA!

[Nitori] Alright. I get it, so just hurry up, gather enough evidence, arrest those troublemakers and return here safely.

[Sanae] Oh? I'm sensing something weird…did you miss me, Nitori?

[Nitori] Mi-missing you? Don't joke around with me. Probably in another century!

[Sanae] As expected from my favorite right arm! To my dearest tsundere, Kawashiro Nitori! I love and miss you very much!

Nitori started chuckling, as her lips slowly formed a smile of delight.

"I miss you too, Sanae," she whispered in a low voice.

Part 4

The Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research contained multiple secret chambers accessible only to Miryem and several key associates of hers.

Miryem Adelsonn, having toured Kochiya Sanae around the publicly accessible areas of the institution, slowly walked along a hidden passage inside the retrofitted battlecruiser. After five minutes of walking, she finally stood in front of a secret vault-like room.

The door opened upon confirming Miryem's identity.

Miryem's gaze fell onto a certain creature inside a thick, transparent wall that served as the containment half of the room. The creature had the appearance of a grown woman, with red eyes and short indigo hair. She was dressed in a plain, hospital gown with tubes and wires strapped to her body.

Gensokyo denizens would recognize her as Nagae Iku, one of the messengers of the Dragon God.

Miryem then turned her gaze towards one of her associates, a man standing before a holographic projection detailing Nagae Iku's physical and spiritual markers. His face was somber, and his eyes sunk into the readings shown on the holographic screen.

"Is it a failure, Heiwig?" she asked.

The scientist named Heiwig Bayer slowly typed a few commands.

Clear liquid began flowing into the tubes strapped onto Nagae Iku. After a few seconds, blue sparks of electricity temporarily formed around her body and quickly disappeared.

Iku felt as if her insides were being twisted and torn apart. Following that painful, unpleasant sensation, thick, crimson red liquid began flowing out from her eye sockets, nose cavity and ears. She let out a loud scream that echoed inside the containment chamber.

"STOP IT! STOP!" she pleaded, as more blood began flowing out from her body. Still, her voice could not be heard by the researchers standing outside the containment chamber. Even if they did hear her pleas, they would simply ignore her.

"It appears that injecting reavrite induced a negative reaction in her spiritual circuitry, impacting her physical body as well…" Miryem commented as she watched Iku with a clinical, disinterested look.

"Her existing spiritual circuitry seems to reject the newly induced power activated from injecting reavrite into her body," Heiwig added, as he clerked his observation into a research log.

Reavrite was an experimental chemical hypothesized to boost one's psionic power output, yet it was banned from testing on humans in clinical trials, due to the risk of the chemical causing the soul to self-destruct.

"Even after tampering her spiritual wiring, it still rejected reavrite. Perhaps magical beings have a certain level of resistance against artificially-induced psionic energy activation?" Heiwig asked.

Miryem Adelsonn folded her arms, recalling the conversation with her 'supplier', Geroln.

"This thing is an oarfish youkai - a rare magical being sourced from a pocket dimension of Earth named Gensokyo. She is closely related to Earth's afterlife realm known as Heaven - the byproduct of the great keystone pulled by the renowned traitor and mercenary Zhong Zhu Shen."

Miryem had already verified Geroln's statement by cross-checking against records in the Xenobiological Research Institute - an institute with information on lifeforms ranging from dull unicellular organisms to magical creatures of fantasy: gods, divine spirits, vengeful spirits, monsters (including youkai) and other magical beings across Creation.

"Heiwig," Miryem slowly opened her mouth, "What is the nature of Test Subject 219 soul's connection with her vessel? Is it an open loop or a closed loop relationship?"

Heiwig paused. He had no answer to that question.

Miryem slowly approached Heiwig and observed the projection showing the networks within Nagae Iku's soul.. The soul may appear like unassuming wisps to the eye, but it possessed unique structures of its own.

She pointed towards a particular 'network' that seemed open.

"Look here, Heiwig. Test Subject 219 has an open-loop network."

"Which means…" Heiwig muttered, as he moved his gaze towards the 'network' pointed out by Miryem, "She actively borrows magical power from an external source to strengthen her own magical output?"

"That's correct. She might be a servant of a greater power. If we can find the source of power she relied on, we might be able to understand her perfectly. Perhaps even study her power source."

Heiwig nodded, instantly understanding Miryem's direction.

"Anyway, Miryem…I heard we have a new joiner. Kochiya Sanae, was it?"

"Yes. Rikako told me that Sanae is her best student. She's also tutored by the legendary God of Medicine, Iaera Lapislazuli."

"She's trained by two of the greatest minds in psychic power development? I am curious as to how she is, honestly. I can't wait to see her."

"Oh…I can sense her passion for science, deeply embedded in her heart. If I can direct those flames of passion…"

Heiwig and Miryem revealed smiles of amusement.

"We can have her join us…" Miryem concluded. "Perhaps…she could help us unlock our long-coveted dream, The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens."

Part 5

Nagae Iku, gasping for air to distract herself from the immense pain raging from within, slowly observed the researchers that had subjected her to endless suffering and agony.

The scientists did not notice the murderous gaze coming from Iku. Even if they did see Iku, they would probably consider her gaze as empty threats. After all, the institute was equipped with magical suppressors meant to neutralize magical threats, which meant it was effective against the likes of Nagae Iku.

The oarfish youkai did not understand the reason for her to be subjected to such cruelty. She was a simple youkai who was above the clouds, watching humans and youkai on the surface with disinterest, sometimes amusement.

She was a creature distanced from the rest of the world. Then…how did she end up in this institute, learning only agony and suffering? Was this nothing more than another nightmare concocted by Doremy Sweet? She hoped so.

But reality was often disappointing.

She had lost track of time in this institute. Perhaps she was already there for years, cursed to never see sunlight, the blue sky, the beautiful sceneries of Heaven and the surface world.

Was this the end for Nagae Iku? Would she spend the rest of her life as a pathetic test subject in the containment cell, destined to be abused and experimented on, simply to satisfy the curiosities of maddened monsters in human flesh standing outside her chamber?

NO.

She rejected this pathetic destiny. She would never yield. She would fight.

Even as more chemicals were injected to her body, she continued holding out. Thick, crimson red liquid continued pouring from the pores of her body, yet she persevered.

All she needed was a miracle. A miracle enough for her to be free from this hellish laboratory and exact her vengeance on those responsible for her suffering. There will be no forgiveness nor mercy to those responsible for her current misery.
_________________________________________

Chapter Notes:
1. Asakura Rikako has already made her name as an infamous researcher in the Confederation, and it appears that Sanae and Nitori are both under her care in this world. What and how exactly did she get in Tyrador, alongside Kotohime?

2. I spent some time thinking about the relationship between Rikako and Sanae-Nitori in this fanfic. It could be said that their relationship was built gradually over time. But now, both Sanae and Nitori, who lost their memories saw Rikako as something like a family figure. Likewise, Rikako saw herself as a guardian, parent and mentor to them.

3. Das ist korrekt! - Miryem. NEEEEIIINNNN, FRAULEINE NITORI!!! - Sanae
The Tyradorian language is a mesh of Germanic, Greek and East Asian languages with a predominantly Germanic and Greek influence. As you've noticed, the dates use 'Greek' influenced words and some phrases are influenced from German.

4. In canon, Sanae was described as someone who was originally serious when it comes to work before letting Gensokyo's 'common sense' get into her. With her memories of Gensokyo gone, the serious persona surfaces, although she does have some odd otaku tendencies and quirks seeping out of her. It could be said that her 'Gensokyo personality' remained despite her memory loss.

5. An alien race! The Meringians are central to the upcoming arcs. Think of them as cosmetic Catholics with eeriely 'Islamic-like' theology.

6. QGram...the idea for the name comes from QAnon and Telegram, although the functionalities of QGram differs from both.

7. In the previous chapter, it has been established that Atlantis was destroyed by Ame-no-Minakanushi no Kami, the Shinto primordial god that preceded almost everything else. In Japanese mythology, he went to hiding as soon as he existed...and in this fanfic, I explored the idea of him not residing in the Lunar Capital unlike many amatsukami. Instead, he became a mercenary in modern civilizations. He will have an arc of his own. Anyway, he's known to Tyradorians and Meringians as Zhong Zhu Shen, which is derived from the Mandarin reading of his two last Kanji (中主/Zhong Zhu), added with (神/Shen).

8. Why Iku? She doesn't make much appearances in canon (games/manga), and she's described as a youkai that doesn't get her nose in the affairs that doesn't interest her. Someone as loner as her would be a great kidnapping/trafficking target, especially since she's loitering above the clouds. There's literally zero security.

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's Note: Hi, if you're still reading this, welcome back! I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Feel free to leave comments, constructive criticisms and feedback. There are chapter notes at the end of this story.

Summary: Jade, Nitori and Raeder discovered documents contained within the servers of Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research dubbed 'G-Program', containing details about illicit experimentation. Victims include Kishin Sagume and Nagae Iku.
____________________________________

Septembvrios 5th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

The Lab, Tyrador, The Confederation of Tyrador.

Jade's fingers elegantly danced on the keyboard. After thirty seconds, a new window appeared on the monitor of her computer.

"Password, huh?" Jade clicked her tongue, as her fingers tapped the keyboard lightly. After pressing the 'Enter' key, the screen loaded for a few seconds, before showing an inbox of unread emails belonging to Miryem Adelsonn.

"As expected from the Super Hacker!" Raeder Lapislazuli, standing closely behind Jade, spoke in amazement. Kawashiro Nitori who also stood by Jade's side nodded ever so slightly, acknowledging Raeder's words.

Even among the Lab members, she was the go-to person whenever anyone faced issues with their computers and mobile devices. Harold von Moltke, Kawashiro Nitori and Kochiya Sanae could repair hardware damages on their mobile devices and computers on their own. But…even they deferred to Jade in the matters of deep-level programming, cybersecurity and matters pertaining operating systems.

"So…is there anything spicy in Miryem's inbox?" Nitori asked. Her eyes scanned through the long list of unread emails.

"Patience, Nitori…" Jade calmly answered, slowly scrolling the screen with a deadpan stare. The inbox betrayed her expectations.

"Calendar blocks? I'm not here to learn about your schedule…" Nitori muttered with a tone of plain disinterest. Unfortunately, calendar notifications and reminders made up a large chunk of unread emails in Miryem's mailbox.

Jade then clicked on an email with the subject: "Invitation as Keynote Speaker for the 2043rd Conference on Soul Development and Research."

"Dear Director Miryem…we, the organizers, would like to invite you as a keynote speaker for our upcoming conference on soul development and research, in recognition of your expertise in psychic power development. Please find the details…"

Jade scrolled further down the email.

"Heh, she gets free accommodation, food, drinks and entertainment allowance…while having to speak for an hour or so. Meanwhile, ordinary hard-working people like myself have to work my ass off for free," Jade lamented, as she closed the email.

"Huh? For free? You are reimbursed quite handsomely by your clients!" Raeder replied, his eyes widened after listening to Jade's laments. "An hour of your service is easily above my pay for the month!"

"I should charge my clients more. The work I do…does not match the pay I receive…"

Nitori revealed a grin.

"Jade…you can start by charging the Prosecutors Office for the services you render!"

"Hmm…that is a good idea. I should start sending invoices to the Prosecutors Office."

"Stop right there!" Raeder shouted. "This is national service. Besides, Sanae and I are your mother's subordinates. We work on cases assigned by her. So…this is actually your mother's case."

"...You're clearly trying to guilt-trip me, but it works. Damn you, Raeder…" Jade muttered. If she had a weakness, it would be Kotohime - the person she called 'Mom'.

After scrolling through the inbox, Jade finally closed the email window. There was truly nothing of significance in Miryem's email. Or perhaps…the correspondence for her illegal activities were done in a separate email address. That was a possibility.

Jade then opened a new window, prompting her to insert the username and password of the admin account for Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research's servers. She casually tapped her keyboard, and after hitting the 'Enter' key once again…a long list of documents popped up on the screen.

Raeder and Nitori stared holes into the monitor.

"How did you easily get access to Miryem's servers? Not even the hackers of the Intelligence Department could break into her cybersecurity defenses," Raeder asked. He knew Jade was a competent hacker, but he did not expect her to break through defenses that some of the best hackers in Creation could not breach.

"Hmm…rather than bruteforcing, I relied on social engineering," Jade answered honestly. "More accurately, I asked Sanae to secretly install rootkits in some computers in that institute to bypass the usual security protocols."

"So…the rootkits helped you to sniff information and get the server admin's username ID and password?" Nitori asked.

"That's about it. It's much easier to install rootkits, especially with Sanae already working in the institute. She's well-trained in espionage, which makes things easier."

Raeder's eyes caught an interesting folder titled 'G-Program'.

"G-Program? What is that? Jade, can you click this folder?"

Jade slowly moved her mouse and clicked the folder. A list of 221 subfolders appeared in the window, with the topmost file named 'Introduction'. Jade slowly clicked the folder, only to find a document titled 'G-Program Background' in the folder.

"G-Program?" Nitori muttered. "Just what exactly is that?"

Jade moved her cursor to the document and clicked it twice.

"The program…began in the year 1,385 of the Year Frank-Brent…" Nitori began muttering, her tone filled with a distinct curiosity. "The G-Program was initiated with support from multiple institutions with the intent to accelerate research into The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens."

The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens. That was the ultimate goal of Tyradorian science.

"In order to maintain secrecy and allow the project's name to remain relevant under changing circumstances, we designate it the G-Program. Asking the significance behind the program's name is forbidden. The G-Program is a top secret project, henceforth all research projects ongoing on the institute shall serve as a distraction to keep the G-Program a secret."

"..." Raeder Lapislazuli was lost for words.

"By implanting artificial spiritual circuitries developed through magical means into psychics, it is believed that the soul would widen its observatory powers over the sea of probability. This will further strengthen the soul's observational powers and enhance the feedback loop between itself and the vessel."

"I don't even understand the words in this sentence…" Raeder lamented. The introductory document was highly technical. Even Kawashiro Nitori, an engineering genius with vast knowledge in the sciences, scratched her head.

The document was written with only one target audience in mind: those well-versed in psychic power development theories and practice like Professor Asakura Rikako or Kochiya Sanae.

"It is therefore in the interest of the scientific community to study the souls of magical beings, map their network and attempt to create artificial networks that could safely be implanted to psychics, potentially opening a novel path to The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens."

"Our understanding of magical beings remains restricted due to legal restrictions in place. Therefore, it is crucial that the Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research, an institute unaffiliated by the government, serve as the key institution sourcing and researching magical beings."

Jade continued scrolling down the introductory document, which started showing images of the networks in one's soul. There were also images of the brain, nervous system and diagrams that illustrated the relationship between one's soul, mind and body. As they scrolled further, numerous mathematical equations started appearing.

From the looks of it, it appeared to describe the distribution between various probabilistic equations that gave rise to both magic and psionics. Even Yagokoro Eirin might find the document difficult to comprehend. After all, she once said that it was impossible to capture the fluctuating probabilities lying beneath the structure of the world.

"This is getting too technical…" Nitori muttered, "If only Prof Rikako is here to explain this nonsense to us."

To Nitori, the equations were gibberish. Sure, she understood enough to solve the equations, just like how a high schooler could possibly solve a quadratic equation after studying mathematics. But she did not understand what the equations implied, the same way a high-schooler that knew enough mathematics but lacked physics education would look at a kinematics equation.

"Let's look at other documents. We're not here to learn psychic power development," Jade interjected, her mind overwhelmed with equations on the screen. "Let's leave that to Professor Rikako and Sanae."

Everyone nodded. They shared the same sentiment as Jade.

Jade closed the document, returning to the subfolder with 221 subfolders listed in the folder. 219 folders were named 'Test Subject' followed by numbers assigned to them.

"Judging from the name…I guess, we'll see information about the aliens they trafficked into the institute?" Nitori muttered. Raeder nodded slightly, affirming her words.

Jade slowly scrolled to the bottom of the window. The last subfolder was named 'Test Subject 219'. After a short pause, she clicked the subfolder only to come across a plain-looking document.

After a few clicks, another report was loaded on the screen. The first page of the document showed the image of Nagae Iku in a hospital gown alongside a snapshot of her soul and biological markers.

Kawashiro Nitori, who lost her memories of Gensokyo, did not recognize Nagae Iku. She simply narrowed her eyes and continued reading the report with the eyes of an engineer scrutinizing over the schematics.

As Jade scrolled down…their eyes were locked on a summary written in the document.

Species: Oarfish youkai, obtained from Gensokyo, a non-Euclidean dimensional space attached to Earth.
Gender: Likely female
Psionic affinity: None
Magical affinity: High

Observation: The subject's soul possesses an open-loop feedback with its vessel, suggesting connection to an external source of power used to strengthen or enhance its own magic. With a natural affinity towards electricity and reading the atmosphere, the subject exhibited a great potential to become a magical-psychic hybrid. Its spiritual wiring and cognitive faculties have been partially developed to resemble that of a psychic, potentially boosting its magical output by 300%. The test subject shows promising potential to become a psychic-magical hybrid.

"Earth?" Nitori muttered. "This particular alien…is actually an Earthling?"

"Wait…Earth has magical beings?" Jade muttered. "So, magical lifeforms appeared long after the ancient humans left Earth for deep space?"

"Seems like evolution has taken another direction after the fall of Atlantis," Raeder added in. "Although…this is not the time to think about the lifeforms of Earth. We have evidence of crime flashing right before our eyes."

Jade and Nitori nodded. The former continued scrolling down, as reports of drugs and chemicals administered to Nagae Iku alongside noteworthy observations were taken down. Words such as 'strong rejection', 'almost died', 'spiritual breakdown' frequently appeared in the observations.

"Almost died?" Jade stuttered. She then clicked on a hyperlinked text 'Sample Observation'.

A popup video of Nagae Iku flashed on the monitor. She was completely restrained, with various tubes attached to her body.

"This is…definitely alien experimentation," Raeder muttered in a cold, unpleasant tone and slowly tightening the grip of his fist.

Jade's fingers shivered, her expression seemingly disturbed as the video continued playing. She skipped the parts where Nagae Iku started going berserk with her body breaking down under illegal procedures that no researcher would dare do on a human psychic.

Only Nitori managed to maintain a stoic expression, her eyes coldly watching the experiments as if it was nothing more than a routine check-up. Perhaps it was residual remnants of her past self as a youkai lingering within, that gave her the composure that an ordinary human would not possess.

Jade quickly closed the video and closed the document.

"Just what…the hell did I just watch?" Jade asked, her voice shaken.

"Are you okay?" Nitori asked, as she slowly took out a handkerchief from the pocket of her pants. She then wiped Jade's sweat, dripping from the latter's forehead.

Jade reclined from the desk and stood up, retreating back. Her face was pale, her body trembling in anguish and terror.

Nitori slowly walked and sat on the chair, taking over from Jade. She then clicked the folder titled 'Test Subject 218', and opened the document within.

The screen showed an image of Kishin Sagume dressed in a similar manner to Nagae Iku in the previous document, restrained with various tubes and wires attached to her body and wing.

Species: Divine spirit, obtained from the Lunar Capital (a hidden realm located on Earth's natural satellite)
Gender: Likely female
Psionic affinity: None
Magical affinity: High

Observation: Subject can be classified as a spirit possessing enormous raw magical power. According to records in the Xenobiological Research Institute, her kind typically tends to reverse the natural order of things, and in her specific circumstances, she is capable of reversing situations through speech. Attempts to modify the subject's soul have largely backfired, although she remained resilient.

"So…Test Subject 219 came from Earth, and Test Subject 218 came from Earth's moon?" Nitori mumbled. "Just what exactly are they planning to do?"

"That's exactly what Sanae is investigating," Raeder answered, his voice stern - lacking the usual friendliness he would show before his closest and most trusted friends and family members. "We must share this with Sanae. That'll help her…"

Part 2

Moon Palace, Lunar Capital

Lunarian investigators gathered around a roundtable, with various scribbles and stick-it-notes pasted on a whiteboard before them.

A certain Lunarian's name, Kishin Sagume, was written at large on the board. She was one of the Lunar Sages holding a politically important post in the Capital, and her disappearance had been a mystery bothering investigators.

She was nowhere to be found in the worlds known to the Lunarians: Heaven, Hell Higan, Netherworld, Gensokyo, Outside World, and the Otherworlds.

"Hmm…Sagume-sama's disappearance is certainly an odd incident," a male Lunarian investigator muttered, his arms folded and his expression cold. "She was last seen returning to her house. Afterwards…she completely disappeared without a trace. Not even her energy signatures could be traced, as if she was spirited away."

Watatsuki no Toyohime, who was also present in the gathering, narrowed her eyes.

Spiriting away? Sagume-dono? I highly doubt that…Toyohime pondered.

Earthlings mistakenly believed that spiriting away simply meant people or things getting lost from the Outside World into Gensokyo. Such incidents were but a fraction of the true nature of 'spiriting away'.

In reality, spiriting away referred to incidents when one was naturally displaced from his or her original location to a different location. One might find himself displaced to the Lunar Capital, Gensokyo, Higan, Netherworld, Heaven, Hell, Senkai, Makai, or just anywhere.

The great sage of the Moon, Yagokoro Eirin once explained the phenomena to her: From a quantum point of view, possible events will absolutely always happen. This is because in the quantum world, everything is decided by probability, but it's impossible to capture that probability with exact precision. As long as an unrealized event has a non-zero probability, no matter how low it is, it will occur at some point.

"Is there any better explanation to explain her disappearance, Toyohime-sama?" the male investigator asked. "We have expended our resources investigating Sagume-sama's disappearance to no avail."

Toyohime remained silent.

The investigator continued with his long-winded explanation.

"We used tracking spells to trace her magical energy signatures. We dispatched people in search of her, even as we risk ourselves getting tainted by the impurity of life and death. Yet, we found nothing."

Toyohime did not rebut. She knew just how much resources the Capital had expended searching for Sagume. Even she had been involved at some point in the past.

"Besides, she did not respond when your younger sister called upon her," the investigator added further.

Watatsuki no Yorihime. The younger Watatsuki possessed the ability to call forth gods and divine spirits into her body, and Kishin Sagume was one such being. Normally, Sagume would be able to possess Yorihime whenever summoned by the former.

Yet…any attempt to invoke Sagume had failed. It was as if…she refused to be reached out to. Or perhaps…something sealed her divinity, and she could not use her powers at this moment.

"..."

Toyohime's lips slightly curved downwards. She did not feel good about this incident. Her disappearance had been…too perfect, it seemed more like a kidnapping or murder case, rather than simple disappearance. But who would possess the motive and power to kidnap Kishin Sagume?

She then recalled a conversation between moon rabbits, which she happened to overhear.

"Sagume-sama has been kidnapped by aliens!"

Aliens? No, that was impossible.

The higher-ups and gods residing in the Lunar Capital would laugh over the prospect of aliens existing. Even Yorihime, as stern and serious as she was with the moon rabbits, had laughed when she heard the rabbits speaking of aliens.

After all,the Lunarians launched expeditions in search of alien existence in the deep recesses of the cosmos - only to be met with disappointment. To them, space was a vast, dark and lonely void. A pure realm untainted by life, expanding to infinity without a clear end.

Part 3

It must have taken some time for Kochiya Sanae to read the documents sent by Jade to her QGram application. Every time she raised her smartphone, researchers and staff members of the institute would approach her to seek her feedback, views and input on a research topic or simply start small talks with her.

"What's with everyone? Why did they come to me as soon as I raised my device?"

Perhaps that had been entirely due to her helpful and approachable persona that made her the center of attention in the institute. Even her otaku tendencies could not repel the curious researchers from flocking towards her.

Sanae let out a heavy sigh. After a long day, she lazily dragged her feet towards her desk with one thing in mind: preparing her script to gain Miryem's trust. As she walked along the passageway, a familiar voice greeted her.

"Sanae…you seemed worn out and occupied. How are you doing?"

Sanae slowly shifted her gaze towards the one calling out to her. It was Miryem Adelsonn, walking from behind wearing the smile of a saleswoman.

"Director Miryem…" Sanae answered politely, suppressing her urge to lunge at her. "I didn't expect to encounter you. They say you're busy working on a publication."

"Oh…word does spread quickly over here," Miryem spoke, her voice slowly becoming more lively. "I'm done with my paper. In fact, I sent it to Physis for their review."

"Physis, eh?" Sanae muttered. Physis was known to be the most reputed journal for scientific publications across Creation. To have your paper published was to be recognized as a great scientific mind worth noticing. "I'm sure it'll be published."

I'm sure the data in your publications comes from the poor aliens you detained somewhere inside this old cruiser, Sanae whispered in her mind, not leaking a single word to Miryem.

Sanae slowly brought herself closer to Miryem, as the former prepared for her next move. She had one goal in mind - to infiltrate the inner circles responsible for the illegal activities ongoing in this facility.

"Director…" Sanae began speaking, her tone composed and calculated, "Can I ask a few questions? Or is it a bad time to bore you with heavy topics?"

Miryem, not suspecting anything from Sanae, nodded in approval. Sanae had a reputation for asking questions in earnest, which blinded Miryem from understanding her true motive.

"You see…there's something that has been going on in my mind. I can't seem to get rid of it," Sanae continued, as her expression slowly changed. She now appeared like someone who was about to curse the world. "We've been too focused on researching…humans."

"Well…we're psychic power developers in the Confederation of Tyrador. Humans are our research focus."

"Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different answers is something I'd consider as stupidity, if not insanity…" Sanae frowned. "Creation is ridiculously huge. There are lots of lifeforms to be studied. Perhaps…the secrets to attaining The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens lie inside their souls and bodies."

Miryem's courteous smile slowly turned into an amused grin.

"Sanae. What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Is it really fine for me to speak what's really in my mind?" Sanae slowly whispered, after bringing her mouth close to Miryem's right ear.

Miryem nodded her head in excitement, as if knowing what Sanae wanted to say. In fact, she seemed to have waited for this moment.

"When I established this institute…I declared that this would be a place where anyone could pursue their research interests, free from bureaucracy and other red tapes. Tell me, Sanae…what is in your mind?"

Her voice was hopeful, imploring Sanae to speak the words she had wanted to hear.

"Magical beings. There are lots of them roaming creation…yet, we turn a blind eye to them. Why don't we use them?"

"That's illegal, you know?" Miryem replied playfully. Yet her eyes glowed as if she had found a valuable gem.

"I knew it.." Sanae muttered weakly, her voice sounding ashamed and embarrassed, "I'm going to jail for speaking those words."

"No," Miryem cut her short. "I appreciate your honesty. In fact, this is what I expect from every single researcher of mine. I've waited for this day, frankly speaking."

"Is that…so?"

Well…now, you seem excited, Miryem Adelsonn, Sanae thought as her eyes carefully observed Miryem's body language.

"Magical beings have unique spiritual pathways different from us psychics. Even their soul feedback mechanism works in unique ways…although, rewiring them can prove to be a challenge."

"Well…they are spiritual beings, sensitive to changes in their soul. Even a single mistake could be lethal to them, unlike us humans. Although…the manner in which you spoke of magical beings sounded as if you've experimented on them."

Sanae revealed a wicked grin afterwards.

Interesting…Miryem pondered, as she noticed the shift in Sanae's expression.

"I've done some thought experiments," Miryem continued. "We don't exactly get to use the Bayes System to run such simulations."

Bayes System. Simply put, it was the smartest supercomputer in Creation - the ultimate probabilistic simulator ever created. So powerful was Bayes System that it moved the entire field of forecasting to predicting.

Yagokoro Eirin once said that nothing could capture the fluctuating quantum probabilities giving rise to reality, but Bayes System proved the ancient sage wrong. It could easily capture said probability with exact precision, allowing simulation of any psionic, magical or mundane phenomenon.

If one has asked Bayes System to compute the likelihood of a Hourai immortal dying, it would even go as far as providing the exact steps to introduce death to the supposedly perfect immortal. With such capabilities, it was only natural that the supercomputer would be flooded with simulation requests from scientists across the Confederation.

This was the secret weapon that had allowed the Confederation of Tyrador to maintain its status as an unrivaled hegemon and undisputed cosmic superpower, despite facing threats from the magic side.

In order to protect Bayes System from enemies, it was kept in an unidentified location protected with powerful barriers beyond the reach of spatial manipulators and boundary manipulators.

"Government-linked institutions get prioritized," Miryem added further. "I've sent almost 3,000 requests to Bayes System. The simulations to my first request will be sent in a year."

Besides…many of our experiments are illegal, Miryem whispered in her mind. Can't say that part out loud. Not yet.

"Anyway…Sanae, I saw that you applied for a three-day break," Miryem continued, as she tried to change the topic. "Are you going back to Tyrador?"

Sanae nodded enthusiastically.

"The darkness of space makes me long for the blue sky, the familiar sense of stepping on the ground and of course, Omnia Coffee!"

Miryem Adelsonn shook her head ever so slightly. Kochiya Sanae…had truly mesmerized her.

"Consider your leave application approved. Although…I have a special mission for you after your short break."

"Mission?" Sanae parroted with the tone of an innocent child.

Miryem nodded.

"Well, let's talk further after your break. See you…Sanae."
_______________________________________________________________
Chapter Notes:

1. Why Nagae Iku? She's canonically mostly a loner, if not working or handling Tenshi. That makes her the ideal kidnapping target.
2. Sanae was originally described as a serious person before letting Gensokyo's 'common sense' get to her. She's mostly back to her 'serious mode' but with eccentricities remaining within.

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's note:
Hi, if you're still reading this, welcome back! I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Feel free to leave comments, constructive criticisms and feedback. There are chapter notes at the end of this story.

Summary: Nina is rambling about some New World Order conspiracy before Reimu, Marisa and Sumireko, telling the trio that aliens are behind everything. She the continues by saying that aliens were the ones kidnapping Sagume. Ringo, out of the blue, appeared to promote her new dango flavor, only to tell them that moon rabbits were saying the same thing. Unknown to Gensokyo and the Lunar Capital, Sagume was being experimented on by Heiwig Bayer and Miryem Adelsonn, and the two discussed prospects of onboarding Sanae in the G-Program. Sanae was chilling, while Kotohime and Rikako reminisced on the past.
____________________________________________

Septembvrios 6th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

Hakurei Shrine, Gensokyo

Watari Nina's continuous ramblings led Hakurei Reimu to let out an exasperated sigh. She lost track of the nonsense the conspiracy-believing youkai had been spouting.

"Nina…" Reimu spoke, her voice obviously fed-up with Nina, "You are old enough to leave behind the 'conspiracy theory' phase that you had when you were born. When was that? I think it's been…"

"Definitely more than a century," Kirisame Marisa quipped, moving her fingers as if she was calculating something.

"Thank you. See? You're old enough to leave that nonsense behind!"

"I am not talking nonsense!" Nina rebutted, her voice pitched as she defended herself. "Aliens exist! The elites of the Outside World are actively worshiping them, offering blood and soul to aliens in exchange for making the New World Order a success!"

"New World Order?" Marisa parroted like a child hearing a new word.

"Exactly! The New World Order. A wicked plan by the elites of the Outside World. The Rothschilds, Rockefellers and Chinese secret societies who stood at the top of the pyramid wanted to enslave everything…and they sought the help of powerful aliens to accomplish their goals."

Usami Sumireko, who had listened to the entire exchange, sighed. Those were names she encountered when she was alive. Now, she was a corporeal spirit akin to Saigyouji Yuyuko.

"I haven't heard those names for a long time…" Sumireko muttered.

The people of the Outside World have long moved past the brute conspiracy theories of the past. Sure, there were conspiracies that ended up being real. But a global group of elites trying to gobble up the entire world? There were too many selfish humans that a global conspiracy could never manifest itself. People would betray one another to be at the top.

"Animal Realm dwellers. Celestials. Hellions. Lunarians. Youkai. These are genuine threats to their plans, and to ensure that these threats are perfectly pacified…they worship aliens that possess the power and means to crush all in their way."

Nina's expression slowly became grim.

"Once they've done away with external threats to their regime, they will trim down humans as sacrifices to their masters in exchange for absolute dominion over the world."

"This sounds like a fiction novel," Reimu replied.

"You should really consider writing," Marisa added further. "You have great imagination…even better than that tengu Aya."

"...Well, the Rothschilds and Rockefellers aren't at their peak anymore, for starters…" Sumireko spoke, her eyes locked onto Nina's. "Sure, they have connections and influence…but they don't move the world simply by waving their hands."

"That's what they want you to believe!" Nina raised her voice in defense of her worldview. "They've hidden themselves and let their lackeys stand out, giving the impression that they're no longer what they are."

"Nonsense!" Reimu rebuked.

Nina widened her arms, her gaze locked towards the one who once served as the shrine maiden of fantasy.

"Well then, allow me, the one who knows the truth of the world…to enlighten you!"

"You're younger than me!"

"Reimu…let me ask you a question. Why did Gensokyo exist?"

"What sort of question is that? Gensokyo exists…because the humans of the Outside World abandoned faith and fear for the unknown as they progressed. Or at least…that's what I know."

"And…how exactly did the Outside World manage to progress so rapidly, Reimu?"

"How would I know?! I don't live in the Outside World!"

"Hmm…" Sumireko, who lived in the Outside World, interjected. "Historically speaking, there have been many triggers that pushed human civilization forward. But the modern world has certainly been shaped by the modernization that began in the West."

"Oooh…and I thought you were about to say 'Newton'," Nina reacted. "Although, you are wrong. The secret elites and cabals encountered aliens. In exchange for their loyalty to the aliens, aliens slowly provided technology meant to suppress and destroy opposition to the elites."

"Think, Reimu! Think! Back in the 19th century, human technology had not progressed enough to threaten the likes of Yukari. Yet, why did she decide to create the Great Hakurei Barrier and turn Gensokyo into a youkai sanctuary, rather than having the youkai double down on attacks on humans? Wouldn't attacking humans directly be a better way to establish the youkai's presence as something superior to humanity?!"

"...You should really ask Yukari. I'm in no position to answer that question."

"Of course she won't answer! Do you really think she'd openly admit to being threatened by aliens powerful enough to stomp on the likes of Hellions and Lunarians?"

"She's not one to be budged by mere threats," Marisa answered.

"That's what she wants you to think! But deep down, even she knows that aliens are far more terrifying than anything you've seen so far!"

"Wait. Aren't Lunarians the aliens?"

"Lunarians aren't aliens. Well…they're not the ones I mean. The aliens I speak of, see Lunarians the same way those moon people see us."

"You're clearly deluded," Reimu commented, her arms folded and her gaze hardened.

"I'm not! Besides…the aliens are behind the disappearance of Sagume!"

"Sagume?" Reimu parroted ever so slightly. That name brought back memories of the past, when the Lunarians attempted to move the Capital to Gensokyo after purifying it. That was when she had the unfortunate luck of knowing Clownpiece, Hecatia Lapislazuli and Junko.

"Huh? I don't understand…" Sumireko spoke in a confused manner.

As everyone's eyes were locked onto Nina, a new presence slowly walked towards the shrine.

"Does anyone want a piece of dango?" the newcomer, Ringo asked.

"Speak of the devil! You can ask her for specifics about what I just said!" Nina shouted, her finger pointed towards Ringo.

"Huh? What were you guys talking about? I'm just here to promote my latest dango flavor, a flavor inspired by a fusion of Lunar Capital and Outside World cuisine."

"Sagume's disappearance! She was kidnapped by aliens!"

"Ah…about that?" Ringo's voice slowly changed. "That's what the rabbits on the moon told us. That Sagume-sama was kidnapped by aliens."

"You guys are the aliens!" Reimu insisted.

"Come on, the Lunarians are obnoxious and arrogant enough to believe that there are no aliens. But we can't possibly be the only ones existing in this world."

"Had there been aliens, they'd have appeared in Gensokyo right here, right now!"

"I'm telling you that aliens do exist!" Nina doubled-down on her conviction. "They're evil and powerful enough to take on Lunarians and Hellions with ease. They can easily kidnap a powerful Lunarian like Sagume and they're the ones behind the evil agenda known as the New World Order!"

"You…are deluded!" Reimu concluded. She gave up trying to speak sense to Nina and yearned to end the conversation quickly.

Part 2

Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research, the Confederation of Tyrador

The one-winged goddess Kishin Sagume's breathing was erratic. Her eyes bulged in agony, her forehead dripping with sweat. The stains of red liquid on the hospital ground wrapping her body as well as the pool of blood on the floor was enough testament of the suffering and pain she went through.

It was yet another day of suffering, having just finished another painful ordeal of being administered with unknown chemicals. As soon as the chemicals entered her body, she could feel her body being squeezed as if she was facing muscle spasms. Her soul felt as if it was being torn apart.

The painful sensation continued for almost an hour, before it finally stopped. But for her, it felt like an eternity of agony and pain.

How did she end up in such a pathetic situation? Kishin Sagume kept asking herself that question, but only the sound of machines humming echoed in that cold hell. She hoped that everything was just a nightmare concocted by Doremy Sweet, but reality was cruel.

"HA~" she let out a heavy pant. She slowly raised her head, her gaze piercing through the transparent wall separating herself from the ones responsible for her misery.

Sagume could see them. Two humans: a male and a female researcher observing her as if they were looking at an animal being displayed in a zoo. Their eyes were cold and calculating, as if they were computing the maximum utility they could squeeze from her. She knew the eyes very well - for many Lunarians viewed others with similarly cold and calculating gazes.

Sagume tried shaking off the restraints placed all over her body, but her weak body meant she could barely lift a finger. But…even if she was in full health, she could not remove the restraints. She could not activate her magic either, as if something was actively preventing her magic from taking effect in the real world.

Even her words, usually capable of reversing any situation…became nothing more than air vibrations reverberating in the room alongside the humming of machines.

Why? She pondered. Why did this happen to her? As the pain gradually receded, a certain memory began appearing in her mind. It was the last moments she recalled before waking up to this painful reality as another guinea pig.

Part 3

The researchers of the Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research might not know, but Kishin Sagume, labeled as Test Subject 218 was an influential politician and a Sage of the Moon. However, she was actually rather reticent, an odd quality for a politician - especially for those used to democracies where politicians had to be outspoken to win votes and support.

Fortunately, the Lunar Capital was not a democracy. Kishin Sagume did not need to worry about delivering fiery campaign speeches to win votes. Besides, the world might truly explode had she campaigned the same way as politicians in democracies, both literally and figuratively.

The memory of her last moments in the Lunar Capital finally solidified. The flashback began replaying in her mind, as her eyes revealed the expression of someone watching a recording of her past.

After a long day of heated arguments, political maneuvering and dealing with bureaucrats, Kishin Sagume hastily walked towards her bedroom.

It was a rather ordinary-looking room, although one would notice clothes scattered on the floor inside the room. Despite being an important figure on the moon, she was known for being a scatterbrain. This trait of hers was well-known to all Lunarians

Still, there was no indication that she would change it anytime soon.

I'll clean the room on the weekend, Sagume thought to herself. She slowly collapsed her body onto the bed, letting herself feel the pleasure of the comfortable bed removing the soreness aching all over her body.

"This is it!" she muttered in a weak voice. This was what she had been looking forward to. She slowly closed her eyes, her mind free from any worry or concern.

"That's more like it…" an odd voice whispered before her ears. "Relax and sleep."

Kishin Sagume did not understand the words being whispered to her ears. Was she falling into a dream? Was this another game by Doremy Sweet? Or perhaps…was this what one calls 'sleep paralysis'?

She tried moving her limbs, but she felt a powerful force pushing her body onto the bed.

"Do not worry," the voice whispered further. "This will be quick and painless."

As soon as the whisper disappeared…Sagume felt a sharp, stabbing sensation on her neck. It felt as if someone had stabbed a syringe onto her neck.

Within seconds, she felt her magical energy and physical strength drained from her. Something…something must have happened. This could not be a mere dream.

Still, she could not even lift her index finger. Her eyelids refused to open, as if something was forcing it to remain closed.

"Wh-" Sagume tried forming a thought in her mind, but even that was impossible. Her mind slowly became blank, her vision dark, her body immobilized…as if she was injected with anesthetics.

That was the last moment Sagume recalled, before waking up to this 'illusion'.

Part 4

Outside the containment chamber where Kishin Sagume was restrained, Miryem Adelsonn stood still. Beside her was Heiwig Bayer, one of the primary scientists involved in the dark side of Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research.

"You seem to be in a good mood," Heiwig spoke, his tone disinterested. His gaze was fixated on the projection showing reports of Kishin Sagume's soul. "So, what is in your mind?"

Miryem's lips revealed a sinister grin.

"Kochiya Sanae."

Heiwig Bayer recognized the name. He met her twice, but had no opinion of her..

"What about her?"

"She shares the same vision and goals as we do, Heiwig."

"Explain yourself, Miryem."

"Yesterday…I encountered her and we had a heart-to-heart discussion. The discussion…I must say, surprises me. She actually suggested we conduct experiments on magical aliens."

"She did?" Heiwig blurted. "She doesn't appear to me as someone who'd dirty her hands and break the law."

"Do not judge a book by its cover, Heiwig," Miryem replied, her voice cheerful and lively. "I know that having her here was the right call."

"Miryem, are you thinking of having her join the G-Program?"

"Why not? She is brilliant enough to appreciate our research and has proven her passion to advance human knowledge."

Heiwig did not reply. To him, Kochiya Sanae certainly did not seem like someone suited to be part of the underworld.

"Interesting…" he muttered. "So, I suppose you'd expect me to work closely with Sanae?"

Miryem replied with a casual nod. The matter has been decided. Kochiya Sanae would be part of the G-Program.

Part 5

The Lab, Tyrador, The Confederation of Tyrador.

Oblivious to the discussion between Heiwig Bayer and Miryem Adelsonn, Kochiya Sanae, in her white dress shirt, black slack pants and green necktie, was lying on the couch. An empty cup of instant noodles could be seen on top of a small round table placed nearby her head.

"Nothing beats the pleasure of being home!" Sanae commented, her tone filled with gratitude and exhilaration. "It feels great to be able to lie on this cushy sofa after so long!"

"You speak as if you've been away for years…" Kawashiro Nitori muttered as she observed Kochiya Sanae. "You've only been away for a month."

Still, Nitori's lips curled upwards as she saw Sanae resting on the couch.

"Nitori…space is really dull. There's nothing much you can do inside a cruiser."

"Is it really that bad? I've never had to spend extended periods on a spaceship, I wouldn't know…"

"It is that bad…"

"A former Space Force personnel is complaining about being stationed in a cruiser…" Raeder Lapislazuli, walking from the Lab's kitchen, spoke with his hands folded. "How ironic."

Kochiya Sanae previously served in the Space Force, a branch of the Tyradorian military responsible for patrolling and defending Tyradorian space against enemies.

"Huh? What was that, Raeder? Just because I was with the Space Force, it doesn't mean that I enjoy living in a spaceship for months!"

"Whatever…just don't forget that you're a prosecutor. In other words, a member of the Tyradorian armed forces. Did you make sure to maintain your PT regime?"

Sanae let out a long sigh. The Prosecutors Office, being the gendarmerie responsible for law enforcement and prosecution, was one of the three branches of the Tyradorian military. As a prosecutor, she must maintain fitness standards applicable to soldiers at all times.

"I do, Captain. They have an indoor gym, and I made sure to maintain my fitness. Although…I prefer jogging on the ground as compared to running on a conveyor belt like a hamster in a cage."

"I don't think you get to complain about that," Raeder added further. "We're prosecutors. Discomfort is part of the job description. Do you want me to flash your job description again?"

"Hah! That's rich coming from you! You're someone who books 5-star hotel rooms whenever you go for vacations. You prefer luxury over suffering as well, don't you?" Sanae rebutted, as she shifted her gaze towards Raeder. "I don't want to hear you lecturing me about discomfort!"

"Vacations are supposed to be enjoyable! What good is a miserable experience during vacations? I don't get the idea of some people intentionally torturing themselves during vacations for 'the experience'!"

"Well…not everyone happens to have the surname 'Lapislazuli', Raeder…" Nitori quipped. "That's the trust fund kid Raeder Lapislazuli speaking, folks…"

"Shut up, Nitori! For someone who has an indoor swimming pool in the basement of her house, I don't think you get to question my vacation preferences or my clan affiliation!"

"What's wrong with having an indoor pool? Swimming is fun…and don't act as if you've never appeared in front of my house to hijack my pool!"

Raeder Lapislazuli folded his arms.

"Hmm…well, it's free," he muttered, as he slowly avoided Nitori's sharp gaze. "I don't want to swim in public pools filled with strangers and aliens that might…pee."

Everyone furrowed their eyebrows, but deep down, they all agreed with him.

"Anyway…your house is more expensive than mine! Don't compare my middle-class house with the house of a trust fund kid like yours!"

Sanae finally straightened her body, as she prepared to fire another shot at Raeder.

"Nitori's right. Your house is more expensive than hers…you're literally an aristocrat who shares the same clan affiliation as the great Hecatia Lapislazuli!"

"What does Lady Hecatia have to do with this discussion?! And more importantly…" Raeder rebutted instantly, his gaze locked at Sanae, "Your house is the most expensive among us Lab Members!"

"Eh…" Sanae blurted.

"Your house is literally prime Tyradorian real estate!" Raeder fired another shot.

"That's different-!!! I got a discount from President Moca von Moltke and bought it in a rent-to-own arrangement! It's not like I made a one-off payment for my house, unlike you."

President Moca von Moltke. An ancient existence who had lived since the age of Atlantis, she was the founding President of the Confederation of Tyrador and matriarch of the influential von Moltke clan, of which Harold von Moltke was a member of. Her stature, power and influence in the Confederation was almost peerless.

Yet, she decided to sell one of her most valuable properties at a significant discount to Kochiya Sanae. When asked, Moca von Moltke had simply said: Sanae helped me a lot, and I felt like it.

"Explain to me…how you managed to ensnare President Moca enough for her to sell that expensive property of hers at a significant discount to random nobody?!" Raeder pressed further. "I'd understand if she had sold it to Lady Hecatia, but you? Did you mind-control her?!"

"I was equally shocked! Do you think I mind-controlled her?! Me…mind-controlling one of the most powerful people in the Confederation? My head would be rolling on the ground long before I could do anything like that!"

"You are unbelievable, Sanae…"

Raeder Lapislazuli observed the woman named Kochiya Sanae. If there was a documentary on the mysteries of creation, he believed Sanae should be featured in the first episode. After all, there were too many mysteries surrounding her.

Her memory loss, tendency to captivate the most powerful figures in the Confederation and ridiculous psychic ability limited only by the side-effects onto her body.

"Stop! How did this end up becoming a conversation about my house?!"

Raeder gave a thumbs up, while Nitori merely chuckled upon hearing Sanae's exasperated words.

"Well…serves you right, Miss Mysterious Mad Scientist. Anyway…keep up the good work."

"We should thank the Super Hacker Jade for the rootkits. Without them, I'd still be digging for info." Afterwards, Sanae lazily reached out for her smartphone in the pocket of her pants, and looked at the time displayed on the screen. "CRAP! I'M LATE!!! I WAS SUPPOSED TO DROP BY PROFESSOR RIKAKO'S OFFICE!!!"

She hastily stood up, took the empty cup of instant noodle and threw it into the dustbin.

"See you later!" Sanae screamed, as she grabbed her coat hanging on a chair and dashed out of the laboratory.

Part 6

ETH Tyrador, Tyrador, Confederation of Tyrador

"Kotohime?"

When Kochiya Sanae entered Asakura Rikako's office, the first person that entered her field of vision was her superior, Kotohime. The latter sat beside Asakura Rikako, her hand holding the latest volume of 'A Fantasy Battle', a manga series popular across modern civilizations.

"Hi there, Sanae. We were expecting you."

"Is that…A Fantasy Battle? Which chapter are you currently reading, Kotohime?"

"Chapter 923. One-Path is fighting the Purifier…" Kotohime began explaining, before slowly covering her mouth. "Ah, my bad. No spoilers for you!"

"I'm reading it together with Kotohime since I haven't had time to read it on my own," Rikako added further.

"I didn't know that you're a fan of A Fantasy Battle…" Sanae replied, slowly lifting a chair and placing it beside Rikako. "This is news to me."

"I'm quite new into the series. Previously I had no idea why 'A Fantasy Battle' is so popular among my colleagues. Now that I've read it, I understand the allure…" Rikako answered, before turning her gaze towards Sanae. As Sanae sat beside her, Rikako instinctively reached out her hand and caressed the former's hair.

"I'm fine…" Sanae replied with a wide smile on her face.

"Did Miryem cause you any trouble?"

"She is the trouble…" Sanae replied curtly, "Although she keeps complaining about her disappointment for failing to onboard you as one of her researchers."

"She's rather persistent. She's smart, but I just don't feel comfortable around her. There's something that tells me to stay away from her, even before I knew about her illegal activities."

"Speaking of which…" Kotohime interjected, "How's your investigation? Raeder briefed me, but I'd like to hear it directly from you. After all, you're the one on the ground."

"We managed to access some documents on G-Program, the designated name for the illicit activities within the institute. But I haven't gained access to the facilities myself. I suspect that there is spatial manipulation technology in place which prevents unwanted people from finding the facilities."

"That's given…she won't let anyone find her secrets that easily…"

"About that…" Rikako chimed in, her hands gently adjusting Sanae's necktie, "I think you might get access soon."

"Eh? Why is that so?"

"Because Miryem called me an hour ago to talk about you. She told me that your work has completely dazzled her."

Sanae's face slowly paled. Kotohime however, let out a chuckle.

"You left a really good impression on our suspect, eh, Mad Scientist Ko~chiya Sanae! All you need to do is ensure Miryem doesn't suspect anything while collecting enough evidence. We'll make sure that everyone involved gets arrested for their crimes."

"Yes, Major…I'll make sure Miryem and her associates face the music for their actions."

"That's the spirit! Anyway…Rikako and I are going out for a drink after this. I know that you aren't exactly a heavy drinker, but would you like to join us?"

"We're more than happy to have you with us, Sanae…"

Sanae shook her head. She was not a heavy drinker, nor did she possess high tolerance for alcohol. Many times, she would pass out after a few drinks - which was honestly embarrassing.

"That's too bad. My daughter, Jade abstains from alcohol and you're not a heavy drinker. Seems like we're going to spend the night by ourselves, Rikako."

Part 7

Bijhingzai, Tyrador, the Confederation of Tyrador.

"I wasn't expecting to be here, Rikako…" Kotohime remarked, as she slowly poured a bottle of fine, pure huangjiu into Asakura Rikako's glass. "This is an exquisite place reserved for elites of Tyradorian society."

Before them were two small drinking cups, three bottles of huangjiu, two bowls of rice, soup, vegetables, braised tofu, seasonings and soy sauce, all served on top of a traditional Chinese-styled floor table. The spacious room was aesthetically similar to the architecture of dining rooms reserved for nobilities in the Tang dynasty.

Reputed as one of the best fine dining restaurants in the world of Tyrador, it primarily served dishes from the Beilin Empire that preceded Atlantis and the Confederation of Tyrador. It was also the progenitor of Lunarian and East Asian cultures and languages.

"You aren't exactly a stranger to such places," Rikako replied, as she slowly gulped the huangjiu in her glass. "You've been here a few times."

"Only when Director Zhao feels like bringing us to a fine dining experience."

"Your Highness…I'd like to remind you that you are a princess."

"Who cares about that? I've thrown that away when I decided to follow you," Kotohime replied, smiling gleefully as if she was glad of her actions. "Now, I'm a prosecutor. I arrest criminals and prosecute them."

"And an avid collector who goes around looking for treasures across worlds in her free time," Rikako added, slowly pouring huangjiu into Kotohime's glass. "That part of you hasn't changed."

"I could say the same about you, Rikako. Your fascination for science…never wavered."

"Well…this is a Pure Land of science…" Rikako answered, her voice prideful. "Although, I can't help but wonder why you decided to follow me here."

A flashback of the past appeared in Asakura Rikako's mind. She recalled an event of the distant past, when even the infamous Scarlet Devil Mansion has yet to appear in Gensokyo. A man in black appeared before her, offering her the opportunity to abandon everything for a Pure Land of science and technology. A world where her latent talents as a scientist would truly shine. A world where her worldviews and ideas would be appreciated, not mocked or viewed with disdain and contempt.

The scientist searching for dreams, Asakura Rikako, did not hesitate to leave Gensokyo for her ideal. Even so, Kotohime chased after her.

There was absolutely no reason for Kotohime to follow Rikako's footsteps. So, why? Why did Kotohime decide to leave everything behind just for her? That was something that has left Rikako baffled for more than a century.

"Are you seriously still thinking about that? To be honest…I just wanted to be by your side, Rikako. Regardless of wherever you were. Besides, I thought you're going somewhere really interesting."

Kotohime then gulped the liquor in her glass.

"Don't you miss Gensokyo, Kotohime?"

"Sometimes, I wonder what Gensokyo looks like now…" Kotohime replied, her tone melancholic, "But I'm glad to have followed you, even if it meant abandoning my life as a princess."

"Thanks…for being by my side," Rikako whispered, lowering her head as if hiding her embarrassment.

Kotohime slowly poured another drink into Rikako's glass.

"Rikako…what do you think happened to Reimu? Do you think she's still alive?"

"It's been more than a century since we last saw her. She's probably dead, along with Marisa…unless something magical happened to them. Although, Mima might have done something to prevent Marisa's death."

"Mima, huh? That's a nostalgic name…"

"It is…anyway, are we strolling down the nostalgia lane? They say it's best to reminisce over the past during winter."

"I never thought that a scientist like yourself would say that…although, that's something I'd love to do with you. After all, we're the only ones from Gensokyo in this world."

Kotohime had said that, not knowing that Kawashiro Nitori and Kochiya Sanae were from Gensokyo as well. Neither herself, nor Asakura Rikako knew, for they left Gensokyo before the Scarlet Devil Mansion became known to Gensokyo.

"Although…" Kotohime continued, as she recalled something, "There's something from Gensokyo that I, or rather Sanae, came across."

"Something from Gensokyo? Is it a human? Perhaps…a youkai? Or a god?"

"An oarfish youkai."

"An oarfish youkai…isn't that a messenger of the Dragon God?"

"That's correct. I don't know how Miryem managed to lay her hands on a messenger of the Dragon God. She might've sourced it from Geroln."

Rikako let out a heavy sigh.

"So, what are you planning to do once it is rescued from captivity?"

"After everything is done, we'll have her memories. Then we return her to Gensokyo where she belongs. She has no business here. This is a world beyond the dominion of the Dragon God."

"Do we really need to perform a memory wipe on that poor thing?"

"That is the best option, Rikako. She's been suffering for years. What good is there in letting her retain the painful memories of being abused, tortured and experimented on?"

Rikako nodded.

"You are really kind, Kotohime. I understand. When the time comes, I'll wipe the youkai's memory."

"I'm counting on you, Rikako…"
__________________________
Chapter Notes:

1. Nina and Jade has the same obsession for conspiracy theories. Though, Jade is just playing into her delusions, but Nina is something else entirely.
2. Kotohime and Rikako, my favorite PC-98 characters. Yes, in this fic, they appeared in the Confederation some time after Mystic Square, but before Remilia makes her appearance. So, neither knew Remilia and characters appearing in Windows.
3. Hecatia is big shot in the Confederation.
4. Yes Sanae, you're a mystery. LOL even your circle are questioning it.
5. The title is Reminiscing Home, since Kotohime and Rikako are reminiscing about Gensokyo. Although, it so happens that Nitori, Raeder and Sanae are bantering about their houses, and Sagume also recalled the Lunar Capital.

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's note: Hi everyone! If you're still reading this after a few chapters, welcome back. For those who'd just started reading, welcome. As usual, feel free to leave constructive criticism, feedback or views on the following. I'd love to read your thoughts.

Chapter summary: Sanae finally gets roped into the project, and meets Nagae Iku. This is their first interaction since Sanae lost her memories. What would happen?
________________________________________

Septembvrios 9th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

Koln Institute for Advanced Psionics Research, the Confederation of Tyrador

The thick walls were made from alternating sandwiches of pure, refined alloys that could naturally withstand psionic and magical blasts. It was meant to prevent attacks from the outside, but more importantly, it also served to ensure that those contained within remained sealed with no hope of escaping.

No one but a select few researchers within the institute knew the existence of such thick walls.

Miryem Adelsonn, the director of the institute walked with the composure of a confident researcher, leading Kochiya Sanae who followed closely while maintaining some distance.

"Welcome to the real Koln Institute, Sanae."

As Miryem finished her sentence, they encountered Heiwig Bayer, standing in front of the entrance of a containment chamber. He extended his hand, offering a handshake to which Sanae accepted.

Sanae carefully scanned the man, recalling information gathered on him. Formally, he was a psychic power developer whose specialty lies in establishing relationships between the soul and the brain in psychic power manifestation.

"I've heard a lot about you from our colleagues," Heiwig spoke politely, maintaining a polished smile on his face.

"Eh…that makes me feel…rather nervous," Sanae muttered. As an undercover agent, she could not help but to worry about the words being said about her, without her realizing. A single rumor could potentially jeopardize her entire operation.

"Don't sweat over it! They're mostly good, though they also say that you're a bold otaku that keeps referencing funny memes."

"GAH-!!" Sanae stuttered.

"Sanae, we all know about your otaku tendencies. Even your mentor, Professor Rikako, told us about it!" Miryem added further. She then wrapped her right arm around her stomach, before starting to laugh uncontrollably.

"Professor Rikako actually said that?!!" Sanae shrieked.

"Well…we all have our quirks. It's fine, as long as we push the boundaries of science further. What's wrong with being an otaku anyway?"

Miryem nodded and clapped her hands.

"That's right! There's nothing wrong with being an otaku. We all have our eccentricities, Sanae…" Miryem muttered. "Heiwig, please look after Sanae and show her how we do things for the G-Program. Don't spook our newbie, alright?"

"Don't worry. I'll be sure to take care of our newest recruit over here."

As Sanae heard Heiwig's odd reassurance, she could not help but to let out an odd chuckle.

Part 2

It was only half an hour since the earlier exchange, but even Heiwig Bayer fell silent as he carefully observed Kochiya Sanae. The jolly woman he met earlier was gone.

Sanae's expression was stoic, and her entire demeanor was that of a serious researcher. She narrowed her eyes, her hands neatly placed inside the pockets of her laboratory coat.

Test Subject 219, huh? Sanae whispered in her mind. Miryem and Heiwig had briefed her about the magical creature, and she recalled the image of Nagae Iku as seen in the documents sent to her by Jade.

"Sanae, are you confident enough to take over my research?" Heiwig asked.

"Of course. I've seen the research logs and have an idea on what I should be focusing on. But first…"

Sanae halted her footsteps.

"I'll have to see Test Subject 219 with my own eyes."

"You'll be seeing her once you enter your research…"

"I mean, I want to conduct a physical examination on her."

"Why?!" Heiwig asked in confusion. "That thing might attack you."

"It is restrained, and we have magic suppressors all over the facility. She's practically harmless. There's nothing to be worried about."

Part 3

The oarfish youkai Nagae Iku slowly opened her eyes. Her mind still remembered the pain inflicted from the numerous experiments conducted onto her, causing her body to instantly tremble.

Her hazy eyesight, still adjusting to light after being forced into a deep slumber due to anesthesia, slowly sharpened. She saw a green-haired woman dressed in a laboratory coat, with a white dress shirt, green necktie and black, slack pants beneath.

As her vision became sharper…she slowly narrowed her eyes. The woman standing before her seemed rather familiar.

She pondered, trying to search for an answer from the deep recesses of her mind. But nothing came to her mind.

She decided to give up. The identity of the woman standing before her was irrelevant. No matter what, her circumstances would not change. She would remain a prisoner in the cold containment chamber, to be used as a guinea pig before the researchers.

Part 4

"Hmm…she doesn't seem to sustain any physical injury. As expected, magical creatures can immediately heal their physical injuries," Kochiya Sanae muttered with a detached look, as she slowly approached Nagae Iku.

This is only an act, Sanae. You are not enjoying this. This is a mission.

Sanae continued repeating those thoughts, even as she carefully observed Iku. Unfortunately, she did not recognize the latter due to her memory loss.

"That's correct, Sanae. As you know, magical creatures can heal their physical injuries rather quickly. So, we're not that concerned about physical damage when conducting experiments using them."

"That's rather convenient."

"It is, Sanae. Which is why we can be more flexible when researching magical creatures as compared to biological ones."

Nagae Iku narrowed her eyes as she heard the name 'Sanae'. The name was enough to trigger a reaction in her mind, causing her to scramble through her memories for someone or something.

"Impressive," Sanae continued, unaware that Iku was observing her as well. "They do not require advanced cellular manipulation for self-healing, unlike us humans. We're frail in comparison."

Heiwig shook his head in protest.

"Don't underestimate humans, Sanae. Despite everything, that frail magical being is there, restrained as a test subject. We, humans, are the ones experimenting on them."

Heiwig slowly pointed his index finger towards his head.

"This is our greatest weapon. The brain. The organ that connects the soul with the vessel, allowing us to manifest psychic abilities. Thanks to this, we have subjugated lowly xenos and magical beings."

He then revealed a cold grin.

"As a species, we are superior to everything else. We have already taken evolution into our own hands, and eventually…humanity will reach a new metamorphosis once we attain The One Who Reaches the Senses of Heavens. That, my friend, is the ultimate purpose of the G-Program and the end of evolution."

Sanae merely nodded, not intending to argue any further while profiling Heiwig Bayer as a human supremacist.

Meanwhile, Iku's mind finally recalled the identity of the woman standing before her.

There's no doubt about it…she might be dressed differently, but those green eyes. Green hair. And that demeanor…!!

"The Moriya shrine maiden?!" Iku shouted loudly in Japanese. "Why are you here?"

Heiwig's expression turned into confusion. In the many years he spent experimenting on her, this was the first time he heard her muttering something besides begging for mercy or letting out screams of agony.

"What?" Kochiya Sanae muttered, as she furrowed her eyes. She did not understand Iku, who was speaking Japanese. To the amnesiac woman, Japanese was a truly alien language. It sounded gibberish, almost as if someone was speaking in a funny dialect of the ancient Beilin language.

"It's me! I'm Nagae Iku, the Dragon God's messenger for Gensokyo!" Iku pressed further in Japanese. She was not aware of Sanae's current circumstances and assumed the latter understood her.

"Has she ever behaved like this, Professor Heiwig?"

"This is the first time I've seen that thing agitated like this."

"I see…" Sanae muttered, her eyes observing Iku with keen interest. "Perhaps this is an omen."

"Omen?"

"That's correct, Heiwig. This might be a sign that we will finally uncover the truth of the world," Sanae added further, her voice deeper than usual as she mimicked the persona of the 'mad scientist' from a novel. "In other words, I'll take over all research relating to Test Subject 219 from now on."

"Interesting. I never expected this from you, to be honest…so, this is truly amusing. I look forward to working closely with you, Sanae."

Heiwig slowly turned his body towards the entrance of the chamber, as he made his way out.

"Do look forward to it, Professor Heiwig."

Part 5

After a minute since Heiwig Bayer left, Kochiya Sanae let out a heavy sigh.

"That was really tough." Sanae had pulled an extraordinary performance, one enough to convince Heiwig that she was one of them. She was not exactly the best when it came to acting, but she had watched enough sci-fi anime to mimic the trope of an evil scientist. But she detested every single moment of it.

Had someone told her that scientific progress was necessary, she would agree wholeheartedly. She truly believed in the need to push the boundaries of science further, as someone with insatiable curiosity and passion for the sciences even when she was still the Moriya shrine maiden.

This particular passion of hers did not disappear despite her memory loss. Rather, her love for science became stronger when she first learned from Asakura Rikako.

Despite that, she did not believe in the phrase 'the end justifies the means'. Scientific progress did not justify the need to perform illegal experiments. Neither the science-loving nor the prosecutor Kochiya Sanae could accept the fact that one had to resort to crime to advance human knowledge.

Sanae slowly shifted her gaze towards Iku, observing the latter as her mind began recalling all relevant information stated in the report sent by Jade.

Iku's spiritual circuitry. Her physical stats and markers. Records of chemicals administered to her, alongside side effects and reactions to them. Procedures done onto her.

"Sanae," Iku stuttered, still shocked to see the green-haired woman standing before her, "Did you abandon Gensokyo to be with bastards like him?!"

Sanae tilted her head. She understood only one word from Iku's mouth: her own name.

"Why do you know my name?" Sanae asked. She then recalled that Heiwig mentioned her name during their earlier exchange.

Perhaps, that was how Iku came to learn of her name.

"You're sharp. You picked up subtle details simply by listening to our conversation. Had you been a Tyradorian, I'd probably bring you to Kotohime and get you recruited as a prosecutor."

Iku revealed a stare of confusion, as she listened to Sanae speaking the Tyradorian language. An ancient language that had been spoken since the age of Atlantis, it could be described as a mix of Germanic, Hellenic, Lunarian and East Asian languages. It truly sounded off and artificial to one who spoke Danish, Dutch, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Lunarian or any of the Chinese languages such as Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien or Mandarin.

Sanae paused, as a realization came to her mind. The 'creature' before her was from Earth. Did modern Earthlings understand the ancient language spoken by Tyradorians?

The answer was likely 'no'. It would be a tall order to assume that modern Earthlings knew anything of their ancient past, let alone be aware of their distant relatives living in the recesses of the cosmos.

Thus, she activated a basic skill possessed by every psychic that underwent the Psychic Development Curriculum: Auto-Translation, a two-layered ability enabling communication with aliens.

In the first layer, the psychic activates his or her mental calculation to aid in interpreting air vibrations and stimuli received by the ear, enabling comprehension of the foreign words spoken to him or her. The psychic then emitted trace amounts of psionic energy when speaking, acting as 'messengers' that helped translate his or her words into a language that the target listener understood.

Combined, the two abilities enable seamless communication between a Tyradorian and any alien in situations where neither could communicate through ordinary means.

"Hi there. Can you understand me? If you do, nod your head."

Nagae Iku nodded, as she finally understood Kochiya Sanae despite the latter speaking in Tyradorian.

"Excellent. It seems that I can use Auto-Translation without having to worry about side effects. Now, there shouldn't be any communication barrier between us."

Sanae paused for five seconds, letting out a long sigh.

"As you've probably guessed, my name is Kochiya Sanae. I am a researcher in this institute. Similar to my colleague Heiwig Bayer, I research magical beings like yourself…"

Why are you introducing yourself to me? Iku pondered. She knew who Sanae was.

More importantly, what did Sanae mean by 'researching magical beings like herself'? Just what exactly was going on?

"I have a fundamentally different approach to research compared to my colleagues. I know everything about you, Test Subject 219. The chemicals they administered, the procedures you've been through. Even the mapping of your soul. You could say that I know you better than you know yourself," Sanae continued in a flat manner, not realizing the irony in her words.

She claimed to know Iku better than Iku knew herself. Yet Iku undoubtedly knew a part of Sanae that even the latter was oblivious to.

Ignoring those words, Iku continued observing Sanae. The facial expression and voice was undoubtedly that of the Moriya shrine maiden that went missing more than a century ago.

Admittedly, Iku was not particularly close to Sanae. Still, they were not exactly strangers.

So, why did Sanae speak to her as if she was speaking to a stranger? Not to mention, the mannerism in which Sanae spoke to her was too formal and polite.

"Sanae?" Iku muttered.

"Yes?"

"A-" Before Iku could continue any further, Sanae raised her right palm, signalling the former to stop talking.

Sanae could sense a psychic link reaching for her mind. She knew this link very well, and it was one she'd prioritize picking up over talking to anyone else.

"Apologies, but I need to pick up this call. Excuse me," Sanae muttered politely. She then slowly took a few steps away from Iku.

"Wait, Sanae!" Iku shouted, but Sanae continued stepping away from Iku. Her mind started establishing a telepathic link with her own mind after accepting the psychic link attempting to reach out to her.

A smile formed on Sanae's lips.

"Nitori~!!!" Sanae began speaking, as she muttered the name in a cheerful manner. "What's up?"

Nitori? Iku parroted, as she heard the name being muttered by Sanae. It was another familiar name. A name of someone that originated from Gensokyo.

Is that not the name of that merchant-minded kappa that went missing alongside Sanae? So, they've been together all this well?

Part 6

Kochiya Sanae, now outside the containment zone where Nagae Iku was detained, turned her gaze as she scanned her environment. Her mind was telepathically linked to Kawashiro Nitori, who was currently heading towards the Lab.

Instantaneous telepathy was yet another basic ability for Confederate psychics. Regardless of distance or dimension, two psychics could easily establish a telepathic link if they knew each other's 'unique signature'.

The telepathic link established possessed a unique quality which prevented outsiders from eavesdropping through psionic or magical methods. Only high-level spells or specialized psionic devices meant for decrypting telepathic links could allow someone to pry into a conversation going on through a telepathic link.

"Sanae, how's your investigation going? Did you manage to get into their circle?"

"My investigation is progressing rather well. As Professor Rikako predicted, Miryem poached me into the G-Program…"

"Not bad, you're progressing rather quickly. At this rate, you might close the case within seven months?"

"Seven months? I'm going to close this shitty case within six. Watch me."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, Miss Mad Scientist?"

"I'm not ahead of myself. I'm pretty confident, you know?"

"Let's make a bet. If you can't close this case within six months as you claimed, then you must bring me out for dinner at a really nice place!"

"Heh. I'll bring you to an all-you-can-eat cucumber dessert shop if I fail to solve this case within six months, Nitori!"

"Sanae!! You can't retract that! It's locked!"

"Of course. Cucumbers are your number one favorite, right?"

Sanae let out a chuckle. She could sense Nitori's excitement through the telepathic link, since cucumbers were the latter's absolute favorite.

"Cucumbers are life!"

"Hmm…how about winter melons? They taste good, don't you think so?"

"Winter melon juice isn't bad. But it's nowhere near to the chilling taste of cucumbers!"

Cucumbers could be said to be a core identity of Kawashiro Nitori. Had someone given her a cucumber, she would be more than happy to render any service or assistance with no additional cost. That part of her has not changed, even after losing both her memories and identity as a kappa.

"I know you'd say that. There's nothing that can separate you from cucumbers," Sanae replied, her lips curling upwards in pure delight upon hearing Nitori's response.

"Anyway…send me your coordinates. I'm teleporting something to you."

"Hmm…let me check my coordinates and send it over through QGram."

"Sure. Professor Rikako reached out to me, asking me to perform some adjustments to a device she invented for you. She said it'll help your investigation, so I made sure to do it really quickly."

"Really quickly? I thought you wanted me to take more time with my case…so that you'd get free all-you-can-eat cucumber desserts?"

"Sanae…the Lab feels lacking without you, its mad scientist and leader."

"Ah…so you miss me. I got it, Nitori. I miss you too!"

"Shut up! Who said anything about missing you?!"

"My beloved tsundere, I love and miss you very much!"

"Who are you calling a tsundere, you mad scientist?!"

"So you do not deny the fact that you miss me?"

"SHUT UP! Anyway, cucumbers! Remember your promise!"

"Yes, of course…Miss Tsundere Engineer. I remember my promises, especially the ones I made to you."

"And don't forget your coordinates…"

"Thanks, Nitori. You really are the best…"

"Of course I am! Did you just realize it?"

"I've known that for a very long time. Talk to you soon, my beloved right arm…"

After exchanging goodbyes, Sanae deactivated her telepathic link, ending her communication with Nitori.

Part 7

Nagae Iku observed Kochiya Sanae intently, observing the latter's facial expression and body language intently.

Even with a soundproof wall standing between Iku and Sanae, she could see Sanae's delight when speaking with Nitori. Indeed, there were many questions she wanted to ask Sanae.

If only she had the chance to speak with her. Perhaps…

Part 8

Kochiya Sanae noticed Nagae Iku's gaze piercing the soundproof wall, observing her with a clinical interest.

What's with that gaze of hers? Is she…thinking about killing me?!!

Sanae was a prosecutor of the Confederation currently on an undercover mission. Officially, she was a researcher working in an institute that had subjected Iku to immense suffering and agony.
It was only ordinary for a victim to stare at her with eyes of hatred and vengeance.

"I really hate this job," Sanae whispered. "Why do I have to do this?"
_____________________________
Chapter notes:

1. Canon-wise, they don't really interact much but they aren't complete strangers. In Grimoire of Usami, Sanae was the one of the judges for Iku's danmaku, so they've canonically interacted in the past.
2. Heiwig...sigh, your typical supremacist.
3. Nitori still loves cucumbers even after losing her memories.

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's Note: For those who have just started reading, welcome. For those who've returned, welcome back! Thanks for reading, and as usual, feel free to leave comments, feedback, constructive criticisms.

Summary: Sanae is now in-charge of Iku, as she continues with her investigation on Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research. Meanwhile, a woman by the name of Moca von Moltke came to visit the Lab?
__________________________________

Septembvrios 18th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research, Confederation of Tyrador

A week has passed since Kochiya Sanae replaced Heiwig Bayer as the primary researcher in-charge for Test Subject 219, Nagae Iku.

Iku's life certainly changed for the better since Sanae took over. Sure, she was still being detained in the cold containment chamber. The tubes and wires were still crawling all over her body.

Yet, the days where she would scream in agony as Heiwig administered experimental chemicals onto her were gone. She was no longer subjected through experimental tampering of her soul, disrupting her magical circuitry which usually led to her going on an outburst.

The days of suffering seemed to be in the distant past, even though it was just slightly over a week since Sanae appeared.

Her mind could relax whenever she saw Sanae walking into the chamber, knowing that she would not be subjected to torture labeled as 'experiments'. She also found relief in seeing a familiar face in that cold, cruel chamber. It was akin to a traveller meeting someone from the same homeland in a distant, faraway land. Even if the two were practically strangers, it was common for such people to form a strong cameraderie built from a common origin and shared experiences.

The only matter that bothered her was Sanae's unusual routine.

Whenever Sanae walked into the containment chamber, she would just give a simple greeting while holding a cup of espresso. Afterwards, she would spend most of her time clerking on her computer, if not going anywhere for a quick break. Once her day was over, she would simply stand and bid goodbye to Iku in an oddly polite manner.

It felt as if Sanae had no interest in her at all. Not as a researcher, nor as someone who came from Gensokyo.

Iku also noticed another odd behavior of Sanae. Whenever their eyes met, Sanae would divert her eyes away as if avoiding direct contact with her. She could not help but to wonder the reason behind that. After all, it was not something that the Moriya shrine maiden would do.

The Moriya shrine maiden known to residents of Gensokyo was an approachable, cheerful and friendly person. Sure, she may appear dumb and foolish at times. Many viewed her as a nuisance. Still, she was never reserved. That behavior of hers led Iku to ponder about the person behind the transparent wall.

The green-haired woman wearing the laboratory coat was certainly Kochiya Sanae. But, was she truly the same Kochiya Sanae that had once lived in Gensokyo?

Part 2

Seated opposite the transparent wall where Nagae Iku was detained was Kochiya Sanae. Her eyes were locked on the holographic projections, as her fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard.

She inputted some instructions into the command prompt. Five seconds later, she gained admin privileges, allowing her to access otherwise inaccessible documents reserved for Miryem Adelsonn.

"I did it," Sanae whispered to herself. Her eyes slowly scanned through the list of documents contained in the server. She clicked one of the documents titled 'Allies'.

"What…"

Sanae's eyes widened in disbelief. The document displayed a table containing names of scientists, their formal affiliation and roles in G-Program. Sanae recognized some of the names listed in the document. They were giants in the field of psychic power development, with some reaching an almost mythical-level reputation in the Confederation.

Some of them provided financial support, while others served as independent eyes providing an outsider's view of findings reported by the core researchers in Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research.

"It seems that my investigation has just gotten much larger…" Sanae whispered to herself.

She then returned to the list of documents and opened another file named 'Track'. After clicking it, the document loaded itself on the screen.

They were correspondences between Miryem Adelsonn and the alien Geroln, a notorious alien trafficker known within the law enforcement and underworld circle.. Sanae narrowed her eyes as she read through the conversations between the two.

[Miryem] Geroln, give us something more interesting. The shit you sent to us isn't giving us the results we wanted.

[Geroln] You scientists are never satisfied. I gave you rare shit, and you keep asking for more.

[Miryem] Unfortunately, we scientists need more than just 'rare shit'. We need something useful for our research. I hope you understand that.

[Geroln] Fine…I'll arrange some really interesting materials for the next shipment.

[Miryem] This better be good. The quality of the past few shipments have been…subpar.

[Geroln] For someone that rarely purchases more than 10 shit at a time, you sure complain a lot. The cost of trafficking aliens isn't cheap!

[Miryem] We paid a premium for that. Besides, we may be small 'importers' but thanks to us, your business has been growing rapidly in Tyrador. I think most of your customers come from us.

[Geroln] And…?

[Miryem] It'd be bad if I say something bad about you to your clients, who are largely part of my network. Do you understand?

[Geroln] Are you threatening me?

[Miryem] I'm merely throwing a hypothetical scenario. Perhaps you've been doing dirty work for so long that you forgot your real duty as a military commander. Running wargames and simulations may be something you've forgotten, but we scientists love our hypothetical scenarios.

[Geroln] Tch! What an annoying bitch.

[Miryem] Is that how you speak to a customer? Where's customer service when you need one?

[Geroln] I get it. I'll be sure to send some top-grade shit for my next shipment. Do look forward to it.

"Top-grade shit, huh?" Sanae muttered to herself. She continued scrolling down the document, only to find quotations of aliens being trafficked. Miryem was certainly paranoid enough that she preferred physical payment over cashless transactions. In a civilization where cashless payments were the norm, it was odd to find someone adamant on having physical payment.

The fact that Miryem was adamant to make physical payments was testament to her paranoia.

Sanae then froze. Her mind fell into deep thought, as she recalled the identity of Geroln. The renowned alien trafficker hails from the world of Brune, a distant world located 220 million light years away from the world of Tyrador.

Publicly, he was a high-ranking military general in the Brunian empire - a militaristic, expansionist alien empire that had conquered worlds across multiple galaxies. Using military resources under his command, Geroln was able to run an alien trafficking syndicate and squash rivals using the Brunian military; a fact well-known within the circles of the underworld.

If the correspondence between Miryem and Geroln were true, then this case has grown beyond the scale Sanae had in mind.

Miryem was not simply acting alone. She had a network of suppliers that provided her with 'supplies' of aliens to be experimented on, funders supporting her operations and collaborators aiding her research from behind the scenes. The list she'd seen suggested that Miryem's thumbprints were scattered across multiple institutes.

Sanae was certain that many would not simply watch if Miryem fell. If she wanted to solve this case, she had to sweep the entire network at once - leaving no room for retaliation by her associates and backers.

She then saved the documents into her personal drive. After five seconds, she removed the drive from the computer and slowly raised her head. Her eyes fell onto Iku's sharp gaze.

Don't look at me! Sanae pondered. Under normal circumstances, she would have rushed over and broke Iku free from her restraints. Still…she lacked the liberty to act as she pleased.

As a prosecutor on an undercover assignment, her duty was to gather intelligence. She was not there to arrest anyone. That meant she had to lay low and play along with the syndicate she was infiltrating. She had to put on a smile before criminals while barely withholding the urge to aim her psionic handgun and pull the trigger.

You probably want to kill me. I get it. I'm truly sorry for everything! Once this is over, I'll be sure to apologize properly to you.

Sanae slowly swallowed her saliva, distracting herself from the guilt swelling in her heart. She then lowered her head, avoiding Iku's piercing gaze.

No, this is not the right time, Sanae told herself. The right time for proper communication with victims is after cracking down this accursed trafficking den masquerading as a research institute. That was also another reason for her apparent reluctance to speak with Iku, despite the latter actively trying to reach out to her.

Yet, one could not help but to notice the irony in Sanae's actions. She was distancing herself from the one who knew her past as the Moriya shrine maiden. Only a soundproof, transparent wall stood between Kochiya Sanae and the truth, but she deliberately avoided it for the sake of her current mission.

Part 3

The Prosecutors Office Headquarters, Tyrador, the Confederation of Tyrador

Kotohime folded her arms, as she slowly raised her gaze towards the white ceiling.

"This case is getting much bigger than I originally expected…"

Sitting opposite to her was Raeder Lapislazuli, who seemed just as baffled as herself. The two prosecutors had just finished reading the reports sent by Kochiya Sanae on G-Program.

"Sanae is planning to take down the entire syndicate in one decisive sweep," Raeder explained, as he pointed at the document on Kotohime's table. "I agree with her approach. Miryem's reach is literally embedded in multiple institutions, not to mention that some of these institutions…aren't exactly what we think they are."

Kotohime paused, as a new thought came into her mind.

Some of these names…are backed by rather dangerous people.

Some research institutes in the Confederation also served as fronts for drug manufacturing syndicates owned by drug lords and underworld organizations. Others were illicit weapons manufacturing institutions putting the facade of psionic research as its front cover.

"Hmm…some of the institutions here are under investigation for other crimes, although they've managed to evade prosecution effectively."

"Which is precisely why I'm advocating to let Sanae take them down using the G-Program."

Kotohime slowly nodded. Raeder's suggestion was not all too odd. Even on Earth, American authorities had once arrested and imprisoned Al Capone for tax evasion, despite being a well-known criminal.

"The more important question is…how do we deal with Geroln?" Raeder continued. "That is a tricky question."

Geroln was not Tyradorian. He was a high-ranking military general in the Brunian military and deep tentacles in Brunian politics. His arrest would lead to a major diplomatic fallout between the Confederation and the Brunian Empire.

Certainly, the Confederation possessed superior military and technology. But the Brunians were influential, and the Meringian Cathedral - the sole rival of the Tyradorians, had always wanted to bring the Brunians into their fold.

Kotohime let out a tired sigh. To be honest, she was unsure on how best to deal with Geroln.

"We'll just conduct a raid on him and his ilk. They're just another crime syndicate lurking behind the Brunian military."

"Hmm…but if he turned the Brunian military against us, it could very well mean war."

The Prosecutors Office was a branch of the Tyradorian military. Geroln and his ilk were primarily soldiers of the Brunian Empire. If they clashed, it could very well be misinterpreted as an act of war by the Confederation against the Brunian Empire.

"Well, Raeder…Geroln entered our space and broke our laws. We can always argue that we acted in self-defense."

"Legally speaking, that is true. We're merely discharging our duties as law enforcement officers. But…"

"If you're so concerned over diplomacy, let's have our colleagues from the Intelligence Department join this operation to take down Geroln. Besides…" Kotohime slowly pointed her index finger towards the ceiling, "Diplomacy is a game for the higher-ups to think about. It's above our paygrade. And why are you taking over Anna's duty?"

Raeder let out a heavy sigh, before curling his lips upwards.

"Kotohime…are you seriously going to dump this to Aunt Anna?"

"Well…Anna is the expert in the game of diplomacy. We're prosecutors, not diplomats. Harold's mother is in charge of our Reich's diplomacy. Let her deal with the aftermath of Geroln's actions."

Part 4

The Lab, Tyrador, Confederation of Tyrador

"Morai Pudding is in a class of its own!" Kawashiro Nitori declared while holding a small spoon and an empty pudding cup, "Only cucumbers and President Moca's handmade pastries can beat this."

Morai Pudding. An infamous cold caramel custard brand sold across modern civilization reputed for its quality and extremely smooth texture.

Jade revealed a grin as she listened to Nitori.

"Hmm…? President Moca's pastries still prevail over Morai Pudding, it seems?"

Nitori raised her index finger.

"Morai Pudding is truly tasty…but President Moca's pastries belong to a class of its own. Nothing in creation could compare to its great, splendid texture and taste. At times, I felt that President Moca's pastries might replace my love for cucumbers."

"President Moca's pastries are that amazing to you, huh?"

"It's true. Don't ask me to choose between President Moca's pastries and cucumbers. It's a very tight match, although I'm still leaning towards cucumbers at this moment."

"In other words, you're swaying. Your love for cucumbers, once absolute, is slowly being shattered by President Moca's pastries."

"When you put it that way…it feels as if I'm cheating, you know?"

"You cheated on poor cucumber! Nitori! How could you~" Jade muttered, her tone slowly becoming more dramatic. She then placed her palm on her chest and closed her eyes. "Ah…Nitori. The cucumbers are crying, saddened by your betrayal!"

"Oi!! You speak as if I cheated on my partner!"

"Aren't cucumbers your partner?"

"Huh? Cucumbers are food."

"Ohoo…so, cucumbers aren't your sworn life partner? Then…tell me, Nitori…" Jade muttered slowly, her eyes locked towards Nitori. "Who is this sworn partner of yours?"

"Sworn partner? Just what exactly are you rambling about?!"

"Your lover, of course."

"Stop right there! I know exactly where this is heading!"

Jade revealed a sinister grin, as her sharp gaze fell onto Nitori.

"I didn't say anything…you know? Why are you overreacting?"

"Because I know exactly what you're thinking!"

"That's impossible! I thought you did not have mind-reading abilities! I've lowered my guard!!" Jade shrieked. "Just how many of my secrets have you read using your mind?!"

"I don't need mind-reading abilities to read you! You're an open book. Even Sanae knows how to hide her thoughts, unlike you!"

"GEH!! Anyway…speaking of Sanae, is it true that you made a bet with her?"

"I had lots of bets with Sanae. Be more specific, will you?"

"Hmm…I heard that if Sanae couldn't close her current case within six months from her assignment date, she'll treat you to an all-you-can-eat cucumber dessert."

"Hehehe…that's correct!"

"Unfortunately, Sanae is progressing rather rapidly in her current investigation. You might lose the bet, Nitori."

"Did Kotohime tell you that?"

"Yes, Mom told me…so don't be sad, Nitori."

"Heh," Nitori reacted as if that news did not bother her at all, "Then, she'll treat me because I assisted in her investigation. This is a service charge!"

Jade slowly closed her eyes. She then folded her arms and took a deep breath, as if meditating. She then slowly opened her eyes, as if she had just attained enlightenment. It was a sight that could even move Hijiri Byakuren.

"I've figured out the truth, Nitori. Nothing is ever hidden from me, Jade!"

"I'm sure it is just another delusion of yours."

"Nitori…" Jade muttered, her voice slowly becoming deeper as she began speaking with a dramatic flair, "You just wanted to go on a date with Sanae, don't you?"

"H-h-h-uh?! I just wanted to enjoy my cucumbers!" Nitori replied frantically, as her cheeks reddened.

"Why don't you go to an-you-can-eat cucumber dessert cafe with me?"

"You? I don't want to spend hours listening to how the Organization is trying to approach me by handing me a cucumber!"

"Unfortunately, that's the truth. The Organizat-"

"Stop right there! I'm not interested in your delusions!"

"Fine, Miss Tsundere. Certified Sanae-lover."

"I am not a tsundere!!! I am a genius engineer!"

"Miss Tsundere Genius Engineer."

"There's no tsundere!"

Nitori folded her arms and puffed her cheek. Jade, noticing Nitori's adorable facial reaction, reached out to the latter's cheek and poured strength into pinching her cheek.

"OWOWOWOWOW!!!" Nitori shrieked. "What was that for?!"

"You are too cute, Nitori. My hand moved on its own and started pinching you."

"Stop it!" Nitori screamed, as she began running away from Jade.

"I won't let you escape!"

As Jade chased after Nitori, who nimbly ran away from her…a new figure slowly walked into the Lab.

The woman with short, croppy ivory blond hair and sleepy-looking bluish eyes was Moca von Moltke. She was dressed in an oversized hoody, with a teal-blue colored white short and navy blue tracksuits beneath.

Her appearance was youthful and childlike. Despite her looks, Moca von Moltke was the founding President of the Confederation of Tyrador who had been instrumental in building the Confederation, and the supreme leader of the influential von Moltke clan that wielded enormous influence in Tyradorian politics and economy.

She was an ancient being, whose birth predated the fall of Atlantis.

Yet…Jade and Nitori approached her as if she was nothing more than a regular visitor to the Lab.

"President Moca, fancy seeing you here!" Nitori spoke excitedly, as she walked towards the person who could move Creation, with a smile on her face. "What's with those bags?"

"Hello there!" Moca von Moltke replied in a grandmotherly manner. She then raised the bag in her right hand, "This? I made pastries for everyone."

"Pastries!!" Nitori shouted in excitement, as she brought her face closer to the bag. She could smell the pleasant smell imploring her to devour it instantly. She could clearly see five floral-themed food containers inside the bag.

"Thanks, President Moca! Your cooking is the best! It's worth becoming an impure being, if it means getting to taste the food made with your hands."

"Don't flatter me, Jade…" Moca von Moltke replied, as she walked towards the sofa.

"It's true! Nitori and I were talking about your pastries!"

"My, my…that's embarrassing. You were gossipping about my pastries?"

"It's really good! Nothing in creation can beat the amazing taste of President Moca's pastries…except cucumbers!"

"I'll make pickled cucumbers for you, Nitori."

"Really?!" Nitori asked, her eyes beaming delightfully in anticipation of President Moca's pickled cucumbers. Moca von Moltke revealed a smile of affirmation, before nodding gleefully to Nitori.

Part 5

"Jade…Nitori," Harold von Moltke called out as he walked into the Lab. "Do we have a visit-"

He froze, as his sights immediately fell onto Moca von Moltke.

"Ancestor Moca!" he spoke in a panicked tone, immediately bowing in veneration before the elder von Moltke. While Harold was not a direct descendant of hers, it was customary for younger von Moltkes such as himself to address Moca von Moltke 'ancestor'.

Moca von Moltke nodded, recognizing Harold's gesture of respect towards her.

"Raise your head and act normally as you would. This is not a clan gathering. And I brought pastries…"

"Of course…Ancestor," Harold replied, as he slowly sat next to Nitori, who was munching a pastry.

Nitori extended her hand, grabbed a slice of peach pastry and handed it over to Harold.

"This one's really tasty," Nitori commented, as she took another slice of the peach pastry and swallowed it whole. "But again…President Moca's pastries are too good!"

"Nitori, don't speak while your mouth is full," Moca reprimanded, her tone soft as if she was reprimanding a granddaughter of hers.

"What brings you here, Ancestor Moca?" Harold asked. He then bit the peach pastry, savoring each moment.

"Oh, I'm here to pick up my smartphone. I asked Jade and Nitori to modify my phone."

"Trust me, Madam President. Your phone is now the most advanced across Creation!" Nitori declared, pride seething out from her voice.

"Well…since the Genius Engineer and Super Hacker made the modifications, I'm confident that my phone is now the best."

"Huh…I have nothing against Jade, but Nitori? Ancestor Moca, you better pray that your phone doesn't explode like a pager."

"I can hear you very well…Harold von Moltke," Nitori replied, slowly glared at Harold.

"Now, now, now…" Moca clapped her hands, sensing a tense atmosphere between Harold and Nitori. "If the two of you continue arguing, you might end up becoming lovebirds."

"With all due respect, President Moca…I'm not dating an undead zombie! It's unfortunate that the zombie is part of your esteemed clan."

"Who are you calling a zombie, you damned midget?!"

"Harold, stop it! Nitori's inventions are amazing, and I'm one of her loyal customers. Isn't that enough proof of her competence as an engineer?"

"Hmph! Even President Moca acknowledges my ingenuity and genius streak!"

"Anyway…" Moca interjected, knowing that prolonging the topic would only lead to endless squabbles between Harold von Moltke and Kawashiro Nitori, "Where's Sanae and Raeder? I haven't seen them for quite a while."

"Oh! Sanae is currently working on an undercover mission!"

"Oi, Jade! Why are you saying something like that so casually?!"

"She's President Moca von Moltke. She has access to otherwise confidential and classified information."

"Oh? An undercover mission?" Moca quipped in a soft and interested manner, "Tell me more about it."

"She's currently taking the guise of a psychic power developer as she investigates a research institute conducting illegal experiments and alien trafficking."

"Seems like a job for the Mad Scientist."

"Indeed. She's currently working to dismantle the Organization. And I have rather spicy stuff to show you, Madam President."

Jade reached out for her smartphone and unlocked the security features, which included a quick psionic energy signature scan. After that, she tapped the screen lightly, as a document detailing Miryem's 'test subjects' loaded on the screen.

Moca von Moltke scrolled through the screen with a pair of detached, disinterested eyes. That was until…she came across Test Subject 219's report. Nagae Iku's report.

A creature from Earth? Specifically from Gensokyo? Moca pondered.

"How long…has Sanae been working on this case?"

"Hmm…it's been slightly more than a month since she was assigned as an undercover agent. Although, she had only started on the more 'juicy' parts of her investigation."

"Is that so?" Moca replied, her tone flat. "I hope Sanae will quickly close the case without any harm in her way."

I'll have to ask a favor from Heca-chan to intervene, Moca pondered further, without letting her thoughts surface.

"This is Prosecutor Sanae we're talking about. She will absolutely solve this case quickly…" Jade spoke confidently, "Although, Nitori doesn't want Sanae to solve the case too quickly."

"HEY!! What was that for?!" NItori screamed.

"Why is that so?" Harold asked, tilting his head while observing Nitori.

"Because Nitori made a bet with Sanae. If Sanae couldn't solve the case within six months, she'll have to treat Nitori to an all-you-can-eat cucumber dessert cafe."

Nitori lowered her head, as Harold von Moltke and Moca von Moltke let out hearty laughs.

"Damn you, Jade…"
__________________________________
Chapter Note:

1. Moca von Moltke. A frequent visitor of the Lab, who seemed bothered to learn that someone from Gensokyo is in proximity to Sanae. I wonder why...
2. In an interview, ZUN said that Sanae is fairly easy to read. Though after years of being a prosecutor, she's not that easy to read anymore.
3. Geroln plays an important role in moving the story forward. That's about it for now.

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's Note: For those who have just started reading, welcome. For those who've returned, welcome back! Thanks for reading, and as usual, feel free to leave comments, feedback, constructive criticisms.

Summary: Toyohime confronts Hecatia in her search for Sagume. Nitori engages an account by the name 'Hinterteur Geheimer' on the platform Zwietracht, on a chatroom named 'The Conspiracy Room'. It spoke of an ancient prophecy in opposition to the religion of Deoh preached by the Cathedral.
___________________________

Septembvrios 19th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

The Hakurei Shrine.

Hecatia Lapislazuli was the Goddess of Hell who stood atop the pinnacle of power.

Watatsuki no Toyohime was one of the princesses of the Lunar Capital and a Lunar Sage responsible for the maintenance of the Asama Purifying Mountain.

Two antithetical beings stood face-to-face against each other in front of the Hakurei shrine. Hakurei Reimu, its former shrine maiden-promoted-to-goddess, sighed. This was not a sight she was expecting.

The Goddess of Hell Hecatia Lapislazuli narrowed her eyes, scanning the Lunarian she loathed with eyes of disdain. Someone like Watatsuki no Toyohime would not intentionally allow herself to be tainted with the stench of impurity abundant on Earth.

In other words, there was a significant purpose behind her appearance. Something that warranted her to act, even if it meant descending to the infinitely lower Earth.

"Hecatia Lapislazuli. The despicable enemy of the Moon," Toyohime declared, "Are you the one behind Sagume-sama's disappearance?"

Toyohime's eyes were cold, sharp and calculating.

As Hecatia heard Toyohime's question…she covered her mouth, barely withholding the urge to laugh.

"Me? Kidnapping who?"

"Kishin Sagume-sama. Don't play the fool…you know very well who she is."

"Hmm…ah, that one-winged thing."

"A thing? She is someone of high significance to us. You will address her with respect."

"Hmm…aren't you forgetting something? I'm Hecatia Lapislazuli. The Goddess of Hell."

"And?"

"We aren't friends. In fact, we're enemies. Do you expect me to call that thing…'Sagume-sama' in a cutey, lovey-dovey voice? I know you Lunarians have twisted expectations of the world surrounding you, but I'm not going to entertain that."

Watatsuki no Toyohime, who had been rather stoic throughout the entire exchange, showed a small crack.

She chuckled. Hecatia may be her enemy, but even she could not help but laugh at Hecatia's facial expression and voice.

"Anyway…cut the crap. I had nothing to do with Sagume's disappearance. Kidnapping a Lunarian isn't exactly in my to-do list."

"Hmm…so, are you saying that you have absolutely nothing to do with Sagume-sama's disappearance?"

"I have zero involvement in it. Besides, what benefit do I get from kidnapping her? She isn't exactly useful to me."

"Hmm…I can think of a few. For example…you get to use her powers for yourself. Or at least…your friend gets to torture her."

"Hmm…why didn't I think of that? Oh, I know! That's because…I don't do cowardly things like kidnapping people out of the blue!"

Toyohime narrowed her eyes.

"I am Hecatia Lapislazuli. The undefeatable Goddess of Hell. Had I truly poured even a small fraction of my true power, all of you would be gone within seconds."

"That's bold, coming from someone who sent fairies to defile our Pure Land."

Hecatia raised her hand like a student trying to ask a question before a teacher.

"About that…that's Junko's idea. I simply let her have the fairies do her bidding. Besides, it's fun seeing you Lunarians cower in fear before…fairies."

"They are the manifestation of life, the very thing we reject! They bring impurity to the Pure Land that is the Lunar Capital!"

"Well…those people won't budge even if they get exposed to impurity…" Hecatia quipped in a low voice.

"What?"

"Nothing. I had nothing to do with your friend."

Although I do know the ones responsible for her disappearance, Hecatia pondered, not letting a single word leak out of her mind.

Had Hecatia muttered the word 'aliens', she would be seen as another crazy idiot comparable to the likes of Watari Nina. She would be labeled 'deranged, mentally unsound and foolish'. Sure, she had a weird fashion sense, but she would not tolerate being insulted or being lumped with the likes of Nina.

After all, she had an image to maintain.

There are worlds far beyond your reach, you foolish Lunarian. They view you as barbarian savages roaming on the Moon. The children of Atlantis who had mastered the science of purity thrived in the depths of the cosmos.

And the Meringians…you better pray that you'd never met them. Nothing in the Lunar Capital, Hell or the existing otherworlds you know can stand up to those messed-up zealots, obsessed on converting everyone into Deoh worshippers.

Your one-winged idiotic friend was unlucky enough to be kidnapped and trafficked, right under your noses. She's now learning a painful and humbling lesson on her insignificance in the vase cosmos, where beings that see her the same way you view Earthlings, exist.

Hecatia ought to verbalize her thoughts, but decided to seal her mouth. There were things that were best left unsaid.

Part 2

"I'm pissed off! That annoying Lunarian actually came here, showed up in front of my shrine as if this was her backyard and threatened me to summon you if Gensokyo is to be spared!" Hakurei Reimu shouted, complaining about Toyohime's attitude towards her before Hecatia Lapislazuli.

"That is to be expected. You're dealing with a despicable Lunarian. They'd do anything as long as it serves their purpose. They're the worst kind of scums imaginable."

Hecatia then stood akimbo.

"Although…if they actually destroy Gensokyo, I'll be sure to bring ruination to their damned capital."

Reimu did not find solace in Hecatia's reassurance. For some reason, it felt more like Hecatia bragging about her strength rather than her genuinely interested in protecting Gensokyo.

Gensokyo, in its current state, was nothing more than an afterthought, if not a playground for hostile players seeking to expand their power. The Lunarians viewed Gensokyo as an expendable tool, while the Animal Realm dwellers saw fertile lands ripe for conquest.

"It sure is good to be the Goddess of Hell. Nothing ever concerns you."

"Excuse me. I may appear like this, but I assure you…I am actually working hard!"

"Working hard or hardly working? Besides, what do you actually do? From what I've heard, you don't even involve yourself with Hell's management!"

"I don't deal with stupid matters. Territorial squabbles and punishing the dead aren't things I deal with. I have bigger responsibilities on my plate."

"Such as?"

"None of your business."

Reimu paused. She thought of a rebuttal, but ultimately decided against it. There was nothing good to be gained from picking a fight with the Goddess of Hell. Besides, whatever Hecatia was working on probably did not concern Gensokyo.

Part 3

The Lab, Tyrador, Confederation of Tyrador

Kawashiro Nitori's eyes were locked on the monitor. Her hands tapped the keyboard quickly, as her mind was overflowing with ideas like a strong current flowing through a river. She was replying to messages to be sent on the platform Zwietracht, a popular instant messaging and voice over the internet platform ("VoIP").

Zweitracht users typically join chatrooms named diakomistis, where they share videos, images or even do voice calls and share their screens together.

Jade carefully observed Nitori, whose attention was fully concentrated into replying to messages in one of the chatrooms she joined titled "The Conspiracy Room". A diakomistis created by a renowned shitposter by the ID IAmShitPostQueen, it was popular and well-known as a place where conspiracy theorists gather to exchange ideas.

Still, the exchanges within The Conspiracy Room were typically rather intellectual - with legitimate scientific and magical theories, alongside history - being discussed in support or rebuttal of a conspiracy theory, making the chatroom both educational and hopelessly useless. One such as Watari Nina would probably spend their whole lives in the server.

Jade continued observing the monitor. A certain user by the ID 'Hinterteur Geheimer' was typing something.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] I am the one who holds the wisdom of the world. Nothing possesses greater wisdom than me. And heed my warning, the world is ending. Lelei's religion is real, and the apocalypse is nearing.

"Lelei?" Jade muttered. "Isn't that the Meringian prophet that lost the struggle for power against the Meringian Cathedral?"

Every citizen of the Confederation knew Lelei. It was a name belonging to a self-proclaimed prophet, whose movement was crushed by the overwhelming forces of the Cathedral during the Meringian Civil War.

"Does this idiot believe in Lelei's religion?".

[LeTroll] What do you mean?

[Hinterteur Geheimer] The Cathedral reported slight alterations in the canvas of creation, different from the phenomena caused by psychics. It has been ongoing for more than a century.

[Bobet] Alterations in the canvas of creation

[Hinterteur Geheimer] Yes.The sea of probabilities, infinite, boundless and endless, form what we perceive as existence. That is the canvas of creation, and reality as we perceive is nothing more than collective observations onto this boundless sea of probabilities.

[LeTroll] The soul of psychics directly observes probabilities and imposes its preferred observation onto the world, overwriting 'reality' and creating what we perceive as 'supernatural ability'. Since everything is possible, even doing what appears to be 'unlikely' can be made possible as well. That's Psionics 101. Are you delivering a lecture on psychic ability?

[Hinterteur Geheimer] And according to the great mage ARK, magic is just an artificial attempt to achieve what those with talents, namely psychics, were able to do through natural means. Psionics and magic are much closer than what you'd want to think.

[Zuck] LOL nope. We are psychics, our powers are developed through scientific research, not blind faith and zealotry.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] I will not argue about that. Coming back to my message, Lelei taught us that the world was created by the one God that reigned over the Throne. But God isn't interested in reigning eternally, and He has a successor in mind.

[LeTroll] I don't believe in the Cathedral, let alone Lelei's stupid religion.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] The anointed successor God is walking among us.

[Zuck] Huh?

[Hinterteur Geheimer] The successor to the Throne is oblivious of its nature. But trust God, for His plan is perfect. Return to the message of God. Abandon all other gods within your hearts… whether it be Deoh, spirits, magical beings or science.

[Bobet] You're kidding, right? Lelei's prophecy is just ramblings of a loser who lost the Meringian Civil War. Does anyone really take this seriously?

[Neu_torry (Nitori)] What the hell? Are you saying that Lelei's religion is real? LOL.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] It is real. The successor's coming is real. Have faith in God and His plan, and remain steadfast in Him. This is the true religion. All other religions are devil worship.

[Neu_torry (Nitori)] Wake up, will you? Lelei is nothing more than a charlatan that wants popularity by claiming that she speaks for God. Oldrudich, the so-called Papal of the Cathedral, is another charlatan. Stay away from religious nutjobs, and you'll be fine.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] @Neu_torry Are you Tyradorian? You sounded like those Tyradorian atheists.

[Neu_torry (Nitori)] Does that matter? There's no reason for me to believe in Lelei's God, or the Cathedral's Deoh. And the world is not ending anytime soon.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] You will see the signs very soon. The Meringian Cathedral has started moving…and so will the Confederation of Tyrador. If my prediction is correct, it will not be long before a major geopolitical tension begins between the two superpowers of Creation. That is the first sign of the end times.

[Bobet] The Confederation and the Cathedral have always been at loggerheads. Saying that major geopolitical tensions will happen…is vague.

[LeTroll] Seems like a charlatan's prophecy, if you ask me.

[Zuck] It is. LOOOOL this isn't even a conspiracy, this is straight up hogwash.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] The tension will eventually become kinetic, mark my words.

[Neu_torry (Nitori)] uWu I'm scared (lol)!

Nitori's reply received several laughing emojis.

[Hinterteur Geheimer] You should be, @Neu_torry! The successor will change the ruling structure of the world and ascend to the throne of the omnipotent God.

[LeTroll] Whatever makes you sleep at night…@Hinterteur Geheimer

[Hinterteur Geheimer] I won't sleep. I'll pray to God.

Jade chuckled. As deluded as she was, Lelei's prophecies and religious teachings never appealed to her.

"I thought something funny was being discussed," Nitori muttered. She then let out a heavy sigh. "Instead…we got someone preaching Lelei's religion in Zweitracht."

"You do hate religious preachers, don't you?"

"Religious preachers are the worst," Nitori quipped. "They sell false hopes for salvation…and blatantly promote their so-called miracle products that are nothing more than scams designed to fool the transient people."

"A scam, huh?"

Nitori nodded.

"The worst kind. Besides politicians."

"Uncle Conrad would be furious if you called him a scammer," Jade replied.

"Well…Conrad von Moltke is an exception to the rule," Nitori replied. "Sure, he definitely has some skeletons in his closet, but I doubt it's that bad…."

"...At least he isn't a member of the dreaded Organization."

"The Organization? Ah…while you're at it, why don't you post about the Organization in The Conspiracy Room? I'm sure it'll be famous!"

"Are you mocking me?"

"I'm not…you said the Organization exists. Tell the world of their existence!"

"They'll come after me if I reveal the world of their existence!" Jade replied, as she slowly extended her arms. "We fight the Organization from the shadows!"

"...In other words, you're afraid?"

"NOO!!!" Jade shouted in a dramatic manner. "I am Jade, the one who stands in between the Organization and its goal of enslaving all that exists! Why would I be afraid?"

"Then do it…share about the Organization in The Conspiracy Room!"

Part 4

Tower of Inquisition, Planet Mering, Meringian Cathedral

Inside the square room only three meters on each side, an humanoid alien of pale-blue complexion with unusually large eyes and one mouth stood in an imposing manner. Unlike humans, it possessed three fingers on each limb. It had elongated nerve cords which appeared dreadlock-like hairs reaching its shoulders. However, the nerve cords were unusually thick and hard, unlike human hairs.

Seated in front of him was another alien of a dark green complexion, but with similar physical composition. His arms and legs were tied to a chair, and there were bruises on its body.

"So…tell me," the imposing alien spoke in an annoyed voice, "Why do you refuse to embrace Deoh and follow the devil's teachings?"

"The new God…will put an end to the old order," the restrained alien replied.

"There is only one God, and His name is Deoh."

"No…Deoh is not God. Deoh is only a delusion born from Oldrudich's desire for power."

"How dare you call the Papal by his name, and accuse him of worldly attachments!"

The restrained alien let out a loud howl, before coughing greenish liquid from its body. It could feel immense pressure building up from within, as if something was crushing its internal organs.

"Repent and revert to the religion of Deoh. It is the only true religion."

"I thought…Deoh is merciful? Then why…are you torturing me?" the restrained alien asked, before coughing out more greenish liquid from its mouth.

"Deoh is indeed All-Forgiving. But also He commanded us, the faithful, to protect the Meringian Cathedral."

The Meringian Cathedral.

A multi-galactic theocratic empire based within the vast Einasto Supercluster of galaxies, as its capital world. It was one of the two cosmic superpowers in creation, with the Confederation of Tyrador regarded as its equal and rival.

As the first species to ever use magic, it has established its dominance through unrivaled magical supremacy and dogmatic faith in Deoh, the monotheistic God as taught by the Cathedral. Standing at the top of the expansive empire was the Papal, a supreme, unquestioned temporal and spiritual authority claiming himself as the prophet and vicegerent for Deoh.

The Papal was believed to be infallible, similar to how Muslims viewed their prophets.

"If Deoh is truly all-powerful, why does He need servants to protect the Cathedral?" the restrained Meringian asked.

"This is a chance for us, the faithful, to prove our faith and willingness to sacrifice ourselves for Him. He allowed the misguided to live, so that we the faithful can harvest deeds for the true afterlife."

"Deoh is not real!"

"Deoh is the only true God! Repent and renew your faith in Him! Abandon Lelei's heresies and embrace the truth!"

The imposing alien slowly walked towards its victim and reached for its nerve cords.

"It seems that you refuse to submit before Deoh. What a pity. But alas, your memories will be used to eradicate the followers of the false prophet Lelei."

"Executioner Kohor…" the restrained alien whispered as it felt its mind being intruded, "You can't stop the truth."

As soon as it finished its sentence, its entire body burst like a supernova.

"TCH!!!"

A defensive magical spell was instantly activated, protecting it against the powerful explosion. Even so, its body was sent flying from the impact…which destroyed the facility which had detained the self-destructing alien.

"Deoh…" Executioner Kohor muttered in a low voice, "loves trials and tribulations."

Executioner Kohor slowly deactivated the magical shield once the impact subsided. The elimination of Lelei's followers remains the primary objective of the Executioners of the Cathedral. And Kohor did not intend to fail in his mission.
________________________________
Chapter Notes

1. Hinterteur Geheimer is a pun of two German words: Hintertür (backdoor) and Geheimer (secret).
2. Zweitracht is German for 'discord'.
3. Bobet is certainly a funny username. It's Swiss French for 'idiot'
4. Meringians! I hate writing them, they're mainly fanatics. But they're the driving force for the story. They're aesthetically Catholic, theologically close to Sunni Islam (except the prophets, they believe the Papal to be the prophet of Deoh).
5. Deoh? It's a pun for Dio, meaning God in Italian. Though, one might be tempted to shout the name Dio Brando!

 

[Hhh12@Merc]

Author's note: For those who have just started reading, welcome. For those who've returned, welcome back! Thanks for reading, and as usual, feel free to leave comments, feedback, constructive criticisms.

Summary: Kochiya Sanae was summoned by Miryem Adelsonn, and later met another researcher named Brunhilde.
_________________________________________________

Septembvrios 29th, Year 1,433 of Frank-Brent

Koln Institute for Advanced Psionics Research, the Confederation of Tyrador

Though it was a bedroom, its layout was similar to a studio apartment. It was certainly sizable and comfortable enough for a person to relax. Leaning against the bed frame with lumbar support was Kochiya Sanae. She was sitting cross-legged, with her tablet on top of her laps.

Hmm…this should be fine, right?

She tapped open her SAO browser, recognized by its iconic half-ripple pattern. The first page that appeared on her screen was: You're ready for the most private browsing experience.

Most private browsing experience? It's not like I'm trying to access Ahnwang…

She lightly tapped the address bar of her browser and began typing. Three seconds later, she tapped the 'Enter' button, prompting the browser to connect her to the website.

A new page flashed on the screen. One could see the name 'Nima' on top of the page, alongside the image of a red-colored thread next to it. A microblogging platform created by the social media giant Mytha, it was exceptionally popular among Tyradorians and Meringians.

Sanae slowly moved her finger and tapped on the 'Login' button. As the login prompt flashed before her, she typed the following details:

Username: IAmShitPostQueen
Password: ******************

After what felt like an eternity, she was finally logged in. Not intending to waste any time, she clicked on the 'upload image button', symbolized with the icon of a generic image. She then selected a meme of a politician named Wilhelm von Wedel, which she spent half an hour creating. The politician had just made an inflammatory and stupid remark, and many condemned him in response.

She then typed 'Wilhelm von Schwachkopf' as the caption for the meme and posted the meme..

I'm done. Now, let's see what happens…
She began receiving notifications, as her post started getting likes and comments. She clicked the notification button, symbolized with a bell as its icon.

Hmm…that was quick! Who actually liked my post that quickly?!
Neu_torry liked your post
Super_hackerJd liked your post
Ametanoitos liked your post
Heijing liked your post
Elmagos_223 liked your post
Reinhardlie liked your post

Sanae's eyes were glued on the username 'Neu_torry', which belonged to someone she knew very well.

What the hell are you doing, Nitori? Why are you so quick to like my post? Aren't you supposed to be working right now?!

She continued scrolling through her notification, which was starting to be flooded with likes and reactions to her latest meme. Within two minutes, her post had received 322 likes, 189 comments and 98 shares.

Another notification came in. This time, it was a reshare by Sabine Fiat, a prominent opposition politician and member of Reichstag, the federal legislative body of the Confederation.

"Vote him out in the next Reichstag election!"

Sanae's lips unconsciously curled up, knowing that her latest meme was certainly going to explode in popularity.

My mission is done. Time to make my way.

She searched for the 'log out' button and clicked it without hesitation. Such was Kochiya Sanae's secret KosmosNet identity, one that she refused to disclose even to her closest circle.

Sanae gently placed the tablet next to her pillow and closed her eyes. It was not long before she felt the vibration of her smartphone. She lazily reached out to her smartphone, unlocked it and tapped on the QGram notification on her screen.

It was a message from Raeder Lapislazuli.

[Raeder] Sanae. Do you have intel on Geroln's liaison with Miryem and her associates?

She began tapping her fingers on the screen.

[Sanae] I have a list of Geroln's liaisons. He has a habit of rotating liaisons among his trusted lieutenants.

[Raeder] I see. He rotates his liaisons to prevent one person from handling all information and deals. Not bad.

[Sanae] He's preventing the classic scenario of 'single point of failure'.

[Raeder] In that case, we'll need to monitor everyone that has served as his liaison. Send the list to me.

[Sanae] All right. Give me a second.

Sanae uploaded a document named 'Geroln's Liaisons' and sent it to Raeder. He replied to her message with a 'Danke Schon' emoji. Afterwards, he sent a follow-up message to Sanae.

[Raeder] Anyway, pray tell me, do you actually conduct research over there?

[Sanae] What sort of question is that? Of course I do research over here. It's literally my cover! I'm not here as a mechanic or an engineer!

[Raeder] So, you're now a real mad scientist? How many test subjects are you working on?

[Sanae] Right now? One.

[Raeder] Right now? Oi, are you planning to slice up those poor aliens?! Don't go around and torture them! You're a prosecutor. Please keep that in mind.

[Sanae] I know that much, Raeder. I'm a mad scientist, not a bad scientist. Please get that through your thick skull.

[Raeder] Why does that 'mad scientist and bad scientist' sound eerily familiar…oh, now I remember. You told that to Nitori, didn't you?

[Sanae] I did. What did Nitori tell you?

[Raeder] She told me about your bet with her. To be honest, I don't mind you treating her to cucumbers, and knowing her, she'll claim it from you anyway. But remember, don't get carried away with your cover, Miss Mad Scientist!

[Sanae] Don't equate me with these idiots. My experiments are painless and non-invasive, unlike these amateurs.

[Raeder] Oi, what do you mean by that? Is that an admission to crime?

[Sanae] Me, getting involved in criminal activities? VON WEGEN!!!

[Raeder] Honestly, I keep imagining you cackling like a mad scientist while injecting some shady drugs into those poor aliens.

[Sanae] Do you really think that lowly of me, Raeder?

[Raeder] Can you blame me? I mean…look at you! You're an unhinged, self-proclaimed mad scientist who has a license to act as a psychic power developer. You have a dedicated room inside the Lab to do psychic power development check-ups!

[Sanae] I do routine check-ups on Nitori and Jade! Sometimes…on a few colleagues of ours.

[Raeder] Really? You didn't happen to inject mind-controlling chemicals or brainwash them, do you?

[Sanae] No, unless it happens to be Director Zhao. I'll get promoted in no time!

[Raeder] Is that a confession?

[Sanae] You can't arrest someone for a crime that has yet to be committed.

[Raeder] I'll arrest you if Director Zhao ever gets too friendly with you.

[Sanae] I'll get him to force you to drop any investigation relating to me, if that happens.

[Raeder] Anyway, how did you conduct research without touching the alien?

[Sanae] I use Professor Rikako's device. She gave me a microanalyzer, a tool that can capture one's magical signatures, spiritual and physical vitals, as well as provide detailed diagnosis to me.

[Raeder] That's…a rather convenient device.

[Sanae] It is. Prof Rikako's a real genius! Anyway, how are things in the Lab?

[Raeder] Well, Harold and Nitori get into heated arguments as usual. Jade is currently helping us with infiltrating into devices of Miryem's accomplices. Oh, did I tell you that President Moca dropped by and shared pastries with the Lab?

[Sanae] PRESIDENT MOCA'S PASTRIES?!!!!! WHERE'S MY PORTION?

[Raeder] Are you joking? You're in space…and who knows when you'll be returning. No one kept any portion for you.

[Sanae] NOOOOOO~!!!! PRESIDENT MOCA'S PASTRIES IS TO DIE FOR!!!

[Raeder] Sigh, you can eat her pastries after your mission.

[Sanae] As if! I can't just walk into the von Moltke palatial estate, knock on the front door and shamelessly say that I want her pastries!

[Raeder] Hmm...then, that's too bad. You have no option but to wait for her next packed lunch.

[Sanae] THIS IS UNFAIR!

[Raeder] Life is unfair.

[Sanae] How heartless can you be?

[Raeder] I can be extremely heartless when needed.

[Sanae] Sigh…whatever. I'll be sure to eat all of President Moca's pastries the next time.

[Raeder] Good luck competing with the rest of us.

While Sanae was typing, a new notification appeared at the topmost part of the screen of her smartphone. It was a new message from Miryem Adelsonn.

Hello, Sanae. Are you available right now? I know this is your precious rest time, but there's something I'd like to discuss with you.

"This is weird. What is she up to?"

Miryem Adelsonn had a reputation of not disturbing people's off time. The fact that she reached out was sufficient for Sanae's alert radar to be triggered.

What does she want with me?! Did she figure something out?

Sanae swallowed her saliva. Did Miryem figure out that she'd been installing rootkits in the computers of the institute? Or perhaps, Miryem discovered that someone other than herself has been accessing classified documents?

Her heart started beating rapidly, while her mind began running through simulations of possible scenarios that may take place.

I don't have my rifle with me. Tch-!! I hope this is nothing serious.

[Sanae] Raeder, Miryem is summoning me.

[Raeder] Got it. Talk to you later.

Part 2

It has been half an hour since Kochiya Sanae walked into Miryem Adelsonn's office.

Sanae's fears had been nothing more than paranoia. Miryem was still unaware of her real identity, nor did she suspect anything from the green-haired prosecutor. Instead, she was looking at Sanae's research report on Nagae Iku.

"This is quite an in-depth research you've produced," praised Miryem as she pointed at a diagram illustrating Iku's soul feedback mechanism. There were lines of sentences detailing the mechanics from which Iku borrowed her power from 'an external source' to strengthen her magic beneath the diagram.

"So, why do we need to look into this particular spiritual network?" asked Miryem, her eyes beaming with curiosity akin to a child asking a question.

"It's the network responsible to regulate their overall magical energy."

"This network is responsible for regulating their magical energy? In other words, if this network is damaged…"

"It'll lose control of its magical power and go berserk. Magical creatures are not monotonous, their magical capacities and signatures vary from one to another. Some can afford to continuously absorb magic, while others have limited magical capacity. Without proper regulation, the soul can be burdened with uncontrolled, excessive magical energy straining it."

Miryem nodded, understanding Sanae's explanation with ease.

"That makes sense. I wasn't aware of the importance of this particular spiritual network. These are truly valuable findings, Sanae."

"I believe it is necessary to highlight this particular network."

Miryem stared at Sanae with the look of a proud parent watching over her daughter, who had attained a major achievement.

"As expected of Professor Rikako's closest student, you are really impressive. This explains why Rikako has a favorable view about you."

"Well…" said Sanae with an awkward smile on her face, "I'm nowhere near Professor Rikako's calibre."

"Don't underestimate yourself, Sanae. I see potential in you…"

"Ah…!!! I'm just a novice compared to a genius like yourself."

"I'm just someone who happens to enjoy conducting research. Contrary to what people think of me, I'm not a genius nor am I talented. Which is why…I'd love to support people with both grit and talent like yourself."

"I'm…honored?"

Err…no, thanks! I don't want to be mentored by a criminal!

"Anyway," said Miryem as she closed the research document. She then opened her email, "I've been invited to a xenobiology conference as a keynote speaker. Do you want to join me?"

"EH? A conference? Where…?"

"Bohn Institute of Technology. It's happening in two weeks."

"Bohn? We're going to the planet Bohn?"

"Yep! I used to live there for quite a bit. Many of my friends have been asking for a catch-up session."

"I see, so I suppose we'll be spending," muttered Sanae, her fingers moving as she calculated the number of days to be spent for the conference, "three days in Bohn?"

"Wrong! We'll be spending four days!"

"Four?" asked Sanae. She did not believe her calculations were wrong. If Miryem had allocated a day to catch up with her friends, it'd be a three-day trip to the planet Bohn.

"There are places I want to visit! Of course, you'll be accompanying me as we go on a sightseeing tour!."

"Eh…?"

"Oh, come on! There's a saying that goes, you don't know one's character unless you travel with the person. This is a great chance to get to know each other better!"

"Is that…so?" Sanae replied and let out an awkward chuckle.

"Besides, all work and no play is not good. Don't you agree, Miss Otaku?"

"That's-!!" Sanae stuttered after hearing the words muttered by Miryem.

"Ah!" Miryem interjected, clapping her hands in excitement, "It's decided then! I'll send your name to the organizing committee. You're coming with me, Sanae!"

Part 3

Kochiya Sanae slowly dragged her legs in front of Miryem Adelsonn's office.

"Hi there, Sanae!" a new female voice called her.

Sanae lazily moved her gaze towards the woman calling her name. It was a woman with dark blue irises and magenta hair, wearing a peach-colored long sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans. A belt bag was hung over her waist.

"It's you, Brunhilde…"

Brunhilde. A fellow researcher in the Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research, she was known as an anti-social loner that avoided large gatherings and social activities. Still, her expertise in the field of xenobiology was truly valuable to the institute.

"What happened to you? Did Miryem scold you, Sanae?"

"No. It's not that…don't worry about it."

"Hmm…ah! Is she asking you to join her for the upcoming conference? Where was it again…Bohn?"

"That's right…hold on, how did you know that?!"

"Oh, Miryem told me about the upcoming conference. Unfortunately, I can't join her. I have engagements of my own."

"Engagements of your own, is it? You must be tied up with work."

"I have a lot on my plate right now. Although, my brain is fried and needs a quick break. So, are you available right now?"

"It's my break, so I'm free. What's up?"

Brunhilde revealed a grin, as she slowly unzipped the belt bag. She then took out two consoles and proudly showed them before Sanae.

"You're a well-known otaku in our institute, so I wondered if you play games as well."

"That is…"

"I downloaded Gegenschlag and made some modifications. Now, the games are playable on these classic consoles!"

Sanae's dejected expression immediately turned jovial. The word 'Gegenschlag' felt like a battery that recharged her energy.

"Wait…Brunhilde, do you play Gegenschlag?!"

"Hehehe! It seems that I hit the jackpot. Want to play with me?"

"Do you really need to ask that question? Isn't it obvious?"

Part 4

It was a gaming space within the Koln Institute of Advanced Psionics Research. Originally a pantry, avid gamers started turning the space into a designated site for games, bringing in consoles and other gaming devices into the room.

"Cover me! I'm taking down that idiot and defuse the bomb!"

Kochiya Sanae moved her fingers in rapid succession. Her avatar in the game Gegenschlag rushed forward and opened fire, killing the sole remaining enemy.

"We won. Damn…you're really good at this, Sanae! I should've asked you to play games much earlier!"

"Heh. This is just luck."

The two women then raised their hands and exchanged a high-five.

"Anyway, how did you manage to shoot one of the enemies so quickly?! The game just started when you gunned down one of their enemies!"

"That? It's a secret technique passed down through the Kochiya bloodline~!"

"The Kochiya bloodline? Wait, does that mean everyone in your family plays Gegenschlag?" said Brunhilde, her eyes glittering with adulation. "Amazing! So, are your family enthusiastic gamers and otaku just like yourself?!"

"Of course not. I was just messing around."

I don't even know if they were avid gamers like me. If I ever meet my family, I'll ask them. Though…

Sanae's lips slowly curled down.

I checked the database of missing persons, and nobody ever reported my name to the Prosecutors Office. Does my family even care about me?

"Sanae?" Brunhilde muttered, noticing the change in Sanae's expression.

"Oh!" Sanae reacted, as her mind returned to the present. "Actually, I have friends who enjoy Gegenschlag. We played frequently."

"I see! So, that's the secret behind Kochiya Sanae's gaming prowess. Have you ever imagined yourself joining the Gegenschlag e-sports team?"

"Me? Nein, nein, nein! I'm not that good!" said Sanae, as she frantically waved her hands. "I'd just embarrass myself."

"Really? I swear, you'd make it in the competitive e-sports world. It's a pity that your talents are wasted here."

"Eh…that's not true. I'm not that talented."

Sanae's eyes carefully scanned Brunhilde. Despite her current demeanor, Brunhilde was one of the researchers who had dirtied her hands in illicit alien experimentations in this institute. She was usually cold and taciturn unlike her current persona.

"Heh. You're just being humble, Sanae. Anyway, it's great to have someone who shares the same interest as myself!"

"You mean…someone who plays games?"

Brunhilde nodded.

"I love playing games. It helps relieve the pent-up stress dwelling inside me. Our work can be quite stressful, don't you think?"

Sanae narrowed her eyes. Brunhilde's jovial expression gradually became sombre.

"So…I heard from Miryem that you actually proposed to conduct experiments on magical beings. I'd never expect someone like you to harbor such thoughts."

"Isn't that the most logical approach to studying supernatural abilities? By understanding their spiritual mapping, we can discover new methods to refine a psychic's soul to greater heights."

"What I'm trying to say is…you don't look like someone who'd dabble in what we do, Sanae."

I can't exactly say that I'm here to arrest everyone involved in G-Program, including you.

"Then, tell me. What's your motivation in joining Miryem?"

"That…ah…" Brunhilde stuttered. "I don't have a choice. I have to work alongside Miryem, else…"

"What do you mean by that? Did something happen to you?"

"That…is something I can't tell you."

Brunhilde immediately stood up, her face facing away from Sanae.

"It was fun playing with you. Though, I must make my move now. Apologies…"

"Brunhilde…" Sanae muttered in a low voice, "Let's play Gegenschlag again sometime."

Brunhilde immediately dashed out of the room, leaving Sanae alone in the room. Still, one word slowly came out from her mouth: 'Sure'.

Part 5

The Lab, Tyrador, Confederation of Tyrador

Kawashiro Nitori froze. Her eyes blinked in disbelief as the screen displayed two words: Counter-terrorists Win. She then observed her avatar in the game Gegenschlag, lying motionless on the ground.

"The terrorists almost won! The bomb almost went off!"

Next to her were Harold von Moltke and Jade, both equally stunned by the unprecedented defeat.

"How did…this happen?" Jade asked, her voice stuttering as if she had just learned the meaning of terror. "They defeated us so easily…as if they knew our formation from the start."

Jade and Nitori prided themselves as skilled Gegenschlag players, but whatever happened seemed too ridiculous, almost as if their opponents were mocking them.

Nitori's avatar was shot almost as soon as the game started, while her avatar lasted for over two minutes before dying from being sniped.

Impossible. Unimaginable. Unthinkable.

Who were the players that had defeated them so easily? Were they unlucky enough to encounter professional e-sports players? That was likely the most probable explanation for their unprecedented defeat.

"Hmm…our opponents have logged off. They're really good," commented Harold, followed by a disappointed sigh. "I was hoping for a rematch to redeem my honor. But looks like this will be a stain on my gaming life."

"You failed to defend the bomb, Harold! Because of you, the counter-terrorists won!" Nitori fired a shot. "This is your fault!"

"Says the one who got shot as soon as the game started. If anything, I carried the team, when both of you were already dead!"

Jade chuckled, as Nitori was left speechless.

"He's right, Nitori. You went down way too quickly."

"Shut up! You pushed me, which made my avatar fall into his line of sight. That's why I died early!"

"Stop blaming people for your incompetence, Nitori!" Harold rebutted in Jade's defense.

"How dare you mock me, Zombie! I won't lose next time. Mark my words!"

"Ohoo…really? I honestly find that hard to believe, Nitori. Right, Jade?"

Jade instinctively nodded.

"I can hear you very clearly, Zombie. Don't you dare look down on me!"

Harold von Moltke merely shrugged his shoulders, intentionally baiting Nitori into a fit of rage.

Jade sighed. This was a common occurrence whenever Harold von Moltke and Kawashiro Nitori started disagreeing over the smallest matters. Even so, they were paradoxically close to one another, or rather…perhaps they were close because of the arguments they had.

"Stop it, Harold…Nitori. You know…those who argue frequently tend to end up being lovers. That's what Mom says, anyway."

"SHUT UP!" Harold and Nitori shouted in unison.

"There's no way I'll ever fall in love with her!" Harold declared boldly, pointing his index finger towards Nitori. "Never!"

"What did you say, Zombie? Do you think I'll ever go out on a date with you?! Don't equate me with those trash who fangirl over you simply because you're a von Moltke!"

"Is that so, Explosion Engineer Nitori?"

"Shut up, Zombie! Undead! I don't want to hear anything from an undead like you!"

"If I'm an undead, then you're a hopeless midget. Midget!"

Jade could only shake her head in disbelief, as Harold and Nitori continued hurling insults towards one another. Only Sanae knew how to diffuse such arguments. Unfortunately, she was not around to help.
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Chapter Notes:

1. Anhwang is inspired from Mandarin Anwang, meaning Dark Web.
2. SAO is inspired from TOR browser. It is also an acronym for Security, Anonymous and Operational.
3. Nima is Greek for Threads.
4. Mytha, well...you would be able to guess the inspiration.
5. Gegenschlag? It's German for Counter-Strike. Yes, this is a homage to the game Counter-Strike. Sanae and Brunhilde are especially good in it.
6. What's with Brunhilde?