Puppet Show

I thought I'd almost fooled you. What a letdown.

I really shouldn't underestimate you, should I?

So, when did you figure it out?

If you're hoping to pry some information out of me, don't bother.

I have neither need nor reason to tell you anything.

You used to be more... how should I put it...?

Like an innocent little puppy.

The kind that would stare up at me with bright, trusting eyes and believe every word I said.

Why don't you bark for me again, for old times' sake? Come on, please? Woof, woof?

It's been so long since we've seen each other.

Speaking of which, how's your right eye? You're getting good use out of my gift, aren't you?

You're nothing but scraps left behind by your real body, yet you never stop running that mouth.

Want me to pat you on the head for a job well done? Ahaha!

Oh?! You startled me.

Didn't you like it? I thought it was one of my finest works.

But isn't this backwards? I'm the one who should be angry here, not you.

Especially at... you over there.

Because of you, the beautiful tragedy I spent so much effort arranging has been completely destroyed.

How are you going to take responsibility for that?

I wonder what our poor little princess thinks. Are you going to take revenge too?

Oh? But then... who exactly would that revenge be for?

Look around you. You did all of this yourself, little princess.

You're not planning to kill everyone yourself and then blame me, are you? Right?

Our little princess should know that better than anyone.

Cristelle. Most of what that wench says is a lie, but...

This... At least the memories you saw inside me... Those aren't fake.

Even if she deceived me, I'm still the one who did this to the kingdom.

I... I killed everyone and destroyed the kingdom. With my own hands.

Haydee, you've grown weak. To think you'd fall for the enemy's deception so easily.

I remember everything vividly now.

This place was born from forgotten memories buried deep within your consciousness.

Because of that, there are small inconsistencies throughout this world.

It wasn't merely empty.

It was closer to not existing at all.

You need to find the truth among all the fabrications this repulsive liar has spun.

If you look carefully, that chamber isn't the only thing that doesn't make sense.

I'm sure the Captain has noticed by now as well.

What exactly did you see in those memories?

Did you feel your spear cutting through flesh and piercing the palace attendants?

If so, where did you cut them? What were that poor maid's final words as she died?

Naturally, Haydee. Because...

You never did any such thing.

Everything here is merely a convincing set of circumstances that bastard created.

A clever deception. A calculated lie. Her specialty, is it not?

And why do you think I'd go through all that trouble?

The reason is simple. What you want is the complete destruction of Haydee and me.

This dreamlike space is based entirely on Haydee's memories.

Conversely, anything absent from Haydee's memories is left laughably incomplete.

The Sage's chamber, which Haydee had never visited, was proof of that.

Because you'd never seen it, its very existence had been cut away.

This vast illusion is riddled with lies from beginning to end.

It merely takes Haydee's memories and dresses them up with plausible fabrications.

And from that, we can reach one more conclusion.

Unlike me, you don't possess an eye capable of perceiving the Void.

How could you possibly remember something you cannot see?

Morcerf, the scene you wanted was probably...

Me falling for your scheme, shooting Haydee dead, and only then learning the truth and falling into despair.

Am I wrong?

...Khehehe.

Pwahahaha! Amazing! Absolutely amazing! I'm genuinely impressed!

*Sigh...* If only these memories and emotions could've reached my real body too.

What a shame. Such a terrible shame it almost makes my stomach hurt.

Ugh... Isn't there some way to make that happen?

But... my real body is probably already dead by now. So I guess there's no point?

We're dealing with the Executor of Deception. Do you actually believe her?

It's a lie not even worth lending an ear to.

Well, who cares whether my real body is dead or alive!

Finding out something like that wouldn't be any fun.

Still... what a shame. I thought I'd get to play with you a little longer.

Hmph. I'm bored now. You aren't fun anymore, so I think I'll throw you away.

Go on. Struggle all you want.

That might be... a decent final bit of entertainment. Hmm.

I'll definitely come to kill you.

If only you'd shown a little more of that resolve earlier.

I really wanted to see the look on your face when you fell into despair.

Anyway, good luck! I hope you manage to survive.

Especially you. You're the toy most like me, after all.

You know the truth better than anyone, don't you?

Even if I'm the one saying it, you know that much isn't a lie.

Oh, and one more thing!

...You.

If you beg me to save you, I just might let you out of here right now. What do you say?

I was a little angry at you at first...

But you're interesting. It'd be such a waste for you to die here.

Well then...

If you're lucky enough to make it out alive, let's meet again sometime.

My real self will be delighted to find you.

Who knows? Maybe I'm already observing you intently!

If you'd just left when I told you to, things never would've gotten this complicated.

Two idiots in one place... And after all that talk about cold reason.

Captain. Do you regret your decision?

All we have to do is keep moving forward.

...So, shall we get our hands dirty?