The Monologue Must End · Chapter 7
The Kidnapped Princess
Asherah
Can't find Captain there either, Omega?
Omega
Nope! No matter how hard Omega looks, she can't find Mister anywhere!
Yoo Mina
That idiot... Where did he even go?
Asherah
What do we do? What if he was alone and got ambushed...?
Hilde
Calm down. Panicking won't fix anything.
Asherah
B-but still...!
Yoo Mina
It's only natural to be worried, Commander.
In the Counterside, the only things aside from us are Rosaria and those monsters.
Hilde
I didn't sense anything threatening last night.
If someone had infiltrated with hostile intent, I would've noticed immediately.
The Captain wouldn't have gone down without a fight, either.
Asherah
That's true...
Omega
Then... did Mister get kidnapped?!
Hilde
At the moment, that's most likely what happened.
I can't imagine why someone would target him in particular.
Asherah
E-even so, it still means the Captain is in danger!
We have to go find him before it's too late!
Yoo Mina
And where would we even start looking?
This place is practically a desert.
If we wander around aimlessly and lose our way, we'll be stranded in no time.
Asherah
Ooh...
Omega
Omega can find the way!
Asherah
Right, Omega! I can't believe I forgot!
Yoo Mina
Huh? How?
Omega
Omega is connected to the sword Mister always carries.
If Omega closes her eyes tight and focuses like this...
Omega can kinda tell which direction he's in!
Yoo Mina
You can do something like that...?
You're more capable than you look, huh?
Omega
Hehe, right? Omega's helpful, right?!
System
Self-repair procedure complete.
[Buster Core] ready for deployment.
Hilde
Perfect timing. Repairs are complete as well.
Lead the way.
Omega
Got it! Leave it to Omega!
Asherah
I don't know why they took the Captain, but if anyone lays a hand on him, I won't let it slide!
Yoo Mina
...Are you sure about this, Commander?
Hilde
What are you trying to say, rookie?
Yoo Mina
This must be Rosaria's doing.
Voidborns wouldn't bother doing something this roundabout.
You might think it's a fight worth taking, but I...
Hilde
Seems like you're sleep talking, rookie. Talking nonsense with your eyes open like that.
I've never been weak enough to warrant your concern.
And...
Yoo Mina
...And?
Hilde
...No. Never mind.
Let's go, rookie.
Rosaria
Hmm...
Hmmmm...
Why are they so late?! If a precious companion goes missing, isn't it only natrual to give chase at once?
Of course they'll be late.
We flew a long way, after all.
Rosaria
Grr...
Hmph, very well.
Fine, mortal. I shall grant you an opportunity that comes but once.
An opportunity?
Rosaria
Yes. I shall bestow you the privilege of entertaining me.
An honor no ordinary mortal could ever dream of.
I don't understand...
Rosaria
What did you say?
You're the one who caused all this.
I'm the victim here.
Rosaria
Oh ho... So that's how you're playing it?
Very well. I admire that nerve...
Allow me to teach you who stands above whom.
I've long admired you.
It's an honor to stand before you like this.
Rosaria
Enough! Anyone can tell that you're spewing empty flattery!
*Sigh...* To think I went through all that trouble just to capture a dull creature like you...
You will repay the price for deepening my boredom for generations to come. Understood?
She really is totally out of control...
Threatening me, then acting like the victim...
What's so boring, anyway?
Rosaria
Hmph. Mortals like you, who die before even living a century, would never understand.
Once lifespan loses its meaning, everything in the world becomes dull.
That...
I might actually understand that a little.
When time becomes infinite, it's hard to feel excitement over anything.
Like how the same character can feel more appealing in a featured banner than a standard one.
Rosaria
Hmm... You're more perceptive than you look.
If you understand that much, then talk about yourself.
About me?
Rosaria
Yes. Even a trivial story will do.
It's nothing more than a way to kill time until Hilde arrives.
In that case...
I began recounting everything that had happened so far to her.
How I met Asherah on the way home and ended up in Lavistar.
How I reunited with her in the heart of NOA and began the [Journey].
How I met Luna and Smile, and how Omega awakened.
...That's everything.
Rosaria
The [Journey], you say...
You go through all that trouble just to gain power?
Not for power, but...
Maybe to achieve a dream?
Rosaria
A dream, eh.
I suppose only mortals can afford to devote their lives to such trivial reasons.
It isn't all that bad.
The time I spent with everyone was genuinely enjoyable.
Rosaria
Oh ho... Is that so?
So, which one are you dating?
Where did that come from?!
Weren't we having an emotional conversation?
Rosaria
Hmph. Don't play dumb.
I've watched countless soap operas play out on television.
That example is way too extreme!
Rosaria
Everyone in the stories you just told me is a girl, isn't it?
You must be the type to get mixed up in trouble with women, like a certain someone I know.
I can't exactly deny that...!
Rosaria
You lack experience, yet already juggle so many. How precocious.
A love quadrangle... no, add the child when she's older, and that makes it a pentangle, doesn't it?
Surely the girl who came with you is the closest to you, isn't she?
Or perhaps this trip is a scandalous affair, with the two of you sneaking away behind your companions' backs?
Absolutely not!
They're all precious members to me!
Rosaria
Who knows? Perhaps you are the only one unaware of their feelings.
Watching girls fuss over an oblivious man has its own appeal.
*Sigh...* Such a shame that I don't have any popcorn or potato chips to go with this.
So all that boredom talk was a lie?
Rosaria
It is simply my last remaining hobby.
Mortal melodramas are the one thing that never grows dull.
A Voidborn?!
The moment the words left my mouth, a massive pillar of fire tore past beside me.
What?!
Rosaria
I was in the middle of a delightful conversation. You dare interrupt me?
Those who offend my mood must pay the price.
Ahaha! I will commend you for rushing in without fear!
Now then...
Struggle as much as you like.
Rosaria
What, I only get one move per turn?
Hmph. You expect me to play by rules made for extras?
Rosaria
Hmph. They had the gall to ruin the mood, so I let myself hope a little...
But they were so weak, I could have handled them with a single toe. How dull.
That was some serious firepower...
Rosaria
Fufu. Spare me the praise. It was nothing worth boasting about.
Now then, hurry up and give me a shoulder ride, acting servant.
...
Why?
Rosaria
Why, you ask? Hilde is taking her sweet time.
A magnanimous being such as myself must go out personally to welcome her.
And if you are my acting servant, is it not common sense that you attend to me?
My usual chair was burned to ashes, after all.
What kind of logic is that supposed to be?!
You can fly in the first place!
Rosaria
Bah! Are you telling me to personally carry you around instead?
Doesn't look like it, but you are quite the willful one.
Being called willful by the person who seems the most willful of all...
Still, arguing here is a waste of time. Rejoining the others as soon as possible is the better move.
Fine.
I'll carry you.
Rosaria
Hahaha! Of course you will!
But why a shoulder ride, of all things?
Rosaria
Hmhmm. I just thought up a rather amusing scenario.
That lively girl who came with you... Asherah, was it?
Would it not be delightful to see what she does out of jealousy when she sees you carrying me on your shoulders?
That's not delightful at all!
Get down. Now!
Rosaria
Ahahaha! What a uniquely entertaining ride this is!
No matter how hard I tried to shake her off, Rosaria didn't budge.
At this point... all I could do was place my hopes in everyone else!
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