“Type GUN.
Threat detected. Eliminating.”
Another beam was fired towards the ceiling.
“…Guuu…”
There was a groan.
He did not check, but did not correct his predictions either.
The beam definitely hit the member of Zero Division’s heart through the wall and floor.
“Qualia. I will move to support Spirito and Lobelia in the backyard.”
“Request accepted. But Zero Division is a badly matched opponent for you. Request that you leave the front line to Spirito and Qualia, and support them by activating skills from this room.”
“Understood.”
Zero Division were professional assassins who followed their targets’ presences, and finished them before they knew it. And since they knew Shukuchi, fighting them necessitated the ability to handle a very fast fight.
If Ace went outside and was surrounded by them, she would have no way to deal with a close-quarters fight.
If they got close while she activated skills, she would be out.
And when it came to acting covertly and moving in the shadows, no one came close to Zero Division.
“Gaia. Reverse.”
They knew all members of Zero Division could use Shukuchi. If she activated skills from the window, the group clad in black would move instantly to avoid an attack.
“What’s been going on in this building?”
It went without saying that Liebe was not going to ignore this, and he asked for an explanation for the fight happening outside.
“This building is currently under attack by Zero Division. Their target is Lobelia. Their methods are too varied, not only sneaking inside this building, but also using destructive ways such as bombs from the outside. Therefore, they cannot be predicted.
Because of that, although risky, Lobelia positioned herself in the backyard where there are no obstructions, with Spirito and Qualia protecting her. That was judged to be the safest course of action.”
“Zero Division… The assassins of Troy, that chivalric order Backdoor was involved with…”
“Request explanation. What is Backdoor?”
“A beast person of Azure Skies. He had a lot of connections with various people, and Azure Skies grew a lot when it was still small, thanks to the beast people he called. He was the one who got the ancient magic stones too… The humans involved with him were Troy… That’s what I know from tailing him using Stealth.”
Qualia updated his information, and calculated one possibility as he heard this.
“Conjecture. It is speculated that Backdoor either attacked Ina, or was deeply involved in the attack.”
Both Liebe and Ace turned to Qualia.
“There are two reasons for this hypothesis. First, just before Ina was attacked, our path was blocked by beast people, and our movements were restricted by a smokescreen. But the beast people said they were acting under the instructions of someone who hired them. Considering the current environment in the capital, it is highly likely said person was a beast person.
Second. Right after Ina was attacked, Zero Division attacked. But the timing of their attack clearly shows it was coordinated with the attack on Ina. That means a beast person was operating alongside Troy. It is assumed this was Backdoor.”
“…Backdoor… Tried to kill Ina…”
“There is insufficient evidence at this point. It could have been Zero Division who attacked Ina. But presently, the most probable suspect is Backdoor.”
But Liebe looked puzzled, half believing it and half doubting it.
“But why… He’s a beast person. He has no reason to kill Ina!”
“Conjecture. To re-establish you as a threat to humans.”
“…Me?”
“The reasons for diverting ancient magic stones to you definitely involve destroying the capital. However, since Qualia can detect their location, they cannot be activated on a timer. That means the only way is to activate them directly, which comes with a guarantee of cessation of vital activities.
Backdoor knows your characteristics and personality, so he wanted you to fulfill that role.”
Liebe actually wanted to use an ancient magic stone black hole for a suicide attack. There was no need for him to take on that role, because Liebe wanted to destroy the capital at the cost of his life.
“But you are a ghost, and your existence was unstable until earlier. It is suspected that Backdoor could not find you either. And so, Backdoor plotted to end Ina’s vital activities, and intensify the anger that is the source of magic energy of a ghost. And just as he planned, your existence became stable again as a ghost.”
“…”
“The word ‘rumor’ was learned from you earlier. But said rumor information carries inconsistencies about Ina’s vital activities having ceased.”
Rumor.
Liebe thought back. A girl that was implied to be Ina was killed. He heard that from beast people who talked as they walked down a street.
“Also, a group of beast people would be the ones who most easily spread a rumor about a beast person’s vital activities ceasing. Request explanation. Who expressed the rumor you learned?”
Liebe started doubting it before Qualia said it.
Since Backdoor was connected to Troy, he knew where the remaining black holes were. He could secure one to hand to Liebe.
With Backdoor’s influence, it was very easy to make an exaggerated rumor circulate between beast people. It was incredibly easy for him to inject the virus that was information about Ina’s supposed death.
…It made sense. The puzzle pieces fit.
But Liebe still could not accept what that meant.
“But then I… What I did… My Azure Skies… Ina…”
Then, a blade repelled during the battle raging outside got stuck in the window.
Liebe seemed to be seeing the hatred he fomented in Azure Skies coming back to strike at them.
But Qualia got between him and the blade. Liebe’s eyes wandered, when Qualia reminded him of what he had to do.
“Request understanding. Hello World and Spirito will defend this place from the threat of Zero Division. Keep encouraging Ina… Threat detected. Type GUN.”
Another beam was shot, and a would-be assassin was killed.
“When the threat has been extinguished, Qualia will also tell Ina to do… Her… Best… It is judged to be the correct course of action for Qualia.”
Qualia held a photon weapon in each hand, as he sharpened his senses to detect any bugs that snuck through the fighting outside and got in.
Behind him, Liebe hung his head. But then his eyes suddenly moved outside.
For a moment, he ran on the floor like a meteor. And as he was realizing what he had done, he looked at the scenery in front of him.
“Wait a moment, Qualia.”
Liebe forgot everything in that moment. What he saw was too unbelievable.
“Why are you fighting there? You’re here.”
Liebe finally saw it. The second function of Shutdown Qualia downloaded.
Qualia was shooting down the assassins that made it inside the building, but at the same time, he fought Zero Division in the backyard while covering Lobelia and Spirito.
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