Chapter 37: The Neohuman Conspiracy: Hello, my Friend

..I see, thanks for the update. Just gimme a second, okay?

......

Mildy and I were inseparable when we were kids. She was my best friend. She was kind of a scaredy-cat, I was always rushing in to rescue her from some kind of trouble.

Some of my best memories are of our time together. She was like a princess, and I was her knight. Mildy moved to a different district to go to an elite high school. Today's the first time I've seen her in years. I never expected our reunion to be like that... Just what am I going to do?

......

...Heh, just kidding. I'm fine, honestly. Knowing those two, I'm sure they have some kind of plan up their sleeves.

Amy...

Done. Were you bored without me? Well, I've managed to track those two down. They're hiding out in Toto Dreamland, the amusement park in the suburbs. The park may not be open anymore, but the old theater there is the perfect place for a shady hideout.

Although it looks like the entrance has been closed off.

Thanks Sebastia, we owe you one. That should be enough for us to work off for now.

You're welcome. Getting you guys out of trouble keeps me on my toes. Keep bringing me interesting problems, I'll keep giving you ingenious solutions.

You ready, Amy?

......

Amy, are you sure you're okay?

What? Me? Yeah, of course. You really don't need to worry about me, honest.

Okay, if you say so...

I got your back. Now let's go see Synth Hydra about getting us to Toto Dreamland!

Aldo, look! Could that be--

A giant key made of stone! Is this the Ogre Key Sebastia told us about?!

Yikes! What the heck is that?!

Intruder Alert! Do Not Touch The Exhibits! Stay Behind The Velvet Rope! Compliance Refused! Force Authorized! Safety Locks Released. Expelling Intruders!

Brace yourselves, here it comes!

Ogre Rancorem is reacting to the key. This must be the real thing. If we take this to Ogres Spike, we should be able to break through Zennon's barrier now.

All right. Grab it and let's hit the road.

Not so fast, Amy.

Who said that?!

No way... You!

Hey there, Amy.

To think we'd have our long-due reunion in a place like this.

Mildy! Clughorn!

Friends of yours, Amy?

Hey there, Amy.

To think we'd have our long-due reunion in a place like this.

Mildy! Clughorn!

Oh, I didn't know you two knew each other.

Hey there, Amy.

To think we'd have our long-due reunion in a place like this.

Mildy! Clughorn!

Oh, I didn't know you two knew each other.

Hey there, Amy.

To think we'd have our long-due reunion in a place like this.

Mildy! Clughorn!

Oh, I didn't know you three knew each other.

Yeah, you could say that...

Records indicate this is Amy's first love and her former best friend who stole him from her.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the heck, Riica?! H-H-How do you know all that?

Where possible, I always research my allies and their histories. Za'ol informed me of this painful episode.

Dad... I'm gonna knock his block off!

Shut up, Aldo! All this is beside the point. What are you two doing here?

Factoring in all probabilities, their presence in the museum suggests they either work here; went on a walk and have become lost; Or are members of the group that has recently taken an interest in destroying all historically important architecture and artifacts.

Wait, Riica, you can't be serious? These two wouldn't--

She's right, Amy. We are indeed part of that group.

Huh?

Although, I'm disappointed to hear that we are thought of as just vandals.

Don't blame them, Clughorn. You can't expect old humanity to understand what we're dealing with here.

Cut it out you two! It's not funny anymore.

Is that right? I have to say, I am curious. What is that giant stone key?

It's impressive. I don't think something with such vast energy could have been made by humans.

So you felt it too? This might be a curiosity worth our attention. We'll be taking it back with us.

Wait, please! We really need that key, you can't take it!

And why's that?

We...we need to destroy a barrier created by the ogre clan.

Meddling in business that doesn't concern you as usual. You never change, do you? Being a hunter is so inefficient and unreliable. Why don't you give it up and get a real job?

Sorry, Amy, but we'll be taking the key. You guys just stay here and chill for a while, 'kay?

Wha?!

Mildy, what the...

What's going on?! I...can't...move...

Mildy, what did you do?!

I said chill. It's just a harmless little paralyzing nerve agent. It'll wear off soon enough.

The key! What? How? Since when were you guys psychic? No... You're not part of that neohuman group, are you?!

I think it was clear from the beginning that we were. Anyway, it was good seeing you again, Amy. Don't try to stop us though, or you'll get what's coming to you, 'kay?

Mildy! Clughorn! Get back here! Ahh! This'd be a whole lot...easier if... I could... move...!

You wished to speak with me, o Thunder King?

Indeed. There is something you must know, Miglance. It may be hard for you to hear, for it is too late to stop it now.

What do you mean?

I have been cursed. My vitality is being sapped, little by little. I probably have six months to live, at most.

What?! How can this be true? When did this happen?

Years ago, I fought against a powerful mage. Before I could strike the final blow, he hit me with one last nasty spell.

Even as he died, he cackled triumphantly, saying I would join him in three years' time.

I know now it was no idle taunt. My body is slowly decaying, from the inside.

You shouldn't be fighting in such a condition! Won't you at least rest?

Hmph. Rest is little comfort now. My desire, my mission to exterminate the ogre clan is all I have left to live for. If I can purge every last one of them from the face of the earth before I go, I will be satisfied.

My liege...

Miglance, I implore you to keep this matter secret. Our people have enough to worry about as it is. Whilst I still have blood in my body, I hope that the means to breach the barrier surrounding the fortress is found...

......

Damn it! They got away with the key. I can't believe they were actually psychic!

Let's check back in with Sebastia. She needs to hear about all this. Then we'll figure out some way to get the key back from those guys.

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Amy, are you all right?

Umm... We'll talk about it later. Let's just get back to Sebastia for now.