I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 18

Chapter 18:Chloe’s Wish

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He sounds like he’s joking around, but his expression is far too serious for a joke. 

Confused, Chloe asked Kai again. 

“Destined to be killed.. Me? By Kaltz?”

“Yeah, by Hero.”

…Are you kidding me?

Chloe almost blurted that out, but she swallowed her words down. After all, the boy in front of her was too eerie. Even though he was overflowing with a demon’s magic power, but he looked so calm. He also knew her name even though they had never met before. Chloe wanted to ignore his words, but she couldn’t. His words seemed to strike her in the heart. 

Taking a sip of the beer to moisten her parched throat, Chloe then sighed deeply. 

“Hmm… Then do tell me, how is he going to kill me? Look, Kaltz might be a bit stupid and reckless, but he truly values his comrades, you know?”

“Yeah, you’re right about that.”

“….You shouldn’t have met Kaltz before, so why are you nodding? Anyway, I don’t see how I could get killed by Kaltz. Like, seriously? Kaltz? Killing me?”

“You’re trying to find out about a certain organization  in the slums, right?”

At the sudden change of topic, Chloe furrowed her eyebrows together. 

Just how much does this boy know about me? 

“…So, you’ve already investigated me?”

“No. In fact, I didn’t think I’d meet you yesterday. Us gathering here like this is purely coincidental. I only know about your future and your personality, Chloe.”

“….So you know about my future, huh?”

I see. I already have a hunch from his way of speaking, but seeing him admitting it so openly like this makes him more intriguing. 

Chloe flashed a challenging smile and swirled her beer as she asked. 

“So, what organization am I investigating then? Since you know my future, you should know about that too, right?’

“The children in the slums are often abducted. Why do you think that is?”

“…Stop with this cryptic talk and just tell me the name of that organization already.”

Chloe said impatiently. Her tone was lower than usual, almost urging Kai. 

Kai then sighed and leaned forward. 

“The Empire’s Secret Squad.”

“………!!”

“The Secret Squad… No, this country is basically one big organization that  kidnaps all those children.How’s that? Do you think that’s enough for me to get a passing grade?”

Chloe had deliberately used the word ‘organization’ to test Kai. Because, what he said was true. Chloe had uncovered the truth herself. The empire’s secret intelligence department… The dark side of the empire, the so called Secret Squad, were the one behind the kidnapping incident. 

“….So,you really know everything?”

“I guess so? I even know about the things you don’t know yet.”

“……..”

The Schwitz Detention Camp was just the tip of the iceberg. The whole empire exploited its citizens for the sake of the nobility and in pursuit of immortality for the royalty. The empire constantly conducted diabolical experiments behind the scenes. This kind of information was definitely something an ordinary child wouldn’t be able to obtain. 

After remaining silent for a while, Chloe then spoke up. 

“So… I’m really going to be killed by Kaltz?”

“Yeah. That’s why it’s better if you leave that party as soon as possible. Nothing is worth risking your life for.”

“…Then? What will happen after I leave the party? You expect me to keep investigating on my own?”

Chloe said as she rested her chin on her hands. She had a very bitter look on her face. 

“Even though Kaltz is like… That. He’s still a Hero. The empire trust him greatly and all member of his party can enjoy various benefits. I’ve used those benefits to investigate. That’s how I got this far. I’ve finally discovered the true nature of this insane country.”

“…….”

“You two came from Schwitz Detention Camp, right? Well, that camp was destroyed already, but… That place was literally hell. I know. After all, I came from that place too. I know how rotten this country is and how the royalty see us humans as nothing but expendable lab rats.”

Chloe still remembered. She still remembered the girl who used to sleep on the bed right next to her. A girl that shared the same age as her who had a very gentle smile. She remembered how that girl was taken into the lab and subjected to some kind of magic and then… The girl’s body swelled up and she exploded into pieces. 

She remembered everything. Everything. She could never forget it. She couldn’t forget. She mustn’t.

Hence why, Chloe approached Kaltz on purpose and joined his party. For the sake of saving as many children as she could and.. For the sake of avenging her deceased best friend. 

“I won’t be able to achieve anything if I don’t take the risk.”

“….Chloe.”

“Sorry. I know you’re worried about me, but I can’t stop… Not until I can get revenge on a certain man in this empire… I can’t stop even if it means I will have to die.”

….Right. This is the kind of person she is. 

Kai felt nostalgic. The Chloe in the game was the cool type, but at the same time, she had a strong heart too. She was kind and genuinely cared about those around her. This juxtaposition was the reason why Kai liked Chloe so much. Well, the Chloe in the game, at least.

“….Kai, are you cheating on me?”

“Nia-san…? Umm… Can you please take your hand off my thigh?”

Seemingly sensed that Kai was thinking about another woman, Nia’s red eyes immediately glowed. Albeit Kai was breaking out in a cold sweat, he somehow managed to smile wryly at Nia.

“I’m warning you, okay?~ At this rate, you’re going to die for real, you know?~”

“…Fufu. I know. I can tell that you’re not lying right now. Of course, I don’t have any plan on leaving the hero’s party anytime soon, but… I appreciate your advice. Thank you, Kai.”

“……Haah.”

Taking a deep breath, Kai stared at Chloe who was sitting in front of him. 

What a stubborn girl. Good grief. 

Of course, Kai didn’t have any intention of giving up on her. He wanted to keep her alive as much as possible since Chloe was a character that he once loved so deeply. 

“I understand. If you’re willing to go that far then, there’s nothing else I can do about it. But still, I hope you will keep my warning in mind. Oh, and be careful when you’re dealing with those black magicians.”

“Black magicians, huh… Hmm…”

“…..I’m being serious here. Be careful, okay? You might end up dead for real, you know?”

At that moment. For some unknown reason, Chloe burst out laughing and tilted her head to the side. Then, she finally asked Kai the question that had been lingering in her head since yesterday.

“You know, Kai… There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you… Why do you care about me so much?”

“Huh?”

“You… You’re that rumored Shadow, right? Since you know about the future, you could do something on a much bigger scale, right? So why are you wasting your time on a mere young girl like me? Could it be… You’re really cheating on her?”

“Wai-?! Don’t say that word in front of Nia-!!!”

“….Kai?”

“No-No-No! It’s not like that!! Nia? Nia?! Wait-! Come back to your senses, Nia!!”

Nia was glaring at Kai so intensely that it looked like laser beams would really shoot out from her eyes. In the end, Kai somehow managed to calm Nia down by holding her hand and hugging her. 

Letting out a deep sigh, Kai then said..

“Don’t ever say that word in front of Nia again, okay?! Phew… Anyway, you’re right. I also think I can do a lot of things right now, but I’m planning on letting things unfold a bit longer.”

“Hmm~ Like observing the enemy’s movement kind of thing?”

“Something like that. And, the stuff with you too… Yeah.”

….Darn it. How am I supposed to say it…? 

Kai was at his wit’s end. He almost held his head with both hands. That was how perplexed he was. Beside him, Nia was puffing her cheeks. In front of him, there was Chloe, waiting for his continuation. 

If he didn’t use the right word, there might be an earthquake happening in the middle of the city, like the one in the dungeon. Somehow… Somehow! He had to bluff his way out!

“So… Yeah… Umm… The reason why I want to help you is…”

“Yeah? The reason why you want to help me…? Fufu~”

“…Umm… Well…”

However, not only Kai was a virgin, but he was also an introvert that had shut himself in his room for about 4 years, doing nothing but playing games. Of course he didn’t have any witty remarks he could use in this situation. And so, he had no other choice but to say the words he didn’t actually mean. 

“Ri-Right! You… You’ll be very useful in the future!”

“…Useful? Me?”

“Yeah. Assassin like you is quite rare after all… Besides! You’re the second strongest person in the hero’s party after Kaltz, right? That’s why…. I was thinking that you can be useful for us too!”

“….Hmm… I see.”

Chloe wondered why. Even though his answer sounded plausible enough, but Chloe still felt a bit unconvinced with his answer…. Just because she might be useful… Kai wanted to keep her alive? Of course, rationally speaking, Chloe knew Kai didn’t have any other reason to help her out. That being said, his answer still left her feeling somewhat unsatisfied. 

“I get it. Well, of course. Your answer is obvious enough.”

“…Umm… Chloe?”

“What?”

“There’s something else I want to ask of you, but… Why… Are you pouting? You seem to be pouting a bit?”

“Huh? I’m not pouting though? What are you talking about?”

“You totally are! You were clearly sulking just now, weren’t you?!”

“I’m not! Anyway, what do you want to ask? I’m just a disposable pawn for you anyway, right? Just an expendable item that’s a little bit more useful than usual. A mere tool, right??”

“Nobody said anything like that!! Arghhhh! Good grief…”

A woman’s heart is so complicated…!!

Kai thought to herself while stealing glances at Nia.

Alright. She doesn’t look too upset right now. It should be fine… Right?

Thinking so, Kai tried to speak as casually as he could. 

“Well, there’s an unavoidable reason behind this, but… Could you hold my hand? Just for 1 minute?”

“…Huh? Huh?”

“Just for one minute! Really, just for 60 seconds! No more than 60 seconds! I-I know you might find it gross, but please! Just this once!”

“….You… You really are the devil, huh?”

“Just how come the word ‘devil’ appears in this situation?! I just want to learn your skill-… Nia?! Nia?! Calm down! I-I will hold your hand however long you want later! I-I’m not doing anything shady or anything!!”

“Pfft… Hahahahaha!!”

Ah, when was the last time I laughed so heartily like this?

Immersing in pure joy, something she hadn’t felt for so long, Chloe laughed out loud.

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