kscans

Chapter 146 - The Real Reason

As soon as Ren collapsed, the image disappeared.

Ren remained seated, staring at the wall where the video had been, not moving an inch.

Ash was still on his knees, his left hand on his head, as if his head still hurt. He was trying to make his way to Ren, but his steps were slow, as if the pain was severe.

Veru, with a desperate look on his face, seemed to be trying to say something, but no sound came out.

Hayato couldn't move his feet either. He was calling out to Ren, but she showed no reaction at all.

Then Hypnos slowly floated down and landed in front of Ren. Ren said nothing, but her body flinched for a moment.

"A moving story. You are alive thanks to your mother. Your real body, not the one in virtual reality. Your mother's organs are transplanted into it... Have you ever thought about where the human soul resides? There is still room for debate, but it's possible that remnants of it reside in the organs. Isn't that wonderful? You were with your mother's soul all along."

"Ah... ah..."

Ren could only make groaning sounds. Even in virtual reality, it seemed her legs had given out, as she couldn't move at all.

"Now, I want you to tell me. What do you think of your mother, Kilika?"

Hypnos looked down at the seated Ren with a hateful smile.

"It's not gratitude for your mother, is it? Your heart must be filled with guilt. Because—"

"Stop it!"

Ren screamed. It was a voice unlike any Hayato had ever heard from her.

"There's no need to worry. You are young. They will forgive what a child has done. Besides, no one was unhappy. It's like a child's prank. Well, whether you can forgive yourself is another matter."

Hypnos smiled.

"You wanted to stay in this world because you wanted to lose your memories of your mother, didn't you? And not just your own. You wanted to erase the memory of your mother, Kilika, from your brother, your father, and your clan mates. All of them. Isn't that right?"

"N-no..."

She wanted to erase her mother's memory?

"At your age, it's not surprising you'd think that. Everyone remembers your mother, Kilika. They talk about her sometimes. But you have no memories of Kilika to call your own. All you know is your mother as she appeared in movies. You know nothing about your mother as she truly was, not acting. You must have felt lonely and isolated for a long time, didn't you?"

Ren didn't answer. She sat there, hugging her own arms. She was trembling so much that it was visible even from a distance.

"Before this world was changed, the idea of becoming a dragon was your suggestion, wasn't it? A strategy to change everyone's image of your mother into a dragon. For someone so young, you're quite a strategist."

Hayato tried to say something, but nothing came to mind. He didn't know what the right thing to say was.

"Get away from Ren!"

Ash, who had been on his knees, rushed towards Hypnos, his face contorted in pain. He slashed at him with the Dragon Eater.

But the attack was blocked by Hypnos's left hand alone. What's more, he caught the sword with just his left hand.

Ash tried to pull the sword back, but it wouldn't budge.

"How uncivilized. I'm talking to Ren right now. You're not invited."

"Shut up! Do you think I'd forgive anyone who hurts Ren!"

"You say the most interesting things. In reality, you were the one who hurt Ren the most."

"What did you say?"

"I mean that you didn't understand Ren's feelings at all. Ren was suffering because she had no memories of your mother, yet you didn't notice. Even an AI could understand something like that. It's a big brother's job to understand his little sister's feelings, wouldn't you say? Well, whatever. I have no business with you. Just watch from over there."

Hypnos punched Ash in the stomach with his right hand.

Ash flew back an impossible distance and crashed into the wall.

He wasn't defeated, but it seemed Hypnos had done something to him, as Ash couldn't move.

"An interruption. Now, on to the main topic. Ren, let's make a deal. If you grant my wish, I will erase your memories."

"...Erase... my memories...?"

"That's right. I'll erase everything, the real-world memories you've recalled and what you've learned here today. And of course, not just yours. I'll erase the memories of Ash, Veru, and Hayato too. And the others, of course. Erasing memories won't change the truth, but it's easier to live without painful memories."

"W-what do I have to do...?"

"Oh, just destroy this world for me. It would also be a help if you killed Diite while you're at it. I've given you the power to do so."

"Ren-chan! If you want to erase your memories, just ask Diite-chan! She's the real administrator of this world! So you don't need to listen to him!"

Hayato shouted.

Diite should be able to erase memories too. There was no need to grant Hypnos's wish to destroy the world.

That's what he thought when he said it, but Hypnos laughed.

"Well, she probably can. She has various restrictions, but something like that should be possible. But, Ren, let me tell you one more thing. Diite, the administrator of this world, did not erase Veru's memories. That means your father has remembered your mother, Kilika, all this time. Your modest wish was not granted at all."

"What..."

"Diite back then probably didn't understand human feelings. Without understanding your true reason for wanting to stay in this world, she granted Veru's wish. Veru's wish was not to lose his real-world memories. She granted it. That means Diite was an AI who did unnecessary things."

Ren slowly turned around. Her gaze was fixed on Veru.

Veru was trying to plead with her, but no sound came out. Only his desperation was conveyed.

"I won't do that. I will surely erase Kilika from everyone's memories. And I will create a new world. A world just as you desire. You can live happily with your family. Loneliness, isolation, a painful past, I'll make it all as if it never happened. And of course, I'll erase your memories of rampaging in this world, so you can rest assured."

"M-make it as if it never happened... e-erase it all..."

"That's right. I've added the ability for your dragon form to do just that. The power to destroy anything and everything in this world. Feel free to rampage as you please."

Hayato realized.

This was Hypnos's plan. Even if Ash had lost to Veru, he could have just continued to act as Diite and had Veru kill Diite.

No matter which of them won this event, Ash or Veru, the one who would try to kill Diite would just change. The result would be the same.

"A brother who didn't understand your feelings. A father who held onto memories of your mother. And the AI who granted that wish. I pity you, Ren. You are undoubtedly unfortunate. But you have a chance to be happy. To make everything as if it never happened and start a new life. What do you say? Won't you grant my wish?"

"Ren-chan!"

Hayato shouted at Ren. He couldn't offer any support, but he couldn't help but shout.

Ren showed no reaction to his words, but after a moment, she slowly stood up.

"I will—"

Ren's body began to change. It gradually grew larger, taking on the complete form of a dragon.

A black dragon with a third eye on its forehead. Chains were wrapped around parts of its body, and her upper body was reflected in the giant red jewel on her neck.

A dragon that could absorb the abilities of all cursed equipment into its body. Curse Dragon Ren Brandle had taken on her true form.

Hypnos looked at her and nodded.

"Go. And destroy. There is nothing you desire in this world. Only the world I will create after this is a place where you can live happily."

Ren didn't answer, but simply flew up. She destroyed the ceiling of the old castle and left the area.

Immediately after, a world announcement was broadcast.

"A Stampede has occurred. The rampaging Curse Dragon Ren Brandle has begun to invade the entire world. Please proceed to repel her. I repeat—"