The Puppeteer stood before me, her body split down the middle: a young girl on the right, and a monstrous beast on the left.
This form—yes, I recognized it. This was the final evolution the Puppeteer had reached after devouring the villagers of Kataroff Village in my previous life.
At the sight of her, tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't help it.
A memory flashed through my mind—the image of her saying "It was wrong" before taking her own life.
"Was it you who woke me?"
"Yeah," I replied. "It was me."
"Hmm, I see. So, what business brings you all the way here to see me?"
"I want you to lend me your strength."
I stated my desire directly. If I could obtain the Puppeteer’s power, I might finally have a way to overcome the crisis before me.
"Ahahaha! You certainly say some amusing things."
The Puppeteer opened her mouth and mocked me openly.
"Listen, my Master is a woman named Kanaria. At first glance, she might seem like a dull woman, but she’s actually quite interesting once you get to know her. I like her well enough. That’s why I’m lending her my power. But from what I can see, you’re her enemy. Naturally, I’d feel a bit hesitant about betraying my own Master."
That made sense. I didn’t think the Puppeteer was the type to be driven by unwavering loyalty, but she wasn’t the type to betray someone without a reason, either.
Even so, I had no intention of giving up. After all, I knew the Puppeteer better than anyone else in the world.
"Hey. Your dream is to become human, isn't it?"
I remembered it vividly. In the future, she had spoken of her desire to be human almost constantly.
"...How do you know that? I don't recall ever telling you."
"You did tell me."
"You tell such blatant lies with a straight face."
"It’s not a lie. You told me because, in a future one hundred years from now, I am your Master."
"...What are you talking about?"
The Puppeteer’s brow furrowed. I suppose anyone would be suspicious after being told something like that out of the blue.
"In other words, you’re claiming you came from the future?"
"Yeah. That’s right."
"If you're mocking me, I'm going to get annoyed. Do you have any proof?"
"As for proof... as the Puppeteer, shouldn't you already know? For instance, do you not recognize that form of yours?"
I spoke while pointing at her.
When I had first met her in the Inner World in my previous life, she had a much more blurred, ill-defined shape. And yet, the girl standing before me now—even if half her body was still a beast—was in a form that was as close to human as possible.
I didn't fully understand the reason for the change, but surely the Puppeteer knew something.
"...I have indeed observed some very inexplicable phenomena regarding the timeline. I suspected this form was related to that, but are you saying that you are the cause?"
"No, I'm not the cause."
The "cause" she was sensing was likely Ageha.
"But I know someone who might be the reason."
"...I see. Well, I understand your argument."
"You believe me?"
"I wouldn't say I believe you entirely. Let's just say I’m not unwilling to give it some consideration."
"Then, will you lend me your strength?"
"That's a rather shallow conclusion. Even if you really were my Master in the future, I don't see any obligation for the current me to obey you."
The Puppeteer spoke with a look of triumph.
She had a point. Just because I was her Master in the future didn't provide any logical reason for her to help me now.
"If you understand, then get lost already."
The Puppeteer tried to push me away.
So, it was no use... I didn't have any more leverage to persuade her.
I’d gambled everything on gaining her power to break this stalemate, but that path was being slammed shut in my face.
"............"
"Why are you crying?"
Her words were the first thing that made me realize I was weeping.
Why was I crying? Oh... right.
"About that... I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not being able to make you human..."
I could still see it so clearly—the moment she decided it was all wrong and took her own life.
What could I have done to save her? I thought about that day and regretted it every single morning.
"I'm always failing. I can't do anything by myself. Even so, because you were there for me, I was able to work hard and make it this far. And yet, in the end, I couldn't grant your wish."
"......"
"I resolved to make you human, but look at me now. I was too distracted by everything else and I haven't been able to do anything for you. But one day—I don't know how long it will take—I will definitely make you human. So please... just wait for me. I’m begging you!"
I poured everything I had into those words. I might not have secured her power, but I had at least conveyed my feelings to her. It wasn't the result I needed, but it was the best I could do.
"So... how do I get out of this otherworld?"
Deciding it was time to leave, I spoke up. Looking back, I had stepped into this Inner World many times, but I didn't actually know how to leave it on my own.
"Ah, geez, fine! I get it!"
Suddenly, the Puppeteer raised her voice.
"I get it, I get it. I just have to help you, right? Come to think of it, I never liked Kanaria all that much anyway, and helping you seems like it’ll be a lot more interesting. Fine, I'll give you a hand."
"...Huh?"
I didn't understand what she was saying for a moment and let out a stunned sound.
"I said I'm lending you my strength!"
"Is... is that really okay?"
"I said it was! How many times are you going to make me repeat myself?"
"Thank you..."
"What's with that reaction? Since I’m agreeing to lend you my power, I’d expect you to, I don't know, cry for joy or something."
She was right. It still didn't feel real, and my confusion had made my gratitude sound far too stilted.
The Puppeteer was actually going to help me.
The realization sent a surge of relief through me.
"Woooooooh!! Thank you! I knew it—I love you!"
"Hey, wait! Just because I said that doesn't mean you can get carried away and hug me!"
She gave me a light thunk on the head. Yeah, I’d gotten a little too carried away.
"But seriously, thank you. For believing me."
I thanked her again, more sincerely this time.
"It's not that I particularly believed your story, Master."
"Is that so? Then why?"
"How should I put it... Master, you have a smell that I don't dislike."
I could see her expression, looking slightly bashful.
"But in exchange for helping you, make sure you keep your promise."
"Yeah, I know. I'll definitely make you human."
"It's a promise, then."
The moment the Puppeteer nodded, light flooded into the darkness of the Inner World. Like a shell cracking open, the scene before my eyes shattered into a thousand pieces.
When I opened my eyes, I was back in the outside world.
"Hey... Why? Why are you holding that...?"
Holy Knight Kanaria stood before me, trembling with shock.
Ah, I see. She really did keep her promise.
In my hand, I was gripping the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer.
"Sorry, Kanaria. Puppeteer belongs to me now."
The time for being hunted was over. Now, it was time for my counterattack.