"Kiska, are you alright?"
Ageha’s voice pulled me back. I must have looked strange enough for her to notice.
"Yeah, I’m fine."
Even as the words left my mouth, my voice wavered.
"I see..."
She nodded, but I could tell she hadn't quite shaken the sense that something was off.
"So, what's the first move?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.
"First, we kill Sage Nyau."
The moment she said it, my chest tightened.
"Is it... is it really necessary to kill Nyau?"
I had a deep personal history with Nyau from the previous timeline. I couldn't just stand by and let her be murdered.
"Why do you ask?" Ageha’s voice was low, laced with suspicion.
Did she know? Did she know about the bond Nyau and I had shared? If she found out, her jealousy would flare, and she'd likely become even more obsessed with killing her. I had to guide her away from that decision without letting her catch on.
"I understand why we have to take out Warrior Golgano and Holy Knight Kanaria," I said. "They’re members of Chaosism. Traitors working for Demon King Zoga."
"Chaosism...?"
The name didn't seem to ring a bell for her.
"You don't know it? I don't have all the details myself, but that’s the name of their organization."
"Ah... I knew they were part of a group, but I never knew what it was called. So they were the ones who..."
A chill ran down my spine. Ageha’s tone was suddenly thick with murderous intent.
"Was it Chaosism that sealed you?"
"Yes," she hissed.
So that was it. Chaosism wasn't just working to resurrect the Demon King; they had been pulling strings to neutralize Ageha as well.
"Regardless, Holy Knight Kanaria and Warrior Golgano have to die," she continued. "If they’re left alive, the Demon King will be resurrected. They'll also interfere with my own return."
"Then why kill Hero Eligion?"
"Because his existence blocks my resurrection. He’s a nuisance. Besides, this world doesn't need two Heroes."
"But what about Sage Nyau? Surely we don't need to kill her too?"
"If we leave her alive, it makes killing the others much more difficult."
"How so?"
"She’s intervened before. I’ve failed assassinations because of her meddling. I won't let that happen again. To ensure we succeed, Sage Nyau has to go."
I felt a flicker of hope. If the only issue was her potential interference, I just had to make sure she couldn't intervene.
"If that’s the only reason, I’ll deal with her," I offered. "I'll make sure she doesn't interfere. If I do that, we don't need to kill her, right?"
"Wait... why are you so obsessed with protecting her? You didn't... you didn't have some kind of relationship with her, did you?"
Crap. I’d pushed too hard.
"N-no! It’s just... she’s useful!" I stammered. "She can use Teleportation Magic to get us out of the Dungeon. I just thought it would be a waste to lose someone with that kind of utility. I don't have any kind of relationship with her, I swear...!"
"Your voice is wavering."
"H-hyah!"
I let out a pathetic squeak. She was definitely on to me.
"............"
The silence was heavy with a crushing pressure.
"Fine," she finally said. "It’s true that her Teleportation Magic would be convenient. I want to get out of this place as soon as possible. If we wander around the Dungeon too long trying to reach the Boss, we might run into that unpleasant person. I’d rather avoid that at all costs."
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. She’d bought it—or at least, she was willing to let it slide for now. It seemed her desire to avoid that "unpleasant person" outweighed her suspicion of my feelings for Nyau.
Who was she talking about, though? The only other powerful entity in this dungeon was... Vampire Eudite.
"In that case, let’s change our first target."
"Who is it?"
My heart hammered against my ribs as I waited for her answer.
"Hero Eligion. We start with him, and we break my seal."