Pick Me Up!-Chapter 315: Embers (5)

Once the general framework had been established, the meeting progressed swiftly.

Under the briefing of Siris and Yurnet, the members selected for the operation, the necessary supplies, tactical formations, and deployment structures were finalized. The operation’s launch date was also confirmed.

The mission, now designated the “Assault on Eden,” would commence in three days.

Yurnet departed to service the airship to be used in the operation, and Ridigion and Nihaku headed to the training grounds to coordinate their moves together.

[Did the meeting end well?]

A terrace positioned near the operations room.

Siris slowly sipped the black tea that Nissel had poured her.

“More or less.”

Beyond the terrace, the square was bustling with heroes of Niflheim coming and going.

For the first time in a while, a mobilization order had been issued. They were equipping themselves with their respective weapons in preparation for battle.

The outline of the operation.

Siris retraced the brief summary in her mind.

The advance party was composed of the core members of Niflheim’s First Party: Siris, Yurnet, Ridigion, Aaron, and Nihaku.

They were to break through the corrupted dimension—Server 1—and then push forward through the barrier of the Boundary Realm where the Master resided. Fierce resistance from mutated corrupted beings was expected during the process.

And then...

Aaron would breach the barrier, opening a hole. Yurnet would calculate the coordinates where the Master was located, and Siris would be the one to enter.

The final objective: subdue the Master and plunge the dagger named Mistell into his heart.

Then, summon the others and, during the brief moment in which the Master regains his memory, persuade him—so that all of them could bear the darkness he carries together.

Until the fighting ends.

Siris let out a dry chuckle.

If Loki had heard the plan, he would’ve flipped out and called it complete nonsense.

Because the odds were practically nonexistent.

Setting everything else aside, they would have to defeat the Master first.

And he would be stronger than any foe Siris had ever faced.

“Have a cup too. Feels weird to drink alone.”

Siris picked up the teapot and poured black tea into an empty cup.

She slid it over with a piece of cookie to Nissel.

[Then I won’t hold back!]

Nissel emptied the teacup in one gulp and stuffed the cookie into her mouth.

The little fairy’s cheeks puffed out like a squirrel with acorns.

“I think... we’ll probably need your power in this battle.”

Siris said this as she watched Nissel chew noisily.

[Keheh! Leave it to me!]

“You’re not hurt or anything, right? Nothing aching?”

[Perfectly healthy!]

Nissel pounded her chest proudly.

No way that’s true.

Siris gave a bitter smile.

Nissel, the starting fairy of Niflheim, had once been just an ordinary unit... but now she had changed. Her hair had turned red. Every flap of her wings scattered sparks. Outwardly, not much seemed different—but within, she now carried a power that defied all reason.

Power comes with a price.

Siris had known the moment she laid eyes on Loki after his 7-star promotion.

Because she herself had experienced that cost firsthand.

“......”

There had once been a reason why Niflheim was called the Land of Eternal Flame.

Siris had inherited that legacy directly. That power had originally been suppressed in the form of an engraving, but during her wanderings after the collapse of Möbius, she had—by chance—found a way to unlock its limit.

I couldn’t endure it.

If she had continued to harbor that power within her, she might have ended up just like Loki.

But just before she broke, Nissel had taken that burden into herself. Nissel was now shouldering the penalty that came with Siris’s strength.

What we’re doing is the same.

Carrying the weight together.

“So this is where you were.”

At the sound of a calm voice, Siris turned around.

A young man in a neatly buttoned coat was approaching her.

“You’re...”

“My name is Aaron.”

“No need for introductions.”

Siris smiled faintly and pulled out the chair beside her.

Aaron gave a polite nod and sat down.

“First time the two of us have spoken?”

“We’ve both been busy.”

[Here, drink up!]

“...Thank you.”

Nissel poured Aaron a cup of black tea.

He said he once fought alongside the Master.

That must’ve been quite the experience.

Siris thought she might like to feel it herself one day.

Well—she’d be feeling it often enough from now on.

“My master used to say this—‘Siris always brings a new answer.’”

“You’re giving me too much credit.”

Aaron drank his tea.

His gaze wandered toward the square beyond the terrace.

There, numerous heroes were hauling supplies.

“So... we’re going to fight alongside him, aren’t we?”

“Yeah. Until every enemy of the Master is burned to ash.”

Siris continued.

“You’re not originally from Niflheim, right? No one’s forcing you.”

“No. I was planning to go even if I # Nоvеlight # had to alone.”

“How admirable.”

“But... I worry. Is this really the way to save my brother?”

Siris looked at him.

The man with the ordinary face had pressed his lips shut.

“I think I know why you came to see me. You’re not here to accuse me. You want a better answer.”

“No, not at all! I just... I...”

Aaron’s stern expression wavered.

Siris glanced at him, then looked back toward the square.

“What do you think defines humanity?”

Aaron didn’t respond.

“Memories of living. A clear self-awareness. Are those two things enough to define personhood?”

“......”

“I get your concern. Recovering the Master’s memory won’t be the end. It might even be better if he felt nothing. If it’s just an endless continuation of battle—if his long, long life is filled with only suffering—what could be worse than that? You’d understand best. You’re Müden’s student.”

Aaron’s gaze faltered.

Siris had struck the core.

The hellish training he had endured.

Aaron had had to forget himself again and again just to overcome that pain.

Can we really say this will save him...?

Emotionally, he knew.

There was no other answer.

But he couldn’t hold back from asking.

“I’m sorry. I must have troubled you.”

Aaron steeled his resolve.

Once they departed from here, for the rest of his life—perhaps for a time many times longer than his training—he would be locked in battle. No rest, no comfort. He’d have to fight with a blade in hand, abandoning all human desires.

Enough.

Aaron shook his head.

Everyone had made their decision—he had no right to hesitate now.

It would be nothing but disgraceful.

Müden was similar, but not quite the same.

Siris smiled.

Müden, despite his gruff exterior, was like an old man who had lived a long life. But this one—he was sensitive. Deeply so.

This is as far as Cizel’s plan goes.

For the First Party to share the Master’s burden.

Siris brought the steaming tea to her lips.

Even if we succeed...

It won’t change the Master’s condition much.

If anything, being forced to live while aware of how long he has suffered would only make things worse.

And her comrades would share in that suffering.

Gulp.

Each time Siris emptied her cup, Nissel poured her another.

Already her tenth.

Just being alive isn’t the end.

Siris met Nissel’s eyes briefly, then turned to Aaron and said,

“Humans aren’t machines. We need rest. Just like we’re sitting here, talking and having tea. We need to laugh with comrades, sleep soundly in a warm bed, and sometimes, we should be able to go see the ones we miss. Aaron, didn’t you mention you have a younger sister back home?”

“Yes... that’s right.”

“Then you gave up your family to be here.”

Siris’s gaze softened.

“The reason I fought for the Master... was because he treated the false version of me like a real human.”

“...?”

“Five people aren’t enough.”

Her voice dropped.

That won’t cut it.

Bringing back the Master’s memories would be meaningless.

Aaron had been right.

If he was to continue living in suffering, then what was the point of this mission?

If a life with dignity couldn’t be guaranteed, there was no reason to restore his humanity.

Humanity.

They couldn’t end the Master’s war.

That conflict would continue far longer than the years Siris had lived.

But.

They could let him rest.

Just like the Niflheim heroes who held small parties after missions.

“What... do you mean?”

Siris extended her right hand.

With a huff from her nostrils, Nissel passed her a small sheet of paper.

“Total number of troops requesting discharge?”

[Eight thousand four hundred twenty-nine! Everyone else said they’re staying.]

Siris checked the paper.

The number matched.

It was the tally Nissel had compiled over the past week.

“So 14,851 remain.”

“......”

“All together, that’s 14,816.”

It didn’t seem Aaron had grasped what she meant.

His eyes widened in confusion.

“They’ve all agreed to fight alongside the Master.”

“...Excuse me?”

“I,”

Siris smiled faintly,

“am going to transplant all of Niflheim—along with 15,000 troops—into the realm where the Master is.”

Aaron blinked blankly.

“With 15,000, we can split the force into rotations. Our Niflheim is the strongest fortress there is. If we pair up 13th floor members and rotate shifts, we can secure up to sixteen hours of rest per day.”

“...That’s...”

“We’re building a kingdom. In that empty land. That’s the true goal of the Eden Assault Operation. We’re the advance team. So, does that clear up your doubts?”

Aaron burst out,

“Is... Is that really possible?!”

“It is. That’s why we brought Amkena into the mission.”

Siris downed her thirteenth cup of black tea.

They would store Niflheim’s waiting room data on Amkena’s smartphone and copy it into the Master’s realm.

Two days ago, they’d managed to make contact with Amkena, Loki’s Master.

Siris hadn’t even given a full explanation—only that she needed help. Amkena had responded immediately. She said she would do anything to help Han. So the agreement was made quickly, and Bifröst, Loki’s sword, was selected as the data transfer medium.

Thus, the final phase of the operation is...

Subdue the Master, restore his consciousness, and forge a new contract with him.

Then, using Bifröst, summon Niflheim and build an advance fortress in a corner of the Boundary Realm—for the Master and his army.

...She’s really going that far.

Cizel had called the plan absurd, but in the end, she’d promised to assist with the procedures required to execute it.

All conditions are in place.

[Oops, it’s all gone!]

Nissel shook the teapot.

It seemed the tea had been completely emptied at some point.

“You...”

Aaron’s voice trembled.

With a sigh, he finally set his teacup down.

“My master was right.”

It was still only a concept.

To make it real would take immense effort.

Siris brushed off the hem of her uniform and rose to her feet.

“Can I trust you?”

Aaron’s voice was firm.

There was no more hesitation in his eyes.

“Of course.”

Behind Siris, Nissel fluttered her wings.

Siris lightly patted Aaron’s shoulder and stepped off toward the edge of the terrace.