Second Lead Syndrome (188 - 294 ) | ✓

• 252 •

Cecil peeked her head out, her hands stroking Xue's wings lightly. If it wasn't for the predicament they were in, she would have admired how soft his wings were. She was bewildered by the conversation between Xue and Veau. At the very least, a fight hasn't broken out yet and she understood which mirror Veau was referring to.

Just then, she felt the presence hidden within her mind speaking out.

[ Oracle... ]

[ You always invite trouble~ ]

"...???"

"What are you talking about, AI500?"

[ The mirror was absorbed back into your body since your soul is now completely mended. ]

[ It is no surprise, since it was a part of you after all. ]

[ A part of your powers. ]

[ That's why I warned you not to stay near it. It recognises you. ]

"You only warned me after it appeared right in front of me..."

[ ... ]

[ ...it-it's not my problem. ]

"..."

Cecil sighed inwardly, knowing there's no point in bickering with the first Supreme God in her mind.

She glanced down at herself but she didn't feel any different.

"Since I absorbed it, what do I have to know?"

[ Let it remain dormant within you. ]

[ You can never activate that mirror. ]

"What if it activates?"

[ That old man will sense you, and if it reaches that point... ]

[ I won't be able to save you, Oracle. ]

[ Not again. ]

"...I understand."

"How did you bring me back here into this world without him knowing?"

[ Balance and rules are that old man's obsessions. The old man was never one to take note of small details. ]

[ When the day comes for you to recover your memories, you'll know it very well~ ]

[ Besides, that old man has never forgiven you. If he knew you were here right now, he would be really unhappy. ]

"Just what did I do to make him this unhappy?"

[ It would take too long to explain. ]

[ You were created to be emotionless, but we couldn't stand aside and watch you be used like a marionette. You are your own person. ]

[ Oracle, you did nothing wrong. ]

[ You just did what you thought was right, my good friend. ]

"..."

Cecil was touched by those words.

The fond memories she shared with AI500 flitted past her mind, just as much as he had frustrated her...