The Child in the Sword
System... Damaged.
Replication process overload... unable to terminate...
Broken little buddy! Just hang on!
Omega will fix you right up!
Omega dodged Cube Palace's fragments and sprinted toward its core.
Hiya! Repair Chop!!
*Clank!*
[Omega Control] intervention detected.
Emergency stop protocol authorized.
Forcing merge into [Star Piercer]'s substructure for system reinstall.
Struck by Omega's karate chop, the Cube Palace returned to its original form.
Then... As if it had always been a part of the Star Piercer, it retracted inside and vanished.
Done! Repairs complete!
Cube Palace is nice again!
Is that it?
Yup!
Omega even sent the Cube Palace to time-out!
Once he's done reflecting, Omega will make sure he helps you properly.
Help me?
You said the Cube Palace was made by Daddy too, right?
Maybe he was for training!
He can copy any opponent you pick so you can fight them inside!
Then those weird things from earlier...
Yep! Clones made by the Cube Palace.
Now, whenever you want, you can spar with any opponent you choose.
Well, what do you think? Omega and Cube are helpful, right?
Yeah, extremely.
Yay! Omega's mega helpful!
For now, I decided to set the details aside and deal with the urgent matter first.
Captain, are you hurt anywhere?
By the way... who's this kid? She popped up out of nowhere.
That's...
Good question. But how to explain...
I explained what happened in the Star Piercer's virtual space, keeping it simple enough for her to follow.
Mm... data... base? Virtual space...?
C-Captain, you sure know a lot of big words.
What's so hard about it?
So... Star Piercer, was it? So basically, she's a spirit from your sword.
I-is she?
A sword with a spirit living in it... Impressive.
That's our Captain for you!
...Poke.
...
...Poke.
...
Poke. Poke. Poke.
Hey! Omega's cheeks aren't for poking...
A mass-retaining hologram is technology even my sister couldn't replicate.
To see it in person is truly moving.
Hehe...
Right? Right? Omega's amazing!
Wanna see something?
Omega will show you eeeverything!
Muriel and Elisa.
...What happened to them?
Uh... Well... It's easier if you see for yourself.
Aahhh, stay away! Stop chasing me!
Heh heh heh... I'll eliminate my saintess competition!
Once you're gone, I'll become the 116th saintess!
S-sure, I've done some... bad things to climb the ladder, but...
I never once thought about[personally taking out my competition]!
As expected, Saintess Muriel...! Forever the conscience of the Order, always staying within bounds!
Elisa! Why are you just standing there?!
Do something about her!
W-what? But I've told you so many times that I'm not good with violence...
Shut it! That mace on your leg isn't just for show!
Th-this is only for bashing heretics' heads in extreme cases...!
ELISAAAAAA!!
O-okay, Saintess Muriel!
If it's for you, then even if I face divine punishment from Lord Gaph...!
...
S-Saintess Muriel! *Huff Huff!*
If you keep running like that, I can't... *Huff Huff!* Attack...!
Just... *Huff Huff!* Stop right there!
It's right on my heels! If I stop now, I'm done for!
WAAAHHH! I'm sorry! I was wrong! I really was wrong!
Help me!! Somebody, please!! Waaaahhh!!
Muriel's clone chased Muriel endlessly, with Elisa trailing after them.
Why's... that thing still around?
Hang on, Omega will ask!
...The Cube Palace says he's not sure either.
Sometimes faulty clones like that appear...
But it's fine!
They disappear on their own after a while!
I see. So they gradually fade away with time.
Somebody help!
Even if they disappear on their own, I can't just let a creature like that run loose.
If that thing got outside the church, people could get hurt.
I smiled at Muriel and said...
Good luck!
A short rest before taking care of the clone should be fine.
Especially if she gives the saintesses who tried to sell off the Order's treasure a chance to learn their lesson.
*Sob* Hngh... WAAAAAAAAAH!
Beneath the crimson sunset blanketing the sky, Muriel kept running... and running.