The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

"Claire!?"

Claire's scream was heard, but Alice couldn’t even make a sound.

When recalling what Sylvia had said before coming here, it was obvious that Sylvia was the center of this situation.

Though Sylvia had used some kind of power to get here, it seemed that even Sylvia didn’t know whether it was truly the power of a goddess.

The force she wielded was distinctly different from the divine powers of the priests that were often seen. If Sylvia’s power truly came from a goddess, it was impossible to understand why it was so different from the divine power the priests used.

So, unless it was Sylvia herself, no one would truly understand the situation, which was why they had all gathered to help her carry out her plan.

Sylvia, who had been stabbed in the back, didn’t make a sound.

No, her expression didn’t change either.

Her eyes were unfocused, as though looking into the distance—was it because she had been stabbed?

Claire shouted as she charged forward. A few knights tried to stop her, but one by one, they fell to the incoming gunfire.

Alice also ran.

Blood—blood was flowing. The wound visible on the Emperor’s body was not the source of the blood. It was clearly Sylvia’s blood.

Having ripped off the ruined gauntlet, there was nothing left to protect Sylvia’s back—

Bang!

But the next moment, a sound rang out.

"...Ah!"

The light returned to Sylvia’s previously unfocused eyes.

Coughing up blood, Sylvia was still alive.

Immediately after, more gunshots rang out—Bang, bang, bang. It wasn’t the revolver she had been holding when she lunged at the Emperor. It was an automatic pistol she must have drawn.

The Emperor turned his body, but even he couldn’t avoid the bullets fired from Sylvia’s gun as she aimed at his side.

But the Emperor’s hand still held Sylvia’s shoulder.

Slick—The knife was pulled from Sylvia’s body.

Cough. Sylvia coughed again, and blood stained her lips and chin.

For just one moment, everyone’s eyes turned to Sylvia and the Emperor. Those who were fighting beside them and those opposing them, even the Emperor’s knights.

In that fleeting instant, the entire space fell into silence before it was broken.

The goal had changed.

Sylvia’s companions were now solely focused on helping her. Regardless of the circumstances of the person in front of them, or their own feelings or goals, those things no longer mattered.

The reason everyone had gathered here in the first place was Sylvia.

Had it not been for Sylvia, the Emperor wouldn’t have acted this way.

On the other hand, those standing in opposition had the same goal.

Their ultimate goal was to ensure the Emperor’s plan was completed and to seize the power of the goddess.

The direction of their steps, the direction of their swords, the barrels of their guns, and the tips of their staffs all shifted.

Countless sword strikes, magic, and gunfire all converged toward the same target.

It was likely that neither Sylvia nor the Emperor would be able to avoid it all.

Sylvia turned her head.

She was still drenched in blood, grimacing in pain. This was a sight that would almost never be seen from the usual Sylvia.

Sylvia’s black eyes scanned the surroundings. It looked as though she was searching for someone, and those eyes met Alice’s for a brief moment.

For an instant, time seemed to slow.

Sylvia’s furrowed brow slightly relaxed. Though she still had a pained expression, for a moment, Alice thought she saw a smile.

No, it really was a smile.

Sylvia’s lips moved slightly.

"It's okay."

It seemed like she was saying that.

For the first time, Sylvia, who always spoke politely, was offering those words.

Sylvia’s gaze shifted again, this time to Claire.

Claire, who had dashed forward first, scattering sword energy around her, was now much closer to Sylvia than Alice.

Countless sword strikes and magic were swirling around, many of them clashing and neutralizing each other, shattering into fragments. The sparkling scene of debris and powder, had there been no bloodied bodies beneath it, might have looked like a celebration.

The lights reflected off the red, blue, green, and icy colors, illuminating Sylvia’s face. For a brief moment, the Emperor, who had been holding Sylvia’s shoulder, finally let go.

But Sylvia didn’t move toward the mechanical devices or the ‘Zibo’ lying below. Instead, her body moved in a different direction.

*

Claire, who had been running at full speed, quickly reduced her pace.

It was because Sylvia, who had broken free from the Emperor, was running toward Claire.

Sylvia was already losing a lot of blood. If they had collided as they were, it might have been impossible for her to escape unscathed.

The sound of the rubber-soled shoes rubbing against the floor echoed—

"Claire!"

Sylvia ran straight into Claire.

Claire didn’t fall. Though Sylvia collapsed forward as if her legs gave way, it was Claire who caught her.

"Are you okay, sis?"

Claire immediately closed her mouth after asking. Sylvia didn’t look okay at all. Blood was pouring from her mouth, and the hand supporting Sylvia, nearly cradling her, was covered in blood. The blood still warm, freshly dripping from her body.

"Claire."

"Uh...?"

It was the usual way Sylvia called her name, but something was different. Was it because Sylvia was calling her urgently? For some reason, her voice didn’t sound like Sylvia’s calm tone from earlier.

It reminded Claire more of something from their childhood—

"Zibo, do you have it?"

"Ah, yes."

"Good."

At Sylvia’s words, Claire blinked in surprise. Despite bleeding so much and suffering such injuries, Sylvia spoke with a strong voice.

Suddenly, Sylvia’s hand reached into the inner pocket of her uniform, and Claire was startled.

Without changing her expression, Sylvia pulled out the Zibo from the pocket.

A partially completed gear, small enough to fit inside the pocket.

"What are you going to do with that...?"

"You’ll see soon enough."

"Uh?"

Sylvia’s mysterious words made Claire blink again.

*

Honestly, there wasn’t much time to think, so I can’t say this was a perfect plan.

In reality, I brought another Zibo to counter this one. If I faced the Emperor and lost it, it would be bad, so I left it with Claire, who’s much stronger than me... 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Moreover, the Zibo itself responded, and it reacted more clearly to Claire.

Thinking back to the truth I saw earlier—

The reason I couldn’t use my full powers in front of the fake Alice was because "the goddess controlled it." To deceive the Emperor.

Of course, it might be part of a trap within traps. She might have already predicted every move I would make.

But still, it felt wrong.

I’m the type of person who hates seeing others complete strategies, so I would get the Japanese version, translate it, and write guides myself. And I would criticize the translations, especially when people misinterpreted story details. Even when the officially licensed versions weren’t available, I would still dissect everything, even when it was finally translated into Korean.

I know my nature isn’t ideal. I’m aware that people in this world think I have a personality that deserves respect, but I know myself.

If the story I’m reading isn’t what I want, I’ll keep trying to change it into something I want.

If this were a story written by a company, I might accept it. But this world is different.

If the goddess picked me because I’m "someone who loves this world too much and can’t distinguish between reality and the virtual world," then she made the right choice.

But if that’s the case, then she should have considered the mindset of someone like me beforehand.

The Zibo Claire pulled from her pocket was glowing brightly. Naturally, it was aimed at Claire, not me.

I told myself I "returned the world to its original state," but I don’t believe it. How can I trust the words of someone who’s been lying to me from the start?

There’s definitely some power transferred to me. There are things I need to change "from within."

Even if the transferred goddess power isn’t perfect like the original, it doesn’t matter.

Because, after all, the Zibo I’m holding isn’t perfect either.

This was the goddess’s plan, up to this point.

"Claire, could you help me here for a second?"

"Ah, sure..."

With an expression that showed she didn’t fully understand the situation, Claire obediently followed my words.

She was still a good younger sister, now as she was then.

So now, what should I do?

The storyline changed because of me.

The imperfect, temporarily transferred goddess’s power.

And, still imperfect, the object created to prevent and seize the goddess’s power.

A being who can properly use that object.

"Claire, listen carefully. We don’t have much time."

"There are still people rushing at us." Some were desperately trying to block us, but time was definitely running out.

"I’ll count to three, and then—"

I decided not to dwell on whether it would work or not.

"I understand."

After hearing my explanation, Claire nodded.

I nodded slightly and said.

"One."

The goddess, who wanted to make the world as she imagined.

"Two."

The Emperor, who opposed that goddess but still wanted to become a new god by seizing her power.

Both had one thing in common.

To them, I was just a tool. Whether they had affection for me or not, I didn’t know, and I didn’t know how far they could use me.

No matter the outcome, I wouldn’t be happy in the end. I might even cease to exist altogether.

That’s not a happy ending.

In the fleeting moment I glanced back, my companions entered. They were all still alive. They were relying on each other, coming together to protect me and Claire.

Finally, I met Alice’s gaze again.

It’s okay.

It will be okay.

I gave Alice a faint, reassuring look and then turned my gaze back to Claire.

The two determined eyes filled my vision.

"Three."

At my final words, Claire opened her mouth. And I spoke simultaneously—

"Again!"

—Again.

For the first time.