Chapter 297: First Step to Coming Forth (1/2)
”It's done,” I state nonchalantly as I step inside Reine's room while carrying the still-dazed AI within my arms.
On the way back here, I tried getting her back 'inside' me, but alas, she claimed to be unable to do so.
As such, after careful deliberation, I concluded that it would be fine for her to remain materialized. In fact, I could simply introduce her the same I did with Jeanne.
For some reason, I can't see AI answering any questions that might be thrown at her by Kotori and the rest anyway, so I thought that I might as well get this done sooner than later.
”Oh, welcome back,” Reine responds without so much bothering to spare me a glance as she remains focused on the screen in front of her.
”How did you do it?” she asks as I make my way over to the bed, intending to lay AI down on it.
”Do what?” I ask back while looking over at the twins who are seated atop the bed and are staring at me, no, at AI.
”Inquiry: Is that a human child?”
”It is, isn't it?”
Hearing the twins' words, I glimpse at AI's face before saying, ”Well, she is a child, but I wouldn't be so sure about the human part.”
Our words seem to have grabbed Reine's attention as she stops what she was doing and turns around to take a look.
”Who is that, Shin?”
”Oh, her?” I say with a smile on my lips, ”My daughter.”
…
Silence ensues in the room as Reine continues to stare at my face, seemingly expecting me to give her the 'real answer' soon.
”Alright, fine,” I say while rolling my eyes, ”She is a peculiar spirit that I found aboard the ship before destroying it.”
”Spirit?” she repeats while squinting her eyes.
AI, I assume that you can hear my thoughts right now?
{Affirmative.}
Surprisingly, her voice still contains hints of numerous emotions, mainly eagerness, despite her speaking to me telepathically.
Anyway, AI, I need you to refrain from saying anything at all when there are others nearby. In other words, act like you're mute.
{Understood.}
Great. With that dealt with, I suppose satiating Reine's curiosity comes next. Of course, there is a price for that…
”Reine,” I say while detaching AI's body from mine and extending my arms out to set her down on the bed.
Suddenly, I feel an uncomfortable sensation inside me as AI peers into my eyes with an expression of apparent desolation on her face.
Reckoning that she wants to remain close to me, a small smile forms on my lips as I move her body close to mine once more.
At this moment, I hear a coughing noise behind me before Reine's voice reaches my ears, ”You had something to say, Shin?”
”Ah, yeah,” I respond, ”I have a few questions regarding the ship I just faced off against.”
”Ask away,” she says as she straightens her posture and focuses her gaze on my face, seemingly as an attempt to read my mind.
”What was the energy that was used by that ship? It was unlike everything I have ever heard or seen before.”
My question is without a doubt an odd one, but its purpose is quite different than what would one normally assume…
”What do you mean?”
”Exactly what it sounds like,” I respond, unfazed and smiling widely, ”I am rather curious about the nature of whatever that energy is.”
And it surely has some unique properties too, after all, the enemy hunts down spirits. So far, I have across numerous spirits, all of which were not weak by any means. As such, I doubt that a spaceship created by an organization hunting them down would be making use of any 'ordinary' type of energy.
Hearing my words, Reine takes a moment to deliberate on something before closing her eyes and saying, ”Should I take this as your first step to coming forth?”
”Whatever could you be speaking about?” I respond, my expression remaining unchanging.
That's right. This is the 'first step'.
By actively asking for information in regards to the military capabilities of my enemies as well as making a 'proper' exchange of information with her, I am basically announcing my will to battle everything out.
Reine knows this. She is smart enough to understand something so simple. However, what she doesn't know is to what lengths I would go in order to achieve victory.
Thus, she is caught in a dilemma right now. She either aids me and forms a basic understanding between us or 'brushes the matter off'.
Her decision right now will be one that will impact our relationship greatly, so she is forced to take it seriously.
”Shin, I would like to ask you something first,” she suddenly says.
”Alright, ask away,” I respond.
”What do you think of yourself?” she asks in a tone that's much heavier than her usual one, showing the severity of the question.
Nevertheless, I would be lying to myself if I were to claim that I am not caught off-guard by her question.
Truly, what am I? I am neither a god nor a human. If there is a solid classification for me, it would quite obviously be a Code. But then again, there are numerous races of Codes.
Krul, who is a vampire. Siesta, a human, or, at least, that's what I believe she is. Then there is Yuno… Heck, what is Yuno exactly? I doubt she is just a human either...