This World Needs a Hero

Chapter 126

HEL SCANS

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My stomach hardened as if I had swallowed a huge piece of ice.

“Hello, Doppelganger.”

.

.

.

The secret that should never have been exposed was exposed.

It was clear that those words were not just a simple speculation.

The gaze directed towards me seemed to hold no suspicion, as if it was unwavering.

…Take a deep breath.

From now on, I must control every physical response.

It’s a conversation with someone who holds my secret, but I don’t know what they want.

No clues should be revealed.

“Hmm….”

Suddenly, Larze’s fingertips lifted my chin.

“No answer? Were you surprised?”

Let’s recall everything I know about Larze Gion.

A real senior of ‘Original.’

Founding member of the Dawn Knights.

The only magician in the Second Era to partially inherit magic from the First Era, earning her the nickname ‘Miracle.’

Even Ludwig Bosman, the current tower master and a magician of the Beyond rank, couldn’t last 10 minutes against her in a duel.

The most powerful magician alive.

…Therefore, there is no option for overpowering her.

‘…I need to recall more clues.’

When the ‘Original’ described his comrades, he added something like this.

“The best way to define someone is through their desires.”

“Larze’s desire can be said to be ‘I want to know.’ A pursuit of all unknowns in the world… an obsession with truth. Greed for knowledge. Truly a person close to the essence of a magician.”

“But other than that, she’s just an empty shell.”

As I recalled those words, comments that appeared when I faced her seemed to pass before my eyes.

…Alright.

I lifted my head and met her red eyes.

Beneath pupils that sparkled like they were made of glass, flames of madness flickered.

I felt like I knew her true identity.

Let’s start with a preamble.

“Larze Gion. You seem indifferent even to the death of ‘Original.'”

“…Is that so.”

The hand holding my chin exerted firm pressure.

A disappointed, slightly murmured sound reached my ears.

“Doppelganger. I didn’t come to talk about such boring stories.”

It wasn’t just talk.

There was no hint of pity in Larze’s face, as dry as a response could be.

It was brimming with provocation, but I endured it.

“Oh? How about this topic then?”

“What?”

“How you ‘knew’ about my existence. I’d appreciate an explanation of that.”

Only then did her expression brighten.

“Alright, that’s a reasonable request. Whether you like it or not. ‘The want to know’ is the most superior desire, a sublime and beautiful emotion. I’ll fill you in now.”

Larze spoke and acted like an actor on a stage.

‘It seems like an inhuman being pretending to be human.’

After letting go of my chin, she took a few steps back, her long hair swaying with each plump step.

Larze started her story while showing her back.

“The First Era. The beautiful First Era. We were chased out of the endless golden age and crash-landed in the primitive and chaotic Second Era. Unfortunately, modern humans, busy with survival, showed no interest in our past and simply lived.”

Swoosh—

She turned her head.

Disgust and thirst slid across her face at the same time.

“But I’m different.”

“What’s different?”

“I chased. I was always chasing. How could I endure it? Once I learned about the existence of the First Era, I had to somehow grasp the things that time and tragedy had hidden. I couldn’t stand ‘not knowing.'”

The madness in Larze’s eyes became more pronounced.

It seemed like the present held no meaning for her.

Her fervent gaze burned with a desire to correctly arrange and place the scattered fragments of the past.

If eating, sleeping, and reproducing are instincts for humans,

Larze’s desire for knowledge is probably within that realm.

Talking with Larze, I could understand why ‘Original’ had given her that epithet.

Along with how to approach her.

“One day, as I chased the knowledge veiled in mystery, I realized that one man held the key to everything… and he intentionally concealed some records.”

Larze approached again and reached out her hand.

“You, Doppelganger.”

Her fingers traced a curve along the edge of my neck, stopping at the approximate location of my heart.

“He was also part of the abnormality that existed in the First Era.”

Then, with a mixture of affection and madness in her tone, she whispered in my ear.

“You see, Ted couldn’t defeat the Demon King.”

“……”

“No matter the scenario, circumstance, luck, or miracle, it was impossible. Yes, unless he activated the Seventh Formula, pledging his life, victory was impossible.”

…Seventh Formula?

“But he defeated the Demon King and boldly returned to Rosenstark.”

“……”

“At that moment, my knowledge realized the contradiction and found the correct answer.

That Ted Redymer was a ‘fake.'”

Larze smiled gently.

“A being that can pretend to be real even if it’s fake. A ‘Doppelganger.'”

“……”

“Now, do you have the answer?”

Trying to absorb the information she spat out felt like my head was about to explode.

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But before all those questions, there was one that came to mind first.

So, was Larze the betrayer who trapped the Original?

But if she were a betrayer, she would have immediately informed the demons of my existence.

There could be no more perfect completion of betrayal than that.

There’s no need for me to engage in conversation like this right now.

Even though I knew Larze would be willing, I couldn’t stop myself from being immersed in that curiosity.

As expected, she smiled contentedly.

“No, I’m not a traitor. So, there’s no need for that pitiful expression. Ted terminated our ‘deal.’ I became nothing more than an observer and couldn’t intervene in the experiment.”

She poured out incomprehensible words and then stood upright, stepping back from me.

“Alright, the knowledge I can offer as a favor ends here. Now, let’s start the deal.”

“A deal?”

“Yes, a deal. Just like Ted did.”

Her explanation continued.

“It’s a story from our childhood. Ted hoped that I would use my power for humanity, and in return, he became my loyal sword and key. We explored the demonic realm together, seeking secrets and truths. We had to stop midway, but…”

…A collaborator who had been involved with ‘Original’ in exploring the magical realm.

I wondered what she knew about the First Era.

“So, think carefully about the terms of the deal, Doppelganger.”

Larze approached me with cheerful steps.

“You can demand the preservation of secrets and cooperation with humanity, just like Ted did. No, you must demand it.”

Then she broke into a dangerously playful laughter.

Unknowingly, we were close enough to hear each other’s breaths.

“What can you offer in return? What unique experiences and knowledge have you gained from living such an extraordinary life? What have you obtained from those special glasses? What mysteries have you delved into? Tell me everything you know!”

As the almost screaming questions came to an end.

I threw one essential question of my own.

“If you’re so curious about Zero and the First Age, why don’t you kill me and use the Iris of Laplace yourself?”

“Oh, I’d love to do that.”

Larze said matter-of-factly.

“But unfortunately, not just anyone can become a ‘user.’ If that were possible, I would have plundered all the legacies of Zero in this world. Zero is not that careless. It might be possible to interfere, like just now, but usage is impossible.”

Larze held my hand to her face with a expression filled with regret.

It was as cold as ice.

“You’re lucky. If not, the deal wouldn’t have been established.”

She took a deep breath again.

…It’s done.

The recent conversation, the knowledge and information I gained while negotiating, and the puzzle pieces I collected during my journey.

As I pieced together the puzzle, I could realize something.

A ‘grand design.’

‘Perhaps… no, it’s certain.’

The excitement, worry, and tension that had been overwhelming my entire body slowly subsided.

For the first time since coming here, I could calm down. No need to be overwhelmed by Larze’s madness and power.

The only clear thing now was one.

‘…I have material to trade with Larze.’

When I returned from Lonkers and read ‘Zero’s Memories Part 1,’ I thought ‘Original’ must have seen it without a doubt, as he had achieved much more progress with the Iris of Laplace than I had.

But looking back, something was strange.

The day I first told Rosalyn that I would read the memories and was rejected.

Rosalyn confirmed my qualification.

Her strict gaze, which lingered on the Iris of Laplace then moved to zero’s robe, vividly remained in my memory.

…Yes, Rosalyn confirmed whether I possessed Zero’s Robe.

It was an item that was hidden in a place where evolution was concealed, something that ‘Original’ did not have.

An enlightening realization struck me.

‘Ted Redeemer couldn’t read Zero’s memories… or the records of the First Era.’

Certainly, Larze, who was also a ‘deal target,’ would be the same.

This was enough to present as bait.

A seeker of the First Era.

An explorer of everything.

How attractive would Zero’s memories, left by Zero himself, be to someone with an insatiable thirst for knowledge like her?

Now was the time to confirm it.

I firmly presented my conditions.

“Alright, Larze. I demand unconditional silence to this secret and active cooperation with humanity, and furthermore, your assistance for my personal needs.”

Upon hearing my words, Larze widened her eyes for a moment and then burst into a laugh that urged me to leave the hiding place.

Laughter echoed like thunder, reflecting off the ceiling and walls.

Amidst it, a distinct mix of interest and anticipation could be felt.

“A bold demand. What’s the price?”

The only thing I could give her, right away.

An opportunity to see the First Era through Zero’s gaze, and the last puzzle piece that recorded what happened to humanity at that time.

“Zero’s memories.”

…Larze’s laughter abruptly ceased for a moment.

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