Chapter 109: Roleplay
Because of the absolute confidence Otonashi Chiya displayed, Reze began to feel a glimmer of hope for the freedom she had dreamed of.
Chiya's confidence was well-founded. During his fight with Reze, he was essentially just playing; he hadn't used Susanoo or his Berserk strength even once. If he wanted to, he could split Reze in half with a single strike. Although she was immortal, once she lost the ability to move, she wouldn't be able to "trigger" her own revival.
The other weapon-human prototypes in the Soviet military were, at best, on par with Reze; they wouldn't be significantly stronger. Since Chiya's raw power could crush Reze, it could naturally crush the others as well. It mattered little if he was outnumbered; this was a gap that numbers could not bridge.
Reze understood clearly that if they could wipe out the high command, she truly could regain her freedom. While such an act wouldn't be fatal to a superpower as massive as the Soviet Union—one batch of high-ranking officials could always be replaced by another—it would change everything for her. After all, the country had undergone a "Great Purge" decades ago, and the number of people slaughtered then far exceeded just the military brass.
Chiya's target this time was specifically the decision-makers and those involved in the current operation; he had no grudge against innocent military personnel unless they insisted on obstructing his revenge. And any new batch of officials, provided they were smart, would surely learn their lesson and leave Chiya and Reze alone.
As for the "next destination" Chiya had mentioned, Reze had already made up her mind. Though it might not come true, one should always have dreams...
"Where can we go to avoid the military's eyes? Lead the way," Chiya said to Reze.
"Alright~"
Reze then led Chiya and Shingetsu through a series of detours, completely bypassing all military surveillance. As an operative, she knew exactly where the military placed its eyes to facilitate her own missions, and her counter-reconnaissance skills were top-tier.
Eventually, they arrived at a place that looked like a slum.
"This is a slum that has been almost entirely abandoned by the authorities. The military doesn't bother placing eyes in such a meaningless place. We'll be safe staying here for a bit," Reze explained. "I bought a very ordinary house here once as a backup for missions. I didn't expect it to come in handy like this."
Just as she said, it was a very modest little house, estimated to be no more than a hundred square meters. It looked no different from the surrounding dilapidated buildings; the less recognizable it was, the better.
"Oh, right."
Just as she was about to open the door, Reze suddenly remembered something. "There are some... slightly embarrassing things inside. Master, please don't laugh at me when you see them."
"I won't. I don't usually laugh at people," Chiya replied.
Though he felt that even if he did laugh at her, Reze's personality was such that she probably wouldn't care. Reze opened the door, and Chiya and Shingetsu were immediately met with a strange sight.
Inside the tiny house were several school desks and chairs, a podium, and a large blackboard. There were even some chalk marks on the board that hadn't been erased. However, everything was covered in a thick layer of dust, clearly unused for a long time.
"You set all this up?" Shingetsu asked, finding it difficult to understand.
"Yeah, I was just bored back then~" Reze gave a self-deprecating smile.
Shingetsu stopped pressing the matter; she couldn't relate to such things anyway.
"You're lying, aren't you?"
Chiya could tell that Reze wasn't being entirely truthful.
He knew that the freedom she craved was exactly the kind of ordinary life most people take for granted—going to school, making friends, eating good food. For Reze, these mundane things were distant luxuries. She had likely set up this mock classroom to act out roles by herself, playing both teacher and student just as one might play a game of solitaire. It certainly wasn't just out of "boredom."
"Eh...?" Reze blinked, her composed smile wavering slightly. "Is there really a reason to lie about something like that?"
"You're right, there isn't. After all, it's just a solo roleplaying game. Aside from being a bit childish, it's harmless," Chiya teased.
"Roleplaying game?" Shingetsu found this even harder to grasp, looking at Reze with a strange expression. How can a military operative be as childish as a little kid?
"..." Reze fell silent. Her reaction made it clear he had hit the nail on the head.
She wasn't staying silent because she feared being called childish; she simply didn't want to expose her humble, ordinary aspirations to others.
"I really can't hide anything from Master..." Reze eventually admitted. "Even though I'm an agent and I've spent my life learning various subjects and combat techniques, I've never actually sat in a classroom. Despite how I act, I've always wanted to live a normal life like everyone else... Laugh if you want; I'm just a pathetic stray dog anyway."
Since she had been seen through, she felt there was no point in hiding it anymore. Hearing this, Shingetsu lost any urge to mock her.
In many ways, Reze's past was similar to her own, yet Shingetsu was far freer. Aside from her duties at the Leningrad department, the military rarely restricted her. It was just that Shingetsu had never cared much for school.
"There's nothing to laugh at. I understand your desire for freedom and a normal life. Once this revenge plan succeeds, you'll be able to pursue those things as you wish," Chiya said calmly.
"...Yes!" Reze froze for a second before nodding earnestly.
But that seriousness didn't last long. Reze's expression quickly turned mischievous again. "In that case... Master, could you grant me one tiny request?"
"What request?" Chiya already had a vague idea of what was coming.
"Could Master play the roleplaying game with me? I'll be the student, and Master can be the teacher who instructs me." Reze pleaded in a slightly coquettish tone. "Pretty please, Master~?"
"How is this any different from coercing someone?" Shingetsu said, sounding very serious.
"...I suppose I could," Chiya replied. Staying in a place like this for a day or two would be boring otherwise.
Hearing Chiya agree, Shingetsu—who had just been acting all dignified—immediately changed her tune. "Well then, I suppose I'll reluctantly join you two."