Chapter 71: Win-Win, as in Both Sides Win Twice
Was it a bluff? Or a test?
If it was just him being overly cautious like before and deliberately testing her a few more times, and his response to her thoughts was just a coincidence...
No, no, he had already said her name.
But no matter what, she had to test him again. After all, the disguise of [Gaea Foundation] was absolutely perfect. Even if she was truly exposed, testing him again would only result in her being seen as a clown.
Thinking of this, Chelsea tilted her head, her expression one of pure innocence.
"Meow~~~"
A long, soft meow. Her cute appearance was enough to melt the heart of even the most indifferent person.
"How about that? This is my ultimate move."
Chelsea used her ultimate move, [Act Cute], but nothing happened.
"Hehehe, what a cute little cat girl."
Kobayashi held her in his arms and said, half-mocking, half-teasing, "When humans encounter something terrifying or something they don't want to face, they always deny it at first. Little do they know, in the eyes of others, this is just stubborn and ignorant."
"Meow~~~"
Chelsea had already decided to stick to this path to the bitter end, indicating that she didn't understand a word he was saying.
"Alright, alright. Since that's the case, let me explain a little."
Kobayashi tapped the kitten's forehead with his index finger and said:
"Your transformation is perfect. Whether it's your size, weight, expression, or scent, it's all flawless.
But you've overlooked one point, and that is your vigorous life force.
If you had transformed into the cub of a Danger Beast, it would have been fine. But you transformed into an ordinary house kitten, and for a kitten, your life force is far too strong.
Of course, you wouldn't dare to transform into a Danger Beast cub either. After all, this is the royal palace. Afraid of revealing a flaw, you naturally wouldn't. But by the same token, that itself became your flaw.
And the only one who can transform so perfectly is the Teigu [Gaea Foundation], whose owner is Chelsea... this is information Najenda told me.
How about it? Are you satisfied with this reasoning?
And I've already called out your name. To continue playing dumb would be far too tactless, Miss Chelsea."
...
The innocent eyes of the kitten in his arms grew wider and wider, as if she were incomparably shocked by his reasoning.
To be able to deduce her identity from such tiny clues... he was too smart!
"Miss Chelsea is familiar with every aspect of her target transformation, but her weakness is that she easily overlooks the influence of the surrounding environment," Kobayashi said, rubbing her little cat head.
"There's no other way."
"Since I've been seen through, I have no choice but to reveal my true form."
Poof—
A puff of smoke erupted, and the kitten transformed into a pretty and cute girl. Due to their position, after the transformation was undone, Chelsea was left straddling his lap.
The posture was alluring, the atmosphere amorous.
"Oh my, I thought Miss Chelsea would continue to play dumb."
"Ahaha, well, you did say that continuing to play dumb would be too tactless, didn't you?"
A girl leaning in a man's arms should have been shy and timid, but not only did Chelsea not hurry to get away, she instead puffed out her chest and pressed closer to him.
A unique, sweet fragrance of a young girl wafted into his nose.
Chelsea deliberately put on an infinitely charming act, leaned in close to him, and exhaled lightly by his ear, teasing, "I didn't expect to be seen through by you. In that case, I have no choice but to let you do as you please."
It seemed like a reward. An impatient person might have fallen for it right then and there.
But...
"Miss Chelsea, you should put away your little tricks. You should be glad you didn't have any hostile intent. Otherwise, you would already be dead."
He spoke the most frightening words in a plain tone.
Chelsea's small hand paused, and she silently retracted the sleep-inducing silver needle she was holding.
She didn't want to take his life. From what the members of Night Raid had said and from his own "confession" just now, it was clear that he was not an enemy. In a certain sense, they were even allies on the same side.
"Oh my, I'm so glad you think so."
Kobayashi gently scratched her chin with his finger. Chelsea subconsciously showed an expression of enjoyment, but immediately slapped his hand away.
"I'm not a cat!"
"But you looked like you were enjoying it..."
"Don't misunderstand. It was just a subconscious act to please someone."
It's definitely not because it felt too comfortable when I was a cat.
Mmm, definitely not!
"Alright, alright, let's continue our pleasant conversation."
The opening remarks were over.
Kobayashi got straight to the point. "Miss Chelsea, you must be the new companion sent to reinforce Night Raid, right? Your purpose should be to assist them in assassinating more Teigu users, namely the members of the Jaegers. Am I wrong?"
"Well, that's more or less correct," Chelsea didn't deny it.
"In that case, shall we make a deal? I will assist you in assassinating the members of the Jaegers. How about it?"
"...And your reason?"
"My purpose is also to reduce the Empire's combat strength. Isn't it better to have someone help out? It's a win-win for both you and me."
"That is indeed the case."
From the intelligence just now, she had learned that Kobayashi was a member of the Axis Order. Considering their recent fanatical expansion and recruitment, his purpose was self-evident. But no matter what, they were not enemies. Furthermore, now that he had successfully gone undercover with the Jaegers, it would be easier to carry out assassinations through him. She had no reason not to agree.
"Alright, I agree."
"Mmm. Then let's talk about the terms of the deal."
Kobayashi had expected her to agree. But making a deal with her was just a primer.
"I will provide you with intelligence on the members of the Jaegers, including their movements, schedules, weaknesses, and so on. The payment I want in return is everything after you die, Miss Chelsea."
"Everything after I die...?"
"That's right. From the moment you die, Miss Chelsea, everything about you belongs to me. Please note, I said 'everything'."
Kobayashi's words were very easy to misunderstand.
Chelsea crossed her arms and said with disgust, "Kobayashi, don't tell me you have that kind of hobby."
"Of course not!" he immediately denied.
"Hahaha, I'm just teasing you," Chelsea laughed. Thinking she had guessed his purpose, she said with a grin, "You want my Teigu, right?"
"...Well, you're not wrong."
Kobayashi fudged his way past it, then held up his palm and asked, "So, a deal?"
"A deal!"
Chelsea high-fived his palm.
It was just a Teigu; she could part with it. Even if her corpse was desecrated, she didn't care. She had that level of resolve. Most importantly, as long as she didn't die, she could avoid the above situations from happening.
For her, it really was a win-win (winning twice).
But by the same token, Kobayashi only had to provide a little intelligence to have someone else do the work of weakening the Empire's combat strength. And when Chelsea died and was resurrected, she would become his person.
For him, it was also a win-win (winning twice).
"By the way, I remember that you can transform into anyone, right, Miss Chelsea?"
"As long as I've seen a full-body portrait, it's no problem."
"In that case... please become her."
Kobayashi took out a portrait of Aqua from his pocket. This was the one he had specially drawn for the church to gaze upon when they built her statue.
"No problem."
The portrait was normal, much better than the abstract ones drawn by the members of Night Raid. Chelsea could naturally transform.
Looking at the girl before him who looked exactly like Aqua, Kobayashi was deeply moved and shouted—
"—Time to dig in!"
...
It had to be said, [Gaea Foundation] was terrifyingly powerful.
But...
"Even if you can perfectly imitate her appearance and figure, you can't imitate the aura of a god..."
Kobayashi didn't feel Aqua's unique calming aura. In fact, not feeling it made him a little agitated.
It seemed [Gaea Foundation] also had its flaws.
Hiss—
Kobayashi unconsciously rubbed his cheek, on which was a bright red handprint.
"...That really hurt."
(End of Chapter)