The puppeteer in front of me had a form where the right half was that of a girl, and the left half took on a monstrous appearance.
This form was, yes, the ultimate appearance of the puppeteer who had devoured many villagers in Katarov Village.
Seeing that form, tears welled up in my eyes without warning.
I had a flashback.
The memory of her committing suicide.
"Did you awaken me, young one?"
"Yeah, it was me."
"Hmm, I see. So, what business brings you to a place like this?"
"I want you to lend me your power."
I straightforwardly expressed my wish.
If I could borrow the puppeteer's power, I might be able to overcome the challenges right in front of me.
"Ahahaha, you say quite interesting things, don't you?"
The puppeteer opened her mouth and openly mocked.
"Listen, my master is a woman named Canaria. At first glance, she might seem like a dull woman, but if you get to know her, she's quite an interesting character. I've actually taken a liking to her, and that's why I'm lending her my power. But from the looks of it, you seem like an enemy of Canaria. Honestly, it feels a bit awkward to betray my own master, right?"
Well, that's true.
I didn't think the puppeteer was the type to be particularly loyal, but she wasn't the kind to betray without a reason.
However, that didn't mean I was ready to give up.
After all, I knew the puppeteer better than anyone else.
"Hey, isn't your dream to become human?"
I remember.
She frequently talked about wanting to become human.
"…How do you know that? I don't recall ever saying that."
"No, you did."
"You're quite good at telling blatant lies."
"No, you did. After all, in the future, a hundred years from now, I'm your master."
"What are you talking about?"
The puppeteer furrowed her brow.
Well, it's only natural to be suspicious when something like this is suddenly said to you.
"So, are you claiming you came from the future?"
"Yes, that's right."
"If you're just trying to tease me, it's frankly unpleasant. Or do you have some kind of evidence?"
"Even if I had evidence, would you, as a puppeteer, know it? For example, does this form ring any bells?"
I pointed at her while saying so.
When I first met her in the Deep World, her form was more blurry and less well-defined. But now, despite half of her being monstrous, she looked remarkably close to human. I didn't really understand the reason behind it, but maybe the puppeteer would.
"…Certainly, I've observed some highly inexplicable phenomena in the timeline. I've also speculated that this form may be related to those events. But are you claiming you're the cause?"
"No, I'm not the cause."
Presumably, the cause the puppeteer was referring to was Agetha.
"But there's someone who comes to mind as the cause."
"I see. Well, I understand your point."
"Do you believe me?"
"I don't believe you wholeheartedly. However, I might leave room for consideration."
"Then, will you lend me your power?"
"That conclusion is quite naive. Even if you really were my master in the future, I don't think there's any obligation for me to follow you now."
The puppeteer said this with a smirk.
Indeed, there was some truth to the puppeteer's words. Just because I was the master in the future didn't mean that it was a reason for her to help me now.
"If you understand, then just disappear from here."
The puppeteer said so, pushing me away.
Oh, it's not working…
I didn't have any more convincing arguments to persuade her.
So, further persuasion seemed unlikely.
I had hoped to overcome this situation by borrowing the puppeteer's power, but that possibility had been shut down.
"…?"
"Why are you crying?"
I only noticed when she pointed it out.
It seemed like I had been crying.
Why was I crying? Oh, I see.
"Sorry for not being able to turn you into a human…"
I could still remember it vividly.
The moment she claimed to be different and took her own life.
I wonder what I could have done to save her. I've been thinking about that day and regretting it every day.
"I always seem to fail. And even though I can't do anything on my own, you were always there for me, helping me get this far. But in the end, I couldn't fulfill your wish."
"…?"
"And not only that, I had decided to turn you into a human, yet the result is like this. I got too distracted by other things and couldn't do anything for you. But someday, it might take time, but I promise I will turn you into a human. Please wait until then. I beg you…"
I thought I had said everything I wanted to say.
I couldn't borrow the puppeteer's power, but I could convey my feelings to her.
It may not be a satisfying outcome, but it was the best I could do.
"So, how can I get out of this otherworld?"
As I thought it was about time to leave, I asked.
In hindsight, I had stepped into this deep world many times, but I didn't know how to get out of it.
"Oh, alright, I got it!"
Suddenly, the puppeteer raised her voice.
"I get it, I get it. You just need to help me, don't you? Thinking about it, I wasn't that fond of Canaria, and helping you could be more beneficial. So, I'll help you."
"…Huh?"
I was puzzled as I didn't quite understand what the puppeteer was saying.
"So, I said I would lend you my power!"
"Is that really okay?"
"I said it, didn't I? How many times do you want me to repeat myself?"
"Thank you…"
"What's up with that gratitude? I mean, when I said I'd lend my power, I'd like you to, you know, cry tears of joy or something."
Oh, right.
Due to the lack of a sense of reality, I expressed my gratitude with a sense of confusion, which might have come across as indifferent.
I see.
The puppeteer is going to lend me her power.
Thinking about it, it makes me really happy…
"Wooaah! Thank youuuu! I really do like you!!"
"Hey, wait! Just because of that doesn't mean you can get carried away and hug me!"
She said and punched me lightly.
Yeah, I might have gotten a bit carried away.
"Um, thanks. Thank you for believing in my story."
"It's not like I believed your story."
"Really? But why?"
"Um… It's just that… you as my master doesn't seem so bad to me."
I could see her face as she looked embarrassed.
"But in exchange for helping, make sure to keep your promise."
"Alright, I understand. I will definitely turn you into a human."
"It's a promise."
The moment the puppeteer nodded, light pierced through the darkness of the deep world. And just like a shell breaking, the scene in front of me shattered into pieces.
When I came to my senses, I was in the outside world.
"Hey, why are you holding that…?"
In front of me, the Holy Knight Canaria seemed bewildered.
Oh, right. She actually kept her promise.
In my hand, I was holding the Parasitic Sword Puppeteer.
"My apologies, Canaria. The puppeteer now belongs to me."
Yes, from here on, it's my time to counterattack.