Local Netizen Elf’s Life In Another World

Case 232: Doppelganger hazard.

''...''

''...''

What is this bullshit?

You stabbed me, and now you want help?

''Firstly, where are the others?'' I push my gun forward, sinking the tip of the barrel into her forehead.

''They are safe. I swear.'' She replies. ''They are helping us to eliminate the danger.''

Perhaps sensing my cold gaze, Mermaid Queen immediately elaborates on her statement.

''Right now, there are numerous doppelgangers, ones that I'm sure you are familiar with, running on the streets.'' She says, gritting her teeth in frustration. ''They are all a part of IV—'Fourth'—'s army, who has infiltrated our city a month ago.''

''IV... The Doppelganger Lord of the Demon Faction?'' 

''Yes. They have seized control of the Dream Engine and turned it into their weapon. The people who have been replaced out there are now... Lying those capsules below.''

''...Continue.''

''The Dream Engine was originally created for entertainment purposes, aiming to provide my people with vivid dreams of their choice. However, as you know, Doppelgangers thrive on people's experiences, so this is actually a wonderful tool for them to increase their strength.''

''Why didn't you stop them, then?''

''I was going to, but the Divine Maiden stopped me. She said that as it was, I couldn't win against IV no matter what and that I should wait for you to arrive.''

What? Just who is this Divine Maiden? She can move the Mermaid Queen with a single line, so how come I've never heard of her? I need to ask Dad later.

I nod at the woman, signaling her to continue. Mermaid Queen's expression becomes wary.

''IV is currently cultivating its power by consuming the experience of the people in the capsules. Its subordinates will collect and replace even more people, and soon, it will descend to put an end to Atlas truly. Worse, it will pretend to be the real Atlas in the future. That... That I can't stand, no matter what.''

''...I still have some questions. How do they replace people?''

''They stab them with weapons containing the essence of their power. By doing that, they will slowly absorb traits of the original person and ultimately 'become' them.''

''Like how you stabbed me?''

''...I'm truly sorry~! But the Divine Maiden told me that it was absolutely necessary...!'' Mermaid Queen smiles awkwardly as she pleads. ''If I had to guess, I think she wants you to train a specific skill inside the dream.''

Skill... Crap. I didn't learn shit in there. Was it supposed to be a hyperbolic time chamber thingy? Was I supposed to train like crazy instead of playing all day?

''Hah... Well, what do you want me to do now?'' I let out a sigh. ''Do we fight the dude now?''

''Yes, of course~! We need your power to defeat it!''

''Alright, alright. Lead me to where my party members are, and then we'll prepare to engage right away.''

Meanwhile, I'll try to contact Dad and Eva. I need a lot of answers here—

''Ah, that is a little...''

''Huh?''

''Um... Fighting IV might not be possible right now~?''

''...You better explain it well.''

After Mermaid Queen begs us to follow her for quite a while, I finally concede, reluctantly letting her lead our way while maintaining our guard. Passing through the spacious path upward, the bubbly woman begins to speak with a wry smile.

''Why do you think IV left me alone?'' She asks.

That's true. Normally, targeting—replacing, in this case, the leader would be the most effective way to seize the city. Hell, I would blow her head open right away if not for Anna's sensor not buzzing one bit.

''Because you're not worth targeting?'' I nonchalantly throw some bullshit at her.

''Ughn... hic... hic...''

''Crap. I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it.''

Facing two judgemental gazes from behind, I have no choice but to cheer up the sobbing woman by stroking her back. Right then, I notice the corners of her mouth, which is partly covered by her hand, creep up.

This bitch... Eat this!

''Ouch...!''

A slap to the back of the head is always useful. This time, she coughs a few times before becoming a bit serious again.

''Truthfully, IV has targeted me.'' She says. ''In fact, I was the first one.''

''How are you here, then?''

''The Divine Maiden warned me beforehand. She even taught me how to deceive IV; that's why I trust her.'' Mermaid Queen smiles lightly. ''At the moment, IV still thinks that I am its lackey and that I will support its cause no matter what.''

''Really? Is it really not realizing anything?''

''IV is totally concentrated on cultivating power, dear Saint. It is somewhere in the giant tube back in that room if you haven't realized.''

Fuck. I knew it. I should've fed that thing a Gungnir or two.

''What about the Divine Maiden, then? Where is she?''

''Well... That, and the reason why we can't fight IV immediately, is here.''

Right then, we stop at a certain room... Wait, isn't this the same guest room where I was stabbed?

As Mermaid Queen opens the door, the same layout greets my eyes. However, there are quite a number of items I don't remember being here, such as books of various kinds, a calisthenic set, cooking utensils, etc.

And the cause... Well.

''Sylvie?!''

''Sylvia.''

''Oh, Sylvia.''

'''' Mama~! ''''

While quietly hugging the two little angels coming my way, I can't help but crack a smile. Behind them, Emy—the real Emy—stands, stroking my head as she sighs in relief. Afterward, both Liana and Sariel walk over and hug me as well.

''So you weren't stabbed?''

''Mhm.''

Calming down takes a little time, but when we all sit down on the couches, the story becomes clear. Emy, Liana, my daughters, and Sariel apparently didn't get stabbed at all. When asked about why she stabbed us, Mermaid Queen points to the Divine Maiden once again. A bit puzzling, but nothing can be done.

As for these three, she invited them over and briefed them about the situation, and then...

''I never thought I would be doing homework at twenty-two.''

Liana sighs as she falls onto the pile of magic formula paper. 

''...What are these for?''

Facing my question, Mermaid Queen sighs deeply.

''The Dream Engine requires an enormous amount of energy. That is why we haven't been able to implement it a while back.'' She says. ''However, right now... The Divine Maiden herself is the source. She feeds her energy into the system.''

''Huh? How come??''

''That I do not know. However, if we were to break the Engine directly, we would risk her life. That is why I am having these three solving these sealing formulas, which are used to seal the Divine Maiden.''

''To safely cut off the energy source?''

''Yes.''

Okay, now it all makes sense.

Just... So confusing!

Taking out the starry crystal, I hold it before the gentle moon outside the window. Even now, I can't really feel anything about this one. The Divine Maiden, huh...

Looking back, everything is perfectly tied to this woman. Maybe she really can see the future. I'm usually a science kind of girl, but... 

For now, I'll put my trust in you, star woman.