Hearing what the fairy said, Lady Megumi reacted,
"What do you mean?!" she said in an irritated tone. "You should have asked me! Not her!"
The fairy replied,
"I acknowledged your abilities. However," she immediately turned to Adolph. "For now, you are not my choice,"
"You—!" When Lady Megumi had only taken a few steps, the butterfly monster's proboscis was beside her neck. With a sharp edge proboscis like a sword, the monster threatened her current actions.
"Don't bite off more than what you can eat!" the fairy Sophia threatened in a serious tone. "Even though you are almost on the same level, it doesn't mean you can beat Aby, my relative, easily, right?"
"Tch!" Lady Megumi could only surrender with a frustrated expression on her face.
Then, Sophia immediately glanced at Adolph and said,
"Even though you're a cold-blooded ex-hitman, you have a much better social sense. What a Surprise! I must say!" she said with a smile. "Maybe the principles of hanging out with that of one who carries musk and hanging out with that of one who blows a pair of bellows apply here!"
"To think a fairy could make such an ambiguous statement. Did your brains develop thanks to books created by humans?" Adolph smiled sarcastically after that.
"Hahaha! You got me this time!" Sophia immediately let out a breath for a moment. "Long story short, you only needed to answer a few of my questions. Simple rules, right?"
"If I refuse?" Adolph asked seriously.
Sophia immediately sat on one of the rocks while cupping her face with her right hand. At the same time, she replied,
"There's no need for threatening or coercive actions if using the language understood by the woman there—," Sophia pointed at Lady Megumi and Adolph with her left hand—"However, both of you should've understood about your conditions, shouldn't?" Immediately there was an increased change in her intonation to become a more threatening tone.
Hearing Sophia's words, Adolph inevitably had to follow her request. Realizing the reaction Adolph was showing, Sophia gave a response,
"Nice attitude~!" Sophia clapped her hands a few times. "Oh yeah, as for the question, it is related to you. So, you can answer easily it should be!"
"About myself??" Adolph suddenly put on a confused face.
"Yes, about you. However, if you fail to answer in three times of chances, I'm not sure both of you will be able to meet again with someone who has become the 'Torch' in your life~!"
Hearing Sophia's statement, Lady Megumi said to Adolph,
"I... hate to admit this," she paused for a moment. Occasionally, Lady Megumi would take in and out breaths for a moment. She was trying to say something. "Please... Don't make me go through the same thing...." Lady Megumi had spoken. But, between her words, there was a trembling tone mixed with sorrow. From her voice too, she also tried to control her tone. This is supported by expressions and facial muscles that are clearly visible.
Realizing that incident, Adolph had a dilemma in her mind. The emotions she was feeling were clearly visible through her gazes...
(I felt like I'm carrying a heavy burden right now. Even so, I have to go back. I have to!) Adolph was determined within inner herself. Her gazes started to fill with determination.
In a different corner, the fairy Sophia who was aware of the change in Adolph's attitude, started to speak again,
"Looks like you already have guts. Alright~!" the fairy Sophia smiled at Adolph. "Ah, yes!" she realized something. "Since the question sentence is long enough, I would send it via your notification~!" Fairy Sophia immediately snapped her fingers.
In a short time, Adolph got a notification. Driven by her curiosity, she immediately opened it...
*Click!*
[First Question:
I am something that many people avoid. Even, so terrifying and dreadful I am, they consider me nonexistent. However, I remain beside them, just like their own selves. I am bitter, yet the true remedy. I am free from anything that binds me, yet I am always present on every side. And I can trigger various emotions and thought patterns. I am formed from the complexity of thoughts and paradigms. Destructive, yet can be argued against. Therefore, sometimes, I am always taken without being whole. Who am I?]
"What the fuck... what kind of question is this?!" Adolph protested. "You said this question was about me. Why the question form is like this?! You freak-fairy hypocrite!"
"It's all about you. I summarized in several sentences because one's life is long. So, I wasn't wrong, was I?" fairy Sophia smiled.
(Damnit creature!) Adolph was irritated at her replies.
"No need to be so upset. Take it easy~. I'm not asking a question out of context. Plus, all of these topics it's about what you have been through and how you feels lately. But," Sophia spoke clearly. "If you have any doubts about my questions, I can make an oath on my family's name as proof!" While lifting two fingers of her right hand in an oath-taking pose.
Adolph paused for a moment observing that fairy's behavior. A moment later, Adolph replied,
"Alright!" Adolph immediately saw the question which had been given. She read word by word, sentence by sentence. Even Adolph went so far as demonstrate a pondering position to understand the question. At the very least, Adolph needed many moments to think about that answer.
Much later...
Amidst Adolph's thinking activities, the fairy Sophia reacted,
"I don't believe it!" fairy Sophia spoke irritatedly. "Your answer period is very long! Has the human brain capacity decreased far enough?!"
"You're interrupting my time to think!" Adolph replied more angrily. "Your question is very abstract, you know?! Don't blame me for it!"
"This question relates to you. You should be able to answer easily! Don't you know about yourself?!" fairy Sophia doing a facepalm pose.
Hearing her statement just now, Lady Megumi realized something and spoke to Adolph,
"Remember her earlier hints! This is about yourself and what you have been or are going through!"
"Okay, enough!" fairy Sophia said firmly. "I tolerated your help because Adolph was taking too long to think. Once you do it again, don't expect to be able to breathe again!"
Hearing Lady Megumi's words, Adolph pondered her words,
"My self... what I have been through or am going through... my self... have been through... me—," Instantly, several memories flashed in her mind—"?!" Adolph reflexively closed her eyes. Start imagining those memories.
Inside her mind, Adolph recalled several memories in her past states...
Discrimination due to her physical condition...
In contempt by disgrace and be looking down upon...
Being corrupted by heart-wrenching inner turmoil and emotions...
Twisted and derailed by all her aspirations...
After remembering her past, Adolph opened her eyes little by little. With a bold answer, Adolph answered,
"The answer is Reality!"
"Your answer perfunctorily, huh?!" Lady Megumi commented in annoyance.
"No! I thought about a hint from you. So, I'm sure about my answer!" Adolph replied in a determined tone.
Fairy Sophia, who heard Adolph's answer, immediately smiled faintly and responded,
"Finally~!" The fairy immediately snapped her fingers again. "I've sent the next question. You just have to read it~!"
"Wait! What about the answer?! Is mine correct?!"
"If I had sent the next question, you should already know what it meant, shouldn't you?" fairy Sophia blinked her right eye. "Okay! I've sent the next question. You just have to read it~!"
As before, Adolph did the same thing...
*Click!*
[Second Question:
I am something that is balanced. Sweet like honey, refreshing like water. My name is often called, liked, and adored by many people. Nonetheless, I am often underestimated. I am the source of conflict as well as loyalty. And I can enter all lines of life. Either logic or emotion, becomes food for me. My logic is simple but multiplies continuously. Who am I?]
Adolph immediately read every word. Reviewing and understanding every sentence written in the notification...
(The first sentence contains the word 'balanced.', meaning it can be wrong or right. No! Maybe the sentence just now refers to the value of 'Consequences.' ... Okay, next, 'Sweet like honey, refreshing like water.', can refer to the effect it causes. Same and relates to the first sentence. However, if looking from another perspective, because of those effects caused by the existence of 'Honey and water.', it can invite danger. In other words, based on characteristics, the 'answer' has the 'Double-edged sword.' principle. For the following sentence, 'My name is often called, liked, and adored by many people. Nonetheless, I am often underestimated.' ... Based on the two sentences above, it seems to have a 'Contradiction.' ... So, the 'answer' will not be far from that aspect. This relates to the after sentence namely 'I am the source of conflict as well as loyalty.', as if reinforcing the two sentences just now. However, 'And I can enter all lines of life.'? If related to the previous sentence, then the 'answer' gives the impression of being 'Abstract.'. Same as the aspect of 'answer' from the first question. If so, I'll write down several important points I've earned first so I don't forget!) Adolph immediately took something out of her small bag.
Noticing what Adolph was doing, the fairy Sophia asked,
"What are you doing??" she asked curiously.
"I need stationery to write down some important points," Adolph said while checking her small bag. "Unfortunately, I didn't bring my writing instruments," she started looking for a tool to be able to write. Adolph immediately took a stone to write on the ground where there was no grass on it.
Seeing her actions, the fairy Sophia commented,
"Wait~," fairy Sophia immediately snapped her fingers. Suddenly, a quill, ink, and parchment paper appeared before the fairy Sophia. "I lend you my stuff. I'm pity to see you writing on the ground with stones. Just like an ancient creature~!"
The three items floated up and sped slowly toward Adolph. Adolph was surprised to see that phenomenon. At a different corner, Lady Megumi just kept silent and didn't react to that incident.
On the other hand, realizing that Adolph's surprised attitude was still there, fairy Sophia retorted,
"It's your first time, huh~?" fairy Sophia chuckled seeing Adolph's attitude. "Don't worry. My stuff is just like human-made~!"
As if to prove what she said, Adolph immediately checked that stuff...
[Subject Name: White Swallow Quill.
Condition: Good.
Estimated: One month.
Specifications: This quill can be used by humans.]
[Subject Name: Oak Ink.
Condition: Good.
Estimated: One month.
Specifications: This ink can be used by humans.]
[Subject Name: Mountain Goat Parchment.
Condition: Good.
Estimated: One month.
Specifications: This parchment can be used by humans.]
Adolph, who had checked, immediately put on that stuff. She then wrote down several points she had thought of earlier...
*Srrt* *Srrt* *Srrt*
(Okay, I've written down several points, which are 'Consequences.', 'Double-edged sword.', 'Contradiction.'; and 'Abstract.'. The other sentence is... 'Either logic or emotion, becomes food for me.' ... in that case, the 'answer' is... uh... is not affected by logic and emotion. Or... if using the perspective from this sentence, the 'answer' contains the concept of 'Unification.' in a simple way. Finally, 'My logic is simple but multiplies continuously.' ... From the language, is there something that has simple logic but can multiply itself continuously? Wait a minute... if from the five aspects just now, there should be. But what's the 'answer'?!) Adolph wrote back and pondered over several points she had found. (Relax, Adolph. Let us recall the clue Lady Megumi mentioned!)
Adolph started to close her eyes while remembering some of the events she had been through...
From all the memories that flashed, unexpectedly, Adolph recalled her experience with Nagao. Specifically, she recalled about those words which Nagao's said after he slashed his palm to make a deal with her...
'Blood and some silver coins are the guarantees for this cooperation,' while lending his hand. 'Deal?' Adolph also remembered Nagao's genuine smile back then.
Immediately, Adolph opened her eyes and started to speak,
"From some of the findings that I got, actually, there are two answers. However, after checking again, I can confirm," Adolph paused for a moment. "The answer is trust!"
Hearing Adolph's answer, Lady Megumi reacted,
"Are you sure about that?! Don't just guess! Beginner's luck only happens once, you know!" she said in a worried tone.
"I believe in my answer!" Adolph spoke in a determined tone.
Suddenly, the fairy Sophia clapped her hands several times. Smiling like before, she replied,
"Since you can answer two questions in a row, I'll give you the last question!" she immediately snapped her fingers. "Check in the usual place~!"
(Last question?!) Adolph was surprised by her statement. Adolph's expression was clearly visible.
Realizing Adolph's current expression, Lady Megumi commented,
"You're not done yet. So don't be reckless, you rat-ass! Focus!"
"I-I know, you old hag!" Adolph immediately set her attitude.
Not long after, a notification popped up before her. With mixed feelings, Adolph checked it out...
*Click!*
[Final Question:
I am something that is expensive. So expensive I was being fought over by many people. Although expensive, I still approach every being in various forms. Nevertheless, I have always been a factor in the source of disaster. I am the mother as well as the big sister from the previous questions. Because of me, the pinnacle of irony and everything was formed. My logic is emotion itself. Who am I?]
Lady Megumi, who predicted that the last question had arrived, thought in her mind...
(I gave her a hint at that moment. Didn't expect her to be able to answered two questions smoothly. Logically, a normal person would get the wrong answer, at the very least, one or two times in two chances. Does she have a luck-type skill?!)
She immediately confirmed what she was thought to Adolph,
"You used a luck-type skill in answering those questions, huh??" she asked bluntly.
"Huh??! How could that be!" Adolph rebutted Lady Megumi's question. "I never have it!"
"Then, how did you manage to answer those questions???"
"Well, I followed your hints. And," Adolph lightly scratched her left cheek. "As an assassin, isn't having a lot of knowledge an important asset for an assassin like me, is it?"
Lady Megumi, who had heard her answer, pondered that sentence...
(In that case, the "rival" title given by the system isn't a lie. This bitch... No! This woman has talent!) Lady Megumi contemplated after hearing Adolph's words.
Fairy Sophia just silently listened. On the other hand, Adolph immediately began her thinking activities...
(Sentences one until three shows that the 'answer' has an expensive thing. But still approach in various forms? It means the 'answer' has an 'Amorphous.' aspect. It's the same as the two answers earlier. Then there's the sentence, 'Nevertheless, I have always been a factor in the source of disaster.', meaning the 'answer' has the 'Double-edged sword.' principle again. However, the last sentences are bizarre. These are 'I am the mother as well as the big sister from the previous questions.', 'Because of me, the pinnacle of irony and everything was formed.', and 'My logic is emotion itself.' ... What kind of those statements is this?!) Adolph scratched her head several times.
Aware of the behavior Adolph was having, the fairy Sophia commented,
"Oh my~, looks like someone's starting to have trouble~. Huhuhu!" she chuckled afterward.
"The last question is bizarre, especially the last three sentences of statements. Very unclear statements!" Adolph protested toward fairy Sophia.
"Relax! Review again like before!" Lady Megumi counseled Adolph.
"Yeah-yeah! I got it, you know?!" Adolph immediately focused her mind on the question.
(Think again... 'I am the mother as well as the big sister from the previous questions.', indicating that this 'answer' probably has a principle of 'Beginning.'. This goes along with the later sentence. As for the last one, 'My logic is emotion itself.' ... If so, there are three answers! Dammit! How did this?! No, Adolph. You have to be sure! Relax!) Adolph calmed herself for a few moments.
Adolph's condition began to calm down a bit. Immediately, she answered again,
"The answer is revenge!"
Fairy Sophia, who got her answer, reflexively replied back,
"Wrong~,"
"Guh! How come?!" Adolph suddenly asked about the reason.
"That 'answer' doesn't meet the sentence criteria of, 'I am the mother as well as the big sister from the previous questions.'," fairy Sophia said lightly. "Only two chances you have. Keep spirit~."
Immediately Adolph re-contemplated. Building an answer based on those findings she found...
(Come again. Based on those things... the 'answer' is above all else. This is related to the last two sentences. If that's true, then!) Adolph instantly made up her mind. Trying to answer her last question.
"Then the answer is sad!"
Fairy Sophia quickly responded,
"Still wrong answer. The 'answer' doesn't meet the sentence criteria of, 'Because of me, the pinnacle of irony and everything was formed.'~," she sighed. "One chance left. You should be able to answer this EASY question. It would be disappointing to fail, wouldn't it~? Sometimes, humans are always in a complacent attitude before arriving at the winning line. Not good, you know~." Fairy Sophia gave another chuckle.
(Easy question, your father's dickhead!) annoyed Adolph.
As for another remark from Lady Megumi,
"I told you not to be hasty!"
"I'm trying, dammit!" Adolph replied angrily. "My head almost smoky fuck-up because of answering previous questions, you know?!"
Lady Megumi was silent for a moment after hearing Adolph's anger. Soon, she replied,
"Okay, I understand your condition. However, again, be wise in answering..," Her intonation suddenly changed gently. Lady Megumi's throat moved slightly, taking a deep breath as her next action. Then, she smiled genuinely toward Adolph. "Because... I trust you!"
"Your game is really cunning. Just like your title~," fairy Sophia reacted by glaring at Lady Megumi.
"I LIKE your satire, fairy Sophia!" Lady Megumi counterattacked her glare.
Fairy Sophia glared intently at Lady Megumi. However, it only took several moments. She immediately sighed and looked back at Adolph,
"Last chance to stay alive~."
Awaring of that incident, Adolph tried to decipher some of Lady Megumi's words...
(She's never said anything like that. And looking at the response from the fairy Sophia, it seems Lady Megumi is trying to give a code. A code that leads to this 'answer' !) Noticing her acts, Adolph reflexively closed her eyes, activating her imagination.
The 'Amorphous' aspect...
The 'Double-edged sword' principle...
The 'Beginning' principle...
'Logic is emotion itself'... that means... the 'answer' has the principle of 'Unification'...
If putting those together with Lady Megumi's reaction by her smile and words, then...
'I LIKE your satire, fairy Sophia!'...
(The clue is somewhere in between this sentence. I... like... satire... Wait! I... like—!) Adolph was pensive on that word.
By reflexly, Adolph began to remember something. Memories that sparked something within her...
'Thank you for waiting for me... Adolph.'
'How does it feel to talk to a silver-haired bitch after recovering?'
And the one memory lingered on her, etching deep within her heart...
'Bastard! You're always like this. Stubborn and won't give in. You always wanted to protect others even if it harm yourself. Y-you... Y-you should... Kk-h! You... think of yourself, s-stupid!'
Those memories.. those feelings... one conclusion...
Adolph, who realized the answer of the question, replied in a reassuring tone,
"The answer is love!"