Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! Novel - Chapter 315
Pick Me Up – Chapter 315 – Ashes (5)
After the general direction was established, the meeting progressed quickly.
Under the report from Siris and Yurnet, the members assigned to the operation, the necessary supplies, the tactics to be used, and the formations were organized, along with determining the date and time of the operation.
The start of the operation, named ‘Operation Eden,’ was scheduled for three days later.
Yurnet went to check the aircraft that would be used in the operation, while Lidygion and Nihaku headed to the training field to practice together.
[Did the meeting go well?]
Siris slowly drank the tea that Nisel had served her on the terrace near the operations center.
“More or less.”
Beyond the terrace, the heroes of Niflheim were busy coming and going.
The order to prepare had been given after a long time. Everyone was arming themselves for combat.
‘Operation review.’
Siris briefly reviewed the contents of the report.
The advance team was composed of members from Niflheim’s Group 1: Siris, Yurnet, Lidygion, Aaron, and Nihaku.
They had to traverse the first server, a contaminated dimension, and break the boundary barrier where the Master was located. Fierce resistance from contaminated variants was anticipated in the process.
‘And then…’
After Aaron broke the boundary barrier to create a breach, Yurnet would calculate the coordinates where the Master was, and Siris would enter.
The final trial consisted of subduing the Master and stabbing a dagger called ‘Mistel’ into his heart.
Then, the other members would be invoked to convince the Master, who would temporarily regain his memory, to share all the darkness he carried within.
‘Until the fight ends.’
Siris smiled faintly.
If Loki had heard the plan, he would have been furious, calling it nonsense.
The possibility of success was extremely low.
First, before anything else, they had to defeat the Master.
He would be a more powerful adversary than anyone Siris had ever fought before.
“You should have a cup too. I feel bad drinking alone.”
Siris took the teapot and filled an empty cup with tea, pushing it toward Nisel along with a piece of cookie.
[Then I won’t hold back!]
Nisel drank the cup in one gulp and stuffed the cookie into her mouth.
The fairy’s cheeks puffed up like a squirrel full of acorns.
“We’ll probably need your strength in this battle…”
Siris looked at Nisel, who was chewing the cookie.
[Leave it to me!]
“Are you feeling well? Nothing hurts?”
[I’m fine!]
Nisel pounded her chest strongly.
‘It can’t be okay.’
Siris smiled bitterly.
Nisel, the star fairy of Niflheim, used to be an ordinary creature… but she had changed. Her hair had turned red, and every time she flapped her wings, flames scattered. Outwardly, there wasn’t much difference, but within her, she harbored an inconceivable power.
‘With power comes a cost.’
Siris knew it as soon as she saw Loki reach the rank of seven stars.
She knew because she had experienced the cost directly.
“…..”
Niflheim used to be known as the land of eternal fire.
Siris inherited it directly. Originally, the production of that power was suppressed in the form of a seal, but by chance, while wandering through Mobius, she managed to lift the restriction of the power.
‘I couldn’t bear it.’
If Siris had kept that power within her, she might have ended up like Loki.
But just before she collapsed, Nisel transferred that power into her own body. Nisel was bearing the penalty of Siris’ power.
‘What we’re trying to do is the same.’
Sharing the burden among everyone.
“Ah, here you are.”
Siris turned upon hearing a calm voice.
A young man in a coat was approaching her.
“You are…”
“My name is Aaron.”
“No need to introduce yourself.”
Siris smiled and pulled out a chair for him.
Aaron bowed and sat down.
“Is this the first time we’ve spoken?”
“Yes, we’ve both been busy.”
[Here, drink this.]
“Thank you.”
Nisel served tea to Aaron.
‘He fought alongside the Master.’
It must have been a unique experience.
If I had the chance, I would also like to experience it.
Well, I’ll feel it to exhaustion in the future.
“My master told me you always bring new solutions, Siris.”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
Aaron drank the tea.
His gaze turned toward the plaza beyond the terrace.
There, numerous heroes were moving supplies.
“Are we fighting together with our brothers?”
“Yes. Until we destroy all the Master’s enemies.”
Siris continued.
“You are not from Niflheim. I’m not forcing you.”
“No, I was willing to go alone.”
“That’s admirable.”
“But I have doubts. I’m not sure if this will really save my brother.”
Siris observed Aaron.
The ordinary-looking man closed his mouth.
“I think I know why you came. You’re not here to complain, but to find a better solution.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just…”
Aaron, with a serious expression, hesitated with his words.
Siris looked at him and then directed her gaze to the plaza.
“What do you think humanity is?”
Aaron didn’t answer.
“Memories of life, a clear self-awareness. Can we define humanity with just these two elements?”
“…..”
“I understand your concerns. Recovering the Master’s memories is not enough. He might be happier not feeling anything. If life is a continuous battle, and his long existence is filled only with pain, what could be more difficult? You know it better than anyone, being a disciple of Muden.”
Aaron’s gaze clouded.
Siris was touching a sensitive point.
The hellish training he had endured.
Aaron had had to forget who he was many times to overcome that pain.
‘Can I really save my brother?’
He knew in his heart there was no other solution.
But he couldn’t help but wonder.
“I’m sorry. It seems I’ve unsettled you.”
Aaron reaffirmed his decision.
Once he leaves this place, he will spend the rest of his life, probably several times the time he spent training, in combat. There will be no rest. He will renounce all human desires and wield his weapon solely to defeat the enemy.
‘Enough.’
Aaron shook his head.
Everyone was determined, and now was not the time to doubt.
It would be despicable.
‘Similar but different to Muden.’
Siris smiled.
Despite his appearance, Muden seemed like an old man who had lived long enough to survive, but this guy seemed very sensitive.
‘The method proposed by Sijel ends here.’
Sharing the Master’s burden among Group 1.
Siris brought the hot tea cup to her lips.
‘Even if we succeed.’
The Master’s situation won’t change significantly.
In fact, being aware of the passage of time would be even more painful.
And his companions would share that pain.
Glup.
Nisel served more tea to Siris every time she finished her cup.
She was already on her tenth.
‘It’s not enough just to be alive.’
Siris looked at Nisel and then spoke to Aaron.
“People are not machines. They need rest. Like now, drinking tea and chatting. Joking with companions, sleeping deeply in a soft bed, sometimes going to see someone we love. Aaron, did you say you had a sister at home?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then you’ve given up your family to be here.”
Siris’ eyes softened.
“The reason I fought for the Master was because he treated me, a fake, like a human being.”
“…?”
“Five are not enough.”
Siris spoke quietly.
‘It’s not enough.’
There’s no point in returning the memories.
Aaron was right.
If they will live in constant pain, what is the purpose of this operation?
If they can’t live a human life, there’s no need to recover the memories.
‘Humanity.’
They can’t stop the Master’s fight.
That war will last much longer than Siris’ life.
But.
‘We can give the Master a rest.’
Like when the heroes of Niflheim held a modest party after a mission.
“What do you mean?”
Siris extended her right hand.
Nisel snorted and handed her a small document.
“Number of people who want to retire?”
[8429! The others want to stay.]
Siris reviewed the document.
The numbers matched.
It was the result of Nisel’s research over a week.
“So, 14851 remain.”
“…..”
“In total, 14816.”
Aaron seemed not to understand Siris’ words.
His eyes were wide open.
“These people agree to fight alongside the Master.”
“What?”
“I.”
Siris smiled slightly.
“I’m going to move Niflheim and its 15,000 troops to where the Master is.”
Aaron was stunned.
“With 15,000 we can divide the troops. Niflheim is also the strongest fortress. We can take turns fighting. If the members of the 13th floor pair up, we can have 16 hours of rest a day.”
“That…”
“In an empty land… we will build our kingdom. That is the ultimate goal of Operation Eden. That’s why we are the advance team. Are your doubts resolved?”
Aaron spoke hastily.
“That…! Is it possible?”
“Yes, that’s why I involved Anything in this operation.”
Siris drank her thirteenth tea.
Anything stored the data from the Niflheim Lobby in her smartphone and will copy it to the place where the Master is.
Two days ago, they were able to contact Anything, Loki’s Master.
Siris only mentioned that she needed help without giving details, but Anything responded immediately. She said she would do anything to help Han. Thus, an agreement was quickly reached, and Loki’s sword, Bifrost, was chosen as the means to transfer the data.
‘Therefore, the final phase of this operation is…’
Subdue the Master, restore his mind, and make a new contract with him.
Then, use Bifrost to summon Niflheim and build an advanced fortress for the Master and his army at the frontier.
‘Is it necessary to go that far?’
Sijel expressed disbelief at the plan but promised to help with the necessary procedures.
‘All the requirements are met.’
[Oh, it’s empty.]
Nisel shook the teapot.
They had finished all the tea.
“You…”
Aaron’s voice trembled.
Finally, with a sigh, Aaron set the cup down.
“My master was right.”
It’s just a planning phase.
To make this plan a reality, tireless efforts will be needed.
Siris stood up, shaking off the bottom of her uniform.
“Can I trust you?”
Aaron spoke firmly.
His eyes no longer wavered.
“Of course.”
Nisel’s wings fluttered behind Siris.
She placed a hand on Aaron’s shoulder and left the terrace.