Chapter 80

The mysteries surrounding Flamm were far too many.

Why was she in the castle, and if she was to be treated for amnesia, shouldn't she be in a clinic?

Whenever she tried to leave the room, a guard who seemed to be on watch would tell her, "Please refrain from going out."

Perhaps it was inconvenient for someone if she went outside.

The window in her room was boarded up from the outside, preventing her from even getting a glimpse of the scenery or basking in the sunlight.

Flamm felt as if she were being locked up.

"Did I do something before I lost my memory...?"

Yet, it didn't seem like she was being treated like a prisoner.

Finding nothing to do, Flamm slumped over the table in the room.

The cool touch of the wood felt pleasant.

However, something felt off.

Unconsciously, she touched her fringe.

"I feel like I had a hairpin, but..."

She must have gotten it somewhere after starting her journey, as she definitely didn't have it then.

Just as she was about to close her eyes and fall asleep, another visitor arrived.

Knocking on the door, the visitor entered without waiting for a response.

"Oh, were you resting?"

A sexy adult woman, wearing a white coat over a low-cut top.

"Who are you?"

Of course, the current Flamm had no idea who she was.

After placing a finger to her lips and thinking for a moment, she turned to Flamm and introduced herself.

"I'm Echidna Ipeira, conducting a certain research here."

"Are you a scientist? What do you want with me?"

"Can you come with me without asking any questions?"

It was clear from her expression that she meant, "You'll see when you get there."

Since she was bored anyway and didn't know if she had the authority to refuse, Flamm stood up and left the room with Echidna.

◇◇◇

For a country girl like Flamm, walking through the castle was a rare experience.

Especially in an area restricted to authorized personnel.

She encountered a tall man, and a girl in a strange outfit that looked like a swimsuit or tights, who had a sad expression. The people she met were not simple.

"Sure enough, the city is different..."

While she was impressed for some reason, they arrived at their destination.

Echidna said, "Here we are," and opened the door.

Beyond the door was a staircase leading underground, and at the bottom were cages on both sides, creating a space that resembled a dungeon.

Flamm wrinkled her nose at the smell.

"Doesn't it smell like animals?"

"That's a problem, but it's a low priority in the Chimera improvement plan. Researchers tend to prioritize strength, you know."

"..."

The conversation seemed to be happening, but Flamm couldn't follow it at all.

She had many questions, but first, she needed to know what this place was for, so she looked into one of the cages.

In the dimly lit room, a figure was faintly visible.

At first, she thought it was a human standing upright, but it seemed different.

It had a bird's head, a wolf's body, bear arms, and large wings—undoubtedly a monster.

"Kyaaah!?"

Flamm jumped back.

Her back hit the iron bars.

Feeling a presence behind her, she turned around to find another monster with the same appearance standing there.

"Ah... Why are there monsters in the castle!?"

"Fresh reaction. Don't worry, Flamm Apricot. My Chimeras won't harm anyone without orders."

"Chimera...?"

"Monsters combined to create the ultimate weapon. They absolutely obey human commands and won't betray you."

Echidna spoke about the Chimeras with pride, as if boasting about her own children.

"R-Really, they won't suddenly attack me?"

"I can assure you they won't. But, to avoid the same mistake as Daphne."

"Daphne?"

"Hehehe, that's a different story. Anyway, if you can approach them without any problems, you pass the test."

"Approach... I don't understand, but..."

"It's fine, even if you don't understand. Just follow me."

Although she was uneasy about not knowing the reason, if Echidna was the one who created these creatures, it was probably better not to ask.

Flamm followed her as she was led, deeper into the area.

The cages grew larger, and the Chimeras inside became bigger.

Flamm was particularly afraid of the lion-type Chimeras, and just looking at them gave her a strong chill.

After passing through the cage area, they opened another door and entered a large room.

This seemed to be Echidna's laboratory.

Three large test tubes were filled with liquid, and different Chimeras floated inside.

One of them, with an Ogre's head, met Flamm's gaze.

"Flamm, can you walk around the cradle?"

Flamm didn't know the word "cradle," but she understood it referred to the test tubes.

She approached the Ogre-headed Chimera and walked around it.

The monster's eyes followed her.

"Oh, as I thought, the old model is affected."

The "effect" Echidna mentioned was probably the monster following Flamm with its eyes.

Indeed, the Chimeras in the cages didn't move even when she passed by, as if they lacked any sense of self.

Without self-awareness to interfere with commands, they would work as loyal servants.

But they were more like tools than living beings.

In contrast, the Chimera in the test tube had enough self-awareness to follow Flamm with its eyes, and she felt a strange sense of closeness—though she shouldn't have.

The monster didn't make any sound or action other than following her with its eyes.

Yet, that alone made Flamm feel terribly afraid.

Echidna, noticing Flamm's troubled expression, whispered, "You really have amnesia, don't you?"

"Thank you, that's enough."

"Why are they looking at me? If you brought me here, it must mean others can't, right?"

"Yes, that's the case."

In other words, the reason she was confined in the castle was probably related to this.

Or perhaps it was the cause of her amnesia.

Even if she understood, it wouldn't bring back her memories.

*Gush... to... me...*

Nothing—indeed, probably nothing.

The noise in her head, similar to a headache, made Flamm feel slightly dizzy.

"The numerical checks can wait, but from what I can see, there's no problem. The interference value must have increased since the old model was affected..."

However, Echidna seemed lost in thought, muttering to herself, and didn't notice Flamm's discomfort.

Flamm took a deep breath and looked around the room to change her mood.

Besides the test tubes containing Chimeras, there were transparent devices in the corner of the room, each containing what looked like a human brain, connected by cables.

"Ugh..."

Flamm covered her mouth and looked away.

The sight was far more intense than the Chimeras.

As a simple country girl, Flamm had never seen a human brain before.

"Oh, you noticed that?"

Echidna seemed to have noticed Flamm's reaction.

She approached the device containing the floating brain.

"Little Origin."

Echidna touched the metal part of the device and said,

"Origin, as in the god?"

"Yes. It's a receptacle, a relay point. Using the power received from it..."

Echidna paused, realizing she might have said too much.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter if you know. Anyway, the Chimeras are created using the power of the god."

Flamm understood that much, but with her current knowledge, she could only think, "The power of the god must be amazing."

After that, with nothing more to talk about, Flamm was released.

Echidna seemed to plan to conduct detailed tests later and would call her regularly.

◇◇◇

When Flamm returned to her room with a soldier and the door closed,

"This is all suspicious..."

She muttered to herself.

There were too many things to be concerned about, but everything felt strange.

Echidna's appearance and the atmosphere around her, as well as the fact that she was being monitored and confined, were all suspicious.

If she were a criminal, they would have punished her.

The fact that they didn't suggested that she was someone the kingdom wanted to restrict but not kill.

"But, what can I do with my status at zero?"

She couldn't imagine.

Had she somehow become stronger during the lost six months?

If so, why was she still weak now?

She tried to think and remember, but something seemed to be blocking her memory.

Why, she knew it was there, but it wouldn't budge, as if locked.

It wasn't lost or missing, but sealed.

Flamm had this feeling and stood there, holding her head at the room's entrance.

Then, a third visitor arrived.

"Flamm Apricot, are you here?"

"Who is it?"

In response—though she hadn't given permission—a green-haired woman in a military uniform entered.

She had a straight posture, was tall for a woman, and exuded confidence.

Her presence was entirely different from that of an ordinary person.

Flamm instinctively knew she wasn't just anyone.

"I'm Henriette Bassenheim. I heard you woke up and thought I should at least come and greet you, but is this a bad time?"

Her name was famous enough that even a country girl like Flamm knew it.

After all, she was the highest authority in the kingdom's military.

"Um... Are you the general?"

"Haha, you know me."

"Of course! Even in my village, we hear about you! But why would someone as important as you and Ottilie greet someone like me, a commoner?"

She wondered again.

What had she done before losing her memory?

"From your appearance, it seems you're in good health."

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Without your memory, it must be inconvenient, but if you need anything, just let me know. It's difficult to go outside, but I can provide anything you need."

"Then, can you tell me why I'm here?"

Henriette placed her hand on her chin and thought about the straightforward question.

Flumm expected to be brushed off, but unexpectedly, she provided part of the reason.

"Firstly, it's Echidna's request. You were taken to her laboratory, right?"

"There were many monsters I've never seen before."

"Yes, after the incident in Sheol, she has been eager to gather data."

"What happened in Sheol?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't answer that."

Henriette's refusal was firm.

Flamm, realizing it was futile to press further, moved on.

"Since it's the first, there must be a second reason, right?"

"The second is 'deterrence.'"

Flamm tilted her head at the vague response.

"I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, I can't explain it any other way right now."

It was Henriette's way of showing sincerity.

Normally, heroes should be comrades to fight alongside, and she would respect those who protected the capital, not harbor ill will.

"Well, I apologize for ending the visit so abruptly, but I have business to attend to. I'll speak with you again if the opportunity arises."

"Next time, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me more about my situation."

"I'll do my best."

With that, Henriette left the room.

Flamm, feeling a bit uneasy, followed her into the hallway.

"Whoa!?"

She stumbled, apparently not lifting her foot high enough, and tripped over the threshold, losing her balance.

Reacting to her cry, Henriette turned and reached out to help, but it was too late.

Flamm fell and hit her knee hard on the floor.

"Ow..."

"Are you okay?"

Henriette extended her hand.

Flamm took it and stood up, smiling awkwardly. "I must have looked silly."

The injured part throbbed, and blood seeped through the grazed knee.

"Excuse me, can I get some treatment somewhere?"

Her face flushed as she asked.

Henriette had said she could provide anything, but she hadn't expected to need it so soon.

Especially after a serious conversation, the embarrassment was even greater.

However, Henriette didn't respond.

She stared at the wound on Flamm's knee, unmoving.

"Henriette?"

No response.

But there was a change.

"Haa... haa..."

Henriette's cheeks flushed, and her breathing became heavy.

Her face twitched, and her eyes glazed over.

Henriette was clearly excited.

When her excitement reached its peak, she knelt and clung to Flamm's leg.

"Haa, haa, haa...!"

"E, eh!? A, Henriette, what are you doing!?"

Flumm, confused, cried out, but Henriette didn't respond.

With a trance-like expression, she leaned in and licked the blood with her tongue.

"Mmmmm..."

Henriette's face showed a blissful expression as the iron taste spread in her mouth.

"H... Hii..."

Flamm could only let out a strained cry in fear.

With her status at zero, she had no chance of prying Henriette's arm away.

As the general, Henriette was far too strong.

"The blood... the blood... haa, mhaa, it's been so long... ah, it's coming again!"

When new blood seeped out, Henriette latched on and kissed it.

The sensation of her tongue crawling over Flamm's knee was just disgusting.

No one could accept such behavior from a near-stranger, even if she were the general.

"Delicious... the blood... someone else's, a girl's blood... huff, huff, huff...!"

"No... stop it, Henriette... stop it...!"

Pushing Henriette's head away with both hands was futile.

Flumm, tears streaming down her face, shook her head in refusal.

No, no, no, she repeated the word in her mind and out loud, rejecting the act over and over.

Then—

"Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop