Mephistopheles asking for a beating.
I’d been uneasy ever since he started acting suspicious lately, but I never imagined this was what he had in mind…
It’s pathetic, if not outright annoying. And the most annoying part of all…
“You always said you liked young, female beastkin!”
“The fact that you ever saw me as that kind of creep pisses me off the most!”
I raised the disciplinary stick again.
…No, to be honest, I didn’t really plan to hit him.
But what am I supposed to do when this bastard keeps begging for a beating?
“If you strike me again, I won’t just sit back and take it!”
“Oh yeah? And what exactly are you gonna do, huh?! What can you do besides ditch the contract and run away?!”
This guy’s really trying to act tough?
Even worse, that cocky attitude coming from a bratty little form like that is seriously heating me up.
“I’ll go around telling everyone you abused me in this form.”
“…Let’s try solving this with words.”
“I accept.”
…This little—
I felt a chill run down my spine.
The heat boiling in my head just now suddenly went ice cold.
In the end, a demon is still a demon.
That threat? Absolutely horrifying.
I could feel the goosebumps crawling down my back, and cold sweat started pouring out.
Is this… really a Great Demon?
“First, let me apologize. I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time, and I desperately needed a way to catch my opponent off guard. That was the only idea I could come up with. Still, I went too far. I’m sorry, Mephistopheles.”
I offered a sincere apology without hesitation.
This kind of threat went way beyond what I could handle.
It’s not just a matter of my public image taking a hit.
Even if it wasn’t intentional, I was once caught up in a scandal with Lobelia.
The more my image gets tarnished, the more public opinion will turn against her too.
Even if it’s all baseless gossip.
Whatever the case, the last thing I needed right now was more rumors spreading about me.
If anything, even more damaging starts making the rounds?
I’d be dead.
Not by a terrorist’s hand…but by Lobelia’s faction.
“I acknowledge the urgency of the situation. I too have no desire to see my contractor die. You are forgiven.”
Since when was I your contractor? We’re not at that point yet.
…No, forget it. That’s not important right now.
He’s being arrogant, sure. But I was in the wrong this time. I’ll let it slide.
“Now, swear that you’ll never use violence against me again.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna have to decline that.”
“What?!”
“I was too hasty this time, I admit that. But are you seriously saying I shouldn’t lay a finger on you even when you deserve it? If you cross the line, you’ll get hit.”
“Such outrageous…!”
“Want me to go talk to Helena and sever our contract right here?”
“…I accept.”
That’s more like it.
If you’ve got even a shred of conscience, you should be willing to compromise.
“But then…how do we define what counts as a justified punishment?!”
Looks like I’ve got a lot more to discuss with this guy.
***
Around the time my negotiations with Mephistopheles had finally wrapped up, Yuna whom I felt like I hadn’t seen in forever walked into my room.
“So you’re saying this dog turned into that?”
“Yeah.”
Honestly, when she suddenly barged in like it was nothing, I nearly had a heart attack.
Yuna never really cares about my privacy. She doesn’t even know how to knock.
I was worried she’d throw a fit after seeing the situation, but thankfully, that didn’t happen.
Well, I guess it’d be hard to misunderstand.
If she saw this bratty little form and jumped to weird conclusions, I’d be the one getting mad.
What does she even take me for…
“Hmm, he’s gotten pretty cute. Though he was kind of cute last time too.”
“Right? I know, right?”
Yuna lifted Mephistopheles up and plopped him onto her lap.
That smug little look on his face is really pissing me off.
I seriously want to smack him.
“So, why did he suddenly turn into this, anyway?”
“No idea. Probably hit his head or something.”
“I transformed to match Johan’s tastes.”
“That’s not my taste.”
“True, this isn’t really Johan’s type.”
Yes, thank you, Yuna.
I knew you wouldn’t fall for Mephistopheles’s lies.
Of course, after all the time we’ve spent together, there are just some things you don’t need to say out loud to understand.
“If you were going for Johan’s type, you should’ve used me as a reference.”
“I did use you as a reference, though?”
“Your chest is small.”
“Ah! I forgot about that part. Now that you mention it, every time Johan talks to you, his eyes do tend to drift downward.”
“They do.”
I immediately pulled out the disciplinary stick.
This time, I definitely have a reason to hit him. He just smeared my honor!
“Wh-What did I do to deserve this?! This is tyranny! Breach of contract! Bring out the negotiation table!”
“You’re out here spreading baseless slander and damaging my reputation!”
Mephistopheles and I sat down face-to-face at a small table.
Though… he was still sitting on Yuna’s lap.
Why does this feel like a 2-on-1?
Just my imagination?
***
…I lost.
Turns out it wasn’t just my imagination. It was a 2-on-1 from the start.
Yuna sided with Mephistopheles.
“It’s not like he was lying, was he?”
“……”
The betrayal stings.
Whether she realized how I felt or not, Yuna hugged Mephistopheles from behind and lifted him up into the air.
“I like this guy.”
“See, Johan. Everyone loves me. I’m cute. That means my meticulous research and learning paid off perfectly.”
“You’ve only met two people.”
That’s a statistical error, you punk.
“By the way, who did you model the hair color after? As far as I know, I’m the only one around here with black hair.”
“Dietrich and Emily. You like younger individuals with black hair.”
“Oh? Those two, huh?”
What’s going on?
Mephistopheles, still nestled in Yuna’s arms, didn’t seem to notice. But the mood had definitely shifted.
“And those ears?”
“Johan likes beastkin. A prime example would be Ariel.”
“They’re dog ears.”
“That’s because my previous form was a dog. Was that an important factor too? Should I have gone with rabbit ears?!”
“No, that’s not it. I see? Geez, I got nervous for no reason.”
Yuna, that girl…
She’s interrogating Mephistopheles.
She’s using his appearance to dig into my personal connections.
“And? What else did you base it on?”
“That’s all. Johan’s social circle is a wreck, so there weren’t many people he was fond of to begin with.”
“Is that so?”
With a bright smile, Yuna popped a candy into Mephistopheles’ mouth.
He focused on the candy with a strange expression, as if it were his first time tasting one.
Wait, is it actually his first time?
Come to think of it, he probably never needed to eat anything before.
Maybe it’s because of how he looks now, but Yuna seems even more relaxed than usual.
Or maybe…
“Is it possible for you to transform into a different appearance? Like pink hair or a different facial type?”
There must be a reason she wanted him to look good.
I felt a chill at Yuna’s question. Just as she knew me well, I knew her just as well.
Maybe that’s why…I think I understand what she meant by that question.
“Yuna, don’t tell me…”
Mephistopheles claimed he transformed to match my usual preferences.
Whether that’s true or not, he’ll go around saying so.
And if, in that context, Mephistopheles started looking more and more like Yuna?
This was a kind of warning.
A move to directly or indirectly show someone else just how loved she was.
“It’s possible, but not right now. I used up all my power just to transform and stabilize this current form.”
“Oh, really?”
Yuna abruptly set Mephistopheles down.
The shift in mood made Mephistopheles look confused.
Yuna turned her gaze away, as if she no longer had any interest in him.
“Anyway, Johan, where did you go?”
“So much happened while you were gone, you know?”
“Uh… sorry.”
How did things end up like this?
Maybe the problem started the moment I left Yuna behind.
Of course, I knew that Yuna who was now heir to the Tower Master couldn’t always be by my side. And I know that if a scriptwriter had been targeting a gap in my defenses, I couldn’t have stopped it.
But still, I couldn’t help being angry.
And with good reason. Because when I thought about it, the reason I ended up going outside without Yuna was just plain ridiculous.
“You told me to wait in the room.”
Do you know how much I was looking forward to it?
“I waited… but even after an entire day, you never showed up…”
I’m really, really disappointed in you, Yuna.
“Geez, I’m sorry.”
“If you’re sorry?”
Shouldn’t there be some kind of compensation?
Shouldn’t I be compensated equal to all the hope and disappointment I went through?
This isn’t selfishness.
It’s just basic human decency.
“Hmm… well then.”
With a mix of embarrassment and boldness, Yuna stepped closer.
There was a sense of resolve in her eyes.
A short moment. A shrinking distance.
It felt like something was about to happen.
“What are you looking at? Go on. Since when did you care what I do?”
But at that moment, I made eye contact with Mephistopheles who had been watching us intently from the side.
He was fine when he was just a dog, but now that he looks like a little kid, the pressure is unreal.
“…Next time.”
In the end, Yuna took a step back with her face flushed bright red.
The mood was completely ruined.
Seriously, ever since Mephistopheles transformed, he hasn’t been helpful even once.
***
After Yuna, unable to bear the embarrassment, ran off just like usual,
I set up the negotiation table again.
“You know what you did wrong, right?”
“I’ll admit it.”
After a long round of persuasion, I finally proved Mephistopheles’ guilt.
That vaguely pitiful look he gave me was a bit annoying… but anyway, I won.
“Hold out your hand.”
“Understood.”
Smack!
“Ow!”
“……”
It kind of felt like disciplining a child.
One way or another, ever since he changed into that form, I couldn’t treat him the same as usual.
“I’m tired now, so get back in the book and stay quiet.”
“Understood.”
“Good boy.”
Now I really need to get some rest.
Just when I decided to finally relax, Mephistopheles had to transform. Then I had to negotiate with that transformed Mephistopheles about what to do next, and while that was happening, Yuna came barging in…
It’s already late at night.
– Johan Damus.
“For the love of…”
Everyone just go away!
I’m trying to sleep!
Deus, what is it this time? Why are you showing up at this hour?
– Wait. She’ll be here soon…
“I’m here.”
– Ah, perfect timing. Sit down, Emily. We have something important to discuss.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
What, are we holding a meeting now or something?
If that’s the case, why not go ahead and summon the rest of the gears while you’re at it?
“Scriptwriter, I don’t know what this is about, but can’t it wait until tomorrow? I’m really tired today.”
– You’ve been in the dorms for a while now. What have you been doing instead of resting?
“That’s…”
A lot happened.
Too much to explain.
I simply sat quietly at the dining table, facing Deus and Emily.
– Johan Damus. I gave you a rough explanation earlier today, but I thought it best to deliver the full information properly, so I made time to come, even though I’m very busy.
“Ah, yes.”
Are you really that busy?
– Emily, this is important for you too, so take out the Helical Gear.
“Yes.”
“Emily, it’s not okay to be out this late at night.”
“It’s fine since I’m meeting big brother Johan.”
“It’s definitely not fine.”
You don’t even know your brother shot me not too long ago, do you?
If he finds out you came to my room at this hour, I’m getting sniped next time.
And I won’t even get the chance to react before I die.
– Look, Johan. Seeing the Helical Gear, does it bring anything to mind?
“Looks mechanical.”
– That’s right, it’s the framework.
…Did you not hear my answer?
I said it looks mechanical. So why did that come back as your reply?
– The Helical Gear is the framework, the Spur Gear is the nervous system, and the Babel Gear is the muscles.
“…And?”
– You remember what Ryute said, don’t you? The gears I scattered are closely tied to human components.
“So if I collect them all, I can become some sort of new human? That kind of thing?”
– Something like that.
“I see.”
Not all that surprising, honestly.
I had a vague idea already.
When Ryute mentioned evolution, Deus’s ability was the first thing that came to mind.
As a final boss, Deus had powers of adaptation and self-evolution—
He was the kind of gimmick boss that, over time, both develops resistance and learns to exploit a character’s weaknesses.
– The founding principle of Ex Machina is evolution. It was my first and longest-standing research.
“…And?”
Is that really something important enough to show up and explain in the middle of the night?
– If you collect all the gears, you’ll gain complete authority over Ex Machina.
“Not interested.”
– That’s not something you get to decide. There are inevitable currents in this world that can’t be resisted.
Deus chuckled, mocking the way I was getting swept around.
Or maybe it just felt that way.
Even though he showed up in a mechanical body from the start…
– Like death, for instance.
There was a startling lack of emotion in his voice.
– We’ll see each other in person soon. Not through cold metal, but face-to-face as people.
“Is that really necessary?”
– Yes, it is.
And this time, his voice carried a surprising trace of warmth.
– After all, isn’t indulging in that kind of inefficiency something only humans can do?
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