Beneath the ground lay a buried theater, adjacent to which stood a research lab.

Originally built for experiments on dungeon cores, it had since been repurposed by scholars for more convenient use.

Now, this place was an illegal facility where artificial Explorers were being created.

This organization, funded by Silver Twilight, was being run by a single inhumane figure.

“You’re taking far too long. Are you playing around, you lot?”

The scholar said this and froze one of the subordinates standing in line.

Not even allowing a moment for excuses, a human being froze down to the core.

Rather than killing someone, it was as cold and indifferent as tossing useless trash into a bin.

“Shatter, worthless one.”

With a snap of the fingers, the subordinate shattered into pieces.

What remained of the subordinate scattered across the area.

Even seeing that, the rest of the subordinates merely trembled—none dared flee.

They knew that would be the most foolish move of all.

“It should be easy—just retrieving one brat. Her powers aren’t fully adjusted, and she’s far from properly mimicking an S-Rank.”

The scholar spoke and pulled out a tablet device.

Surveillance footage appeared on the screen.

“This one, helping her…”

It was the last known sighting of Rei’s clone, caught on a surveillance camera.

Three girls stood to protect the clone.

Of them, the blonde and black-haired ones were unfamiliar, but the S-Rank girl was immediately recognized.

Seeing her, the scholar seemed intrigued for the first time.

“This face… she was among the S-Ranks. Was it Watarai Ryuuko?”

In a dusty corner of memory, there was information on the girl named Ryuuko.

Because of her uniquely complex power structure, she was the first S-Rank the scholar had ruled out as a cloning target.

“She’s special. The deep-dimensional inner zone within her… that’s why I left her alone…”

The scholar fell silent for a moment.

Her right index finger tapped against the desk.

Only that sound echoed in the room as she slowly stood up.

“I suppose I’ll go. That S-Rank should be more than enough to test this power against.”

Saying so, the scholar turned and walked toward the room’s only bed.

Surrounded by machines, a girl lay sleeping.

With no sign of waking, the scholar gently caressed her and sneered.

“I’ll be going, Original. My foundation of glory.”

With that, the scholar burst into high-pitched laughter and left the room.

The subordinates followed her in silence.

“The time is near—our counterattack! Let the Council see! Let Silver Twilight see!”

A project some deemed taboo and others scorned as obscene—the S-Rank cloning plan.

Yet now, the power she had long desired was finally within her grasp.

“Ha ha ha ha! Nothing easier than overwhelming a single S-Rank!”

As if answering her emotions, cold air surged from her hands.

The scholar’s eyes gleamed with madness.

Footsteps faded away from the room until silence returned.

“—So that’s how it is, after all.”

A shadow descended from the ceiling.

With silver-blue hair and a black dress.

This figure could only be one of the strongest—S-Rank Sorciera.

“Poor thing… fufu, so pitiful… and so very dear.”

Sorciera approached Rei and gently stroked her head with care.

With graceful hands, she straightened Rei’s hair, which the scholar had tousled.

“Sleep just a little longer. It’s too soon to wake from your dream.”

Sorciera whispered gently.

Then, she too left the room.

■

So this is the villain’s lair.

『Hmm, as I suspected—underground. My little sister truly is brilliant.』

『It took less than five minutes. Easier than the Zilnius Academy case.』

As always, only Nana’s voice came through loud and clear in my mind, completely cutting out my own inner voice.

We immediately teleported to Chroma Music Academy after kidnapping—no, abducting—well, snatching Nana.

From there, it was a breeze.

Nana did everything for us.

She even uncovered the entire plan!

『S-Rank clones… Certainly effective against angels. But if the calamity grows stronger, it becomes unwise.』

“Fufu, truly foolish. I knew about the project, but I never thought it was hiding here. Thank you, Shieru.”

I gently stroked the jade-green scythe in my hand.

『You know absolutely nothing.』

Shut up!

Sorciera only didn’t know the location!

She knew about the clone project!

That’s the story I’m sticking with!

It’d be pathetic if she looked confused the whole time.

『Shall I draw a little ♥ over your head then?』

What the hell are you talking about?

Please stop that.

『So, what now? We know the enemy and their base. How will you proceed with today’s Mysterious Beautiful Girl Time?』

Hold on, I’m working on it.

Apparently, the scholar went after Ryuuko-chan.

Convenient! Might as well use that.

But there’s nothing interesting in this lab.

Should I dramatically show up when Ryuuko-chan’s in danger?

Would that be cooler?

『But that’s not very mysterious. It reeks of a hero. We don’t want Ryuuko thinking you’re a total ally.』

You’re right, Starreader’s Staff-kun.

We are the mysterious beautiful girl, Sorciera.

Friend or foe… who knows?

That’s the vibe we want.

In that sense, the territory war was a bust.

In the angel battle, Zero-Two made me a tragic, self-sacrificing heroine, and against Touraku-kun I still came off like a selfless martyr.

I want to fight cool!

No more edgy self-harm forms, seriously!

Never using that again!

『But—but it’s so good! Based on actual erosion functions! It feels amazing when I use it! Let’s become one!』

I don’t care.

Also, why are you getting off on this?

『Watching Sorciera’s face twist in pain during erosion—unforgettable＾＾』

You are spiraling hard right now.

You don’t need to act like Zero-One in front of me, stop it, it’s scary.

『……? Act?』

Yikes.

Okay. That form is now sealed.

Forever.

『Nooo! But if we fuse more, we’ll evolve! The true dominion form—Testament Form!』

Don’t just invent new forms!

We’ve got enough already!

If this were Sunday morning tokusatsu, Dad’s wallet would be lighter than a feather!

Stop adding forms so easily!

『Erosion Form is just the cocoon! If Zero learns to truly love someone, we evolve into the planetary invasion form! And I will finally reign as the main heroine!』

That event’s never getting added.

『Useless devs.』

Say what you want.

『Brain-dead subby pretty girl.』

Harsh insult!

『…Are you two talking again? Being left out makes me feel lonely. Like when your friend gets into a new mobile game and never logs in anymore…』

“It’s nothing serious. Though really, maybe you should cut down on the gaming. Not that I have any right to say that, being the one who gave you those gift cards.”

Oops, forgot about Nana-chan☆

Actually, hasn’t Nana-chan gotten a bit excessive lately?

She’s literally doing nothing but gaming.

『Let’s ask Miroku to step in. We can’t handle it. We’ll just spoil her.』

You know it.

Exactly. We can’t.

I love girls like her who’ve fallen into game addiction!

Play gacha till you break!＾＾

But if you start bragging on social media, I’ll rat you out to Miroku-senpai, okay?＾＾

That’s the one thing I won’t forgive.＾＾

“This place is rather boring. I expected something more entertaining.”

I walked alone down the corridor.

Plenty of surveillance cameras around—but no problem.

They’ve all been hijacked. By Nana-chan!

『Unclear if it’s interesting, but we should be arriving at the underground theater soon, according to the map.』

Underground theater?

What is this, some aristocratic gathering spot?

『Sorciera performing solo in an empty theater… sounds poetic.』

Yeah, that might look cool.

But I can’t play any instruments.

Would be cool to know at least one.

『Then I’ll make a spell for that later~』

Yay!

As I chatted with my beloved Starreader’s Staff-chan, the boring, lifeless corridor came to an end.

At the far end stood an old wooden door—completely out of place in a lab.

I had no idea how old it was as I slowly opened it.

“…I see, a theater, indeed.”

Before me stretched an old-fashioned theater.

Thanks to the aesthetic sense of a mysterious beautiful girl, I instantly knew everything here was a curated antique.

That space alone felt frozen in time, filled with exotic charm.

…Perfect for a mysterious beautiful girl.

『Partner, I feel the mysterious beautiful girl vibes kicking in.』

What a coincidence, Staff-chan.

So do I.

And now it’s decided.

Our next mysterious beautiful girl time.

“Hey, Shieru. What say we do a bit more work?”

I traced the back of a nearby chair with a fingertip, for no reason at all.

The jade-green scythe in my hand trembled in protest.

『That wasn’t part of the deal! I only agreed to help for ten minutes! If you’re lying, I’ll be mad!』

“Fufu, it’s just a suggestion.”

I sat in one of the theater seats and placed the scythe beside me.

Looking toward the stage, I spoke.

“I want you to take control of this theater. If you can… I’ll have Miyume build you the ultimate gaming PC.”

『Wha—』

『Partner, that’s crossing a line! You know what will happen if she gets that! She’s barely contained by mobile and console games now… any further…!』

Staff-chan, I know it’s risky…

But if it makes Nana-chan smile, I’ll carry that sin.

『Stop acting noble! What if Shieru starts talking in memes in real life!? I’d cry as her older sister!』

Love her no matter what version of Nana-chan she becomes!

『Sorciera… is that true?』

Hook, line, and sinker.

『Hold it, Shieru. You think Miroku will allow this? Stay calm. Focus on your game grinds.』

『Ugh… that’s true. Sister’s got a point…』

Staff-chan, don’t get in my way!

『Shut up~』

…Alright, I’ll record “Ear Cleaning ASMR for Starreader’s Special Girl” as a thank-you.

Your scenario, your lead.

『Shieru, I think the gaming PC is a great idea＾＾ I’m sure Miroku will understand＾＾ That’s great news＾＾』

『Why did you change your mind in one second…? Well, if sister says so, then I have no doubts anymore.』

Nana-chan is ready to lend me her power.

Such a sweet girl.

『Partner, don’t forget—you handed control to me.』

Do as you please! A mysterious beautiful girl never takes back her word!

『That’s the spirit!』

All of us were facing different directions but fully motivated.

Teamwork? Perfect!

“Then, I leave it to you.”

『Leave it to me. Seizing control of this entire area will be a trivial task.』

The jade-green scythe shone, casting numerous magic circles across the area.

“Fufu, I’m looking forward to it.”

I smiled coolly as I said it.