Earth’s Doom Starts with… Me?

"What do you mean?" I asked him back.

[You can't fool me. Your body may be human, but your mana is not.]

"Of course I'm human," I sighed, "I have no idea about my mana, though. All I can say is that I'm not a monster."

[What's so bad about being a monster? I'm a monster.] He answered nonchalantly.

"Well, that's true. Sometimes humans can even be worse than monsters." I cupped my bathwater and stared at my reflection.

[So you get it. No matter what creature, there will always be good and bad bunches.] He happily agreed.

"You talk like an old man. But yeah, that's true. I don't really understand good and bad concept, though." I used my finger to swirl the water around.

[Don't think too much about good or bad, it'll drive you crazy.]

"...Yeah." I sank myself deeper into the water.

[I mean, you killed my underlings, and you kind of killed me, too. Does that make you a bad person?] He told me.

"That's true, I killed you and your underlings. Same goes with your underlings killing my comrades. I don't think either side is necessarily bad, honestly." I told him as I leaned my head back, enjoying my bath.

[Hmm, interesting. I don't often meet humans who share my view.] He spoke with an amused tone.

"We're just trying to survive and fight back against our predators. Meanwhile, you guys are just trying to not get killed. What's so wrong about wanting to live?" I replied while I closed my eyes, feeling the warm water rejuvenating my body.

[Don't you blame us monsters for attacking your kind first?] He asked.

"You're asking the wrong person. I don't know much about your kind to be able to judge yet," I shifted my position, "but I bet most people have a valid reason to not like you guys. And you guys have a valid reason to hate us, too."

[I see. Do you hate me?]

"Not necessarily. But I don't like your pervy tendencies." I spoke with a mocking tone.

[Hey, I'm not a pervert!] He scoffed at me.

"I didn't expect there are monsters who are able to communicate with humans, though," I smiled. I was quite happy to find out about that. I wonder if we could negotiate or at least make an arrangement of some sort?

[There are quite a lot, actually. What, do you feel bad for killing another intelligent life?] The voice inside my head snickered.

"Good, then. I'd love to meet them and maybe find a common ground. I don't really like having to kill each other," I cupped the water again and let it fall through my fingers, "and no, I don't feel too bad, maybe just a bit. How do you even decide at what point is a life intelligent enough to not be killed?"

[Hm-hm. Good girl. If only you're smart enough to not get your face soiled with a marker...]

"Hey, I was unconscious! What can I do about it?" I crossed my arms in annoyance.

The voice inside my head just giggled a bit in response.

"Oi, little cub, what takes you so long? Are you having constipation?" A cheery voice came from behind the bathroom door, followed by three knocks.

"It's your fault I spent a long time cleaning my face!" I replied.

"Hurry up, the headmaster is waiting! I don't wanna get lectured~" He nagged at me.

I turned my head towards the door, "the headmaster?"

--------

After finishing one of the most comforting baths I've had in a long time, I was guided by both Owen and general Zhang outside. I was now wearing a comfortable warm cardigan with a pair of training pants. Man, I'm so glad Jeanne got me comfy clothing. This woman knew fashion.

"Hey Owen, where's Jeanne?" I asked the dark-skinned man who was walking beside me. To be honest, I wanted to see her and get her a proper gift, too. I wonder what she would like?

"General Jeanne is busy on personal matters right now." He answered while peeking at my face.

"What personal matter?" I questioned again while hugging myself in the comfort of my cardigan. It smelled like lavender.

"It's kind of her post-raid routine. I can't disclose personal info, go ask her yourself later if you're that curious." He answered me strictly.

"Alright." I nodded and dropped the subject. It would be disrespectful for me to push it.

"More importantly, how do you feel?" Owen suddenly asked me.

"Huh? Me?" I was taken aback by the question. Could he be worried about me? That stoic-faced Owen?

"Yeah, you just finished your fusing. Are you positive you can control that serpent inside you? Are you sure you won't be a threat to our citizens?" He questioned me rapidly.

"Ah... Well, we're on okay terms, I guess..." Of course, there was no way he would be worried about me. I felt stupid for even thinking about that.

"Tell me if there's something." He said vaguely.

"Yeah, yeah... I'm not your enemy, you worry-wart." I sighed.

We finally arrived upon a huge building that was a few stories tall. The architecture kind of reminded me of old German castles I've seen in movies and books. The front door itself was guarded by a few armed soldiers, with banners and flags hung everywhere.

"Where is this?" I took a moment to admire the view. It was quite majestic, I felt like I was visiting a historical tourist spot.

I let out a sad smile. I wish I could go on a vacation someday... And hopefully, with people I care about.

"This is the town hall. We will be meeting with the headmaster inside." Owen explained to me.

Oh, right. The headmaster thing. Geez, the more I thought about my situation, the more nervous I got. I can't predict what that old geezer might do to me. Will he praise me for helping to complete the mission? Or will he erase me right away for being a potential harm?

I gulped.

"Good day to you, general Owen, general Zhang!" The soldiers greeted them while bowing.

"Good day." Owen raised his hand a bit, signaling for the soldiers to stop bowing.

"Good dayyy~" General Zhang just casually walked past the soldier.

As soon as we were about to step beyond the huge gate, I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"Be obedient." I heard general Zhang whisper so softly into my ears that I almost missed it.

"Eh?"

All of a sudden, I felt like every bit of my energy had just left my body. I lost my balance and staggered, before immediately got held by general Zhang.

"Watch your step~" He was back to his usual cheerful self again in a heartbeat.

"...Yeah. Thank you." I smiled and played along as if nothing had happened. I had no idea what he was planning, but I had always been fast to adjust to unfamiliar situations. I knew better than to make a scene here.

Whatever he was planning, I hope it worked in my favor.

"Let's go." Owen came up to us and started to lead the way.

--------

We entered a small room on the first floor. It was located quite deep into the building, but it was surprisingly just a normal-looking room, nothing out of place. Even the door was so ordinary, just like the other doors inside the building.

"Headmaster, we're here." Owen bowed at the old man who was standing there, browsing through the books on the bookshelves, while a young man in a suit was standing beside him holding a glass of wine.

General Zhang followed his gesture and also bowed silently.

"Ho ho ho! I see you're finally here!" The old man gleefully greeted us with grand arm gestures.

I stayed silent, but I bowed. I didn't want to risk saying the wrong words and got crushed for the second time.

"I see you're lively as ever, gramps!" General Zhang greeted him with a wide grin on his face.

"Of course! After all, our mission has been accomplished!" The headmaster picked up his glass of red wine from Gabriel's hand.

"...Indeed." Owen's face hardened.

Oh, the mission was cleared already? Now that he mentioned it, I haven't checked my quest or mission windows at all since I woke up... I need to check them after this.

"Now, spill your business with us, gramps." General Zhang said.

"Ho ho ho, I think you all know what I want already, right?" He stroked his beard while smiling in delight.

Why was everyone speaking like they were in some kind of a detective show? Just get straight to the point, old man.

I looked at Owen to see if he knew something, but he just stood there without words.

As I turned around to look at the other, more childish general, I felt something cold touch my wrists.

'Clack!'

"There you go." General Zhang smiled at me.

"Huh?"

Did he just--

I tried to move my hands, but I couldn't, because the handcuffs he just placed fitted so perfectly on my wrists.

"Handcuffs secured. Should we imprison her now?" General Zhang crossed his arms proudly and smirked.