Prologue
Astaroth’s voice echoes throughout Kisaragi headquarters.
“For the last time. You don’t need to follow Lilith’s orders! Leave the local mission to another Combat Agent and come home!”
“Even if you say that, we have to follow procedures, ma’am. The only person who can rescind an order given by a Supreme Leader is that same Supreme Leader. That’s just protocol, y’know?”
Astaroth’s brow twitches as Six refuses the order from the other side of the monitor, casually picking his nose in the process.
“You don’t know the first thing about protocol! Someone must have fed you that line! Alice told you to say that, didn’t she? …Go on, Lilith, cancel your order.”
Looks like the self-righteous Astaroth still wants to preserve her rule-abiding-leader façade.
“Heya, Six. Sorry, the order I gave is canceled. You can come back to Earth now.”
Well…that was anticlimactic.
“Nah, I’m good. Lady Lilith, you’re tied up and hanging upside down. You’re obviously being coerced into rescinding the order. But don’t worry. I’m your loyal subordinate, and I understand the circumstances. Leave it to me.”
“H-hold it! There’s a reason Lilith’s hog-tied like this. I’m not threatening her…”
“You’re right, Six! Astaroth and Belial are bullying me! They took my treasure, and now they’ve hog-tied me and are tortur—Mrrph…!”
Astaroth quickly claps a hand over Lilith’s mouth, causing Six to gasp.
“I thought Lady Lilith did something dumb and got herself into that situation, but to think she’s actually being coerced…! Not to worry, Lady Lilith, I will continue my assignment until you can prove to me that you’re safe and sound, so please don’t give in to the machinations of the Evil Femme Fatale!”
“She’s one of those Evil Femme Fatales, you know! W-wait…hold on…!”
After making his declaration, Six cuts the line without waiting for a response.
The control room is engulfed in silence, with Lilith hanging hog-tied from the ceiling and a shocked Astaroth staring at the blank screen.
Lilith flashes a spiteful grin at her.
“Things seem pretty dire, Astaroth. Looks like Six isn’t coming home anytime soon. Though, there is one way to change that. I can go over there again myself and directly rescind the order. Can’t do it over a monitor. It’s our MO to hide threatening weapons off-screen, after all.”
“……”
In the face of the trussed-up Lilith’s gloating, Astaroth remains unmoved.
“Whether or not I cooperate on bringing Six back depends on your attitude. Heh-heh-heh… Oh, how the tables have turned! Now then, my demands are threefold. First, return my tentacles and all my hard-won loot. Second, treat me with the respect a genius scientist like myself deserves. That means no more hog-tying even when I screw up. And third—”
“The loot you brought back isn’t here.”
“—I want one day off a week… Wait, what’d you just say?”
Lilith stops wriggling in her bonds for a moment.
Astaroth gestures to the control room.
“Look around. You and I are the only two here. Your spoils are with Belial. She mentioned something about rewarding all her underlings.”
“…Untie me! Please, Astaroth, I’ll help you talk Six into coming back! Just untie me! All the effort I put in on that planet is about to go up in smoke!”
As Lilith squirms and desperately pleads to Astaroth, an announcement comes in over the Kisaragi intercom.
“Attention, all mutants and Combat Agents currently here at headquarters. Lady Belial will be treating everyone to dinner and drinks. Those on nonessential tasks are to gather at the lobby. Those completing essential tasks, please make your way to the party venue as soon as you’re able…”
“Look, Astaroth, it was all my fault, okay? Hurry! I’m sorry I taunted you last time! A lot happened on that planet, but I worked my ass off! Also, I really need to pee! I’ve been holding it in for longer than I care to mention!”
Sweat beads on Lilith’s brow as she cries out, but Astaroth simply ignores her, gazing up at the sky through the window.
“Come home soon, you big dummy…”
“Stop getting sentimental and untie me already! The dam’s gonna burst!”
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