5
The sun sets by the time we finish testing the purity levels of the lake water and the surrounding soil.
Having decided to make camp by the lake, we start setting up our stuff.
Since I want to show off to Viper, who, although superior to me, is a less-experienced survivalist, I go to gather firewood.
After I gather some small, dry twigs so that I can lecture them on how regular wood smokes a lot, I return to the campsite to find…
…Viper summoning parts for a cargo container at Alice’s instruction.
“…Hey, Vi, how were you able to order that? Are you sure they’re not giving you special treatment because you’re a leader?”
Once assembled, the container is designed to be more durable than the temporary shelters used for disaster relief.
This is probably the ideal living space for a forest infested with monsters.
Viper glances at the teleporter on her wrist.
“Well, I have a lot of Evil Points…”
She looks at me apologetically.
…Seriously? Just what sort of evil did the cherubic former Demon Lord Viper end up committing? She is such a pure and innocent girl. It’s hard to think she’s been corrupted by Kisaragi already…
“Vi, y’know… Sure, Kisaragi’s an evil corporation, but there’s no need for you to do anything you don’t want to do. I know you’re serious about your work, but that sort of thing can wait until you’re more used to working here…”
I can’t help but voice my concern, but I shouldn’t have done that.
Viper has made up her mind and steeled her resolve in joining Kisaragi, so as her elder in the ways of evil, I should be praising her…!
“Oh, I’m not angry or anything, Vi. Can I ask just what sort of evil deeds you committed to be able to summon a container like this…?”
As I ask this with a troubled look, Viper’s expression clouds.
“I accidentally deleted the save data for your video games…”
“What the hell, Vi?! Wait, I mean, yeah that’s pretty awful, but how did that get you so many Evil Points?! Like, yeah, that really sucks for me, but…!”
Alice chimes in as I seesaw between praise and anger.
“Evil Points are calculated by the amount of guilt felt by the person in question, the amount of psychological damage to the victim, and how severe the offense was. Basically, in Viper’s eyes, erasing your save data was unforgiveable.”
…I see.
For example, let’s say Viper and Lilith are dying of thirst after being stranded in a desert for days on end. Then they suddenly run into a vending machine full of drinks. In Viper’s case, she’d probably take out her wallet, look for some money, then if she doesn’t find any, she’d struggle to figure out a way to get a drink from the machine without breaking it. But unable to come to a solution, she’d be racked with guilt as she does what needs to be done…
In Lilith’s case, she wouldn’t even bother taking out her wallet; she’d happily destroy the machine, take all the drinks inside, and then probably take any money inside as a bonus.
So while Lilith would have committed the greater crime, there probably wouldn’t be much difference in the number of Evil Points they gained.
Which reminds me, when the eggs that I scattered around the city of Grace went off in a wave of explosions, I got a load of Evil Points even though there hadn’t actually been much damage.
“Meaning, if I struggle with my conscience, I can easily get points?”
“That’s right. But in your case, your conscience wouldn’t be bothered unless you did something really heinous.”
Just who does she think I am?
“I’ll forgive you for erasing my save data, Vi, since I get to stay in this container instead of a tent. But don’t ever do that again. And even though I’m forgiving you, you still have to play that shitty game with me until we make it back to my save point, okay?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll help you to the very end.”
Even though I am clearly scolding her, Viper seems faintly happy for some reason.
How can she not show a hint of remorse for this unforgivable act?
I guess that’s just what happens to a person after they join up with the bad guys…
“Why are you smiling, Vi? In Japan, it’s a serious crime to erase other people’s save data, y’know? If you’d erased someone else’s data and not mine, I bet you’d be in deeeep trouble right now.”
I make sure to hammer home the point as I try to start a fire with the branches I gathered.
“Yes, I understand, Mr. Six. I’ll make sure to only do bad things to you.”
“You don’t understand at all! Not one bit, Vi!”
Viper seems amused by my reaction as she huddles near the campfire. I guess her former Demon Lord status is still skewing her sense of right and wrong.
Looks like it’s time for me to counterattack Viper, denizen of this backward planet, with the power of science.
“Vi, watch carefully, I’m going to start a fire without using magic. This is called a Zippo. Not a zipper, a Zippo.”
“I see; a Zippo… It’s similar in shape to a magical lighter. How does it work?”
…
“Hey, Alice, what the hell is a magical lighter?! Vi just mentioned something that sounds like an item from a magical girls show!”
“I keep telling you not to underestimate this planet’s tech level. When we were living in the castle, there were TVs and lights that ran on a mysterious power, remember? Sure, your average peon digs latrines and uses them instead of toilets, but the upper crust live perfectly comfortable lives replete with indoor plumbing.”
Oh, right, now that she mentioned it…
“Um, Mr. Six. The fire’s started…”
While I am arguing with Alice, Viper already started the fire.
“…So that’s a magical lighter, huh? Wanna trade for my Zippo?”
“I don’t mind trading, but people without magic can’t use this…”
Damn you, magic…
“Ah well, it’s gonna be a long night. Why don’t we sit around the fire and chat? Though you did start the fire without my help, you can leave any camping-related survival stuff to me from here on out. I have enhancements and stuff, so I can see in the dark. As your senior in the Kisaragi Corporation, I’ll find you something to eat…”
“Oh, about that… I’ve already caught a three-eyed eel! I put it in a container with fresh water so it will spit out all the mud. We can have it for dinner.”
Oh, come on, Vi…
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login