Chapter 49: Liberation

Epsilon, with half its head blown off, was still writhing, unable to regain consciousness.

It was incredibly tenacious.

To still be alive and moving after taking a direct hit to the head from that explosion.

I was stunned by its astonishing vitality.

But that didn’t mean it was unharmed.

It was still alive, but it wouldn’t pose a threat to us.

There was no need to worry anymore.

Now, all that was left was to escape.

Supporting Lisa, who still couldn’t walk properly, I followed Beta’s guidance to the teleportation device.

A capsule-like device.

Mana fluctuated within it.

So this was the teleportation device?

Its sci-fi appearance made my heart pound uncontrollably.

Filled with anticipation, I boarded the capsule and looked around.

The interior was packed with magic circuits.

I took in the sight of them emitting a mesmerizing light.

Finally, I could escape this dreadful place.

But my hopes were soon dashed.

Bang

As soon as we entered the device, Beta closed the door.

“Beta…?”

“Unfortunately, this is as far as we go.”

Lisa and I stared at Beta outside the door with bewildered expressions.

What was happening?

I racked my brain to understand the situation.

But I still couldn’t grasp it.

“As Chimeras, we are magically bound and cannot enter.”

A barrier to control the Chimeras was installed throughout the lab.

It seemed this escape device also had such a barrier.

Then why did she suggest using this?

Questions kept popping up, but.

I listened to what Beta had to say for now.

“We intend to end things here.”

Beta used her long tail like a hand and lifted a button.

…Don’t tell me that’s.

A sense of foreboding washed over me.

Eve, also sensing the unease, desperately shouted at Beta.

“It’s not over yet…!”

“No.”

But Beta shook her head firmly, denying Lisa’s words.

“This is our end.”

With those words, Beta pressed the button in her hand.

[Self-destruct protocol initiated]

What?

Self-destruct…?

“Beta? Iota?”

Lisa desperately called out their names.

[10]

But the countdown had already begun.

Only then did I begin to understand the situation.

Beta realized she couldn’t save Lisa, blocked by the barrier.

She noticed only another being from the outside could reach where Lisa was sleeping.

So she decided to wait for someone to arrive.

But she had another plan hidden within.

That’s why their opinions differed.

Those who didn’t want to die refused to sleep.

Those who agreed with Beta chose to sleep.

100 years ago.

Their decision to fall into a deep sleep.

And the current situation.

Everything was planned.

To save Lisa, who was asleep.

And.

To end everything with their own hands.

“Why…! Why, Beta!!”

“Eve, we are beings who will never be accepted anywhere.”

“No. If you come with me, you can all live happily…!!”

“No. If we go out into the world again, chaos might unfold once more.”

Her words were true.

If the Chimeras revealed themselves to the world.

The forgotten research on Chimeras might gain attention again.

Living specimens.

Their existence would prove the possibility of successful Chimera research.

Then the world would change drastically.

For better or worse.

But countless people would become victims in the process.

Just like 100 years ago.

“We kept thinking. How can we end this story? And then we realized. As long as we exist, there will always be victims like us.”

They talked like humans.

And thought like humans.

Since the framework of Chimera research was based on human evolution.

Their human-like behavior hinted at what they were based on.

The Chimeras had different forms.

But perhaps they were all once ordinary humans.

“That can’t happen. Beings like us must never be born again. So we decided. That we would simply become beings that never existed in the first place.”

So Beta thought.

To erase everything related to Chimeras from this world.

The facility where they were born.

And their own lives as well.

“I was so happy to see Eve again. Now, Eve will be freed and live a free life. So we are just freeing ourselves in our own way.”

From this hellish life.

[3]

Beta’s faint voice echoed, followed by the countdown.

“Beta!!! Iota!!”

The rapidly decreasing numbers were now at three seconds.

Lisa desperately pounded on the door.

But the tightly closed door showed no signs of opening.

[1]

Whirr

The device was ready to teleport.

A tremendous magical power enveloped our bodies, accompanied by a loud noise.

“Oh, right. I haven’t properly thanked you, Louis. Thank you for saving Eve.”

Even in my blurring vision, Beta’s bright smile was clearly visible.

It was a smile of relief, devoid of regret.

She bowed her head to me, expressing her deep gratitude.

And in a small voice, only I could hear, she said.

‘Please take care of her.’

[0]

Boom!!!

As the countdown reached zero, a massive explosion filled the lab.

Leaving that sight behind, we were teleported somewhere.

.
.
.
.
.

The Imperial capital, quiet late at night.

A loud sound echoed through the silent city.

Boom!!!

Startled by the sound, citizens rushed out of their homes in the middle of the night.

And on the city walls, overlooking the entire scene.

“…Are you alright?”

I spoke to Lisa, who was staring blankly at the pillar of fire rising in the distance.

“What should I do now…?”

She was free.

But she lost those she thought she could be with.

Lisa stared somewhere with a vacant look.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

“How about trying something you’ve always wanted to do?”

“Something I’ve always wanted to do…? That’s right.”

Lisa gave me a bright smile.

“That sounds good.”

But perhaps it was just my imagination that a hint of sadness was hidden beneath her smile.

After Lisa left for somewhere, I returned to the academy.

The uneventful daily life felt strangely out of place.

But from past experiences, I vaguely knew that this too would pass.

“Did you see that yesterday?”

“That’s what woke me up. What was that explosion last night?”

“I heard it was an accident caused by a mage’s experiment…?”

“Mages again? Those magic users are always causing trouble.”

The classroom was already buzzing about the explosion that occurred a few days ago.

With the truth unknown, various rumors were spreading.

And I, knowing the whole truth, simply yawned while looking out the window.

I wondered if Lisa was alright.

After being confined to the lab and subjected to experiments for years.

Now thrown into the world 100 years later.

I was a little worried if she could adapt.

“Everyone, take your seats.”

Professor Dominic entered the classroom and had everyone sit down.

“We have a transfer student today.”

…A transfer student?

At this timing?

I knew it was rare, but sometimes demi-humans or commoners who were recognized for their abilities later transferred in.

But.

‘This is the noble class…?’

The presence of a transfer student in Class C, filled with nobles who enrolled to avoid conscription, felt very unnatural.

“Come in.”

But my doubts vanished as I saw the face of the transfer student entering the classroom.

“Lisa…?”

Why was she here…?

Lisa, wearing the academy uniform, entered with her pink hair fluttering.

“You are…. Yes, you see that male student with white hair? The seat in front of him is yours.”

After introducing herself, Lisa sat in the empty seat in front of me.

“Hi. We meet again so soon, Louis.”

“Do you two know each other…?”

“Yes.”

Elena, who was looking at Lisa greeting me, asked suspiciously.

Lisa turned to me and said.

“Louis is the one who saved me.”

As she said that, staring intently at me, small stars twinkled in her eyes.