* * *



Hey, where's Seven?


　It was shortly before Seven was unbrainwashed by the Emperor.

　In the corridors of the Imperial Castle, Melson Marvel, Nato Shaman, and Linlin were moving quickly in the corridors of the Imperial Castle.

　Linlin was in the lead, with the Imperial Princess and the General behind him. It was obviously a strange scene, but with Linlin's imposing appearance and not-so-ordinary appearance, no one on the street could say anything.


''Uh, uh, .......''

He asks where Seven is.


　When Lin Lin Lin asked the maid he saw, the maid hesitated for a while and then opened her mouth.


''By now, if it's as usual, I'm sure you'd be having dinner with His Highness Lord Light ...... Yesterday, His Highness said he was going to make a stew for Master Seven.

"Your Highness?　's room, all right.


　Once he got the information from the maid, Linlin turned around and said, "Where is that room? I ask Melson.

'At the end of the upstairs hallway, to the right.

　Pacing forward, he followed Melson's reply up the stairs and down the hallway.


　Why was Linlin in such a hurry? There were two reasons.

　One was his dog, Pao Tsai. He had left her waiting outside the castle, not wanting to put her in danger. As for Lin Lin Lin, he wanted to finish his business and go home with Awana as soon as possible.

　The other was the ...... target's name, "Seven". This was a man who had become a general in just two weeks, and oddly enough, the same man with the same name as the number one Mövius Online World Ranking.

　Lin Lin Lin believed that this couldn't be true.

　The technique he had seen in the second test in the title fight had clearly belonged to that world number one, "SEVEN". There was no doubt in my mind that it was Seven. That's why there are two sevens in this world, and that's why Lin Lin Lin thought to herself that it was just a coincidence that the name of the world's number one was on the list.

　But ...... was curious. The identity of 'General Seven'. If he was an impostor using the name of the world's best player, he wanted to set up a moxibustion point with Seven, the world's top-ranked player. Although they were enemies that should be defeated, they had a bond deep down, like childhood friends, a deep relationship that could not be simply described.

　Hence, Lin Lin's steps became faster and faster.

　She was dying to quickly wrap her target in a string and be reassured (...) that it wasn't SEVEN after all.



'It's the room to the left at the back.

　Melson said aloud.

　The hallway was gradually filled with the delicious scent of stew.


'I'm going to tie you up by a thread and hand you guys over. Is that all right with you?

'I don't mind. Anything you can do to neutralize me is fine.

............


　As the door opens, Lin Lin is making a final check, and Melson is preparing to take out the "servant's collar" from his inventory, Nato is silent as he listens to their conversation.


　Right after that ...... an unexpected person appears from the back of the corridor.



Huh ...... worst ...... worst ......!


　It was Spica who came running in breathlessly.


'Worst. Oh, worst worst worst worst.


　He wandered over, muttering to himself, mumbling.


'Oh?　What's that guy?

　Lin Lin frowned and turned back to Melson and the others and asked.


''His Majesty's personal fortune teller, Lady Spica Amrit. Lady Spica, how can I help you--

Nato, get away from him. There's something wrong with you.

...... is...

　Sensing a sharp sense of discomfort, Melson instructed Nato.


　Meanwhile, Spica observed the three of them with stagnant eyes ...... and secretly raised the corners of his mouth.

　Spica could see through them blindly. What Melson had in mind when he brought this dark-haired, black-eyed, black-rimmed glasses man all the way to the Imperial Castle. Spica knew that Melson had wanted to get rid of Seven for a long time.


　An assassin. And that's more than top-notch, a competence that would rival Seven's ......!



Help me!


　Spica shouted.

　It was predictable that his pursuers were closing in on him, even in the immediate vicinity.

　The only thing left to do was to ...... produce a pinch for the frail woman.


''--ah?''

!


　Immediately afterwards, the numbing blowgun from Casablanca's "Incense Car Assassination Technique" came close to Spica's neck - and was played by Linlin's spider silk.

　Although Casablanca's eyes widened at the unexpected situation, she moved on to the next offensive action to carry out her job professionally.


''No, hey, right in front of me all of a sudden--''


　Linlin had lived in Japan for nearly twenty years. It's a peaceful society where there is no war.

　If a murder is about to happen right in front of your eyes, you can stop it for the time being ....... I'm not going to make a decision until I've heard the situation from both sides," he said.

　There's also the conceit that I'm now vastly superior to them from a gaming perspective.

　It had been nearly a decade since I had completed Mevion's story.

　I had forgotten about it. I had been caught off guard. That Mövius Online has the 《Brainwashing Magic》. He had never thought that a young woman in robes who seemed to have nothing to do with Lucia Aisin would be able to use the Brainwashing Magic.



''--Protect me ！！！！


　"Desperate".

　Having escaped death at the very last minute, she is desperate to hold on to the luxury and opulence of her life that is now soundly crumbling away.


　Then, for a bet or two, she grabbed ...... Linlin's hand (・・・・・・).


　At that moment, Spica's 《Brainwashing Magic》 was activated--.



''Ah ...... ah!　How lucky I am!　I didn't know there were so many good pieces down there!　Hahahahahaha!　Ahahahahaha!

　Spica laughs like a madman.


''......-uh, .......''

　On the other hand, Casablanca's full-throated stab with the Flying Car Assassination Technique in pursuit was lightly (...) blocked in an instant.


''Protected but?''

　In contrast, Linlin, who was merely defending himself because Spica had ordered him to protect her.

　All three of them, however, all of them had a completely different expression than the one they had before. Spica had gotten hold of Linlin and had gone from being attacked to being on the offensive.

　Casablanca sensed his own predicament. He had a gut feeling that he was no match for this black-rimmed glasses man.


'Nah, Casablanca. So you're here, not Seven. So does that mean your brainwashing is already over?　Oh, it's tricky. I knew we couldn't keep Seven alive. Seven, why isn't the brainwashing working? It's all very interesting, but okay. I'll settle for this guy with the glasses.


　Spica speaks in a flippant tone of self-indulgence, moving from place to place Casablanca, Melson, Nato, and Linlin between himself and the others.


'...... What in the world has happened to Master Spica?'

'Nato, there's been a change of plans. Linlin is also acting strangely ...... I'm wondering why he's suddenly following Spica's orders. Did Spica just call it brainwashing?　Do you think a fortune teller has that kind of skill?　If so, by any chance, your father is ......


　Nato is confused and Melson is thoughtful.

　Spica's next words to Casablanca will determine where Melson and his friends stand.


'Before I leave the Empire with him, I will kill you alone. I don't want the shadows following me, either.

!


　After hearing Spica's declaration and realizing that Spica was planning to flee the Empire with Linlin, Melson was suddenly in a hurry.

　He had to get Linlin to neutralize Seven. He didn't know what had happened in the Imperial Castle while he was away, but he couldn't overlook the quicksilver just to be sidelined by Spica from the side where he'd taken the trouble to bring her in.


''Nato, join that shadow called Casablanca and aim at Spica.

Ha!


　Following Melson's instructions, Nato drew his sword and held it at the ready, immediately sending eye contact to Casablanca to work together.

　Casablanca, too, jitterily closed the gap between him and Nato, as if to match his breathing.


　Three people facing each other. Two against one, originally Nato and Casablanca should have had the advantage ...... but neither of them felt the slightest chance of winning.

　The atmosphere coming from Lin Lin Lin was very similar to that man they were in awe of. Perhaps that was why they were unable to get ahead of him.

　The actual Linlin, perhaps because he hadn't received any specific instructions from Spica, was standing there looking extremely relaxed.


''--Then, kill that shadow.


　And then, mercilessly, the order is given.



　............ Unfortunately, it was only a moment. Fluffily, something passed by, but first Nato's sword was entangled by a thread, and the 《Kei Ma Yarn Manipulation》 invaded his arm.


''Huh!

　To Casablanca, who was aiming for a long-range attack with the 《 Incense Car Assassination Technique》, Nato's sword pulled by a thread was thrown with a terrifying speed and stabbed into her left shoulder.

　The thread of Katsuraima, which had been deliberately made to go around a large circle there, was entangled, creating a situation where it was cut off from external factors. As a result, the thread snapped with a pout and Nato was knocked out (stunned).






　It was only five seconds.


　Too soon. Melson could only be astonished. He knew that he had destroyed Davast with just one person, but Linlin's strength was unimaginable. Only one person was clearly on a different level of strength.



''Hahaha!　Tome!


　Spica's instructions flew out.

　Lin Lin Lin, with a helpless face, began to prepare for the Flying Wheel Thread Manipulation as soon as Gui Ma's hardening time ended.

　Casablanca is in a down state. By the time she got up, the flying car would be activated.


　A dead end, that is.



　Unless ...... someone comes to help.





---- fine.



　A cheerful voice sounded, unbecoming of the place.

　A moment later, the 《Flying Wheel String Manipulation》 that Lin Lin Lin had activated was burned by a mass of roaring flames that flew in a sharp curve before reaching Casablanca and disappeared.

　''Infantry Archery, Fire Attribute, Sanno Type, Combined - the 【Magic Archery】 unleashed by Seven.


"Recover. That looks painful.

　Seven handed the potion to Casablanca and walked leisurely to close the gap between them.

'Yo,'

　In addition, he throws a state malfunction potion and hits Nato to restore his stunned state.

　Seven is still unaware of who Ling Ling's identity is. However, he had a vague idea that it was probably the Player, because of his extremely slick "flying wheel string manipulation" just before.


Okay, let's go?


　And then politely declare. I'll take the lead, he said. Seven was already running out of patience. A mysterious player-like figure had appeared, what else could he do without a single fight?


　But--.





''Oh...... gosh, boho......~!


　The real limit (...) was coming this way.



　Lin Lin Lin couldn't endure it and scattered vomit and vomit, pathetically getting down on all fours on the spot.


　...... His 《Brainwashing Magic》 had been broken.

　In an instant, stunned and clean.


　Just by looking at Seven's (・・・・・・) appearance (・・・・・)--it was unraveled.



　It was too horrible.

　I hadn't expected a man who looked like Seven himself to appear with the voice and language of Seven itself, showing Seven's own superb technique of "compound drop shot".

　That's all there is to it. To others, it was just that - to him, it was "a strong emotional outpouring of life-threatening emotions".

　The awe of the Seven that had been imprinted on him for more than a decade in the game Mövius Online had transformed into a "fear of death" in this world.

　The thing he fears most in this world is no one else, but SEVEN.



'Hey, what's going on ...... what are you doing ...... hey!　Get up!　Get up!　Hey!　Hey!


　Spica gave orders with an uncanny appearance, but there was no way that Linlin, who was already free of brainwashing, would obey.

　There was no way she would obey Melson's request any longer.

　Why should they challenge the game that has a probability of death of over eighty percent?


"...... is impossible. I can't, I can't. No way.

'Huh!　Why!　Why do you turn your back on me, too?　You're kidding me!　Kill him!　Kill, kill, kill, kill!　Kill Casablanca and Seven, all of them!

Yeah, shut up. ......!

Muggs?


　Linlin looked at Spica, who started to make a fuss by pointing at Seven, and Linlin gave him a 'wow' look. For his part, he didn't want Seven to be provoked any further. Hence, he hurriedly restrained Spica in a circle with an impatient look, as if he was afraid of Seven from what he could see.


'............ tch.'

　Then, with one cluck of his tongue, Linlin hid his face so that Seven wouldn't see him and turned to leave.

　The last thing he wanted to do was get involved with Seven, but the peaceful, slow life he wanted for himself would crumble in the blink of an eye ...... and Linlin couldn't help but feel that way. It was a thought that came from the disgusting mess he had been subjected to during his time in Mevion.

　This was not in the game, but in reality. He wanted to live wisely this time.


''Lin Lin, where are you going!

I'm going home!　You can't win by standing on your head!

What?


　...... But in the interim, Melson called out the name.

　That was enough information for Seven.



''Oh, right, Miss Linlin!　Hi!　I've missed you so much!　Mr. Ao (・・・・)

!!!


　Seven, who had been approaching at some point, calls out to Linlin with a rare good mood.

　Mr. Ao - that is, the Arrogant Lord (Ao Jao Gongjiu). Mövius Online World Ranking No. 5, that's who.

　...... exposed. Linlin's bloodlust surged down as he looked at it.


''No, should I call you Linlin-san? Huh, are you sick?　Are you okay?　Yeah, Fran is there too, at my house. He knows a lot about medicine and stuff, so you should get him checked out.

No, no!　Very well, sir!　I just remembered something!

'Oh, yeah?　What a bunch of stories that pile up.

'Another time!　Excuse me!


　He forced his way out, half ignoring her.

　Seven paused for a while and called out to the departing back.


''--Lynn-Lynn-san. Prince-kun also wants to see you, so let's make a proper time to meet up next time. I promise.

!


　Lin Lin Lin was a bit thrown off by the serious words from SEVEN, which he rarely heard in his Mevion days.


''Well, I'll see you (...)''


　After stopping for just a moment, Seven greeted Linlin with an emphatic promise to meet again.


　It was as if he was nailing her to the wall, "I won't let you get away with it--




''Linlin-san, was it His Highness Melson who brought you here?

　Seven, who had finished seeing Linlin off in a hurry, turned around and said something like that.

''............,''

　Melson was silent. He felt that whether he affirmed or denied, he would be killed.

　He was the man who had made Linlin say, "You can't win by standing on your head. There was nothing he could do about it, no matter how hard he and Nato fought. She and Nato knew that very well.


'I'm sorry, but can you give me Linlin-san's address later?

...... Huh?

Well, I'm thinking of going out for a visit.


　Suddenly, Melson is under the illusion that he has been thrown into the air.

　The duck-proof counterattack that I had expected to come never came.


'Why ......?　I'm the one who brought you here.　Don't you feel any different?


　Confused, she couldn't help but ask such a question.

　How could she say such a simple thing without any denunciation when she knew that she had been set up for assassination again and again, and to top it all off, she had been accused by an assassin, and she knew that the mastermind of the assassination was the princess in front of her, so how could she say such a simple thing without any denunciation?　Seven's words and actions seemed too bizarre to Melson.


'It's very exciting and fun,'


　And Seven speaks with blissful sincerity.

　Melson couldn't help but exclaim.


"Phew.

............

Oh, no. ......


　When Nato couldn't help but smile, Melson stared at him and his facial muscles tightened in a hurry.

　But he couldn't help but laugh. Nato knows. That was an unmistakable truth, and that Seven, the man, is someone who always treats you openly like that.



''Well,''

　After finishing his conversation with Melson, Seven turned and opened his mouth to Spica, who was lying on the floor wrapped in a string, and Casablanca, who had finished healing his left shoulder.


'Casablanca. For now, put Spica in jail. Never let anyone but you touch her. Then you, Your Majesty and I need to talk about what has happened so far. In thirty minutes, we'll meet in His Majesty's room.


　Emperor Gordo Marvel and Casablanca had been subjected to a long period of "brainwashing magic" by Spica. It's not that they don't remember what happened during that time, but Seven thought it was necessary for those who know the situation to check with each other to see how much trouble they had been made to do.

　Casablanca seemed to think the same way and nodded his head in agreement.


''I understand. In the meantime, Lord Seven,''

　Then I asked a curious question.

　Seven stalks down the hallway without any hesitation and mouths a hand on the doorknob.


'Hey, I'll have some stew and then I'll go.'

............ is, haha.