Published at 5th of December 2025 7:27 am

Chapter 76

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Gerda stared down at me for a moment, then stepped back, pocketing the potion.

Youre counting on something, arent you?

Im saying this because its hard to keep enduring in a clear state of mind. Besides, didnt you just say that you wouldnt be uncomfortable using the potion since youve seen it work on me a few times?

It seemed she still couldnt trust me.

Gerda used three more syringes on me before finally putting me to sleep again.

It wasnt until an hour in the real world, six hours in this one, that I regained consciousness.

Shes thorough.

I looked around the empty room, then tried to draw on my magic starting from my heart.

Naturally, it didnt work.

The restraint devices she was using were of a similar quality to those used by the Royal Investigation Bureau, so it wasnt going to be easy to break free.

Why does she keep draining my blood like this? Its fascinating that shes going to such lengths just to draw some blood.

There are two plausible reasons.

The first is to become stronger. The second is to stay alive.

I think its both.

Resurrected corpses cant sustain themselves without blood.

Since Gerda has started questioning Pleroma in the past few days, shes likely preparing to survive without relying on a supply of blood from above.

It seems shes drawing blood in small amounts, using 10mL syringes, to store it safely.

Maybe she plans to keep me around as a blood supply source.

So

Since she needs me for her survival, she cant completely ignore my condition.

And I need a tool to unlock each of these restraints.

The strategy I need to take in this situation starts with not suppressing the pain.

But even though my arm was turning blue, sticking needles into it wasnt enough to make me scream.

So, I simply decided to lie back.

Mr. Weitzel.

Just as I was about to lose the strength to keep my eyes open, Gerda called out to me at the perfect moment.

Youre not dead, are you?

Ill go get some anesthetic.

No. Ive had enough. Please, let me go.

Gerda looked down at me silently for a moment, then went back upstairs.

She has no intention of letting me go.

Using force wont work.

And I cant go back to before this incident happened.

Still, if my actions within this situation fail, I can turn back time.

Given the circumstances, my only option is to continue the performance Ive been giving.

I dont want to keep doing this, and I dont want to hurt her any more than I already have, but with nothing else working, I have no other choice.

Leo and the others havent found this place yet, and its already been nearly half a day in the real world.

At this rate, waiting any longer wont reveal any new solutions.

Just then, Gerda came back down the stairs and spoke to me.

Get up.

I pressed my right arm over my eyes and didnt respond.

Gerdas voice came closer.

I brought the potion I mentioned earlier. Drink it and wait a bit. If the anesthetic doesnt work, Ill get some painkillers.

My mind wasnt working as quickly as usual but I could tell one thing for sure.

The strategy had partially succeeded.

Shes now offering me the potion she was too afraid to give me earlier.

She must have realized she needs my cooperation if shes going to keep using me as a blood supply source.

And she probably thinks Im too weak to do anything else.

I answered shortly.

No.

I dont understand why this is happening. I thought you were doing this because you held a grudge against me but then why would you bother getting anesthetic? How am I supposed to understand whats going on here?

Gerda sat next to me and moved my arm away.

Drink it. Just hang in there for a moment, and youll feel much better than before.

She didnt answer my question, just deflected.

**Gerda Asman**

**Favorability +9*

Still the same.

Im really not eager to do this, but if thats the price, then its worth trying.

Trust me. Itll be fine.

I said no.

I swatted Gerdas hand away.

Then, with as much sarcasm as I could muster, I continued.

Youre just going to knock me out again by dredging up some strange memory. Isnt that right?

Gerda hesitated for a moment, then pressed her thumb against my jaw.

I grimaced and pushed her hand away again.

Just wait. Have you ever tried this potion? Have you ever seen anyone drink it?

Gerda looked at me, seemingly deciding there was no harm in answering.

No, and youre the only one Ive seen drink it. Why?

Did you run any tests? Im sorry to be blunt, but Ive already taken the stage 10 potion. If I drink something twice as strong while the effects are still active, do you know what could happen?

Ill keep a close eye on you.

I must have hit a nerve with my blunt words because Gerda cut me off and poured the potion into my mouth.

I used all my strength to push her hand away, spilling the potion on the floor.

I could see Gerda hurriedly righting the bottle from the corner of my darkening vision, but I had already tasted the familiar flavor in my mouth. Then our eyes met.

I contorted my face and curled up in pain.

Whats wrong?

Gerda leaned closer, not expecting that something might actually go wrong.

Now I understand why Leo never made this.

This was what I had intended, but my thoughts were already becoming fuzzy, and I had to focus just to remember the plan I had laid out.

Even so, I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to just give up and go home. If Elias found out that I stayed sane after taking a potion twice as strong as stage 10 hed probably keep calling me a machine until graduation.

I tried to blur my vision and slowly got to my feet.

I didnt want to think about what I was saying or doing, but one thing was clear.

Even though I had just pushed Gerdas shoulder to the ground, I didnt fall asleep, unlike when I had tried to use force before.

If I had known this would work, I would have done it from the start.

Gerda must have been reading my emotions all along and realized that my actions were no longer a threat.

I felt guilty using emotions like this, but I had no other choice.

Right now, I couldnt give her a moment to calculate the pros and cons.

Whether it was because I had put her in an awkward position, Gerda dropped the bottle she had been holding without me doing much. I picked it up and held it out to her.

Want to try it?

Its only fair. Just wait a moment then take the antidote.

Without waiting for a response, I tipped the bottle into her mouth. Given that I was putting on such a lousy act, it wouldnt have surprised me if it didnt work. Of course, its fine for me, but if she suddenly regained her senses and spat it out, it woul be a disaster.

Id have to go through this whole ordeal again.

Lets finish this in one go.

I gently held her mouth shut and only let go when I saw her throat move.

See?

!

Hm.

Got it.

I smiled when I saw the same dazed look on Gerdas face that I knew was on mine.

It wasnt because I was pleased with how things were going. The potion was affecting me too, so I wasnt feeling particularly good about it.

**Gerda Asman**

**Favorability +10**

There goes a trait.

Ive hit the ceiling, so it doesnt show, but Im sure its well over +10 now. Gerda was never the machine Elias claimed her to be, so even the potions between stages 1 and 10 should have been enough.

She shouldnt have assumed it would work on her just because it worked on me.

But since she did, she didnt stop me from making my suggestion.

After keeping up the charade just long enough to avoid feeling too guilty, I held out my wrist.

No matter how much I try to endure, this is uncomfortable Can you let me go?

No.

Despite her dazed expression, Gerda refused firmly.

And then, immediately after, I saw a flicker of anxiety in her eyes.

Shes quick.

I wish all Pleromas had zero awareness.

I had hoped to encourage a little more willingness, but thats not going to work.

I took out the small artifact I had found in Gerdas jacket pocket.

Sorry, but I already found it. You had it on you.

It was easy to deduce from the faint magical energy I felt in her clothes.

I saw Gerdas face momentarily turn cold.

I thought you might have it on you. Considering the possibility that another Pleroma might enter this place, you wouldnt want to pack anything for escape. Right?

I brought the artifact to the restraint on my arm.

An invisible seam opened, and the restraint fell to the floor.

The potion must have taken full effect because Gerda, looking shocked, couldnt say anything. When I dropped the last restraint to the ground, Gerda finally spoke, her voice strained.

You mean, all this time.

Im sorry, Ms. Asman. Lets get out of here. Ill undo the brainwashing the Pleroma put on you.

It was a gamble.

Whether Gerda Asmans feelings toward me were still softened or not, it was all riding on that.

Even if it was an unavoidable situation, the fact that I had once again used someones emotions made me feel like any remaining shred of my humanity had vanished.

I suppressed the urge to say something I normally wouldnt and opened my mouth.

As I said before, this cant go on. I have no excuses for the pain Ive caused you through my decisions. You can criticize me all you want.

I dont understand whats happening.

Of course not. Theres a reason this potion isnt made.

If I, someone whos nearly immune to potions, am having trouble thinking clearly, then it must be much worse for others.

Do whatever you want outside of the crimes youve committed. Ill restore everything for you. If you want, Ill help with the investigation. Since Pleromas brainwashing played a significant role in your crimes it might be possible to get bail.

Im sorry for everything. Go and live a new life.

Even though she could still use magic on me, no attack came.

I couldnt bear to meet her gaze, so I picked up a piece of rubble and pricked my skin. I watched the blood drip to the ground as I drew on my magic and recited the incantation.

You will be like gods, knowing good and evil.

*Boom!*

Unlike when I summoned Pai earlier, there was an explosion.

Time was running out.

I thought of what I had to do next and forced my unwilling mouth to open.

As for me should we say it was on the day I gave you my business card?

It wasnt like I had been silent up until now, but my voice trembled pathetically as I spoke.

I pushed Gerdas hand away and completed the spell as I focused on the memories I wanted to erase.

Ill never use this damn potion again.

I wanted to punch my past self for thinking it was ethically acceptable just because I was the one drinking it. I had convinced myself I could handle it for just a short time until I got into Pleroma, but it was all a mistake. In the end, I couldnt find any solution that didnt involve manipulating emotions.

I placed my hand on Gerdas forehead and spoke.

Enter through the narrow gate.

I wondered if I could cast a mind control spell strong enough to override the potions effects and completely erase Pleromas brainwashing, but there was no need to worry for long.

The moment I lifted my hand from her forehead, Gerdas body went limp.

I channeled divine power into her as she lay there, her eyes closed as if dead. She quickly blinked them open, looking as if nothing had happened.

Now, there was no emotion left in Gerdas eyes.

I needed to leave her memories of Pleroma intact for the investigation, but luckily, she seemed to recognize where she was.

The sound of explosions from upstairs was getting closer.

Gerda looked around, then tilted her head at me.

Who are you?

Im sure Ive seen you before. Are you that young journalist right?

Its over.

That was the last thing I had to do.

Now I just need to go back and announce this under Nicolauss name, watch my reputation score go up, and then plan my next move.

She seemed puzzled by my silence and squinted at me.

Whats wrong? Wait, whats going on outside?

*Boom!*

Whether they hadnt found the entrance or were using explosion spells from outside, sunlight from the first floor streamed into the basement. As I squinted against the brick dust and the light I hadnt seen in so long, a familiar voice called out. Someone grabbed my shoulder.

Sorry Im so late. Are you alright?

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