ALL NOVEL Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The… Spy?
"Wait, why are you…"
Anis held the black card in her hands, awkwardly forcing a smile to mask the hint of sadness in her eyes.
"Just like Rapi said, Commander, you've been too kind to us recently—so much so that we've started forgetting what we're fighting for."
Mo Chen frowned slightly.
Seeing his expression change into something unusually serious, both Anis and Rapi felt uneasy. The easygoing Commander they were used to had suddenly disappeared.
"Commander… are you angry?" Anis asked cautiously, her tone betraying her guilt.
Mo Chen stayed silent for a while.
Rapi hesitated before sighing. "Commander, I apologize. This was my fault—"
"Of course, I'm angry," Mo Chen interrupted.
Letting out a long sigh, his previously furrowed brow relaxed, and he broke into a lighthearted smile.
"Turning down money handed to you on a silver platter? That's just too hurtful. My heart can barely take it."
Though his words were playful, his thoughts were heavy.
The manipulation techniques employed by the Ark to condition Nikkes were beyond extreme.
This level of brainwashing—it was downright dehumanizing.
"But why are you both acting like this money is cursed? It's not stolen loot, and I didn't rob a bank for it. Although…" Mo Chen mused, "that might actually be faster than this."
"That's a great idea! Commander, let's rob a bank!" Anis chimed in gleefully.
"And what happens if we get caught?"
"Easy, I'd confess everything and say it was your idea. After all, how could a cute Nikke like me possibly disobey a Commander's orders?"
"… Wait. Hold on," Mo Chen's eyes suddenly narrowed. "Are you saying Nikkes can't disobey their Commanders' orders?"
"Uh, yeah? Isn't that common knowledge?" Anis tilted her head in confusion.
Mo Chen pressed further. "Even if the orders are unreasonable?"
"Commander, why are you asking such weird questions?" Anis feigned exasperation before catching his subtle signal and playing along. "Yes, even if the orders are totally ridiculous, we have to obey them. That's just how it is."
Mo Chen turned to Rapi for confirmation.
"Rapi, is that true?"
After a moment of hesitation, Rapi nodded. "Yes, that's correct."
Without hesitation, Mo Chen stuffed the black card into her hand.
"Commander, you—"
"This card is your reward. Take it. That's an order," Mo Chen declared, immediately wielding his authority as Commander.
Rapi froze.
"But…"
"No 'but.' Didn't you just say Nikkes can't disobey orders?" Mo Chen smirked, pressing the card firmly into her palm. "Use it. And remember, we follow the rules here. Be a model citizen—no breaking the law, Rapi."
Caught in a bind, Rapi had no choice but to reluctantly accept. Internally, though, she planned to secretly return the card to Mo Chen later.
Sensing her intentions, Mo Chen added casually, "Oh, by the way, I'll be checking the card's usage daily. Better spend it."
"Understood," Rapi replied, unable to argue further.
With Rapi finally agreeing, Mo Chen relaxed, only to notice Anis giving him a playful thumbs-up from the side. She even blew him a kiss, mouthing, "Love you, Commander!"
"Alright, loot distribution complete," Mo Chen said, stretching lazily. "Let's save that bank heist idea for later."
"Yes, Commander!" Anis saluted with exaggerated enthusiasm, her admiration for Mo Chen soaring.
At that moment, Rapi suddenly raised her hand to signal silence. She pointed toward a nearby bush, already pulling out her weapon.
Behind the bush, a young girl froze in place.
"Loot? Bank heist?"
Her eyes widened.
"A criminal gang! I have to report this!"
Before she could act, the cold steel of a gun pressed against her temple.
"Don't move."
The girl stiffened like a statue. That's a gun!
"W-wait! Don't shoot! Please!" she stammered, raising her hands in surrender, her voice trembling.
Mo Chen stepped out from behind the bush, his gaze curious as he examined the unexpected eavesdropper.
"Who are you?"
The girl looked like she belonged in a school uniform catalog—innocent and neatly dressed. She wore a white beret, her shoulder-length hair framing a delicate face accented by burgundy glasses. Her outfit resembled a sailor uniform paired with a skirt and knee-high white stockings. She exuded a fresh, neighborly charm.
But her skirt… seemed a bit short.
And yes, Mo Chen noticed something light blue peeking out from underneath.
… Interesting.
It seems the girl noticed Mo Chen's gaze and hastily tugged down her skirt, barely managing to cover herself.
"I-I'm…"
"Refuse to answer, and you'll be executed on the spot!"
Rapi's gun was aimed at her, and her voice was as icy as a winter gale, making it clear she was ready to pull the trigger at any moment.
The girl turned pale, her face drained of all color.
"I-I'm a spy!"
Well, that escalated quickly.
She had gone from a suspect to a condemned criminal in mere seconds.
Mo Chen was speechless.
This girl… was she just that dumb?
Anis looked equally exasperated, glancing at the girl as if she were staring at a certified idiot.
"Wow, you're really trying to pass yourself off as something you're not."
"Huh?" The girl blinked in confusion.
Anis smirked. "You're a toad trying to pose as a frog princess."
"What?!"
Anis continued, her tone dripping with mockery. "You're an ugly toad playing with flowers."
"!!!"
Seeing everyone's disapproving looks, the girl quickly realized she had let her words slip. Panicking, she waved her hands in denial.
"No, no! I'm not a spy! I'll tell you everything!"
Before any interrogation could even begin, the girl spilled the beans.
"Alright then, let's hear it."
"I'm…"
"Wait," Mo Chen interrupted, his tone playful. "No lying, or we'll bury you in the dirt like a plant."
"How would we even fit her whole body in the dirt?" Anis asked with faux curiosity.
He helpfully chimed in. "Just bury the head. Problem solved."
"!!!"
The girl face turned white as a sheet.
"Ohhh, I see now!" Anis pretended to be impressed. "Rapi, would she survive that?"
Rapi played along without missing a beat.
"Possibly, though only for a few months. But staying buried like that might cause her head to rust… and her brain to sprout."
"Sprout?!"
The girl's eyes widened in terror.
"I'll tell you everything!"
Not exactly the epitome of defiance since she surrendered with remarkable speed.
After a brief round of questioning:
"You're saying you're a Nikke from Elysion?" Mo Chen looked down at the girl, now kneeling with tears in her eyes.
"Y-Yes," she stammered, discreetly wiping away her tears. "It was my boss Ingrid's order. She instructed me to join your investigation."