The Core of Evil
Pillars and Names
{{{ One hour later }}}
{{{ Fleet Meeting Room LIONS }}}
Oh...
Now I understand why this rank is called a pillar. Because at this meeting, we were presented with a chair in the form of a stone throne above a pillar
And this room was dark and big, so I could barely see clearly the figure of everyone in-the-wall
Heh? Hold on
I thought Noah and I had arrived first, but apparently there were 7 more people surrounding the center pillar
After all, what was the middle pillar for? It belongs to a leader, but no one occupies it
Or maybe our chairman is late?
"Ah, you have arrived"
That voice can be heard. But, the origin was unknown as I looked around
"I'm here. Middle pillar"
As he said, I looked up at the empty pillar. And immediately looked around as if it was a joke made by one of these people
"bitch. The chairman was talking to you, and he was indeed on the center pillar" Noah's voice could then be heard
Ah thank goodness. The voice I know
Heh-h?
The chairman? On the middle pillar?
"Yes, I'm here. But, I do not have a physical form for now"
...
...
...
...
...
"Explain... Regarding what laws of nature can make you not have a physical form?"
"Quantum theory, and a bit of luck"
That's a good answer
But I still don't understand how. I'd better make this research material
"So, the head of this Fleet has no physical form. I'm interested in making this a research material" I commented
"You can. But Mind has already revealed his secret"
Okay, I-i
So the woman knew early...
He even waved in a small direction...
If I'm at 12, then...
He's at 2 o'clock
And Noah's at 11, right on my right side pillar
Then who is this little girl who has been looking at me since? Her... It had a silhouette, as if it had a pair of deer horns on its head
"Aren't you curious about me...?" The girl asked as if she knew my thoughts
"Ah no...
Yep. I'm curious. Especially because of that deer antler that's on your head" I resignedly gave up on the question
"It's not a decoration. But you'd better listen to what the chairman wants to say" Mind spoke, turning me back to the empty pillar in the middle
"So..." Our chief's voice said. "I actually just wanted to have this meeting, to welcome our new pillar. Can I have a round of applause?"
Some of them started clapping. Some are enthusiastic, some are not. And all I could hear was really happy to welcome me here was Mind, that little girl, and Noah
"But before you sit down..." Our chief said again as his clapping ended. "I want to ask, do you really want to join the LIONS?"
"LIONS?" I asked
"Liberated Intergalactic Outlaws Nexus Soldiers. The abbreviation is LIONS" A familiar girl's voice said
It seemed like the origin of the voice was the girl sitting at 9. And from his clothes...
"Fuyuki's? I didn't know that you were a pillar as well?"
"Flair, if you can. Name codes are an important asset, especially in missions
And yes. I am a pillar. Sorry to introduce yourself late, sir" Fuyuki said again
And the name of this Fleet enters the word {Outlaws}. Or in a sense, a person who is not bound by rules
"Huh. So you're really operating outside the rules of any planet"
"Forget planets. We don't follow the rules of any galaxy" Mind spoke
"And we like that. Our rule, our life" Noah continued, made me smile a little at him
"I. Also. So. Pleased"
...
The stiff sound I didn't recognize, and it came from 8 o'clock, right next to Fuyuki
The man just looked at me with empty eyes, giving me goosebumps
"Raaggoth. Roper's. Excuse me. Make you. Scared"
...
Raggots... Roper...?
I forgot that Noah and Hector were involved in this man's abduction. But who would have thought, if the supreme captain in the ruling caste of the planet Suthon is a pillar in the dark organization now
I need a lot of explanation, but understand that I'm not going to get it all in one moment
"Noah's brother and Hector's brother didn't kidnap her. Raggot's brother attacked them first, but was only offered to join" The little girl beside me interrupted, again as if she knew my thoughts
Wait, ignore
He probably really knows my thoughts
"I knew. I can see it" He said again
I've guessed it...
"Cassidiy. Stop making that brother uncomfortable" Mind then reprimanded him
"O-oh... Sorry, new brother..." The little girl named Cassidy apologized to me, as her head began to bow
"Wait for Mind! You're too-!"
"It's okay" I said to Cassidy, cutting off Noah who wanted to scold Mind
"After all, you're honest. And I feel comfortable with honest people" I said again, adding to it with a smile
Cassidy stared at me, before her head fell back down
Samar, the little voice I could hear said one thing. "Thank you"
I don't know why he said thank you...
But, even though she could read my mind, the girl chose to keep quiet
"Cassidiy. If this mama of yours scolds you again, tell me right away" Noah said, consoling Cassidy
"You guys seem really nice to the kids hm? I've never seen Noah interact with Cassidy, and the first time she did that, she acted like an angel"
"If you were conscious"
Our leader also sighed as if he was being ridiculed, and I just shook my head in amusement, before...
My eyes caught a familiar silhouette, whose eyes shifted without looking at me at all...
...
Hectors...
Ah, and Cassidy. Please don't call him. Brother Hector is not happy with me...
Cassidy began to cover her mouth with her hands, as she almost told Hector the contents of my mind
"No need to tell Cassidy, O-2507. I can also read minds", the person whose silhouette I guessed correctly said
And yes. He is Hector. His voice is very precise
"Sorry..." I also said, where Hector just grunted and increasingly turned away
Everyone was silent as if they all knew what was going on between us
"Hey! Is it just me, or is Hector being so unfriendly right now? He was even more friendly to Noah when he had just joined first" A faint voice I remembered was heard
"I... Like knowing you"
Then for some reason, the girl suddenly cleared her throat...
Before jumping on his seat and calling out, "Name code Shape: Pinky Cherry! Blanketed girls all over the universe give you the honor of meeting you~! Greetings!"
...
Shape, huh...?
Name's Pinky. Is that a homemade name?
Even the people around me instantly seemed powerless to see the girl's exaggerated appearance
"I want to tear my face because it feels amused and disgusting..." Hector even said so
Already 6 people besides Noah and the Chairman who introduced themselves. Next is...
Someone with a silhouette I recognize. Because the memory of him is still newly created
"Ulysses. That means you're the one sitting at 6" I said
"Ah... Destiny really brings us together... Sorry to be late telling me about myself..."
So the empty ones are just pillars at 3, 7 and 10, excluding the middle ones because our chairman is sitting there without being
"Since you've got everyone's identity, will you accept my offer now?" The chairman spoke again
Offer huh...?
...
They expect me to sit on this throne. A seat that has the writing number 12 on it. The chair that will probably be my seat and identity for the whole time here
But what if I refuse...?
...
...
There's no way I'm refusing
L'm...
It's too far to get here. Arcadia is neither an option nor a will for me right now. Traveling alone while being a fugitive of the fleet itself is also not a smart choice
So then...
I also chose to sit on the throne...
And everyone who witnessed it knew what answer I had chosen. Some immediately look happy. Some are just angry. Some are just neutral
But I've chosen. No word back starting from this point
"I'm ready to be wrong or of you"
Our chief was silent, but he let out a muttering sound like he was happy
"Then we've all agreed" our Chairman said
"Sure!" Noah replied in a short time
"I won't refuse. He'll be a very useful partner
I'm Hera. Others called me {Mother}" Mind also agreed
"I hope you're comfortable here" Cassidy followed
"I'm glad you're happy" Fuyuki continued, followed by Raggot's silent nod
"Your destiny will be very bright..." Ulysses said, begin to pray again
"Haha! New partner!" Cherry added
"Don't think I'm happy" Hector, on the other hand, wanted to resist, but knew he wouldn't be heard
"Then you have to give us your name. In exchange" our chairman said
Ah... About it...
They should have known that I didn't have a real name...
But I don't know why...
Noah sounded out a sigh
"Chairman. You are so cruel. I haven't chosen a name for him because he has to agree as well" Noah said before shaking his head
"Huh? What are you talking about?" I asked Noah
"Mind said on the phone that you should be ready, right? That includes the name, because the captain will ask about it"
Ah so
"But you? Choose a name for me? No thanks"
"Look? So let him choose, shall he?"
Hearing Noah's words, our chief agreed
And everything was silent to listen to the name I chose for myself
The name I want to change from Azure. A name that sounds special and can be remembered easily
What about this one...
"Arthur"
"Oh?"
"Arthur Pandruwin's. Nice to meet you guys"
Everyone was silent for a moment, before Noah started smiling and commenting
"He~eh. What a good name. Although I wish you changed your last name too" he said
No. gabe. I'm not gonna do it
That last name will be a reminder of the failures I have experienced. A failure that made many lives have to sacrifice only for me to reach this point
At once, to remind me of the people who sacrificed for my life in the future...
"So chief, what's your name?" I asked in a defiant tone
Everyone is waiting for an answer from our boss. Answers they may always hear whenever a new person joins
But they are always happy to listen
"Jackson Minerva's. It's nice to meet you"
