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Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Sector B-12 of the Submerged City’s first floor looked like a disaster zone, as if a hurricane had torn through it.

“Is it… is it over..?”
“How many died?”
“I don’t know… but it looks like more than half of us…”

The few players who managed to survive began checking on each other.

All the nearby buildings had been reduced to rubble, a testament to the sheer level of destruction caused by the entity running wild there. And yet, they knew it was finally over.

The destruction had felt more like a tantrum from a young child—wild and chaotic, but lacking any true strategy. Because of that, it hadn’t inflicted as much harm as it could have.

Now, the one responsible for all of it could barely stand. Her limbs had shrunk, leaving her weak and defenseless, though she still desperately tried to escape.

The sight of the pitiful girl struck hesitation into the group of miscreants pursuing her. They glanced at one another uneasily.

“I mean… doesn’t this just make her cuter and easier to catch?”

Eventually, one of them spoke, and they turned their attention back to the trembling girl. Her face was clouded with terror, but before they could act…

“That’s enough!!”

A loud impact shook the ground as a figure landed in front of the cornered girl. As the dust cleared, the group saw her clearly.

“D-Ditzy Lord?!”
“The real one?! Why is she here?!”

Confusion spread among the players.

Standing before them was Crim Lua Cheia herself, the Scarlet Demon Lord. Her white hair flowed behind her, glowing faintly with a red aura. Her eyes were filled with anger, glistening slightly with unshed tears as she glared at the group.

“Have thou no shame? Cornering a lonesome maiden like this?!”
“Huh… I mean, she’s just an enemy—”
“…What?!”
“…Sorry, I didn’t say anything.”

The player who dared to argue was silenced instantly by Crim’s murderous glare, her expression screaming that she was ready to obliterate anyone in her way. It didn’t take long for them to realize they were in deep trouble. The best player in the game, the Demon Lord herself, stood before them, completely overtaken with rage.

Silence fell over the group. Only the sound of nervous gulps echoed as they waited for Crim to speak again.

“Listen here,” she began, her voice filled with authority. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an NPC, an enemy, or anything else—if the original model doesn’t consent or is against it…”

She took a deep breath, her face turning a deep shade of red before shouting, “THEN IT’S SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALL THE SAME, YOU DUMBNUTS!!!”

Her eyes glistened with tears as she yelled, her voice trembling with indignation.
The players gasped, falling to their knees one by one.

“Y-Yeah… the Ditzy Lord is right…”
“What were we thinking…”

Up until that moment, they had been acting on reckless impulse. But as her words sank in, they began to understand the implications of their actions.

Crim blinked, slightly taken aback by how quickly they changed their tune. But seeing their regret was also reassuring.

“Good, good. I’m slightly annoyed by the way you address me, but at least—”
“B-Big sis!!”
“Ah-ghuh..?!!”

Before Crim could finish, she felt the impact of what could only be described as a small child tackling her hips. The force sent her stumbling, and she let out a strange sound as she struggled to keep her balance.

Is it just me, or do I keep getting tackled lately?

As Crim struggled to regain her breath, she staggered back to her feet, her knees trembling like a newborn calf’s. She glared behind her, only to see someone who looked exactly like her—just smaller—clinging tightly to her back.

“It was so scary… I was so afraid..!”
“Oh… Right, everything’s fine now, okay?”
“Mm…Waaaahhhh!!”

Crim had always wanted a younger sibling, so she was easily overwhelmed by crying children. She couldn’t resist the sight of the Doppelganger sobbing uncontrollably.

All she could do was turn around and gently pat the girl’s head, offering comfort while the Doppelganger clung to her even tighter. The sight of the Doppelganger bawling her eyes out was something unthinkable for what was supposed to be an enemy AI.

«Doppelganger Crim has been tamed by the player Crim and has entered a temporary contract.»

◇◇◇

“Hmm… If thou art coming with me, I shall have to think of a name other than Doppelganger Crim…”

Crim muttered to herself as she studied the young girl. The Doppelganger’s red, puffy eyes were evidence of her earlier tears.

After a moment of thought, Crim’s expression brightened.

“…I got it. From this day forth, thy name shall be Rouge.”
“Rou…ge?”
“Yes. It means red in another language. In a way, it has the same meaning as my name. Do you like it?”

The young Doppelganger repeated the name quietly to herself, “Rouge… I’m… Rouge?” Her face slowly lit up with joy.

“…Yes. I’ll be Rouge!”
“Oh, so it pleases thee. Good, good.”

It seemed that giving her a name had made Rouge’s speech more fluent and expressive. She continued to happily repeat her new name, her joy infectious.

‘Still, what does a temporary contract mean?’ Crim wondered. ‘I thought giving her a proper name would make it permanent, but that doesn’t seem to have changed.’

The earlier system notification lingered in her mind, but for now, she was satisfied seeing how happy Rouge seemed. However, the moment was interrupted as Rouge scurried to hide behind Crim.

Looking up, Crim saw the source of her distress.

“Aww, look at them…”
“Yeah… this has to be the most adorable thing we’ve ever seen.”
“Mhm, this is the best…”

The surrounding players no longer had any intention of fighting. Instead, they stood watching the scene unfold, visibly moved by the interaction. Rouge, however, was still visibly traumatized. The players’ stares made her tremble with fear, which was understandable after everything she had endured.

It was shocking to see so much emotion from what was supposed to be an enemy AI. Still, it seemed that Rouge’s programming was evolving, and Crim couldn’t help but feel curious about what lay ahead for her.

For now, Crim decided to take Rouge and the Doppelgangers of Hinagiku and Lycoris to Castle Seyfert. There, Adonis and Elohim could train them as maid apprentices for the castle.

But before she could act, a voice rang out, clear and melodious like a bell, but with an unsettling edge.

“What’s this? Forming bonds with monsters now? I suppose you truly are living up to your title as Demon Lord.”

Hearing the voice, Rouge clung tighter to Crim, clutching her clothes. The Doppelgangers of Hinagiku and Lycoris immediately moved into defensive positions, weapons aimed in the direction of the voice.

“…How did I miss her until now?” Crim readied her scythe, her eyes narrowing as she faced a figure clad in a deep red robe, who had seemingly appeared out of thin air.

I know who this is.

It was the same girl Crim had spotted lurking in the shadows during the Fafnir attack.

“…Da’at Criferd..?!”

Crim hadn’t expected her to reveal herself so boldly, especially since she had assumed Da’at was avoiding her. As Crim tried to process the situation, the girl pulled back her hood, revealing her glossy crimson lips twisted into a chilling grin.

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