"...I'll be back."
Having received a tip from Hilde, Peru quickly opened the door and went up to the deck. Hilde gave her a sly smile, then soundlessly and secretly followed behind her.
A short while later.
'Peru' came trudging back. With a bewildered face, 'Peru' looked around and asked.
"...Liar. Where are you?"
At the sudden remark, Tir answered in puzzlement.
"A liar? I'm not sure who you're referring to."
"...Aurea. Grazing."
"If it's Hilde, she followed you up just a moment ago, didn't she? Did you not see her?"
"...Yeah."
"She must be plotting some prank. When it comes to being mischievous, she puts even Hughes to shame."
"Why are you looking at me? I played no role in the formation of Hilde's ego. There are limits even to responsibility without pleasure."
She's not my real daughter. As I was making excuses that weren't really excuses, the door leading to the deck opened again. Peru walked in with a sullen face, gathering everyone's gaze.
"...Liar. Where are..."
Peru and 'Peru' bumped into each other.
Peru's face turned pale. Similarly, 'Peru' panicked and then trembled as if frightened. The two glared at each other, on guard like cats with their hackles raised.
"...What, is this."
"...Who?"
An unprecedented situation where the same person became two. However, Tir, who had already experienced Hilde's transformation arts, quickly realized what was going on.
"It's a prank after all. Is it that again? Transformation arts?"
"...Transformation, arts?"
"...Transformed into me?"
As if she finally understood, Peru relaxed a little and began scrutinizing the other from head to toe. Face, attire, even height and build matched perfectly. The parts that could be observed and copied on the surface were replicated exactly.
A technique that reached a realm almost touching the laws of nature, even if it didn't quite reach true logic. It wouldn't be strange to feel admiration, but... Peru displayed a much stronger sense of repulsion.
'...That can't be. The Cult Master's Homunculus can't be created. I know. I know, but...'
Homunculus?
Haha. What are you talking about? Homunculus is a concept even more impossible than Substitution Movement. The reason why Hilde, who has reached that realm, can never manifest *Li* (Separation) is also because transformation cannot read a person's mind.
But replicating a human exactly? That's impossible. Why am I seriously worrying about something that only appears in old tales...
Oh, could it be? Is that too the majesty of the Hwanggeumgyeong?
Ahem. This is no time for this. Hilde's prank is hurting Peru's feelings too much. If it were me, I would have read her mind with telepathy and walked a tightrope, but that's impossible for Hilde.
"Sigh, Hilde. Stop it and reveal your identity. You shouldn't play pranks like that on someone you're not close to yet."
Then, 'Peru' opened her eyes wide and asked back.
"...You know who I am?"
"Don't play dumb. The one who just spoke is Hilde."
"...How?"
Is she planning to play innocent until she's convinced? I figured it out with telepathy, but if she wants, I'll give her a convincing explanation.
"Let me tell you the reasons. First, Hilde went out after Peru. And after transforming, the two didn't run into each other. By very simple logic, this means Hilde was between the real Peru and this room."
"...But, she could have hidden in the middle."
"Second, Hilde's intention was to surprise Peru, right? Thinking normally, it's more shocking to come in and find another me 'already there' than having another me 'coming in' from outside the door."
"That's just circumstantial."
"It doesn't matter if I can't prove it. As long as there's a convincing enough explanation, that's sufficient. For one thing, you're not even drawing out your words anymore."
'Peru's' face gradually showed more emotion. From her original expressionless state, she puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, and then sulkily kicked her feet and grumbled. Before I knew it, her appearance had changed back to Hilde's.
"Really! This is why Father told me to keep my mouth shut!"
"I heard you. I just didn't listen."
"You're really mean! Stealing one of 'my' few pleasures!"
That's a lie. Transformation is indeed one of Hilde's few pleasures, but the purpose is the opposite.
Hilde doesn't transform to avoid being caught; she transforms because she wants to be caught by someone. Even when she transforms, she hopes someone will recognize her immediately.
Why is she grumbling when I'm doing what she wants? She should honestly be happy... Or wait, is she actually enjoying it right now?
"Now admit it? I can easily see through a disguise like Hilde's. To a magician who handles psychology, a transformation that merely mimics outward appearance is as clear as looking at the palm of my hand."
As I bragged to my heart's content, Tir clapped lightly and agreed.
"As expected of Hue. I haven't known Peru for long, so I had no clue, but you saw through it at once."
"Oh my? Tircancarca? You speak as if you could guess it right if you had known her longer?"
Unable to let this slide, Hilde protested. Tir leisurely brushed off the smile and retorted.
"Of course. How could I not know after seeing you so much."
"You didn't know last time when 'I' transformed into Father, but now you're acting confident?"
"I was suspicious then too. I just didn't know your ability, so I didn't jump to conclusions. Now that I know your power, it's as clear as day."
"Heh. Is that so. But what are we going to do? 'I' have also gotten to know you better."
Zap. Sparks flew between the two women. Hilde raised her chin and shouted.
"Let's have a match! Come on, try to guess 'my' transformations!"
"If it's a performance, do as much as you like. It won't be boring on the journey."
As the two glared at each other, Peru watched their argument with a dumbfounded expression.
'...What are they doing in someone else's house.'
Surprisingly, the Regressor's Heavenly Anchor is rechargeable. After a battle, she has to gather the consumed wind and space again. I'm not sure what principle that works on, but anyway, the Regressor would take a short rest after a battle.
To recharge and all, the Regressor, who had been scouting from the top of the Golden Ship, returned inside the cabin. The Regressor smoothed her messy hair and said to Peru.
"Are you sure this is going the right way? No one is steering it, and it's not just going straight either. The direction subtly shifts as we go, you know?"
"...The Golden Ship is a compass, always heading toward the Golden Palace."
"How is that possible?"
"...How?"
At the Regressor's curiosity, Peru was bewildered and organized her thoughts.
'...The Infinite Orbit of the Golden Ship operates on the Substitution Movement method. The more recently the Hwanggeumgyeong stayed on a land, the slower the substitution speed becomes, making the Infinite Orbit on that side move slower. Therefore, the stern of the Golden Ship subtly tilts toward the Hwanggeumgyeong each time it advances. When the chronological axis of the Hwanggeumgyeong is mapped onto the coordinates of the Ten Nations, the current location of the Hwanggeumgyeong becomes the pole, and corrections are made in the direction of that gradient, ultimately reaching the Hwanggeumgyeong...'
She recalled all the content in her head. Only in her head, that is.
'...But I can't explain all of this with my eloquence. Even if I explain it, she might not understand. Give up.'
You're not going to explain because you think they won't understand? I'm not sure if I should call this humble or arrogant. Anyway, having organized her thoughts, Peru shortened her explanation.
"...That too, is the majesty of the Hwanggeumgyeong."
"Ah, you said all the Juggernauts were made by the Hwanggeumgyeong, right? Then I suppose it's possible."
'...To think that counts as an explanation.'
Not humble, nor arrogant. It was just an accurate judgment. After all, the Regressor is the type to accept all the mysteries of the world rather than trying to understand them.
Quickly convinced, the Regressor took off her coat and sat on the sofa.
"I appreciate you letting me stay, but is it okay for you in terms of space and facilities?"
"...No problem. I made it a little while ago."
"Ah, right. This is the Ten Nations. Got it. I'll be in your care for a while..."
The Regressor, leaning back on the sofa, cast her gaze at the table in front of her. As if a mirror was placed between them, identically looking girls sat facing each other across the table. There, Tir and 'Tir', with silver hair flowing down their backs, were staring intently at the Regressor.
Two Tircancarcas. Only then did the Regressor realize something was wrong.
'Kyaaa! Y-y-y-you scared me!! W-what?! Two Tircancarcas?!'
The Regressor was utterly startled, but the only one who noticed was me. The Regressor's Qigong, the Cheonbangyeong, forcefully suppressed the sudden emotional turmoil and feigned calmness.
No matter how panicked one is, if someone next to you throws cold water and yells at you to think straight, you can calm down sufficiently. The reason we panic is that there's no one to do that for us. However, the Regressor, with the Cheonbangyeong, recalled a hypothesis to explain this situation with a cooled head.
'Right! Yeonggwi used transformation arts? One of them must be Yeonggwi. Tch, almost got scared!'
The Regressor feigned composure and spoke.
"Is it Yeonggwi's transformation arts?"
On the outside, the Regressor looked completely unsurprised. Then, 'Tir' let out a dissatisfied voice through her red lips.
"You're only realizing it now? You're incredibly dull."
"You noticed late and your reaction is so bland. It's so unrewarding that it's almost disappointing."
The two scolded the Regressor in unison with identical voices, like good sisters. One of them was definitely Hilde, but seeing them work together so perfectly, the Regressor flared up and yelled.
"That's my line! Why the sudden pranks? What is Yeonggwi plotting again?"
"There was a discussion about how excellent Hilde's transformation arts are. Since we're traveling together, it might be good to test her abilities."
"Killing two birds with one stone, relieving the boredom of the journey. Isn't it a fine amusement?"
"From the receiving end, it only looks like a mean-spirited prank, you know?"
Anyway, having understood the situation, the Regressor calmed her mind and compared Tir and 'Tir'.
Faintly glowing white-silver hair. A transparent face as if color had been stripped from her entire body. However, blood-red eyes glowed eerily. From facial features to the slender neckline, the two looked exactly the same on the outside.
The Regressor clicked her tongue inwardly.
'A master of Qigong can control her entire body with Qigong, but isn't that going too far? Even if you shrink your bones and compress your body, there are limits to what can be done! Changing skin color, hair, and even voice? Why is she wasting Qigong in such a useless way?! If she used it properly, she would be several times stronger!'
What can you do. That's the driving force behind Hilde acquiring Qigong. If it weren't for that method, she wouldn't have even grasped Sensing Qigong in the first place.
Tir said, enjoying the Regressor's reaction.
"Well, can you guess it?"
"You can think about it more. We have an abundance of time."
Tir and 'Tir' giggled as they watched the Regressor groaning in thought. The Regressor was thoroughly annoyed, but unable to distinguish them by outward appearance alone, grumbled.
"It's easy to figure out who's real. Tircancarca uses the Blood Tuning Art and controls darkness."
"Naturally, we agreed not to use such powers. It's no fun if the problem is too easy."
"Besides, Hilde handles the Blood Tuning Art at a high level too. Look at this skin. If she couldn't handle the Blood Tuning Art, how could she imitate this bloodless skin?"
'Tir' said, lightly stroking Tir's cheek. Tir burst into laughter at the bold action, and 'Tir' leisurely propped her chin and smiled. The two seemed to get along remarkably well, even for doppelgangers.
'I don't know...! Even if the outward appearance is the same, their words and actions are alike too! Is it purely acting?'
Meanwhile, the Regressor's mind was in total chaos. The sudden conundrum wasn't something the Cheonbangyeong could solve either. The confusion only deepened.