Chapter 93 : Consequences 1

The room was filled with a tense silence where no one moved.

The Nulls had shocked, terrified looks on their pale faces as they witnessed their eldest sister being slapped. They had never expected this.

Their mother was more than angry, she was enraged.

“Do you girls realise what you’ve done!?” Ticia roared, making the Nulls flinch as they finally snapped back. None of them answered immediately.

They knew. They already knew they did something wrong. None of them tried to make an excuse.

“The streets of the capital are a complete mess because of you. Who do you think has to take responsibility for that?”

““...””

“That would be Rika and me.” Ticia continued after not receiving an answer. “You should already be well aware of our current situation, and yet you caused this mess!”

“While you girls were causing trouble, we were in the middle of negotiations, which happened in the exact same place you decided to blow up.” Rika added with a sigh, this augmented the guilt the Nulls felt.

““...””

They remained quiet, willingly acknowledging they were in the wrong. There was no way out of this one.

But they were not the only ones quiet. Even the nearby clone regulars, the ECGs as well as Riley remained quiet.

Although Riley and Chloe were quite angry with how the Nulls left them, Ticia’s current aura of anger made them forget about it. They simply watched the scene, still angry, but not intervening either.

And to say just Ticia was angry would be wrong. Even Rika was angry. Partly because of what the girls had done, but also because she discovered the girls had used and damaged her favorite bike.

That could not go unpunished.

“And you did not even bother to hide your identities while doing all this!” Ticia continued. That was one of her main points of frustration about this whole event.

“But that’s not the biggest problem here. By causing explosions and interrupting that auction, you’ve angered more than just a few powerful figures…” Rika followed as Ticia fumed.

“B-but they were doing something bad…” Willia tried to say in their defence with tears in her eyes, but was cut short by the overwhelming pressure.

“Yes, they were. But so what? It was none of our business. We’re not superheroes, Willia.” Ticia said back to her, nearly making Willia cry as all her anger was directed towards her for a brief moment.

Ticia let out an audible sigh as silence reemerged in the room, cooling herself. She glanced towards the Manuls, who were currently laying on the ground nearby. The Manul mothers seemed to trim the fur of their kittens. Despite some visible injuries on some of them, they refused to be approached by anyone, hissing at them. Even Nicia had not managed to get close.

“Are those beasts the reason you did this?” Ticia asked.

“Th-they’re not beasts! They’re cats!”

“Quiet Licia, I did not ask you to justify yourself.”

“...” Licia shut her mouth at her mother’s cold words. She lowered her head, biting her lower lip.

“I can’t let it be this time. You all will receive severe punishment.” Ticia said, sharpening her gaze. She said with a voice full of authority. “Effective immediately, I am removing all your privileges as Nulls until I say so. I’m also removing your personal ECGs from you. You are on a three week suspension from the academy and any other activity. None of you are authorized to come out of their room unless I grant permission. An additional punishment shall be given to each and everyone of you later. Should anyone be found breaking this order, then I will be forced to give further disciplinary treatment, is that clear?”

““Yes…”” All the Nulls gave a weak response, sounding defeated.

“And if any of you tries to use their aura on the clones to try to get it their way, I’ll deal with them personally.” 

That last line sounded more as a threat than a scolding, it made the Nulls tremble as they realised their mother would not tolerate them abusing their newfound power over regular clones.

The person they had in front of them now was more than their mother, it was also their military superior. Right now, she was acting more as their superior than as their mother.

No, perhaps that was already an excuse. Some of the Nulls recognised. This was not just Ticia acting as their superior, but rather their mother scolding them severely and being disappointed in their actions.

“...Licia, this is the second time you’ve done something reckless. I won’t allow a third time, is that clear?”

“Understood…”

Licia replied in a defeated tone. Her mother’s remark hit her deep. It also hit Mia, Nia, Ria and Nicia, who also enforced null codes in the past. 

Ticia was taking into account what happened back in CI3. There was no exception even if they were young, even if they were Ticia’s daughters, her first daughters. Even if Licia was her favorite.

There would be no exceptions from here on.

As everyone watched the scene, someone walked closer to the Nulls.

“Remember the talk I had with you girls yesterday?” 

““Grandmother…””

It was Emily. She had a complex expression on her face. It told the Nulls she felt sympathy towards the Nulls and a bit of pity, yet she would not speak up for them, for they were entirely in the wrong this time.

“I was not expecting this, and that was not what I meant by it. Acting can be done on impulse, but this time that was way overboard.” Emily said in a somewhat sad tone.

The Nulls had nothing to say to that. Those words had not even played a role in their decision, but they did feel guilty about making their newfound grandmother feel guilty for them.

“Evelyn Mayers.”

“Y-yes?” Evelyn was surprised when she was suddenly called out by Ticia. She had been quietly following the events where the anger was mostly directed towards the Nulls. Now however she was the one facing Ticia’s angry gaze.

“I am sorry, but due to what happened, I have to detain you here.”

““!?””

Evelyn was surprised by Ticia’s words, and so were the Nulls. 

“W-what!? M-mom! Evelyn did nothing wrong! I forced her hand into thi-”

“Licia!”

“!?!”

Licia immediately protested, but was shut down by the intensity of her mother’s words that were filled with anger.

Ticia once again looked at Evelyn.

“This is for your own security. There are many people who are targeting you right now. I  have already talked to your father, and he has granted us permission. A room will be prepared for you.  You also are under suspension from the academy, but you are free to move so long as you are escorted.”

“...” Evelyn slowly nodded, digesting the words she just heard.

This did not feel like a heavy punishment for her participation in this, as well as being the instigator in a way, but she did feel guilty towards her father. She had caused problems for him once again.

“As for you…”

“Y-yes ma’am?!”

Ticia’s gaze then went to Lotte, who flinched, standing at attention with cold sweat flowing from her back.

“...Your case is particular, I am aware.” Ticia ended up saying after a silent bit of staring.

“Mom? What do you mean? Lotte did nothing wrong, I was the one who-” 

 “Quiet Nia! Did I give you permission to talk?”

“...” Nia had tried to come to the defense of her friend in a similar way as her eldest sister did, but her plea was shut down immediately in the same way as Licia.

“All of you, go to your rooms.” Ticia finally said to her daughters, who could only silently nod while holding back from crying.

One CG ended up crying however…

“Hick, hick…” Ticinia ended up crying right before they left the room.

“D-don’t cry Ticinia… I-it’s all my fault…” Licia tried to say as the urge to cry also went up, but Ticinia shook her head.

“I’m not crying because we got scolded… *snif* I’m crying because we hurt mom…”

““...”” Ticinia’s words hit the nulls deep.

That’s right, they knew how their mother was, of course she was hurt. 

The Nulls bit their lips, remaining silent and holding back their tears as they all left the room.

They were escorted by a few ECGs, including Bronz. The ECGs did not show any emotions and seemed rather cold, not even trying to say anything to the Nulls even after they left the room.

After that, as if by an agreement, most other people in the room left. Evelyn was escorted to her own room too.

The only people remaining were now Ticia, Rika, Emily, and Lotte, who felt pressure even more than before.

Thankfully for her, it seemed most of Ticia’s anger had appeased, as she let out a long sigh.

“...Now then.” She said, before slightly bowing her head towards the somewhat scared Lotte. “Ms Irm, or rather, Princess Louiselotte Irma Luz of the Philian Techno-Empire, would you mind explaining why you partook in this craziness?”

“...You knew?” Lotte’s attitude suddenly changed. Instead of feeling slightly awkward and scared like before, she now was calm, a slight frown on her face.

Ticia nodded at her words.

“It took a bit of time for me to realize, but when your country’s ambassador gave such hints, it would be hard not to, your Highness.”

“Fortunately it appears your face is not known here.” Rika added, implying that there would be no incidents caused for her actions, at least made known to the public.

“So? Why did you help? You could have thrown your country into a diplomatic incident with the Borkian Confederation.”

Ticia asked, not even bothering to sound respectful towards Lotte anymore. She had put up a front in greeting her. Now she wanted answers.

Lotte seemed unbothered by Ticia’s plain words, rather, she scratched the back of her head while looking away.

“...I don’t really know. Nia asked for help, so I… kinda went with it?”

“I see… Regardless of what happened, thank you for sticking close to my daughter.”

“I-it’s nothing much. Rather, I should have stopped them too.”

Lotte ended up more than surprised when Ticia bowed and thanked her rather than scolding her.

“I’ve talked with the ambassador from your nation. We agreed you would receive the same treatment as Evelyn Mayers. Your sister the Empress has already given her approval.”

“Obviously- I mean, of course she would say that.” Lotte said, catching her wording. It appeared she was already expecting such an outcome. Perhaps this was because she came from a world where she was raised with political and diplomatic awareness from a young age. 

It appears she had expected the quick return from the empress, and the roll of her eyes and her familiar words told Ticia she was rather on friendly terms with the empress.

“Also, can you keep this fact hidden from Nia? I… Don’t really like being a princess and all the stuffy protocol around it…” Lotte ended up saying, slightly blushing from embarrassment as she made her request.

“...Understood, then I guess you would prefer it if we addressed you in a more informal way?” Ticia slowly nodded, her tone returning to a formal one.

“Yes, please continue as usual. And, can I go see Nia?”

“Please refrain from seeing her for a whole week. She needs to learn her lesson.”

 “Understood…”

Ticia shut down the princess’s second wish immediately, who seemed slightly down as a result, but understood the situation and did not insist further.

“I heard you were a genius?” Rika asked from the side.

“Lots of people tell me that.” Lotte answered casually, raising her shoulders.

“My daughter seemed to praise you a lot, and I’m sure she means it. Would you be willing to help us expand our stock of weapons and design new ones?” Ticia suddenly said, making Lotte surprised. Was she offering her an employment contract?

“Sure, that sounds interesting.” Lotte smiled a little, despite the situation it seemed she had gained something. Her older sister was right, staying with the clones was more interesting than closing yourself in a workshop. 

“...Speaking of. Aside from the empress, do you happen to have another sister called Laura?” Ticia said after examining Lotte more closely.

“Eh? Y-yeah, I guess do.” Lotte answered, somewhat surprised.

“I see, so Laura was a princess too huh…”

“I-I guess you can call her that.” She laughed somewhat awkwardly at Ticia’s mumble.

“Do you not have a good relationship with her? She seemed to like you a lot.” Ticia asked, noticing Lotte’s discomfort.

“And that is the problem. Her love is suffocating.” Lotte replied in a tone so serious that even Ticia remained quiet. Lotte scratched her cheek before continuing. “But I know she does not mean anything bad. Our past is… complicated.”

“I see. Well, you can go now, Mom, can you lead her to her room?” Ticia said, not delving further into other’s personal affairs as she asked her own mother to serve as a guide for the young princess.

“Sure! I have some questions to ask this princess too!” Emily’s eyes suddenly had a new shine that sent shivers down Lotte’s spine. She looked at Ticia with a look that asked whether Emily could be trusted, and seeing Ticia simply look away told her everything she needed to know…

Still, she left the room with Emily without protest.

“Haaah…” Ticia let out another long sigh.

The night had been very stressful.

After the Nulls, or rather, Licia blew up the place where the auction was taking place, Ticia had to immediately deal with the aftermath.

The first thing they had to do was negotiate with Barry Twill, who not only witnessed the events right as they were making a deal, but now also needed reassurances the clones were under control. 

Ticia and Rika had to make concessions to the old field marshall, promising to help on the frontline once the Senate was dealt with as well as supporting the war effort in any possible way. They decided funds would have to be diverted as a first payment since Ticia’s manpower  was already stretched thin.

The fact that the Nulls did not even bother to hide their faces during the Malaise Tower Incident, as journalists began to call it, made things worse. Now the Senate had  some dirt they could use against them, and they were not slow to use it. Rebot-ia and Atrax-ia were working non-stop trying to control the flow of hate inducing articles directed towards the clones that were being published.

Annabelle had called them, representing her grandfather the President. He was currently sleeping, and his condition did not allow for him to wake up. Instead, after realizing what was going on and that some clones had gone rogue, the small girl acted swiftly and published an official notice from the presidency explaining the incident as a president approved special operation.

The official  seal and signature of the president she had prepared in advance helped in convincing, and since FieldMarshall Barry Twill also chided in, asking the military units under his control to not pursue the ‘rogue clones’ and just stand by, the situation slowly calmed down.

Still, the wealthy people of Borkian City and the Borkian Confederation cried out for justice and compensation. The Malaise Tower was a symbol not only for the senate, but for all these wealthy people. These people now had a grudge towards Rika’s faction, or slight aversion…

Worst of all, Ticia and Rika feared the ripple effects this would have on their emerging faction. They had yet to have a meeting with them, but it would have to come. Despite the support of not only the president, the field marshall and the academy, some would definitely bail out.

“Ticia, I know you’re tired and probably have a headache too. I do too, but we still did not address the elephant in the room, or rather, ‘cats’ in the room.” Rika said, pointing towards the Manuls, who were still in the room and looking at them with curious, wary eyes.

“Right…” Ticia DID feel like her headache suddenly got worse. She approached the biggest Manul. She reached unconsciously to caress the Manul’s fur. The Manul growled in response, but let her do as she pleased.

“Ugh… What am I gonna do with you all? I can’t release you just like that…” Ticia lamented

“Au.” The Manul replied, seemingly sensing Ticia’s distress. It stopped growling, simply letting out a grunt.

“...No way.”

“Mh? Evelyn? What are you doing here? I thought you went to your room?” Ticia looked towards the entrance of the room, where Evelyn had emerged, while she kept patting the Manul.

“I-I just wanted to ask what would happen to the Manuls, but… what is going on?”

“What do you mean?” Ticia tilted her head. Why did Evelyn look so flaggerblasted? 

“This! Manuls are beasts who don’t let themselves be petted like housecats!”

“Oh.” Ticia’s hands stopped at Evelyn’s outburst. She looked at the Manul, who seemed to have a face that told her ‘I’m not sure I like you, but I like what you’re doing, keep going’. Ticia was surprised by how expressive the cat’s face was, but she still managed to answer. “I don’t know?”

Just as she said that, the other Manuls got curious and began surrounding Ticia, asking for the same treatment with their grumpy looking faces.

“Even the others! What is going on!?” Evelyn seemed to become even more baffled by the situation happening in front of her.

“...Ticia, is it… that thing again?” Rika asked from the side. She herself tried to pet one of the Manuls, but was met with hissing and the Manul running away, much to her disappointment.

Ticia seemed surprised, but then she nodded, as if she understood the message.

“I guess it might be. No, It is that.”

“What do you mean?” Evelyn, seemingly having calmed down after her outburst, asked Ticia.

Ticia and Rika looked at each other, Ticia raised her shoulders, before the Manuls got impatient and requested petting.

Rika smiled a little and explained to Evelyn.

“We don’t know why, but it seems like animals are naturally attracted to Ticia.”

“Eh?”

Evelyn was surprised. That’s it? Could that really explain this closeness?

“...I grew up in the streets as a kid. Sometimes I gave food to wild animals and in return, when I felt lonely, hurt or cold, they would stick to me. They’ve been doing that since then.” Ticia explained as she petted the Manuls, who looked grumpily blissful.

“She’s a bit embarrassed about it, so keep it a secret for now. Else Licia might really lose all hope in life.” Rika said, and Evelyn kinda agreed immediately.

Indeed, should Licia discover this, she might become really depressed. Evelyn absolutely wanted to avoid that. One way or another she would have the Manuls accept being petted by Licia, but that would be for another time.

For now, she decided to just leave the scene as is. She understood Ticia was feeling particularly tired.

And so, under the tender look of Rika, Ticia had a small calming time trying to satisfy all the Manuls.