Chapter 742: Crossover Part 9

In the past few days, Shizune has become irritatingly observant. She started snooping around the house and uncovering my little secrets and hiding spots. Even Ayla noticed she’s been staring at every single thing in the house way too much. She doesn’t even try to hide that she’s looking for things that are off.

It’s annoying, but not a problem. The only secret passage in this place that actually matters can only be opened with my blood, and the entrance is extremely complex in its lock yet simple in appearance — impossible to notice it’s there unless you know exactly where to look.

’She’s determined, searching the house for flaws like this...’ I look at the television. Although it seems like there’s only a choice-based game on the screen, I crafted a mana pattern so that only I can see the map on the screen while the game runs.

’We’re close to an interesting place... well... but I need to distract Shizune and Ayla... though Shizune won’t want to leave my side because of her suspicion toward me...’ I glance toward the kitchen, where Shizune is making a sandwich.

She’s always like this, lingering nearby, waiting for me to slip up. I think she plans to run if she notices something problematic. Ayla is sprawled in an armchair playing a handheld video game I got for her. I don’t know what she finds funny in those boring games, but it’s good that she’s just ignoring the weird atmosphere.

"Pandora, do you want a sandwich? I made three of them..." Shizune asks from the kitchen.

"No, ask Ayla if she wants one. We’re arriving at a new universe soon, so if you want anything, think it through now so we don’t take too long," I say to them, still lost in thought.

’What could make Shizune not want to stay close to me...’ I look back as she approaches, bringing a sandwich to Ayla, who accepts it with a thank you.

"How great that we’ll get to go through some other nice place together, right, Pandora?" She asks, sitting down near me like a warning that she’ll be watching.

’Killing the entity that rules this universe and replacing it without Shizune seeing will be difficult... but if she’s nearby, it’ll be impossible...’ I look at her and offer a smile.

"Yes, it’ll be great. Hey, Ayla, could you go to your room? The more powerful ones are talking — the kind of conversation someone weak like you shouldn’t hear." Ayla lifts her eyes, and seeing my gaze, she simply rolls her eyes and leaves with the sandwich and the game, slamming her bedroom door.

"At least I’m immortal!" She speaks mockingly at me, since unlike her, I can die.

"What are you going to do in this universe? You’d normally take much longer to find another universe. Are you planning to do something wrong?" Shizune pulls me from my thoughts, asking questions in a demanding tone.

"No, I just want you and Ayla to enjoy this universe on your own. After all, living with me is exhausting. I want to give you both some private time, while I’ll have my own private time." I need to do something that will make her not want to watch me.

"..." She looks like she’s about to complain about something, but then stops for a moment, thinking.

"Perfect! That sounds really great. Then Ayla and I will spend a few days enjoying this universe while you stay in this house. How about that?" She accepts, probably thinking I don’t know about her espionage magic.

’Your spells were very well hidden, but you forgot who the owner of this house is — with millions of years of experience.’ I just smile sweetly at her.

"Yes, that’s perfect." I already placed espionage magic too, but not on the environment — literally on her back. An undetectable mark she could only notice if she could look at her own back with her eyes, something impossible since mirrors don’t work.

"I’m not a fan of this kind of game..." She speaks, clearly not referring to the television.

"You’re too tense, Shizune. Come on, paranoia is pretty destructive. I’m not playing any game with you. I’m just seriously trying to enjoy our trip." I touch her head, and she recoils to the side.

"..."

"If you distrust me so much, why do you show it then?" I ask her, and she’s left without a concrete answer.

"You think I need to hide something, Shizune? Someone as proud as me? You only hide things from someone who’s a threat. Do you think you’re a threat to me?" It’s funny. I hide things because I found them useful, but I can kick the two of them out of here any time I want, and they’re not threats to my life.

Besides, pride matters little to me. I’ve always hidden things from others, and it’s not something as futile as pride and honor that’s going to stop me from lying.

"Yeah... I’m not a threat to your life... but I don’t know, you’re suspicious in many different ways, and your actions too... you can never be too cautious, right?"

...

...

...

"Yeah... I’m not a threat to your life... but I don’t know, you’re suspicious in many different ways, and your actions too... you can never be too cautious, right?" I say to Pandora, who wears a smile.

’...Damn it...’ Pandora is extremely suspicious. I know people like Pandora well. The problem is it’s not just her personality — Pandora is bizarre in behavior, attitude, and the situations around her.

I can’t tell if there’s really something going on, or if I’m just being paranoid because of my past experiences, because this woman is absurd and a monster.

’My instincts can’t be wrong... she’s doing something... I know she is... even if I don’t have proof...’ I bite my sandwich, asking myself what she’ll do when she’s alone. Fortunately, I have espionage magic. I’ll watch her secrets and find out if I’m right.

For now, all I can do is wait for her to slip and make a mistake. She’ll slip up. Crazy people like her always do.

"What’s the universe like where we’re stopping?" I ask her with a falsely curious tone.

"Oh, it’s a wonder. It’s a universe where every planet has life forms. It’s a rarity, because normally almost all planets in each universe are uninhabitable, but this one has each planet located in zones that allow intelligent life or non-intelligent life."

"They’re relatively peaceful. The interesting part is the planets. You’ll like it. There’s a lot of life there."

’A very large universe... why did she change the route?’ From what I saw of her life before she blocked it, she always focused on universes with few life forms or no life forms at all.

’I knew it... something is going on here...’ I keep an eye on her, but I know that if she tries something, I wouldn’t be able to stop it. The point is, if it’s something against me, I’ll just run. I barely know the two of them. I have no reason to stay here if I run into trouble.

"It sounds perfect... too perfect." I always try to throw in these little jabs to see if her gaze falters, but she doesn’t even react.

"Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have something to finish." She picks up her controller. I can only bite my lips. The paranoia and unease I feel are deeply frustrating, and Pandora is a very good liar.